[Call to Order]
[00:00:04]
UH, I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND, UH, CALL TO ORDER TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
TODAY IS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, UH, 2020.
WE'RE HOLDING THIS MEETING, UH, VIRTUALLY.
UM, MAYOR PROTE, DO YOU WANT TO, UM, TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT, UH, HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AS WE'RE GETTING STARTED? SURE.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THAT HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AGAIN THIS WEEK, AND I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CELEBRATION.
THIS YEAR IN PARTICULAR, 2020 HAS BEEN SO CHALLENGING FOR OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY IN SO MANY WAYS.
FOR THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY, WE HAVE ALWAYS FACED DIVERSITY, AND WE HAVE ALWAYS, AND WILL ALWAYS MAKE IT THROUGH THIS YEAR, THOUGH THE WEIGHT OF WHAT WE'RE FACING FEELS ESPECIALLY HEAVY BEING.
EQUITIES WE'VE SUFFERED, SUFFERED IN OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ARE BEING EXACERBATED BY A PANDEMIC THAT HAS LEFT US DISPROPORTIONATELY VULNERABLE.
THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF CITIZENSHIP, THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND CHOOSE.
OUR OWN GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO BE UNDER ATTACK HERE IN TEXAS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
RACIST AND DIVISIVE POLITICS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT CONTINUE TO MAKE LATINOS THE OTHER.
RATHER THAN EMPOWERING AND INCLUDING US.
INHUMANE TREATMENT OF MOSTLY LATINA MIGRANTS BY OUR GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE VIOLENCE, IS THREATENING OUR AUTONOMY AND HUMANITY.
IT IS IN PART BECAUSE OF THOSE OVERWHELMING CHALLENGES THAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH THIS YEAR, MORE THAN EVER.
I LOVE THE SENSE OF CONNECTION AND KINSHIP.
I LOVE THAT THIS CONNECTEDNESS GIVES US STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE, AS WELL AS WARMTH, JOY, AND A SENSE OF PURPOSE.
THE INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS WE HAVE MADE AND CONTINUE TO MAKE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN OR IGNORED BECAUSE THEY'RE PART OF OUR CITY, OUR STATE, AND OUR COUNTRY.
SO, HAPPY HISPANIC HERITAGE MOVE TO EVERYONE.
UM, I HOPE THAT WE'LL EACH LOOK FOR MEANINGFUL WAYS TO CELEBRATE THIS YEAR.
AND THEN I JUST WANTED TO QUICKLY THANK, UM, SOME ORGANIZATIONS, UH, THE, THE OUR LAW DEPARTMENT AND THE WORK THAT THEY DID TO FIGHT US BEFORE, UM, OUR COLLEAGUES WHO STOOD WITH US AT THE CAPITAL WHEN SB FOUR, WHEN WE ANNOUNCED THAT WE WERE GONNA HAVE THAT LEGAL FIGHT.
UH, SO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE COME TOGETHER TO HELP WITH PPE DISTRIBUTION OF MASKS AND SANITIZER, UH, DURING THIS TIME, UH, THE DEL VALLEY COMMUNITY COALITION, THE LATINO COALITION, OUR PUBLIC HEALTH, OBVIOUSLY, COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, THANK YOU FOR HELPING SPONSOR THE ONE IN OUR DISTRICTS, UH, AND SO MANY, IT'S, IT'S JUST TAKEN A REALLY BIG COMMUNITY EFFORT TO HELP, UM, ADDRESS THE DISPARITIES THAT WE'RE SEEING IN THIS PANDEMIC.
SO THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO CONTINUES TO COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR LATINO HISPANIC COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING THIS TIME TO MAKE THOSE COMMENTS NEAR ABSOLUTELY, AND IN SO MANY WAYS.
YOU'RE SPEAKING FOR THE ENTIRE COUNCIL.
SO I WOULD JOIN ALL OF OUR, UH, WELCOMING AND RECOGNITION OF, UH, HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH FOLLOWING ONE DAY AFTER, UH, TODAY, ONE DAY AFTER MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS YESTERDAY.
[Consent Agenda]
GOING TO, UH, BEGIN THIS, UH, MEETING.I'M GONNA READ SOME CHANGES IN CORRECTIONS INTO THE RECORD.
ITEMS 2 7 41 45 AND 50, UH, WERE, UM, ALL, UH, UNANIMOUSLY, UH, RECOMMENDED BY THE ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION WITH COMMISSIONER RAY.
ABSENT, UH, ITEM NUMBER TWO, THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED SEVEN ZERO WITH COMMISSIONERS, UM, UH, BEAK AND SMITH OFF THE DIAS.
ABSENT ONE VACANCY ITEMS FOUR AND FIVE, RECOMMENDED BY THE WATER AND WASTE WATER COMMISSION ON THE SEVEN OH VOTE WITH COMMISSIONERS PART WILLIAMS AND FISHER ABSENT.
ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, POSTPONED OCTOBER 1ST, 2020.
ITEM 31, POSTPONED OCTOBER 1ST, 2020.
ITEM 38, WITHDRAWN AND REPLACED BY ITEM 1 0 5 ON THE ADDENDUM.
ITEM NUMBER 62, UH, IN ADDITION TO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS FLAT, AGAIN, TOVO POOL AND MYSELF ALSO JOINING US SPONSORS OR COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN COUNCIL MEMBER S, COUNCIL MEMBER RENT, COUNCIL MEMBER KAAR AND COUNCIL MEMBER FASHION HARPER MADISON.
UM, BY THE WAY, ON ITEM NUMBER 62, THE BASE
[00:05:01]
MOTION ON THAT SPAN TO BE THE ONE THAT WAS, UH, DISCUSSED ON, ON SUNDAY WITH SOME CHANGES, INCORPORATING AMENDMENTS THAT, UH, UH, WERE, UH, THE GIST OF AMENDMENTS.I THINK WITH RESPECT TO SOME OF THE COLLEAGUES THAT HAD POSTED BEING LEFT OFF, THAT WAS COUNCIL MEMBER POOLS.
UH, THEY'LL BE CIRCULATING AN AMENDMENT TO INCORPORATE THAT.
UH, ALSO, UH, IN THAT, THAT HASN'T ALREADY GONE OUT WOULD GO OUT WIL TERROR.
UH, BUT THAT WAS, THAT WAS SENT OUT TO EVERYBODY YESTERDAY.
I MEAN, WAS SENT OUT TO EVERYBODY THIS MORNING.
AND, UH, BOTH POSTED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD AND EMAILED OUT BY KATIE, UH, THIS MORNING.
DID YOU HAVE, SO, OH, I CAN LOOK ON THE MESSAGE BOARD.
UM, ITEM NUMBER, UH, 69 WITHDRAWN.
UH, ITEM NUMBER 72, UH, IT'S THE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS PRIVATE CONSULTATION FOR LEGAL COUNSEL.
SECTION 5 51 0 7, RUNNING GOVERNMENT CODE.
ITEM NUMBER 89, UH, VALID PETITION HAS BEEN FILED AT OPPOSITION TO THIS ZONING REQUEST.
UH, ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED, UH, ITEM 12 BY, UH, ELLIS, UH, AND ITEM 17 BY, UH, ALTER, UH, 12 AND 17.
TODAY'S CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEMS, HANG ON.
TODAY'S CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEMS ONE THROUGH 64 AND ALSO 95 THROUGH 1 0 7.
UH, THE LATE BACKUP HAS BEEN FILED IN 4 8 11, 13, 14, 17, 21, 31, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62.
UM, ALSO 68, 81, 83, 85, 89, EXCUSE ME, AND 94.
AND ON THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, WHICH WILL CONVENE LATER ITEMS ONE AND TWO.
UH, AND, UH, ITEM FOUR, UH, WE HAVE, UH, TODAY COLLEAGUES, UM, 58 SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON, UH, THIS MORNINGS ITEMS. UH, OTHER THAT, THAT WOULD BE THE CONSENT, THAT WOULD BE THE NON ZONING ITEMS IN THE NON, UH, HOUSING CORPORATION ITEMS. 58 PEOPLE SIGNED UP.
I THINK THERE'S 40 SOME ODD IN Q.
WE'RE GONNA CALL THOSE SPEAKERS AND GIVE EACH, UH, TWO MINUTES TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK, UH, AND WE'LL CONSIDER THE CONSENT, UH, RESOLUTION, THOSE CONSENT ITEMS. UH, AT NOON, WE HAVE CITIZEN COMMUNICATION, UH, EIGHT PEOPLE TO SPEAK.
UH, CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER.
THE OTHER SPEAKERS OVER THE COURSE OF THE DAY OR TWO MINUTES, BUT THAT WOULD HAVE US GOING FROM CITIZENS COMMUNICATION TO ABOUT 1230.
UH, AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE LUNCH.
UH, UH, WE COULD, IF COUNCIL IS INTERESTED, GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSIDER OR TO, TO HAVE FURTHER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT, UH, WHAT WE HAD, UH, UH, DISCUSSED ON ON THURSDAY.
UH, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN GOING BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, UH, ON THAT ITEM, UH, LET ME KNOW SO I MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THAT.
SO WE'LL GO BACK INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, UH, PROBABLY ABOUT ONE 30, UH, AND THEN WE'LL COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION, UH, AS CLOSE TO TWO.
WE'RE SENDING A SIGN AS WE CAN AT TWO O'CLOCK, UH, OR THEREAFTER, UH, WE CAN TAKE UP THE, UH, ZONING, UH, MATTERS.
IT LOOKS LIKE THERE MAY BE FIVE DISCUSSION MATTERS IN ZONING.
UH, WE HAVE, UH, SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ABOUT 38 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AT A COUPLE MINUTES EACH.
UH, AND THEN WE CAN CONSIDER THOSE ITEMS. THE AUSTIN, UH, HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION SPEAKERS, UH, WILL BE SHOWING UP, UH, AT THREE 30.
I DON'T KNOW HOW CLOSE TO THAT WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO GET, UH, BUT THAT'S THE THIRD TRANCHE OF SPEAKERS.
44 PEOPLE AT TWO MINUTES EACH.
UH, AND THEN, UH, MY HOPE IS TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A DINNER BREAK, UH, AROUND, UH, SIX, UH, PM UH, FOR AN HOUR.
UH, AND THEN, UH, WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE ON.
OBVIOUSLY THESE TIME THINGS ARE GONNA BE A
[00:10:01]
LITTLE BIT LOOSE AS WE SEE HOW LONG WE'RE TAKING IN THE VARIOUS ITEMS, BUT WE HAVE A FULL DAY IN FRONT OF US.UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY.
SO THE CENTRAL HEALTH OVERLAY AND THE AIRPORT OVERLAY HAVE BOTH BEEN WITHDRAWN.
UM, AND THEN, UM, SINCE WE STILL HAVE TO FINISH OUR, UM, EXECUTIVE SESSION ON, UM, 95, YOU SAID THAT WAS ON CONSENT, UM, WE CAN PULL 95 TO, TO TAKE PLACE AFTER THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
CONTINUING ON COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
UM, I, I'M GONNA NEED TO PULL SIX TO TWO CAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE, I CAN'T TELL, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE AMENDMENT THAT I BROUGHT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BASE.
IT WAS, UM, WE'LL POINT THAT OUT TO YOU.
I DIDN'T, DIDN'T SEE IT ON THE MESSAGE BOARD, BUT I JUST LOOKED REAL QUICK, SO, OKAY.
I'LL HIGHLIGHT THAT AND SEND THAT TO YOU.
KATHY, YOU HAVE THAT CHIP VOICE AGAIN? NO, CAN'T HEAR YOU.
AND KATHY'S PROBABLY GONNA, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED TO GO OUT AND COME BACK.
YOU'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE, UM, LESLIE, WHILE KATHY'S FIGURING THAT OUT, UH, COUNCILWOMAN POOL, UM, ITEM 62 IS PULLED FOR SPEAKERS ANYWHERE, RIGHT? SO I THINK YOU HAD THAT ON THE LIST OF POLLS.
62 IS NOT ON CONSENT, RIGHT? I MEAN, IT'S ON CONSENT, BUT WE'VE PULLED IT OFF CONSENT.
WE'VE PULLED 62 OFF CONSENT FOR SPEAKERS AND FOR DISCUSSION AMENDMENTS, SPEAKERS WILL ALL BE SPEAKING IN THE INITIAL GROUP.
UM, I ALSO WANTED TO DRAW EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION TO THE EMAILS WE'VE BEEN GETTING ON AFC ITEMS ONE AND TWO.
I WAS, I AM PREPARED TO PULL THOSE, ASK THAT THEY BE, UM, POSTPONE FOR ADDITIONAL, UM, INFORMATION BEING, UM, ASSEMBLED ON THAT.
BUT WE DO HAVE EITHER 58 OR 44 SPEAKERS ON A AGENDA, UM, ADDRESS.
HOW MANY ARE ON THAT? I HEARD FIRST I HEARD 58 UNIT THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY 44.
AT ANY RATE, THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE SPEAKING ON THE H C, UM, AGENDA, AND I BELIEVE THEY'RE ALL FOCUSED ON ITEMS ONE AND TWO.
AND THOSE WERE THE TWO PROBABLY FROM FOLKS BECAUSE TO SPEAK TODAY, BUT I AM PREPARED TO JUST
AND I THINK THE BULK OF THOSE ARE ON ITEMS ONE AND TWO, IS THAT RIGHT? THAT WOULD BE MY GUESS.
SO WHAT I PROPOSED IS YOU GO AHEAD AND LISTEN TO FOLKS AND, UM, AND SEE WHAT THAT DISCUSSION SOUNDS LIKE.
BUT I, I WILL BE HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION TO POST ON THAT ITEM SO ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY CAN BE HEARD AND, UM, ABSORB.
WE'LL GET TO THERE WHEN WE GET TO THE AUSTIN FINANCE CORPORATION MEETING.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER? YES, COUNCIL MEMBER ALICE FIRST, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER RENTER.
I KNOW THAT YOU DID MENTION THAT ITEM 12 WOULD BE, UM, PULLED TO GO WITH 67, I BELIEVE IT IS.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO DRIVE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION.
THERE IS AN EMAIL FROM KATIE AND A POST ON THE MESSAGE FOR WORKED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER FLA AGAIN TO INCORPORATE SOME OF THE IDEAS AND CONVERSATIONS WE HAD ON TUESDAY.
SO I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT SO PEOPLE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW IT BEFORE THAT ITEM COMES UP.
[00:15:11]
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? YES, GO AHEAD.WELL, ON THE HOUSING, I, I, I REALLY WANNA HAVE THEM MAKE THAT PRESENTATION.
YOU KNOW, UH, I THINK THERE WAS SOME MISINFORMATION OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
UH, YOU KNOW, THESE, UH, THERE'S SOME IMAGINE ART, IT'S NOT, IT'S, UH, FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXTREME DISABILITIES AND ARE TAKING CARE OF BY, OF THEIR, BY THEIR PARENTS RIGHT NOW, BUT THEY, THEY'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM.
THEY'RE, UH, THIS TIME HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THESE, THESE PEOPLE AND SOME OF THEM ARE EVEN ALREADY CREATIVE PEOPLE AND, AND WE NEED TO START SERVICING THIS POPULATION OF PEOPLE THAT WHEN THEIR PARENTS DIE, THEY BECOME WARD OF THE STATE AND, AND, UH, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO KEEP THESE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY BE PRODUCTIVE AT THE SAME TIME AND HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE STAFF MADE THAT PRESENTATION BEFORE WE GET STARTED ON ANYTHING.
AND MAY I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH THAT.
WE, IT'S CLEAR THAT THERE IS, UM, A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AS TO THE, UM, THOSE TWO ITEMS. AND I AGREE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS WE CAN GET OUT TODAY, INCLUDING HEARING FROM FOLKS, BUT MAYBE THAT WE WILL NEED TO POSTPONE THE, THE, UH, ANY KIND OF ACTION TO ALLOW THAT INFORMATION TO BE ABSORBED AND ANY ADDITIONAL S IN THAT, THAT WOULD BE IRONED OUT.
WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GOING TO GET STAFF TO SPEAK AND THEN WE'LL LISTEN TO THE SPEAKERS AND THEN WE CAN DECIDE WHAT TO DO.
THAT'LL BE IN THE HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION MEETING THAT WILL BE CONVENING, UH, UH, A LITTLE BIT, UH, A LITTLE BIT LATER.
MAYOR, CAN I TRY AGAIN? YES, GO AHEAD.
KATIE, CAN YOU HEAR ME IN YES.
SO I'VE LOST TRACK OF, OF A FEW THINGS.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST IF THEY'RE NOT ALREADY PULLED, IT WASN'T CLEAR TO ME WHAT THE END RESULT OF SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS WHERE I'D LIKE TO PULL 62.
AND I WAS STARTING TO SAY I HAD CIRCULATED AN AMENDMENT TO MY AMENDMENT AND I WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT YOURS TO SEE WHAT CHANGES MIGHT BE NECESSARY.
BUT I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR STAFF ABOUT SOME THEIR, SO I DO NEED TO TALK ABOUT THAT ISSUE.
UM, 18, I KNOW I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER PULLED 95 FOR AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I HAVE
AND SO IF WE COULD TAKE THOSE ALL THREE TOGETHER, UNLESS THERE'S, UNLESS THAT PULLS STAFF INTO THE CONVERSATION AND MAKES THEM WAIT FOR HOURS, WHO WOULDN'T OTHERWISE HAVE TO WORK CASE? UM, WE CAN KNOCK OUT 18 AND 48 PROBABLY, BUT IF IT, IF IT DOESN'T, UH, CAUSE US STAFF, CAUSE SOME, YOU KNOW, ATTENDING THE MEETING, WHO WOULDN'T OTHERWISE, I'D LIKE TO TAKE THOSE THREE UP TOGETHER.
UM, I HAVE A QUICK DISCUSSION I WANNA HAVE ABOUT
UM, I'M SORRY, 17, THE LAST ONE, KATHY, I DIDN'T HEAR THE LAST ONE.
UM, 17, DID THAT GET WHAT'S PULLED SO FAR AS 12 17 54 AND 62? UH, AND UM, 95 AND THEN YOU ALSO WANTED TO PULL, WHAT DID YOU SAY? UH, 18 AND 48.
AGAIN, IF STAFF WOULD LET ME KNOW IF THAT PULLS SOMEBODY IN WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO THEIR REGULAR WORKDAY.
UM, AND THEN I CAN JUST READ THE DIRECTION ABOUT THOSE AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT LATER.
UNLESS STAFF LETS US KNOW, OTHERWISE IT'D BE BETTER TO HANDLE THEM EARLIER.
AND 67 WE'RE TAKING UP LATER AS PART OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS.
COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR CALLING OUR ATTENTION TO INFORMATION ON THE MESSAGE BOARD.
I HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THAT AND WASN'T AWARE THAT THERE WAS ANY, SO THANK YOU.
UM, I HAD, I HAD INTENDED TO SUBMIT, AND I THINK I INDICATED THIS ON TUESDAY, SOME QUESTIONS, UM, RELATED TO 67 AND DID NOT GET THEM INTO THE QUESTION ANSWER IN TIME.
AND SO WHAT, WE CAN CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT THEM TODAY, BUT I HAD SOME QUESTIONS AND THEN AN AMENDMENT THAT BUILT ON THOSE QUESTIONS.
AND SO I WOULD JUST ASK OUR, MY COUNCIL
[00:20:01]
COLLEAGUES, IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER POSTPONING 67 TO 10 AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO TEN ONE, UM, THAT MIGHT, THAT MIGHT BE THE MOST EXPEDIENT WAY TO TAKE CARE OF IT.THERE'S JUST A LOT GOING ON ON THIS AGENDA AND I THINK THAT ONE REQUIRES JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE, A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME HAVING, HAVING URGED SPEED FOR THE YEAR OR SO THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS.
AND NOW I GUESS ASKING IF WE COULD JUST TAKE A COUPLE MORE WEEKS ON THAT 1 67 THOUGH, NOT 12.
AND I THINK THAT'S 60 SEVEN'S NOT PART OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, RIGHT? YEAH, I WAS JUST MENTIONING IT CUZ 12 WAS, AND I KNOW IT'S BEING TAKEN OUT LATER, BUT I JUST WANTED PEOPLE TO BE THINKING ABOUT WHETHER THAT'S, THEY COULD SUPPORT, UNDERSTAND.
UH, AND AGAIN, I CAN'T SEE THE SCREEN.
DOES SOMEBODY WANNA TALK BEFORE WE GO TO THE SPEAKERS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? UM, I WANTED TO SPEAK BRIEFLY ON 34 AFTER THE SPEAKERS SPEAK.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN HAS HER HAND UP.
UM, I'M JUST GONNA HAVE A BRIEF COMMENT ON 1 0 7.
I THINK IT CAN STAY ON CONSENT, BUT, UH, SO IT'S JUST A HEADS UP ON THAT ONE.
I'LL CALL YOU AFTER WE'VE HAD THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
LET'S GO THEN TO THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS AS THE CLERK HERE, UH, THE COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, GRAD KAAR HAVE THEIR HANDS UP THERE.
AND AGAIN, I CAN'T SEE, SO SPEAK UP COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER KAAR.
AND I APOLOGIZE, I COULDN'T RE MUTED.
I I WAS SAYING I, UH, I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, BUT HAPPY TO WAIT TILL AFTER SPEAKERS.
I WANTED TO NOTE FOR PEOPLE, UH, A SMALL AMENDMENT ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, UM, THAT WE POSTED AS THE MESSAGE BOARD.
YELLOW COPY SHOULD GET TO Y'ALL RELATED TO, UH, TO MAINTAINING THE SYSTEM OF REGULATING OUR PLUMBING AND KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE THAT WAY.
AND THEN THE, UH, PROBABLY HERE IN FIVE MINUTES OR SO, WE'LL POST UP ON MAKING REALLY CLEAR WHAT THE, UH, CITY STANDARDS ARE FOR WORKERS ON THE KINDS OF PROJECTS LIKE THE, UM, LIKE THE PROPOSED CONVENTION CENTER, UH, EXPANSION AND PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
UH, SINCE IN THE PAST IT WAS, OUR CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT, UH, CONVENTION CENTER, BUT NOW THAT THERE'S OFFICE AND HOTEL ASSOCIATED WITH IT, UH, JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE, UM, UH, EXTENDING OUR WORKER PROTECTIONS AND, AND, UH, AND ANTI-LABOR DISRUPTION RULES TO THE CUSTODIAL AND HOTEL STAFF ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE DEVELOPMENTS IF THEY OCCUR.
SO THAT WILL BE, I THINK LAW AND REAL ESTATE ARE LOOKING AT THAT.
AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE THAT POSTED BY 10 30 IN FOUR MINUTES.
UH, COUNCIL ON POOL AND THEN AFTER WE HEAR FROM SPEAKERS, I'D LIKE TO MAKE COMMENT ON 17 ALSO.
EVERYONE WILL, YEAH, AFTER THE SPEAKERS ARE OPEN, WE COME BACK TO US AND ANYBODY CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING THAT'S ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UM, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE MY AMENDMENTS FOR 17, I HAVE TO MAKE THEM AS AMENDMENTS, BUT THEY WERE POSTED THE MESSAGE BOARD, I'M NOT ANTICIPATING ANY PROBLEM WITH THEM RELATED TO SCHOOL FINANCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS THAT I WOULD HATE TO HAVE STAFF HAVE TO STAY FOREVER FOR THAT.
WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN TAKE THAT ONE UP FIRST.
CAUSE I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING CONTROVERSIAL ON THOSE, ANY DISCUSSION.
[Public Comment]
DO WE WANNA, LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL THE SPEAKERS TWO MINUTES EACH.THESE ARE SPEAKERS SPEAKING ON ANYTHING ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA TODAY, OTHER THAN ZONING CASES AND THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, THOSE TWO THINGS WILL BE CALLED LATER IN THE DAY.
OKAY, SO MAYOR FOR, WELL, I'M SORRY, SPEAKERS IN QUEUE.
NOW, UM, MAYOR, WE ALSO HAD A SPANISH SPEAKER, BUT SHE ENDED UP HANGING UP, SO SHE'S LISTENING.
JA LASAN, WE'RE READY FOR YOU.
UM, THE FIRST SPEAKER WILL BE VICTORIA GUERRERO.
VICTORIA, PLEASE BE SURE TO UNMUTE.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO AND I'M CALLING TO URGE COUNCIL TO APPROVE ITEMS 26 AND 62.
[00:25:01]
AM IN THE PRIVILEGED PHYSICIAN TO BE ABLE TO WORK FROM HOME WITH MY SON DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, BUT TOO MANY FAMILIES IN AUSTIN ARE NOT AS PRIVILEGED.50% OF CHILDCARE CENTERS HAVE CLOSED, LEAVING MANY FAMILIES HAVING TO MAKE THE DIFFICULT CHOICE BETWEEN WORKING AND THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILDREN.
I'M A RECRUITER HERE IN AUSTIN AND THREE WOMEN THAT I EMPLOY WERE COMPELLED TO QUIT THEIR JOBS LAST WEEK DUE TO A LACK OF AVAILABILITY OF CHILDCARE IN THE AUSTIN AREA.
AS A COMMUNITY AND AS A CITY, WE MUST SUPPORT FAMILY'S ABILITY TO ACCESS STABLE AND NURTURING CHILDCARE.
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ACCESS TO QUALITY CHILDCARE DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING CAN DRAMATICALLY REDUCE IN EQUALITIES FOR CHILDREN WHO GROW UP LIVING IN POVERTY.
THE FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SUPPORT ECONOMIC STABILITY OF OUR FAMILIES AND THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN DEPRIVES US OF THEIR POTENTIAL AND ERODES OUR IDEAL EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.
AQUA QUALITY CHILDCARE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE INVESTMENTS OUR COMMUNITY CAN MAKE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND I HOPE THAT YOU WOULD VOTE TO ADOPT ITEM 26 62 AND INVEST IN OUR'S FUTURE.
MICHELLE MICHELLE, BE SURE TO UNMUTE.
I'M THE EARLY CHILDHOOD ORGANIZER FOR GO AUSTIN VA AUSTIN.
I AM ALSO A MOTHER AND A PERSON WHO HAS STRUGGLED TO AFFORD, UH, IN THE PAST TO PAY FOR, UM, QUALITY CHILDCARE.
UM, I ASK YOU TO VOTE YES TO ITEM 26 AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A 12 MONTH HUGE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACT WITH CHILD INC.
TO FUND AND ADMINISTER THE EARLY HEADSTART CHILDCARE PROGRAM.
UM, ALSO TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORTS OF ITEM 62, WHICH, UH, DIRECTS CITY MANAGER CHRONIC TO EXPLORE AND IDENTIFY FUNDING OPTIONS TO SUPPORT THE MULTIPLE VULNERABLE INSTITUTIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING AND ESPECIALLY CHILDCARE.
UM, I SEE THIS AS A FIRST STEP IN SUPPORTING, UM, THIS ESSENTIAL, UM, SECTOR OF OUR COMMUNITY AND HOPING THAT THIS IS, UH, SOMETHING THAT WILL, UH, BE MORE, UM, PART OF THE MAINSTREAM CON CONVERSATION AT CITY COUNCIL, REALLY PRIORITIZING OUR FAMILIES AND OUR YOUNG CHILDREN.
THIS IS PAUL CORDERO SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION, THEIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE 1,735 PROPERTIES AND OVER 1000 RENTAL HOUSING PROVIDERS WHO OWN, MANAGE, AND OPERATE 260,000 RENTAL HOMES IN THE GREATER AUSTIN AREA.
PLEASE KNOW, BEFORE WE BEGIN THAT WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED PUBLIC SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP DURING THIS TIMES, AND WE UN ALSO UNDERSTAND THE REASONS BEHIND YOUR DESIRE TO FURTHER EXTEND THE 60 DAY NOTICE OF PROPOSED EVICTION, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER 1 0 6.
NOW, I KNOW THIS ITEM IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND I HATE TO BO DOWN THE MEETING, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU KNOW THAT THIS ORDINANCE HAS CAUSED CONFUSION, DESTABILIZED APARTMENT KEY OPERATIONS, AND UNFORTUNATELY HAS PROVIDED RESIDENTS NOT IMPACTED BY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION.
THAT'S WHY WE WOULD, WOULD JUST LET WE REQUEST THAT THIS, THIS, UH, ORDINANCE JUST EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE MONTH AS IT'S, UH, ORIGINALLY WRITTEN OR AS IT'S WRITTEN NOW, YOU KNOW, IT WAS PLACE BECAUSE BEFORE THERE WAS ANY FEDERAL, UH, TERRORS ACT AND BEFORE ANY LOCAL EMERGENCY RENTAL RELIEF WAS AVAILABLE, UH, THEN IT WAS EXTENDED BECAUSE THE CARES ACT DIDN'T COVER ALL PROPERTIES.
BUT NOW THERE'S 13 MILLION IN DIRECT RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR AUSTINITES AND THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, UH, ANNOUNCED IN ADDICTION MORATORIUM ON SEPTEMBER 4TH TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID THAT COVERS ALL PROPERTIES THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST.
NOW, ALTHOUGH NOT PERFECT, THE CDC EVICTION MORATORIUM APPLIES THE RESIDENTS WHO DECLARE THEMSELVES IMPACTED BY COVID AND AT THIS ASPECT OF THE RULE ALLOWS THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE THEIR PROPERTY.
THE 60 DAY ORDINANCE DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME, UH, ASPECT.
UH, JUST A FEW FINAL POINTS TO, UH, TO A STATE THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO NOTE.
IF YOU EXTEND THE 60 DAY NOTICE, THESE NOTICES WILL CONTINUE TO BE ISSUED EVEN TO THOSE WHO DECLARE THEMSELVES IMPACTED BY UNDER THE CDC RULES BECAUSE OF THE QUIRKY LEGAL REASONS TO WHICH.
SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND, AND LOOK FORWARD TO MAYBE A CONTINUING DISCUSSION ON THIS ORDINANCE IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.
[00:30:01]
HAYNES.MY NAME IS LINDSAY HAYNES AND I'M THE OWNER OF METRIC PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.
WE MANAGE 48 APARTMENTS IN AUSTIN.
I SPEND NO LESS THAN 25% OF MY TIME HELPING MY RESIDENTS WITH RENTAL APPLICATIONS AND GLADLY, SO THOSE THAT APPLY HAVE MOSTLY BEEN ACCEPTED.
ONE OF MY RESIDENTS, THE 60 YEAR OLD HOME HEALTHCARE WORKER, TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS TOO FAR BEHIND AND PROBABLY JUST GOING TO MO.
I SAID, NO, WE'RE GONNA TRY AND FIGURE THIS OUT TOGETHER.
AND I GOT TO WORK HELPING HER FIND RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
RENTAL HOUSING PROVIDERS DON'T WANT TO EVICT RESIDENTS.
THE GUIDANCE FROM THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION TO OUR MEMBERSHIP WAS TO WAIVE WEIGHT FEES, OFFER PAYMENT PLANS, AND TRY AND HELP OUR RESIDENTS HOWEVER POSSIBLE.
AND WE HAVE REMEMBER THAT RENTAL HOUSING PROVIDERS COME IN MANY SHAPES AND SIZES.
FOR INSTANCE, THE VETERAN THAT I SOLD MY DUPLEX TO ON NORTHEAST DRIVE, HE WAS A LOW OFFER OUT OF FOUR, BUT HIS OFFER CAME WITH A HEARTWARMING LETTER EXPLAINING THAT HE WAS A VETERAN WHO WAS STARTING A FAMILY.
HE HAS A LANDLORD NOW AND HE CANNOT COVER HIS MORTGAGE BECAUSE HIS SINGLE TENANT HASN'T PAID A DIME SINCE MAY AND WON'T APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE.
THE ORDER MEANS THAT THE VETERAN HAS NO RECOURSE BUT TO KEEP WAITING.
60 DAYS WHEN HOUSING PROVIDERS DON'T LOVE THE CDC ORDERS, IT SHOULD HAVE COME WITH MORE FEDERAL AID, BUT WE DO RESPECT THAT THERE IS FINALLY ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE TENANT.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE FOOD, YOU DON'T GET TO WALK INTO HEB AND TAKE WHAT YOU NEED.
YOU CAN GO TO THE FOOD BANK AND I BET YOU COULD EVEN ASK H HEB FOR HELP, BUT YOU DON'T GET TO TAKE FROM A BUSINESS IF YOU CAN'T PAY YOUR RENT.
YOU HAVE TO ASK YOUR RENTAL HOUSING PROVIDER FOR HELP.
YOU HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE FINANCIAL IMPACT.
YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
YOU DON'T GET TO EXPECT NO RENT AND NO EFFORT AND THEN NO RECOURSE.
I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WILL FEEL NO OBLIGATION TO PAY THEIR RENT.
IF THERE IS ZERO RECOURSE, I'M HELPING 20% OF MY RESIDENTS, BUT PAYMENT AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER 20% THAT AREN'T PAYING A PENNY AND WON'T EVEN TALK TO ME OR APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CURRENT RULES ALLOW THEM TO, HOW DO I POSSIBLY CONTINUE TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE DOING THEIR VERY BEST WHEN THE PROPERTY RUNS OUTTA MONEY BECAUSE OF THOSE THAT AREN'T EVEN TRYING? TWO OF YOU ARE RENTERS, SO CONSIDER WHO IS GOING TO PAY THE MAINTENANCE PEOPLE WHEN RENTAL HOUSING PROVIDERS RUN OUT OF MONEY PICKING TAG, WHICH MEANS WHEN SELL THEY WILL FOR A HIGHER PRICE.
KEN RIDDLE, KEN RIDDLE WITH PUBLIC CONSULTING GROUP AND OUR ITEM IS NUMBER 49 AND IT WAS JUST GONNA BE AVAILABLE IF THERE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THAT ITEM.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO CONDUCTING THE DISPATCH AND OPTIMIZATION EFFICIENCY FOR THE CITY AND UH, WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT.
HOWARD MOORE? YES, MY NAME IS, UH, HOWARD MOORE.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
UM, I JUST REALLY HAVE A QUESTION, UM, ABOUT THE DEFUND OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
UM, I'VE BEEN RUNNING ON THE HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL FOR A LONG TIME.
UH, I WAS RUNNING THIS LAST SATURDAY, UH, AS I WAS RUNNING A COUPLE OF, UH, POLICEMEN ON BICYCLES PAST ME.
UH, WHEN I FINISHED AND I WAS AT THE STRETCHING ROCK, I WENT OVER THERE TO THANK THEM FOR BEING THERE AND THEY SAID, WELL, WE'RE NOT GONNA BE HERE AFTER JANUARY.
AND I SAID, THAT CAN'T BE TRUE.
I'VE HEARD ON THE MEDIA THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT BEING DEFUNDED.
UH, SO I GUESS THAT'S MY QUESTION.
UH, SURELY Y'ALL HEARD ABOUT THE ATTEMPTED RAPE FOLLOWED BY, UH, ARMED JOGGER ON THE TRAIL.
YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT SPEEDING BIKES, HITTING JOGGERS, HITTING WOMEN WITH, UH, KIDS IN STROLLERS.
UH, WE NEED BIKE POLICEMEN DOWN THERE ON THAT TRAIL.
SO I GUESS MY QUESTION RIGHT NOW, WHAT IS THE TRUTH? WILL THE POLICE BIKE PATROL STILL BE GUARDING THE SAFETY OF THE TAX PAYING CITIZENS OR NOT? AND THAT'S THE END OF MY QUESTION.
CAN GO THE NEXT SPEAKER TO ABOUT STEVEN I'LL OPPORTUNITY TODAY.
[00:35:08]
UH, GOOD MORNING, SOMEONE WITH FRANCO HERE, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE DRIVE COMMUNITY.
I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT I APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK AND EFFORT, NOT ONLY OUR STAFF, BUT THEIR CONSULTANTS AND DEVELOP CONVENT CENTER PROJECT.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I HAVE NO OPINION ON WHETHER THE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD AND THAT I GENERALLY SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT, PARTICULARLY IN ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS.
I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS TODAY, COUNCIL IS VOTING TO SO EXECUTION OF EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION AGREEMENT WITH ALL NECESSARY PARTIES FOR ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF A WESTWARD NOTE TO WESTWARD EXPANSION OF THE COMMANDED CENTER SPACE.
WHILE Y'ALL MAY KNOW IT'S IN THE AGREEMENT, THE PUBLIC DOES NOT KNOW IT'S IN THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT THAT IS THE CRUX OF MY ISSUE WITH THIS PROCESS.
I UNDERSTAND THE REAL ESTATE EXCEPTION ALLOWS COUNCIL TO NEGOTIATE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
HOWEVER, A PROCUREMENT SUCH AS THEY SHOULD BE MADE SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC THE PROJECT SCOPE, THE MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACTUAL TERMS BEFORE YOU EX EXECUTE AGREEMENT OF THIS MAGNITUDE.
FURTHERMORE, THERE'S BEEN NO COMPETITION TO ENSURE THE FEES OR OTHER PAYMENTS MADE BY THE CITY ARE COMPETITIVE AND BEING PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED PARTIES, WHICH IS SACRED IN ANY PUBLIC PROJECT.
THE COUNCIL INSTEAD IS TRYING TO SOLE SOURCE WHAT EVENTUALLY WOULD BE A MULTI BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT TO GROUP DEVELOPERS OWN LAND, BUT HAVE NOT HAD TO MEET ANY SORT OF MINIMUM PREQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.
YOU MADE THIS REAL ESTATE AGREEMENT BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO BUY THE LAND WEST OF THE CONVENTION CENTER, HOWEVER, ALL YOU REALLY HAD TO DO TO ACCOMPLISH THE SAME GOAL AND EXPAND WESTWARD WAS GET AN OPTION ON THE LAND AND THEN HOLD A COMPETITION AMONG QUALIFIED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPERS WITH COMPETING DESIGNS, PROJECT COSTS AND FEES.
THIS LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND TOTAL DISREGARD FOR CENTER PROCUREMENT PROCESSES FOR PROJECTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE IS JUST PLAYING WRONG IN IRRESPONSIBLE AT BEST AS A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY.
I'M HERE TO SAY THIS IS NOT RIGHT.
WHAT ELSE DO WE NOT KNOW ABOUT WHAT THE CITY EXPECTS TO GET OR NOT GET FROM THE DEVELOPER IN THIS MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT ARE IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS FOR EVERY CITY PROJECT SUCH AS WORKER PROTECTIONS FOR VULNERABLE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS INCLUDED ARE SMALL BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS INCLUDED.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM DEVELOPER COMMITMENT ON UTILIZATION OF MINORITY OWNED FIRMS? WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM COMMUNITY BENEFITS SUCH AS MUSIC VENUES AND CREATIVE SPACES THE DEVELOPER MUST ACHIEVE BESIDES A PARTIALLY COMPLETE CONVENTION CENTER? HAS THE DEVELOPER EVEN CONFIRMED THAT THIS WESTWARD EXPANSION WORKS WITH THE PROJECT CONNECT AND THE UNDERGROUND DOWNTOWN TRANSIT CENTER THAT APPEAR TO BE IN THE SAME EXACT LOCATION BEFORE YOU PAID HIM 3.6 0.3 MILLION? WHAT THE PUBLIC DOES KNOW FOR CERTAIN IS THAT IF YOU MOVE FORWARD THIS TODAY, YOU WILL GREEN TO PURCHASE LAND WEST CONVENTION CENTER, WHICH IS COUNTRY STRATEGIC FOR THE CITY OF BOSTON'S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND AFFORDABILITY.
I ASK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY WITHOUT THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT BEING MADE PUBLIC, NO ONE KNOWS.
NEXT UP IS I BELIEVE WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH RECONNECT WITH THE SPANISH SPEAKERS.
SO IF THE INTERPRETER CAN GET READY, YES.
WELL SHE HUNG UP
NEXT SPEAKER IS CARLOS LEON SOY CARLOS LEON, FIRST AND FOREMOST FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TO ITEM 17 PER BACKUP EXHIBIT.
A MAYOR AND COUNCIL CLAIMED TO SUPPORT PROTECTING AUSTIN RESIDENTS RIGHTS TO WORK WITH CITY GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE ORDINANCES, ADDRESSING OUR SAFETY AND PUBLIC WELFARE, INCLUDING INVESTIGATIONS, TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC REPORTING OF MISCONDUCT AND COMPLAINTS.
THEREFORE, SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2020 WITH THE CITY AUDITOR, I FILED A NEW REQUEST TO INVESTIGATE CAT METRO SECURITY GUARD LONNIE HORNSBY, SUPERVISOR ROBERT LEWIS, SECURITY HEAD, BLAIR SPIKES AND PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOR JACOB LADI FOR ALLEGEDLY CONSPIRING TO TAMPER WITH GOVERNMENTAL RECORDS TO DEFRAUD AND HARM ABUSING THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITIES TO COMMIT OFFICIAL OPPRESSION TO PROTECT INSTEAD OF PUNISH HORNSBY FOR TRYING TO ILLEGALLY DENY ENTRANCE TO THE CAT METRO TRANSIT STORE DURING OPEN BUSINESS HOURS JULY 20TH, 2020 TO ILLEGALLY STOP AND RETALIATE AGAINST LEGAL WHISTLE BLOWING OF CAT METRO BUS DRIVERS, VIOLATING RULES AND OR CONSTITUTIONAL LAW.
LABOR'S AUGUST 28 LETTER WITH FINALIZED REPORT BY HORNSBY SIGNED OFF BY LEWIS ARE FULL OF FALSE, MISLEADING AND OR INCOMPLETE STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION TO TRY CREATING EX-POST FACTO A FALSE OPPOSITE ANTI REALITY TO GASLIGHT ATTORNEY GENERAL PAXTON.
THEREFORE, HORNSBY LEWIS AND LABE ALLEGEDLY ARE PATHOLOGICAL LIARS AND CRIMINALS WHO SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY FIRED AND PROSECUTED, THREATENING OUR PUBLIC SAFETY VIOLATING CONSTITUTIONAL LAW.
THEREFORE PUNISH CAP METRO BY VOTING
[00:40:01]
NO ON PROJECT CONNECT TO NOT RAISE PROPERTY TAXES, TO NOT GIVE CAP METRO 7 BILLION IN NOVEMBER, TAKE MONEY FROM CAP METRO AND GIVE IT TO LAW BITING PROGRAMS, MAKING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER BECAUSE ALL LIVES MATTER TRUMP 2020.MAYOR, COULD I JUST INTERJECT HERE THAT I FEEL LIKE IT IS AGAINST OUR CIVIL DISCOURSE AND CIVIC DECORUM FOR ANYONE TO CALL ANYONE ELSE A LIAR EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CITIZENS COMMUNICATION.
I WANT TO REGISTER MY DISAPPROVAL OF THAT KINDA LANGUAGE, UM, FROM CITIZENS TOWARD OTHER CITIZENS.
COUNCIL TOVA, I SAID THANK YOU FOR THAT AND PLEASE GO TO THE NEXT SPEAKER.
JENNIFER HI IS JENNIFER SORRY, GO AHEAD.
UM, THIS IS JENNIFER HICKS WITH TRUE CASA CONSULTING, UM, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF RUTLAND, UM, ITEM NUMBER 68.
UM, ON BEHALF OF KARA AND THE GROUP, WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE PARTNERING WITH THE CITY OF AND THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION TO CREATE 171 UNITS OF DEEPLY SUPPORTIVE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT A TIME WHEN IT'S SO CRITICALLY NEEDED IN OUR CITY.
OUR TEAM IS ALREADY IN DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT AND A FINANCING PLAN WITH 4% CREDIT TAX CREDITS AND PRIVATE ACTIVITY BONDS IS UNDERWAY.
UM, JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS, UM, HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE FOR THIS CITY'S SUPPORT AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BUILD, UM, THE CAPACITY OF, UM, AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS AND GET MORE UNITS ON THE GROUND.
I JUST WANTED AVAILABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
HI, MY NAME'S KATE HOWARD AND I'M A MUSICIAN.
I'M IN FAVOR OF ITEM 62 AND AGAINST ITEM 95.
UM, AUSTIN PROVIDES A SOUNDTRACK FOR LIFE, NOT JUST LOCALLY, BUT THE WORLD OVER IT.
SMALL INDEPENDENT MUSIC VENUES AND AUSTIN FALL BY THE WAYSIDE.
NEW MUSICIANS WILL NO LONGER HAVE WORKSPACE.
THE SILENCE THAT WILL RIPPLE THE WORLD OVER AS A RESULT WILL BE DEAFENING.
THE NEWS AND AUSTIN MUST BE FUNDED AND THAT FUNDING CAN COME FROM THE 200 MILLION EXPANSION OF THE CONVENTION CENTER AND ASKING FOR THE GRACE AND GENEROSITY AS THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL, UM, TO KEEP SMALL MUSIC THINGS ALIVE.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
HI, MY NAME IS JULIE MELAN AND I'M A MUSICIAN, SINGER, SONGWRITER.
UH, I LIVE IN DISTRICT NUMBER TWO, UH, AND GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND GOOD MORNING.
I AM HERE TO SUPPORT THE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 62 TO HELP, UH, MUSIC VENUES AND ARTS VENUES.
I'M FROM FLORENCE, ITALY AND I MOVED TO AUSTIN EIGHT YEARS AGO AND I BECAME A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY PERFORMING AND PLAYING AND SUPPORTING HIM AND SIMS AND, AND RECORDING MAKING RECORDS AND ALL OF THAT.
AND, UM, I WANT TO TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF, UH, RESOLUTION 62.
AND I WANNA SAY AUSTIN IS AN AMAZING PLACE IN THE WORLD.
SOMEONE LIKE ME LEFT FLORENCE, ITALY, WHICH IS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING CITIES IN THE WORLD BECAUSE OF THE VITALITY AND CREATIVE ENERGY OF THIS CITY.
AND WHEN I SEE PLACES LIKE THREAD YIELDS AND SHADY GROVE AND ONE TO ONE DISAPPEAR, THIS BREAKS MY HEART AND OFTEN WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN ANYMORE.
AND IT'S GONNA ALSO IMPACT OF COURSE AND AND REVENUE FOR THE CITY.
SO I'M HERE TO SAY I KNOW THAT UH, GOOD WORK OFTEN HAS PROPOSED, UM, THE CREATION OF A SENDING 5 MILLION FUND OF GRANTS AND LOANS FOR LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES.
AND SO I'M HERE TO PLEASE, UH, STRONGLY REQUEST THE COUNCIL APPROVE OF THE RESOLUTION 62 AND SUPPORT GOOD AUSTIN GOOD WORK AUSTIN'S PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF, UH, THE 75 MILLION FUND
[00:45:01]
TO INCREASE THE CHANCE OF THIS MUSIC COMMUNITY SURVIVAL OFTEN WILL NEVER BE THE SAME UNLESS, UH, UNLESS THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND, AND YOU MAYOR LER SUPPORT THE LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES AND MUSIC VENUES.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
MY NAME IS WORKING MUSICIAN, THE FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MUSICIANS AND A RESIDENT OF WINDSOR PARK IN DISTRICT ONE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO STRONGLY URGE COUNSEL TO INCLUDE EXPLICIT LANGUAGE AND ITEM 62 THAT CREATES A DEDICATED LIVE MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND.
OUR CITY'S MARKETING DEPARTMENT HAS NO PROBLEM REPEATING.
AUSTIN IS THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
SO WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR OUR CITY COUNCIL TO PUT IN WRITING AND SEND THE STAFF A RESOLUTION THAT CREATES A DEDICATED FUND FOR THE VERY BUSINESSES THAT MADE THAT SLOGAN IMPOSSIBLE AND EMPLOY THOUSANDS OF MUSICIANS HOSPITALITY EVENT AND PRODUCTION STAFF THREAD YIELD BARRACUDA SHADY GROVE I COULD SPEND MY ENTIRE 10 MINUTES LISTING.
THE BIG NEWS THAT HAVE ALREADY CLOSED ARE MUSICIANS WHO ARE FORCED OUT OF THE CITY SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.
YOU HAVE THE DATA, YOU KNOW WHAT'S COMING, GET TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
WHEN AUSTIN MUSIC IS GIVEN SOME PROMISE OF HOPE WITH AN ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION COUNCIL WATERS IT DOWN AND WON'T TAKE SIDES OF ACTION TO HELP SAVE OUR STAGES.
INSTEAD, VENUES AND MUSICIANS ARE LUMPED IN WITH OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES AND FORCED TO JUMP THROUGH HOOPS JUST FOR WHAT TO TAKE A CHANCE ON A LOTTERY.
AUSTIN ISN'T THE SMALL BUSINESS CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
OTHER BUSINESSES AREN'T DRIVING BILLIONS OF TOURISM DOLLARS TO THE CITY'S BANK ACCOUNT.
IT WASN'T JUST ANY SMALL BUSINESSES THAT MADE AUSTIN A BEACON TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.
IT WAS THE MUSICIANS CREATING MUSIC IN LIVE MUSIC VENUES THAT SENT THAT SIGNAL OUT.
OUR MUSIC VENUES ARE OUT OF TIME.
CREATE A DEDICATED LIVE MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND NOW TO MAKE SURE THOSE VENUES HAVE MAN THAT HAVE MANAGED TO HANG ON FOR THIS LONG.
MUSICIANS NEED PLACES TO PLAY WHEN THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON AND SIGNAL THE WORLD'S MUSIC COMMUNITY IS WATCHING AND IT.
MY NAME IS, UH, TAYLOR WALLACE, REGAL RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND TODAY I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 62 AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND ADVOCATE FOR AUSTIN'S MUSIC SCENE.
IT IS ABHORRENT HOW POORLY OUR CITY HAS RESPONDED TO THE COVID CRISIS, SPECIFICALLY REGARDING AUSTIN'S MUSIC VENUES AND THE PEOPLE WHO PERFORM WORK AND RUN THEM.
THEN USER CLOSING IN DROVES AND OUR MUSICIANS, BOOKERS BARTENDERS MANAGERS ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY BILLS.
THEY'RE DEALING WITH IDENTITY CRISIS AND THEIR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ARE RAILING AND SUFFERING AS A RESULT.
YOU'RE AWARE OF HOW DISPROPORTIONATELY COVID AFFECTS MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY BLACK COMMUNITIES, SO AS LIVE MUSIC ONTO THAT.
AND THE PICTURE IS ABJECT DESOLATION EVERY DAY.
AND HERE THESE PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HOW THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO JUST SURVIVE, PAY FOR PRESCRIPTIONS AND HAVE ACCESSES TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO NOT ONLY STAY HEALTHY BUT NOT DIE.
SPEAKING OF THE SERVICE INDUSTRY DUE TO THE LACK OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT, THEY'RE BEING FORCED TO GO TO WORK IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE ARE PACKED IN AND PATRONS DON'T WEAR MASKS BECAUSE APPARENTLY COVID DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE.
ONCE YOU SIT DOWN AT A TABLE EXACERBATING THE ISSUE AND REINFORCING THE MESSAGE BEING SENT BY OUR CITY THAT WE DON'T CARE IF YOU DIE.
I AMLO CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT ITEM 62 AND CREATE A DEDICATED MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND AND OTHER DEDICATED FUNDS FOR BLACK LATINX AND AAPI MUSICIAN AND VENUE FUNDS, NOT THROUGH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.
THERE IS NO LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL WITHOUT MUSIC VENUES AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE THERE WITHIN.
GOOD DAY MAYOR ADLER MAYOR APPROACH HIM GARZA AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I LIVE IN COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON'S, DISTRICT ONE.
I AM AN OWNER AT CASEY'S NEW ORLEANS SNOWBALLS.
LOCATED NEAR 51ST STREET AND AIRPORT BOULEVARD AND COUNCIL MEMBER TOBO DISTRICT NINE.
WE ARE ALSO CLOSE TO COUNCIL MEMBER KASSAR'S DISTRICT FOUR.
I AM HERE TO SUPPORT THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION THAT DIRECTS THE CITY MANAGER TO EXPLORE AND IDENTIFY WAYS TO SUPPORT AND TO INCREASE THE SURVIVABILITY OF BUSINESSES IN AUSTIN'S HARDEST HIT SECTORS, INCLUDING CHILDCARE, MUSIC AND ARTS VENUES AND SPECIFICALLY RESTAURANTS
[00:50:01]
AND BARS.CASEY'S HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 24 YEARS.
WE ARE PROUDLY A LOCAL AND INDEPENDENTLY OWNED BUSINESS.
WE HAVE OPERATED IN AN ONLINE ORDERING ONLY MODEL SINCE EARLY MAY.
OUR SALES ARE DOWN 55% COMPARED WITH 2019 DUE TO A COMBINATION OF REDUCED DEMAND CLOSURES AND MEASURES IN OUR WORKPLACE TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND HEALTHY PLACE FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
WE EMPLOYED 14 PEOPLE THIS YEAR.
NORMALLY WE WOULD'VE EMPLOYED 25.
I AM PROUD THAT MOST OF OUR STAFF ARE HIGH SCHOOLERS FROM MC, CALLUM AND NORTHEAST EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOLS.
I AM PROUD TO BE A FIRST EMPLOYER FOR AUSTIN'S YOUTH.
I ROUTINELY HEAR FROM CUSTOMERS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN COMING TO US SINCE THEY WERE KIDS AND NOW THEY COME WITH THEIR OWN FAMILY.
EARLIER THIS YEAR I ASKED A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS BEC AND LSU AND NOLA COLORS HOW THEIR SNOWBALL WAS AND THEY SAID, THIS ISN'T A SNOWBALL.
I CAME TO AUSTIN AFTER KATRINA AND THIS IS THE CHEAPEST TICKET HOME AND IT TAKES ME RIGHT BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD.
CASEY'S IS AN AUSTIN INSTITUTION IN A SHOTTY LITTLE WOOD BUILDING IN A CHANGING NEIGHBORHOOD AND BECAUSE OF THE FISCAL STRAIN OF OF COVID 19, WE ARE IN DANGER OF DISAPPEARING.
AUSTIN HAS PROPOSED THE CREATION OF A 75 MILLION FUND OF GRANTS AND LOANS FOR LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES WITHOUT THIS LEVEL OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR OUR HOT, HARDEST HIT SECTORS.
AUSTIN'S CULTURE, THE BRAND OF COOL WE'RE FAMOUS FOR WILL EVAPORATE.
I STRONGLY REQUEST THAT COUNCIL APPROVE RESOLUTION 62 AND SUPPORT GOOD WORK AUSTIN'S PROPOSAL.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPEAKERS IN QUEUE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT PRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS? UH, THANK YOU FOR THE, UH, TIME TO SPEAK HERE AND UH, I HOPE THIS, UH, MESSAGE, UH, ALL HITS YOU ON THE HEART A LITTLE BIT.
UH, I KNOW YOU ALL LIVED HERE IN COMMUNITY.
I'M PART OF, UH, DISTRICT ONE.
I GREW UP HERE IN AUSTIN ON AUSTIN NIGHT, UH, BORN AND RAISED AND I'VE SEEN THE CITY, UH, TURN INTO WHAT IT WAS, INTO WHAT IT IS NOW AND I'VE SEEN A LOT OF BUSINESSES COME AND GO.
IT'S EXPECTED WITH GROWTH IN A CITY, BUT, UM, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT, UH, ITEM 62.
UM, MAINLY BECAUSE, UH, ONE WIFE AND I ARE INVESTED IN, UH, IN ALL BUSINESSES HERE IN TOWN, BUT SHE'S ALSO A MUSICIAN AND WE'VE BEEN ON THE MUSIC SCENE AND WE'VE SEEN, UH, A LOT OF OUR VENUES CLOSE DOWN AND TO DEPAUL, THE WHITE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, WHICH, UH, A LOT OF OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT.
UM, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT TO BE PROUD OF, BUT UH, WE CAN'T BE PROUD OF THAT RIGHT NOW CAUSE WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF OUR, OUR VENUES CLOSE DOWN AND UH, IT DOES, IT DOES HURT US.
IT HURTS ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE.
IT HURTS THE MUSICIANS, IT HURTS, UH, HURTS THE COMMUNITY AND THE DOLLARS THAT ARE BROUGHT IN THAT THESE, UH, VENUES BRING IN AND THAT'S WHY PEOPLE MOVE HERE.
THAT'S WHY PEOPLE LOVE AUSTIN AS FAR LOST BEING LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL, THE WORLD, I DUNNO HOW LONG WE CAN KEEP THAT MONIKER UP FOR LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD WITHOUT IMPLEMENTING, YOU KNOW, THE DEDICATED MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND.
AND IF YOU GUYS CAN PUT IN PLACE AN MVP FOR THAT, THAT WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL TO ALL THESE VENUES THAT ARE TRYING TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT.
I MEAN WE'RE HOLDING, UH, ONLINE EVENTS AND SHOWS AND DONATING MONEY TO HELP PEOPLE.
WE'RE HELPING OUT MUSICIANS THAT AREN'T ABLE TO DO IT THEMSELVES, THAT THEY'RE STRUGGLING BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THAT REGULAR INCOME ANYMORE.
UH, THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE TRYING TO STAY UP AND RUNNING, PEOPLE ARE HELPING EACH OTHER AND IT'S JUST MONEY BACK AND RAISE MONEY.
THANK YOU ZACH MORGAN, WE ARE REALLY QUICK.
IF I COULD INTERJECT HERE, UM, FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF SPEAKERS.
UM, WE ALSO ARE HEARING THAT THE CONTRACTS, UM, THAT WERE INTENDED FOR OUR MUSIC SECTOR, UM, THAT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU CONTRACT WAS INVOLVED WITH OR NOT REACHING THE INTENDED RECIPIENTS.
AND SO I THINK MY STAFF HAS PUT A QUESTION INTO EDD STAFF TO FIND OUT WHO THE RECIPIENTS WERE OF THAT, UM, FUNDING THAT WE AUTHORIZED ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO AND TO FIND OUT HOW IT WAS THAT THE INTENDED, UM, RECIPIENTS WEREN'T, UM, DIRECTLY, UM, DIDN'T GET ANY FUNDS FROM THAT.
CAUSE THIS IS, THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET SOME MONEY OUT TO OUR MUSICIANS, THE MUSIC SECTOR AND OTHER CREATORS.
[00:55:01]
UM, NOTED, UH, THERE'S SOME SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND CONCERNS THAT THE CS RAISING WITH, UM, THAT DISTRIBUTION FUNDS.I'M A FULL-TIME MUSICIAN IN AUSTIN, LIVING IN DISTRICT FIVE.
AFTER GRADUATING FROM A M UNIVERSITY IN 2010, I MOVED TO AUSTIN TO PURSUE A CAREER IN MUSIC.
I WORKED VARIOUS JOBS IN STARTUPS AND MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR TECH COMPANIES SAVING MONEY AND BUILDING MY PERSONAL BRAND IN AUSTIN MUSIC UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE PLUNGE INTO PLAYING MUSIC FULL TIME IN 2015.
LAST YEAR I MADE MORE MONEY THAN I DID WORKING A HIGH PAYING TECH JOB BY PLAYING OVER 200 SHOWS WITH CLOSE TO 30 DIFFERENT BANDS.
I CANNOT HAVE DONE ANY OF THIS WITHOUT AUSTIN'S MUSIC VENUES.
THEY'RE THE REASON I MOVED TO AUSTIN.
THEY'RE THE REASON I WAS ABLE TO QUIT MY NINE TO FIVE JOB AND FULFILL MY DREAM OF PLAYING MUSIC FULL TIME.
THEY'RE THE MEAN PLACES FOR ALL OF MY BEST FRIENDS AND THEY'RE THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE CITY'S CULTURE.
MY LIFE IN 2020 AS A RESULT OF MY EXPERIENCES IN MUSIC VENUES ALL OVER AUSTIN IN THE LAST DECADE, IF THE CITY OF OF AUSTIN DOES NOT ACT NOW TO SAVE OUR VENUES, THEN THE WORLDWIDE APPEAL OF AUSTIN WILL BE DESTROYED AND A LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD WILL BE BECOME THE ABANDONED MUSIC VENUE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
I'M URGING YOU TO SUPPORT ITEM 62 TO CREATE A DEDICATED LIVE MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND AND TO SAVE THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD ONE TO ONE BAR THREAD, GILLS, SHADY GROVE, THE NORTH DOOR, BARRACUDA, PLUSH, SCRATCH HOUSE DIRTY DOG AND WHO KNOWS WHO WILL BE NEXT.
IF THE CITY WANTS TO CONTINUE TO MARKET ITSELF GLOBALLY, BACK SOME MUSICIANS AND MUSIC VENUES, THEN IT'S TIME TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND SAVE OUR VENUES.
THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR ALLOWING ME TIME TO SPEAK TODAY.
MY NAME IS JODI MAKA, BUSINESS TEAM MANAGER OF BLACKSTAR CO-OP PUB AND BREWERY.
AS BLACKSTAR CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF BEING A COMMUNITY OWNED, DEMOCRATICALLY OPERATED COOPERATIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN.
WE'RE HERE TODAY TO VOICE OUR SUPPORT OF RESOLUTION 62.
IT'S STEWARDS OF FAIR WORKER TREATMENT, LOCAL SOURCING, SUSTAINABILITY, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT CONTINUING TO OPERATE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE WILL HAVE SHORT AND LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES, NOT JUST FOR BLACK STAR, BUT FOR THE CULTURAL INTEGRITY OF OUR CITY.
JUST THE LAST WEEK ALONE, WE'VE SEEN BUSINESSES LIKE NORTH DOOR CAP CITY COMEDY.
I LOVE VIDEO AND MORE MAKE THE HEADLINES BECAUSE THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR DOORS.
LOCAL FAVORITES LIKE THREADGILLS NORTH START BOWL, MAGNOLIA CAFE NORTH BY NORTHWEST BLUE DAHLIA, AUSTIN, JAVA, ET CETERA, HAVE ALSO CLOSED PERMANENTLY DURING THE SHUTDOWN.
I MENTIONED SO MANY SPECIFIC BUSINESSES BECAUSE I THINK ALL PERSONS PRESENT ON THIS CALL TODAY WOULD BE HARD PRESSED NOT TO BE EMOTIONALLY AFFECTED BY THE SHUTTERING OF AT LEAST ONE OF THESE AWESOME ICONS.
AS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF GOOD WORK, OFTEN I SPEAK TODAY NOT JUST FOR BLACKSTAR, BUT FOR A COMMUNITY OF LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER, OUR VALUED WORKERS AND OUR INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.
WE HAVE PLEDGE TO OPEN OUR BUSINESSES SAFELY AND WITH THE UTMOST KAREN CONCERN FOR OUR STAFF, PATRONS, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, BUT WE NEED ASSISTANCE IF WE WERE TO CONTINUE OPERATING OUR BUSINESSES SAFELY AND LONG OR ASK OF 75 MILLION IN ASSISTANCE FOR RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND VENUES WILL BE USED TO KEEP OUR INDUSTRY MEMBERS WORKING.
OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES ALIVE AND THE OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN ITSELF.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR ADLER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
JOAN ALBE AND I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF LICENSED CHILDCARE AT THE Y M C A OF AUSTIN AND A BOARD MEMBER FOR TEXAS LICENSED CHILDCARE ASSOCIATION.
I'M SEEKING IN FAVOR OF AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 62.
CHILDCARE IS THE BACKBONE OF THE ECONOMY.
IT IS A VITAL, IS A VITAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO OUR ECONOMY IN AUSTIN, THE STATE OF TEXAS AND NATIONAL PANDEMIC RECOVERY.
THE UNINTENDED DAMAGE DONE BY THE NECESSITY OF SHUTTING DOWN THE CITY AND THEN ALLOWING RETURN OF CHILDCARE UNDER STRICT, EXPENSIVE PRECAUTIONARY PRACTICES CONTINUES TO THREATEN THE EXISTENCE OF THE ENTIRE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY.
MEANWHILE, THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUAL PARENTS IS BACKLOGGED WITH A WAITING LIST AT TEXAS WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS.
NONPROFITS LIKE Y M C OF AUSTIN ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO PROVIDE WHAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WE CAN TO FAMILIES IN NEED.
BUT OUR RESOURCES ARE NOW QUICKLY DWINDLING AS THE OWNERS THAT
[01:00:01]
PROVIDERS OF CHILDCARE IN OUR CITY CONTINUE TO SUFFER SIGNIFICANT MONTHLY LOSSES DUE TO EXPENSES.WE ARE UNWILLING TO PASS THAT COST ON TO PARENTS AND ARE UNABLE TO BEAR THE EXPENSE MUCH LONGER.
NO ONE HAS PROVIDED MORE IN PERSON CHILDCARE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAN OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS THAN THE EXTENDED CARE Y M C A.
WE STARTED BY PROVIDING CARE TO CHILDREN OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS SHORTLY AFTER THE SHUTDOWN.
WE ADAPTED OUR SUMMER PROGRAM CAMPS TO PROVIDE SAFE, ENRICHING AND FUN EXPERIENCES FOR KIDS.
AND NOW THAT SCHOOL HAS RESUMED, WE'RE PROVIDING FULL DAYCARE AND SUPPORT FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WE'VE SERVED OUR NEIGHBORS AND FAMILIES, WE'VE HEARD THEIR STORIES, WE KNOW THE STRUGGLES THEY'RE FACING, JUST TRYING TO GO TO WORK.
WE WANT TO HELP THEM BUT TO SURVIVE, WE WILL NEED HELP TOO.
THAT IS WHY THE Y M C OF AUSTIN, THE TEXAS LICENSE CHILDCARE ASSOCIATION ARE IN FAVOR OF THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT BEING CONSIDERED IN CITY COUNCIL.
IF WORKING PARENTS ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND CHILDCARE AT ALL, NOT HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE, THERE IS NO GOING TO WORK.
THERE IS NO RETURNING TO EDUCATION OR TEACHING AND THERE IS NO ECONOMIC RECOVERY.
HI, MY NAME IS LAURA OLSON AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT EIGHT AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 62.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS, SLANT AGAIN, TOVO AND POOL, AS WELL AS MAYOR ADLER FOR SPONSORING THIS IMPORTANT RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE SPOKEN UP TODAY IN SUPPORTIVE MUSIC VENUES SO IMPORTANT TO OUR CITY AND I ECHO THOSE CONCERNS.
HOWEVER, I AM HERE AS A MOM AND EARLY CHILDHOOD IN SCHOOL HEALTH EQUITY DIRECTOR FOR GO AND BAMA AUSTIN TO ASK FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THE CRITICAL AND VULNERABLE INSTITUTION OF CHILDCARE.
YOUR SUPPORTIVE CHILDCARE DEMONSTRATES YOUR SUPPORT AS A SECURITY OF STRUGGLING FAMILIES AND SHOWS THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THE ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT CHILDCARE PLAYS IN KEEPING THIS CITY GOING EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THINK ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE, HOW MANY OF YOU AND PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH AND PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS RELY ON CHILDCARE.
AND WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE IF CHILDCARE WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE IN THIS CITY? I AM GRATEFUL AS A WORKING MOM OF FIVE CHILDREN THAT MY CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO HAVE HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE SO I COULD WORK AND PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILY AND THEY COULD LEARN AND THRIVE IN A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT.
BUT TOO MANY OF CHILDREN OF CHILDREN IN AUSTIN ARE NOT AS FORTUNATE.
AND RIGHT NOW 50% OF CHILDCARE CENTERS AND HOMES ARE CLOSED AND POTENTIALLY CLOSING, LEAVING FAMILIES SCRAMBLING TO FIND CHILDCARE, ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN AUSTIN'S EASTERN CRESCENT.
AS A CITY AND A COMMUNITY, THE MORE WE CAN SUPPORT FAMILIES ABILITY TO ACCESS AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE, THE BETTER WE WILL BE AT ADDRESSING THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF THIS PANDEMIC WORKING FAMILIES AND OUR CITY'S ECONOMY DEPEND ON THE AVAILABILITY AND STABILITY OF CHILDCARE.
ITEM 62 DEMONSTRATES AUSTIN'S COMMITMENT TO FAMILY STABILITY BY IDENTIFYING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT CHILDCARE.
WHAT A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A COMMUNITY THAT COMES TOGETHER IN TIMES OF NEED.
I ALSO WANNA SPEAK FOR ITEMS 26, WHICH AUTHORIZES EARLY HEADSTART CHILDCARE, ONE OF THE VERY FEW ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAMS THAT WORKS TOWARDS ELIMINATION OF POVERTY THROUGH EARLY EDUCATION.
YES FOR ITEMS 26 AND 62, PAULA KAUFMAN.
HI, MY NAME IS PAULA LIN AND I HOPE THAT EVERYONE HAD A GREAT DAC STATE TO UM, AND CELEBRATION OF THE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AND UM, BUT AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, THIS IS A TIME OF BELT TIGHTENING FOR ALL OF US AND I SEE AN OPPOSITION TO EXPENDITURES THAT, THAT YOU CAN PUT OFF TO OTHER TIMES.
FOR EXAMPLE, PAYING CONSULTANTS SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A YEAR'S WORK WHEN YOU KNOW THAT YOUR SPACE WAS LAYING OFF SOME OF OUR VERY DEDICATED CITY OFFICIALS WHO MAKE $40,000 A YEAR.
AND SO I SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM 70 WAS
THAT THE REASON I'M SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION OF THESE CASES IS BECAUSE THEY'RE HEAD PROPENSITY FOR LAWSUITS.
THESE LAWSUITS ARE THROWING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD.
[01:05:01]
SO SPENDING ALL THIS MONEY, UH, FOR EXAMPLE, TO TRY TO GET AROUND HAVING TO NOTIFY HOMEOWNERS AND THE NEARBY NEIGHBORS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES IS NOT A GOOD USE OF MONEY.PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTEST CHANGES TO THEIR PROPERTY AND THEIR NEARBY NEIGHBORS.
AND AN OVERLAY IS A WAY THAT YOU MAY USE TO WORK AROUND PEOPLE'S RIGHTS TO PROTECT THEIR HOMES, WHICH FOR MANY PEOPLE, THAT IS THEIR MOST ESSENTIAL ASSET.
AND ALSO WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY IN THE BUDGET HAVING US SAY SO, 25% INCREASE IN OUR PROPERTY TAXES, NOT EVEN REALISTICALLY BUDGET FOR WHERE YOU CAN CUT BACK ON SOME OF THIS EXPENDITURES.
I'M PAT BTA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MUSICIANS NONPROFIT AND I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THOUSANDS OF YOUR MUSICIAN CONSTITUENTS TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO PASS ITEM 62 AND TO CREATE A DEDICATED MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND AS WELL.
WE URGE COUNCIL TO SEEK A QUALIFIED GRANT ADMINISTRATOR TO DISPERSE THESE FUNDS AFTER HAVING BEEN INTIMATELY INVOLVED WITH GRANT PROCESSES THIS SUMMER.
AND AFTER WITNESSING THE ABJECT FAILURE OF CLEAR FUNDING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR VENUES AS OUTLINED IN THE HOBBY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT.
WE COME HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO MAKE THIS RIGHT AND TO FINALLY OFFER THE AID TO THE MUSIC VENUES THAT EMPLOY OUR MUSICIANS AND KEEP OUR TOURISM ECONOMY AFLOAT WITH CLEAR AND ANCHOR.
THE CITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION PARTNERED WITH AN UNQUALIFIED GRANT ADMINISTRATOR IN THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH THE PROVISIONS OUTLINED IN THE CONTRACT RATIFIED BY COUNCIL AS WELL.
THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, BBB B COULD NEVER ANSWER QUESTIONS CONCERNING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AS THEIR ENTIRE REVENUE MODEL IS BASED ON CHARGING FEES TO PROVIDE FAVORABLE REVIEWS TO ACCREDITED BUSINESSES.
HAVING RECEIVED A FEE OF $1.14 MILLION, UH, FOR CLEAR AND ANCHOR, WHICH IS ALMOST THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT AWARDED TO VENUES, BBB IS IN FACT THE ONLY BUSINESS THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BENEFITED FROM MR. DEBACLE.
UH, THE RESULT IS, AS WE FEARED, AS VENUES DID NOT RECEIVE THE AID THEY NEEDED AND ARE NOW FORCED TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS, WE ASK YOU, PLEASE BE TRANSPARENT.
PLEASE ALLOW FOR STAKEHOLDER INPUT GOING FORWARD AS WE ARE HERE TO HELP.
AND PLEASE TAKE THIS FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE PRIORITY THE BUSINESSES THAT WERE FIRST TO CLOSE AND WILL BE THE LAST TO REOPEN.
PLEASE SAVE OUR MUSIC VENUES OR SAY JOE A HEY GOOD MORNING, MAYOR ALER COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M, UH, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ITEM 62.
I HAVE OWNED AND OPERATED THE SAXON PUB OVER 30 YEARS NOW.
WE HAVE MULTIPLE LIVE MUSIC ACTS SEVEN NIGHTS A WEEK, AND, UH, OVER THE YEARS I THINK I'VE EXPERIENCED OR AT LEAST SEEN EVERYTHING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO AN AUSTIN LIVE VENUE.
BUT OF COURSE, NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS, LIKE OTHER VENUES.
I'VE BEEN CLOSED NOW FOR SIX MONTHS AND RECENTLY I APPLIED FOR ALL THE GRANTS THE CITY WAS OFFERING.
UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS TURNED DOWN ON ALL GRANTS WITH AN EXPLANATION THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO GO AROUND.
I, UM, I GUESS THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WHO ADMINISTERED GRANTS DIDN'T LIKE ME OR DIDN'T FIT THEIR PROFILE OR I JUST WASN'T LUCKY ENOUGH.
BUT I'M TOLD THAT MANY VENUES WERE LEFT OUT AND THAT SEEMS TO BE A BIG SECRET ON WHO GOT GRANTS AND WHO DIDN'T, AND I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT IS.
I JUST ASSUMED THAT ALL OF THE TRUE MUSIC VENUES IN THIS CITY WERE GOING TO GET SOME HELP, BUT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
THERE WASN'T ENOUGH MONEY TO GO AROUND OR THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH MONEY TO GO AROUND.
YOU WOULD THINK HELL, I READ AN ARTICLE THAT HAD THE MAYOR'S OFFICE STATING THAT THE CITY HAS PLANS AND WORKS TO HELP MUSICIANS AND VENUES ESTABLISH MORE SECURITY HERE IN AUSTIN.
IN THAT ARTICLE, MR. MAYOR, YOU WERE QUOTED AS SAYING, AUSTIN WILL NOT BE THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL WORLD FOR MUCH LONGER IF WE KEEP LOSING
[01:10:01]
MUSICIANS AND MUSIC VENUES.MAYOR LER, I KNOW YOU AND I KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ONLY SINCERE WHEN YOU SAID THAT, BUT YOU ARE ACCURATE.
YOU SEE THAT, UH, THAT ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN FOUR AND A HALF YEARS AGO AND LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE.
WE HAVE LOST SEVERAL VENUES, MEANING MUSICIANS HAVE LEFT THIS CITY.
BUT WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT PREVENTING MORE RULES AND WE NEED TO ACT NOW.
WE CAN START BY HAVING COUNCIL SUPPORT ITEM 62 AND ADD LANGUAGE THAT WILL PROVIDE A DEDICATED MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND THAT WILL NOT HAVE THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND MAYOR COUNCIL STATE URGE YOU TO MOVE QUICKLY, WHATEVER SYSTEMS YOU DECIDE ON.
CAUSE MANY VENUES ARE ON THE BRINK, ON THE BRINK OF CLOSING PERMANENTLY.
MUSICIANS ARE STRUGGLING ALONG WITH HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF VENUES, EMPLOYEES WHOSE UNEMPLOYMENT'S RUNNING OUT.
I'M ASKING YOU TO GET THIS DONE AND I GET IT DONE NOW BEFORE SAN DIEGO OR NASHVILLE TAKES THAT TITLE THAT WE ALL BRAG ABOUT THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
THAT TITLE STILL MEANS SOMETHING TO YOU AND I'LL ASSURE YOU THAT IT HOLDING ONTO IT IS IN DANGER.
LET'S REAL HELP ON THE WAY QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, ESTABLISH THAT VENUE PRESERVATION FUND.
ALL THANK YOU REBECCA REYNOLDS.
GOOD MORNING, UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THIS IS REBECCA REYNOLDS WITH THE MUSIC VENUE ALLIANCE OF, UH, ARE SUPPORTIVE OF ITEM 62, SO LONG AS IT DOES LEAD TO THE CREATION OF A DEDICATED LIVE MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND.
UH, PLEASE SEE THE LETTERS SENT TO COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROPOSAL FROM THE RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT MUSIC VENUE ALLIANCE AND THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE.
WE'VE SEEN UNANIMOUS VOTES FROM COUNCIL ON RESOLUTION LANGUAGE DIRECTING THE FORMATION OF A VENUE FUND.
THE INDEPENDENT VENUE INDUSTRY NEEDS LAWMAKERS WHO ARE MOTIVATED TO UNDERSTAND AND DESCRIBE THE CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC VALUE OF THESE SMALL BUSINESSES WITHOUT DILUTING IT.
WE'RE CO-OPTING IT FOR SOME OTHER POLITICAL PURPOSE.
THEN NEED LAWMAKERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO ARTICULATING HOW COVID HAS UNIQUELY IMPACTED THEIR INDUSTRY ABOVE AND BEYOND OTHER INDUSTRIES.
WE HAVE THIS KIND OF LEADERSHIP ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND CONGRESS.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S TOO LATE FOR AUSTIN TO BE THE LEADER ON THIS ISSUE, BUT IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE GET IT RIGHT.
AUSTIN AND I ARE PAYING VERY CLOSE ATTENTION AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR DISCUSSION ON AUM 62 TODAY AS A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO SUPPORT THE ONE THING THAT MAKES AUSTIN DIFFERENT FROM ANYWHERE ELSE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
GOOD MORNING MAYOR ALER PROTE GARZA AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SO SWAMI AND I'M THE PROUD AND DEDICATED FOUNDER AND OWNER OF SE PIRE SOURCE DIRECT NON-ALCOHOLIC BARBER SUPPLIER FOR AUSTIN'S INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS LOCATED IN THE BURNETT ROAD CORRIDOR IN COUNCIL MEMBER POOL DISTRICT SEVEN.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE APPROVAL OF ITEM 62.
THE DIRECT MANAGER EXPLORE AND IDENTIFIED WAYS TO SUPPORT AND INCREASE THE SURVIVABILITY OF THOSE MOST VULNERABLE WITHIN AUSTIN'S TARGETED SECTORS, INCLUDING CHILDCARE, MUSIC, NURSE MENUS, SPECIFICALLY RESTAURANT AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, AND SUPPORTING BUSINESSES.
I'VE BEEN IN AUSTIN FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND SETH'S BEEN OPERATING FOR OVER A DECADE.
SO THE LAST FIVE YEARS WE HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY SOURCING LOCAL INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS.
WE'RE THE ONLY MINORITY WOMAN OWNED AND SOURCE DIRECT AND BREWERY AND COFFEE GROCERY IN TEXAS.
THE DINING ROOMS CLOSED ONLY A FEW OF OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN ORDERING WILL LIMITED PRODUCTS IN OUR SALES AROUND 20% WHAT THEY WERE A YEAR AGO.
THIS TIME THE POTENTIAL GRANTS AND RELIEF WITH RENT AND OTHER AREAS OF CITY HAVE CONTROL AND SUPPORT WOULD GREATLY INCREASE THE CHANCE THAT US THE SUSTAIN AND SUCCEED.
AND WE ARE AMONG OTHER, MANY OTHER LOCAL INDEPENDENT SMALL BUSINESSES THAT SUPPLY OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND WE ALL NEED YOUR SUPPORT.
AUSTIN HAS IDENTIFIED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCIL TO USE A HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX TO CREATE A MINIMUM OF $75 MILLION OF FUNDS OF GRANTS AND LOANS TO SUPPORT LOCAL OWNED AND OPERATED BUSINESSES.
WITHOUT THIS LEVEL OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES AND OFTEN HEARTED SECTORS,
[01:15:01]
THE DISTINCT CULTURE OF AUSTIN, I HEAR THAT YES, THE MUSIC VENUE USER VULNERABLE, THE RESTAURANTS ARE VULNERABLE AND CHILDCARE CENTERS ARE VULNERABLE.THE ARTS SPACES ARE VULNERABLE, BUT WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
THIS ISN'T JUST ONE SPECIFIC INDUSTRY.
WE'RE ALL A PART OF THE FABRIC THAT SPECIAL STRONGLY REQUEST THE COUNCIL TO PROVE THIS RESOLUTION.
THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO SUPPORT THE CULTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU KATHY MC, COURSE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY SUCCESS BY COALITION AND EARLY MATTERS GREATER AUSTIN.
I THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING CHILDCARE AS ONE OF THE VITAL ECONOMIC SECTORS AND AND OFTEN JUDGMENTALLY IMPACTED BY COVID 19.
IT'S NOT A SURPRISE TODAY THAT I SPEAK TO YOU IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 62 SPECIFICALLY PRIORITIZING THE CHILDCARE AS A SECTOR UPON WHICH ALL BUSINESSES RELY IN ORDER TO WHICH IN ORDER TO HAVE A PRODUCTIVE AND CONSISTENT WORKFORCE WILL ALSO PROVIDING THE CRITICAL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE WORKFORCE OF AUSTIN DURING THEIR MOST CRITICAL PERIOD OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.
WE RECOGNIZE YOU ARE FACED WITH HARD CHOICES AND COMPETING COMMUNITY PRIORITIES.
THE ATX CHILDCARE TASKFORCE MEMO IDENTIFIES BOTH IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM NEEDS TO SUSTAIN THE CH THE INDUSTRY AND ESTABLISH A MORE SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY OF CHILDCARE WITH MORE EQUITABLE ACCESS THAT IS NEEDED.
WE ESTIMATE NEEDING 12 TO 15 MILLION TO SUSTAIN THE INDUSTRY FOR OVER THE NEXT YEAR, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMIND YOU THAT RETURNING TO THE STATUS QUO RESULTS IN AN UNSTABLE AND IN EQUITABLE SYSTEM OF AFFORDABLE HIGH QUALITY CARE.
COVID HAS EXACERBATED THE EXISTING ISSUES BY EXPOSING THE FRAGILITY OF THE CHILDCARE SECTOR THAT SURVIVES ON RAZOR SWIM MARGINS WITH STAFF WHO ARE PREDOMINANTLY WOMEN OF COLOR THAT EARN IN POVERTY LEVEL WAGES.
WE HAVE ONLY HALF OF THE CHILDCARE PROGRAMS OPEN, OPERATING AT GREATLY REDUCED ENROLLMENT, BUT GREATER COSTS THAT CANNOT BE ABSORBED BY THE CHILDCARE OPERATIONS AND FAMILIES THAT CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY MORE.
THERE ARE MANY OPEN PROGRAMS THAT COULD PROVIDE MORE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE 2000 AND MORE CHILDREN ON THE SUBSIDY WAITING LIST TOMORROW IF THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUNDING TO PAY FOR THEIR CARE.
INSTEAD, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS LIKE OPEN DOOR PRESCHOOL, EAST SHUTTER THEIR DOORS PERMANENTLY.
PROJECTIONS INDICATE THAT UP TO 40 OR 50% OF OUR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS WILL CLOSE PERMANENTLY WITHOUT ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL RELIEF.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND THOSE WHO RELY UPON THEM.
UH, MY NAME IS DREW DONOVAN, UH, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS AND, UH, MAYOR FOR TAKING THE TIME.
I AM A CO-OWNER OF A PRODUCTION COMPANY HERE IN TOWN.
WE'RE IN PRODUCTION AND I'M CALLING THE FAVOR OF ITEMS 62.
UH, WE ASSIST WITH, UH, HELPING VENUES, CONCERT FESTIVALS, PROVIDING PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AND AUDIO VIDEO STAGING, LIGHTING AND SUCH.
AND, UH, THERE'S A, THERE'S A BIG ECOSYSTEM THAT'S AFFECTED BY ALL THIS AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CAN'T GO AROUND EVERYBODY, BUT WE'VE GOTTA SAVE THE VENUES.
AS A QUICK EXAMPLE, UH, UT JUST HAD A 25,000 PERSON EVENT AND THE CITY DIDN'T BLINK EYE UT A 2018 GROSS, ROUGHLY 144 MILLION FOR, UH, FOOTBALL FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON IN 2018.
16 DAYS OF EVENTS IN AUSTIN BETWEEN ACL AND SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST GENERATED OVER HALF A BILLION DOLLARS AND WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE KEPT AT 10 PERSON RIGHT NOW ON OUR, BUT UT CAN HAVE 25,000 PEOPLE AT THEIR EVENTS.
SO THERE'S JUST A HUGE DISCREPANCY IN ALL THIS AND HUGE HYPOCRISY HAPPENING WITH ALL THIS.
UH, THANK YOU FOR, UH, THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR ITEM 62 SPECIFICALLY AS IT PERTAINS TO CHILDCARE SERVICES.
UH, MY NAME IS CHUCK K AND I'M THE OWNER OF ANGELS CARE AND LEARNING CENTER.
IN DISTRICT TWO, WE PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY BILINGUAL EARLY CHILDCARE DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR YOUNGEST AUSTINITE.
[01:20:01]
PARTNERSHIP WITH A I S D AND WE'RE A TEXAS RISING STAR FOUR STAR CHILDCARE CENTER, WHICH FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR IS THE HIGHEST QUALITY RATING IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.OUR MISSION IS TO CARE FOR AND EDUCATE THE CHILDREN IN OUR CITY REGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND IN A SAFE, LOVING AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT, WHILE ENABLING OUR FAMILIES TO HAVE THE TIME TO ACCELERATE THEIR CAREER PATH AND BECOME ECONOMICALLY EMPOWERED.
COVID 19 IS RAVAGED TO CHILDCARE INDUSTRY.
FOR EXAMPLE, HALF OF MY EARLY EDUCATION PEERS IN AUSTIN HAVE CLOSED THEIR DOORS AND 60% OF OPEN PROGRAMS INDICATE THAT THEY MAY NEED TO LAY OFF OR FURLOUGH STAFF WITHIN THE NEXT THREE TO SIX WEEKS.
WHILE THE EFFECTS OF COVID 19 HAVE CERTAINLY DAMAGED OUR INDUSTRY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT CHILDCARE ECONOMIC MODEL WASN'T WORKING IN TEXAS.
PRIOR TO COVID FOR MIDDLE AND LOWER MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES, CHILDCARE CENTERS ALREADY OPERATED ON THIN MARGINS AND FAMILIES WERE FORCED TO PAY TUITION RATES THAT REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THEIR TAKE HOME PAY.
THESE HIGH TUITION RATES WERE NECESSARY JUST TO PAY CHILDCARE, STAFF AND TEACHERS A WAGE, WHICH IN MANY CASES IS WELL UNDER $15 PER HOUR WITHOUT EXISTING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES.
QUALITY CHILDCARE FOR MIDDLE AND LOWER MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES IS IMPOSSIBLE.
UNFORTUNATELY, TEXAS, UNLIKE MANY OTHER STATES, DOES NOT PROVIDE STATE REVENUE TO SUPPLEMENT THE FEDERAL CHILDCARE DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT.
IN THE LAST YEAR, WE HAVE SEEN THAT EVEN THE BLOCK GRANT IS INSUFFICIENT AND TRAVIS COUNTY ALONE.
THERE ARE OVER 2000 FAMILIES ON THE WAITING LIST TO RECEIVE A FEDERAL CHILDCARE SUBSIDY.
MANY FAMILIES HAVE BEEN ON THE WAITING LIST FOR OVER ONE YEAR.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? THIS MEANS THAT AS MANY AS 4,000 YOUNG PARENTS ARE FORCED TO STAY AT HOME RATHER THAN WATCH YOUR CAREERS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, JOB EXPERIENCE, OR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE.
I WILL CLOSE WITH A SHORT STORY ABOUT A YOUNG BOY WHO ATTENDED ART CENTER.
HIS FAMILY DID NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO PAY FOR CHILDCARE, BUT WE'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO QUALIFY FOR A SUBSIDY WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS.
WHILE THIS CHILD'S ATTENDED, HIS MOTHER WAS ABLE TO ATTAIN HER NURSING DEGREE, BECOME A REGISTERED NURSE, AND GET A HIGH PAYING JOB SERVING IN THE FRONT LINES.
WITH COVID 19 PATIENTS, THEY WERE ABLE TO MOVE OFF THE SUBSIDY AND GREATLY CONTRIBUTE TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMIC ECOSYSTEM.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING ITEM 62, WHICH WILL GREATLY HELP FAMILIES LIKE THIS AND WILL ECONOMICALLY EMPOWER ALL OFF TONIGHT, REGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND.
UH, GOOD MORNING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A MUSICIAN LIVING IN DISTRICT NINE.
I'VE BEEN AN OFFICIAL SO BY SOUTHWEST ARTIST.
I'VE PLAYED AT THE MOVIE MOODY THEATER AND HAVE BEEN A PART OF AUSTIN, OF THE AUSTIN MUSIC FOUNDATION'S ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, ALONGSIDE WITH JACKIE BENSON, JR.
CHAVEZ MIGRANT KIDS AND OTHERS.
I'M CALLING YOU TODAY TO PLEASE SUPPORT ITEM 62 AND OPPOSE AND REEVALUATE ITEM 95, PLEASE CREATE A DEDICATED MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND.
PLEASE DON'T HAVE THE BBB ADMINISTRATIVE GRANTS GIVEN FEEDBACK FROM OUR COMMUNITY ON FAILURES TO EFFECTIVELY SERVE NEEDS THROUGH, UM, THE CREATIVE WORKER RELIEF GRANT, PLEASE TAKE CODY KWANS RECOMMENDATIONS TO HELP THE RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE CREATION OF THE MUSICIANS AND MUSIC SLASH SERVICE INDUSTRY RELIEF FUND THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO OUR HARDEST HIT, UM, LATINX, ANOTHER BIPO COMMUNITIES WHO ARE DIS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.
I GREW UP WATCHING ACL LATE EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT IN THE GOOGLE STREET VIA THE RED RIVER DISTRICT IN HIGH SCHOOL, CHECKING OUT VENUES.
UM, WHAT I FOUND HERE IN THE CITY IS NOT ONLY A THRIVING MUSIC COMMUNITY, IT'S A HOME.
AUSTIN HAS BEEN SO, SO GOOD TO ME IN SO MANY OTHERS, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE MEMORIES HERE THAT I WILL BE GRATEFUL FOR THE REST OF THE LIFE AS REST OF MY LIFE.
AS AN EXAMPLE, THERE'S A DIRECT LINE FROM GARY CLARK PLAYING AT ANTONS AND OTHER SMALL LOCAL VENUES TO HIM HEADLINING THE FRANK IRWIN CENTER AND THE ACL STAGE.
WE ARE NOT ONLY ASKING YOU TO HELP AN INDUSTRY AND ECOSYSTEM THAT BRINGS AUSTIN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR THROUGH TOURISM, BRANDING AND FESTIVALS, WE ARE ASKING YOU TO HELP PROTECT A COMMUNITY THAT BRINGS VIBRANCY, RICHNESS IN LIFE TO OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN AUSTIN.
YESTERDAY AT THE SAVE OUR STAGES RALLY, I CRIED WHEN I SAW FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES AND CHOSEN FAMILY OF MINE, BUT I HADN'T SEEN SIX MONTHS AND THAT I AM SCARED THAT THE SPACES THAT FOSTERED THAT FAMILY WOULD BE GONE IN A MATTER OF WEEKS.
LAST NIGHT WAS THE FOUR YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ME GOING TO MY FIRST CONCERT ON RED RIVER TO WATCH WALK ROCKY ERICKSON AT THE MOHAWK.
SHORTLY AFTER MOVING HERE, PLEASE DON'T LET THE FAMILY INDUSTRY AND ECOSYSTEM THAT MADE THAT MEMORY HAPPEN DIE IN VAIN.
MY NAME IS GWENDOLYN SEAL AND I'M AN ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER WHO WORKS WITH MANY MUSICIANS AND SMALL ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES IN THIS CITY.
I SUPPORT THE ITEM 62 RESOLUTION AS INITIALLY DRAFTED, I NOTICED THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS KITCHEN, TOVO POOL, AND FLANIGAN, ALONG WITH MAYOR ADLER HAVE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS SUGGESTING VARIOUS AVENUES
[01:25:01]
FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO EXPLORE IN CONNECTION WITH SECURING FUNDING FOR OUR CITY'S VENUES.IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT EACH OF YOU NOT ONLY DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO EXPLORE THESE AVENUES, BUT ALSO WORK WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND THE PARTY REPRESENTING VENUES TO DEVELOP THE MOST EFFECTIVE COURSE OF ACTION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
I AM ALSO MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP YOU ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL.
MAYOR ADLER SAID IN 2016, WE WILL NOT LONG BE THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD IF WE LOSE MUSICIANS, IF WE LOSE MUSIC VENUES, UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE LOSING MUSIC VENUES BY THE WEEK.
NOW VENUES NEED ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY YOU MUST CREATE A MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND.
THIS CITY FAILED ITS VENUES AND THE OVERALL MUSIC COMMUNITY WHEN IT PARTNERED WITH A BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.
A COMPANY WITH NO GRANT ADMINISTRATION EXPERIENCE, WHICH EARNS ITS REVENUE BY COLLECTING BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP FEES AND WHOSE BUSINESS MODEL RATES BUSINESSES TO BE THE GATEKEEPER TO CARE DOC FUND FOR OUR CITY'S MOST VULNERABLE BUSINESSES.
WE HAVE SEEN THE RESULTS OF THIS PARTNERSHIP.
MANY VENUES ALONG WITH KEY MUSIC NONPROFITS WHICH SUPPORT OUR CITY'S MUSICIANS WERE NOT GIVEN A DOLLAR IN GRANT FUNDING.
MEANWHILE, THE BBB RECEIVED 1.14 MILLION AS AN ADMIN FEE TO DISTRIBUTE CLEAR AND ANGER FUNDS, 1.14 MILLION FOR INPUTTING CITY DRAFTED APPLICATION QUESTIONS AND CITY DEVELOPED SCORING FORMULAS INTO THE SUBMITTABLE PLATFORM.
THE MUSIC COMMUNITY SIMPLY DOES NOT TRUST THE BBB.
IN THE EVENT THERE'S ADDITIONAL FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE FOR VENUES, THE CITY SHOULD CHOOSE AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OR BCL OF TEXAS TO ADMINISTER THESE PROGRAMS. AS I SAID, I SUPPORT 62 AS INITIALLY DRAFTED, NOT WITHSTANDING.
IF FUNDS ARE NOT MADE READILY AVAILABLE, WE WILL LOSE MORE MUSICIANS, WE WILL LOSE MORE VENUES, WE WILL NO LONGER BE THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
THANK YOU MAYOR ADLER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
I'M THE OWNER OF GENUINE ARTICLE BOOKKEEPING AND CONSULTING.
WE WORK WITH OVER 50 INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND COFFEE SHOPS ALL OVER AUSTIN, AND I'VE WORKED IN AND SUPPORTED THE INDEPENDENT RESTAURANT COMMUNITY SINCE MOVING HERE IN OH THREE.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 62.
UH, MY POSITION IS FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO THESE BUSINESSES ALLOWS ME TO SHARE SOME MEANINGFUL EXAMPLES OF HOW DIRE THE FINANCIAL SITUATION IS FOR THE SECTOR.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT AUSTIN HAS AN ESTIMATED 3000 RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND COFFEE SHOPS AT THE END OF JANUARY.
GENUINE ARTICLE PROCESS PAYROLL FOR OVER 1300 EMPLOYEES ACROSS 45 ENTITIES.
AS OF SEPTEMBER, THAT NUMBER'S BEEN REDUCED BY 46% TO 700 EMPLOYEES.
THIS IS IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT ALL OF OUR CLIENTS RECEIVED PPP FUNDING.
OUR CLIENTS RECEIVED SEVEN AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN PPP RELIEF, AN AVERAGE OF $160,000 PER CLIENT.
THIS FUNDING WAS CRUCIAL TO OUR CLIENT SURVIVING, BUT WILL BE EXHAUSTED BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES REPORTS THAT 32% OF PPP RECIPIENTS, UM, SINCE EXHAUSTING FUNDING, HAVE HAD TO LAY OFF EMPLOYEES OR CUT WAGES AND THAT WITHOUT ADDITIONAL RELIEF BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER, 30% MORE WILL EXHAUST CAPTURE SERVES BY YEARS END.
IT'S BECOMING INCREASINGLY CLEAR THAT ADDITIONAL FEDERAL RELIEF WON'T COME UNTIL NEXT YEAR IF IT COMES AT ALL.
UH, AS FOR OUR CLIENT'S REVENUE PICTURE, GENUINE ARTICLE CLIENTS GENERATED OVER 20 MILLION IN SALES AND Q2 OF 2019, THOSE SALES WERE REDUCED BY 11 MILLION OR 55% AND Q2 OF 2020, AVERAGE LOSS QUARTERLY SALES PER CLIENT IS $282,000.
UH, THESE ENTITIES AVERAGE MONTHLY RENTS ARE AROUND $10,000.
UH, AND UNDER PREVIOUS CONDITIONS, GENUINE ARTICLE CLIENTS WOULD'VE SPENT OVER 24 MILLION ANNUALLY ON WAGES ALONE, FOUR AND A HALF MILLION ON RENT.
IT'S CRUCIAL THAT AUSTIN LEADERSHIP FINDS A WAY TO OFFER RELIEF TO THESE INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES.
WE NEED AT LEAST A 75 MILLION FUND CONSISTING OF GRANTS AND LOANS TO MAKE IT INTO 2021.
BASICALLY, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE WHY AUSTIN HAS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE A CHAMPION OF INDEPENDENT ENTREPRENEURS.
BRANDS NEED SUBSTANCE AND AUSTIN RESTAURANTS, BARS AND VENUES, DECADES PROVIDING ALL THE OTHER SITES YOU PARTICIPATING.
THANK YOU MAYOR, UM, MR. SUBS FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND FOR YOUR TESTIMONY AND FOR THE CONVERSATION, UM, THAT YOU PARTICIPATED IN EARLIER THIS WEEK WITH MY OFFICE.
I I WANTED TO ASK YOU IF YOU WOULD PLEASE SEND ON A COPY OF COMMENTS TODAY.
I KNOW I WOULD LIKE THEM AND I BET MY COLLEAGUES MIGHT, AS I THINK SOME OF THE DISTRICTS YOU OFFERED ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO
[01:30:01]
HAVE AS WE CONTINUE THIS TOPIC.SO IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE SHARING THAT VIA AN EMAIL, IT WOULD BE I WOULD REQUEST THAT YOU GOT ON.
AND AGAIN, THANKS FOR THANKS FOR BEING HERE TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE OTHER SPEAKERS WHO'VE SUPPORTED ITEM 62.
I ECHO YOUR SENTIMENTS AND I APPRECIATE YOU.
I'M A NATIVE AUSTINITE LIVING IN DISTRICT TWO AND I'VE BEEN A FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN IN THIS TOWN FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS.
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, I WAS PERFORMING FIVE TO SEVEN NIGHTS A WEEK.
IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE SHOCK WHEN ALL THAT WORK EVAPORATED IN A MATTER OF DAYS DUE TO COVID 19.
I BELIEVE YOU ALL SEE THE VALUE OF THE CREATIVE SECTOR IN AUSTIN.
IT'S THE HARD AND SOUL OF OUR CITY AND BEYOND THAT, THE INDUSTRY BRINGS IN MILLIONS OF TOURISM DOLLARS TO BOLSTER OUR ECONOMY, OUR INDUSTRY, OUR INDUSTRY IS IN CRISIS.
I IMPLORE YOU TO PASS PASS ITEM 62 AND KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE TO FOLLOW THROUGH TO SECURE AND DISTRIBUTE THESE FUNDS AS SWIFTLY AND EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE.
MAYOR ADLER, YOU'RE ASKING THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE TO BE CREATIVE AND FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.
I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE'S 200 MILLION IN TOURISM DOLLARS AND CITY COPPERS EARNED ON THE BACK OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CREATIVE, WHICH ARE ON RESERVE FOR A CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.
THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WE SHOULD EVEN BE THINKING ABOUT A CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION AT THIS TIME.
IF EVEN A FRACTION OF THOSE FUNDS WAS RELEASED TO EIGHT OUR AILING COMMUNITY, YOU COULD ESTABLISH A DEDICATED LIVE MUSIC PRESERVATION FUND AS WELL AS OTHER VITAL RESOURCES FOR OUR CREATIVE SECTOR AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR OUR RECOVERY.
MY SUPPORT FOR ITEM 62, HOWEVER COMES WITH A CAVEAT.
YESTERDAY, A MOTION WAS BROUGHT FORTH BY COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO, WHICH MEANT THAT SOME FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE RELOCATION ASSISTANCES TO FIT TO BUSINESSES DISPLACED AS PART OF ANY FUTURE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.
IN ADDITION, THERE'S NO, THERE'S NO REASON TO EARMARK FUNDING FOR RELOCATION DUE TO CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION THAT ISN'T HAPPENING NOW AND MAY NOT HAPPEN AT ALL.
I URGE YOU NOT TO TAX THIS PART OF THE MOTION PERTAINING TO CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION ONTO ITEM 62, WHICH BRINGS ME TO ITEM 95.
I'M ASKING YOU TO OPPOSE THIS ITEM, WHICH PLEDGES FUNDS TO SECURE LAND FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.
THIS PROJECT SHOULD NOT BE A PRIORITY.
IF THIS PASSES, IT COULD MEAN THESE AMPLE FUNDS WOULD BE OFF THE TABLE TO HELP FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THIS RESOLUTION, PROPERLY ADMINISTER THE CREATIVE WORKERS GRANT.
WE NEED TO FIND SOMEONE WHO IS MORE QUALIFIED TO DO THAT.
SO PLEASE INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY, NOT A BIGGER BUILDING TO HOST CORPORATE BUSINESS TRAVELERS.
SHOW US YOU VALUE US AND THAT AS WE VALUE EACH OTHER, DON'T JUST TELL US, SHOW US WE ARE ESSENTIAL.
IF WE LOSE THESE THINGS, AWESOME, WE'LL CEASE TO BE THE CREATIVE HUB.
IT'S BEEN FOR SO MANY YEARS, THE TITLE LIVE MUSIC CAPITALS WORLD MUST BE EARNED.
ARE YOU, I HAD YOU UNMUTED ME.
WHY? HEY, THANK YOU COUNCIL O TOVO, YOU'RE MUTED.
UM, YEAH, I JUST WENT SORRY TO SLOW US DOWN WITH ANOTHER COMMENT, BUT I DID WANNA, I DID WANNA JUST ADDRESS THE SPEAKER'S LAST POINT ABOUT THE CONVENTION CENTER, THE, UH, RELOCATION PIECE OF MY AMENDMENT.
AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE AMENDMENT I BROUGHT FORWARD, UM, IDENTIFIED A NEW SOURCE OF INFORMA, UH, A NEW SOURCE OF FUNDING, POSSIBLE FUNDING, UM, RIGHT OF AWAY VACATION FEES, ALLY VACATION FEES AND OTHERS.
UM, THOSE, SOME OF THOSE FUNDS HAD BEEN CONTEMPLATED AND TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST AS POSSIBLE SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESSES AROUND THE CONVENTION CENTER THAT THE CONVENTION CENTER EXTENDED.
SO, YOU KNOW, PART OF PART OF MY AMENDMENT WAS ACKNOWLEDGING THAT, THAT I AM SUGGESTING WE TAP INTO FUNDS THAT HAD FRANKLY BEEN IDENTIFIED AS POTENTIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESSES AROUND THE CONVENTION CENTER.
SO I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S, UH, TERRIBLY CLEAR RIGHT NOW.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.
UM, I AGREE THOUGH THAT THE TIMING IS, IS NOT NECESSARY, THAT THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY AN IMPERATIVE.
AND SO I HAVE MADE SOME REVISIONS TO MY AMENDMENT THAT'S CIRCULATING AND THAT PIECE IS REMOVED FROM IT.
BUT, BUT I ABSOLUTELY, UM, INTEND TO TO CONTINUE TO SUGGEST THAT WE USE THOSE ALLEY VACATION, UM, RIGHT AWAY FEES AND THE OTHER FEES I'VE IDENTIFIED AS A SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR THIS INITIATIVE BECAUSE THEY ARE, THEY ARE A VERY VIABLE SOURCE AND WE NEED TO IDENTIFY VERY VALUABLE SOURCES.
BUT THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS TODAY.
[01:35:01]
FOR PUTTING MEASURES IN PLACE, UM, TO KEEPING OUR CITY, UM, HEALTHY.UM, I WANNA TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR ITEM 62, WHICH DIRECTS CITY MANAGER TO EXPLORE, IDENTIFY FUNDING OPTIONS TO SUPPORT THE MOST VULNERABLE INSTITUTIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING CHILDCARE SERVICES.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS PLAN, AND TOWELL POOL AS, AS WELL AS MAYOR ATLER FOR SPONSORING THIS IMPORTANT RESOLUTION.
I AM, UM, THE DIRECTOR OWNER OF BRIGHT BEGINNING, UH, CHILDCARE CENTER IN NORTH AUSTIN.
IT'S THE FOUR STAR TRS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND A UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY SIX AN A I S D PRE-K PARTNER, UM, IN NORTH AUSTIN.
UM, UM, RIGHT BEGINNINGS CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN EACH DAY, EACH OF ALL THEIR PARENTS WORK.
COVID 19 HAS SPORTS CHANGES IN THE WAYS I PROVIDE CARE BUT HAS NOT DIMINISHED OR, AND WILL NOT COMPROMISE, PRIORITIZING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN IN MY CARE.
HOWEVER, I AM OPERATING WITH LESS REVENUE AND INCREASED COSTS AND IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.
I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG I WILL BE ABLE TO REMAIN OPEN UNDER THESE CONDITIONS.
I WILL RIGHT NOW I THINK I CAN REMAIN OPEN FOR ANOTHER 12 WEEKS.
HALF OF MY EARLY EDUCATOR PEERS AND OFTEN HAVE ALREADY CLOSED THEIR DOORS.
OFTEN IS WAS A WAIT LIST OF OVER 2000 CHILDREN WHO QUALIFY FOR SUBSIDIZED CARE SO THAT THEIR PARENTS CAN LOOK FOR WORK OR RETURN TO WORK.
I AM GRATEFUL TO BE PART OF A CITY THAT COMES TOGETHER IN TIMES OF NEED, DIRECTING SENATE CITY MANAGER PROMPT TO IDENTIFY FUNDING OPTIONS TO SUSTAIN OUR MOST VULNERABLE INSTITUTIONS WILL HELP PRESERVE AUSTIN'S CORE WITHOUT FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN THE SHORT TERM CHILDCARE CENTERS AND HOMES WILL STRUGGLE, STRUGGLE TO REOPEN AND REMAIN OPEN.
EVERY POLICY AND FUNDING DECISION SHOULD LEAD US IN THE FUTURE.
WE WANT A FAIR AND JUST SOCIETY WHERE EVERYONE OF US CAN THRIVE BEGINNING WITH OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATIONS.
I HOPE YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF BIDEN 62 MARI FLORES GONZALEZ.
MY NAME IS MARI FLOS GONZALEZ AND I'M A PARENT OF A TWO YEAR OLD CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACKS EQUITABLE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE IN AUSTIN.
I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT ITEM 26 RELATED TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD HEAD START PROGRAM AND ITEM 62, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXPLORE AND IDENTIFY FUNDING OPTIONS TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE ECONOMIC SECTORS INCLUDING AND ESPECIALLY CHILDCARE.
I ALSO ASK COUNSEL TO FURTHER ACT UPON THE AUGUST 17TH CHILDCARE TASKFORCE MEMO RECOMMENDATIONS OUTLINING THE IMMEDIATE NEED FOR UP TO 17 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE CHILDCARE SECTOR AND 15 MILLION TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE DIRECT SUPPORT FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BIRTH THROUGH AGE 11.
YOU'VE HEARD THAT 50% OF CHILDCARE CENTERS MAY BE CLOSING PERMANENTLY AND THAT THERE ARE 2200 CHILDREN IN TRAVIS COUNTY ON A WAITING LIST FOR CHILDCARE SUBSIDIES.
THERE ARE ALSO 15,000 CHILDREN UNDER AGE SIX IN TRAVIS COUNTY, POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE FOR CHILDCARE SUBSIDIES.
90% OF WHOM ARE CHILDREN OF COLOR FAMILIES AND PRIMARILY MOTHERS CANNOT GO BACK TO WORK WITHOUT AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE, PUTTING THEM AT GREATER RISK OF HOUSING AND FOOD INSECURITY.
IN THE LONGER TERM, STUDENTS LIVING IN POVERTY WHO DID NOT RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE ARE 25% MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL, 50% MORE LIKELY TO BE PLACED IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND 60% LESS LIKELY TO ATTEND COLLEGE.
I ALSO WANT TO REITERATE THAT CHILDCARE TEACHERS ARE OFTEN WOMEN OF COLOR WHO ARE NOT PAID A LIVING WAGE AND DO NOT RECEIVE BENEFITS FOR THE IMPORTANT WORK THEY DO.
IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT AUSTIN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY IN THIS TYPE OF CRISIS, AND WE WILL STRENGTHEN OUR WORKFORCE AND OUR ECONOMY BY DOING SO.
I WANNA SAY COUNCIL MEMBERS PLANNING AND TOBO AND POOL AS WELL THIS IMPORTANT RESOLUTION.
I'M A 35 YEAR RESIDENT OF AUSTIN, MOSTLY SOUTH AUSTIN AND DISTRICT FIVE, UH, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS.
I CAME TO AUSTIN, UM, BECAUSE OF THE MUSIC HERE.
INCREDIBLE MUSIC SCENE AND THE BEAUTIFUL WATERS OF BARTON CREEK AND BARTON SPRINGS.
UM, I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF ITEM 62 AND VEHEMENTLY AGAINST ITEM 95 AND ALSO ASK RIGHT NOW THAT YOU ALLOW FURTHER DIS UH, PUBLIC, UH, SPEAKING AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION AND AFTER YOU ACTUALLY RELEASE SOME REAL INFORMATION ON UH, WHAT IS
[01:40:01]
CURRENTLY A SECRET DEAL ON ITEM 95.UH, IF YOU DON'T POSTPONE IT AND PLEASE POSTPONE IT SO THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE SOME REAL INFORMATION AND PROVIDE REAL INPUT BEFORE YOU JUMP OFF THAT CLIFF.
UM, THE WORLD HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST FALL WHEN Y'ALL, UH, PUSHED TO GO FORWARD WITH THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.
WE'RE NOW IN THE WORST ECONOMIC CRISIS AND PUBLIC HEALTH DISASTER, UH, IN A 90 OR A HUNDRED YEARS, AND YET YOU'RE PRETENDING LIKE NOTHING'S CHANGED.
UM, YOU'VE HEARD THE LITANY OF MUSIC VENUES THAT HAVE CLOSED, UH, THE MUSICIANS WHO ARE STARVING AND CAN'T PAY THE RENT.
WITH YET MORE LIP SERVICE FROM OUR MAYOR AND OUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, IT'S TIME FOR ACTION AND REAL ACTION.
UM, I SUPPORT ITEM TWO SPECIFICALLY WITH THE PROVISION THAT YOU LOOK IN THE CONVENTION CENTER RESERVE FUND AND ALSO WITH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND KITCHENS AMENDMENT ABOUT DESIGNATING VENUES AS VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS.
UM, I'M HEARING THAT THIS CITY ATTORNEYS TELLING YOU YOU DON'T HAVE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO FUND VENUES AND MUSICIANS OUT OF THE CONVENTION CENTER RESERVE FUND.
AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT'S JUST COMPLETELY FALSE.
UH, THESE FUNDS COULD EASILY BE LABELED AS A RAINY DAY FUND FOR OUR CULTURAL COMMUNITY.
THOSE EXCESS FUNDS WERE BUILT UP BECAUSE OF LIVE MUSIC AND LIVE MUSIC DESERVES ALL OF THOSE DOLLARS THAT ARE NOT ABSOLUTELY A HUNDRED PERCENT COMMITTED TO PAYING OFF THE BONDS.
THANK YOU THAT WERE APPROVED BACK.
THANK YOU MR. THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.
I'M MONICA LUMAN, POLICY DIRECTOR FOR GAVA GO AUSTIN, BUBLE AUSTIN SPEAKING ON ITEMS 26 62 AND 1 0 6 ON ITEM 26.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND VOTE TO APPROVE THE 12 MONTH HEALTH HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACT WITH CHILD INC.
TO FUND AN ADMINISTER TO THE EARLY HEAD START CHILDCARE PROGRAM.
QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE INVESTMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY, UH, THAT CAN BE MADE.
SORRY, STUMBLING HERE REGARDING ITEM 62, THANK YOU FOR DIRECTING CITY MANAGER CRO TO EXPLORE AND IDENTIFY FUNDING OPTIONS INCLUDING CONVENTION CENTER RESERVES TO SUPPORT THE MOST VULNERABLE INSTITUTIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING CHILDCARE.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS, SONIC AND TOVO POOL AND MAYOR ADLER FOR SPONSORING THIS RESOLUTION.
INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON ITEM 95, SPENDING UP TO 6.3 MILLION ON CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION, I URGE YOU TO DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO CHILDCARE IS ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL AND VULNERABLE INSTITUTIONS NAMED IN THIS RESOLUTION.
YOUR SUPPORT FOR CHILDCARE DEMONSTRATE YOUR SUPPORT TO SECURITY OF STRUGGLING FAMILIES AND THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THE ESSENTIAL ROLE CHILDCARE PLAYS IN KEEPING THE CITY GOING EVERY SINGLE DAY, ESPECIALLY NOW DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.
THE MORE WE CAN SUPPORT FAMILY'S ABILITY TO ACCESS AFFORDABLE QUALITY CHILDCARE, THE BETTER WE WILL BE AT ADDRESSING THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS AND STRESS THIS PANDEMIC HAS IMPOSED ON FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN, WORKING FAMILIES AND OUR CITY'S ECONOMY DEPEND ON THE AVAILABILITY OF CHILDCARE.
FINALLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF AN ATTENTION TO STRUGGLING FAMILIES WITH YOUR APPROVAL ON EXTENSION OF THE EVICTION PROTECTION PERIOD.
YES, GO AHEAD AND THANK YOU MA.
THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR HEARING ME TODAY.
I AM ADAM ORMAN, THE OWNER OF LORO, AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN MUELLER, AND A FOUNDING MEMBER OF GOOD WORK AUSTIN.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK FOR RESOLUTION 62, WHICH WOULD FIND NECESSARY FUNDING TO SUPPORT AUSTIN'S LOCALLY OWNED BARS, RESTAURANTS, AND VENUES AS WE TRY TO MAKE SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS ABOUT OPENING AND OPERATING OUR BUSINESSES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.
AUSTIN WAS FOUNDED BY BUSINESSES THAT SACRIFICED THEIR TIME TO HELP CRAFT AUSTIN'S PAID SICK LEAVE ORDINANCE STARTING IN 2017.
I WAS GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND CONTINUED TO BE AS IT TOOK ME TO THE TRAVIS COUNTY COURTHOUSE WHERE LORO WAS ASKED TO TESTIFY FOR THE CITY.
AND THEN FINALLY THERE, THE LEGISLATURE WHERE WE SPOKE MULTIPLE TIMES IN WHAT IT IN DEFENSE OF WHAT IS NOW OBVIOUSLY A COMMON SENSE MANDATE DURING THAT FIGHT WITH THE BIG BUSINESS LOBBIES.
AND SINCE I HAVE HEARD FROM FOLKS IN THIS VIRTUAL ROOM THAT THEY WERE GRATEFUL TO HAVE A BUSINESS ASSOCIATION VOICE THAT WAS ON THE CITY'S SIDE.
EVEN AS PRE COVID 19 DEVELOPMENT FAVORED OUT OF TOWN DEVELOPERS WHO RENT RESTAURANT SPACE TO VENTURE BACKED OUT OF STATE GROUPS STACKING THE DECK DOWNTOWN AND ON THE EAST SIDE, ESPECIALLY AGAINST INDEPENDENT LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES.
AND SINCE MARCH 17TH, OUR DECISIONS ABOUT HEALTH AND SAFETY HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE WELFARE OF THE CITY IN MIND.
[01:45:01]
EVEN IF WE HAVEN'T ALWAYS HAD THE GUIDANCE OR SUPPORT, WE WANTED LOCA DORO.THANKS TO THE CREATIVITY OF MY BUSINESS PARTNER, FIY HAS REINVENTED ITSELF TO PREPARE MEALS FOR CAREGIVERS OF AISD STUDENTS ADMINISTERED THAT PROGRAM HASSLE YOU FOR MORE WORK FOR OTHER RESTAURANTS AND COUNCIL RESTAURANTS ON BEST PRACTICES.
WE'RE FEEDING AUSTIN, BUYING FROM LOCAL FARMS, HIRING BACK OUR EMPLOYEES AND DOING IT SAFELY THANKS TO THIS CITY CONTRACT AND ALL THE MONEY WE MAKE IS STAYING IN AUSTIN.
GWA BUSINESSES AS A WHOLE HAVE AGREED ON GUIDELINES TO HELP US OPEN SAFELY AND STAY OPEN.
WE INCLUDED GUEST HEALTH DECLARATIONS AS A CONTACT TRACING TOOL, WHICH WAS A CITY PRIORITY AT THE TIME.
WE REQUIRED MASKS IN APRIL MONTHS BEFORE THE GOVERNOR.
WE'RE LOOKING OUT FOR BUSINESSES AND OUR PEOPLE FOR SURE, BUT WE'RE LOOKING OUT FOR AUSTIN AS WELL BECAUSE WE CAN'T EXIST WITHOUT YOU AND WE'D LIKE TO THINK THAT YOU CAN'T EXIST WITHOUT US AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE NOW.
POLITICIANS LOVE SMALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE WE SUFFER QUIETLY.
WE DON'T ASK FOR HANDOUTS LIKE BIG INDUSTRIES DO, BUT OUR STOICISM HAS WON US NO FAVORS IN THIS TRAGIC TIME THE STATE HAS DONE AND WILL DO NOTHING.
CONGRESS'S FIRST ROUND OF PPP HELPED A LOT OF VERY LARGE FIGURE.
YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED AND WE KNOW NOTHING ELSE IS COMING FROM THEM.
WE NEED A 75 MILLION FUND OF GRANTS AND LOANS.
HI, I'M DIANA HAGGERTY AND I REPRESENT STRONGER TOGETHER ATX AND AM A MEMBER OF EQUITY IN CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION.
YOU'VE HEARD TODAY FROM SOME OF THE BRILLIANT WOMEN WHO MEET WEEKLY, SOMETIMES DAILY.
WITHIN THAT GROUP, I AM ALSO THE MOTHER OF FOUR DAUGHTERS RESIDING IN DISTRICT FIVE WITH A SHUTTERED BUSINESS IN DISTRICT NINE THAT DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR ANY OF THE SUPPORT OF FUNDING, BUT THAT'S NOT WHY I'M HERE.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT CHILDCARE ITEMS 26 AND 62.
IT IS NOT OKAY TO TREAT CHILDCARE AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT AS IT IS THE ROOT OF ALL INDUSTRY, ALL BUSINESS AND ALL COMMUNITY.
ALL IT IS NOT OKAY TO LEAVE OUR MOST VULNERABLE FAMILIES WITHOUT SAFE QUALITY OPTIONS FOR THE WAIT LIST FOR SUBSIDIES, THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN LONG.
IT'S NOT OKAY FOR TEENAGERS TO MISS SCHOOL TO CARE FOR YOUNGER SIBLINGS BECAUSE PARENTS CAN'T AFFORD TO WORK AND PAY FOR CHILDCARE AND IT IS NOT OKAY FOR HALF OR MORE OF A HOUSEHOLD BUDGET TO GO TO CHILDCARE SO PARENTS CAN BE WORK.
IT'S NOT OKAY TO ASSUME THAT MOTHERS WILL JUST TAKE CARE OF IT ALL AND MAKE IT WORK AS THAT PLACE IS YET ANOTHER BURDEN ON US.
AS WE WATCH OUR SAFETY NETS DISSOLVE BELOW US, WE'RE LEAVING BUSINESSES AND CAREERS, MYSELF INCLUDED AND GOING BROKE STRONGER TOGETHER.
ATX HAS BEEN COLLECTING MOTHER STORIES AND YOU'LL HAVE A REPORT OF THOSE IN YOUR EMAIL.
AND SPOILER ALERT, WE ARE DEVASTATED AND DEFEATED AND WE NEED YOUR HELP.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STEP UP AND SHOW UP AS A COMMUNITY FOR CHILDCARE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND I ASK THAT YOU DO MORE TO ENSURE THAT AUSTIN IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY CITY.
I THINK IT'S AWESOME THAT CHILDCARE SHARES A BILL WITH OUR MUSIC SCENE AND I HAVE ANOTHER REPORT WITH CREATIVE WAYS THAT WE CAN COLLABORATE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE VYING FOR FUNDING RIGHT NOW, AND I KNOW YOU HAVE HARD DECISIONS TO MAKE AND AUSTIN CAN BE A SHINING EXAMPLE OF CROSS SECTOR COLLABORATION.
IN FACT, I HAD TWO LARGE EASTSIDE EVENTS VENUES TEED UP TO PROVIDE DISTANCE LEARNING SUPPORT AS THEIR INDUSTRY SHRIVELED UP, BUT ULTIMATELY COULDN'T GUARANTEE THE FUNDING.
SO IN ALLOCATING FUNDING, I'D ALSO LIKE YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER HOW OUR BABIES ARE VALUED IN COMPARISON TO BARS AND BRUNCH.
OUR WORLD HAS CHANGED, BUT ONE THING REMAINS THE SAME.
OUR FAMILIES MATTER AND OUR BABIES MATTER.
PLEASE, PLEASE FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF OUR SI, OUR CHILDCARE TASK FORCE.
MR. CRONK, PLEASE GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE CARE FOR OUR BABIES THE WAY YOU DO FOR YOURS.
AND THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD DO, WE WOULD DO IF YOU WERE IN THE SITUATION SO MANY AUSTIN FAMILIES ARE.
AND AS A SIDE NOTE, MY OLDEST BABY, IT'S ALMOST 17, SHE IS ALSO A CHILD FOR PARTICIPATING TODAY.
CAN YOU, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? SORRY.
HELLO, I'M GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR ADLER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, MY NAME IS BEN FORDHAM AND I'M THE COO OF THREE AUSTIN RESTAURANTS, WAU, SWIFT AND ROSEDALE KITCHEN AND BAR.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 62, THE DIRECTOR, TICKET MANAGER TO EXPLORE AND IDENTIFY WAYS TO SUPPORT AND INCREASE THE SURVIVABILITY OF THOSE MOST VULNERABLE AND OFTEN HARDLY HIT SECTORS INCLUDING CHILDCARE, MUSIC AND THEIR NEWS, SPECIFICALLY RESTAURANTS INVOLVED.
I, UM, I LIVE IN, UH, DISTRICT, UM, EIGHT AND OUR RESTAURANTS ARE IN DISTRICT NINE AND 10.
I WENT TO UT AS AN EXCHANGE STUDENT 20 YEARS AGO AND STARTED RUNNING, UM, SUCCESSFUL RESTAURANTS IN THE UK SINCE THEN, AND THEN RETURNED HERE TWO YEARS AGO.
THE DYNAMIC SOCIAL SCENE OF AUSTIN SPEARHEADED BY ITS RESTAURANT HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WAS ONE OF THE DRIVING FORCES BEHIND OUR
[01:50:01]
DECISION TO RETURN HERE.A YEAR AGO, I JOINED THE COMEDIAN GROUP, WHICH OPERATES SWIFTS AND ROSEDALE FOR COVID.
WE EMPLOYED OVER 150 PEOPLE ACROSS THREE RESTAURANTS IN THE HEAD OFFICE.
WE NOW EMPLOY BAR 60 AND ALMOST NONE OF THOSE ARE FULL TIME.
THE COMBINATION ARE VERY GOOD.
TAKE AWAY BUSINESS AND REASONABLE SIZE.
PATIO AND LIMITED IN RESTAURANT DINING MEANS THAT WOO TRADES RELATIVELY WELL.
WHILE THAT'S EXTREMELY ENCOURAGING, IT IS ALL VERY RELATIVE.
THE POSITIVE SALES THAT WE WERE STILL WAY BELOW LAST YEAR AND HIGH DOWNTOWN RENTAL AND OVERHEADS MEANS IN SPITE OF THIS, IT IS STILL TOUCH AND GO WITH YOUR METRO PROFIT AND THAT IS, I BELIEVE, ONE OF THE HIGHEST PERFORMING RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY AT THE MOMENT.
SWISS IS, UH, UH, CREATIVE AND UPSCALE RESTAURANT ON CONGRESS, UM, BUT IS REMAINED CLOSED BETWEEN APRIL AND UH, UNTIL VERY RECENTLY UNTIL THE LAST WEEK IN AUGUST.
UM, WE, UH, WE ARE, WE ARE NOT YET DOING ANYWHERE NEAR THE TRADE THAT IS NECESSARY TO MAKE THE SUSTAIN OLD BUSINESS ABOUT 10% CURRENTLY OF 2019 LEVELS SWIFT CAN COUNT ITSELF AS AN AUSTIN INSTITUTION.
WHEN IT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE NINE YEARS AGO, IT WAS COMPLETELY UNIQUE IN THE DINING COMMUNITY EMBRACING ITS FUNKY VIBE AND CULTURE OF AUSTIN HAS BEEN THE FOREFRONT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AUSTIN FOOD TEAM LEADING THE CHARGE TO DIVERSIFY AND IMPROVE THE CURRENT OPTIONS OF THE GREAT CITY.
ROSE DOWN IS A NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENT HAVING DEMOGRAPHIC THAT IS VERY CAUTIOUS INTO THE SPECTRUM.
OUR CLIENTELE MOVES WITH THE COVID NUMBERS AS THEY INCREASE OUR CLIENTELE GOES DOWN AND BY VERSA, WE'RE CURRENTLY JUST GETTING BY ON 15 TO 20% OF SALES.
AND WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE 2000 MEALS A WEEK WE ARE PROVIDING FOR THE MEAL PROGRAM THROUGH ASD AND PROLO, WE WILL NOT HAVE SURVIVED THIS LONG SPEAKER.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR ADLER TO BE COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS VALERIE WARD AND I'M THE CO-OWNER OF SWEET RITUAL VEGAN ICE CREAM, WHICH OPENED IN 2011 AND COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO DISTRICT NINE AND NOW ALSO HAS A PRODUCTION SPACE IN COUNCIL MEMBER POOLS DISTRICT SEVEN.
I'M ALSO A FOUNDING MEMBER OF GOOD WORK AUSTIN, AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT ITEM 62 SPECIFICALLY TO SUPPORT THE SURVIVAL OF CHILDCARE, RESTAURANTS, BARS AND ARTS VENUES IN AUSTIN.
I LIVE IN AUSTIN FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND MY BUSINESS PARTNER AND I STARTED SWEET RITUAL, NOT JUST PROVIDE DELICIOUS DESSERTS AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES TO FAMILIES WITH A VARIETY OF DIETARY NEEDS, BUT TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE AND POSITIVE WORKPLACE FOR OUR STAFF.
WE'RE CONSTANTLY WORKING TO PROVIDE FAIR WAGES, HEALTH BENEFITS IN A POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT.
THROUGH MENTORING OTHER ENTREPRENEURS AND TEACHING BUSINESS EDUCATION, I'VE BEEN PROUD TO PASS THOSE VALUES ON TO OTHER BUSINESSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD IN ASSOCIATION WITH GOOD WORK.
AUSTIN, I VOTED IN MY TIME TO GIVE THOSE SAME RESOURCES TO OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES IN AUSTIN AND PROMOTE THOSE VALUES THROUGH CITY AND STATE LEGISLATION IN THE WAKE OF THE CURRENT PANDEMIC.
OUR ABILITY TO CARE FOR OUR STAFF HAS BEEN JEOPARDIZED.
WE CLOSE OUR DOORS COMPLETELY IN MARCH, TEMPORARILY LAYING OFF ALL OF OUR STAFF, AND IT WAS NOT UNTIL RECEIVING PPP FUNDS IN MADE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO REOPEN AND GUARANTEE THOSE WAGES IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR 10 STAFF MEMBERS.
AND THOSE FUNDS ARE LONG SINCE SPENT AND NORMAL TIMES WE'D BE BARELY BREAKING EVEN THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS.
THIS YEAR, WE'LL BE QUICKLY DE REPEATING OUR LIMITED RESERVES MONTH BY MONTH WITH THE CONTINUING UNCERTAIN, WE'RE UNSURE HOW TO PIVOT, WHAT TO INVEST IN FOR OUR FUTURE.
AND WITHOUT A DEDICATED 75 MILLION FUND, OUR BUSINESS AND THE GROWING COMMUNITY OF BUSINESSES DEDICATED TO CREATING SUSTAINABLE JOBS IN AUSTIN WILL NOT SURVIVE THE CULTURE OF AUSTIN.
AND OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE, WHICH IS OUR CREATIVE, INDUSTRIOUS, AND COMMUNITY MINDED WORKFORCE WILL DISAPPEAR.
PLEASE APPROVE THIS PLAN AND SAVE CHILDCARE, RESTAURANTS, BARS AND ARTS VENUES THROUGH AUSTIN.
HI, MY NAME IS LENNY LUWAK AND I AM SPEAKING, UM, IN REGARDS TO THE AGENDA ITEM TO THE EX.
TO EXTEND A 60 DAY NOTICE OF PROPOSED EVICTION NUMBER 1 0 6 AND I'M SPEAKING AGAINST IT, UM, I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY COMPANY, ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC MANAGEMENT.
I HAVE TWO COMMUNITIES WITH OVER A THOUSAND RESIDENTS THAT LIVE IN COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN AND COUNCIL MEMBER.
REGARDLESS DISTRICTS, I BELIEVE THAT EXTENDING THE ORDINANCE, IT REQUIRES A 60 DAY NOTICE OF PROPOSED EVICTION IS NOT THE ANSWER.
WHAT WE NEED IS MORE RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR OUR RESIDENTS, WERE AFFECTED AND CAN SHOW PROOF OF BEING IMPACTED BY COVID AS AGENTS FOR OUR RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS.
WE HAVE COMMITTED TO HELPING OUR RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC.
ALTHOUGH FOR MANY MONTHS OUR COMPANY HAS WORRIED REPEATEDLY AND STRATEGIZED ON HOW TO MEET OUR OBLIGATIONS, UH, TAXES, OUR MORTGAGE UTILITIES, EMPLOYEE SALARIES, UH, WHILE HAVING HIGH DELINQUENCIES DUE TO COVID.
WE'RE ALSO PEOPLE WHO CARE AND WE ALSO UNDERSTAND OUR RESIDENTS STRUGGLES.
WE'VE BEEN HELPING OUR RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING, HELPING THEM MAKE PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, UM, OVER MONTH, HELPING THEM FILE FOR ASSISTANCE AND ISSUED RENEWALS WITH A $0 INCREASE
[01:55:01]
IN IN RENT IN ORDER TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS REMAIN IN OUR HOME AND FOR US TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE, UM, THE BUS OUR BUSINESSES.UM, THE 60 DAY NOTICE REQUIREMENT HAS CAUSED A LOT OF CONFUSION AMONGST OUR RESIDENTS.
IT HAS SEVERELY IMPACTED OUR APARTMENT COMMUNITY OPERATIONS AND HAS PROVIDED SOME RESIDENTS THAT ARE NOT IMPACTED BY COVID.
AS OF YESTERDAY, I HAVE OUTSTANDING RENTS OF $49,689 BETWEEN MY TWO AUSTIN AREA SITES.
$16,664 OF THAT IS FROM PRIOR MONTH.
I HAVE RESIDENTS WHO ARE FLAT OUT STATING THEY WILL NOT PAY RENT BECAUSE IT IS QUOTE UNQUOTE NOT ILLEGAL FOR ME NOT TO, WHILE NOT UNDERSTANDING AND REALIZING THAT THEIR OBLIGATION FOR RENT TO PAY THE RENT HAS NOT GONE AWAY AND THAT THEIR BALANCES WILL KEEP INCREASING, MAKING IT HARDER FOR THEM TO GET BACK ON TRACK AND THEY WILL ON THEIR BE ON THEIR WAY TO A FUTURE EVICTION AND NEGATIVE CREDIT.
ONCE EVICTED, THERE'LL BE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF HOUSING DEBT THAT WILL FURTHER PREVENT THEM FROM MOVING ON INTO THEIR LIVES.
IT'S A DEBT THAT WILL AFFECT YOUR TIME, HAS CREDIT, AND FOLLOW THEM AROUND FOR AROUND MANY, MANY YEARS TO COME AND MAY ALSO SET THEM UP TO MORE OF THE CITY RESOURCES.
WE APPRECIATE YOU PARTICIPATING TODAY.
MS. SANK, THE SPANISH SPEAKER, UH, FROM EARLIER IS TOO FRIGHTENED OF THE SPEAKER PROCESS, SO SHE ASKED IF HER COMMENTS COULD BE READ INTO THE RECORD, SO I'LL READ THEM IN SPANISH, THEN IN ENGLISH, UH, RINGS, EXPLORE INDO LOS ALA FAMILIA.
AND MY, MY NAME IS HI SAN AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO.
I'M SPEAKING AS A MOTHER OF A YOUNG CHILD AND AS A MEMBER OF THE DUB SPRINGS COMMUNITY.
FIRST THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR ITEM 62, WHICH DIRECTS THE CITY MANAGER TO EXPLORE AND IDENTIFY FINANCING OPTIONS TO SUPPORT THE MOST VULNERABLE INSTITUTIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING CHILDCARE.
THE MORE WE CAN SUPPORT A FAMILY'S ABILITY TO ACCESS STABLE AND ENRICHING CHILDCARE, THE BETTER WE WILL BE TO ADDRESS THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS AND STRESS THAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS IMPOSED ON FAMILIES AND THEIR YOUNGEST CHILDREN.
AS A PERSON WHO WAS A BABYSITTER BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, SUPPORTING A FAMILY WITH FAMILIAR AND TRUSTWORTHY CARE, THEY EXPRESSED THE QUALITY OF CARE THAT I PROVIDED TO THEIR CHILD, TO THEIR CHILD, AS IF THERE AS IF IT WERE SOMETHING SCARCE.
OUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER, OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES BETTER.
OUR CITY CAN DO BETTER FOR ALL FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND THE PEOPLE, INSTITUTIONS THAT PROVIDE CARE AS WELL.
THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS WE HAVE.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE ONE SPEAKER CALLING IN RIGHT NOW.
NO, THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ZNO JOSEPH.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, ZNO JOSEPH.
MY COMMENTS ARE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO ITEM 61 AMENDMENTS TO BOARD AND COMMISSION BYLAWS.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CLERK'S OFFICE FIRST AND FOREMOST BECAUSE THE CLERK DID PROACTIVELY EMAIL ME THIS MORNING AT NINE 30 TO MAKE THE PROCESS A LITTLE BIT EASIER.
HOWEVER, MY COMMENTS ARE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO GETTING WRITTEN TESTIMONY FROM THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS INTO
[02:00:01]
THE OFFICIAL RECORD BEFORE COUNCIL.AS YOU'RE AWARE, THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES WHERE I'VE SUBMITTED A MEMORANDUM TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION AND PLANNING, AND IT DIDN'T GET INTO THE BACKUP MATERIALS.
MOST RECENTLY, AUGUST 10TH, 2020, THE MEMORANDUM WAS FOR ROGERS, WASHINGTON HOLY CROSS HISTORIC DESIGNATION.
AND ON AUGUST 27TH, 2020, I ACTUALLY SENT AN EMAIL AND ASKED FOR IT TO BE INSERTED IN THE OFFICIAL RECORD.
I JUST WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR YOU TO SPONSOR AN ITEM TO AMEND THE VIRTUAL MEETINGS PROCESS FOR THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
AND THIS COULD APPLY TO THE COUNCIL MEETINGS AS WELL.
I ACTUALLY SENT SOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SENIOR COMMISSION ON APRIL 27TH, FOLLOWED BY JUNE 9TH TO THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE.
I ALSO SENT COMMENTS TO THE ESSEX REVIEW COMMISSION ON AUGUST 12TH AND ZONING AND PLANNING.
I ALSO SENT THEM COMMENTS ON JULY 15TH AND SENT YOU AN EMAIL MAYOR ON JULY 7TH.
YOU CAN POST THE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE PHONE NUMBER AND CODE LIKE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
YOU CAN POST THE PHONE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN JUST LIKE THE TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT, AND THEY ALLOW SAME DAY SIGN UP.
YOU CAN ALSO POST THE INFORMATION FOR SPEAKER REGISTRATION AND RED FONT ON THE HOMEPAGE.
YOU CAN ALSO ALLOW THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THE COMMISSIONERS TO ACTUALLY COMPLY WITH ROBERT'S RULE OF ORDER.
THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DOCUMENT THAT'S FIVE PAGES AND THAT'S ON PAGE THREE BECAUSE IT'S THE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTUALLY ALLOWED ANNE ANGELICA FROM THE QUALITY OF LIFE TO SPEAK BY ALLOWING TWO, UM, TWO OF THE MEMBERS TO PULL FORTH A, A MOTION TO ALLOW HER TO SPEAK DURING THEIR MAY 4TH MEETING.
AND LASTLY, I JUST WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO BECAUSE SHE DID EMAIL ME AND ASK ABOUT THESE CONCERNS PREVIOUSLY.
AND TO COUNCIL MEMBER POOL HOUSE BILL 28 40 DOES ALLOW PUBLIC CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY.
AND SO I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO REVISIT THE LAW AND RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S BASICALLY SAYING FIRST AMENDMENT PREVAILS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL GLADLY ANSWER THEM AT THIS TIME, IF THERE ARE ANY.
THERE ARE ANY SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE THAT HAVE YET TO PRESS ZERO? PLEASE DO SO NOW.
MAYOR, WE HAVE SOMEONE TRYING TO CONNECT.
UM, OH, HE'S SORRY, ONE SECOND.
UH, MR. MAYOR AND, UH, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M THE OWNER OF MCCULLOUGH HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING, UH, AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTOR HERE IN IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
AND I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT ITEM NUMBER 12, UH, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, UH, CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION PROGRAM.
AND MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE'S AN EXPIRED PERMIT ISSUE HERE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, UH, OVER 4,000, UH, CHANGE OUT PERMITS FOR AC SYSTEMS AND WATER HEATERS HAVE HAVE BEEN LESS TO GO EXPIRED.
AND EXPIRED PERMITS ARE THE RESULTS OF A CONTRACTOR DOING A PROJECT, PULLING A PERMIT, AND THEN NOT HAVING THE INSPECTION PERFORMED.
AND SO IT LEAVES THE HOME OR THE BUSINESS, UH, WITH A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
WE'RE TALKING IN MOST CASES, UH, NATURAL GAS FUEL, SO IT COULD BE FIRED, HAZARD COMBUSTION GAS VENTING ISSUES, COULD BE ELECTRICAL HAZARDS.
AND THEN THE EXPIRED PERMIT ALSO, UH, CAUSES A PROBLEM FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER OFTEN DOWN THE ROAD.
SO THEY GO TO PULL ANOTHER PERMIT FIVE OR SIX YEARS LATER.
OR WHEN THEY GO TO SELL THE HOME COULD BE AN ISSUE AND IT CAN END UP COSTING THEM, UH, HUNDREDS OR UH, THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO GET THAT RECTIFIED.
UM, MOST CONTRACTORS IN THE CITY CLOSES THEIR PERMITS.
UH, IT'S AN EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION THOUGH.
WE ESTIMATE THAT IT COSTS US ABOUT $150,000 A YEAR TO OUR PERMITS ALL THE WAY TO TO BE SUCCESSFULLY CLOSED.
AND SO CONTRACTORS, THERE'S SOME LARGE CONTRACTORS THAT HAVE, UH, MADE THIS A BUSINESS PRACTICE WHERE THEY DON'T CLOSE THEIR PERMITS AND THEY'RE SAVING MONEY, PUTTING CITIZENS IN DANGER.
UH, I'VE TALKED WITH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ABOUT THAT AND THEY SAID TO WAIT FOR THE CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION PROGRAM.
[02:05:01]
HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE THAT THE CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION PROGRAM IS GONNA RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.THEY DON'T SEEM TO FEEL THAT THEY HAVE THE POWER, UH, TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
AND SO I'M IN FAVOR OF THE CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION PROGRAM, BUT ONLY IF IT RESOLVES THIS EXPIRED PERMIT SITUATION.
THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE, UH, 10:00 AM CONSENT SPEAKERS.
UM, WE ALSO HAVE ALL OF THE NOON SPEAKERS CONNECTED.
UH, I DON'T KNOW IF, UH, WE'RE IN A PLACE TO, TO APPROVE THE CONSENT, UH, AGENDA.
UH, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE A LOT OF COMMENTS TO BE MADE.
I'M SHOWING AGAIN, THE CONSENT AGENDAS, ITEMS ONE THROUGH 64 95 THROUGH 1 0 7.
THE ITEMS THAT I HAVE PULLED ARE 12 17, 18 48, 54, 62, UH, AND 95 AS OUR CAAR MAYOR.
I THINK THERE WERE A GOOD HANDFUL OF COMMENTS MADE AND THEN ALSO LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS, SOME FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS TO MAYBE BE INCLUDED.
MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE IF WE KEPT OUR BREAK REALLY TIGHT, THEN WE COULD COME BACK AND CUT THAT DOWN RATHER THAN IT KINDA DRIVING IN.
BUT I'M, I'M HOPING THE SUGGESTIONS AND WHAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.
SO WE HAVE SOME THINGS WE NEED MAKE CHANGES TO.
UM, UM, YOU WERE SUGGESTING NOT WHAT, WHICH, WHICH NUMBER IS THE LEGISLATIVE ITEM? IT'S 17 AND I THINK IT WAS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION.
YEAH, IT'S ALREADY PULLED SIMPLY TO ADD MY AMENDMENT FROM THE MESSAGE BOARD.
WE'LL HANDLE THE POLL ITEM LATER.
POLL ITEMS 12 17, 18, 48, 54, 62, AND 95.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? PULL MAKES THE MOTION THE MAYOR PRO.
ANY COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN? YES, I HAVE A COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER 1 0 7.
UM, AND I THINK THE NATURE OF DIRECTION, WHICH I THINK, UM, IS SOMETHING THAT STAFF IS PLANNING TO DO ANYWAY, UH, THIS IS THE ITEM THAT RELATES TO THE TRAIL OF LIGHTS.
UM, AND, UH, THANK YOU, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS FOR BRINGING THAT ITEM.
UH, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALLOW FOR THE TRAIL OF LIGHTS TO, TO USE A, A DRIVE THROUGH MECHANISM.
SO MY DIRECTION JUST RELATES TO, UM, AS THE STAFF IS CONSIDERING HOW THEY, UM, SET UP THE LOGISTICS FOR THAT.
THAT THEY DEVELOP A WEDDING THAT WILL DISCOURAGE CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC THROUGH THE, UH, UH, SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS, PARTICULARLY THE, UH, THE BARTON HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD AND THROUGH TRAFFIC THAT WE'VE SEEN ALONG AZ WHARTON.
UM, AND THEN ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT THEM TO CONSIDER, UM, THE EXTENT TO CONSIDER MAKING MORE OF THE CAR PLANNED, UH, REMAINING OPEN FOR PEOPLE.
UH, BECAUSE WE'RE DOING A DRIVE THROUGH, WE MAY NOT NEED AS MUCH FENCING AS NORMALLY IS NEEDED, THE TRAIL LIGHTS.
SO I'D LIKE THAT TO BE CONSIDERED ALSO SO THAT, UM, MORE OF THE PART CAN CON CONTINUE TO BE USED.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT BEING ADDED BY WAY OF DIRECTION BEARING NONE THAT'S ADDED AND REMAINS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, THAT BUTTON SEEMS TO BE STICKIER THAN IT WAS BEFORE.
UM, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZES ME.
I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO ITEM NUMBER 34.
I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I'M PLEASED TO SEE SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION THAT ALLOW FOR OUR CITY TO IMPLEMENT MANDATORY.
I'M SORRY, GIVE ME JUST A MOMENT.
IN FACT, COULD YOU DEFER TO SOMEBODY ELSE FOR JUST A SECOND? YES.
UH, COUNCIL FLANIGAN, JUST TO CONFIRM, 1 0 6 IS ON CONSENT, IS THAT RIGHT? THAT IS CORRECT.
SO JUST, JUST TO REITERATE MY COMMENTS FROM TUESDAY AND, AND, YOU KNOW, I'M DEFINITELY, UM, HEARING AND CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION AND OTHER FOLKS HAVE BROUGHT UP.
UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S, WE STILL NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ITEM.
UM, BUT I DO WANT US TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN BETTER MANAGE THIS EVICTION PROCESS IN A WAY THAT MIGHT HELP CONNECT FOLKS BETTER TO SERVICES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THOSE ISSUES.
THERE MAY BE FOLKS THAT ARE RELYING UPON THIS PROTECTION THAT MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR RISE OR OTHER PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP KIND OF THE, THE MONEY CONTINUE TO FLOW THROUGH THE COMMUNITY.
AND SO I, I'D LOVE, UH, MANAGER FOR TO HERE AT A LATER TIME HOW STAFF MIGHT CONTEMPLATE THAT MOVING FORWARD.
IF WE'RE STILL DOING THIS GETTING INTO 2021, WE'RE GONNA NEED BETTER SYSTEMS, I THINK, IN PLACE TO HELP FOLKS
[02:10:01]
GET THE HELP THEY NEED.AND TO THAT END, SINCE YOU RAISED THAT ISSUE NOW, UH, WE'VE GOT THAT ADDITIONAL $11 MILLION IN C BG FUNDING THAT SEEMS TO BE DIRECTED TOWARD RENTAL RELIEF.
I HOPE THAT WHEN STAFF IS TAKING A LOOK AT THIS, THEIR FIGURING OUT HOW TO USE THIS MONEY PERHAPS IN, IN WAYS THAT WILL, UH, ADDRESS THE, THE, THE, WHAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE, OF THE RENTAL RELIEF.
UH, WHEN, UM, THE KINDS OF PROTECTIONS START FALLING OFF.
UH, MAYBE THERE'S A WAY TO, UH, INCENT THAT MONEY, UH, IN WAYS THAT, UH, WILL GIVE LONG TERM STABILITY OF, OF TENANTS IN THEIR LOCATIONS.
UH, BUT THERE'LL BE ANOTHER BLOCK OF MONEY THAT IS COMING AVAILABLE.
MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR.
UM, THANK YOU AGAIN SINCE, SINCE THE SUBJECT HAS COME, I ALSO WANTED TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATED HEARING, UM, SEVERAL STORIES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK ABOUT, UM, PROPERTY OWNERS OR PROPERTY OWNER REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAD REALLY SAT WITH TENANTS AND HELP THEM DO THE PAPERWORK AND, AND APPLY FOR THE FUNDING THAT THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR.
UM, WE EVEN HEARD FROM, I THINK ALL OF US EVEN GOT AT LEAST ONE EMAIL THIS WEEK FROM A TENANT WHO EXPRESSED HER APPRECIATION FOR THE PROPERTY MANAGER ON THE SITE HAD HELPED HER FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK.
SO THANK YOU TO THOSE PROPERTY MANAGERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS WHO ARE ASSISTING YOUR TENANTS.
AND, YOU KNOW, TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO, TO SUGGEST TO TENANTS TO REACH OUT TO THEIR LANDLORDS, UM, AND THEIR PROPERTY MANAGERS FOR, AS, FOR THAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE, OR TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM ABOUT PAYMENT, I THINK THAT THAT IS ALSO A GREAT VALUE.
HEY, ACCOUNT MEMBER HARPER, THANK YOU.
ACTUALLY MADE FRONT OF ME FOR THIS YESTERDAY.
I MUTE MY CAMERA FOR THE SAME SNEEZING REASONS.
SO THIS IS A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO JUST SAY TO FOLKS, REALLY STRUGGLING WITH SEASONAL ALLERGIES RIGHT NOW.
UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
I'M ACTUALLY GONNA BE SPEAKING TO THREE ITEMS. NUMBER 17, NUMBER 34, NUMBER 9 95.
UH, I'M PLEASED TO SEE SUPPORT THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR THE CITY TO IMPLEMENT MANDATORY INCLUSIONARY ZONING PROGRAMS. UM, I, I'M, UH, HAPPY TO SEE THAT IT'S BEEN INCLUDED IN OUR PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
THESE PROGRAMS ARE AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR DISPLACEMENT MITIGATION THAT WE SO, SO DESPERATELY NEED IN THIS CITY.
ADDITIONALLY, UM, EXCITED TO SEE THAT WE ARE PASSING ITEM NUMBER 34 AND INCREASING THE INFORMATION THAT WE'RE PROVIDING TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AROUND PREGNANCY PREVENTION.
I, UH, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY RECENTLY TO SPEAK TO, EXCUSE ME.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY RECENTLY TO SPEAK TO OUR YOUTH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE.
UM, AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR, THE YOUTH COUNCIL IS A EFFECT SIMILAR OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, BUT RUN BY LOCAL YOUTH AND THEY REPRESENT THEIR DISTRICT AND, EXCUSE ME, AND SPEAKING TO, UM, THIS YOUNG PERSON, IT JUST REALLY REMINDED ME THAT THEY ARE SO BRILLIANT AND THEY ARE SO SMART, AND THEY ARE REALLY READY TO TAKE UP THE TORCH IN A SUPER HAPPY THAT WE'RE DOING OUR PART TO EQUIP THEM AS BEST AS WE CAN.
UH, I, SHE JUST MADE ME REALLY REMEMBER THAT AN INFORMED WOMAN IS AN EMPOWERED WOMAN, AND HISTORY HAS SHOWN US TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT IT EMPOWERED UNSTOPPABLE.
SO I'M HAPPY TO SEE THIS ITEM GROW CONSENT AS WELL.
LASTLY, I'M THRILLED TO SEE THAT THE COUNCIL HAS COME TOGETHER ON MAKING NECESSARY INVESTMENTS IN OUR CONVENTION CENTER THAT WILL HELP KEEP US COMPETITIVE, UM, AS A DESTINATION, INCREASE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFIT OUR, OUR CITY AS A WHOLE.
BECAUSE THIS SAYS TO ME THAT THERE IS THE POLITICAL WILL ON THIS DAY TO MAKE MUCH NEEDED LARGE SCALE INVESTMENTS IN EAST AUSTIN.
I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT HOT FUNDS CAN ONLY BE USED FOR VERY SPECIFIC PROJECTS LIKE THE CONVENTION CENTER, HOWEVER, IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT WE CAN PUT THE SAME LEVEL OF CARE AND ATTENTION TO FIND OTHER FUNDING OPTIONS TO ADDRESS NEGLECTED PROJECTS IN CITY ASSETS LIKE THE MILLENNIUM YOUTH ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, DOWNS FIELD, THE COLONY PARK COMMUNITY PLAN THAT IS LANGUISH FOR OVER NINE YEARS.
UH, THE 12TH STREET FLEET SERVICES PROPERTY AT THE CORNER OF 12TH AND HARGRAVE UPDATES TO JUST GENERALLY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
I COULD GO ON, BUT THERE'S SO MANY OTHER PROJECTS IN EAST AUSTIN THAT NEED OUR LOW.
UH, WE'VE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS AND SHIFTING OUR FOCUS TO THE EASTERN CRESCENT, BUT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
I LOOK FORWARD TO DIGGING IN WITH OUR STAFF, THE COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE RECENTLY FORMED TRAVIS COUNTY, AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE COMMISSION.
THE CITY OF BOSTON'S COLLECTIVE
[02:15:01]
PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY DEPENDS ON THE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY RESIDENT.I INTEND TO BRING FORWARD A RESOLUTION ON OCTOBER 15TH TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR NORTHEAST AUSTIN TO ENSURE THIS LONG NEGLECTED AREA GETS THE SAME PRIORITIZATION AND THE SAME INVESTMENT WE'VE GIVEN TO OTHER PLANS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME IN ADDRESSING HISTORIC INEQUITIES AND THE LACK OF FINANCIAL INVESTMENT IN THE EASTERN CRESCENT, AND TO HELP CREATE A PATH FORWARD TO REVERSE THE IMPACTS OF GENERATIONS OF NEGLECT.
UM, AND I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU ON THOSE INITIATIVES.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HEART, UH, MAYOR PRO, TIM, UH, JUST QUICKLY, I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T MAKE FUNNY OF YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MEDICINE.
I JUST COMMENTED HOW IT WAS FUNNY THAT WE HAVE, YOU HAD TO TAKE A SNEEZE RECESS, AND I SAID ONLY IN AUSTIN
BUT, UM, I JUST WANTED TO BRIEFLY COMMENT ON ITEM 34.
UH, THANK YOU FOR ALSO HIGHLIGHTING THAT COUNTS FOR HYPER MEDICINE, UM, AND GET SOME BRIEF STATISTICS REALLY QUICK.
34 IS FOR FUNDING FOR TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION SERVICES, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH, UM, HAS BEEN FUNDING FOR A WHILE.
AND I THINK IT'S A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF HOW WHEN WE ADDRESS SOMETHING AND MAKE IT A PRIORITY AND INVEST IN EDUCATION, WE SEE THE NUMBERS CHANGE.
UM, TEXAS HAS RANKED, HAS RANKED THE FOURTH HIGHEST OUT OF 50 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ON, UM, 2016, 16 BIRTH RATES AMONG FEMALE AGES 15 TO 19.
IN TEXAS, 66% OF ALL TEEN BIRTHS WERE TWO HISPANIC FEMALES UNDER THE AGE OF 20 COMPARED TO 36% NATIONALLY.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THE TEXAS TEEN BIRTH RATE DECLINED BY ABOUT HALF BETWEEN 2009 AND 2018, WHICH IS MARRYING A NATIONWIDE TREND.
TRAVIS COUNTY'S TEAM, BIRTH RATES ARE LOWER THAN THE STATES AND THE LOWEST OF ANY MAJOR METRO COUNTY.
ABOUT 2% OF TRAVIS COUNTY TEENS GAVE BIRTH IN 2018, DOWN FROM 6% IN 2006.
SO AGAIN, I JUST FELT WE PASS A LOT OF THESE THINGS ON CONSENT AND DON'T SOMETIMES RECOGNIZE OUR SUCCESSES, BUT IT'S GREAT THAT WE ARE HAVING AN IMPACT AND HELPING, UM, TEENAGE, UH, PREGNANCY, UM, KEEPING THOSE, GETTING THOSE NUMBERS LOWER.
SO THANK YOU CONVERSATION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT ITEM 62 LATER, I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT, UM, ITEM 99 IS PROVIDING ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF SUPPORT, UM, FOR CHILDCARE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
UM, THIS IS COMING FROM OUR, OUR CDBG FUNDING.
UH, WHEN WE DID OUR FRAMEWORK, WE HAD ABOUT $2 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR CHILDCARE.
A MILLION OF IT HAS RECENTLY, UM, BEEN, UM, GRANTED TO OUR CHILDCARE CENTERS WHO APPLIED, UM, THROUGH OUR CHILDCARE SUPPORT PROGRAM.
UM, THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL, UM, THIS IS THE SECOND PART OF THAT.
I, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AND IT'S GOING FOR CHILDCARE FOR ESSENTIAL WORK WORKERS, UM, BEING ADMINISTERED BY WORKFORCE, UM, SOLUTIONS CAPITAL AREA.
UM, AND I THINK IT'S, YOU KNOW, THE CHILDCARE PIECE, UM, WAS TALKED ABOUT BY SEVERAL OF THE SPEAKERS, AND I JUST WANTED TO FLAG A STEP THAT WE WERE ALREADY TAKING ON TODAY'S, UM, AGENDA IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
ANYTHING ELSE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE WE VOTE? KITCHEN? UM, I WANTED TO COMMENT BRIEFLY ON THE, UH, ITEM NUMBER RELATED TO CONTINUING THE EVICTION MORATORIUM.
UM, I, UH, SHARE THE CONCERNS THAT WERE EXPRESSED BY, I THINK IT WAS COUNCIL MEMBER AGAIN, PERHAPS A FEW OTHERS, UH, ABOUT THE IMPACT ON, UM, LANDLORDS.
AND I KNOW THAT WE HAD A CONVERSATION PREVIOUSLY, UH, WHEN WE, UM, EXTENDED, UH, THE EVICTION MORATORIUM WHEN WE TALKED AT THAT TIME ABOUT WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO TO HELP ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT WERE BEING RAISED.
AND SO I HAD ASKED, UM, EARLIER THAT WE RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT.
AND, UM, SO I'LL JUST ASK AGAIN THAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE OUR STAFF TO SEND US, UM, THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS.
AND I KNOW THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS ALL THE WAY RELATING FROM ALL THE WAY FROM, UM, UH, ALLOWING LANDLORDS TO, TO HELP IN SOME WAYS WITH THEIR, UM, LENDERS APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE.
BUT WE ALSO DID TALK ABOUT AS PART OF OUR, UM, HEY, I'M REMEMBERING CORRECTLY AS PART OF OUR SPENDING FRAMEWORK,
[02:20:01]
UH, CONSIDERING HOW TO, TO ASSIST LANDLORDS.SO, SO ALL OF THAT BOILS DOWN TO IS I'M JUST STUDYING THAT I CONTINUE, UH, TO, UM, TO HEAR THE CONCERNS THAT OUR SMALLER LANDLORDS ARE RAISING.
AND I KNOW THAT WE ADDRESS THEM.
WE TALKED ABOUT THEM BEFORE AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS STAFF HAS TAKEN SOME ACTIONS TO ADDRESS THEM.
AND I WOULD LIKE, UM, STAFF TO SEND TO ALL OF US IN WRITING WHAT THOSE ACTIONS ARE.
THE, UH, CONSENT AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED IN SECOND.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE A VOTE.
THOSE IN FAVOR, THE CONSENT TO GENERAL, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED, I'M SEEING EVERYONE WITH THEIR HAND RAISED COUNCIL BARAR AND, AND MAYOR, UM, JUST, I HADN'T RESPONDED TO SOME OF THIS, BUT JUST CUZ I KNOW THAT THERE ARE FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY AND MEDIA WATCHING, I APPRECIATE US PASSING, UH, AND CONTINUING TO PROTECT OUR TENANTS WHILE TRYING TO ALSO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, THERE'S A STABLE THAT WE TRY TO STABILIZE, UM, ANOTHER REALLY UNSTABLE INDUSTRY AND, AND, AND PROP FOR PROPERTY OWNERS.
UM, TO BE CLEAR, UH, THE EVICTION MORATORIUM THAT YOU HAVE SIGNED, MAYOR AND THIS ORDINANCE ONLY APPLY TO THOSE FOLKS THAT CAN'T PAY THEIR RENT BECAUSE OF COVID 19.
UM, AND SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS REALLY CLEAR.
UM, AND, AND WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE AS EVERYBODY IS RECOGNIZED HERE ON THE DIAS, UH, THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HURTING RIGHT NOW, AND THAT WE HAVE TO DO OUR BEST TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE WITH REALLY LIMITED RESOURCES.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE UNITED TO LOOK AT HERE ON THE DIAS.
UH, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVEN'T BEEN SEEN MUCH OF THE NEWS UP THE HIGHWAY IN HOUSTON, UM, THERE HAVE BEEN CONTINUED EVICTIONS THERE AND IT'S HORRIBLE.
UM, EVEN WITH THE NEW CDC MORATORIUM, THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WHO, WHO NO FAULT OF THEIR LOAN, HAVE LOST THEIR JOB AND LOST THEIR HOUSING.
UH, AND WHILE WE'VE SEEN SOME, UH, ESPECIALLY INFORMAL EVICTIONS HERE, WE COMPARED TO LOTS OF OTHER PARTS OF THE, OF THE STATE, WE'VE, UM, MANAGED TO NOT HAVE AS, AS SIGNIFICANT OF THAT, UM, OF PEOPLE JUST BEING THROWN OUT OF THEIR HOMES AT SOME OTHER PLACES.
AND WE HAVE TO DO OUR BEST ALSO TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE CARE OF THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS.
BUT AS THE MAYOR PRO 10 MENTIONED, WHEN WE DO SOMETIMES PASS THINGS ON CONSENT, IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANT WORK OUR STAFF AND, UH, THIS COUNCIL THAT OUR MAYOR HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO TO, UH, REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF HOMELESSNESS THAT, UH, IS CREATED BY THESE EVICTIONS.
WHILE FULLY ACKNOWLEDGING WE NEED TO DO OUR BEST TO RECOGNIZE THAT MAINTENANCE FOLKS AND TAXES AND MORTGAGES NEED TO PAID BY OWNERS AND TO OKAY.
COLLEAGUES, WE HAD, UH, POSTPONED, I THINK THE JOHNNY TRAVINO PARK ITEM TO OCTOBER 1ST.
I THINK THERE WAS A DESIRE FROM OUR COLLEAGUES TO POSTPONE THAT UNTIL OCTOBER 15TH.
UH, SO THAT ALL THE EAST AUSTIN STUFF, I THINK YOUR RESOLUTION COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, AND WAL LAW PARK, UH, DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO POSTPONING THAT, TO OCTOBER 15TH AS OPPOSED TO OCTOBER 1ST? OKAY.
UH, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO US RECONSIDERING THE VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER 31 APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? HEARING NONE, WE'RE GONNA RECONSIDER THAT VOTE.
WE'RE GONNA CHANGE 31 TO BE A POSTPONE UNTIL OCTOBER 15TH.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT BEING DONE, HEARING, DONE BOTH THE RECONSIDERATION AND THE NEW DAY PASS UNANIMOUSLY.
UH, AND THAT'LL BE POSTPONED UNTIL THE 15TH.
UH, COLLEAGUES, THAT'S THE CONSENT AGENDA BEING PASSED.
LET'S DO NOW THE CITIZEN COMMUNICATION.
I THINK THERE'S SIX PEOPLE, UH, ON THE LINE.
AND THEN WE'LL, WE'LL TAKE, UH, A BREAK FOR LUNCH, GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THEN COME BACK OUT.
WE CAN TALK, UH, WE CAN TALK TIMING.
WE MAY BE TAKING A CLU OF SPEAKERS SEPARATE FROM THE, UH, FROM THE DEBATE LATER THIS AFTERNOON AS WE'RE BACKING UP A LITTLE BIT.
CLERK, IF YOU'LL TAKE US THROUGH THE, UH, CITIZEN, UH, SPEAKERS, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
SPEAKER NUMBER ONE IS GENEVIEVE FLOES.
I'M GENEVIE FLORES, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF HONDA.
AND I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HONDA, HONDA, TEXAS, THE HIDDEN JEWEL, A HIDDEN JEWEL RIGHT HERE IN TEXAS AND IS A SHORT DRIVE FROM SAN ANTONIO IS ACTUALLY GONNA ABOUT 40 MILES FROM SAN ANTONIO, WEST OF SAN ANTONIO.
I'M HERE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT HONDA HAS OVER 400 OF ACRES OF LAND READY FOR DEVELOPMENT.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE THE PRESENTATION IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT THERE IS SOME SHOTS, SCREENSHOTS ON THE PRESENTATION THAT YOU WERE SENT FOR US THAT YOU LOOK AT THEM AND THERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES THAT SHOWS YOU THE ACREAGES ON THAT.
AND YOU'RE ASKING, HOW DID LITTLE HONDA END UP WITH SO MUCH LAND? RE REMEMBER BACK IN THE FORTIES, HONDA HAD AN ARMY BASE, AND AT THE TIME IT WAS THE LARGEST PILOT TRAINING
[02:25:01]
FACILITY IN THE WORLD WITH OVER 3,600 ACRES OF LAND.AND IN 1948, THE BASE WAS GIVEN TO THE CITY OF HONDA BY OUR GOVERNMENT.
THIS INCLUDED ALL RUNWAYS, TAXIWAYS, HANGERS, BARRACKS, ANYTHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH THAT BASE.
SO YOU'RE THINKING HONDA, YES, LITTLE HONDA HAS ACCESS TO AIR RAILROAD AND 10, AN AIRPORT WITH FOUR RUNWAYS.
THAT'S MORE THAN SAN ANTONIO HAS.
AND SAN ANTONIO IS AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
HONDA HAS ACCESS TO RAILROAD UNION PACIFIC AND BURLINGTON NORTH SANTA FE.
AND HONDA IS ACTUALLY ON HIGHWAY 90 WEST, WHICH IS I IH 10.
FAST FORWARD AGAIN TO THE PRESENT.
THE HONDA HAS ELECTED TO PUT SOME OF THE PROPERTIES UP FOR REQUESTS FOR BED, AND THAT'S WHY I TELL YOU THAT HONDA HAS OVER 400 ACRES OF LAND READY FOR DEVELOPMENT.
YOU'RE PROBABLY ASKING WHY IS SHE HERE AND WHY IS SHE TELLING US THIS? WELL, TO MY UNDERSTANDING, YOU ARE THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS IN THIS BIG STATE OF TEXAS, AND I'M HOPING YOU, YOU WILL ASSIST ME IN TELLING COMPANIES, DEVELOPERS, INVESTORS, ABOUT HONDA AND HAVE THEM CONNECT WITH ME.
ALL MY CONTACT INFORMATION IS ON THIS PRESENTATION THAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO REACH OUT TO ME.
AND AGAIN, I'M GENEVIE FLORES, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY.
AND I KNOW I WENT PRETTY FAST, BUT PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO REACH OUT TO ME.
THANK YOU AND WELCOME TO OUR COUNCIL MEETING, RUBEN.
YES, UH, THIS IS RUBEN MENTOR SENIOR.
UNFORTUNATELY, I'M THE SAME PERSON, HAS CAME, UH, SEVERAL TIMES TO THE CITIZEN COMMUNICATION.
THE REASON WHY I'M HAVING MY VOICE BE HEARD IS BECAUSE I'M STILL BEING HARASSED BY THE POLICE.
I AM REQUESTING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO CHIEF MANLEY, SOMEONE WHO I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS AN INTRODUCTION ON FEBRUARY 22ND, I HAD A LENGTH OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THE HARASSMENT THAT I'VE BEEN RECEIVING FOR OVER 13 YEARS.
AND IT'S CONTINUED EVEN TODAY WITH THE, UH, DIRECTOR OF THE POLICE OVERSIGHT, WHICH SHE SAID SHE WAS GONNA LOOK INTO MY SITUATION.
UM, FORTUNATELY I STILL DON'T HAVE A COMPLAINT SPECIALIST SINCE MY LAST COMPLAINT SPECIALIST TOLD ME THAT YOU NO LONGER WANTED, THEY REPRESENT ME, AND I'M STILL TRYING TO, I I'VE BEEN THE ONE SENDING EMAILS TO EVERYBODY, THE POLICE CHIEF, OR I'VE BEEN SENDING EMAILS TO THE, THE CITY MANAGER, THE, THE
I'VE BEEN SENDING EMAILS TO OUR LOCAL AND NATIONWIDE NEWS.
YES, I'M REFERRED TO CNN AND MSNBC BECAUSE THIS IS CRAZY.
THESE, THESE POLICE OFFICERS ARE, ARE BEYOND JUNE 15TH.
I HAD A CONFRONTATION WITH ONE OF THEM.
ON JUNE 17TH, I FOUND MY WINDSHIELD SMASHED, AND I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE PICTURES OF IT AND SEND IT TO EVERYONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, AS WELL AS THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER, AS WELL AS HOPEFULLY I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT IT IN PERSON TO CHEAT BRIAN MANLEY BECAUSE THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
THIS YEAR I'M BEING HARASSED BECAUSE I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THEM, AND THIS IS THE RESULT OF IT.
THIS IS A UNIT WHILE I WAS TOLD BY A POLICE OFFICER THAT I SHOULDN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE POLICE THAT I SHOULD BE COMPLAINING ABOUT.
IT'S A UNIT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WELL, IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN THIS UNIT IS DOING NOTHING MORE THAN JUST CRIMINAL ACTS.
AND IT'S TERRIBLE THAT I HAVE TO SAY THIS BECAUSE I'M PRO POLICE, BUT I'M ANTI BAD.
POLICE OFFICERS AND AUSTIN SEEM TO HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT WITHIN THIS UNIT OF THE POLICE, WHICH I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT'S THE NAME OF IT, WHO THEY ARE.
THE LAST PERSON I COMMUNICATED ABOUT THIS WAS LIEUTENANT GONZALEZ, AND THAT'S HOW LONG IT'S BEEN BECAUSE THEY'RE RETIRED.
BUT WHAT'S SO FRUSTRATING IS THAT ALL THESE YEARS OF ALL THESE, I MEAN ASSAULT, UH, UH, THEFT NOW SMASHING MY WINDSHIELD, NOT ONCE AT ANY DETECTIVE HAVE GOT IN CONTACT WITH ME ABOUT MY CALL TO EITHER THROUGH NINE, ONE, ONE OR THREE, OR ONE EXCEPT FOR ONE OCCASION, WHICH I BELIEVE I CALLED THEM.
AND THAT WAS A DETECTIVE BAILEY.
AND THIS WAS BACK IN, I DON'T KNOW, 2004, 2005.
THAT'S HOW LONG IT BEEN HARASSED BY THIS YEAR.
AND I'M NOT GONNA SAY ANYTHING MORE PAST 13.
I FIGURED 13 IS THAT IT'S MY LUCKY NUMBER.
SO IT COULD BE BETWEEN 13, 14 TO 17 YEARS OF HARASSMENT.
THIS IS NOT THE POLICE THAT AUSTIN DESERVES, AND WE NEED BETTER.
AND IF YOU NEED TO USE ME AT THE TERMS OF CONFRONTING THE GOVERNOR TO LET HIM KNOW
[02:30:01]
ABOUT HOW THE POLICE ACT HERE I AM MORE WILLING AND ABLE TO COMMUNICATE TO HIM BECAUSE I HAVE DOCUMENTATION SPEAKER, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.I'LL LET HIM KNOW HOW THE POLICE RE UH, RELATES HERE.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING WITH US TODAY.
ON JANUARY 14TH, TWO AUSTIN WATER EMPLOYEES ENTERED A CONDO PROPERTY ON COUGAR DRIVE TO PERFORM WATER METER INSPECTION, NUMBER 1 8 5 6 3 9 9 AND ACCIDENTALLY TURNED THE MASTER WATER VALVE OFF FOR THE ENTIRE COMPLEX OF 56 UNITS.
WHEN I MADE THEM AWARE OF THE MISTAKE, THEY TURNED IT BACK ON IMMEDIATELY.
IN LESS THAN A MINUTE, ANY PROFESSIONAL PLUMBER KNOWS THAT TURNING WATER BACK ON THAT RAPIDLY TO A COMPLEX OF OUR SIZE AND THAT AGE CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PIPES AND POTENTIAL LEAKS.
THE WATER SHOULD HAVE BEEN TURNED ON VERY SLOWLY AND AIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM SPIGOTS ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDINGS.
INSTEAD, THESE EMPLOYEES WERE EITHER CARELESS OR IMPROPERLY TRAINED.
I WANNA BE VERY CLEAR TODAY, IT'S ABSOLUTELY INDISPUTABLE THAT THE ACTIONS I'VE DESCRIBED WERE NEGLIGENT.
THIS WATER HAMMER EFFECT IS WELL KNOWN IN THE PU PLUMBING WORLD.
SHORTLY AFTER THE NEGLIGENCE, WE HAD MULTIPLE LEAKS IN OUR COMPLEX, SO I FILED DAMAGE CLAIM NUMBER 2361 WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN CLAIMS INVESTIGATOR MIKE HENNESSY DENIED THE REQUEST FIGHTING THE TEXAS TOR CLAIMS ACT, SAYING SIMPLY PUT, THE CITY OF AUSTIN CANNOT BE FOUND LIABLE FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE CAUSED BY A WORKER TURNING A VALVE.
MR. HENNESSY DIDN'T DISPUTE THAT THE NEGLIGENCE TOOK PLACE.
I HAVE THE ENTIRE INCIDENT WITH THE TWO AUSTIN WATER EMPLOYEES ON VIDEO IN A MARCH 11TH EMAIL FROM AUSTIN WATER SUPERVISOR DAN EROS.
HE SAID, OUR STAFF IS HIGHLY TRAINED AND ARE AWARE OF THE WATER HAMMER ISSUE, BUT SOMETIMES PLUMBING SITUATIONS ARE UNKNOWINGLY OUTSIDE THE NORM.
I ASKED WHAT THE OUTSIDE THE NORM CIRCUMSTANCES WERE ON JANUARY 14TH.
ON JUNE 4TH, I ASKED MR. HENNESSY A FOLLOW UP QUESTION TO HIS EMAIL.
ON MARCH 6TH, I SENT THIS INFORMATION TO MY CITY COUNCIL REP GARZA AND MY FORMER CITY COUNCIL REP TOVO AND COPIED MR. HENNESSY ON THE EMAIL.
SO TO RECAP, CITY EMPLOYEES CAN COME ONTO PRIVATE PROPERTY CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE FROM A MISTAKE THAT THEY 100% ADMIT TO ON VIDEO AND THEN HIDE BEHIND A STATE LAW GRANTING THEM IMMUNITY.
THEN WHEN I ASK QUESTIONS TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS, THE CITY STOPS RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INCIDENT WHOLLY COW.
NOW, I'M NOT HERE AS A CITIZEN ASKING FOR COMPENSATION.
I'M HERE AS AN ACTIVIST WONDERING HOW MANY OTHER PROPERTIES HAS THIS HAPPENED TO.
THIS SITUATION DESERVES A FULL INVESTIGATION TO SEE WHAT OTHER AUSTIN HOMEOWNERS MAY HAVE BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THESE TWO EMPLOYEES OR OTHER EMPLOYEES WHO WENT THROUGH THE SAME TRAINING.
COME DISGUSTED THAT THE CITY IS TRYING TO SWEEP THIS UNDER THE RUG AND ISN'T TAKING IT SERIOUSLY.
HOW DO I KNOW THEY'RE NOT TAKING IT SERIOUSLY? BECAUSE IT'S BEEN EIGHT MONTHS AND NOBODY IN THE CITY HAS ASKED ME TO SEE MY VIDEO.
HOW CAN THIS CITY CORRECT THIS MISTAKE IF THE CITY IS NOT GATHERING ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MISTAKE? SO AUSTIN HOMEOWNERS, IF YOU'VE HAD LEAKS RECENTLY, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTACT AUSTIN WATER AND SEE IF THERE WAS A WATER METER INSPECTION AROUND THE TIME OF YOUR LEAK.
IF THE CITY REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE ITSELF, WE CAN TAKE MATTERS HANDS.
PAUL ROBBINS COUNCIL, THE VAST MAJORITY OF AUSTINITES DO NOT REALIZE THAT TEXAS GAS SERVICE, THE MAIN UTILITY THAT SERVES THIS PART OF THE STATE WITH HEATING FUEL, HAS RAISED RESIDENTIAL RATES BY AN ESTIMATED 51 MILLION OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD.
WHAT IS AS ALARMING IS THAT SO FAR AS I CAN TELL, THIS BROAD GROUP OF UNINFORMED PEOPLE INCLUDED MOST OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL CITY STAFF IN CHARGE OF THIS RATE CASE CAME TO A SETTLEMENT WITH THE GAS COMPANY ON JUNE 2ND.
WHILE SETTLEMENTS FREQUENTLY OCCUR, THEY ALMOST ALL REQUIRE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.
YET CONVERSATIONS WITH FOUR COUNCIL OFFICES LEADS ME TO INFER THAT YOU WERE NOT INFORMED, LET ALONE ASKED FOR APPROVAL.
I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AUSTIN'S PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
I CANNOT RECALL A DECISION FOR THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY BEING MADE WITHOUT COUNCIL APPROVAL.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST INSENSITIVE ABUSES OF MANAGERIAL POWER BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.
COUNCIL APPROVED SEVEN CITY BUDGETS, 23 LEGAL SETTLEMENTS AND ELECTRIC AND WATER RATE CASES.
[02:35:01]
AS SMALL AS HOURLY PARKING RATES.YET STAFF DID NOT SEEK APPROVAL OF A 51 MILLION RATE INCREASE.
THIS IS ONLY PART OF THE INSULT.
ON MAY 7TH, COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PASSED RESOLUTION ASKING THAT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE GAS COMPANY CONSIDER ADEQUATE MONEY FOR ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR RESEARCH MONEY FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY, FULL CAPITAL RECOVERY FEES, AND CHANGING THE GAS COMPANY'S REGRESSIVE RATE STRUCTURE.
MOST OF THIS DIRECTION WAS IGNORED.
INDEED, THE COMPANY IS NOW USING CORPORATE PRIVILEGE TO DODGE THE CITY'S DRAFT CLIMATE PLAN.
PART OF THE REASON THIS IS HAPPENING IS BECAUSE THERE'S ALMOST NO BOARD AND COMMISSION OVERSIGHT OF THE GAS COMPANY.
I URGE YOU TO EXPAND THE PURVIEW OF THE ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION OR THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION TO REVIEW ALL MATTERS WITH TEXAS GAS SERVICE.
AND I URGE YOU TO, TO DEMAND THAT ALL FUTURE RATE INCREASES BY THE GAS COMPANY BE BROUGHT BEFORE YOU FOR APPROVAL.
UM, FIRST OFF, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'RE DOING.
UM, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD THREE FAMILY MEMBERS LOST TO COVID AND, UH, IT IS HORRIBLE IN THE WAY THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO KEEP US SAFE.
I ACTUALLY WANNA COMMEND Y'ALL FOR WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING, AND THANK YOU FOR STAYING FOCUSED ON THAT AND TRYING TO KEEP ALL OF US SAFE.
UM, WE ARE TRYING TO STAY STRONG AND TRUCK FORWARD, UM, DURING THIS ENTIRE PROCESS, BUT I ACTUALLY WANNA BRING POSITIVE IDEAS TO YOU, NOT JUST COME AND COMPLAIN.
UM, SOME POSITIVE IDEAS THAT I WANTED TO THINK ABOUT AND, AND THANK YOU FOR THE DAILY UPDATES OF THE COVID NUMBERS.
UM, BUT I LIKE TO LEAD AN EFFORT WITH THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE LOST.
WE HAVEN'T HEARD IN HEART AND SOULS EVERYWHERE.
WE HAVEN'T CRUSHED EVERYWHERE.
AND I WOULD LOVE TO LEAD A ENTIRE MEMORIAL EFFORT SO THAT WE CAN PUT FACES TO THOSE NAME CARE SOON.
UM, SO THAT, UM, A PART OF THAT TEAM IN COLLABORATION WITH SOMEONE SO THAT WE NO LONGER SEE THEM AS A NUMBER, THAT WE ACTUALLY SEE THEM AS FACES.
WE KNOW THAT OTHER AREAS IN TEXAS ARE DOING THAT.
THEY'RE DOING DRIVE THROUGHS SO THEY CAN SEE ALL THE FACES AND, AND PUT NAMES TO FACES AND NUMBERS TO FACES AS WELL.
UM, THE OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT IS REGARDING OUR FAMILY LAND.
SOME OF THOSE FAMILIES HAVE EXTRA LAND AND SPEAKING TO GOOD, I GO TO YO'S, AFFORD AFFORDABILITY UNLOCKED, WHICH IS A GREAT IDEA.
THE BIGGEST BARRIER FOR US THEY'RE WILLING TO HELP IS THAT WE'RE NOT WILLING TO GET IN DEBT TO HELP.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A SOLUTION OUT THERE FOR EQUITY ACCESS SO THAT WE CAN HELP THE MAYOR AND CITY LEADERS ADMIT THAT, MEET THEIR AFFORDABILITY, ACCESS, UM, NUMBERS, UM, AND POSSIBLY PLACE ADUS IN OUR PROPERTIES WHERE WE HAVE A SPACE TO ASSIST WITH THIS EFFORT IF THERE'S SOME KIND OF BRIDGING EFFORT SIMILAR TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOME, WHERE WE MEET YOU ON SOME NUMBERS, WE BUILD ONE AT A TIME.
I SPOKE WITH COMMISSIONER CARMEN AND, AND WE, AND CRANKED OUT SOME IDEAS AND, UH, WE HELP EACH FAMILY BEAUTIFY THEIR PROPERTIES, BUT WITHOUT THEM GETTING IN DEBT.
AND SO MUCH SO SOLUTION THAT WE WOULD BRING THAT WOULD BE SUSTAINABLE, HELPING DECEASED LEADERS AND THE MAYOR MEET THE NUMBERS, BUT ALSO MAKING SURE AS THE FAMILY DOES NOT GET IN DEBT.
SO THAT IS ANOTHER IDEA AND ANOTHER MODEL THAT WE CAME UP WITH.
AND THE THE NEIGHBORHOODS HELP EACH OTHER IN BUILDING THAT OUT.
UM, THE OTHER THING I WANNA SPEAK TO IS NOW THAT I, I'VE BECOME A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL AND IT TAKES TIME TO GET THAT OFF THE GROUND, UM, I DO WANNA SPEAK TO THE UNFAIRNESS WITH WHOLESELLERS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF FAMILIES.
UNFORTUNATELY, I'M HEARING THE STORIES OR FAMILIES ARE TAKING AND BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE ON A GROUND OF WHOLESELLERS.
UM, AND THEY DON'T HAVE CREDENTIALS.
I JUST THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF, UM, INFORMATION OUT THERE TO, TO LET FAMILIES KNOW THE GO TO, PEOPLE TO GO TO AND UNDERSTAND WHO TO TRUST OUT HERE.
SO THEY'RE NOT BEING GIVEN TO MISINFORMATION.
UM, WE GO TO SCHOOL, WE PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO GO TO SCHOOL SO THAT WE GET CREDENTIAL CORRECTLY.
AND I'M JUST ASKING AN ALL FAIRNESS THAT WE KEEP THAT FAIR PLAYING GROUND SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THESE FAMILIES ARE GETTING THE CORRECT INFORMATION BEFORE THEY RELEASE THEIR PROPERTIES AND THEY'RE AS WELL.
JULIAN REES, PLEASE HEAR HEED MY WORDS.
CITY, CITIZENS AND CITY COUNCIL.
THE STATE OF THE HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTIN, A CITY OF WEALTH IS MY MY SPEECHS TODAY.
UM, SO WE'VE GOT SOME CORONA HOTELS THAT ARE FULL.
I HEAR, UH, FULL OF THE HOMELESS, BUT
[02:40:01]
WE DON'T HEAR, UM, WHEN THE HOUSING'S GONNA BE HERE.SO WE'RE INTERESTED IN, UH, HEARING SPECIFICS ON PERMANENT ASSISTED HOUSING, UM, WITH THE STATUSES.
UM, NORMAL PEOPLE'S TYPES OF HOTELS ARE, ARE EMPTY FOR THE MOST PART DUE TO CORONA.
UM, THERE ARE NEW, NEW HOTELS ON BEN WHITE.
UM, SO WE ARE THE, THE HOTEL AND HOUSING VOUCHERS AND, UH, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S UP WITH THE PERMANENT HOUSING, THE HOUSING FUNDS THAT ARE NOT BEING USED DIRECTLY, UM, TO THE CITIZENS THAT, THAT ARE AFFECTED.
SO ECHO IS ONE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITIES.
SO YOU, INSTEAD OF GETTING THE MONEY DIRECTLY, IT'S ARE MONEY BEING MIS APPROPRIATED AS WE WELL KNOW, AND THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH.
AND REINVESTIGATED THE RISE FUNDING'S NOT MAKING IT TO THE UNHOUSED PEOPLE ON THE STREETS.
UH, WHAT WE NEED IS THE CITY TO ACTUALLY RELEASE FUNDS FROM MUTUAL AID GROUPS WHO ALREADY ARE ASSISTING AND CARING AND GIVING SUPPLIES, UH, INCLUDING WATER TEMPS.
AND, UH, ALSO HELP THE, HELP THESE INDIVIDUALS GET ACCESS CO PHONES TECHNOLOGY SO THAT THEY CAN KEEP UP WITH THE STIMULUS CHECKS.
THEY CAN GET PAID, THEY CAN GET HOUSED.
WE CAN DO THINGS THAT WE'RE NOT DOING RIGHT NOW.
UM, GET THE POLICE OFF PEOPLE'S BACKS.
UH, AS THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER SAID, THE POLICE, THERE ARE POLICE UNITS ACTING LIKE GANGS IN, IN, UH, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, WHICH IS YOU GUYS, YOU GUYS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR.
UH, I ALSO HAVE HAD MY WINDOW BUSTED OUT AND SHOT WITH A NINE MILLIMETER BULLET AFTER FALSE ARREST BY, BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE, THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT IS REFUSING TO TAKE CALLS, REFUSING TO TAKE COMPLAINTS AND REFUSING TO INVESTIGATE.
UM, THEY'RE ALSO REFUSING TO GIVE, UM, ANY UPDATES OR EVEN GIVE YOU A LIST OF YOUR COMPLAINTS.
THEY'RE SAYING THEY'RE OVERWHELMED.
UM, THEY WERE OVERWHELMED WHEN IT WAS SLOW BEFORE THESE PROTESTS.
UM, SO THERE'S ALSO THE, UH, THE CLEANUPS.
WE'VE GOT CITY CREWS THAT ARE SLASHING TENTS DURING INCLEMENT STORM WEATHER WITHOUT MASS AROUND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY WHILE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SHELTER FROM A STORM IN PLACE.
YOU GUYS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THAT FLASHING OF TENTS WITH KNIVES, UM, GOING AFTER PEOPLE THAT DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH.
PEOPLE OF COLOR OUT ON EAST RIVERSIDE.
YOU SAID YOU WEREN'T GONNA DO THAT.
UM, WE'VE SEEN A DISABILITY AIDS, WALKERS, WHEELCHAIRS, PERSONAL ITEMS, UM, WATER STORAGE, FIVE GALLON JUGS, CHAIRS, ET CETERA, ALL BE THROWN AWAY INTO THE DUMPSTER INTO A LANDFILL.
THAT'S AGAINST, THAT'S AGAINST THE LAW.
YOU GUYS SAID YOU WEREN'T GONNA DO THAT.
WHAT WE WANT, WE WANNA SEE WHAT WE SEE AS NON-VIOLENT, I MEAN NON-VOLUNTARY, VIOLENT, ABUSIVE, AND UNLAWFUL BEHAVIOR.
WHAT WE WANT IS YOU GUYS CAN MEET US AND SPEAK TO US AND THE CITY COUNCILS YET TO SPEAK TO MYSELF AT THE CHALLENGER THE SUITES.
UH, PLEASE, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US COLLEAGUES.
I THINK THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS WE HAVE.
IS THAT CORRECT? YES, THAT'S CORRECT.
OKAY, COLLEAGUES, IT IS, UH, 1246 RIGHT NOW.
UH, I PROPOSE THAT AT ONE 30 IF THAT WORKS FOR YOU ALL.
WE NEED AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, UH, TO TAKE UP, UH, ITEM, UH, UH, 72.
UM, THE, UH, UM, WE WOULD THEN COME BACK OUT, UH, WHEN WE COME BACK OUT, UH, WE, UH, WE'LL TAKE THE ITEMS THAT HAVE, WE'LL TAKE THE, WE'LL COME WE'LL AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION WHEN WE COME BACK OUT, WE'LL TAKE THE ZONING SPEAKERS.
UH, AND I'M NOT SURE IF WE'LL ACTUALLY HANDLE THE ZONING CASES AT THAT POINT, BUT THEY'RE ALL QUEUING UP AT TWO O'CLOCK.
WE HAVE THE POLL ITEMS. I THINK A LOT OF 'EM ARE GONNA BE SHORT, BUT WE DO HAVE, UH, 62 AND 95, UH, SOMEWHERE ABOUT THREE 30.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE SPEAKERS ON THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION AGAIN BECAUSE THEY'RE BEING QUEUED UP AT THAT TIME.
SO IT COULD BE THAT WE'RE KIND OF MOVING AROUND SO THAT WE CAN GET A BLOCK OF SPEAKERS IN, EVEN IF WE'RE NOT THEN DEALING WITH THE THING THAT THE SPEAKERS SPEAK ABOUT.
UH, IS EVERYBODY OKAY WITH US, UH, COMING BACK, UH, GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT ONE 30? IS THAT TOO SOON FOR PEOPLE? COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR? UM, I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY.
I THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING ADDITIONAL BRIEFING ON 95.
YOU JUST MENTIONED 72 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I THINK THAT THAT'S THE EXECUTIVE.
I WAS, IT WAS THAT TOPIC LISTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[02:45:01]
SORRY.I, MY, I WAS THINKING THAT THAT'S LESS THAN MINUTES.
MUST ENOUGH TIME FOR I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.
UH, COUNCIL WERE YOU SPEAKING ABOUT TIMING? I WAS, I WAS GONNA SAY FOR ME TO ACTUALLY GO IN THERE AND MAKE FOOD AND GET PEOPLE READJUSTED FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THEIR DAY, I, I CAN REALLY USE AN HOUR.
AT A QUARTER WE'LL MEET AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT A QUARTER TO TWO.
WE'LL MEET AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 1 45.
CITY COUNCIL WILL NOW GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
ONE ITEM PURSUANT TO 5 5 1 0 7 1 AND 5 5 1 0 7 2 IN THE GOVERNMENT CODE, WE'RE GONNA DISCUSS LEGAL AND REAL ESTATE MATTERS RELATED TO ITEM 72, WHICH CONCERNS THE, UH, UH, PURCHASE EXCHANGE RELEASE OR VALUE OF AN INTEREST IN MURAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THEN WE WILL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION HERE AT 1249.
UH, I WILL SEE YOU OUT A QUARTER TO, UH, TO, TO TAKE CARE.
UH, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD NOW AND WORK THROUGH THE, UH, SPEAKERS, UH, THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE ZONING MATTERS.
UH, THE LEACH, UH, GET, UH, TWO MINUTES EACH.
UH, WE HAVE UP TO 38 SPEAKERS.
UH, AND IF, UH, THE, UH, UH, CLERK COULD START CALLING, UH, SPEAKERS, UH, I'M GOING TO NEED TO, TO JUMP OFF HERE FOR PROBABLY ABOUT 20 MINUTES.
UH, THE MAYOR PRO TA, UH, IF ANYBODY IS NEEDED TO HELP IT MOVE ALONG, MAYOR PRO TAM WILL DO THAT.
UH, IF CLERK WOULD START CALLING THE SPEAKERS.
SEAN, BE SURE TO UNMUTE BILL NEIL.
BILL, IF YOU ARE, IF YOU ARE MUTED, PLEASE UNMUTE.
I DON'T HAVE, UH, A SPEAKER HERE.
UM, I CAN'T, WE WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW.
WELL, ACTUALLY, MAYBE I CAN'T, I GOT ONE, I'VE GOT HEADPHONES ON.
THE PROPOSED PUT VIOLATES THE OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENT.
AM I, AM I SPEAKING OR AM I ANSWERING QUESTIONS? YOU ARE SPEAKING TO ZONING.
JUST THE PROPOSED VIOLATES THE OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENT.
IT DOES NOT PROVIDE THE MINIMUM OPEN SPACE OF 20%
[02:50:01]
AND IT IS SEPARATED FROM THE PARKLAND BY A LOADING ZONE, WHICH, WHICH IMPEDES ACCESS.THE BUILDING IS LARGELY GLASS, WHICH FAILS TO MEET THE NATURAL.
THE BUILDING IS LARGELY GLASS WITH OKAY.
THE PROPOSED TWO WAY BIKE LANE ALONG.
SO LAMAR IS NOT A SUPERIOR ITEM BECAUSE IT IS PART OF THE, SO LAMAR CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS, IT WILL BE BUILT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THERE IS A PUT ON THIS SITE.
CONNECTING THE BUILDING TO THE CITY'S RECLAIMED WATER SYSTEM IS NOT A SUPERIOR ITEM.
ANY BUILDING CONSTRUCTED SIX YEARS FROM NOW, ZONE PUT OR OTHERWISE WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONNECT TO THE CITY SYSTEM.
SO MANY OF THE SO-CALLED SUPERIOR ITEMS ARE NOT REALLY SUPERIOR.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE, UNDERGROUND PARKING AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND FOREC THEATER EMPLOYEES AND PATRONS IS NOT A SUPERIOR ITEM.
THE PROJECT IS ACTUALLY TAKING ALLOWABLE PARKING REDUCTIONS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF PARKING PROVIDED.
THIS PARKING IS ON A PAY TO PARK BASIS AFTER HOURS TO GENERATE REVENUE.
AND I THINK, OKAY, I DUNNO IF I GOT ACROSS THE POINT, UH, ABOUT THE OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENT IS NOT MET OF 20%.
SO THE PROPOSED PUT FAILS TO SATISFY MANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE.
AND THE PUT ORDINANCE IS ACTUALLY A STATUTE AND UNDER THE STATE AND FEDERAL SUPREME COURT, US SUPREME COURT, UM, THE TERMS OF THAT STATUTE HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED.
IF THE CITY COUNCIL DOESN'T AGREE WITH THOSE TERMS, YOU CAN ALWAYS AMEND OR REPEAL THE ORDINANCE AND THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY.
BUT UNTIL YOU DO, YOU MUST APPLY THE TERMS OF THESE, UH, STATUTES.
HELLO? YES, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.
UH, I AM MARSHALL DAVIS, PRESIDENT OF GALINDO ELEMENTARY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE REZONING OF 35 0 4 SOUTH FIRST STREET.
WE DO NOT FEEL THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES OR THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN GENERAL.
THIS PROPERTY HAS HAD A CONDITIONAL OVERLAY FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS, AND ONE OF THE SLIDES IN OUR PRESENTATION SHOWS THAT HISTORY, UH, WE, IT WAS OPTED OUT OF VMU 12 YEARS AGO.
IT SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING THIS SMALL TRACK WITH ITS HEIGHT LIMITATIONS.
THIS IS NOT SOME ARBITRARY ZONING, BUT ONE THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY STAFF AND NEIGHBORHOOD FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS.
THE APPLICANT HAS SAID THIS IS A SIMPLE CASE AND WANTS TO BRING THIS PROPERTY TO MATCH THE ZONING OF THE REST OF THE PROJECT.
THERE IS A MAJOR TOPOGRAPHICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO PROPERTIES.
35 0 4 IS 59 FEET HIGHER THAN THE CORNER OF SOUTH FIRST AND CARDINAL LANE.
A 60 FOOT PARKING GARAGE ON THAT LOCATION WOULD TOWER 119 FEET ABOVE SOUTH FIRST AND CARDINAL.
WE MET WITH THE DEVELOPERS THROUGH THE ZOOM PROCESS, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN OFFERED ANY VARIANCE OR ANY CHANGES TO WHAT THEY HAVE PROPOSED.
A THREE STORY AND FIVE STORY LUXURY APARTMENT BUILDING AND A FIVE STORY PARKING GARAGE.
WE WELCOME THE CHANCE TO NEGOTIATE OR WORK WITH A DEVELOPER WHO CAN BUILD WITHIN THE CURRENT ZONING.
WE REQUEST THAT YOU VOTE AGAINST THIS CURRENT PROPOSED REZONING.
I'VE LIVED IN 7 8 7 0 4 FOR ZONING CHAIR FOR THIS WINDOW NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'M AN ATTORNEY BY TRADE AND I'M A REALTOR AREA, AND I ALSO HAPPEN LIVE AT 7 0 7 CARDINAL, WHICH IS NEXT DOOR TO THE CURRENT HALL, WHICH IS ADJACENT TO THE CURRENT ZONING CASE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
AS MARSHALL SAID, THIS IS NOT A ZONING CASE.
IN FACT, THE ONLY SIMPLICITY IN IS THAT A DENSE, HUGE PROJECT THAT IS BEING PROPOSED TO BE PUT HERE IS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.
YOU CAN ASK ANYONE WHO LIVES HERE, ANYONE WHO DRIVES BY HERE, ANYONE WHO VISITS HERE.
UM, WE THINK THE ZONING, I THINK THE ZONING SHOULD STAY THE SAME BECAUSE IT IS THAT WAY.
UM, 13 YEARS AGO PRIOR TO THAT AS
[02:55:02]
SINGLE FAMILY, AND IN FACT, THE HOUSE THAT WAS THERE STILL SITS ON IT.I BELIEVE MERCURY HALL USES IT FOR SOME COMMERCIAL PURPOSES TO EXTEND THEIR WEDDING VENUE SERVICES.
UM, WHEN MERCURY GRAY PROPERTY CHANGED THE FROM SF THREE TO CSCO, UM, MERCURY GRAY PROPERTY SAID IT WOULD, THE INTENT TO CHANGE IT WOULD BE TO BE FOR PRIMARILY PARKING QUOTES.
UM, MERCURY PROPERTY ALSO AGREED AT THAT TIME THAT THEY WOULD LIMIT THE INTENSITY OF THE USES FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT QUOTE.
UM, ACCORDINGLY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS AT THAT TIME THAT WAS WAIVED.
UM, ANY CHANGE IN THE ZONING AT THIS, AT THIS JUNCTURE? UH, IN 2020, UM, FOR, UM, THE CHANGE IN THAT ZONING, WE WOULD REQUEST THAT THERE WOULD BE A TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS BEFORE ANY ZONING IS DONE, ANY ZONING CHANGE IS DONE.
UM, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, UM, YOU KNOW, MR. SETTLE AND THE MERCURY PROPERTIES WOULD, UM, JUST HAVE YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SIMPLE CASE.
BUT AS SOMEBODY WHO LIVES HERE, SOMEBODY WHO LOVES THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, UM, SOMEBODY WHO, UM, KNOWS IT IN AND OUT, THIS IS NOT A SIMPLE CASE.
THIS IS A MUCH, UH, SMALLER CASE THAN THEY MIGHT BE WILLING, THEY MIGHT NORMALLY DEAL WITH.
BUT THIS IS, UM, A CASE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE GO NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE HERE.
UM, AND WE ASK THAT YOU GUYS REALLY TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE, UM, ENORMITY THAT THIS COULD HAVE, UM, THE IMPACT THAT THIS ZONING CHANGE WOULD HAVE ON OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE SOUTH FIRST CORRIDOR, WHICH IS NOT A BIG CORRIDOR LIKE SO LAMAR AND SOUTH CONGRESS, RESPECTFULLY, WE REQUEST THE COUNCIL TO, UM, VOTE AGAINST, UH, THIS PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE.
MAYOR ADLER, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY.
I'M APPEARING TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE, UH, CARDINAL LANE CONDOMINIUM COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AND ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE 30 RESIDENTS, UH, THE 30 HOMEOWNERS WHO LIVE HERE, UH, AS WELL AS MYSELF, UH, BECAUSE I DO LIVE AT 7 0 7 CARDINAL LANE.
UH, MY FIRST REQUEST TODAY OF, OF THE COUNCIL WOULD BE THAT YOU HONOR THE VALID PETITION THAT THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO THE WEST OF 35 0 4 SOUTH FIRST HAVE PRESENTED TO YOU.
UM, THE CARDINAL LANE ASSOCIATION AND THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTIES ON GAMMA'S COR UH, COVE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR PROPERTY RIGHTS THAT ARE, THAT WE BELIEVE ARE IN JEOPARDY AS A RESULT OF THIS ZONING REQUEST.
I, I WOULD SAY THAT I AGREE WITH PRIORS THE CASE.
UH, WE HAVE NOT BEEN APPROACHED BY THE DEVELOPER OR THEIR COUNCIL WITH REGARD TO ANY SPECIFIC NEGOTIATIONS.
AND IN FACT, AS THE PERSON WHO CARRIED THE, THE VALID PETITION NOW BEFORE YOU, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE OWNERS ON GEMMA'S COVE HAVE NOT BEEN APPROACHED BY EITHER THE DEVELOPER OR ITS COUNCIL.
UH, WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THREE MAJOR ISSUES REGARDING THIS PROPERTY.
ONE IS THE REMOVAL OF THE, THE OVERLAY BECAUSE IT WILL ALLOW A BUILDING WHICH WILL LOOM 80 TO 90 FEET ABOVE THE PROPERTIES TO THE WEST OF 35 0 4 SOUTH FIRST.
WE FIND THAT TO BE UNACCEPTABLE.
UH, AND AS, UH, MS. CUE WAS POINTED, THERE'S BEEN NO TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS DONE.
WE'RE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE RUNOFF THAT WE COULD SEE FROM, UH, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE OVERLAY.
AND THEN THE, THE COMBINED PROJECT.
UH, IF YOU'LL LOOK AT YOUR, UH, STAFF'S, WHAT STAFF HAS PROVIDED YOU IN YOUR PACKET, YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE IS NO RUNOFF PROPOSED OR THEY COULD, UH, BUY A, UH, PROPOSE A FEE IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE THAT REQUIREMENT.
UM, AGAIN, I THINK YOU'LL FIND THAT THE PROPERTY OWNERS ARE NOT OPPOSED TO DEVELOPMENT, BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE EXISTING, UH, OVERLAY THAT IS ON THAT PROPERTY.
WE PURCHASED OUR PROPERTY RIGHTS SUBJECT TO THAT, THAT BEING IN EXISTENCE, AND WE WOULD ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO CONSIDER OUR PROPERTY RIGHTS IN ADDITION TO THOSE OF THE APPLICANT BECAUSE THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST IS BASED PURELY ON SPECULATIVE MEASURES IN AN ATTEMPT TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF THEIR PROPERTY AS THEY MARKET IT, WHEREAS OUR PROPERTY VALUES AND OUR RIGHTS ARE FIXED, UH, WITH WHERE WE'RE AT, AND WE WOULD HATE TO SEE THE COM, THE COUNCIL'S ACTION, UH, DIMINISH OUR VALID PROPERTY RIGHTS.
SO AGAIN, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU VOTE, UH, UPHOLD OUR VALID PETITION AND THAT YOU, UH, OPPOSE THE REQUEST TO REZONE
[03:00:01]
35 0 4 SOUTH FIRST.THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SEAN ABBOTT.
HELLO, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, AND MAYOR ATHER, APPRECIATE THE CHANCE TO SPEAK AND I APOLOGIZE IF I MISSED MY TIME EARLIER.
UM, I AM HERE ON ITEM NUMBER 92, UH, RELATING TO THE ZONING OF THE PEER.
UM, I WILL PASS ALONG THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH, UH, REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE APPLICANT AND I BELIEVE THAT WE DO HAVE AN AGREED UPON POSTPONEMENT, UH, AND HAVE REQUESTED THAT WE HOPE WE CAN MOVE THIS ITEM TILL THE, UH, OCTOBER 15TH.
UM, WITH THAT SAID, UM, I CAN EXPRESS TO YOU THAT, UM, SOME OF OUR CONCERNS RELATED TO THE REZONING OF THE PROPERTY, UH, RELATE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AS HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS, SPECIFICALLY WITH THE SALE OF GASOLINE AT THE PROPERTY.
UH, OUR DISTRICT ENGINEER, UM, I, I REPRESENT TRAVIS COUNTY WATER CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NUMBER 20.
AND OUR, AND OUR DISTRICT ENGINEER IS CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING A STUDY THAT WE HOPE TO HAVE COMPLETE VERY SOON, UH, THAT WILL HOPEFULLY ILLUMINATE SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS THAT WE DO HAVE THAT MIGHT BE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO, UH, GASOLINE SALES.
UM, SO WE DO, UH, CERTAINLY APPRECIATE, UH, YOUR CONSIDERATION OF OUR REQUEST, WHICH I BELIEVE AS I, UH, HAVE REFERRED TO IS, UH, SPECIFICALLY AN AGREED TO REQUEST FOR POSTPONEMENT.
MALCOLM YATES, THIS IS MALCOLM YATES.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THERO CONTACT TEAM.
I'M SPEAKING ABOUT ITEM 94, THE LEY PROPERTY ON EAST RIVERSIDE.
THE ER CONTACT TEAM HAD VOTED TO OPPOSE THIS ZONING CASE THAT WOULD REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT OF FOR SALE UNITS AM EMILY PROPOSED A PRIVATE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT OFFERING.
5% OF THE 70 NEW ADDITIONAL RENTAL UNITS WOULD BE AFFORDABLE AT 80% MFI.
THE ER CONTACT TEAM HAD CONSIDERED THIS AN INADEQUATE COMMUNITY BENEFIT FOR THE ENHANCED ENTITLEMENTS.
THEY WOULD RECEIVE A REVISED, PRIVATE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT THAT ALEY PROPOSED AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 25TH.
OFFERED 10% OF THE 70 NEW ADDITIONAL RENTAL UNITS WOULD BE AFFORDABLE AT 60% MFI.
AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON AUGUST 25TH, I AGREED TO THIS REVISED PROPOSAL THAT WOULD INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN THE EXPANDED DEVELOPMENT.
I RECEIVED THIS PRIVATE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT AT 11:30 AM THIS MORNING.
SEVERAL POINTS IN THIS COVENANT SHOULD BE CLARIFIED BY COUNCIL.
FIRST, DOES THIS NEW PRIVATE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT REPLACE THE ORIGINAL PUBLIC RESTRICTIVE COVENANT WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN THAT WAS CREATED IN 2007? THIS PUBLIC RESTRICTIVE COVENANT OF 2007 SPECIFIED 5% OF 450 RENTAL UNITS WOULD BE AFFORDABLE AT 80% MFI.
WILL THIS PRIVATE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT COVER 5% OF ALL PROPOSED 520 RENTAL UNITS AT 60% MFI, PLEASE HAVE THE APPLICANT CLARIFY THESE ISSUES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH ON THEM ON, UH, THE PART OF THE E R CONTACT TEAM.
HI, I'M NADIA BARBO, RESIDENT OF PECAN SPRINGS AND SECRETARY OF THE PECAN SPRING SPRINGDALE HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
OUR NEIGHBORS WANTED TO UPDATE THE FULL COUNCIL ON THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE THIS SUMMER REGARDING 3,500 PECAN SPRINGS ITEM 85 ON THE AGENDA.
UM, SO THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BRIEFLY THANK YOU TO DISTRICTS 1, 7, 9, AND 10 OFFICES FOR THE CONVERSATIONS IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.
WE HAD A MEETING THIS PAST SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH WHERE THE PSS A UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO SUPPORT A ZONING CHANGE TO SS SIX ON THE PROPERTY WITH THE CONDITIONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING WITH THE DEVELOPER.
OUR GROUP OF FIVE DIVERSE NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN WORKING ALL SUMMER DURING THE PANDEMIC TO ORGANIZE OURSELVES, UNDERSTAND THE OPTIONS AND WEIGH THEM AND TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE DEVELOPER AND CITY COUNCIL.
YESTERDAY WE HAD A BIG STEP IN FINDING COMMON GROUND AND WE ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT WE CAN HAMMER OUT THE FINAL DETAILS AND CONTINUE TO A THIRD READING SOON ON THIS CASE.
WE DO WANNA MENTION BRIEFLY THAT IT IS NOT ONLY THIS
[03:05:01]
PROPERTY, BUT ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENT IN OUR AREA THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT, SPECIFICALLY THE IMPACT TO TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ON THE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS AND FLOODING.WE HOPE AND WOULD LOVE TO BE INVOLVED IN CONVERSATION WITH CITY DEPARTMENTS ABOUT THE AGGREGATE IMPACT OF ALL OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, WHICH ARE AT LEAST THREE JUST ON PECAN SPRINGS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
AGAIN, WE ARE OPTIMISTIC AND PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING TOWARD AN AGREEMENT THAT UPDATES THE ZONING IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IN A WAY THAT MITIGATES THE IMPACT TO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE NEIGHBORS.
BUT BE SURE TO MUTE, UH, WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM YOU.
UM, IF YOU HAVE A DEVICE, ANOTHER DEVICE, UM, THAT YOU'RE USING.
IS THAT BETTER? YOU MAY BE TOO CLOSE TO THE SPEAKER MICROPHONE, I MEAN OKAY.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE AND I'M A PETITION SIGNER AND SHARE A PROPERTY LINE WITH NUMBER 80 AND 81 SHADY LANE.
THE ADDRESS IS ON SHADY LANE, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE PROPERTY IS IN THE INTERIOR NEIGHBORHOOD, MOSTLY ALONG BOGGY CREEK AND INTO THE INTERIOR OF A SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD.
NEIGHBORS ARE IN OPPOSITION TO THE ZONING CHANGE.
THESE PRIORITIES ARE CLEARLY OUTLINED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AND STILL VERY MUCH THE FEELING IN GO VALLEY.
THE COMMON CONCERNS IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE ARE OF THE FLOOD ZONE.
WE ESTIMATE 80% OR MORE OF THE PROPERTY IS IN A FLOOD ZONE OR WATER SAFETY.
THE INTERSECTION AT BAL AND SHADY AIRPORT IS ALREADY VERY DANGEROUS AND TRAFFIC BACKUPS HERE AND SPRINGDALE AIRPORT ARE ALREADY AT UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS FOR THE NEIGHBORS.
WE HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS MOVE IN TO ALL THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS WE'RE GETTING HAMMERED WITH ON ALL SIDES.
THE CONCRETE CREEK STRUCTURE ACTS AS AN AMPLIFIER.
SMALL QUIET CONVERSATIONS ACROSS THE CREEK SOUND LIKE THEY'RE IN YOUR BACKYARD OR AT YOUR DOOR.
ADDING COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY OR NOISY HIGH TRAFFIC BUSINESS OR RESIDENTIAL HIGH DENSITY WILL DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THE INTERIOR NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH SURROUNDS IT.
UNKNOWN DEVELOPMENT NEIGHBORS.
WE LIKE TO WORK WITH NEIGHBORS WHO KNOW WHAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING, WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHAT IT WILL BRING TO THAT.
THERE IS NOT ANY KNOWNS ABOUT THIS PROPERTY.
THERE'S MANY COMPLICATIONS WITH THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY INCLUDES THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE THAT GOES ACROSS BOGGY CREEK.
THE PROPERTY ALSO INCLUDES THE CITY ACCESS TO BOGGY CREEK AND MANY PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENTS.
THE PROPERTY CONTAINS A NATURAL CREEK BED THAT FEEDS INTO BOGGY CREEK AND THE USAGE BUSINESS TYPES OR RESIDENTIAL UNITS HAVE BEEN A LITTLE UNKNOWN.
NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN ONLY SUPPORTIVE OF GETTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SERVING AND SERVICES THAT THEY HAVE BEEN STARVED FROM IN THE AREA.
THERE IS MUCH CONCERN THIS WILL BRING INACCESSIBLE BUSINESS AND HOUSING TO AN AREA ALREADY UNDER SEVERE GENTRIFICATION.
THE NEIGHBORS DO NOT WANT TO SET A PRECEDENT FOR UP ZONING.
WE SEE DENSITY BEING ADDED WITHOUT THE NEED FOR UP ZONING EVERYWHERE AROUND US.
WE HAVE WORKED TREMENDOUSLY HARD TO COME TO A COMPROMISE OVER THE LAST 14 MONTHS AND ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS.
AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE CONDITIONS THAT WERE AGREED UPON BY THE OWNERS, APPLICANTS AND NEIGHBORS ARE STILL UNCLEAR IF IT HAS BEEN FILED AND ON RECORD SINCE IT'S BEEN HAPPENING UP AND AT 2:00 PM STILL TODAY, WE ARE UNABLE TO GATHER OR UPDATE ALL OF THE PETITIONERS ON THE ACTIVITY THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE LAST 12 TO 24 HOURS.
THESE CONDITIONS WHERE A BARE MINIMUM TO EVEN GET THE NEIGHBORS TO MOVE ON.
WHILE NEIGHBORS ARE OKAY WITH COMPROMISING, THEY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE CONSIDERATION TO UP ZONE, THEY HOPE THE CITY OF AUSTIN WILL LOOK AT THE CASE CAREFULLY AND PUT GO VALLEY IN EAST AUSTIN, NEIGHBORS IN THE ENVIRONMENT AT THE FOREFRONT OF THEIR DECISION.
UM, I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 83 2 18 SOUTH LAMAR REZONING.
I HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
THE CITY STAFF AND CITY COUNCIL HAVE BEEN PRESENTED WITH A NUMBER OF WRITTEN COMMENTS WHY THE PROPOSED PUD DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR A SUPERIOR PROJECT OVER THE EXISTING, UM, OVER THE EXISTING ZONING.
AND I WON'T REPEAT THEM, I JUST HOPE
[03:10:01]
YOU HAVE READ THEM.PUT ZONING WAS CLEARLY INTENDED FOR LARGE AND COMPLEX PROJECTS AND THIS PROJECT ISN'T EITHER THE CITY STAFF AND CITY COUNCIL KNOW THIS, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT, PUT ZONING WAS NEVER INTENDED TO ALLOW SPOT ZONING AND TO CIRCUMVENT PARTICULAR ZONING REGULATION.
IT'S JUST BECAUSE THE DEVELOPER FINDS THEM TOO RESTRICTIVE.
IT IS EVEN MORE DISHEARTENING THAT THE OVER WATERFRONT OVERLAY IS BEING USED AS THE REASON TO UNDERMINE THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY ITSELF.
THE AUSTIN I. LOVE IS QUICKLY DISAPPEARING AND I KNOW THINGS CAN'T REMAIN THE SAME FOREVER, BUT SOME COULDN'T.
WE DO JUST A LITTLE BIT TO SAVE SOME OF IT.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAIN AGAINST THIS REZONING AND PROTECT THE WATERFRONT AREA AND ADJOINING PARKS.
I'M, UH, WITH CONGRESS AND BROWN.
I REPRESENT TRAVIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL U UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR.
I'LL, I'LL PREFACE IT BY SAYING THAT, UH, UH, I THINK ALL THE INTERESTING PARTIES HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH EACH OTHER TO TRY TO RESOLVE CONCERNS WITH REGARD TO THIS REZONING.
UH, WE'VE GOT A DRAFT, UH, SET OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS THAT WE'RE TRADING BACK AND FORTH.
UM, THE UTILITY DISTRICT CONCERN IT RELATES TO THEIR, UH, ROLL WATER INTAKE THAT'S WITHIN 500 FEET OF THIS SITE, UH, RELATES TO, UH, REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS WITH REGARD TO AN INTAKE THAT CLOSE TO A DOCK AND HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS WITH REGARD TO, UH, GAS SERVICE.
UM, THE PARTIES HAVE ALL, UH, AGREED TO POSTPONEMENT OF THIS MATTER TO, UH, OCTOBER 15TH.
UH, WE THINK WE'LL MAKE GOOD PROGRESS IN WORKING OUT THE ISSUES, UH, AND, UH, ASKED THAT YOU, UH, JUST APPROVED THE POSTPONE.
YES, MY NAME IS GARY HAMILTON.
I'M A RESIDENT OF BARTON'S BARTON PLACE CONDOMINIUMS JUST 200 YARDS FROM THE PROJECT IN QUESTION.
I'M SPECIFICALLY CALLING TO DISCUSS THE FAILURE OF THE TRAFFIC PLAN TO ACCURATELY PREDICT TRAFFIC INCREASES FOR THE STING TOMI ROUTE TO THE BUILDING.
THE STUDY PREPARED BY BIG RED DOG HAS ZERO CARS GOING DOWN STING IN TOMI TO THE PROJECT STING, YOU MAY KNOW IS THE STREET NEXT TO CHEWY.
IF THEY WERE TO TURN ON THES STREET AT THAT INTERSECTION, THEY WOULD HAVE NO RED LIGHTS BETWEEN THEM.
AND THIS, THIS PROJECT, THE ALTERNATE ROUTE IS TO PROCEED DOWN BARTON SPRINGS TO THE EAST.
THERE'S A RED LIGHT AT KENNY ROAD.
THERE'S A RED LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF LAMAR AND BARTON SPRINGS.
IF YOU MAKE A LEFT TURN THERE, THERE'S ANOTHER RED LIGHT AT THE CORNER OF THE PROJECT, WHICH IS LAMAR.
AND TO ME, THE, THE, UM, THE PRESENTATION BY BIG RED DOG AT THE UH, BARTON PLACE CONDOMINIUM SHOWED ZERO TRIPS FOR THE STING TO ME ROAD ROUTE.
I POINTED OUT TO HIM THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ASSUME THAT ZERO PEOPLE WILL NOT FIND THIS PATHWAY TO BE FI FASTER THAN THE PATHWAY ON LAMAR AND, UM, AND BARTON SPRINGS ROAD.
I ASKED THE CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE IN OPPOSITION TO THE REZONING OF NICE HOWARD CURTIS.
UM, I'M SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED REZONING OF 3 5 0 4 SOUTH FIRST, WHICH IS AGENDA ITEM 89.
UH, I'M AN OWNER OF ONE OF THE PHASE ONE UNITS AT CARDINAL CONDOMINIUM, WHICH ARE THOSE THAT ARE IMMEDIATELY WEST OF THE, UM, PROPOSED GIGANTIC, UH, APARTMENT COMPLEX THAT WOULD BE BUILT, UH, WHERE MERCURY HALL IS LOCATED NOW WITH, UM, A PARKING GARAGE IN, IN WHAT IS NOW THE 30 54.
LOT RE REITERATE, UH, SOME CONCERNS THAT OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE RAISED.
I BELIEVE THAT, UH, TRAFFIC ON SOUTH FIRST, WHICH IS NOT A MAJOR ARTERIAL LIKE SOUTH CONGRESS OR UM,
[03:15:01]
SOUTH LAMAR WILL BECOME MORE CONGESTED.UM, THIS AREA ON SOUTH FIRST IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF BEN WHITE IS HILLY THERE, BLIND SPOTS.
IT'S CURRENTLY ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO, UM, TAKE A LEFT TURN FROM CARDINAL LANE ONTO, UM, SOUTH FIRST IN A SAFE MANNER.
I'M CONCERNED WITH THE IMPACT ON THE, UH, CHARACTER OF THE GALINDO NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE WEST OF THE, UM, PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION SITE.
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN WALK YOUR DOG ALONG THE STREET.
YOU CAN PUSH A BABY CARRIAGE, UM, HAVE YOUR CHILDREN ON BICYCLES AND FEEL QUITE SAFE.
I THINK THIS PROPOSED PROJECT INEVITABLY WILL INCREASE THE VOLUME AND SPEED OF TRAFFIC ON SOUTH, SOUTH FIFTH AND SOUTH SECOND.
AND, UM, CHANGE THE, UM, THE AMBIENCE IF YOU WILL, UM, OF THE GAL GLENDO NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S BEEN POINTED OUT THAT THAT'S THE, UM, MERCURY HALL SITE IS THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE, UM, THE ADJACENT AREAS.
UH, IT'S CURRENTLY A BIG SPONGE AND IT'S VERY LITTLE IMPERVIOUS COVER THERE AND IT SOAKS UP RAIN WATER WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF, UH, LARGE IMPERVIOUS COVER AREAS.
UM, THOSE OF US WHO ARE DOWNHILL AND I'M IMMEDIATELY DOWNHILL FROM THE SITE, I THINK, UM, ARE AT RISK FOR SERIOUS DRAINAGE ISSUES.
AND, UM, IS MR. NI POINTED OUT.
UM, THOSE OF US WHO OWN PROPERTY IN THE CARDINAL CONDOS OR UM, IN GAMMA'S COVE TO THE, UM, THE IMMEDIATE SOUTH, I'M QUITE CONVINCED WE'LL SEE A DEMOTION OF THEIR PROPERTY VALUES, UM, BOTH DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD AND THEREAFTER WHEN WE HAVE THIS GROOMING UM, PROPERTY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ROBERT SSON.
HE SAID TO ME, GOOD AFTERNOON.
THIS IS ROBERT FERGUSON WITH MURPHY ENGINEERING.
WE'RE ENGAGED AS THE DISTRICT ENGINEER FOR TRAVIS COUNTY.
W SAID E NUMBER 20, AS WELL AS TRAVIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR, DESIGN YOUR REQUEST.
ITEM NUMBER 92 IS FROM THE PROPERTY OWNER OF WHAT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS THE PI ON LAKE AUSTIN.
THE INTAKE WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH APPROVAL BACK IN 1984.
THE PI RESTAURANT WAS IN OPERATION AT THAT TIME WITH BOTH SLIPS, DOCKS, AND GASOLINE SALES.
THE W ID 20 RAW WATER INTAKE WAS APPROXIMATELY 800 FEET DOWNSTREAM ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE LAKE.
THE STATE'S REGULATORY OVERSIGHT NOW RESIDES WITH THE TEXAS COMMISSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND THE STAFF AT THE T CQ HAS MORE THAN ONCE EXPRESSED THAT THEY RESERVE THE RIGHT TO PURSUE ENFORCEMENT OF THEIR RULES, WHICH REQUIRE A THOUSAND FOOT SEPARATION BETWEEN THE SURFACE RAW WATER INTAKE AND BOAT DOCKS, MARINOS, ET CETERA, WHICH ARE ACCESSIBLE BY THE PUBLIC.
WITH THE CURRENT RULES AND POLICIES IN PLACE AND EXERCISE FOCUS ON PROTECTING PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES, BEGINNING WITH THE SOURCE WATER AND THE LOCATION OF THE RAW WATER INTAKES IS PARAMOUNT.
AROUND 2005, THE PURE RESTAURANT CEASED OPERATIONS AND THE SOURCE OF POTENTIAL POLLUTION WAS ELIMINATED GRANTING OF THIS REZONING REQUEST TO PROVIDE FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE FOR A USE THAT COULD INCLUDE GASOLINE CELLS INCREASING THE RISKS OF THE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY, SPECIFICALLY THE RAW WATER INTAKE OF THE TRAVIS COUNTY WC NUMBER 20 WATER SYSTEM.
IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO POSTPONE THIS ACTION TO ALLOW TIME FOR THE APPLICANT AND THE AFFECTED PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIES TO SEEK A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE RESOLUTION OF THIS CONCERN.
ABSENT OF A POSTPONE OF ACTION AND IS MY RECOMMENDATION TO DENY THE REZONING QUEST DUE TO THE POTENTIAL OF CONTAMINATION OF THE WATER SUPPLY OF TRAVIS COUNTY W C NUMBER 20.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
IF YOU HAVE NOT PRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
HELLO, MY NAME IS TERRY BARNES.
I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR TRAVIS COUNTY WATER CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.
WE'VE HAD OUR COUNCIL SPEAK ON OUR BEHALF.
WE'VE HAD OUR ENGINEER SPEAK ON OUR BEHALF.
I WORKED EXTENSIVELY WITH MACEL ON THIS, UH, PEER PROPERTY BACK IN 2006 AND 2007 ON A PEER HUD REZONING APPLICATION AT THAT TIME IS A CONSIDERABLE KNOWLEDGE IN A LOT OF THE HISTORY OF THE PEER BY CONSIDERING, UH, THE DISTANCE OF OUR RAW WATER INTAKE AND AS RESPECT TO OUR WATER DISTRICT AND THE CONCERNS WE MAY HAVE WITH THE TCEQ.
[03:20:02]
UH, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ASK FOR A POSTPONED UNTIL, UH, OCTOBER 15TH, 2020 UNTIL OUR COUNCIL, UH, CAN WORK WITH THE APPLICANT AND, UH, POSSIBLY RESOLVE, UH, ANY OF OUR, UH, CONCERNS WE MAY HAVE WITH, UH, WATER QUALITY.IN PARTICULAR, THE, UH, ASPECT OF, UH, DISPENSING OF GASOLINE, UH, BOTH UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM OF BOTH WATER INTAKES FOR BOTH THE WATER UTILITY.
UH, MARTIN CREEK, NUMBER FOUR IN, UH, TRAVIS COUNTY WATER AND CONTROL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NUMBER 20.
HI, UM, I'M THE CO-CHAIR OF THE GO VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT ITEMS 80 AND 81.
UM, AS RACHEL SAID EARLIER, THERE'S A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT ON THIS PROPERTY, AND I'M HERE TO JUST ECHO HER CONCERNS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS IS A WEIRD PIECE OF PROPERTY.
I REMEMBER YOU TELLING ME ABOUT HOW THE NEIGHBORHOOD GO VALLEY WOULD FLOOD, UM, BACK UNTIL THEY LIKE CEMENT CEMENTED IN BOGGY CREEK.
AND, UM, THE PIECE OF PROPERTY ON A, UH, REGARDING ITEMS 80 AND 81 ARE MAJORITY IN THE CREEK.
THE PARTS THAT AREN'T IN THE CREEK ARE FULL OF EASEMENTS.
UH, IN ORDER TO GIVE NEIGHBORS ACCESS TO THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE IN ORDER TO GIVE UTILITIES ACCESS TO THE BOGGY CREEK, TO MAINTAIN BOGGY CREEK, UM, THERE'S A LOT OF PLACES TO PUT HOUSING.
THIS IS JUST A REALLY WEIRD PLACE TO PUT HOUSING, AND I'M, THERE'S A REALLY GOOD CONCERN, LIKE ALL OF THE LAND IS IN THE FLOOD PLAIN.
UM, BUT I JUST WANNA ECHO WHAT THE NEIGHBORS HAVE.
THEY'VE BEEN WORKING FOR OVER A YEAR TO HAMMER OUT A COMPROMISE.
A COMPROMISE WAS REACHED, AND THAT'S WHY IT PLANNING COMMISSION.
AND NOW THINGS HAVE COME DOWN TO THE 11TH HOUR.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE RESTRICTED COVENANT HAS BEEN FILED OR NOT.
UM, DOES, IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THAT FOR A MINUTE, BECAUSE LIKE THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN CHANGING LIKE HOUR BY HOUR, I, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THINGS STAND.
I KNOW THAT'S A VALID PETITION.
I KNOW THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT, BUT IT'S JUST A BIG OLE MESS.
UM, SO THAT'S, IF, IF YOU CAN'T ALLOW THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT, IF THAT'S NOT FILED, THEN YOU SHOULD VERY MUCH SO, UM, VOTE AGAINST ITEMS 80 AND 81.
YEAH, I THINK YOU SHOULD JUST, HI, TIM.
I THINK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER IS THE THING TO BE RECOGNIZED.
UH, PETER, UH, JUST FOR THE, THE LAST CALLER THERE, WE COULD, WE COULD BARELY HEAR YOU PULL YOUR MIC DOWN HERE.
UH, A VALID, UH, THERE, A RESTRICTED, UH, RESTRICTED HAS BEEN FILED AND IT'S, UH, IN THE DOCUMENT, IT JUST THAT, UH, IT WAS SO LATE, YOU KNOW, AND, UH, UH, AND I GOT, I GOT ONE FROM, UH, FROM DANIELS WITH A CONTACT TEAM SAYING THAT THEY HAD REACHED IN AGREEMENT.
SO, UH, JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IF, IF THAT TURNS OUT TO BE TRUE, UH, I'LL, I'LL SUPPORT IT.
IF NOT, I'LL, I'LL VOTE AGAINST IT.
ANYONE ELSE WANNA MAKE A COMMENT? IF YOU DO, I CAN'T SEE EVERYBODY, BUT GO AHEAD.
I'M ALSO SPEAKING IN REGARDS TO, UH, ITEMS 80 AND 81 WITH THE SHADY LANE.
UM, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT WAS SIGNED JUST THIS MORNING AND FILED, HOWEVER, UM, AS A NEIGHBOR WHO SHARES A PROPERTY LINE WITH BOGGY CREEK, UH, AND THE, AND SHA THE SHADY LANE PROPERTY ACROSS THE CREEK, UM, WE AS NEIGHBORS HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD AT COMPROMISING BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT AUSTIN IS CHANGING AND THAT MORE HOUSING NEEDS TO GO INTO PLACE.
BUT AS IT WAS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, THIS PROPERTY IS REALLY WEIRD.
A LOT OF IT ENDS UP IN THE FLOOD PLAIN.
UM, THE TRACK THAT IS ACROSS FROM MY PROPERTY IS, UM, SUPPOSED TO BE LIGHT, UH, LIGHT, UM, RETAIL.
AND, UM, I'M JUST VERY STILL VERY CONCERNED.
UM, WE CAME TO THIS RESTRICTIVE COVENANT IN THIS AGREEMENT, UM, BASICALLY JUST IN FEAR OF SOMETHING WORSE.
[03:25:01]
I DON'T THINK ANY OF THE NEIGHBORS ARE SUPER THRILLED ABOUT IT.UM, BUT WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, COMPROMISE IS, IS NECESSARY.
UM, BUT THAT DOESN'T REMOVE ANY OF MY CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT WILL BE EVENTUALLY DEVELOPED THERE, HOW THAT WILL AFFECT POTENTIAL FLOODING GOING FORWARD, HOW IT WILL AFFECT, UM, UH, TRAFFIC AND NOISE.
UH, AS, AS RACHEL SAID, I CAN HEAR EVERY CONVERSATION THAT HAPPENS ACROSS THE CREEK BECAUSE THERE'S THIS, UM, CEMENTED CREEK BED.
UM, SO IT, IT IS STILL A MAJOR CONCERN AND THINGS HAVE, AND INFORMATION HAS BEEN COMING FORWARD JUST EVEN THIS MORNING AND TRYING TO STAY ON TOP OF THINGS HAS BEEN REALLY CHALLENGING AND FRUSTRATING, UM, FOR, FOR MYSELF AS A NEIGHBOR.
DEMOLISHED WITH MURPHY ENGINEERING COMPANY.
MS. DAVE MO MURPHY ENGINEERING.
I'M HERE SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ITEM NUMBER 92.
UM, I'M WITH, UH, I REPRESENT THE WATER DISTRICT 20, ID NUMBER 20 AS A DISTRICT ENGINEER.
I HAVE SINCE 1983 WHEN THEY WERE, UH, CREATED.
UM, I'M HERE TO ALSO SPEAK ABOUT THE INTAKE STRUCTURE I KNOW OF, UH, IN THE LOCATION OF THE INTAKE STRUCTURE.
I WAS PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE, UH, FOR THE LOCATION OF THAT BACK IN 1983, AND WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL CANDIDATES SITES ALONG THE, ALONG THE WAY TO, TO LOCATE THAT AND THE TEXAS HEALTH DEPARTMENT, MR. FRANCIS AND DOGO AND I DECIDED THAT WAS PROBABLY THE PRIMARY, THE BEST LOCATION FOR IT ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.
UM, UH, LOT OF, LOT OF DIFFERENT RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT THAT, THAT, THAT PROHIBIT ARE RESTRICTED FROM CERTAIN SITES.
UM, THE, UM, UH, SINCE THAT, THAT THOSE PLANS WERE APPROVED IN 1984, AND SINCE THEN OVER THE 40 YEARS, WE'VE LEARNED A WHOLE LOT MORE ABOUT, UH, DRINKING WATER AND WATER QUALITY.
UH, PRIMARILY WE'VE, WE'VE COME NOW MORE CONCERNED ABOUT CHLORINATED ORGANICS AND, AND, AND, UH, SO, UH, I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE POSTPONEMENT, UH, OF THIS ITEM SO THAT WE CAN MORE FULLY ADDRESS.
BUT THE, UH, BASICALLY THE APPLICANTS WANT TO HAVE A ZONING THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO, UH, REINSTALL A GAS STATION, UH, FUELING STATION OVER OUR DRINKING WATER SUPPLY THEY HUNDRED FEET OF IT.
AND WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AS IT GASOLINE HAS SEVERAL, UH, HYDROCARBON COMPONENTS, INCLUDING BEN SCENE, BENZINE, TOLUENE Z EILEEN, AND, AND OTHERS THAT WE FEEL COULD GET IN OUR DRINKING WATER SUPPLY AND CONTAMINATE, UH, UH, CONTAMINATE OUR AND, AND RESULT IN THESE, UH, FORMATION CHLORINATE ORGANICS, UH, THAT ARE CANCER CAUSING.
UM, IT'S, IT'S A REAL CONCERN.
UH, I THINK IT WOULD EVER, UH, UH, OUR WATER SYSTEM, WE HAVE 4, 4 50 CUSTOMERS OUT THERE.
WE ALSO TIED TO A CITY OF AUSTIN INTERCONNECT, WE'RE TIED TO, UH, TC TRAVIS COUNTY MUD FOUR INTERCONNECT, AS WELL AS THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUA INTERCONNECT.
UM, SO THAT'S A, THAT'S A, THAT'S A CONCERN I HAVE, AND I DO ALSO, I'LL JUST SAY I DO SUPPORT THE POSTPONEMENT, UH, WITH THE REST, UH, AS, AS, AS THE OTHERS.
CAN YOU HEAR? GOOD? GOOD, GOOD, GOOD.
THE ZOOM, YOU KNOW, STOP THIS TO ME.
UH, LET'S SEE ME THREE MINUTES.
UM, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM 89, UH, ONCE ALASKA COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE, UH, AN HONOR THE VALID PETITION LIST, THE HOMEOWNERS NUMBER ONE, PARTICULARLY ON OPPOSED, UH, HAS TO SPEAK AS A MEMBER, FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE DEL ELEMENTARY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
OPPOSED TO THE 35 0 4 REZONING, IT'S A VERY SMALL LOT.
IT'S, THERE'S NO TRAFFIC IMPACT
[03:30:01]
ANALYSIS AND, AND APARTMENT.UH, WE DON'T REALLY NEED APARTMENT.
AND THIS, THIS DEVELOPMENT IS THE PRO DEVELOPMENT AND THIS CONTINGENT ON, ON THE REZONING PASSING.
IF NOT, THEY WON'T BUY THE PROPERTY.
SO I'M SURE THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE CITY OF AUSTIN, UH, PURCHASING THIS PROPERTY THAT'S PRACTICALLY ADJACENT TO EMS. IT WOULD BE A GOOD INVESTMENT FOR THE CITY OF LAW CENTER.
AND WE CONSIDER THE THIS DEVELOPER, WE'VE WORKED WITH OTHER DEVELOPERS.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE COOL, UH, NOT JUST, SO IF YOU CAN'T BUY THE PROPERTY, THEN I'M SURE OTHER DEVELOPERS ARE ABLE TO PURCHASE IT.
SO, UM, ONCE AGAIN, UM, THANK YOU, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON CHE, I'VE GOT A CHANCE TO, UH, UH, YOUR SPECIALTY IS PRIORITIES ADDRESSING TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES AND COMMUNITY CONNECTOR, A HOUSE.
YOU DO THAT HERE, KATHY, TO YOU, A NEIGHBOR FROM GOLDEN CREEK NEIGHBOR ASSOCIATION.
HL, I DUNNO, WHO SOUTHWEST, ALSO LESLIE POOL, 30 YEARS COMMUNITY.
APPRECIATE ALL YOUR IMMIGRANT MOVEMENT TO BERNARDINO.
P MY FRIENDS IN THE SEVENTIES, DEL ADVISOR AND I ASKED NATASHA HARTFORD, MADISON TO CONSIDER Y INCLUDING THE MAYOR, VOTING OR AGAINST THIS, UH, REQUEST.
I LIVE IN THE EJ AREA OF TRAVIS COUNTY BETWEEN WEST LAKE HILLS AND THE CITY OF B CAVE.
I'M SPEAKING ABOUT ITEM 92, WHICH IS THE APPLICATION TO PARTIALLY REZONE THE PEER PROPERTY ON LAKE AUSTIN.
I AM PRESIDENT OF THE TRAVIS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT NUMBER 20.
OUR DISTRICT HAS BEEN PROVIDING DRINKING WATER SINCE THE MID 1980S TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD SURROUNDING OUR WATER TREATMENT PLANT ON WESTERN LANE, WHICH IS JUST A STONE'S THROW FROM THE PEER PROPERTY BEING DISCUSSED THIS AFTERNOON.
OUR DISTRICT HAS 90, UH, 375 WATER CONNECTIONS.
TO PUT A HUMAN ELEMENT TO THAT NUMBER, IT MEANS THAT OVER 300 FAMILIES AND A COUPLE OF DOZEN BUSINESSES DEPEND ON OUR DISTRICT AND ITS INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPLY THEM WITH CLEAN WATER.
OUR DISTRICT'S RAW WATER INTAKE ON LAKE AUSTIN OPERATES WITHIN A THOUSAND FEET DOWNSTREAM OF THE PIER.
AS YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, THE BOARDS, THE OPERATORS, AND THE ENGINEERS OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE REOPENING OF THE PEER.
IN PARTICULAR, WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT GASOLINE SALES OCCURRING WITHIN A THOUSAND FEET OF OUR RAW WATER INTAKE.
WE'VE ASKED OUR DISTRICT ENGINEER TO GENERATE A REPORT THAT PROVIDES ADDITIONAL DETAIL RELATING TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO OPERATING A RAW WATER INTAKE NEXT TO GAS PUMPS.
WE EXPECT THAT REPORT TO BE COMPLETED SOON AS THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS ON ITEM 92 HAVE MENTIONED.
WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION OF OUR REQUEST, UH, FOR POSTPONEMENT OF THIS ITEM UNTIL OCTOBER 15TH, AND THE DISTRICT'S CONCERNS RELATING TO GASOLINE SALES AT THE PIER.
A HI, AM I COMING THROUGH CLEAR? YES, YOU ARE.
HELLO, MAYOR ADLER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME AND OTHERS THIS PLATFORM TO SHARE OUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS FOR HOW THIS PROJECT OF THE REZONING OF 34 0 4 SOUTH FIRST STREET WILL AFFECT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND LIVELIHOOD.
I OPPOSED TO THE REZONING AND MICHELLE AMAREL, A CONCERNED OWNER OF CARDINAL LANE WITH MY 10 YEAR OLD SON FOR SIX YEARS IN COUNTING.
SO SAFETY FOR OUR WALKERS AND BIKERS, COMPATIBILITY AND PRESERVING OUR TREES IN GREENERY IS THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO ME IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO FIRST I'D LIKE TO SHARE THAT I'M OPEN TO NEW DEVELOPMENT.
HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT IT'S MORE COMPATIBLE TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WAS TOLD THAT THIS AREA WAS INITIALLY ZONED FOR A SINGLE FAMILY HOME THAN MERCURY HALL.
NOW THIS PROJECT IS WANTING TO REZONE IT AGAIN TO BUILD THIS FIVE STORY PARKING GARAGE AND APARTMENT COMPLEX.
I DON'T OBJECT TO THIS PROJECT.
I OBJECT TO THE PLACEMENT AND THE SIZE OF THIS PROJECT FOR MANY REASONS.
IT'S A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA AND HAS A BIG BLIND SPOT
[03:35:01]
BECAUSE OF THE HILL.AND THERE'S NO TURNING LANE OR BIKE LANE.
THEY HAVE SEVERAL OTHER APARTMENT COMPLEXES ON SOUTH FIRST.
HOWEVER, THE GROUND IS FLAT AND NOT AT, AT AN END ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY.
I ASKED IF THEY WERE GONNA CONSIDER A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND NO LIGHT WAS CONFIRMED.
IN FACT, IT WAS MENTIONED AT THE LAST MEETING IT WOULDN'T BE APPROVED BECAUSE HOW CLOSE THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ARE ON SOUTH CENTER STREET AND LIGHT SEAT WITH THE BLIND SPOT, EVERYONE'S GONNA BE USING THE LIGHT ON SOUTH CENTER STREET.
AND THAT LIGHT ALREADY GETS BACKED UP DURING HIGH COMMUTE TIMES AND WITH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF SHORT DISTANCE AWAY, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, ATTEMPTING TO TAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO SOUTH FIRST IS VERY CHALLENGING AND DANGEROUS WITH THIS BLIND SPOT AND BEING ON A HILL.
AND NUMBER TWO, THE HEIGHT OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.
THE AESTHETICS OF THIS FIVE STORY PARKING GARAGE AND HOW IT WILL LOOK IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS BEING EXTREMELY CLOSE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THE UNKNOWNS OF THIS UNDERGROUND RETENTION POND IN ALL THE CONCRETE THAT'S GONNA GO DOWN TO BUILD OUT AND ALL THE EROSION AND MAY CAUSE TO THE PROPERTY IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
I WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR LANDSCAPING COMPANY AND WE'RE ALREADY SEEING QUITE A BIT OF EROSION ON OUR ONE ACRE PARK CARDINAL.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SMALLER RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY SIMILAR TO OUR COMMUNITY AND OR SOME RETAIL SPACE GO IN THAT SPACE AND TO KEEP A LOT OF OUR BEAUTIFUL TREES ARE ALREADY THERE.
AND SEE THE ZONING REMAIN THE SAME.
I'M ASKING THAT YOU SARAH VANDERBEEK.
HI, I'M CALLING IN FAVOR OF ITEM NUMBER 83 AT TWO 18 SOUTH LAMAR.
HI, MY NAME IS SARAH VANDERBEEK.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A LOCAL NONPROFIT ART ORGANIZATION THAT IS SLATED TO BE THE RECIPIENT OF A 1000 SQUARE FOOT GALLERY DONATED BY THE PROPERTY DEVELOPERS AT TWO 18 SOUTH LAMAR.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AUSTIN IS ONE OF AMERICA'S GO-TO DESTINATIONS FOR ARTISTS IN ART LOVERS.
BUT OUR LOCAL ART COMMUNITIES ARE GOING THROUGH AN UNPRECEDENTED CRISIS NOW, COMPOUNDED EXPONENTIALLY BY COVID.
19 HUNDREDS OF ARTISTS AND ART SPACES HAVE BEEN DISPLACED SINCE THE EARLY TWO THOUSANDS ATTRIBUTED TO ECONOMIC SHIFTS.
WHEN COUNCIL MEMBER AND KITCHEN APPROACHED THE DEVELOPERS AND ASKED THEM TO PROVIDE A FREE SPACE FOR THE ARTS, MY PARTNER AND I HAD BEEN OPERATING DOOR, AN EXPERIMENTAL IN-HOME GALLERY IN DISTRICT SIZE.
THE RESPONSE TO OUR FIRST YEAR OF PROGRAMMING WAS HUGE, AND WE REALIZED THAT DOF WAS GROWING TOO LARGE FOR OUR HOME.
WE'RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT AT TWO 18 SOUTH LAMAR DORF WILL PARTNER WITH THE DEVELOPERS IN THE CITY OF, TO FORM A FREE GALLERY SPACE OFFERING EXPOSURE FOR LOCAL ARTISTS IN A PROMINENT LOCATION.
I STRONGLY HOPE THAT THIS TYPE OF RADICAL PHILANTHROPY WILL SERVE AS A MODEL FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS AS A WAY TO GIVE BACK TO OUR LOCAL ARTS COMMUNITIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING HIT SO HARD BY OUR CITY'S RAPID GROWTH.
THIS PARTNERSHIP DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE SPACE CRISIS, PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE UNDERSERVED AND FOSTERS OUR DIVERSE ARTIST COMMUNITY.
THE LOCATIONS WALKABLE PROXIMITY TO NEIGHBORING ART INSTITUTIONS LIKE ZACH THEATER, THE CONTEMPORARY, AND THE NEW DOHERTY ART CENTER GIVES US MANY FUTURE PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
ALL OF THIS WILL BUILD COMMUNITY GOODWILL, GENERATE CLASS INTEREST, AND BE A SIGNIFICANT PLATFORM FOR PROMOTING AUSTIN ARTISTS AND CULTURE TO LOCALS AND TOURISTS.
I FULLY SUPPORT THE REDEVELOPMENT OF TWO 18 SOUTH LAMAR.
HELLO? UH, YES, MY NAME IS TIM MURPHY AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION OF ITEMS 80 AND 81, UH, THE SHADE LANE REZONING PROJECT.
UM, AS PAST SPEAKERS, RACHEL AND MEREDITH AND JESSICA ALL, ALL MENTIONED, UH, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD OVER THE PAST, UH, YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF WITH THE APPLICANTS, OUR NEIGHBORS TO FIND A COMPROMISE THAT WILL WORK FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND ALTHOUGH WE HAVE REACHED THAT COMPROMISE, UH, A LOT OF THIS WORK HAS BEEN DONE IN THE 11TH HOUR, WHICH HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY STRESSFUL.
AND, UH, WE, WE CANNOT, UM, SUPPORT THE REZONING OF THIS PROJECT WITHOUT KNOWING IF THIS, UH, PRIVATE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN FILED AND ATTACHED TO THE LAND.
SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO, UH, VOTE AGAINST THIS REZONING IF THE PRIVATE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT HAS NOT IN
[03:40:01]
FACT BEEN FILED.UM, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
OKAY, MY NAME IS SUN CHAN AND I AM ON TO
AND I AM SPEAKING AGAINST ITEM NUMBER 80 AND 81.
AS YOU HEARD FROM PREVIOUS SPEAKERS, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS REQUEST FOR OVER 14 MONTHS OR LONGER.
WE HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT AND SPOKE TO THAT EFFECT AT THE ZONING HEARING ABOUT 24 HOURS AGO.
WE FOUND OUT THAT THE FIRST HEARING WAS HELD BACK IN JULY, UH, AND LEFT 90% OF OUR AGREEMENT WAS NOT EVEN MENTIONED, WAS KNOWN.
UH, THE APPLICANTS HAVE WRITTEN THE RC ON ITEMS THAT WAS LEFT OUT OF OUR AGREEMENT, BUT IT IS NOT FILED.
AND I SUPPOSE THAT'S DUE TO HAVING RUSHED THIS DOCUMENT TILL JUST ABOUT TWO HOURS AGO.
UH, WE HAVE A VALID PETITION AND WE CAN'T POSSIBLY CONTACT ALL THE FOLKS SO QUICKLY WITHIN, I'VE BEEN UNCOMFORTABLE WITH ALL THIS AND WE'RE NOT EVEN SURE IF THIS WAS FILED YET, SO WE ASK TO
SO WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU POSTPONE SO YOU WE CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.
UH, OR IF YOU CAN'T VOTE AGAINST IT, I MEAN, IF YOU CAN'T POSTPONE IT, WE ASK YOU TO VOTE IT DOWN FOR ONE THING.
WE REALLY LIKE TO GO CONTACT OUR LAWYER TO LOOK AT THE, UH, RESTRICTIVE, UH, RC THAT THEY HAVE WRITTEN.
WE DIDN'T HAVE A TIME, THEY, THEY HIRED A LAWYER TO DO THAT, BUT WE HAVE NOT HAD THE TIME TO RUN IT BY OUR ATTORNEY, WHO THAT MIGHT BE.
CYNTHIA TR HI, THIS IS CYNTHIA TR AND MY HUSBAND AND I ARE OWNERS OF CONDOMINIUM ON CARDINAL LANE.
I'M CALLING TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED ZONE CHANGE.
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME.
AFTER LISTENING TO THIS ENTIRE MEETING SINCE EIGHT, NINE O'CLOCK THIS MORNING.
I'M REALLY, REALLY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR ACTIVE LISTENING SKILLS.
ALL OF US WHO CALLED AN OPPOSITION TO THIS PARTICULAR, UH, REZONING HAVE MADE THE POINTS THAT, AND YOU ALL HEARD THEM.
UH, WE DON'T WANT A 275 OR 350 UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX.
IT WOULD CHANGE THE ENTIRE FIELD OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE ALSO FEEL THAT THERE ARE OBVIOUS REASONS THAT IT WOULDN'T FIT AND THAT THE PROPER RESEARCH HASN'T BEEN DONE.
THERE HASN'T BEEN A TRAFFIC STUDY, THERE HASN'T BEEN A STUDY ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF HERITAGE TREES, THE WATER RUNOFF ISSUES CAUSED BY THE INCREASED IMPERVIOUS IN THE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE.
NONE OF THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN CHANGED OR ADDRESSED.
WE ARE NOT AGAINST, I AM NOT AGAINST, UH, AND DEVELOPMENT.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE NEEDS TO BE DEVELOPMENT.
I'M NOT QUESTIONING THE NEED TO REPURPOSE THE LAND, WHICH WILL BE VACATED BY, UM, MERCURY HALL.
I AM OBJECTING TO THE REZONING OF THE AREA WITHOUT PROPER PLASTIC STUDIES FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF BUILDING A DENSELY PACKED DEPARTMENT COMPLEX AND GARAGE.
BY LIMITING THE BUILDING HEIGHT AND THE TRAFFIC, UM, WE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO BUILD SOMETHING ON THAT SITE, WHETHER IT'S BY FLIGHT DEVELOPERS OR SOME OTHER COMPANY.
I'M DAVE PIPER, PRESIDENT OF THE SILK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TO SPEAK ON ITEM 83, THE SCHLOSS POD.
UM, MOST OF THESE, UH, STATED SUPERIORITY ITEMS WOULD BE ACHIEVED IN ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT ON THIS SITE.
SOME OF THE SUPERIORITY ITEMS ARE
[03:45:01]
PRETTY MUCH THE SAME AS OTHERS, ONLY STATED IN A DIFFERENT WAY.NATURAL BUILDING MATERIALS ARE REQUIREMENT, BUT COMPARED TO CITY HALL AND NEW LIBRARY AND PALMER CENTER, THIS FLAT PROJECT IS GARISH.
AUSTIN NEEDS RESIDENTIAL UNITS.
SOU PROJECT ON THIS PROPERTY WITH YIELD AT LEAST A HUNDRED UNITS, 10 OF WHICH YOU'D BE AFFORDABLE.
10 UNITS MIGHT BE WORTH MORE THAN THE OFFER, 1.5 MILLION PLUS WE'D HAVE ANOTHER ADDITIONAL 90 RESIDENCES.
IF THE RECENT LEGAL INTERPRETATION FROM STAFF HAS ACTED UPON.
COUNSEL CAN AUTHORIZE PUT ZONING FOR ANY TRACT LAND.
IT ALSO ALLOWS ANY PROJECT TO BE DECLARED A PUT.
THEREFORE, IT GIVES COUNSEL THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE ANY PROJECT ANYWHERE.
IF A PART IS DECLARED REGARDLESS OF ITS SIZE ZONING OR OVERLAYS, THAT'S A SLIPPERY SLOPE AND OPENS THE PUT ORDINANCE TO EVEN MORE ABUSE.
THERE SHOULD BE SOME CODIFIED LIMITS ON THESE PUTS.
JUST BECAUSE IT'S LEGAL ARGUABLY DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT.
THIS INTERPRETATION IS ACTED UPON.
IT GIVES THE APPEARANCE THAT SUFFICIENTLY FUNDED PARTIES HAVE AN ADVANTAGE OVER SMALLER ENTERPRISES IN TERMS OF MANIPULATING ZONING.
BY DECLARING A PUT WITH ONLY THE ONLY RESTRICTIONS BEING THOSE APPLIED BY COUNCIL TO PUSH THEIR PROJECTS OVER THE FINISH LINE, A LARGE SUM OF THEN DONATED TO THE CITY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND.
THERE ARE ANY SPEAKERS IN QUEUE THAT HAVE NOT PRESSED ZERO.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, MAYOR PROTE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME'S PATTY SPRINKLE, AND I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.
AS YOU WILL HEAR FROM THE ENTITLEMENT TEAM, THIS IS A SIMPLE CASE.
SO THEY SAY, GINA CONTENDS THE 2007 CO AT 35 0 4 SOUTH STREET, SOUTH FIRST STREET, THAT LIMITS THE HEIGHT TO 40 FEET IN VEHICLE TRIPS PER DAY TO 2000 IS EVEN MORE NECESSARY NOW THAN IT WAS WHEN IT WAS PUT IN PLACE 13 YEARS AGO.
THE ORIGINAL STAFF NOTES FROM THE 2000 CO RIGHTLY RECOMMEND A TIA BE DONE BEFORE ANY REZONING OF THIS PROPERTY.
THAT ONE HAS NOT BEEN DONE WHILE SOUTH FIRST STREET IS A QUARTER, IT IS FOUR LANES WITHOUT A TURN LANE, A BIKE LANE, AND HAS SUBSTANDARD SIDEWALKS.
3 5 0 4 DRIVEWAY IS AT THE HEIGHT OF THE HILL AND IS A BLIND DRIVE MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE DEPENDING UPON THE TIME OF DAY.
THE SITE'S VEHICLE TRIPS PER DAY OF 2000 IS AT THE SITE, HAS ONLY BEEN USED FOR SPILLOVER PARKING FOR MERCURY HALL.
IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT THE PERMITTED TRIPS OF 2000 RIGHT NOW HAVE NEVER BEEN REACHED IT'S YARDS FROM AN EMS STATION THAT SERVES OUR COMMUNITY.
WHERE IS THE TRAFFIC ANALYSIS? WE DIDN'T.
WE KNOW THE PANDEMIC HAS FOREVER AUTHORED HOW WE WORK AND DO BUSINESS.
MANY NEWS SOURCES REPORT PEOPLE ARE FLEEING THE CITIES.
AND IN FACT, AIS D'S NEW PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT FIGURE SHOW JUST THAT.
A LOSS OF OVER 3000 CHILDREN WHO ARE EXPECTED TO ENROLL AND DID NOT WITHOUT THE FESTIVAL, THE RESTAURANT AND BAR SCENE.
AND WITH THE INCREASED ABILITY TO NOW WORK FROM ANYWHERE, WILL THE ASPIRANTS FIND AUSTIN SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME? I KNOW THE MAJORITY OF US ARE STILL WORKING ON THE PREMISE THAT AUSTIN WILL BE BACK.
BUT THE ECONOMIC DESTRUCTION IS JUST NOW BEING UNDERSTOOD.
IT'S BOOMER BUST AROUND HERE AND IT LOOKS LIKE A BUS CYCLE TO ME.
WHERE ARE THE METRICS THAT JUSTIFY THIS PROJECT AS THE NEED TO, THE NEED FOR MORE APARTMENTS ALONG THE SOUTH FIRST QUARTER? RIGHT NOW I CAN POINT TO AT LEAST A PROJECT, THREE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN PERMITTED FOR MIXED JUICE.
AND THERE THEY HAVEN'T BROKEN GROUND.
I WOULD SAY TO YOU THAT, UM, THIS PROJECT IS BEING RUSHED AND WE WONDER WHY SPEAKER TIME HAS EXPIRED FOR NEXT SUMMER.
SO WE WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT SOMEBODY ON THE CITY COUNCIL UPHOLD THE NEIGHBORS BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY THE CEO IS HERE BECAUSE OF LIFE AND LIMB TO PROTECT LIFE AND LIMB.
IT WAS PUT IN PLACE BY THE CITY, CITY COUNCIL.
UH, MAYOR, I SEE THAT YOU'RE BACK, GONNA HAND THE CHAIR BACK TO YOU.
I QUICKLY WANTED TO COMMENT ON ITEM 62 BECAUSE APPARENTLY MY OFFICE HAS GOTTEN MEDIA REQUEST AND MAYBE YOURS TO, I WASN'T AWARE THAT I JUST WAS MADE AWARE EARLIER TODAY THAT THE ENTIRE COUNCIL SIGNED ON TO BE CO-SPONSORS AND I HAD NOT PUBLICLY SAID THAT YET.
SO I WANTED TO PUBLICLY SAY, OF COURSE, I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN MY COLLEAGUES AS WE ALL SEEM TO HAVE BEEN SIGNED ON TO, TO JOIN ITEM 62.
I, I, I ALSO THINK MY VOTE YES WOULD'VE ALSO AFFIRM MY SUPPORT AS WELL AS
[03:50:01]
MY CONSISTENT SUPPORT ON CHILDCARE AND, AND, AND MUSIC AND THE RESTAURANT AND SERVICE INDUSTRY.BUT, UM, LET THE RECORD SHOW I WOULD LIKE TO BE A CO-SPONSOR ON 62 RECORD WILL SHOW THAT.
AND, AND THIS WORK ON 62, I THINK REPRESENTS WORK THAT WE HAVE ALL DONE, UH, OVER A A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME.
UH, CLERK IS THAT TO EVERYBODY? WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER.
COUNCIL MEMBERS? I'M ZNO JOSEPH MAYOR, I HAVE A TECHNICAL CORRECTION BEFORE I MAKE MY COMMENT.
I SIGNED UP YESTERDAY AT 11:59 AM FOR ITEM 84.
IT'S 3,500 PECAN SPRINGS ROAD, BUT MY ACTUAL WRITTEN TESTIMONY IS IN ITEM 85 AND I INADVERTENTLY SIGNED UP FOR NUMBER 68 TWICE.
SO IF THE CLERK COULD CORRECT THE RECORD AND SHOW MY NEUTRAL POSITION FOR 85 AND AS OPPOSED TO 68 TWICE.
UM, AND I'LL MAKE MY COMMENTS IF THAT'S OKAY.
I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT SPECIFICALLY.
IT'S, UH, 25 CONDOS IS WHAT'S SPECIFIED IN THE DRAFT RESOLUTION.
BUT I WANNA CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT IT SAYS 18 UNITS MAXIMUM IN THE SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2020 PECAN SPRINGS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION EMAIL.
I AM, UH, CONCERNED HOWEVER, BECAUSE, UM, THERE WERE TWO UNITS THAT WERE GONNA BE AFFORDABLE.
AND MY QUESTION IS REALLY JUST WHETHER OR NOT A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT, A PRIVATE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT, COULD ACTUALLY SPECIFY 80% AREA MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME.
AND I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT THE ORDINANCE IS THAT DETERMINES THE POSTPONES.
IT'S BEEN POSTPONED FIVE TIMES AND I APPRECIATE PETER GRAY, THE APPLICANT FOR WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY.
I DO WANNA SAY THAT MY OTHER CONCERNS WERE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RELEVANCE.
IN THE PEDESTRIAN HYBRID BEACON.
THERE'S A BUS STOP AT SPRINGDALE, UM, AND IT'S RIGHT ACROSS FROM TOUCHSTONE.
THERE'S ALSO A SILVER SHELTER THERE.
AND JUST SO THE RECORD IS ACCURATE, IF YOU LOOK AT PAGES 18 AND 19, YOU'LL SEE WHERE I ANNOTATE IT, THE SHELTER, WHICH INDICATES THAT THIS IS UNDEVELOPED LAND.
IT'S SPECIFIED ON PAGE THREE, RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLY.
THAT'S THE AREA FOR DAVID'S CHAPEL FUTURE SITE.
THERE'S A PRAYER GARDEN THERE, BUT IT'S JUST TREES.
IT'S UNDEVELOPED AND IT'S SPECIFIED IN THE PACKAGE.
SO CAPITAL METRO DID NOT COMPLY WITH THEIR SERVICE GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS THERE.
AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL GLADLY ANSWERED THEM AT THIS TIME.
THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.
UM, WE NOW HAVE THE A E C SPEAKERS MERGED AND READY TO GO WHEN YOU'RE READY.
UH, IF THOSE, UH, SPEAKERS, THE AUSTIN HOUSING PLANNERS CORPORATION CAN HOLD ON FOR JUST A MOMENT.
[Zoning Consent Agenda]
CAN YOU TAKE US THROUGH THE CONSENT CALENDAR? CONSENT, UH, ORDER ON ZONING MAY JUST GIVE HIM A MINUTE TO GET MOVED OVER.YOU THINK WHAT WE SHOULD DO IS TRY TO GET THROUGH THE CONSENT CALENDAR, UH, ON, UH, ZONING? WHEN WE'RE DONE WITH THAT, I THINK THAT WE MAY, I WANNA HAVE A SHORT DISCUSSION ABOUT THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, ITEMS ONE AND TWO, UH, AND THEN WE WILL GO TO THEN SPEAKERS TO SPEAK, UH, ON, ON THAT.
UM, SO THAT'S HOW WE'LL PROCEED HERE.
MAYOR, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, JERRY, GO AHEAD.
OKAY, SO I'LL WALK YOU THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA, PLEASE.
IT'S TWO I THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON FIRST READING.
I CAN FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 75 C 14 2020 0 62, AN OFFER FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM 76 K C 14 2020 DOUBLE 0 72, CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM NUMBER 77, CASE C 14 2020 55.
THIS IS A STAFF POST PERMIT REQUEST TO OCTOBER 1ST.
I CAN OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS.
ITEM NUMBER 79, THIS CASE NPA 2 3 0 1.
THIS IS POSTPONE REQUEST BY THE STAFF TO OCTOBER 9TH.
ITEM NUMBER 80 IS CASE NPA 2 19 1 6 0.01 AND RELATED CASE ITEM 81, CASE C 14 2 0 98.
[03:55:01]
THESE ARE THE TWO SHITTY LANE CASES THAT YOU HEARD, UM, SEVERAL SPEAKERS, UM, SPEAK ABOUT.I CAN SAY THAT ON THESE CASES WE READ UNDER THE RECORD ON FIRST READING A LIST OF CONDITIONS, THE CONDITIONS THAT COULD BE PUT INTO A, UM, CONDITIONAL OVERLAY WERE, THERE'S TWO CONDITIONAL OVERLAYS IN THE ORDINANCE.
THE OTHER CONDITIONS WERE PUT INTO A RESTRICTED COVENANT THAT A PRIVATE RESTRICTED THAT WAS SIGNED THIS MORNING.
I HAVE SEEN THAT DOCUMENT, RECEIVED A COPY OF IT.
HOWEVER, IT HAS NOT BEEN RECORDED THAT THE, UH, THE COUNTY, UM, COURT YET.
AND THE CASE HAS A VALID PETITION.
SO I'D LIKE TO KNOW WOULD THE COUNCIL LIKE TO APPROVE THIS, UM, ON SECOND AND THIRD READINGS KNOWING THAT THE RESTRICTED COVENANT HAS BEEN SIGNED, BUT IT WOULD TAKE NINE VOTE IN ORDER FOR IT TO PASS ON SECOND AND THIRD READ.
SO WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO PULL THE CASE OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAVE IT ON CONSENT? ANYBODY? ANYBODY? I HAVE A QUESTION.
SO JERRY, UM, THE CONDITIONS THAT WERE READ INTO THE RECORD ARE, ARE, IS EVERY ONE OF THEM ACCOUNTED FOR IN ONE OF THOSE TWO PLACES THAT YOU MENTIONED? YES, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, YES.
I'D JUST HAVE TO RESTRICTED A LITTLE BIT AGO ONE, BUT, UM, PRESUM, THEY SIGNED, IT INCLUDED ALL THOSE OTHER COMMISSIONS.
AND THEN THERE'S TWO SMALL COS, UM, THAT ARE IN THE OKAY.
UM, JERRY, WOULD YOU, UM, JUST CIRCLE BACK UNLESS YOU ALREADY HAVE DONE IT, UH, CIRCLE BACK AROUND WITH THE FOLKS WHO ARE RAISING OBJECTIONS AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE AWARE.
UM, AND MAYBE WE COULD COME BACK AND APPROVE THIS IF THEYRE AWARE, DON'T HAVE, AND HAVE THEIR OBJECTION.
YEAH, I DID, I DID ASK HIM IN AN EMAIL, UH, EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON.
I DID TELL 'EM THAT I RECEIVED THE COVENANT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT WAS SIGNED BY AND WE HAVE RECEIVED IT.
THEY, HOWEVER, TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE TIME, WHICH I UNDERSTAND TO GO BACK TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SIGNED THE PETITION TO ASK THEM, TAKE THE NAMES OFF OF IT.
SO THERE'S STILL A VALID PETITION THAT I CAN TELL YOU THE RESTRICTED COVENANT IS SIGNED THAT SIMPLY NEEDS TO BE TAKEN DOWN TO TRAVIS COUNTY REPORTING.
AND YOU TAKE COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN THAT EVERYTHING THAT WAS IN THE FAR RESTRICTED COVENANT AND THE OVERLAYS ADDRESSED ALL OF THE CONCERNS THAT THE NEIGHBORS HAD.
AND THAT HAD WAS THE BASIS OF, OF VALID PETITION, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, YES.
AND I'M GONNA ASK MY STAFF TO DOUBLE CHECK ON ALL OF THAT.
UM, SO FOR ME, I, I DON'T WANNA, UM, MAYBE WE SHOULD PULL 80 AND 81 JUST TO GET SOME CONFIRMATION.
IF YOU GET CONFIRMATION, LET US KNOW SO WE CAN HANDLE THAT AND LET PEOPLE GO.
FOR RIGHT NOW WE'RE GONNA PULL 80 AND 81.
THIS IS POST BY THE STAFF TO NOVEMBER.
NEXT WE HAVE ITEM 83, WHICH IS THE, UH, SAS'S POD THAT I, UM, ITEM 84 IS CASE MBA 2 19 1 5 0.02.
THE RELATED CASE IS C4 2 19 1 64.
UM, THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS CASE IN THAT COUNSEL, WE DID READ IN SOME AGREED TO TWO AGREED UPON CONDITIONS AT FIRST READING.
UM, THOSE CONDITIONS THAT COULD BE PUT INTO A CONDITIONAL OVERLAY IN THE ORDINANCE HAVE, HAVE, HAVE BEEN DONE.
SO THE APPLICANT IS STILL WORKING ON A, UM, PRIVATE RESTRICTED COVENANT WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THERE'S STILL VALID PETITION.
SO ON THIS CASE, MAYOR, I CAN OFFER FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON SECOND READING ONLY.
OKAY, SO SECOND, ONLY AT 84 AND 85.
OH, AND I WOULD ALSO ADD DID ONE THING, UM, IN THE ORDINANCE IT STATED 25 UNITS.
UH, THE AGREED UPON NUMBER, UM, IS 18.
SO WE WE'D APPROVED THAT IN SECOND READING WITH 18 UNITS AS OPPOSED TO, UM, THAT WAS A DIFFERENT ONE BEFORE THAT PART.
THAT WAS ON THE, WON'T GET BACK TO THAT.
UM, NEXT ONE IS ITEM NUMBER 86, CASE MPA 2018 5.01.
THIS IS AN INDEFINITE POSTPONE REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT.
THIS IS ALSO AN INDEFINITE POSTPONE REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT.
ITEM NUMBER 88 KC 14 2019 1 0 8.
THIS IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON FIRST READING ONLY.
ITEM NUMBER 89 IS THE CASE ON SOUTH FIRST.
THIS WILL BE A DISCUSSION CASE.
ITEM NUMBER 90 IS CASE NPA 2020 0 0 1 9 0.01.
THIS IS A POSTPONE REQUEST BY THE STAFF TO OCTOBER 1ST.
ITEM NUMBER 91 IS KC 14 2020 26.
THIS CASE, UM, HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN AND WILL BE RE NOTIFIED.
WE'LL BE BACK ON YOUR OCTOBER 1ST AGENDA.
THIS IS A POST FORMER IN REQUEST BY
[04:00:01]
THE APPLICANT TO OCTOBER 15TH.AND THE, UH, BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE APPLICANT IS AN AGREEMENT THAT'S THE, UH, CASE LIKE AUSTIN.
UM, ITEM NUMBER 92 C 14 2020 41.
I UNDERSTAND COUNCIL MEMBER GAN WOULD LIKE TO PULL THAT ITEM.
SO THAT IS PULLED, YOU MEAN I'M SORRY, 90, I'M SORRY.
ITEM NUMBER 94 IS CASE C 14 0 5 2 RCA TWO.
I CAN, THIS, I CAN OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL, BUT, UM, MALCOLM Y DID HAVE SOME QUESTIONS IN THE, UM, IN THE SPEAKER PORTION OF, OF AFTERNOON.
AND, UM, I BELIEVE IT STEVE BR IS ON THE LINE IF LIKE TO HAVE WAS ANSWERED, BUT OTHERWISE I CAN OFFER FOR CONSENT APPROVAL.
MAY, UM, JERRY, I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO 10 15, IS THAT CORRECT? NOVEMBER 12TH, IT'S 10 15.
AND IF I COULD JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE RECORD AS 92 IS IN MY DISTRICT, NOT DISTRICT NINE AS I UNDERSTAND IT.
SO ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, CONSENT AGENDA IS, UH, ITEM 73 THROUGH 94.
THE ITEMS THAT I'M SHOWING AS POLL ARE 80, 81, 83, AND 89 0.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
AND MAYOR, I BELIEVE THE CUSTOMER WANTED TO PULL NUMBER 93 AND 93.
WOULD YOU MIND JUST 81, 80, 81, 83, 89 AND 93.
THOSE ARE THE CASES BEING PULLED SO FAR.
SO A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
MAYOR PROTE MAKES THE MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER POOL SECONDS IN DISCUSSION.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
UH, CA TOVO, YOU JUST SCREEN? YEAH, I'D LIKE, I'D LIKE THE RECORD TO REFLECT MY, UM, ABSTENTION ON THE PARKER ROAD HOUSE.
I'M SORRY, I SUDDENLY DO NOT HAVE THAT, THAT NUMBER IN FRONT OF HER ON WHICH ONE IT IS NUMBER 88.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COUNCILWOMAN, FLY AGAIN? YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO, TO MAKE A COMMENT ON 73 AND I'VE BEEN TALKING TO STAFF ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN, UM, STREET IMPACT FEES OR MITIGATION FEES THAT WE COLLECT ON PROJECTS ON OUR SITE WHERE THOSE DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ON ROADS THAT ARE JUST IN THE COUNTY.
AND IT'S, IT'S, I THINK THERE'S SOME MORE ANALYSIS TO BE DONE THERE.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT STAFF SAYS THAT IT'S NORMAL FOR CITY PROJECTS TO BE USING ON TRAVIS ROADS AND THAT TRAVIS COUNTY PROJECTS MIGHT BE USED ON CITY ROADS, BUT I, I THINK, NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO THE POD ITSELF, BUT A LARGER CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW THAT WORKS AND HOW IT WORKS WITH BOND PROJECTS AND HOW THE MATH ACTUALLY PLAYS OUT WOULD BE USEFUL.
CAUSE IT'S NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR TO ME THAT THE TRA THAT THE COUNTY IS ABLE TO COLLECT THE SAME LEVEL OF FEE THAT WE ARE.
LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
WE HAD THREE SPEAKERS THAT FOR ZONING THAT GOT DROPPED.
DO YOU WANT US TO TRY CALLING THEM BACK BEFORE YOU TAKE THE VOTE? YES.
GIVE US TWO MINUTES, COLLEAGUES WHILE SHE'S PULLING IT UP, JUST TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE LEFT ON POLL ITEMS. WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 12.
COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS HAS AN AMENDMENT ON THAT TO BRING FORWARD ON ITEM NUMBER 17, THINK COUNCIL MEMBERS QAR AND ALTER EACH HAVE AMENDMENTS TO BRING FORWARD ON 17.
NO, I HAVE AN AMENDMENT ALSO ON 17.
IS THAT POSTED OR ANYTHING YET? YEAH, IT'S IN BACKUP.
WHEN YOU WERE ANNOUNCING THIS MORNING, I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T CHIME IN HERE EITHER.
BUT I ALSO HAVE AN AMENDMENT ON 17 AND I HAVE A COMMENT ON 17.
UM, AND AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK, AS I MENTIONED THIS MORNING, I DO WANNA TALK ABOUT POSTPONING THE DEMOLITION ITEMS 12 AND 67, I THINK IT IS.
I'M GONNA HAVE TO, UM, ASK A CLARIFYING QUESTION ABOUT SOMETHING WE PASSED ON CONSENT THAT I INTENDED TO PULL FOR CONVERSATION BEFORE WE, BEFORE WE PASSED IT.
[04:05:01]
MORNING.IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING IT WAS GOING TO BE POSTPONED TILL TEN ONE.
AND SO I INTENDED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION BEFORE WE WITHDREW IT THIS MORNING.
AND SO WE MAY NEED TO RECONSIDER IT TO PUT IT BACK ON AND THEN CHANGE GEARS.
WE'LL PULL IT BACK UP TO DISCUSS ON ITEMS 1848 AND 95.
UM, WE HAVE, UH, UH, DIRECTION COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, SAR.
UH, AND I DO WANNA STATE IN THE RECORD WITH RESPECT TO THAT, THAT, UM, THERE'S A CORRECTION.
THE FISCAL NOTE FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN FISCAL YEAR 20 19 20 20.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET, I THINK IT WAS, UH, INACCURATELY LISTED IS, UH, UH, THE FISCAL YEAR 21 OPERATING BUDGET.
I SHOULD READ THAT CORRECTION INTO THE RECORD.
WE ALSO HAVE AFTER, UH, 12 17, 18 48 95, AND NOW 53.
WE ALSO HAVE 54 TO TAKE CARE OF.
AND THEN WE HAVE THE SAVES RESOLUTION.
UH, I HAVE THE VERSION TWO OF THAT, WHICH IS GONNA BE THE BASE MOTION TOGETHER WITH AMENDMENT ONE, WHICH PICKS UP COUNCIL MEMBER POOLS.
UH, THAT WAS INADVERTENTLY OUT.
UH, AND UH, ALSO I HAVE, UH, FIVE WORDS ON COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHENS THAT I, UH, INADVERTENTLY LEFT OUT.
AND I'LL READ THOSE INTO THE, INTO THE RECORD ON HER AMENDMENT THAT WAS INCORPORATED.
AND I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER TOVA HAS AN AMENDMENT AS WELL.
UH, I'VE INCORPORATED, UH, OUT OF WHAT I HAD SEEN EARLIER.
THEN WE, ITEMS AT 65, 66, 67 AND 68.
UH, AND THEN, UM, UH, WE'LL HAVE THE, UH, ZONING CASES, UH, THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED.
UH, OBVIOUSLY WE ALSO HAVE THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION MEETING, WHICH WE'LL GO INTO.
YOU HEAR THE SPEAKERS, UH, AS SOON AS WE'RE DONE WITH ZONING HERE, CLARK, YOU INTERRUPT ME ANYTIME YOU HAVE, WE'RE READY WHEN YOU ARE MAYOR.
PAUL, DID YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING BEFORE WE PULL THE ZONING SPEAKERS? JUST REALLY QUICK ON 80 AND 81, UM, THE REQUEST THAT I'M HEARING FROM, UH, THE FOLKS WHO CONCERNED ABOUT IS JUST SECOND GIVE TIME FOR PAPERS TO FILED THE COURT AND READING.
ONCE THOSE RECORDED, THAT'S FOR VALID PETITION ON IT.
AND THEN THAT MAY HELP US MOVE THAT FORWARD.
DOES THAT PRESENT ANY ISSUES? NO, NOT AT ALL.
MAYOR, WE CAN BRING IT BACK FOR, UM, READING ON OCTOBER 1ST, WHICH WOULD GIVE THEM A TIME TO RECORD THE COVENANT AND THEN IT COULD GIVE THE NEIGHBORS TIME TO REMOVE THEIR NAME FROM THE PETITION IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
SO IN 81 WILL STAY ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, PROVE SECOND READING ONLY WITH DIRECTION TO COME BACK ON OCTOBER 1ST.
AND IF I COULD ALSO ADD THAT THE SAME FOR THE CODE PLEDGE NUMBER, UM, 73, I WOULD LIKE BRING THAT CASE BACK OCTOBER 1ST AS WELL.
WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND CALL THE, UH, SPEAKERS.
HELLO, MY NAME IS STEVEN CORON.
MAYOR PROTE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UM, I HAVEN'T BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE GALINDO NEIGHBORHOOD IN DISTRICT THREE FOR 27 YEARS, AND I AM STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MERCURY HALL REZONING CASE.
I HAVE, UH, THREE IMAGES THAT I PROVIDED, BUT I WILL JUST DISCUSS THEM.
UH, THE FIRST IMAGE SHOWS IN, UH, THE TWO MERCURY HALL PROPERTIES.
UH, THE FIRST FEW IS FACING SOUTH, UH, AT LIGHT SEA LANE AT THE LOWER LEFT AND CARDINAL LANE IN THE GALINDO NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE RIGHT, THE BOUNDARIES ARE THE TWO MERCURY HALL PROPERTIES ARE INDICATED IN RED.
THE APPLICANT AND THE DEVELOPERS REFER TO THE NARROW PARCEL ON THE SOUTH SIDE AS THE SLIVER, AND HAVE PRESENTED THIS AS A SIMPLE CASE OF CONSOLIDATING THE CODES NEEDED TO CREATE A PROFITABLE PROJECT.
HOWEVER, THE LOGISTICS OF THE SITE ARE MUCH MORE COMPLEX.
THERE'S A VERY CHALLENGING LOCATION FOR THE PLANNED DENSITY DUE TO THE TOPOGRAPHY AND THE EXISTING TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ISSUES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE SOUTH PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON A RIDGE AT ONE OF THE HIGHEST POINTS IN SOUTH AUSTIN.
AT AN ELEVATION OF 687 FEET, THERE'S A STEEP DROP IN THE ELEVATION IN ALL DIRECTIONS FROM THIS HIGHEST POINT OF THE TWO PROPERTIES.
THERE'S A DROP IN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 70 FEET FROM THE PROPERTY ENTRANCE AT THE CREST TO THE HILL ON CARDINAL LANE TO THE NEARBY CORNER OF SOUTH FIRST, UH, SOUTH FIFTH, EXCUSE ME, AND CARDINAL IN THE CENTER OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE BAR ON THE WEST GOLDEN CREEK WATERSHED FOR THE NEXT IMAGE.
UM, THE SECOND IMAGE IS A COMPOSITE SKETCH, UH, INDICATING THE POTENTIAL SCALE AND
[04:10:01]
VOLUME OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT IN RELATION TO THE SURROUNDING AREAS.BASED ON THE PRELIMINARY DETAILS PROVIDED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT ARM MEETINGS WITH THE DEVELOPERS, IF THE EXISTING HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ARE REMOVED IN THE CONDITIONAL OVERLAY ON THE SOUTH LOT AT THE HIGHEST ALTITUDE OF THE PROPERTY, THE PROPOSED THREE AND FIVE STORY STRUCTURES AND THE FIVE STORY PARKING GARAGE WOULD LIKELY BE MUCH HIGHER DUE TO THE TOPOGRAPHY AT THE SITE AT A LEVEL THAT IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
THE THIRD IMAGE, UH, SOUTH FIRST IS IDENTIFIED AS A TRAFFIC CORRIDOR, BUT AS AN ALREADY SERIOUSLY OVER BURDENED NARROW FOUR LANE STREET WITH NO CENTER TURN LANE, THERE'S AN EXISTING TRAFFIC LIGHT AT LIGHT SEA, LESS THAN 100 FEET.
UM, COMPLICATING THE ADDITION OF A SECOND SET OF LIGHTS, I URGE THE CONSOLE TO, TO DENY, DENY THE REZONING ON THIS AGENDA ITEM AND UPHOLD A CONDITIONAL OVERLAY WITH A HEIGHT AND TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS RECOMMENDED BY CITY STAFF IN 2007 UNTIL A MORE MANAGEABLY SCALED PROJECT CAN BE DEVELOPED.
HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? WE CAN HEAR YOU.
OH, YOU CAN HEAR ME? HELLO? YES, GO AHEAD PLEASE.
CLIENT FELT, UM, I'M TALKING ABOUT ITEM 80 AND 81.
UH, I'VE BEEN ON THIS PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THIS DEVELOPMENT FOR 40 YEARS.
I LIVE IN WORK HERE, SO I'M HERE ALL THE TIME.
I KNOW THE NEIGHBOR EXTREMELY WELL.
WE ARE AGAINST THE PROJECT, BUT WHEN THE CITY VOTED AGAINST US, WE DECIDED WE NEEDED TO COMPROMISE.
SO WE CAME UP WITH A COMPROMISE.
THE COMPROMISE IS NOT IN PLACE YET.
SO WE'RE A LITTLE LEERY OF ANYTHING THAT'S CONTINUING UNTIL WE KNOW WHAT THE COMPROMISE IS IN PLACE.
BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW AT HOW BRUTAL THIS PROCESS WAS FOR THE NEIGHBORS AT THIS.
THIS TOOK IT OUT OF PEOPLE TRYING TO HAVE A SAY ON HOW THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS DEVELOPED.
AND IT'S A, AND I JUST HAVE TO REINSTATE THE BRUTAL PROCESS YOU CAUSED THESE NEIGHBORS TO GO THROUGH AT ANYWAY, WHERE WE'RE AGAINST THE PROJECT, WE'RE WILLING TO GO WITH THE COMPROMISE.
THAT CONCLUDES THE ZONING SPEAKERS.
COLLEAGUES, UH, CONSENT AGENDA, UH, HAS BEEN MOVED IN.
UH, WHAT'S BEING PULLED IS ITEMS, UH, 83 89 AND UH, 93, UH, TO MOVED IN SECOND.
IT DOES IN FAVOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UH, DO YOU GUYS VOTE? HOW DO YOU, ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? YEAH, MA SORRY, I ASSUMED TO BE FROZEN ON SCREEN, BUT I AM VOTING IN FAVOR WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT I INDICATED EARLIER WITH PARKER HOUSE.
ARE YOU WITH US? CONSENT AGENDA PASSES.
CAN YOU CONFIRM FOR ME IF THE PUBLIC HEARING ARE BEING CLOSED ON 73 88? 80 AND 81? YES.
PUBLIC HEARING'S BEING CLOSED.
[Austin Housing Finance Corporation]
ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES.WE'RE GONNA TAKE A RECESS IN THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING SO THAT WE CAN CONVENE THE, UH, AND I HEREBY DO CONVENE THE, UH, AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION HERE ON SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2020.
UM, AND, AND CONVEN THE MEETING HERE ON SEPTEMBER 17TH, 20 TRI COUNCIL CSAR, WERE, WERE YOU PRESENT FOR THAT VOTE? NO.
SORRY, I WAS, I I WAS AUTHORIZED.
UH, CAN MEET THE, UH, CITY COUNCIL MEETING HERE ON STE, THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION BOARD MEETING HERE AT ON FEBRUARY, ON SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2020.
UH, THIS IS BEING HELD BY VIDEO CONFERENCE.
UH, WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS THAT ARE HERE TO SPEAK ALMOST ALL ON ITEMS, NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER TWO.
UH, BEFORE WE GO TO SPEAKERS, I JUST WANT TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO, TO STAFF TO, TO LAY OUT AT LEAST THOSE TWO ITEMS. ALL THOSE SPEAKERS ARE GOING TO BE INVITED TO SPEAK ON ALL ITEMS, UH, ON THE, UH, AGENDA AND COLLEAGUES, ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO ADDRESS IT BEFORE WE GET TO SPEAKERS, ITEMS ONE AND TWO, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AS WELL.
SO STAFF, YOU WANNA LAY OUT, UH, AT LEAST THOSE FIRST AND SECOND ITEMS?
[04:15:01]
ABSOLUTELY.UH, MANDY DE MAYO, AUSTIN HOUSE AND FINANCE CORPORATION, AS YOU MENTIONED, THERE ARE SIX ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
WE MICRO IS
MY, UH, THIS ANY BETTER? THAT IS AWESOME.
YES, I AM ALSO, FINISH WHAT I WAS AND I INTERRUPTED.
I WAS GONNA SAY MY, UH, MY FIFTH GRADERS BRILLIANT TEACHER SAYS THAT IT'S IMPORTANT AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS OF HARD WORK, WE ALL NEED TO TAKE A 15 MINUTE BRAIN BREAK.
AND SO I THOUGHT MANDY MIGHT NEED A LITTLE MORE TIME TO FIX HERB SPEAKER, BUT IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO LISTEN TO BRILLIANT EDUCATORS.
I'M JUST SAYING WELL TAKE A BREAK HERE IN JUST A MOMENT.
OKAY, STEVE, WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND GIVE US THAT REPORT.
SO AGAIN, MANDY D MAYO, AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.
NOW THAT MY MICROPHONE IS WORKING, UM, I WANTED, THERE'S SIX ITEMS ON YOUR AGENDA.
I WANTED TO PROVIDE SOME HISTORY AND CONTEXT ON, UH, THE TWO ITEMS THAT ARE GENERATING A LOT OF INTEREST TODAY.
ITEM NUMBER ONE, OF COURSE, IS TO AUTHORIZE NEGOTIATION AND EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT, UH, FOR THE DISPOSITION OF A PARTIAL AT 900 GARDENER.
UM, IT'S APPROXIMATELY SIX ACRES THAT'S, UH, BEEN OWNED BY A HFC SINCE 2013.
ITEM NUMBER TWO IS TO AUTHORIZE THE NEGOTIATION, EX EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT, UH, FOR THE DISPOSITION OF, UH, A ASSEMBLAGE OF, OF PROPERTIES AT 1127 TILLERY.
UM, AND THAT IN TOTAL IS APPROXIMATELY 5.15 ACRES.
JUST AS A REMINDER, IN OCTOBER OF 2019, UM, BASED ON A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT, UH, COUNCIL DIRECTIONS, WE PROVIDED THE A H C BOARD, UH, A MEMO THAT, UH, LAID OUT ALL OF THE PROPERTIES OWNED BY A H C AND OUR PLANS TO DEVELOP THEM.
WE IDENTIFIED THREE PROPERTIES THAT WE PLAN TO PUT OUT FOR SOLICITATION.
TWO OF THOSE ARE HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY.
SO THAT MEMO IS FROM OCTOBER 4TH, 2019.
TWO OF THE PROPERTIES WE LAID OUT, UH, THE SCHEDULED, UM, OR DISPOSITION, WHICH INCLUDED, UH, STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN THE SPRING OF 2020.
UH, A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS IN LATE SPRING, EARLY SUMMER.
SO, JUST SO YOU KNOW, UM, WE ENGAGED, UH, SHARONDA ROBINSON WITH ABUSIVE COMMUNICATIONS TO ASSIST US, UH, WITH OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS.
AND THEN OF COURSE, WITH COVID 19, WE HAD TO QUICKLY PIVOT FROM IN PERSON MEETINGS TO VIRTUAL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT.
ON APRIL 21ST, WE HAD OUR FIRST PUBLIC INPUT SESSION.
UH, WE DISCUSSED A VARIETY OF THINGS, UH, INCLUDING THE SITE DETAILS FOR BOTH PROPERTIES, UM, THE BENEFITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SUCH AS HELPING LONGSTANDING NEIGHBORS REMAIN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND THEN OUR DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES, WE GATHERED, WE INITIATED THAT, THE GATHERING OF PUBLIC INPUT.
UM, WE DID A SURVEY OF DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES FOR EACH OF THOSE SITES.
AND THEN WE CONTINUED TO GATHER PUBLIC INPUT VIA TEXT, EMAIL, VIA PRINTED PACKAGE IS, UH, PACKETS OF MATERIALS THAT WERE AVAILABLE AT THE WALGREENS ON AIRPORT BOULEVARD.
WE SOLICITED INPUT THROUGH SPEAK UP AUSTIN AND THREE 11.
AND AS I MENTIONED, WE ALSO HAD AN ONLINE SURVEY ON MAY 14TH.
WE CONDUCTED OUR SECOND PUBLIC MEETING, AGAIN, VIRTUALLY FOR BOTH PARCELS.
UM, AND THERE WE, UH, UNVEILED THE RESULTS, UH, OF THE PUBLIC INPUT THAT WE HAD RECEIVED THUS FAR.
AND WE PRESENTED A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENT SCENARIOS.
NOTHING THAT WAS REQUIRED, BUT JUST OPTIONS THAT WOULD BE POTENTIAL ON THE SITE.
THROUGHOUT ALL OF THIS ENGAGEMENT, WE WERE VERY CLEAR THAT OUR DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES FOR THESE TWO PARCELS WERE FOUR THINGS.
ONE WAS TO MAXIMIZE THE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE UNITS.
THE SECOND WAS TO MAXIMIZE THE NUMBER OF DEEPLY AFFORDABLE UNITS.
THE THIRD WAS TO MAXIMIZE THE NUMBER OF MULTI BEDROOM UNITS FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND OR CONTINUUM OF CARE UNITS FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AND THEN THE FOURTH AND FINAL DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE WAS TO MINIMIZE THE AMOUNT OF CITY'S SUBSIDY.
[04:20:01]
RELEASED ON JUNE 15TH.WE CONTINUED ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDER INPUT THROUGH OUR ONLINE SURVEY THROUGH, UM, THE BEGINNING OF JUNE.
AND THEN WE RELEASED THE RFP ON JUNE 15TH.
THE RFP, JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW, INCLUDED DETAILED SITE DESCRIPTION.
WE HAD BACKUP MATERIALS THAT HAD OUR SURVEY, UH, ZONING INFORMATION, PHASE ONES FOR BOTH PROPERTIES.
PLUS WE PROVIDED DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD SURROUNDING, UM, THE SITE AND THE GENTRIFICATION POLOGY FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS WAS IDENTIFIED IN UT'S UPROOTED REPORT.
WE HELD PRE SUBMITTAL MEETINGS.
AGAIN, WERE VIRTUAL ON JUNE 21ST FOR BOTH PARCELS WHERE WE LAID OUT, UM, BOTH THE RFP REQUIREMENTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES.
AND ONE THING I, I WANNA, UM, REALLY REITERATE CUZ THIS IS SOMETHING WE AS STAFF WERE EXCITED ABOUT.
ONE OF THE GATEKEEPER REQUIREMENTS, UM, FOR THIS RFP TO RESPOND TO THE SOLICITATION.
AND THIS WAS DISCUSSED AT THE PRE SUBMITTAL MEETINGS AND IT WAS EMBEDDED IN THE ACTUAL RFP, WAS A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT THAT ANY PROPOSAL NEEDED TO, UM, MEET OUR HOUSING PREFERENCE POLICY CRITERIA.
UM, AND JUST AS A REMINDER, UH, WE PROVIDED A MEMO TO CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 6TH, 2019 THAT LAID OUT WHAT THAT HOUSING PREFERENCE POLICY WOULD LOOK LIKE, UM, AND HOW IT WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED.
SO AS A REMINDER, THE HOUSING PREFERENCE POLICY HAS THREE COMPONENTS.
UM, ONE IS ENSURING THAT ACCESSIBLE UNITS GO TO PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.
THE OTHER IS ENSURING THAT MULTI BEDROOM UNITS, UM, GO TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OR MULTI-GENERATIONAL HOUSING, ESSENTIALLY RIGHT SIZING OUR UNITS.
AND THE THIRD, AND THIS HAS BEEN A LONGSTANDING COMMUNITY PRIORITY, WAS ENSURING THAT WE DID PREFERENCE OR PRIORITY TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED GENERATIONAL PIE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, UM, OR HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME FORM OF DISPLACEMENT.
SO THAT WAS EMBEDDED IN THE RFP AND IS A REQUIREMENT.
WANNA BE CLEAR, UM, REGARDING THE SCORING AFTER THE RFP, UM, THE, THE APPLICATIONS, UH, WE RECEIVED SIX APPLICATIONS FOR THE TILLARY SITE AND FIVE FOR GARDENER OF THE, UH, SIX TILLERY FIVE WERE CONSIDERED RESPONSIVE.
SO THEY ALL WENT THROUGH, UM, A SCORING PROCESS BY A PANEL, A STAFF PANEL, UM, WHAT THE ITEMS THAT WERE SCORED WERE, OF COURSE THE DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT.
YOU HAVE THE MATRIX IN YOUR BACKUP DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT, THE DEVELOPMENT TIMEFRAME, THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM, AND THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF THAT DEVELOPMENT TEAM.
THE TOP TWO OR THREE WE HAD SAID THAT WE WOULD MOVE UP TO THREE APPLICANTS, UM, TO A SECOND PHASE OF ANALYSIS.
UM, AND WE DID FOR BOTH SITES.
FOR GARDNER TWO APPLICANTS WERE MOVED, UM, TO THE NEXT PHASE.
AND FOR TILLARY FREE APPLICANTS WERE MOVED TO THE NEXT PHASE, UM, WHERE WE CONDUCTED AN INTERVIEW.
SO THERE WERE SCORING BASED ON THE APPLICANT'S, UH, PRESENTATION, UH, AND WE ALSO CONDUCTED AN ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT TO UTILIZE A THIRD PARTY CONSULTANT TO DO THE, UH, DIVE INTO THE FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT.
UH, THAT BASICALLY BRINGS US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
WE'LL SEE WITH THE MATRIX BEFORE YOU THAT WE HAVE TWO RECOMMENDATIONS.
THESE ARE THE TOP SCORING RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE FIRST ONE FOR THE GARTNER TRACK IS DMA DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH BIG MEDIUM.
UM, THEY'RE PROPOSING 219 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
UM, ON THAT GARDNER TRACK, IT WILL ALL BE 100% RENTAL.
UM, AND I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILS.
WE ALSO HAVE THE APPLICANT ON THE LINE SHOULD WE HAVE ANY DETAILED QUESTIONS.
UH, FOR THE TILLERY TRACK, THE TOP SCORING, UM, APPLICATION WAS M R E CAPITAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IMAGINE ART.
UM, AND FOR THAT PROPERTY THEY PROPOSED 62 UNITS, UM, OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
UM, AND AGAIN, ALL OF THAT NEEDS, UH, RENTAL HOUSING, UM, AT, UH, I'M SORRY, AT 64 UNITS OF RENTAL HOUSING AT VARIOUS INCOME LEVELS.
SO WE HAVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE YOU, UM, WE FELT LIKE THESE, UH, TOP SCORING APPLICANTS, UM, MET THE DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA, THE OBJECTIVES, UH, THAT WE HAD LAID OUT THERE BEFORE THE COMMUNITY.
I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST COMMUNITY, WE'VE HAD A OF CONVERSATIONS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.
UM, AND EAGER SOLICIT QUESTIONS.
[04:25:01]
OKAY.UH, COUNCIL MEAD DI UH, ANDY, UH, CAN YOU ALSO DESCRIBE THE, UH, WHAT THIS NONPROFIT IMAGINE ART REALLY WORKS WITH A CLIENT? WHAT KIND OF CLIENTELES THEY WORK WITH? ABSOLUTELY.
AND I, I SHOULD SAY THAT IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, DEBBIE KAISER, WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF IMAGINE ART IS, UH, ON THE LINE.
SHE MIGHT BE, I THINK SHE'S SIGNED UP AS A SPEAKER AND SHE HAS MUCH BETTER POSITION TO DO THIS THAN I AM.
UM, BUT THEY, UH, ARE A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
UM, AND THEY'RE FOCUSED ON ART AND, UH, LOW INCOME PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
UM, AND SO PART OF THE VISION THAT WAS PUT FORTH, UM, WAS AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE, AND INTEGRATED HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES ON THE TILLERY SITE.
AND THEY DID PROPOSE THAT 25% INTO UNITS, WHICH IS ABOVE AND BEYOND, UM, OUR REQUIREMENTS, FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS WERE OUR REQUIREMENTS, UM, WOULD BE ACCESSIBLE.
MANDY, ARE YOU ABLE TO SHARE WITH US TODAY WHAT THE, UH, PERCENTAGE OF AFFORDABLE UNITS IS, UM, AND HOW THE AFFORDABILITY IS FOR THE TOP SCORING PROJECTS? JUST SO THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE MATRIX, WE CAN SEE WHY PEOPLE SCORED A CERTAIN WAY, BUT IT'S NOT A CLEAR HOW MANY MORE AFFORDABLE UNITS SOMEONE IS PROVIDING AND HOW MUCH DEEPER THE AFFORDABILITY IS.
IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'RE ABLE TO SHARE TODAY? ABSOLUTELY.
SO FOR, LET'S START WITH THE GARDENER TRACK.
UM, THE, UH, RECOMMENDED PROPOSAL, WHICH IS AGAIN, DMA DEVELOPMENT, UM, MEDIUM PROPOSED 219 UNITS FOR DEVELOPMENT WITH 219 UNITS.
AND IT INCLUDES A LITTLE OVER 26,000 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL SPACE.
SO STUDIO ART SPACE OF THE 219 UNITS.
CUZ OBVIOUSLY THAT WAS OUR PRIORITY.
WE DID NOT SCORE, UH, FOLKS ON ANY OF THE COMMERCIAL ASPECT.
UM, WE WERE SOLELY INTERESTED, AS I MENTIONED, IN THOSE FOUR DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES, UH, WHICH WERE, UH, RELATED TO INCREASING, UH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SO OUT OF THE 219 UNITS, UM, WE, THEY PROPOSED 30 UNITS AT 30% MEDIAN FAMILY, 60 UNITS AT 50% MEDIAN FAMILY, 80 UNITS AT 60% MEDIAN FAMILY, 35 UNITS AT 80% MEDIAN FAMILY, AND THEN 14 UNITS AT MARKET RATE.
THE NEXT, UM, THE SECOND, UM, UH, HIGH SCORING APPLICANT, AND AGAIN, THESE ARE THE ONLY TWO APPLICANTS THAT MOVE TO THAT SECOND PHASE WAS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN, UH, THE CASINO GROUP, WHICH IS NATIONAL, UM, UH, LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX, CREDIT DEVELOPER, UH, AND GN DC LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
UH, THEY PROPOSED 134 UNITS IN TOTAL.
AND OF THOSE 26 WOULD BE OWNERSHIP UNITS, AND THE REMAINING WOULD BE RENTAL UNITS.
SO IN TERMS OF THE INCOME LEVELS FOR THAT, UH, 28 OF THE UNITS AT 30% MEDIAN FAMILY, 52 UNITS AT 50% MEDIAN FAMILY, 35 UNITS AT 60% MEDIAN FAMILY, 14 UNITS AT 80% MEDIAN FAMILY, AND FIVE AT 120% MEDIUM.
SO I WILL SAY OUR, UM, OUR INTERNAL INTEREST, BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT WE DO SUBSIDIZE ARE THOSE UNITS ADD OR BELOW 50% MEDIAN FAMILY.
THE REST OF THE UNITS ARE IMPORTANT.
UM, BUT CERTAINLY OUR FOCUS IS ON 50% MEDIAN FAMILY.
THE DMA DEVELOPMENT, UM, UH, HAD 90 UNITS AND THE, THE CINO GBC HAD 80 UNITS.
I SHOULD ALSO, SO THAT'S GARDNER.
UM, AND I SHOULD MENTION FOR BOTH OF THESE, THE NEXT STEP IS TO GO INTO AN EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION PERIOD, UH, WHICH WE ANTICIPATE WILL NOT TAKE LONGER THAN TWO MONTHS.
UM, AND WE PLAN TO BE, UH, ONE OF OUR NEGOTIATING, UM, ITEMS IS OF COURSE THE NUMBER OF UNITS, UH, AND THE BREAKDOWN OF THOSE UNITS.
UH, OUR GOAL IS ALWAYS TO MAXIMIZE THOSE.
NOW GOING TO TILLERY, OKAY, THEY WERE THE TOP THREE APPLICANTS WERE INTERVIEWED AND THEY EACH PROPOSE SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
UM, THE TOP APPLICANT WAS M R E AND IMAGINE ART, AND THEY PROPOSED A TOTAL OF 64 UNITS ALL RENTAL.
12 OF THOSE WERE AT 30%, 24 WE'RE AT 50% MEDIAN
[04:30:01]
FAMILY AND 23 WERE AT 60%.AND THEN THERE WERE FIVE THAT WERE MARKET RATES.
AND WHAT THIS APPLICANT PROPOSED WAS A 9% LITECH OR COMPETITIVE LITECH PROJECT.
AGAIN, A HUNDRED PERCENT RENTAL.
THE SECOND HIGHEST SCORING WITH HTG, WHICH IS HOUSING TRUST GROUP.
AND THEY'RE AGAIN A NATIONAL, UM, LIGHT TECH DEVELOPER.
UH, THEY PROPOSED A HUNDRED PERCENT OWNERSHIP AND THEY PROPOSED A MIX OF 42 OWNERSHIP UNITS, UH, A MIX OF HALF, SO 21 UNITS AT 80% OR BELOW, AND THEN 21 UNITS AT MARKET RATE.
OKAY? SO OUR AFFORDABLE, UH, UNITS, THERE WOULD'VE BEEN 21 UNITS, OUR INCOME RESTRICTED UNITS.
THEN THE THIRD, UM, UH, HIGHEST SCORE WAS, UH, GN C GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
THEY PROPOSED IN TOTAL 51 UNITS, 30 OF THEM WERE RENTAL, AND THEY PROPOSED DOING A SMALL 9% LITECH DEAL.
SO COMPETITIVE 9% LITECH DEAL, AND 21 OF THOSE WERE OWNERSHIP.
SO, UM, IN, IN THAT SITUATION, NINE OF THE UNITS WERE 30% MEDIAN FAMILY 19 WERE AT 50% MEDIAN FAMILY, NONE AT 60%, 19 AT 80% MEDIAN FAMILY AND FOUR AT MARKET RATES.
AGAIN, THAT WAS A MIX OF OWNERSHIP AND RENTAL, BUT IN THAT PARTICULAR CASE, WITH RESPECT TO THE BELOW 50% MEDIUM FAMILY, WE WERE GETTING ZERO FROM HTG.
WE WERE GETTING 28 FROM GMDC AND THOSE ARE THEIR RENTAL UNITS.
AND THEN, UM, FROM MR. E IMAGINED ART, I GOTTA DO MY QUICK MATH, 36 UNITS AT OUR BELOW 50%.
AGAIN, ALL OF THIS WILL BE NEGOTIATED WITH THE RECOMMENDED, UH, WHOEVER ENDS UP BEING A SUCCESSFUL, UM, DEVELOPER.
I KNOW YOU GAVE US A LOT OF NUMBERS.
IF THERE'S A SPREADSHEET THAT COULD BE SHARED, I'M SURE YOU'RE READING OFF OF THAT'D BE USEFUL.
A BIG ASTERISK NEXT TO MY MATH HERE, BUT, UM, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IN ONE OF THE PROJECTS, THE TOP, UM, THE TOP APPLICANT IN Y'ALL'S SCORING WAS PROPOSING ABOUT 37% MORE HOMES FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE.
AND THEN IN THE OTHER PROJECT, THE TOP SCORE WAS PROVIDING ABOUT THREE TIMES MORE THAN NUMBER TWO, AND THEN 20% MORE THAN NUMBER THREE AS FAR AS HOMES FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE, EXCLUDING THE, THE MARKET RATE ONES.
UM, UM, AND SO, BUT, BUT YOU KNOW, I, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE SPREADSHEET TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE NUMBERS I WROTE DOWN MATCH AND MAKE SENSE.
THE OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO CLARIFY, AND THIS IS ONE THING I HAD ASKED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT BEFOREHAND, WAS WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE CHOOSING BETWEEN HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE OR JUST HOUSING FOR, UM, FOR NON LOW INCOME PEOPLE OR FOR, UM, AND ALL OF THEM, EVERY APPLICATION THAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED IS ALL HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE.
UH, AND THEN ANOTHER THAT I'D RECEIVED WAS, IS ARE SOME OF THESE APPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING FOR, HAVE A PREFERENCE FOR HOUSING ARTISTS AND OTHER ONES HAVE A PREFERENCE FOR HOUSING PEOPLE FROM DISPLACED AND GENTRIFYING CENSUS TRACKS? AND THE ANSWER IS NO, AT LEAST.
NO, THE CITY POLICY FOR ALL OF THESE WOULD BE THE PREFERENCES FOR ON EVERY SINGLE ONE, NO MATTER WHICH ONE WE CHOOSE.
THE PREFERENCES FOR P THAT HAVE BEEN DISPLACED FROM CENSUS TRACKS, UH, THAT ARE GENTRIFYING PEOPLE IN GENTRIFYING CENSUS TRACKS FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
AND THAT APPLIES FOR EVERYONE.
IS THAT RIGHT? THAT IS CORRECT.
REGARDLESS OF WHO THE, UH, SUCCESSFUL THAT THE, UM, SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT ENDS UP BEING, THEY ARE REQUIRED, AGAIN, THAT WAS A GATEKEEPER REQUIREMENT.
THEY ARE REQUIRED, UM, TO CONFORM TO AND IMPLEMENT OUR HOUSING PREFERENCE POLICY, UM, WHICH WAS LAID BEFORE YOU ALL, UM, IN NOVEMBER OF 2019.
SO THAT DOES INCLUDE THOSE THREE CATEGORIES THAT YOU MENTIONED, MAKING SURE WE RIGHT SIZE OUR UNITS, MAKING SURE OUR ACCESSIBLE UNITS ARE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
AND THEN THE THIRD, AND AGAIN, THE ONE THAT HAS GENERATED THE MOST COMMUNITY INTEREST IS ENSURING THAT PEOPLE WHO, UM, HAVE, UH, BEEN IMPACTED BY BOTH GENTRIFICATION AND DISPLACEMENT ARE GIVEN PRIOR IN OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
[04:35:01]
SO, SO THEY ALL HAVE TO FOLLOW THE ANTIS DISPLACEMENT RULES, UH, THE RIGHT TO RETURN RULES THAT YOU ALL JUST PUT OUT.UH, AND THEY ALL ARE, HAVE TO PROVIDE LOW INCOME HOUSING.
UM, AND THEN WE JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE, THE NUMBER OF UNITS AND WHO IS BUILDING THEM AND, AND THE DEPTH OF AFFORDABILITY.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
UM, SO THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER COSTAR FOR ASKING LITERALLY ALL OF MY QUESTIONS.
UM, THE ONE LAST QUESTION I WOULD HAVE, MANDY, IS, UM, WAS THERE ANY CONSIDERATION AROUND AN ORGANIZATION SORT OF, I GUESS FINANCIAL CAPACITY, LIKE THEIR ABILITY TO ACTUALLY COMPLETE THE PROJECT? SO THERE WERE TWO DIFFERENT CRITERIA WHERE THAT WOULD COME INTO PLAY.
UM, THE FIRST WAS IN, IN THE FIRST ROUND OF, UM, AT SCORING, UH, THERE IS A CATEGORY CALLED ORGANIZATIONAL AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY.
SO WE WERE INTERESTED IN HOW, UM, ROBUST YOUR ORGANIZATION IS AND HOW READY YOU ARE TO TAKE ON, UM, THIS TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT.
THAT WAS A COMPONENT AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THE MATRIX, UM, AND HOW THE VARIOUS PARTIES SCORED.
UM, THEN ONCE APPLICANTS MOVED TO THE SECOND PHASE, WE LOOKED AT THE FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT.
SO WHAT WE DIDN'T WANT WAS SOMEBODY PROPOSING, I'M GONNA DO A THOUSAND UNITS AND I'M GONNA RENT THEM ALL FOR ZERO.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE NEEDED TO DIG INTO WHAT THEY WERE PROPOSING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS IN FACT REALISTIC AND THAT WAS ABOUT THE PROJECT, NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION.
SO TWO DIFFERENT AREAS WHERE THAT CAME INTO PLAY.
MARY, CAN YOU SEE THAT? I HAVE MY HAND UP.
I JUST COULDN'T SEE MY MUTE BUTTON.
UM, SO MANDY, UM, CAN YOU SPEAK TO, UM, THE CONCERNS THAT ARE BEING RAISED, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, ONE ASPECT OF THAT MIGHT, MIGHT HAVE TO DO WITH THE, THE, UH, LEVEL OR NUMBER OR OF A UNITS THAT ARE FOR, UH, OWNERSHIP.
IS THAT YOUR SENSE OF THE, UH, WHAT THE CONCERNS ARE THAT ARE BEING RAISED OR IS IT SOMETHING ELSE? THERE ARE MULTIPLE CONCERNS BEING RAISED, AND I WOULD SAY THE UNDERLYING, BUT I WANT, OBVIOUSLY I WANT PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
THE UNDERLYING, UM, SENTIMENT THAT I'M HEARING IS A CONCERN THAT THE PROCESS, UM, BASICALLY FURTHERED INSTITUTIONAL RACISM THAT WE DID NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THROUGH OUR PROCESS, A COMMUNITY PREFERENCE, UM, FOR A LOCAL NONPROFIT DEVELOP.
UM, AND, AND AGAIN, YOU'LL HEAR FROM A LOT OF SPEAKERS WHO WILL HAVE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT, UM, UH, PERSPECTIVES.
UM, BUT WE HEARD THAT WE HEARD, UM, UH, A CONCERN ABOUT HOW THE ARTS, WHICH WOULD GENTRIFICATION.
UH, AND THEN WE ALSO HEARD SOME CONCERN ABOUT OWNERSHIP VERSUS RENTAL.
UH, AND THAT WAS NOT, THESE CONCERNS WERE NOT NECESSARILY RAISED OUR STAKEHOLDER PROCESS.
UM, SO SOME OF THEM ARE NEW AND SOME OF THEM ARE OF COURSE, ARE, ARE, IT, IT'S THE ENVIRONMENT, THE LANDSCAPE IN WHICH WE LIVE, UM, AND CERTAINLY THINGS WE WANT ADDRESS, UM, NOW AND GOING FORWARD.
AND THEN COULD YOU JUST, UM, SPEAK TO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN, OR IS THERE A DIFFERENCE? I MEAN, I I, I APPRECIATE THE REQUEST FOR A SPREADSHEET CUZ I, AND THANK YOU COUNCILMAN MEAR FOR ALL THAT BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO FOLLOW IT IN MY HEAD, BUT CAN YOU JUST SPEAK TO THE, IS IS THERE, UH, TO WHAT EXTENT ARE THERE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN, UH, THE, UM, PROJECTS IN TERMS OF, UH, OWNERSHIP FOR LOWER INCOME FOLKS AS OPPOSED TO RENTAL? WELL, THE MODEL, UM, SO THE, THE TWO DIFFERENT PARCELS, UM, UH, WELL, COULD YOU JUST GIMME THE NUMBERS? I MEAN, SO I'M TRYING TO GET AT IS IF IS THERE IN, IN THE PROPOSALS THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT FORWARD
[04:40:01]
FOR SELECTION, UM, IS THERE A LOWER NUMBER OF UNITS FOR, UM, FOR LOWER INCOME PEOPLE OR LOWER NUMBER OF UNITS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR OWNERSHIP, THEN YES, AND I WILL SAY IT'S A TRADE OFF, RIGHT? AND, UH, IN BOTH, LET'S TALK ABOUT TILLERY.UM, THE RECOMMENDED PROPOSAL, MR. E, UH, IS ENVISIONING 64 RENTAL UNITS, MANY OF WHICH ARE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE.
UM, THE, UH, UH, SECOND, UH, HIGHEST SCORING HTG, UH, RECOMMENDED 42 OWNERSHIP UNITS, ONLY 21 OF WHICH WOULD BE, UM, AFFORDABLE.
AND THEN, UH, THE G NDC PROPOSAL OFFERED, RECOMMENDED OR ENVISIONED A TOTAL OF 51 UNITS AND 21 OF THOSE WOULD BE AFFORDABLE OWNERSHIP.
SO THERE IS AN AFFORDABLE OWNERSHIP COMPONENT IN THE SECOND AND THIRD, UH, HIGHEST SCORING APPLICATIONS.
THERE WAS NO OWNERSHIP COMPONENT IN THE RRE IMAGINE ART.
AND THEN FOR GARDNER, UM, THE, UH, ENVISION DEVELOPMENT FOR DMA DEVELOPMENT, THE RECOMMENDED PROPOSAL WAS 219 UNITS.
UM, AND THEY'RE ENVISIONING A 4% LITECH TAX CREDIT DEAL.
UH, AND A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THAT WAS RENTAL AT A VARIETY OF INCOME LEVELS.
UH, THE ALTERNATE PROPOSAL WITH, UH, THE SINO GROUP G NDC WAS A TOTAL OF 134 UNITS, SO SMALLER, AND THEN THEY HAD 26 AFFORDABLE OWNERSHIP UNITS EMBEDDED IN THAT.
SO THERE IS, THERE'S, IT'S A DIFFERENT CONCEPT IN BOTH OF THOSE SITUATIONS.
THERE'S DIFFERENT FINANCING, THERE'S DIFFERENT SUBSIDY REQUIRED BY A H F C.
UM, IT'S A DIFFERENT PROPOSAL IN ALL CASES.
MAYOR COUNCIL, RENT THROUGH YOU? YES, MANNY, UH, ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND I, I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOME OWNERSHIP BECAUSE, UH, YOU KNOW, WE, WE DO HAVE A LOT OF, UH, APARTMENTS BEING BUILT IN THE GOLD VALLEY AREA.
AND, UH, I'M JUST, UH, REALLY WHAT SIZE OF, UH, UH, HOME WERE THEY PLANNING ON BUILDING, BUILDING THERE? DO YOU KNOW? IS THERE, I AM SORRY.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE DO HAVE TRAVIS PEARLMAN, UH, WITH AN HCD ON THE LINE.
WE MAY KNOW THAT, BUT UM, WE ALSO HAVE SPEAKERS, UM, FROM, UH, DIFFERENT GROUPS WHO MAY BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT AS WELL.
CAUSE I, I'M, UM, YOU KNOW, NOW THAT, THAT I HEARD ABOUT OWNERSHIP AND, UH, AND I'M VERY INTERESTED IN, YOU KNOW, SINCE WE DIDN'T HAVE A METRIC ON HOW MANY BEDROOMS AND, UH, UH, WHAT KIND OF, UH, YOU KNOW, JUST THE, THE, HOW THE DESIGN WAS GONNA LOOK LIKE, OR, YOU KNOW, IS IT, IS IT TOWN HOMES OR CONDOS OR SINGLE FAMILY TYPE HOMES OR HOUSES BASED ON THE SURE.
BASED ON THE SIZE AND CONFIGURATION OF THE SITE.
UM, I BELIEVE THEY WERE ATTACHED.
UM, I BELIEVE THEY WERE ATTACHED PRODUCT.
UM, BUT I DON'T WANNA SPEAK FOR THE APPLICANT AND I WILL SAY REGARDING, UM, SIZE AND CONFIGURATION AND ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS, THESE ARE ITEMS WE WOULD LIKE TO NEGOTIATE DURING OUR EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION PERIOD.
YEAH, WELL, THE REASON I WAS, I WAS JUST MENTIONING OF HOME OWNERSHIP BECAUSE THAT, THAT LASTS FOR, UH, ALMOST, IT JUST GENERATIONALLY PASSED BY, PASSED ON, AND WE WERE ALWAYS ON THE OWNERSHIP, SO IT WOULD BE DEEP AFFORDABLE HOUSING THERE.
SO, UH, I WAS KIND OF, I MEAN, I'VE BEEN TORN ON THESE TWO, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I, I KNOW THE
SO I, I WANNA LISTEN TO THE SPEAKERS AND THEN RESERVE THE RIGHT TO, TO ASK FOR A POSTPONE MAYBE UNTIL WE CAN REALLY LOOK AT, AT THE METRIC PART OF IT.
BUT, UH, I, I REALLY WANT TO HEAR THE SPEAKERS FIRST.
YEAH, I, I DIDN'T WANT THE MOMENT TO GO BY WITHOUT JUST APPRECIATING THE FACT THAT I, AS I UNDERSTAND, THESE ARE THE FIRST PROJECTS, THE FIRST CITY PROJECTS TO REQUIRE THE HOUSING PREFERENCE POLICY.
[04:45:01]
UM, YES.YOU KNOW, AND I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I HEARD ABOUT THIS, UM, IT WAS FROM HEATHER WAY WHO PUT IT INTO A 2003 FAMILIES AND FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN TASK FORCE REPORT.
AND SHE TALKED ABOUT IT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RYAN DRIVE PROPERTY THAT, YOU KNOW, I'M, I MAY BE CONFLATING A FEW THINGS, BUT ANYWAY, IT WAS IN THAT REPORT WHERE SHE TALKED ABOUT, SHE HAD US, UM, SHE GOT SOME DATA FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND LOOKED AT HOW SOME OF OUR, OUR AFC UNITS WERE, UM, WERE KIND OF WHAT THE RESULTS ARE.
AND, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE HOUSING PREFERENCE POLICY AND I BELIEVE IT WAS EXPRESSED AS A GOAL IN THAT REPORT.
UM, AND SO, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE LIKE HEATHER WAY AND HER LAW CLINIC, UM, I KNOW GN C HAS OFFERED US HELPFUL INFORMATION AND I WANNA ESPECIALLY APPRECIATE ASHLEY RICHARDSON ON MY STAFF, UM, AND TRISH IN OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR REALLY WORKING ON, WORKING ON THIS ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS, UM, SO THAT WE COULD BRING FORWARD THE POLICY AND THANK YOU, OF COURSE TO OUR HOUSING STAFF FOR NOW IMPLEMENTING IT.
AND IT JUST IS, IT JUST DOES, IT TOOK A LONG TIME.
THREE MENTION OF HEATHER WAY TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY, BUT I'M JUST DELIGHTED, UM, THAT, YOU KNOW, REGARDLESS OF, OF WHO IS SELECTED TO DEVELOP THESE PROPERTIES, THAT THAT'S GONNA BE A KEY, A KEY COMPONENT OF IT.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT, TO HAVE THOSE POLICIES IN PLACE THAT WILL REALLY, UM, ENSURE THAT, THAT, UH, OUR RESIDENTS, OUR NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE BEEN DISPLACED OR AT RISK OF DISPLACEMENT, UM, AS WELL AS FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN ARE PRIORITIZED FOR HOUSING.
SO THANK YOU, THANKS AGAIN FOR, TO ALL OF THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE AND, AND OTHERS WHO HAVE MADE IT HAPPEN.
ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE WE HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS? YES, MAYOR PROAM AND THEN, THEN COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
I, I JUST HAD ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOME OWNERSHIP.
IT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG, A BIG DIFFERENCE THAT I CAN SEE.
I KNOW THAT WHEN WE'VE, WHEN I'VE TRIED TO WORK ON, UH, DEVELOPMENTS IN MY DISTRICT, IT'S USUALLY, UM, OWNERSHIP ON THE, UH, AFFORDABLE ON THE FIRST SALE.
AND THEN IT, IT'S BEEN HARD, I KNOW TO FIGURE OUT THE, THE CONTINUOUS AND THEN THERE'S ALWAYS LIKE THAT.
IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE GETTING, UM, UNFORTUNATELY, UH, THE REGULAR EQUITY THAT THAT OTHER HOMEOWNERS WOULD BUILD, THEY GET LIKE A PERCENTAGE OF EQUITY, SO IT'S NOT THE SAME, UM, KIND OF GENERATIONAL WEALTH BUILDING.
THAT BEING SAID, I, I DO LIKE THE IDEA THAT THAT ONE OF THE PROJECTS DID INCLUDE OWNERSHIP, BUT I GUESS THAT GOES TO MY QUESTION FOR MR. MAYO, IS THERE, YOU SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE EXTENSIVE NEGOTIATIONS, UM, JUST NOT KNOWING WHERE THIS IS HEADED AND WHAT RECOMMENDATION WILL BE SET FORTH.
SO WHOEVER, UM, IS AWARDED THE PROJECT, COULD THOSE, COULD THAT NEXT STEP NEGOTIATIONS INCLUDE, UM, HAVING AN OWNERSHIP OPTION THAT WASN'T THERE? OR IS THAT NOT SOMETHING THAT THEY COULD ADD? CUZ IT WASN'T IN THE INITIAL, OUR RFP PROPOSAL, SO THAT COULD CERTAINLY BE PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.
AS I MENTIONED, I WOULD WANT, UM, THE TWO, UH, RESPONDENTS WHO ARE HERE, ONE IS MR. CAPITAL WITH IMAGINE ART, AND THE OTHER IS DNA DEVELOPMENT.
UM, I, I WOULD WANT TO HEAR FROM THEM, UH, TODAY, UM, ABOUT THE FEASIBILITY, UH, OF THAT BEFORE I COMMIT TO ANYTHING.
BUT, UM, IN MY MIND, UH, EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE FOR, UH, NEGOTIATION.
SO YEAH, FOR THE SPEAKERS, THAT WOULD BE NICE TO HEAR THE, THE PLANS FOR SPECIFICS ABOUT THE AFFORDABILITY PORTION OF IT.
AND THEN LASTLY, UM, EVERYTHING'S BEEN ADDRESSED ABOUT THE CONCERNS.
I HEARD IF LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF UNFORTUNATELY MISINFORMATION ABOUT, UM, UH, YOU KNOW, THE, THE AMOUNT OF AFFORDABILITY IN THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION OR, OR THAT THERE WAS NO AFFORDABILITY IN, IN THE, IN THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION WHEN IN FACT IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S MORE, UM, IT HAS THE MOST, UH, UNITS.
UM, BUT ONE THING I, AND I'M SORRY IF I MISSED THIS, I HAD A LITTLE, UM, INTERRUPTION FOR A SECOND, BUT, UM, WHAT ONE CONCERN I DID HEAR WAS ABOUT WHEN I GUESS THE MARKETING OF, OF WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING FOR RESIDENTS AND HOW, YOU KNOW, I I COULD SEE WHERE, UM, AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD DOES HAVE THE, UM, CONNECTION, SO TO SPEAK.
AND SO I JUST WANTED TO UNDERSTAND AND FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT PROCESS IS, IS COULD, COULD THAT BE AN ADVANTAGE THAT ONE, UM, APPLICANT HAS OVER THE OTHER? IS THERE, YOU KNOW, THEIR, THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF, OF, OF THE AREA OR OF THE, YOU KNOW, UM, FAMILIARITY WITH THE, WITH THE AREA AND HOW THEY MARKET THE, THE PROJECT? THERE COULD COUNCIL MEMBER, THERE CERTAINLY COULD BE, UM, AN ADVANTAGE FOR, FOR A LOCAL,
[04:50:01]
UM, NEIGHBORHOOD BASED, UH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WITHOUT A DOUBT.UM, I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REALLY EXCITING THINGS AS COUNCIL MEMBER TOVA MENTIONED ABOUT THE HOUSING PREFERENCE POLICY IS IT IS ESTABLISHING AN EXPECTATION, UM, FOR ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE LAUNCHED THIS HOUSING PREFERENCE POLICY.
AND SO WE'LL BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH WHOEVER, UM, THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT IS, UM, TO LAUNCH THAT, UM, IN A, A REALLY MEANINGFUL WAY.
JUST REAL QUICK, LASTLY, I THINK YOU, I THINK YOU ANSWERED THIS WITH CSAR, BUT ONE CONCERN I HEARD WAS, UM, SOMEBODY IN ANOTHER PART OF TOWN THAT CAN NO LONGER AFFORD, YOU KNOW, RENT IN THAT AREA NOW BUT COULD POSSIBLY QUALIFY FOR AN AFFORDABLE, UM, IT, IT HAS TO BE THE, THE, THE, THE CRITERIA INCLUDES, UM, COMING FROM A GENTRIFYING, UM, CENSUS TRACT.
IS THAT, WAS THAT WHAT I HEARD CORRECTLY? IT'S FROM A GENTRIFYING CENSUS TRACT.
UM, UH, AND UH, THE DATA GOES BACK TO THE YEAR 2000 WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS CHOSEN.
SO YOU NEED TO HAVE LIVED, UM, IN A GENTRIFYING CENSUS TRACT OR HAVE FAMILY TIES, UM, TO THE AREA.
OKAY, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
MINE WAS ACTUALLY JUST GONNA BE A TECHNICAL THING.
I JUST START ONE OF A COUPLE OF MESSAGES THAT I'VE RECEIVED TODAY THAT SAYS WE ALL LOOK BLURRY ON ATX N I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT'S ABOUT, JUST FIGURE TO GIVE YOU THAT FEEDBACK.
AND FOR SOME REASON I THINK I KEEP FREEZING IN ALL KINDS OF ODD BUT HOSES, I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON.
SOMETIMES I GET GOT FROM, I'M FROM COREY SAYING THAT THERE WERE SOME ISSUES PRETTY EARLIER.
HE THOUGHT HE HAD RESOLVED HIM, BUT I'M SURE THEY'RE LISTENING COLLEAGUES, IT IS 4 54 RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP.
DO YOU WANNA TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK AND THEN CALL SPEAKERS OR DO YOU WANT GO RIGHT INTO SPEAKERS? PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK.
PEOPLE WANT TO GO RIGHT INTO SPEAKERS.
EVERYBODY'S TIRED, RIGHT? NOBODY'S LIKE MOVING AT ALL.
LET'S TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK.
WE'LL GO INTO SPEAKERS, BUT LET'S COME BACK HERE AT FIVE O'CLOCK.
SPEAKERS, WE'RE GONNA GO AND WE WILL STAY WITH YOU UNTIL EVERYONE'S HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK.
TWO MINUTES OF SPEAKER AND WE CAN START.
SO BACK FROM BREAK HERE AT, UH, 5 0 3, UH, IF THE CLERK IS WITH US, UH, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND, AND HERE FOR SPEAKERS, HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO WE HAVE? QUEUED UP.
IF YOU GO AHEAD AND START, EVERYBODY HAS TWO MINUTES FOR ALL OF THE SPEAKERS IN Q.
IF YOU HAVEN'T PRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
THANK YOU, UM, MAYOR, FOR THIS FIRST SPEAKER, HE IS, UM, HE REQUESTED AN INTERPRETER.
HE IS SPEAKING ENGLISH AND WE HAVE THE INTERPRETER TO INTERPRET HIS COMMENTS TO SPANISH.
UM, HOWEVER, IT STAFF ARE STILL ON BREAK AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO BRING IN THE INTERPRETER, SO I WILL BEGIN WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
LESH, CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? HELLO? YES, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
UH, MY NAME IS ANNIE, I LIVE IN DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M A MEMBER OF DISTRICT FIVE FOR BLACK LIVES.
I'M ASKING CITY COUNCIL AND SPECIFICALLY MY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE AND KITCHEN TO VOTE AGAINST AGENDA ITEMS A H F C 0 0 1 AND 0 0 2.
THE PROCESS OF GRANTING CONTRACTS TO WHITE OWNED ORGANIZATIONS WITHOUT TIES OR RELATIONSHIPS TO THE EAST AUSTIN COMMUNITY FURTHERS GENTRIFICATION AND DISPLACEMENT OF LONGTIME RESIDENTS.
THIS DECISION HAS A DISPROPORTIONATE AND NEGATIVE IMPACT ON BLACK AND BROWN FAMILIES IN EAST AUSTIN.
COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE SUPPORT THE POSITIONS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND THE GO VALLEY JOHNSON TERRACE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN, CONTACT TEAM AWARD BOTH PROJECTS TO THE GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT.
IN ADDITION, ADJUST THE CRITERIA FOR FUTURE HOUSING PROJECTS ON PUBLIC LAND TO BE MORE EQUITABLE.
[04:55:02]
JACQUELINE, CAN YOU HEAR US? YES.THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MIKE HIRSCHFELD.
UH, I'M MIKE SCHENFELD, THE RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE AND KITCHEN IS MY COUNCIL PERSON.
I'M ALSO A CANDIDATE FOR THE AT LARGE SEAT ON THE AUSTIN ISD ONE TRUSTEES SEEK REPRESENT CITY.
HI, I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT IF YOU CAN GO PHRASE BY PHRASE SO THAT THEY CAN INTERPRET, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
AND THE WAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS SAYS IT'S GOING FROM ENGLISH INTO SPANISH, IS THAT THERE'S A TOTAL OF TWO MINUTES FOR BOTH WHAT'S BEING SAID AND FOR THE TRANSLATION.
I AM MIKE KIRSCHENFELD, A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE AND KITCHEN IS MY COUNCIL PERSON KITCHEN.
I'M ALSO A CANDIDATE FOR THE AT LARGE SEAT ON THE AUSTIN ISD BOARD.
TRUSTEE IS SEEKING TO REPRESENT THE WHOLE CITY AUSTIN ISD.
MY COMMENTS THIS EVENING ARE FOR BOTH ITEMS ONE AND TWO ON YOUR AGENDA.
REGARDING THE WINNING PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS, OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS EXPERIENCING A SEVERE ENROLLMENT DECLINE WITH GENTRIFICATION.
THE LEAD AND CAUSE A I S D ENROLLMENT HAS DECLINED BY ALMOST 6,000 STUDENTS OVER THE PAST DECADE.
TO THE I YOU IMPLORE YOU TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A PRIORITY PLACED ON THE NUMBER OF ACCESSIBLE MULTI BEDROOM UNITS, SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR FAMILIES WITH STUDENTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING MEAN RELATIVELY LESS EXPENSIVE HOUSING THAT STILL PUSHES LONGTIME RESIDENTS OUT THAN YOU ARE NEGLECTING TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR CITY'S LONG HISTORY OF RACIAL AND ECONOMIC SEGREGATION.
IT IN THIS CASE, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU POSTPONE YOUR VOTE ON BOTH OF THESE ITEMS UNTIL YOU CAN BE MORE TRANSPARENT WITH THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO TO THEM AND TO UNDERSTAND THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ARE THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT VARIABLES FOR BREAKING CYCLES OF POVERTY.
UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE COUNCIL.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY AND ASKING YOU TO, UH, AWARD THESE CONTRACTS FOR GN.
C I AM DANIELS PARK, EUROPE PARK FIRST NATION, AND I SPEAK TODAY IN A RACIST SOCIETY THAT TELLS ME THAT I'M A PERSON OF COLOR IN A RACIST SYSTEM THAT PERPETUATES AND MAINTAINS WHITE SUPREMACY SUPREMACY SYSTEM THAT EVERYONE IS SO USED TO IN A SYSTEM THAT THAT IS SO USED TO, UH, UH, WHITE SUPREMACY AND RACISM THAT IT THINKS IT'S OKAY.
A SYSTEM THAT KILLS OUR CHILDREN WITH THE BLUE SHIELD OF IMPUNITY, A RACIST SYSTEM THAT FORCED THE BIRTH OF EAST AUSTIN AND OUTCOMES TO TAKE THE LAND NOT WITH WHITE SUPREMACY OF THE OF OLD GENOCIDE, LYNCHINGS, CLIPPINGS AND CHAINS, BUT WITH WHITE SUPREMACY OF TODAY WITH ORDINANCE REGULATION AND MATRIX, INTRINSICALLY FRAUD FROM THE START FAVORING WHITE INTEREST BY DEFAULT, THE MATRIX USED FOR THESE PROJECTS NOT I SAW IT.
IT DID NOT INCLUDE A HOMO HOME OWNERSHIP SCORING AND IT DID NOT INCLUDE A RIGHT TO STAY, UH, UM, RIGHT TO RETURN, UH, MAKE PART OF THE MATRIX.
HANDS DOWN, G NDC HAS A WAITING LIST OF 850 PLUS HOUSEHOLDS OF COLOR DISPLACED FROM
[05:00:01]
EAST AUSTIN WAITING TO RETURN.IMAGINE, IMAGINE ART AND BIG MEDIUM AND THEIR PARTNERS DO NOT.
THEIR PROPOSALS WOULD ACCELERATE DISPLACEMENT.
GMDC HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS HERE IN GO VALLEY.
IMAGINE, UH, ART AND BIG MEDIUM DO NOT.
GDC HAS A 40 YEAR TRACK RECORD OF PROVIDING REAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR FROM EAST AUSTIN.
IMAGINE ART AND BIG MEDIUM DO NOT.
GN DC HAS SUBSTANTIAL HOME OWNERSHIP ELEMENTS IN THEIR PROPOSALS.
THE AUSTIN OF OLD CREATED A SITUATION OF WHITE SUPREMACY, WHICH STILL LIVES WITH US TODAY.
THE AUSTIN OF TODAY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ONE MORE STEP TOWARDS A MORE JUST AND MORAL AUSTIN.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT REAL ESTATE PROJECTS, THIS IS ABOUT SYSTEMIC RACISM AND THE SYSTEM THAT FLAWS THAT HAS FLAWS AND FAVORS THE INTEREST OF WHITES.
BY DEFAULT, GN DC IS THE BEST POSITIONED TO TAKE US ONE STEP FURTHER AWAY FROM OUR RACIST LEGACY IN THE MEMORY OF JOHNNY IMAN, ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF, UH, OF GDC AND A MEMBER OF THE GO VALLEY JOHNSON NEIGHBORHOOD, UH, CONTACT TEAM.
I ASKED YOU TO AWARD THESE CONTRACTS TO THE GUADALUPE, UH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
HI, MY NAME IS CARRIE FUSEL BICKLEY AND I'M AN ARTIST AND HOMEOWNER IN EAST AUSTIN, DISTRICT THREE.
I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL TO MOVE FORWARD ON ADAM ONE AND TWO IF AND ONLY.
SO WITH THE GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH BIG MEDIUM AND IMAGINE ART IS TO CONTINUE THE LONG HISTORY OF BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES BEING UPROOTED AND DISPLACED AT THE HANDS OF WIDE ORGANIZATIONS AND MORE SPECIFICALLY ARTISTS.
YOU HAVE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO'VE BEEN LOOKING THIS LAND FOR OVER 15 YEARS, WHICH IS TO SAY BEFORE THE LAND WAS HIP ENOUGH TO BE SPOTTED BY THE WHITE ORGANIZATIONS WHO HISTORICALLY DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE EAST SIDE UNTIL IT BECAME PROFITABLE FOR THEM.
SO YOU HAVE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO'VE BEEN LOOKING AT THIS LAND FOR 15 YEARS AS A PLACE TO PUT REAL R E A L, LOW INCOME HOUSING WITH PATHWAYS TO OWNERSHIP FOR THE COUNTLESS DISPLACED FAMILIES OF COLOR.
ON THE EAST SIDE TO HAND THIS LAND OVER TO WHITE, RED ORGANIZATIONS IS TO CONTINUE THE CRUSHING WAVE OF GENTRIFICATION THAT IS WASHED OVER THE EAST SIDE ALL BETTER RACING THE LONGSTANDING RICH HISTORY OF THE BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS WHO MADE THE EAST SIDE.
WHAT IT'S TO GRANT THIS LAND TO WHITE LED ORGANIZATIONS IS TO CONTINUE AUSTIN'S TRADITION ABOUT REALLY PROGRESSIVE, BUT ULTIMATELY COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING WHITE SUPREMACY IN OUR CITY.
THE EQUITY OFFICE WAS NOT BROUGHT IN ON THIS DISCUSSION AND I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL LIKE THAT IS INTENTIONAL.
YOU KNOW, THE EQUITABLE ANSWER IS NOT TO TURN THIS LAND OVER TO WHITE LED ORGANIZATIONS WITH NO LONGSTANDING TIES, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO'VE BEEN ON THE EAST SIDE FOR YEARS.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT THE EQUITABLE ACTION AS A WHITE ARTIST RESIDING ON THE EAST SIDE IS MY DUTY TO THIS COMMUNITY TO VOICE THE URGENCY AND IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING ORGANIZATIONS LED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR AT THE HELM OF LAND AND HOUSING INITIATIVES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WE NEED TO TRUST BLACK AND BROWN ORGANIZATIONS KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR IN, IN PEOPLE.
ALSO, I'VE BEEN ON THE LINE SINCE THREE 15.
COUNCIL, I THANK YOU FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME OBVIOUSLY THAT YOU SPEND LISTENING TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS, BUT IT FELT WILD TO BE ON THE PHONE FOR TWO HOURS BEFORE WE EVEN STARTED TAKING COMMENTS ON ITEM ONE AND TWO.
UM, AND I FEEL VERY GRATEFUL THAT I WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE TIME TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO YOU GUYS, BUT THAT'S PART OF THAT WAIT TIME IS PART OF WHAT MAKES IT SO UNACCESSIBLE FOR, UM, FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE TIED UP IN WORKING AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
SO I, I HAVE GRATITUDE FOR BEING ABLE TO SPEAK AND TO YOU GUYS FOR LISTENING, BUT I REALLY URGE TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO MAKE THIS MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL PEOPLE.
HELLO? CAN I HEAR? YES, GO AHEAD.
PUTTING ME BACK A BIT, UM, REALLY NEEDS TO GET THE, UM, CONTRACTS.
THIS WOULD BE SUCH A CELEBRATION OF FROM OUR PEOPLE TO OUR PEOPLE WITH IT BRINGING BACK, BRINGING IT BACK TO OUR PEOPLE AND HAVING THAT RIGHT TO RETURN IT WOULD BE SINCE HONOR.
[05:05:01]
HAVE A DEADLINE THAT'S GONNA BE, THAT NEEDS TO BE MET, BUT WE CAN'T DELAY THIS DECISION TOO LONG SO THAT THEY CAN GET THE FULL CREDIT I BELIEVE THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE GETTING.AND SO WE CAN'T THAT LONG TO DO THIS.
D HAS BEEN DOING SUCH GREAT WORK ACCORDING TO THE COMMUNITY, ACCORDING TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS AND THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON.
THEY ALREADY HAVE A LIST OF 800 PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN VET OUT TO ALREADY COME BACK AND RETURN.
THEY'VE BEEN DOING THIS WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO COME INTO OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS THE BIGGEST THING OFF FROM EVERYBODY ELSE IS THAT WE DON'T FEEL LIKE WE'RE PART OF THE SOLUTION AND WE HAVE THIS GROUP THAT'S DOING IT LISTENING.
THEY'RE WORKING PEOPLE ALREADY.
THEY HAVE THE LIST, 800 PEOPLE READY TO GO.
WE'VE GOT A DEADLINE TO MEET THAT FOR HAS TO GO.
AND THIS WOULD BE SUCH AN HONOR IF IT CAME BACK TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR MY, UM, MY CITY LEADER HONOR.
I KNOW HE UNDERSTANDS WHERE I'M COMING FROM HERE AS WELL.
THANK, THANK HONOR THE COMMUNITY.
SO, UH, MY NAME IS IS CALVIN KRY AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE NO ON AGENDA ITEMS ONE AND TWO.
UNLESS THE DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTS ARE GIVEN TO THE GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN LINE THAT THE STANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST OF ALL THANK THEON CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR WORK ON FURTHERING SUPPORT FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY GENTRIFICATION.
AND I ASK IF THEY CONTINUE THIS WORK BY AWARDING THE CONTRACTS TO THOSE THAT HAVE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY AT HEART, GIVING THESE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTS TO IMAGINE ARTS BIG MEDIUM DMA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY.
ANDRE CAPITAL IS AGAINST THE WILL OF THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING TO PROTECT.
THESE LANDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENTS ONLY BECAUSE OF THE SYSTEMIC DISPLACEMENT OF COMMUNITIES IN COLOR.
AND BY HANDING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOP THEM TO WHITE LED COMPANIES WITH NO CONNECTION TO OR HISTORY WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT THE LAND RESIDES IN WOULD BE, WOULD BE FURTHER HARMING THESE MARGINALIZED GROUPS.
IN ADDITION, THE SELECTION THAT THESE COMPANIES WAS DONE WITHOUT THE INPUT OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S EQUITY OFFICE AND OVER THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMUNITY WHICH SEEK TO CREATE RIGHT TO RETURN LOW INCOME HOUSING IN AN EFFORT TO AID THOSE ORIGINALLY DISPLACED.
IF THE CONTRACTS ARE NOT GIVEN TO THE GDC, THEN THESE ITEMS ARE NOTHING BUT GENTRIFICATION IN ACTION.
AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS SPECIFIC HARM AND THE ATTEMPT TO FIX THE DAMAGE ALREADY DONE BY SYSTEMIC RACISM IN AUSTIN CENTER, THE VOICES CANSADA NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT.
SO FOR YOUR TIME, ERIC RAMS. HI, MY NAME IS ERICS OVER AT MARTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
UH, AND FIRST OFF, I WANNA START OFF BY SAYING I DO FIND IT COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS THAT MANY OF THE DETAILS OF SOME OF THESE CONTRACTS WERE NOT GIVEN UNTIL THIS MEETING HAD BEGUN.
AND IT'S HARD FOR THE PUBLIC TO PROPERLY GIVE YOU OUR OPINION WHEN WE TELL BEFORE WE HAVE TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK.
NEXT, I WANNA TALK ABOUT HOW I'VE SEEN MANY COUNCIL MEMBERS SPEAK OUT EITHER ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR BE AT RALLIES AGAINST THE CLOSURES OF IN AUSTIN ISD.
SO NOW YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO ACT ON THAT AND NOT JUST SPEAK ON IT.
I PERSONALLY HAVE SEEN HOW MANY KIDS MID-YEAR HAVE TO LEAVE BECAUSE THEY, WHERE THEY LIVE AND SEEING THEM IN TEARS, SEEING THEIR FRIENDS GOODBYE IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO DO.
AND SO I'M SPECIFICALLY SPEAKING TO AGENDA ITEMS ONE AND TWO BECAUSE I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T LOSE OUT ON THE CHANCE OF PROPER AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A FAIR TERM.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY ROOMS THESE AFFORDABLE UNITS ARE GOING TO HAVE.
ARE THEY GONNA BE FIT FOR A FAMILY? ARE THEY GONNA DO APARTMENT OR A ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT? WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE AFFORDABLE TO OUR, NOT AFFORDABLE FOR WHAT THE AREA OF MARKET RATE IS LIVE THERE NOW OR THAT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN FORCED OUT, CANNOT AFFORD THEM.
WE WILL NOT HAVE A STABLE ENROLLMENT AT THE EAST SIDE MEMORIAL VERTICAL TEAM SCHOOLS.
WE'VE SEEN THINGS LIKE THE DEVELOPMENT THAT BROUGHT ORACLE TO RIVERSIDE COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED SOME ATTENDANCE FOR SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS.
WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT.
PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR ANYTHING UNLESS YOU CAN ASSURE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT WILL HAVE PROPER AFFORDABLE HOUSING, NOT THE VAGUE TERM OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT WE CONTINUE TO SEE IN ALL THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT CONTINUE TO GET TAXED.
WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT OUR FAMILIES CAN AFFORD TO LIVE IN EAST AUSTIN.
I DON'T WANNA CONTINUE TO LOSE THE FAMILIES THAT I AND SERVE AT MY SCHOOL.
HI, MY NAME IS RACHEL MANNING.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE I TESTIMONY FROM SOMEONE
[05:10:01]
WHO, UM, WASN'T ABLE TO SPEAK TODAY DURING, DUE TO THE DEMAND OF PROVIDING TESTIMONY AT THESE HEARING IN EAST AUSTIN.I AM ALSO AN ARTIST ARTS ORGANIZATIONS LIKE SIX SQUARE THAT WERE ACTUALLY CREATED TO PRESERVE THE HISTORY AND THE CULTURE OF EAST AUSTIN AND SUPPORT THE BLACK ARTS.
NO LONGER HAVE PHYSICAL SPACES TO WORK FROM THROUGH THE SPIKES IN RENT PANDEMIC OR NO PANDEMIC.
SIX SQUARE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO OPERATE FROM THE HOMES OF THE DIRECTOR AND ITS EMPLOYEES.
THESE ARE THE ORGANIZATIONS, THE ONES THAT EXIST TO PRESERVE AND SUPPORT THE HISTORICAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT SHOULD BE GIVEN TOP PRIORITY OVER THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NO VESTED INTEREST OR NO TIES TO THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES THEY ARE ENTERING AND TAKING UP SPACE IN.
THIS WOULD JUST BE ANOTHER WRONG IN A LONG OF WRONG THAT HAVE BEEN INFLICTED UPON THE COMMUNITIES EAST, THE CITY OF ITS OF CONTINUED ERA
I'M GONNA QUICKLY SAY I'M SPEAKING TODAY AS PART OF UNDOING RACISM AUSTIN AND THE EASTERN CRESCENT RIGHT TO STAY COALITION.
WE ARE VERY EXCITED AT THE PROSPECT OF THESE TWO PROPERTIES BEING DEVELOPED, WHICH I WILL REMIND YOU ALL THAT THE COMMUNITY WORKED AND PRESSURED THE CITY WITH LAURA MORRISON TO IDENTIFY AND CATALOG THESE PUBLIC OWNED PIECES OF LAND THAT WE COULD DEVELOP FOR HOUSING.
THERE'S 20 YEARS OF PLANNING BEHIND THIS.
THERE WAS A LAWSUIT OVER THE ANIMAL SHELTER MOVING TO THIS SITE BECAUSE WE WANTED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WE'RE ABSOLUTELY IN SUPPORT OF THAT, BUT YOU NEED TO GIVE THESE TO G NDC N HCD HAS ADMITTED HOW MUCH THEY ARE LEARNING THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.
THEY HAVE TOLD US THIS RESULT WITH THIS VERY DRY AND UNOBJECTIVE, IT'S VERY SUBJECTIVE SCORING MATRIX, UH, IS UNINTENTIONALLY GETTING US THESE RESULTS.
WE HAVE TO BE INTENTIONAL WHEN WE ADDRESS SYSTEMIC RACISM AND DOING THE RIGHT THING.
THE EQUITY OFFICE DIDN'T SEE THIS UNTIL WE GOT THESE PROBLEMATIC RESULTS.
AND THEY TOO HAVE COMMENTED THAT THIS PROCESS WAS A HISTORICAL NO COMMUNITY CONTEXT.
THAT MATRIX DOESN'T VALUE HOME OWNERSHIP AND HISTORICAL RELATIONSHIP.
THANK YOU MAYOR PROTE FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.
THAT FAMILIARITY WITH THE AREA DOES HELP TO IMPLEMENT OUR PREFERRED POLICY.
COUNCIL NUMBER TOVO FOR EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT IT, BUT WHEN THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD, YOU ARE THE ONE WHO HAS ADVANCED THIS SMALL PIECE OF THE PEOPLE'S PLAN, THE PUBLIC LAND.
AND WHAT HAPPENS TO IT IS ALSO PART OF THE PEOPLE'S PLAN VISION.
WHO IS LEADING AT THE WORK? IS IT THE DIRECTLY IMPACTED PEOPLE ROOTED WITH A BOARD OF DIRECTORS FROM EAST AUSTIN WITH RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAS ALSO HELPED NEWCOMERS TO EAST AUSTIN WHO ARE MARGINALIZED.
G NDC WILL SET THE STANDARD FOR OUR RIGHT TO RETURN POLICY BEING ROOTED.
YOU HEAR WHAT BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE ARE TELLING YOU.
I LAST THING I JUST WANNA SAY IS THAT I KNOW THIS PROCESS IS VERY LONG, BUT THIS INFORMATION IS NOT NEW TO YOU.
ALL OUR HOUSING REPRESENTATIVES HAVE WALKED THE AREAS.
THEY KNOW THAT HOME OWNERSHIP IS IMPORTANT.
ALL HOUSING IS NOT GOOD HOUSING AND WE CAN'T JUST LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF UNITS.
YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE SOME LAND BACK.
HI, MY NAME IS TAMMY AND I'M A COMMUNITY MEMBER RESIDING IN LESLIE POOLS DISTRICT SEVEN, UH, CALLING LIKE THE MINI VOICES ABOUT ADAM ONE AND TWO.
I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT I BELIEVE THAT THE PROJECT SHOULD NOT GO FORWARD UNDER THEIR LEADERSHIP OF IMAGINE ART AND BIG MEDIUM BECAUSE DEVELOPERS ON MAKING TRENDY AND NOT ACTUAL AFFORDABLE RENTING UNITS AND HOUSES FOR GENTRIFIERS SHOULD NOT BE THAT THE LEADING DEVELOPMENT SHOULD NOT BE LEADING THE DEVELOPMENT.
WE INSTEAD NEED LOCAL ORG LIFE GN C WHO HAVE A HISTORY OF PROVIDING REAL AFFORDABLE LOW INCOME HOUSING FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR IN EACH AUSTIN FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS TO BE GIVEN THIS PROJECT.
THE LIVE AND WORK ART SPACES AND THE RENTAL UNITS THAT IMAGINE ART AND BIG MEDIUM ARE PROPOSING WILL NOT PROVIDE HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISPLACED BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY
[05:15:01]
MEMBERS.IT WILL ONLY AMPLIFY EVEN MORE DISPLACEMENT MOVING FORWARD.
THE EQUITY OFFICE NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING THIS PLAN TOGETHER AND THAT PROCESS SHOULD BE TRANS AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE.
I REALLY APPRECIATE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING HAVING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF A LOT OF THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THESE DEVELOPERS, BUT THAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO US WAY BEFORE THE MEETING AND NOT ONLY MINUTES BEFORE WE GET TO SPEAK.
LASTLY, EQUITY AND HOUSING IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
AND LOW INCOME HOUSING SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY FOR BLACK AND BROWN FAMILIES WHO ARE CURRENTLY LIVING IN EAST AUSTIN AND THOSE WHO WANT TO RETURN TO EAST AUSTIN.
I I'M HEARING A LOT OF THINGS, BAD THINGS SAID ABOUT AMERICAN ART.
YOU KNOW, WHEN THIS PROPOSAL CAME TO MY OFFICE, MARK, ROGER AND IMAGINE ART, WERE WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD THIS MIXED USE WHERE HOME OWNERSHIP AND LOW INCOME RENTALS FOR THESE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY.
AND LET ME TELL YOU, THEY'RE NOT ALL WHITE.
I'VE GONE TO THAT LOCATION OR AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE BROWN.
I MEAN THERE, THEY'RE, I THERE ARE JUST REALLY PEOPLE THAT ARE, ARE GONNA BE DISPLACED ONE OF THESE DAYS AND NOT HAVE A PLACE TO GO.
YOU KNOW, I SUPPORT HOME OWNERSHIP THE RIGHT TO RETURN.
BUT PLEASE DO NOT, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, MAPPING A, IT'S A GOOD ORGANIZATION.
THEY DO GOOD WORK AND, UH, BUT I, I DO SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, WA LUPA NEIGHBORHOOD CORPORATION, BUT THEY WERE WORKING, I GOT A BIG PRINTOUT.
THE ONLY REASON THEY COULDN'T MAKE IT WORK OUT IS BECAUSE OF THEIR TILLERY WAS BECAUSE BECAUSE OF THE GREEN, THE, UH, PECAN GROVE OVER ONE ONE WAY TO CUT DOWN ANY OF THOSE PE COUNTRIES.
AND THEY HAD PLANNED TO TRY TO MAKE IT BIT IN, IN BETWEEN THESE TWO, UH, IN BETWEEN THE TREES.
AND THEY WEREN'T ALLOW, THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO, YOU KNOW.
SO, UH, THESE ARE TWO GOOD, GOOD, UH, ORGANIZATIONS.
YOU KNOW, I DO, I I LOVE THEM BOTH.
AND I SUPPORT GMC FOR, I MEAN ALL THE TIME, EVERY TIME I, I CAN, UH, LOCATE ANY KIND OF FUNDING, I, I TRY TO, YOU KNOW, GET IT TO GNC BECAUSE I KNOW THEY PROVIDE PERMANENT, BEAUTIFUL, REAL DEEP AFFORDABLE HOUSING STUFF.
BUT BOTH OF THESE GROUPS ARE, ARE REALLY GOOD ORGANIZATION.
SO I HOPE Y'ALL YOU REALIZE THAT, THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THESE, THESE GOOD.
THANK YOU CLERK JESSICA MORENO.
MY NAME IS JESSICA MORANO AND I'M A CONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT FIVE AND WAS FORMERLY A RESIDENT OF EAST AUSTIN UNTIL IT BECAME TOO DIFFICULT TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR MYSELF AND HOUSEMATES.
UM, BUT MY EXPERIENCE IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE INDIGENOUS EAST AUSTINITE, MANY OF WHOM ARE AUSTINITE OF COLOR, WHO HAVE CONTINUED TO BE DISPLACED FROM THEIR COMMUNITY OVER THE YEARS.
AND I'M CALLING IN TODAY WITH THOSE FOLKS IN MIND TO EXPRESS MY CAUTIOUS SUPPORT FOR THE A, A HFCS AGENDA, ITEMS ONE AND TWO REGARDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT IN EAST AUSTIN.
ONLY IF THE GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS APPOINTED AS THE DEVELOPER.
THE GDC HAS A HISTORICAL CONTEXT, THE VISION AND THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY MOST HISTORICALLY IMPACTED IN EAST AUSTIN.
AND THEIR PROPOSAL INCLUDES A MIXTURE OF AFFORDABLE RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP.
AND GUESS WHAT? SOME OF US BROWN FOLKS DO ACTUALLY ASPIRE TO OWN HOME SOMEDAY AND NOT JUST RENT.
SO I ALSO WANNA POINT OUT THAT WE HAVE AN EQUITY OFFICE FOR A REASON, FRIENDS, AND WE SHOULD INCLUDE THEM IN ANY DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES MOVING FORWARD, NOT JUST AT THE LAST MINUTE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE HISTORIC EQUITY ISSUES ANY SOFTEN THAT SO MANY OF US ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.
AND WHILE I APPRECIATE THE OUTREACH, UM, TO COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER, IT'S A PANDEMIC, Y'ALL.
AND THAT MAKES ENGAGEMENT REALLY HARD.
SOME OF US HAVE A HARD TIME BEING ON THIS CALL RIGHT NOW, AND SO I REITERATE THAT WE MUST THIS PROCESS MUST CENTER INDIGENOUS EAST AUSTINITES, BOTH ONES WHO REMAIN IN EAST AUSTIN AND THE ONES WHO'VE BEEN DISPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAVE LONG EXPRESSED THEIR VISION FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THIS COMMUNITY.
SO I SUPPORT, AGAIN, ITEMS ONE AND TWO, SO LONG AS THESE KEY PARTNERSHIPS ARE IN PLACE AND THAT GD C IS THE APPOINTED DEVELOPER.
THERE'S A LOT OF DISTRUST IN OUR CITY RIGHT NOW, Y'ALL.
AND IF YOU PUSH THIS PROJECT FORWARD, WITHOUT THESE PARTNERSHIPS, I FEAR THAT DISTRUST IS ONLY GONNA GROW.
WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN HEALING A FRACTION OF THE HISTORICAL HARM THAT THIS COMMUNITY'S EXPERIENCED, AND I HOPE WE DO RIGHT BY OUR ESAU NEIGHBORS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
I KNOW IT'S A TURNING INTO A LATE EVENING FOR ALL OF US.
[05:20:02]
MONICA GUZMAN.THIS AFTERNOON I SPEAK TO YOU AS A NATIVE AUSTINITE DISTRICT FOUR RESIDENT, EASTERN CRESCENT RIGHT TO STAY COALITION MEMBER AND HOUSING ADVOCATE ON ITEMS ONE AND TWO.
I ORIGINALLY REGISTERED AN OPPOSITION TO THE, BUT NOW THANKS TO UPDATING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION BY ADDING OR OTHER QUALIFIED RESPONDENT, I SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THEM BECAUSE GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS THE OTHER QUALIFIED RESPONDENT.
GN DC IS THE ONLY APPLICANT THAT I KNEW OF WITH HOME OWNERSHIP AS PART OF THEIR PLAN.
BUILDING EQUITY THROUGH HOME OWNERSHIP IS THE PATH TO FINANCIAL STABILITY.
A PATH LONG DENIED THE PEOPLE OF COLOR BECAUSE OF REDLINING IN THE 1928 MASTER PLAN REDLINING MAY NOW BE ILLEGAL, BUT IT WAS REPLACED WITH ECONOMIC SEGREGATION, DISPLACING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES OF COLOR ALIKE.
THEY'RE GOOD PEOPLE, GOOD ORGANIZATIONS, BUT LONGSTANDING SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES ALLOW THEM AND OTHER WHITE LED ORGANIZATIONS TO FLOURISH.
WHILE THE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE, EVEN NOW IN THE 21ST CENTURY FOR 10 PLUS YEARS, THE COMMUNITY SURROUNDING THESE PUBLIC PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN DEMANDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THE JOHNSON GO VIA TERRACE CONTACT TEAM ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT COMMUNITY PLANNING MEANS.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE COMMUNITY LEADING THE PLANNING.
G NDC IS THEIR CHOICE FOR A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BECAUSE THEIR WORK MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR DISPLACED RESIDENTS TO RETURN.
BEING AND SAYING, YOU'RE OKAY WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMES OFF THIS SOUNDING FLIPPANT AS IF THE HOUSING FOR THE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY IS AN AFTERTHOUGHT.
INSTEAD, START LOOKING BACK AT AUSTIN'S RACIST HISTORY.
YOU MUST BE INTENTIONAL WHEN DECIDING ON HOW BEST TO ENSURE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, BOTH RENTAL AND HOME OWNERSHIP.
FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS AT OR BELOW 80% MFI, I URGE YOU TO APPROVE AND EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH GUADALUPE IN NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
HELLO, MY NAME IS MAYA PILGRIM.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR AND A MEMBER OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED.
I'M SPEAKING, UM, AGAINST ITEM ONE AND TWO, UNLESS YOU GO FORWARD WITH THE GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, WHICH IS THE BEST OPTION FOR HOME OWNERSHIPS.
THERE'S AN OBVIOUS LAW IN THE PROCESS FOR PUBLIC LAND AND HISTORICALLY BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT THOSE COMMUNITIES SPOT TO HAVE ALLOCATED TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS THEREBY AWARDED TO WHITE LED ORGANIZATIONS IN EAST AUSTIN.
AND THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES TO GENTRIFICATION MUST NOW RESIGNED THEMSELVES TO FURTHER VULNERABILITY BY BEING RENTERS.
WHERE WAS THE HISTORICAL AND EQUITY LENS IN THE MATRIX? HOW IS EQUITY IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION? ADDRESSING RACISM IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT DEFUNDING POLICE AND ADDING MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS.
IT'S IN HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS LIKE ITEM ONE AND TWO THAT SHAPE OUR CITY.
IN FACT, WHITE ART ORGANIZATIONS ARE KNOWN TO BE BEACONS OF GENTRIFICATION.
AND WHILE YOU DIDN'T CONSIDER WHAT THEY WOULD DO WITH THE COMMERCIAL SPACE, THOSE COMMERCIAL SPACES DETERMINE WHAT SIGNALS TO A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT PLACES FOR THEM EXPECTATION DOESN'T EQUAL EFFICACY.
AND IF IT, AND IT DOES NOT CARRY THE WEIGHT OF BUILT TRUST.
WHAT I HEARD DESCRIBED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING WITH A DIVERSITY LENS, NOT A RACIAL EQUITY LENS.
GIVING PUBLIC LAND TO LIGHT LED ORGANIZATIONS WITH NO TRACK RECORD IN DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS OR TRUST FOR THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES IS GENTRIFICATION.
WE WERE ABLE TO SERVICE PETS AND ANIMALS BEFORE HUMANS IN THAT LOCATION WITH YEARS AND YEARS OF LAGGING.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THIS DONE, BUT NOW IT'S BEING GIVEN TO ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR DRIVING GENTRIFICATION ON THE EAST SIDE.
SO I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO FORWARD WITH GBC.
ELLIE, JESSICA, PLEASE UNMUTE.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
UH, SO MY NAME'S JESSICA E I'M THE CO-CHAIR OF THE GO VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
I COULD TALK FOR A VERY LONG TIME ABOUT BOTH OF THESE PROJECTS.
UM, BUT TO GET RIGHT TO THE POINT, WE WERE ONLY APPROACHED BY TWO APPLICANTS FOR TILLERY.
THAT WAS IMAGINE ART AND GN D C THAT PROPOSED THAT TOLD US WHAT THEY WERE GONNA PROPOSE.
AND AT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING, WE COULD NOT COME TO A CONSENSUS.
[05:25:01]
PROJECTS ARE KIND OF VERY SIMILAR EXCEPT FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP COMPONENT.AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE INCLUDED IN OUR LETTERS OF SUPPORT WAS A QUALIFYING PARAGRAPH THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SOME RESERVATIONS WITH IMAGINE ARCH BECAUSE THE DEVELOPER, MR. CAPITAL IS FROM OUT OF STATE AND WE'RE NOT SURE THEY'LL BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE PROJECT THAT THEY PROPOSED.
AND GN D C WORKS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.
FATHER JOE IS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.
THEY HAVE ALL THE TRUST FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE WORLD.
YOU KNOW, I, WE ENDED UP WRITING LETTERS FOR BOTH, BUT REALLY YOU COULD KIND OF PICK EITHER ONE.
AND I PERSONALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE G AND DC THERE, GIVEN THAT THEY'RE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET, WE KNOW THEY CAN GET THE JOB DONE.
AND, UM, THERE'S A TRUST ISSUE BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO THE SITE WHERE THE STONE HOUSE WAS DEMOLISHED RIGHT AFTER LETTER.
UM, NEIGHBORS GOT LETTERS THAT IT WAS CONSIDERED FOR A HISTORIC SITE.
UM, IT WAS A BIG MESS UP IN THE PROCESS, BUT HFC HAS KIND OF, UH, SEWED SOME ILL WILL IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE OF THAT.
AND BY CHOOSING GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, YOU REALLY CAN'T GO WRONG.
AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO ADD IS TALKING WITH C WAS WHO'S ON THE BOARD OF BIG MEDIUM? THE BIG MEDIUM PROJECT ON GARDEN IS GONNA HAVE ONSITE DAYCARE, AND I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT IS ELEMENT OF THE G NDC PROPOSAL FOR GARDENER.
UM, AND I THINK IT'S ALSO SOMETHING YOU SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ALSO.
JUST REMEMBER, THIS IS SO NEW IN THE PROCESS, YOU KNOW, 64 UNITS FOR IMAGINE ART VERSUS 51 FOR G NDC.
THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.
WE, BUT, UM, TO ALL THE SPEAKERS IN QUEUE, IF YOU HAVE NOT PRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
HI, UM, GOOD MAYOR ADLER AND THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT BY DMA AND BIG MEDIUM, UM, FOR GARNER STREET.
AND I SUPPORT G C FERTIL, UM, BIG MEDIUM AND DMA WILL CREATE A UNIQUE COMMUNITY WHOSE VISION IS TO WEAVE UNITY AND FOSTER COMMUNITY.
UM, THEY'VE GONE OUT AND OVER THE YEARS THEY'VE SHOWN, THEY STARTED FROM THIS RIDE TAG GROUP AND THEY'VE, UM, SUCCESSFULLY, UM, OPENED UP THE ARTS AND ELEVATED, UM, ART AND HAVE CLASSES THAT PEOPLE CAN TAKE.
AND THEY'VE PUT AUSTIN ON THE MAC, UM, IN TERMS OF BEING AN ART, CREATIVE ART AND ARTS FOR, OH MY GOODNESS, OFF HAS A RECORD, TRACK RECORD OF MAKING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND WE ALL INVOLVE MARK ROGERS.
WE ALL LOVE GULU NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
AND TILLERY, I BELIEVE IS A VERY STRONG FIT FOR THEM.
AND DMA AND BIG MEDIUM ARE PLANNING, UM, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, THEIR PLANNING COMMUNITY.
IT, IT'S GONNA BE MORE LIKE THE, UM, PYTHON ON FIFTH STREET WITH THE EMBEDDED Y M C A WHERE THERE'S GONNA BE PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES AND FOR PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER AND TO DO THINGS.
AND I REALLY FEEL THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT WANTING ANYTHING BUT GMDC SHOULD COME TO THE TABLE AND TAKE, LET'S SIT DOWN AND TALK TOGETHER ABOUT WHAT IS PLANNED AND HOW WE CAN ALL COME TOGETHER.
I AM FROM EAST AND MY FAMILY IS A LONG HISTORY FROM EAST BOSTON AND BOTH 800 PEOPLE ARE WELCOME AT 900 GARNER.
AND TO SAY THAT THEY'RE NOT IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG.
AND TO GET PEOPLE WE WANT EVERYBODY'S MISLEADING.
HELLO, CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.
SO I AM HERE TO SPEAK, UH, AGAIN, AGENDA ITEMS ONE AND TWO, UNLESS THE LAND IS GOING TO BE AWARDED TO GN D C.
[05:30:01]
HEARING THE PRICING FOR THE UNIT, UH, AND HOW IT WAS GOING TO BE DETERMINED WAS ONE OF THE MOST ILLUMINATING THINGS ON THIS LONG CALL.UM, IT SEEMS IT, THE, THE CRITICAL CONCERN IS THAT THESE ARE FOR QUOTE UNQUOTE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE FOR QUOTE UNQUOTE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THEY SHOULD BE FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING.
HOUSING THAT IS MADE WITH THE NEEDS OF EAST AUSTINITES IN MIND.
WITH THIS COMMUNITY EFFORTS IN MIND THAT HAVE THOUGHT THIS LAND FOR 15 PLUS YEARS, THEY DON'T NEED A SELECTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.
THEY NEED HOUSING MADE WITH THEM IN MIND.
THIS IS A PART OF WHY HOME OWNER, THE HOME OWNERSHIP COMPONENT IS CRITICAL.
BILL DWELLS FOR THE COMMUNITIES DIRECTLY, NOT THROUGH THE MIDDLEMEN OF WHITE LED COMPANIES WOULD PROFIT FROM THE LAND.
IF THOSE, IF THOSE THREE MANDATED CONCERNS ARE YOUR CONCERNS FOR THE LAND REGARDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND RIGHT OF RETURN, THEN YOU WOULD AWARD THE LAND TO GC.
AND AGAIN, ADDITIONALLY, UH, A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, I BELIEVE WITH MENTIONED THAT IMAGINE ARTS AND BIG MEDIUM ARE GOOD COMPANIES AND DO GOOD WORK.
THE CONCERN IS THAT EAST OFF NIGHTS HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS HOUSING FOR 15 YEARS.
YOU NOW HAVE CNDC MAKING A PROPOSAL FOR THIS LAND TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.
AN ORG WHO ALREADY HAS AN 800 PLUS LONG WAIT LIST OF DISPLACED PEOPLE AND FAMILIES WHO NEEDS WOULD BE MET BY THAT CONCERN.
THAT THAT'S THE CONCERN, NOT WHETHER BIG MEDIUM IS IMAGINE A GOOD COMPANY.
GREETINGS, UH, MY NAME IS, UH, STACY SMITH.
I'M A RESIDENT IN JOHNSTON TERRACE AND I'VE ALSO BEEN AN EDUCATOR IN EAST AUSTIN FOR OVER 12 YEARS.
MY KIDS GO TO GO VALLEY ELEMENTARY AND EAST SIDE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL.
JUST KNOW THAT THE ATTENDANCE ZONE IN THESE ZIP CODES AND THE EAST SIDE MEMORIAL VERTICAL TEAM IS ENTIRELY, UH, 90% OR MORE, UH, ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED OF FAMILIES.
AND WE'RE JUST SEEING, UH, UNBELIEVABLE DISPLACEMENT.
PART OF MY JOB DESCRIPTION IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, HELPING A HELPING SINGLE MOM FIND AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE, UM, HELPING DRIVING KIDS FROM THEIR NEW HOME, WHICH IS OUT OF OUR ATTENDANCE ZONE TO GO VALLEY EVERY DAY BECAUSE THE HOLLYWOOD MYTH THAT WE DRIVE KIDS OUT TO THEIR PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR THERE TO THEIR WHITE SCHOOLS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN ACTUALLY WORKS IN REVERSE SOMETIMES.
AND WE HAVE KIDS THAT WANNA STAY AT OUR SCHOOLS, BUT THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEY GREW UP.
SO I'M REALLY, UH, UPSET THAT WE HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN THIS PROPOSAL AND THE DETAILS OF THIS PROPOSAL.
AND I'M LISTENING TO NUMBERS UPON NUMBERS AS I'VE SAT HERE FOR TWO HOURS, AND ALL I CAN SAY IS, UM, OVER THE YEARS WHERE I'VE HAD TO KIND OF DIG INTO WHAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOOKS LIKE IN THE CITY, GDC HAS BEEN THE GROUP THAT HAS REACHED OUT TO ARGO VALLEY, UH, COMMUNITY AND HAS ACTUALLY DUG IN THESE ISSUES WITH US.
AND I, I JUST, THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN DUPED SO MANY TIMES.
LIKE IT'S REALLY HARD TO TAKE A CHANCE ON BIG MEDIUM.
AND IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SAY THIS BECAUSE I DO THINK THEY'RE GOOD PEOPLE.
BUT THE EASTING STUDIO TOUR HA HAS, UH, REALLY OUR FAMILIES DON'T FEEL A PART OF THAT, AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE KNOWN BIG MEDIUM FOR.
AND SO WHEN I SEE THAT THEY'RE GONNA DO HOUSING, I, I DON'T KNOW IF OUR FAMILIES ARE CENTERED IN THIS PROJECT, I JUST DON'T.
AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT, IT'S STUDIO SPACE FOR BIG MEDIUM, BUT IT COULD IT BE STUDIO SPACE FOR A MA CASTILLO THE THIRD WHO, WHO GREW UP IN WINCO VALLEY? COULD IT BE FOR RA VALEZ? COULD IT BE FOR ALL THESE EAST AUSTIN ARTISTS? LIKE, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S FOR THEM.
SO I, I REALLY, UH, FEEL STRONGLY THAT, UM, YOU CAN'T VOTE ON THIS TONIGHT AND YOU REALLY NEED TO GO BACK TO THE TABLE.
AND I WOULD PRIORITIZE HOME OWNERSHIP AND I WOULD PRIORITIZE OUR FAMILY THAT WE'RE LOSING EVERY DAY.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ME.
UM, I THINK WE ALL RECOGNIZE HOW DIFFICULT AND COMPLICATED THIS CONVERSATION IS, AND I'M BLOWN AWAY BY THE PASSION AND THE COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY THAT OUR SPEAKERS ARE SHOWING.
BUT IF I MAY TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER SOME SUPPORT FROM MY COLLEAGUE, WHAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO SAY IS THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO VILLAINIZE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE YOU PREFER ONE OVER THE OTHER.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A CHRISTIAN LED ORGANIZATION THAT PRIORITIZES THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND PUTS THEIR VOICES FRONT AND CENTER.
[05:35:01]
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER ORGANIZATION THAT'S ARTISTS LED AND FOCUSES ON ART.AND SO I, I THINK ALL HE WAS TRYING TO SAY IS WE DON'T HAVE TO VILLAINIZE THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN ORDER TO SAY THAT YOUR PREFERENCE IS FOR G NDC.
WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT THE LOVE FOR G NDC IS ENTIRELY VALID AS WELL.
THE WORK THAT THEY DO IS INCOMPARABLE.
NOBODY HAS SAID ANYTHING CONTRARY TO THAT.
SO I JUST REALLY DON'T APPRECIATE PEOPLE ATTACKING MY COLLEAGUE FOR WHAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO SAY.
WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO SAY IS, WE DON'T HAVE TO VILLAINIZE THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
THEY STILL DO GOOD WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY ON THE EAST SIDE, BY THE WAY.
AND THEY WERE ON N D ONE TWO, THEIR THEIR ART CENTER, SO THANK YOU, JEANINE.
OKAY, AM I UP? THIS IS JANINE ETTE.
CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD PLEASE.
AGAIN, JANINE SOAT FROM DMA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, AS MANDY MENTIONED, WHERE THE LEAD DEVELOPER RECOMMENDED BY STAFF FOR THE GARNER ROAD WEBSITE.
DMA IS A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT COMP COMPANY LOCAL TO AUSTIN SINCE 1984 THAT SPECIALIZES IN HIGH QUALITY INFILL AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
AND WE HAVE DEVELOPED MORE THAN 1100 AFFORDABLE HOMES IN AUSTIN OVER THE PAST 11 YEARS, MOST OF WHICH ARE IN EAST AUSTIN.
AND I THINK MOST OF THE PEOPLE ON THE DI ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH OUR WORK.
TWO OF THESE PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HFC, SIMILAR TO HOW WE PROPOSED GARDNER ROAD BEFORE SUBMITTING OUR PROPOSAL.
IN RESPONSE TO THE RFP, WE READ THE RULES AND THE CRITERIA CAREFULLY MAKING NOTE OF THE CLEAR MAJOR OBJECTIVE, WHICH WAS PROVIDING A LARGE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT DEPEND ON A LARGE AMOUNT OF SUBSIDIES IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
WE SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL FOR 219 OF DEEPLY AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS ON THE SIX ACRE SITE.
AS MANDY SAID, WE PROPOSED 90 UNITS FOR VERY LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.
WE PROPOSED A LAND LEASE STRUCTURE SO THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN COULD RETAIN CONTROL OF THE UNDERLYING REAL ESTATE, AND IT ALSO PROVIDES A SIGNIFICANT UPFRONT LEASE PAYMENT FUNDS, WHICH THE CITY CAN REINVEST IN MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN TOWN.
WE ALSO PROPOSED AFFORDABLE CREATIVE STUDIO SPACE ON A VERY SMALL PORTION OF THE SITE IN AN AMOUNT LESS THAN 25% AS THE RFP REQUIRED.
AS THE LEAD DEVELOPER, WE IDENTIFIED BIG MEDIUM AS A PROGRAM PARTNER SO THAT WE COULD OFFER ART SPACE PROGRAMMING TO RESIDENTS OF THE SITE AND THE LARGER COMMUNITY, INCLUDING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING.
OUR COMMUNITY SPACES WILL BE USED FOR PROGRAMMING FOR ALL COMMUNITY RESIDENTS.
ARTISTS WILL NOT HAVE A PREFERENCE FOR HOUSING, BUT WE HAVE INCLUDED A LARGE NUMBER OF FAMILY FRIENDLY UNITS, WHICH MORE WITH MORE THAN 30% OF ALL OF OUR UNITS BEING TWO AND THREE BEDROOM UNITS, SO SPECIFICALLY 68 FAMILY FRIENDLY UNITS.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WHEN THE CITY REQUESTED COMMUNITY INPUT FOR THIS SITE, 50% OF THE RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE ART AND CULTURAL OFFERINGS AT THIS LOCATION.
IT WAS THE NUMBER ONE MOST DESIRED AMENITY, EVEN MORE DESIRED THAN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
OF COURSE, THIS RFP WAS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THAT IS WHAT DAMAGED PROPOSING.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE ADDITION OF ART SPACE PROGRAMMING AND AFFORDABLE CREATIVE SPACE ON SITE IS IMPORTANT THOUGH BECAUSE IT CREATES A MORE VIBRANT AND SUSTAINABLE MIXED USED ENVIRONMENT WITH BOUNDARIES THAT ARE OPEN TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE COMMIT TO WORKING WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS AND NEIGHBORS, TIME DEVELOPMENT, AND WE'LL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PREFERENCE PLAN CONSISTENT WITH THE TAX CREDIT RULES SO THAT WE CAN REACH PEOPLE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO GENTRIFICATION.
ELIZA EPSTEIN YESTERDAY, DECEMBER SIX.
I'M A MEMBER OF D FIVE FOR BLACK LIVES COUNCIL.
MEMBER KITCHEN REPRESENTS THE DISTRICT IN WHICH I RESIDE.
HOWEVER, BEFORE EITHER OF US WERE HERE, OVER 600 NATIVE AND INDIGENOUS GROUPS LIVED ON THE LAND THAT'S NOW TEXAS IN NORTHEASTERN MEXICO.
MEXICO, WE RECOGNIZE THAT OCCUPIED UNSEATED AND SEA TERRITORY OF THE APACHE, ALABAMA CRUDO TRIBE, TEXAS, THE DEL THERO, APACHE, AND TEXAS FANI INDIAN, AS WELL AS THE WICHITA KAREN CAR CHICKASAW AND WACO NATIONS.
THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE FOR THE STEWARDSHIP AND CARE THAT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN THIS LAND FOR ENDLESS GENERATIONS AND CONTINUE TO FOSTER TODAY, MAYBE
[05:40:01]
CARRY THIS WORK FORWARD, PARTICULARLY TODAY WHEN WE MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT LAND USE.MAY ASK TODAY IN SOLIDARITY WITH COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AWARD.
THESE PROJECTS TO THE GUADALUPE BAY NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPS.
DO IT NOW SO THEY HAVE TIME TO MEET THE NOVEMBER DEADLINE FOR TAX CREDITS.
THE GDC HAS A PLAN, A PLAN TO PRIORITIZE HOUSING FOR DISPLACED FAMILIES.
THEY HAVE A PLAN TO INTERRUPT GENTRIFICATION TO PRIORITIZE HUMAN LIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OVER CAPITAL ACCUMULATION.
YOU CITY COUNCIL, GET TO MAKE A DECISION TODAY.
PLEASE LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY WHO'S MOST INFORMED ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED.
IN ADDITION, I ASK COUNCIL TO TO WORK ON THE FUTURE PROCESS FOR PUBLIC LAND THAT CHALLENGES AND THE PREFERENCE FOR TIME AFTERNOON MAYOR AND BURN COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO AND I'M CALLING TO ADDRESS ITEMS ONE AND TWO.
I ORIGINALLY SIGNED UP AGAINST THESE ITEMS, BUT I'M NOW IN FAVOR AS LONG AS THE GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS AWARDED THESE PROJECTS.
I'M A FORMER EAST AUSTIN SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND RESIDENT THAT HAS BEEN DISPLACED DUE TO THE RAMPANT GENTRIFICATION IN IN EAST AUSTIN.
I WAS BORN HERE IN AUSTIN AND IT WAS NEVER LESS.
MY HUSBAND AND I WOULD LIKE TO BUY A HOME IN AUSTIN ONE DAY, BUT WITH THE EVER INCREASING HOME PRICES, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS DREAM WILL COME TO FRUITION AS A 13 YEAR OLD SON WHO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ONE DAY RAISE HIS OWN FAMILY IN THIS CITY THAT I LOVE SO MUCH.
BUT AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL BE AN OPTION FOR HIM IN 10 OR MORE YEARS.
ON JULY 26TH, THIS COUNCIL DECLARED RACISM, A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS EMERGING COUNCIL TO WALK THE WALK AND TO CONTRACT THE GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
WITH BOTH OF THESE PROJECTS, GD AND C IS THE ONLY OPTION THAT HAS, THAT PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY OF HOME OWNERSHIP FOR OUR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.
GD C HAS A 40 YEAR PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF PROVIDING LOW INCOME HOUSING AND FIGHTING DISPLACEMENT.
THEY ALSO HAVE A ROBUST LIST OF DISPLACED RESIDENTS READY TO RETURN TO EACH HAVE JUST GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.
BIG, MEDIUM AND IMAGINE ART DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE IN DEVELOPING LOW INCOME HOUSING OR FIGHTING AGAINST GENTRIFICATION IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, SPECIFICALLY EAST AUSTIN.
GD C WAS FOUNDED BY ORIGINAL EAST TONIGHT AND HAS DEEP ROOTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S NOT JUST ENOUGH TO CREATE MORE LOW INCOME HOUSING WITH NO CONSIDERATION TO WHO IS BUILDING IT.
IF RACISM IS TRULY A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN AUSTIN, THE CITY MUST LOOK AT AWARDING THESE PROJECTS THROUGH A LENS OF ANTI-RACISM.
AWARDING THESE PROJECTS TO GROUPS THAT ARE PREDOMINANTLY WHITE LED AND ONLY PROVIDING RENTAL OPTIONS IS RACIST.
BLACK AND BROWN RESIDENTS WILL NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD MULTI-GENERATIONAL WEALTH THROUGH HOME OWNERSHIP AS THESE PROJECTS ARE AWARDED TO ANYONE OTHER THAN G C COUNCIL.
LET THESE PROJECTS BE AN EXAMPLE OF DEVELOPMENT BY THE COMMUNITY.
PLEASE AWARD BOTH OF THESE PROJECTS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, MONTANA STEEL.
AND I'VE BEEN AN AUSTIN RESIDENT FOR SEVEN YEARS, BUT I CURRENTLY RESIDE IN DISTRICT NINE EVEN THOUGH I DON'T RESIDE IN A DISTRICT ON THE EAST SIDE.
I DO JUST WANNA JOIN THOSE WHO HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE ME AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY OF COLORS AND SOLIDARITY TO ASK THAT CITY COUNCIL ONLY VOTE YES ON ITEM ONE AND TWO.
IF YOU ALSO MOVE FORWARD WITH G AND DC AS THE DEVELOPER, THIS LAND SHOULD BE USED WITH OPPORTUNITY TO FOR RIGHT TO STAY AND RIGHT TO RETURN.
POLICIES THAT MITIGATE THE HARM OF DISPLACEMENT.
LOW INCOME HOUSING PROJECTS SHOULD BE PLAN COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITY WHO IS MOST INFORMED ABOUT THEIR OWN NEEDS.
THIS PUBLIC LAND CAN AND SHOULD BE USED TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY DRIVEN RIGHT TO RETURN HOUSING FOR OWNERSHIPS.
NOT JUST LEASING, BUT COMMUNITIES OF COLORS HAVE FOUGHT FOR, FOR DECADES.
BIG, MEDIUM AND IMAGINE ARE ARE GREAT ORGS, DOING GREAT THINGS FOR THE ART COMMUNITY AND FOR, UH, PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH DISABILITIES.
BUT WE NEED TO DEVELOPMENT THAT ALIGNS WITH THE NEEDS OF THE LONGSTANDING COMMUNITY.
AND G NDC IS THE MOST EQUIPPED TO DEVELOP.
MY NAME IS VINCENT TOVA AND, UH, I'M A PARENT.
UH, I HAVE A RESIDENT AS WELL.
I LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, UM, IN THE JOHNSON TERRACE NEIGHBORHOOD INTERNATIONAL IS CO-LOCATED WITH EAST SIDE MEMORIAL.
AND I'M A PARENT AT EAST SIDE AND AT GO VALLEY ELEMENTARY.
AND I, I REALLY WANNA MAKE SURE THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT I WANT YOU ALL TO VOTE NO ON ONE AND TWO VOTE NO ON IMAGINE ART AND VOTE YES, UH, TO PURSUING THESE PROJECTS WITH AND DC UH, BOTH OF THOSE LOTS, UM, ARE ACTUALLY LOCATED IN GO VALLEY ELEMENTARY ATTENDANCE ON BOTH OF THEM, BUT GO VALLEY ELEMENTARY WASN'T ENGAGED AT ALL WITH
[05:45:01]
THIS DECISION.ZERO ZERO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH GO VALLEY ELEMENTARY.
WE HAVE A CAMPUS ADVISORY COUNCIL, WHICH IS A SITE BASED DECISION MAKING GROUP, UH, REQUIRED BY THE TEXAS ED, BY TEXAS EDUCATION CODE, UH, BUT ZERO, UH, INVITE ZERO.
ANYBODY COMING TO THAT, UH, TO TALK ABOUT THIS PROJECT OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS AS A GO VALLEY PARENT, EVERY YEAR I SEE, UH, A KID, A PARENT, A MOM, A LEADER MOM WHO'S LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, UH, WHERE WE'RE GONNA LIVE NEXT YEAR BECAUSE, UH, THEY'RE GONNA RAISE THE RENT, UH, WHERE WE LIVE NOW, AND IT'S JUST SADDENING.
I CAN'T, IT'S THE TRAIL OF TEARS.
IT IS THE TRAIL OF TEARS LIKE MS. SMITH SAID.
UH, LIKE MR. RAMO SAID, SEEING THOSE TIER, IT IS OUR CURRENT DAY TRAIL OF TEARS AND WE EITHER DISRUPT THAT OR WE CONTINUE THAT.
UH, SO WE EITHER DISRUPT, UH, RACISM, UH, OR WE JUST PERPETUATE UH, RACISM, UH, DURING THE, THESE ELECTIONS, UM, DISTRICT TWO, UH, TRUSTEE JAMIE MATHIAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE'S NOT RUNNING AGAIN, AND I, I FOUND THREE, UH, CANDIDATES TO, TO THAT WANTING TO RUN TO, UH, REPLACE HIS SEAT ON THE BOARD.
BUT GUESS WHAT? ALL THREE OF 'EM CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO, BUT THEY HAVE THEIR KIDS IN DISTRICT TWO.
I'M TALKING ABOUT A, I AGAIN, THAT'S WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE.
IT LOOKS LIKE FAMILIES LEAVING.
IT LOOKS LIKE MES CLOSING BECAUSE ORACLE, UH, TOOK OVER.
WE HAD A PROPOSAL IN 2016 WHEN A PUT UP ABOUT A DOZEN LIGHTS AFTER SALE RELEASE.
WE PUT FORTH THE PROPOSAL WITH FURNISH COMMUNITIES TO PUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON ALLEN, WHICH IS NOW WE NEED A COY.
IT'S, WE FEEL VERY POWERLESS AND THAT, AND THAT BEEPING, AND I APOLOGIZE FOR GOING OVER TIME, BUT THAT BEEPING SYMBOLIZES THAT TIME IS UP FOR OUR FAMILIES THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN THIS CITY.
UM, I DO WORK FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN, BUT TODAY, DURING THIS COUNCIL MEETING AND TIME, I'VE BEEN WAITING HERE TODAY.
I'M STRICTLY HERE IN A PERSONAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS AN EMPLOYEE.
I SPEAKING ITEMS ONE AND TWO UNDER THE AUSTIN FINANCE HOUSING CORPORATION DECISION FOR CITY OWNED PROPERTIES.
AND I JUST RECENTLY MOVED OUT FAR TO DISTRICT EIGHT.
AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WORKED WITH VARIOUS COMMUNITY BASED GROUPS AND PEOPLE A PART OF THE GRO VALLEY JOHNSON, THEY PUT CONTACT TEAM, THE EASTERN CRESCENT RIGHTS, A STATE COALITION, AND THE COMA COLOR, UNITED COALITION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.
I SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO SPEAK TODAY DURING THIS TIME.
PUBLICLY OWNED LAND SHOULD BE USED FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DISPLACED FROM IT.
I AM FOR THE ITEMS ONE AND TWO IF THE DECISION WAS FORWARDED WITH THE G GD.
C AS A DEVELOPER CAN, IS A COLOR, HAVE IDENTIFIED AND ADVOCATED FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND HAVE SOUGHT DEVELOPMENT BY GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE HOME OWNERSHIP FOR THE LONG WAITING LIST OF DISPLACED EAST AUSTIN FAMILIES WAITING FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING TO RETURN TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS PUBLIC LAND CAN AND SHOULD BE USED TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY DRIVEN RIGHT TO RETURN HOUSING FOR OWNERSHIP THAT COMMUTES OF COLOR HAVE FOUGHT FOR, FOR DECADES IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAS BEEN HEAVILY GENTRIFIED AND WHERE COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN DISPLACED.
THE SELECTION SHOULD NOT IGNORE THE LONGSTANDING COMMUNITY PROPOSALS FOR THESE SITES.
AND AS PART OF REAL SOLUTIONS, LOW INCOME HOUSING, NOT JUST AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY.
THE LAND SHOULD BE USED AS A OPPORTUNITY FOR RIGHT TO STAY AND RIGHT TO RETURN.
POLICIES THAT MITIGATE THE HARM OF DISPLACEMENT.
LOW INCOME HOUSING PROJECTS SHOULD BE PLANNED IN COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT FROM THE UPROOTED REPORT.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR THE TIME TODAY.
HEY, CAN YOU HEAR ME? HELLO? YES, GO AHEAD.
I'M AN EAST O KNOWN TO GENTRIFIER AS EAST UNICORN, BUT I LOST THAT TITLE AS WELL WHEN I WAS DISPLACED OUT TO 78 7 44.
ANOTHER HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY FACING THE DESTRUCTION OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.
TODAY I'M WRAPPING THE EASTERN CRESCENT RIGHT TO STAY COALITION, SPEAKING ON ITEMS ONE AND TWO ON FOR THE USE OF EAST PUBLIC LAND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SO LONG AS THE GULU NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS AWARDED THAT CONTRACT WORK, GDC HAS SERVED AUSTIN COMMUNITIES FOR 40 YEARS WITH THE TRUE AND TRIED PROCESS THAT INCLUDES EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TRUST.
AND LET'S NOT FORGET HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW INCOME AUSTIN FAMILIES COUNCIL.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF N H C D.
YOU CAN INSTEAD STAY LOYAL TO THE WORK AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS WHO HAVE SPENT THEIR LIVES DEVELOPING THAT AREA FOR ADEQUATE LIVING.
I DO NOT STAND HERE TODAY OPPOSED TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I STAND HERE TIRED AND JUST TIRED OF, OF OUR COUNCIL CONTINUING TO IGNORE THE DECADES OF WORK RELATIONSHIPS AND
[05:50:01]
EFFORTS OF GENERATIONS OF OUR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES IN EAST.YOU WANT TO AWARD CONTRACTS TO CORPORATIONS WHO HAVE YET TO BUILD HERE IN AUSTIN COMMUNITY SUPPORT COMPONENTS AND PROVIDE A HUNDRED PERCENT ZERO HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES.
I WONDER WHERE ALL THE ENERGY WENT FROM ONE WEEK TO ANOTHER COUNCIL.
SOME OF YOU HAVE TAKEN A FRONT ROW SEAT AND STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AND EQUITY TALKS, TAKING A STAND YET, DISTRICTS ONE THROUGH FOUR, YOU ALLOW, YOU ALLOW THINGS LIKE THIS TO CONTINUE.
AND SOME OF YOU SIMPLY SHRUG THIS OFF AS SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS WE JUST NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT HOUSING, IT'S ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS AND BEING INTENTIONAL.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO GO WITH ANOTHER CORPORATION INSTEAD OF GDC, THAT IS INTENTIONALLY HANDING OFF PUBLICLY OWNED LAND, GEARED TOWARDS HOME OWNERSHIP FOR HUNDREDS OF VERY LOW INCOME BLACK AND BROWN FAMILIES TO CORPORATIONS WHO DO NOT AND HAVE NOT PROJECTED OUTCOMES LIKE THIS.
OUR CITY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HEALING AND FIXING.
I THOUGHT WE VALUED THE PROCESS OF EQUITABLE OUTCOMES.
HOW DOES A CONTRACT LIKE THIS FALL FROM THE HANDS OF BLACK AND BROWN GENERATIONAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST INTO THE HANDS OF PREDOMINANTLY WHITE OWNED CORPORATIONS DURING THIS HISTORIC MOMENTUM TO IMPACT AND FLIP SYSTEMIC RACISM? GDC IS FOR THE PEOPLE AND WAS CHOSEN BY THE PEOPLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME COUNCIL FOR ALL THE SPEAKERS IN Q.
IF YOU HAVE IMPRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
UM, SO MY NAME'S CRAIG CAMPBELL.
I'M A RESIDENT OF TEXAS FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS.
I'VE LIVED IN GO VALLEY, THE HOMEOWNER FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS.
UM, I'VE BACK, I'VE ACTIVELY BEEN INVOLVED IN WORKING WITH THE GO VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND WE'VE STRUGGLED, UH, SINCE I'VE BEEN INVOLVED AND SINCE BEFORE TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF GENTRIFICATION IN GO VALLEY.
I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE, UH, EFFORT TO HELP KEEP OUR BLACK AND HISPANIC OR LATINX COMMUNITIES WHO'VE CALLED GO VALLEY HOME HERE FOR GENERATIONS.
AND OF COURSE, WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE DISPLACEMENT THAT'S AT THE HEART OF GENTRIFICATION.
BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ELEMENT OR GENERATIONS.
MOSTLY BLACK AND LATINX COMMUNITIES IN EAST AUSTIN BUILT UP AND FOUGHT FOR CULTURAL ASSETS.
THESE INCLUDE COMMUNITY CENTERS, DANCE HALLS, MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES, CHURCHES, PARKS, ET CETERA.
THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT ARE HERE IN GO VALLEY.
SO AS INSULT, THE INJURY THAT WERE FORCED TO LIVE IN THIS PART OF AUSTIN, MID TOXIC WASTE DUE TO RACIST SEGREGATION POLICIES, WHICH ARE DETAILED IN LOTS OF ACADEMIC STUDIES AFTER TIRELESS COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND FIGHTING, WHICH OF COURSE IS UNPAID WORK GROUPS LIKE PODER MANAGED TO CLEAN UP THIS AREA.
GO VALLEY IS BEAUTIFUL AND IT IT IS BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF LATINX AND BLACK NEIGHBORS.
AND I URGE YOU TO HELP US KEEP AS MANY HISTORIC RESIDENTS HERE AS POSSIBLE.
AND THIS IS THE REASON THAT I'M FIGHTING AND CALLING FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO SUPPORT THE GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP THE PROJECT ON THE TILLERY STREET, THE CON GROVE.
I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT GDC I FOR YOU TO WORK TOWARDS ENSURING THAT A RIGHT TO RETURN.
AND FINALLY, I WANNA SAY THE RIGHT, THE QUESTION ABOUT VILIFYING, THE QUESTION ABOUT VILIFYING OTHER PROPOSALS.
I'VE JUST GOTTA SAY THAT THESE GROUPS NEED TO DO BETTER WORK TO RECOGNIZE DISPLACEMENT AND TO WORK TOWARDS A RIGHT OF RETURN.
THESE ARE OUR STANDARDS AND OUR EXPECTATIONS.
THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD KNOW THE SITUATION.
AND AGAIN, I SUPPORT GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.
UM, I WANNA SUGGEST WE TAKE, UH, DINNER BREAK, UH, AND THEN COME BACK.
UH, WE'VE NOW HAD ALL THE SPEAKERS, UM, SO THAT WE CAN LET STAFF GO.
UH, IS THERE A MOTION WITH RESPECT TO ITEM NUMBER 65? IT'S A NON-CONSENT CONDEMNATION ITEM.
IS THERE A MOTION TO DEFECT? THE CITY COUNCIL OF AUSTIN AUTHORIZES THE USE OF THE POWER OF ENT DOMAIN REQUIRE THE PROPERTY SET FORTH AND DESCRIBED IN THE AGENDA FOR THE CURRENT MEETING FOR THE PUBLIC USES.
DESCRIBE THEY'RE IN, UH, KATHY.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOBO MAKES THE MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND? COUNCIL MEMBER? ALTER SECONDS IT DISCUSSION THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED A UNANIMOUS WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CAAR.
OTHERS VOTING? I I DON'T THINK WE CAN NECESSARILY GET THROUGH ANY OF THE OTHER ITEMS THAT FAST UNLESS, UH, YOU ALL HAVE THOUGHTS SO WE CAN LET STAFF GO.
COUNCIL MEMBER TOBO, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU THINK MIGHT MOVE THAT FAST? YOU, YOU'RE MUTED.
BUT ON THE OTHER AGENDA ON THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, RIGHT? YEAH, I HAVE A COUPLE THINGS.
I'M THAT WAS REALLY GOOD POINT.
CAUSE I JUST TOOK THAT VOTE IN THE WRONG AGENDA.
I'M GOING TO RECESS THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION MEETING, UH, SUBJECT TO CALL HERE
[05:55:01]
LATER THIS EVENING.UH, ALSO AT 6 0 5, I'M GOING TO CONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MS. PRESENT REAL QUICKLY, UH, SO THAT WE DO THIS ON THE CORRECT AGENDA,
[65. Approve a resolution authorizing the filing of eminent domain proceedings for the Country Club Creek Trail project for the public use of providing connectivity between many local attractions, homes, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes, the acquisition of one Sidewalk, Trail and Recreational Easement and one Temporary Working Space Easement. The Sidewalk, Trail and Recreational Easement being approximately 0.028 acre (1,231 square feet) tract of land out of the south one-half of Lot 4, Block A, Lot 1, Chevy Chase South, Phase Six Resubdivision, a subdivision of record in Book 99, Page 40, of the Plat Records of Travis County, Texas. Said south one-half of Lot 4, Block A, Lot 1, being the remainder of a called 126.06 acre tract of land conveyed to Chevy Chase South, Ltd. by Deed recorded in Volume 3969, Page 898 of the Deed Records of Travis County, Texas. The Temporary Working Space Easement being approximately 0.014 acre (602 square feet) tract of land out of the south one-half of Lot 4, Block A, Lot 1, Chevy Chase South, Phase Six Resubdivision, a subdivision of record in Book 99, Page 40 of the Plat Records of Travis County, Texas. Said South one-half of Lot 4, Block A, Lot 1, being the remainder of a called 126.06 Acre tract of land conveyed to Chevy Chase South, Ltd. by Deed recorded in Volume 3969, Page 898 of the Deed Records of Travis County, Texas. The acquisition of both parcels in the amount of $12,805. The owners of the needed property are Joe E. Russo and Paicor Corporation,successors in interest to Chevy Chase South Ltd., No. I Ltd. and CW- Chase Road 232, Inc., and FIMC Baton Rouge, Inc., successors in interest to Austin Student Housing I Ltd. The property is located at 4500 Sheringham Drive, Austin Texas 78741. 6]
UH, IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 65 WITH RESPECT TO ITEM 65 BEING A NON-CONSENT CONDEMNATION ITEM? IS THERE A MOTION THAT AFFECT THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAW AUTHORIZES THE USE OF THE PROGRAM AND DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY SET FORTH AND DESCRIBED IN THE AGENDA FOR THE CURRENT MEETING FOR THE PUBLIC USES DESCRIBED THEREIN.MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER IN THE DISCUSSION.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED, LOOKS LIKE EVERYBODY'S VOTING.
COUNCIL MEMBER KASAR OFF THE DIET.
ROBERT TOVA, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU THINK WOULD ALSO MOVE QUICKLY? YOU'RE MUTED.
THESE NEW BUTTONS ARE REALLY CONFUSING.
I'D LIKE TO PUT 17, I'M SORRY, NOT 17.
[54. Authorize payment of the City’s membership fees for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 to the Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council, for the promotion of the region’s economic development, in an amount not to exceed $100,000.]
PUT, UM, 54 BACK ON THE AGENDA.I DID WANNA ASK STAFF SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT IT, BUT AT THIS POINT I DON'T THINK WE'RE RUNNING OUTTA TIME AND I APOLOGIZE TO THEM.
I THOUGHT WE WERE GONNA BE ABLE TO TAKE IT UP CLOSER TO 10 WHEN I PULLED IT.
SO WITH APOLOGIES, I'LL PUT IT BACK ON AND MOVE APPROVAL.
COUNCIL TOVO ZERO SECOND TO THAT MOTION.
ANY DISCUSSION? THOSE A FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED ADAM IS ON THE DICE AGAIN WITH COUNCIL MEMBER CAAR.
COUNCIL TOVO MI HAD TALKED EARLIER ABOUT WANTING TO RECONSIDER ITEM 53.
UM, I'VE GONE BACK AND FORTH WITH STAFF.
I'M STILL NOT CLEAR ON WHY IT GOT WITHDRAWN RATHER THAN POSTPONED, BUT I'M GONNA PUT THAT TO REST FOR THE DAY AND JUST TRY TO HASH IT OUT BETWEEN NOW AND OCTOBER 1ST WHEN I HOPE THAT ITEM WILL COME BACK TO US.
UH, THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE STILL IN FRONT OF US WHEN WE COME BACK, WE HAVE CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION.
IT'S ITEM 12 OR RELATED ITEM 67.
WE HAVE THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, WHICH I THINK WILL MOVE PRETTY QUICKLY.
WE HAVE THE CONVENTION CENTER, THREE ITEMS. WE HAVE 62, THE SAVES RESOLUTION.
WE HAVE, UH, NON-CONSENT, UH, ITEMS BEING THE DEMO PERMIT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT, UH,
WE ALSO HAVE THE ASSET HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION TWO, I MEAN ITEMS BACK IN THAT AGENDA.
AND WE STILL HAVE THREE, UH, PULLED ITEMS ON ZONING.
SO MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO, UM, TALK ABOUT WHETHER WE CAN DISPENSE WITH 17 PRETTY QUICKLY.
IT SOUNDED LIKE THAT WAS KIND OF FAST AND THAT WOULD LET SOME STAFF GO POTENTIALLY, BUT ALSO
[Items 12 & 67]
I WAS, AS I MENTIONED, I WANTED TO ASK, UM, WHETHER WE COULD POSTPONE 12 AND 67.AND SO, UM, I'M GONNA MAKE THAT MOTION RIGHT NOW THAT WE POSTPONE 12 AND 67.
THAT'S THE DEMOLITION, AND I CAN, IF I GET A SECOND, I'LL EXPLAIN MY RATIONALE.
THERE'S A SECOND FOR COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER TO THAT MOTION, UM, IS STAFF, IS THERE ANY PROBLEM STAFF WITH POSTPONING THOSE TWO ITEMS? MAYOR THIS RODNEY, GO, UM, ON 12, THERE'S NO, UH, ISSUE WITH THAT FOR 67, WE WERE HOPING THAT THE UTILITIES PORTION OF THAT ORDINANCE COULD GO THROUGH.
UM, AS YOU RECALL, PART OF THE AUDIT MENTIONED THAT THE UTILITIES NOT BEING DISCONNECTED, THE SAFETY CONCERN.
AND SO WE WERE HOPING THAT THAT PORTION OF THE ORDINANCE SKIPPED GO THROUGH YOUR MUTED COUNSELOR TOOL.
YEAH, I'M, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THE UTILITY PORTION FOR THE SAME REASONS THAT, UM, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR GONZALEZ MENTIONED.
UM, BUT I, I DO THINK THE REST OF IT IS GONNA REQUIRE CONSIDERABLE DISCUSSION.
I WOULD ASK THAT WE POSTPONE THAT PIECE.
SO HOW WOULD WE IDENTIFY THE UTILITY PORTION OF ITEM NUMBER 67? AND I GUESS I WOULD ASK TO, IT'S ONLY TWO WEEKS, SO IF IT CAME BACK TO US ON THE FIRST, BUT IN ANY CASE, I'M HAPPY TO TRY TO MAKE THE UTILITY PIECE WORK AS LONG AS IT MEANS WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A LENGTHY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE REST OF IT TONIGHT.
LET'S, UH, RECOGNIZE THAT WE'RE GONNA PUT OFF NUMBER 12 OCTOBER 1ST WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'RE GOING TO DO JUST THE UTILITY PORTION OF ITEM NUMBER 67.
THAT WAY MAYBE STAFF CAN, DOESN'T HAVE TO COME BACK RECOGNIZING WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TO DO, AND THEN WE HAVE DINNER TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT PART.
AND THEN RODNEY, YOU CAN TAKE A, A LOOK AND SEE IF IT MAKES SENSE TO DO THAT OR WHETHER IT JUST ALL COMES BACK ON THE FIRST.
SO, UM, UH, ANY OBJECTION TO 12 BEING PUT OFF THE OCTOBER 1ST?
[06:00:02]
YES, COUNCIL ELLIS, NO OBJECTION, BUT, UM, I, UH, DOING THE AMENDMENTS THAT I'VE MADE ON IT SO THAT WE CAN REVISIT THOSE WHEN WE HAVE A CONVERSATION AND APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER FLY AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH I DON'T SEE 'EM RIGHT NOW, UM, ON ASSISTING WITH KIND OF HELPING ME WORK THROUGH THAT THOUGHT PROCESS SINCE I, UM, WASN'T HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL CONVERSATION.SO I LOOK FORWARD TO REVISITING THAT.
TRIAL'S POSTPONED THEN TO OCTOBER 1ST, UH, COUNCIL ALTAR.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO ASK IF THE CITY MANAGER, OR OR MR. GONZALEZ, IF YOU COULD MAKE SURE THAT THE AUDITOR, UM, HAS A CHANCE TO LOOK AT, UM, THE AMENDMENTS AND, UH, SO THAT WE CAN, UM, JUST GET THAT SINCE IT CAME OUT OF AN AUDIT, WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE WERE DOING IT, THAT, UM, WE HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE THEIR WAY, THEIR WAY INTO THE DISCUSSION.
WE CAN CERTAINLY FORWARD THOSE, UM, POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE AUDIT OFFICE IN PARTICULAR, UH, CORE STOKES THE AUDITOR SO THAT SHE'S AWARE OF THEM.
SO ITEM NUMBER 12 BEING POSTPONED NOW TO OCTOBER 1ST, WE'RE GONNA COME BACK FROM THE DINNER BREAK.
WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT 67 AND YOU'LL TELL US WHETHER THE WHOLE THING SHOULD BE PUT OFF TO OCTOBER 1ST OR WHETHER WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH JUST THE, UH, UTILITY PORTION OF THAT.
UH, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING OUR COLLEAGUES IS PART TWO.
SO LET'S DO THAT, THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING AS WELL.
SO A COUNCIL MEMBER TOVA WHOSE PASSAGE OF THE UTILITY PORTION OF, UH, ITEM NUMBER 67, UH, HOLDING BACK THE REST OF IT, UH, POSTPONING THAT UNTIL, UH, OCTOBER 1ST.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? UH, AND DID YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT? I JUST WANTED TO, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY LEAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN THEN IF YOU WERE GONNA CONSIDER THE REST OF IT.
WE'LL LEAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN.
IS THERE EVER SECOND TO THAT COUNCIL MEMBER POOL? SECOND.
AT ANY DISCUSSION? THOSE IN FAVOR MOVING FORWARD ON PART TWO, LEAVING THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN THE BALANCE BEING POSTPONED TO OCTOBER 1ST.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND AS OPPOSED, IT'S UNANIMOUS ON THE DIAS.
THIS IS COUNCIL MEMBER OF FLA AGAIN AND IS IS OFF THE DIAS FOR THAT VOTE.
COUNCIL MEMBER FLANIGAN OFF THE DIOCESE.
UM, ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, I THINK WE'VE ALL SEEN COUNCIL MEMBER'S AMENDMENT.
WE'VE SEEN COUNCIL MEMBER ALTARS AMENDMENT, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, UM, HAD PUBLISHED AN AMENDMENT COUNCIL MEMBER TO, DID YOU PUBLISH YOURS? SO I
[17. Approve a resolution adopting the City's State Legislative Program for the 87th Texas Legislative Session. 17. Strategic Outcome(s): Government that Works for All. ]
LEARNED, UM, IN BETWEEN HOW THEY MADE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT AND JUST, AND JUST THAT THE REVISED DRAFT, SORRY, MY DOG IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT BEING LOCKED IN HERE.UM, THAT REVISED COPY INCLUDES IT, IT WAS, UM, AN AMENDMENT FROM, IT WAS AN AMENDMENT RECOGNIZING SUPPORTING LEGISLATION AND FUNDING TO STRENGTHEN THE RESILIENCY OF THE LIVE MUSIC AND ART VENUE, RESTAURANTS, AND BAR INDUSTRY.
AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT HAS BEEN INCORPORATED IN, I DID WANNA JUST VERY QUICKLY SAY WE DID RECEIVE, YOU KNOW, I I, WE HAVE AT MULTIPLE TIMES RECEIVED COMMUNICATIONS FROM OUR, OUR HORRIFIC EMS ASSOCIATION ASKING US TO CONSIDER CHANGES TO THEIR PENSION PLAN REQUIREMENTS.
AND SO HAVING THOUGHT ABOUT THAT AND WHETHER THAT SHOULD BE A PIECE OF, OF WHAT GOES FORWARD TODAY IN OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, I, I FELT THAT WE NEEDED MORE TIME TO CONSIDER THAT THE REQUEST IS TO CONSIDER A DECREASE IN THE SERVICE YEAR AND AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR EMS EMPLOYEES, RECOGNIZING THAT IT'S GONNA NEED TO BE PART OF A, A LONGER CONVERSATION ABOUT POTENTIAL PLAN CHANGES AND CONTRIBUTION CHANGES.
I WOULD ASK, UM, SEVERAL OF US ARE SERVING ON A PENSION REVIEW WORK GROUP, AND SO I WOULD ASK MY COLLEAGUES, UM, TO, TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE, LET'S MAKE THAT PART OF THAT GROUP'S, UM, WORK TO, TO GIVE THAT CONSIDERATION.
I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT REQUEST.
I THINK IT'S, UH, YOU KNOW, A NECESSARY, UH, QUESTION TO EXPLORE, AND I'M SUPPORTIVE OF DOING THAT IN THAT CONTEXT OF THAT WORK GROUP.
LET'S PICK THAT UP IN THAT WORK GROUP.
UH, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 17? COUNCIL MEMBER POOL MAKES THE MOTION.
SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER CAN MAYOR TO MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS.
I WAS GONNA JUST, I WAS JUST TO KIND OF FRAME IT UP FIRST, BUT IF YOU WANNA GO FIRST.
COUNCIL MEMBER CAAR HAS A, UH, AN AMENDMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE CONTINUATION OF THE STANDALONE ENTITY TO REGULATE PLUMBERS.
IS THERE AN OBJECTION TO THAT AMENDMENT BEING INCLUDED? HEARING NONE, THAT'S INCLUDED.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER HAD AMENDMENTS TO ENSURE THE SUSTAINABLE
[06:05:01]
SOURCES OF REVENUE FOR HB THREE, UH, AND ALSO SUPPORT FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS. UH, ANY OBJECTION TO THOSE AMENDMENTS BEING ADDED? HEARING NONE, THOSE AMENDMENTS ARE ADDED.WHAT WAS YOUR AMENDMENT? I'M SORRY, ON THIS.
THE FIRST ONE RELATES TO, UH, SUPPORTING LEGISLATION AND FUNDING TO INCREASE COMPENSATION, INCLUDING MEDICAID, REIMBURSEMENT FOR HOME HEALTH AIDS, COMMUNITY ATTENDANCE, DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS, AND DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE IN INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS.
UM, THE SECOND ONE RELATES TO, UM, UH, EMERGENCY DETENTIONS AND IT'S TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION AND FUNDING TO ALLOW QUALIFIED MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO SAFELY PERFORM THE LATE DUTIES CURRENTLY RESTRICTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, INCLUDING THE AUTHORITY TO DETAIN AND TRANSFER AN INDIVIDUAL BELIEVE TO HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS AND WHO IS A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF SERIOUS HARM TO THEMSELVES.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE INCLUSION OF THOSE AMENDMENTS? HEARING NONE, THOSE ARE INCLUDED.
UH, NOW ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, UH, ON THIS ONE? COUNCIL MARK PULL.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK, UM, MS. FRANCO FOR THE WORK THAT SHE AND HER STEP PUT ON, UH, DRAFTING UP OUR 87TH LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND POINT EVERYBODY TO THE PAGE THAT HAS EQUITY AND AFFORDABILITY AND THE SECOND BULLET THERE.
SO SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS CITIES TO IMPLEMENT MANDATORY INCLUSIONARY ZONING PROGRAMS. AND JUST REMIND US ALL THAT WE HAD.
UM, THIS WAS LEGISLATION THAT I WORKED WITH GINA, HE OSA ON BACK IN THE 86TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
IT WAS ADDED TO OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AFTER GINA HAD FILED THAT BILL.
AND THEN WE, OF COURSE, SUPPORTED IT OFFICIALLY AS PART OF OUR PORTFOLIO.
I'M REALLY GRATEFUL THAT IT'S ON THERE AGAIN, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T GET ANY FARTHER THAN JUST BEING ASSIGNED TO THE BUSINESS AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE.
SO HOPEFULLY WE WILL DO BETTER WITH THAT THIS YEAR.
BUT I THINK IT IS REALLY, I JUST WANNA EMPHASIZE THAT, UH, THAT THIS EFFORT IS OUT THERE.
THERE HAVE BEEN, UM, I JUST WANNA MAKE IT REALLY PUBLIC THAT THIS IS AN EFFORT THAT THOSE OF US, UM, AND MYSELF ESPECIALLY, HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR, FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, UH, TO OVERTURN THE BAXTER PROHIBITION AGAINST INCLUSIONARY ZONING, WHICH IS ONE OF THE, THE BASIC REASONS WHY WE ARE HAVING SUCH A HARD TIME GETTING MORE LOW, LOWER COST RENTS AND LOWER COST HOUSING, UH, FOR SALE, IS BECAUSE WE CAN'T REQUIRE IT OF DEVELOPERS.
THIS WAS ON OUR AGENDA AT THE, THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION AT MY REQUEST WITH GINA, AND IT'S BACK AGAIN.
AND I REALLY HOPE EVERYBODY WILL RALLY AROUND THIS ITEM AND LET'S GET THIS PASS.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER THEN.
I JUST WANTED TO ALSO NOTE THAT WE'VE, UM, ADDED, UM, REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT FOR WILDFIRE.
AND GIVEN WHAT'S GOING ON AND ON THE WEST COAST, I JUST WANNA UNDERSCORE HOW REAL A THREAT THAT IS FOR AUSTIN AND MANY PARTS OF TEXAS.
AND MY HOPE THAT, UM, THE STATE LEGISLATURE WILL ASSIST US, UM, IN OUR EFFORTS TO DO THAT, TO MITIGATE THOSE RISKS.
UM, UM, BRI, I JUST WANNA, UH, CLARIFY THAT THE, UM, SO THAT IN CASE IT'S A LITTLE UNCLEAR, THE WORDING, BUT THE FIRST ITEM IS, YOU KNOW, IS ABOUT FUNDING.
IT'S ACTUALLY ABOUT PAYING, PAYING OUR WORKERS WHAT THEY DESERVE, UH, THE WORKERS THAT WORK WITH OUR MOST VULNERABLE FOLKS.
UM, THE IN INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS REFERS TO THE DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE, UH, THE HOME HEALTH AIDS COMMUNITY ATTENDANCE AND DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS.
SOME OF THEM WILL WORK IN INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS AND SOME OF THEM WORK WITH, UM, YOU KNOW, WITH OUR SENIORS AND OUR DISABILITY COMMUNITY IN THE HOME.
SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE IT'S INTERPRETED THAT WAY.
UM, AND THEN THE SECOND THING I WOULD SAY IS THE, UM, THE, THE EFFORT TO REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT AND SUPPORT, UH, THE AUTHORITY OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO, UM, TO WEIGH IN ON, UM, ACTIVITIES RELATED TO, UH, PEOPLE WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS, INCLUDING, UM, EMERGENCY DETENTIONS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT OUR, UM, UH, OUR EMS FOLKS AND OUR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS HAVE ASKED FOR.
AND IT WILL JUST, IT, IT WILL HELP US AS WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO, UH, BETTER CONNECT THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK
[06:10:01]
WITH PEOPLE HAVING, UH, A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY.THOSE ARE FAVOR OF THE, UH, LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
I THINK THAT WAS MOVED AND SECONDED.
THOSE OPPOSED, UNANIMOUS ON THE DIET, AGAIN WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBER.
AND THEN FINALLY, I THINK YOU CAN.
[68. Conduct a public hearing related to an application by Espero Austin at Rutland, LP, or an affiliated entity, for housing tax credits for a multi-family development that will be financed through the private activity bond program to be known as Espero Austin at Rutland, located at or near 1934 Rutland Drive, Austin, Texas, 78758, within the City; and consider a resolution related to the proposed development, the application, and the allocation of housing tax credits and private activity bonds. 68. District(s): District 4]
UH, I THINK THAT, UH, WE CAN ALSO TAKE CARE OF ITEM NUMBER 68 TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UH, PROJECT, UH, SP UH, IS THERE A MOTION TO PROVE THIS ITEM? COUNCIL STAR MAKES THAT MOTION.IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT ITEM? MAYOR PRO? 10 SECONDS THAT, UH, NO.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS ITEM? COUNCIL ALTER SECONDS.
UH, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION JUST TO APPROVE IT AND TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? COUNCIL AMERICA STAR, UH, THIS WAS, UH, WAS, UH, DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR FOLKS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AND WE HAD SOME TROUBLE AT TD HCA TRYING TO, UH, GET IT APPROVED.
BUT I, I HOPE THAT AS PART OF OUR WORK AT THE CAPITAL, WE, WE DO OUR BEST TO MAKE IT EASY TO BUILD HOUSING FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
BUT I'M GLAD THAT HOPEFULLY WITH THIS WE'LL FINALLY GET THAT DONE.
AND IN DISTRICT FOUR HOUSE, UH, LOTS MORE PEOPLE.
WE ARE, AS WE WORK TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS, IT'S AGAIN, WE USUALLY PASS THESE THINGS ON CONSENT.
AND NOW I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK, GOOD WORK THAT IS GETTING DONE TO, TO HOUSE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOME.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY I WASN'T OPPOSED TO SECONDHAND.
I JUST DIDN'T HAVE MY HAND UP AND DIDN'T WANNA TAKE IT AWAY FROM ANYBODY ELSE.
UH, AND FOR THE DISCUSSION, THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM 68, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED, UNANIMOUS ON THE DIAS, AGAIN WITH COUNCIL MEMBER FLANIGAN.
MAYOR, I JUST WANNA CLARIFY THAT ITEM 85, UM, THAT IT WAS THE INTENTION TO LEAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN.
IT'S THE CASE THAT BEFORE WE VOTE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TESTIFY REGARDLESS, BUT JUST TO CLARIFY TO THE PUBLIC, UM, I WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT, THAT ITEM 85, THE PUBLIC HEARING WOULD REMAIN OPEN AND THEY WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO IT ON THE NEXT HEARING THAT IS CONFIRMED.
AND NUMBER 85 PEOPLE WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK WHEN WE VOTE ON THE DAY WE VOTE.
BUT IF WE NEED TO, IF WE NEED TO RECONSIDER TO MAKE THAT CLEAR IN THE LANGUAGE ON THE AGENDA, I WANNA BE SURE IT DOESN'T SAY PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
CLERK, DO YOU NEED US TO RECONSIDER THAT? I DON'T KNOW THE LAW RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE ENTITLED TO SPEAK ON THE DAY WE VOTE.
DO YOU NEED US TO RECONSIDER THAT AT ALL, ANNE? MAYOR, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT 85? I HAD IT MARKED DOWN AS BEING APPROVED.
87 85 WERE APPROVED ON SECOND READING ONLY.
AND IF WE COULD JUST THAT WE'RE KEEPING THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN FOR THIRD READING, THAT WAS SO WE COULD GET THE AGREEMENT FILED.
WE'RE GONNA, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN AND WE'VE PASSED IT ON SECOND READING.
COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
AND ACTUALLY THAT WAS ONE OF THOSE TIMES WHERE I COULDN'T QUITE HEAR JERRY.
I ACTUALLY HAD REMARKS PREPARED, INCLUDING SOME OF, UH, SOME OF WHAT THE COMMUNITY AND THE DEVELOPER HAVE COME, UH, TO AGREEMENT WITH, IN WHICH CASE I COULD READ THAT NOW, OR I COULD DO IT AT THE SECOND READING.
BUT, UH, THAT ONE GOT A GLOSS PAST ME.
UM, THE UNDERSTANDING IS IT'S COMING BACK ON THE 15TH.
UH, I THINK IT COMES BACK ON THE 84 AND 85.
WHEN ARE THEY COMING BACK? I DON'T REMEMBER.
DO YOU REMEMBER, ANN, DO YOU HAVE WHEN THEY COMES BACK? THIS IS, SORRY ABOUT THE, UM, THE APPLICANTS REQUEST COME BACK ON THE 15TH AND WE CAN DO THAT.
WHY DON'T YOU HOLD OFF YOUR STATEMENT UNTIL THEN.
DOES THAT WORK FOR YOU? YOU BET.
I THINK THE ONLY THING THAT WAS IMPORTANT IS I WANTED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND THEY'VE WORKED LONG AND HARD WITH THE DEVELOPER TO COME TO THESE AGREEMENTS.
I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND AND READ INTO THE RECORD, BUT I CAN DO IT AT THAT TIME.
IT IS, UM, UH, 6 25, UH, MINDFUL THAT PEOPLE WANT ACTUAL TIME.
UH, WE'LL DEAL WITH, UM, UH, THE CONVENTION CENTER ITEMS, THE SAVES RESOLUTION, UH, THE, A AFC ITEM AND THE THREE ZONING CASES.
SO WE'LL WORK AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN WITH THAT AT, UH, 6 25,
[06:15:01]
THE CITY COUNCIL AND KITCHEN.UH, I'M SORRY, I HAVE A QUESTION.
IS THAT 83, 89 OR 93 ON THE ZING CASES? YES.
83 89 AND 93 DID NOT, DIDN'T WE ALSO HAVE 80 AND 81? UH, NO, THOSE WERE, THOSE WERE ORIGINALLY TOLD THAT THEY WENT BACK ON.
UH, THEY'RE COMING BACK TO US ON OCTOBER 1ST.
THOSE WERE THE SECOND RATING ONES TO GET THE DOCUMENT FILED WITH THE CALL.
WE'LL COME BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT SEVEN 30.
UH, TODAY IS STILL SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2020.
WE'RE CONTINUING ON IN THE, UH, CITY COUNCIL, UM, MEETING.
UM, I THINK WE MAY BE CLOSE ON, ON SOME OF THESE, UH, ITEMS. UH, YOU WANNA START ON ITEM 62,
[62. Approve a resolution that directs the City Manager to explore and identify ways to support and to increase the survivability of those most vulnerable in Austin’s hardest hit sectors: childcare, music and arts venues, restaurants and bars. 62. Sponsors: Mayor Steve Adler, Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, Council Member Kathie Tovo, and Council Member Leslie Pool]
WHICH IS THE SAVES IFFC.IF C IS, UH, THE REVISION TWO THAT'S BEEN HANDED OUT THAT INCORPORATES, UH, THE, UH, UH, IT'S INITIAL DEAL THAT INCORPORATES MUCH OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT WERE MADE.
IN ADDITION, THE BASE MOTION, UH, WOULD INCLUDE WHAT'S MARKED AS ADLER AMENDMENT ONE, WHICH IS BASICALLY THE POOL, UH, AMENDMENT THAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD, UH, THAT, UH, ADDS, UH, THE, THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE ALSO BENEFITING FROM HELPING THESE INDUSTRIES.
THE STAGING COMPANIES, ARTISTS, SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AND STUDIO SPACES.
ALSO IN THE BASE MOTION, UH, UH, I HAD LEFT OUT, UH, LANGUAGE FROM COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, KITCHEN, UH, IN THE LANGUAGE, UH, THAT IS IN THE, UH, UH, UH, THE REVISION.
THERE IS, UH, LANGUAGE THAT SPEAKS TO ITS LINE, UH, SORRY, IT'S LINE LIKE 1 63.
UH, NOT BE LIMITED TO VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS, UM, AS DEFINED BY TAX.
THE TEXAS TAX CODE SECTION THREE 50 ONE.ONE OH ONE A ONE, IT ADDS IN THE WORDS, UH, AS ELIGIBLE FOR HOT TAX FUNDING ADDS IN THOSE WORDS.
UM, SO THAT IS THE, THE KITCHEN AMENDMENT.
UM, AND THEN, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO, UH, I THINK, UH, WANTED TO ALSO ADD SOME LANGUAGE IN THE LAST RESOLVED CLAUSE.
UM, SO MAY I HAVE CIRCULATED AS YOU KNOW, UM, AN AMENDMENT AND THEN I MADE SOME REVISIONS TO IT, CIRCULATED AGAIN TODAY.
YOU'VE INCORPORATED SOME WE STILL NEED TO WORK OUT, GET, GETS INCORPORATED INTO THAT LAST CLAUSE.
AND I DO NOT, I DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION TO THAT AT THE MOMENT.
UM, CAN WE LAY THIS ON THE TABLE AND COME BACK TO IT? I JUST, I'M JUST GONNA NEED SOME TIME TO WRITE THAT.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION AS THE BASE MOTION? JIMMY FLYN.
UM, IT HAS EVERYTHING IN AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE WANTED OTHER THAN, UH, THE LANGUAGE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER TOVA IS GONNA WORK ON HERE.
LET'S LAY THIS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
UM, YEAH, I WANTED TO SUGGEST A VERY TINY AMENDMENT THAT I DON'T, DIDN'T DO A PAPER THING.
UM, BUT ON PAGE OR WHAT'S PAGE FOUR OF THE ONE THAT I HAVE? IT SAYS ADDITIONAL FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.
UM, I'D LIKE IT TO SAY EXISTING AND ADDITIONAL FEDERAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CARES MONEY WE HAVE IS MUCH MORE FLEXIBLE THAN A LOT OF OTHER SOURCES.
AND WE MAY FIND THAT THE BEST PATH FORWARD TO DO WHAT WE THINK WE NEED TO ACHIEVE, UM, INVOLVES USING MONEY FOR OTHER THINGS AND USE DEPLOYING CARE'S MONEY TO SUPPORT THE VENUES IN WAYS THAT WE KNOW THAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO DO, OR CHILDCARE OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
UM, SO I DON'T WANNA PRECLUDE USING EXISTING FEDERAL MONEY THAT WE HAVE.
SO INSTEAD OF SAYING JUST ADDITIONAL FEDERAL ASSISTANCE, YOU SAY EXISTING OR ADDITIONAL FEDERAL ASSISTANCE? YES.
IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID? ANY OBJECTION? YEAH.
I'M NOT SURE WHICH IS MORE APPROPRIATE, BUT EXISTING OR ADDITIONAL
[06:20:01]
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE IS FINE.DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO THAT BEING ADDED? HEARING NONE THAT'S ADDED TO LINE 72.
I JUST WANT UNDERSTAND CAUSE IT MIGHT BE CONFUSING FOR THE PUBLIC AND I'M NOT SURE WHICH ONE TO LOOK AT.
SO I'M LOOKING AT THE ITEMS FOR 62 AND WHICH ONE ARE THE, IS THE ONE THAT IS OUR BASE MOTION? CAUSE I'M NOT SEEING IT.
THE BASE MOTION IS IS R E V TWO.
KATIE, IT IS THE KATE THIS MORNING.
AND IT'S ALSO POSTED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD.
IT'S NOT IN BACKUP OR IT, IT'S CALLED, LET ME MAKE SURE I'M UNDERSTANDING.
IT'S, IT'S, UM, DRAFT RESOLUTION VERSION TWO.
IS THAT WHAT IT IS? PULL IT UP AND, AND SEE.
I THINK IT'S JUST REVISED DRAFT RESOLUTION.
IT'S THIS ISED IT MAY BE LABELED REVISED DRAFT RESOLUTION.
SO YOU THINK IT'S THAT ONE? YEAH, IT SAYS VERSION TWO ON IT WHEN I'LL PULL IT UP.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE FOR, UM, SO PUBLIC THAT THEY, THAT THEY SAW THAT, SO THANK YOU.
SO WITH THOSE CHANGES MADE, WE'LL LAY THIS ON THE, UH, UH, TABLE, UH, TO, UH, TO COME BACK.
UH, WHAT ABOUT THE, UH, UH, RESOLUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO, UH, THE CONVENTION CENTER? THINK SOME PEOPLE HAD THE, UH, SOME AMENDMENTS TO, TO BRING TO, THIS IS ITEMS 1848 AND 95, AGAIN, 48.
I WAS JUST GONNA SAY, I AM STILL FINALIZING SOME DIRECTION.
IT'S BEEN EVOLVING THROUGH THE DAY AS WE'VE GOTTEN MORE INFORMATION AND I'M NOT QUITE FINISHED WITH THAT YET EITHER.
SO IF WE COULD, IF WE COULD DO SOME OTHER THINGS AND THEN COME BACK TO THESE, THIS BACK TO STUFF TOO.
UM, MY STAFF AND I ARE GONNA GET THIS POSTED ON THE MESSAGE FOR JUST AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
ON 1848 AND 95, UH, I THINK THAT GETS US THEN TO A HFC AND TO THE THREE ZONING CASES.
UM, LET'S, UH, LET'S TAKE CARE OF THE, THE THREE, UH, ZONING CASES, UH, THAT WE HAVE.
AND THEN WE'LL GO OVER TO HFC AND THEN COME BACK FOR THE TWO, UH, CITY COUNCIL ITEMS. DOES THAT WORK? COUNCIL TOVO? I THINK SO.
[83. C814-2018-0121 - 218 S. Lamar -Conduct a public hearing and approve an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 by rezoning property locally known as 218 South Lamar Boulevard ( Lady Bird Lake Watershed) Applicant Request: To rezone from general commercial services-vertical mixed use building (CS-V) combining district zoning to planned unit development (PUD) district zoning. Staff Recommendation and Planning Commission Recommendation: To grant planned unit development (PUD) district zoning. This ordinance may include waiver of fees, alternative funding methods, modifications of City regulations, and acquisition of property. Owner/Applicant: Michael Pfluger, William Reid Pfluger & the Pfluger Spousal Irrevocable Trust Agent: Drenner Group PC (Amanda Swor). City Staff: Heather Chaffin, 512-974-2122. 83. District(s): District 5]
BEGIN WITH ITEM 83 SOUTH LAMAR.THIS IS JERRY WITH THE PLANNING ZONING DEPARTMENT.
UM, THIS ITEM IS CASE NUMBER C8, THE LOCATED AT TWO SOUTH LAMAR RESTAURANT, UM, ADJACENT TO THE Z SCOTT THEATER JUST SOUTH OF THE RIVER.
THE PROPERTY IS A 1.26 ACRE TRACK, BUT IS CURRENTLY ZONED CSV.
THE REQUESTED ZONING IS P UD PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT.
THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD ALSO RECOMMENDED THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND THE APPLYING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION WITH TWO CHANGES.
ONE WAS THAT THEY'RE PARKING BE KEPT AT A MAXIMUM OF 80% OF THE CODE REQUIRED PARKING.
AND THE SECOND ONE IS THAT NO OFFICE USES BE ALLOWED ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING A P IN ORDER TO MODIFY THE, UH, SEVERAL THINGS.
UH, THE, THE UMR WOULD GO FROM TWO TO ONE TO 3.55 TO ONE.
THE HEIGHT WOULD GO FROM 60 FEET TO 96 FEET AND THERE WOULD BE NO SETBACKS, NO BUILDING SETBACKS ON THE PROPERTY IN EXCHANGE FOR BEING ALLOWED TO MODIFY THE CODE.
THE PPLICANT IS PROPOSING SEVERAL COMMUNITY BENEFITS.
UM, SEVERAL ARE ENVIRONMENTAL NATURE, SUCH AS THREE STAR GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM, RAIN WATER COLLECTION THAT ENHANCED LANDSCAPING AND CONNECTION TO THE PURPLE PIPE SYSTEM.
IN ADDITION, THE APPLICANT WILL BE PROVIDING ALL THE PARKING UNDERGROUND, WHICH IS NOT A CODE REQUIREMENT, BUT IS DESIRABLE FROM AN URBAN DESIGN PERSPECTIVE.
IT WILL BE PROVIDING SOME PARKING TO THE EMPLOYEES OF THE ZACH SCOTT THEATER NEXT DOOR, AS WELL AS, UM, ENHANCING AND EXPANDING OF THE PLAZA THAT EXIST RIGHT NOW.
UM, AT THE REAR END OF ZACH SCOTT, UH, THEY'RE ALSO PROPOSING $208,000 WORTH OF TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING ONES THAT ARE ON SITE.
THEY'VE AGREED TO NO DRIVEWAY ON THE SOUTH LAMAR, WHICH IS WHAT THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO SEE.
UM, AND THEY'RE ALSO DOING SOME OFFSITE IMPROVEMENTS,
[06:25:01]
IS FIVE WALKS ALONG TO ME ROAD.UM, FINALLY, THEY ARE ALSO OFFERING 1.5 MILLION, UM, IN MONEY FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND.
UM, UNDER THE PUT ORDINANCE, THE PROJECT IS IN OFFICE AND THEREFORE HAS NOW, UM, AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPONENT.
THE, THE PUT ORDINANCE WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO PAY 300 AND SOMETHING THOUSAND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND THEY'RE AGREEING TO PAY ABOUT 1.2 MILLION ON TOP OF THAT.
UM, WITH THAT, I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
IS THE APPLICANT SPEAK TO THIS? UH, MAY.
AND DID YOU WANNA SPEAK BEFORE WE LET APPLICANT SPEAK? UH, WELL, NO, I THINK THE APPLICANT CAN SPEAK FIRST.
I WOULD JUST WANNA SAY THAT I HAVE A, A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
AND SO HOW ARE YOU, UH, THINKING TO PROCEED THE APPLICANT SPEAK? AND THEN I CAN ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT JERRY.
CAUSE I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR JERRY AS WELL.
UH, UNLESS YOU WANTED, YOU ASKED YOUR QUESTIONS FIRST AND THEN THE APPLICANT THEN COULD OKAY.
IS THE APPLICANT HERE TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM? UH, SOMEONE CHECK AND SEE IF THE APPLICANT WANTS TO BE HERE TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM.
CAN STAFF DO THAT? HEY, RIGHT.
THE APPLICANT INTENDED TO SPEAK.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE ON THE LINE OR NOT.
WHO IS THE APPLICANT? WE NEED TO KNOW THE NAMES IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO, UM, OKAY, MAYOR, WELL, WE'RE CHECKING ON THAT.
UM, SO, UM, I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS, UM, ABOUT THIS, UM, APPLICATION AND A, A LOT OF, UH, CONCERNS ABOUT IT, UM, TO, TO TRY TO SUMMARIZE IT FOR FOLKS AND THEN GET TO THE QUESTIONS FOR, UH, JERRY.
UH, THERE'S, THERE'S A COUPLE BUCKETS THAT MY QUESTIONS FALL UNDER IN MY CONCERNS.
FIRST OFF IS ONE THAT WE, UM, WE DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY, AND THAT RELATES TO THE ELIGIBILITY AND THE APPLICABILITY OF EVEN USING THE, FOR THIS LOCATION.
SO I'LL COME BACK TO THAT IN A MINUTE.
BUT THE OTHERS RELATE TO WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE A VERY SERIOUS LACK OF SUPERIORITY.
UM, AND DRILLING DOWN FROM FROM THAT IS, UH, THE HOUSING ISSUES, UM, AND PARKING ISSUES AS WELL AS OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO OPEN SPACE, UM, AND LACK OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY.
SO I JUST, I SAY THAT, UH, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND THE RANGE TO THE QUESTIONS AND THE KEY AREAS THAT I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT.
SO, UM, I'D LIKE TO TALK FIRST, UM, ABOUT THE, UM, USE OF THE POD ZONING FOR THESE SMALL LOTS.
SO, UM, SO JERRY, UH, A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
UM, AND THEN I'LL SPEAK TO THIS MORE.
UM, SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT, AND YOU PROVIDED US SOME INFORMATION THAT, UH, THERE ARE, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE REQUEST HERE IS FOR, UM, CURRENT ZONING IS, UM, CSV, RIGHT? AND THE, THE, UM, REQUEST IS TO MOVE THAT TO PUT ZONE THAT'S CORRECT.
AND CSV CONTAINS A, UM, THE V IS A AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UH, COMPONENT, RIGHT? IF THE, IF THE APPLICANT CHOOSES TO BUILD WHAT WE CALL A VMU BUILDING, RIGHT? THEY COULD, THEY COULD RECEIVE CERTAIN BENEFITS SUCH AS, UH, UNLIMITED DENSITY MM-HMM.
EXCHANGE FOR PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND DOING OTHER THINGS.
UM, AND, AND THEY'RE BASE ZONING, THEIR HEIGHT WOULD BE 60 FEET? THAT'S CORRECT.
SO, UM, SO, AND, AND SO THE SIZE OF THIS ONE IS UNDER THE 10 ACRES, RIGHT? THAT'S, THAT'S, UM, SIZE OF THIS ONE'S UNDER 10 ACRES.
I THINK YOU SAID IT'S ONE POINT SOMETHING, 1.26.
SO YOU PROVIDED US WITH A SPREADSHEET, UH, THAT SHOWED US THE, THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT, UM, THIS COUNCIL, OR NOT THIS COUNCIL, BUT THE, THE CITY COUNCIL, UH, HAD APPROVED, UM, USING A POD FOR UNDER, UH, UNDER 10 ACRES, RIGHT? YES.
SO, SO I THINK THAT THAT'S AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT THAT.
SO MY POINT OF ALL THAT IS THAT, UH, THE OTHER THING I WANTED LET PEOPLE KNOW IS THAT I POSTED, UM, IN BACKUP A SUMMARY OF THE, OF THE, UH, LAW AND THE CONCERNS THAT I HAD ABOUT THE USE OF PUB ZONING FOR SMALL LOTS.
UH, WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.
[06:30:01]
THROUGH ALL THE DETAILS, BUT I WANNA HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS.SO FIRST OFF, WHAT WE'RE BEING ASKED TO DO HERE IS USE POD ZONING FOR AN AREA THAT IS UNDER 10 ACRES.
UM, THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE SPECIFIES THAT TO USE A POD FOR UNDER 10 ACRES, THE PROPERTY SHOULD BE, THE CODE SAYS THAT A POD MUST BE AT LEAST 10 ACRES UNLESS THE PROPERTY IS CHARACTERIZED BY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, UH, INCLUDE INCLUDING UNIQUE TOPOGRAPHIC CONSTRAINTS.
THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE BEING REQUESTED IN THIS CASE IS THE EXISTENCE OF THE WATERFRONT.
SO WHAT IS BEING REQUESTED IS THE USE OF ANOTHER ORDINANCE AS A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE, UM, INSTEAD OF A TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURE OR SOME KIND OF, UH, FEATURE, UH, LIKE WAS USED FOR THE TACO CORD WHERE IT WAS, UM, THREE SIDES, UH, WITH STREETS.
SO JERRY, CAN YOU SPEAK TO, UM, THAT SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE? DID, DID THE, UM, DID THE STAFF, UM, MAKE A FINDING RELATED TO, UH, WHAT A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE WOULD BE IN THIS CASE? UM, NO COUNCIL MEMBER, A STAFF AS TRADITIONALLY NOT MADE A FINDING OF A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE WITH REGARD TO A POD.
UM, I WOULD SAY THAT I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE, THE REASON THE AFRICAN STATED AS FOR THE, UH, SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE, THE, YOU KNOW, THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY ISSUE IS, IS, UM, YOU KNOW, SEPARATE FROM THE SIGNS OF THE PROPERTY.
UM, BUT UM, WE DID, WE, WE HAVE NOT, WE DID NOT ON THIS PART, UM, MAKE A FINDING OF A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE FOR THE 10 ACRE RATHER.
WE LOOKED AT THE, UM, APPLICATION AS A WHOLE.
I'M SORRY, THE LAST PART OF THAT, JERRY, WE LOOKED AT THE APPLICATION AS A WHOLE, WE LOOKED AT YOUR SUPERIORITY AND WHAT THEY WERE ASKING FOR.
UM, WE HAVE NOT IN THE PAST FOCUSED SPECIFICALLY ON, UH, WHAT SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, LESS INTENT TODAY.
SO, SO IN, SO IN THIS CASE, THE APPLICANT IS POINTING, I'M NOT SURE IF I HEARD YOU RIGHT.
IN THIS CASE, THE APPLICANT IS POINTING TO THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY.
IS THERE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE THAT, UH, BUT THIS IS NOT A, THAT, THAT YOU ALL AS STAFF DID NOT? YEAH, I DON'T, I DON'T TIE THOSE TWO ISSUES TOGETHER.
YOU, THE FACT IS THE PROPERTY IS IN THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY AND THE PROPERTY IS LESS THAN 10 ACRES.
BUT THE REASON IT'S LESS THAN 10 ACRES IS THAT, THAT THE BEAN IN THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY IN AND OF ITSELF IS A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE FOR THE 10 ACRE, UH, PROVISION.
WELL, DO WE HAVE A, DO WE HAVE, BUT YOU WOULD AGREE THAT THAT'S WHAT THE, THE, UM, THE APPLICANT IS SUGGESTING IS A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE? AM I UNDER? YES, THAT WAS, YES, THAT WAS WHAT THERE, THAT WAS THE REASON THEY USED.
SO JUST TO SUMMARIZE FOR MY COLLEAGUES, UH, WHAT'S BEING SUGGESTED HERE IS THAT, UH, A POD UNDER 10 ACRES, UH, CAN BE USED WITH A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE THAT IS ANOTHER, UM, ORDINANCE, THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY IN THIS CASE.
SO, UM, I, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT INTERPRETATION OF THE COUNCIL, UH, PREVIOUS COUNCIL.
WILL, THIS COUNCIL NOR PREVIOUS COUNCILS HAVE EVER USED THAT, UH, TO JUSTIFY A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE, UH, UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
AND THE ORDINANCE IS PRETTY CLEAR.
IT SAYS THAT UPON MUST BE AT LEAST 10 ACRES UNLESS THE PROPERTY IS CHARACTERIZED BY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLU, INCLUDING UNIQUE TOPOGRAPHIC CONSTRAINTS.
SO, UM, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE, UM, I DON'T THINK THAT, UH, THE THRESHOLD REQUIREMENT FOR USING A POD, UM, HAS BEEN MET.
AND, UM, UM, I ALSO THINK THAT NOW WE'VE HAD SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS AND MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE INTERPRETATION WAS THAT COUNCIL COULD APPROVE A PUT UNDER 10 ACRES WITHOUT FINDINGS.
I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT EITHER.
UM, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THAT, THAT JUST IGNORES THE LANGUAGE OF THE STATUTE.
SO, UM, SO THAT'S MY PRIMARY CONCERN.
AND I THINK, I THINK THAT WHAT WE WOULD BE DOING AS A COUNCIL IS UNPRECEDENTED.
AND I THINK THAT WHAT WE WOULD BE DOING AS A COUNCIL WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF ALLOWING US, ALLOWING US TO USE A POD IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, UH, BECAUSE WE WOULD BE, UH, IGNORING THE REQUIREMENT THAT UNDER 10 ACRES, UH, A PROPERTY, UM, IT HAS TO BE AT LEAST 10 ACRES, UH, UNLESS IT'S CHARACTERIZED BY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GONNA STOP THERE TO SEE IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS ANY QUESTIONS OF JERRY RELATED TO THAT BEFORE I GO ON TO MY CONCERNS ABOUT HOUSING.
[06:35:08]
MAYOR, I DON'T, PAUL.UM, I JUST WANTED TO TELL COUNCIL MEMBER HER KITCHEN, THAT HER QUESTIONS ARE REALLY SPOT ON AND SPECIFIC, AND I'M HAPPY TO HAVE HER CONTINUE WITH HER QUESTIONS.
SHE'S, UM, PICKING UP A LOT OF ISSUES THAT, UH, WERE DANGLING ANDS FOR ME.
I'M HAPPY TO HAVE HER CONTINUE.
I THINK ALLISON HAD OR HAND RAISE.
I'LL WAIT UNTIL AFTER WE, OKAY.
ALLISON, I JUST WANNA CLARIFY, I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, BUT THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY ON THIS QUESTION ABOUT, UM, WHETHER WE SHOULD BE USING A POD AS THE MECHANISM AS MUCH AS THE PLANNING PRINCIPLES.
AND I'M NOT SURE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A FULLY COMMERCIAL SITE AND I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD WANNA WANNA DO, AND I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T WANNA INTERRUPT YOUR LINE OF QUESTIONING COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, BUT I, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE TIME TO ASK THAT.
IT MAY BE MORE FOR THE APPLICANT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE APPLICANT'S ON YET.
I'LL, I'LL ASK ANOTHER FEW QUESTIONS AND THEN, BECAUSE NOW I'M GONNA TURN TO WHAT YOU WERE RAISING.
SO, UM, SO LIKE I SAID, AND I'VE, I'VE PROVIDED THIS IN BACK UP.
I, I, I THINK WE'RE NOT ACTING WITHIN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PET ORDINANCE IF, IF THIS IS APPROVED.
UM, BUT NOW I'D LIKE TO TURN TO THE OTHER THING THAT'S IN THE PET ORDINANCE IS THE, UM, IS THIS QUESTION OF SUPERIORITY.
UM, AND, UM, I DON'T THINK THAT WE'RE, UH, THAT THIS, UM, PROPOSAL MEETS SUPERIORITY, UM, WE'RE BASICALLY TALKING ABOUT TAKING A PROPERTY THAT WOULD'VE HAD THE POTENTIAL TO DO SOME VMU.
UM, IT'S IN AN AREA THAT IS ON A TRANSIT LINE, A BUS, RAPID TRANSIT LINE.
UM, AND WHAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEING SUGGESTED IS THE SUPERIORITY, UM, IS PARKING IN EXCESS OF WHAT'S REQUIRED.
SO I'M GONNA TALK FIRST ABOUT THE, THE HOUSING THOUGH.
SO JERRY, YOU MENTIONED THAT, UM, THERE WAS 1.5 MILLION FOR THE TRUST FUND.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST TO FOLKS THAT THAT IS NOT NEARLY SUFFICIENT, UM, BECAUSE WE ARE GIVING UP A PROPERTY THAT COULD BE USED FOR HOUSING AND, UH, ALLOWING, UM, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL VARIANCES, ET CETERA, FOR AN OFFICE FOR ONLY 1.5 MILLION IN HOUSING.
LIKE TO REMIND FOLKS THAT ACROSS THE STREET AT THE TACO PUB, THE TACO PUB, UM, PUT IN APPROXIMATELY 3 MILLION OR SO, I'M NOT REMEMBERING THE EXACT AMOUNT.
UM, AND PART OF THAT 2 MILLION OF THAT WAS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALONG SOUTH VERMONT.
SO WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IS WE'RE NOT HOLDING THOSE, UH, THE SAME, AND I'M NOT CERTAIN WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS, UH, PARTICULARLY IN LINE WITH THE FACT THAT OUR PRIORITY AS A COUNCIL IS HOUSING, UM, AND, UM, UH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PARTICULARLY ALONG OUR QUARTERS ARE TRANSIT QUARTERS, WHICH IS, SOUTH AMMAR IS A MAJOR TRANSIT CORRIDOR, UH, BOTH FOR, UM, THE CURRENT B R T LINE AND, AND UNDER, UM, UNDER OUR PROJECT CONNECT PLAN.
SO I, I DON'T SEE THE, UH, UH, EQUIVALENT HERE.
I DON'T SEE THE REASONING FOR, UM, SAYING THAT 1.5 MILLION IS AS ACCEPTABLE AS A HOUSING, UM, BENEFIT RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM A LOCATION WHERE WE GOT ABOUT 3 MILLION IN HOUSING.
SO I'M VERY, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE HOUSING ASPECT OF THIS AND I DON'T SEE IT, UM, AS SUPERIOR AT ALL.
SO, UM, ANYONE WANTS TO ASK ABOUT HOUSING BEFORE I MAYOR? I DID ACTUALLY.
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU CAN SEE ME.
UM, SO I ACTUALLY ASKED ABOUT THE THANKS COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR THAT INFORMATION.
I DID REQUEST THAT THROUGH THE Q AND A PROCESS.
UM, IT'S UNDER, IT'S UNDER THE Q AND A UNDER 83 AND ASKING FOR THAT TOTAL AMOUNT, WHICH WAS, AS YOU SAID, IT WAS 3.7 MILLION.
1.2 WAS CASH TO NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING.
UM, AND THEN THE OTHER 2.5 WAS TO A NONPROFIT PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SO I, I CONCUR, THINK, THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE ELEMENTS OF THIS PROPOSAL THAT, THAT I'M STRUGGLING WITH.
[06:40:03]
THE USE IS REALLY APPROPRIATE IN THIS AREA THAT, THAT USE OF OFFICE WHEN, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN AREA THAT IS SO CLOSE TO IS, IS AN AREA WHERE, YOU KNOW, WE WANTED TO SEE MORE HOUSING AND MORE DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS ORIENTED TO THE SURROUNDING AREAS.THE OTHER, THE OTHER ISSUE FOR ME IS WHETHER, YOU KNOW, THE, THE BASIC THRESHOLD OF THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT IS THAT IT'S A STRATEGY, A TOOL THAT SHOULD BE USED TO ACHIEVE, ACHIEVE A DE, UM, A DEVELOPMENT THAT IS SUPERIOR TO WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED UNDER CONVENTIONAL ZONING.
AND I'M REALLY STRUGGLING WITH HOW THIS PROJECT, IN ITS CURRENT CONCEPTION MEETS THAT BASIC THRESHOLD OF BEING A, BEING A PROJECT THAT IS SUPERIOR TO WHAT CAN BE DESIGNED UNDER CONVENTIONAL ZONING.
SO THOSE ARE A COUPLE OF THE THINGS THAT I AM REALLY MULLING OVER THE, HAVING THAT PRECEDENT ACROSS THE STREET AND THAT, YOU KNOW, UM, WHAT THE, WHAT THE PACKAGE OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS IS HERE COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHER PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH RECENTLY.
CAN I, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, SO I DON'T KNOW, IS MS. SW ON THE LINE YET? YES.
SO, UM, AS I ALLUDED TO EARLIER, AND, AND AS COUNCIL MEMBER TO, AND COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN HAS RAISED, UM, THIS PROJECT HAS NO RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT AND THAT, AND THERE'S ASSERTIONS THAT THE RE A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WOULD NOT BE VIABLE.
UM, I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM THE APPLICANT WHY RESIDENTIAL WOULDN'T BE AN APPROPRIATE COMPONENT ON THIS SITE.
UM, WE TALK ABOUT A DESPERATE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL HOUSING, BUT WE'RE ON THE VERGE OF MAKING A DISCRETIONARY CHOICE THAT PRECO RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN A HIGH OPPORTUNITY AREA WITH WELL RANKED SCHOOLS ON A CORRIDOR WITH TRANSIT.
UM, AND I, I'M, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE MARKET WOULDN'T SUPPORT HOUSING ON THIS SITE, AND IF THE MARKET WOULD SUPPORT HOUSING AT THIS SITE, WHY WOULD WE ADVANCE, UM, AN OFFICE BUILDING? SO, MS, FOR, CAN YOU SPEAK TO ME ABOUT WHY RESIDENTIAL WOULDN'T BE SUPPORTED BY THE MARKET HERE? YOU HEAR ME, RIGHT? YES.
UM, IF I UNDERSTOOD, I WAS BREAKING UP A LITTLE BIT.
IF I UNDERSTOOD YOUR QUESTION, IT WAS, WHY IS THIS NOT AN APPROPRIATE SITE FOR HOUSING OR, OR WHY IS OFFICE IN THIS LOCATION? THE, THE WAY THAT THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN APPROACHED IS WHAT IS, WHAT MAKES SENSE HERE FOR THE LONG TERM AND FOR THE CORRIDOR.
AND THIS IS A PART OF THE CORRIDOR THAT HAS CAUSING, BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE THE COMPLETE SET OF USES THAT ARE NEEDED TO MAKE A CORRIDOR AND TO HAVE THE USES THAT SUSTAIN WHAT SOUTH LAMAR IS LOOKING TO BE.
SO CURRENTLY TODAY YOU HAVE HOUSING, BUT YOU HAVE AREAS YOU HAVE NO FEET, THE STREETS DURING THE DAY, YOU HAVE NO ABILITY TO KEEP ANY OF THE, OF THE RESTAURANTS IN THE USES THAT ARE ON THE GROUND FLOOR VIABLE.
THE ONLY THINGS THAT ARE SURVIVING ON THIS CORRIDOR, WHICH SHOULD BE A THRIVING CORRIDOR, ARE USES THAT HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH COMPONENT TO 'EM.
THERE ARE THE RESTAURANTS THAT ARE THERE THAT DON'T HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH ARE CONSTANTLY TURNING OVER.
THERE'S NO ONE THERE DURING THE DAY TO, TO SUPPORT A COMPLETE CORRIDOR, WHICH IS WHAT IS IS LOOKING TO BE.
I'M GONNA HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THIS SIMILAR.
I MEAN, IN MY FIRST ON THE COUNCIL, UM, I HAD A PUTT IN MY DISTRICT WHERE MY COLLEAGUES INSISTED WE HAD TO USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE MORE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND AREA SURROUNDED BY MULTIFAMILY ZONING AND WHERE THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL HAD NO RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT AND INCIDENTALLY, NO RESIDENTIAL USES HAVE MATERIALIZED ON THAT SITE EVEN AFTER THE COUNCIL MAJORITY APPROVED ZONING.
I'M JUST NOT SURE THAT THIS SITE IS APPROPRIATE FOR ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENTITLEMENTS, BUT I'M GONNA THINK ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S AN AREA THAT IS CLOSE TO JOB CENTERS AND WELL RANKED SCHOOLS AND TRANSIT AND, AND I, I JUST, I'M HAVING TROUBLE NOT FITTING ANY RESIDENTIAL IN IT.
YEAH, I NORMALLY, WHEN WE GO THROUGH BIG CASES LIKE THIS, I
[06:45:01]
I DON'T KNOW IF THE APPLICANTS HAVE A PRESENTATION.I FEEL LIKE WE'VE KIND OF STARTED WITH THE Q AND A AND IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO, TO SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT.
BEFORE GETTING INTO SOME OF THE NITTY GRITTY QUESTIONS.
WE HAD INVITED THE APPLICANT TO SPEAK, BUT THE APPLICANT WASN'T ON THE PHONE YET.
DO YOU WANNA MAKE A PRESENTATION? YOU'RE ENTITLED TO DO THAT.
WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD, GET THE PRESENTATION THAT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE HOOK'S OFFICE PULLED UP.
DO YOU HAVE THE PRESENTATION? YES, SIR.
UM, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M AMANDA WITH GROUP HERE TO DISCUSS THE TWO 18 SOUTH OF MAR, ALSO KNOWN AS THE SCH.
I DO WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE, UM, STEVE RUNNERS ALSO ON THE LINE, AND WE WOULD BOTH BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AFTER THIS PRESENTATION, AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES INCLUDING OWNERSHIP, UH, CIVIL ENGINEER, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, AND TRANSPORTATION, AND THE ARCHITECT IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS, UH, REGARDING THE PROJECT.
THE STAFF MENTIONED WE'RE EXCITED TO BRING A PUT TO YOU THAT HAS A POSITIVE STAFF RECOMMENDATION AS WELL AS OVERWHELMING RECOMMENDATIONS OF SUPPORT FROM SMALLER PLANNING JOINT COMMITTEE.
UH, THEY VOTED WITH A FIVE TO ONE RECOMMENDATION, UH, THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION THAT VOTED WITH A 9 1 1 VOTE FOR RECOMMENDATION, AS WELL AS THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT VOTED WITH A TEN THREE VOTE, UM, OF SUPPORT AS WELL AS SUPPORT FROM THE CONDOMINIUM OWNERS THAT ARE WITHIN 200 FEET OF THIS REZONING REQUEST.
I DO WANNA TALK THROUGH THE, THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY QUESTIONS.
THROUGH THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY QUESTIONS AND WE, I HAD NOT, UM, PREPARED IN MY PRESENTATION TO TALK THROUGH THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBER PREVENTION.
WE ARE, UM, HAPPY TO ADDRESS THOSE AND ADDRESS THEM, UM, MORE FULLY.
AND IF, IF IT'S THE DESIRE OF THE COUNCIL, WE CAN WORK WITH STAFF TO DO THAT AND COME BACK IF THAT ENDS UP BEING SOMETHING THAT IS TALKED ABOUT.
UM, BUT YOU DID HEAR EARLIER TODAY ABOUT, UM, CONCERNS FROM HEIGHT AND THE MECHANISMS FOR OBTAINING THE 96 FEET THAT IS REQUESTED.
UM, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME QUESTIONS IF 96 FEET IS THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT ALLOWED IN THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY AND THAT THIS IS JUST A SIP OF THE CURRENT CODE THAT SHOWS THAT 96 FOOT MECHANISM IS THERE.
BUT WHAT THIS CODE UNFORTUNATELY DOESN'T HAVE IS A MECHANISM TO BONUS TO THAT 96 FEET AS PART OF THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY.
THE 96 FEET AND HEIGHT IN THIS AREA IS, IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT.
THIS IS A SNIP FROM THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY REGULATIONS THAT WERE IN EXIST IN THE EARLY EIGHTIES PRIOR TO THE PLAIN REWRITE.
AND WHAT YOU SEE THAT 96 FEET IS THE HEIGHT THAT WAS ACTUALLY ENVISIONED IN THE BUTLER SHORES AREA FROM THE INCEPTION OF THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY.
THERE WAS JUST TALK THAT Y'ALL HEARD ABOUT PODS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED SOUTH OF THE RIVER THAT WERE UNDER 10 ACRES, THAT THE POD MECHANISM WAS UTILIZED TO CREATE THE ADDITIONAL HEIGHT ALLOWED UNDER THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY.
THESE ARE, UM, THERE ARE OTHERS.
THESE ARE THE PODS THAT ARE CLOSEST TO THIS AREA THAT ARE UNDER 10 ACRES THAT ALL USED THE POD MECHANISM TO ACHIEVE ADDITIONAL HEIGHT UNDER THE WATERFRONT OVERLAY ONCE THOSE HEIGHT MAXIMUMS WERE REINSERTED INTO THE CODE.
I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND SKIP THIS ONE FOR AN INTEREST OF TIME.
THIS JUST SHOWS THE OTHER PROJECTS IN THE AREA OVER 60 FEET.
UM, SO AS I MENTIONED FROM A COMMUNITY BENEFITS PERSPECTIVE, THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN SUPPORTED ALONG THE WAY FROM STAFF AS WELL AS ALL OF THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT IT WENT TO.
I'M GONNA HIT, UM, PRETTY HIGH LEVEL THE FIVE AREAS THAT WE BROKE OUR COMMUNITY BENEFIT PACKAGE DOWN INTO NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
THE FIRST BEING THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS.
AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THIS PROJECT RECEIVED AN OVER OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CITY'S ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AND IS PROVIDING MANY ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS IN AN INTEREST OF TIME.
I'VE LISTED THE, THE HIGH LEVEL BENEFITS ON THIS SLIDE, AND I'M HAPPY TO TALK THROUGH THOSE AFTER MY PRESENTATION IF THE, IF THE COUNCIL DESIRES.
BUT AGAIN, THIS PROJECT IS NOT REQUESTING ANY VARIANCES, BUT RECEIVED A OVERWHELMINGLY UNANIMOUS VOTE OF SUPPORT FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUPERIORITY
[06:50:01]
ITEMS THAT GO ABOVE AND BEYOND CURRENT CODE THAT THE PROJECT IS PROVIDING.THIS AREA SOUTH OF RIVERSIDE AND WEST OF OF SOUTH LAMAR IS TRANSFORMING INTO OUR CULTURAL DISTRICT FOR THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY.
THE GROUND FOUR OF THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO PROVIDE GREAT ENHANCEMENTS TO THE CULTURAL AREA THAT A STANDARD BME PROJECT WOULD NOT PROVIDE.
AS YOU HEARD FROM SARAH EARLIER, DURING CITIZENS COMMUNICATION, THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A MUCH NEEDED RENT FREE ARTIST SPACE THAT WILL FRONT ON THE PUBLIC PLAZA.
IN ADDITION, THIS PROJECT IS PROVIDING OVER 40% OF THEIR GROUND FLOOR TO OPEN SPACE, WHICH AGAIN, YOU WOULD NOT SEE UNDER A VERTICAL MIXED USE BUILDING.
AND BY ORIENTING THE MAJORITY OF THAT OPEN SPACE TOWARDS THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE BUILDING, THIS PROJECT IS MORE THAN DOUBLING THE SIZE OF THE ZACH SCOTT'S PEOPLE PLAZA.
UM, THAT IS CADY CORNER TO THIS SITE.
THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO PROVIDE SOME MUCH NEEDED PARKING FOR AN AREA THAT IS CURRENTLY LACKING FOR GUESTS OF BOTH THE EXISTING ZACH SCOTT THEATER, AS WELL AS PARKING FOR FUTURE PATRONS OF THE DOHERTY ARTS CENTER.
THE GO ROUND FLOOR OF THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO HAVE RESTAURANT SPACE FOR PATRONS OF THE ARTS TO UTILIZE.
AND FINALLY, THIS PROJECT IS PROVIDING 30 ONSITE PARKING SPACES FOR THE ZPO EMPLOYEES.
WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT A COMMUNITY BENEFIT PACKAGE, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE PACKAGE, NOT JUST ONE COMPONENT OF IT.
THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT PACKAGE WILL PROVIDE A COMMUNITY VALUE BENEFIT OF OVER 1.1 MILLION FOR THE ARTIST SPACE ALONE AND AN ADDITIONAL 1.6 MILLION FOR DOLLARS FOR THE PARKING SPACES THAT WILL PROVIDED TO ZACH SCOTT.
THIS IS JUST TO ORIENT YOU ON THE ITEMS WE'VE DISCUSSED.
THE BOTTOM OF THIS PICTURE IS TO NEW ROAD WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SCREEN AS CELL WIRE.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE GREEN SPACE, THIS IS OVER 40% OF THE GROUND FLOOR BEING LEFT AS OPEN SPACE AND WITH A TYPICAL VERTICAL MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT WITH A CS.
SO, AND YOU COULD HAVE 95% IMPERVIOUS COVER OR NO VERY LITTLE OPEN SPACE ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
WHAT THIS PROJECT DID, AS I MENTIONED, IS IT PUT THE OPEN SPACE AND SITUATED IT BOTH ALONG LAMAR AND TO ME TO PROVIDE THAT PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE.
BUT THEN IT ALSO TOOK THAT VERY LARGE CLOSET AREA AND CONNECTED IT TO X PEOPLE PEOPLE'S PLAZA.
AS YOU SEE ON THE, ON THE TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE SCREEN, THE AREA IN YELLOW IS THE ARTIST GALLERY I MENTIONED THAT WILL SPILL OUT ONTO THE PLAZA AND REALLY ENHANCE THE CULTURAL DISTRICT THAT'S BEING CREATED IN THIS PART OF TOWN.
AND THE THE RED AREAS ARE THE RESTAURANT SPACE AND, AND RETAIL SPACE THAT WILL SERVE THIS AREA.
LIKE I SAID, BY HAVING DAYTIME PATRONS IN AN OFFICE BUILDING, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE RESTAURANTS THAT SURVIVE VERSUS RESTAURANTS THAT CONTINUE TO, TO CLOSE BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS SO PUT AT THE AUTO ORIENTED IN THIS AREA RIGHT NOW.
UNLIKE MOST OTHER BUILDINGS IN THIS AREA, ALL OF THE PARKING FOR THIS PROJECT WILL BE UNDERGROUND, NO ABOVE GRADE PARKING, NO SURFACE PARKING.
ALL PARKING WILL BE UNDERGROUND.
IN ADDITION AND IN LINE WITH THE CITY'S GOALS.
THE PARKING FOR THIS PUBLIC WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON A PAID BASIS.
MOST OFFICE BUILDINGS AND ALL RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS PROVIDE PARKING EXCLUSIVELY FOR THEIR TENANTS.
THEY DO NOT ALLOW OTHER PATIENTS TO PARK IN THEIR STRUCTURES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THIS PROJECT'S LOCATION ALONG A TRANSIT CORRIDOR AND TO MEET THE GOALS OF THE CITY.
THIS PARKING GARAGE WILL FUNCTION LIKE THE CITY HALL PARKING GARAGE DOES.
IT WILL PROVIDE PARKING FOR THE PROJECT.
IT WILL PROVIDE CULTURAL VISITORS, PARKING, PARKING FOR PARK VISITORS, AND ALL OF THIS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC 24 HOURS A DAY.
ALL OF THIS PARKING WILL BE PROVIDED WHILE STILL UTILIZING PARKING REDUCTIONS GIVEN THE GOALS OF THIS CORRIDOR AND STAYING BELOW THE CODE ALLOWED MAXIMUM PARKING FOR THE SITE.
THIS PROJECT CONDUCTED A TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS AND WORKED WITH THE AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT STAFF TO ADDRESS THEIR COMMUNITY NEEDS.
IN THE AREA IS STAFF MENTIONED THE PROJECT AGREED TO REMOVE A DRIVEWAY ALONG SOUTH LAMAR, WHICH IS ENVISIONED IN THE CORRIDOR PLAN THAT EXISTS TODAY TO ADDRESS TIA MITIGATIONS.
THE PET IS PAYING OVER $227,000 FOR OFFSITE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE DIRECTED BY STAFF.
THEY ARE, WE ARE ALSO CONDUCTING OFFSITE SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS TO FILL A MISSING SIDEWALK GAP ALONG TOING ROAD THAT WILL BE UTILIZED AS THE CULTURAL DISTRICT CONTINUES TO GROW.
IN ADDITION TO THE TIA REQUIREMENTS, THE PUT IS PROVIDING FUNDING FOR BUS STOP IMPROVEMENTS TO ADDRESS A BUS STOP THAT IS BEING RELOCATED AS PART OF THE CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS.
IT IS ALSO FUNDING CYCLE TRACK IMPROVEMENTS ALONG SOUTH LAMAR TOTALING $280,000 IN FUNDING FOR OFFSITE IMPROVEMENTS AND OVER $140,000 IN CONSTRUCTED SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE PEDESTRIAN, BOTH ONSITE AND OFFSITE.
[06:55:02]
AND FINALLY, I WANNA TOUCH ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.THIS NON RESIDENTIAL PROJECT WOULD REQUIRE A FEE IN LIEU OF $357,000 FOR THE FIVE, FOR THE 51,134 BONUS FEE.
SO 51,000 BONUS FEE FOR A FEE OF $357,000.
IN ADDITION TO THAT FEE THAT IS REQUIRED AS PART OF THE PUT ORDINANCE, WE ARE PROPOSING TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL $101,150,000 PAYABLE ALSO TO THE AUSTIN HOUSING TRUST FUND FOR A TOTAL OF OVER $1.5 MILLION.
THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PACKAGE THAT WAS PROVIDED FOR THE PUT ACROSS THE STREET IN THIS PACKAGE.
WHAT I WOULD POINT YOU TO IS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE, IN THE BONUS SQUARE FOOTAGE THAT'S BEING ACHIEVED.
THIS PUT IS ASKING FOR LESS THAN HA ABOUT HALF OF THE BONUS SQUARE FOOTAGE THAT WAS ACHIEVED UNDER THE OTHER PUT, AND THE OTHER PUT ALSO HAD A REQUIREMENT FOR ON, FOR ONSITE HOUSING, WHICH THIS PEN DOES NOT HAVE TODAY.
AND SO WITH THAT, I WILL PAUSE AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
AND AGAIN, UM, MYSELF AND STEVE ARE ON THE LINE FOR GROUP AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE OWNER, ARCHITECT, CIVIL ENGINEER, TRAFFIC ENGINEER.
UM, SO, UH, I HAVE, UH, I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS, UM, AND I'M GONNA FOCUS ON JUST A FEW.
UH, WELL FIRST OFF, UM, IF YOU COULD PUT UP THAT PRESENTATION AGAIN.
I WANTED, THERE'S ONE ASPECT OF IT I WANTED TO, TO LOOK AT AGAIN.
UM, IF YOU COULD GO BACK TO SLIDE NUMBER SIX.
THAT'S, THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN THE SLIDE THAT WAS HANDED.
SLIDE NUMBER FIVE, NO, CELL NUMBER SIX IS WHAT I WANNA SEE.
SO THE, THE, UH, THE BACKUP, NOT THIS ONE.
THE NEXT ONE? YEAH, THIS ONE SHOWS, I, I JUST, THIS IS THE ONE THAT YOU PASSED OVER, BUT, UM, THE ONE THAT WE HAVE IN BACKUP THAT ALL OF US RECEIVED SHOWS THAT, THAT ALL THE OTHER PROPERTIES SURROUNDING THIS ONE ARE LESS THAN THE 96 FEET THAT THIS TWO 18 SOUTH LAMAR AT 96 FEET WILL BE THE ONLY ONE AT 96 FEET ON THAT SIDE OF LAMAR, ZACH SCOTT THEATER, WHICH IS RIGHT NEXT TO IT, 70 FEET.
AND YOU CAN SEE, UH, I JUST WANT, I THOUGHT THAT WAS, I UNDERSTAND NOW ACROSS THE STREET, OF COURSE, TACO PUT IS 96 FEET, BUT THAT'S ACROSS THE STREET.
SO EVERYTHING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF LAMAR IS, UM, IS, UH, TO THE WEST OF LAMAR IS LESS THAN THAT.
AND RIGHT NEXT TO ZACH SCOTT THEATER IS 70 FEET.
AND THEN YOU'VE GOT OTHER PROJECTS AROUND THERE THAT RANGE FROM 70, 74 FEET OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO, UM, I WANNA FOCUS IN AMANDA ON THE PARKING.
SO, UM, SO IF YOU CAN TAKE THE SLIDE DOWN IF YOU'D LIKE.
CAN YOU TAKE THE SLIDE DOWN? OKAY.
SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE TRIED TO WORK WITH AND I REALLY APP APPRECIATE, UM, THE TERM THAT, THAT YOU ALL SPENT WITH US AND, UH, WITH THE NEIGHBORS AND TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THE PARKING.
AND I'M, I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO, TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ON HOW THE PARKING WAS HANDLED BECAUSE I THINK THAT, UM, THE DIRECTION WE WERE HEADED IN PERHAPS COULD HAVE, COULD HAVE REALLY ADDRESSED A COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND PERHAPS COULD HAVE BEEN SUPERIOR.
BUT AS IT IS, IS WHAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS, UM, IS YOU'VE GOT AN UNDERGROUND PARKING A, A SPACE THAT'S ABOUT 150 OR 154, GIVE OR TAKE PARKING SPACES THAT ARE OVER AND ABOVE WHAT'S NEEDED FOR THE OFFICE BILL.
AND, UM, WELL, I APPRECIATE THAT 30 OF THEM ARE DEDICATED TO ZACH.
SCOTT, WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO WORK OUT WITH YOU ALL WAS RELIEVING TO TRULY BE A COMMUNITY BENEFIT FOR THIS AREA WHO WERE TRYING TO WORK OUT HOW THESE PARKING SPACES COULD BE USED FOR, UM, TO RELIEVE THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS OF THE DOOR ART CENTER, WHICH IS, UH, RIGHT NOW THINKING, YOU KNOW, HAVING TO LOOK AT A TWO STORY PARKING GARAGE JUST WEST OF THAT AREA, DOWN TOMY ROAD.
AND SO THE, THE, THE PROCESS WE WERE GOING THROUGH, AS YOU KNOW,
[07:00:01]
WAS TO TRY TO DEDICATE SOME OF THOSE SPACES FOR PARK.UM, AND, AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH YOUR CLIENT ON THAT.
UM, SO I KNOW THAT, UM, SO WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE IS PARKING SPACES THAT QUITE A FEW ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES THAT ARE NOT NEEDED FOR THE OFFICE PART.
AND THEY'RE, YES, THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, BUT THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT A CHARGE.
UM, AND THE, AND THAT'S ADDITIONAL REVENUE, UH, FOR, FOR, UH, YOU KNOW, FOR THIS OFFICE IT'S NOT A BENEFIT FOR THE PUBLIC, IT'S ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THIS OFFICE.
AND SO, UM, IN, IN TALKING WITH OUR, UM, OUR PART FOLKS AND I, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO, WE CAN, WE CAN REACH OUT TO THEM IF THEY'RE AVAILABLE, UM, TO SPEAK TO US.
AND I WOULD INVITE THEM TO, TO SPEAK UP IF THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO GET ON THE LINE.
UM, MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THEM IS IF, IF YOU, IF WE COULD REACH AN AGREEMENT WHERE YOU COULD OFFER, UH, SOME ADDITIONAL SPACES THAT ARE DEDICATED FOR PAR AND THAT YOU COULD ALSO WORK ON AN AGREEMENT THAT, UM, THAT, UH, MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO, FOR PAR TO HAVE, UM, VALIDATED PARKING FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, THAT THAT COULD WORK TO RELIEVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR PAR TO PUT A TWO STORY PARKING GARAGE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET TO THE WEST.
SO, UM, I I BRING THAT UP BECAUSE, UH, BECAUSE I THINK FOR THE PARKING IN THIS LOCATION TO TRULY BE A PUBLIC BENEFIT AND TO TRULY BE A PUBLIC BENEFIT FOR THIS CULTURAL AREA, AS YOU MENTIONED, WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT THE DOHERTY ARTS CENTER AND PART MEETS.
OTHERWISE, WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS, IS ABOUT 154 EXTRA SPACES TO BE PAID FOR BY THE PUBLIC, UM, AT THE, AT A CORNER THAT'S ON LAMAR, WHICH IS A TRANSIT QUARTER IN A PLACE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO REDUCE PARKING, UH, BECAUSE OF OUR GOALS AROUND TRANSIT.
SO, UM, SO I'M WONDERING IF, IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO WHETHER YOU ALL WOULD BE WILLING TO, TO CONSIDER THE LATEST PROPOSAL FROM PART IS, UH, 40 ADDITIONAL SPACE IS PLUS THE, UM, UH, PLUS VALIDATION, UM, OF PARKING.
UM, I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS TO GET TO A PART OF A POINT WHERE PART WOULD NOT NEED THAT, UM, EXTRA SPACE NOW SEE THAT KIMBERLY IS ON.
UM, AND I DON'T KNOW IF LEONA'S ON OR SOMEONE ELSE, UM, RELATED TO PART, I'D LIKE TO ASK OUR STAFF WHAT THEY WOULD NEED IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO, UM, UH, CONSIDER, UH, A REDUCTION IN THAT PARKING, UM, REQUIRED FOR CARD.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, THIS IS KIMBERLY MC AND IT IS, UM, MOST APPROPRIATE FOR LEONA AND KEVIN JOHNSON TO BE MOVED OVER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CONVERSATION BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE MOST EXPERTISE AND DETAIL RELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR P.
SO IF WE COULD, IF WE COULD MOVE THEM OVER, I THINK THAT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL TO THE CONVERSATION.
UH, IF WE COULD MOVE THEM OVER, I'D LIKE TO ASK THEM A FEW QUESTIONS.
THIS IS JULIAN, IF YOU HEAR ME? YES.
SO LEANNA, COULD YOU, COULD YOU SPEAK TO THE, UM, I, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD THE PREVIOUS CONVERSATION, BUT IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THE QUESTION OF, OF WHAT, WHAT PART WOULD NEED FOR THE
WHICH BY THE WAY, IF WE REDUCE THAT, THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO PRESERVE MORE OF THE EXISTING PARK SPACE FOR GREEN SPACE, UM, INSTEAD OF YOU HAVING TO BUILD YOUR OWN PARKING GARAGE.
SO COULD YOU TO THAT? UM, I WOULD LIKE TO, UH, START BY SAYING THAT WE ARE STILL IN THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN, UH, AND WE ARE EXPLORING DIFFERENT OPTIONS, UM, AS, UM, WE WERE INSTRUCTED BY COUNCIL.
UM, BUT WE KNOW THAT WE WOULD NEED, WE HAVE SEVERAL NEEDS IN TERMS OF PARKING RELATED TO THE DOCK.
AND THOSE HAVE TO DO WITH EMPLOYEE PARKING, UH, AND, UH, PARKING THAT IS NEEDED FOR PATRONS TO ATTEND EVENTS.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT, UH, A MINIMUM OF ABOUT 40 SPACES FOR EMPLOYEES WILL, THAT ARE DEDICATED IN PERPETUITY
[07:05:01]
TO THE DECK WILL ALLOW US, UM, MOST PROBABLY TO, UM, ELIMINATE ONE OF THE FLOOR PLATES FOR PARKING.THE SECOND NEED THAT HAS TO DO WITH, UH, DEMAND, UH, PEAK DEMAND FOR, UM, PERFORMANCES, THAT'S ACTUALLY COMING PROBABLY AT A GOOD TIME WITH THIS, UH, WITH THE USE OF THIS PROJECT, BECAUSE OFFICE USES PRIMARILY DURING THE DAY PERFORMANCES ARE, UM, MOST OFTEN DURING THE NIGHT, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE PROBABLY A PEAK USE FOR ABOUT 200, UM, SPACES, MAYBE EVEN MORE FOR A FEW EVENTS OVER THE YEAR, DURING THE YEAR.
IF A VALIDATION PROCESS IS IN PLACE SO THAT, UH, PATRONS CAN ATTEND EVENTS, UM, AT A, AT A, UH, WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOURS, THEN THAT WILL AGAIN, RELIEVE THE NEED FOR, UH, STRUCTURED PARKING AND WILL BE ABLE TO PRESERVE MORE PART LAND.
AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE DIRECTION, UM, THAT THE, UM, AND I KNOW, UH, AMANDA, IF YOU'RE STILL ON THE LINE, I KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS AND YOU HAVE BEEN WILLING TO COME TO THE TABLE AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
IT'S JUST THAT OUR PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS DIDN'T GET US TO THE POINT WHERE WE FEEL THE NEED.
AND SO I WANTING TO ASK, ARE YOU ALL WILLING TO COME BACK TO THE TABLE, UM, AND, AND LOOK AT WHAT I THINK PART IS TELLING US IS THE MINIMUM THEY WOULD NEED IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO TRULY HAVE A, UM, SUPERIOR DEVELOPMENT AND A COMMUNITY BENEFIT RELATED TO THE CULTURAL AREA AND THE, THE PARKING GARAGE? UH, THIS, CAN YOU HEAR, YOU'RE BREAKING UP CLOSE TO YOUR MIC COUNCIL MEMBER, CAN YOU HEAR ME BETTER? YES.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS.
UH, SINCE I WAS THE ONE MOST DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE PARKING DISCUSSION, I THOUGHT I WAS THE PROBABLY THE APPROPRIATE PERSON TO ANSWER.
LET ME ADDRESS A COUPLE OF ISSUES.
AND, AND WHERE I'M GOING TO END UP WITH THIS IS OF COURSE, AS WE HAVE BEEN, WE'RE WILLING TO DISCUSS, UH, ANYTHING.
AND I HOPE THAT, UH, YOU WILL SUPPORT THE FACT THAT THAT HAS BEEN OUR ATTITUDE.
IN FACT, WE TOOK A MONTH POSTPONE OVER THE SUMMER BREAK TO ALLOW HARD AND THE FOLKS PLANNING FOR THE DOHERTY TO TRY TO COME UP WITH A, WITH AN ASK.
AND WE CAME BACK FROM SUMMER BREAK AND SINCE THEN THERE WAS NO ASK.
IT HAS BEEN, HEY, WE JUST DON'T KNOW.
SO, UH, WE HAVE MOVED FORWARD WITHOUT A, A PROPOSAL BECAUSE FRANKLY WE NEVER GOT A REQUEST.
THAT HARD REQUEST, THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THAT WE HAVE SEEN, AND WE WILL ABSOLUTELY TAKE IT UNDER ADVISEMENT, BUT I DO WANT TO CONTEST A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I, I DON'T BELIEVE ARE ACCURATE.
ONE IS THAT YOU'RE IDENTIFYING 154, UH, EXTRA SPACES, UM, BY CODE WE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO, UH, PROVIDE 675 SPACES, UH, IF WE DIDN'T USE ANY OF THE AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS, OUR PARKING SPACE IS TOTAL 6 35.
SO, UH, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE, UH, 154 EXTRA SPACES.
I, I'M PUZZLED WITH THE IDEA THAT THEY, THAT THEY ARE OF BENEFIT, BUT ONLY IF THEY ARE FREE.
WE ARE ASKING THE OFFICE TENANTS TO DO SOMETHING THAT NO OTHER OFFICE BUILDING HAS DONE, WHICH IS, YOU DON'T HAVE AN ASSIGNED SPACE, YOU DON'T HAVE A GARAGE THAT'S HELD OPEN JUST FOR YOU.
UH, AND THEN TO, AND TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USE ALTERNATIVE FORM THE TRANSP, EVEN TO THE PUBLIC.
AND, AND SOMEHOW THAT HAS BECOME A NEGATIVE BECAUSE WE CHARGE FOR IT.
LIKE CITY HALL PARKING IS NOT FREE.
UH, AND, AND THAT'S THE POINT THAT I WOULD MAKE.
CITY HALL BENEFITS THE DISTRICT DOWNTOWN, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR PARKING.
AND THAT WOULD BE THE CASE, I THINK, IN THIS AREA.
I WOULD ALSO, UH, SUGGEST THAT BY DOING THAT, WE'RE, WE'RE
[07:10:01]
DOING MORE IN, IN TERMS OF ASKING OUR TENANTS TO, UH, TO, TO HANDLE HAVING PARKING, UH, IN AN OPEN GARAGE AND PAYING.AND WE'RE DOING MORE THAN IF TO, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THAN THE CITY IS DOING BECAUSE THE CITY IS SAYING TO US, WELL, GEE, WE HAVE TO HAVE GUARANTEED SPACES AND THEY HAVE TO BE FREE.
AND, AND THERE'S NOT A SINGLE USER IN THAT GARAGE THAT WOULD HAVE THAT SITUATION.
WE'VE RESERVED FOR ZACH SCOTT.
SO LET ME END WITH, UM, MORE THAN HAPPY TO CONSIDER, I WOULD HOPE THAT WE COULD DO THAT IF THIS MOVE FORWARD TONIGHT ON FIRST READING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING.
AND I ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL TRY TO, UH, MOVE MOUNTAINS TO ACCOMMODATE THE CITY'S REQUEST.
AND, AND I'M GLAD THAT THE CITY HAS GOTTEN TO A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN MAKE A SPECIFIC REQUEST.
UH, MAYOR, CAN I FOLLOW UP FOR A MOMENT? YES, YES.
UM, UH, YOU KNOW, FIRST OFF, I, AS I SAID BEFORE, I CERTAINLY DO APPRECIATE
CUZ I DON'T THINK THAT'S ACCURATE.
BUT, UM, I DO APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO COME, COME, COME AND SIT BACK DOWN.
THERE WAS A PREVIOUS REQUEST THAT WAS, THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTED.
SO THE OTHER THING I WOULD JUST SAY THAT THE POINT ABOUT THE PARKING IS, IS I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING ABOUT THE PARKING, IS JUST THE QUESTION REALLY IS, IS THIS THE LOCATION AND IS THIS THE KIND OF BENEFIT WE WANT FOR THIS LOCATION THAT MANY, THAT MANY SPACES FOR PARKING, UM, ALONG A TRAIN LINE, UNDER AN OFFICE BUILDING? I, I SERIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, I CAN SEE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IN ANOTHER LOCATION, BUT I DON'T REALLY CONSIDER THAT IN A QUAD CONTEXT TO BE A COMMUNITY BENEFIT.
THE OTHER THING IS, IS THE REASON I WAS CHARACTERIZING THAT AS EXTRA PARKING SPACES IS BECAUSE IT IS EXTRA BASED, JUST BASED ON MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT YOUR REQUEST WAS UNDER THE POD.
BECAUSE PART OF WHAT YOU WERE REQUESTING WAS A REDUCED PARKING SPACE, SO YOU WERE REQUESTING REDUCED PARKING SPACES, UM, WHAT YOU WERE REQUIRED AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT ABILITY TO REQUEST REDUCED PARKING SPACES.
SO, UM, SO THAT'S THE, AND THAT, THAT'S BEEN MY UNDERSTANDING FROM MY CONVERSATIONS, YOU KNOW, WITH YOU FOR A WHILE NOW.
UM, AND ALSO WHAT'S WRITTEN IN THE, UH, WHAT'S WRITTEN INTO THE, UM, THE REQUEST.
BUT BE THAT AS MAY, I, I JUST DON'T, UM, THE, THE, THE, THE POINT HERE ABOUT THE PARKING IS, IS I DON'T SEE IT AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT.
I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE LOCATION WHERE WE NEED A PARKING GARAGE ALONG THE MAJOR TRANSIT LINE.
UM, UH, YOU KNOW, EVEN EVEN IF WE, YOU KNOW, GO AHEAD.
YOU KNOW, EVEN IF THE THINKING IS THAT OFFICE MAKES SENSE THERE, A BIG PARKING GARAGE TO MAKE PARKING AVAILABLE TO THE, TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT NEXT TO A BUS RAPID TRANSIT LINE ON A STREET THAT HEADS INTO, UH, SOUTH LAMAR JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
SO I'M, UH, APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE SUGGESTING THAT YOU WILL SIT DOWN, UM, AND CONSIDER THE THE SPECIFIC REQUEST THAT'S MADE THAT HAS BEEN MADE, UH, RELATED TO PARKING.
UM, I, I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS.
DO YOU, LET'S WANNA ASK QUESTIONS FIRST, DON'T YOU, HANG ON A SECOND.
LET'S GET SOME OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT I'VE HAD HAND RAISE.
HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO TALK YET, BUT WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU.
ALICE, THIS IS ON THE SAME TOPIC, SO I, UH, DIDN'T WANT TO CUT IN BETWEEN YOUR QUESTIONS, BUT THOUGHT IT MIGHT HELP OUR CONVERSATIONS KIND OF, WE ARE MOVING THROUGH THESE TOPICS TOGETHER.
UM, UH, MISS VEKA, CAN YOU TELL ME IF THE PARKS DEPARTMENT BUILDING RIGHT NOW, ARE YOU LACKING PARKING RIGHT NOW OR IS IT A MATTER OF COMBINING THE DOHERTY ARTS CENTER THERE THAT'S CREATING A CONCERN FOR PARKING? SO THIS IS GONNA BE A NEW SITE FOR THE DOHERTY ARTS CENTER, SO IT'S GONNA BE A NEW USE AND, UH, IT WILL COME WITH REQUIREMENTS FOR PARKING.
RIGHT NOW, THE PARKING THAT IS THERE SERVES THE, UM, MAIN BUILDING AND THERE IS A LITTLE BIT MORE PARKING, SURFACE PARKING, BUT THAT IS CERTAINLY NOT SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE NEEDS FOR THE DO YARD CENTER.
[07:15:12]
MAYOR, I THINK WE LOST COUNT, LOST PAGE.IT CUT OUT RIGHT WHEN YOU WERE ANSWERING
UM, THE EXISTING PARKING THERE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE NEEDS FOR THE NEW DIRTY ART CENTER AND, UM, BECAUSE OF THE, UM, EVENTS, UM, THIS WOULD PROBABLY BE THE PEAK DEMAND THAT WE WILL SEE ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW, UH, CENTER.
UM, I AM KIND OF STRUGGLING EVEN THOUGH I APPRECIATE, UM, A REQUEST TO HAVE EVERYBODY BE COMMUNITY PARTNERS WITH SITUATIONS LIKE PARKING.
UM, WHEN WE GO TO THE PALMER EVENT CENTER, I PAY FOR PARKING.
I THINK WE PAY FOR PARKING AT THE DOHERTY RIGHT NOW.
AND SO I'M KIND OF STRUGGLING WITH THIS REQUEST OF, UM, HOW, HOW WE, HOW WE BALANCE THAT.
UM, BUT I DO THINK IT BEING ON A TRANSIT LINE IS HELPFUL SO THAT IT CAN HELP MITIGATE PARKING CONCERNS FOR NO MATTER WHICH BUILDING PEOPLE ARE GOING TO, WHETHER IT'S THE MANY RESIDENCES NEARBY, WHETHER IT'S A NEW OFFICE BUILDING, WHETHER IT'S, UM, GOING TO TOWN LAKE TRAIL.
I THINK HAVING THE RIGHT BLEND OF PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION IS WHAT A LOT OF US HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK TOWARD FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
UM, SO I CAN, I CAN DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THAT, BUT I'M, UM, INTERESTED IN SEEING HOW THE CONVERSATION AROUND THESE PARTICULAR SPACES GO MOVING FORWARD.
BUT I THINK IT IS KIND OF ODD TO HAVE A PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT COMMIT TO, UM, TO, IN THIS PARKING NOT KNOWING EXACTLY HOW THE REST OF THIS DEAL'S GONNA WORK OUT.
BUT I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE, THE CONVERSATION.
AND IF I MAY ADD TO THIS, WE ARE TRYING TO OPTIMIZE THE PARKING AND ACTUALLY MINIMIZE IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
SO THAT WILL BE DEFINITELY ONE OF THE GOALS.
AND THE PARKING NOW, UH, FOR DIRTY IS FREE, SO EVERY PATRON CAN COME AND, UH, ENJOY, UM, THE EVENTS AND, UH, UM, THE CLASSES AT THE DECK WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY FOR.
I, I APPRECIATE THAT CLARIFICATION.
I KNOW THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER BUILDINGS THAT THE CITY DOES HAVE PEOPLE PAID FOR, BUT I DO APPRECIATE THAT.
I MAY, I MAY HAVE MORE QUESTIONS LATER, BUT JUST WANTED TO GET BACK CLARIFICATION.
ANYONE ELSE HAVE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO BACK TO, UH, ANN AND YOU'RE OUT? UM, OKAY.
NOW MY QUESTIONS RELATE TO THE TRANSPORTATION.
UM, AND SO, UH, I, THESE ARE RELATED TO THE TIA, UM, SO I, I DON'T KNOW, I MAY NEED, UM, AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION TO RESPOND TO IT.
I'M NOT SURE ERIC, JERRY, I'M NOT SURE WHO CAN RESPOND.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER, I BELIEVE THAT OR SHOULD MOVED OVERLY.
SO THESE QUESTIONS RELATE TO SOME OF THE, OF THE CONCERNS THAT'S BEEN RAISED, UM, IS ABOUT THE, UM, UH, THE, THE FLOW OF THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC.
AND SO I HAD A FEW QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE TIA AND THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ON THE, ON IN THAT AREA SINCE IT, UH, WILL, UH, EMPTY OUT ON THE TOY ROAD.
SO, UM, MY QUESTIONS WERE, IT WAS LOOKING TO ME FROM READING THE TIA, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WERE NOT, UM, THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC IN THAT AREA.
AND ONE OF THE REASONS I'M ASKING THAT IS THIS, THIS IS A, UM, THIS IS AN AREA THAT IS, THAT'S PROBLEMATIC FROM A TRAFFIC STANDPOINT, UH, PARTICULARLY ALONG, UH, TO ME ROAD.
AND IT'S ONE OF THE, ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE, UH, NEIGHBORS ARE, UH, CONCERNED ABOUT IT.
SO LET ME JUST ASK THOSE QUESTIONS.
SO, UM, IT LOOKED TO ME LIKE THE, UH, TRAFFIC ANALYSIS DID NOT ACCOUNT FOR, UH, TRAFFIC FROM THE CARPENTER HOTEL RESTAURANT, UH, FROM THE TACO PUT.
UM, AND THEN IT ALSO LOOKED LIKE, UM, THERE WAS AN ASSUMPTION OF, UH, ONE OF THE, THE FOLKS THAT, UM, SPOKE TO US EARLIER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT AN ASSUMPTION ABOUT ZERO TRAFFIC, UH, ON TWO ME AND TURK UHK, I,
[07:20:01]
AND, UM, SO I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THAT ALSO.UH, SO WHY DON'T YOU SPEAK TO THOSE FIRST AND THEN I'LL ASK MY LAST QUESTION AFTER THAT.
THIS IS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
UM, SO BASICALLY WITH REGARDS TO, UM, THE SUMPTION IS BASED ON THE EXISTING TRAFFIC PATTERN IN AREA AND THE TA BASICALLY BASED THE TRAFFIC IN THE TIA ON THE, AT THOSE INTERSECTIONS.
UM, AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PREDICT WHICH WAY TRAFFIC IS GONNA GO, BUT THAT IS THE BESTED PLACE BASED ON THE, IN THE AREA.
BUT DID THE TRAFFIC FLOW TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE, UH, THERE'S A COUPLE OF TRAFFIC GENERATORS IN THAT AREA? DID IT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CARPENTER HOTEL RESTAURANT? UM, SO I BELIEVE COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, ALL THE PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT, THOSE WERE, UM, INCLUDED IN THE BACKGROUND IN THE TRAFFIC IN THE TIA.
AND ALSO ON TOP OF THAT WE, I I MEAN THE AFRICA HAD INCLUDED THE EXISTING TRAFFICS FOR THE TIA, I BELIEVE LIKE ALL THE, UM, WAS INCLUDED IN THE BACKGROUND FOR THE TRAFFICS.
THIS IS, I MIGHT BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT QUESTION IF, IF I MIGHT.
I'D LIKE TO TALK TO OUR STAFF.
SO, UM, OKAY, WELL I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU AFTERWARDS.
I MAY HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD, UH, BECAUSE I WAS THINKING THAT THE RESTAURANT WAS NOT ACCOUNTED FOR, NOR WAS THE TACO PLAY.
SO LET ME ASK YOU ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE TA THEN.
SO, UM, SO JUST FOR BASICS, JUST TO UNDERSTAND, SO IS THE THINKING THAT MOST OF THE TRAFFIC WOULD COME FROM THE NORTH, UM, A ACROSS THE BRIDGE, UM, AND THEN INTO THE, THE OFFICE BUILDING? IS THAT PART OF THE TIA ASSUMPTION? YES.
UH, SO THERE IS THE ASSUMPTION BASED ON THAT EXISTING TRAFFIC PATTERN IN THAT AREA.
SO THE THINKING IS THAT THE USE WOULD BE, UH, MOSTLY, I THINK IT WAS 69% FROM THE NORTH AND NOT FROM THE SOUTH? YES.
THEN THE FINAL QUESTION THERE IS, IN THIS ONE I REALLY HAD A, A QUESTION ABOUT IS THAT THE, THE TRAFFIC FLOW, THERE'S A, THERE'S AN ASSUMPTION ABOUT HOW PEOPLE WOULD COME OUT OF THE GARAGE, WHICH I THINK, UH, MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO THINKING ABOUT THE IMPACT ON TO ME AND ON LAMAR.
SO I THINK THE ASSUMPTION, AM I RIGHT IN, IN THINKING THIS ASSUMPTION WAS TO TURN, AM MY GARAGE TURN LEFT ON, TURN TO ME, TURN RIGHT ON SOUTH LAMAR, THE RIGHT ON MARTIN SPRINGS ROAD? YES.
DID, DID THE TA ALSO MODEL THE IMPACT OF, WHICH MAKES MORE SENSE TO ME IS THE IMPACT OF TURNING RIGHT ONTO TO ME THEN GOING DOWN TO ME AND THEN TURNING ON LEFT ONTO JESSE OR, OR ORING I CAN'T STING AND, AND THEN ON MARTIN SPRINGS, BECAUSE THAT WAY YOU COULD AVOID TWO SIGNALS AND AVOID THE SOUTH OF OUR TRAFFIC.
SO WAS THAT APPROACH, UM, MODELED, UH, COUNCIL, REMEMBER THAT WAS MODELED AS A PRIMARY MOVEMENT BECAUSE BASED ON THAT CURRENT TRAFFIC PATTERN IN AREA, MAJORITY OF THE TRAFFIC, UM, THEY TAKE TO ME.
AND THEN SO LAMAR, BUT YES, THERE'S A POSSIBILITY, BUT BASED ON THE CURRENT TRAFFIC PATTERN, THAT WAS NOT THE MAJORITY OF THE MOVEMENT INCLUDED THE CIA.
WELL, THAT, THAT'S MY QUESTIONS RELATED TO, TO, UM, THE TIA.
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE TIA QUESTIONS BEFORE I MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE? YOU MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE.
DID THE APPLICANT WANNA SAY SOMETHING ABOUT TRAFFIC? YOU HAD TRIED TO AT ONE POINT? I DUNNO IF YOU NEED TO WITH GO AHEAD THEN.
JUST SUMMARIZE AT THIS POINT, I HAVE, UM, I HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS, BUT I, THAT I'M TAKING A LOT OF PEOPLE'S TIME.
PEOPLE ARE TIRED AND WE STILL HAVE A LOT MORE TO GO OVER, SO I'LL JUST POINT OUT WHAT MY OTHER CONCERNS ARE AND, UM, AND DEAL WITH THEM OFFLINE.
SO, UH, FIRST OFF, I JUST WANNA SAY
[07:25:01]
THAT, UM, THAT, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, I'VE REALLY BEEN TRYING TO WORK THIS OUT AND SO HAVE THE, UM, NEIGHBORS REALLY BEEN TRYING TO WORK THIS OUT, AND I'M HOPING THAT THERE'S STILL AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.I JUST DON'T THINK THAT WE ARE, I JUST DON'T THINK WE HAVE A SUPERIOR DEVELOPMENT HERE.
UM, AND THAT, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE OPPOSITION FROM, YOU KNOW, THE BARTON PLACE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, ZER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, GOLDEN CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, THE SOUTH RIVER CITY COALITION, UM, AS WELL AS, UH, A AND C.
ALL OF THESE NEIGHBORS ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE USE OF THIS PROPERTY, UM, AND THEIR PRIMARY CONCERNS, RIGHT, TO THE FACT THAT WE'RE LOSING PROPERTY FOR HOUSING, UM, AND WE'RE USING A PUB WITHOUT SUPERIORITY.
UM, AND THEY'RE ALSO VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE USE OF QUAD FOR UNDER 10 ACRES, UH, WITHOUT, WITHOUT AN UNDERSTANDING, WITHOUT FINDING THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, UM, THAT REALLY RELATES IN ANY WAY TO, UH, THE TOPOGRAPHIC CONSIDERATIONS OR TO THIS PROBLEM.
SO I JUST WANTED TO SUM UP, I I DON'T THINK IT'S SUPERIOR.
I DON'T THINK THE HOUSING IS, I ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THAT.
I DON'T THINK THE PARKING IS, I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT I'LL, THAT I WILL, UM, ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT OFFLINE.
UH, BUT I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT, UM, THE OPEN SPACE.
I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE ASSERTION OF SUPERIORITY RELATED TO TRAFFIC, UH, AND IMPROVEMENTS ALONG LAMAR THAT WOULD BE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE WOULD HAVE ANYWAY, UH, BECAUSE OF THE CORRIDOR PROGRAM.
BUT THERE'S A WHOLE LIST OF ITEMS THAT I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT, BUT I'M, I'M GOING STOP NOW.
I KNOW THAT, UH, WE A OF OTHER THINGS TO, UH, TO CONSIDER, UH, BUT I'M NOT AT THE POINT THAT I CAN SUPPORT THIS.
UM, I HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT IT AND I DON'T SEE IT, UM, AS SUPERIOR, UH, AT THIS POINT.
AND AS I SAID BEFORE, I DON'T THINK THAT INTERPRETING THE, THE ORDINANCE IS SOMETHING THAT'S AVAILABLE TO, TO UNDER 10 ACRES WITHOUT, UM, SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES IS.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM ON FIRST READING COUNCILWOMAN FLANIGAN MAKES THE MOTION COUNCILWOMAN ALICE SECONDS THE MOTION? ANY DISCUSSION? OKAY, LET'S TAKE A VOTE.
THOSE IN FAVOR PROVING THIS, MAYOR, I'M SORRY.
I MEAN, ONE QUICK, UH, COMMENT.
YEAH, I, I JUST WANNA UNDERSCORE WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN SAID.
I AGREE WITH THE COMMENTS THAT YOU MADE AND I JUST WANNA OFFER AS COMPARISON.
I JUST WANNA HIGHLIGHT ONE POINT THAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD OPPOSITION AND YOU MENTIONED, UM, THE NEIGHBOR, THE GOLDEN CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, WHICH FALLS WITHIN DISTRICT NINE, UH, BECAUSE THIS IS A PROPERTY THAT REALLY BORDERS BOTH OF OUR DISTRICTS, DISTRICT FIVE AND DISTRICT NINE.
AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS I LOOK AT THE OTHER PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE COME FORWARD IN THIS GENERAL AREA, I'M REMINDED OF ONE LIKE THE HYATT PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT JUST DOWN THE STREET ON BARTON SPRINGS, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS IN RECENT HISTORY TO COME THROUGH.
AND, AND, YOU KNOW, AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF NEGOTIATION THAT DID ENJOY THE SUPPORT OF THE FOLDING CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, IN PART BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS, UM, WERE SUCH THAT THE, THAT THE PRO THAT THE PROJECT REALLY WAS SUPERIOR TO WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED THROUGH CONVENTIONAL ZONING.
UM, AND THOSE CONSISTED OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT ALSO OTHER THINGS LIKE BIKE PATHS AND PEDESTRIAN WAYS AT A TIME WHERE, YOU KNOW, THOSE WEREN'T COMPLETELY STANDARD.
UM, THAT WAS THE KIND OF THING WE HAD TO NEGOTIATE FOR.
SO AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I STAND WITH YOU, UM, IN NOT BEING, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS THIS EVENING, BUT I, I REALLY HOPE THAT THE DEVELOPER WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THESE COMMENTS SERIOUSLY AND LOOK AT WAYS TO, TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS A, A SUPERIOR PROJECT WHERE THE HAVE THE DEVELOPMENT THRESHOLD.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? THOSE IN FAVOR? GREAT.
AND YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO SAY, I THINK THERE'S STILL SOME WORK TO DO ON THIS, UM, ON THIS SIDE AND I, UM, LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING IF THAT WORK COUNCIL KITCHEN? UH, YES.
I JUST WANNA MENTION AGAIN, THE, MY CONCERN ABOUT
[07:30:01]
THE LACK OF SUPERIORITY AROUND THE, THE HOUSING COMPONENT.UM, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT IT'S A CURRENT ZONING, UH, TO GET TO THIS HEIGHT.
THERE WOULD BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPONENT.
UH, THAT COMBINED WITH THE FACT THAT, UH, THE PRECEDENT IN THIS AREA IS MUCH HIGHER THAN 1.5 MILLION.
I JUST DON'T SEE THAT AS SUPERIOR AT THIS POINT.
THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED FIRST READING APPROVAL KITCHEN POOL ALTER.
KATHY, IS YOUR HAND RAISED? IT IS.
I'M SORRY, MY CAMERA'S FROZEN AGAIN, BUT I AM, UH, VOTING IN OPPOSITION THIS TIME.
I, I THINK THAT'S FOR AGAINST, I THINK THE BALANCE OF THE COUNCIL VOTING I, SO ON THE SEVEN FOUR VOTE MOVES TO SECOND READING.
[89. C14-2020-0067 - 3504 S. 1st Street Rezoning - Conduct a public hearing and approve an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 by rezoning property locally known as 3504 South 1st Street (West Bouldin Creek and East Bouldin Creek Watersheds). Applicant Request: To rezone from general commercial services-conditional overlay (CS-CO) combining district zoning to general commercial services-mixed use-vertical mixed use building-conditional overlay (CS-MU-V-CO) combining district zoning. Staff Recommendation and Planning Commission Recommendation: To grant general commercial services-mixed use-vertical mixed use building-conditional overlay (CS-MU-V-CO) combining district zoning. Owner/Applicant: Merc Properties LTD (Daryl Kunik). Agent: Armbrust & Brown,PLLC (Richard Suttle). City Staff: Kate Clark, 512-974-1237. 89. District(s): District 3]
UH, ITEM IS, UH, THE, UH, 89 89 SOUTH STREET.NINE IS A, A FOUR ACRE TRACK, WAS CURRENTLY ZONED CSCL.
THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING REZONING TO CS M U.
THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING TO KEEP THE EXISTING COS ON THE PROPERTY, UH, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF REMOVING THE LIMITATION OF 40 FEET AND REMOVING THE 2000 CAP.
THE OTHER COS RESTRICT USES THAT WE GENERALLY SPEAK AND DO NOT WANNA SEE ON A COURT TRANSIT CORRIDOR, SUCH AS AUTOMOTIVE RELATED USES IN SELF STORAGE.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL TO STAFF RECOMMENDED APPROVAL, AND THERE IS A VALID PETITION IN THE CASE.
IT IS READY FOR ALL THREE READINGS THIS EVENING.
HOWEVER, IT WOULD REQUIRE NINE VOTES IN ORDER TO PASS ON ALL THREE READINGS.
UM, THE PROJECT, THAT PROPOSED PROJECT WAS A PART OF A, UM, A PROPERTY THAT WOULD BE COMBINED NEXT DOOR TO MAKE FOR A VERTICAL USE, UM, BUILDING WITH AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
OKAY, MR. SUBTLE, DO YOU WANNA MAKE A PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL? HAVE WE MOVED? HAVE WE MOVED? JUST MR. SULIN, AM I MUTED OR AM I OFF? YOU'RE ON NOW.
YOU'RE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF, UM, MARK STEVENSON AND SLATE REAL ESTATE.
UH, WE'VE GOT THIS SELLING CASE TONIGHT ON THIS COURT TRANSIT CORRIDOR FOR 0.85 ACRES OF, UH, PROPERTY THAT IS NEXT DOOR TO WHAT WE ALL KNOW IS MERCURY HALL.
UM, WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW IS THE, IS THE PROPERTY THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE ZONING CASE.
WE ARE ASKING FOR IT TO BE ZONED AS THE SAME AS AS THE MERCURY HALL PROPERTY NEXT DOOR CSV.
PLEASE SUGGEST AN AERIAL THAT SHOWS THE, THE TOTAL PROJECT, THE, THE 0.8 47 3 ACRES THERE.
THAT IS A PARKING LOT THAT'S NEXT TO EXISTING MULTIFAMILY IS THE, UH, PROPERTY THAT'S SUBJECT TO THE ZONING CASE.
THE 2.93 ACRES IS WHERE BEAR HALL IS NOW, AND THEN ACROSS CARDINAL LANE, THE NEARLY ACRE AND A HALF UH, ACRES THERE IS ALSO GONNA BE PART OF THIS PROJECT.
IT, IT'S NOT PART OF THE ZONING CASE, BUT THAT IS WHERE WE INTEND TO DO THE POCKET PARK AS PART OF THE, UH, THE PROJECT HERE.
UM, SOUTH FIRST, BEING AT THE BOTTOM, UH, THIS IS NOT A SITE PLAN.
A SITE PLAN HASN'T BEEN TURNED IN AND, AND, AND MANY OF THE ISSUES THAT THE NEIGHBORS HAVE HAVE RAISED WILL BE DEPENDENT ON THE SITE PLAN.
THIS, THIS IS A PLAN THAT IS ON A CORE TRANSIT CORRIDOR.
WE HAVE NORTH AND SOUTH, UH, TRANSIT OPPORTUNITIES ALONG SOUTH.
FIRST WE PLAN ON, UM, COMPLYING WITH COMP, COMPATIBILITY STANDARDS.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, IF YOU LOOK IN THE, UH, AT THE TOP OF THE, THE PAGE THERE, THAT IS A, UH, SETBACK FROM THE, SOME OF THE HOMES THAT YOU HEARD ABOUT THAT MEETS COMPATIBILITY AND ALSO SAVES A LOT OF THE TREES THAT, UH, HAVE BEEN TALKED ABOUT IN SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD PRESENTATIONS.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH, UH, THE FORMER ARBORIST FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN, ALONG WITH THE ARBORIST OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN ON A TREE PRESERVATION PLAN.
[07:35:01]
UH, WE'LL MEET ALL THE CITY REGS ON TREE PRESERVATION.I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A NEXT SLIDE OR NOT, BUT WE CAN TRY IT AGAIN.
THIS JUST SHOWS ON, ON THE TOTAL PROJECT, WHAT'S OUTLINED IN RED IS THE, IS THE PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE ZONING CASE TONIGHT.
THIS JUST SHOWS HOW, UM, THIS STEP UP FROM, FROM CARDINAL LANE.
THREE STORY TO FIVE STORY TO FIVE STORY ALONG SOUTH FIRST, BUT AGAIN, ON THE BACK SIDE OF IT, AS YOU SH UH, SAW ON THE ORIGINAL PRELIMINARY, WE'RE SETTING BACK FROM THE, THE HOMES, WHICH IS TO THE, TO THE WEST.
THIS IS LOOKING EAST AND THIS IS THE BUFFER FROM THE NEIGHBORS IN THE BACK AND THE TREES THAT'LL BE SAVED AND, AND MITIGATED FOR NEXT SLIDE.
AND MAYBE IT, SO WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO TONIGHT, AND I, AND I KNOW IT'S, IT'S ALWAYS DIFFICULT WHEN THERE'S A VALID PETITION, BUT, BUT THIS IS, THIS IS A CASE THAT, UM, IT'S ACTUALLY KINDA IN THE MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN, UH, WHAT'S, WHAT'S CURRENT ZONING, WHAT WAS TO BE ZONING, IF, IF THERE WERE A NEW CODE, AND WHAT APPROPRIATE ZONING WOULD BE ON THIS TRACK NEXT DOOR.
IT'S CURRENTLY NEXT TO MULTIFAMILY.
AND WHAT WE'D LIKE TO DO IS ZONE IT THE SAME AS THE, UH, THE BIGGER TRACKS SO THAT, UM, WE CAN, WE CAN SPREAD THE TRACK OUT AND PRESERVE THE TREES AND DO THE PARK AND BE ON THE CORE TRANSIT CORRIDOR.
GONNA LATE AND Y'ALL RETIRED, I'LL STOP, STOP THERE AND, UH, HOPE THAT WE CAN GARNER NINE VOTES TONIGHT.
UM, WE'RE HERE ON ITEM NUMBER 89.
ANY, UH, DISCUSSION? IS THERE A MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON? NO, I WAS JUST GONNA SAY THIS IS, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ONES THAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO ME.
UM, IN TERMS OF PROXIMITY AND LOCATION, IT, IT JUST MAKES SENSE TO ME.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO, AS WE MOVE FORWARD, CONSIDER IT IS 9 0 4.
AND SO IF WE'RE GONNA GO LATE, UM, I DON'T, I WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE DON'T, UM, ENCOURAGE US TO END EARLY, BUT TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY ON OUR ITEMS TO GO LONG.
SO FOR ME, I'LL KEEP YOU SHORT.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS? UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FLANIGAN, I MOVE.
COUNCIL MEMBER FLANIGAN MOVES, UM, UH, APPROVAL, UH, OF THIS, UH, ITEM 89.
IS THIS ON FOR FIRST READING? SECOND READING OR THREE COUNCIL MEMBER? IT'S READY FOR ALL THREE READINGS, BUT THAT WOULD DEPEND ON HOW MANY VOTES IT GET.
WELL, IF IT HAS ANY VOTES TO PASS WITH A, WITH A NOTICE ON IT, IT'S GONNA PASS.
ED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FLAT AGAIN.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON SECONDS.
YOU WANNA ADDRESS IT? YEAH, JUST BRIEFLY.
AND, AND I WANNA ECHO MY, THE COMMENTS OF COUNCIL MADISON, AND, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.
YOU KNOW, I, I REALLY HOPE THE, THE LARGER COMMUNITY IS PAYING ATTENTION.
WE HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT CONVERSATION WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BUILDING MORE HOUSING IN EAST AUSTIN AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE CONVERSATION.
AND HERE WE ARE WITH THE ZONING CASE TO BUILD MORE HOUSING IN WEST AUSTIN.
AND SO THIS IS THE TIME, THIS IS THE TIME TO SAY, YEAH, WE'RE, WE'RE GONNA BUILD, WE'RE NOT JUST GONNA PUT HOUSING IN EAST AUSTIN.
WE'RE REALLY GONNA DO IT IN AN EQUITABLE WAY.
AND THIS IS PART OF THE VERY DIFFICULT CHALLENGE OF BUILDING NEW HOUSING IN A CITY, IS THAT SOMETIMES, AND SOME MIGHT ARGUE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, YOU GOTTA BUILD IT WEST.
FURTHER DISCUSSIONS BEEN MOVED IN SECOND.
COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, POOL THEN COUNCIL MEMBER RENT REVIEW.
UM, WHEN WE HAVE VALID PETITIONS, I LIKE TO RESPECT THE NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE DONE THE WORK TO GET A VALID PETITION IN PLACE.
SO, UM, AND ALSO I DO THINK THAT THERE'S SOME STILL SOME WORK TO DO ON BOTH SIDES TO GET CLOSER TO A CONSENSUS.
SO I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS ON FIRST READING.
UM, AND I JUST WANTED TO ASK MR. LANIGAN, WHERE ARE YOU DRAWING THE LINE FOR WEST? I THINK THIS IS MORE IN SOUTH BOSTON.
WELL, I THINK IT, NOBODY CALLS THIS THE EASTERN CRESCENT, SO I THINK THAT'S WHERE IT FALLS.
[07:40:05]
OKAY.UH, EVEN THOUGH WE, I DON'T THINK WE'RE GONNA GET THE, UH, GET IT ALL DONE ON THREE READINGS.
I WOULD HOPE SO, BUT IT ALSO, IT'S GIVEN US, UH, 10% OF THE UNITS AT 60% MFI.
SO IT IS PROVIDING ALSO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND YOU KNOW, TO ME, I KNOW HOW DESPERATE WE NEED, UH, HOUSING, ESPECIALLY AFFORDABLE UNITS.
AND I ALWAYS LOOK AT TRYING TO GET AS MANY UNITS AS POSSIBLE.
BUT, UH, THEY ARE OFFERING, UH, UH, UH, 10% OF THE UNITS AT 60% MFI.
COLLEAGUES, ANY FURTHER TO CONVERSATION ON THIS ITEM? MOTIONS IS TO, UH, APPROVE AND I GUESS IT COULD BE LOWER AND IT JUST DOESN'T, UM, PASS ON.
THIRD READING DOESN'T NEED THE VOTES FOR THE PETITION ON FIRST.
READING CAN ALSO, THE PUBLIC, I, ITS AGAIN, YOUR MOTION IS TO APPROVE AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHY WE CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THE STATE LAW REQUIRES TO BE OPEN ANYWAY.
YEAH, IT'LL BE OPEN IF IT COMES BACK, IT'S TO CLOSE IT IF WE HAVE THE VOTES TO PASS IT.
IF WE DON'T, IT'S ITEM NUMBER 89 AND MOVE IT IN SECOND.
THOSE OPPOSED, UH, THE VOTES? NO.
ARE, UH, KITCHEN POOL, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO, HOW ARE YOU VOTING? I CAN'T SEE YOU.
VOTED YES, I VOTED YES AS WELL.
OKAY, SO THIS ITEM THEN PASSES NINE TO TWO.
UM, SO THAT PASSES ON ALL THREE READINGS.
[93. C14-2019-0041 - Stowers and Schiller - District 10 - Conduct a public hearing and approve second and third readings of an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 by rezoning property locally known as 8500 Bluegrass Drive (Bull Creek Watershed). Applicant Request: To rezone from neighborhood commercial (LR) district zoning to single family residence-standard lot (SF-2) district zoning. First Reading approved single family residence-standard lot (SF-2) district zoning on August 27, 2020. Vote: 6-5. Owner/Applicant: Ken Schiller. Agent: Steve Stowers. City Staff: Sherri Sirwaitis, 512-974-3057. 93. District(s): District 10]
THE NEXT ITEM, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER 93 BLUE ZON RECOMMENDATION OF THE ZONING PLANNING COMMISS MISSION.JUST TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY QUICKLY, THIS WAS, THERE ARE TWO, UM, FOUR ACRE PIECES OF PROPERTY.
UH, BOTH OF THEM HAVE A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE THAT FACES A STREET CALLED BLUEGRASS DRIVE.
THE BACK PORTION OF BOTH LOTS, WHICH IS UH, FOUR ACRES IN REQUEST IN THE ZONING CASE WAS ZONED R AT ONE TIME ANTICIPATION OF CONSTRUCTION OF SOMETHING CALLED ARTERIAL EIGHT.
ARTERIAL EIGHT WAS ABANDONED QUITE A WHILE AGO BECAUSE OF THE DCC AND THEREFORE THE ARTERIAL EIGHT WILL, WILL NO LONGER BE, UH, THIS PROPERTY WILL ON THE, IS REQUESTING THE PROPERTY TO BUILD, UH, PRESUME TWO ADDITIONAL SINGLE HOUSES.
UH, JUST LIKE THE, ANY QUESTION IS THE HERE TO DISCUSS THIS? MAYOR? I DO NOT KNOW IF THE APPLICANT IS ON THE LINE.
IT WAS A GENTLEMAN NAMED KEN SCHER.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION UH, COUNSEL ON THIS ITEM? MAYOR? YES, GUYS, START FLYING AGAIN.
I PULLED IT IN AND WE HAD A LONGER CONVERSATION IN THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING AND SO I'LL, I'LL BE VOTING NO AGAIN AND UM, YOU KNOW, JUST THIS NOTION THAT WE WOULD BE ZONING MORE SF TWO WHEN WE'VE HAD A LOT OF OTHER CONVERSATIONS IN THAT, IN THAT AREA.
IS THERE, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM? 93 COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR MAKES A MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO SECONDS.
ANY DISCUSSION? LET'S TAKE A VOTE.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED VOTING NO IS, UM, THE MAYOR, PROTE FLANIGAN JUST ARE RENTER ELLIS AND HARPER MADISON.
YEAH, LET ME COUNT THE VOTES AGAIN, WHICH I THINK, HOW DID YOU VOTE, MAYOR? CAUSE I VOTED IN, I VOTED IN FAVOR, BUT I THINK THERE WERE SIX OPPOSED.
WHEN THEY CAME IN, THEY ASKED FOR THIS.
WE ARE NOT ACTUALLY ALLOWED TO GIVE THEM ANY ZONING.
[07:45:01]
GO THROUGH THE WHOLE REZONING PROCESS AGAIN.AND THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO, IS TO, WELL, NO, THAT WAS THE, THE PET.
WELL, AND, AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THEY WOULD NEED, CAN WE HEAR WHO THE NO VOTES ARE? AGAIN, JUST TO MAKE SURE THE COUNT IS CORRECT, BUT IF THE PETS VOTED DOWN, THEY CAN'T VOTED.
ANOTHER ZONING CASE HERE, THE NO VOTES I HAD ON THIS WERE FLANIGAN, MAYOR, PROAM, CAAR, ELLIS, HARPER, MADISON, AND RENTER SIX NO VOTES.
THE OTHERS' VOTING I FIVE TO SIX.
MAYOR, MAY I ASK, UM, MR. RUSTO A QUESTION, PLEASE? YES.
AND I JUST WANTED TO, MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IF THIS GETS VOTED DOWN, THAT THE APPLICANT CANNOT FILE A ZONING REQUEST ON THIS PROPERTY FOR ONE YEAR.
IS THAT CORRECT? UH, WOULDN'T THAT BE ABLE TO FILE A ZONING REQUEST FOR THE SAME OR MORE INTENSIVE ZONING FOR 18 MONTHS.
SO IN ESSENCE, THEY COULDN'T COME BACK AND ASK FOR THE SAME ZONING.
THEY ALSO COULDN'T INCREASE, THEY COULDN'T COME BACK AND ASK FOR MORE DENSITY.
THEY, THEY BASICALLY HAVE TO, UM, GO WITH THE ZONING THAT'S CURRENTLY ON THERE OR SOMETHING OF LOWER INTENSITY.
COUNCIL MEMBER, JUST UNDERSTAND, UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT BETTER WHAT THE CONCERN IS.
SO, JERRY, MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS, OR IS THAT A MOTION TO RECONSIDER? YEAH, SO WE'VE TAKEN A VOTE, SO I THINK THAT'S CORRECT.
WE'VE TAKEN A VOTE AT THIS POINT.
IN ORDER TO RECONSIDER VOTE, WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF IT.
WE HAVE VOTED AGAINST IT TO MAKE THE MOTION.
MAYOR, I WAS ASKING A QUESTION.
MY, MY QUESTION OF, OF, UH, ASK THE QUESTION.
MY, MY QUESTION OF JERRY WAS I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THE CIRCUMSTANCES HERE BETTER.
I THINK I'M UNDERSTANDING FROM WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING, BUT CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE APPLICANT, THE APPLICANT HERE TO TALK TO US? UM, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE APPLICANT IS ON THE LINE.
AND CAN YOU TELL A LITTLE BIT MORE WHAT THE APPLICANT WAS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE? SURE.
SO, SO AS I SAID, THERE ARE TWO SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES.
UM, EACH SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE IS ON A, FOR A GO TO EACH OTHER, DOWN TO A STREET CALLED BLUEGRASS DRIVE.
AND YEARS AGO, THE DECK STAFF FOR BOTH PROPERTIES WAS REZONED OR BECAUSE IT WAS ANTICIPATED A STREET CALLED, WAS THE, THE LINE SHOULD BE THINK IT'S TOO TOTAL.
UM, SO THE, UH, THE, THE, THE BACK HALF OF BOTH LOTS, ALTHOUGH ARE NOT SUBDIVIDED, BUT THE BACK HALF OF BOTH, LOTS TO TWO BACK ACRES OF BOTH FOUR ACRE PROPERTIES WAS ZONED, OR WITH THE ANTICIPATION IT WAS GONNA BE AN INTERSECTION OF A COLLECTOR IN ARTERIAL.
THAT ARTERIAL WENT AWAY WHEN THE BCP PLAN CAME INTO EFFECT.
AND SO THERE IS NOT GONNA BE AN ARTERIAL THERE ANYMORE.
SO THE APPLICANT IS A DOWN ZONING OF THE BACK HALF OF BOTH OF THESE PROPERTIES FROM R TO SF TWO, UM, I PRESUME TO CONSTRUCT, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL, UM, HOUSING BECAUSE THE RETAIL THERE, UM, I WOULD IMAGINE IN THEIR MIND DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE BECAUSE THEIR MATERIAL STREET WILL NOT BE FUNCTIONING THROUGH.
FROM FROM Y'S PERSPECTIVE, JERRY, DID YOU HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT SF TWO? I MEAN, I'M, NO, WE DID NOT.
BECAUSE THE, UH, WE WOULD, IF THE ARTERIAL WERE TO STILL GO THERE BECAUSE WE DON'T PUT SF TWO ON ARTERIAL STREETS, BUT BECAUSE THE ARTERIALS GOING AWAY, UM, OR HAS GONE AWAY, HAS GONE AWAY FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, WE FELT THAT THIS SINGLE FAMILY ONLY WAS APPROPRIATE.
SO I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING, I'D LIKE TO MAKE ONE OTHER COMMENT.
I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY WE ARE AS A, AS A, AS A COUNCIL WHILE WE WERE PUTTING THAT HOME THAT THOSE HOMEOWNERS IN THIS SITUATION, UM, BECAUSE IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, THEY, THEY CAN'T COME BACK TO US.
RIGHT? WHEN THE CASE IS DENIED, YOU HAVE TO WAIT 18 MONTHS BEFORE YOU CAN FILE THE
[07:50:01]
SAME CASE OR SOMETHING THAT IS GREATER THAN WHAT YOU ASKED FOR THE FIRST TIME.COUNCIL FLANIGAN TO, TO BE CLEAR, THIS AREA, THIS PROPERTY ALREADY HAS ZONING, SO IT'S NOT SOMEBODY'S EXISTING HOMESTEAD.
IT HAS HAD THAT ZONING FOR A LONG TIME AND WE HAVE DENIED IT.
AND SO, MAYOR, I REALLY INSIST, UNLESS THERE'S A MOTION TO RECONSIDER THIS CONVERSATION IS OUT OF ORDER.
I WE HAVE, WE HAVE A LONG AGENDA.
I WANT TO GIVE HER A CHANCE TO ASK THAT QUESTION.
YOU READY? LET'S MOVE FORWARD.
UM, THIS IS MY, IN MY DISTRICT, I HAVEN'T TALKED TO THIS PERSON.
THEY HAVEN'T COME AND, AND TALKED TO ME.
UM, YOU KNOW, IN THE FUTURE THOUGH, IF WE HAVE A SIX FIVE VOTE AND SOMEONE'S GONNA CHANGE THEIR VOTE AT A MEETING, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL, UM, TO KNOW THAT BECAUSE, UM, WE MIGHT HAVE HAD A, SOME OF THIS CONVERSATION, UM, BEFOREHAND.
YOU SECONDED THE MOTION LAST TIME AS I UNDERSTAND IT.
SO I WAS NOT EXPECTING YOU TO CHANGE YOUR, YOUR VOTE.
UM, YOU KNOW, I DON'T, HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THESE PEOPLE.
I THINK WE VOTED, BUT I THINK IN THE FUTURE, UM, THAT WOULD BE, UM, SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO SHARE IN ADVANCE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THE CONVERSATION THAT DOESN'T IMPOSE SOME BIG CHANGE ON SOMEBODY WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO HAVE A FULL AIRING OF IT.
IS IT ALSO POSSIBLE, JERRY, FOR THE COUNCIL TO INITIATE SOMETHING SOONER THAN 18 MONTHS IF IT WANTED TO DO THAT? UH, YES.
MY WOULD BECAUSE IT WOULD NO LONGER BE APPLICANT WOULD BE THE CITY OF, WOULD NO LONGER BE THE PRIVATE PROPERTY YARD.
[62. Approve a resolution that directs the City Manager to explore and identify ways to support and to increase the survivability of those most vulnerable in Austin’s hardest hit sectors: childcare, music and arts venues, restaurants and bars. 62. Sponsors: Mayor Steve Adler, Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, Council Member Kathie Tovo, and Council Member Leslie Pool]
NEXT, UH, ITEM WE'RE GONNA DO NOW IS THE, UH, BACK TO THE, UH, THE, THE PULLED ITEMS. WE'VE NOW HANDLED ALL THE, THE ZONING CASES.UH, THE FIRST ONE OF THOSE IS THE SAVES, UH, ITEM COUNCIL MEMBER.
WE PEP PULLING THAT OFF THE TABLE RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS ITEM NUMBER 62, I THINK THAT GOT US TO YOU, KATHY.
I DISTRIBUTED A SECOND, POSSIBLY A THIRD AMENDMENT.
UM, THIS ONE WORKS WITH YOUR LAST VERSION AND WOULD INSERT THE FOLLOWING AFTER LINE 1 72.
AS IT READS IN THAT CONVER IN, BASICALLY IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT I DISTRIBUTED IN VERSIONS ONE AND TWO IN THAT IT IDENTIFIES A, ANOTHER FUNDING SOURCE TEMPORARY RIGHT AWAY FEES ALL AND STREET VACATIONS REVENUE FROM ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENTS FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
MAYOR, YOU HAD TAKEN OUT THE TIME PERIOD.
UM, SO I'M AGNOSTIC ON WHETHER THAT STAYS OR GOES IT'S CURRENTLY IN MY LANGUAGE.
I WILL SAY ONE CHANGE I'VE MADE, UM, SINCE THE VERSION THAT CIRCULATED EARLIER THIS WEEK IS TO LIMIT THE TEMPORARY USE OF RIGHT AWAY FEES, UP TO 1 MILLION IN RECOGNITION OF THE MEMO THAT WE RECEIVE FROM DIRECTOR SPILLER.
UM, AND THEN I'VE ADDED LANGUAGE MAYOR, YOU HAVE, UM, ADDED LANGUAGE, WHICH I APPRECIATE ASKING THAT OUR CITY STAFF BRING BACK THINGS ON OCTOBER 1ST THAT CAN BE ACTIONABLE WITH THE INTENT, WHICH I AM A HUNDRED PERCENT ON BOARD WITH, OF REALLY GETTING, GETTING THOSE FUNDING SOURCES IDENTIFIED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, TAKING ACTION, GETTING THAT MONEY TO THE VENUES AND TO THE RESTAURANTS AND TO THE OTHER BUSINESSES THAT NEED THEM IF WE ARE ABLE TO IDENTIFY RESOURCES.
SO WHAT MY NEXT PARAGRAPH DOES HERE IS JUST MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT AMONG THE BATTERY OF THINGS THAT WE WANT THEM TO CONSIDER BRINGING FORWARD, THAT WE DO WANNA SEE, UM, ORDINANCE OR ORDINANCES RELATED TO THIS SECTION AND BUDGET AMENDMENTS.
AND THERE MAY NEED TO BE BUDGET AMENDMENTS BECAUSE I'M ALSO ASKING THAT THEY TAKE A LOOK AT EXISTING FUNDS THAT FALL WITHIN THESE CATEGORIES AND SEE IF THOSE CAN BE
I THINK THAT KIND OF COVERS IT.
I DO HAVE, I DO HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS, UM, THE STAFF INCLUDING ABOUT SOME THINGS IN THE MEMO.
UM, AND I'LL TRY TO NARROW THEM DOWN.
I'LL TRY TO NARROW THEM DOWN TO ONE OR TWO, BUT I, THAT'S WHERE, ANYWAY, LET ME LIVE IT THERE FOR NOW.
CAN I ASK A QUESTION, KATHY, ABOUT THIS? SURE.
UM, TO BEGIN WITH, UM, UH, I REALLY APPRECIATED THE, THE, THE IDEAS THAT YOU BROUGHT FORWARD IN THE AMENDMENT THAT YOU BROUGHT.
CAUSE I THINK THEY WERE REALLY GOOD
[07:55:01]
AND, AND REALLY HELPFUL AND THEY EXPANDED ON THE IDEAS THAT WERE PRESENTED.I MEAN, WE'RE TRYING REALLY HARD IN THIS TO TRY AND BRING MONEY AND RESOURCES TO BEAR AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN CUZ WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE IN A, IN A, AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WITH, UM, A CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOSE.
UH, AND WE'RE TRYING TO BE REALLY CREATIVE TO, TO FIND THINGS AND TO, AND TO MOVE ON IT QUICKLY.
UH, AND, AND I THINK YOUR AMENDMENTS ARE REAL GOOD.
THERE WAS A WHEREAS CLAUSE IN YOUR ORIGINAL, UH, A RESOLUTION THAT TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE WORK WE HAD DONE IN THE PAST.
UH, AND THAT GOT INCORPORATED AS YOU WROTE IT AT LINE 29.
UH, AND THAT'S ON THE, THE BASE, UH, MOTION.
AND YOU CAN SEE HOW THAT'S TIED BACK TO, TO, TO YOUR, UH, DEAL.
AND I THINK THAT WAS REALLY GOOD.
UM, ALSO, UH, UH, YOU, YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT AN ADDITIONAL PLACE TO, TO FIND MONEY AND WHILE THIS SAYS, YOU KNOW, FIND MONEY ANYWHERE YOU CAN WITHOUT LIMITATION, YOU CAN COME UP WITH ANOTHER SPECIFIC ONE TO TAKE A LOOK AT.
AND OBVIOUSLY THERE'S BEEN EMAILS AND MEMOS ON THAT.
I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO READ THEM CAUSE THEY WERE ALL COMING HERE AT THE, AT THE LAST MINUTE.
BUT A PAINT LINE 84 IS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDING SOURCE THAT YOU ADDED.
IT'S THE SAME DESCRIPTION THAT YOU HAVE, UH, IN WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED.
SO THAT'S BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE, THE, THE SAVES BASE MOTION NOW AS SOMETHING THAT, UH, WE NEED TO, TO, TO TAKE A, UH, TO TAKE A LOOK AT.
UH, AND THEN, UH, THE NEXT THING THAT, THAT YOU HAD, UH, THAT I THOUGHT WAS, UH, REALLY, UH, BENEFICIAL, UH, WAS THE SUGGESTION THAT, UH, WE REALLY WANT STAFF TO COME BACK TO US, NOT WITH JUST ADDITIONAL MEMOS, BUT WHEN THEY COME BACK, WE WANT THEM TO COME BACK WITH THINGS THAT WE CAN PASS, UH, SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND AVOID JUST HAVING, UH, ANOTHER HALF MONTH GO BY WHEN WE LOOK AT THAT.
UH, SO, UH, INCORPORATED THAT, UH, INTO, UH, WHERE WE HAVE LINE 1 69 WHERE WE'RE ASKING THE MANAGER TO, TO COME BACK, UH, WHEN THE COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY SUPPORTING OR NECESSARY ORDINANCES, BUDGET AMENDMENTS, ALSO CHAPTER THREE 80, ORDINANCE CHANGES OR INITIATIVES, ETC.
FOR COUNCIL TO CONSIDER THIS MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO FACILITATE AND EFFECTUATE THE GOALS OF THE RESOLUTION AND THE SPEED OF THE RELIEF TO BE PROVIDED.
SO I THINK THAT WE'VE PICKED UP EVERYTHING THAT, THAT, THAT, THAT YOU HAD, UH, IN TERMS OF MOVING THIS FORWARD WITH THE EXCEPTION OF, UM, KIND OF THE DETERMINATION THAT I, THAT I READ YOUR AMENDMENT TO SAY THAT AT THIS POINT WE'RE READY TO SAY THAT, UH, WE'RE READY TO, TO, TO, TO, TO GO GET A MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF THESE FUNDS.
UH, AND I'M NOT READY TO SAY THAT QUITE YET CUZ I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS ARE OF THAT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD BE GIVING UP IF WE DID THAT.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S THE RIGHT AMOUNT.
UH, YOU HAVE A MILLION DOLLARS IN IT.
IT MIGHT BE THAT THE 2 MILLION IS THE BETTER NUMBER OR BOTH 500 AND I JUST DON'T KNOW.
UM, SO, UM, I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, WOULD IT BE ACCEPTABLE TO SAY, I, RATHER THAN SAYING BRING IT BACK CUZ WE'RE READY TO, TO DO THIS AND, AND WE WANT, THIS IS THE AMOUNT THAT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE TO PUT IN LANGUAGE THAT SAYS THAT SIMILAR TO THE LANGUAGE THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN THE RESOLUTION, UM, THAT SAYS COME BACK TO FOCUS ON THIS ONE PARTICULAR, IT SAYS THE CITY MANAGER SHALL BRING FORWARD AN ORDINANCE OR ORDINANCES ON OCTOBER 1ST THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COUNCIL SHOULD IT DECIDE TO DO SO TO PLACE INTO A DESIGNATED BUSINESS PRESERVATION FUND, THE FOLLOWING PAYMENTS, THE TEMPORARY USE OF RIGHT AWAY THE ALLEY AND STREET VACATION SALES, THE REVENUE FROM ENCROACHMENTS FROM THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
UH, IF WE PUT IN THAT LANGUAGE, THEN THE, THE, THE STAFF WOULD BE BRINGING THOSE THINGS BACK TO US.
BUT, BUT WE WOULDN'T NECESSARILY BE COMMITTING AT, AT THIS MEETING BEFORE WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW, UH, THIS AND, AND THE OTHER IDEAS THAT THAT, THAT I THINK PEOPLE WILL BE BRINGING FORWARD OR THE STAFF HOPEFULLY WILL BE BRINGING FORWARD, UH, TOGETHER WITH LIKE THE SALES TAX ITEM AND THE OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED.
UM, I'D BE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE, UH, REITERATING THAT WE WANT THE, THE STAFF TO COME BACK TO SAVE US THE TIME SO WE CAN EXECUTE.
I'M NOT, UH, AS I SEE HERE, I'M NOT COMFORTABLE YET SAYING I PICKED THIS ONE OR THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THEM.
OR THE AMOUNT YET, JUST CUZ I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW YET.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? MAYOR, ARE YOU TO HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW.
OKAY, SO I WAS SAYING THANK YOU.
I, I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN YOU'RE EXPRESSING.
[08:00:01]
HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THAT CONCERN SEVERAL TIMES.AND SO I DID ACTUALLY ADD IN SOME LANGUAGE THAT I HOPED ADDRESSED IT, UM, TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF THE SECOND PARAGRAPH.
BUT LET ME JUST BE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING.
IF WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING IS ADDING INTO MY LANGUAGE AFTER 2020, THE LANGUAGE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COUNCIL SHOULD IT DESIGN.
WHAT I, UM, WHAT I DID WAS YOU WROTE, I THINK WHAT I, THE LANGUAGE I GOT WAS FROM YOU THAT WOULD ALLOW SHOULD IT DECIDE TO DO SO THE COUNCIL TO DO SOMETHING, IF THAT'S THE LANGUAGE, I'M OKAY WITH INSERTING THAT SOMEWHERE IN THIS.
I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHERE EXACTLY.
I MEAN, IT'S ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, WE INITIATE THINGS, THE MANAGER BRINGS IT BACK AND THEN WE VOTE ON IT.
AND THAT'S THE DETERMINATION OF WHETHER THE COUNCIL DECIDES TO DO SO.
BUT IF YOU WANNA ADD IN LANGUAGE, IF YOU WANNA ADD IN SOME VARIETY OF THAT LANGUAGE THAT I JUST SUGGESTED, I AM REASONABLY COMFORTABLE WITH THAT AND WILL LOOK TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT WORK IN THE SENTENCE.
I, I DON'T WANNA LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY MAKE IT THOSE ORDINANCE OR ORDINANCES.
I DID ADD IN LANGUAGE, YOU KNOW, UNDERSTANDING BASED ON MY CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU THAT YOU HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THAT I DID ADD IN LANGUAGE THAT SAYS, TO THE EXTENT THAT STAFF HAVE CONCERNS OR IDENTIFY TO THESE ACTIONS, THE MANAGER SHALL COMMUNICATE THOSE TO COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE SEPTEMBER 29, 20 SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2020 COUNCIL WORK SESSION.
UM, ONE OTHER THING I WANNA CLARIFY.
BY NO MEANS AM I SUGGESTING THAT THIS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO 1 MILLION, I WAS STRICTLY LIMITING THE TEMPER OR SUGGESTING A LIMITATION OF ABOUT, EXCUSE ME, ONE SEC.
HAD TO TAKE A NIGHT TO MY CASE.
UM, I WAS SUGGESTING THAT THE TEMPORARY RIGHT OF WAY FEES BE LIMITED TO 1 MILLION BASED ON THE CONCERNS THAT, UM, DIRECTORS SPILLER MENTIONED.
BUT IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING BASED ON MY, MY RESEARCH AND MY STAFF'S RESEARCH, GREAT RESEARCH, UM, AND ALL THE, THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE WITH OUR CITY STAFF, THAT THE ALLY VACATIONS, THE REVENUE AND, AND THE OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING COULD TOTAL AS MUCH AS, YOU KNOW, IN THE AREA OF $30 MILLION.
SO I DEFINITELY DON'T WANNA LIMIT IT TO 1 MILLION.
NOT 1 MILLION IS ONLY ATTACHED TO THE TEMPORARY USE OF RUNAWAY FEES, BUT AGAIN, THIS IS INITIATING IT.
LET ME SEE IF I CAN GET YOUR LANGUAGE IN THERE.
WELL, HOW ABOUT DOES THIS WORK, KATHY? WHAT WHAT I'VE DONE IS I JUST, I I HAVE LANGUAGE HERE THAT, THAT I THINK INCORPORATES YOUR LANGUAGE IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH.
IT TAKES OUT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT AND IT TAKES OUT THE, THE YEARS.
AND IT WOULD READ, THE CITY MANAGER SHALL BRING FORWARD AN ORDINANCE OR ORDINANCES ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2020 THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COUNCIL SHOULD IT DECIDE TO DO SO TO PLACE INTO A DESIGNATED BUSINESS PRESERVATION FUND.
THE FOLLOWING PAYMENTS, COLON, TEMPORARY USE OF RIGHT OF WAY FEES, ALL AND STREET VACATION SALES AND REVENUE FROM ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENTS FROM DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE RAINY STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT AND SUBDISTRICT PARENTHESES AS SHOWN ON THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT ONE, CLOSED PARENTHESES PERIOD.
DID YOU ALSO TAKE OUT IN PARTICULAR, WHICH IS, WHICH IS FINE.
YEAH, I WAS JUST TRYING, I'M, I'M EXPECTING THE MANAGER TO DO THIS ON MANY ON, ON OTHER THINGS OTHER THAN JUST THIS ONE WITH THE MORE GENERAL LANGUAGE THAT'S IN FRONT OF IT.
BUT I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH CALLING THIS ONE OUT AS WE JUST AS WE JUST DID.
UH, THEN ON THE, ON THE SECOND PARAGRAPH, I WASN'T SURE EXACTLY WHAT THAT WAS.
ON OCTOBER 1ST, 20 20TH, THE CITY MANAGER SHALL ALSO BRING FORWARD AN ORDINANCE, ORDINANCES AND ASSOCIATED BUDGET AMENDMENTS TO EFFECTUATE THE TRANSFER OF EXISTING FUNDS, WHICH I'LL FALL WITHIN THE ABOVE CATEGORIES AND SHALL BE RELOCATED SO THAT THE STAFF CAN PROVIDE AS MUCH RELIEF AS POSSIBLE TO THE EXTENT THE STAFF HAVE.
I WOULD SAY RECOMMENDATIONS, I WOULD ADD THAT CONCERNS OR IDENTIFY OBSTACLES TO THESE ACTIONS.
SO WE, WE WANT THE STAFF TO BE LOOKING AT ALL THESE FUNDING SOURCES AND TELLING US WHAT, WHAT MIGHT WORK, WHAT MIGHT NOT WORK, THINGS MAYBE THAT WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF OR WAYS TO DO, THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF.
SO, SO I TOOK THE SECOND PARAGRAPH.
I JUST ADD RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXTENT STAFF HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS, CONCERNS, OR IDENTIFY OBSTACLES AS CITY MANAGERS.
AND WE'VE ASKED COUNCIL TO COME BACK TO US AT THE SEPTEMBER 29TH, UH, YOU KNOW, ADD OR PRIOR TO THE, UH, SEPTEMBER 29TH WORK SESSION, UH, COUNCIL WORK SESSION.
UM, AS, AS WITH ALL THE OTHER IDEAS, UH, THAT ARE, THAT ARE, THAT ARE IN HERE.
UM, DOES THAT WORK WITH THE PARAGRAPH? IT'S IS YOUR PARAGRAPH, BUT IT ALSO ASKS THEM TO COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AND IT'S THAT'S FINE.
PRIOR TO RECOMMENDATIONS, CONCERNS OR IDENTIFY, HAVE
[08:05:01]
CONCERNS.THEY RECOMMENDATIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS OR THEY IDENTIFY YEAH, THAT WORKS WITH THAT LANGUAGE OR THEY IDENTIFY OBSTACLES, ETCETERA, ET CETERA.
THEY SET SMOOTH THOSE ADD OR PRIOR TO THE SEPTEMBER 29TH COUNCIL WORK SESSION.
SO WE'RE NOT SAYING STAFF THAT THIS IS THINGS WE'VE DECIDED WE WANT TO DO.
THIS IS ONE OF THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE WEREN'T CONSIDERED AND THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM.
UH, AND THEN I HAVE, I WANT I HAVE THOSE SORRY, SORRY, GO AHEAD MARY.
I JUST WANNA BE SURE I'M UNDERSTANDING CUZ NOW IT SOUNDS TO, TO ME LIKE YOU'RE ASKING THE STAFF TO JUST CONSIDER THEM AMONG THE OTHER THINGS.
I JUST WANNA BE CLEAR, UM, TO COME BACK WITH ACTIONABLE ITEMS SO THAT WE CAN VOTE 'EM UP OR DOWN, BUT THAT WE WILL BE POISED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THAT.
AND, AND WE'VE SAID THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR AS YOU'VE ASKED US TO DO IN THE PROCEEDING RESOLVE CLAUSE, WE ALSO ASKED THE MANAGER AND STAFF TO DO THAT ON OTHER THINGS AS WELL.
THE THINGS THAT THEY THINK MIGHT, MIGHT WORK OR ARE PROMISING OR, UH, SO THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ON AS MANY THINGS AS WE CAN IN THIS EMERGENCY SITUATION.
BUT BY VIRTUE OF YOUR AMENDMENT, AT THE VERY LEAST, IT'S GOING TO INCLUDE THIS ONE THAT WILL BE ACTION, BE ACTIONABLE READY FOR US.
THEN THE LAST SENTENCE THAT YOU HAD AS FEASIBLE, THE FUNDING IDENTIFIED SHALL BE TRANSFERRED AND RIGHT RESIDE WITHIN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION.
I THINK THAT'S TRUE WITH RESPECT TO ALL OF THE FUNDING SOURCES.
UM, I HAD SAID THAT OUT IN THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION WITH RESPECT TO THE, UH, THE, THE SALES TAX, BUT IT WASN'T JUST LIMITED TO THE SALES TAX.
YEAH, I SAID THAT'S WHY IT CHANGED THE LANGUAGE.
SO IT SAYS THE FUNDING IDENTIFIED FROM THIS RESOLUTION, SO IT CAPTURED ALL OF IT.
ANY, ANY OF THE IDEAS THAT COME FORWARD FROM THIS RESOLUTION BE TRANSFERRED AND RESIDE? OKAY, SO, SO, UH, SO IN THE, IN THE ORIGINAL TWO VERSIONS AGO, I THINK IT SAID, UM, THIS BODY OF FUNDING AND NOW I'VE CHANGED THE LANGUAGE.
SO IT READS AS SOON AS FEASIBLE, THE FUNDING IDENTIFIED FROM THIS RESOLUTION SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED AND RESIDE WITHIN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION.
SO ANY OF THESE FUNDING SOURCES, UM, THAT, THAT YIELD MONEY.
SO, SO WHAT I, SO WHAT I WOULD, WHAT I WOULD PROPOSE HERE IS THAT RIGHT NOW ON PAGE ON ONLINE 65, WE HAVE IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED AND THAT'S OUR GENERAL STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO MAKE US READY TO GO, YOU HAVE ADDED ANOTHER BE IT RESOLVED, WHICH IS THE TWO PARAGRAPHS WE'VE JUST TALKED ABOUT.
THAT SAID IN PARTICULAR, WE WANT THIS, THESE FUNDING SOURCES TO BE READY TO GO.
AND THEN THE LAST BE IT RESOLVED LAWS BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, I WOULD PROPOSE BEGIN WITH YOUR SENTENCE THAT SAYS, AS SOON AS FEASIBLE, THE FUNDING IDENTIFIED FROM THIS RESOLUTION SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED AND RESIDE WITHIN THE, UM, UH, THE, UH, IN FACT WE'VE NAMED IT EARLIER, SO WE CAN CALL IT A A E D C, THE AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UH, CORPORATION.
SO THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST SENTENCE.
AND THEN THE BALANCE OF THAT PARAGRAPH WOULD BE LINES 1 74, UH, THROUGH, UH, UH, 180 3 OF THE, UH, OF THE BASE MOTION.
SO AS I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING, MY LINE ABOUT AS SOON AS FEASIBLE WOULD GO TO LINE 93, IT WOULD GO TO LINE 1 74, BUT THERE WOULD BE, IT WOULD BE THE FIRST LINE IN THE LAST BE IT RESOLVE CLAUSE.
I THINK THAT, YEAH, THAT SOUNDS GOOD.
SO, SO MAY READ THIS ONE LAST TIME AND MAKE SURE I HAVE IT.
COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO IS SUGGESTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE BASE MOTION THAT ADDS A BE IT RESOLVED CLAUSE FOLLOWING LINE 1 73, WHICH SAYS THAT THE CITY MANAGER SHALL BRING FORWARD ORDINANCE ORDINANCES OCTOBER 1ST, 2020.
THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COUNCIL SHOULD DECIDE TO DO SO TO PLACE INTO A DESIGNATED BUSINESS PRESERVATION FUND.
THE FOLLOWING PAYMENTS, TEMPORARY USER RIGHTWAY FEES, ALL STRATIFICATION SALES REVENUE FROM ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENTS FROM DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE RAIN STREET, THIS HOUSE, SPRING STREET STORAGE DISTRICT, AND SUBDISTRICT ES AS SHOWN ON THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT ONE.
MAYOR, COULD YOU SLOW DOWN JUST A TINY BIT? WELL, I WAS GONNA EMAIL IT TO YOU, BUT YES, THE CITY MANAGER SHALL BRING FORWARD AN ORDINANCE ORDINANCES ON OCTOBER 20.
THIS IS MY YELLOW COPY THAT GOT MAILED OUT.
IT GOT MAILED OUT AT, SO IF THE SUBSTANCE OF IT IS, UM, THE, THE COPY OF THAT, THE LAST COPY GOT MAILED OUT AT 8 41 AND, AND I CAN, IF IT'S EASIER, I CAN JUST TELL
[08:10:01]
YOU WHAT WAS STRUCK FROM IT OR CHANGED, UM, TO THAT YELLOW COPY.I THINK IT BEGINS, THE CITY MANAGER, UM, SHALL BRING FORWARD AN ORDINANCE ORDINANCE ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2020.
I'M SORRY, KATHY, THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COUNCIL, UM, I SHOULD HAVE DECIDE TO DO SO TO PLACE INTO A DESIGNATED BUSINESS PRESERVATION FUND, THE FOLLOWING PAYMENTS COLON.
AND THEN IT CONTINUES WITH KATHY'S LANGUAGE, TEMPORARY USE OF RIGHT OF WAY FEES, ALLEY AND STREET VACATION SALES AND REVENUE FROM ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENTS FROM DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE RAINY STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT.
AND SUBDISTRICT PARENTHESES HAS SHOWN ON THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT ONE, THAT'S THE FIRST PARAGRAPH IN THIS NUBI RESOLVE CLAUSE.
THE SECOND CLAUSE WOULD BE, UM, AS KATHY'S WAS OCTOBER 1ST, 2020, CITY MANAGER ALSO BRING FORWARD AN ORDINANCE OR ORDINANCES AND ASSOCIATED BUSINESS BUDGET AMENDMENTS TO EFFECTUATE THE TRANSFER OF EXISTING FUNDS WHICH FALL WITHIN THE ABOVE CATEGORIES AND CAN BE REALLOCATED SO THAT STAFF CAN PROVIDE AS MUCH IMMEDIATE RELIEF AS POSSIBLE, PERIOD.
TO THE EXTENT THAT STAFF HAVE CONCERNS, RECOMMENDATIONS, OR IDENTIFY OBSTACLES TO THESE ACTIONS, THE CITY MANAGER SHALL COMMUNICATE THOSE TO COUNCIL HAD OR PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2020 COUNCIL WORK SESSION PERIOD.
THAT'S THE SECOND TO LAST, BE IT RESOLVE CLAUSE.
AND THEN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THAT IT WOULD SAY BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED.
AND IT WOULD BE THEN THE BALANCE OF THE BASE MOTION, EXCEPT THAT THAT BE IT RESOLVE CLAUSE WOULD BEGIN WITH KATHY'S SENTENCE THAT SAYS, AS SOON AS FEASIBLE, THE FUNDING IDENTIFIED FROM THIS RESOLUTION SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED AND RESIDE WITHIN THE AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PERIOD.
AND THEN THE BALANCE OF THAT TALKS ABOUT AS IT DID IN THE BASE MOTION.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO ADDING THE TOVO AMENDMENT? HEARING NONE.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER? UM, JUST CUZ WE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE, I JUST WANNA CONFIRM THAT THE BASE MOTION HAS MY AMENDMENT THAT SAYS EXISTING OR ADDITIONAL FEDERAL ASSISTANCE ON PAGE FOUR.
IT DOES, IT INCLUDES THE LANGUAGE THAT WE READ INTO FOR COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN AND I THINK THE OTHER AMENDMENTS ARE ACTUALLY INCORPORATED INTO AND MOVED IN.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COUNCIL OR POOL? I JUST HAD SOME COMMENTS IN A LITTLE BIT OF DIRECTION.
SHOULD I DO THAT NOW OR DO YOU WANNA DO IT? OKAY, DO IT NOW.
ARE WE READY TO TAKE THE VOTE? I'M READY TO TAKE THE VOTE UNLESS YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING BEFORE, BEFORE WE VOTE.
YEAH, LEMME GO AHEAD AND JUST READ A LITTLE BIT OF COMMENTS AND THEN A LITTLE BIT OF DIRECTION TO RECORD, IF THAT'S OK.
UM, AND, UH, BUT I NEED TO SAY A FEW THINGS.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANNA START OFF BY SAYING HOW GRATEFUL I FOR THE BROAD INITIATIVE, THE, AND IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN YOU DO NEED TO BE INNOVATIVE IN OUR APPROACH HERE AND NOT FAIL TO ACT, SAVE OUR ICONIC BUSINESSES AND SAVE THE CRITICAL SERVICES THAT CHILDCARE PROVIDERS GIVE TO OUR FAMILIES.
WE NEED TO RESPOND TO WHAT IS CLEARLY AN ECONOMIC EMERGENCY FOR OUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES.
WE HAVE GOT TO SHORE UP THESE CRITICAL AND WE MAKE QUESTION EMPLOYERS.
I WANNA PAUSE HERE BRIEFLY TO GO A LITTLE BIT INTO THE NUMBERS.
I'VE HEARD URGINGS FROM SOME THAT THE NEED IS ABOUT 10 MILLION.
OTHERS HAVE PUT THAT NUMBER AT ABOUT 75 MILLION.
MY GUT TELLS ME THE NEED IS NORTH OF 75 MILLION, BUT I THOUGHT EXERCISE, HERE'S WHERE 75 MILLION COMES FROM.
SO YOU CAN DO A LITTLE CALCULATION ON THERE, 1500 ENTITIES MEETING ON AVERAGE, $50,000, THAT'S 75 MILLION.
THAT NUMBER COULD BE LOWER IF SAY, HALF OF THAT AWARD WERE TO BE A LOW INTEREST OR NO INTEREST LOAN.
BUT THAT HAS FACTOR TIME INVOLVED.
AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PAYBACK TIMELINE MIGHT BE.
SO JUST THINK ABOUT THIS SIMPLE EQUATION, 1500 AT 50,000
[08:15:01]
EQUALS 75 MILLION.THAT IS A LEGITIMATE ASSESSMENT OF THE SCOPE OF THE NEED.
WE HAVEN'T YET DISCOVERED THE MECHANISM TO HELP OUR MUSIC VENUES.
AND I AGREE THAT THIS IS AN EMERGENCY AND WE NEED TO ACT.
SO I'M INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE LIVE MUSIC'S VENUE PRESERVATION FUND THAT SO MANY OF THE STAKEHOLDERS TODAY HAVE MENTIONED AS WE MOVE TOWARD OCTOBER 1ST, I WANNA MAKE SURE WE'RE CONSIDERING THAT TYPE OF DEDICATED FUND TO ENSURE THEIR SURVIVAL.
AND I REALLY WANNA THANK GOOD WORK AUSTIN.
IT'S A COLLECTIVE OF AUSTIN'S HOMEGROWN SMALL RESTAURANTS, GOOD WORK, AUSTIN, THEY DO GOOD WORK IN AUSTIN.
THEIR LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY, I SO APPRECIATE THEY HAVE WORKED TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES THAT THEIR NEIGHBORS, THEIR MEMBERS FACE, AND THEY HAVE STEPPED UP TO SUPPORT THE MUSIC VENUES AND THE ARTS GROUPS.
THEY UNDERSTAND LIKE WE ALL DO, THAT ALL OF THESE BUSINESSES TOGETHER MAKE UP ARE ROBUST ECONOMIC ECOSYSTEM.
AND THEY HAVE ENCOURAGED EVERYBODY TO WORK TOGETHER TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE.
SO I WANNA THANK OUR MUSIC VENUES TOO, FOR ORGANIZING AND EXPRESSING THEIR SUPPORT FOR THIS INITIATIVE.
OUR LIVE MUSIC VENUES ARE BECOMING AUSTIN'S VERSION OF AN ENDANGERED SPECIES, AND WE NEED TO TREAT THEIR SURVIVAL AS CRITICAL TO OUR OWN.
SO THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REACHED OUT TO US OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, WHO ATTENDED OUR MEETINGS, TOLD US THEIR STORIES.
AS WE HAVE ALL RECOGNIZED, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO MEET AND MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD REAL RELIEF OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS AS WE APPROACH OCTOBER ONE.
AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO PLEASE STAY INVOLVED.
SECONDED THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR, THOSE OPPOSED, UH, KATHY, I CAN'T SEE YOU.
ARE YOU VOTING? YES, I AM VOTING YES.
MAYOR, I'M, I'M VOTING YES, AND IT IS, UH, UNANIMOUS, UH, ON THE DIAS, UM, REAL FAST AND I RECOGNIZE WE NEED TO, TO MOVE FORWARD.
I JUST WANT TO CONCLUDE WITH I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY JOINING IN THIS, THIS IS ALL WORK THAT WE'VE ALL BEEN WORKING ON FOR A LONG TIME.
IT'S CUMULATIVE OF A LOT OF THINGS THAT MANY OF US HAVE ALREADY DONE.
UH, YOU KNOW, THERE IS SUCH INCREDIBLE NEED IN THIS CITY RIGHT NOW.
UH, WE'VE ADDRESSED IT MOST DIRECTLY WITH INDIVIDUAL DIRECT PAYMENTS, WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE WITH FOOD AND BASIC NEEDS.
AND THAT FUNDING CONTINUES ON.
BUT THIS RESOLUTION IS, IS DESIGNED TO GO AFTER THE KIND OF THE, THE CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE, UH, THAT WE'RE IN DANGER OF, OF, OF LOSING.
UH, I'VE BEEN FOCUSING ON THE CHILDCARE AND THE, AND THE MUSIC VENUES, UH, JUST AS, BUT THE NEED IS SO GREAT.
UH, YOU KNOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE HARD BECAUSE, UM, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES TO HELP TO HELP EVERYBODY.
AND, AND WE HAVE PATIENTS THAT ARE LOSING THEIR LIVES TO COVID 19.
UH, WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO LOSE BUSINESSES.
WE ALREADY HAVE LOST BUSINESSES.
BUT THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO GET SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RESOURCES, WHAT RESOURCES ARE NECESSARY TO ACTUALLY SAVE BUSINESSES.
BUT IT'S JUST NOT SAVING BUSINESSES, IT'S SAVING BUSINESSES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE FAIL.
IT'S INTENDED TO ADDRESS THOSE THAT HAVE THE GREATEST MULTIPLIER EFFECT MORE THAN THAT, THOSE THAT WOULD BE THE HARDEST TO REPLACE.
UH, AND THAT WOULD NOT BE REPLACED, UH, WITHIN THE MARKETPLACE IF THEY WERE GONE.
IT'S THOSE THAT WHOSE LOST WOULD MEAN IRREPARABLE HARM TO THE CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND, AND THIS RESOLUTION CONTAINS PRIORITY CRITERIA SET OUT IN LINES 1 31 TO 1 51.
UH, IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT AND FOCUSED EFFORT TO TRY TO SAVE A REPLACEABLE CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO DO THIS JOB WELL, UH, UNLESS WE HAVE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.
I URGE EVERYBODY TO CONTINUE TO PUSH OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION BECAUSE WE NEED THE HELP, UH, BUT WE CAN'T WAIT ON THEM.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS RESOLUTION IS DESIGNED TO DO.
I FEAR THAT RELATIVE TO THE NEED, WE'RE ONLY GONNA BE ABLE TO SAVE A PRECIOUS F I DON'T WANT TO CREATE THE EXPECTATION THAT THIS IS A MAGIC BULLET HERE, UH, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE GREATEST VALUE LIES, UH, AND THEN MAKE SURE THAT WE COME WITH SUFFICIENT FUNDING IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PRESERVE THOSE, THESE ARE HARD CHOICES.
UH, AND THE MEETING WE HAVE COMING UP IS NOT GONNA BE AN EASY ONE, MAYOR.
LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM, WHICH I, YES.
[08:20:01]
WANNA MAKE A VERY QUICK COMMENT.UM, YOU KNOW, WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I THINK YOU, UM, SAID IT VERY CORRECTLY AS THE, AS THE RESOLUTIONS, UM, THAT ARE CITED IN THIS SHOW.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE, SEVERAL OF US HAVE, HAVE BROUGHT FORWARD OTHER, OTHER RESOLUTIONS AND THEY'VE BEEN SUPPORTED ACROSS THE DIAS AND WE HAVE TRIED SEVERAL MEANS OF, OF REALLY ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.
BUT THIS IS, THIS IS, UM, REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO SO NOW, AND I APPRECIATE YOU ACCEPTING MY AMENDMENTS TO LOOK AT THOSE VERY SPECIFIC RESOURCES.
I, I'VE, THROUGHOUT THE LAST WEEK OR TWO AS WE TRIED TO FIND
UM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS, THIS IS JUST A TIME WHERE, AS YOU SAID, OUR RESOURCES REALLY EXCEED, EXCEED, UM, THE NEED IN SO MANY IN EVERY AREA AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER IN THAT I APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION THAT THE STAFF PROVIDED ABOUT WHERE OUR MUSIC VENUES ARE, AND IT SHOWS THAT THEY ARE ACROSS OUR CITY.
UM, BUT AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER IN THE DISTRICT THAT REPRESENTS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF THOSE MUSIC VENUES, YOU KNOW, IT IS, I SEE HOW CRITICALLY IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE ADDRESS THIS SITUATION NOW.
UM, THIS IS SO CRITICAL AND CORE TO THE, TO THE WAY IN WHICH AUSTIN HAS, UM, DEFINED ITSELF.
AND IT IS PART MUSIC, THE MUSIC ECOSYSTEM AND OUR CREATIVES ARE SO MUCH A PART OF, OF WHY PEOPLE VISIT AUSTIN, WHY THEY LOVE AUSTIN.
AND SO REALLY LOOKING TOWARD HOW, HOW, UM, DEEPLY WE CAN SUPPORT AND THOSE, SOME OF THOSE VENUES AND, AND LOOKING TOWARD, UM, IMPORTANT SUPPORT FOR RESTAURANTS AND CHILDCARE IS, IS VERY IMPORTANT.
SO, AS YOU SAID, OUR OUR CHOICES AHEAD ARE, ARE GONNA BE CHALLENGING ONES.
UM, BUT THIS IS A GOOD START AND I'M REALLY GLAD TO SEE US LEANING ON THE SIDE OF, OF ACTION.
YOU KNOW, I KNOW MANY IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE SEEN US INTRODUCE RESOLUTIONS AND ASK FOR ANALYSIS AND ASK FOR CONSIDERATION AND EXPLORATION.
AND, AND I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE GOING TO REALLY READ ON THE SIDE OF, OF ACTION VERSUS THAT ARE LISTED IN HERE ARE LONGER TERM ONES.
SOME OF THEM ARE LESS LIABLE THAN OTHERS.
AND SO TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN ALL CONTINUE TO PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER IN ARE REALLY VIABLE READY SOURCES OF, OF REVENUE, THE BETTER.
UM, I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP.
I DO WANNA JUST ASK ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN ENGAGED, WHETHER IT WAS FOR THE CHILDCARE, THE VENUES, OR THE RESTAURANTS, UM, TO STAY TUNED THIS WEEK.
I MEAN, THIS IS TWO WEEKS AWAY.
WE NORMALLY POST TOMORROW, IT'S NOT GONNA BE POSTED TOMORROW.
YOU KNOW, WE MAY FIND OUT WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE ON THE MONDAY BEFORE THE COUNCIL MEETING ON OCTOBER 1ST.
AND, UM, WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE HUGE AMOUNTS OF TIME TO HAVE EVERYONE WATCHING.
SO I JUST WANNA ENCOURAGE YOU, UM, TO BE ENGAGED AND SORT OF WATCH, YOU KNOW, THIS SPACE, UM, SO THAT YOU CAN ENGAGE.
BECAUSE IF WE ARE GOING TO ACT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ACT QUICKLY AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF LEEWAY FROM THE TIME THAT WE GET THE INFORMATION FROM STAFF, UM, AND CAN CONSIDER STAFF.
AND WE'RE GONNA NEED YOU IF THERE ARE CONCERNS TO BE ABLE TO RAISE THEM VERY QUICKLY.
OR IF YOU ARE IN FAVOR TO BE ABLE TO, TO SAY THAT THAT QUICKLY.
UM, BUT I, I WANTED TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THAT THERE ARE SOME CONSEQUENCES OF THAT FOR SOME OF OUR NORMAL, NORMAL PROCESSES, UM, MOVING FORWARD.
UH, JUST VERY QUICKLY, UM, I WON'T REPEAT WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID.
UH, I WANNA SAY A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ADAM OR WITH GOOD WORKS, AUSTIN AND THE OTHER FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME, UH, INCLUDING, UH, THE CREATIVE ALLIANCE.
AND THEN I WOULD JUST WANNA SAY THAT, UM, FOR OUR STAFF AND, UH, CITY MANAGER, WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT HERE, I THINK IN ADDITION TO WHAT EVERYONE HAS SAID IS THAT WE ARE CREATIVE, UM, AND WE THINK PAST THE BOXES THAT WE MAY HAVE CREATED FOR US IN THE PAST.
UM, AND IN THIS TIME OF REALLY URGENT NEED, WE THINK VERY BROADLY AND VERY CREATIVELY, UH, ABOUT, UM, RESOURCES THAT WE CAN PUT TO THIS USE.
ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK? ALL RIGHT.
[Items 18, 48, & 95]
WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON THEN TO THE CONVENTION CENTER ITEMS, UH, 1848 AND 95.UH, I THINK WE THEN, WE ALREADY HAVE A MOTION ON THIS, AND I THINK WE ACCEPTED SOME AMENDMENTS ALREADY ON THIS.
SO OUR MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS 1848
[08:25:01]
AND 95, COUNCIL MEMBER REN MAKES A MOTION.IS THERE SECOND TO THE MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER PLANNING AGAINST SECONDS.
UM, WE HAVE SEVERAL AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THIS, UH, SUGGESTED TO THIS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH,
UM, YOU HAD, UH, DIRECTION, WHICH WAS V TWO.
YOU WANT TO PLAY THAT OUT? YOU'RE MUTED.
YOU'RE ACTUALLY NOT MUTED, BUT I CAN'T HEAR YOU.
WHY DON'T YOU GO OUT AND COME BACK IN.
UM, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, KITCHEN, YOU.
YEAH, JUST, JUST QUICKLY, UM, IT'S, UM, IT'S IN BACKUP FOR FOLKS.
IT'S POSTED IN BACKUP, BUT THE, UH, THE GIST OF IT IS THE, UH, REQUESTS THAT, UM, OUR DIRECTION ACTUALLY TO STAFF THAT WHEN THEY'RE COMING BACK TO US ARE, UM, THAT THEY CONSIDER AS THEY'RE LOOKING AT ANY AGREEMENTS FOR PROPERTY ACQUISITION OR IMPROVEMENT, THAT THEY CONSIDER OPPORTUNITIES TO INCLUDE SPACES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE AS PART OF CONVENTION CENTER SPACE.
AND SECOND, THEY CONSIDER THE OPPORTUNITIES TO INCLUDE IN THE FINANCING MODEL, UH, FUNDING FOR THE ACQUISITION AND OUR SUPPORT, UH, FOR THE CULINARY ARTS, MUSIC AND, UM, BUSINESSES THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.
AND THIS IS JUST IN RECOGNITION OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD, UH, THAT THE, THE TREND IN CONVENTION CENTER PLANNING IS TO FOCUS ON THE DESTINATION AS A PRIMARY COMPONENT OF COMPETITION FOR EVENTS.
AND PEOPLE DECIDE TO ATTEND EVENTS IN SIGN, SIGNIFICANT PART ON THEIR OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN AND ENJOY THE LOCATION.
SO, UM, I I REALLY WANT US TO BE CREATIVE AND I WANT US TO THINK ABOUT AS PART AND PARCEL OF ANYTHING WE DO WHEN WE'RE ACQUIRING, UH, PROPERTY OR MAKING IMPROVEMENTS THAT, UH, AN INTEGRAL PART OF THAT IS, UH, SPACES FOR THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES.
AND ALSO OUR FINANCING MODEL SHOULD THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN LEVERAGE FUNDING AND USE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES.
AND THAT WE DO SO IN A WAY THAT IS BROAD, IS THINKING BROADLY, UM, AND NOT JUST WITHIN THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE BLOCKS THAT ARE THE CONVENTION CENTER.
SO, UH, THAT'S THE GIST OF THE, UM, OF THE, UH, DIRECTION.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE KITCHEN AMENDMENT BEING INCLUDED? HEARING NONE.
COUNCIL MEMBER SAR, ARE YOU, BRING YOURS UP.
ARE YOU ABLE TO HEAR ME NOW? YES.
UM, MY AMENDMENT, UH, VERSION TWO ON THE MESSAGE BOARD, IT'S THE SAME THING AS VERSION ONE JUST CLEANED UP BY LAW AFTER THEY TOOK A, UH, A SECOND LOOK AT IT.
UM, MY UNDERSTANDING IS, YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE OUR MB WBE PROGRAM ARE, ARE CLEAR AND ARE A PART OF THIS, UH, ARE, ARE STANDARDS FOR WORKERS AND USUALLY WANTED TO MAKE GETTING FEEDBACK FROM BOTH, BOTH OF YOU.
UM, AND THE, UM, UH, TRYING TO MAKE THOSE STANDARDS EXTRA CLEAR, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WHEN WE FIRST VOTED ON THIS, IT WAS, UH, JUST THE CONVENTION CENTER, BUT NOW THAT THERE MIGHT, UH, IS LIKELY TO BE AN OFFICE AND A HOTEL COMPONENT, WANTED TO MAKE IT REALLY CLEAR THAT THE LIVING WAGE THAT WE WANNA APPLY SHOULD APPLY TO THOSE HOTEL WORKERS AS WELL AND TO THE MAJOR CUSTODIAL CONTRACTORS, UM, YOU KNOW, MAJOR, UH, JANITORIAL WORK ON ANY OFFICE BUILDING.
I THINK THOSE ARE, IT'S A VALUE TO THE, TO THE COUNCIL TO, TO HAVE OUR LIVING WAGE APPLY, JUST LIKE IT APPLIES TO BIG JANITORIAL CONTRACTORS THAT WOULD CLEAN A CITY OFFICE BUILDING.
UH, AND ALSO EXTEND OUR LABOR PIECE RULES, UH, TO THOSE CONTRACTS.
UH, BECAUSE WE'RE ESSENTIALLY A MARKET PARTICIPANT, WE HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME AND WE WANNA MAKE SURE, UH, THAT ANY ORGANIZING THAT OCCURS THERE, UH, DOESN'T DISRUPT THE IMPORTANT WORK HAPPENING AND THAT, UH, WE CREATE, YOU KNOW, GOOD JOBS AND, AND, UH, PROTECT THE CITY'S INTEREST IN THIS CASE.
UH, I ALSO NOTICED THAT IN THE A LOT DEPARTMENTS CORRECTIONS, THERE'S ONE PLACE WHERE IT SAYS CUSTODIAL OR CONTRACTOR.
UH, JUST TO BE CLEAR, I THINK THAT'S A TYPO.
IT SHOULD JUST SAY CUSTODIAL CONTRACTOR.
COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, CAAR, UH, OFFERS AN AMENDMENT.
IS THERE AN OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENT COUNCIL MEMBER?
[08:30:01]
NO OBJECTION TO BE INCLUDED.HEARING NONE, THE KAAR AMENDMENT IS INCLUDED.
YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE IMPORTANCE OF, UH, THE AMENDMENT THAT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CAAR IS BRINGING.
UM, AS FAR AS THE WORKERS ARE, ESPECIALLY, I AM, UH, HOPING THAT I CAN MOVE OFF AN ABS ON THIS.
THAT AMENDMENTS COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO? YES, MAYOR.
UM, AS I INDICATED I HAVE, I INDICATED A COUPLE TIMES TODAY WAS SENDING OUT SOME DIRECTION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO APPLY TO ALL THREE OF THESE ITEMS, AND YOU SHOULD NOW HAVE IT.
MOST OF THESE ARE THINGS THAT I HAVE TALKED ABOUT IN ONE FORM OR FASHION, EITHER ON TUESDAY OR TODAY, BUT HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT ABOUT THEM.
JUST TO RECAP, UH, THE FIRST MAKE SURE, UM, ONE CENTERS IT WITHIN THE PALM DISTRICT PLANNING INITIATIVE, TWO, EXPANDS THE PROJECT TEAM WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.
TWO INCLUDE SEVERAL PEOPLE, UM, WHO ARE PART OF, OF THE PALM DISTRICT, UH, PLANNING INITIATIVE.
AGAIN, UM, THEY ARE OVERSEEING THAT LARGER PLANNING INITIATIVE, AND WE WANT THIS TO BE CENTERED WITHIN THAT.
THERE'S ALSO, UH, A REQUEST THAT THE LAW THAT UT'S SUSTAIN CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT BE PART OF IT.
UM, WE HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VERIFY THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE.
UM, SO THERE'S LANGUAGE IN THERE TO COVER THAT.
CONTINGENCY NUMBER THREE TALKS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS ON THE WESTWARD PART.
I WANNA TALK, JUST DWELL ON THIS ONE A LITTLE BIT.
WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, OR I TALKED ABOUT THIS ON TUESDAY AND, AND, UM, INDICATED WHAT WAS GIVING ME SOME PAUSE ABOUT, UH, KIND OF APPROACHING THIS WITH TWO DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IN THE QUESTION ANSWER, IF YOU LOOK AT THE COMMENTS FROM ALAN SHEER OF, OF UT'S CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, HE TALKED ABOUT, HE TALKED ABOUT THE EASTERN P EASTERN PORTION AND SOME OF THE DIRECT, UM, THAT WE HAD DONE ON THAT FIRST COUNCIL RESOLUTION, THE PALM DISTRICT, UM, RESOLUTION IN THE LANGUAGE WE PASSED, IT WAS VERY CLEAR ASKING OF THE SCENARIOS PRESENTED.
THIS IS FROM OUR RESOLUTION THAT WAS UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED.
THIS ONE, THIS ONE BEING SCENARIO FIVE, BEST EMBODIES THE DESIRED ENVISIONING OF WHAT A CONVENTION CENTER CAN BE, INCLUDING NOT ONLY ADDITIONAL CONVENTION SPACE, BUT ALSO REMOVING EXISTING ELEMENTS TO CREATE AN ENHANCED PUBLIC SPACE PLACEMAKING AND CONNECTIVITY WITHIN THE PALM DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY ALONG SECOND STREET, WALL CREEK AND PALM PARK.
IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE QUESTION AND ANSWER, UM, THE LANGUAGE ABOUT HOW AND WHY, THERE WERE TWO SCENARIOS ON THAT.
EASTERN SIDE TALKS ABOUT, UM, THE PLANNING TEAM HAVING BEEN TASKED WITH DEVELOPING PLANS THAT REPRESENTED HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF THOSE TRACKS.
SO WE HAVE, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT SCENARIOS FOR THAT.
EASTERN TRACK REPRESENTS HIGHEST AND BEST USE AND INCLUDES, UM, SOME BUILDING WHERE, WHERE THERE HAD BEEN CONTEMPLATED AND, UH, A CONTEMPLATED INTEREST IN HAVING PUBLIC OPEN SPACE FLEX THE VISION THAT WE PASSED LAST SPRING.
SO THIS, UH, NUMBER THREE ASKS THAT WITHIN THE VERY SHORT TERM, THAT OUR MANAGE DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE A PART OF THAT RFP THAT WILL GO OUT FOR THE EASTERN PORTION.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN I VETTED THIS WITH, WITH, UM,
THIS IS DIRECTION TO OUR MANAGER THAT EXPRESSES OUR INTENT TO TAKE SOME ACTION AS A COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT AS OUR STAFF GO FORWARD AND ASK FOR AND BEGIN THAT PROCESS OF, OF SECURING A DESIGN TEAM TO START WORK ON THE EASTERN PORTION, THAT THEY HAVE A CHECK BACK IN WITH COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ELEMENTS THAT WE WANNA SEE FOR THAT EASTERN PORTION ARE GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN, ARE GOING TO BE CONTAINED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF WORK.
[08:35:01]
THIS POINT ON ON TUESDAY, I THINK IT IS CRITICAL TO HOW WE THINK ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND ITS POTENTIAL, THE, THE POTENTIAL WE HAVE BEFORE US, THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE BEFORE US RIGHT PROJECTS FROM THE CONVENTION CENTER TO WATERLOO GREENWAY TO CAT METROS DOWNTOWN STATION TO PALM PARK, TO THE FUTURE OF PALM SCHOOL.YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THIS WONDERFUL CONVERGENCE OF IMPORTANT CULTURAL PROJECTS AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY RESHAPE, RESHAPE THAT PART OF DOWNTOWN.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WILL NEVER COME ALONG AGAIN.
AND THOSE PROJECTS HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WORK WELL TOGETHER AND THEY HAVE TO BE IN THAT COMPREHENSIVE, COHESIVE VISION.
AND, AND I THINK WE SET THE RIGHT FRAMEWORK FOR THAT IF WE USE THE RIGHT LANGUAGE.
AND SO REFERRING TO IT AS THE PALM DISTRICT REALLY HELPS FRAME IT AGAIN THAT WE'RE NOT, WE'RE NOT JUST BUILDING A CITY FACILITY.
WE ARE, WE ARE, UM, PLANNING FOR THAT WHOLE DISTRICT.
AND, AND IN DOING SO, REALLY HONORING THE PEOPLE WHO ONCE LIVED IN RAINY, WHO ATTENDED PALM SCHOOL, WHO WENT TO PALM PARK AND HONORS, UM, THE CULTURAL HERITAGE AND THE HISTORY OF, OF THAT, OF THOSE PLACES AND THE PEOPLE WHO, THE PEOPLE WHO ONCE LIVED THERE.
AND THEN FIVE REFLECTS SOMETHING THAT WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT.
UM, TODAY WE'RE TAKING 2% OUT OF, OUT OF, UM, OUT OF MORE GENERAL FUNDS, NOT GENERAL FUNDING, OUT OF MORE GENERAL HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX RATHER THAN OUT OF THE 2% THAT HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.
AND I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE ANY INTEREST IN, UM, I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE ANY INTEREST IN SLOWING THIS DOWN AND, AND SWITCHING THE
UM, BUT WE DO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND, AND SOFT THAT OUT.
AND SO THAT'S THE QUESTION NUMBER FIVE.
YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS AN EXCITING, AS I SAID, I THINK IT'S AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY, BUT I DO KNOW THAT PART OF WHY PEOPLE WERE EXCITED ABOUT THIS VISION HAD A LOT TO DO WITH WHAT, WHAT THEY BELIEVE AND ARE EXCITED ABOUT ON THE EASTERN PORTION.
WE HAVE GOT TO REALLY ADDRESS HOW THAT EASTERN PORTION IS GONNA INTERFACE WITH THE STREET, HOW IT'S GONNA INTERFACE WITH PALM PARK CAPITAL INTERFACE WITH, WITH WALLER CREEK.
RIGHT NOW IT IS, YOU KNOW, A BLOCK, A VERY BLOCKY BUILDING THAT THAT DOES NOT, UM, PROVIDE THE KIND OF ENTRANCE TO THIS FACILITY THAT, THAT, UM, OR TO THIS AREA OF TOWN THAT, THAT WE WANNA SEE.
COUNCIL MEMBER TOBO, I JUST WANTED TO, I JUST WANTED TO SECOND OUR MOTION.
WE'LL LET THAT GO LATE AS A, AS A, AS A WALKING AMENDMENT AND SECONDED MY, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, UM, DISCUSSION ON THAT COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
UH, YEAH, I, I HAVE JUST A QUICK QUESTION FOR COUNCIL NUMBER TOVO.
SO, UM, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE IN INTENT THAT THE, UM, THE, THE DOLLARS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW, UH, COME FROM THE, UH, 2%, CORRECT? THAT IS THE INTENT.
TODAY THEY WE'RE SET UP TO TAKE THEM FROM, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, FROM THE CONVENTION CENTER CAPITAL FUND, MY, OUR STAFF, LET ME WRITE THIS.
SO I THINK TODAY WE'RE SET UP TO TAKE THEM FROM THE CONVENTION CENTER CAPITAL FUND.
AND WHAT I'M ASKING FOR IS THAT WE COME BACK WITH A BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT SWAPS THAT.
SO PLACES THAT FUNDING WITH FUNDING FROM THE 2%.
OKAY, SO YOU'VE ACTUALLY WRITTEN IT IN, WRITTEN INTO THE, UH, THE AMENDMENT THAT YOU HAVE, UH, THAT SPECIFIES THAT, THAT WITH THAT, THAT THOSE DOLLARS COME OUTTA 2%, THE STAFF WILL RETURN WITH WHATEVER DOCUMENT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
SO WE WON'T BE SLOWED DOWN TODAY AND APPROPRIATE IN GETTING THAT FUNDING MOVING, BUT IT WILL BE SWAP OUT AT THE NEXT FEASIBLE COUNCIL MEETING.
I JUST WANTED MAKE THAT POINT BECAUSE MY, UM, UH, MY, UH, AGREEMENT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THOSE DOLLARS COME, ARE INTENDED TO COME OUT OF THE, UH, UH, THE POT OF DOLLARS.
SO THANK YOU COUNCIL O TOVO, UM, WITH RESPECT TO THE, THE AMENDMENT THAT YOU'VE OFFERED.
UM, AND I APPRECIATE YOU DOING THE WORK ON THIS AND, AND, AND WORKING TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS STAYS ALIGNED.
UH, AND I, MY MY SENSE OF THIS IS THAT YOU'RE KIND OF FOLLOWING THE, THE BLUEPRINT OF THE, UH, OF THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU MENTIONED IN THAT FIRST PARAGRAPH.
ARE YOU STILL WITH ME OR DID WE LOSE, WE LOST A PICTURE.
YEAH, MY PICTURE KEEPS GOING OFF, BUT I'M HERE.
UH, YOU BEGAN WITH NUMBER ONE BY TALKING ABOUT THE PALM DISTRICT MASTER PLAN AND, UH, MAY SAYING THAT THE WORK GOING FORWARD NEEDS TO SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGN WITH THAT.
[08:40:08]
MAYOR? I THINK WE MAY HAVE LOST KATHY.WHILE WE'RE WAITING FOR KATHY, DO WE NEED, DO WE NEED A MOTION TO EXTEND THE MEETING PAST 10:00 PM YES, WE DO.
IS THERE A MOTION TO EXTEND? LAST TIME WAS PLANNING THEIR MOTIONS ARE SECOND TO THAT MOTION.
UH, THOSE A FAVORITE EXTENDING, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
UH, THOSE OPPOSED TO EXTENDING, UH, OPPOSE IT TO EXTENDING ADAM, I SEE CAP HARBOR, MADISON AND RENT OTHERS NOT VOTING.
YOU HAVE, UH, UH, LED WITH THE FACT THAT, UH, WE EXPRESSED, UH, OUR INTENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS DESIGN AND WHAT I THINK WAS YOUR EARLIER MOTION, THE PALM DISTRICT MASTER PLAN.
AND YOU'RE SAYING WE HAVE TO REMAIN ALIGNED WITH WHAT WE DO HERE.
IS THAT CORRECT? KATHY? WE LOST KATHY AGAIN.
SO I HAVE IT, I HAVE THE RESOLUTION IN FRONT OF ME.
YOU MAY REMEMBER IT WAS ABOUT 27 PAGES, BUT I CAN READ, I'M NOT GONNA READ IT ALL TO ME, BUT I CAN READ YOU SOME OF THE TENANTS OF IT, LIKE PEDESTRIAN CONDUCTIVITY.
I DON'T, I DON'T NEED YOU TO, I JUST WANNA CONFIRM THAT WE'RE STAYING ALIGNED WITH THAT AS I LIKE THAT.
AND I, AND I LOOK AT THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF YOUR AMENDMENT, WHICH SAYS THAT WE'RE GONNA STAY ALIGNED WITH THAT PALM DISTRICT MASTER PLAN.
YOUR POINT NUMBER TWO, I THINK IS REALLY GOOD WHERE YOU'RE SAYING LET'S HAVE THE UT DESIGN PEOPLE AND THE OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS WHEN WE'RE DOING DESIGN WORK.
SO I SUPPORT THAT PARAGRAPH AS AS WELL.
UH, ITEM NUMBER FOUR, UH, YOU SAY, LET'S CALL IT THE PALM DISTRICT RATHER THAN CONVENTION CENTER DISTRICT.
I THINK THAT'S FINE AND THAT'S APPROPRIATE GIVEN FACT THAT WE CALLED IT THE PALM DISTRICT MASTER PLAN IN THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU BROUGHT THAT WE PASSED, AND THE LAST ONE TO THE POINT THAT GOT SOME OTHER KITCHEN JUST RAISED, USING THE 2%, UH, FOR THIS DOWN PAYMENT, I THINK IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO AS WELL.
MY ONLY CONCERN, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARILY A CONCERN, IS RESPECT TO NUMBER THREE.
YOU STATE, AGAIN, THE INTENT AND THAT WE ALL SHARE, I THINK, TO REALLY BE ABLE TO MAXIMIZE THIS AS A PLACE SAVING AND, UH, FUNCTION.
AND WE COVERED THAT, UH, IN THE SECTION OF THAT RESOLUTION THAT WE TRANS BEFORE THAT YOU READ WITH RESPECT TO, TO AFFIRMING, UH, THE, THE, THE, THE DESIRE THAT WE ALL HAD FOR THAT CONVENTION SERIAL SCENARIO NUMBER FIVE.
THERE WERE TWO OTHER PROVISIONS, UH, THAT COUNCIL OF PASSED, UH, AS PART OF THAT, IN FACT, THE VERY NEXT PARAGRAPH CONTAINED LANGUAGE THAT SAID THAT THE COUNCIL DIRECTS US ACTION WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS COULD AND PERHAPS SHOULD BE INCLUDED, THAT ANY DESIGN WILL NEED TO MEET PRACTICAL AND FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL, THE STAFF AND THE PUBLIC WILL NEED TO BE AFFORDED AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR APPROPRIATE EXPLORATIONS OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE SCENARIO, INCLUDING FINANCIAL RATIONALE, ESTIMATED COSTS, THE POTENTIAL FUNDING OPTIONS.
SO I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT, THAT, THAT IN STAYING ALIGNED WITH THE RESOLUTION, UH, AND, AND JUST WE'RE NOT, WE WE'RE STILL, WE'RE STILL ALIGNED WITH THE OTHER PROVISIONS THAT WE PASSED IN THAT RESOLUTION AS WELL.
OR AS I WANT THE COUNCIL TO COME BACK TO US AND TALK TO US ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE, THE, HOW WE CAN DO ALL THE PLACE MAKING THAT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO.
BUT I ALSO WANTED TO BRING BACK TO US PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS TO US IN THE COMMUNITY SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT THEY FEEL ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE.
BUT I'M A HUNDRED PERCENT IN, IN, IN, IN, IN REAFFIRMING, UH, THE, THAT PART OF THE RESOLUTION THAT SPOKE TO THE FACT THAT, THAT WE WANTED TO BE, UH, THE, THE, THE REAL PLACEMAKING OPTION.
BUT THAT WAS, UM, UH, RIGHT, THE SECTION I JUST READ WAS, UH, IN THAT VERY NEXT, UH, PARAGRAPH, UH, ON NUMBER ONE, THAT WAS, UM, UH, ON, ON PAGE 19 YOU HAD READ PAGE 18, I THINK, IS THAT THE SECTION MAYOR THAT ALSO TALKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF, UM, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC EXPLORATIONS, UM, OF THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS, INCLUDING FINANCIAL RATIONALE, ESTIMATED COSTS.
SO THEN I THINK, I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I KNOW OUR PUBLIC WANTS TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS AND THEY WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO, BUT CERTAINLY SOME OF, SOME OF WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS THAT THEY ALSO WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE INVESTMENT AND THE RATIONALE, ESPECIALLY IN THE, IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID.
SO I THINK IT IS, I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT SECTION THAT TALKS ABOUT PRACTICALITY OF BOTH THE DESIGN BUT ALSO THE VENTURE.
AND I STARTED THINKING THAT WE SHOULD PULL IN THOSE KINDS OF SECTIONS TOO.
BUT I'M, BUT I FEEL THAT IT'S COVERED BY YOUR, YOUR NUMBER ONE,
[08:45:01]
WHICH REFERS PEOPLE BACK TO THAT DOCUMENT, THIS DOCUMENT AND SAYS STAY ALIGNED WITH IT.THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER SECTION, UH, SECTION SIX, UH, IT'S JUST A FEW PARAGRAPHS FURTHER DOWN THAT TALKS ABOUT HOW WE REALLY DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PALM DISTRICT PLANNING EFFORT AND THE CONVENTION CENTER PLANNING EFFORT, UH, SHOULD, UM, UH, INFORM ONE ANOTHER.
UH, IT SAID AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION PROCESS SHOULD INFORM A PLANNING PROCESS OF THE DISTRICT VERSUS THE PLANNING PROCESS OF THE DISTRICT SHOULD INFORM THE EXPANSION PROCESS.
AND THE TWO PROCESSES SHOULD ALSO OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY.
UH, I MEAN THESE PROJECTS OBVIOUSLY ARE KEY TO ONE ANOTHER, UH, BUT ONE ISN'T BEING HELD UP FOR THE OTHER OR, UH, THEY JUST NEED TO INFORM ONE ANOTHER AND WORK TO ONE ANOTHER.
BUT I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO CALL THAT OR ANY OTHER SECTION OF THIS, CUZ I THINK THAT'S COVERED BY YOUR FIRST PARAGRAPH, WHICH SAYS, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE DOCUMENT THAT CONTAINED A LOT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS THAT WE MADE.
UM, IF I COULD JUST PIPE, IF I COULD JUST MAKE A COMMENT THERE.
UM, WHILE THAT IS TRUE, I WOULD SAY AT THE MOMENT THE PALM DISTRICT PLANNING INITIATIVE IS NOT UNDERWAY.
I KNOW THAT SOME GOOD WORK HAS BEGUN, UM, AND, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, SOME OF THAT WORK HAD TO CEASE, UM, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.
BUT IT IS, I THINK THAT IF, IF WE HAVE, UM, THIS AREA OF TOWN, IF WE ARE LIMITING OPTIONS, UM, IN TERMS OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN THIS PART OF TOWN, BECAUSE THE CONVENTION CENTER PROJECT HAS PROCEEDED ALONG A TRACK THAT IS NOT INTEGRATED WITH THE GOALS OF THE PALM DISTRICT PLANNING INITIATIVE, WE WILL HAVE MISSED A HUGE OPPORTUNITY.
I, I THINK CONVERSELY, A PROJECT, A CONVENTION CENTER THAT IS REALLY ATTUNED TO THE VALUES THAT WERE EXPRESSED IN THAT PALM DISTRICT RESOLUTION WILL BE, WILL REALLY BE, UM, NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, NOT JUST CREATE A USABLE, FLEXIBLE, EXCITING TO VISIT CONVENTIONS THAT REALLY FUNCTIONS WELL FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AS WELL AS FOR VISITORS, BUT IT WILL ALSO HELP TRANSFORM THAT SOME OF THE PIECES OF THAT AREA THAT DO NOT WORK IF THE CONVENTION CENTER PROCEEDS ALONG ITS OWN TRACK.
AND IF ALL OF THE CHOICES ARE, ARE REALLY MADE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF OPERATIONAL, OPERATIONAL CHOICES FOR ONE OF OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS, I THINK THAT WE WILL HAVE, HAVE FAILED IN OUR GOAL HERE.
SO, SO YES, I MEAN, YOU'RE CALLING OUT A PARAGRAPH THAT TALKS ABOUT THE TWO PROCESSES OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY, BUT THEY MUST, THEY REALLY MUST, THEY MUST BE MESHED OR, OR WE WILL MISS THAT OPPORTUNITY AND IT, AND WE, YOU KNOW, COULD BE LEFT WITH, UM, WELL LET ME JUST LEAVE IT AS THAT.
AND I THINK THAT YOUR, YOUR SENTIMENT THERE ALSO IS INCORPORATED INTO THAT SAME PARAGRAPH AND THAT'S HOW WE CONSTRUCTED IT, UH, BACK WHEN THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION WAS PASSED, BECAUSE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS ALSO TRUE AS WELL.
I MEAN, THERE ARE MANY OTHER PARAGRAPHS THAT, THAT WE COULD LAND ON THAT TALK, YOU KNOW, ABOUT THE KIND OF BROADER GOALS FOR THIS AREA THAT I THINK ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.
AND I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE BY PULLING OUT ONE, WE WEREN'T LOSING ALL THE OTHERS.
I MEAN, I GUESS THAT'S ALL THAT I WAS TRYING TO DO ON THE, THE QUESTION I HAVE ON NUMBER THREE, YOU HAVE BY DECEMBER 1ST, UH, IT'S SUPPOSED TO, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO COME BACK WITH THE, UH, DESIGN ELEMENTS FOR THE, UH, PLAN.
AND I'M JUST FROM A CALENDARING BASIS, I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS BY DECEMBER 1ST.
UH, I DON'T KNOW, YOU KNOW, CAUSE AT THIS POINT WHEN WE, IF, WHEN WE PROVE THIS, THEN THEY CONTINUE WITH THEIR NEGOTIATIONS, UH, THEY'LL BE REFINING WHAT THE COSTS ARE.
THEY'LL BE REFINING THE, THE FINANCE PLANS.
THEY'LL BE FIGURING OUT HOW THEY DO THIS STUFF WITH CAPITAL METRO.
I DON'T KNOW THAT IT, IT'S GONNA BE NECESSARILY BY DECEMBER 1ST, BUT CERTAINLY BEFORE WE MAKE COMMITMENTS TO ANYTHING, WE'RE GONNA NEED TO UNDERSTAND, UH, YOU KNOW, WITH THE FORWARD LOOKING PIECES, YOU KNOW, AS MUCH AS WE CAN ABOUT THE FORWARD LOOKING PIECES.
YOU KNOW, I, I MADE A, I THINK I LEFT OUT A KEY PIECE OF WE'VE, THIS HAS GONE THROUGH, UM, MANY ITERATIONS AND HAS HAD A FAIR AMOUNT OF FEEDBACK THROUGH THE DAY, AND I WANT, I NEED TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING APPROPRIATELY.
AND NUMBER THREE, THIS IS REALLY ABOUT THE EASTERN TRACK.
AND SO, SO, YOU KNOW, PART OF WHAT WAS EXCITING ABOUT THE DESIGN, AS I SAID, IS THAT THE EXPANSION WAS WESTWARD, BUT THERE WERE SOME SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS ON THE EAST EASTERN TRACK.
THESE PROJECTS HAVE, NOW, THIS HAS NOW BEEN BIFURCATED INTO TWO DIFFERENT PROJECTS.
WE'RE PROCEEDING ON THE ONE, AND WHAT I'M ASKING FOR IS ON THREE, SOME GENERAL UNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT WHAT OUR INTENTS ARE WITH REGARD TO THE EASTERN TRACK.
AND SO, SO THE DESIGN ELEMENTS
[08:50:02]
ARE ABOUT THE EASTERN TRACK, NOT THE WESTERN.SO WHAT I THINK I NEED TO DO HERE, BUT I THINK ADD IN, AND LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT I MEAN BY DESIGN ELEMENTS.
SO IN, IN CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF, IT'S CLEAR THAT WE WON'T HAVE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T BEGUN A DESIGN FOR THE EASTERN PORTION.
WE DON'T HAVE A DESIGNER OR, UM, A FIRM FOR THE EASTERN PORTION.
WE NOT EVEN HAVE AN RFP OUT YET BY, BY SPRING FOR THAT DESIGN FIRM.
SO WHAT I'M, WHAT I AM ASKING, OR WHAT I'M DIRECTING THE MANAGER, OR WHAT I'M SUGGESTING WE DIRECT THE MANAGER TO DO, IS TO DEVELOP LIKE A LIST OF OPERATING AGREEMENTS THAT WILL BECOME PART OF THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THAT DESIGN TEAM FOR THE EASTERN PORTION.
AND SO I THINK THAT SOUNDS GOOD, AND IF THEY CAN DO IT BY THEN, THAT'S GREAT.
IF STEPH CAN'T DO THAT BY DECEMBER 1ST, THEY, THEY JUST NEED TO LET US KNOW THAT.
BUT OBVIOUSLY WE NEED BEFORE WE CAN START MAKING DECISIONS THAT ARE GONNA BE DEPENDENT ON THAT.
AND I THINK YOU'RE OKAY WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU HAVE WITH RESPECT TO THE EASTERN SIDE, BECAUSE YOU TALK ABOUT AND LEAD THAT PARAGRAPH WITH THE SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE EXISTING FACILITY WOULD BE REMOVED AND RECONFIGURED.
AND THAT'S CLEARLY WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
THAT'S, AND THAT SAVES ME EDITING THE ONLY, IT WAS CAUSING, UM, SOME CONCERN THAT IT WAS GOING TO POTENTIALLY SET BACK THE PURCHASE AND LEASE AGREEMENT.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, THAT DECEMBER 1ST, 2020 IS JUST A, A DATE I LANDED ON BECAUSE IT GIVES, IT GIVES, UH, THE STAFF SOME TIME TO COME BACK WITH SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
I THINK WE DIRECTED, WE GAVE VERY CLEAR DIRECTION.
THE DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT CAME BACK TO US FELL INTO THAT.
AND SO THIS GIVES US SOME CERTAINTY TO WHAT THE DESIGN WOULD LOOK LIKE, UM, OR WHAT THE DESIGNER WILL BE ASKED TO RESPOND TO IN THEIR DESIGN ELEMENTS.
BUT THAT'S WHY WE LANDED ON THAT DECEMBER 1ST, 2020.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT, THAT WE'D BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
SO IT DOESN'T SET OFF, IT DOESN'T SET BACK THE PURCHASE AND LEASE AGREEMENT.
AND I THINK I SAID THIS EARLIER, BUT I'M GONNA SAY IT AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSING SOME CONCERN.
AGAIN, THIS IS NOT, THESE ARE NOT TASKS FOR THE WESTERN PROPERTY OWNERS.
THIS IS DIRECTION FOR OUR CITY MANAGER, AND THIS IS NOT, IS OUR STAFF OKAY.
IS OUR STAFF OKAY WITH, UH, THIS, THESE AMENDMENTS, GIVEN THE, THE CONVERSATION WE JUST HAD ABOUT WHAT THESE TERMS MEAN AND DESIGN ELEMENTS BEING KIND OF THE SCOPE OF THE WORK AND THE OTHER SECTIONS OF THAT ORIGINAL PALM DISTRICT MASTER PLAN ALSO BEING, UH, GERMANE, GIVEN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH? ARE YOU OKAY WITH THIS AMENDMENT? UH, YES.
UH, DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE INCLUSION OF THIS AMENDMENT INTO THE MOTION HEARING THAT IT'S INCLUDED AS WELL? ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON THIS ITEM? COUNCIL MEMBER WALTER, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER READ ARIA.
IT'S, YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO, UM, THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVA FOR PULLING, UM, THESE AMENDMENTS TOGETHER THAT WERE THOUGHTS I THINK THAT, UM, SEVERAL OF US HAD ABOUT WHERE WE WERE GOING WITH THE PROCESS.
I THINK IT'S, UM, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS ON THE FINANCES THAT WE PUT INTO THAT RESOLUTION THAT WE DID FOR THE PALM DISTRICT THAT ARE REALLY, REALLY KEY.
UM, AND SO I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT BEFORE WE'RE ASKED TO GO TO A PURCHASE AND LEASE AGREEMENT, THAT WE HAVE THE CLARITY ON ALL OF THAT.
UM, AND I THINK, UM, NUMBER FIVE THAT SAYS THAT WE'RE PAYING FOR THIS OUT OF FUNDS THAT CAN ONLY BE USED FOR EXPANSION, UM, ALLOWS US TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT THAT WE NEED TO MAKE NOW SO THAT WE CAN BE CREATIVE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE P THREE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS OF EXPANDING CONVENTION CENTER AND CREATE THE POSSIBILITY FOR, FOR THIS PLACE MAKING.
BUT I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS WE, YOU KNOW, JUST PASSED 62 AND HAD A LOT OF THINGS IN THERE, UM, THAT WE'RE ABLE TO SAY, THIS IS MONEY THAT IS JUST EARMARKED FOR EXPANSION, UM, AS PART OF THIS PROCESS, UM, TO, TO HELP US TO MOVE FORWARD AND, AND TAKE, TAKE THIS STEP, WHICH IS IMPORTANT, BUT IS ALSO, UM, YOU KNOW, A DIFFERENT STEP FOR A CITY TO BE ABLE TO, TO ENTER INTO THIS KIND OF, UH, PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
COUNCIL PAUL? OH, I'M SORRY, COUNCIL.
UH, YEAH, I, I'M HAVING TROUBLE PULLING DOWN ALL THE ADDED AMENDMENTS AND, UH, AND, AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO, TO, UH, BRING ANY OF THE, UH, CHANGES DOWN TO MY
[08:55:01]
SYSTEM.SO I, THAT'S WHY I'M NOT GONNA BE VOTING IN SUPPORTING ANY OF THIS THAT KATHY, BECAUSE I JUST CANNOT LOAD THAT DOCUMENT DOWN.
IT'S GIVING ME PROBLEM THAT NOW IT JUST HUNG UP.
SO THE NUMBER, IT, UM, KATIE POWER SENT IT OUT AT EIGHT NINE.
UM, AND IF I THINK I CAN SEND IT DIRECTLY TO YOU, I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD BE, I MEAN, I CAN GO AHEAD AND, AND CONTINUE THE VOTE.
IT'S JUST THAT I, I'M JUST GONNA BE ATTAINING.
BUT I, I DO LIKE ALL THE IDEAS AND WHAT I'VE HEARD SO FAR.
IT'S JUST, IT, IT'S JUST THAT I, I REALLY FEEL THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE A LOT OF MONEY BY GOING THROUGH THAT WESTERN, UH, UH, DOING, UH, DOING THE WESTERN PART.
AND, UH, AND, AND I THINK THERE'S AN BIG OPPORTUNITY, UH, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TAKEN THAT CONCEPT BEFORE, NOT AS LARGE AS THE CONVENTION CENTER, BUT WHAT WE DID OVER THERE AT ACC AT HIGHLAND MALL, WHERE WE SAVE OVER 30 MILLION ON THAT BUILDING AND WHAT WE'RE DOING OVER THERE AT THE, UH, AUSTIN ENERGY.
SO I, I JUST REALLY WANNA TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, SO WE, THAT WILL SAVE US ANY KIND OF, UH, UH, SAVE US FOR.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S MY ONLY CONCERN THAT I HAD, YOU KNOW, THE REST OF THE IDEA.
I LOVED THE PROMISE SCHOOL, YOU KNOW, PARK AND, AND DEVELOPING ALL THAT, AND THAT JUST REALLY, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WOULD JUST VERY FIT IN AND THEN FIT IN.
BUT I, I, THAT WAS JUST MY CONCERN.
THAT THOSE AMENDMENTS ARE INCORPORATED.
COUNCIL MEMBER ENTRY, ABSTAINS, ANYTHING BEFORE WE VOTE ON THESE ITEMS? COUNCIL MEMBER POOL AND COUNCIL MEMBER FLANIGAN.
IS, IS MS. RISER AVAILABLE? I SEE THAT SHE'S THERE, BUT I DON'T SEE HER FACE.
I HAD A QUICK QUESTION AND IF NOT, UM, I, I AM HERE COUNSEL.
AND EITHER YOU OR MR. WHAT, MS. RISER, CAN YOU MUTE? THANK YOU.
UM, AND EITHER YOU OR MR. GALE CAN ANSWER.
EARLIER TODAY WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS, I ASKED ABOUT THE EARNEST MONEY TERMINOLOGY AND THE 6.3 MILLION.
IS THAT EARNEST MONEY OR IS THAT MONEY THAT THE CITY IS PAYING FOR THE CITY'S EFFORTS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHAT, UH, THE DEVELOPMENT MIGHT BE FOR THE CITY'S BENEFIT, UM, WITH THE, UH, EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENT? CAN YOU JUST, UH, ONE MORE TIME EXPLAIN THE USE OF THE TERM, UM, EARN MONEY THAT'S IN THE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER? I, UM, THE REASON WE'RE CALLING IT EARN MONEY IS BECAUSE, CAN YOU HEAR ME, COUNCIL MEMBER? YES.
IS, UM, BECAUSE IT, IT, IT IS ERNEST MONEY AND THAT WE'RE DEPOSITING IT INTO AN ESCROW ACCOUNT FOR, UM, DESIGN WORK TO BE DONE ON THIS BUILDING.
AND, UM, AND SOME OTHER WORK TO BE DONE.
AND THE MONEY WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AS, UM, WE MOVE FORWARD.
AND WHO IS IT THAT THE, THE MONEY WOULD BE PAID TO THE, THE MONEY WOULD BE PAID TO, UM, TO THE OWNER SLASH DEVELOPERS.
THE OWNER SLASH DEVELOPERS? YES.
SO THAT'S DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTOOD.
THANKS FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
THAT'S, THAT'S THE USUAL DEFINITION.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR, UH, COMPATIBILITY OF DESIGN WITH THE PALM DISTRICT.
SO, UM, I APPRECIATE THE, UM, ADOPTION OF TOGO'S AMENDMENTS.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
UH, THE ONLY OPTION THAT I THINK IS THE ONE THAT WOULD EXCITE THE IMAGINATION OF AUSTINITE IS OPTION FIVE.
THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SHOW A WALKABLE COMMUNITY IN THIS, IN THIS PART OF DOWNTOWN, UM, WORK WITH PROTECTIONS, UM, AS PART OF THE CSAR AMENDMENT.
ALSO SERIOUSLY IMPORTANT GOING FORWARD.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK STAFF TO LOOK AT PROFESSORS, UM, SANFORD'S ASSESSMENT.
I THINK THAT, UM, WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT ALL SIZE OF THE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE MAKE A, UH, A FINAL DETERMINATION ABOUT THIS.
I DID SAY THAT EARLIER THAT, THAT I WOULD BE ABSTAINING ON THIS.
[09:00:01]
REASONS ARE DIFFERENT THAN, UM, MY COLLEAGUE COUNCIL MEMBER EE IS I'VE GOT THE DOWN, YOU KNOW, I'M ABLE TO SEE THE DOCUMENTS, BUT I, I, UM, ABM STILL ABSTAINING BECAUSE I NEED TO SEE SOME MORE CERTAINTY AROUND THE NUMBERS.I NEED SOME MORE CERTAINTY ABOUT THE DESIGN, AND I NEED SOME ASSURANCES ABOUT THE COMPATIBILITY WITH THE PALM DISTRICT.
BUT I COULD TELL YOU WERE SAYING MY NAME.
UM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS, UH, THIS IS SO EXCITING BECAUSE, UH, I'M, AND I'M REALLY APPRECIATIVE, APPRECIATIVE OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE BROUGHT AMENDMENTS BECAUSE IT IS COMPLETELY COMPATIBLE AND IN LINE WITH ALL OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I'VE HAD WITH THE STAFF AND THE CONSULTANTS AND THE UT TEAM AND I, I, AND EVEN IN LARGE PART WITH WORK THE CONVENTION CENTER ALREADY DOES IN PRIORITIZING LOCAL BUSINESSES.
AND IF YOU'VE EVER SPENT TIME IN, IN EVENTS THERE, YOU KNOW, THAT, AND I KNOW ALL OF US HAVE AT TIMES, UH, THAT, THAT THERE'S ALWAYS A PRIORITIZATION FOR LOCAL BUSINESS.
AND, UH, AND TO HAVE THE WORKER PROTECTIONS AND THE LIVING WAGE REQUIREMENT AND THE LABOR PIECE, AND THE CONNECTION WITH THE PALM SCHOOL AND THE REOPENING OF OPEN SPACE AND REDEVELOPING THIS CORNER OF DOWNTOWN.
I FEEL LIKE WE ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT.
AND IT, IT'S FAR MORE AGREEMENT THAN, THAN I THINK THE PUBLIC, UH, HAS SOMETIMES HEARD US HAVE ON, ON THIS TOPIC.
AND SO I'M, I'M REALLY THANKFUL FOR THAT.
AND, AND I WANNA JUST THANK A FEW FOLKS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, TO GET TO THIS POINT TODAY, AND IT'S BY NO MEANS THE LAST DECISION WE'LL MAKE, BUT IT IS, IT IS ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS, UH, WHAT I THINK IS GOING TO BE A REALLY, UH, AMAZING AND IMAGINATIVE PUBLIC RESOURCE AND ASSET FOR THE PUBLIC, FOR THE, FOR INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS, FOR, FOR MUSIC AND ARTS AND FOR TRANSPORTATION IN, IN, IN ALL OF THE COLLABORATION THEY'RE DOING WITH PROJECT CONNECT AND HOPEFULLY A IN NEW DOWNTOWN STATION.
UH, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME REALLY HARD WORKERS INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS.
AND I WANNA START BY, BY THINKING KATIE Z MESICK AND TRISHA TATRA, WHO, WHO TOOK OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, UH, FOR, UM, FOR CARLOS STEPHAN AND MARK TESTER, WHO, WHO REALLY DID SOME GREAT WORK, THE CONVICTION CENTER, ALEX FIELD AND REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENT, THE, THE UT ARCHITECTURE AND, AND THE MCCOMBS SCHOOL FOLKS, DEAN, ALLIE, CARMEN GUO, GREG ALMAN, ALAN SCH, SARAH WOO, ALL THE GRAD ASSISTANTS, UH, UH, ALL OF THE STAFF ON, ON THE CITY SIDE.
AND MY GOSH, COMING OUT OF RETIREMENT, LIKE, LIKE BABE RUTH HIT COMING TO THE PLATE, LORAINE REER, AND REALLY SOMEONE WHO BRINGS A LEVEL OF WISDOM AND INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND HISTORY TO, TO THIS CONVERSATION THAT ARE JUST COM THAT ARE SO INVALUABLE.
AND I'M THANKFUL FOR, FOR MY COLLEAGUES, FOR BRINGING THESE REALLY THOUGHTFUL AND IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS TO THIS, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IN LINE WITH WHAT WE'RE ALL EXCITED ABOUT, WHAT MAKES US EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT.
AND, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THIS TAKE THE NEXT STEP OF MANY FUTURE STEPS THAT WE'RE DOING TODAY.
UM, SO I WANTED TO, UM, JUST CLARIFY SOMETHING BECAUSE I THINK THAT, UM, I'M NOT SURE THAT I AGREE WITH THE INTERPRETATION WHERE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL LANDED, AND I APOLOGIZE.
I'VE GOT KIDS PRINTING THINGS IN THE BACKGROUND HERE.
UM, SO MS. RISER IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT MONEY, IT DOESN'T GET LIKE PAID TO THE DEVELOPER.
IT YOU HAVE, THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT BILLS THAT THEY HAVE PAID TOWARDS THE DESIGN WORK.
UM, AND WE'RE PUTTING IN, YOU KNOW, UP TO THIS 6.3 MILLION AND THEY'RE, WE'RE ANTICIPATING THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE PUTTING IN ROUGHLY 14 MILLION OF THEIR OWN MONEY TO FULFILL THE VARIOUS TASKS THAT HAVE TO BE DONE BEFORE WE CAN MOVE TO A PURCHASE AND LEASE AGREEMENT.
SO THIS IS NOT LIKE WE'RE HANDING THIS MONEY OVER TO THEM.
IT IS PAYING FOR TASKS THAT HAVE TO GET DONE ON THE ROAD TO PUTTING TOGETHER WHAT WOULD BE THE FINAL DESIGN AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES INTO THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
IS THAT A CORRECT INTERPRETATION? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU COULD ADD? EITHER ALEX
AND IT'S ONLY GOING FORWARD, UM, TO DESIGN, DO THE DETAILED DESIGN OF OUR BUILDING TO GET TO A GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE AND GET THROUGH THE SITE PLAN PROCESS SO THAT WAY WHEN WE COME BACK TO COUNCIL, WE'LL HAVE ALL THE LOOSE ENDS, UM, UH, ADMITTED TOGETHER AND CAN BRING YOUR FINAL PRODUCT.
AND THEN WITH COUNCIL MEMBER TOGO'S AMENDMENT, THAT FUNDING IS COMING FROM THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX EXTRA 2 CENTS THAT WE, UM, AGREED TO LAST YEAR SOMETIME, I THINK, UM, WHICH CAN ONLY BE USED FOR, FOR EXPANSION.
UM, AND I JUST WANTED TO, I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY
[09:05:01]
THAT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THERE TO BE CONFUSION OVER WHICH STAGE WE'RE AT IN THIS, IN THIS PROCESS AND WHERE THAT FUNDING IS COMING FROM AND WHAT THAT FUNDING COULD OTHERWISE BE USED FOR, WHICH I THINK IS NOT NECESSARY TO BRING INTO SAYING, WE WANT TO TAKE A STEP FORWARD TO SEE IF WE CAN REIMAGINE THIS AREA AND, AND CREATE THIS PLACE AND ALLOW FOR THE EXPANSION.IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO PASS ITEMS. UH, 18 48, 95.
THOSE YOUR FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS.
THOSE OPPOSED, IT'S UNANIMOUS ON THE DIAS.
UH, THOSE ITEMS ALL PASS, I GUESS THAT, YES.
UH, DO WE HAVE TO, UH, TAKE A VOTE ON THIS MEETING? 10 30? WE DID THAT.
WE TOOK A, WE TOOK A VOTE TO GO PAST 10 O'CLOCK.
MAY I, COUNCIL POOL? I, I HAD SAID A COUPLE TIMES I WAS ABSTAINING, BUT YOU COUNTED ME AS YES.
COUNCIL, THE POOL ABSTAINED ON THE VOTE, I APOLOGIZE FOR CORRECT.
THE VOTE WAS THEN 10 0 1, UH, PASSING THOSE THREE ITEMS. I THINK THOSE ARE ALL THE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS THAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER.
I THINK THE ONLY THING LEFT FOR US IS THE, UH, AUSTIN, UH, HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.
UH, WE'VE BEEN GOING FOR FOUR HOURS.
SO WE'RE GONNA, I'M GONNA ADJOURN THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITHOUT OBJECTION, AND WE WILL COME BACK IN, UH, 10 MINUTES AND, UH, CONVENE, UH, FOLLOWING THE, THE LONG RECESS THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION MEETING.