[00:00:05]
[Call to Order]
10 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING ON JULY 22ND, 2026, AND I'LL CALL TO ORDER THIS AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING.UH, WE HAVE A QUORUM OF THE CITY COUNCIL PRESENT.
WE ARE MEETING IN CITY HALL IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 3 0 1 WEST SECOND STREET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
UH, BEFORE WE GET, THE WAY WE'RE GONNA PROCEED TODAY, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND, AND PUBLIC IS WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS WE'RE GONNA CALL ON THE SPEAKERS THAT WE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK FIRST, HEAR FROM ALL THE SPEAKERS, AND THEN WE WILL GO TO THE TWO AGENDA ITEMS. AND, UH, BECAUSE THE TWO AGENDA ITEMS ARE BASICALLY THE SAME ITEM, UM, WE'RE JUST GONNA GO ITEM ONE AND ITEM TWO FOR THE, WITH, WITH REGARD TO THE SPEAKERS.
BEFORE WE DO THAT, UM, LET ME JUST ALSO SAY THAT THE WAY, UH, I THINK WE'LL APPROACH WHEN WE GET TO THE QUESTIONS AFTER THE BRIEFING THAT, UH, OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF GIVES US, WHAT WE WILL DO IS WE WILL THEN GO FIRST TO, UH, STAFF WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY AND ALLOW THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ASK WHATEVER QUESTIONS THEY HAVE IN THAT REGARD.
THEN ONCE THAT'S COMPLETE, WE WILL GO TO HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING, AND ONCE THAT'S COMPLETE, WE WILL THEN GO TO SOCIAL SERVICES CONTRACTS.
BEFORE WE BEGIN THAT PART OF IT, UM, LET ME AGAIN REMIND EVERYONE AND ANYONE THAT, UH, WATCHES THIS ABOUT HOW WE'RE MOVING FORWARD IN THIS BUDGET PROCESS.
UH, AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, TODAY IS JULY 22ND, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE THE WORK SESSION, THE COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION THAT WE HAVE ON, UH, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND AS I'VE JUST INDICATED, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY, HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS.
ON TUESDAY, JULY 28TH, WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER BUDGET WORK SESSION THAT WILL COVER ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, MOBILITY AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND, AND HIGH PERFORMANCE IN GOVERNMENT.
ON THURSDAY, JULY 30TH, WE WILL HAVE A CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION COVERING PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOME ADDITIONAL HIGH PERFORMING GOVERNMENT ISSUES.
WE WILL ALSO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT DAY AT THREE O'CLOCK.
IT IS PART OF THE SAME COUNCIL MEETING, SO IT'S NOT A SEPARATE COUNCIL MEETING, IT'S JUST A TIME CERTAIN FOR A PUBLIC HEARING AT THREE O'CLOCK ON THAT DAY.
AND WE WILL ALSO SET THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE, AND, AND ONCE WE'VE CONDUCTED THE PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH, UH, WE HAVE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED A CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION FOR THAT DAY AS WELL IN CASE WE NEED IT.
THAT IS ALSO THE DAY, UM, THAT WE ARE ASKING ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS TO HAVE IN THEIR PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET AND THEIR PROPOSED IFCS.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6TH, WE WILL HAVE A BUDGET WORK SESSION WHERE WE WILL TAKE UP THOSE BUDGET AMENDMENTS IN THOSE IFCS AND BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THEM.
AND THEN WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12TH, THURSDAY, AUGUST 13TH, AND FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH, WE WILL HAVE, WE ARE SCHEDULED TO HAVE COUNCIL MEETINGS.
UH, SO IF, IF WE NEED THREE DAYS TO PASS THE BUDGET, WE WILL HAVE THOSE THREE DAYS.
I ALSO WANNA POINT OUT THAT IF YOU GO TO THE CITY CLERK'S WEBSITE, THE CITY CLERK HAS WHAT I JUST LAID OUT, UH, ON THE WEBSITE, YOU CAN, AND IT ALSO GIVES YOU INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW PEOPLE CAN SIGN UP TO BE HEARD ON ANY OF THOSE DAYS, AND IT TELLS YOU WHEN THOSE, UH, SIGN UP TIMES OPEN AND WHEN THEY CLOSE, SO THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO, TO SIGN UP, UH, MEMBERS, UNLESS YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, UH, OR OBJECTIONS.
[Public Communication]
GO TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT.WITH THAT, I'LL TURN TO THE CITY CLERK AND ASK YOU TO HELP US.
STARTING WITH ITEM ONE AND REMOTE SPEAKERS, I HAVE LILY ANN ORTIZ.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND YOUR TIME.
[00:05:01]
BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT MEANS THAT WE ANSWER TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT, NOT TO THE MAYOR, NOT TO ANY OTHER ELECTED OFFICIAL, BUT TO THE PUBLIC.WE ANSWER TO CORPORATIONS, NOT TO PEOPLE WHO MOVE HERE FOR THEIR OWN PROFIT AND CAPITALISM SAKE.
WE ARE SEEING SO MANY OFFITE ONCE AGAIN, SHOW UP WITH THE BEST OF INTENTIONS WITH STATISTICS AND DATA, WITH FACTS, ABSOLUTE FACTS TO SUPPORT THE WORK WE ENGAGE IN ALL YEAR ROUND.
HOW THE CITY COULD EVEN CONSIDER CUTTING FUNDING FOR SO MANY SOCIAL SERVICE NETS AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME IS ASTOUNDING.
IT IS ASTOUNDING, AND IT IS RIDICULOUS.
HERE WE ARE AGAIN, ASKING OUR CITY COUNCIL TO DO THE RIGHT THING, DO THE INTELLIGENT THING, DO THE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE THING.
SINCE DATA SHOWS HOW THESE SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS BENEFIT THE CITY FINANCIALLY, WE ARE HOPING OUR CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE IN AN INTELLIGENT, PROGRESSIVE WAY THAT MIRRORS ITS CONSTITUENTS.
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE FUNDS AWAY FROM THE VERY PROGRAMS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING SOME OF THE HARDEST WORK.
IT IS HARD WORK CARING ABOUT OTHERS AND THEIR WELLBEING.
IT IS EMOTIONALLY HEAVY AND HARD WORK, PUTTING THAT CARE INTO ACTION.
THE TRUTH IS, WE ARE NOT WELL.
IF OTHERS ARE NOT WELL, WE ARE NOT SAFE AND STABLE.
IF OTHERS AREN'T SAFE AND STABLE, WE NEED THESE PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? OKAY.
OH, I HAVE ONE MORE REMOTE SPEAKER.
HI, UH, MY NAME IS MADISON SELBY.
I'VE BEEN AN AUSTIN RESIDENT, UH, MY WHOLE LIFE SINCE SWORN HERE IN 1991.
UM, AND I'M CALLING IN TODAY TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT FUNDING FOR SAFE.
UM, IT'S ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL, UM, HAVING WORKED PERSONALLY IN HEALTH EDUCATION, UM, ESPECIALLY FOR, UH, OUR FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE CENTERS WHERE OUR PEOPLE ARE INDIGENT AND CANNOT AFFORD OTHER CARE WILL GO.
IT'S INCREDIBLY, UH, LIFESAVING RESOURCES THAT I'VE PERSONALLY CONTACTED, UH, SAY MANY TIMES ON BEHALF OF MY PATIENTS, UM, AND MY CLIENTS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO HAVE RESOURCES FOR THEM TO HAVE A SAFE PLACE FOR THEM TO GO, UM, TO HAVE SUPPORT FOR THEM AFTER THEY'VE BEEN ASSAULTED, UH, TO HAVE, UH, ANY KIND OF RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE, UM, AND AN ANSWER, UH, FOR FAMILIES AND FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES IN THESE SITUATIONS.
UM, AND SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR CITY CONTINUES TO FUND FULLY AND NOT TRY TO FOIST THAT OFF ON HOSPITALS WHO DO NOT HAVE APPROPRIATELY TRAINED STAFF AND DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE CARE THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO OUR CITIZENS OF THE CITY AT SAFE SERVICES.
UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND, UH, YEAH, I, I'LL BE BACK TOMORROW.
RL THAT IS ALL I HAVE ON ONE FOR REMOTE SPEAKERS, I'M SWITCHING OVER TO IN PERSON.
WE'LL START WITH HANDS MAVERICK, JOHN, BRANCH, RYAN POP, OR POPPY, SABRINA BAT.
IF I'VE CALLED YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME AHEAD TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME BEFORE YOU BEGIN SPEAKING.
MAYOR WATSON, MAYOR PROTO COUNCIL MEMBERS, GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY TODAY.
I LIVE IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 10, AND I AM A POLICY AND RESEARCH ORGANIZER WITH GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP HERE IN AUSTIN.
I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET OR CIB.
GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP IS A MEMBER OF THE COALITION THAT DEVELOPED THE CIB BECAUSE WE WANT THE CITY TO PROMOTE PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND IMMIGRATION DETENTION SYSTEM, RATHER THAN PROGRAMS THAT CATCH MORE PEOPLE UP IN THOSE SYSTEMS. THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND THAT IS THAT AN, UH, OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.
FOR EXAMPLE, AUSTIN STARTED THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION LAST YEAR.
THE PROGRAM TAKES A SYSTEMS LEVEL COORDINATED COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE.
WE ARE ASKING THE CITY TO NOT GO THROUGH WITH PROPOSED CUTS TO THE OVP.
THE OVP FOLLOWS A MODEL OF IDENTIFYING AND ASSISTING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AT MOST AT RISK OF BEING EITHER PERPETRATORS OR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND INTERVENING TO PREVENT THAT VIOLENCE BEFORE IT OCCURS.
BY THE SAME TOKEN, IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES SUPPORT THE ESTIMATED 12% OF INDIVIDUALS IN AUSTIN WHO ARE EITHER UNDOCUMENTED OR LIVE WITH SOMEONE WHO IS UNDOCUMENTED.
THEY WORK IN EVERY AREA OF THE CITY AND EVERY ECONOMIC SECTOR.
[00:10:01]
FOR NONPROFITS THAT PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO IMMIGRANTS, BUT THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR INCLUDES CUTS OF UP TO ONE THIRD OF THIS FUNDING.DESPITE DRASTIC INCREASES IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET FOR IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES PREVENT FAMILY SEPARATION AND DISRUPTION, SO THEIR FUNDING NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED OR INCREASED, NOT CUT.
IN THE MEANTIME, I NEED TO EXPRESS MY DISMAY AT A PROPOSED INCREASE OF $25 MILLION IN THE POLICE BUDGET, OF WHICH 13 MILLION IS DISCRETION DISCRETIONARY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE BUDGET PROPOSES A DRASTIC CUT IN SOCIAL SERVICES.
HI, MY NAME IS SABRINA BUTRA, AND TODAY I WANT TO ADVOCATE TO NOT INCREASE, UH, ELECTRICITY RATES AND INCORPORATE RATE CASES INTO OUR SYSTEM.
WHICH RATE CASES IS A FORMAL PROCESS WHERE A UTILITY COMPANY SEEKS APPROVAL FROM A REGULATORY, UH, BODY TO JUST ITS RATE ACCORDINGLY.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME IS I'M A UT AUSTIN STUDENT AND I CURRENTLY RESIDE IN WEST CAMPUS, WHICH IS NOTORIOUS FOR BEING SUPER EXPENSIVE WHEN IT COMES TO RATE, AND ME AND MY FELLOW STUDENTS ARE ALREADY, UM, STRUGGLING TO AFFORD RATE, UM, RENT PRICES IN UT AUSTIN.
UH, INCREASING ELECTRICITY WOULD JUST MAKE IT WORSE.
I KNOW FOR IN WEST CAMPUS, THE ONE BEDROOM APARTMENTS ARE 64% HIGHER THAN THE MEDIAN OF A REGULAR ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT IN AUSTIN.
SO IT'S REALLY CRUCIAL THAT WE HAVE THESE, UM, THINGS LIKE RATE CASES THAT COULD BE INCORPORATED INTO OUR SYSTEM.
SO STRUGGLING STUDENTS THAT ARE ALREADY NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD RENT PRICES AT U UH, WEST CAMPUS AND EVEN AUSTIN BEYOND, LIKE WE'VE SEEN HOUSING PRICING IN AUSTIN THAT'S GONE UP 2.8% SINCE LAST YEAR.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I SERVE AS THE LEGISLATIVE AIDE FOR CWA LOCAL 61 54, REPRESENTING THE DEDICATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AT INTEGRAL CARE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO PROTECT ALL CITY FUNDING INTEGRAL CARE CONTRACTS, WHETHER THEY SUPPORT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, CRISIS RESPONSE, SUBSTANCE USE, TREATMENT, HOMELESSNESS SERVICES, HIV SERVICES, INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY SERVICES OR CARE COORDINATION.
THESE PROGRAMS, THOUGH, ARE ESSENTIAL TO KEEPING AUSTINITES HEALTHY, SAFE, AND CONNECTED TO CARE.
ONE EXAMPLE IS THE EXPANDED MOBILE CRISIS OUTREACH TEAM OR OTT.
AUSTIN BECAME THE FIRST CITY IN THE NATION TO GIVE 9 1 1 CALLERS THE OPTION TO REQUEST A MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE.
TODAY, OTT RESOLVES 85% OF ALL MEN MENTAL HEALTH, 9 1 1 CALLS WITHOUT POLICE INVOLVEMENT, SAVING TAXPAYERS MORE THAN $12 MILLION ANNUALLY WHILE ALLOWING POLICE OFFICERS TO FOCUS ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
BUT MCOS ONLY ONE PART OF INTEGRAL CARE'S WORK.
THERE IS NO EXCESS FUNDING AND THESE CONTRACTS, THEY'RE ALREADY FUNDED ONLY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS TODAY.
IF THESE CONTRACTS ARE REDUCED, INTEGRAL CARE WILL BE FORCED TO REDUCE SERVICES AND LAY OFF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.
THE NEED FOR CARE WON'T DISAPPEAR ONLY THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE FOR IT.
WE RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO EXEMPT INTEGRAL CARE AS CONTRACTS FROM YOUR PROPOSED SOCIAL SERVICES AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REDUCTIONS AND IDENTIFY SAVINGS ELSEWHERE IN THE BUDGET.
THESE SERVICES SAVE LIVES, REDUCE COST, AND STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SAFETY.
PLEASE PROTECT INTEGRAL CARE'S WORKFORCE AND THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES OUR COMMUNITY DEPENDS ON.
CONTINUOUS ITEM ONE, CHRISTINA DELGADO, BRITTA THOMPSON, MAGGIE LUNA, SCOTT COBB, AND BIANCA BILLETT.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
I AM HERE AGAIN TO TALK ABOUT HOW THRA SAVES THE MONEY.
CITY, I MEAN, SAVES THE CITY MONEY.
UM, EVERY DAY AT OUR DROP-IN CENTER, OUR OUTREACH TEAM AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, WE ARE PROVIDING WOUND CARE, ONSITE TESTING FOR HEP CHIV, AND STIS, CATCHING INFECTIONS BEFORE THEY TURN INTO PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES.
WE ARE ALSO A SAFE PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN TURNED AWAY EVERYWHERE ELSE, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING TEMPORARY PSYCHOSIS.
OUR STAFF HAS BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE, AND WE CAN DEESCALATE PEACEFULLY WITHOUT POLICE, AMBULANCES OR JAIL.
THRA ALSO HAS A REENTRY TEAM THAT ENTERS THE JAIL.
WE PROVIDE OVERDOSE PREVENTION EDUCATION.
[00:15:01]
WE WALK ALONGSIDE PEOPLE BEFORE THEY'RE RELEASED, AND WE HELP THEM WITH EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND MENTAL HEALTH, WHICH HELPS REDUCE RECIDIVISM.WE PROMOTE SAFE SYRINGE DISPOSAL AND JOIN STREET CLEANUPS.
WE ARE KEEPING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER, UM, AND OUR WORK SHOWS UP IN NUMBERS.
THRA HAD 375 DOCUMENTED OVERDOSE REVERSALS.
FROM JULY TO JULY, TRAVIS COUNTY SAW 396 DEATHS FROM OVERDOSE.
IN 2024, OVERDOSE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
IN AUSTIN, FENTANYL DEATHS DECREASE AS PEOPLE EX AS THE DRUG EXPLO.
FENTANYL DEATHS DECREASE, BUT THE DRUG SUPPLY IS BECOMING MORE DANGEROUS.
PEOPLE RELEASED FROM JAIL IN AUSTIN ARE EIGHT TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS THAT THEY ARE OUT.
PEOPLE RECEIVING HARM REDUCTION SERVICES ARE FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO SEEK TREATMENT.
TRAVIS COUNTY JUST RECORDED ITS SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF DECLINING FENTANYL DEATHS.
AT THRA, WE WORK FOR MONTHS WITH PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN CAUGHT UP, LOST DOCUMENTS, FAMILY PHOTOS AND OTHER MEDICATIONS, ALL DUMPED IN THE SWEEPS, AND OUR STAFF IS SPINNING MONTHS HELPING PEOPLE RECOVER THINGS THAT WE'VE LOST.
HELLO, MY NAME IS BIANCA BILL LOWERY.
UH, FIRST HEAVENLY FATHER, I JUST ASK THAT YOU BLESS THESE WORDS AND THAT THEY MAY REACH WHO THEY NEED TO REACH AND THAT WE MAY GLORIFY YOU IN ALL THAT WE DO.
ATX PEACE AUSTIN'S FIRST COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM BUILT BY LIFE, A NEW JAILS, JOBS, AND THE CITY'S OWN VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM.
WHILE I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT IT IS WORKING FROM 2024 TO 25, HOMICIDES DROPPED 39% IN THE HOTSPOT NEIGHBORHOODS THAT A TX PEACE WAS ASSIGNED TO SERVE.
THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT JUST SAVE LIVES, IT ALSO SAVES THE CITY'S BUDGET TOO.
WE KNOW A HOMICIDE COSTS A LITTLE OVER A MILLION DOLLARS IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION.
A CONSERVATIVE MODEL PUTS THE RETURN ON OUR COMBINED 3 MILLION LOCAL AND STATE INVESTMENT AT ROUGHLY 13 TO ONE AND SCALING CVI ACROSS AUSTIN COULD SAVE THE CITY MORE THAN A HUNDRED MILLION OVER FIVE YEARS AGAINST PROGRAM COSTS OF UNDER NINE.
NATIONAL CVI IS WORKING AND WE HAVE THE NUMBERS TO SHOW THAT CUTTING SHOOTINGS DOWN BY AS MUCH AS 60% WHERE IT IS FUNDED.
WE ARE SEEING THAT SAME RESULT HERE.
LAST YEAR, AUSTIN LOST ONE POINT 18 MILLION IN FEDERAL CVI DOLLARS TO NATIONAL CUTS.
IF THE CITY PULLS BACK NOW, WE DON'T JUST SLOW DOWN, WE STOP.
WHAT THAT MEANS FOR US IS PHONES GO UNANSWERED.
FAMILIES GO UNSERVED AND HOMICIDE WILL GO UP.
AGAIN, PLEASE DO NOT CUT WHAT IS WORKING.
PROTECT A-T-A-A-T-X PEACE FUNDING AND LET US FINISH THE JOB THAT OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE STARTED.
HELLO, MY NAME IS SCOTT COBB, A FORMER LIFEGUARD UNTIL I WAS UNLAWFULLY RETALIATED AGAINST AND TERMINATED FOR SPEAKING TO CITY COUNCIL.
ON THE WAY UP HERE, I PASSED A GAS STATION.
IT SAID $3 AND 85 CENTS PER GALLON.
A YEAR AGO, IT WAS ABOUT TWO 60 SOMETHING, AN INCREASE OF OVER A DOLLAR.
THE LIVING WAGE PROPOSAL IS 0.0, 0.45% FOR PEOPLE LIKE I USED TO BE MAKING THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I WANT TO THANK THE CITY MANAGER FOR TELLING US WHAT WE ARE VALUED TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN AND TO THE PEOPLE RIDING THE BUDGET, WE ARE WORTH 10 EXTRA CENTS.
I PROPOSE THAT THE LIVING WAGE INSTEAD OF THAT, IT RISES $1.
LAST YEAR, I WORKED ABOUT 10 MILES FROM BARTON SPRING WHEN I WORKED AT BARTON SPRINGS.
10 MILES, 20 MILES ROUND TRIP.
2020 GALLONS OR, OR ONE GALLON PER EACH TRIP.
THAT'S OVER A DOLLAR MORE THIS YEAR THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE BEING TREATED FAIRLY.
I THINK WE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE SAME RAISE AS EVERYONE ELSE.
IF YOU HAD 0.45, IT'S UP TO 2.39 OVER TWO YEARS, WHEREAS THE REGULAR EMPLOYEES GOT THREE 4% LAST YEAR AND THEY'RE GETTING 3% THIS YEAR FOR 7%.
LOWEST PAID WORKERS ARE NOT PART OF THE GOVERNING CLASS, SO WE DON'T MAKE THE DECISIONS.
WE HAVE TO COME HERE AND ASK YOU.
CONTINUE WITH ITEM ONE, PAT VICE
[00:20:02]
MICHAEL SALAZAR, TRACY BROWN, RUAN PEARSON.MARIA, ARE YOU HERE? ROSA MARIE? YES.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO FIRST? OKAY.
THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UM, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE AND I AM A LONG-TERM AUSTIN RESIDENT AS WELL AS ANIMAL SHELTER ADVOCATE AND, AND ALSO A MEMBER OF THE SPAY NEUTER WORKING GROUP OF A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKING GROUP OF ANIMAL SERVICES.
LAST TIME I SPOKE A FEW DAYS AGO, I SPOKE ABOUT THE LACK OF OPEN INTAKE AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER, AND TODAY I'M GONNA SPEAK ABOUT THE SPAY NEUTER, UH, PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND THE BUDGET NUMBERS.
COUNCIL MEMBER VELA FOR TWO YEARS AGO, PUTTING IN $850,000 SPECIFICALLY FOR SPAY NEUTER THROUGH A THIRD PARTY VENDOR.
THAT CONTRACT WAS VERY HELPFUL AND IT HELPED THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS STERILIZED PERFORMED BY, UM, CONTRACTED VENDORS TO GO UP FROM 10,628 IN 2324 TO 13,433 IN 24 25.
THAT WAS A GREAT ADDITION TO THE BUDGET AND I APPRECIATE IT.
I ALSO APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU FOR VOTING FOR IT.
THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE HERE THEN, UM, BECAUSE THAT HAS BEEN VERY GOOD.
HOWEVER, THIS YEAR WE ARE ONLY GOING TO DO SEVEN 7,800.
THAT'S ON PAGE 1 33 OF THE BUDGET COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WHEN YOU PUT THAT MONEY IN, IT WENT INTO THE BASE BUDGET.
SO IF IT HASN'T BEEN CUT, WHY IS THAT NUMBER GOING DOWN FROM 13,433 TO 700? IT COULD BE THAT THE MONEY WAS MOVED AND USED FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
IT COULD BE THAT EMANCIPET DID NOT LIVE UP TO THE NUMBERS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO SPAY AND NEUTER.
SO WHEN YOU ADDED MONEY AND WE CONTRACTED, WE LOST OTHER ANIMALS.
THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THAT.
WHY DON'T WE START ON THIS END AND WE'LL WORK OUR WAY THIS DIRECTION.
UH, GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR.
MY NAME IS MICHAEL SALAZAR AND I'M A TRUSTED MESSENGER WITH LIFE FOR NEW AND AT X PIECE, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT BECAUSE THAT'S THE LANGUAGE OF BUDGETS AND CVI HAS THE RECEIPTS.
A SINGLE HOMICIDE CAN COST OUR CITY UPWARD OF $1.22 MILLION.
AND ONCE YOU FACTOR IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE, HEALTHCARE COURTS, INCARCERATION AND THE LASTING TOLL ON A FAMILY, THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
I WILL NOW SHARE ANOTHER REALITY, WHICH IS THE IMPACT THE AT TX PIECE HAS HAD IN AUSTIN, HOMICIDES DROPPED ROUGHLY 90 TO ROUGHLY 90 IN 2021 TO THE MID SEVENTIES AND 2022 THROUGH 24, AND DOWN TO 55 AND 2025.
AND DURING THAT TIME, A TXP SERVED 792 PEOPLE, WHICH IS 53% EXCEEDING ABOVE ITS GOAL.
WITH THE 39% CRIME REDUCTION IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS IT WORKED IN DIRECTLY.
THAT IS WHAT PREVENTION DOLLARS BOUGHT.
EVERY HOMICIDE AVOIDED IS 1.2 MILLION.
THIS COUNCIL DIDN'T HAVE TO SPEND ON THE BACK END CUTTING.
IT TRADES A SMALL PROVEN INVESTMENT FOR A MUCH LARGER UNPREDICTABLE BILL.
SO COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE ARE ASKING YOU TO PLEASE PROTECT AND INCREASE CBI FUNDING.
SO EVERY ZIP CODE IN AUSTIN GETS TO RETURN.
THIS DATA ALREADY PROVES IT'S POSSIBLE.
MY NAME IS TRACY BROWN AND I AM A SURVIVOR OF GUN VIOLENCE WITH MY 15-YEAR-OLD SON, BRADON MARTIN BEING THE VICTIM, UM, IT HAS TAKEN YEARS, UM, YEARS OF THERAPY, YEARS OF HOLDING MY FAMILY TOGETHER TO BEGIN THE PROCESS.
THE FACT THAT MY OLDEST SON IS NO LONGER WITH US.
I'M STILL HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION WORK.
BECAUSE OF THAT SUPPORT, MY FAMILY CONTINUES IN THERAPY AND I FOUND THE STRENGTH TO TURN MY PAIN INTO PURPOSE.
I CREATED A SPACE FOR OTHER MOTHERS GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A CHILD, AND I CALL IT MOMMY'S FACE.
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IT IS A PLACE WHERE MOTHERS WHO UNDERSTAND THIS SPECIFIC KIND OF LOSS CAN SIT TOGETHER, GRIEVE TOGETHER, AND REMIND EACH OTHER THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE.FOR MANY OF US, IT IS ONLY SPACE LIKE WE HAVE NEVER FOUND.
BUT NONE OF THIS, THE CVI WORK THAT HELPED SAVE MY FAMILY OR MOMMY SPACE, WHICH HELPS SAVE SO MANY OTHERS CAN CONTINUE WITHOUT FUNDING.
I'M ASKING YOU, THE CITY COUNCIL NOT TO CUT THIS VITAL WORK BEHIND EVERY LINE ITEM YOU'RE REVIEWING IS A MOTHER LIKE ME.
ARE, ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE TESTIMONY? YES, SIR.
HI, MY NAME IS RATAN PEARSON AND I WORK WITH LIFE THE NEW A TX PIECE AS A COMMUNITY COORDINATOR.
UH, YOU HAVE NOW HEARD THE NUMBERS.
YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT THOSE NUMBERS MEAN FOR ONE MOTHER IN THIS CITY.
I WANNA LEAVE YOU WITH WHY BOTH MATTER TOGETHER.
VIOLENCE IN THIS CITY IS NOT RANDOM.
IT IS CONCENTRATED, IT IS PREDICTABLE, AND IT IS PREVENTABLE.
AND THE PEOPLE BEST EQUIPPED TO STOP ALREADY TO STOP IT ALREADY LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED IT MOST.
THAT'S WHY COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION IS NEIGHBORS SHOWING UP FOR NEIGHBORS BEFORE TRAGEDY STRIKES INSTEAD OF AFTER.
BUT SOMETIMES PROVISION COMES TOO LATE.
YOU JUST HEARD IT FROM A MOTHER WHO BURIED HER SON TO GUN VIOLENCE WHO TURNED AN UNIMAGINABLE GRIEF INTO MOMMY'S FACE.
SO OTHER GRIEVING MOTHERS DON'T HAVE TO SIT ALONE.
IT IS WHAT HAPPENS IN THE GAP THAT'S LEFT BEHIND WHEN PREVENTION DOESN'T GET THERE IN TIME.
EVERY DOLLAR YOU INVEST IN CVI IS A DOLLAR SPENT THAT FEWER MOTHERS EVER HAVE TO STAND WHERE SHE STOOD.
IT IS CHEAPER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE, AND IT IS RIGHT WHERE ASKING YOU TO PROTECT THIS FUNDING, INCREASE IT, AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERY ZIP CODE IN AUSTIN PREVENTION GETS THERE BEFORE GREECE DOES.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I AM THE CHAIR OF ONE VOICE, CENTRAL TEXAS.
I ALSO SERVE AS A CEO FOR ANO, AND I AM ASKING THIS COUNCIL TO RISE ABOVE THE HEADLINES SURROUNDING THE RECENT AUDIT.
I AGREE WITH THE COUNCIL, WITH THE CITY MANAGER THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE MAKING PUBLIC POLICY AND BUDGET DECISIONS BASED ON HEADLINES, NEWSPAPER HEADLINES.
THE AUDITOR MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE AUDIT WAS NOT INTENDED TO CHARACTERIZE THE WORK OF NONPROFITS OR DETERMINE FUNDING DECISIONS.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS AUDIT HAS SIGNIFICANT FLAWS.
IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT THE FOLLOW-UP WAS AND WHAT CLARIFICATIONS WAS WERE SOUGHT IN RESPONSE TO WHAT WAS BEING, UH, REVIEWED.
AND THERE IS SUBSTANDARD DOCUMENTATION THAT VERY DESIGN FLAWS EXPLAINS WHY THERE IS SUCH A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OUTCOMES OF THE 2026 AUDIT REPORT WITH THE OUTCOMES OF THE 2025 CONCLUSIONS.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THESE FLAWS AND THESE DIFFERENCES IN OUTCOMES AS YOU DELIBERATE YOUR BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.
NEXT UP IS MONICA GUZMAN, ANDY MILLER, AND JEN P.
PLEASE COME DOWN WHEN YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, SIR.
IF YOU'RE READY, WE'LL START WITH YOU AND WE'LL WORK OUR WAY DOWN THIS WAY.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ANDY MILLER AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER.
A CGC IS LOCATED IN DISTRICT SEVEN, BUT EVERY DAY WE SERVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FROM ACROSS AUSTIN AND THE REGION.
MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES DON'T STOP AT DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AND NEITHER SHOULD OUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT EVERY CHILD HAS ACCESS TO CARE FOR 75 YEARS.
A CGC HAS PARTNERED WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND ITS RESIDENTS TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FACING TRAUMA, ABUSE, ANXIETY,
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DEPRESSION, AND OTHER SERIOUS CHALLENGES REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.RECENTLY, WE HAVE EXPANDED OUR PROGRAMS TO DELIVER SERVICES WITHIN CHILDCARE CENTERS AS WELL AS REACH THE YOUNG ADULTS UP TO AGE 26 BASED ON THE CITY'S GROWING NEEDS.
EVERY DAY WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHILDREN RECEIVE TIMELY HIGH QUALITY CARE.
THEY STAY IN SCHOOL, FAMILIES GROW STRONGER, AND CRISES ARE INTERRUPTED BEFORE THEY BECOME TRAGEDIES.
THESE ARE ESSENTIAL SUPPORTS THAT HELP CHILDREN HEAL AND HELP KEEP AUSTIN'S FUTURE INTACT.
THAT IS WHY I URGE YOU TO REJECT THE PROPOSED REDUCTIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS.
THESE CUTS WILL MEAN FEWER CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO ACCESS CARE LONGER WAITS FOR FAMILIES IN CRISIS, AND GREATER STRAIN ON THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT FORM AUSTIN'S SOCIAL SAFETY NET.
I ALSO WANT TO EXPRESS OUR DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE RECENT AUDIT REPORT.
A CGC HAS BEEN A TRUSTED CITY PARTNER FOR DECADES AND WE VALUE OUR COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH CITY STAFF.
BUT THE REPORT'S LIMITED SCOPE, METHODOLOGY AND TIMING.
DURING BUDGET DELIBERATIONS PRESENTED AN INCOMPLETE PICTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE IMPACT OF CITY'S NONPROFIT PARTNERS.
WE ARE PROUD TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE STEWARDS OF PUBLIC DOLLARS AND WE WELCOME THOUGHTFUL EVALUATION, BUT WE ARE CONCERNED BY WHAT THE MOMENT SIGNALS ABOUT HOW THE CITY VALUES THE NONPROFIT PARTNERS WHO HAVE LONG STOOD BESIDE IT IN SERVING OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS.
TODAY I ASK YOU TO REAFFIRM THAT PARTNERSHIP, PROTECT THESE INVESTMENTS AND PRESERVE AUSTIN'S SOCIAL SAFETY NET AND CONTINUE TO INVEST IN CHILDREN'S FUTURES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. GOSMAN.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
I'M MONICA GOSMAN, POLICY DIRECTOR GAVA GO.
GAVA STAFF AND RESIDENTS HAVE CONTINUED TO MEET WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OR THEIR STAFF AND WE THANK YOU AGAIN FOR TAKING TIME TO MEET WITH US.
WE ARE AWARE THE DEFICIT THE CITY IS FACING AND THAT THE PROS FISCAL 27 BUDGET INCLUDES APPROXIMATELY 5.1 MILLION REDUCTION ON SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS.
WE ARE URGING YOU TO PRIORITIZE CRITICAL PRIORITIES, SOME OF WHICH ARE PART OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS AND INVEST OUR DOLLARS IN THE EFFORTS DETAILED IN GAVA FISCAL 27 BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT TOTAL OF $500,000 TO SUSTAIN FUNDING FOR THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY FAMILY CHILDCARE EDUCATOR NETWORK PARTNERSHIP WITH HOMEGROWN SUSTAINED FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR ROLE AT AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE END OF FISCAL 27 AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A DIRECT ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.
REINSTATE THE FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANT WITH PERMANENT ALLOCATION OF AT LEAST 1.3 MILLION TO MEET GREATER NEEDS AND HIGHER COST OF LIVING IN AUSTIN AND AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH 1.57 MILLION TOTAL FOR IMMIGRANT SUPPORTS, RESTORE AND INCREASE FUNDING FOR LEGAL REPRESENTED REPRESENTATION SERVICES, CONTRACTS, AND CONTINUED FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM.
A DEDICATED TEAM THAT IS NEEDED AT THIS TIME.
THERE ARE A PH STAFF WHO ARE CERTIFIED CHWS AND ARE ACTIVATED DURING GRAY SKY DAYS AND OTHER CLIMATE STRESSOR INCIDENTS.
I LIKE TO BEGIN THINGS LIKE THIS BY SAYING ALL THE POSITIVE THINGS I SEE, BUT I'VE GOT TWO MINUTES, SO I'M JUST GONNA FOCUS ON WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.
THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS IS TO CREATE SAFE COMMUNITIES AND YOU KNOW WHAT I DON'T SEE ON HERE THAT NEEDS TO BE ON HERE TO KEEP US SAFE.
I DON'T SEE THE SAFE ALLIANCE.
UM, I KNOW THAT YOU'VE GOT SOME ALTERNATIVE COOKING UP IN CEDAR PARK, BUT ONE THAT'S IN CEDAR PARK.
TWO, THERE ARE A LOT OF MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES SUCH AS THE LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITIES AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES THAT AREN'T COMFORTABLE GOING TO THOSE SERVICES, THAT ARE LESS ACCESSIBLE, UM, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR DEMOGRAPHICS AND YOU KNOW, WHAT KEEPS OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE? PEOPLE ACTUALLY REPORTING CRIMES.
SO WE NEED TO INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY PROJECT THAT WILL MEET THEIR NEEDS AND ENCOURAGE CERTAIN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES TO ACTUALLY REPORT CRIMES.
ANOTHER THING I DON'T SEE IS I DON'T SEE MOVING THE NINE ONE ONE CALL CENTER, WHICH I KNOW THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL SUPPORTS THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN AUSTIN SUPPORT.
I HAVEN'T REALLY HEARD ANYONE AGAINST IT, BUT IT IS NOT ON HERE.
AND YOU KNOW, WHAT MAKES PEOPLE REPORT TO NINE ONE ONE KNOWING THAT THEIR CALL IS GONNA BE ROUTED CORRECTLY.
AND THAT'S REALLY ONLY GONNA HAPPEN IF WE MOVE THE NINE ONE ONE CALL CENTER OUT OF AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND INTO ITS OWN INDEPENDENT CENTER.
SO I WANNA SEE THAT HERE AS WELL.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I'M JUST GONNA TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME HERE WITH MY 45 SECONDS.
I MOVED TO AUSTIN FOR THAT REASON.
I AM STILL IN PHYSICAL THERAPY.
I'M STILL IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND I AM STILL DEALING WITH POST-CONCUSSIVE SYMPTOMS. I WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT LED A TWO MILE WALK ON THE 12TH IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFE ALLIANCE.
YOU GUYS PROBABLY DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT IT, YOU WEREN'T HERE THAT DAY.
I DID NOT WALK ON MY GIMP LEG FOR TWO MILES FOR THEM TO NOT GET FUNDED.
I DID NOT GET THE BIKE TIRES FROM THE BIKE THAT GOT DONATED TO ME STOLEN LAST NIGHT.
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POLICE BECAUSE I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX AND THERE'S A NEW CITY ORDINANCE SAYING THAT IF I CALL THE POLICE I CAN BE EVICTED.THAT'S NOT KEEPING US SAFE AND THAT'S NOT HELPING PEOPLE REPORT.
SO I'M GONNA LEAVE THIS MEETING.
I'M GONNA GO TO AUSTIN PETS ALIVE AND I'M GONNA HELP A BUNCH OF DOGS AND CATS THAT WERE TRAPPED IN A FLOOD.
THAT WAS ALL SPEAKERS FOR ITEM ONE.
SO I'M MOVING TO ITEM TWO AND STARTING WITH REMOTE SPEAKERS.
I WAS ONE GOOD MORNING, BUT I WAS ONE LAST ONE.
OKAY, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN.
MY NAME IS QUA BREWSTER, UM, AND I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM TWO IN THE FAMILY STABLE STABILIZATION GRANT.
I JUST WANNA BE SURE THAT THAT IS A PART OF THE BUDGET THIS YEAR.
UM, IT, THE STABILIZATION STABILIZATION GRANT REALLY HELPED MY FAMILY AND I KNOW THAT, THAT THE, THAT FUNDING HELPED OTHER FAMILIES IN AUSTIN AND IT'S MORE THAN JUST MORE HELPING THE FAMILY HELPS THE COMMUNITY.
UM, ALL THE, EVERYTHING THAT WAS SPOKE ABOUT IN THE LAST ITEM WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, UH, CRIME INTERVENTION AND VIOLENCE INTERVENTION.
ALL THOSE THINGS HELP WITH FAMILY STABLE STABILIZATION.
IF FAMILIES HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO OR IF THEY HAVE THAT EXTRA FUNDING, UM, THAT'S GIVEN TO THEM.
IT, IT IS, IT'S LIKELY THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING VIOLENT, THE HOMELESSNESS IS DOWN, UM, BECAUSE IT'S KEEPING FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES, IT HELPS HELP
SO THAT'S JUST MY HOPE THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE STILL FUNDING THAT.
DORIS ADAMS. MY NAME IS DORIS ADAMS AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING I'M UNDO WHITE SUPREMACY AUSTIN OR USA.
WE ARE PART OF THE COALITION THAT DEVELOPED THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
THIS IS CONCERNED THAT, AGAIN, POLICING IS BEING PRIORITIZED OVER SOCIAL SERVICE SOLUTIONS THAT RESEARCH, IDENTIFY, IDENTIFY, ADDRESS THE BASIC NEEDS SHOWN AS THE COMMUNITY'S TOP CONCERN IN YOUR SURVEY AND THE ROOT CAUSES TO CREATE PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET ALSO SUPPORTS NO CUTS TO THE EQUITY DIVISION OF THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION.
THIS PROPOSED BUDGET REFLECTS A 40% DECREASE IN THE BUDGET OF THIS DIVISION, ONE OF THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE CUTS.
LUA IS EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.
OVER THE LAST YEAR, NEW MANAGEMENT HAS STRIPPED AWAY THE IMPACTFUL STRATEGIES OF THIS DIVISION AND ITS STAFFING, REPLACING IT WITH TOP DOWN.
THE EQUITY DIVISION HAS SENT INCEPTION IN 2016 AT THE EQUITY OFFICE, IMPLEMENTED A ROBUST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS AND INVITES PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHERE MOST VULNERABLE AND DEFINING WHAT THEY NEED TO INFORM HOW THE CITY DESIGNS AND SOCIAL SERVICE SOLUTIONS.
IT IS EMBEDDED EQUITY INTO THE BUDGETING PROCESS, TRAINED CITY STAFF SO THEIR INTERNAL SYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION CAN BE RECOGNIZED AND ADDRESSED IN MEANINGFUL WAYS AND DEVELOPED AN INDEPENDENT EQUITY NETWORK IN 14 DEPARTMENTS TO NAME A FEW.
AT THIS TIME, THE EQUITY ASSESSMENT AND ALL TRAINING HAVE BEEN STOPPED AND THE EQUITY NETWORK IS CRUMBLING.
IN APPROVING THIS BUDGET LINE, YOU ARE JUSTING YOURSELF FROM YOUR EARLIER COMMITMENTS TO EQUITY, PARTICULARLY RACIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUITY IN THE CITY.
I URGE YOU TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE EQUITY DIVISION AND RETHINK THE DIVISION'S BUDGET.
MY HOPE IS THAT YOU WILL SHOW THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE IN THIS CITY BY FUNDING KEY SOCIAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTING THE REBUILDING OF THE EQUITY DIVISION SO THAT THE CITY CONTINUES TO GROW IN EMBEDDING EQUITY INTO THE WAY IT OPERATES.
PIERRE ALSTEIN AND I'M THE CEO OF THE SAFE ALLIANCE.
AND BEFORE JOINING SAFE, I LED THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC IMPACT, WHICH IS FOUNDED BY THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP TO HELP GOVERNMENT STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SYSTEMS AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES AROUND THE WORLD.
AND I BELIEVE DEEPLY IN ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIRES PRECISION AND THE RECENT AUDIT DOES NOT SUPPORT A BLANKET CONCLUSION THAT AUSTIN'S NONPROFITS ARE FAILING.
THE REPORT STATES THAT ITS FINDINGS CANNOT BE PROJECTED ACROSS THE CITY'S FULL PORTFOLIO OF NONPROFIT CONTRACTS.
IT ALSO IDENTIFIES WEAKNESSES IN THE CITY'S CONTRACTING AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PROCESSES, INCLUDING INCONSISTENT PERFORMANCE MEASURES, UH, COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES WITH PROVIDERS AND INCONSISTENT MONITORING OF CONTRACT PERFORMANCE.
THIS AUDIT SHOULD STRENGTHEN CONTRACTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
IT SHOULD NOT BECOME A HOPE, A
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SHORTCUT FOR INDISCRIMINATE CUTS.NOW, SAFE ALLIANCE IS PART OF AUSTIN'S ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ACROSS EVERY DISTRICT, THE DATA SHOW, WE PROVIDE A CONNECTED SYSTEM OF CARE FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE, SEX TRAFFICKING, AND CHILD ABUSE.
AND EVERY 20 MINUTES, SOMEONE REACHES OUT EVERY TIME WE ANSWER 24 7.
FAITH IS WHERE A FAMILY FINDS SHELTER BEFORE ESCALATING VIOLENCE BECOMES FATAL.
IT IS WHERE A SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVOR RECEIVES COMPASSIONATE CARE.
WHEN, WHERE, WHERE WE INTERVENE WHEN A CHILD MAY FACE SERIOUS OR FATAL HARM.
AND THIS WORK REDUCES AVOIDABLE RELIANCE ON EMERGENCY ROOMS AND POLICE AND JAILS, HOMELESSNESS SYSTEMS, AND, AND CUTTING THESE SERVICES SHIFTS THAT COST INTO MORE EXPENSIVE SYSTEMS AND ALONGSIDE OUR PARTNERS IN ONE VOICE.
CENTRAL TEXAS FAITH IS PART OF THE CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE THAT KEEPS US SAFE, HOUSE HEALTHY AND CONNECTED.
AUSTINITES ARE ASKING YOU TO REDUCE WASTE.
THIS AUDIT DOES NOT TELL US TO ABANDON EFFECTIVE SERVICES.
IT TELLS US TO BUILD A STRONGER SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY MEANS CORRECTING WHAT IS NOT WORKING WHILE PROTECTING WHAT AUSTIN CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE.
THANK YOU TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR HEARING ME.
THE CITY COUNCIL CLAIMS PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE PRIORITY, YET $30 MILLION.
THAT'S 35.8% OF NEW SPENDING GOES TO POLICE AND FIRE, WHILE 5.5 TO 8 MILLION GETS CUT FROM SOCIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING SAFE ALLIANCE, WHICH PROVIDES CRITICAL SUPPORT TO SURVIVORS AND FAMILIES OF SEXUAL ABUSE.
AT THIS SAME TIME THIS IS HAPPENING, YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE HOMEOWNERS, UH, PROPERTY TAXES BY $350 A YEAR.
IF THE CI CITY OF COUNCIL IS ALLOCATING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, 649,000 AND, UH, COUNTY PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVES TO AMAZON.
HOW IS DEFUNDING THE PROGRAMS THAT SUCH AS SAFE ALLIANCE, UH, PREVENT HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND OTHER SUBSTANTIAL PROGRAMS MAKING AUSTIN SAFER? REAL PUBLIC SAFETY MEANS ADDRESSING ROOT CAUSES, NOT JUST ENFORCEMENT.
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY GOING TO LOOK LIKE? THE THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL HAS A CHOICE.
INVEST IN THE WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES OR COMPROMISE THE VALUES THAT MAY BOSTON WORK PRESERVING.
HELLO, UH, MY NAME IS BRIDGET TOBIN.
I'M A NATIVE AUSTINITE, UM, WHO'S SEEN THE CITY CHANGE IN MANY WAYS OVER 34 YEARS.
UM, I'M NOW A PARENT TRYING TO RAISE A CHILD IN THE SAME CITY WHERE I GOT TO HAVE AN AMAZING CHILDHOOD.
UM, I'LL SAY HOW THAT'S GOING IF I HAVE THE TIME.
UM, I'M ALSO A SOCIAL WORKER WITH A DEGREE FROM UT AND ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY.
UM, ONE OF THE REQUIRED CLASSES FOR THIS TRACK IS PROGRAM EVALUATION.
UH, THE EVALUATION PROCESS FOR NONPROFIT AND ALL SOCIAL SERVICES IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED.
UM, IN MASTER'S PROGRAMS, THE MAJORITY OF THE STUDENTS ARE CLINICAL.
THEY, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO STUDY THE INS AND OUTS OF WHAT ARE OUR EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION, UM, AND HOW TO HELP CLIENTS MAKE REAL CHANGES.
THE SMALLER GROUP IN THESE MASTER'S PROGRAMS AT UT ESPECIALLY IS STUDY HOW WE ADMINISTRATE THE PROGRAMS MOST EFFECTIVELY.
UM, I LIKE THIS PROGRAM AND THE PROGRAM EVALUATION CLASS BECAUSE IT GOT TO THE ROOT OF WHAT WE OFTEN SEE GO WRONG WITH SOCIAL PROGRAMS, WHICH IS THAT THEY CAN BE REALLY WELL INTENTIONED, BUT THEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG FINANCIALLY.
UM, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT I SAW IN THIS AUDIT.
UH, I BELIEVE ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE EVALUATED RIGOROUSLY.
I EVEN WELCOMED DOGE INITIALLY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL BECAUSE IT CLAIMED IT WOULD DO THAT.
UM, NOW I CROSSED OUR CITY AUDITORS OFFICE IS MUCH MORE PROFESSIONAL IN HOW THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THESE CONTRACTS.
HOWEVER, I FEEL IT NEEDS TO BE SAID THAT THESE HEADLINES CLAIMING THAT NONPROFITS ARE RECEIVING FULL FUNDING WHILE NOT MEETING EXPECTATIONS ARE QUITE SENSATIONALIST.
UM, I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE AUDITOR'S STATEMENT IN THE SECTION, UM, PAGE EIGHT THAT SAYS SOME NONPROFITS EXPRESS CONCERNS RELATED TO THE CITY'S CONTRACTING PRACTICES FOR FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES STAFF RATES, CONCERNS ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS, THEY'RE REQUIRED TO TRACK THE REPORTING PROCESS AND THE CLARITY OF THE CITY STAFF'S COMMUNICATION.
THE AUDIT TEAM ALSO SAID THE NONPROFITS DID TRACK THEIR SERVICES AND HAD ALL THE INFORMATION TO GIVE THEM WHEN THEY WERE ASKED FOR IT.
UM, I AGREE THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO HAVE CONSEQUENCES THAT WOULD MOTIVATE THE NONPROFIT TO MEET THE PERFORMANCE GOALS.
HOWEVER, I DO NOT THINK THE ORGANIZATIONS NEED MORE PENALTIES AS WITH THE LANGUAGE, BUT MORE I DO LIKE THE TERM CORRECTIVE ACTIONS AND A CLEARER STREAMLINED PROCESS TO AID AN IMPROVEMENT TO REACH THEIR GOALS AND INVEST
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T OR TAYA JOHNSON.GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER.
MY NAME IS TAYA JOHNSON WITH THE AUSTIN AREA URBAN LEAGUE.
IN PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET, OR CIB AND OUR UNIFIED AGENDA OF PRIORITIES, WE URGE COUNCIL TO PASS A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS OUR VALUES BY INVESTING IN COMMUNITY STABILITY AND CRISIS PREVENTION.
SPECIFICALLY, WE CALL ON COUNCIL TO ALLOCATE AN ADDITIONAL 4.5 MILLION TO FULLY FUND AUSTIN'S INCREMENT WEATHER SHELTER ECOSYSTEM IN AUSTIN.
EXTREME WEATHER NOW ENCOMPASSES EXTREME HEAT, WIND, FIRE, AND RAIN.
AND WHEN OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS SEEK EMERGENCY RELIEF WITH MINIMAL RE NOTICE OR RESOURCES, AN UNDERFUNDED SYSTEM RETRAUMATIZES VULNERABLE PEOPLE AND ACTIVE CRISIS IN ADDITIONAL 4.5 MILLION WILL TRANSFORM OUR WEATHER RESPONSE FROM A SILO INTO A MULTI-TIERED SUPPORT SYSTEM.
SPECIFICALLY, THIS FUNDING WILL ADDRESS EXPANDED DIGNIFIED TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM CAMP, AND DEDICATED SHELTERS FOR FAMILY, CULTURALLY COMPETENT MENTAL HEALTH PERSONNEL AND NET DEDICATED CARE SPACES AND SHELTER, INCREASED FOOD BUDGETS, UPGRADED SLEEPING SUPPLIES, AND TRANSITIONAL KITS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL AND FLEXIBLE GRANTS FOR FRONTLINE SERVICE PROVIDERS.
WRAPAROUND CARE FROM STREET OUTREACH TO SHELTER TRANSITION IS ESSENTIAL TO KEEPING AUSTINITE SAFE DURING CLIMATE EMERGENCIES.
INVESTING EARLY IS BOTH HUMANE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.
WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE PROTECT SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS, SUPPORT THE CIB AND FULLY FUND OUR 4.5 MILLION INCLEMENT WEATHER ASK.
THAT WAS THE LAST REMOTE SPEAKER.
SO I'M GONNA BE SWITCHING TO IN PERSON FOR ITEM TWO.
IF I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME DOWN TO THE PODIUM AND BE SURE TO STATE YOUR NAME BEFORE YOU'VE BEEN SPEAKING.
LES RAMOS, CANDACE COSTA, JOHN BRANCH, SHARON BLYTHE, AND KABA WHITE.
PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX.
UM, IT WAS KIND OF A SURPRISE THIS MORNING TO FIND OUT, UH, TWO PEOPLE I I KNOW IN, IN THAT OUR CITIZENS ALREADY KNEW THE AGENDA ITEMS YOU SPELLED OUT IN THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING ABOUT WHEN YOU'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT, UH, DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
NOBODY ELSE IN THE CITY SEEMS TO HAVE KNOWN THAT IT WAS VERY NON-TRANSPARENT THAT YOU DIDN'T PUBLICIZE THAT BEFORE TODAY.
UH, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE WANNA COME DOWN HERE BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA.
I THINK THAT'S A BIG FLAW IN WHAT YOU'RE, WHAT YOU'RE DOING DOWN HERE.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, UH, ON THE BUDGET, UH, THE CITY CEMETERIES HAVE A LOT OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.
THEY, UH, ARE LETTING THINGS GO DOWNHILL BECAUSE OF THAT.
UH, THE MANAGEMENT AND THE STAFF OUT THERE ARE WONDERFUL CITIZEN ORIENTED PEOPLE THAT REALLY WANT TO HELP PEOPLE, BUT WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING AND YOU'RE LETTING THE CEMETERIES GO DOWN IN APPEARANCE, IT'S VERY BAD ON THE CITY.
IT LOOKS BAD ON THE CITY, AND IT'S VERY, VERY UPSETTING TO FAMILIES.
UH, RIGHT NOW THEY CAN'T EVEN, THEY CAN'T EVEN AFFORD, UH, THE NUMBER OF INTERNMENTS THEY NEED TO DO EVERY DAY BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET CUT LAST YEAR.
AND THEY'RE HAVING TO DEFER EVEN BURIALS BECAUSE OF THAT.
AND IT'S FUNERAL ON THE HOMES ARE GETTING KIND OF UPSET ABOUT THAT TOO.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO MY COUNCIL PERSON, I WISH SHE WOULD COMMUNICATE WITH THE DISTRICT A LOT MORE AND WHAT SHE'S DOING INSTEAD OF JUST PUTTING OUT THESE EMAILS AND THESE FACEBOOK POSTINGS ABOUT WHAT SHE'S DECIDED ALREADY WITHOUT ANY, HAVING ANY COMMUNITY INPUT.
I'M A MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST WORKING IN CRISIS INTERVENTION AND I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.
I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS SUFFER WHEN ESCALATING LIFE STRESSORS CAUSE ACUTE EPISODES, CREATING UNSAFE CONDITIONS THAT CAN EVEN LEAD PEOPLE TO HARM THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.
SOME OF THESE STRESSORS ARE OUT OF OUR CITY'S CONTROL, BUT MANY OF THEM ARE NOT.
LACK OF ACCESS TO BASIC NEEDS SERVICES AND VITAL RESOURCES OFTEN CONTRIBUTE TO CRISES, BUT THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THE NORM FROM THE PROPOSED BUDGET, IT IS APPARENT THAT PUNISHING CRIME IS A TOP PRIORITY.
HOWEVER, I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER HOW THINGS MIGHT BE DIFFERENT IF WE MEANINGFULLY INVESTED IN PUBLIC SAFETY FROM A PREVENTATIVE STANDPOINT.
THE CDC ARGUES VIOLENCE PREVENTION SHOULD FOCUS ON ADDRESSING CONDITIONS SUCH AS NEIGHBORHOOD POVERTY AND INSTABILITY.
I INVITE YOU TO IMAGINE HOW OUR CITY COULD BE DIFFERENT IF WE WERE PRIORITIZING PUBLIC SAFETY, INCLUDING ENSURING AMPLE FUNDING FOR ALL
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OF US TO BE WELL.FURTHERMORE, I INVITE ALL OF YOU TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP BEYOND IMAGINING IT BY ENSURING THERE WILL BE NO FUNDING CUTS ONLY RAISED INVESTMENTS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.
OUR COMMUNITY IS SAFER WHEN PEOPLE KNOW WHERE THE NEXT MEAL WILL COME FROM AND WHERE THEY WILL LAY THEIR HEAD AT NIGHT.
IT IS SAFER WHEN WE ENSURE SOCIAL WORKERS ARE ABLE TO INTERVENE TO HELP A BAD SITUATION FROM BECOMING MUCH, MUCH WORSE.
OUR COMMUNITY IS SAFER WHEN THOSE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCES ARE SUPPORTED.
WHEN SURVIVORS KNOW WHERE TO TURN, WHEN PARENTS HAVE HELP RAISING WELL ADJUSTED CHILDREN, AND WHEN THOSE WHO ARE SICK MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY HAVE RELIABLE ACCESSIBLE CARE AVAILABLE TO THEM.
IF WE PAY ATTENTION TO AREAS OF THE BUDGET THAT ARE OVERINFLATED AND NOTICE AREAS OF THE BUDGET THAT ARE ALARMINGLY UNDERFUNDED, GIVEN THE NEEDS OF OUR CITY, MEANINGFUL ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE.
I ASK THAT YOU HAVE AN OPEN MIND AND LISTEN TO WHAT IS PROPOSED IN THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF PUBLIC CITIZENS TEXAS OFFICE.
I'M HERE TO ASK THAT YOU PLEASE, UH, DECLINE TO INCREASE AUSTIN ENERGY RATES AS PART OF THIS BUDGET AND WAIT UNTIL AFTER A FULL RATE CASE WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF A CONSUMER ADVOCATE, WHICH CAN HAPPEN NEXT YEAR AS AUSTIN ENERGY IS ALREADY PLANNING TO DO A COST OF SERVICE STUDY, WHICH IS THE FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENT FOR A A RATE CASE.
THIS HAD BEEN THE PRACTICE SINCE, UH, THE THE 2016, UH, RATE CASE, AND THAT WAS INITIATED AS A PRACTICE TO HAVE THIS FULL ROBUST PROCESS WITH A BASICALLY AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE AND THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE.
THAT HAPPENED AFTER A GROUP OF CUSTOMERS THAT LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
CONTESTED AUSTIN ENERGY'S 2012 RATE CHANGES AND SUCCESSFULLY BROUGHT THAT TO THE PUC AND DID FORCE THE UTILITY TO CHANGE RATES.
THIS PROCESS IS A WAY OF ENSURING NOT ONLY THAT THE MONEY THAT AUSTIN ENERGY CLAIMS THAT THEY NEED IS ACTUALLY NEEDED, BUT THAT IT IS ALLOCATED FAIRLY BETWEEN THE CUSTOMER CLASSES AND THAT THE RATE DESIGN IS FAIR TO CUSTOMERS AND IS EQUITABLE AND ALIGNS WITH PRIORITIES WITH OTHER PRIORITIES SUCH AS ENERGY CONSERVATION.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK NOT JUST AT THIS 5% RATE INCREASE THAT IS BEING PROPOSED, BUT AT THE SEQUENCE OF RATE INCREASES.
TWO HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY Y'ALL WITHOUT ANY RATE, WITHOUT ANY RATE CASE, AND THEY'RE PLANNING, AE IS PLANNING TO BRING FOUR MORE.
SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT LIKE THE FROG BOILING IN THE WATER.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 5% PER YEAR.
BY MY MATH, IT ADDS UP TO ROUGHLY 30% INCREASE IN RATES OVER SIX YEARS.
AND YES, SOME CUSTOMERS ARE PARTIALLY PROTECTED BY THE CAP PROGRAM, BUT THAT IS NOT A MAJORITY OF CUSTOMERS.
CONTINUANCE ITEM TWO, REBECCA LIGHTSEY, ALMA RUIZ, SAVANNAH LEE, ELI CORTEZ.
WHY DON'T YOU KICK IT OFF A MINUTE, LIGHTSY.
I'M CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AMERICAN GATEWAYS AND PROUD RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AMERICAN GATEWAYS.
PROVIDES CRITICAL IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES TO OUR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.
I RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGES THAT THIS, UM, COUNCIL FACES IN MAKING THIS BUDGET, AND WE APPRECIATE THE CITY MANAGER'S WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMUNITY AND PROPOSE A BUDGET THAT WAS DIFFERENT THAN WAS DISCUSSED EARLIER.
NONETHELESS, WE URGE YOU TO, UM, RESTORE THE CUTS IN SOCIAL SERVICES AT AMERICAN GATEWAYS.
OUR WORK IS CRITICAL TO SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS IN THIS, UM, CITY, AS ARE THOSE OF OUR FELLOW SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS.
IN FACT, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IT WAS THE CITY WHO RECOGNIZED THE ESSENTIAL NATURE OF OUR SERVICES AND BEGAN TO PARTNER WITH US.
I WOULD ARGUE THAT OUR SERVICES ARE MORE ESSENTIAL NOW THAN THEY HAVE EVER BEEN FOR SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE, UM, RESIDENTS.
LET ME GIVE YOU JUST A, A FEW QUICK EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOUR INVESTMENT HAS DONE FOR CITY RESIDENTS.
RECENTLY THERE WAS A YOUNG DACA RECIPIENT WHO WAS ABLE TO KEEP HIS GOOD SOLID MANUFACTURING JOB THAT HE HAD NEARLY LOST BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT PROCESSING HIS WORK RENEWAL.
THERE WAS A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHO WAS ABLE TO LEAVE HER ABUSIVE PARTNER AND GET A PERMIT TO WORK SO
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THAT SHE COULD SUPPORT HER FAMILY SAFELY.WE HELPED A YOUNG MOTHER OF THREE YOUNG CHILDREN BE RELEASED FROM DETENTION AND REUNITED SO THAT SHE COULD CARE FOR HER CHILDREN AFTER SHE WAS WRONGFULLY DETAINED FOR MONTHS.
THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOUR CITY DOLLARS ARE INVESTING IN, SO WE RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO CONTINUE EXAMINING THIS BUDGET AND RESTORE THE CUTS TO SOCIAL SERVICES.
GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND OPERATIONS AT EQUITY ACTION, AND I'M HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
FIRST, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR THE INVESTMENTS YOU'VE ALREADY MADE IN HOUSING CRISIS RESPONSE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.
WE KNOW THIS IS A DIFFICULT BUDGET YEAR AND WE APPRECIATE SOME OF THE INVESTMENTS MADE IN THE PROPOSAL, BUT WE CAN'T IGNORE THE CONTRADICTION BEFORE US.
THE CITY SAYS WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING TO PRESERVE ESSENTIAL SOCIAL SERVICES WHILE PROPOSING ANOTHER $25 MILLION INCREASE FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE QUESTION ISN'T WHETHER AUSTIN FACES FISCAL CONSTRAINTS.
IT'S HOW WE CHOOSE TO RESPOND TO THEM.
THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET IS BUILT ON A SIMPLE PRINCIPLE.
INVESTING UPSTREAM SAVES MONEY.
STABLE HOUSING COSTS LESS THAN HOMELESSNESS.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COSTS LESS THAN UNEMPLOYMENT, HARM REDUCTION, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES COST LESS THAN EMERGENCY ROOMS AND JAILS.
THESE AREN'T JUST COMPASSIONATE INVESTMENTS, THEY'RE THE MOST EFFICIENT USE OF OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
WHEN WE CUT PREVENTION, WE DON'T ELIMINATE THE NEED.
WE SIMPLY PAY MORE LATER THROUGH MORE EXPENSIVE SYSTEMS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE ASKING YOU TO MAKE A DIFFERENT CHOICE.
KEEP THE POLICE BUDGET FLAT AND USE THOSE DOLLARS TO RESTORE SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS AND INVEST IN THE HOUSING WORKFORCE, PUBLIC HEALTH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS THAT KEEP PEOPLE SAFE BEFORE CRISIS HAPPENS.
WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO FUND TODAY SHAPES WHAT AUSTIN LOOKS LIKE TOMORROW.
WE URGE YOU TO CHOOSE THE INVESTMENTS THAT STRENGTHEN AUSTIN'S FUTURE, PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORS, AND MAKE THE SMARTEST USE OF PUBLIC DOLLARS.
GOOD MORNING, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ALMA RE AND I WANNA TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MY STORY.
I AM A MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN.
ONE OF MY CHILDREN HAS A SPECIAL NEEDS AND REQUIRES A GREAT, UM, DEAL OF SUPPORT EVERY DAY.
LIKE MANY PARENTS IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS, I WANT TO WORK AND PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY.
HOWEVER, FINDING A JOB THAT FITS MY SCHEDULE HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
MY DAUGHTER ATTENDS THERAPY THREE TIMES A WEEK AND STILL DEPENDS ON ME FOR MANY DAILY ACTIVITIES.
HER NEEDS DON'T STOP WHEN THE APPOINTMENTS IN.
AND THERE ARE MANY DAYS WHEN MY ROLE AS HER CAREGIVER HAS COME TO FIRST.
UM, RECEIVING THE DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN A LIFELINE FOR MY FAMILY.
IT HAS HELPED US PAY FOR BASIC NECESSITIES, REDUCE FINANCIAL STRESS, AND STAY AFLOAT DURING DIFFICULT TIMES.
MORE IMPORTANT, IT HAS GIVEN ME THE FLEXIBILITY TO RESPOND TO MY FAMILY NEEDS WITHOUT HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN CARING FOR MY DAUGHTER AND KEEPING, UM, THE BASIC NEEDS.
PROGRAMS LIKE THIS RECOGNIZE MY FAMILY, MY FAMILY'S, SORRY.
PROGRAMS LIKE THIS RECOGNIZE THAT FAMILIES KNOW BEST WAY THEY NEED, THEY TREAT US WITH DIGNITY AND TRUST.
THE SUPPORT I RECEIVE WAS NOT, AND IT WAS INVESTED DIRECTLY TO MY FAMILY.
WELL, WELLBEING AND IN STABILITY.
AND I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OTHER FAMILIES IN AUSTIN FACING SIMILAR CHALLENGES.
PARENTS CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY, GRANDPARENTS GREAT RAISING GRANDCHILDREN AND FAMILY, WORKING HARD, BUT STILL STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST IN DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE AND MAKE IT PART OF THE CITY BUDGET SO THAT MORE FAMILIES CAN HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD STABILITY, CARE FOR THEIR LOVED ONES AND MOVE FORWARD WITH HOPE.
UM, THANK YOU FOR, FOR YOUR TIME.
CONTINUING WITH ITEM TWO, MICHAEL WARD JR.
AUGUST LOZANO, PUMA BZA, KATE ANI AND DEVIN CARLOS RASI, VER SANGER.
IF THERE'S NOT A SEAT AT THE TABLE, JUST GRAB A SEAT ON THE FRONT ROW AND UH, BUT WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN AND IF YOU'RE READY, WE'LL START WITH YOU MA'AM, AND WE'LL WORK OUR WAY.
JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA START AT THE OTHER END.
MY NAME IS ELECT CORTEZ AND I AM THE RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE AND A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER FOR THE VOCAL TEXAS.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND SLASHES THAT, UM, AND SLASHES TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND AND CARE THAT ADDS AN ADD $25 MILLION TO A PD.
IT'S BEEN A LITTLE OVER TWO MONTHS THAT OUR CITY HAS PIVOTED TO CONDUCTING DAILY ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS, DESTROYING PEOPLE'S
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BELONGINGS AND SURVIVAL ESSENTIALS, AND MAKING IT SO THE POOREST AND MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE TO START OVER AND OVER AGAIN.OUR MEMBERS ARE FACING ESSENTIAL CUTS TO SERVICES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE ALREADY TAKEN PLACE AFTER THE FAILURE OF PROP Q.
AND AT THE SAME TIME, THERE'S LESS SERVICES AND RESOURCES.
AND AT THE SAME TIME THAT THERE ARE LESS SERVICES AND RESOURCES, OUR CITY HAS NOT ONLY ESCALATED ITS USE OF FORCE AGAINST OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS BY THROWING OUT THEIR POSSESSIONS AND TICKETING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO MOVE EVEN WHEN THERE'S NOWHERE TO GO, OR ADDITIONAL PLANS FOR EXPANSION OF SHELTER OR SAFE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO GO.
WE'RE NOW DISCUSSING ADDITIONAL CUTS TO SERVICES AND MORE FUNDING FOR A PD.
THESE ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS ARE NOT REAL SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS.
THEY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE TO ACCESS HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT.
THEY DON'T GET ANYONE OFF THE STREET, BUT PUSH PEOPLE FURTHER INTO THE WOODS AND TO OTHER PRECARIOUS LIVING CONDITIONS.
THE LATEST REPORT REGARDING THE NEW INITIATIVE REPORTED ONLY 35 PEOPLE OR PLACED INTO SHELTER AFTER VISITING 127 SITES.
THESE ARE COSTLY OPERATIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING DAILY ACROSS OUR CITY, AND WE URGE YOU TO REDUCE THE FREQUENCY OF THESE OPERATIONS, INVEST IN SOCIAL SERVICES AND CARE OUR COMMUNITIES ACTUALLY NEED AND MAKE, UM, NO INVESTMENTS TO A PD.
AND ANOTHER THING IS PUBLIC SAFETY IS MORE THAN THAN COPS AND, AND POLICE SURVEILLANCE.
LIKE FOR ME, PUBLIC SAFETY IS WHEN MY NEIGHBOR HAS A PLACE TO LIVE.
WHEN MY NEIGHBOR HAS A ROOF OVER THE HEAD WHEN THEY HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD AND WATER AND BASIC NECESSITIES.
WHEN MY NEIGHBOR ISN'T SEEING A BULLDOZER RAISED DOWN ALL THEIR BELONGINGS AND THEIR PRECIOUS THINGS IN FRONT OF THEM, WHEN MY NEIGHBOR GIVES A SUCCESSFUL CONNECTION TO SHELTER THAT THEY LAST IN AND GET A CONNECTION TO MORE STABLE HOUSING, UM, TO BE HERE AGAIN.
UM, MY NAME IS, UH, FELIPE VAA.
THEY KNOW ME AS PUMA IN THE AREA WHERE WE LIVE.
I'VE BEEN HOMELESS FOR SIX YEARS AND UNFORTUNATELY I'VE EXPERIENCED MANY SWEEPS, BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL RECENTLY THAT I REALIZED HOW OUR ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS TARGETED US AND WORKED TO KEEP US DOWN.
THE PLACE THAT WE STAYED AT OUR CAMP WAS, UH, OUR HA OUR SAFE HAVEN.
WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE TO SAFE TO GO.
IT WAS ABOUT 16 OF US THAT STAYED OUT THERE.
WE KEPT GETTING WARNINGS THAT A SWEEP WAS COMING, NO ONE WOULD COME, AND IT ESCALATED SUDDENLY UNEXPECTEDLY.
THERE WAS TWO CITY TRUCKS AND THEN TWO A A PD OFFICERS CAME INTO OUR CAMP, ASKED EVERYONE TO GRAB A BAG AND GO.
THE PEOPLE THAT COME AND PUT UP THE NOTICE ON OUR CAMP HAD TOLD US THAT THEY'D BE BACK TO PUT US SOMEWHERE, SOMEWHERE SAFE.
SO I ASKED THE POLICE, AREN'T YOU GUYS SUPPOSED TO HAVE SOMEONE HERE WITH YOU TO HELP US TO GET A PLACE TO GO SOMEWHERE? HE SAID, THAT'S NOT HAPPENING.
THEY DIDN'T ARREST ANYONE, BUT THEY DIDN'T CLEAN ANYTHING UP EITHER.
THEY JUST WENT THROUGH THE CAMP AND TOOK THE VALUABLE THINGS, ELECTRONICS TOOLS, AND LEFT ALL THE TRASH THERE.
I STOPPED THEM ON THEIR WAY OUT TO ASK WHAT WAS GOING ON.
THEY SAID THEY'D BE BACK THE NEXT DAY AND I SAID, I'LL BE HERE WAITING.
SO YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO TELL YOU YOU'RE STEALING ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE.
I KNEW I MIGHT GET ARRESTED, BUT I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T, DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO.
THEY'LL JUST HAVE TO TAKE ME TO JAIL.
WHEN I LEAVE, THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.
IT'S SPILLED OUT AND CONSTRUCTED ALREADY.
THIS IS ALL I HAVE TO COME BACK TO.
I FEEL LIKE OUR EXPERIENCES SHOULD BE HEARD.
WE MATTER AND HAVE A RIGHT TO EXIST JUST AS WELL AS EVERYONE ELSE.
OUR CITY SHOULD HELP US AND STAND UP FOR US IN THESE MOMENTS.
THIS CITY HAS ALWAYS STOOD UP FOR US AND BEEN IN PLACE TO OFFER HELP AND SERVICES TO THE NEEDY AND HOMELESS.
UH, IT'S, IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT WE GO THROUGH THIS.
UM, AND I AND I, I, I'M A TRUE AUSTINITE I BELIEVE THAT THIS CAN ACTUALLY BE SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS CAN HELP US OUT WITH.
UH, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S IN, IT'S IN, IT'S IN AUSTIN.
BLESSED DAY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS MICHAEL, WE'RE JUNIOR AND I'VE BEEN IN AUSTIN FOR 10 YEARS.
OUR WORK IN DISTRICT ONE, I AM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF UNIVERSAL TECH MOVEMENT, CO-FOUNDER OF TWO WORD SOLUTIONS AND TWO WORDS, ONE, LOVE.
I'M ALSO A BOARD MEMBER OF KZI RADIO AND THE TEXAS SCIENCE ENGINEERING FAIR, SERVING ON THE GREATER AUSTIN STEM EQUALS AND ADVISORY COUNCIL AND A MEMBER OF THE IT CAUCUS OF THE TEXAS HOUSE.
I'M HERE TODAY AS A FATHER, HUSBAND, BUSINESS OWNER AND COMMUNITY LEADER REPRESENTING UTM AS A PROUD MEMBER AND SUPPORTER OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET BY EQUITY ACTION EVERY DAY.
AT UTM, WE CONNECT OUR COMMUNITIES IN NEED TO WORKFORCE READINESS, TECH INNOVATION, ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
WE SEE FIRSTHAND THAT WHEN YOU TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE, WHEN THEY HAVE STABLE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE QUALITY JOBS, YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES, AND ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT, YOU DON'T JUST PREVENT CRISIS, YOU SPUR INNOVATION.
ONCE OUR PEOPLE ARE SECURE, AUSTIN CAN REACH NEW BOUNDARIES AND SERVE AS A THRIVING, IMPACTFUL ECONOMIC MODEL FOR BUSINESSES, INSTITUTIONS IN ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IN NEED.
LAST YEAR ALONE, WE'VE WORKED WITH TRAVIS COUNTY, CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, WORKFORCE COMMISSION, WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS, GOODWILL, UNITED WAY, AND THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
SERVING MORE THAN 300 CLIENTS.
TODAY, AUSTIN IS FACING A $26 MILLION DEFICIT.
YET THIS PROPOSED BUDGET INCREASES SPENDING AND NON-DIRECT SERVICE
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NEEDS WHILE CUTTING $16.8 MILLION FROM VITAL SOCIAL SERVICES CONTRACTS.WE JUST WATCHED THE STATE OF AUSTIN NEARLY SPEND $90 MILLION ON HOMELESS CAMPS THAT ONLY GOT 35 PEOPLE INTO SHELTERS.
THIS CONVERSATION REALLY SHOULDN'T BE ABOUT REVENUE AND BUDGET.
IT SHOULD BE ABOUT PRIORITIES AND HOW WE SPEND OUR DOLLARS PREVENTING EMERGENCIES UPSTREAM THROUGH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION IS PHYSICALLY RESPONSIBLE CHOICE.
RESPONDING DOWNSTREAM AFTER CRISIS CUTS TAXPAYERS EVEN MORE.
WE CANNOT BALANCE THE CITY BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF FRONTLINE NONPROFITS LIKE UTM WHILE KEEPING OUR RESIDENTS HOUSED SAFE AND EMPLOYED.
PUBLIC SAFETY IS A COMMUNITY CARE.
EXPANSIVE CAMP SWEEPS, KEEP THE POLICE BUDGET FAT, PROTECT SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS, AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET TO FULLY FUND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, TECH CREDENTIALS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
WITHOUT FULLY INVESTING COMMUNITY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND I WORK AT DISTRICT ONE AND I'M HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET BECAUSE I BELIEVE AUSTIN'S BUDGET SHOULD REFLECT OUR VALUES AND INVEST IN THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THIS SPECIAL.
I LEAD ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND WORKFORCE PROGRAMS AT UNIVERSAL TECH MOVEMENT, A NONPROFIT THAT HELPS AUSTINITES BUILD SMALL BUSINESSES, LAUNCH STARTUPS, AND TRAIN FOR CAREERS IN FIELDS LIKE DATA ANALYTICS, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT.
I'VE DONE THIS WORK ON THREE CONTINENTS IN 11 COUNTRIES FOR COMMUNITIES IN 38 CITIES.
I'VE SEEN PERSONALLY THE DELTA BETWEEN COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE LEADERS WHO INVEST IN THE SUCCESS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THOSE COMMUNITIES WHOSE LEADERS INVEST IN POLICING THE FAILURE I SEE EVERY DAY.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE GETS REAL ACCESS TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT? A SIDE HUSTLE BECOMES A FULL-TIME LIVELIHOOD.
A SINGLE PARENT BECOMES A HOMEOWNER.
A PERSON COMING OUT OF AN UNSTABLE JOB MARKET FINDS A CAREER PATH THEY CAN ACTUALLY BUILD A LIFE ON.
THAT IS NOT A TALKING POINT TO ME.
THAT IS WHY I'M ASKING COUNCIL TO PROTECT AND FUND THE $2 MILLION ALLOCATED TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
THIS FUNDING IS NOT A NICE TO HAVE.
IT IS AN UPSTREAM INVESTMENT, THE KIND THAT KEEPS FAMILIES STABLE, KEEPS SMALL BUSINESSES OPEN, AND KEEPS PEOPLE OUT OF CRISIS SYSTEMS THAT COST THE CITY FAR MORE DOWN THE LINE.
I ALSO WANNA RECOGNIZE THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS IN PAST BUDGET CYCLES SHOWN REAL LEADERSHIP ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES.
THAT LEADERSHIP MATTERS IN ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS ARE PROOF THAT THOSE INVESTMENTS WORK.
NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO WALK THAT PROGRESS BACK AT A TIME WHEN AUSTIN FACES REAL BUDGET CONSTRAINTS.
WE CANNOT BALANCE THE BOOKS BY CUTTING THE SERVICES THAT KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED, EMPLOYED, AND BUILDING FUTURES HERE WHILE POLICE SPENDING CONTINUES TO GROW, I URGE COUNCIL TO PROTECT SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS, FULLY FUND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, KEEP THE POLICE BUDGET FLAT, AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF AUSTIN.
I'M WITH BOCO, TEXAS AND I, UH, HAVE A VIDEO TO PLAY AS PART OF MY TESTIMONY.
UM, THIS IS FOOTAGE FROM THE JUNE 2ND, UH, CAMP SUITE BY GUS GARCIA CAMP.
I AM SHOWING YOU THIS VIDEO THIS MORNING BECAUSE WE HEARD THE CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS THAT THESE SWEEPS ARE NOT COSTING OUR CITY PRECIOUS RESOURCES, UM, THAT THEY'RE USING EXISTING CITY STAFF AND, UM, THAT WOULD MEAN THAT A PD OFFICERS AND A RR STAFF ARE BEFORE MAY 1ST HAD NOTHING TO DO AND THEY WERE ON THE PAYROLL.
UM, BRINGING THIS MANY VEHICLES AND STAFF TO A SWEEP ABSOLUTELY COST THE CITY MONEY AND IT'S DISINGENUOUS TO SAY OTHERWISE.
THERE ARE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS.
THESE STAFF ARE PULLED FROM OTHER ESSENTIAL DUTIES.
YOU'RE HIRING CONTRACTORS, NONPROFITS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS HAVE TO REPLACE PEOPLE'S BELONGINGS AND TO THE PEOPLE WHOSE HOMES ARE DESTROYED AND THEY HAVE TO START ALL OVER.
WE CAN GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREET, BUT NOT LIKE THIS, NOT BY POURING ALL OUR MONEY INTO POLICING, BUT BY INVESTING IN HOUSING SERVICES AND CARE.
SO WE CAN'T ADEQUATELY FUND HOMELESS SERVICES BECAUSE THE VOTERS REJECTED A TAX INCREASE, BUT YOU CAN RAISE OUR TAXES FOR MORE POLICE FUNDING THAT IS NOT DEMOCRACY.
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CONTINUE WITH ITEM TWO.TARA TUCKER, TIANA HAMILTON, LILY HARRIS, RECIA HILL AND SUMMERS.
PLEASE BEGIN WHEN YOU'RE READY.
MORNING, TARA TUCKER, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY FOR ALLIANCE FOR SAFETY AND JUSTICE AND STRATEGIC LEAD FOR SCALING SAFETY PROJECT.
AUSTIN GOT MEASURABLY SAFER BETWEEN 2021 AND 2025.
BOTH HOMICIDES AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT RATES FELL CITYWIDE.
THIS DECLINE HELD ACROSS TRAVIS COUNTY, SO IT WAS NOT JUST VIOLENCE MOVING OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS AND OUR REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY.
OUR ANALYST ANALYSIS OF A PD DATA SHOWS THE NEIGHBORHOOD SERVED BY COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, NAMELY AT XPS, SAW THE STEEPEST DECLINES.
THE REPORT DEMONSTRATES A CLEAR CORRELATION.
CBI ORGS MOVED, PROVED THEMSELVES IN THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT AFTER THE MASS SHOOTING ON MARCH 1ST THAT KILLED THREE PEOPLE IN INJURED 13 CVI OUTREACH WORKERS AND THE HARVEST TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER WERE AMONG THE FIRST CALLED IN.
THEY WORKED ALONGSIDE POLICE TO CALM THE COMMUNITY AND CONNECT SURVIVORS WITH LONG-TERM CARE.
THIS FORMAL ACTIVATION APPEARS TO BE AMONG THE FIRST OF ITS KIND DOCUMENTED IN THE COUNTRY.
CVI ORGANIZATIONS INTEGRATED INTO THE CITY'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO THE AFTERMATH OF A DISCRIMINATE, AN INDISCRIMINATE ACTIVE SHOOTER ATTACK.
AUSTIN'S RESIDENTS MOST IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE ARE ASKING FOR THIS KIND OF SUPPORT AND A SURVEY OF AUSTIN RESIDENTS, ONE IN SIX POINTED TO NEIGHBORHOOD BASED PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AS TO WHAT WOULD HELP REDUCE VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIVES.
HALF OF THOSE RESPONDENTS CAME FROM PEOPLE WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED CRIME.
THE TRUST THESE ORGANIZATIONS BUILT WITH RESIDENTS TOOK YEARS TO EARN.
THIS IS A MOMENT TO SUSTAIN WHAT ALREADY WORKS AND TO FOR NOT TO HAVE TO REBUILD IT FROM SCRATCH.
WITHOUT FULLY FUNDING CVI AND THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER, OUR POLICE WILL HAVE AN INCREASED WORKLOAD AND THE WORK OF SAVING LIVES WILL BE HARDER.
EVEN LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT THIS WORK.
NEARLY 90% OF OFFICERS SURVEYED NATIONALLY SAID THAT NEEDS THE NEEDS THEY'RE RESPONDING TO EXCEED WHAT THEIR DEPARTMENTS ARE EQUIPPED TO HANDLE.
80% SAID THESE COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES WOULD MAKE THEIR OWN JOBS SAFER.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
I'M BRAD AND SUMMERS PRESIDENT OF ASME LOCAL 1624, WHERE THE UNION REPRESENTING CITY OF AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK TODAY IN FAVOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
I DON'T REALLY LIKE THE FRAMING THAT IT'S CUTS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW YOU JUST HAVE A PROPOSED BUDGET AND NOTHING'S CUT UNTIL YOU VOTE ON IT.
UM, OUR UNION MADE A DEMOCRATIC DECISION TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
UH, WE REALLY DID THIS FOR A FEW REASONS.
THE FIRST IS THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF MEMBERS THAT WORK ON THESE PROGRAMS. UH, MAYBE DIRECTLY WITH THESE PROVIDERS.
MAYBE THE MISSION OF THEIR DEPARTMENT IS TIED TO PROVIDING THESE SERVICES, SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO SEE THEM TO CONTINUE, BUT ALSO OUTSIDE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT WORK DIRECTLY ON THESE CONTRACTS.
WE HAVE MEMBERS ALL ACROSS THE CITY THAT ARE IMPACTED BY THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED.
MEMBERS AT COMMUNITY COURT, CLIMATE, RESILIENCE PARKS, PUBLIC HEALTH, RESOURCE RECOVERY, LIBRARIES, TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC WORKS, WATERSHED PROTECTION, HOUSING.
WHEN THESE SERVICES ARE PERFORMED WELL AND THE COMMUNITY'S TAKEN CARE OF, IT MAKES THE JOB OF THE MEMBERS IN THOSE DEPARTMENTS EASIER.
THIS IS A WORKING CONDITIONS ISSUE FOR OUR UNION.
IT ALSO ALLOWS FOR THOSE WORKERS TO BE MORE EFFICIENT, TO SERVE THE PUBLIC AND PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BETTER.
ALSO, AS A LABOR UNION, WE FEEL, AND A AND AS A PART OF THE BROADER LABOR MOVEMENT, WE FEEL A MORAL OBLIGATION TO UPLIFT AND TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF RESOURCES.
AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT OBLIGATION PASSES ON TO OUR ELECTED LEADERS HERE AT THE CITY.
AND SO YOU HAVE HEARD A LOT OF SUGGESTIONS FOR WHERE TO FIND THE FUNDING FOR THESE SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS.
I HOPE THAT YOU THOROUGHLY EXPLORE THEM AND MAKE IT A PRIORITY.
CONTINUING WITH TWO PHYLLIS EVERETT, GERALD PLUNKETT, BETH CORBETT, EDDIE FRANZ, TONY CARTER.
IF YOU'VE BEEN CALLED
UM, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF JAIL JOBS CO-FOUNDER OF A TX PEACE.
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AND, UH, IT IS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO SPEAK BEFORE COUNCIL.TODAY I'M REPRESENTING DISTRICT FOUR AND I JUST WANNA SAY, UM, I WANNA BRAG ON THE COUNCIL IN THIS CITY A LITTLE BIT.
WE'VE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION WHEN IT COMES TO THIS CITY, IN, IN WAYS THAT, THAT THE ENTIRE NATION LOOKS OUT AND SAYS THEY HAVE AN OVP, THEY HAVE A CVI FUND, UH, A A FULLY TRAINED CVI ORGANIZATION.
THEY HAVE A LINE ITEM BUDGET FOR CVI ON THE BUDGET AND ALL OF THESE THINGS WE HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD TOGETHER TO BUILD AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THIS COUNCIL OF THE CITY AND OF THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER TO DO THAT.
BUT THIS YEAR WE WERE A 22% REDUCED BUDGET FOR CVI AT ATX PIECE.
LEMME TELL YOU WHERE THAT THAT REDUCTION COMES FROM.
THAT'S THIS YEAR AND WE ARE LOOKING AT ANOTHER 26% REDUCTION POTENTIALLY IN THIS NEXT BUDGET.
THOSE CUTS DON'T COME FROM INFRASTRUCTURE.
THOSE CUTS COME FROM DIRECT CLIENT SERVICES AND PERSONNEL AND CVI.
THE A TX PIECE, THE SECRET SAUCE, THE SUPERPOWER OF THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE COMMUNITY, THAT ARE FROM THAT COMMUNITY, THAT ARE TRUSTED, THAT ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF CONFLICTS ON A DAILY BASIS.
THEY'RE STOPPING SHOOTINGS, THEY ARE STOPPING VIOLENCE, THEY ARE STOPPING HOMICIDES, WHICH SAVES THE MONEY.
PREVENTION IS CHEAPER THAN REACTION.
AND SO WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THE POTENTIAL OF THE, THE SUPERPOWER OF AT X PEACE TO START TO BE WEAKENED AND WATERED DOWN AND WE CANNOT HAVE THAT HAPPEN.
ONE OF THE REASONS I THINK THAT WE'RE IN THIS SITUATION IS IT'S KIND OF A UNIQUE TYPE OF PROGRAM.
VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS UNDER PUBLIC HEALTH.
WE GET THAT, YOU KNOW, IT STARTED THERE.
WE COULD MAYBE THINK ABOUT DOING SOMETHING WITH THAT IN THE FUTURE, BUT ULTIMATELY IT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL.
GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I SERVE AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND ADVOCACY FOR THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK.
UH, FIRST ON BEHALF OF OUR ORGANIZATION, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CAREFUL AND DELIBERATIVE APPROACH TO ADOPTING THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
AND WE'D ALSO REALLY LIKE TO THANK CITY STAFF FROM ACROSS SO MANY DEPARTMENTS THAT OUR TEAM WORKS WITH EVERY DAY.
THEY HELP US ENSURE THAT WE ARE PROVIDING FOOD ACCESS TO RESIDENTS IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR DISTRICTS.
UH, ACROSS THE FIVE CITY OF AUSTIN BASIC NEEDS CONTRACTS HELD BY THE FOOD BANK, WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED 18.8 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD TO OVER 370,000 INDIVIDUALS IN AUSTIN.
JUST IN THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
OUR PERFORMANCE ON THOSE CONTRACTS NOT ONLY MEETS THE GOALS THAT WERE ESTABLISHED BUT EXCEEDS THEM WITH OUR SERVICE DELIVERABLES RANGING FROM 120 TO 324% ON SOME OF THOSE CONTRACT GOALS.
UH, WE RECOGNIZE THAT FISCAL REALITIES MAKE BUDGET CUTS A NECESSITY, UH, THAT GOES FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, THAT GOES FOR PRIVATE CONTRACTORS AND GOVERNMENT ALIKE.
AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT THESE CUTS WILL RESULT IN A HIGHER DEMAND FOR ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE FOOD BANK AND OUR PARTNERS.
AND SO AS YOU AND THE STAFF CONTINUE YOUR DISCUSSIONS AROUND SOCIAL SERVICES CUTS, WE ASK THAT YOU FIRST AND FOREMOST CONSIDER THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL, INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATIONS, UH, PROVIDING THEM.
SO RATHER THAN APPLYING A BLANKET CUT BY CATEGORY, WE SUPPORT AN APPROACH THAT IS BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND IMPACT.
I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY FOR THE HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM FOR ECHO.
ECHO IS THE LEAD CONTINUUM OF CARE AGENCY HERE FOR AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY.
I WANNA START BY SAYING THANK YOU TO THE CITY MANAGER BROAD NEXT AND YOUR STAFF TO DIRECTOR GRAY AND THE HOMELESS STRATEGIES AND OPERATIONS STAFF TO MAYOR WATSON AND EVERYONE ON THE DIOCESE.
THIS BUDGET REFLECTS A CONTINUED DEEP COMMITMENT TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE KNOW YOU FACE A LOT OF HARD DECISIONS ALREADY IN THE BUDGET PROCESS AND THERE ARE MORE AHEAD.
WE'RE GRATEFUL THAT MAINTAINING AND STRENGTHENING OUR HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM REMAINS A PRIORITY.
WE'RE ALSO GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE AGENCIES IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO DO THE HARD WORK TO DELIVER AT THE CITY'S ON THE CITY'S INVESTMENT IN THE HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
IT CAN BE HARD TO IMAGINE SOMETIMES WHEN WE STILL SEE SO MUCH NEED EVERY DAY, BUT THESE INVESTMENTS ARE PAYING OFF FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
WE'VE SEEN ALMOST 700 NEW UNITS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING GET BUILT SINCE 2024.
BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, WE SHOULD SEE ABOUT 400 MORE.
IT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE COMMITMENTS FROM THE CITY FOR VOUCHERS TO HELP PEOPLE MOVING AND FUNDING FOR SUPPORT SERVICES AT THESE SITES.
ALSO, NEW DATA TELLS US THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO BECAME HOMELESS FOR THE FIRST TIME DROPPED FOR
[01:20:01]
THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.WE ARE SEEING PROGRESS AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LET OFF THE GAS.
TO THAT END, WE ENCOURAGE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CONSIDER ALL OPTIONS TO FULLY FUND TWO OF H SO'S BUDGET REQUESTS.
THE FIRST OPERATING THE NEW SOUTH AUSTIN NAVIGATION CENTER, THE SECOND FOR THEIR NEW POSITIONS PROPOSED IN THEIR DEPARTMENT.
THESE TWO PRIORITIES ARE THE RESULT OF INTENTIONAL WORK BY HSO TO UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS AND HOW THE CITY'S POSITIONED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT.
AND IT CAN'T AND WON'T JUST BE UP TO THE CITY TO FUND OUR SYSTEM.
ECHO WILL CONTINUE TO WORK DILIGENTLY TO BRING MONEY INTO OUR COMMUNITY FROM PHILANTHROPIC SOURCES, THE STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS TO FILL GAPS.
PLEASE CALL THE NEXT VERONA DURDEN, CATHERINE MCCARDLE, SCOTT COBB, REVEREND ERIC MILLER, DAVID GUDO.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND MOVE UP TO A MICROPHONE.
WHAT I'LL DO IS WE'LL START HERE AND GO THIS DIRECTION IF THAT'S OKAY.
MY NAME IS CATHERINE MCCARDLE.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE AND I'M HERE TODAY TO ECHO THE CALLS TO IMPLEMENT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
I DON'T HAVE MUCH NEW TO SHARE THAT YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY HEARD, BUT I REALLY THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU ALL TO HEAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN HOW MUCH SUPPORT THERE IS FOR THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
THE CITY'S BUDGET BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.
IT'S OUR TAX DOLLARS GOING INTO IT.
AND WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO INVEST OR NOT INVEST IN DIRECTLY IMPACTS US.
AND WE ARE TELLING YOU THAT WE NEED SOCIAL SERVICES.
WE NEED YOU TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.
WE DO NOT NEED INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE POLICE.
WE'VE HEARD ABOUT A $26 MILLION DEFICIT IN THE BUDGET AS A REASON FOR CUTS TO SOCIAL SERVICES.
BUT THIS IS HARD TO BELIEVE WHEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS GETTING AN ADDITIONAL 25 MILLION THIS YEAR.
I ASK YOU TO PLEASE CUT THAT ADDITIONAL 25 MILLION BACK, GIVE A PD ONLY THE SAME AMOUNT THEY GOT LAST YEAR.
THE MINIMUM REQUIRED BY THAT RIDICULOUS TEXAS LAW.
I KNOW THAT THE CITY HAS TO ACCOMMODATE PAY RAISES SET FORTH IN THE LATEST POLICE CONTRACT, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT YOU CAN FIND OTHER PLACES IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET TO MAKE CUTS AND KEEP AD'S BUDGET FLAT FROM LAST YEAR.
AND WHILE I'M TALKING ABOUT THE POLICE, I ALSO WANT TO ECHO THE CALLS TO MOVE THE 9 1 1 DISPATCH OUT FROM A PD AND INTO AN INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT, SOMETHING THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ASKING FOR FOR MANY, MANY YEARS BECAUSE 9 1 1 GOES TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY ARE AFRAID TO CALL AND RIGHTFULLY SO, GIVEN AD'S, DISMAL TRACK RECORD WITH FATAL SHOOTINGS, TREATMENT OF SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE, AND NOW REQUIREMENTS TO WORK WITH ICE.
BY MOVING 9 1 1 INTO AN INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT, WE CAN BRING ON MORE FORMS OF ALTERNATIVE FIRST RESPONSE AND OVERHAUL TRAINING AND PROTOCOLS TO MAKE SURE THE CORRECT CRISIS RESPONDER GETS DISPATCHED TO EACH SITUATION.
DISPATCH TO AN INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT AND FURTHER CUT APDS BUDGET TO KEEP IT THE SAME AS LAST YEAR'S AND USE THAT MONEY TO FUND SOCIAL SERVICES.
WE KNOW THAT IT'S SOCIAL SERVICES AND NOT POLICING THAT KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.
PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND SPEND OUR TAX DOLLARS ON SOCIAL SERVICES, NOT POLICING.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M VERDA DURDEN, CEO OF ANY BABY.
CAN I HAVE PREVIOUSLY SHARED CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROPOSED REDUCTIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICES FUNDING TODAY I'D LIKE TO SHARE WHAT THOSE INVESTMENTS LOOK LIKE IN THE LIFE OF ONE AUSTIN FAMILY.
A FEW WEEKS AGO WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A YOUNG MOTHER.
HER INFANT DAUGHTER WAS BORN WITH CONGENITAL GLAUCOMA AND HAD ALREADY UNDERGONE MULTIPLE SURGERIES AT THE SAME TIME.
SHE WAS ESCAPING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY, AND WONDERING HOW SHE WOULD PROVIDE FOR HER CHILD.
SHE WORKED THAT THERE WERE TIMES SHE FELT COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED AND UNSURE OF HOW I WAS GONNA MAKE IT THROUGH.
BECAUSE OUR SUPPORT WAS AVAILABLE, SHE RECEIVED DIAPERS, FOOD GUIDANCE FROM OUR NURSES AND HELP ACCESSING RESOURCES THAT ALLOWED HER TO RETURN TO COLLEGE AND BUILD A STAPLE FUTURE FOR HER, HERSELF AND HER DAUGHTER.
TODAY SHE IS NO LONGER SIMPLY SURVIVING.
THAT IS WHAT PREVENTION LOOKS LIKE EVERY DAY.
I SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FAMILIES RECEIVE THE RIGHT SUPPORT AT THE RIGHT TIME.
AND I ALSO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT SUPPORT ISN'T AVAILABLE.
HER STORY IS EXACTLY WHY THE CITY INVEST IN THE READY FAMILIES COLLABORATIVE.
NO SINGLE ORGANIZATION CAN MEET EVERY FAMILY'S NEEDS.
THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, FAMILIES RECEIVE COORDINATED SUPPORT BEFORE CHALLENGES BECOME CRISES, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES WHILE MAKING BETTER USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.
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PREVENTIVE SERVICES ARE REDUCED, FAMILIES DO NOT STOP NEEDING HELP.THEIR NEEDS SIMPLY SHIFT TO MORE EXPENSIVE SYSTEMS. EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE, CHILD WELFARE, HOMELESS SERVICES AND CRISIS INTERVENTION PREVENTION IS BOTH THE COMPASSIONATE AND AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE CHURCH CHOICE FAMILIES WILL.
HELLO, MY NAME IS SCOTT COBB AND I WANTED TO SPEAK TODAY.
AND ANOTHER ISSUE ABOUT, UH, AFFORDABILITY FOR EMPLOYEES IN 2022.
I ADVOCATED THAT LIFEGUARDS ARE PAID DURING THEIR TRAINING COURSES.
WHENEVER I WORKED AT ANY OTHER JOB, WHETHER IT WAS MCDONALD'S, BURGER KING, WHATEVER, I WAS PAID TO LEARN HOW TO DO THAT JOB UNTIL I ADVOCATED FOR IT IN 2022.
LIFEGUARDS WERE NOT PAID AFTER I ADVOCATED FOR IT.
PART COMMITTED TO SAYING, AND I READ HERE FROM A LETTER, THE BUDGET QUESTION BEGINNING IN FY 20 22, 23 PART PLANS TO HIRE COURSE PARTICIPANTS AND ALLOW THEM TO BE ON PAYROLL WHILE THEY ATTEMPT TO COMPLETE THEIR CERTIFICATIONS.
THEY OVERESTIMATED THEIR ABILITY TO DO THAT.
THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO PUT THEM ON PAYROLL, BUT INSTEAD THEY OFFERED THEM A $400 STIPEND IF THEY WORKED 80 HOURS OVER THE SUMMER.
THIS PAST THIS YEAR, THEY CUT THAT DOWN TO $200.
SO IT'S A 50% REDUCTION IN PAID TRAINING.
THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANY OTHER EMPLOYEE.
AND THIS TRAINING, YOU CANNOT USE THIS AT ANY OTHER EMPLOYER OTHER THAN THE CITY OF AUSTIN BECAUSE IT'S CONDUCTED BY STAR GUARD ELITE, A PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT, FLORIDA BASED COMPANY.
IT IS NOT CONDUCTED BY THE AMERICAN RED CROSS.
IF IT WAS, YOU COULD TAKE THAT CERTIFICATION AND APPLY TO WORK AT ANY OTHER PLACE THAT USES AMERICAN RED CROSS, BUT FOR STAR GUARD YOU CANNOT TRANSFER.
SO THEY CUT OUR PAY, THEY REDUCED OUR, GIVE US A RAISE OF ONLY, UH, 0.45%.
SO I ASK YOU TO RESTORE THE TRAINING.
HELLO CITY OF AUSTIN BECAUSE THAT'S WHO YOU, WHO YOU REPRESENT, WHO YOU ARE THE FA OF IS THIS CITY.
CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD PLEASE? MY NAME, I WAS GETTING TO THAT.
OKAY, MAYOR, MY NAME IS REVEREND ERIC WILLIAM MILLER OF SERVANT SPIRIT MINISTRIES.
WE DO NOT RECEIVE ANY GOVERNMENT FUNDING.
EVERYTHING WE DO IS OUT OF POCKET, ONE-ON-ONE.
ONE WE GOT ENTANGLED IN THE ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS WITHOUT WARRANT.
MY RV WAS SEIZED AND IMPOUNDED AS ABANDONED WHILE I WAS PHYSICALLY IN IT BY AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
NAMELY A SPECIFIC OFFICER WHO HAS A MINIMUM OF, OF AT LEAST FIVE OR SIX TIMES I HAVE RECORDED OF NEGATIVE INTERACTIONS.
MOST OF MY INTERACTIONS WITH MOST OF THE A PD HAS IS GENERALLY WELL-MEANING, HI, HOW YOU DOING? BUT THE BIAS TRAINING IS WHERE YOU NEED TO FOCUS.
LIKE UP IN FORT WORTH AND IN CHICAGO, STREET PREACHING IS BEING ATTACKED, BEING IN MINISTRY IS BEING ATTACKED.
MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH MILITARY VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES.
SOME THINGS ARE SET OUT LIKE MOBILITY, SCOOTERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT WERE TAKEN, STOLEN FROM ME, INCLUDING MY CPAP MEDICAL AIDS SUCH AS A ROLLATOR VA ISSUED A MOBILITY SCOOTER THAT COST ME $4,000 AND THAT WAS WITH A DISCOUNT THROUGH A ONLINE FUNDRAISER JUST SO I COULD BE MORE MOBILE AND GET OUT THERE AND MINISTER MORE AND BE MORE ACTIVE.
AND I HAD REQUESTED A TITLE TWO A DA COORDINATOR AND ACCOMMODATIONS AND IT WAS DENIED.
ANGEL GONZALEZ, DAVID RODRIGUEZ, DAISY GLENDO, BRITTANY TON, AND BRITTA THOMPSON.
[01:30:02]
HEY, WE KIND OF BUSY.I GOT, UH, NEED, UH, A UH, GO FOR MOTION TO DO A SECURE EVIDENCE.
I TELL YOU WHAT, WHY DON'T YOU GO OVER HERE AND VISIT WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE.
HAS YOUR NAME BEEN CALLED? NO, I'M VERY BUSY.
PLEASE, UH, GO AHEAD AND BEGIN.
HELLO COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR WATSON.
MY NAME IS BRITTANY TON AND I SERVE AS THE CEO OF GIRLS EMPOWERMENT NETWORK, A TIER ONE MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER AND NONPROFIT GRANT RECIPIENT OF AUSTIN PUBLIC'S HEALTH SOCIAL SERVICES FUNDS.
I'M HERE TO CALL IN CITY COUNCIL TO INVEST IN PREVENTATIVE PROGRAMMING AND TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING SOCIAL SERVICES THAT SUPPORT THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SINCE THE INITIATION OF GIRLS EMPOWERMENT NETWORKS CONTRACT IN 2022 MADE POSSIBLE BY YOUR PRIORITIZATION OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND YOUTH AND CHILDREN.
UM, WE HAVE PROVIDED PROGRAMMING TO 3373RD THROUGH 12TH GRADE STUDENTS IN TITLE ONE AREA AUSTIN SCHOOLS.
OUR EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULUM, UH, HELPS FOCUS ON BUILDING SELF-EFFICACY, A GIRL'S BELIEF IN HER OWN ABILITY TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED.
INCREASING SELF-EFFICACY HAS POWERFUL IMPACTS ON YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.
HIGH LEVELS OF SELF-EFFICACY ARE ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER INSTANCES OF PTSD AFTER TRAUMA, AS WELL AS LOWER INSTANCES OF IN SELF-INJURIOUS BEHAVIOR, SUBSTANCE USE AND ABUSE AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS. HIGH SELF-EFFICACY FURTHER CORRELATES WITH INCREASED EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE, PERSISTENCE AND POSITIVE SOCIAL BONDING.
I BELIEVE THAT YOU ALL RECOGNIZE THAT SOCIAL SERVICES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
WE KNOW THAT NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH DATA HAS INCREASINGLY SHOWN THAT GIRLS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY NEGATIVE MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES, SOCIAL PRESSURES, AND ACADEMIC DISENGAGEMENT.
THE C'S 2023 YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY SHOWED THAT 57% OF US TEEN GIRLS FELT PERSISTENTLY SAD OR HOPELESS, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST RATE IN OVER A DECADE.
ADDITIONALLY, THE PANDEMIC, PANDEMIC AND DETERMINANTS EFFECTS HAVE FURTHER EXACERBATED ISSUES WITH A DOCUMENTED 50% INCREASE IN SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AND IDEATION AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS.
SPECIFICALLY, THESE STATISTICS REFLECT A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN WHICH GIRLS ARE SUFFERING AND HIGHLIGHTS THE URGENT NEED FOR PROACTIVE AND PROTECTIVE AND PREVENTATIVE PROGRAMMING.
WE KNOW THAT PRIOR RESEARCH SHOWS THAT $1 INVESTED IN PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION FOR ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDES $24 IN BENEFITS ACROSS A LIFETIME.
WE ASK THAT OUR VALUES, THAT THE VALUES OUR CITY HOLDS ARE REFLECTED IN THE WAY THAT WE SPEND OUR DOLLARS.
AND I IMPLORE YOU TO CONTINUE FUNDING PREVENTATIVE PROGRAMMING.
THANK YOU AND THANKS FOR WHAT YOU DO.
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I HAD EVERYTHING.
I HAD A CAREER STABILITY AND A FUTURE.
THEN BECAUSE OF ONE MISTAKE, I LOST EVERYTHING AND WENT TO PRISON.
WHEN I CAME HOME, I HAD NOTHING.
MY CHILDREN AND I WERE SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR.
I WAS BEING JUDGED BECAUSE OF MY PAST.
AND WITH THE CRIMINAL RECORD, EVERY DOOR I TRIED TO OPEN SEEMED TO CLOSE.
THEN SOMEONE INTRODUCED ME TO AT TXP, THEY DIDN'T JUDGE ME.
THEY BELIEVED IN ME WHEN I DIDN'T BELIEVE IN MYSELF.
WITHIN DAYS, THEY HELPED ME WITH BEDS FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN.
THEY FILLED MY REFRIGERATOR AND PANTRY WITH FOOD, GAVE ME RIGHTS TO INTERVIEWS AND APPOINTMENTS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY GAVE ME COUNSELING.
THAT COUNSELING HELPED ME GET TO THE ROOT OF MY TRAUMA.
INSTEAD OF JUST COVERING IT UP THROUGH THIS FAITH-BASED PROGRAM, I FOUND HEALING.
AND TODAY I AM PROUD TO SAY I, I'M A TRUSTED MESSENGER FOR AT XPS HELPING PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME, IF NOT EVEN WORSE.
SO TODAY, WHEN YOU'RE CONSIDERING INCREASING THE FUNDING FOR AT XPS, YOU'RE NOT JUST FUNDING A PROGRAM, YOU'RE FUNDING COUNSELING THAT HELPS PEOPLE HEAL.
YOU'RE FUNDING FOOD FOR FA FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE NOTHING TO EAT.
YOU'RE FUNDING FURNITURE FOR HOMES THAT ARE EMPTY.
YOU'RE FUNDING TRANSPORTATION SO PEOPLE CAN GET TO WORK AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU'RE GIVING SOMEONE ELSE THE SAME SECOND CHANCE THAT I WAS GIVEN.
I AM LIVING PROOF THAT THIS PROGRAM WORKS WITHOUT A TX EXPS ONLY GOD KNOWS WHERE ME AND MY CHILDREN WOULD BE TODAY.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS ANGEL GONZALEZ AND TODAY I SERVE AS A PARALEGAL EZ WITH LAW LAW FIRM.
BUT MY STORY DOESN'T START THERE.
FIVE YEARS AGO, I WAS TAKEN A PRISON CELL WITH NOTHING MORE THAN TECJ INMATE ID NUMBER AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN THE CAPITAL OFFENSE INVOLVING GUNS.
WHEN I WAS RELEASED, I FELT LESSNESS HOPELESS.
I WAS GIVEN A LIST OF REQUIREMENTS BUT NOT GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY.
THEY DIDN'T SEE ME AS AN INMATE NUMBER OR A PAROLEE.
THEY SAW SOMEONE WHO STILL HAD A FUTURE.
WITHIN WEEKS, THEY HELPED ME FIND A JOB CONNECTING ME WITH THERAPY ADDRESS WITH MY PTS ACCURATE THROUGHOUT THE TECJ SYSTEM.
TIMELY PROFESSIONAL AND LIFE SKILLS I NEED TO SUCCEED.
TODAY I'M LEAVING PROOF THAT THEIR WORK CHANGES LIVES.
I'M NOW A CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARALEGAL, THE LEAD PARALEGAL OF COUNTY JOE AT MY LAW FIRM.
[01:35:01]
I'M ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN PRODUCING GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.PROGRAMS LIKE AT EXPS DON'T JUST HELP PEOPLE.
THEY RESTORE HOPE AND CREATE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THEY ARE PEOPLE LEAVING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM EVERY DAY WHO DESERVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY I WAS GIVEN.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK, DO YOU CONTINUE FUNDING ATPS SO THEY CAN KEEP CHANGING LIVES JUST AS THEY CHANGE MINE? THANK YOU.
WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS REQUESTED SPANISH INTERPRETATION.
HELLO, MY NAME IS RNA RODRIGUEZ.
I'M A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND I'M A RESIDENT OF TRAVIS COUNTY.
I'M HERE TO THANK, UH, GABA AND ADVOCATING FOR THEM AND ALSO TO THANK THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR HAVING FUNDS TO HELP FAMILIES TOGETHER AND ESPECIALLY FOR UPTOGETHER, FOR ADVOCATING FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE ARE GOING THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES AND HAVING THOSE GRANTS LARGO.
THESE GRANTS MAKE US HELP SAFER AND WE CAN SET SHORT TERM GOALS TO MAKE OUR LIVES MORE STABLE.
THESE GRANTS ARE NOT CHARITY, BUT IT HELP US TO GO FORWARD AND TO KEEP STABLE AND LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS.
WHEN I RECEIVED THIS GRANT, I HAD MY HUSBAND IN THE HOSPITAL.
AND IN THE FOURTH FLOOR, MY DAUGHTER THAT HAS SPECIAL NEEDS, SHE WAS 17 DAYS, UH, WITH PNEUMONIA.
AND I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR RECEIVING THIS GRANT.
IT HELPED ME A LOT TO KEEP STABLE AND HELPING MY FAMILY.
I'M VERY THANKFUL WITH GABA HOOKED TOGETHER AND ALSO WITH UP TOGETHER AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR BEING THERE FOR FAMILIES.
THE ECONOMIC STABILITY FOR THE CITY, THE FAMILIES IN AUSTIN CON CONTRIBUTES TO A MORE VIBRANT AND STAB STABLE CITY.
SHANA DITZ, ZOE CABRERA, ANGELA PINA, DENISE MOLINA, ERIN ALEC CARN.
PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, YOU SEE HIM.
ROGERS, WOULD YOU HELP? THANK YOU.
WHY DON'T WE BEGIN OVER HERE AND WE'LL WORK OUR WAY DOWN.
DEAR MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL, MY NAME IS DENISE MOLINA AND I'M THE AUSTIN REGIONAL ORGANIZER AT THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT, AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO.
I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE YOU, URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET AND PRIORITIZE FUNDING FOR SOCIAL SERVICES THAT AUSTIN RESIDENTS RELY ON EVERY DAY.
A CITY BUDGET IS MORE THAN NUMBERS ON THE PAGE.
IT IS A STATEMENT OF OUR VALUES AND OUR REFLECTION OF WHAT WE BELIEVE TRULY KEEPS OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
FOR MANY AUSTIN INE SAFETY MEANS HAVING A STABLE PLACE TO LIVE.
IT MEANS BEING ABLE TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH DURING A CRISIS, PUT FOOD ON A TABLE, AFFORD CHILDCARE, AND RECEIVE SUPPORT BEFORE A DIFFICULT SITUATION BECOMES AN EMERGENCY.
THESE ARE NOT SECONDARY SERVICES.
THEY ARE ESSENTIAL INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH, STABILITY, AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
AT A TIMES WHEN FAMILIES ACROSS AUSTIN ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE RAISING COST OF LIVING, AND ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING CRITICAL SERVICES ARE BEING ASKED TO DO MORE WITH FEWER RESOURCES.
WE SHOULD NOT CONTINUE EXPANDING POLICE FUNDING AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS PEOPLE'S NEEDS DIRECTLY.
[01:40:01]
THE CITY SHOULD LIMIT ADDITIONAL A PD FUNDING TO ONLY WHAT'S REQUIRED BY CONTRACT AND STATE LAW AND DIRECT, UH, AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO OUR COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES.MORE POLICE FUNDING CANNOT REPLACE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, FOOD ASSISTANCE, VIOLENCE, PROBATION, IMMIGRANT SERVICES OR SUPPORT SURVIVORS.
WE CANNOT POLICE OUR WAY OUT OF EVERY CHALLENGE FACING OUR CITY.
REAL PUBLIC SAFETY REQUIRES PREVENTING CRISIS BEFORE THEY CAN HAPPEN AND ENSURING PEOPLE HAVE SOMEWHERE TO TURN WHEN THEY NEED HELP.
I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTING BUDGET AND INVEST IN THE PEOPLE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT MAKE AUSTIN SAFER AND STRONGER FOR EVERYONE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN FOR OVER A DECADE, HAVE SPENT THE LAST FIVE YEARS WORKING IN NONPROFIT AND SOCIAL SERVICES, AND I'M FINISHING MY MASTER'S IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT UT AUSTIN'S LBJ SCHOOL.
I WANNA SPEAK TO THE GENERAL FUND'S SOCIAL SERVICES INVESTMENTS, SPECIFICALLY HOUSING.
THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW THAT AUSTIN HAS CUT SOCIAL SERVICES 10% PLUS A 5.2 MILLION REALLOCATION LAST YEAR AND ANOTHER 8 MILLION THIS YEAR.
ON PAPER THAT LOOKS LIKE SAVINGS, BUT IT ISN'T.
WHEN WE DON'T ADEQUATELY FUND HOUSING STABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION, WE SHIFT THE NEED TO POLICE, JAILS, COURTS, AND EMERGENCY ROOMS, SERVICES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THESE NEEDS AND ALL OF WHICH COST MORE PER PERSON THAN WHAT WE CUT.
I WANNA ASK YOU TO FUND TWO ITEMS FROM THIS YEAR'S COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET.
FIRST, RESTORE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO $4 MILLION.
KEEPING SOMEONE HOUSED CAUSED A FRACTION OF WHAT IT COSTS TO SHELTER HOSPITALIZED OR JAIL THEM AFTER THEY LOSE HOUSING.
NOT TO MENTION THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA THAT LOSING HOUSING CAUSES.
OUR NEIGHBORS SECOND FUND THE $1 MILLION IN RECURRING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AT CITY OWNED PROPERTIES.
WITHOUT ONGOING SERVICES, WE'RE SETTING VULNERABLE RESIDENTS UP FOR PREDICTABLE RETURNS TO HOMELESSNESS AT A MUCH HIGHER COST THAN THE SERVICES THEMSELVES.
I'D ALSO ASK COUNSEL TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER A JOINT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT TO ROUTE, UH, MENTAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL CRISIS CALLS APPROPRIATELY INSTEAD OF DEFAULTING TO THE POLICE.
AUSTIN HAS A LONG HISTORY OF INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY.
I'D ASK COUNCIL TO BRING THAT INSTINCT HERE AS THE CITY FACES A REAL FINANCIAL CHALLENGE.
AND FINALLY, AS THE CITY MOVES TOWARDS CUTTING UNDERPERFORMING CONTRACTS, I'D URGE REAL CARE IN HOW UNDERPERFORMANCE GETS DEFINED.
METRICS IN THIS SPACE CAN BE HARD TO SET WELL AND SERVICE DELIVERY DOESN'T HAPPEN IN A VACUUM.
I'D RATHER SEE THE CITY INVEST IN GETTING BOTH THE METRICS AND THE STRUCTURE RIGHT IN REAL PARTNERSHIP WITH PROVIDERS THAN CUT BASED ON A MODEL THAT'S ALREADY SHOWING ITS LIMITS.
MY NAME IS ERIC CABRERA AND I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR AND A LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER.
I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY FRUSTRATION WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT ALLOCATES NEARLY 25 MILLION FOR A PD WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY CUTTING 25 MILLION FROM SOCIAL SERVICES.
WHILE AUSTIN HAS MANY INCREDIBLE SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, I'LL SPEAK DIRECTLY TO SAFE ALLIANCE SAFE PROVIDES SERVICES TO SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HERE IN AUSTIN.
AND WITH THESE BUDGET CUTS, THEIR PROGRAMS ARE AT RISK.
LAST MONTH, DUE TO LACK OF FUNDING, THE SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAM PROGRAM AT A LOUISE HOUSE WITHIN SAFE WAS SHUT DOWN.
THAT PROGRAM COMPLETED 95% OF THOSE EXAMS FOR TRAVIS COUNTY.
ADDITIONALLY, THREE MORE OF SAFES PROGRAMS ARE AT RISK, INCLUDING ITS TWO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS.
IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET, IT NOTES THAT 19.4 MILLION OF THE 25 MILLION CUT FROM SOCIAL SERVICES WOULD BE USED TO ESTABLISH CITY OWNED SHELTERS, INCLUDING POTENTIALLY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER.
WHILE I LOVE THE IDEA OF MORE SHELTERS FOR OUR NEIGHBORS WHO NEED THEM, WHY DOES THIS FUNDING HAVE TO COME FROM SOCIAL SERVICES? WOULD YOU RISK TWO? WELL-FUNCTIONING, LIFE-SAVING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS OPERATED BY SAFE FOR THE POTENTIAL OF A CITY OWNED ONE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU COULD EASILY INSTEAD TRANSFER THAT SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY FROM THE 25 MILLION INCREASE FOR A PD SOCIAL SERVICES ARE A NECESSITY.
WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN THEM MORE AS THEIR SERVICES SUPPORT OUR PEOPLE AND SAVE THE CITY OF AUSTIN MONEY.
IN FACT, SAFE ESTIMATES THAT THEY SAVE THE CITY OF AUSTIN 120 MILLION EVERY YEAR.
SO I'M IMPLORING YOU TO USE YOUR POWER AND RESPONSIBILITY TO DO FOUR THINGS.
PROVIDE EMERGENCY FUNDING OF $200,000 FOR SAFE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS.
PROVIDE EMERGENCY FUNDING TO REOPEN THE FORENSIC EXAM PROGRAM AT ELOISE HOUSE.
ENSURE SAFES PROGRAMS ARE NOT IMPACTED BY ANY MORE FUNDING CUTS AND RECONSIDER THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL AND DO NOT CUT FUNDS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.
WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR SOCIAL SERVICES SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO PROTECT AND SERVE US.
MY NAME IS ANGELA AND I'M HERE BEFORE YOU.
AND AS AN AUSTIN RESIDENT WHO SITS AT A UNIQUE INTERSECTION OF EDUCATION AND LIVED EXPERIENCE, I HOLD A BACHELOR'S DEGREE OF HUMANITIES, WHICH TAUGHT ME TO CENTER, EXCUSE ME, CENTER HUMAN WELLBEING, EMPATHY,
[01:45:01]
AND COMMUNITY HEALTH IN EVERY DECISION WE MAKE.I ALSO HOLD A MASTER'S IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE, WHICH TAUGHT ME HOW TO READ A BALANCE SHEET, EVALUATE RETURN ON INVESTMENT, AND UNDERSTAND FISCAL POLICY.
FROM A PURELY FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE, REACTIVE SPENDING IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE WAY TO RUN IN ANY ORGANIZATION OR CITY.
BUT FROM A HUMAN PERSPECTIVE, OUR BUDGET IS A DIRECT STATEMENT OF OUR MORAL VALUES.
I KNOW THIS NOT JUST FROM TEXTBOOKS, BUT FROM THE CONCRETE STREETS OF THE CITY.
I SPENT TWO YEARS LIVING ON HOUSED RIGHT HERE IN AUSTIN.
DURING THAT TIME, I WAS MANAGING DIABETES, A DISEASE THAT REQUIRES DAILY INSULIN, BUT WHEN YOU LIVE ON THE STREETS, YOU HAVE NO ACCESS TO REFRIGERATION.
BECAUSE I COULD NOT KEEP MY LIFESAVING MEDICATION COLD, I SUFFERED SEVERE COMPLICATIONS AND ULTIMATELY LAST FIVE TO FIVE OF MY TOES.
I'M FORTUNATE TO LIVE AT THE ESPERANZA COMMUNITY NOW, BUT I ASK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU ON THIS DIOCESE, WHY MUST SOMEONE LOSE PARTS OF THEIR BODY JUST TO ACCESS BASIC, SAFE HOUSING? LIVING UNHOUSED IS A DAILY STRUGGLE FOR PHYSICAL SURVIVAL.
IT BREAKS DOWN YOUR BODY, YOUR HEALTH, AND YOUR SPIRIT.
NO HUMAN BEING IN AUSTIN SHOULD HAVE TO ENDURE PHYSICAL AMPUTATION BEFORE OUR CITY SYSTEM STEP UP TO PROVIDE SHELTER.
THAT TRAUMA DROVE ME TO TAKE ACTION.
I FOUNDED A NONPROFIT CALLED BOSS EAGLE TALENT PRODUCTIONS TO ADVOCATE FOR AND SUPPORT MEMBERS OF OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY WHO ARE TOO OFTEN LEFT INVISIBLE.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE RAISING AWARENESS FOR INDIVIDUALS LIKE BRIAN USING THE HASHTAG.
WHAT ABOUT BRIAN? BRIAN HAS LIVED UNHOUSED ON THE STREETS FOR SEVEN YEARS.
EVERYTHING HE OWNS IS PACKED INTO A SINGLE SHOPPING CART, WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO BOARD A CAT METRO BUS TO ACCESS MEDICAL CARE, FOOD OR SOCIAL SERVICES.
ACTUALLY WORKING TO SECURE HIM AN ACCESSIBLE CART SO HE CAN NAVIGATE OUR PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM AND GET THE CARE DESPERATE.
BRIAN'S STORY AND MY STORY ARE NOT ISOLATED INCIDENCES.
THEY'RE DIRECT RESULT OF A CITY BUDGET THAT PRIOR PRIORITIZES REACTIVE POLICING OVER PROACTIVE COMMUNITY CARE.
WE STILL EXIST, EVEN IF IT'S INCONVENIENT TO YOU.
AARON ALARCON, CEO OF FAMI OTHER CARE AND VICE CHAIR OF BRYAN, VOICE OF CENTRAL TEXAS.
I WANT TO BEGIN BY EXPRESSING MY GRATITUDE TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR INVESTING IN OUR MISSION.
THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS ALLOWED US TO DELIVER ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THOUSANDS OF OLDER ADULTS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES.
HOWEVER, I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH URGENCY AND CONCERN REGARDING THE PROPOSED 5.1 MILLION CUT TO SOCIAL SERVICES.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A PRESSING ISSUE FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION.
HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION FAMILY ELDER CARE RECEIVES CRITICAL FUNDING FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ADVOCACY ACTING AS A LIFELINE FOR MANY VULNERABLE ADULTS.
WE ENSURE THEIR BILLS ARE PAID, PROTECT THEM FROM EXPLOITATION, AND HELP THEM ACCESS VITAL PUBLIC BENEFITS.
LAST YEAR ALONE WITH YOUR HELP, WE ASSISTED NEARLY 500 INDIVIDUALS, BUT DUE TO FUNDING CHALLENGES, INCLUDING A 10% REDUCTION IN CITY SUPPORT, WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO IZE SEVERELY IMPACTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE SERVE.
LIKE COMMUNITY FIRST VILLAGE, THEY REPORTED AN INCREASE IN RENTAL, ARREARS, EMERGENCY CALLS, AND RETURNS TO HOMELESSNESS.
SINCE WE LIMITED OUR SERVICES, THE MAJORITY OF THOSE RECEIVING OUR FINANCIAL ADVOCACY SERVICES WOULD LIKELY END UP HOMELESS.
WITHOUT OUR SUPPORT INCREASING THE NUMBER OF UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS IN OUR COMMUNITY, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS IS MORE COST EFFECTIVE THAN MANAGING THESE CONSEQUENCES.
PLEASE DO NOT BALANCE THE BUDGET AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE.
PLEASE SAFEGUARD AFFECTING PROGRAMS AND REDIRECT FUNDING ONLY FROM THOSE THAT FAIL TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS.
IT'S UNACCEPTABLE TO PRIORITIZE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN CONSULTING CONTRACTS WHILE ALLOWING OLDER ADULTS TO BECOME UNHOUSED.
CHASE WRIGHT, KERMIT, HEIDER, SUNATA, ALAN CONNOR, PAT VICE.
I'M GONNA GIVE MY BEST SHOT ON THIS ONE.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
HOW'S IT GOING? UH, COME UP HERE FOR ANY CIRCUS SHOWS RIGHT TODAY.
UM, I'M JUST SIMPLY HERE TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE NOTICED IN OUR DISTRICT OVER THE GREATER PART OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS, RIGHT? AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH US PLANNING THINGS AND BE ROOTING THEM.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE HUNGRY HILL FOUNDATION.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF WITH SAYING WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM.
WE HAVE A REAL SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND IF WE DON'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT, THEN WE WANNA MAYBE ACKNOWLEDGE SOME OF THE REALITY OF IT, WHICH IS, I BELIEVE ROSARIA LANE IS IN DISTRICT SIX.
UH, DISTRICT SIX, DID YOU KNOW AN INDIVIDUAL WAS KILLED TWO MONTHS AGO AND WAS SHOT 40 TIMES IN YOUR AREA? THAT'S NOT LIKELY IN YOUR AREA,
[01:50:01]
IS IT? IT DOESN'T HAPPEN PRETTY OFTEN.THAT LETS YOU KNOW THAT VIOLENCE IS STARTING TO SPILL OUT INTO YOUR DISTRICT AS WELL, WHICH IS ONE OF ONE OF OUR SAFER DISTRICTS IN AUSTIN, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.
UH, AS LONG WITH DISTRICT 10 AS WELL.
UM, WE WOULD LIKE TO MEASURE OFF OF HOMICIDES.
HOMICIDES SHOULDN'T BE THE NUMBER THAT WE'RE MEASURING.
WE SHOULD SEE HOW MANY ACTIVE SHOOTINGS THAT WE'VE HAD OVER THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS.
FURTHERMORE, YOU SHOULD ALSO KNOW THAT YOUR AGE IS BETWEEN 16 AND 24, HAVE ACCESS TO TURN THEIR SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLS TO AUTOMATIC WEAPONS.
WE'VE BEEN HIGHLIGHTING AUSTIN, TEXAS HAVING A LOT OF MASS SHOOTINGS LATELY, HAVEN'T WE? WELL, THAT'S FALSE BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS EVERY DAY COULD BE A POSSIBLE MASS SHOOTING WHEN YOU HAVE AUTOMATIC WEAPONS ON YOUR STREETS.
WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO ABOUT THIS? THE INDIVIDUALS THAT CATCH THESE INDIVIDUALS AND TRY TO HELP THESE INDIVIDUALS REENTER TO SOCIETY TO HELP REMOVE SOME OF THE, UH, THE GUNS OFF OF THE STREETS.
IT'S NOT IN A REACTIVE MANNER, IT'S IN A PREVENTATIVE MANNER.
IF YOU WANNA GO ASK CHIEF DAVIS, IF YOU WANNA GO ASK COMMANDER LEE DAVIS, WHO IS ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITIES, WHO DO THEY SEE IN THE STREETS? I GUARANTEE YOU THAT OUR COLLECTIVE, OUR COMMUNITY BASED PUBLIC SAFETY NETWORK ALLIANCE HERE IN AUSTIN ARE THE PEOPLE THAT HELP THEM HELP RELIEVE SOME OF THE STRESS THAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS HAVING TO DEAL WITH JUST VIOLENT CRIMES, RIGHT? THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH EVERYTHING IN OUR CITY OF AUSTIN, RIGHT? UH, AND WE ARE CAUSING STRESS ON A PD.
WE ARE CAUSING STRESS ON OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN OUR CITY BY REMOVING THESE SERVICES.
WHILE WE GO OVER HERE, WE'LL START DOWN HERE AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK ACROSS.
HEY, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS SUNATA ALLEN CONNOR.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE AND ALSO I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF UNIVERSAL TECH MOVEMENT.
I'VE SPENT 15 YEARS IN AUSTIN NONPROFIT OPERATIONS, MOST OF THEM WATCHING CITY BUDGETS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE ORGANIZATION AS THEY FUND WHERE I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND WHAT THESE INVESTMENTS BECOME IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.
THIS SUMMER, UNIVERSAL TECH MOVEMENT IS HOSTING A COHORT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
ONE OF THEM, A JUNIOR NAMED MICHAEL, WROTE THAT THIS IN INTERN INTERNSHIP GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN VALUABLE TECH SKILLS FOR OUR FUTURE CAREERS, WHILE SHOWING US HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN EMPOWER AND UPLIFT THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
ANOTHER INTERN, A YOUNG LADY NAMED SANAYA, WROTE SIMPLY, I FEEL WELCOMED AND GLAD TO BELONG.
ONE OF THEM REACHED US THROUGH A YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIP.
THE KIND OF PIPELINE THIS BUDGET, EITHER FUNDS OR FORFEITS THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE WHAT THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT LINE ITEM LOOKS LIKE IN PERSON.
THE PROPOSED BUDGET CONTEMPLATES ROUGHLY $5 MILLION IN CUTS TO THE PROVIDER CONTRACTS, FUNDING WORK, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, DIGITAL INCLUSION, AND REENTRY SUPPORT.
THOSE CONTRACTS ARE AUDITED, OUTCOMES ARE TRACKED AND VERIFIED.
THIS IS SOME OF THE MOST ACCOUNTABLE SPENDING IN THIS BUDGET, AND IT PREVENTS THE FAR MORE EXPENSIVE CRISIS THE CITY OTHERWISE PAYS FOR LATER.
SO OUR ASK IS SIMPLE, PROTECT THESE INVESTMENTS.
MICHAEL AND SANAYA ARE COUNTING ON AUSTIN TO KEEP THAT DOOR OPEN.
THANK YOU AGAIN, MAYOR, AND THANK YOU AGAIN.
MY NAME IS PAT RES AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE, AND I AM AGAIN GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT ANIMAL SERVICES, BUT I'M NOT GONNA REPEAT WHAT I'VE ALREADY SAID.
I AM GOING TO SPEAK TO HOW TO MONITOR PERFORMANCE MEASURES THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN GETTING US ON THE ROAD TO BEING AN OPEN INTAKE SHELTER.
UM, I WANNA GO BACK TO SOMETHING I DID SAY THE OTHER DAY ABOUT US BEING CLOSED INTAKE.
AND THAT IS THAT THERE WAS A TIME WHEN WE WERE VERY PROUD TO BE THE LARGEST OPEN INTAKE SHELTER IN THE COUNTRY, AND WE HAVE LOST THAT STATUS.
WE ARE NOW, UM, NO LONGER OPEN INTAKE, SO WE DON'T GET TO BRAG ABOUT THAT.
WE DO HAVE LIVE A HIGH LIVE OUTCOME RATE, WHICH IS WHAT WE USED TO SAY.
WE HAD THE HIGHEST LIVE OUTCOME RATE FOR AN OPEN INTAKE SHELTER.
BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING IF WE CLOSE INTAKE.
IF YOU'RE NOT LETTING ANIMALS IN AND THEY'RE DYING ON THE STREET AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THEM, THAT THAT SHOULD NOT BE A PERFORMANCE MEASURE.
SO I WOULD LIKE YOU TO REMOVE THE PERFORMANCE INDICATOR THAT IS PERCENT OF SHELTER LIVE OUTCOMES, AND HAVE A NUMBER THAT IS THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS THAT COME INTO THE SHELTER, THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS THAT ARE TURNED AWAY FROM THE SHELTER, AND THEN HAVE A NUMBER OF ANIMALS THAT LEAVE THE SHELTER ALIVE.
AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS, FIGURE OUT HOW WELL ARE WE DOING IN LETTING EVERY ANIMAL IN THAT NEEDS ASSISTANCE AND THEN ONLY COUNTING A SUCCESS IF WE ARE DOING BETTER EVERY YEAR IN THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS WE ACTUALLY SAVE, AS OPPOSED TO
[01:55:01]
JUST LOOKING AT THE ONES THAT ARE IN THE SHELTER AND NOT LOOKING AT THE ONES THAT ARE TURNED AWAY.UM, I I ALSO SPOKE LAST TIME ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU DON'T HAVE VERY MUCH REVENUE TO DO THIS, SO I WOULD LIKE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE DONATIONS FUND AS A POSSIBLE SOURCE.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY NAME IS KERMAN HEIDER.
UM, I'M BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO SERVE AS THE CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER FOR HUNGRY HILL FOUNDATION.
AND TODAY I JUST WANNA HIGHLIGHT A, A FEW POINTS, RIGHT? UM, SURE THAT YOU'RE ALREADY AWARE OF THAT.
UH, HUNGER HILL FOUNDATION IS CURRENTLY AND ACTIVELY, UM, ENGAGING BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ON THE GROUND, UM, AT THE, AT THE LEVEL WHERE THE VIOLENCE IS, IS HAPPENING, RIGHT? WE WANT TO, WE WANNA BE PREVENTATIVE AND NOT BE RESPONSE RESPONSIVE TO WHAT'S ALREADY HAPPENED, RIGHT? WE WANNA BE PREVENTATIVE, AND THE WAY WE DO IT AT, THE WAY WE DO THAT IS TO BE ABLE TO GET IN FRONT OF PEOPLE, UM, ENGAGE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND JUST BUILD, RIGHT? WE HAVE HIGH RISK INTERVENTIONS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
UM, JUST TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS, LIKE WE'RE NOT ASKING THE CITY TO CHOOSE BETWEEN COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
UM, WE'RE ASKING Y'ALL TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S GOES HAND IN HAND.
IT'S ONE, IF YOU REMOVE THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION, THE PREVENTION HUNGRY HILL, UM, YOU TAKE THE PUBLIC OUTTA PUBLIC SAFETY, UM, BY INVESTING IN WHAT IS WORKING, RIGHT? NOT AN IDEA.
YOU, YOU ARE INVESTING IN SOMETHING THAT IS WORKING, THAT HAS DATA BEHIND IT.
YOU ARE INVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
AND AGAIN, WE DON'T WANT TO TIE UP THE LINES CALLING EMS 9 1 1, UH, WHEN IT'S NOT NECESSARY.
WHEN WE CAN INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY, IF YOU REMOVE THESE DOLLARS, YOU TAKE LESS PEOPLE THAT ARE ABLE TO GO INTO THESE AREAS, INTO THE SCHOOLS, CONNECT WITH THE KIDS TO GET IN FRONT OF, LIKE I'M SAYING, TO BE PREVENTATIVE, TO STOP THEM FROM GOING TO MAKE A, A BAD DECISION.
IF YOU REMOVE THAT, THEN WHO'S GOING TO GO IN AND GO SPEAK TO THESE KIDS, UH, SPEAK TO THESE INDIVIDUALS IN THESE AREAS, UM, BE ABLE TO COME HERE AND SPEAK WITH Y'ALL AND, YOU KNOW, SO WE CAN ALL BE ON ONE ACCORD, RIGHT? WE ALL LIVE IN THIS CITY AND WANT TO KEEP IT, UH, A SAFE CITY, RIGHT? IT'S, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE CITY, BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON THAT CAN BE PREVENTED, SO WE ASK YOU TO NOT CUT.
CONTINUING ON ENOVIA, JOSEPH SALVADOR ESPINOSA, PETER HUNT, JUDITH BUENO.
MARIA, ARE YOU STILL HERE? IF YOUR NAME'S DIDN'T CALL, PLEASE COME FORWARD, MA'AM.
WHENEVER YOU'RE READY, PLEASE BEGIN.
JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE BEGIN.
MY PARENTS WEREN'T REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT ME, SO THEY DIDN'T CARE WHEN I MOVED OUT AT THE AGE OF 11.
AND THEN AT 15 I GOT PREGNANT, MORE TIME PASSED, AND THIS LIFE PUT ME IN JAIL FOR A WHILE.
WHEN I GOT OUT, I WAS ABLE TO GET A JOB AT A LAUNDROMAT AND WOULD SLEEP THERE AT NIGHT OR SOMETIMES I WOULD SLEEP UNDER A TREE, A BRIDGE, A CREEK, AND THEN A MIRACLE HAPPENED.
IT WAS A VERY, IT WAS VERY COLD OUTSIDE.
WHEN THIS MAN WHO CAME TO GIVE OUT BLANKETS, HE ASKED ME IF I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE INTO A SHELTER.
I LEARNED ABOUT FAMILY ELDER CARE.
I FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD APARTMENTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN HOMELESS.
FINALLY OVER, IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE I MOVED INTO PECAN GARDENS.
THE STAFF MEETS WITH US REGULARLY TO CHECK ON OUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.
THEY, UM, THEY GET HELP GET ME SIGNED UP FOR INSURANCE AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.
NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I FELT SO CARED FOR.
I'VE BEEN ELECTED TO BE THE RESIDENT PRESIDENT, PLUS I'VE SHARDED A LITTLE FOOD BUSINESS THERE.
I TAKE ORDERS FROM OTHER RESIDENTS FOR HOMEMADE TACOS, ENCHILADAS, PANCAKES, AND OTHER DISHES.
PEOPLE LOVE MY COOKING AND I MAKE A LITTLE SPENDING MONEY THIS WAY.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'D BE TODAY WITHOUT FAMILY ELDER CARE.
I'D PROBABLY STILL BE LIVING IN THE STREETS, VERY SICK, SPENDING A LOT OF TIME IN THE ER.
AND I KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY OTHERS OUT THERE JUST LIKE ME.
[02:00:01]
ASK YOU TO BEG YOU, PLEASE DO NOT CUT THESE VITAL SERVICES THAT ARE LITERALLY SAVING OUR LIVES.MY NAME IS PETER HUNT FROM DISTRICT 10, AND, UH, I WANT TO READ SOME TESTIMONY ON BEHALF OF A FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE OF MINE, DR.
ROBIN KIRSCHENBAUM FROM DISTRICT FIVE, WHO CAN'T BE HERE TODAY, UH, OR FOR ANY OF THESE SESSIONS, I WENT TO SOME HEALTH ISSUES.
ROBIN KIRSCHENBAUM, DISTRICT FIVE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST.
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ONE OF THE PRIMARY LENSES THAT I SEE THE WORLD THROUGH AND THAT SERVE, UH, TO LOOK AT THIS GREAT CITY OF OURS AT THE POPULATION LEVEL AS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST.
MY FIRST QUESTION IS, WHAT DO PEOPLE WANT AND NEED TO DO TO LIVE A LIFE OF MEANING AND PURPOSE? THE PEOPLE, THIS COALITION, THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET COALITION REPRESENT NEEDS SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND SECURE HOUSING.
THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS BY BREATHING AIR THAT IS FREE OF TOXIC FUMES FROM FOSSIL FUEL POWER PLANTS.
AND THEY NEED ACCESS TO HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND HEALTHCARE.
AND THEY NEED TO BE SAFE FROM VIOLENT PARTNERS WHO THREATEN THEIR AND THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES.
THE CHALLENGES OUR NEIGHBORS FACE ARE MADE MORE COMPLEX BY INDIVIDUAL ANCESTRAL AND COLLECTIVE TRAUMA.
I'VE STUDIED THIS IN DEPTH AND DEDICATE MY LIFE TO WITNESSING AND WORKING WITH TRAUMA, INCLUDING MY OWN IN COLLECTIVE SPACES.
AND I ASSURE YOU THIS IS VERY REAL AND IS AT THE CORE OF THE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FACING OUR NEIGHBORS.
WHEN THE CITY CHOOSES TO LAUNCH REACTIVE PUNITIVE ACTIONS AGAINST THE UNHOUSED, IT SENDS ADDITIONAL WAVES OF TRAUMA DOING THE OPPOSITE OF SOLVING A PROBLEM.
I KNOW THAT GETTING THE RIGHT SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES TO THOSE IN NEED WORKS.
I'VE BEEN A PART OF COLLABORATIVE ACTIONS IN LARGE URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND RESEARCH AND ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE SUPPORTS IT.
MY AND MY COLLEAGUES' WORK EVERY MOMENT COUNTS AS BEING IMPLEMENTED WITH SUCCESS ACROSS THE WORLD TRANSLATED INTO A HUNDRED LANGUAGES.
BOSTON'S SKYLINE HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY IN THE LAST 15 YEARS.
AUSTIN'S REAL BEAUTY AND POWER AND ITS UNIQUENESS LIES IN ITS PEOPLE, ALL OF ITS RESIDENTS.
I FIND IT CONFUSING THAT IN A TIME OF AUSTERITY, MUCH THE BUDGET HAS GONE TO A PD.
THERE ARE MANY IN THIS CITY WHO NEED OTHER KINDS OF SUPPORT.
MY HOPE IS THAT YOU OPEN YOUR EYES AND EARS TO THE STORY OF THOSE OS KNIGHTS WHO DON'T COME OUT TO VOTE BECAUSE THEY FEEL NO ONE SEIZES THEM OR CARES ABOUT THEM.
MY HOPE IS THAT YOU CONSIDER YOUR FISCAL PRIORITIES AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET COALITION.
MAYOR, ARE YOU GOING TO REOPEN NUMBER ONE? I WAS HERE.
NO, IF YOUR NAME WAS CALLED THEN, THEY DIDN'T CALL MY NAME.
IF YOU GO AHEAD ON NUMBER TWO AND WE'LL LOOK INTO IT.
WELL, THE ONLY REASON I'M ASKING IS BECAUSE I HAVE SLIDES, SO IF I DON'T NEED TO USE THEM NOW, I'LL JUST SPEAK TO YOU MS. JOSEPH.
JUST DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO ON THIS.
I MEAN, I I, YOU, YOU ALWAYS HAVE A QUESTION AND, AND WE NEVER SEEM TO SATISFY YOU, SO GO AHEAD AND DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.
WELL, I'M SATISFIED, BUT I'D APPRECIATE IF YOU'LL CHECK INTO IT.
THANK YOU MAYOR COUNCIL, I'M ENOVIA JOSEPH.
I'LL JUST SPEAK TO THE SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS.
I SPECIFICALLY WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE THE $279.3 MILLION IN THE CONSULTANT CONTRACTS INTO COME BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND TELL US HOW YOU RECOUPED SOME OF THAT MONEY AS OPPOSED TO SIMPLY ALLOWING THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BAD ACTORS TO KEEP THE FUNDS AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO THE SLIDE THAT'S BEFORE YOU.
I JUST WANT THE CITY MANAGER TO RECOGNIZE THAT, UH, THE ORDINANCE REQUIRES YOU TO OPERATE WITH INTEGRITY AND THE CLIMATE POLLUTION REDUCTION GRANT HAS THIS LANGUAGE THAT'S BEFORE YOU EXPAND TRANSIT INFRASTRUCTURE CONNECTIVITY AND INCREASE REGIONAL EQUITY.
AND SO WHAT I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE IS THAT THE $194 MILLION THAT YOU'RE GIVING THE PROJECT CONNECT IS FRAUDULENT.
AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO THE RUNDBERG NORTH LAMAR, AND THIS IS SPECIFICALLY YEAGER AND NORTH LAMAR, I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT WAS AUGUST 5TH, 2025 WHEN THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, MIKE ROGERS, ACTUALLY SAW THE PAINT STILL ON THE GROUND WHERE THE IMAM WAS KILLED.
I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE YOU HAVE THE FUNDING AND IF THE CITY MANAGER DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING, THIS CORRIDOR IS NUMBER TWO IN TEX SAFETY PLAN FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS.
I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE, UH, AS IT RELATES TO DISTRICT 6, 1, 4 AND SEVEN, SPECIFICALLY SAMSUNG TO APPLE IS APPROXIMATELY $20 BILLION CORRIDOR WITH NO BUS.
AND SO WHILE I RECOGNIZE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SOCIAL SERVICES GRANTS, I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE IF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A WAY TO GET TO THE TRANSPORTATION, HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO THE JOBS, THEN REALLY IT DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD IF YOU'RE JUST PUTTING THEM IN PERMANENT SEGREGATED HOUSING.
PSHI WANT YOU TO ALSO LOOK INTO SPARROW.
RUTLAND 101 OF THOSE 171 INDIVIDUALS HAVE VOUCHERS AND APPARENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED, EITHER DRUG OVERDOSES OR OTHERWISE.
[02:05:01]
QUESTIONS, I'LL GLADLY ANSWER THEM AT THIS TIME.MS. MARIA, BEFORE YOU BEGIN, CAN I JUST VERIFY YOU HAVE TIME DONATED? IS LESLIE VARGUEZ HERE? SHE IS.
UH, MAYOR WATSON, MAYOR PROAM VELA AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UM, DR. ROSA MARIA MURILLO, UH, CHAIR OF THE ONE VOICE, CENTRAL TEXAS, AS WELL AS THE CEO FOR EL ZAMARANO.
BEFORE COMING TO ELSO MARANO, I ALSO, UM, WORKED FOR OVER 22 DECADES, NOT 20 DECADES, TWO DECADES IN STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC, UM, GOVERNMENT.
AND SO I HAVE HAD THE HONOR TO SIT IN BOTH SIDES OF THIS DISCUSSION.
I ALSO HAD THE HONOR TO SERVE AS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR THE WHAT IS NOW CALLED AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.
IN FISCAL YEAR 25, SERVED WELL OVER 30,000 INDIVIDUALS IN THIS COMMUNITY.
MANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS CAME FROM DISTRICT 3 1, 5, 4 6.
WITHIN THOSE DISTRICTS, WE DISTRIBUTED OVER $9 MILLION TO MEN TO OVER 5,000 INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE FIGHTING TO STATE HOUSED, AND THIS YEAR WE'RE DOING THE SAME THING.
AS WE LOOK TO NEXT YEAR, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS NO FUNDING ALLOWED FOR EVICTION PREVENTION AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MANY OF THE FAMILIES THAT LIVE IN YOUR DISTRICTS.
THE BUDGET DISCUSSED TODAY WILL TELL OUR COMMUNITY WHAT WE CHOOSE TO PROTECT.
BEFORE THIS BUDGET WAS WRITTEN, WE VISITED EVERY COUNCIL OFFICE.
WE MET WITH YOUR OFFICES NOT TO ASK FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT.
WE CAME ASKING FOR LEADERSHIP.
WE ASKED COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AS ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
WE ASKED THEM TO MAKE REDUCTIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICES AS A LAST RESORT.
WE ALSO REQUIRE IMPACT STATEMENTS BEFORE REDUCING SERVICES AFFECTING VULNERABLE RESIDENTS, WHICH BY THE WAY, WE HAVE NOT SEEN.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ AL ALTER, CADRE, SIEGEL LANE, AND FUENTES FOR PUBLICLY SUPPORTING THIS PRINCIPLES.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER VANESSA FUENTES, WHO DESPITE SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL CHALLENGES, CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR RESIDENTS IN HER DISTRICT ON BEHALF OF ONE CENTRAL TEXAS.
I RESPECTFULLY RENEW OUR REQUEST TO THIS COUNCIL TO REJECT THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 27 REDUCTION BUDGET REDUCTION TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE PROJECTED REDUCTION IN FISCAL YEAR 28.
AUSTIN WORKS BECAUSE AUSTIN NONPROFITS WORK CITY INVESTMENTS DO MORE THAN PURCHASE CITY SERVICES.
CITY INVESTMENTS, LEVERAGE PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTEERS, FOUNDATION FUNDING, CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS, STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS.
WHEN CITY INVESTMENTS ARE REDUCED, AUSTIN IS RISKING LOSING FAR MORE THAN THE DOLLARS REMOVED FROM THE BUDGET.
TODAY, MANY OF US ARE HERE SPEAKING FOR PEOPLE THAT CANNOT CHILDREN ATTENDING SUMMER SCHOOL, SUMMER PROGRAMMING AS WE SPEAK, FAMILIES WORKING TO AVOID EVICTION OLDER ADULTS, VETERANS, PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES, WORKING PARENTS, TRYING TO MAKE IT THROUGH ANOTHER DAY WHEN NEARLY HALF OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SERVE THROUGH THE CITY FUNDED HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAMS ARE CHILDREN.
WHEN ANO SERVES WELL OVER 86% LATINO FAMILIES IN THIS COMMUNITY, MANY WHICH LIVE IN YOUR DISTRICTS.
UNDER OUR, I BELONG IN AUSTIN, WE SERVE ONE THIRD OF THE, OF THE PEOPLE WE, UH, SERVE IN, IN THAT PROGRAM COME FROM THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTING THE TREMENDOUS DISPARITY IN THE COMMUNITY.
[02:10:01]
PEOPLE, MANY OF THE NEIGHBORS WE SERVE HAVE THE LEAST POLITICAL INFLUENCE, BUT THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO EXPECT THAT THIS COUNCIL PROTECT THEM.THE EASIEST BUDGET DECISION IS TO REDUCE SERVICES FOR THOSE WITH THE LEAST POLITICAL INFLUENCE.
THE COURAGEOUS DECISION IS TO PROTECT WHAT IS ESSENTIAL.
AND WHAT I MEAN BY ESSENTIAL IS BASIC HUMAN NEEDS SERVICES LIKE HOUSING AND SHELTER AND FOOD BUDGETS ARE PUBLIC DECORATIONS OF VALUES.
THEY REVEAL NOT ONLY WHAT A CITY CAN AFFORD, THEY REF, THEY REVEAL WHAT A CITY REFUSES TO ABANDON.
THE MEASURE OF THIS BUDGET WILL BE WHAT THE CITY CHOOSES TO PROTECT.
WITH THAT, I WANNA GO BACK TO YOUR STATEMENTS.
UM, MAYOR, THE MAYOR SAID TO US THIS WEEK, GOOD FISCAL STEWARDSHIP AND STRONG SOCIAL SERVICES ARE NOT COMPETING GOALS.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY IS NOT IN CONFLICT WITH PERSONAL COMPASSION.
I'M CALLING THE LAST BATCH OF SPEAKERS FOR ITEM TWO, PIERRE BARAIN, NADIA BARBO.
IS ROBIN SCHNEIDER HERE? OKAY, I SEE YOU MONICA.
MICHAEL LOFTON, SUMMER ALEXANDER AND JEN P.
IF YOUR NAME'S BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT.
MS. GUZMAN, WE'LL START WITH YOU WHEN YOU'RE READY.
I'M MONICA GUZMAN, POLICY DIRECTOR AT GAVA GAVA.
THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET COALITION AND MANY OTHERS ARE URGING YOU TO FUND BASIC AND CRITICAL PRIORITIES.
INSTEAD OF DEPARTMENTS WITH ALREADY SIZABLE BUDGETS, INCLUDING THE AUSTIN POLICE, THE AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS HAVE FULL PLATES AND FUNDING THE SOCIAL SERVICE PRIORITIES WILL RELIEVE POLICE OF TASKS THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO AND ARE UNABLE TO DO, LIKE RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR ECONOMICALLY VULNERABLE COMMUNITY.
THE POLICE CANNOT PROVIDE EMERGENCY RENTAL OR EVICTION ASSISTANCE, ASSIST WITH PAYING INCREASED OR PAST DUE UTILITY BILLS, CHILDCARE, OR ADDRESS OTHER BASIC AND CRITICAL NEEDS.
THERE'S FUNDING TIED TO 300 PLUS SWORN OFFICER VACANCIES, FUNDING THAT CAN BE REALLOCATED FOR RECRUITMENT, SALARY, INCREASES IN BENEFITS, RETIREMENT AND MORE, ALLOWING FOR UP TO $25 MILLION, 25 MILLION TO INSTEAD FUND EARLY CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT.
$75,000 SUSTAINED FUNDING FOR THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY FAMILY CHILDCARE EDUCATOR NETWORK PARTNERSHIP WITH HOMEGROWN TO SUPPORT STRATEGIES FOR HOME-BASED CHILDCARE.
$100,000 SUSTAINED FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR ROLE AT AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE END OF FISCAL 27 TO SUSTAIN THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO HOME-BASED CHILDCARE AND TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS TO ENSURE THE IMPACTFUL NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION ALREADY BEGUN IS FULLY REALIZED.
$325,000 FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A DIRECT ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM FOR CHILD CHILDCARE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS THE ECONOMIC INSTABILITY OF HOME-BASED CHILDCARE CAUSED BY LOW WAGES FOR THEIR CARE WORK.
AND AUSTIN'S AFFORDABILITY CRISIS FAMILY STABILIZATION GRANT, YOU'VE HEARD FROM THREE RESIDENTS, INCLUDING MIRNA RODRIGUEZ, A GAVA RESIDENT LEADER WHO WERE GRANT RECIPIENTS, AND ARE ALSO URGING YOU TO RESTORE FUNDING TO ENSURE FAMILIES BENEFIT FROM THE GRANT AND ARE ABLE TO ADDRESS HEALTH CHALLENGES AND MOVE TOWARD ECONOMIC STABILITY.
REINSTATE THE FSG WITH PERMANENT ALLOCATION OF AT LEAST $1.3 MILLION AND IDEALLY INCREASE TO 3 MILLION TO MEET THE GREATER NEEDS AND HIGHER COSTS OF LIVING IN AUSTIN.
FOR 80 PLUS HOUSEHOLDS, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH INVEST $820,000 FOR IMMIGRANT SUPPORTS.
THERE IS DAILY, DAILY DETAINMENT AND DEPORTATION, ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICTS TWO, FOUR, AND FIVE.
LAST WEEK A RESIDENT SHARED ABOUT HER NEIGHBOR'S HUSBAND BEING DETAINED ON THE WAY TO WORK AND LATER FAST TRACKED FOR DEPORTATION.
LATER IN THAT SAME DAY, EVEN CITY STAFF HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY FAMILY OR FRIENDS WHO NEEDED SUPPORT DUE TO A DETAINMENT AND PENDING DEPORTATION.
$570,000 RESTORE AND INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE LEGAL REPRESENTATION SERVICES.
CONTRACTS, $250,000 SUSTAINED FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND $750,000
[02:15:01]
FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A DEDICATED COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER.STRIKE TEAM IS NEEDED ON BLUE SKY DAYS.
THEY ARE ENGAGING RESIDENTS, INFORMING AND EDUCATING ON DISASTER PREPAREDNESS GRAY SKY DAYS.
THEY ARE IN THE COMMUNITY, CHECKING ON VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.
WE KNOW THAT FUNDING SOCIAL SERVICES AND QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIVES BRING US THE CRIME REDUCTION AND SOCIAL SAFETY NETS NEEDED TO KEEP US SAFE.
UH, MAYOR WATSON, UH, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M MICHAEL LOFTON, THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTH HARVEST FOUNDATION, AS WELL AS THE HARVEST TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER.
AND I'M HERE TODAY MAINLY FIRST AND FOREMOST BEFORE I GET STARTED, I WANT TO SAY I SUPPORT ALL OF THE NONPROFITS THAT'S HERE TODAY ASKING FOR HELP BECAUSE THEY ALL DO GREAT WORK IN THE COMMUNITY, AND I APPLAUD THE EFFORTS AND IT IS MY HOPE THAT CITY COUNCIL LOOKS FOR A WAY TO SUPPORT, UH, THESE NONPROFITS.
AND I'M WILLING TO TALK, UH, OFF RECORD ABOUT WAYS THAT THIS CAN POSSIBLY BE CONSIDERED.
WHAT I'M HERE TODAY TO ALSO TALK ABOUT IS BASICALLY, UH, THE HARVEST TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER, UH, WHICH IS THE ONLY, UH, TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT'S IS SUPPORTED BY THE NATIONAL TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER OUT OF, UH, SAN FRANCISCO.
UH, RECENTLY WE, WE RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING THAT OUR FUNDING WOULD BE CUT, UH, OR ENDED, UH, ON SEPTEMBER THE 30TH.
AND SO I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE, UH, THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER IS SUPPORTING OR HAS SUPPORTED THOUSANDS OF YOUTH AND FAMILIES.
AND WE ALSO SUPPORT ALL OF THESE OTHER NONPROFITS THAT HAS BEEN HERE TODAY.
THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BOOTS ON THE STREET, ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER, AND WE SUPPORT THEM AND JUST MANY, MANY OTHERS.
WE SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, BLACK, WHITE, HISPANIC, L-G-B-T-Q, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS, AND WE SERVE INDIVIDUALS FROM EVERY DISTRICT.
UH, I ALSO WANNA TAKE MY HAT OFF TO A-P-H-A-P-H HAS DONE A MARVELOUS JOB IN THEIR WORK AND, AND WORKING WITH US ON THIS YEAR, AND I REALIZED THE CHALLENGES THAT THEY HAVE OUR FUNDING FOR THE TOTAL RECOVERY CENTER DID NOT JUST COME FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN, UH, UH, THIS YEAR, EVEN THOUGH THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS BEEN THE MANAGEMENT OF THOSE FUNDS.
IT STARTED WITH AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN, UH, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY, AS WELL AS, UH, THE FEDERAL, UH, FROM CONGRESSMAN DOGGETT.
I'M HERE TO ALSO TODAY TO SAY THAT I HAVE IDENTIFIED OTHER FUNDERS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SIT DOWN WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO TALK ABOUT OTHER, OTHER FUNDING NEEDS.
PLEASE GO AHEAD, JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IT APPEARS THE CUTS TO CVI HAVE BEEN PROPOSED BASED ON A RUBRIC.
UM, BUT BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HEARD THE PRESENTATION YET FROM, UH, MANAGER BROAD ACTS, I AM NOT SURE THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS FULLY, UM, AND HAVEN'T BE BEEN ABLE TO SEE YOU ALL DISCUSS THIS RUBRIC.
AND THAT WOULD'VE BEEN REALLY HELPFUL I THINK HERE FOR THIS DISCUSSION TODAY.
UM, AS MOMS DEMAND ACTION IS A NATIONAL MEMBER NONPROFIT WITH CHAPTERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, WHICH SUPPORTS EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE.
WE KNOW THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS A GUN HOMICIDE RATE, 26 TIMES HIGHER, A TOTAL GUN DEATH RATE, 13 TIMES HIGHER THAN OTHER HIGH INCOME PEER NATIONS COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONS.
CVI IS A PROVEN EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGY AND INVESTMENT THAT CITIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY USE TO PULL DOWN OUR COUNTRY'S HIGH RATES OF GUN VIOLENCE.
GUN VIOLENCE DOES NOT HAVE TO IMPACT EACH OF US PERSONALLY BEFORE WE ACT TO PREVENT IT.
THERE IS A WHOLE COALITION OF ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN AUSTIN WITH MOMS DEMAND ACTION WHO SUPPORT THIS WORK CONTINUING.
WE SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BUDGET INCREASE IN CVI TO APPROXIMATELY $4.3 MILLION.
THE NUMBERS IN AUSTIN PROVED THE CVI INVESTMENT WORKS.
HOMICIDES IN AUSTIN WERE AT 90 IN 2021 AND DROPPED TO 55 LAST YEAR IN 2025.
FINALLY, ALL OF THIS DRILLS DOWN ON THE GROUND TO EXAMPLES AND LIVES.
I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN CONNECTED TO SEVERAL OF THE MOMMY SPACE PARENTS THAT TRACY BROWN MENTIONED EARLIER.
ONE MOTHER'S SON WAS RECEIVING INTENSIVE THERAPY BECAUSE HE HAD EXPERIENCED THREE INSTANCES OF GUN VIOLENCE IN HIS CHILDHOOD.
PREDICTABLY, HE EXPERIENCED MANY TRAUMAS FROM THIS EXPERIENCE AND WAS RECEIVING SERVICES FROM THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER.
HE DID PASS FROM GUN VIOLENCE.
SO WE HOPE YOU PRO PROTECT THIS.
[02:20:01]
COUNCIL MEMBERS.I'M A LIFETIME, UM, AUSTINITE AND IGNITE TO, UH, RESIDENT TO DISTRICT TWO.
I WORK AS A TEXAS CHAPTER COORDINATOR FOR TIME DONE.
I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE CRIME SURVIVOR SPEAK, AS WELL AS A TEXAS CERTIFIED JUSTICE SYSTEMS RECOVERY AND REENTRY PEER SPECIALIST WITH TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.
IN 2018, I BECAME THE VICTIM OF A BRUTAL STABBING HERE IN AUSTIN THAT NEARLY TOOK MY LIFE.
THE TRAUMA AND AND INSTABILITY THAT FOLLOW FOLLOWED ULTIMATELY CONTRIBUTED TO ME BECOMING HOMELESS.
I LEARNED FIRSTHAND THAT HOMELESSNESS, VIOLENCE, TRAUMA, SUBSTANCE USE, AND INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM DOES NOT EXIST IN SEPARATE BOXES.
AND WHEN ONE KNEE GOES UNADDRESSED, EVERY OTHER CRISIS BECOMES HARDER AND MORE EXPENSIVE TO RESOLVE.
AS I MENTIONED, I WORK DAILY WITH PEOPLE RETURNING HOME FROM JAILS AND PRISONS.
I SEE DAILY HOW PEER SUPPORT, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, HARM REDUCTION, VIOLENCE PREVENTION, AND REENTRY SERVICES CAN INTERRUPT THESE CYCLES.
THESE PROGRAMS HELP PEOPLE OBTAIN FINANCIAL, UH, STABILITY, IDENTIFICATION, SECURE HOUSING, RECONNECT, RECONNECT TO TREATMENT, AND BUILD STABILITY.
THEY DO NOT SIMPLY PROVIDE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE HOME.
THEY PREVENT HOMELESSNESS, REDUCE RECIDIVISM, SUPPORT.
CRIME SURVIVORS PREVENT VIOLENT CRIMES FROM OCCURRING, AND THEY MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.
CUTTING FUNDING TO THIS, TO THESE PROGRAMS WILL NOT SHIFT THE COST.
IT DOES NOT SAVE THE CITY MONEY.
IT IS TRANSFERRING THE COST UNTIL OUR CITY BECOMES MORE DANGEROUS.
A SAFE CITY IS NOT CREATING IT THROUGH, UH, ENFORCEMENT ONLY.
YOU ARE LOOKING AT A MOTHER THAT SINCE 2018 HAS WENT FROM BEING FORMALLY INCARCERATED TO BEING A SURVIVOR OF A VIOLENT CRIME, AND NOW BEING ABLE TO FIN FINANCIALLY PROVIDE STABILITY TO FIVE CHILDREN, ONE OF WHICH I'M PUTTING THROUGH COLLEGE RIGHT NOW.
I'M ASKING YOUR, ALL OF YOU ON, ON THIS BOARD.
PLEASE THINK ABOUT THE FAMILIES THAT YOU ARE IMPACTING RIGHT NOW.
THINK ABOUT THE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN BE CHANGED.
ALL SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED.
UM, ALL THE SPEAKERS HAVE BEEN CALLED, WE'RE NOT GOING TO REOPEN.
ITEM NUMBER ONE BECAUSE THE SPEAKER HAD SIGNED UP TO SPEAK REMOTELY, AND THAT'S WHY THE NAME WASN'T CALLED WHEN.
IF YOU, IF YOU SIGN UP TO SPEAK REMOTELY, WHEN YOU, IF YOU DECIDE TO BE HERE, UH, INSTEAD, YOU NEED TO LET THE CLERK'S OFFICE KNOW SO THAT THE NAMES CAN BE CALLED.
UM, WITH THAT BEING SAID, MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THAT EVERYBODY'S SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, UH, THAT, THAT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK HAS BEEN CALLED, UH, FOR ITEMS ONE AND ITEMS TWO.
UH, BEFORE WE GO TO A BRIEFING, UH, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST, AND UNLESS THERE'S OBJECTION, IS THAT WE TAKE A BRIEF RECESS AND THEN COME BACK AND, AND BEGIN THE BRIEFING AT THAT POINT.
SO IF THE, UNLESS THERE'S OBJECTION, UH, MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE THAT WE RECONVENE AT ONE O'CLOCK.
UM, AND SO I DON'T SEE ANY OBJECTION.
SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AT THIS COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING IS IN RECESS UNTIL 1:00 PM ON JULY 22ND, 2026.
WE'RE IN RECESS AT 12:22 PM THANK YOU EVERYBODY.
I'LL CALL THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING BACK TO ORDER.
IT'S 1:00 PM ON JULY 22ND, 2026.
AND I AM LOOKING AT FAMILIAR FACES.
UH, LET ME ASK THE MANAGER IF HE'S GOT ANYTHING HE WANTS TO SAY.
HE'S PASSING IT RIGHT DIRECTLY TO YOU,
[1. Presentation and discussion of the City Manager’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Proposed Budget.]
MADAM DIRECTOR.GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
CARRIE LANG, DIRECTOR OF BUDGET AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE.
UM, AND WE ARE HERE TO TALK THROUGH SEVERAL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS TODAY, UM, WALKING THROUGH THEIR PROPOSED BUDGET AND SOME OF THE PROGRAMMATIC, UM, INSIGHTS THAT WE HAVE ON THEIR BUDGET.
AND WHILE THERE IT GOES, AND, AND, AND AS I SAID EARLIER, I'LL JUST, I'LL POINT IT OUT AGAIN.
WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS WE'LL GET THIS, UH, BRIEF BRIEFING FROM STAFF.
AND THEN WHEN WE GO TO QUESTIONS, WHAT I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO IS WE'LL START WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY.
AND THAT WAY, UH, IF ANY, ASK YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.
UH, AND THAT WAY WE WILL HAVE STAFF COME UP FOR THOSE QUESTIONS.
THEN WE'LL GO TO HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING, AND THEN WE'LL GO TO SOCIAL SERVICES CONDUCT.
IS THAT OKAY WITH YOU? PERFECTLY FINE.
I'LL TRY NOT TO INTERRUPT AGAIN.
AND SO, OF COURSE, WE ALWAYS START WITH THE TIMELINE.
WE'RE ON THE 22ND WHERE WE WILL TALK ABOUT, UM, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY, HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS.
WE HAVE, UM, ABOUT FOUR MORE WORK SESSIONS SCHEDULED BEFORE ADOPTION ON THE 12TH.
SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE TOOK A, A, A BIT OF A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGETS.
AND THIS IS SORTED OUT BY OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING PRIORITIES.
[02:25:01]
UM, WE WILL FOCUS ON ANIMAL SERVICES, PARKS AND RECREATION, PUBLIC HEALTH LIBRARY, AND AUSTIN RESOURCE RECOVERY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY, UH, PRIORITY AREA.AND THEN FOR HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING WILL INCLUDE PLANNING, HOMELESSNESS, STR, HOMELESS STR STRATEGIES AND OPERATIONS AND HOUSING.
AND THEN FINALLY, WE'LL DO A WALKTHROUGH, UM, OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICE GRANTS.
SO STARTING WITH ANIMAL SERVICES.
ANIMAL SERVICES OPERATES THE ANIMAL AUSTIN ANIMAL CENTER AND PROVIDES ANIMAL PROTECTION SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY WITH A $26.5 MILLION BUDGET.
THE DEPARTMENT LEVERAGES ITS RESOURCES.
THEY HAVE 136 EMPLOYEES AND OVER 73,000 VOLUNTEERS.
THE ANIMAL SERVICES BUDGET SUPPORT SHELTERING OVER 12,000 ANIMALS PERFORMING 5,600 SURGERIES, AND THEY CONTINUALLY TO SUCCESSFULLY REACH THE 95% LIVE OUTCOMES GOAL THAT THEY HAVE.
THIS SLIDE REALLY TALKS THROUGH ALSO THE INCREASES THAT YOU'LL SEE, BUDGET TO BUDGET FOR THEIR GENERAL FUND, AND THEN CONTINUING LOOKING AT THEIR GENERAL FUND AND THE NET PROGRAMMATIC CHANGES THAT THEY HAVE.
THEY HAVE ONE NEW POSITION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A SAFETY PROGRAM AND FUNDING FOR SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS AT THE CENTER, AS WELL AS PROTECTIVE GEAR AND EQUIPMENT FOR THEIR STAFF.
UM, THE ANIMAL CENTER RELIES ON ADOPTIONS AND PARTNER PLACEMENTS, AS WELL AS THE VOLUNTEERS THAT I MENTIONED TO HELP WITH THEIR OPERATIONAL CAPACITY.
THEY ALSO ARE RECEIVING, UH, 275,000 OF ONE-TIME DOLLARS THROUGH OUR BUDGET STABILIZATION RESERVE FUND FOR, UM, SEVERAL SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS, AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION.
THIS GENERAL FUND SLIDE, IT SHOWS THEIR GENERAL FUND, UM, RESOURCES AND EXPENDITURES.
IT IS THE LARGEST NON-PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT IN THE GENERAL FUND.
THIS 141 MILLION IS, UM, SEEING A 3.9% INCREASE FOR FISCAL YEAR 27 PROPOSED.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT IS DIVERSE.
IT HAS, UM, PARKLAND TRAILS, IT OPERATES OUR CEMETERIES AND NATURE CENTERS, OUR RECREATION CENTERS, POOLS AND SENIOR CENTERS.
THE COMMUNITY SERVICES PORTION, OUR PROGRAM, UM, SUPPORTS MANY OF THESE AREAS WITH PARK PLANNING.
YOU'LL SEE THAT PROGRAM LISTED THERE.
THAT IS MOSTLY FOR OUR PARK MAINTENANCE, UM, TRAIL AND FACILITIES MAINTENANCE, AS WELL AS TRAIL CONSTRUCTION.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS A NET CHANGE OF ZERO POSITIONS, AND I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT ON THE NEXT SLIDE.
BUT, UM, THEY HAVE SEVEN, SEVEN HUNDRED AND NINETY ONE GENERAL FUND POSITIONS WALKING THROUGH THEIR PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS AND PERFORMANCE.
UM, THEY CONTINUE TO SEE A RELATIVELY HIGH SATISFACTION RATE AMONGST RESIDENTS AND HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING TO CONTINUE TO WORK AT OR AT PARKS AND POOLS TO SUPPORT BARTON SPRINGS BATHHOUSE.
THOSE ARE TWO NEW POSITIONS THAT THEY ARE RECEIVING.
THERE ARE DOLLARS REALLOCATED FROM THEIR TEMPORARY STAFF AND SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMS IN THE FISCAL YEAR 27 PROPOSED BUDGET.
AND, UM, WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE DEPARTMENT'S HIGHLIGHTS, IT'S ONE OF THEIR LONG-TERM GOALS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO PARKS AND OPEN SPACES, AND THEY CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT GOAL THROUGH THE FISCAL YEAR.
AND IT IS, UM, ALSO LOOKING AT PROVIDING, UM, THOSE, THOSE PROGRAMMING, UM, PROGRAMMING TO THOSE WHO ARE NEED ARE IN NEED THROUGH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
THE PARKS DEPARTMENT ALSO HAS OTHER FUNDS THAT, UH, SUPPORTS THEIR FULL OPERATION.
AND SO THIS SLIDE REALLY WALKS THROUGH, UM, THE TOTAL FUNDING, UM, SOURCES FOR, FOR THIS DEPARTMENT.
THEY HAVE 159.9 MILLION IN TOTAL FUNDING WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEIR GRANTS, AS WELL AS THE GOLF FUND.
THE GOLF FUND, UM, IS SUPPORTIVE OF SIX MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSES.
LIONS, ROY, KAISER, JIMMY CLAY, HANCOCK, MORRIS WILLIAMS, AND GRAY GRAY ROCK.
AND, UM, THEY HAVE 48 POSITIONS WITHIN THE THE GOLF FUND.
IN ADDITION TO THE GOLF FUND, THERE IS THE PARKS AND GATE ENTRY FUND, WHICH IS, UM, FOR THE PARKING METERS AND GATES AROUND THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MOVING FORWARD TO PUBLIC HEALTH.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH PROPOSED BUDGET OF 88.2 MILLION IS A, UH, SLIGHT 2.6% DECREASE.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS FOCUSED
[02:30:01]
ON, UM, WORKING TO PREVENT DISEASE, PROMOTE HEALTH, AND PROTECT THE WELLBEING OF THE COMMUNITY.THEY HAVE 310 GENERAL FUND POSITIONS.
THE DEPARTMENT FOCUSES ON FAMILY HEALTH, WOMEN, INFANT AND CHILDREN'S NUTRITION, CHILDCARE QUALITY, INFECTIOUS DISEASE PREVENTION, HEALTHY LIVING INITIATIVES, HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE COMPLIANCE, DISEASE SURVEILLANCE, AND VITAL RECORDS ADMINISTRATION.
AMONG MANY OTHER PROGRAMS, IT IS AVAILABLE TO SERVE OVER 147 INDIVIDUALS, AND IT'S ISSUED OVER 16,000 HEALTH PERMITS IN FISCAL YEAR 25.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DEPARTMENT'S HIGHLIGHTS AND PROGRAMMING, UM, THERE ARE SOME REALLOCATION WITHIN, WITHIN THE, UM, PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND, UM, IT INCLUDES TRANSITIONING.
ITS IN-HOUSE LAB SERVICES TO CONTRACTED SERVICES, AS WELL AS DISCONTINUING THE CONVENIENCE STORE HEALTHY FOOD PROGRAM.
IT IS ALSO RECEIVING ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE, UM, REPORTING AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE STATE ON, UM, INFECTIOUS DISEASE, AND SO THAT THE, UH, SOFTWARE THAT THEY'LL BE RECEIVING WILL ALLOW FOR CONTINUED, UH, DATA SHARING WITH THE STATE HEALTH SERVICES.
THEY ALSO PLAN TO LAUNCH THE COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN IN THE NEW FISCAL FISCAL YEAR AND CONTINUE TO SERVE PATIENTS, INCLUDING LINKING NEWLY DI DIAGNOSED PATIENTS WITH THE APPROPRIATE CARE.
THIS SLIDE WALKS THROUGH THE, ALL OF THE FUNDING SOURCES FOR, UM, THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, A TOTAL OF 131.9 MILLION.
THE, UM, PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS, IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT IS 32% GRANT FUNDED, AND ABOUT HALF OF THEIR POSITIONS ARE GRANT FUNDED.
THAT'S 269 POSITIONS THAT ARE FUNDED BY GRANTS.
THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND IS, UM, A SMALL FUND WHERE, WHERE THEY USE THOSE DOLLARS TO, UM, TO COMMUNICATE HARM REDUCTION FOR, FOR OPIOID OR DRUG USE.
AND THEN OF COURSE, THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF GRANTS, UM, THAT SUPPORT THE FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
$80 MILLION IS THEIR OPERATING BUDGET.
UM, IT HAS NOT INCREASED FROM THE CURRENT YEAR, AND THE NET CHANGE IN POSITIONS IS DUE TO, UM, PRIMARILY DUE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF, UH, THE ONE A TS PHASE, ONE OF THE ONE A TS INITIATIVE.
AND SO THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THAT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS.
THE LIBRARY HAS OVER 338,000 ACTIVE CARD HOLDERS PROVIDING NEARLY 6,500 PROGRAMS ACROSS ITS 21 LIBRARIES.
THE PUBLIC SERVICES PROGRAM CAPTURES MOST OF THE ACTIVITY, INCLUDING THE HISTORY CENTER.
THE $29 MILLION IN THIS PROGRAM HAS THE BRANCH LIBRARIES, OPERATIONS, YOUTH PROGRAMMING, AND PRINT SERVICES, MATERIALS MANAGEMENT.
THIS 9.2 MILLION FOCUSES ON ENSURING PHYSICAL AND VIRTUAL MATERIALS REMAIN UPDATED AND IN CIRCULATION ACROSS THE LIBRARY SYSTEM, THERE IS INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE LIBRARY FOR FIVE POSITIONS TO SUPPORT THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER CAMPUS, AS WELL AS A REDUCTION OF $315,000 TO ACROSS SEVERAL OBJECT CODES FOR REAL, FOR REALLOCATION TO COUNT TO, UH, DEPARTMENTAL PRIORITIES.
AND AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, SOME OF THEIR PERFORMANCE MEASURES INCLUDE, UH, INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, AS WELL AS, UM, CONTINUING TO THE WORK ON SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR STAFF.
THE LIBRARY HAS AN ADDITIONAL FUND, THE LIBRARY FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS FUND.
THAT FUND WAS CREATED WITH THE OPENING OF THE CENTRAL LIBRARY AND THE FUNDING.
UM, THE REVENUE SOURCES FROM THAT, UH, FOR THAT FUND COMES FROM BUILDING RENTALS, THE GARAGE PARKING AT THE LIBRARY, UH, ANY LEASE REVENUE, AND IT'S USED FOR, UM, SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING COSTS AND ONE-TIME COSTS FOR THE ENTIRE LIBRARY SYSTEM.
AND SO YOU'LL SEE $1.1 MILLION OF ONE-TIME FUNDING FOR EQUIPMENT AND, UM, UH, UPGRADING THE LOADING DOCK AT THE AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER.
MOVING ON TO RESOURCE RECOVERY, THIS IS THE, UM, ENTERPRISE FUND THAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT TODAY.
AND, UM, ENTERPRISE DEPARTMENT THAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT TODAY THAT IS FOCUSED ON HELPING TO KEEP THE CITY CLEAN AND SUPPORT OUR SUSTAINABILITY GOALS.
WITH ABOUT 221,000 CUSTOMERS, THIS $157,000 BUDGET SUPPORTS DELIVERING THESE SERVICES.
[02:35:01]
REVENUE FOR AUSTIN RESOURCE RECOVERY IS PRIMARILY, PRIMARILY THROUGH THEIR RATES AND FEES, UM, TO ENSURE RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION AND LITTER ABATEMENT.AND THEN YOU'LL SEE, UM, IN THIS TRANSFER IS OTHER.
THEY HAVE A LARGE TRANSFER TO THEIR CIP PRIMARILY TO SUPPORT THE REPLACEMENT SCHEDULES FOR THEIR VEHICLES, UM, AND THEIR, THEIR TRUCKS SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE THEIR SERVICES.
LOOKING AT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT, 138,000 TONS OF TRASH HAS BEEN COLLECTED IN FISCAL YEAR 25, UM, 50,000 TONS OF RECYCLABLES COLLECTED THE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET AND GOALS SUPPORT COLLECTIONS, UM, A COLLECTION RATE OF AT LEAST 99%.
AND WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE COMING YEAR, THEY'LL, THEY WILL IMPLEMENT A PILOT MATTRESS RECYCLING PROGRAM AND WILL BEGIN UNDERPASS UNDERPASS CLEANUP, WHICH HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN DONE BY, UH, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS WILL NOW, WHICH WILL NOW BE DONE BY A RR.
THIS SLIDE WALKS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT'S FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL FORECAST.
UM, AND YOU'LL SEE IN FISCAL YEAR 27, THE EXPENSES EXCEED REVENUE PRIMARILY DUE TO THE LARGE TRANSFER TO THEIR, UH, CIP OR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AGAIN, FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE REPLACEMENT TRUCKS THAT THEY, UM, NEED TO DO IN FISCAL YEAR 27 OVER THE FISCAL YEAR.
OVER THE FORECAST PERIOD, THOUGH, YOU'LL SEE THE RIGHT SIZING OF THAT AS THEY SLOWLY REDUCE SOME OF THOSE TRANSFERS.
AND THEN THE BOTTOM TABLE WALKS THROUGH THE PROPOSED RATE CHANGES FOR THE BASE RATES, AS WELL AS THE CLEAN COMMUNITY FEED RATE CHANGES AND THE PROJECTED CHANGES THROUGH THE FORECAST PERIOD.
MOVING ON TO HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING, OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT IS, UM, ONE OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT FALLS UNDER THE HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING, UM, STRATEGIC PRIORITY AREA IN THE CITYWIDE STRATEGIC PLAN, THE $14.1 MILLION BUDGET SUPPORTS CURRENT AND LONG-TERM PLANNING, AND IT, UM, IT SERVICES INCLUDE CODE AMENDMENTS, ZONING AND ANNEXATION, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
THERE ARE 73 POSITIONS ACROSS PLANNING THAT WORKS ON ALL OF THESE EFFORTS.
YOU CAN SEE THAT THEY'VE DONE 144 ZONING APPLICATIONS, OR HAD THEY'VE RECEIVED 144 ZONING APPLICATIONS IN FISCAL YEAR 25.
LOOKING AT SOME OF THEIR PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS, THERE IS A NEW POSITION TO SUPPORT THE, HIS HISTORIC PRESERVATION, UM, OFFICE THAT IS PROPOSED FOR FISCAL YEAR 27, AND THEN TWO PLANNER POSITIONS, UM, THAT WILL SUPPORT THE LAND COMMISSIONS, LAND USE COMMISSIONS, AND, UM, DEMOGRAPHIC NEEDS.
THESE TWO NEW POSITIONS ARE PARTIALLY OFFSET BY TEMPORARY, UH, EMPLOYEE BUDGETS.
AND THEN FINALLY, THE IMAGINE AUSTIN, UM, COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.
THE, THERE IS A KEY MILESTONE THAT INCLUDES THE, UM, CONDITIONS, REPORTS, AND THE DRAFT OF THE PLACE TYPES, MAPS AND THAT.
AND YOU CAN ALSO SEE REPRESENTATIVE REPRESENTATION OF, UM, THE WORK THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS DOING ON THE NUMBER OF ENGAGEMENTS THAT THEY'RE PLANNING FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR 27.
THE HOMELESS STRATEGIES AND OPERATIONS, OF COURSE, IS A PRIMARILY A GENERAL FUND DEPARTMENT.
THEIR $54.5 MILLION BUDGET INCLUDE SOCIAL SERVICE GRANTS, AS WELL AS THEIR OPERATIONAL BUDGET.
YOU WILL SEE IN THIS FISCAL YEAR, THERE'S BEEN A TRANSITION OF SOME OF THOSE, UM, SOCIAL SERVICE GRANT DOLLARS INTO THEIR OPERATING FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS OF OUR EMERGENCY SHELTERS.
THEY HAVE INCREASED, UM, UM, A NET OF THREE POSITIONS, FOUR POSITIONS OR NEW POSITIONS, BUT THERE WAS ONE POSITION THAT TRANSFERRED OVER INTO THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT.
AND THEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THEIR WORK, THEY HAVE, UM, 1000 NEW PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS.
AND, UM, THEY ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON DEVELOPING A COORDINATED STREET OUTREACH FRAMEWORK.
IN FISCAL YEAR 27, THEY'RE LAUNCHING TWO, UM, DASHBOARDS, ONE FOCUSED ON PROVIDER FUNDING AND OUTREACH.
THE OTHER WILL BE FOCUSED ON HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT AND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES.
HSO IS RECEIVING ADDITIONAL ONGOING MONEY FOR THE MARSHALING YARD, AS WELL AS ONGOING FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
[02:40:02]
THE HOMELESS STRATEGIES AND OPERATIONS, UH, DEPARTMENT HAS A FEW DIFFERENT, UM, FUNDING SOURCES.GENERAL FUND IS THEIR PRIMARY SOURCE, BUT THEY ALSO RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT, THE HOMELESS HOUSING AND AND SERVICES GRANT OUT OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
AND THEY HAVE FUNDING THROUGH OUR HOUSE, HOUSE, OUR PEOPLE ENDOWMENT FUND OR THE HOPE FUND, AS WELL AS, UM, FUNDING FROM THE PERMANENT FROM THE HOUSING TRUST FUND TO SUPPORT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WRAPAROUND SERVICES.
AND THEN OUR FINAL DEPARTMENT THAT WE WILL WALK THROUGH IS OUR HOUSING DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS PRIMARILY A, A GENERAL FUND DEPARTMENT.
THEY HAVE $14.4 MILLION IN THEIR GENERAL FUND.
UM, THIS DEPARTMENT, OF COURSE, FOCUSES ON ADMINISTERING PROGRAMS TO ASSIST LOW TO MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THEIR SERVICES INCLUDE DISPLACEMENT, MITIGATION, EVICTION PREVENTION, DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, AND LOCAL HOUSING VOUCHERS.
THEIR HOME REPAIR SERVICES HELP RESIDENTS STAY IN THEIR HOMES.
AND THEN THE DEPARTMENT HAS ASSISTED OVER 9,900 HOUSEHOLDS FI IN FISCAL YEAR 25 WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
THEY ARE RECEIVING TWO NEW POSITIONS TO, UM, SUPPORT THE RECENTLY CREATED ASSET MANAGEMENT MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE DIVISION WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
THAT WILL BE FOCUSED ON, UM, MAKING SURE THERE IS FISCAL MONITORING OF THE 37 AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATIONS PROPERTIES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A 2.1 MILLION OF ONGOING FUNDING IN THE GENERAL FUND TO SUPPORT LOCAL HOUSING VOUCHERS.
THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO FUNDED BY SEVERAL OTHER FUNDING SOURCES.
THE HOUSING TRUST FUND HAS $5.6 MILLION FOR LOCAL HOUSING VOUCHERS.
THE HOPE FUND WILL HAVE 2.3 FOR, UM, OF ONE-TIME FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND THEN THERE'S ALSO THE PRESERVATION TAX INCREMENT FUND, AS WELL AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD OVERLAY FUND.
THOSE FUNDS ARE RESTRICTED TO, UM, EXPEND WITHIN THOSE ZONES OR THE OVERLAY AREA.
NOW WALKING THROUGH OUR SOCIAL SERVICE GRANTS.
SO AS WE THINK ABOUT OUR SOCIAL SERVICE GRANTS AND THE CONVERSATION THAT WE'VE HAD, UM, OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO, I WANT TO START OUT WITH TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT.
WE BEGAN THIS CONVERSATION DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET DELIBERATIONS.
UM, AND AS YOU ALL WILL REMEMBER, WE ALLOCATED 14 MILLION OF OUR BUDGET STABILIZATION RESERVE FUND TO THE GENERAL FUND AND FISCAL YEAR 26 TO, UM, HOLD THE SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS HARMLESS FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR WITH THE NOVEMBER AMENDMENT, 5.3 MILLION OF CURRENT SOCIAL SERVICE GRANT FUNDING WAS REALLOCATED, UM, WHICH RESULTED IN A 10% REDUCTION TO SOME OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE GRANT PROVIDERS.
THE PLANNED YEAR WHEN WE WERE WORKING ON THIS FISCAL YEAR, CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, UM, INCLUDED A $16.8 MILLION REDUCTION IN FEBRUARY.
WE HAD A COMMUNI, UH, CONVERSATION OR A BRIEFING WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE.
WE ALSO RECEIVED A RESOLUTION COUNCIL, UH, FINALIZE THE RESOLUTION, DIRECTING US TO LOOK AT OR CREATE A RUBRIC THAT WILL GUIDE THE DISCUSSION ON ANY OF THE RECOMMENDED REDUCTIONS.
AND THEN, UM, WE STARTED REALLY WALK, WALKING THROUGH AND HAVING THIS CONVERSATION, CONTINUING THIS CONVERSATION IN MAY WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE THAT RESULTED IN THE, UM, PROPOSED REDUCTIONS THAT WERE, UH, PROPOSED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
DURING THIS TIME, WE ALSO HAD CONVERSATION WITH COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT PARTNERS AS WELL AS THE SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS HAVING TWO MEETINGS WITH ONE VOICE, CENTRAL TEXAS, UM, SIX COMMUNITY BUDGET MEETINGS, AS WELL AS TWO LISTENING SESSIONS WITH PROVIDERS.
THERE WAS ALSO, UM, A PRESENTATION TO THE JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
AND SO AS WE LOOKED AT THE FRAMEWORK BASED ON THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS, THAT WAS GIVEN, UM, THE FRAMEWORK REALLY NEEDED TO FOCUS ON FIVE KEY AREAS OR DIMENSIONS, LOOKING AT THE COMMUNITY NEED THE NEED TRAJECTORY, HOW THIS, UM, ALIGNS WITH THE CITY'S STRATEGIC ROLE, INVESTMENT EFFICIENCY, AND THEN COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY DIRECTION.
THIS RUBRIC INCLUDED UP TO 75 POINTS FOR THE FOCUS AREAS, AND THEN THE EVALUATION
[02:45:01]
WAS EXPANDED TO SHOW HOW THOSE, HOW THOSE POINTS WOULD, UM, IMPACT INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS WITHIN THOSE FOCUS AREAS.SO THE SCORES WERE AGGREGATED, AND THEN WE LOOKED AT HOW TO, UM, FOCUS OR BASE THOSE TOTAL REDUCTION TARGETS ACROSS THE, THE CONTRACTS.
THERE WERE 14 CONTRACTS THAT MAINTAINED, UM, CONTRACTS THAT MAINTAINED THEIR FUNDING THAT DID NOT HAVE REDUCTIONS.
UM, AND THOSE WERE BASED ON THAT, THOSE CONTRACTS, UM, HELPING THE CITY OR THE REGION CONTINUE OUR MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT OR MANDATORY GRANT MATCHES, AS WELL AS WHETHER OR NOT THOSE CONTRACTS REALLY WERE, UM, SUPPORTING CITY INVESTMENTS OR CITY INVESTED PROPERTIES.
AND THIS LED TO THE, THE PORTFOLIO OR THE, THE SERVICES THAT YOU SEE HERE.
SO THESE ARE ALL THE FOCUS GROUPS THAT WE WALKED THROUGH, THE FOCUS AREAS THAT WE WALKED THROUGH AND, AND IDENTIFIED AS WELL AS THE FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET, THE PROPOSED REDUCTION, AND THE ADJUSTED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 27.
AGAIN, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THERE WERE, UM, SEVERAL OF THE, UM, CONTRACTS THAT WE MOVED OVER FROM SOCIAL SERVICES INTO THE OPERATIONS OF THE ANIMAL, EXCUSE ME, NOT ANIMAL SERVICES, AUSTIN HOUSING.
MM, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS AND STRATEGIES OFFICE.
AND THERE WERE THE 14, UM, CONTRACTS THAT MAINTAINED FUNDING THAT TOTALED 9.9 MILLION.
AND THEN FINALLY WE HAVE THE SOBERING CENTER THAT WILL BE MOVED TO ONE-TIME FUNDING AS WE LOOK AT THESE ALLOCATIONS AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THERE ARE, UM, CONTINUED CONVERSATIONS ON THE ELIMINATIONS AND OR REDUCTIONS ACROSS THESE CONTRACTS.
WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH STAFF AND PLAN TO HAVE A FINAL RECOMMENDATION OF THOSE REDUCTIONS AND ELIMINATIONS DURING THIS, THESE BUDGET DELIBERATIONS WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.
AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS THE FUTURE OF THE FRAMEWORK, THE GOAL IS TO REALLY REFINE THOSE FOCUS AREAS AND MAKE SURE WE ARE IDENTIFYING THE SERVICES THAT ARE PRIORITY FOR THE COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY, DEVELOPING STRATEGIES AND FUNDING, SEEING HOW WE CAN, UM, WHAT LEVELS OF FUNDINGS WILL WE, WILL BE PROVIDED AT EACH FOCUS AREA, AS WELL AS MAKING SURE WE ARE, UM, CREATING A SOLICITATION THAT IDENTIFIES AND FOCUSES ON THE RESULTS THAT ARE, UM, DESIRED FOR THOSE AREAS.
AND THEN ENSURING THAT WE HAVE PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES IN PLACE ONCE THOSE CONTRACTS ARE GRANTED.
AGAIN, HERE'S THE TIMELINE AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
UM, MEMBERS, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST WE DO IS IF YOU WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS, AND AGAIN, I WANT TO, UNLESS, UM, MS. DIRECTOR LANG TELLS ME THAT SHE WANTS TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST WE DO IS WE START, UM, NOW I'VE GOT TOO MUCH PAPER.
WE START WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY SO THAT THAT STAFF WILL BE AVAILABLE.
THEN WE GO TO HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING, AND THEN WE GO TO SOCIAL SERVICES CONTRACTS.
UH, SO IF YOU WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS ON COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY, LIGHT ME UP.
UM, I, I APPRECIATE YOUR HAVING SOME DISCRETION IN THAT, BUT, UH, AND THEN WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS I, I'VE BEEN TOLD COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY, UM, AND THEN WE'LL GO TO HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING AND THEN SOCIAL SERVICES CONTRACTS.
SO, UH, FOR RIGHT NOW I'VE GOT PEOPLE WANT TO SPEAK ON COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY.
LET ME TELL YOU HOW, UM, I THINK WE CAN WORK THIS.
IF YOU LOOK OVER AT YOUR LITTLE SCREEN BY THE SPEAKER, UH, IT, I, I THINK I CAN SET THAT FOR 10 MINUTES AND THAT WAY, UH, YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE AS OPPOSED TO HOPING THAT, UH, YOU, YOU, YOU FINISH IT.
YEAH, THAT YOU GET IT IN THAT DAY.
AND, UM, AND THAT WAY NOW IF YOU GO OVER THE 10 YEAH, YOUR, YOUR, YOUR SEAT.
NO, UH, I WILL THEN LET YOU KNOW ABOUT IT IF, IF, IF IT'S CONTINUOUS AND UNABATED.
UM, SO COUNCIL MEMBER LANE, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER AND COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE WILL BE THE ORDER WE GO ON COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY.
AND I'M GONNA START THE CLOCK.
UM, I'M JUST GONNA START WITH A QUICK QUESTION RELATED TO PARKS.
UM, IN THE LAST MEETING I ASKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT EQUIPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED TO PARKS SECURITY.
[02:50:01]
FOR NOW, I'D LIKE TO FOLLOW UP WITH A LITTLE BIT OF A QUESTION ABOUT STAFFING FOR THE INTERNAL RECLASSIFIED SECURITY POSITION.I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH HAS GONE INTO THE PLANNING PROCESS SO FAR? WHAT POSITION WOULD BE RECLASSIFIED FOR A SECURITY MANAGER? WOULD THERE BE A DIFFERENT SALARY RANGE FOR THE NEW POSITION? THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION? GOOD AFTERNOON.
UH, MAYOR, UH, MANAGER, COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBER, MEMBER LANE.
UM, THE POSITION THAT IT, IT'S ONE FDE THAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO, WHICH IS THE POSITION THAT'S GONNA BE RECLASSIFIED.
I'LL HAVE TO GET YOU THE EXACT FDE THAT WE'RE, WE'RE, UH, RECLASSIFYING, BUT IT'S A VACANT FD THAT WE'RE MOVING INTO THAT FUNCTION.
AND I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND YIELD THIS TIME TO MY COLLEAGUES SO THAT WE CAN MOVE THROUGH IT.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS FOLLOWED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER AND COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY.
UH, I GUESS WE DREW THE SHORT STRAW BY GETTING TO GO FIRST.
SO BEAR WITH US AS WE GET OUR QUESTIONS IN ORDER.
I DID COME UP WITH ONE BECAUSE I NOTICED THERE WAS A FAIRLY HIGH DOLLAR LINE ITEM REGARDING THE BARTON SPRINGS BATHHOUSE.
UM, DOES THAT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH, UM, UPGRADES WITH THE NEW RENOVATION, OR IS IT TO HELP US MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE PERMIT? THAT DOES REQUIRE AN EDUCATIONAL CENTER TO BE AT THAT BATHHOUSE.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU MAY WANNA STAY PRETTY CLOSE BY DIRECTOR AGUIRE.
SO, UM, THIS, THIS QUESTION'S RELATED TO THE NEW BATHHOUSE POSITIONS.
YEAH, THERE'S BATHHOUSE POSITIONS AND I THINK SOME CASHIER POSITIONS.
AND I WAS JUST CURIOUS BECAUSE THE BATHHOUSE HAS RECENTLY BEEN RENOVATED, UM, HOW THAT PLAYS WITH AN EXPANDED BATHHOUSE, BUT ALSO KNOWING OUR US FISH AND WILDLIFE PERMIT REQUIRES US TO HAVE THAT EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT IN THAT AREA.
AND PART OF THE, THE REHABILITATION OF THE BATHHOUSE INCLUDED EXPANDING THE OVERALL EXHIBIT AREA.
SO, UH, UNDER THE NEW, THE NEW DESIGN AS FOLKS ENTER THE THE POOL, THEY'RE GONNA GO THROUGH THAT EXHIBIT AREA AND IT'S GONNA BE MUCH ENHANCED.
SO THE IDEA HERE IS WE WANNA MAKE SURE IN ORDER TO STAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THAT PERMIT, BUT ALSO JUST TO INCREASE OUR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, WE NEEDED SOME ADDITIONAL STAFFING.
UM, I AM CURIOUS GENERALLY AROUND PARKS MAINTENANCE AND ONGOING IMPACTS FOR OUR, UH, RECREATIONAL SPACE IMPROVEMENTS AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE.
UM, CAN YOU BRIEFLY HIGHLIGHT, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT YOU'RE RECLASSIFYING SOME POSITIONS.
UM, WHAT DO THOSE MAINTENANCE FTES LOOK LIKE AND ARE ANY OF THEM INCREASING OR BEING RECLASSIFIED THROUGH OTHER VACANT POSITIONS RIGHT NOW? UH, SORRY, COUNCIL MEMBER, I'M NOT SURE WHICH FTES YOU'RE REFERRING TO THAT WE'RE RECLASSIFYING WITHIN THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS MM-HMM
UM, THE, THE NEW BUDGET DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY NEW FTES.
IT INCLUDES TEMPORARY STAFF, SO INCLUDES, UH, SOME TEMPS AS WELL AS SOME COMMODITIES AND SUPPLIES, ET CETERA.
BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY NEW FTES.
UH, AND THE FUNDING INCLUDED, THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOCUSES ON THE INCREASED COST OF MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS FOR NEWLY DEVELOPED PARKS AND NEWLY ACQUIRED LAND.
AND ARE THERE ANY ADJUSTMENTS CURRENTLY BEING MADE TO THE LAND MANAGEMENT ASPECT? I KNOW LAST YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO INCLUDE, I THINK IT WAS A MILLION DOLLARS, IF I'M CORRECT.
I BELIEVE WE ENDED UP PUTTING IT WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT JUST BECAUSE WE KNEW THERE'S A LOT OF COLLABORATION THERE.
ARE THERE ANY PROPOSED INCREASES TO LAND MANAGEMENT POSITIONS? NOT IN OUR BUDGET.
I MEAN, OUR HOPE IS TO CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
UM, THE, THERE IS SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING INCLUDED FOR CONTRACTS FOR FORESTRY THAT'LL HELP WITH TREE MAINTENANCE, WHICH ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO THAT, BUT NOTHING SPECIFICALLY FOR THE OVERALL LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.
AND THEN I'LL JUST ASK ONE QUESTION ABOUT A POSITION THAT'S UNFUNDED.
IT APPEARS IN THIS BUDGET AND IT IS REGARDING A PARKS AND RECREATION INTERNAL AUDITOR.
WHAT IS THE CONVERSATION AROUND THAT AND WHAT ARE THE AIMS? IF FOR SOME REASON WE'RE ABLE TO FUND THAT POSITION, WHAT WOULD BE THE GOALS? SURE.
OUR PROPOSAL THERE WAS, WAS SIMPLY TO ADD SOME ADDITIONAL, UH, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO DO OUR OWN AUDITS.
UH, WE'VE GOT DOZENS AND DOZENS AND DOZENS OF CONTRACTS AND OTHER, UH, AGREEMENTS WITH, WITH VARIOUS ENTITIES, BOTH CONCESSIONAIRES CONTRACTORS, PARTNERS.
UM, RECENTLY WE'VE BEEN, UH, RECEIVING A TON OF SUPPORT FROM OUR PARTNERS AT AUSTIN HEALTH WITH THEIR AUDITOR DOING SOME AUDITS OF SOME OF OUR, UH, PMA AGREEMENTS.
UH, SO WE WERE JUST LOOKING TO TRY TO BRING SOME OF THAT IN-HOUSE, UH, ASSUMING THAT AT SOME POINT AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH IS GONNA, IS GONNA SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU GOTTA TAKE OVER.
BUT, UH, THAT WAS THE INTENT THERE.
I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD IDEA.
'CAUSE I KNOW YEAR OVER YEAR WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING TO MAKE SURE OUR PARKS DOLLARS CAN STRETCH AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
UM, I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT, BUT OBVIOUSLY WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH THIS BUDGET, WE'LL JUST NEED TO SEE IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD BE HANDLED.
[02:55:01]
FLAG, 'CAUSE I KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW SPECIAL EVENTS IS BEING, YOU KNOW, RECLASSIFIED FROM A PARKS AND RECREATION ASSIGNMENT TO ACME.AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE IF THOSE AUDITS ARE HAPPENING WITH SPECIAL EVENTS IN POMAS THAT WE'RE OVERLAPPING THAT WORK AND WE'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, JUST FOCUSING ON PARKS WHEN MAYBE THOSE SPECIAL EVENTS IN POMAS ARE, ARE GONNA BE DISCUSSED WITH THE LEADERSHIP WITH ACME AS WELL.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN COMPLIANCE.
SO ONE OF THE AUDIENCES FOR THE TRAIL OF LIGHTS, WHICH IS NOW A, A PROGRAM THAT WE'RE OPERATING IN CONJUNCTION WITH ACME GIVEN THAT IT'S AN EVENT.
I DO HAVE AN UPDATE FOR COUNCIL MEMBER LANE'S QUESTION.
UM, THE POSITION THAT WAS RECLASSIFIED WAS A VACANT PARK RANGER POSITION THAT HAS BEEN RECLASSIFIED TO A, UH, SECURITY MANAGER POSITION COUNCILOR MORE ELLIS, ARE YOU FINISHED? I AM.
UH, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR EVERY DEPARTMENT EXCEPT FOR ANIMAL SERVICES.
SO IF YOU'RE A DIRECTOR OF ONE OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY, I INVITE YOU TO COME ON FORWARD.
UH, BUT FIRST DIRECTOR GUERRE, UM, I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED REDUCTION TO THE YOUTH CAMP FUNDING.
UM, THOSE REDUCTIONS ARE IN, IN TWO AREAS.
ONE IS, UH, SORT OF A LEGACY PROGRAM THAT WE CALL THE LENDING LIBRARY, WHICH ESSENTIALLY WAS THE DEPARTMENT'S FOCUS ON CENTRALIZING, UH, SPECIFIC VENDORS THAT PROVIDED ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS. AND SO OUR, OUR, WE WOULD HIRE CONTRACTORS THAT WOULD THEN GO OUT TO THE INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY CENTERS AND OFFER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, ARTS, UH, STEM PROGRAMMING, ET CETERA.
SO WE'VE JUST REDUCED THAT, UH, ELIMINATING SOME OF THE, THE TEMPORARY STAFF DOLLARS AND SOME OF THE CONTRACTING STUFF.
SO THE, THAT DOESN'T IMPACT THE CAPACITY OR THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PROGRAMS, UH, THEMSELVES.
IT JUST REDUCES THE KIND, THE AMOUNT OF ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING THAT HAPPENS.
UM, SO THAT, THAT'S THE BULK OF IT.
SO SAME NUMBER OF KIDS WILL STILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE JUST WITH THEIR OKAY.
IT'LL BE A LITTLE LESS FUN, LITTLE LESS
UM, ON PAGE 3 88 OF THE BUDGET, THAT'S THE CAPITAL PORTION OF THE BUDGET.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT I AM UNDERSTANDING, UM, THE SPENDING PLAN AS IT RELATES TO LAND ACQUISITION FOR BOTH 20 26, 20 27, AND 28 THROUGH 31 ARE CURRENTLY ZERO.
AND THAT IS, THAT IS THE CASE, UNLESS ADDITIONAL FUNDS ARE ADDED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, THAT IS A ZERO.
UM, THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF, OF, UH, OF A CO IN, IN SORT OF THE WAY THAT'S REPORTED.
UH, WE ARE STILL ANTICIPATING LAND ACQUISITION WITH REMAINING FUNDS THAT WE HAVE, SO THERE'S, THERE'S NO MORE BOND DOLLARS, BUT WE HAVE SOME LIMITED PLD DOLLARS AS WELL AS SOME FUNDING ASSOCIATED WITH THE $50 MILLION ACQUISITION FUND THAT WAS CREATED BY COUNCIL.
UH, THOSE DOLLARS IN THE $50 MILLION FUND ARE ALREADY SORT OF QUOTE UNQUOTE SPOKEN FOR AND THAT WE'RE IN NEGOTIATIONS AND GETTING THROUGH THAT.
UM, BUT THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S STILL SOME PLANNED ACQUISITIONS IN THE FISCAL YEAR THROUGH THOSE FUNDS.
UM, LOOKING AT COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS ASKED THAT ONE, UM, THERE IS A PROGRAM MANAGER TWO POSITION ON ENHANCEMENT NUMBER SIX, SO FORGIVE ME, I'M JUMPING DOCUMENTS HERE.
THAT WAS AN ENHANCEMENT NOT INCLUDED, AND IT'S A POSITION TO LEAD THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LANDSCAPE AND LAW AND EQUIPMENT ELECTRIFICATION INITIATIVE.
I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE ALREADY STARTED PUTTING IN SOME OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE SO THAT WE CAN DO SOME OF THE ELECTRIFICATION OF THE EQUIPMENT.
HOW DOES THIS POSITION EITHER IN THIS CASE NOT BEING FUNDED, IMPLEMENT OR IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO DO THAT PILOT? SURE.
YOU SAID THAT WAS A POSITION INTENDED REALLY TO, TO TAKE, UM, THE, THE OVERALL SORT OF STRATEGY ON ELECTRIFICATION AND, AND COORDINATE THAT.
AND, AND ONE POSITION OBVIOUSLY WAS JUST THE BEGINNING.
UM, THE, THE, AS YOU'VE MENTIONED, WE WE'RE, WE'VE BEEN SORT OF TRYING TO DO VARIOUS ASPECTS OF, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ZILKER MAINTENANCE BARN IS GONNA BE SORT OF A PILOT WHERE WE'RE GONNA, UH, HAVE ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE BOTH FOR THE, THE, UH, SUPPLYING THE POWER BUT ALSO STORING BATTERIES.
UM, THIS WILL, YOU KNOW, LIKELY IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO DO THAT, BUT, BUT IT JUST MEANS FOLKS THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE TEAM ARE GONNA HAVE TO WORK ON COORDINATING THAT.
AND MY LAST QUESTION FOR YOU, AND THEN I'LL HAVE A QUESTION FOR A A R IS YOUR ENHANCEMENT NUMBER ONE, WHICH WAS NOT FUNDED, IS ABOUT
[03:00:01]
SECURITY.IT'S TO ESTABLISH A SECURITY DIVISION THAT WILL OVERSEE SECURITY OPERATIONS, SO ON AND SO FORTH.
IT'S FOR JUST OVER $1.1 MILLION.
HOW DOES THAT, FIRST OFF, IF YOU COULD TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT WOULD DO IN TERMS OF SECURITY FOR OUR PARKS, BUT ALSO IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH, UH, SOME OF THE CAMERA OR OTHER, UH, TECHNOLOGY, WOULD THAT OFFSET SOME OF THIS NEED, OR ARE THEY COMPLIMENTARY? CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT? SURE.
THEY ALL SORT OF ARE RELATED AND, AND YOU KNOW, THIS PARTICULAR ENHANCEMENT REQUEST WAS TO, UH, AGAIN, WE'RE SORT OF ON THE, AT THE STARTING GATE IN SEVERAL OF THESE INITIATIVES, BUT TO REALLY TO BEGIN THAT SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE, UH, BY TAKING A LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND, AND REALLY ANCHORED IN, UH, THE SAFETY AND SECURITY AUDIT THAT WAS CONDUCTED, UH, RECENTLY THAT THAT SORT OF FRAMED OUT THIS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
SO THIS WOULD'VE BEEN SORT OF, UH, PHASE 1.1.
PHASE ONE REALLY IS, UM, THE, THE RECLASSIFICATION OF THE, OF THE POSITION WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.
UH, THAT IS REALLY THE FIRST PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANT PART TO JUST BEGIN THE COORDINATION.
UH, THEN WE'RE GONNA TAKE A LOOK AT EVERYTHING FROM, FROM WHETHER IT'S SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES, UM, THE, THE, THE, WHETHER WE NEED SECURITY, ADDITIONAL SECURITY GUARDS, RANGERS, ET CETERA, THE, THE, UM, SORT OF THINGS THAT RANGERS CAN AND CAN'T DO.
SO IT REALLY IS A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO THAT.
UM, I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT ON THE TECHNOLOGY SIDE.
SO I MENTIONED THAT THE LAST TIME WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, THE, THE FUNDING FOR THE SECURITY TRAILER CAMERAS IS STILL THERE.
AND THERE'S A, THERE'S AN ITEM THAT WILL WIND ITS WAY BACK TO COUNCIL, I THINK AT SOME POINT SOON.
UM, BUT, BUT AS WE, AS WE CONTINUE TO, TO IMPROVE FACILITIES, WE, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AS WELL.
SO SECURITY IS ALSO ABOUT, UH, THE WAY THAT WE MAINTAIN THE BUILDINGS, THE WAY THAT THAT, THAT THE PLANTINGS ARE TRIMMED, ET CETERA.
SO IT'S A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ALL THAT.
WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, SOMETHING I HEAR ABOUT A LOT IS SECURITY IN OUR PARKS, SOME OF THE, THE PARKS IN DISTRICT FIVE.
UM, BUT I, I KNOW ACROSS THE CITY HAVE, HAVE HAD MORE STRUGGLE THAN THEY SHOULD.
AND SO I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE JUST DOLLARS TO GO AROUND, BUT, UM, I DO THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WORTH LOOKING AT IF THERE ARE WAYS TO HELP EVEN AT A, A LOWER AMOUNT TO BOLSTER SOME OF THAT SECURITY.
YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE SAFE AND COMFORTABLE IN OUR PARKS AND, AND THAT'S JUST NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DIRECTOR AGUIRE.
UM, AND ACTUALLY CARRIE, YOU MIGHT JUST BE ABLE TO ANSWER THIS, THERE IS IN THE ENHANCEMENTS AS, UH, FOR A CAR, IT SAYS THAT IT, THE $1.5 MILLION FOR THE REVOLVING FUND IS INCLUDED, BUT THEN IN THE BUDGET DOCUMENT IT ONLY REFERENCES 500,000.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I, EITHER THAT'S A TYPO OR WHICH IS THE RIGHT NUMBER? NO, THERE IS, UM, PARTIAL FUNDING, UH, IN THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT BUDGET THAT WILL SUPPORT THE REVOLVING FUND.
UH, I HAVE AN A PH QUESTION, AND THAT IS ON PAGE FOUR 14.
THERE IS A PRETTY SIZABLE INCREASE IN THE CHIEF ADMIN OFFICER BUDGET, AND I WAS HOPING YOU COULD CONTEXTUALIZE THAT, WHY IT GOES FROM 4.7 MILLION TO 8.5 MILLION, UM, JUST WHAT THAT IS AND WHY IT'S GOING TO BE SO MUCH HIGHER.
GOOD AFTERNOON, UH, DIRECTOR JESUS, YOUR DAY IS COMING FOR YOUR AUDITOR
UM, WE DID SOME, UH, REORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND SO, UH, UNITS THAT WERE HISTORICALLY UNDER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ARE NOW IN THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE.
THAT INCLUDES FACILITIES, THAT INCLUDES HUMAN RESOURCES.
UM, IT ALSO SHOWS THE STAFFING RELATED TO OUR PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT.
SO IT'S JUST, SO SHE, YES, SIR.
UM, A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR THE LIBRARY.
UM, MY FIRST QUESTION I'LL THROW TO CARRIE AND THEN MAYBE GET SOME CONTEXT ON PAGE 4 23, UH, NOPE, THAT'S NOT RIGHT ON ONE OF THE PAGES, I'LL HAVE TO FIND IT HERE.
THERE IS A, WHEN IT TALKS ABOUT THEIR SUPPORT SERVICES, IT SEEMS LIKE THE LIBRARY, THE PERCENT OF THEIR BUDGET, WHICH IS FOR SUPPORT SERVICES, IS REALLY HIGH COMPARED TO MOST OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
WHAT, WHY DO THEY HAVE SO MUCH GREATER SHARE OF SUPPORT SERVICES AS A PERCENTAGE OF THEIR
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BUDGET THAN SOME OF OUR OTHERS? DO THEY NEED EXTRA SUPPORT? SO WE HAVE JOHN AND, UM, TEAM HERE, BUT I THINK MOST OF IT IS BECAUSE OF THE MANAGEMENT OF FACILITIES.YOU ALL HAVE YOUR INTERNAL FACILITY MANAGEMENT, UM, VERSUS OTHER DEPARTMENTS MAY HAVE, MAY USE THE CORPORATE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FUNCTION.
AND SO THAT'S WHY YOU SEE A LARGER PORTION THERE.
UH, I DO WANT TO ASK THOUGH, IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE SECURITY AND CAMPING CHALLENGES THAT Y'ALL HAVE AT YOUR FACILITIES, THESE, WHAT, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP ADDRESS THOSE SITUATIONS? I, YOU KNOW, WE SEE IT DRIVING IN, OF COURSE, DOWNTOWN LIBRARY, BUT I KNOW A LOT OF OUR LIBRARIES STRUGGLE WITH THAT.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH.
OH, THIS WILL BE MY FINAL QUESTION.
WELL, LUCKILY, LUCKILY I GOT MY QUESTION IN BEFORE IT DINGED SO THEY CAN ANSWER, LET LET THEM ANSWER YOUR QUESTION AND THEN I'LL, I'LL HAPPILY RESET THIS.
IF YOU CAN REMEMBER THE QUESTION NOW.
I'M DENEEN BROWN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR LIBRARY SUPPORT SERVICES DIRECTOR.
TRELL COULD NOT BE HERE TODAY.
UM, SO WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE TAKING A MORE COLLABORATIVE APPROACH WITH OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS.
AS AN EXAMPLE, WE MET THIS WEEK WITH MANAGEMENT SERVICES, A PD, UM, AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION, THE LAW DEPARTMENT.
AND SO WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES.
I IS, IS THERE A FUNDING, LIKE HAVE Y'ALL IDENTIFIED THAT IF, YOU KNOW, WE HAD OUR, AS FAR AS A, YOUR OWN SECURITY FORCE TO SOMETHING ELSE, IS, IS THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU EITHER THINK YOU DON'T HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE, OR IS IT JUST WE NEED TO COLLABORATE BETTER WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS? HI, UH, CODY SCOTT, UH, FACILITY PROCESS MANAGER FOR AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
SO RIGHT NOW WE, WE UTILIZE A SECURITY, UM, UH, TEAM WITHIN THIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, UH, WITH LIBRARY SECURITY SPECIALIST, UH, LEADS AND SUPERVISORS ALONG WITH THE SECURITY MANAGER.
UH, WE ALSO FAC WE ALSO UTILIZE THE SERVICES OF TRAVIS COUNTY TO SUPPORT, UH, SOME OF OUR PRIORITY BRANCHES.
AND WE'RE WORKING RIGHT NOW WITH A PD TO ASSESS, UM, HOW WE CAN UTILIZE, UH, ADDITIONAL OFFICERS FROM A PD.
I WILL DO MY BEST NOT TO GET DINGED.
BEFORE, UH, YEAH, BEFORE I GET INTO MY SET OF QUESTIONS, I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL AGAIN FOR A TERRIFIC PRESENTATION.
AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY THIS, AND I DON'T WANNA FORGET TO SAY THIS, BUT YESTERDAY WAS A REALLY EXCITING DAY BECAUSE I BECAME THE YOUNGEST CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AGAIN.
HIS COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER HAD A BIRTHDAY, SO I JUST WANT WISH HIM A HAPPY, UH, HAPPY BELATED.
UM, I, I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.
THAT'S WHY I GOT THE GIFT OF THE BALM.
UH, I, I, I I HAVE A FEW, UH, JUST QUICK QUESTIONS, UH, ON THE, ON THE FIRST HALF OF THE PRESENTATION, UH, AS IT RELATES TO PARKS, UH, SO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT ON SLIDE NINE, UM, IS THE GOLF FUND COMPOSER REVENUE A CURED FROM FEES PAID TO ACCESS THE, THE CITY GOLF COURSES? AND THEN MY, MY, I HAVE A SECOND PART OF THAT QUESTION.
UH, WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE BREAKDOWN ROUGHLY OF REVENUE GENERATED PER CITY OWNED GOLF COURSE? UM, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.
THE, YES, THE GOLF ENTERPRISE FUND IS THE REVENUES GENERATED THROUGH THE OPERATIONS OF THE GOLF COURSE, INCLUDING THE FEES, ET CETERA, ESPECIALLY THE FEE, THE GREEN FEES, ET CETERA.
UM, AND THE, I DON'T HAVE THE BREAKDOWN OF HOW MUCH PER GOLF COURSE WE HAVE THAT I CAN GET THAT TO YOU.
UH, MY NEXT QUESTION IS PUBLIC HEALTH RELATED.
SO, UH, ON SLIDE 12, UM, COULD, COULD, COULD THERE BE A BREAKDOWN PROVIDED OF THE SETTLEMENT FUNDS RECEIVED PER YEAR AND HOW MUCH IS ROUGHLY ALLOCATED TO THE COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN CONTRACTS FOR PEER SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND HARM REDUCTION SERVICES? GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M GOING TO ASK DEPUTY DIRECTOR CASSANDRA DEION TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL ABOUT THE USE OF THE SETTLEMENT DOLLARS.
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GREAT.CASSANDRA DE LEON AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.
SO, UM, WE, UM, OUR TOTAL ALLOCATIONS OVER FOUR ALLOCATIONS HAVE TOTALED ABOUT 3.6 MILLION.
UH, CURRENT INVESTMENTS INCLUDE 850,000 FOR CONTRACTS FOR PEER SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND HARM REDUCTION SERVICES.
AND THESE INCLUDE CONTRACTS FOR COMMUNITIES FOR RECOVERY, WHICH IS $250,000 AND A CONTRACT WITH TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE FOR $600,000.
WE ALSO HAVE A, UM, 125,000 CONTRACT DOLLAR CONTRACT WITH, UH, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PHARMACY ADDICTION RESEARCH AND MEDICINE PROGRAM.
AND THIS IS FOR IN-PERSON AND ONLINE CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC DETAILING ON EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT PLANNING FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER INVESTMENTS.
ALSO, CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE BREATHE NOW NALOXONE TRAINING AND NALOXONE DISTRIBUTION THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY EMS, AND THAT'S WHERE WE PURCHASE NALOXONE AND THEN ALSO PROVIDE TRAINING AND THEN OPIOID FUNDS ALSO SUPPORT IN AUSTIN.
WE KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN FOCUSED ON HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES AND CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH INCLUDES ONE FTE OVERDOSE PREVENTION COORDINATOR POSITION.
AND SO OUTSIDE OF THE CONTRACTS, WHICH IS THE BULK OF THE, UM, FUNDS THAT ARE DISTRIBUTED, UM, AND WE USE THE, THE OTHER DOLLARS TO FUND THE ONE TIME PERSON, THE INDIVIDUAL, UM, FTE AND THEN THE, UM, NALOXONE PURCHASES.
UM, NEXT QUESTION IS AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY.
UM, ON SLIDE 15, I'LL JUST WAIT.
SO ON SLIDE 15, WHAT ARE THE PERMISSIBLE USE OF EXPENDITURES FROM THE LIBRARY FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS FUND AND WOULD ALLOW FOR SOFTWARE AND NON BUILDING FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS? THE ALLOWABLE USES ARE EXPENDITURES INCURRED TO, UH, MAINTAIN THE CENTRAL LIBRARY AND ALL THE OTHER PUBLIC FACING, ACTUALLY ALL OTHER ASSETS IN THE FLEET.
AND WOULD THE, COULD IT BE USED FOR SOFTWARE IN A NON BUILDING FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS? I BELIEVE SO, IT SOUNDS LIKE, YES.
THAT'S MY, MY ONLY QUESTION FOR Y'ALL.
AND THEN MY, MY LAST QUESTION IS FOR AUSTIN RESOURCE RECOVERY.
AND THAT QUESTION IS THAT THERE'S A, ON ON SLIDE 17, UH, COULD YOU EXPAND ON THE INCREASES OF $1.4 MILLION FOR COLLECTION SERVICES OPERATIONS AND DUMPSTER COLLECTION CONTRACTS? UH, GOOD AFTERNOON.
RICHARD MCHALE, DIRECTOR OF CROSS RESOURCE RECOVERY.
YEAH, WE HAD A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN OUR CBD CONTRACT, AND THAT WAS FOR COLLECTION OF THE DUMPSTERS IN THE, THE ALLEYS DOWNTOWN.
I THINK THAT WAS ABOUT A $900,000 INCREASE TO THAT CONTRACT.
UH, IF I COULD GET DIRECTOR MICHALE, I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR A RR AND I WANNA SAY OUTTA THE GATE, I, I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU GUYS ARE DOING.
I APPRECIATE THE ENTERPRISE FUND AND THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, YOU'RE HAVING A DIFFERENT SET OF CONSIDERATIONS THAN A GENERAL FUND DEPARTMENT DOES.
UM, BUT I AM CURIOUS ABOUT A COUPLE THINGS.
ONE IS, HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE $4.4 MILLION MARKET STUDY COMPENSATION, RETIREMENT, UH, EXPENDITURE THAT'S COMING UP.
UM, THAT DOES SEEM LIKE A LOT, HELP ME UNDERSTAND TO THE EXTENT THAT, UH, WHAT IT'S DOING TO SUPPORT A R STRATEGY.
SO THAT WAS, UH, PART OF THE CITYWIDE MARKET STUDY THAT WAS, UH, RECENTLY COMPLETED, I BELIEVE HERE SOON.
SO THAT'LL JUST BE MONEY TO ALLOCATE TO THE STAFF THAT DO GET AN INCREASE FROM THE, THAT'S YOUR PIECE FROM THE RESULTS OF THAT STUDY? YES.
AND THEN THE OTHER, THE OTHER QUESTION I'VE GOT IS, I KNOW YOU AND I, OR YOU AND, UH, WE AND STAFF HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT BRUSH PICKUP COLLECTIONS ARE DOWN, UH, FAIRLY SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE WE CHANGED OUR POLICY.
AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, UH, AND I APPRECIATE THAT YOU'VE GOT WHAT SOUND LIKE VERY INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS, MATTRESSES AND, UH, UNDERPASSES
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AND SO ON COMING UP.BUT, UH, WHAT IS THE THINKING FOR HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THE BRUSH PICKUP COLLECTION CHALLENGE, EVEN KNOWING THAT WE ARE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING THE BUDGET THIS YEAR FOR A RR? COULD YOU SHARE MORE ABOUT YOUR STRATEGY FOR HOW TO APPROACH THAT? YEAH, I THINK AT THIS POINT, OUR STRATEGY IS REALLY JUST GETTING MORE PUBLIC EDUCATION OUT THERE.
ONCE WE STARTED THE ON-DEMAND PROGRAM, WE, WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE A SLOW ROLLOUT, AND THEN I THINK NOW WE'RE JUST STARTING TO SEE THE BENEFITS.
SO SINCE JANUARY, WE'VE SEEN AN ACTUAL INCREASE MONTH OVER MONTH COMPARED TO THE SAME, UH, TIME PERIOD IN, UH, THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.
SO I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
WE'RE, WE ARE DEFINITELY GONNA BE DOING SOME MORE ADVERTISING, ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND GETTING THAT MATERIAL OUT.
SO THOSE ARE ADDITIONAL THINGS THAT YOU'RE GONNA BE SEEING HERE COMING UP SHORTLY AS WELL, IS TRYING TO REALLY PUSH OUR APP TO CUSTOMERS, UM, THAT, UH, THAT, THAT THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS, BECAUSE THAT ALSO GIVES REMINDERS TO FOLKS TO GO AHEAD AND PUT MATERIAL OUT, WHETHER THAT BE BRUSH OR BULK OR, OR HOUSEHOLD AS THIS WAY.
SO AGAIN, IT'S MORE EDUCATION.
WE'RE SEEING THIS ALSO IN THE BULKY COLLECTION WHERE WE'RE STARTING TO SEE MORE APPOINTMENTS HAPPEN.
SO WE KNEW THIS WOULD BE A, A BIT OF A RAMP UP PERIOD, AND NOW WE'RE JUST STARTING TO SEE THOSE RESULTS.
SO WE'LL TAKE ANOTHER EVALUATION OF IT THERE AFTER, UM, THIS, UH, PROBABLY ANOTHER SIX MONTHS OR SO AND JUST KINDA SEE WHERE OUR NUMBERS ARE TRENDING.
TONNAGE WISE, WE'RE DOWN A LITTLE BIT, BUT LAST YEAR WE DID HAVE THAT MICROBURST, WHICH GENERATED A LOT OF MATERIAL.
SO, SO TONNAGE WISE, WE PROBABLY WON'T EXCEED LAST YEAR, BUT I THINK AS THE NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS WE WILL.
UH, WELL THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN FOLLOW UP ON AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE UPDATES YOU CAN SHARE AT QUIP OR WHEREVER ELSE WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THAT, IF IT INDEED IS PICKING UP.
I WOULD IMAGINE THEN THAT THE STRATEGY YOU DESCRIBED, THE EDUCATION, ET CETERA, THAT'S FACTORED INTO THE, UH, 26 27 A RR BUDGET.
IS THAT CORRECT? IT IS IN FACT, WHAT WE DID THIS TIME TO KIND OF BE A LITTLE BIT MORE HOLISTIC IN, UH, PROCESSES, KIND OF CONSOLIDATE ALL THE DIFFERENT MARKETING BUDGETS FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT GROUPS INTO A CENTRAL BUDGET IN OUR, IN OUR P-I-O-P-I-O GROUP.
SO THEY HAVE A, A BIGGER BUDGET TO DEAL WITH SO THEY CAN BETTER UTILIZE THAT MONEY INSTEAD OF EACH INDIVIDUAL WORK GROUP TRYING TO DETERMINE THE BEST WAY TO SPEND THE MONEY.
I THINK WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF IDEAS ALSO ABOUT BRUSH PICKUP THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING WITH YOU FROM SORT OF GETTING, UH, COLLECTIVE FEEDBACK FROM CONSTITUENTS.
SO I THINK BETWEEN, YEAH, LET'S, LET'S MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
UH, BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR, YOUR ANSWERS HERE.
UH, THE ONLY OTHER FOLKS I NEED TO TALK TO RIGHT NOW I'D APPRECIATE TALKING TO ARE ANIMAL SERVICES.
IS SOMEBODY FROM ANIMAL SERVICES HERE THAT WE CAN CONNECT WITH.
AS I SAID THAT I WAS LIKE, IT'S ACTUALLY LATE AFTERNOON.
UH, WELL, THE QUESTION I'VE GOT FOR YOU IS, UH, HELP ME UNDERSTAND.
THERE'S, THERE'S APPEAR TO BE FROM LOOKING AT THE BUDGET, FROM LOOKING AT THE PRESENTATION PRETTY WIDE FLUCTUATIONS IN, UH, SPAY AND NEUTER AND STERILIZATIONS, ESPECIALLY FROM THE OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS.
AND I'M CURIOUS IF THERE'S A NARRATIVE THAT YOU ALL HAVE.
I MEAN, I'VE LAUNCHED THE DEPARTMENT BUDGET INCREASE ABOUT 6% FOR NOW TWO STRAIGHT YEARS, OR ONE YEAR IN A PROPOSED 5.4% INCREASE THIS YEAR.
AND YET THOSE NUMBERS ARE SORT OF ALL OVER THE MAP.
SO HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON THERE, PLEASE.
SO IN 2025, UM, THE NUMBER OF, UH, SPAY NEU THAT WE PERFORMED WA WAS REALLY, UM, PRETTY IMPRESSIVE WITH THE 12,500.
UM, THAT BEING SAID, WE OVERSPENT OUR BUDGET, UH, SPECIFICALLY IN THAT, UM, CATEGORY.
UM, SO THAT'S WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ALIGNED WITH WHAT WE ACTUALLY HAD TO SPEND.
WE STILL HAD THE SAME AMOUNT OF DOLLARS TO SPEND, UM, BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WEREN'T OVERSPENDING, SO WE REDUCED THAT NUMBER.
THAT BEING SAID, UM, AS OF MAY OF THIS YEAR, WE'VE ALREADY, UM, DONE 7,600 COMMUNITY SPAY NEUTER.
WE'RE ANTICIPATING TO DO QUITE A, QUITE A FEW MORE AND BE CLOSER TO THAT 11 HUN 11,000 NUMBER.
AND THEN WE INCREASE THAT, UM, GOING INTO 2027, ASSUMING, UM, THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUE AND IMPROVE SERVICES AND EFFICIENCIES.
AND WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE EXTERNAL? IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S TWO CATEGORIES HERE.
ONE IS THE EXTERNAL, UH, PROVIDERS, AND ONE IS THE ONES DONE BY THE ANIMAL CENTER.
SO THAT, CAN YOU HELP BREAK DOWN WHAT THAT DIVISION IS OR WHAT THE TWO DIFFERENT, TWO DIFFERENT STORIES ARE WITH THOSE TWO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES? YES.
SO THOSE NUMBERS THAT I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT WERE OUR EXTERNAL, UH, COMMUNITY OWNED ANIMALS.
SO THAT WOULD BE BOTH, UH, COMMUNITY OWNED DOGS AND CATS OR, UH, COMMUNITY
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CATS THAT LIVE OUTDOORS, UM, THAT PEOPLE BRING IN FOR, UH, TRAP NEUTER RELEASE SERVICES.UM, SO THOSE WERE THOSE NUMBERS FOR INTERNAL NUMBERS.
UM, OUR GOAL, UM, WAS 65 IS 6,500 FOR THIS YEAR.
UM, WE'VE CON UH, WE'VE COMPLETED ABOUT 4,000 OF THOSE SURGERIES.
UM, SO WE'RE, UM, ANTICIPATING TO COME IN LINE, UM, ON TRACK FOR, UH, THIS COMING YEAR.
WHY IS IT LOWER FOR FISCAL YEAR 27? THE TARGET THERE IS NOW LIKE, UH, 57, 5800.
WHY IS IT SORT OF PROJECTED TO GO DOWN THE SUBSEQUENT YEAR? JUST ONE SECOND.
WOULD, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO SHOW THAT SLIDE FOR THOSE SAME NUMBERS? IT'S SLIDE SIX.
UM, SO, UH, THE 2027 TARGET NUMBER WAS BASED ON OUR PRIOR YEAR ACTUALS.
WE, WE WEREN'T SURE THAT THE 2026 NUMBER IF WE WERE GOING TO MAKE THAT.
SO WE WANTED TO BRING THAT MORE IN LINE WITH, UM, WHAT WE ANTICIPATED.
THAT BEING SAID, RIGHT, OUR, UM, RIGHT, THE SPAY NEUTER SURGERIES WE'RE DOING IN-HOUSE ARE GONNA BE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS WE'RE BRINGING IN.
SO AS WE INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS, I WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT NUMBER OF SURGERIES, WHAT NEEDS TO INCREASE IN ORDER FOR THOSE ANIMALS TO LEAVE THE SHELTER.
WELL, I APPRECIATE THE ANSWERS HERE.
I THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME FOLLOW UP WE NEED TO DO WITH, WITH YOUR TEAM TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY HOW THIS WORKS.
MOSTLY TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, THIS IS A SHARED PRIORITY AND THAT WE'RE MAKING SURE IT'S RESOURCED PROPERLY AS WE THINK THE BUDGET.
AND WE THINK THROUGH, UM, YOU KNOW, THE, THE DEPARTMENT BUDGET INCREASE YEAR TO YEAR.
UH, THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT FOR NOW.
BEFORE YOU MOVE FORWARD, I HAVE SOME ANSWERS FOR COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY.
IN REGARDS TO THE, UM, LIBRARY FUND, THOSE ARE GENERAL REVENUES, AND SO THEY CAN BE USED FOR SOFTWARE AND OTHER THINGS AS WELL.
THOSE DOLLARS ARE, UH, CONSIDERED GENERAL REVENUES.
AND THEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE GOLF, UM, REVENUE, THERE'S A TOTAL OF $14.7 MILLION IN REVENUE.
UM, THE GOLF ADMIN HAS MEMBERSHIPS THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO PLAY AT ANY COURSE.
THAT'S 1.9 MILLION LIONS, 2.8 MILLION, MORRIS WILLIAMS, 2.7, CLAY KAISER, 5.6 HANCOCK, 700,000 BUTLER, 250,000 AND GRAY GRAY ROCK, 700,000.
UM, MEMBERS, THAT'S ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE, UH, INDICATED THEY WANNA SPEAK ON THE FIRST.
I THINK YOU'RE, SORRY, I JUST HIT THE, BUT, BUT OH, OKAY.
UM, WELL, GAG, PUT A TIMER ON THIS NOW, RIGHT?
HEY, UH, CAN I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS ON THE ANIMAL, UH, UH, WITH, WITH, UH, ANIMAL SERVICES? YEAH.
FIRST, FIRST TRUMP, SO, AND, UH, DIRECTOR, AND THIS WAS A FEW YEARS BACK, I WANNA SAY THREE YEARS AGO, WE HAD, UH, AN AMENDMENT, I HAD AN AMENDMENT FOR, UH, $850,000 FOR THE SPAY AND NEUTER TO INCREASE THE SPAY AND NEUTER BUDGET.
UH, THAT WAS, I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY.
I'M PRETTY CERTAIN THAT IT WAS ONGOING, UH, BUT OKAY, GREAT.
AND, UM, THEN WITH REGARD TO, UH, THE NUMBERS AGAIN, UH, JUST KIND OF REITERATING, UH, SOME OF, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER UCHIN, WE DO EXPECT TO BE AT THAT SIMILAR LEVEL, I GUESS FROM, FROM THE OTHER TWO PRIOR YEARS, ONCE WE GET TO THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, IN TERMS TERMS OF SPAYS, UH, SPAY AND NEUTER.
FOR OUR COMMUNITY SPAY NEUTER, UM, WE'RE ON TRACK TO BE AROUND THAT 11,000 MARK.
WE STILL HAVE TO GET THE INVOICING AND THEN ACTUALLY COME TO, UH, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.
UM, BUT WE'RE EXPECTING THOSE TO BE CLOSER
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TO THAT 11,000.SOMETIMES WHAT WE'LL SEE YEAR OVER YEAR, WE'LL SEE LESS SPAY NEUTER HAPPEN DUE TO COST INCREASES FOR PERFORMING THOSE SURGERIES.
UM, UH, AS FAR AS AT THE SHELTER, UH, LIKE I SAID, WE, UH, HAVE ABOUT 4,000 OF THOSE SURGERIES COMPLETED IN-HOUSE.
UM, AND WE'RE HO HOPING TO BE VERY CLOSE TO THAT, UM, TARGET GOAL OF 6,500.
TYPICALLY, THE THINGS THAT IMPACT THOSE SURGERIES ARE GONNA BE STAFFING LEVELS, UM, IF THERE'S VACANCIES, UM, IF, IF THERE'S VACANCIES, UM,