* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [00:00:05] GOOD MORNING, [Proclamation – National Senior Pet Month – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem José “Chito” Vela] EVERYONE. I'M, UH, CHITO VELA, MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AND WE ARE HERE WITH THESE WONDERFUL DOGGIES, UH, TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL SENIOR PET MONTH. UH, AND I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS, BOTH OF THESE WONDERFUL PUPS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ADOPTION. SO IF YOU WANT A, UH, A DOG, A GOOD FRIENDLY DOG, I PETTED BOTH OF THEM RIGHT BEFORE I CAME IN HERE. THEY'RE BOTH ELIGIBLE FOR, UH, ADOPTION. UH, BEAUTIFUL RUST COLORED ONE RIGHT THERE WITH LITTLE WHITE, UH, PAWS. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY - EVERYBODY CAN SEE THAT ON THE SCREEN, BUT IT, IT JUST REALLY, REALLY HANDSOME AND, AND WELL-MANNERED LITTLE DOGS. THERE'S SO MANY AVAILABLE AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER. UH, IF Y'ALL ARE READY FOR, UH, FOR, UH, AN ANIMAL FRIEND, UH, FOR A, A GOOD DOGGIE, UH, THESE GUYS ARE READY TO GO. UH, ANIMALS BRING SO MUCH JOY TO OUR LIVES. UH, AND HONESTLY, THE, THE SENIOR, UH, ANIMALS, SENIOR DOGS ARE REALLY SPECIAL. UH, I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I'VE HAD DOGS TILL THEY'RE, THEY'RE, THEY'RE VERY, VERY, UH, OLD. UH, THEY'RE GOT A GREAT TEMPER. THEY JUST CHILL OUT AROUND THE HOUSE WITH YOU. UH, THEY'RE, THEY'RE, THEY'RE JUST, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT PUPPIES ANYMORE. THEY'RE A LITTLE EASIER TO, TO CARE FOR AS THEY, UH, GET OLDER AND KIND OF DON'T, UH, REQUIRE ALL THE ATTENTION THAT, UH, THAT A, A YOUNGER PUP DOES. UH, BUT, UH, THEY'RE, THE ANIMALS ARE, UH, UH, THESE TWO FELLAS ARE, UH, AVAILABLE, AND I'M SORRY, BOTH BOYS? A BOY, GIRL? SHE'S A GIRL. SHE'S A GIRL AND A BOY. SO THIS, UH, GENTLEMAN AND THIS LADY ARE BOTH, UH, ELIGIBLE FOR ADOPTION. UH, AND, AND AGAIN, JUST, UH, ALWAYS WANNA, UH, CELEBRATE OUR, OUR, UH, PET, UH, FRIENDS, OUR, OUR, UH, UH, PUPPY AND, AND KITTY FRIENDS. UH, AND I KNOW FOLKS AT, UH, THE SHELTER WORK SO HARD, UH, TO, TO MAKE IT AS POSITIVE OF AN ENVIRONMENT TO, TO TRAIN, UH, THE DOGS. I ADOPTED, UH, A, AN ANIMAL FROM A, A, A, A BIG DOG FROM THE SHELTER ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, AND Y'ALL HAD SUCH GOOD NOTES ON THE ANIMALS THAT IT WAS PHENOMENAL. LIKE THE, JUST, YOU KNOW, HOW THEY'RE DOING, THEIR TEMPERAMENT, UH, AND, AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE THERE WAS JUST ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT. SO I JUST CANNOT ENCOURAGE YOU, UH, ENOUGH TO GO OUT AND GET THEM. THE, THE NEED IS, IS REAL. UM, UH, LAST FISCAL YEAR, AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICE CARED FOR MORE THAN 619 SENIOR DOGS AND CATS. TODAY, 69 SENIOR DOGS ARE STILL AT THE SHELTER, WAITING AN AVERAGE OF 186 DAYS TO BE ADOPTED. UH, AND I JUST WANNA RECOGNIZE THE AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES TEAM, THE FOSTER FAMILIES, THE VOLUNTEERS, AND THE RESCUE PARTNERS WHO WORK EVERY DAY TO GIVE THESE ANIMALS A BETTER CHANCE. ORGANIZATIONS LIKE CLASSIC K9S ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE THROUGH VETERINARY SUPPORT AND HELPING SENIOR DOGS FIND VISIBILITY WITH, UH, POTENTIAL, UH, ADOPTERS. UH, AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES ALSO WAIVES ADOPTION FEES FOR SENIOR PETS YEAR ROUND, SO YOU CAN EVEN SAVE A LITTLE MONEY, UH, BY ADOPTING A SENIOR PET. BUT LET ME GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE, UH, MONICA DANGLER, OUR AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES, UH, DIRECTOR. UH, DIRECTOR DANGLER, PLEASE. THANK YOU. UM, I'M JUST SO THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE, ARE RECOGNIZING OUR SENIOR DOGS. UM, THANK YOU FOR ADOPTING AND BEING SUCH A GREAT ADVOCATE. UM, THESE DOGS, BOTH BENJAMIN AND WEATHERFORD ARE TWO REALLY GREAT EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE AMAZING DOGS AND CATS THAT WE HAVE AT THE SHELTER. UM, WE CURRENTLY HAVE FREE ADOPTIONS, SO COME DOWN, MEET THESE GUYS. UM, ALL SENIORS ARE FREE ALL OF THE TIME. SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO ADD AN OLDER GENTLEMAN OR WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE, PLEASE COME ON DOWN. UH, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH. UH, IT'S A, A PLEASURE. AND WEATHERFORD, RIGHT? WEATHERFORD. WEATHERFORD IS LAYING DOWN. UH, AGAIN, HARD TO SEE THERE ON CAMERA, BUT JUST SO WELL, AND THEY'RE, THEY'RE JUST BOTH SUCH WELL-BEHAVED DOGS, ELIGIBLE FOR ADOPTION. COME AND, UH, GET THEM BEFORE THEY'RE GONE BECAUSE, UH, EVERYBODY WATCHING IS GONNA WANNA TAKE, UH, ONE OR BOTH OF, UH, THESE PUPS, UH, HOME. LET ME GO AHEAD AND READ THE, UH, PROCLAMATION. "BE IT KNOWN THAT, WHEREAS SENIOR PETS ARE CHERISHED MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES OFFERING YEARS OF COMPANIONSHIP, LOYALTY, AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. AND WHEREAS, OLDER DOGS AND CATS OFTEN FACE LONGER SHELTER STAYS AND GREATER BARRIERS TO ADOPTION DUE TO MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THEIR AGE, UH, HEALTH OR CARE NEEDS, DESPITE THE MANY REWARDS OF WELCOMING A SENIOR PET INTO A LOVING HOME. UH, WHEREAS IN THE PAST FISCAL YEAR, AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES HAS CARED FOR MORE THAN 619 SENIOR DOGS AND CATS, MANY OF WHOM REQUIRED ADDITIONAL TIME, MEDICAL CARE, OR SUPPORT TO FIND THE RIGHT HOME, UNDERSCORING THE IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTION, FOSTERING, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR AUSTIN'S, UH, OLDER PETS. AND WHEREAS TODAY, 69 SENIOR DOGS ARE WAITING AT AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES, WAITING AN AVERAGE OF 186 DAYS FOR A FAMILY TO CALL THEIR OWN. AND WHEREAS, AUSTIN ANIMAL SERVICES WORKS TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO ADOPTION AND HELP SENIOR PETS FIND [00:05:01] LOVING HOMES BY OFFERING FEE-WAIVED ADOPTIONS FOR SENIOR PETS YEAR-ROUND. AND WHEREAS, AUSTIN'S COMMITMENT TO SENIOR ANIMALS IS STRENGTHENED BY ADOPTERS, FOSTER FAMILIES, VOLUNTEERS, RESCUE PARTNERS, VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING CLASSIC CANINES. I LOVE THAT NAME, BY THE WAY, THAT'S, UH, SUCH A, A GREAT NAME, WHOSE VETERINARY SUPPORT AND DEDICATED MARKETING OF SENIOR DOGS HELP GIVE OLDER PETS GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO RECEIVE THE CARE THEY NEED AND FIND LOVING HOMES. AND WHEREAS, NATIONAL SENIOR PET MONTH ENCOURAGES OUR COMMUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OLDER ANIMALS, CELEBRATE THE BOND WE SHARE WITH OUR PETS, AND REMEMBER THAT SENIOR PETS STILL HAVE SO MUCH LOVE, COMPANIONSHIP, AND JOY TO GIVE. NOW THEREFORE, I, CHITOVELLA, MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, ALONG WITH MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE ENTIRE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 2026 AS NATIONAL SENIOR PET MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. YAY, DOGGIES. WELL, THANK Y'ALL, UH, SO MUCH. UH, PLEASE GET OUT TO VISIT THE SHELTER. PLEASE TELL FOLKS, UH, ESPECIALLY HONESTLY, I THINK SENIORS OFTENTIMES ARE THE BEST FOLKS TO ADOPT SENIOR DOGS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SIMILAR PACE TO THEM, RIGHT? UH, AND, AND, AND SO GET OUT THERE, UH, LOTS OF DOGS AVAILABLE, NO FEES, AND, UH, CELEBRATE NATIONAL SENIOR PET MONTH BY ADOPTING A SENIOR PET. THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. [Proclamation – Prematurity Awareness Month – To be presented by Mayor Pro Tem José “Chito” Vela] I'M CHITO VELA, MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, HERE TO RECOGNIZE PREMATURITY AWARENESS MONTH. UH, WE ARE HERE WITH FOLKS FROM THE MOTHER'S, UH, MILK BANK, UH, WITH, UH, KIM UPTEGROVE, UH, THE DIRECTOR, UH, AND STAFF [00:10:01] FROM THE MOTHER'S, UH, MILK BANK. UH, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF VISITING, UH, THE MOTHER'S MILK BANK ABOUT A MONTH AGO, AND IT IS AN EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE, UH, OPERATION, UH, PROFESSIONAL STAFF, TOP-NOTCH FACILITIES, UH, AND APPARENTLY THE LARGEST MILK BANK... WAS IT IN THE COUNTRY? IN THE WORLD? IN THE WORLD. IN THE WORLD. UH, HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, UH, UH, DIRECTOR UPGROVE KNOWS, UH, THE, THE STORY MUCH BETTER THAN I DO, BUT IT'S, IT'S IMPRESSIVE. AND HONESTLY, I THINK IT REFLECTS VERY WELL ON THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN, UH, THAT THIS, UH, STARTED IN AUSTIN AND, UH, MOTHERS HERE LOCALLY HAVE BEEN SO DEDICATED TO DONATING, UH, THE BREAST MILK TO THE FACILITY. AND NOW THE FACILITY SUPPLIES BREAST MILK, NOT IN, JUST IN THE LOCAL AREA, BUT NATIONALLY. UH, AND THEY'RE EVEN DOING WORK INTERNATIONALLY AT THIS POINT, TRYING TO, UH, CONSULT AND GET OPERATIONS. SO AGAIN, IT JUST, I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO, UH, HOW MUCH WE LOVE OUR KIDS HERE, UH, IN AUSTIN, HOW MUCH WE LOVE OUR BABIES AND, AND TO THE, THE, THE EXCELLENT, UH, FAMILIES AND PARTICULARLY THE NURSING MOTHERS WHO ARE SO DEDICATED, UH, TO, TO DONATING BREAST MILK EVEN AFTER THEY'VE DONE, UH, THEY'RE DONE NURSING MAYBE THEIR OWN CHILD OR, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE EXTRA MILK, UH, THEY CAN, UH, DONATE. SO IT, IT'S JUST A, AN EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY, UH, UH... AND THE LAST THING IS, UH, AND, AND I'M GONNA LEAVE THE SCIENCE, UH, TO DR. UH, SIMPSON AND TO, UH, DIRECTOR UPTOGROVE, BUT, UH, FOR A PREMATURE BABY, UH, MOTHER'S MILK IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO THE SURVIVAL OF, UH, OF PREMATURE, UH, BABIES. AND SO THIS IS NOT JUST SOMETHING TO, TO HELP, UH, MOTHERS WITH HEALTHY KIDS. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL, UH, SUPPORT FOR, UH, PREMATURE BABIES. AND WITH THAT, LET ME GO AHEAD AND TURN IT OVER TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MOTHER'S MILK BANK, KIM UPTOGROVE. THANK YOU, CHEETO. I THINK THAT YOU, UH, BASICALLY TOOK MY ROLE AND SAID EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID, EXCEPT I WANNA GIVE A COUPLE MORE DETAILS, UH, ABOUT MOTHER'S MILK BANK AT AUSTIN. WE'RE A 27-YEAR-OLD NONPROFIT MILK BANK THAT STARTED IN AUSTIN TO HELP PRETERM BABIES SURVIVE AND THRIVE HERE. AND BECAUSE OF OUR LEADERSHIP, OUR RESEARCH, AND OUR ADVOCACY, AND OUR ABILITY TO PRODUCE ONE MILLION OUNCES OF SAFE DONOR HUMAN MILK EVERY SINGLE YEAR, WE PROVIDE MILK NOT ONLY TO THE HOSPITALS IN AUSTIN, BUT ALSO TO HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT TEXAS AND 22 OTHER STATES. AND WE HAVE MENTORED OTHER NONPROFIT MILK BANKS SO THAT ALL 50 STATES RECEIVE SAFE DONOR HUMAN MILK FOR THOSE PREMATURE INFANTS. A COUPLE OF STATISTICS ARE IMPORTANT TO KNOW ABOUT. ONE IN 10 BABIES IS BORN PREMATURE ACROSS THE NATION. HERE IN TEXAS, IT'S ONE IN NINE. AND FOR FAMILIES OF COLOR, THAT NUMBER IS EVEN HIGHER. FOR THOSE BABIES, THEY CAN ONLY PROCESS HUMAN MILK. AND THOSE BABIES LIVE IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, SOMETIMES FOR MONTHS AT A TIME. THEIR MOTHERS HAVE THE MOST DIFFICULT TIME PRODUCING MILK FOR THEIR BABIES BECAUSE OF THE PHYSICAL SEPARATION AND THE EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL STRESS OF HAVING A BABY SO SMALL THAT IT SITS IN MY HAND. SO FOR THOSE BABIES, DONOR HUMAN MILK IS LIFE SAVING. WE PROVIDE THAT TO THOSE BABIES SO THAT THE FAMILIES CAN HAVE HOPE AND GET THOSE BABIES HOME WITH THEM TO BE HEALTHY CHILDREN, LIKE ONE WE'VE BROUGHT HERE. SO WHAT WE DO IS SCREEN MOMS WHO ARE LACTATING AND PRODUCING MORE MILK THAN THEY NEED. AND WHEN THEY ARE APPROVED AS A MILK DONOR, THEY GET TO DONATE THEIR MILK AND THEN WE GO TO WORK. WE GO TO WORK ELIMINATING BACTERIA AND VIRUSES IN THE MILK AND PROCESSING THAT MILK SO THAT WE RETAIN ALL OF THE GOOD, HEALTHY COMPONENTS OF THE MILK, AND WE GET RID OF THE THINGS THAT MIGHT HARM A BABY WHO'S NOT BIOLOGICALLY RELATED TO THE DONORS REPRESENTED IN THAT POOL. OUR MILK IS LIFE SAVING AND WE DON'T DO IT ON OUR OWN. AS CHITO MENTIONED, THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE COMPASSION OF GIVING MILK FROM MOTHERS WHO ARE EXHAUSTED TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN CHILDREN, BUT THEY ARE EXPRESSING JUST AN EXTRA OUNCE PER DAY AND THEY ARE DONATING THAT MILK TO HELP COMPLETE STRANGERS SO THAT THEY CAN BE HEALTHY. I AM GRATEFUL TO LIVE IN A STATE AND TO LIVE IN A CITY WHERE THE FOCUS ON IMPROVING MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH IS CLEAR. THE STRATEGIES TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY INFANT WHO'S BORN ALIVE SURVIVES IS VERY CLEAR AND WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE, UH, FOR BEING HERE. I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE DR. SIMPSON WHO ACTUALLY TAKES CARE OF THESE BABIES IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT SO THAT SHE COULD SHARE A FEW WORDS. THANK YOU. [00:15:03] THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS DR. ALYSSA SIMPSON. I AM A NEONATOLOGIST, WHICH MEANS I AM A DOCTOR WHO SPECIALIZES IN TAKING CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS, BUT ALSO INFANTS THAT ARE BORN ON TIME THAT HAVE COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS. I'M ALSO A PROUD MEMBER, BOARD MEMBER OF THE MOTHER'S MILK BANK AT AUSTIN. AS A PHYSICIAN WHO CARES FOR THESE TINY BABIES, AS KIM MENTIONED, SOME OF WHICH COULD FIT IN THE PALM OF OUR HAND, I'VE WATCHED FEAR IN OUR FAMILY'S FACES AS THEY PROCESS WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A BABY WHO'S BORN EARLY OR A BABY WHO HAS COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS. BUT WITH ACCESS TO P- PASTEURIZED DONOR HUMAN MILK AS GIVEN BY THE MOTHER'S MILK BANK AT AUSTIN, THAT FEAR IS TURNED INTO HOPE SO THAT NO BABY DIES FOR LACK OF ACCESS TO HUMAN MILK. PREMATURE INFANTS ARE SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE PATIENTS AND ACCESS TO THE SAFE, PASTEURIZED DONOR HUMAN MILK PLAYS AN ESSENTIAL ROLE, NOT ONLY FOR THEM TO THRIVE, BUT TO SURVIVE. SO I AM GRATEFUL TO MOTHER'S MILK BANK AT AUSTIN AND ITS GENEROUS DONORS AND THE MOTHERS THAT, WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR TIME, NOT ONLY PROVIDING MILK FOR THEIR OWN INFANT, BUT ALSO FOR INFANTS WHOM THEY MIGHT NEVER MEET. WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND FOR RECOGNIZING PREMATURITY AWARENESS MONTH AND FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS, THIS WONDERFUL GIFT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GIVE OUR FAMILIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UH, DR. SIMPSON. UH, WE REALLY, UH, APPRECIATE YOUR WORK, UH, AS A PHYSICIAN AND OF COURSE AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE MOTHER'S MILK BANK. I JUST WANTED TO TURN IT OVER IF YOU WANNA, UH, UH, SPEAK FOR A MINUTE ON, UH, UH, WITH YOUR BABY THERE. AGAIN, UH, UH, UH, NOT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, BUT, UH, IF, IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO. UM - COME ON UP. UM, I, I WORK IN THE, THE LAB AT MOTHER'S MILK BANK, AND SO, UM, EVERY DONATION, UM, IS VERY CRITICAL TO BEING ABLE TO, UH, PASTEURIZE AND PROCESS ALL THE MILK FOR THE BABIES. UM, WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH WE WERE ABLE TO DONATE SOME OF OUR MILK, UM, TO HELP WITH THE MISSION. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. UH, AND, UH, WITH THAT, LET ME GO AHEAD AND GET TO THE, UH, PROCLAMATION. OOH, HOLD ON A SECOND. FISHER ONE HAS, UH, TYPED IT A LITTLE TOO SMALL FOR ME TO READ. BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS, NOVEMBER IS RECOGNIZED GLOBALLY AS PREMATURITY AWARENESS MONTH DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT PRETERM BIRTH AND ITS IMPACT ON FAMILIES. AND WHEREAS, A BABY BORN ALIVE BEFORE 37 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY IS CONSIDERED PRETERM AND WHEREAS, APPROXIMATELY 15 MILLION BABIES ARE BORN PRETERM EACH YEAR, WHICH EQUALS ROUGHLY ONE IN 10 BABIES WORLDWIDE. AND WHEREAS, PREMATURITY IS A LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE AND A PRIMARY CAUSE OF LONG-TERM CHILDHOOD DISABILITY. AND WHEREAS, A HUMAN MILK-BASED DIET IS NECESSARY FOR THESE INFANTS TO HAVE THE GREATEST CHANCE OF BOTH SURVIVING AND THRIVING. AND WHEREAS, AUSTIN IS HOME TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST NONPROFIT MILK BANK, PROVIDING SAFELY PROCESSED POOLS OF MILK FOR PREMATURE INFANTS WHOSE MOTHERS LACK THEIR OWN MILK SUPPLY. NOW, THEREFORE, I APPLAUD MOTHER'S MILK BANK AT AUSTIN AND ALL MILK DONORS FOR PROVIDING LIFE-SAVING MILK FEEDINGS FOR THESE INFANTS. UM, NOW THEREFORE, I, CHITOVELLA, MAYOR PRO TEM OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, ALONG WITH MAYOR KIRK WATSON AND THE ENTIRE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER, UH, 1ST THROUGH 30TH, 2026 AS PREMATURITY AWARENESS MONTH IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING. THANK YOU TO MOTHER'S MILK BANK FOR, UH, ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO DR. SIMPSON ON ALL THE STAFF AND THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE DONORS. WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS AND THE PARENTS OF, UH, THE PREMATURE BABIES REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. SO THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. [00:20:58] GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. [Proclamation – Austin Rosewood Community Development Corporation (ARCDC) – To be presented by Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison] IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS ANGELA MEANS. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE ARTS, CULTURE, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AND IT IS A HONOR AND A PLEASURE TO BE HERE TODAY. TODAY, WE GATHER TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE AN IMPORTANT PART OF AUSTIN'S HISTORY AND THE ENDURING LEGACY OF THE COMMUNITY INSTITUTION BORN OUT OF LOVE, LOSS, RESILIENCE, AND A SHARED COMMITMENT TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. THE MILLENNIUM YOUTH ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS THE MILLENNIUM, REPRESENTS FAR MORE THAN A BUILDING. IT REPRESENTS THE VISION AND DETERMINATION OF EAST AUSTIN RESIDENTS WHO BELIEVE THAT EVERY YOUNG PERSON DESERVES A SAFE PLACE TO GATHER, GROW, CONNECT, AND EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITY. ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF COMMUNITY LEADERS, FAMILIES, AND ADVOCATES, THE MILLENNIUM WAS CREATED IN RESPONSE TO THE TRAGIC LOSS OF TWO YOUNG EASTON, EAST AUSTIN RESIDENTS, MS. TAMIKA ROSS AND MR. JUAN JAVIER CUTERA. THEIR MEMORIES BECAME THE INSPIRATION FOR SOMETHING GREATER, A LASTING COMMITMENT TO PEACE, HOPE, YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT. SINCE THE DEDICATION IN JUNE 1999, THE MILLENNIUM HAS STOOD AS A SYMBOL OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER, TURNS TRAGEDY INTO PURPOSE, AND TRANSFORMS A SHARED VISION INTO A LEGACY. WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THE AUSTIN ROSEWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHOSE STEWARDSHIP, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE HAVE HELPED PRESERVE THIS IMPORTANT COMMUNITY ASSET AND CARRY FORWARD ITS FOUNDING MISSION. THROUGH THEIR SERVICE AND DEDICATION, THEY HONOR THE WORK OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE THEM WHILE HELPING ENSURE THAT THE HISTORY, PURPOSE, AND POTENTIAL OF THE MILLENNIUM REMAIN PART OF AUSTIN'S FUTURE. TODAY, WE ESPECIALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SERVING THROUGH OCTOBER 2026 FOR THAT COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE, COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION, AND CONTINUED PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORIC INSTITUTION. AS WE CELEBRATE THIS LEGACY, WE HONOR THE MEMORIES OF MS. ROSS AND MR. CATERRA, THE COMMUNITY PIONEERS WHO, WHOSE VISION CAME BEFORE US AND MADE THE MILLENNIUM POSSIBLE. THE D - THE GENERATIONS OF EAST AUSTIN FAMILIES WHO HAVE EMBRACED AND SUSTAINED IT, AND THE DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SERVED TO PROTECT ITS MISSION. WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE PROCLAMATION. WE HAVE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HERE BEHIND ME, AND AFTER I READ THE PROC- PROCLAMATION, I'LL BRING THEM UP. BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN PROUDLY RECOGNIZES THE HISTORIC AND ENDURING SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MILLENNIUM YOUTH ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS THE MILLENNIUM, AND HONORS THE AUSTIN ROSEWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS SERVING THROUGH OCTOBER 2026 FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO PRESERVING A TREASURED COMMUNITY INSTITUTION AND ADVAN- ADVANCING ITS FOUNDING MISSION OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, CULTURAL ENRICHMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. AND WHEREAS THE MILLENNIUM YOUTH ENTERTAINMENT CENTER WAS FORMALLY DEDICATED AT ITS OPENING IN JUNE 1999 TO THE MEMORY OF MS. ROSS AND MR. CORTERA, TWO YOUNG EAST AUSTIN RESIDENTS WHOSE LIVES WERE TRAGICALLY CUT SHORT BY VIOLENCE, INSPIRING PERSISTENT EFFORTS [00:25:01] OF THE PROMISE KEEPERS, FAMILIES AND ADVOCATES SEEKING SAFE, WELCOMING, AND ENRICHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH. THE MILLENNIUM REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT CHAPTER IN AUSTIN'S AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND THE LONGSTANDING TRADITION OF COMMUNITY-LED PROGRESS IN EAST AUSTIN. AND WHEREAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUSTIN ROSEWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN 1995 CREATED A FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSEEING AND CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE MILLENNIUM, WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN 1999. AND WHEREAS, FOR MORE THAN A QUARTER CENTURY, THE MILLENNIUM HAS SERVED AS A DISTINCTIVE COMMUNITY LANDMARK AND A TESTAMENT TO THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL IDENTITY AND BELONGING AMID THE CONTINUING TRANSFORMATION OF EAST AUSTIN, WHILE PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY CONNECTION, RECREATION, AND ENTERTAINMENT, REPRESENTING THE ASPIRATIONS OF GENERATIONS OF EAST AUSTIN FAMILIES. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN EXTENDS ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION TO THE AUSTIN ROSEWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS SERVING THROUGH OCTOBER 2026, INCLUDING FRANCIS JORDAN, CHAIR, DEWEY SMITH, VICE CHAIR, JODI MOZIKA, CATALINA BERRY, DANTE CLEMONS, NELSON LINDER, DR. COURTNEY ROBINSON, AND QUINCY DUNLAP, WHOSE COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION, AND PUBLIC SERVICE HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF THE MILLENNIUM, THE REPRESENTATION OF COMMUNITY INTEREST, AND THE CONTINUED PURSUIT OF ITS FOUNDING VISION. AND WHEREAS, THROUGH THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY, THROUGH THOUGHTFUL GOVERNANCE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND CONSIDERATION OF THE FACILITY'S OPERATION AND FUTURE, THESE DIRECTORS HAVE HELPED SUSTAIN AN IMPORTANT CONNECTION BETWEEN THE MILLENNIUM'S HISTORIC PURPOSE AND THE EVOLVING NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF AUSTIN'S RESIDENTS. AND WHEREAS, PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF THE MILLENNIUM AFFIRMS AUSTIN'S COMMITMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CONTRIBUTE THESE, TO ACKNOWLEDGING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ITS HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, CELEBRATING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF EAST AUSTIN, AND ENSURING THAT COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS REMAIN MEANINGFUL PLACES OF OPPORTUNITY, CONNECTION, AND PRIDE. NOW THEREFORE, ON BEHALF OF OUR MAYOR, MR. KIRK WATSON AND THE CITY COUNCIL, I, ANGELA MEANS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 5TH, 2026 AS MILLENNIUM YOUTH ENTERTAINMENT CENTER AND AUSTIN ROSEWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION RECOGNITION DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. THANK YOU. AND I'D LIKE TO BRING UP SOME OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS. I'M GONNA START WITH OUR, UM, OVER HERE TO MY LEFT, IF YOU DON'T MIND COMING UP TO SPEAK. SURE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THIS IS A HUGE OCCASION THAT INCLUDES MANY THINGS, RESILIENCE, CONTINUITY, ACHIEVEMENT, MOTIVATION, BECAUSE WE DID THIS TOGETHER AS A TEAM, AND AS A RESULT, THAT MEMORY GOES FORWARD. NOW IT'S A NEW BEGINNING IN MANY WAYS BECAUSE WHAT'S BEEN LEARNED WILL BE APPLIED WHERE WE EXPAND OUR AMBITIONS, A MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY FACING CHALLENGES, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE THINGS WE LEARN ARE THE FOUNDATION FOR THIS INSTITUTION AND ITS FUTURE. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU. THANK YOU FIRST TO COMMUNITY. THANK YOU TO THE BOARD FOR ITS SERVICE. THANK YOU TO THE CITY FOR ITS PARTNERSHIP. AND WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT THE ENERGY, THE VISION, THE MISSION THAT WAS THE JUMP POINT FOR THE MILLENNIUM SO MANY YEARS AGO, LET'S LET THAT CONTINUE. LET'S LET THE MILLENNIUM CONTINUE AND BE SUSTAINED IN EXCELLENCE AND LET US NEVER FORGET THE REASON FOR THE MILLENNIUM IS THE CHILDREN, COMMUNITY, AND CONNECTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND IT HAS BEEN A JOY TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS. WONDERFUL. ALL RIGHT. OKAY. IF WE COULD HAVE, IF WE COULD HAVE ALL OF YOU STAND IN FRONT OF THE POLICE. OKAY. [00:32:24] GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. [Proclamation – Hospice Austin and Austin Palliative Care Day – To be presented by Council Member Marc Duchen] MY NAME IS MARK DUCHEN. I'M THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COUNCIL MEMBER. IT'S MY PLEASURE THIS MORNING TO PRESENT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING NOVEMBER 5TH, 2026 AS HOSPICE AUSTIN AND AUSTIN PALLIATIVE CARE DAY. HOSPICE AUSTIN CEO HERB DYER IS HERE TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THAT ORGANIZATION. AND I WANNA THANK HIM FOR BEING HERE. HERB IS A COM - A COMPASSIONATE LEADER WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE HEALTHCARE SPACE. HE BRINGS A SPECIAL EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING TO HIS ROLE TO THOSE THAT HOSPICE AUSTIN SERVES AND TO OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. I ALSO WANNA THANK AND RECOGNIZE HOSPICE AUSTIN FOR BEING A LONGSTANDING COMMUNITY MEMBER AT DISTRICT 10 AND AUSTIN'S ONLY NONPROFIT HOSPICE THAT PROVIDES CARE TO ANY PERSON OR FAMILY SEEKING SUPPORT. HOSPICE AUSTIN HAS ALSO BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE COMMUNITY. IT'S ROUTINELY VOTED THE BEST HOSPICE BY THE STATESMEN AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND ITS STAFF MEMBERS HAVE BEEN INDIVIDUALLY HONORED OVER THE YEARS FOR THEIR WORK AND THEIR SERVICE AND THEIR QUALITY OF CARE. NOW I'D LIKE TO ASK HERB TO STEP UP TO THE MICROPHONE AND SAY A FEW WORDS AND THEN I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION. SO... THANK YOU COUNCIL. LET'S GET ROLLING. THANK YOU COUNCILMAN DUCHEN AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR RECOGNIZING HOSPICE AUSTIN FOR HOS - AND AUSTIN PALLIATIVE CARE. WE ARE DEEPLY HONORED, BUT TODAY IS REALLY ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR MISSION POSSIBLE DAY IN AND DAY OUT. I WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, FAMILIES, DONORS, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS FOR HELPING US PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE HOSPICE CARE FOR ALL WHO NEED IT, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. WE'RE EXTREMELY PROUD TO OFFER THE EXTENSIVE BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM OF ANY HOSPICE IN CENTRAL TEXAS, PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, VISITS FOR THE HOME BOUND AND ONLINE SUPPORT. AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO EXPANDING ACCESS TO CARE, SUPPORTING MORE FAMILIES AND ENSURING OUR COMMUNITY HAS THE HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE IT NEEDS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. I WANNA RECOGNIZE ALL THE FOLKS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED US FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. AND NOW I'M GONNA READ THE PROCLAMATION. BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS, HOSPICE AUSTIN'S PROVIDED COMPASSIONATE HIGH QUALITY HOSPICE, HOSPICE, PALLIATIVE AND BEREAVEMENT CARE TO INDIVIDUALS [00:35:01] AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT CENTRAL TEXAS. AND WHEREAS FOUNDED AS THE FIRST HOSPICE ORGANIZATION IN CENTRAL TEXAS, HOSPICE AUSTIN HAS BEEN A TRUSTED LEADER IN END OF LIFE CARE FOR GENERATIONS AND TODAY SERVES MORE THAN 2,000 PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES EACH YEAR ACROSS THE REGION. AND WHEREAS HOSPICE AUSTIN IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT COMPASSIONATE CARE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO NEED IT, PROVIDING APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN CARE ANNUALLY FOR PATIENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. AND WHEREAS HOSPICE AUSTIN AND P - AUSTIN PALLIATIVE CARE PROVIDES A CONTINUUM OF CARE THAT EXTENDS BEYOND MEDICAL SUPPORT TO INCLUDE GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT SERVICES, CAREGIVER SUPPORT, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, AND STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF OUR REGION. AND WHEREAS THIS INVESTMENT IN COMPASSIONATE CARE REFLECTS OUR COMMUNITY'S COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT EVERY PERSON FACING SERIOUS ILLNESS HAS ACCESS TO SUPPORT, COMFORT, AND THE DIGNITY THAT THEY DESERVE. NOW, I, MARK DUCHEN, ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND ALL THE COUNCIL TO HEREBY PROCLAIM THAT NOVEMBER 5TH, 2026 IS HOSPICE AUSTIN AND AUSTIN PALLIATIVE CARE DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. ALL RIGHT. AND WITH THAT, I'M GONNA INVITE EVERYBODY TO JUMP IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM AND WE'RE GONNA TAKE A FEW PHOTOS AND I'M GOING TO PRESENT WHOEVER WOULD LIKE TO HANG ON TO THIS ONE. THANK YOU. TO, UH. WELL, [Proclamation – Dowser Dan Day – To be presented by Council Member Ryan Alter] GOOD MORNING. TODAY WE ARE HERE TO RECOGNIZE DOWSER DAN, AUSTIN WATER SCHOOL ASSEMBLY PROGRAM. UH, FOR OVER 30 YEARS, DOWSER DAN HAS EDUCATED KIDS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION. IF YOU'RE CURIOUS, THE NAME DOWSER COMES FROM THE INDIVIDUALS WHO FIND WATER UNDERGROUND USING STICKS, WHICH I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL THIS, SO... UH, BUT IN 1996, THE CHARACTER WAS PLAYED BY EVAN KELLY AND THE FUN HAS CONTINUED EVER SINCE. AS OF 2023, OVER 500,000 STUDENTS HAVE SEEN THE SHOW. AND IN 2020, THE BRIEF, THE PROJECT DID BRIEFLY PAUSE DUE TO COVID, UH, BUT AUSTIN WATER KEPT IT GOING THROUGH ITS ONLINE CONTENT. AND NOW, THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COLORADO RIVER ALLIANCE, THEY ARE BRINGING FRIENDS OF DOWSER DAN TO LIFE. SO I'M JUST... I WANNA THANK AUSTIN WATER, UH, THE COLORADO RIVER LIFE, UH, RIVER ALLIANCE, EXCUSE ME, FOR ENSURING THAT AUSTIN KIDS LEARN ABOUT OUR CITY'S VITAL RESOURCE AND HOPEFULLY, UH, [00:40:01] MY CHILDREN WILL GET TO PARTICIPATE AND, AND SEE THIS AS WELL AND THEY'LL COME HOME ONE DAY AND TELL ME HOW THEY SAW ALL ABOUT DOWSER DAN. SO WITH THAT, UH, I'D LIKE TO HAND IT OVER TO DIRECTOR ROLSON TO SAY A FEW WORDS. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER AL- ALTER. I'M SHEA RAWLS-ROLSON, DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN WATER, AND I JUST WANNA THANK, UH, EVERYONE HERE TODAY. I WANNA THANK EVAN KELLY, WHO'S BEEN DOWSER DAN FOR 30 YEARS, UH, BRINGING THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER AND WATER CONSERVATION TO OUR COMMUNITY ALL ACROSS AUSTIN. UH, AS WE KNOW, THE BEST WAY, WAY TO REACH PARENTS IS THROUGH THEIR KIDS, AND SO THERE ARE GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES WHO HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER RESOURCES THROUGH DOWSER DAN. AND I WANNA THANK COLORADO RIVER ALLIANCE FOR OUR PARTNERSHIP IN THE STEWARDSHIP OF THE COLORADO RIVER AND, AND, AND IN THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAM AND EXTENDING IT INTO THE FRIENDS OF DOWSER DAN SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO DELIVER, UH, OUR WATER, UM, UH, MESSAGING TO OUR COMMUNITY ACROSS AUSTIN THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP. AND I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE, UH, ADRIAN LONGNECKER, THE, THE, UH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COLORADO RIVER ALLIANCE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. AND THANKS TO ALL OF THE STAFF AND THE BOARD WITH COLORADO RIVER ALLIANCE THAT HAVE JOINED US TODAY FOR THIS REMARKABLE MOMENT. AS EXPERTS IN YOUTH EDUCATION AROUND WATER, WE ARE SO HONORED TO TAKE ON THIS RESPONSIBILITY TO CARRY FORTH THE LEGACY OF DOWSER DAN. WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO INTRODUCE THE FRIENDS OF DOWSER DAN AND OUR NEW STAR OF THE SHOW, DOWSER DANNY. WE ARE LOOKING... WOO. YEAH. THANK YOU. WE LOOK FORWARD TO ENSURING THE LONG-TERM VITALITY OF OUR BELOVED TEXAS COLORADO RIVER FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. NOW I GET TO DO THE, THE MOST FUN, SPECIAL PART HERE. WHO WANTS TO HOLD THE PROCLAMATION? MM-HMM. ALL RIGHT. BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS AUSTIN WATER'S DOWSER DAN SCHOOL ASSEMBLY PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED MEANINGFUL WATER EDUCATION TO OVER HALF A MILLION STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS SINCE 1996. AND WHEREAS DOWSER DAN HAS HELPED PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHERE THEIR WATER COMES FROM AND HOW TO CONSERVE IT. AND WHEREAS EVAN KELLY HAS BROUGHT DOWSER DAN AND HIS CAST OF CHARACTERS TO LIFE FOR ALL 30 YEARS OF THE PROGRAM, IT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE, BECOMING MEMORABLE AND A WELL-LOVED FIGURE IN THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS DOWSER DAN'S LEGACY OF PROTECTING AUSTIN WATER'S S - WATER SOURCE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME WILL CONTINUE THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AUSTIN WATER AND THE COLORADO RIVER ALLIANCE TO PROVIDE THE FRIENDS OF DOWSER DAN SCHOOL PROGRAMMING. SO NOW, THEREFORE, I, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 5TH, 2026 AS DOWSER DAN DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. CONGRATULATIONS. AND LET'S TAKE A PICTURE. ALL RIGHT. YEAH, IF I CAN GET EVERYBODY... * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.