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[Call to Order]
CONVENE TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING, UM, HERE AT 10 OH FOUR ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1ST, 2020.UH, WE ARE DOING THIS, UH, VIRTUALLY, UM, COLLEAGUES.
I'M GOING TO READ IN THE CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS, UH, THAT WE HAVE, UH, ON ITEM NUMBER 14, UH, IT'S UH, OUTREACH SERVICES AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED.
UH, STRICKEN WAS LANGUAGE ABOUT THE TOTAL AGREEMENT AMOUNT.
WE HAVE SOME ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED ON OUR AGENDA AS SHOWN, UH, ON THE CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS YOU HAVE IT'S ITEMS 11 OR BY COUNCIL MEMBERS TOBO AND ELLIS 12, OR PULL BY COUNCIL NUMBER TOBO FIVE PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
ALSO WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 23 PULLED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
THOSE ARE THE FOUR ITEMS I'M SHOWING AS BEING COOL AND LAID BACK UP.
WE HAVE 10, 1138 39, 40 42 43, 45, 54 AND 55 COLLEAGUES.
THE, UH, CONSENT AGENDA AGENDA ITEMS TODAY ARE ONE THROUGH 37 AND ALSO 51 TO 62, UH, WITH RESPECT TO, UH, ITEM NUMBER 52.
UM, UH, AS I INDICATED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD YESTERDAY, UM, AND AMENDMENTS GOTTA BE BROUGHT FORWARD TO STRIKE FROM ITEM NUMBER 52, THE FUNDING THAT COMES FROM THE PAY FOR SUCCESS MODEL, UH, AND THE FUNDING THAT COMES FROM THE AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT MOBILITY FUND, UH, IN ITS PLACE.
UH, THERE'S GOING TO BE PROPOSED DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER TO COME BACK WITH, UH, ORDINANCES AND INSTRUMENTS NECESSARY TO MAKE UP THAT $8.5 MILLION AVAILABLE FROM SALES TAX.
UM, SO THAT, UH, UH, HEAVY WORKLOAD THE DIRECTION FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO PROCEED IMMEDIATELY WITH THE PROGRAMMATIC WORK, UH, FOR THE FULL $15 MILLION AS PROPOSED AND THE MEMO, UH, FROM STAFF.
UH, AND THEN I UNDERSTAND THAT NEXT WEEK, UH, OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE AFTER OTHER PEOPLE CAN PROPOSE DIFFERENT WAYS TO, TO, TO FUND, UH, THOSE PROGRAMS OR MORE, UH, BUT THIS AT LEAST WOULD GIVE THE ASSURANCE TO, UH, STAFF THAT, UH, THEY'RE GOING TO GET THE $15 MILLION IN SHOULD PROCEED PROGRAMMATICALLY, UH, WITH THE, UM, WITH THE THREE FUNDS.
UH, IF WE OPTED TO DO THAT, THEN WE WOULD NOT NEED TO CONSIDER ITEM NUMBER 53, UH, BECAUSE THAT WAS TO ENABLE THE, UH, AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT MOBILITY.
WE WOULDN'T BE DOING THE TOUGH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER.
SO A COUPLE OF, A COUPLE OF QUICK THINGS, SORRY, MULTIPLE THINGS GOING ON.
UM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PROPOSING THOSE CHANGES.
THOSE RESPOND TO SEVERAL OF THE CONCERNS THAT ARE RAISED ON TUESDAY, ABOUT PAY FOR SUCCESS, AS WELL AS, UM, THE TRANSPORTATION USER FEES.
SO I THINK THAT'S A GOOD SOLUTION AND I SUPPORT IT.
I DID WANT TO POINT OUT, UM, I, AND I APOLOGIZE THAT NOT ALL OF THIS INFORMATION GOT TO YOU, SO THANK YOU.
YOU PULLED 11 AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO PULL THE COMPANION 40 AS WELL.
I'M ALSO PULLING 12, WHICH I THINK YOU NOTED 57, 55, AS I UNDERSTAND IT.
COUNCIL MEMBER, KITCHEN POLLED, AND 23 COUNCIL MEMBER ALL TRICKLED.
AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PULL 52 OR SOME ADDITIONAL.
I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT, SORRY.
I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MEMO WE GOT AND I WANT TO TALK THROUGH AND, AND, UM, VOTE ON SOME ADDITIONAL DIRECTION.
AND THEN I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION ON 14 AND I WOULD JUST MENTION TO OUR, UM, AB FOLKS I NOTICED I CONTINUE TO FREEZE.
I WAS NOT FREEZING BEFORE ANYBODY ELSE GOT HERE.
WHEN I SIGNED ON AT NINE 30, IT WAS FINE.
I THINK IT'S JUST WHEN OTHER PEOPLE JOIN WHEN OTHER PEOPLE JOINING THE GROUP THAT I SUDDENLY START TO FREEZE.
AND SO THAT'S KIND OF A GOOD SEGUE JUST TO SAY, I'VE
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BEEN TRYING AS I FREEZE TO KIND OF FREEZE LOOKING RIGHT AT THE CAMERA BECAUSE WE SOMETIMES GET COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC THAT WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT THE MEETING OR THAT WE'RE LOOKING DOWN AND MAY, OR SOMETIMES YOU'D COMMENT ON THIS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.SO I'LL JUST USE THAT AS A SEGUE TO DO SO MYSELF, BUT FOR THOSE OF YOU WATCHING, IT'S JUST EXTREMELY HARD TO LOOK AT THAT DOT ALL DAY LONG, UM, BECAUSE IF WE DO SO WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TALKING, WHO ARE OUR COLLEAGUES AND THE STAFF, BECAUSE THEY'RE DOWN IN A DIFFERENT PLACE ON THE SCREEN.
SO I HOPE, UM, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE DON'T APPEAR TO BE LOOKING STRAIGHT OUT AT YOU, THAT'S BECAUSE WE'RE, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF DIFFERENT FACES ON OUR, ON OUR SCREEN MAYOR.
DID YOU NEED ME TO SAY THOSE AGAIN, THOSE THINGS I'M PULLING, I THINK YOU'RE MUTED 1255 IN ADDITION TO ITEM PULLED 11, 1255 AND 23, YOU ARE ALSO PULLING 40, UM, WHICH IS DEPENDENT, I GUESS, TO 11.
YOU'RE ALSO PULLING 1452 AND 57.
YES, I WOULD LEAVE 14 ON CONSENT IS JUST A SUPER QUICK QUESTION.
I DON'T NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT.
I JUST WANTED TO VERIFY THAT I WAS UNDERSTANDING THE SALARIES CORRECTLY.
SO LET ME MAKE NOTE ON MY PAGE HERE.
I DON'T SEE AS IT, THAT'S NOT A CONSENT ITEM, SO 11 WILL BE HANDLED AT THE SAME TIME, 40 AS HANDLED.
AND 14, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE RECORD.
I'M GOING TO RECUSE ON ITEM NUMBER 14.
UH, THE COUNTY JUDGE AND I, UH, ARE STATUTORILY, UH, THE CHAIRS OF THAT, UH, EFFORT.
UH, SO SINCE I SHARE THAT EVER WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE, I DON'T WANT TO BE VOTING FOR THE FUNDING.
UM, THIS MORNING, UH, AND I'M GOING TO COME BACK, I GUESS I SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THEIR HAND RAISED, BUT JUST BEFORE WE DO, UH, DO THAT, UH, WE HAVE A LITTLE OVER 60 PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK THIS MORNING.
UM, WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE SPEAKERS WHEN WE'RE DONE THIS PART HERE.
UH, EACH OF THEM ARE GOING TO GET TWO MINUTES TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK.
UM, AND THEN AFTER ALL THE SPEAKERS, THEN WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO HANDLE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
IF WE CAN, UH, WE'LL WE'LL HANDLE A POLL ITEMS. UH, WE ALSO CONCEIVABLY COULD HANDLE NON-CONSENT ITEMS 38, 39, 40 AND 64, UH, NUDE.
WE HAVE, UH, THREE SITCOMS SPEAKERS, UH, AT THREE MINUTES EACH, UH, I WOULD HAVE US CONTINUING TO WORK UNTIL ONE O'CLOCK, UH, AND THEN TAKE A LUNCH BREAK TODAY FROM ONE TO TWO.
UH, AND THEN AT, UH, TWO, WE WOULD TAKE, UH, ZONING SPEAKERS AND THEN OUR ZONING CASES.
UM, UH, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE WANTS TO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY.
UM, UH, THIS ASSUMES NOT, BUT IF WE NEED ONE, PEOPLE JUST NEED TO LET ME KNOW, BUT THAT WOULD BE THE SCHEDULE TODAY.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE EVERYTHING TODAY BEFORE DINNER.
UH, BUT IF WE DON'T, UH, DINNER BREAK, UH, PLANNING ON ABOUT SIX O'CLOCK, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO DO DINNER.
UH, AND IF THERE'S WAY FOR ME, AT SOME POINT TO SNEAK IN A LITTLE MUSIC BY PLAYING THE WALK WITH ME, AUSTIN, A YOUTUBE VIDEO, I'M GONNA TRY AND FIND A CHANCE TO DO THAT.
ALRIGHT, COUNSEL, REMEMBER KITCHEN.
UM, JUST TO KNOW, UM, I DON'T NEED TO PULL IT, BUT I'LL HAVE A QUICK QUESTION ABOUT NUMBER 62.
UM, AND THEN I WASN'T CLEAR ON WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH 53 THAT'S.
IS THAT BEING PULLED? YES, THAT'D BE POSTPONED AND LET'S, LET'S SEE HOW THE CONVERSATION, THE GOAL IS TO HAVE THAT POSTPONED INDEFINITELY.
BUT WE HAVE TO PULL IT TO DO THAT, RIGHT.
OR, OR THAT COULD BE ON THE CONSENT.
UH, SO WHILE WE'RE HAVING THE SPEAKERS, I'M GOING TO CIRCULATE, LIKE I SAID, YESTERDAY, EMOTION SHEET.
AND IF WE COULD JUST DO THAT AND WE DON'T HAVE TO PULL ANY OF THOSE THINGS, ANY OF WHICH THINGS WERE YOU SAYING? 52 53 WOULD NOT NEED TO BE PULLED? NO, REMEMBER I
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HAVE QUESTIONS ON 52 AND I HAVE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION, SO I DO NEED TO, OKAY.SO LET'S SAY 10 53 PULLING 52 AND 53.
THE CONSENT AGENDA TODAY IS ITEMS ONE THROUGH 37 AND ALSO 51 THROUGH 62.
WE HAVE PULLED AT THIS POINT ITEMS 11 AND 1252 53 55 AND 57.
WE READY TO HEAR FROM SPEAKERS, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL? NO, YOU'RE.
I HAD, UM, SOME REMARKS THAT I WANTED TO MAKE.
UM, OCTOBER STARTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.
AND, UM, I HAVE SOME COMMENTS FROM OUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES AT TRAVIS COUNTY THAT I'D LIKE TO READ NOW.
UM, OCTOBER 1ST MARKS THE BEGINNING OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH AS OUR COUNTY HAS BEEN, AND OUR COUNTRY HAVE BEEN SPINNING BECAUSE OF COVID-19.
AND WE URGED EVERYONE TO STAY AT HOME TO STAY SAFE.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS DID NOT HAVE A SAFE HOME.
WE KNOW LOCALLY THAT INCIDENCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCREASED AND YET OPTIONS WERE LIMITED.
THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS WORKED WITH OUR LOCAL NONPROFITS TO FIND ALTERNATIVE HOUSING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS. AND THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME HOMELESS BECAUSE THEY HAVE FLED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
DURING THIS MONTH OF OCTOBER, WE ARE URGING THE RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN TO LIGHT UP THEIR HOMES WITH PURPLE LIGHTS.
YOU CAN FIND THEM AT SOME OF THE BIG BOX STORES IN AUSTIN, AND WE ENCOURAGED LOCAL BUSINESSES TO DO SO AS WELL TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TO REMIND THEM OF HOPE AND TO BE THE VOICE WHEN THEIR OWN VOICE HAS BEEN SILENCED.
IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE YOU CAN CALL OR TEXT THE SAFE ALLIANCE, THE 24 HOUR SAFE LINE THAT'S TYPE ONE TO TWO SIX, SEVEN SAFE, WHICH IS SEVEN TWO, THREE, THREE, OR YOU CAN TEXT TO (737) 888-7233.
IF YOU'RE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, PLEASE CALL NINE ONE ONE.
THERE ARE ADVOCATES WORKING TO HELP YOU MAKE A SAFETY PLAN FOR YOUR CHILDREN.
AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT AN EVENTS IN AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY THIS MONTH, PLEASE GO TO THE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR A T C F V TASKFORCE.
SO THAT'S FACEBOOK.COM/FORWARD/ATC F V T I F V.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN HEAR ME NOW.
WE CAN HEAR YOU, BUT WE CAN'T SEE YOU MAY, OR MY HAND IS RAISED UP.
THIS IS COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER.
MY SCREEN IS SHOWN AS BEING FROZEN.
IT IS, UM, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON.
YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD? YES, PLEASE.
THERE ARE TWO THINGS I'D LIKE TO RAISE.
UM, UM, OCTOBER ALSO IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND AS A THRIVING SURVIVOR BY TO REMIND FOLKS TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES THIS MONTH, UM, I, I WAS ABLE TO BE SITTING HERE TODAY BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO TAP INTO RESOURCES THAT WERE AVAILABLE.
SO I WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VISIT PLACES LIKE THE BREAST CANCER RESOURCE CENTER WITH QUESTIONS AND REMIND EVERYBODY TO GET MAMMOGRAMS. UM, THE OTHER THING I'D LIKE TO RAISE IS AT ONE O'CLOCK IS TRICKY FOR PEOPLE WITH SCHOOLING CHILDREN.
UM, I KNOW FOR ME THAT WOULD, THAT WOULD REALLY BE SORT OF DISRUPTIVE AT MY HOME.
I WONDER IF YOU'D CONSIDER ADJUSTING LUNCH TO 1230.
UH, COLLEAGUES, UH, LAKE BACKUP IS IN ITEMS 10, 1138 39, 40 42 43, 45, 54 AND 55.
UH, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD NOW AND CALL
[Public Comment (Part 1 of 2)]
SPEAKERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE, UH, ON EVERY ISSUE WE HAVE OTHER THAN THE ZONING ISSUES, A LITTLE OVER 62 MINUTES EACH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS JUST QUICKLY FOR THE RECORD.I THINK YOU MAY HAVE SAID THAT I HAD PULLED 12 AND I WANTED TO SURE IT WAS THAT I'VE PULLED 11.
SEEMS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT 12 ANYWAY, BUT I JUST WANTED IT TO BE REFLECTED IN THE RECORD THAT IT WAS 11 AND NOT 12 THAT I WAS INTERESTED IN POLLING.
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IF I SAID OTHERWISE I MISSPOKE TOVO AND ELLIS PULLING 11 AND TOVO PULLING 12.IS THE CLERK WITH US? WE'RE READY.
TWO MINUTES EACH LET'S CALL THE SPEAKERS ON EVERYTHING OTHER THAN ZONING.
THE FIRST SPEAKER IS VALERIE WARD.
MY NAME IS VALERIE WARD AND I ON SWEET RITUAL, VEGAN ICE CREAM WITH A SHOP IN DISTRICT NINE AND OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT SEVEN.
AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 52 AND SEPTEMBER.
YOU PASSED A RESOLUTION THAT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT CHILDCARE MUSIC, VENUES, AND BARS AND RESTAURANTS ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE SECTORS IN OUR ECONOMY.
DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND DIRECTED CITY STAFF SIDE IS BY EVERY POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCE TO HELP THOSE INDUSTRIES ITEM 52.
THE RESULT OF THAT EFFORT FAILED TO MEET THAT MANDATE.
I APPLAUD THE OFFERS AND MUSIC VENUES AND CHILDCARE.
THE AMOUNTS IDENTIFIED WILL GO A LONG WAY TO HELP THESE VITAL SECTORS, BUT YOU HAVE LEFT OUT RESTAURANTS, ALMOST COMPLETELY.
THE $5 MILLION PORTION ALLOCATED TO BE SHARED AMONG BARS, RESTAURANTS, VENUES, AND PERFORMANCE BASIS IS A PITTANCE COMPARED TO THE NEEDS.
THERE ARE OVER 3000 BARS AND RESTAURANTS IN THE AUSTIN AREA AND PULLING OVER 85,000 PEOPLE.
$5 MILLION DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL AND IMMEDIATE SUPPORT.
ONE THIRD TO ONE HALF OF THESE BUSINESSES ARE PROJECTED TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY.
BY THE END OF THE YEAR, THEY THINK 25 TO 40,000 PEOPLE OUT OF WORK.
YOU MUST DO BETTER FOR RESTAURANTS.
THERE ARE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SITTING UNUSED EARMARKED FOR CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.
THERE ARE VIABLE OPTIONS TO USE THIS MONEY OUTLINED IN A SEPTEMBER 24TH LEGAL MEMO TO THE CITY CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO TAKE A STAND AND FIGHT THE LEGAL BATTLE TO TEMPORARILY REALLOCATE THAT MONEY.
SO THOSE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO STAND UP FOR THE CULTURE OF AUSTIN, FOR THE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS AND HARDWORKING RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES FOR THE FUTURE OF A CITY, IT COMES TOGETHER OVER FOOD AND DRINK.
THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH MONEY IN THIS FUND TO HELP MUSIC VENUES, CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, ART SPACES, AND BARS AND RESTAURANTS.
IF THIS RESOLUTION PASSES AS IS, AND YOU CONSIDER YOUR WORK TO HELP THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY DONE, THEN YOU WILL HAVE FAILED ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MEDIA SECTORS OF OUR CITY'S ECONOMY.
HI, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAYOR ADLER AND HIS TEAM OF COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, WHEN I'M THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING ITEMS 52 AND 55 TO SAVE AUSTIN'S MOST VULNERABLE INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING, AND ESPECIALLY, UH, CHILDCARE CHILDCARE IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH AISD EDUCATORS AND WITHOUT PROPER HEALTHCARE OR EXCUSE ME, CHILDCARE, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE THE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR OUR FAMILY SO THAT WE MAY CONTINUE TO TEACH AND SUPPORT THE THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES THAT RELY ON OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
AS TEACHERS IT'S IMPORTANT TO US, THAT WE PRIORITIZE AUSTIN FAMILIES WHO NEED QUALITY, AFFORDABLE OPTIONS.
SO WE MAY BE ABLE TO PERFORM OUR BEST AT OUR JOBS, WHICH IS TO EDUCATE OUR AUSTIN YOUTH.
WE RECOGNIZE YOU ARE MAKING HARD DECISIONS.
HOWEVER, CHILDCARE PROVIDES THE FOUNDATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED BY ALL SECTORS TO GET BACK ON TRACK THE COMBINATION OF STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN THE SHORT TERM, THROUGH THE SAVES INITIATIVE IN 1952 AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE LONGTERM, FOR THE CREATION OF THE EDC IN ITEM 55, WHERE RESULT IN A RESILIENT CHILDCARE SECTOR, READY TO SUPPORT THE WORKFORCE OF TODAY AND TOMORROW, INCLUDING CARE FOR THE CHILDREN OF THOSE WHO, WHO, UH, OWN AND SERVE IN VENUES AND RESTAURANTS AND PLAN THE INCREDIBLE MUSIC THIS CITY IS SO PROUD OF, PLEASE, UH, CONSIDER YOUR SUPPORT FOR ITEMS 52 AND 55.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, LYNN OSGOOD.
HELLO, I'M LYNN OSGOOD, A RESIDENT IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND A, UH, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CIVIC ARTS.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR ALL YOUR WORK AT FINDING WAYS TO SUPPORT THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY IN AUSTIN WITH ITEM 52, THE SAVES PROGRAM IS A STRONG RESPONSE TO THE DEEP ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT THE PANDEMIC IS CREATING, BUT LIKE OTHERS OF YOU, I WANT TO ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THESE EFFORTS ALONE, UNFORTUNATELY DO NOT AND CANNOT FULLY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AT HAND.
SO AS THE COUNCIL MOVES FORWARD TO FIND NEW SOLUTIONS, I URGE YOU TO KEEP THREE THINGS IN MIND.
ONE, A VITAL ARTS CULTURE AND CREATIVE SECTOR INCLUDES MORE THAN MUSIC.
WE HAVE AN UNFORTUNATE TRADITION IN AUSTIN OF DIVIDING OUR CONVERSATIONS ON THE CREATIVE SECTOR BETWEEN MUSIC AND OTHER CREATIVE MEDIUMS, LIKE DANCE THEATER AND VISUAL ARTS SUPPORTING THESE OTHER FORMS OF EXPRESSION IS JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR ACHIEVING A THRIVING
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CULTURAL SECTOR.NUMBER TWO, EXPLICIT SUPPORT FOR BIPAP ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL AT THIS TIME.
NOT ONLY IS THE ARTS SECTOR DEEPLY IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC, BUT THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDA BANK ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN AUSTIN RELIEF PROGRAMS FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR NEEDS TO BE EXPLICIT ABOUT THEIR INTENTION AND OFFER ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR BYPATH ARTISTS.
AND NUMBER THREE, THE ARTS CAN DO MORE THAN WE'RE ASKING OF THEM.
BROADLY SPEAKING, THE ARTS NEED TO BE THOUGHT OF AS MORE THAN JUST ENGINES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MORE THAN SIMPLE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS.
THESE ROLES ARE IMPORTANT, BUT THE VITAL ROLE THAT ARTS CAN PLAY CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES ARE INTEGRATING ARTS ARTISTS INTO THE VERY FABRIC OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROJECTS, BRINGING IN ARTISTS TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CITY STAFF, TO ENVISION NEW SOLUTIONS AND SOLVE TOUGH ISSUES IN TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND ALL THE DIMENSIONS OF CITY BUILDING.
BUT THIS COUNCIL TENDS TO, WE NEED TO START HAVING AN EXPANDED CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ROLE THAT THE ARTS CAN PLAY IN HELPING US TO ENVISION BUILD AND BRING LIFE TO OUR NEXT NORMAL.
MAYOR ATLAS, UM, MPT GARZA ESTEEM, AUSTIN CITY, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER CROP.
MY NAME IS PATSY HOSTAGE ON A BLOOD BEGINNINGS CHOCOLATES IN NORTH AUSTIN.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING CHILDCARE IS ONE OF THE VITAL ECONOMIC SECTORS AND OFTEN DETRIMENTALLY IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE PROPOSED $5 MILLION CHILDCARE PROVIDER.
WE LINK GRIT AS PART OF SAVING VITAL ECONOMIC SECTORS INITIATIVE.
THIS WILL SUPPORT THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY IN THE SHORT TERM AND BUILD A MORE RESILIENT, SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY FOR THE LONG TERM.
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE I WANT TO CONTINUE TO STAY ON BUSINESS, TO GIVE THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MORE OFTEN THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
PROJECTORS CITIZENS OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE SAFE INITIATIVE.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING CONSIDERING BOTH ACTIONS TO SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND THE ECONOMY ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1ST, I URGE YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF ITEMS, 52 AND 55 ITEM 52, ASK THE STATE OFFICE MOST VULNERABLE AND AT RISK INSTITUTION, INCLUDING CHILDCARE ITEM 55 WEEKS IN AWESOME ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TAKEN TOGETHER.
THESE TWO INITIATIVES WILL SUPPORT THE CHAPTER PROVIDERS IN THE SHORT TERM AND BUILD A MORE RESILIENT, SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY FOR THE LONGTERM ACCESS TO OUR AFFORDABLE QUALITY CHILDCARE, WHETHER HOME-BASED OR CENTER-BASED IS ESSENTIAL.
I ONLY TOOK PARENTS FOR WORK OR RECEIVED EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
IT IS ALSO THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO GROW THE NEXT GENERATION COLLECTIVE HUMAN POTENTIAL.
I ASKED YOU TO SUPPORT THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF OUR CHILDREN, AND IT'S THE ABILITY OF BOSTON FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY IN THE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, MOST HIGHLY IMPACTED BY COVID-19.
SO YOU CAN DO SO DEPRIVED OF THEIR POTENTIAL AND ERODES OUR IDEAL OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.
MOST OF THE JOBS HERE FOR WORKFORCE IS MADE UP OF BRILLIANT, DEDICATED WOMEN OF COLOR.
MANY OF WHOM ARE ALSO PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN CURRENTLY IN TRAVIS COUNTY, 116 CHAPTER CENTERS ARE TIPPERARY CLOSE.
THIS EQUATES TO OVER 30% OF THE TOTAL LICENSE CAPACITY OR 9,438 CHILDREN, 16 PROGRAMS THAT PERMANENTLY CLOSED ARGUING WITH ANY KID METAPHOR FOR THESE NUMBERS TO INCREASE.
WE RECOGNIZE YOU'RE MAKING HARD DECISIONS.
HOWEVER, CHILDCARE PROVIDES THE FOUNDATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED BY ALL SECTORS TO GET BACK ON TRACK THE COMBINATION OF THE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN THE SHORT TERM, THROUGH THE SAFE WITH MR. TIP AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE LONGTERM
I WILL BE GRATEFUL TO BE PART OF A COMMUNITY THAT COMES.
NEXT SPEAKER IS MONICA GUZMAN.
I'M MONICA WHO'S MOM POLICY DIRECTOR FOR JAVA GO AUSTIN, VAMOS AUSTIN SPEAKING ON ITEMS 52 AND 55.
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BOLD ACTIONS TO SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES, AND THE AUSTIN ECONOMY.I, EXCUSE ME, URGE YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF ITEMS. 52 AND 55 APPROVING ITEM 52, WE'LL SAVE AUSTEN'S MOST VULNERABLE AND AT RISK INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING CHILDCARE APPROVING ITEM 55 CREATES AN AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TOGETHER.
THE RESOLUTION SUPPORT CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IN SHORT TERM, AND BUILD A MORE RESILIENT, SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY FOR THE LONGTERM ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE QUALITY CHILDCARE, WHETHER HOME-BASED OR CENTER-BASED IS ESSENTIAL, NOT ONLY PREPARES TO WORK OR RECEIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING IS ALSO THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO GROW THE NEXT GENERATION OF COLLECTIVE HUMAN POTENTIAL.
I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF OUR CHILDREN AND THE STABILITY OF AUSTIN FAMILY, ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, MOST HIGHLY IMPACTED BY COVID-19 FAILURE TO DO SO DEPRIVED US OF THEIR POTENTIAL AND AROSE OUR IDEAL OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.
MOST OF THE CHILDCARE WORKFORCE IS MADE UP OF BRILLIANT, DEDICATED WOMEN OF COLOR.
MANY OF WHOM ARE ALSO PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN.
CURRENTLY IN TRAVIS COUNTY, 116 CHILDCARE CENTERS ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSED AND 16 PROGRAMS HAVE PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
OUR COMMUNITY CANNOT AFFORD TO THESE NUMBERS TO INCREASE.
WE RECOGNIZE YOU'RE MAKING HARD DECISIONS.
HOWEVER, CHILDCARE PROVIDES THE FOUNDATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED BY ALL SECTORS TO GET BACK ON TRACK THE COMBINATION OF STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN THE SHORT TERMS OF THE SAFE RESOLUTION AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE LONGTERM TO THE CREATION OF THE AUSTIN ADC WILL RESULT IN RESILIENT CHILDCARE SECTOR, READY TO SUPPORT THE WORKFORCE OF TODAY AND TOMORROW, INCLUDING CARE FOR THE CHILDREN OF THOSE WHO OWN AND SERVE AND THINGS AND RESTAURANTS AND PLAY THE MUSIC.
THE CITY IS SO WELL KNOWN FOR PLEASE ABOARD AUSTIN BABIES, BRUNCH BARD ON GREENVILLE TO BE PART OF A COMMUNITY THAT COMES TOGETHER AND TAKES CARE OF EACH OTHER IN TIMES OF NEED.
LET'S TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO SHOW UP EACH DAY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR YOUNGEST CITIZENS GO OUR OFFICE, TEACHER LEADERS, BUS DRIVERS, ARTISTS, PARENTS, MUSICIANS, ATHLETES, FARMERS, ENTREPRENEURS, ORGANIZERS, TEACHERS, AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.
PLEASE APPROVE ITEMS 52 AND 50 SAVE ON CHILDCARE.
MAYOR ADLER, CITY MANAGER, CRUNK AND CITY COUNCIL.
UM, MY NAME'S JEANETTE GREGOR.
I'M THE COFOUNDER OF THE AMPLIFIED SOUND COALITION, WHICH IS AN ADVOCACY GROUP DEDICATED TO THE LABOR FORCE BEHIND THE LIVE MUSIC EVENT INDUSTRY HERE IN AUSTIN.
AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 52.
I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THOUSANDS OF WORKERS AND PERFORMERS IN OUR WORKFORCE, BUT I'M ALSO SPEAKING FOR ME.
I'M ONE OF THOSE FURLOUGHED FROM A LIVE MUSIC VENUE.
AND I WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING CLEAR TO EVERYONE HERE.
I'M NOT ASKING FOR A RUSH TO OPEN TO REOPENED VENUES, BUT WHAT I AM ASKING Y'ALL FOR IS THE CHANCE TO GO BACK TO WORK WHEN IT'S SAFE.
AND FOR SOME FAITH THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO KEEP DOING THE JOB THAT I'VE BEEN DOING FOR OVER A DECADE WHEN Y'ALL DISCUSS THE SAME RESOLUTION AND THE MONEY YOU'RE PROVIDING TO MUSIC VENUES.
I'M A SKILLED PROFESSIONAL, AND I'M WATCHING MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITHIN THIS INDUSTRY SUFFERED.
WE'RE ASKING FOR CLEAR AND FAIR ELIGIBILITY TRANSPARENCY WITH ALLOCATIONS OF GRANTS AND LOANS AND FAST-TRACK FUNDING.
I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH HOW BADLY OUR VENUES NEED THIS MONEY.
BUT THEN YOU HAD LIKE THREE MONTHS AGO.
I'M HOPING THAT YOU ALL SEE THIS.
OUR LABOR FORCE NEEDS SOME PROMISE OF SUSTAINABILITY.
WE NEED A FUTURE, NOT JUST A BANDAID.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THIS MONEY, PLEASE TALK ABOUT IT.
LIKE WE ARE VENUES EQUAL OUR JOBS.
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY AND SAY, OUR MUSIC INDUSTRY IS WORTHY OF INVESTING IN THAT OUR WORKFORCE OF OVER 28,000 PROFESSIONALS HAS VALUE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, ADAM ORMAN, HELLO COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THEIR AD THERE.
THIS IS ADAM MORMON, CO OWNER OF LOCA DORA AND GOOD WORK AUSTIN RIVER.
IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT I SPEAK.
I GET, I MUST SPEAK TODAY AGAINST ITEM 52 THAT SAYS RESOLUTION, WHICH PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDCARE AND MUSIC VENUES, BUT NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL DISTANCE DIFFERENCE.
OFTEN LOCALLY OWNED BARS AND RESTAURANTS, WE HAVE A NATIONS AND THE CITY'S BIGGEST EMPLOYER HAVE BEEN DAMAGED IN COMPLEX WAYS BY THIS PANDEMIC.
AND NO LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT SEEMS CAPABLE OF TAKING THE RISK AND FINDING THE FUNDS TO HELP THE INDEPENDENT PORTION OF OUR SECTOR OPEN AND STAY OPEN SAFELY.
PUBLIC HEALTH MUST BE THE FIRST PRIORITY AND BUSINESS OWNERS SHOULD BE RECEIVING HELP FROM OUR LEADERS SO THAT THE PLACES WHERE TRANSMISSION IS MOST LIKELY DO NOT FEEL FINANCIAL PRESSURE TO PACK PEOPLE IN AND MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SECRET.
THE CDC HAS RECENTLY CONCLUDED THAT EATING AND DINING ROOMS AS THE ACTIVITY THAT MOST PEOPLE WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS HAVE IN COMMON, WE MUST RECOGNIZE
[00:30:01]
THAT AND DECIDE THAT NO AMOUNT OF ILLNESS IS ACCEPTABLE, WHICH IS TO SAY THIS RESOLUTION IS INCOMPLETE.THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE POTENTIAL TO INCLUDE MONEY FROM THREE 80 AGREEMENTS OR MONEY FROM CONVENTION CENTER OPERATING REVENUE.
THERE IS NO MENTION OF CONTRACTS THAT CAN BE AWARDED TO LOCAL BUSINESSES, UTILITIES, RELIEF, PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, EXEMPTION OF PERSONAL GUARANTEES ON RENTAL BASIS, OR MANY OF THE OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE A PART OF EDD IS RECOMMENDATION BASED ON THIS SUMMER'S FOOD SERVICES, RECOVERY FOCUS GROUP.
FINALLY, THIS RESOLUTION NEEDS TO BE NEED-BASED ESTABLISHMENT THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO OPEN NEED TO BE PRIORITIZED ESTABLISHMENTS THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED PRIOR ASSISTANCE.
PLEASE COME BACK TO US IN TWO WEEKS WITH A FUND THAT WILL BE ABLE TO TOUCH THE OVER A THOUSAND BARS, RESTAURANTS, AND VENUES THAT MOST NEED HELP TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS WITHOUT INFECTING OUR EMPLOYEES AND GUESTS.
YOU NEED ONLY LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF APPLICANTS TO THE SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT TO DETERMINE THE SIZE OF THE NEED AND TO CONGRESS TO SEE WHAT INACTION LOOKS LIKE.
PLEASE DON'T FOLLOW THEIR LEAD.
TAKE THE CHANCE YOU TOOK BY PASSING THE PAID LEAVE ORDINANCE AND DECLARING OF THE SANCTUARY CITY AGAINST THE WILL OF THE STATE.
PLEASE TAKE THAT RISK, BUT THEY'RE ORMAN'S COMMENTS, WHICH ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING I'D MEANT TO MENTION.
WE TALKED, I DID PULL, UM, THIS ITEM FROM THE COUNCIL AGENDA IN PART TO OFFER SOME DIRECTION THAT I HOPE THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER AND VOTE ON TODAY, BUT IT IS ABSOLUTELY MY INTENTION.
AND I BELIEVE IT'S THE INTENTION OF, OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER COLLEAGUE, UM, TO BRING FORWARD SOME ADDITIONAL MEASURES ON OUR NEXT MEETING THAT WOULD RESULT IN, IN MORE MONEY, UM, OR THIS AREA.
UM, AND I JUST ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT IT'S MY INTENTION IN PULLING 57 TO OFFER SOME DIRECTION, TO KIND OF VOTE ON AT OUR NEXT MEETING AS WELL.
THAT'S THE CAREGIVER FEELS CONTRACT.
AND I KNOW OTHERS MAY COMMENT ON THIS AS WELL.
UM, YOU KNOW, I SEE TODAY'S ACTION AS A, AS A START IN THAT DIRECTION, BUT, BUT PLEASE KNOW THAT SEVERAL OF US ARE WORKING ON OTHER, OTHER MEASURES TO COME BACK AT OUR NEXT MEETING THAT WOULD INCREASE, INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT'S AVAILABLE, INCLUDING SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT YOU'VE MENTIONED JUST NOW TODAY, COUNCIL MEMBER, TOBO, I'M GONNA SUPPORT YOU IN THOSE EFFORTS TO BRING ADDITIONAL DOLLARS, UH, TO THE CAREGIVER MEAL PROGRAM, AS YOU INDICATED.
AND I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP IN MOVING THAT FORWARD.
AND I SPOKE WITH, UH, THE, UH, OUR CONSULTANTS IN WASHINGTON, DC.
IT ALSO LOOKS IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY BE MOVING FORWARD, MAYBE THERE'S SOME AGREEMENT NOW TO ANY CLOSER, YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE READING ABOUT SMOKE SIGNALS OR TEA LEADS, BUT, UH, IT LOOKS AS IF THERE'S MOVEMENT TOWARD AGREEMENT TO BRINGING RELIEF TO RESTAURANTS, WHICH IS JUST AN ENORMOUS, UH, TASK AND CHALLENGE GIVEN SCALE.
UH, AND, AND HOPEFULLY THAT'S GOING TO BRING A DOLLARS AND IT COULD BE THAT THERE'S DOLLARS ALSO FOR MUSIC VENUES AS WELL.
SO I THINK EVERYBODY IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.
NOW I KNOW THAT, UH, IT'S INDICATED THAT SENATOR CORNYN, UH, IS SUPPORTING THE, THIS WORK IN WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW.
I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM SENATOR CRUZ.
UH, SO I WOULD URGE EVERYBODY TO, TO REACH OUT TO OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO SEE IF WE CAN GET MONEY THAT WOULD EITHER AUGMENT OR EVEN REPLACE SOME OF THE DOLLARS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, UH, TODAY, BUT ESPECIALLY WITH RESPECT TO RELIEF FOR RESTAURANTS.
I'LL SPEAK TO THIS MORE LATER, BUT I JUST WANT TO ASK, UM, MR. ORMAN TO, UM, SEND US, I THINK YOU HAVE SAID IT BEFORE, BUT I THINK IT'D BE HELPFUL TO SEND, UH, THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE, UM, COMMITTEE THAT YOU REFERENCED.
YOU SPOKE TO SOME OF THEM, BUT IF YOU COULD SEND THAT, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
AND I'LL BE SPEAKING LATER, UH, TO MY INTENTION, TO, TO BRING BACK ON THE 15TH, UM, SOME ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF FUNDING RELATED TO, UH, THE THREE 80 AGREEMENTS AND THEN, UH, SUPPORTING MY CO, BUT NOT THREE 80.
I MEAN, I'LL BE BRINGING BACK AMENDMENTS RELATED TO POT TEXT IN THE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS, UM, SUPPORTING MY COLLEAGUES AS WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THREE 80 AGREEMENTS, UTILITY RELIEF, UH, OTHER ASPECTS OF HOT TEXTS.
SO I'LL SPEAK TO IT MORE, LESS.
UH, BEFORE WE GO BACK TO SPEAKERS, COUNCILOR POOL, UM, I APPRECIATE, APPRECIATE IT.
GOOD WORK, AUSTIN AND ADAM ORMAN'S COMMENTS, AND WE CONTINUED TO WORK REALLY HARD, LINING UP THE ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF REVENUE THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE.
UM, SPECIFICALLY FOR RESTAURANTS, I'VE TALKED ABOUT
[00:35:01]
THE, UM, THE ICONIC NATURE OF OUR RESTAURANTS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF A FOOD CULTURE IN AUSTIN.WE, UM, WE'RE NOT TURNING OUR BACKS, SO I'LL BE BRINGING SOME DIRECTION TO STAFF LATER TODAY AND THEN CONTINUE MY EFFORTS WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO FIND ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF FUNDING.
I'M GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THREE 80 AGREEMENTS, UM, SOME BALANCING OF THE FUNDS TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN THAT YOU RAISED ADAM ABOUT NEEDS BASED AND MAKING SURE THAT WE TARGET THOSE ENTITIES THAT HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED ANY RELIEF FROM THESE AWARDS.
AND THEN LOOKING AT NON HOT REVENUE.
PROBABLY A MOTION SHEET WITH RESPECT TO ITEM G WITH RESPECT TO ITEM 52 THAT I TALKED ABOUT THIS MORNING.
IT'S NOT BEEN POSTED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD AS WELL AS SENT OUT TO EVERYONE.
I CLERK, IF YOU WILL SORT OF HELP US CONTINUE ON WITH SPEAKERS.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS MISHA AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF TEXAS MUSICIANS AND THE PROGRESS IN WINTER PARK.
UM, MONDAY AFTERNOON, OVER 200 MUSICIANS, VENUE OPERATORS, PRODUCTION AND EVENT STAFF RALLIED IN FRONT OF CITY HALL TO DEMAND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CREATE A DEDICATED LIVE MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND.
WE ARE ASKING THAT THIS HAPPENED WITH EXPEDIENCE EQUITY AND TRANSPARENCY.
THE CITY MUST BRING IN QUALIFIED EXPERTS FROM OFTEN MUSIC SECTOR TO HELP ADMIN THIS FUN.
AND MUSICIANS MUST HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE WHERE THE ECONOMY AND MUSIC IS BEING DISCUSSED.
SAVES IS A GOOD START, BUT WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
RIGHT NOW, TEXAS HAS MORE VENUES THAT ARE PERMANENTLY CLOSED SINCE MARCH THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY.
AND OFTEN HAS THE MOST CLOSURES IN ALL OF TEXAS.
THAT'S BECAUSE THE ENTIRE MUSIC EAST COAST SYSTEM WE'VE ALL HELPED TO CREATE WAS BUILT OUT OF MATCHSTICKS.
ALL IT TOOK WAS SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST BEING CANCELED TO LIKE THE FIRST ONE AND EVERYTHING ELSE HAS CAUGHT FIRE AFTER EVEN THE BELOVED NONPROFITS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED BY LOVING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO CARE FOR IT'S MUSICIANS THAT PINNED ON LIVE MUSIC, VENUES, AND EVENTS TO RAISE MONEY, TO PAY FOR THAT CARE.
WE URGE CITY COUNCIL TO FIND THE WAYS FOR ITS MUSICIANS TO BE CARED FOR FIND WAYS TO USE SOME OF THE MONEY THAT THESE FESTIVALS PAY FOR THEIR PERMITS TO GO INTO A FUND FOR AUSTIN'S MUSICIANS AND VENUES CREATE NEW PROGRAMS TO DEMAND DEVELOPERS AND NEW INDUSTRIES MOVING TO AUSTIN, PAY INTO A FUND FOR OUR MUSIC COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY OUR BRAC BLACK AND BROWN MUSICIANS WHO HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF BEING DISPLACED.
AND I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF BEING IGNORED.
WE SEE YOU AND WE HEAR YOUR CRIES AND WE STAND WITH YOU BECAUSE BLACK LIVES DO MATTER.
WE NEED INVESTMENT AND SUPPORT, AND PLEASE, PLEASE QUIT DRAGGING MUSIC, MUSICIANS, MUSIC VENUES INTO THE FIGHT OVER FUNDING SOURCES.
YOU DON'T ASK YOUR CHILDREN, WHERE DO YOU GET THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FROM WHICH BANK ACCOUNT THAT SHE WAS FROM? STOP MAKING IT.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 52.
I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN SINCE THE EARLY EIGHTIES, AND I'M CURRENTLY A RESIDENT DISTRICT NINE I'M FAVOR OF THE FUND AND AGAINST THE EXPANSION OF THE AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER, THE HOTEL TAX REVENUE BONDS, THAT WOULD GO TO THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.
SINCE THAT GO TO THE SAFE FUN, WHICH AS YOU HAVE HEARD FROM PREVIOUS SPEAKERS NEEDS MUCH MORE DATA, MUCH MORE MONEY THAN CURRENTLY PLAN TO SUPPORT ALL THE SECTORS THAT USE ASSISTANCE DURING THIS KIND OF BANK AND ANALYSIS OF TEXAS TAX CODE THREE 51 INDICATES THAT SAYS ALREADY POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT THE MUSIC AND CREATIVE ARTS ECONOMY WITH THE CONVENTION CENTER FUND.
AND THE VENUE THAT CITY MANAGES IN PART SUCH AS RENT IS A CROSSLINE CONVENTION CENTER VENUE.
LOCAL VENUES CAN BE CONTRACTED OF QUALIFYING VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS.
THERE'S ALREADY BEEN PRECEDENT TO USE HOTEL TAX FUNDS, TO SUPPORT MUSICIANS, ARTISTS, FILMMAKERS, AND MUSIC AND ARTS VENUES THROUGH HOTEL TAX FUNDED, EMOTIONAL PROGRAM, LONG TERM POST PANDEMIC.
THE CITY SHOULD ENCOURAGE USE OF LOCAL ESTABLISHMENT AS THE PLACES FOR MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES, FILM, COMEDY, MUSIC, AND OTHER FESTIVALS USE LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
FOR YEARS, I ATTENDED A LARGE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF OVER 10,000 PEOPLE IN DC, AND IT WAS NOT HELD IN CONVENTION CENTER.
UM, CURRENT STATE AND LOCAL LAW ALREADY ALLOWS FOR THE SUPPORT.
I DID MY MASTER'S THESIS ON THE CONVENTION CENTER INDUSTRY WITH A SPECIFIC ANALYSIS OF THE 1998 PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE US AT CONVENTION CENTER.
THAT RESEARCH REVEALED THAT INVESTING IN CONVENTION CENTERS IS NOT A GOOD INVESTMENT CONSIDERING HOW LITTLE THE CONVENTION CENTER CONTRIBUTES TO THE ABSTINENCE TOURISM INDUSTRY.
[00:40:01]
THAT THOROUGHLY ENJOYS AND MISSES GOING TO LIVE MUSIC VENUES TO HEAR AND DANCE TO THE PHENOMENAL LOCAL TALENT IN THE CITY ALREADY.THE PLACE THAT USED TO GO TO SALSA DANCES AND GONE AS A RESULT OF THIS PANDEMIC, I URGE YOU TO USE THE HOTEL TAX REVENUE TO SUPPORT THE MUSIC AND ARTS THAT MAKES AUSTIN SUCH A UNIQUE, FUN, AND ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO LIVE IN FOR A BIT.
MY NAME IS MICHAEL PAN AND I'M THE OWNER OPERATOR OF CASCADE STUDIOS, AUSTIN, WHICH IS A REHEARSALS TEACHING AND RECORDING STUDIO.
AND THERE'S ALSO BEEN A BACKLINE SUPPLY HOUSE FOR NEAR 10 YEARS.
I'M ALSO A WORKING MUSICIAN AND NUMEROUS FANS HERE IN THE AUSTIN AREA.
IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU COME UP WITH A PLAN AND ACTION ON THAT PLAN, WHICH WILL GIVE A DEDICATED MUSIC PRESERVATION FUND TO THE MUSIC VENUES.
THIS PLAN NEEDS TO BE OVERSEEN BY A COMPETENT AND HIS DAY, NOT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.
YOU SAID I LAID BY THEN THE MONIKER YOU SEW UP THE TOUT OF AUSTIN BEING THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD WILL DISAPPEAR TO BE CLEAR.
WE, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE THE MUSIC VENUE, OWNERS AND OPERATORS, MUSICIANS, SOUND, ENGINEERS, LIGHTING, ENGINEERS, OUR STAFF DOOR GUYS, AND EVERY OTHER PERSON THAT TAKES IT, MAKE A SHOW GO OFF ARE WHAT MAKE THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
IF YOU LOSE A C YOU LOSE THE VERY THING THAT DRAWS THE MILLIONS OF TOURISTS DOLLARS TO THIS CITY.
UM, CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR HAVING ME HERE, UH, AGAIN, TO SPEAK.
UM, I DON'T HAVE TOO MANY PREPARED REMARKS BECAUSE I WORKED WITHOUT A MORMON AND, UH, HE SAYS IT A LOT BETTER THAN I DO.
UM, WE'RE FACING A 52 IS A START AND IT DOES DOES SOME STUFF FOR VENUES AND CHILDCARE THAT ARE SO DESPERATELY NEEDED, BUT THE RESTAURANT NEEDS ARE SO GREAT, SO MUCH GREATER.
UH, WE'VE WE'VE LINED THOSE OUT.
AND, AND I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE HEARING US ON THAT FRONT.
SO I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO FIND THE POLITICAL WILL TO DO MORE.
UM, WE ARE RELYING ON CITY LEADERSHIP TO BE MORE NIMBLE, UH, THAN OUR STATE AND FEDERAL LEADERS.
UM, IT IS GONNA TAKE US LONGER, BUT WE WANT TO, UH, TO RECOVER, BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE CRUCIAL IN THE RECOVERY OF AUSTIN.
THIS IS THE BEGINNING, UH, GO AFTER THE STUFF THAT, UH, THAT YOU CAN, UH, THE, THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION FUNDS, UM, YOU KNOW, WE, WE CAN, WE CAN FIGURE OUT WAYS TO, UM, TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
AND THEN WE'RE RELYING ON YOU GUYS TO, TO TAKE BOLD ACTION AND REMAIN CREATIVE, UM, AND, UH, WE'RE, WE'RE HERE TO HELP AND WE'RE ANXIOUS TO, UM, TO BE PART OF THE RECOVERY.
SO THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND KEEP WORKING.
I PERFORM IN TOWN UNDER THE NAME CAROLYN WONDERLAND.
AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR CONSIDERING THE MONEY THAT YOU HAVE ALLOTTED FOR THE VENUE PRESERVATION FUND IN PARTICULAR.
I, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE GO ABOUT THIS IN THE QUICKEST MANNER POSSIBLE.
WE HAVE ALREADY LOST SO MANY VENUES AND WE'RE LOOKING AT CHANGING THE ENTIRE LANDSCAPE OF AUSTIN AND ITS SOUL.
THE MUSIC IS NOT JUST AN ECONOMIC DRIVER.
THERE'S ALMOST 30,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE EMPLOYED BY THE VENUES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, BUT IT'S ALSO THE SOUL OF THE CITY.
WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO COME VISIT AUSTIN, OR THEY THINK ABOUT MOVING HERE, THEY'RE NOT MOVING HERE FOR THE CONDOS AND CONVENIENCE STORES THERE.
THEY'RE MOVING HERE FOR THE CULTURAL VALUE OF THE MUSIC.
AND THERE'S A GREAT IN THAT MUSIC.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THAT.
AND I DO HEAR PEOPLE SPEAK IN THIS THINGS AS THE CONVENTION CENTER.
AND I AGREE THAT PERHAPS THAT MONEY COULD BE PUT TO BETTER USE FOR VENUES THAT ARE BEING LOST RIGHT NOW, INSTEAD OF PROJECTS THAT WE COULD PUT OFF DOWN THE LINE.
AND SO FAR AS DISTRIBUTING THE FUNDS, I, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE FINE FOLKS AT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, I THINK WE NEED SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE DISTRIBUTING GRANTS AND SOMEONE WITH A TRUE WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE AUSTIN MUSIC SCENE.
[00:45:01]
AND IT'S GOTTA BE FAST.AND I REALLY, REALLY HOPE THAT Y'ALL WILL ATTEND IT.
IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR WHAT FOLKS SAID AT THE RALLY ON MONDAY, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO LISTEN TO THE WORDS OF KEVIN RUSSELL, BECAUSE WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING ALIVE IS THE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, BUT WE DEFINITELY ARE GOING TO LOSE THAT IF WE DON'T TAKE ACTION RIGHT NOW.
SO USUALLY MUSICIANS IN TIMES LIKE THIS, WE WOULD GATHER IN THESE VENUES SO THAT WE COULD THROW ON, YOU KNOW, A BENEFIT, RAISE MONEY FOR PEOPLE IN NEED, BUT WITHOUT THESE VENUES, WHICH ARE JUST OUR CULTURAL CENTERS, THAT'S OUR COMMUNITY.
WITHOUT THOSE WE'RE GOING TO MISS OUT.
I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THIS QUICKLY.
AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, CATHERINE HOWARD.
HI, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR ADLER CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTE IN DISTRICT FIVE.
MY NAME'S KATE HOWARD, AND I'M A MUSICIAN.
UM, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
UM, THE ALARMING RATE AT WHICH MUSIC VENUES IN AUSTIN ARE CLOSING IS IT'S HORRIFYING TO ME.
THE CITY SOUNDTRACK IS UNDERGOING AN EXCRUTIATINGLY PAINFUL SEED OUT WITHOUT ADEQUATE FUNDING.
WE WILL HAVE NO PLACE TO LIVE, TO PLAY THE HEARTBREAKING DEVELOPMENT AND EVERY SINGER AND SONGWRITER AND MUSICIAN.
I KNOW EVERY BARTENDER, COCKTAIL, WAITRESS SOUND ENGINEER, WE'RE ALL GOING THROUGH THIS AND IT'S NOT JUST MONETARY FOR US.
IT'S OUR SOUL LIKE CAROLYN BRADFORD WAS JUST SAYING, UM, AND IF YOU WOULD HANDLE THE FINANCIAL ASPECT OF THIS, UM, WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THE REST.
AND AS SOON AS WE'RE ABLE TO GET BACK TO WORK SAFELY, WE WILL, I'M ASKING THAT YOU CREATE A DEDICATED MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND OF AT LEAST $10 MILLION.
AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE THE FUNDS THAT YOU'VE RAISED SO FAR AND HAD AN EXPERIENCED ARTS GRANTS, ADMIN WHO WORKED FOR A NOMINAL FEE.
THANK YOU FOR THE FUNDS YOU'VE RAISED SO FAR.
AND PLEASE DO WHAT I MIGHT COLLEAGUES ASK AND DO IT SOON.
SIVA, SWAMI, HELLO, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THE SWAMI MEMBER OF GOOD WORK, AUSTIN AND OWNER OF SETS HERE, BEVERAGE SUPPLIER TO OFFICE INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS, WHICH SITS ON THE EDGE OF DISTRICT SEVEN AND FOUR.
WE HEAR AS OF THE CONVERSATIONS THIS MORNING, THAT THERE WILL BE CHANGES TO CONSIDERING WHERE THE FUNDING MAY COME FROM AND THAT THIS ITEM IS NOW UNDER FURTHER REVIEW.
FUND SUPPORT IS NO DOUBT NEED FUNDS.
PROPOSED WAS NOWHERE CLOSE TO WHAT WAS NEEDED.
THERE ARE SUPPORTING BUSINESSES THAT ARE ALSO DIRECTLY AFFECTED THAT YOU CAN SUPPORT THE ITEM DID NOT ADDRESS ANY OF OUR OTHER ASKS, PROPERTY TAX HEALTH INSPECTION FEES, ASSISTANCE TO NAME A FEW.
YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO HELP, AND WE NEED YOU TO CONTINUE THESE EFFORTS TO BE SURE THAT THOSE IN NEED ARE TOTALLY SUPPORTED.
WE ALSO NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.
IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT RESTAURANTS IN ONE BUBBLE AND CHILDCARE, AND THEN USE IN BARS AND MUSIC VENUES.
PLEASE CONSIDER ALL OF THE SERVICE INDUSTRY THAT NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT, FAILING TO SUPPORT THE SERVICE INDUSTRY AND SUPPORTING SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES IS A COOL ONE TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU STATING THAT YOU SUPPORT AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE ECONOMIC DIVIDE IN THE CITY.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN GOING ON FOR FAR TOO LONG.
WHAT'S PLEASE WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD THE BUSINESSES AND THE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS MOST EFFECTED AND NEED HIGHER AND UP AND STRONGER.
WE REALLY NEED AND WANT YOU TO MAKE THOSE HARD CHOICES OF CONSIDERING THE FUNDS EARMARKED FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION, WHICH IS A MOOT POINT WHERE THE CITY IS CLEARLY NOT NEEDING THAT.
RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.
THE PASSIVITY NEEDS ATTENTION.
WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU TO MAKE THE CHANGES WE ARE HERE ON THE GROUND WORKING DAY TO DAY TO KEEP OUR BUSINESSES UP OUR TEAMS TOGETHER AND TO SUSTAIN.
MARIN COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
I WAS THE FIRST CHAIR OF THE AUSTIN MUSIC COMMISSION AND JUST FINISHED UP THIS YEAR, BEING INDUCTED INTO THE AUSTIN MUSIC INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME.
AND IN BETWEEN I PRODUCED OVER 7,000 PERFORMANCES AT AUSTIN AIRPORT.
SO I'M REALLY PROUD TO BE A PART OF AUSTIN'S MUSIC COMMUNITY, WHICH NEEDS YOUR HELP.
UH, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF COMMENTARY ABOUT HELP FOR THE COMMUNITY
[00:50:01]
HELP FOR CHILDCARE, WHICH IS OF COURSE, VALID IN RESTAURANTS AS WELL.UH, FORTUNATELY FOR THE RESTAURANTS, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE FOOD AND ARE NOW STARTING TO BRING, UM, AND, UH, INSIDE SEATING AS WELL AS FOOD TO GO.
SO I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT MUSIC.
UH, AS YOU KNOW, MUSIC IS A HUGE DRIVER FOR TOURISM AND RELOCATION OF COMPANIES HERE.
UM, THE LANDLORDS, UH, HAVE TO PAY THEIR BILLS.
THE VENUES HAVE TO PAY THE LANDLORDS AND THEY NEED HELP BECAUSE CLUBS ARE GOING TO BE GETTING EVICTED.
SO THAT IS ONE ISSUE THAT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU USE AS, UH, A FEATURE TO, UM, THIS MONEY TO GET OUT QUICKLY.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT YOU CREATE AND CONTINUE A FUND TO EXPAND, UM, THE SERVICES TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, THROUGH THE VENUES AND OTHER AREAS, NOT JUST VENUES, BUT EQUIPMENT, RENTAL COMPANIES AND OTHER VALID AND VITAL MUSIC INDUSTRY BUSINESSES THAT WILL SIT DOWN FOR THE MUSICIANS AS WELL.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT IN, UH, DIVVYING UP THIS MONEY.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT YOU, UM, INVOLVE SOMEONE, BRING SOMEONE IN, WHO KNOWS THE MUSIC STRUCTURE AND ALL MY TIME IS UP.
I PLAY ELECTRIC BASS AND I ALSO OPERATE TO HAIR LOUNGE, WHICH IS AN EAST SIDE LIVE MUSIC VENUE.
SO I SEE THE SITUATION FROM BOTH SIDES AS A PERFORMER AND AS A PERSON WHO BOOKS BANDS, WE'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR NINE YEARS.
AND BEFORE WE OPENED TCU LOUNGE OPERATED IN THE BUILDING FOR 33 YEARS.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF MUSIC IN THE WALL AND WE'RE DOING ALL WE CAN TO PRESERVE THAT LEGACY.
WE WERE HONORED TO RECEIVE THE 20, 20 AUSTIN MUSIC AWARDS FOR BEST RESIDENCY.
I APPRECIATE THAT THE COUNCIL IS AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LIVE MUSIC THEME.
AND I'M ASKING YOU TO APPROVE THE MEASURE, ESTABLISHING A DEDICATED MUSIC VENUE, PRESERVATION FUND.
AS YOU KNOW, EVEN IN NORMAL TIMES, THEN THIS YEAR WE'VE LOST OUR BUSIEST MONTH.
WE FEEL TREMENDOUS GRATITUDE FOR THE GRANT WE RECEIVED FROM THE CITY THAT TOGETHER WITH THE FEDERAL LOANS HAVE BEEN A TREMENDOUS HELP.
I ALSO WANT TO SHARE AN IDEA THAT HAS THE CAPACITY TO SUPPORT MUSICIANS AS WELL AS VENUES DURING THE COMING TIME OF REBUILDING.
THAT IDEA IS TO USE A PORTION OF THE MUSIC VENUE FUND OR ESTABLISH A SEPARATE FUND TO PROVIDE GUARANTEED LIVE PERFORMANCE INCOME, TO BANDS PERFORMING IN LOCAL VENUES THAT WOULD PUT MONEY DIRECTLY INTO THE POCKETS OF MUSICIANS AND WOULD ALSO SUPPORT THE VENUES BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE GOOD BANDS, CUSTOMERS COME OUT TO HAVE A BEER, AND THAT ALL HELPS TO REBUILD SCENE.
AS WE ALL KNOW, IT MAY BE SOMETIME BEFORE THINGS NORMALIZE IN JUNE WHEN WE WERE OPEN FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUSINESS WAS REALLY SLOW.
AND THE BANDS WHO WERE PAID THROUGH A COVER CHARGE COLLECTED AT THE DOOR WERE EARNING A PORTION OF WHAT WAS NORMAL BEFORE.
I EXPECT THAT WHEN BARS REOPENED, THIS WILL BE THE CASE FOR AWHILE.
IF WE WERE ABLE TO ACCESS A FUND TO PROVIDE GUARANTEES TO LIVE BANDS, WHEN WE BOOK THEM, IT WOULD BE A BIG HELP AND RESTARTING THE ECONOMY AND BRING BACK SOME JOY TO OUR WONDERFUL CITY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, RYAN GREENBELT.
UM, MY NAME IS RYAN GREENBLATT AND I'M A FULL TIME MUSICIAN HERE IN AUSTIN.
UM, I'M HERE TODAY TO ADDRESS ITEM 52 AND TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE A MEASURE, TO CREATE DEDICATED MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND FOR AUSTIN, STRUGGLING MUSIC VENUES.
UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, BY THE WAY, THE SPIRIT AND CULTURE OF AUSTIN IS, AND HAS BEEN BASED AROUND ITS LIVE MUSIC SCENE.
SINCE THE BROKEN SPOKE, WHAT'S CONSIDERED THE EDGE OF TOWN, AND IF WE DON'T HELP SAVE THE REMAINING VENUES IN AUSTIN, THEN WHAT IS AUSTIN AT ALL ANYMORE? I THINK IT'S EASY TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE IDEA OF PROGRESS AND WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND PROGRESS OF COURSE, BUT AT WHAT COST, IF WE DON'T ENSURE OUR BELOVED MUSIC SCENE AND ITS VENUES SURVIVE, DEPEND DEMIC GO FAR, THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS, POINT MORE TOWARD EXPANDING THE CONVENTION CENTER AND LESS FOR THE RELIEF, THE VENUES AND INDUSTRY,
[00:55:01]
WHICH MAKE UP THE SOUL AND CHARACTER OF OUR TOWN NEED TO KEEP THEM ALIVE FOR THE FUTURE.WE NEED TO MAKE THESE VENUES AND THE ARTS COMMUNITY, A BIGGER PRIORITY, A DEDICATED RELIEF FUND, WHICH SHOW THE ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY THAT THE CITY HAS NOT ABANDONED ITS SOUL.
NOT TO MENTION IT'S MONIKER AS THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
IF AND WHEN LIVE MUSIC IS SAFE.
AGAIN, AN ARTISTS EVENTS, STAFF PRODUCTION, STAFF RUN PALS, ACTIVE HOUSE WORKERS ARE ABLE TO GO BACK TO WORK.
IT WILL BE ABSOLUTELY PARAMOUNT TO THE REVIVAL OF THE INDUSTRY IN AUSTIN FOR VENUES TO BE ABLE TO HOUSE THE SHOW CITIES ARTISTS ARE DYING TO PUT BACK ON LIVE.
MUSIC IS NOT ONLY THE BEDROCK OF AUSTIN'S CHARACTER, BUT IT WILL BE A BIG PART OF THE HEALING OF OUR COMMUNITY GOING FORWARD.
ONCE IT IS SAVED FOR SHOWS TO COME BACK, IT WILL HEAL US SPIRITUALLY AS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS HELP KICKSTART THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF AUSTIN, WHICH WE ALL KNOW STANDS TO LOSE A LARGE PORTION OF ITS REVENUE SALES TO KEEP ALIVE THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT SECTOR WITHOUT DELAY CREATE A DEDICATED FUND FOR THE RELEASE MUSIC, UM, RELEASE OF MUSIC VENUES AND APPOINT A TEAM OF KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE, UM, TO ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS QUICKLY.
UM, CAUSE MANY OF THEM ARE ON THE VERGE OF PERMANENT CLOSURE AND THAT'S NEARLY 20,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE WITHOUT A JOB WITHOUT A JOB.
GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS, FAT BOOK TO HEAR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MUSICIANS.
I URGE YOU TO CREATE A DEDICATED MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND, AND I IMPLORE YOU TO ENGAGE A QUALIFIED GRANT ADMINISTRATOR AND UNDERSTANDS THE NEEDS OF OUR MUSIC COMMUNITY.
YOU'VE HEARD OUR MUSIC STAKEHOLDERS EXPRESS CONCERNS OVER FAILURE OF CLEAR AND ANCHOR FUNDS TO ADDRESS THE MUSIC INDUSTRY'S NEEDS.
YOU'VE HEARD OUR VENUE OWNERS SHARE THEIR SORROW AS THEY WATCHED THEIR LONGTIME BUSINESSES CLOSE.
AND YOU CERTAINLY HEARD OVER 200 MUSICIANS SHOW UP AND SPEAK UP WITH US AT CITY HALL ON MONDAY.
WHAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD IS THAT WE BELIEVE YOU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING TODAY BECAUSE WE KNOW YOUR HEARTS ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN AS A WORKING MUSICIAN FOR 30 YEARS AND NEVER HAVE I SEEN A COUNCIL THAT PRIORITIZES MUSIC AS WE DO.
AND AS I MENTOR NEW MUSIC ORGANIZATIONS IN NEW ORLEANS, I'M IN AWE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE SAME CITY PROGRAMS, COMMISSIONS, OR DIVISIONS DEDICATED TO MUSIC THAT WE ENJOY HERE.
AND ALTHOUGH THE ROAD HAS BEEN ROCKY DURING COVID, I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT AS LONG AS WE WORK TOGETHER, WE CAN REBUILD A MUSIC INDUSTRY THAT DRIVES OUR ECONOMY AND PRIORITIZES EQUITY AND SETS THE STANDARD FOR MUSIC CITIES ALL ACROSS THE WORLD.
I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU WILL TAKE THAT CRUCIAL FIRST STEP TODAY BY SAVING AUSTIN'S MUSIC VENUES.
MAY WE ALL FIND UNITY AND HEALING IN TODAY'S DECISION? THANK YOU, JODI MOSAICA MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING ME THE TIME TO SPEAK TODAY IN RESPONSE TO ITEM 52, MY NAME IS JODY
GOOD WORK AUSTIN WHILE THE BUSINESS OWNERS AND MEMBERS OF GOOD WORK AUSTIN AND APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS AND CONSIDERATIONS TAKEN TO IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES THAT WOULD BE FUNNELED INTO THE BAR, ANY RESTAURANT AND CHILDCARE INDUSTRIES IN THE FORM OF LOANS AND GRANTS.
I AM PERSONALLY, UM, DISAPPOINTED BY THE RESULTS OF THOSE EFFORTS AND ESPECIALLY THE SOURCES BY WHICH THE FUNDS WOULD BE DIVERTED, IGNORING THE FACT THAT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY ALLOCATED FOR FUNDING ACROSS THESE SIX SECTORS COMES IN WILDLY BELOW OR CALCULATED ASK THIS PROPOSAL INITIALLY DIVERTED MILLIONS FROM A HOMELESS SUPPORT FUND.
I DON'T CLAIM TO UNDERSTAND HOW COUNCIL MEMBERS ARRIVED AT THE SOURCE FOR FUNDING.
AND I RESPECTFULLY RECOGNIZE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE CHARGED WITH MANY INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING AND UNPRECEDENTED PROBLEMS. THIS YEAR, THE PLACING THE PAY FOR SUCCESS.
ONE ON THE BACK BURNER WAS A SHOCKING AND DISTURBING SOLUTION, NOT EVEN MENTIONED IN THE PROPOSAL WHERE THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TIED UP IN CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.
AND I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THIS AS A MAIN SOURCE OF FUNDING AS A WAY TO HELP OUR INDUSTRIES NOW, AND BEFORE WE SEE ANY MORE CLOSURES, I KNOW THE CENSUS PROPOSAL WAS PRESENTED.
YOU HAVE SENSORY CONSIDERED SOURCES FOR FUNDING, BUT I THOUGHT IT PERTINENT TO INCLUDE THIS AS PART OF MY TESTIMONY TODAY, AND TO REITERATE THE IMPORTANCE OF CONVENTION CENTER FUNDS CONSIDERATION, PLEASE
[01:00:01]
RECONSIDER AND REEVALUATE WHAT THESE INDUSTRIES NEED IN ORDER TO WITHSTAND THE PANDEMIC.OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND VENUES REMAIN AN INCREDIBLY LARGE PART OF WHAT MAKES A CITY OF AUSTIN, A UNIQUE AND DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE AS WELL AS THE FORREST DESTINATION, PLEASE DO NOT OVERLOOK OUR CULTURAL IMPORTANCE, THE SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC IMPACT WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE, OR THE ONGOING ROLE WE PLAY IN SUPPORTING THE LOCAL SUPPLY CHAIN.
THANK YOU AGAIN, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR ADLER FOR YOUR TIME AND DEDICATION TO THE CITY AND PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.
AND FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE OFFERED TO US TODAY, CHRIS, KRISTIN HANEY.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE EAST CESAR CHAVEZ NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND COUNCIL MEMBER RENTER IS DISTRICT THREE AND I'M THE OWNER OF YARD BAR, A DOG PARK RESTAURANT AND BAR AND COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, DISTRICT SEVEN, AND A MEMBER OF GOOD WORK.
I SUPPORT THE CITY'S INTENTION TO KEEP GOING ON.
RESOLUTION 50 TO $15 MILLION IS A GOOD START AND IT FALLS A VERY SHORT OF THE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR NEED.
THE CITY STATED THAT THE ANALYSIS OF NUMEROUS OTHER FUNDING SOURCES WERE CONSIDERED AND THAT THE ANALYSIS OF EACH OF THESE FUNDING SOURCES PRESENTED MYRIAD CHALLENGES, UH, AND OR THAT THEY COULD NOT BE FULLY RESOLVED OR VETTED IN THE TIME PERIOD ALLOWED BY THE RESOLUTION RUNNING OUT OF TIME IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE OUTCOME.
OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, MUSICIANS VENUES ARE ASKED EVERY SINGLE DAY TO PIVOT TO FIGURE IT OUT, TO GET CREATIVE, TO FIND A WAY AND WE DO, BUT OUR TIME WOULD TRULY RUN OUT.
IF OUR CITY DOESN'T JOIN US IN PUTTING EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT INTO FINDING THE RESOURCES AND TAKING THE RISKS THAT SUPPORT OUR ABILITY TO QUICKLY RECOVER AND TO SUSTAIN OUR CULTURAL AND CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE.
I URGE YOU TAKE THE TIME, DO WHAT IT TAKES TO FULLY RESOLVE OR THAT THE SOLUTIONS THAT CAN BE CREATED WHEN WE FULLY CONSIDER THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING FORCES AND ESPECIALLY THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES AND OTHER SOURCES OF AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER REVENUES.
ADDITIONALLY, I URGE THE, TO CONSIDER HOW THE AVAILABLE SAVES FUNDS ARE IMPLEMENTED AMONG THE STAKEHOLDERS AND TO CREATE AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN THAT ALLOWS FOR MORE FLEXIBILITY AND DESIGNATING THOSE FUNDS TO ENSURE THE GREATEST IMPACT TO THOSE BUSINESSES.
MOST IN NEED AUSTIN AS THE HI, HOW YOU DOING CITY, WE HELP EACH OTHER.
WE'RE CONNECTORS AND INNOVATORS.
LET'S USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE WORLD HOW WE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.
MAYOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND I'M CITY MANAGER.
MY NAME IS CHUCK COHN AND I OWN AND OPERATE ANGELS CARE AND LEARNING CENTER.
A BILINGUAL, TEXAS RISING STAR FOUR STAR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN DISTRICT TWO.
I STRONGLY SUPPORT ITEMS, 52 AND 55 SPECIFICALLY THE PROPOSED $5 MILLION CHILDCARE GRANT IN THE SAVES INITIATIVE AND HAVING THE INCLUSION OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD REPRESENTATIVE ON THE AECD BOARD.
UM, AS YOU'RE AWARE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD INDUSTRY IS STRUGGLING ALL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTERS REPRESENT THE SPARK THAT IGNITES ECONOMIC GROWTH ACROSS ALL SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS IN OUR CITY TO EXEMPLIFY OUR CONTRIBUTION, OUR CENTER, AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS HAVE DONE THE FOLLOWING JUST IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, PARTNERED WITH AISD TO PROVIDE FREE PRE-K IN CONJUNCTION WITH FULL DAY CHILDCARE FOR NUMEROUS LOW INCOME FAMILIES DELIVER TOP-NOTCH EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM TO OUR CHILDREN, REGARDLESS OF THEIR SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND, WE CONDUCTED VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES ENCOURAGING MANY OF OUR FAMILY MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIVES.
UH, WE PROVIDE QUALITY SAFE CARE TO CHILDREN ACROSS THE SOCIOECONOMIC SPECTRUM, ALLOWING FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE COLLEGE DEGREES AND SKILLS BASED CERTIFICATES REENTER THE WORKFORCE AFTER DRUG REHAB OR INCARCERATION, ATTAINING A JOB IN A HIGH TECH SECTOR, RECEIVE JOB PROMOTIONS, DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS.
WE PROVIDE THREE MEALS TO FAMILIES WITH FOOD INSECURITY.
WE PROVIDE A SAFE KIT PLACE FOR FOSTER KIDS AND VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFTEN HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT THE STATE IS UNWILLING TO DO.
FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE CURRENTLY OVER 2000 FAMILIES ON THE WAITING LIST THAT HAVE BEEN ON THAT WAITING LIST FOR OVER ONE YEAR DUE TO A LACK OF FUNDING.
THIS IS TO GET THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION CHILDCARE SUBSIDY.
SO THEY CAN'T EVEN SEND THEIR KIDS THAT CAN'T EVEN WORK.
SO WHAT AUSTIN CAN DO IS AUSTIN CAN DO WHAT THE STATE IS WILLING TO DO.
SUPPLEMENT THE FEDERAL FUNDS TO ENSURE THE SUSTAINABILITY AND QUALITY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SPARK ECONOMIC
[01:05:01]
DEVELOPMENT IN OUR CITY.I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR SETTING THE EXAMPLE FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.
MY NAME IS LESLEY MARTIN AND I OWN BOLDEN CREEK CAFE IN DISTRICT NINE.
AND I AM A GW, UH, GOOD WORK OFTEN MEMBER, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST ITEM 52 BECAUSE IT JUST DOESN'T DO ENOUGH.
I HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 20 YEARS AND DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, MY STAFF OF 80 HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 25.
I CAN MAKE IT ANOTHER QUARTER OR MAYBE SIX MONTHS, BUT AFTER THAT, IT TAKES ME TO TAKE A REAL LOOK AT THE REALITY OF STAYING OPEN.
IT'S SEPTEMBER, YOU PASSED A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING THAT RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS WERE THE MOST VULNERABLE SEX CAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY CITY STAFF WAS DIRECTED TO FIND EVERY SOURCE OF FUNDING POSSIBLE TO HELP THESE INDUSTRIES IN THIS CREATIVE IDEA, CITY THAT CLAIMED TO LOVE HIS LOCAL BUSINESS.
I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE BEST WHEN YOU CAN COME UP WITH ITEM 52 IS INSUFFICIENT, AND I KNOW WE CAN DO BETTER.
THERE ARE 3000 RESTAURANTS IN AUSTIN AND 85,000 EMPLOYEES.
THIS MONEY WILL NOT MAKE A DENT IN THE HELP.
I URGE YOU TO FIGHT FOR AUSTIN IT'S CULTURE AND THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF IT'S RESTAURANT BAR.
AND THEN YOU WORK HARD AND KEEP TRYING TO GIVE US ACCESS TO THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EARMARKED FOR CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION, BECAUSE IT WOULD GO FURTHER TO OFFER REAL FINANCIAL HELP FOR MORE RESTAURANTS, MORE BUSINESSES YOU HAVE TAKEN ON LEGAL BATTLES BEFORE WHEN IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
IF ITEMS, IF YOU CHOOSE THE BEST YOU CAN DO, THEN YOU HAVE FAILED.
THE MONEY OFFERED IS JUST NOT ENOUGH TO PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT HELP FOR THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.
THE FATE OF AUSTIN, AS A THRIVING CITY, AS A DESTINATION CITY, AND THE FATE OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS LIES IN THE SURVIVAL OF OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND THEN USE, PLEASE KEEP SEEKING MORE CREATIVE WAYS.
GREGORY CURRIE, GOOD MORNING, MAYOR CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M THE FOUNDER AND CO OWNER OF MANUEL'S RESTAURANTS IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
THOUSANDS OF AUSTIN RESTAURANTS ARE ON THE VERGE OF CLOSING PERMANENTLY DUE TO THE ECONOMIC DEVASTATION CREATED BY COVID-19.
PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO CREATE THE SUPPORTED, DEDICATED RESTAURANT FUND ITEM 52.
THE SAVES FUND IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT THE PROPOSED FUNDS ARE CRITICALLY INADEQUATE.
WE CLOSED BOTH OUR LOCATIONS COMPLETELY.
WHEN THE MAYOR CLOSED AUSTIN DINING ROOMS, WE WERE NOT WILLING TO RISK THE SAFETY OF OUR STAFF BY ASKING THEM TO PREPARE FOOD TOGETHER IN AN OPEN KITCHEN FOR CARRY OUT UNTIL MORE INFORMATION WAS KNOWN.
AND WE KNEW THAT CARRY OUT BUSINESS WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN OUR OVERHEAD WITHOUT REVENUE PRODUCTION, MY WIFE AND CO OWNER, JENNIFER MCNEVIN, AND I PERSONALLY FUNDED THAT'S FINAL THREE PAYROLLS FOR EACH LOCATION, WHICH TOTALED OVER $200,000.
RESTAURANTS ARE EXPENSIVE TO OPERATE.
WE REOPENED MANUEL'S GREAT HILLS ON MAY 2ND.
HOWEVER, MANUEL'S CONGRESS AVENUE AS REMAIN CLOSED.
BUT WITH THE CURRENT CLIMATE DOWNTOWN, THERE IS NO POINT.
THE RESTAURANTS WITH THE FABRIC OPEN ARE LOSING LINE OR EVERY BRIDGE.
NO ONE IS MAKING MONEY DOING THIS BECAUSE WE ARE IN TACT.
MANY OF OUR FELLOW RESTAURATEURS, SEVERAL CONGRESS AVENUE, RESTAURANT NEIGHBORS NEXT TO MANUEL'S REOPEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN CLOSED AFTER INCURRING EVEN MORE LOSSES.
WHAT'S THE MARCHES ON CONGRESS AVENUE, THE FEW TOURISTS AND OFFICE WORKERS, THE LACK OF SPECIAL EVENTS, SPORTING EVENTS, CONFERENCES, THE LACK OF HOTEL BUSINESS, AND THE HOMELESS PANHANDLING AND HARASSING PEDESTRIANS IS DEATH FOR RESTAURANTS RIGHT NOW CARRY OUT ACCOUNTS FOR LESS THAN 10% OF OUR BUSINESS.
IN SPITE OF PROMOTING IT MORE DURING THE LAST SIX MONTHS, IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN US.
MANUEL'S OVERALL SALES ARE NOW LESS THAN HALF OF PRE COVID LEVELS, WHICH EQUATES TO LOTS OF SPORTS EACH END TO EVERY DAY.
THE PPP DOLLARS WE RECEIVED HAVE BEEN SPENT
[01:10:01]
IN OUR PERSONAL WAR CHEST ARE ALMOST DRAINED.THANKS FOR TALKING TO US TODAY.
MY NAME IS GWENDOLYN SEAL AND I'M AN ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER HERE IN AUSTIN.
I HAD AN IMPACTED WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTED LESS THAN 48 HOURS AGO.
IF I SOUND A BIT MUFFLED OR UNCLEAR TODAY, I SUPPORT SAVES AND WANTED TO REITERATE THE IMPORTANCE OF ESTABLISHING A MUSIC VENUE, PRESERVATION FUND.
ONE THING THAT MAKES AUSTIN UNLIKE ANY OTHER MUSIC, CAPITAL OR ENTERTAINMENT CITY IS THE VOLUME OF GRASSROOTS INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE HAVE TO ENSURE OUR MUSIC INDUSTRY SURVIVE AND THRIVE.
SO I IMPLORE YOU TO DIRECT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO WORK HAND IN HAND WITH SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE MUSIC VENUE ALLIANCE, LIKE THE RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT, BECAUSE THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE THE CLOSEST TO THE ISSUES.
I'VE SPENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME ACCUMULATING THE RELEVANT VENUE, DATA AND DEVELOPING STRATEGIES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PROPOSED FUND.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I'VE ALREADY EARNED THE TRUST OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS FURTHER.
THE CITY MUST ENGAGE A QUALIFIED GRANT ADMINISTRATOR, WHICH THE COMMUNITY TRUST.
I ALSO APPRECIATE THE ANSWERS THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH CHOOSING BB TO ADMINISTER THE QUEER AND ANGER FUNDS BEGINNING ON PAGE 17 OF THE Q AND A, I DROPPED THE LETTER OF WHICH ALL OF YOU RECEIVED ON JUNE 13TH.
WOULD YOU EXPRESS MUSIC STAKEHOLDER CONCERNS? I ASKED THAT MOVING FORWARD, THE CITY AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, EXERCISE TRANSPARENCY WITH THE PUBLIC WHEN IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TAKE THREE AND A HALF MONTHS TO GET SOME ANSWERS TO SOME TRULY SIMPLE QUESTIONS.
AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THERE'S CONSIDERABLE GRASSROOTS INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS CITY, BOLD WITH A LOT OF INTELLIGENT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ASSIST THE CITY IN BUILDING SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS. WE ARE HERE TO HELP THIS MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION SIGNED IF EXECUTED CORRECTLY, AND WITH EXPEDIENCY CAN SERVE AS A BLUEPRINT TO OTHER MUSIC, CAPITALS AND ENTERTAINMENT CITIES, WHICH ARE FACING SIMILAR STRUGGLES.
AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AS THE CITY EXERCISES, TRANSPARENCY AND INVOLVES MUSIC INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS FROM THIS PROGRAM'S INCEPTION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, LAURA OLSON.
I'M A MOTHER OF FIVE CHILDREN AND EARLY CHILDHOOD IN SCHOOL HEALTH EQUITY DIRECTOR WITH GO AUSTIN, VAMOS AUSTIN.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY FOR CONSIDERING BOLD ACTIONS TO SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND AUSTIN ECONOMY.
I WANT TO ECHO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN TODAY TO ASK YOU TO DO MORE FOR CHILDCARE MUSIC AND RESTAURANTS TODAY, I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF ITEMS 52 AND 55 IN PARTICULARLY IN PARTICULAR TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE ESSENTIAL CHILDCARE SECTOR.
MR. ROGERS, BELOVED PBS SHOW HOST AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CHAMPION ONCE SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN A CHILD'S LIFE ARE THAT CHILD'S PARENTS AND TEACHERS.
THAT MEANS PARENTS AND TEACHERS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
I HOPE WE CAN ALL AGREE WITH THAT AND RECOGNIZE THAT PARENTS AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ARE CHILDREN'S.
FIRST TEACHERS ARE IN DEEP DISTRESS.
THESE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF YOU WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE, WHEN YOUR PARENTS COULD NOT, WHAT WAS THE IMPACT? I GUARANTEE IT WAS IMPORTANT TO WHO YOU GREW UP TO BE DEPENDS.
AMICK HAS CALLED CAUSED ENORMOUS STRESS AND STRAIN FOR PARENTS WORKING TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AT A TIME OF GREAT UNCERTAINTY, ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
MOST HIGHLY IMPACTED BY COVID-19 2000 FAMILIES CURRENTLY AWAIT CHILDCARE SUBSIDIES, BUT PLEASE ACT TO AFFORDABLE QUALITY CHILDCARE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THEM.
THEY HAVE LOST SO MUCH ALREADY UNDERPAID CHILDCARE PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN THERE THROUGHOUT, BUT THEY CAN'T HOLD ON MUCH LONGER.
THEY HAVE SEEN AND STAFFING DROP WHILE ADAPTING TO EVER CHANGING HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES.
THIS YEAR, MANY ARE TAKING SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN TO THEIR FOLD AS THEY ARE TRUSTED AND CAPABLE GUYS AS PARENTS FACE UNCERTAINTY WITH SCHOOLS, THE COMBINATION OF STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS THROUGH THE SAVES INITIATIVE AND THE AUSTIN EDC AND CONTINUING CONVERSATION TO FIND ADDITIONAL, ADDITIONAL EQUITABLE FUNDING RESULT IN RESILIENT CULTURE SECTOR, READY TO SUPPORT THE WORKFORCE OF TODAY AND TOMORROW.
MY NAME IS MARK
UM, WHILE WE ALSO ALL ARE IN SUPPORT OF, UH, THE INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THESE TRYING TIMES, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM
[01:15:01]
52.UM, WE AS RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST ESSENTIAL INDUSTRIES IN OUR GREAT CITY OF US.
AND, UM, PLEASE THINK OF THE MEMORIES THAT WERE MADE IN HAD IN YOUR LIVES THAT HAPPENED IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.
YOU THINK OF A FAVORITE FOOD, YOU PRAYED MANY OF THESE MEMORIES AND FAVORITE FOOD SPOTS MIGHT NOT BE THERE OR ARE GONE FOREVER.
YOU DID NOT CHOOSE THIS RESTAURANT BUSINESS FOR A NINE TO FIVE JOB.
WE CHOSE THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS BECAUSE OF THE LOVE OF SERVING FOOD, LOVE OF CREATING HAPPINESS FOR OTHERS AND HELPING OUR RESTAURANT FAMILY PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.
THERE ARE AT SIX, WE ARE THERE AT SIX OR SEVEN O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING UNTIL LATE O'CLOCK AND LATE AT NIGHT.
UH, WE HAVE PERSONALLY INVESTED, UM, INTO OUR, INTO OUR LOVE FOR THIS, FOR THIS, UH, FEELING, UH, FOR ALL OF OUR PATRONS AND OUR EMPLOYEES.
UM, WE HAVE TAKEN MANY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, UH, DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME AND MANY FINANCIAL INNOVATIONS TO, UH, TO TRY TO BETTER, UH, STAY OPEN DURING THIS TIME.
MANY CAN'T OPEN, MANY WILL NEVER OPEN AGAIN.
I'M SURE YOU ALL PERSONALLY KNOW OF THESE RESTAURANTS.
UH, WE NEED YOU TO INVEST IN RESTAURANTS SO THAT WE CAN REBUILD WHAT WE LOST AND CAME AND COME BACK STRONGER THAN BEFORE.
COVID WE NEED Y'ALL TO HELP RESTAURANTS BEFORE THE PLACES THAT YOU ALL, UH, THAT ALL OF YOU AND ALL OF US HAVE MADE SOME OF THE BIGGEST MEMORIES TO POSSIBLY DISAPPEAR.
PLEASE HELP US WITH, WITH THIS RESTAURANT FUNDING SO THAT WE CAN MAKE NEW MEMORIES IN THE SAFEST CONDITIONS FOR ALL OF OUR FUTURE.
THIS MONEY IS NOT FOR THE RESTAURANT OWNERS.
THIS, THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY, THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY AND EVERYONE ELSE.
WE THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, UH, AND THE COUNCIL AND, UM, HAVE A GOOD DAY
I'M A MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTIST AND OFTEN THINKING LADY BANANA BREAD.
UM, AND I, YOU KNOW, I'M LISTENING TO EVERYONE AND PRETTY MUCH I, I AGREE AND, YOU KNOW, REITERATE EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID.
I DO THINK THIS COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR FOR, YOU KNOW, WANTING TO ALLOCATE THIS MONEY AND FINDING MONEY, UM, ACROSS THE BOARD AND I DO WANT EQUITABLE FUNDING.
IT'S I GOT CHILLS JUST NOW WHEN I HEARD THE OWNER OF MOUNT MANUEL'S, UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN SEVEN MONTHS SINCE WE GOT SHUT DOWN IN MARCH AND YES, WE CAN ALL SIT HERE AND SAY, YOU KNOW, THANK YOU.
I WANT TO KNOW IF YOU GUYS, THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR HAVE GONE TO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNERS, LIKE JOHN MACKEY, OWNER OF WHOLE FOODS, YOU KNOW, MICHAEL DELL, WE HAVE ELON MUSK THAT IS BREAKING GROUND RIGHT NOW.
AND, YOU KNOW, I JUST GOT A WONDER WITH ALL THESE GREAT MINDS IN AUSTIN AND THE ABUNDANCE WE HAVE.
WHY ARE WE HERE? WHY HAVE I FEEL LIKE THERE'S JUST NOT BEEN PROGRESS? AND WHAT ALL I HEAR EVERY WEEK IS, YOU KNOW, THIS VENUE GONE DOWN THIS RESTAURANT, IT'S HEARTBREAKING.
I JUST, YOU KNOW, I JUST DON'T THINK THAT IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
AND, AND, YOU KNOW, YEAH, I'M AGAINST ANY FUNDING FOR THE AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER.
AND I WANT TO, I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING TO GOVERNOR ABBOTT IN CASE HE'S LISTENING.
YOU KNOW, I JUST FOUND OUT LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HE IS SITTING ON MONEY THAT NOBODY WAS GOING TO FIND OUT ABOUT.
IT TOOK UP PULLING TEETH FOR THE MEDIA TO FIND THIS INFORMATION.
AND NOW HE SAY, WELL, I HAVE TILL THE END OF DECEMBER TO DISBURSE THIS MAN, I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE ARE 2000 PEOPLE WAITING ON A WAITING LIST FOR THEIR, UM, SUBSIDIES FOR, FOR CHILDCARE HEARTBREAK.
I, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO SAY, WE NEED TO DO BETTER.
WHY CAN'T WE GET A MEETING OF THE, OF THE MOST BRILLIANT MINDS HERE AND ASK FOR HELP THAT DID ELAN MUST GET SOME KIND OF SUBSIDIARY, YOU KNOW, HE'S A BILLIONAIRE, PLEASE DO THINK OUT OF THE WAY OUT OF THE BOX.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US, DAVID WATTLE.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITALITY FOR THE TRUE LUXE RESTAURANT GROUP ON WORK IN COLORADO.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, UH, FROM DISHWASHER TO DIRECTOR OF HOSPITALITY FOR 12 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ACROSS AMERICA.
UM, I THINK I HAVE A VERY NUANCED VOICE HERE.
I'VE SEEN THE I'VE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY ON UNINTERRUPTED FOR 27 YEARS.
AND I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE MY FAMILY MOVED HERE IN 19, 1983.
[01:20:02]
I'M PART OF THIS RESTAURANT GROUP SINCE 2005 AND A BIG MEMBER OF OUR TEAMS IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN AND THE ARBORETUM.IT'S 85,000 PEOPLE, 3000 VENUES.
OUR PEOPLE AND OUR INDUSTRY NEED REAL HELP.
AND WE'RE ASKING FOR YOU TO STEP UP.
THIS INDUSTRY IS DEEPLY WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF AUSTIN, ESPECIALLY DOWNTOWN.
IT'S WHAT KEEPS IT WEIRD? ARE WE A MARKETING TOOL OR WE CARED ABOUT TAX PAYING MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY.
MANY WERE HERE LIKE, LIKE MANY AT THIS TABLE I'M SITTING AT AND WE WERE A SLEEPY LITTLE COLLEGE TOWN, AND MANY ARE STILL HERE, BUT WE WON'T BE HERE FOR LONG.
WE PATIENTLY WAITED AS OUR BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN SLOWED BY TREMENDOUS GROWTH WE'VE SEEN IN AUSTIN.
THIS SOUNDS CRAZY, BUT IT'S TRUE.
I'M STREET PROJECT IN 2013, THE DOUBLE DIGIT CRANES OPERATING IN AND AROUND OUR BUSINESSES SINCE WE'VE WAITED PATIENTLY TO GROW OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR COMMUNITIES.
ONCE THE FUTURE OF AUSTIN BECAME THE PRESENT, UNFORTUNATELY WE WON'T MAKE IT TO THE FINISH LINE.
WE STILL HAVE A HUNDRED AUSTINITES IN OUR COMPANY THAT WE CAN EMPLOY.
THEY HAVE FAMILY TO DO THE MATH.
IT'S 85,000 PEOPLE IN THIS INDUSTRY, OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISN'T HELPING HIM.
CAN WE RELY UPON OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, OUR FELLOW CITIZENS THERE'S PRESSURES BEYOND COVID.
THE HOMELESS POPULATION INCREASED VIOLENCE ON OUR STREET.
HIGHWAY UNDERPASSES ARE KEEPING OUR TAX, PAYING CITIZENS AWAY.
WE'VE HAD LOSS OF LIFE ON OUR STREET CORNERS.
WE WALKED BY EVERY DAY, WHO IS OUR CUSTOMER THESE DAYS.
OUR FELLOW CITIZEN AUSTINITES ARE AVOIDING THE CROWN JEWEL OF OUR CITY.
WE HAVE NO OFFICE WORKERS, NO LIVE MUSIC, FANS, NO CONVENTIONS.
AND VERY FEW RESIDENTS COMING TO US.
AUSTIN IS A DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE.
WE WANT SPOT EVENT PANDEMIC, BUT NOW WE'RE GETTING HIT FROM ALL SIDES.
YOU CAN HELP IF YOU LOVE WHAT MAKES THIS CITY DIFFERENT? A PREMIER CITY IN AMERICA, THE CITY OF THE FUTURE.
YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IMPORTANT ROLE THE HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY PLAYS IN THIS DESCRIPTION.
I ASK YOU TO PLEASE PROVIDE THE RELIEF.
I HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ADJUST ITEM 52, THE SAVE LIFE FUND SAY IT'S FINE IN ITS CURRENT STATE.
THANK YOU FOR HEARING FROM ME TODAY.
STRAFORD I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND ADVOCACY FOR THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION.
I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING THOUSANDS OF AUSTIN RESTAURANTS THAT ARE ON THE VERGE OF CLOSING PERMANENTLY.
WE'RE HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR ITEM 52, BUT ALSO TO RAISE SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS FUNDING, WHICH WE BELIEVE IS INSUFFICIENT AND INEQUITABLE.
WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE OUR RESTAURANTS.
THEY'RE ONE OF OUR LARGEST EMPLOYERS.
THEY GENERATE SIGNIFICANT TAX REVENUE AND TOURISM FOR OUR CITY.
THEY'RE A CRITICAL PART OF OUR LIVE MUSIC AND ARTS INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND MAYBE MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY QUITE LITERALLY FEED OUR CITIZENS.
AS RESTAURANTS REPRESENT 51% OF THE TEXAS STUDENT DOLLARS.
WE KNOW SO MANY INDUSTRIES NEED ASSISTANCE, AND I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT WE FULLY SUPPORT FUNDING FOR CHILDCARE LIVE MUSIC.
THE NEWS, THE ART FRIENDS AND OTHERS WERE REPRESENTED ON THIS CALL AT THE SAME TIME THAT AIR ADLER SAID EARLIER, WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE SCALE OF THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.
THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY HAS LOST MORE REVENUE AND MORE JOBS AS A RESULT OF COVID THAN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY RESPECTFULLY.
THIS SCALE IS NOT REFLECTED IN STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH DEDICATE FUNDING TO LIVE MUSIC, VENUES AND CHILDCARE SPECIFICALLY, BUT NOT TO RESTAURANTS.
AND AS OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED, $5 MILLION IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.
WE NEED SAY THE ICONIC RESTAURANTS YOU LOVE AND HELP THOSE 85,000 FAMILIES WHO DEPEND ON THIS INDUSTRY.
CONGRESSIONAL RELIEF AS FAR FROM CERTAIN AND FEW RESTAURANTS QUALIFIED FOR THE GRANT.
THE CITY FUNDED EARLIER IN THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE THEY HAD TOO MANY EMPLOYEES.
LOCAL RESTAURANTS ARE QUITE LITERALLY RUNNING OUT OF TIME, PARTICULARLY WITH DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS THAT KEEP MOST AT ABOUT 50% CAPACITY.
THE LACK OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN COLDER WEATHER ON THE HORIZON ITEM, 52 IS THE START, BUT WE KNOW IT CAN BE MUCH BETTER.
PLEASE HELP US BY FULLY AND EQUITABLY FUNDING, RESTAURANT BELIEF, AND BY INCLUDING RESTAURANT OPERATORS, DEEPER CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW THE STATE FUND WILL BE ALLOCATED.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT TO WORK FOR THE SIMS FOUNDATION AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT ITEM 52 AND URGE THE CREATION OF A DEDICATED LIVE MUSIC PRESERVATION FUND.
ADDITIONALLY, THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT BE ADMINISTERING THESE FUNDS AS THEY HAVE ALREADY PROVEN THEMSELVES NOT CAPABLE OF THE TASK AT HAND, PLEASE CHOOSE A QUALIFIED
[01:25:01]
GRANT ADMINISTRATOR THAT UNDERSTANDS THE MUSIC COMMUNITY AND CAN ADMINISTER FUNDS WITH COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY.NONE OF THIS WILL SAVE THE TITLE OF LIVE MUSIC, CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE THAT REPUTATION IS LONG PASSED AND THAT MONICA IS DEAD AND GONE.
FRANKLY, THIS RESOLUTION DOESN'T COME CLOSE TO PROVIDING ADEQUATE RELIEF AND IT'S ENTIRELY TOO LITTLE TOO LATE, BUT PEOPLE NEED THIS MONEY RIGHT NOW.
SO IT'S THE VERY LEAST YOU CAN DO.
WHEN THIS PANDEMIC BEGAN MUSICIANS, CANCELLED GIGS, THEN HE'S CLOSED THEIR DOORS AND PEOPLE DID SO BECAUSE THEY CARED FOR THE WELLBEING OF OTHERS IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
AND THEY WERE WILLING TO MAKE THAT SACRIFICE AS DIFFICULT AS IT WAS.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT FEELING WASN'T RECIPROCATED AND OUR MUSIC COMMUNITY WAS HUNG OUT TO DRY USING AUSTIN MUSIC AS A MARKETING TOOL WHILE IGNORING THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY OUR CITIES, BLACK AND BROWN MUSICIANS IS A PROBLEM THAT EXISTED LONG BEFORE COVID AND MY WORK WITH SIMS I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE IMPACT THIS IS HAVING ON PEOPLE'S MENTAL HEALTH.
PEOPLE ARE ANXIOUS, THEY'RE LOSING HOPE AND THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE CITY LEADERS EVEN CARE.
YOU WOULD BE HEARTBROKEN IF YOU SPEND A DAY LISTENING TO PHONE CALLS FROM PEOPLE IN CRISIS, LIKE WE GET EVERY DAY AT, SINCE THIS HAS BEEN TRAUMATIC FOR THE COLLECTIVE WELLBEING OF OUR MUSIC COMMUNITY, AND IT DIDN'T NEED TO GET TO THIS POINT.
AUSTIN'S REPUTATION WAS BUILT ON THE BACKS OF OUR MUSICIANS AND IT'S SHINY RED FADED THIS PAST MONDAY.
IT'S TIME TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP, PLEASE PASS OUT IN 50 TO CREATE A LIVE MUSIC.
THEN YOU PRESERVATION FUND AND DON'T CONSIDER THAT ANYTHING MORE THAN A FIRST STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
THERE IS STILL MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE IF WE WANT TO CREATIVE COMMUNITIES AND SERVICE INDUSTRIES TO NOT ONLY SURVIVE, BUT THRIVE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, ALAN ECKERT.
MY NAME IS ALLEN ECKERT AND I HAVE BEEN PLAYING MUSIC IN AUSTIN PROFESSIONALLY FOR 10 YEARS, MUSIC VENUES ALL OVER THE CITY HAVE ALREADY BEEN CLOSING AND EVEN MORE COULD CLOSE AT AN ALARMING RATE.
WE NEED A DEDICATED MUSIC VENUE RELEASED ON OF AT LEAST $10 MILLION ITEM 52.
THE SALES RESOLUTION IS A GREAT START TO HELP MUSIC VENUES, BUT WE NEED MORE TRANSPARENT AND MORE URGENT ACTION TO SOLVE THIS FINANCIAL PROBLEM.
EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY NEED TO BE A PART OF THIS CONVERSATION AND TO ULTIMATELY SHOW HOW TO BEST ADMINISTER GUNS.
THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU HAS NOT BEEN RIGHT FOR THE JOB BEFORE THIS PANDEMIC.
YOU COULD FIND MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES MOST NIGHTS OF THE WEEK, PERFORMING ALL OVER THE CITY, PROVIDING THE MUSICAL ENVIRONMENT.
THAT'S SO MANY AROUND THE WORLD ARE DRAWN TO VISIT THAT CULTURE IS NOW IN DANGER OF DISAPPEARING.
THE VERY CULTURE THAT BROUGHT ME AND MOST OF MY FRIENDS HERE, THE CULTURE THAT BRINGS IN MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN REVENUE FOR THE CITY EVERY YEAR, WITHOUT THIS MUSIC AND ARTS ECONOMY, AUSTIN CANNOT CALL ITSELF THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD WITHOUT ENOUGH DEDICATED FINANCIAL AID FOR AUSTIN MUSIC VENUES, WE WILL LOSE ONE OF THE VERY THING THAT MAKES AUSTIN SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE TO LIVE OR VISIT.
THIS IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR CITY, THE HISTORY OF OUR CITY.
AND IT'S WHAT BRINGS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HERE.
YOU MUST CREATE A LIFELINE FOR YOUR CITY'S CULTURE.
MAHIA HELLO? OH, CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
UM, MY NAME IS MICHELLE MONAGHAN.
I AM THE EARLY CHILDHOOD ORGANIZER FOR GO AUSTIN, VAMOS AUSTIN.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING ITEMS. 5,255 DAYS TO SAVE AUSTIN'S MOST VULNERABLE INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING AND ESPECIALLY CHILDCARE.
THE REALITY IS THAT CHILDCARE IS AND HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A LOT OF OUR HARDWORKING FAMILIES IN THIS CITY.
AND TO QUESTION THE FAMILY FRIENDLY FRIENDLINESS OF THE CITY IS FAIR AND VALID BECAUSE MANY WORKING PARENTS STRUGGLED TO FIND AND AFFORD HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE.
THIS PANDEMIC HAS ONLY EXACERBATED THE ISSUES AROUND CHILDCARE AS CENTERS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS CLOSE HAS FAMILIES LOSE THEIR JOBS.
SOME WHO ARE ON THE BRINK OF ADDICTION AND ARE NOW SLOWLY RETURNING TO THE WORKFORCE ONLY TO HAVE THEIR PLACES ON WAITING LIST OR FIND OUT THAT THEIR CENTERS ARE NO LONGER THERE.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE HARDWORKING PARENTS OR WORKING CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.
THEY CANNOT BE HERE BECAUSE OF WORK, WHO AS WE SPEAK ARE CLEANING THE HALLS OF OUR SCHOOLS AND PREPPING MEALS FOR OUR CHILDREN.
THOSE WE'RE TEACHING OUR CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITIES, FAMILIES WHO NOW FIND THEMSELVES IN DEBT.
AND WE'RE TRYING TO FILL IN CHILDCARE GAPS.
COUNSEL, THIS IS A START, BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT YOU MUST DO MORE ON BEHALF OF OUR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS,
[01:30:01]
INCLUDING CARE FOR THE CHILDREN OF THOSE WHO OWN AND SERVE IN VENUES AND RESTAURANTS AND THE ARTISTS.THE CITY IS SO PROUD OF OUR CHILDREN, OUR FUTURE.
THIS IS A MUTUAL DEPENDENCY AND IT IS NOT EXCLUSIVE.
THERE NEEDS TO BE WORK FOR PARENTS TO NEED CARE.
PLEASE DO MORE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY WORKING CLASS FAMILIES AND POC FAMILIES.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE CITY ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION OF CHILDCARE AND FAMILY TO BRING IT TO THE FOREFRONT OF THE CRITICAL ISSUE AND ISSUE OF CITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE CITY ECONOMY.
REMEMBER THAT CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE LET'S WORK TO MAKE AUSTIN AUSTIN, A REAL FAMILY FRIENDLY CITY FOR ALL FAMILIES.
WHO'S LIVED IN AUSTIN FOR 26 YEARS.
I'M THE SINGER OF THE BAND BROWNOUT AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO.
WHAT BROUGHT ME TO AUSTIN WAS THE MUSIC SCENE PERIOD.
MY INTENT HERE TODAY IS NOT TO UNDERMINE THE MASSIVE CHALLENGES AND IMPORTANT COMMUNITY BATTLES.
WE ARE FACING ALL ACROSS THE BOARD IN THE CITY, BUT THE LIVE MUSIC SCENE IS FUNDAMENTAL AND OUR VENUES NEED TO EXIST.
AUSTIN VENUES ALLOWED ME TO BECOME THE MUSICIAN I AM TODAY.
AND FRANKLY, THE SOUL OF THIS CITY NEEDS OF THEM.
IF YOU WANT AUSTIN TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE DIVERSE, HOMEGROWN MUSIC CULTURE, WE EXPORT TO THE WORLD WITH OUR CATCHY LITTLE SLOGAN.
WE NEED YOU TO INVEST IN HELP SAVE OUR SCENE.
THINGS LIKE THE AMAZING MUSIC PIECE.
WALK WITH ME, AUSTIN THAT MOVED YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR ADLER.
IT SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF INCLUSION.
OUR MUSIC CULTURE, NONE OF US WANT TO LIVE IN SOME HOMOGENIZED, GENERIC VERSION OF AUSTIN.
I SUPPORT A DEDICATED LIVE MUSIC PRESERVATION FUND.
IT MUST INCLUDE QUALIFIED LIVE PROFESSIONALS, HELPING TO OVERSEE IT.
WE NEED A KNOWLEDGEABLE ENTITY TO BE IN CHARGE OF DISPERSING THE FUNDS WE NEED THIS DONE QUICKLY WITH TRANSPARENCY AND EQUITY STOLEN.
COVID KILL THE MUSIC VENUES AND THE SOUL OF OUR CITY.
ASHLEY HAMILTON, ASHLEY, PLEASE UNMUTE MARS' CHATMAN.
MAYOR ADLER, MAYOR PRO TEM GARZA, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER.
I LIVE IN COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON'S DISTRICT ONE, AND I'M AN OWNER AT CASEY'S NEW ORLEANS SNOWBALLS AND COUNCIL MEMBER TURBOS DISTRICT NINE.
I HAD PREPARED REMARKS THAT I FEEL AFTER A COUNCIL MEMBER, TOVO PULLED ITEM 52 ARE NO LONGER NECESSARILY APPROPRIATE.
AND UM, OTHERS HAVE REALLY SPOKEN ON IT MUCH MORE ELOQUENTLY THAN I'M ABLE TO.
AND I'M HEARTENED BY THE DISCUSSION, UM, AROUND ITEM 52, AND THAT IT'S GOING TO RECEIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
I JUST WANTED TO VOICE MY CONCERN ON THE SIZE SLASH SCALE OF ANY RELIEF THAT'S PROVIDED FOR AUSTIN'S, UH, MUSIC, VENUES, RESTAURANTS, AND BARS AND CHILDCARE, UM, AND PARTICULARLY THAT RELIEF BE AWARDED ON A NEED BASED BASIS.
UM, AND I HOPE THAT THAT IS, UH, I HOPE THAT'S WHAT FURTHER CONSIDERATION BRINGS ABOUT AS BOTH AN INCREASE IN SCALE AND, UM, A MORE EQUITABLE WAY OF, OF, OF AWARDING ANY GRANTS, UM, THAT ARE MADE AVAILABLE.
UM, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR SERVICE.
UM, I'M CALLING TO TALK ABOUT, UH, ITEM 12.
UM, I APPLAUD THE COUNCIL'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITY.
SO WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE AWKWARD, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE EQUITY MATRIX AND ITEM 12 IS ACTUALLY ILLEGAL UNDER THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1966.
UM, AND I WOULD REFER YOU TO THE CASE, UH, FISHER VERSUS U S OR UT AUSTIN.
UM, I BELIEVE THAT IT HAS TO BE PRECISELY TAILORED TO SERVE A COMPELLING GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST.
AND WHILE YOU CAN MAKE THE CASE THAT EQUITY UNDER THIS IS THE SAME AS, UM, I DON'T THINK IT'S PRECISELY TAILORED AND THE
[01:35:01]
SITE WHO WAS AWARDED THE GRANTS, 40% OF THOSE WHO APPLIED WERE AWARDED GRANTS.10% OF THE APPLICANTS WERE AFRICAN AMERICAN AND 10% OF THE RECIPIENTS WERE AFRICAN AMERICAN.
HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE LGBTQ, UH, 58% OF THE APPLICANTS RECEIVED, UH, THE GRANT AND IF YOU WERE TRANS IDENTIFIED AS TRANS 76% AWARDED.
SO IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU'RE CONFLATING ALL THESE PROTECTED GROUPS INTO A MATRIX, IT'S NOT NARROWLY TAILORED.
SO I THINK THE ANSWER IS ACTUALLY FOR COUNCIL TO BE MORE EXPLICIT ABOUT EQUITY ISSUES.
SO LIKE IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EQUITY WITH VENUES, YOU COULD VERY INTENTIONALLY SAY, WE'RE GOING TO SET ASIDE ENOUGH MONEY TO PUT A VENUE IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL DISTRICT OUT OF CREATIVE BOND MONEY, BUT YOU CAN'T, UH, HAUNT OFF TO A THIRD PARTY, LIKE THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF FORMULA AND SAY, WE'VE DONE OUR JOB ON EQUITY.
I'M 30 YEAR RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE ZILKER, UM, UH, BLOWN TIME BY MUSIC FAN.
UM, WANT TO SUPPORT, UH, THIS INITIAL $15 MILLION AND ITEM 52 FOR LIVE MUSIC, BUT ALSO POINT OUT THAT IT'S A TINY FRACTION OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE.
UM, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL TO ALLOCATE AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS OF WHAT'S BEEN MARKED AS CONVENTION CENTER RESERVES, BUT REALLY IS A HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX, UH, THAT IS ACCUMULATED IN ACCESS OF IMMEDIATE NEEDS.
UM, OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS BY VIRTUE OF LARGE NUMBERS OF TOURISTS COMING TO AUSTIN FOR LIVE MUSIC, FOR OUR AMAZING FOOD AND BEVERAGE SCENE AND FOR BARTON SPRINGS AND OUR BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT, UM, PROBABLY LIKE MANY OF YOU.
UM, I KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT COME TO AUSTIN SPECIFICALLY TO HEAR VANS PLAY IN OUR VENUES TO, UH, EAT AMAZING FOOD HERE, UH, TO VISIT FRIENDS AND TO ATTEND SPORTS EVENTS.
UM, I KNOW VIRTUALLY NO ONE WHO, AND CAN'T THINK OF A SINGLE PERSON WHO COMES TO AUSTIN FOR CONVENTIONS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.
UM, THE ACTUAL DATA BEAR OUT MY ANECDOTAL EXPERIENCE AS YOU KNOW, LESS THAN 3% OF OUR HOTEL VISITORS ARE COMING FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER, UH, EVENTS.
AND, UH, YET THE CONVENTION CENTER HAS BEEN, UH, HOARDING, UH, AT Y'ALLS ACTIONS BY BUDGETING IT OVER 75% OF THE, UH, HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX REVENUE.
AND, UM, THAT'S A GROSS SUBMIT.
AND ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME WHERE THERE'S ABSOLUTELY VITAL NEED TO REALLOCATE THESE FUNDS TO SAVE, UH, MUSIC, AND YOU HAVE THE LEGAL WHEREWITHAL TO DO THAT.
YOU HAVE A LEGAL MEMO FOR ME AND THREE OTHER LAWYERS, UH, LAYING OUT VERY CLEARLY, NOT ONLY HOW YOU CAN REALLOCATE THAT MONEY TO SAVE LIVE MUSIC AND AUSTIN CULTURE, UH, BUT POINTING OUT HOW YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN DOING IT IN SMALL STEPS, UH, THAT CAN EASILY BE EXPANDED TO FIT WITH THE VENUES DOWNTOWN, BUT VENUES ALL OVER TOWN.
HELLO? OKAY, GOOD MORNING CITY COUNCIL.
I'M A MUSICIAN AND RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MY PERSONAL MENTOR AND FRIEND LONGTIME, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND VOICE OF ALL OF AUSTIN CITY LIMITS TERRY LAKOTA.
HE COULD NOT BE HERE TODAY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE PREPPING FOR A TAPING WITH JACKIE VINSON TODAY, AND ARTISTS WHO GOT HER START IN MANY OF THE SAME VENUES.
WE ARE NOW TRYING TO SAY HIS COMMENT AS FOLLOWS.
I MOVED TO AUSTIN OVER 40 YEARS AGO AFTER HEARING ABOUT WILLIE NELSON AND THE INCREDIBLE MUSIC EXPLODING OUT OF AUSTIN.
SINCE THEN, I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF HELPING SHOWCASE A FRACTION OF THE WORLD CLASS ARTISTS.
WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HERE IN OUR CITY
[01:40:01]
AND CENTRAL TEXAS REGION FROM WILLIE NELSON, REALLY FOSTER ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL.TOWNES VAN ZANDT, SOCO JIMENEZ, PATTY GRIFFITH, PINE TOP PERKINS FLY.
THE BLACK FOAM IS GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY, THE BLACK ANGELS AND COUNTLESS OTHERS.
WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR VENUES HERE IN AUSTIN DIRECTLY FEEDS INTO WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO SHOWCASE WITH ACL.
THESE VENUES ARE A CORNERSTONE OF OUR CITY AND A CORNERSTONE OF OUR MISSION AT ACL TO SHOWCASE THE BEST IN AUSTIN MUSIC AND PRESERVE ITS RICH HISTORY.
WHEN I SAY THE TAGLINE NOW FROM THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, IT'S AUSTIN CITY LIMITS IT'S BECAUSE ACL IS BORN OUT OF THIS LIVE MUSIC ECOSYSTEM.
SO I IMPLORE YOU PLEASE OPPOSE ITEM 12 AND HAVE LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS THAT ADMINISTER THE GRANT WHO HAS KNOWLEDGE OF WHO NEEDS IT THE MOST REEXAMINED, THE STATE'S RESOLUTION TO ALLOCATE MORE FUNDING TO VENUES AND CREATE A LIVE MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND FROM THE RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT TO SOUTH CONGRESS FROM THE EAST SIDE TO ALL OF OUR FESTIVALS, THEY'RE WHAT CREATE AND INSPIRE THE MAGIC OF AUSTIN CITY LIMITS.
WE NEED THESE SPACES TO KEEP OUR CITY TRUE TO ITS HEART.
THESE VENUES, THE PEOPLE WHO STAFF THEM AND THE MUSIC, THEY HELP SHOWCASE OUR WHAT DREW ME IN COUNTLESS OTHER SAUCE.
AND LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THIS ECOSYSTEM CAN NOT ONLY SURVIVE, BUT THRIVE FOR MANY MORE YEARS TO COME THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ACTION ON THIS.
CLOD MCCANN, HELLO, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I HAVE BEEN PLAYING PROFESSIONALLY IN AUSTIN SINCE THE LATE SEVENTIES AND THE MUSIC COMMUNITY HERE WHEN WE'VE NEEDED HELP.
WE HAVE NEVER ASKED FOR PUBLIC MONEY.
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR FANS AND PRIVATE MONEY AND, UH, AND NOT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS NOW TO SAY THE, THE MUSIC, THE MUSIC VENUES, WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE MONEY AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN FASTER.
SO WE CAN'T USE PRIVATE MONEY.
IT SEEMS TO BE THE CONSENSUS OF EVERYBODY SPEAKING TODAY THAT, UH, ITEM NUMBER 52 IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT IS TOTALLY INSUFFICIENT TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM, FRANKLY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO NEED TO EXPAND THE CONVENTION CENTER.
IF ALL THE MUSIC VENUES ARE CLOSED AND THE RESTAURANTS AND EVERYBODY ELSE.
SO I URGE YOU TO LOOK INTO USING SOME OF THAT MONEY.
I AGREE WITH MR. BUNCH, THAT IT NEEDS TO BE PROBABLY AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HAVE A GOOD DAY.
GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE.
MY BUSINESS OLD MAY IS IN DISTRICT NINE.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY.
I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY OPPOSITION TO ITEM 52 AS IT STANDS, THE RESOLUTION YOU PASSED IN SEPTEMBER.
SO IDENTIFY EVERY POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCE TO HELP BOSTON'S RESTAURANTS, BARS, SINEWS, AND CHILDCARE INDUSTRIES RECOVER FROM THE PRECARIOUS POSITION.
THIS PANDEMIC HAS PLACED THEM IN RESOLUTION 52 IS WOEFULLY INSUFFICIENT AND MEETING THAT AIM.
THIS PANDEMIC HAS REQUIRED RESTAURANTS TO ADJUST BEING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BUNCH THAT WE ARE.
WE'VE ADAPTED, OFFERING TAKEOUT, SELLING MERCHANDISE, OPENING POPUPS, WHICH OPERATE UNDER VASTLY DIFFERENT BUSINESS MODELS.
AND THE ONES WE'VE SPENT YEARS DEVELOPING THESE TIMES HAVE CALLED FOR US TO BE INVENTIVE AND RELENTLESS.
ALTHOUGH A LACK OF LEADERSHIP HAS OBLIGATED US TO BE THE STEWARDS OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
WE KNOW THAT OPENING A FULL CAPACITY IS TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
BY FAILING TO GIVE US THE TOOLS WE NEED TO PERSEVERE WHILE WE FIGHT THE SPREAD OF THIS PANDEMIC, YOU WERE FORCING US TO DECIDE BETWEEN THE SOLVENCY OF OUR BUSINESSES AND THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN AND PATRONIZE THEM.
THE CITY DESERVES MORE THAN CHAINS AND DRIVE.
THERE'S $5 MILLION SPLIT AMONGST THE THOUSANDS OF INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS AND BARS IN NEED OF SUPPORT CANNOT ENSURE THEIR SURVIVAL.
IT'S BARELY A MONTH'S RENT TO SAY THAT THE ONLY OPTION FOR AID IS THE INADEQUATE FUNDS OFFERED.
WHEN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS SIT UNTOUCHED DESIGNATED FOR A CONVENTION CENTER THAT MAY VERY WELL HAVE NO PLACE IN THE CITY'S FUTURE IS MISLEADING AND MYOPIC.
I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO REJECT ITEM 52, TO ADAPT.
AS WE HAVE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THESE TIMES, WE NEED SUBSTANTIALLY MORE THAN $5 MILLION TO HIRE BACK OUR FURLOUGHED EMPLOYEES AND ENOUGH MEANINGFUL RECOVERY REALLOCATING, THE NECESSARY FUNDS WITH A NEW RESOLUTION.
ONE THAT MAKES SENSE NEEDS TO BE THIS COUNCIL'S PRIORITY.
YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ENTERPRISING IN YOUR VISION OF HOW TO RESTORE AND REBUILD THE CITY.
I IMPLORE YOU NOT TO SQUANDER IT
[01:45:05]
FLAWS.GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
UM, I'M THE CHEF AND OWNER OF ALMAY AND DISTRICT NINE IN OUR DINING ROOMS CLOSED TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND OUR STAFF.
UM, MR. MAY, I'VE HEARD YOU SAY THAT WE MUST TAKE CARE OF THE OFFICER RESTAURANTS BECAUSE WE'RE SUCH A HUGE PART OF THE PR FOR THE CITY.
WELL, NOW THE TIME, UM, WE'VE BEEN FAILED BY THE FEDERAL AND STATE AND BOTH GUIDELINES AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
WE WERE GIVEN EIGHT WEEKS FOR NOW, EIGHT MONTHS, PROBLEM.
LET'S NOT WAIT TO SEE HOW THEY FEEL.
WE, AS RESTAURANTS ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A HANDOUT, WE'RE LOOKING FOR A BRIDGE TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE AND WE WANT TO KEEP OUR PEOPLE EMPLOYED UNTIL WE GET THERE WITHOUT HELP.
WE'RE GOING TO LOSE MANY UNIQUE BUSINESSES FROM ALL PARTS OF THE CITY OWNED BY ALL KINDS OF FOLKS.
PLEASE MOVE QUICKLY, FIND A DOLLAR AMOUNT COMMENSURATE TO THE NEED.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MY DAUGHTER'S NAME GOT ON THERE, BUT MY NAME IS DIANA HAGGERTY AND I REPRESENT STRONGER TOGETHER ATX AND THE EQUITY AND CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION COLLECTIVE.
I'M ALSO A MOTHER FOR RESIDING IN DISTRICT FIVE, A DANCER AND PERFORMER, A 14 YEAR FITNESS BUSINESS OWNER HERE IN AUSTIN, BUT I HAD TO CLOSE MY BUSINESS TO CARE FOR MY CHILDREN AS I CANNOT AFFORD CHILDCARE FOR MY FAMILY.
I KNOW YOU'RE BEING ASKED TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD TODAY ON 52 AND 55, BUT PLEASE PUSH IT FORWARD WITH THE GUARANTEE TO LOOK FOR MORE SUPPORT FOR ALL OF THESE SECTORS.
YOU CAN HEAR HOW MUCH WE'RE ALL HURTING AND HOW MUCH WE CARE AND CHILDCARE NEEDS THIS FUNDING AND THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF OUR CITY.
I THINK IT'S TELLING THAT PREVIOUS SPEAKERS ARE SAYING THAT $5 MILLION FOR CHILDCARE IS GOOD ENOUGH.
UM, AND A SURPRISE THAT 2000 CHILDREN ARE ON A WAITING LIST FOR CHILDCARE SUBSIDIES.
I THINK THAT SPEAKS TO THE FACT THAT CHILDCARE IS OVERLOOKED AS A CRITICAL AND SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY, THAT IT IS.
I KNOW YOU UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION AND THANK YOU.
UM, AND THAT THIS IS INITIAL FUNDING FOR SOME ESPECIALLY HARD HIT SECTORS.
I IMPLORE YOU THE PAST ITEM 52 TODAY TO RELEASE FUNDING IMMEDIATELY AND TO CONTINUE THE SEARCH FOR MORE THE BITTERNESS OF THESE THREATS OF CLOSINGS, UM, IT'S FELT ACROSS THE SECTOR AS BEING DISCUSSED TODAY, FIVE CHILDCARE CENTERS IN MY DISTRICT HAVE CLOSED AND THEY HAVE BEEN MOURNED.
UM, WHEN A CHILDCARE ANNOUNCES THEY'RE CLOSING, NOT ONLY DOES IT LEAVE WORKERS DISPLACED, BUT OFTEN WORKING PARENTS, MOSTLY MOTHERS WHO MUST SCRAMBLED TO FIND CARE.
SOMETIMES WITHIN DAYS, WE ALL AGREE.
RESTAURANTS AND ICONIC, OFTEN LANDMARKS ARE INDEED WORTH SAVING AND THEY ARE A PART OF THE RICH FABRIC OF OUR HISTORY AND OUR COMMUNITY.
SO LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME ICONIC CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS THAT WHILE THEY MAY NOT SERVE HORDES OF TOURISTS OR AT BOLDLY LIT MARQUEES, THEY TOO WILL BE MISSED.
IF WE LET THEM SLIP AWAY PLACES LIKE HABIBI'S HUTS IN SOUTH AUSTIN, THEY JUST CELEBRATED THEIR 40TH BIRTHDAY, UM, AND HAVE LOVINGLY CO RAISED THREE OF MY CHILDREN, UM, AND CHILDCRAFT SCHOOL THAT OPENED THE STORES IN 1957.
SHE TOLD ME THEY HAVE RAISED MORE THAN 10,000 CHILDREN.
I APPRECIATE YOU BOTH DIRECTLY FOCUSING ON CHILDCARE NEEDS AND NOT ISOLATING CHILDCARE FROM OTHER IMPORTANT BUSINESS SECTORS.
AS THIS PANDEMIC OFFERS BOSTON BUSINESSES, UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK TOGETHER, TO PROSPER LIKE ESCUELITA DEL ALMA FOUNDED IN 2000 TO PROVIDE CHILDCARE FOR EMPLOYEES OF LESS MONEY.
THIS LEGENDARY CONGRESS AVENUE CAFE DURING THE EARLY DAYCARE YEARS, THEIR LUNCHES AND SNACKS WERE PREPARED AT LOST MONEY.
AND THEY LEARNED ABOUT THE OPINION GALLERY NEXT DOOR.
MAYOR ADLER, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY MANAGER.
UM, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SLEEP, SLEEP AND WISH I WAS SLEEPING TO SPEAK AND CONSIDER ITEMS 52 AND 55 TO SAVE AUSTIN'S MOST VULNERABLE INSTITUTIONS, ESPECIALLY CHILDCARE.
UM, I NEED TO DISCLOSE THAT I WORKED FOR THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES AND OVERSEE INITIATIVE, LA TEXAS, TO WHICH AUSTIN PARTICIPATE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUTDOOR SPACES AND EARLY CHILDCARE ENVIRONMENTS.
AND I AM NOT REPRESENTING DSHS OR EARLY TEXAS.
I REPRESENT MYSELF AS A PARENT OF A THREE AND A HALF YEAR OLDS AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL THAT WORKS FULL TIME.
SO MY SON IS THREE AND A HALF AND HE'S BEEN ENROLLED IN SIX DIFFERENT ECE OPERATIONS SINCE FIVE MONTHS OLD.
IT'S A SYSTEMATIC ISSUE TOO, WHICH COVID IS AMPLIFYING.
SO I WANT TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCES, SHED LIGHT TO WHAT PARENTS AND AUSTIN ARE GOING THROUGH.
AND THE FIRST LOCATION WAS A CHILDCARE HOME THAT CLOSED AFTER SEVEN MONTHS.
THE REASON SHE CLOSED IS BECAUSE SHE HAD TO MOVE TO A MORE AFFORDABLE CITY.
IT WAS SIMPLY OUT OF HER REACH TO STAY HERE AS IT IS
[01:50:01]
FOR MOST MIDDLE CLASS.AT THAT TIME, I WAS FORCED TO SEND MY SON TO A LOCATION.
AS I SAT ON WAIT LISTS FOR ONE TO THREE YEARS AND FOUR LOCATIONS.
HE WAS SENT HOME WITHIN THE SECOND WEEK OF HIS ATTENDANCE WITH 46 MOSQUITO BITES AND A SPRAINED ARM.
AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF STAFF AND ECE ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE STRESSED AND STRUGGLING.
THE THIRD AND FOURTH CARES WERE FRIENDS BECAUSE I WAS WAITING ON WAISTLINE WAITLIST.
AND THEN IN AUGUST, 2019, I FINALLY GOTTEN MY DREAM LOCATION THAT WAS IN OPERATION FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
AND THEY HAD TO CLOSE IN APRIL BECAUSE THE DIRECTOR IN HER SEVENTIES NEEDED TO RETIRE FOR HEALTH REASONS.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT SHE TRIED FOR YEARS TO SELL THIS BUSINESS AND LOCATION TO KEEP IT ALIVE.
HOWEVER, THE COST OF THE LOCATION AND OPERATION WOULD HAVE MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR A DAYCARE TO PURCHASE IT AND SUSTAIN ITSELF.
AND THIS IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE WE NEED QUALITY CARE AND CENTRAL AUSTIN TO BE SUSTAINABLE AND A PROFITABLE BUSINESS.
I REFUSE TO SEND MY CHILD RIGHT NOW AT THE END, CAUSE I KNOW THEY COULD CLOSE AT ANY TIME.
SO THIS IS WHAT I'M ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER SYSTEMATIC ISSUE.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE NUMBER OF OPERATIONS DOES NOT EQUAL QUALITY CARE OR QUALITY SPACES AS MY TIME UP.
OR DO I HAVE ONE MORE MOMENT? YOU'RE OUT OF TIME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, KEVIN REMI.
I GUESS I SHOULD SAY GOOD AFTERNOON.
AT THIS POINT IT WAS FOUR MINUTES TIL, UH, MAYOR ADLER, SENIOR MEMBERS, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON SUPPORTIVE ITEM 52, AND IT HELPED ME TO CREATE AN AUSTIN MUSIC VENUE PRESERVATION FUND, UH, ON THE 57 YEAR OLD AUSTIN NATIVE GROWING UP IN AND LETTING MOST OF MY LIFE AT 77 TO FOUR 30 THIS YEAR BURN THE AUSTIN MUSIC COMMUNITY.
I PERFORM IT AS A PROFESSIONAL NAME.
KEVIN LAST NAME ORANGE RECORDED TOURED AS A FREELANCE DRUMMER PERCUSSIONIST WRITER, PRODUCER OAK LIST.
AND A LOT OF LOCAL ACTS PLAYED HERE IN THE EIGHTIES.
UH, I PLAYED WITH EVERYONE FROM LA GUNS, ALL HUNDRED ESCOVEDO CAROLYN WONDERLAND.
AND EVEN WITH WILLIE NELSON, RECENT YEARS, UH, COUNTLESS OTHER ARTISTS, I PERFORMED AT THE FIRST, UH, ACL FESTIVAL.
I PERFORMED AT THE FIRST SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST 1987.
UM, MY 2020 SCHEDULE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY MOST PROFITABLE YEAR TO DATE, UH, WITH NONSTOP TOURING, UH, NONSTOP, LOCAL SHOWS TUNE THE RECORD SLATER FOR RELEASE ON HOLD.
SO, UM, THAT'S MY PERSONAL STORY, BUT TODAY'S NOT ABOUT ME.
TODAY'S ABOUT OUR SEVERELY STRUGGLING AUSTIN MUSIC VENUES.
THESE ARE THE PLACES TO KEEP ME AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WORKING AND IT HELPED US SUSTAIN THE AUSTIN MUSIC CULTURE THAT THE CITY LOVES TO BRAG ABOUT THE CALLING ITSELF, THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
THAT'S IN LOCAL MUSIC INDUSTRY HELPS TO BRING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF REVENUE TO THE CITY.
EVERY YEAR WE HAVE NEW BROUGHT IN ON THE BACKSEAT MUSICIANS THEN USE AND ALL THE WORK IS CERTAINLY ON THE SPECIFIC COMMUNITY.
IS THERE NOT JUST MUSIC? THESE TO ME, THESE ARE MY CHURCH LIFE AND THEREFORE FOR PERFORMERS AS WELL AS MANY PAYERS IN OUR COMMUNITY, THE DIRE NEED FOR ACCOUNTS APPROVE.
I GO TO THE SAME LEVEL RESOLUTION, THE FURTHER THIS BY CREEPING AND EVEN PRESERVATION AND IN DOING SO IMMEDIATELY, A BREW WITNESS TO MANY VENUES TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE YOUR DOOR OR SMARTER INSTEAD OF 12.
AND SOME OF THEM ARE STILL STRUGGLING AND NOT BEING OUT LOUD SINCE MARCH.
AND THEY'RE LITERALLY ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK AND IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE.
MARINA SAID YOU BUY AN EXTRA CHAIR WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LAST GUYS.
I'M GOING TO MR. MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
MY NAME IS EDWIN CABINETS AND I AM THE OWNER OF KESSLER PRESENTS AUSTIN.
UM, IT IS PART OF A BIGGER GROUP CALLED KESSLER PRESENTS.
UM, 2019, WE WERE ONE OF THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT PROMOTERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE DOING OVER 500 EVENTS.
I AM WEARING THE HAT AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSIC VENUE ALLIANCE OF TEXAS.
AND I WANTED TO SPEAK TO NOT ONLY THE CULTURAL IMPACT, BUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT OUR STATE HAS A TEXAS AS A MUSIC ECONOMY, LIKE NONE OTHER IN THE WORLD.
UH, WE HAVE OVER 800 SMALL TO MIDSIZE MUSIC MENUS FROM TEXAS OR CANADA, EL PASO.
AND UP FROM AMARILLO DOWN TO BROWNSVILLE.
LAST YEAR, WE EMPLOYED OVER 200,000 PEOPLE IN OUR ECONOMY.
UM, WE DID, UH, 6.5 BILLION IN REVENUES AND PUT $390 MILLION ON THE TAX ROLLS RIGHT NOW.
THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT FOR LACK OF A BETTER DESCRIPTION IS AUSTIN IS THE HUB
[01:55:01]
AND THE SPOKES OF FORT WORTH DALLAS HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, EAST, TEXAS, WEST, TEXAS, AND SOUTH TEXAS.ALL LOOK BACK TO THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
I WILL SAY THIS, OUR ECONOMY IS DOWN.
UH, REVENUES ARE DOWN AS AN INDUSTRY OVER 85%.
WE'RE SEVEN MONTHS IN WITH, UH, WITH NO, WITH NO END IN SIGHT.
UH, WHEN WE CAN OPEN, NOBODY CAN SURVIVE THAT WE KNOW THAT WE'RE ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE, BUT THERE IS HOPE.
AND THE HOPE IS SPECIFICALLY, THIS IS PATRONS, UH, BOTH ANECDOTALLY AND THROUGH THEIR, THEIR SURVEYS.
THEIR DEMAND FOR LIVE MUSIC IS AS STRONG.
NOW, IF NOT STRONGER THAN IT WAS PRE-PAINTED WE HAVE THE GREATEST SUPPLY CHAIN IN THE WORLD AND OUR GREAT AND OUR GREAT ARTISTS THAT ARE CREATING NEW PRODUCT AND THEY'RE READY TO GET BACK OUT THERE AND WORK WHEN IT'S, WHEN WE CAN SAFELY DO THAT.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO WATCH THE VIDEO WALK WITH ME THAT SHOWS OUR FINE ARTISTS AT WORK.
FINALLY, I WILL SAY THIS, THE DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL FOR THOSE ARTISTS TO GET BACK, TO WORK OUR LIVE MUSIC MENUS.
IT'S NOT A MATTER OF IF IT'S A MATTER OF WHEN WE CAN GET BACK AND WE NEED OUR SMALL TO MIDSIZE MUSIC VENUES TO STILL BE STANDING.
THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE LOOKING BACK UPON AUSTIN LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW, SPECIFICALLY WITH THEIR LIVE MUSIC ECONOMY.
AND I'D STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU SUPPORT BOTTOM 52.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, MICHAEL MORDECAI.
UH, I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF SAVES ITEM 52, I'M LIKE A MORDECAI AND PLAYING PROFESSIONAL TROMBONE IN AUSTIN FOR 50 YEARS.
AND A BLANK TROMBONE AT AUSTIN IS A UNIQUELY WEIRD OPPORTUNITY OF PLAYING WITH BANDS LIKE BETS ON THE FAIRWAYS.
DANVILLE SANTO RECORDING WAS WILLIE NELSON ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL.
JERRY JEFF WALKER, ALSO PLAYING WITH THE AUSTIN SYMPHONY.
AND THIS YEAR WE'RE CURRENTLY NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY WITH RUTHIE FOSTER PLAYING LIVE WITH THE PARAMOUNT.
I ALSO CONTRACTED ALL THE PIT ORCHESTRAS FOR BASS CONCERT HALL, PARAMOUNT LONG CENTER, A MOODY AND RIVERBEND CHURCH, AND SOME OTHER CHURCHES HAVE A SMALL LABEL AND HAVE A BOOKING AGENCY.
WE'VE HAD A MUSICIAN BOOK SOMEWHERE 365 DAYS SINCE 1980 UNTIL MARCH 15TH OF THIS YEAR WITH PEN AND COVID HIT.
I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU GUYS DO REALLY.
I'VE BEEN ON THE AUSTIN MUSIC COMMISSION TWICE.
THE SECOND TIME WHEN NANCY COPLIN, UH, WAS THERE TO PASS THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
I FEEL LIKE I SERVED TWO SENTENCES ON THE COMMISSION AND I THINK SITTING ON THE COUNCIL OR SITTING ON A COMMISSION IS LIKE VOLUNTEERING TO SIT IN A DUCKING BOOTH.
UH, TODAY I'M HERE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE ELEPHANT ROOM, THE BASEMENT JAZZ BAR, UH, DOWNTOWN CONGRESS, UH, DOWNBEAT PLUS THE ELEPHANT ROOM.
THE TOP 100 JAZZ CLUBS OF THE WORLD WENT MARSALIS NAMED IT.
ONE OF THE TOP 10 JAZZ CLUBS IN THE UNITED STATES.
AND, UH, JANUARY WOULD MARK THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY.
AND THE CREATED AS THE LONGEST RUNNING JAZZ CLUB IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, UH, BARS WERE CLOSED BY STATE MANDATE, WHICH IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO NO ARGUMENT THERE, BUT I DON'T KNOW OF ANY SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODEL THAT'S DESIGNED TO PAY EXPENSES.
THE ABILITY TO GENERATE ANY INCOME RENT IS THE HIGHEST FIXED EXPENSIVE LINE ITEM.
SO RENT RELIEF IS REALLY WHAT WE NEED.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CITY CAN DO ABOUT THAT PROPERTY TAX CITY LICENSES, HEALTH PERMIT, FIRE PIT FOR YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.
MAYOR CITY, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY SUCCESS BY SIX COALITION AND URGE SUPPORT FOR BOTH ITEM 52 AND ITEM 55 ON THURSDAY'S AGENDA.
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED EFFORTS TO FIND RESOURCES FOR STABILIZING THE CHILDCARE AND OTHER VITAL ECONOMIC SECTORS THAT ARE SO ESSENTIAL TO AUSTIN'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY.
WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS ARE NOT RELYING UNILATERALLY ON THE CITY OF AUSTIN, BUT ALSO TO HAVE AS COUNTY, THE STATE OF TEXAS AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
AND WE APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP.
YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW MAKING DIFFICULT, BUT STRATEGIC CHOICES WHEN THE NEEDS ARE SO BAD, AT LEAST $5 MILLION IN FUNDING RELIEF IS NEEDED AS A START TOWARD PROTECTING AND PRESERVING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE IN AUSTIN.
WHILE THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT 5 MILLION WILL BE ADEQUATE TO STABILIZE THE SECTOR.
THIS IS AN IMPACTFUL STARTING POINT.
THE INVESTMENT OF RELEASED FUNDING ALIGNS WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN STRATEGIC OUTCOMES, 2023, CHILDCARE'S ESSENTIAL
[02:00:01]
TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR COMMUNITY WORKFORCE MASTER PLAN GOALS AND MOVING INDIVIDUALS OUT OF POVERTY WITH A LIVING WAGE INCREASING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE IS A KEY INDICATOR IN THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION.THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL AND BUSINESS COSTS DUE TO THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE DOCUMENTED AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL THAT ARE FREQUENTLY OVERLOOKED, INSUFFICIENT CHILDCARE, NEGATIVELY IMPACTS PARENTS, EMPLOYERS, AND TAXPAYERS ALIKE.
WHEN FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE THE CHILDCARE, THEY NEED PARENTS WORK.
PRODUCTIVITY FALLS RESULTING IN COST TO PARENTS, THEIR EMPLOYERS, AND ULTIMATELY TAX PAYERS.
WE APPRECIATE THE INCLUSION OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD SECTOR REPRESENTATIVE AND THE CREATION OF THE AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
AND WE SINCERELY THANK THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR WORK AND LOOKING FOR FUNDS FOR THESE INVESTMENTS.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME, JOHN ALTOBELLI GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF LICENSED CHILDCARE AT THE YMC OF BOSTON AND ALSO A BOARD MEMBER FOR TEXAS LICENSED CHILDCARE ASSOCIATION.
I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF AGENDA ITEM 52 AND 55.
AND IT'S FURTHER DEVELOPMENT FOR FINDING MORE FUNDING.
CHILDCARE IS THE BACKBONE OF THE ECONOMY HERE IN AUSTIN.
IT IS A VITAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO OUR ECONOMY HERE IN AUSTIN, THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE NATIONAL PANDEMIC RECOVERY, THE UNINTENDED DAMAGE DONE BY THE NECESSITY OF SHUTTING DOWN THE CITY AND THEN ALLOWING THE RETURN OF CHILDCARE UNDER STRICT AND EXPENSIVE PRECAUTIONARY PRACTICES CONTINUES TO THREATEN THE EXISTENCE OF THE ENTIRE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY.
WE STARTED PROVIDING CARE TO CHILDREN OF ESSENTIAL WORKER SHORTLY AFTER THE SHUTDOWN.
AND WE ADAPTED OUR SUMMER CAMPS TO PROVIDE SAFE, ENRICHING, AND FUN EXPERIENCES WITH CHILDREN.
AND NOW THAT SCHOOL HAS RESUMED, WE ARE BEGINNING TO PIECE BACK OUR SIGNATURE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, WHICH NOW COST US MORE TO PROVIDE.
THEN WE CAN CHARGE THE PARENTS.
WE'VE SERVED OUR NEIGHBORS AND FAMILIES.
WE EXPERIENCED THEM OURSELVES.
WE'RE FACING JUST TRYING TO GET BACK TO WORK.
WE WANT TO HELP THEM, BUT TO SURVIVE.
AND THAT'S WHY THE YMC OF AUSTIN AND TEXAS LICENSE CHILDCARE ASSOCIATION ARE IN FAVOR OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT BEING CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
AND WE ASK THAT YOU DISCOVER MORE FUNDING SOURCES AND MORE DOLLARS.
IF WORKING PARENTS ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND HIGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE, LICENSED CARE, AS YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, THERE IS NO GOING BACK TO WORK.
MOSTLY WOMEN ARE AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE.
THERE IS NO RETURNING TO EDUCATION OR TEACHING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WOMEN ARE MOSTLY AFFECTED BY THIS AS WELL.
THERE IS NO ECONOMIC RECOVERY WITHOUT CHILDCARE IN SHORT.
THERE'S NO PATH TO FULLY OPENING ON STAND WITHOUT SAFE AND A PORTABLE CARE OPTION.
PLEASE VOTE FOR AGENDA ITEM 52 AND 55 AND DEVELOP MORE FUNDING SOURCES AND DOLLARS FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS WHO HAVE SURVIVED TO THIS POINT WHILE PROVIDING SERVICES.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THIS IS CODY CALLEN FROM THE RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT.
MUSIC MAKES AUSTIN AND THE NATIONAL INDEPENDENT VENUE ALLIANCE.
I WORK AND LIVE IN DISTRICTS, ONE, FOUR AND NINE.
OUR CITY NEEDS THIS DEDICATED MUSIC VENUE, PRESERVATION FUND MUSIC VENUES WERE THE FIRST TO CLOSE DURING PANDEMIC.
AND WE'LL BE AMONGST THE LAST TO BE ALLOWED TO SAFELY REOPEN THESE INDEPENDENT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE NOW BEEN CLOSED BY ORDER FOR ALMOST SEVEN MONTHS WITHOUT INCOME WHILE STILL CARRYING THE BURDEN OF COMMERCIAL LEASES AND OTHER FIXED COSTS.
BUT WE HAVE BEEN NIMBLE AND ADAPTING.
WE CAN'T CURRENTLY TURN ON THE LIGHTS AND PROVIDE IN-PERSON LIVE MUSIC EXPERIENCES, WHICH IS OUR CENTRAL BUSINESS PLAN AND HOW WE EMPLOY MUSICIANS AND VENUE.
ITEM 52 WILL PROVIDE DESPERATELY NEEDED LEAD TIME FOR A FEDERAL PACKAGE.
WE ARE STILL AN ECONOMIC TRIAGED AND MUST RETAIN OUR MUSIC VENUES WHO WILL LATER BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED INDUSTRY JOBS AND HELP AUSTIN'S CULTURAL TOURISM ECONOMY QUICKLY RECOVER.
WE BUILT THIS CITY ON ROCK AND ROLL AND THE MUSIC SECTOR WAS STILL SHOWING GROWTH PRE COVID IN SPITE OF OUR CITY'S WELL-DOCUMENTED AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGES.
SO THIS IS PUTTING GOOD MONEY AFTER GOOD INVESTING IN OUR CITY BRAND SAVING OUR CITY'S SOUL.
I'D LIKE TO GIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO STAFF AT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, ESPECIALLY VERONICA PHIL KNOW OF YOU, SUSANA ERICA AND NICOLE, ALL WHO HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT AND TRUSTED PARTNERS DURING THE PANDEMIC AND HAVE ASSERTIVE ASSERTIVELY ENGAGED WITH OUR MUSIC INDUSTRY EXPERTS.
[02:05:01]
BEHIND THE CURTAIN.ADDITIONALLY, A SINCERE THANK YOU TO MAYOR ADLER, WHO HAS BEEN REGULARLY AND ONGOING ENGAGED IN OUR EXPERTISE AROUND MUSIC SECTOR NEEDS AND RECOVERING PLANNING AS WELL AS COUNCIL MEMBER COSAR, WHO HAS BEEN DEEPLY ENGAGED WITH OUR INDUSTRY'S WORKER'S NEEDS NOW AND INTO FUTURE RECOVERY.
THANK YOU EVERYONE ON THE DESK FOR YOUR SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORTING CHILDCARE RESTAURANTS, MUSIC SECTORS 52, AS WELL AS YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP.
DURING THESE HARD TIMES, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
YOU SAY CAN BE WELL, GRAHAM WILKINSON, HEY, THERE EVERYBODY.
MY NAME'S GRAHAM WILKINSON AND, UH, I'VE BEEN IN AUSTIN SINCE 2004, UH, WITH THE OCCUPATION AS A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN, I LIVE IN DISTRICT EIGHT AND, UH, I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK, BUT I FEEL LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO'VE ALREADY SPOKEN LIKE NACCHIO AND ALEX FRIENDS OF MINE, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN SUPPORT FOR, UM, 52 WE'VE SAID THAT THERE'VE BEEN PLENTY THINGS EXPLAINED ABOUT WHY.
AND IT SEEMS LIKE SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE OPPOSED IS BECAUSE IT'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY.
AND I CAN'T LOOK AT ANY OF MY NOTES RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE THIS IS SO EMOTIONAL.
AND I'VE BEEN ON THE CALL FOR OVER TWO HOURS TODAY.
AND THIS IS A DESPERATE SITUATION.
I DON'T THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN USED THAT HAVE BEEN CLOSED.
WE HAVEN'T HAD A JOB IN SEVEN MONTHS AND CITY COUNCIL HAS MET.
AND THERE NO WAY THAT THIS IS LOST ON Y'ALL, Y'ALL HAVE LISTENED TO US ALL MORNING LONG AND YOU'VE LISTENED TO IT, BUT IT'S DESPERATE.
YOU CAN HEAR PEOPLE THAT OUGHT TO CRY.
WE'VE ALREADY LISTENED TO RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE CLOSED, AND I'M APPEALING TO YOUR EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I WAS ON THE CALL THIS MORNING BEFORE IT STARTED.
AND I HEARD CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS CHATTING WITH BANTER, TALKING ABOUT THE DEBATE ON TUESDAY NIGHT.
AND I WAS SITTING HERE TRYING TO GET MY KIDS READY FOR ONLINE SCHOOLING, FEED THEM BREAKFAST.
I HAVEN'T HAD A JOB IN SEVEN MONTHS.
AND WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE FACT THAT I KNOW AT A HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX IS, OR THE FACT THAT I KNOW ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY IS GOING TOWARDS THE CONVENTION CENTER IS CRAZY.
I'M SUPPOSED TO SING SONGS TO PEOPLE AND HELP THEM OUT WITH THIS.
AND THIS IS Y'ALLS OPPORTUNITY.
NOT JUST REALIZE THAT WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER, THAT MUSIC VENUES ARE CONNECTED TO RESTAURANTS.
RESTAURANTS ARE CONNECTED TO CHILDCARE.
WE'RE ALL SITTING HERE TALKING ABOUT THIS.
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO YOU, YOU KNOW, BUT I JUST, I FEEL LIKE THE DESPERATION AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO COME ACROSS TO YOUR HEARTS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE MUSIC MUSIC NEEDS TO HAVE THIS CHEVEZ WATSON.
HI, NICK, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.
I DO LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE IN DISTRICT THREE NOW.
SO THE TOXIC GUT, YOU WAKE UP HERE.
I'M FOREVER INDEBTED TO THE SERVICE INDUSTRY.
UM, GREG AND JENNIFER, BACK IN 2012, WHEN I WAS HOMELESS ON THE STREET, GETTING ME A JOB AT NAN WELLS.
AND WE BECAME VERY GOOD FRIENDS.
I HAD WITH THE TOW BOAT IN FAVOR OF IDOLS, 52 AND 55.
LIKE RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T NEED TO WASTE ANY MORE TIME, BUT I'LL TELL YOU, WE HAVE BEEN PART OF THE BUDGET TALKS FOR MONTHS.
IT IS QUITE IRONIC THAT THERE'S AN INTERSECTIONALITY WHERE CHILD CARE, LIVE VENUES AND SERVICE INDUSTRY, UH, EMPLOYEES MEET THAT IS INDICATIVE OF THE, THE PANDEMIC.
THAT WE'RE, AGAIN, IT SHOULD CAUSE YOU ALL TO COME BACK TO THE DRAWING TABLE AND INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING.
WHEN YOU HAVE RESTAURANT TOURS AND SERVICE INDUSTRY FOLKS TALKING ABOUT 15 $5 MILLION, I'M ASKING FOR A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
GREG, LESLIE, JIMMY, TURN YOU BACK TO OUR BUDGET TALKS.
WHEN WE ASKED, UM, A $213 MILLION DEDUCTION FROM THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, PLEASE DO NOT FIND VENUES AND RESTAURANTS AND CHILDCARE WITHOUT FORGETTING THAT ALL THOSE PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY RENT.
$10 MILLION WAS GIVEN INTO THE RISE 2.0 AND GUESS WHAT? THAT WASN'T ENOUGH.
I ASKED SOMEBODY THAT ENJOYS LIVE MUSIC.
I'VE BEEN GOING TO SOUTH BY 60.
AS SOMEBODY WHO'S WORKED IN MEN WAS MARGIANNO'S MANAGED WOMEN'S FARM STEAKHOUSE WITH WINE BACK.
I ALSO SAY THAT THE BABIES NEED HELP EVERYWHERE.
[02:10:01]
ARE, MUST INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING.WHY? BECAUSE YOUR HABITS WITH DEMAND AND MONEY, THE REAL SOLUTION.
I DON'T NEED TO SAY THANK YOU.
MANY OF THE LOCALS WENT AROUND, TRIED TO PAY RENT, HAVE A GOOD DAY.
I'M AN EAST AUSTIN NATIVE, AND TODAY I'M HERE AS A SCHOOL HEALTH EQUITY ORGANIZER WITH GABA AND I'M REPPING EQUITY AND EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE COLLECTIVE HERE AT A SMALL WORKING GROUP HERE IN AUSTIN, FOCUSED ON EQUITY.
AND DURING THE PANDEMIC, I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE YOU ALL TO KEEP INVESTING AND DEDICATED FUNDING TO SOLUTIONS LIKE THE COMBINATIONS OF ITEMS, 52 AND 55.
AND I'M GOING TO TAKE MY TIME HERE TODAY.
I'M GOING TO SLOW IT DOWN SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE.
UM, AND THIS IS GOING TO EXTEND TO HOME-BASED AND HOMEBASE AND CENTER-BASED.
AND I'M GOING TO START BY TELLING YOU A SHORT STORY ABOUT TWO RESIDENTS.
STEPHEN IS A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER.
HE AND HIS WIFE HAD A CHILD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.
THEY'VE BEEN STRUGGLING THIS WHOLE TIME, TRYING TO KEEP THEIR FAMILY SAFE, AND ALSO TRYING TO DETERMINE HOW THEY'RE GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THERE IN RETURNING BACK TO SCHOOLS WHILE TRYING TO MANAGE CHILDCARE FOR THEIR BABY, WHO WAS BORN DURING THE PANDEMIC, THEY'RE FORCED TO DECIDE BETWEEN ONE OF THEM QUITTING THEIR JOB TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILD.
AND ONE OF THEM MAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT.
I HAVE ANOTHER MOM WHO WAS ACTUALLY DISPLACED FROM SEVEN, EIGHT, SEVEN, FOUR, FIVE MOVED OUT TO GEORGETOWN.
CAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY PERSON THAT SHE COULD CONNECT WITH AND ACTUALLY TOOK HER NEIGHBOR'S CHILD WITH HER BECAUSE HER NEIGHBOR'S CHILD WAS ALSO FORCED INTO HOMELESSNESS DURING THE PANDEMIC AND CANNOT AFFORD CHILDCARE.
CURRENTLY IN TRAVIS COUNTY, 160 TO 116 CHILDCARE CENTERS ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
THIS EQUATES APPROXIMATELY TO THE CAPACITY OR SERVING 9,438 CHILDREN, 16 PROGRAMS THAT PERMANENTLY CLOSED AND OUR COMMUNITY CANNOT AFFORD FOR THESE NUMBERS TO INCREASE PLEASE.
UM, UM, I'VE BEEN AN AUSTIN NATIVE FOR 40 YEARS AND IT'S JUST A CONTINUATION OF THE INEQUITIES AND THE DECISIONS THAT WE'RE FORCED TO MAKE AND OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES I URGE YOU TO PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP INVESTING IN DEDICATING MONEY TO SUPPORT AND UPHOLD OUR CHILDCARE SYSTEM.
FINALLY, MS. CODY KIDWELL AND I OVER DAYS, MY THING FREE YET.
UM, I DO SUPPORT ITEM 52 AND 55.
UM, BUT PLEASE REMEMBER US OUT HERE IN THE COUNTY.
WE PAY ALL THE SAME TAXES, OWED THE SAME PERMITS AS EVERYBODY IN THE CITY AS WELL.
BUT I THINK OUT HERE IN THE COUNTY, WE RE AND FORGOT ABOUT, UM, AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
THANK YOU, MAYOR CONCLUDES ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.
UM, THOSE THAT HAD DISCONNECTED, WE TRIED TO REACH BACK TO THEM, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO HANG UP ON US.
SO I'M GUESSING THEY DON'T WANT TO SPEAK.
UM, YOU HAVE THE SITCOMS SPEAKERS, I THINK ALSO TEED UP.
WHY DON'T WE GO TO THE SITCOM SPEAKERS AND HEAR FROM EACH OF THEM? THEY EACH HAVE THREE MINUTES.
THE FIRST SPEAKER IS MAYBERRY KELLY.
I WAS HAVING A ISSUE WITH MY PHONE.
UM, I, UM, HI, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I ALSO SUPPORT ITEMS TO TEACH YOU IN 55.
HOWEVER, THE REASON THAT I'M COMING FORWARD TODAY IS, UM, IT HAS COME TO MY KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AT LEAST ONE MAJOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT GROUP, UM, OUT OF DALLAS THAT HAS 10 PROPERTIES HERE IN AUSTIN THAT HAS STARTED TO TAG ON LATE FINES FOR THEIR RESIDENTS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR KNOWLEDGE, UM, LAST WEEK, OR I'M SORRY, LAST MONTH IT WAS $75 FLAT RATE THIS MONTH.
UM, AND AGAIN, THESE WERE FOR PEOPLE THAT WERE ON PAYMENT PLANS, THEY, UH, WITHOUT ANY, UH, YOU KNOW, CONTRACT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, ANY NOTIFICATION MADE THAT CHANGE IMPLEMENTED THE LATE FINE.
UM, AND THERE'S NO SAYING WHERE IT'S GOING TO STOP.
UM, THE REASON I'M BRINGING THIS UP IS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW,
[02:15:01]
YOU KNOW, HOW TO APPROACH IT, OR IF THE CITY HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AT THE VERY LEAST.SO THIS IS A PIECE OF POWER, BUT IT DEFINITELY, TO ME LOOKS LIKE A POTENTIAL PRICE GOUGING, UM, DURING THE PANDEMIC.
UM, AND I'M SURE YOU CAN SEE THIS BECOMING A LARGER ISSUE IF IT'S NOT ADDRESSED.
UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION AND I DO APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
SAVITZ HELLO, COUNSELING MEN AND WOMEN.
MY NAME IS ALON SAVAGE, AND I HAD BEEN A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 10 FOR JUST OVER ONE YEAR.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GIVING ME THE CHANCE TO SPEAK HERE TODAY.
GIVEN THE SHORT TIME I ADDRESS YOU I'LL GET RIGHT TO THE POINT OFTEN IS CURRENTLY IN THE EARLY STAGES OF A FULL BLOWN CRISIS.
ONE FROM HIS RECOVERY WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE IN A FEW SHORT YEARS RECENTLY, MY WIFE AND I LIVED IN SAN FRANCISCO, WHERE WE SAW FIRSTHAND WHAT LACKS SLASH LIBERAL POLICIES AROUND HOMELESSNESS CAN DO TO A ONCE GREAT CITY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 10 YEARS, SAN FRANCISCO IS DEVOLVED FROM A BOOMING, DIVERSE METROPOLITAN CITY INTO ONE FILLED WITH RAMPANT DRUG USE PRACTICALLY USING THE FECES ON THE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, NOT LOCALS.
CAN'T TRAVEL THROUGH PARTS OF THE CITY, WHICH ONES, HOUSE FAMILIES, AND SMALL BUSINESSES, MUCH AS AUSTIN SIXTH STREET TODAY IN A SPAN OF ONE YEAR HOMELESSNESS AND VAGRANCY AND AROUND AUSTIN THIS DRAMATICALLY.
AND TO BE CLEAR, I HAD EMPATHY FOR THE HOMELESS INDIGENT AND I'M NOT PROPOSING ANY RADICAL ACTION, BUT I'M HEARING OUT OF TELLING YOU THAT THE CHANGES YOU MADE THE CITY OREGON SURROUND CAMPING LAST YEAR CANNOT STAND WITHOUT A PROPER PLAN AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES IN PLACE.
IT IS THE DUTY OF THIS COUNCILS MEMBERS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND FOR POLICY MAKING THAT RESULTS IN THIS CITY, BEING GREATER IN THE FUTURE THAN IT IS TODAY, BASED ON THE JUDGMENT OF NINE OF THE 11 HOUSE MEMBERS.
MY WIFE AND I RELOCATED TO AUSTIN BECAUSE OF THE CORE VALUES, CLOSELY ROOTED IN MY MIDWEST UPBRINGING AND DESIRE TO BE PART OF A BUDDING ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMY.
BOTH OF THESE THINGS ARE BEING CHALLENGED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE COUNCIL'S ACTIONS WHILE I'M SURE YOUR VOTE WAS WELL INTENTIONED AT THE TIME, YOU ALL NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE RAMIFICATIONS OF NEED TO SEE AND KNOW THEY WILL NOT BE EASILY AND DUNK.
I IMPLORE YOU TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND ENSURE THE SUPPORT YOU'VE SHOWN THEM.
THE DESIRE OF THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT, I CAN ASSURE YOU AS THIS PROBLEM BECOMES MORE PERVASIVE AND BEGIN TO PHYSICALLY IMPACT MORE OF AUSTIN PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR BOTH YOU AND THIS ORDINANCE WILL NOT LAST FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS.
I BET A HOMELESS PERSON CAN BE LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM MY HOUSE.
DURING THIS TIME I SEE AS CAMP GROW FROM A SIMPLE TENT TO A TRUE ICE WALL.
ONE THAT CAN BE SHOPPING, CARTS, BICYCLES, STROLLERS, AND MUCH MORE.
THIS CAMPUS WILL GET AN ABOVE GROUND ON THE CORNER OF STEP.
AND THIS OUTBOUND MOPAC FRONTAGE ROAD, THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND SOMETHING I WILL NOT TOLERATE AS A TAX PAYING CITIZEN OF THE CITY AND STATE MY FOCUS OVER THE NEXT 24 MONTHS WILL BE TO BRING THIS ON IT'S BACK TO VOTE ON THE COUNCIL FLOOR AND OR TO ENSURE WE HAVE THE PROPER REPRESENTATION IN PLACE FROM THE VARIOUS DISTRICTS TO OVERTURN IT.
THESE ACTIONS WILL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE INVOLVEMENT OF OUR STATE LEGISLATURE.
AND HOPEFULLY THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT I REFERRED TO THIS AS A CRISIS BECAUSE OF A SITUATION THAT IS DETERIORATING EVERY DAY, WITHOUT ANY PLAN TO CORRECT OR ADDRESS.
I'M ALSO NOT SUGGESTING ANY CRUEL OR ANY MEDIA ACTION BE TAKEN FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO ACCEPT THE CURRENT STATE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW EACH OF YOU AND YOUR DISTRICTS A LOT BETTER OVER THE COMING PAULA KAUFMANN.
MY DAD OF YARDI WAS A CATTLE ANSWER, JUST LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE IN AUSTIN TODAY, HIS INCOME DROPPED THROUGH NO FAULT OF HIS OWN.
HE HAD TO TELL US NO MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDER THIS AS A DROUGHT YEAR.
WE TAXPAYERS ARE TELLING YOU NO DOWN.
DID YOU EVEN CONSIDER BORROWING MONEY FOR ANY NON ESSENTIAL ITEMS, PROPERTY OWNERS TO PAY 25% MORE IN TAXES? IT'S TIME THAT YOU SAY NO TO OUTSIDERS AND PUT FAMILY FIRST.
IF NOT, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MOMMY AND DADDY TELLING THEIR CHILDREN THAT THEY HAVE TO LIVE IN THEIR CAR.
WHY YOU EXPAND YOUR MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS WITHOUT A PLAN FOR REIMBURSE LANDLORDS.
WAIT, CITY AND COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES THAT WELL MUSIC VENUE, LANDLORD KEEP THEIR TENANTS.
AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDES AID.
WE GET BRUSHED YOURSELF HALF AN ORDINANCE THAT YOU CAN'T CHARGE A PENALTY OR PUT A LIEN ON PROPERTY OWNERS WHO CAN'T PAY THEIR TAXES BECAUSE OF LOSS OF INCOME DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.
IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT JUST BECAUSE I AGREE WITH SO MANY PROPERTY OWNERS THAT NOW ISN'T THE TIME TO INCREASE OUR TAXES.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT I DON'T WANT PROJECT TO NET.
THERE MUST BE 50 WAYS TO FUND YOUR TRANSIT.
[02:20:01]
NUMBER ONE, STOP SPENDING MONEY ON MISLEADING ADS, WHICH I'VE BEEN TOLD OR AN ILLEGAL USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY.NUMBER TWO, PAY ABOUT A SALES TAX LIKE THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
NUMBER THREE, STOP GIVING TAX CREDIT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THE MARKET RATE IS ALREADY AFFORDABLE.
NUMBER FOUR, COLLECT THE CONTRIBUTION TOWARD PROJECT CONNECT.
EVERY TIME THAT YOU GRANT EXTRA CAPACITY OVER WHAT THE CODE LA HUD'S INCLUDED.
THIS IS NOT AN ILLEGAL MANDATE, BUT DEVELOPERS HAVE A CHOICE.
IF EXTRA CAPACITY YIELDS AN EXTRA $10 MILLION OF PROFIT ASK FOR FIVE $90 TOWARDS TRANSIT THAT THE PROJECTS NEW RESIDENTS WILL USE A BAG OF YOU ROBBING PEOPLE OF THEIR DREAMS TO BUY A HOME OR LEAVE THEIR HOME TO THEIR CHILDREN, AND TO HELP THEM GET A LEG UP.
LISTEN TO THESE PETITIONERS AT $35 A MONTH, TAX INCREASE PLACES HOMEOWNERSHIP OUT OF WEEK.
FOR MANY PEOPLE I LENDER WILL REQUIRE AN EXTRA $70 A MONTH IN INCOME FOR RETIREES LIVING IN THE URBAN CORE, THE EXTRA $75 A MONTH THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY WITH A 25% INCREASE COULD FORCE THEM TO SELL.
IS THAT YOUR REAL GOAL? IF YOU RAISED PROPERTY TAXES, 25% HOMELESS UNDER ONE 83, WE'LL CONTINUE TO GROW.
THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TODAY, COLLEAGUES.
I THINK THOSE ARE THE THREE SITCOMS SPEAKERS.
[Consent Agenda]
THE POLL ITEMS, UH, ON OUR AGENDA TODAY.CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS, ONE THROUGH 37 AND 51 THROUGH 62.
THE PULLED ITEMS ARE 1112 2352 53 55 AND 57.
I UNDERSTAND ON 14 THROUGH 62, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PULL THOSE AND WE'LL HIT THOSE FIRST RIGHT AFTER THIS AND SEE IF WE CAN DO THAT BEFORE LUNCH.
BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, FOR THE PURPOSES OF BEING ABLE TO MOVE QUICKLY, THIS CLOSE TO 1230, I'M GOING TO PULL 14 AND 62.
WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN HANDLE THOSE REAL QUICKLY WITH QUESTIONS.
IF IT HADN'T BEEN DONE, I WAS GOING TO MOVE THE CONSENT AGENDA BECAUSE THAT AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED.
IS THERE A SECOND COUNCIL MEMBER? UH, ALICE THAT CONSENT, I WILL POINT OUT ON ITEM NUMBER 33, WHICH IS BOARDS AND COMMISSION.
UM, THERE'S A, UM, DOWNTOWN COMMISSION HAS DARK, UH, LEPTIN MUSIC COMMISSIONER FROM MUSIC COMMISSION, UH, ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION IS A CSR COASTER, UH, MAKING THAT MOTION.
THERE'S A WAIVER FOR THE APPOINTMENT TO SAY, SAR KOSTA, ALLOWING YOU TO START ROTATING YOUR SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY ON THE COMMISSION AND THE ZONING AND PLANNING.
UH, I'VE BEEN MOVED IN SECOND TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ANY FURTHER COMMENT ON THIS BEFORE WE GO, COUNCIL MEMBER, KASAR JUST BRIEFLY, YOU KNOW, I, WE REALLY TRY NOT TO SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, BUT SOMETIMES THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE JUST SO IMPORTANT THAT ALL OF US HAVE WORKED ON FOR A LONG TIME AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO, TO MARK THEM, UH, BEFORE THEY PASS.
UH, AND THIS IS SOMETHING I KNOW ALL OF US HAVE WORKED ON FOR QUITE A BIT, BUT ITEM 10, UH, EXPANDS OUR, UH, MENTAL HEALTH FIRST RESPONSE PROGRAM, UH, SO THAT WE CAN HAVE 24 SEVEN, UH, MENTAL HEALTH FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE CITY.
AND THE, THE REALLY IMPORTANT GOAL HERE IS THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO, UH, RESPOND TO WELL OVER 5,000 CALLS, UH, AWAY FROM YOUR TRADITIONAL NINE 11 RESPONSE INTO A TRAINED MENTAL HEALTH FIRST RESPONDERS THAT THE GOAL WRITTEN INTO THE CONTRACT.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND IT IS THAT, UH, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GO FOR OVER 90% OVER 85 OR 90% OF THESE CASES, NOT EVEN NEEDING, UH, A POLICE OFFICER TO, TO BE THERE IN THE RESPONSE.
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF US, YOU KNOW, ALL OF US WERE HEARING THE COMMUNITY AND A LOT OF US WERE ON COUNCIL WHEN, WHEN DAVID JOSEPH WAS, UH, IN NEED OF A MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE.
AND WHEN SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE LIKE TANYA SILVA AND OTHERS, WHERE I NEED A MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THIS PROGRAM THAT WE NEEDED SO BADLY UP AND RUNNING, UM, SO THAT THEY COULD GET THE CARE THAT THEY NEEDED, UH, RATHER THAN IN TANYA'S CASE, WINDING UP AND A DETENTION IMMIGRANT DETENTION CENTER AND IN DAVID'S CASE, SO HORRIFICALLY BEING KILLED.
[02:25:01]
AND SO THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT CAN SAVE LIVES THAT CAN SERVE THE COMMUNITY THAT WILL REALLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CALLS THAT POLICE OFFICERS HAVE TO GO TO AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE GET THE RESPONSE THAT THEY NEED.SO I REALLY WANNA THANK, UH, INTEGRAL CARE, THE CITY STAFF AND EVERYONE ON COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY THAT'S WORKED ON THIS FOR, FOR SUCH A LONG TIME.
AND I, I DIDN'T WANT, AND I WENT TO PASS WITHOUT US MENTIONING THAT, UH, THIS REALLY IMPORTANT.
A COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER, MADISON, THAT SHE WAS GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER EIGHT.
SO I WONDER IF I COULD GO AHEAD AND MAKE THAT MOTION NOW TO SEE IF IT'S POSSIBLE THAT, UM, HER CONCERNS WILL BE ADDRESSED, OR SHOULD WE GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE NOW THAT IT'S BEEN OKAY.
WELL, LET'S JUST PICK IT UP WHEN WE GET, LET'S PULL IT, UH, SINCE WE'RE AT 1230 RIGHT NOW, AND THEN WE'LL BRING THAT ONE UP EARLY AS WELL.
OR WE CAN PUT 14 BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
14 IS BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
I JUST WANTED TO QUICKLY THANK STAFF FOR ITEM 13.
UH, THIS IS THE, MY DISTRICT TWO OFFICE CARRY FORWARD TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS CONTRACT WITH UNITED WAY FOR RELIEF FUNDS FOR CHILDCARE SUPPORT.
I'VE ENDED MY BUDGETS, I BELIEVE EVERY YEAR WITH, UM, MONEY LEFT IN IT.
AND WE WERE ABLE, THIS IS THE BIGGEST AMOUNT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND BEING AT THE OFFICE LAST, UNLESS CITY TRAVEL, UM, $148,000, WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE CHILDCARE FUND AND A LOT OF SPEAKERS TODAY TALKED ABOUT THAT.
UM, AND I'VE TALKED ABOUT THE, THE QUIET CRISIS OF AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE, AND I'M JUST GRATEFUL FOR STAFF.
I ASKED THEM TO PRIORITIZE THESE IN DISTRICTS ONE THROUGH THROUGH FIVE, BECAUSE THOSE DISTRICTS CONTAIN THE MOST MINORITY CHILDREN AND ALSO CHILDCARE FACILITIES THAT EMPHASIZE DUAL LANGUAGE AND SPANISH IMMERSION.
SO THANK YOU TO OUR EDD STAFF AND UNITED WAY.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR.
UM, I WANTED TO JUST, UH, MAKE NOTE OF ITEM 61, WHICH ADDRESSES, UM, CONCERNS THAT WE WERE HEARING ABOUT ARR, UM, SERVICES BEING STOPPED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.
UM, SO DUE TO HEALTH AND SAFETY AND STAFFING CONCERNS, UM, OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, ARR HAS LIMITED AND ALTERED CERTAIN SERVICES, UM, WHERE PEOPLE ARE AT HOME, FAMILIES ARE GENERATING MORE HOUSEHOLD WASTE THAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.
UM, AND SO MY STAFF AND I ENGAGE WITH CITY STAFF TO IDENTIFY A PATH TOWARDS THE SAFE RESUMPTION OF THESE SERVICES.
AND IN THE PROCESS WE DISCOVERED, UM, THAT OUR ARR OPERATORS WERE MAKING $16 AN HOUR AS A STARTING WAGE DOING ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS JOBS IN THE NATION.
WHEREAS PEOPLE WITH THE SKILL AND TRAINING TYPICALLY MAKE MUCH HIGHER WAGES IN PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS.
SO, UM, ITEM 61 IS REALLY AIMED AT ACCOMPLISHING TWO THINGS FIRST ASKING STAFF TO IDENTIFY THE FEASIBILITY AND TIMELINE OF THE SAFE RESUMPTION OF REGULAR ARR SERVICES.
UM, AND THROUGH THE COURSE OF SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS, SOME OF THOSE ARE GOING BACK ONLINE THIS MONTH.
UM, AND THEN THE SECOND IS TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO REVIEW COMPENSATION AND TRAINING PRACTICES AND EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE OPERATOR RETENTION, COMPENSATION, AND SATISFACTION.
UM, I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING SOME POSITIVE MOVEMENT IN THESE AREAS, AND I WANT TO THANK MY CO-SPONSORS CASAR ELLISON TOVO FOR JOINING ME ON THESE EFFORTS.
UM, AND THEN I JUST WANT TO ADD, UM, FOR COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON, I IMAGINE THAT WE ARE IN THE SAME DIRECTION FOR ITEM EIGHT, BUT WE'LL JUST TAKE IT UP WHEN THE APPROPRIATE TIME COMES.
UM, I THINK I CAN PUT 62 BACK ON.
I THINK IT'S MORE MY MISUNDERSTANDING.
UM, I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THAT IT INITIATES THE PROCESS FOR PUT ZONING AND THAT MEANS IT'S STILL TO THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.
IF, IF, IF THAT CAN BE VERIFIED, THEN WE CAN PUT IT BACK.
MANAGER, IF YOU COULD CHECK ON THAT WHILE I GO TO OTHER SPEAKERS.
UM, SO I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
SO I'LL THROW MY QUESTION IN, IN, IN, ON NUMBER 62, AND THAT IS, I DID SEE A VERSION TWO THAT APPEARS TO EXCLUDE THE EXCUSE ME, HEALTH SOUTH PROPERTY FROM THE CENTRAL HEALTH OVERLAY DISTRICT.
UM, BUT I DID WANT TO CONFIRM THAT THAT WAS THE VERSION THAT WE WERE SLATED TO CONSIDER HERE TODAY.
AND I DO WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE HAVE STAFF CONFIRMATION THAT THE HEALTH EQUITY IS NOT INCLUDED WITHIN, WITHIN THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA THAT'S BEING INITIATED OR CENTRAL HEALTH PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PRESENTED.
SEE THOSE TWO QUESTIONS WHEN STAFF'S READY TO SEE
[02:30:01]
IF WE CAN DO BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE, A STAFF HERE WILL ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER HAD HER MEDICINE WHO HAD BROUGHT IT FORWARD, HAS HER HAND UP.
SO SHE MAY HAVE, SHE DOES COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON YOU'RE MUTED, NATASHA.
I SAID, THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANTED TO SPEAK TO, BUT I'M CERTAINLY HAPPY TO, TO SPEAK TO WHAT IT WAS THAT I DID WANT TO ADDRESS WITH MY HAND UP NOW THAT I'VE BEEN CALLED A, UM, SO I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT CONSENT AGENDA, NUMBER 18, CONSENT AGENDA, ITEM NUMBER 18.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE CITY MANAGER, UM, CITY STAFF AND THE DISTRICT ONE TEAM FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO END A DOUBLE STANDARD THAT WORKED AGAINST EAST SIDE RESIDENTS WHO HAVEN'T HAD ACCESS TO THE SAME RIGHTS AS THEIR NEIGHBORS.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY.
I REMEMBER 18 IS YET ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS ERASING INEQUITIES THAT HAVE EXISTED IN OUR CITY FOR GENERATIONS.
THIS IS ALSO AN EXAMPLE OF HOW SOME OF THESE INEQUITIES CAN BE HIDDEN IN POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT MOST OF US DON'T EVEN KNOW EXIST.
THAT IS EXACTLY WHY I SIT IN THE SEAT TO UPROOT OUTDATED PRACTICE AND TO SPEAK OUT FOR THOSE WITHOUT THE PLATFORM TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES IN THE END, THE THINGS THAT SEPARATE US, THE BARRIERS THAT PERPETRATE DISPARITY AND KEEP US FROM EXPERIENCING LIFE IN THE SAME WAY.
OFTENTIMES THOSE THINGS ARE WRITTEN INTO POLICY AND ORDINANCE.
THOSE BARRIERS ARE LITERALLY PAPER THIN, THE KEY TO A PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY OR ORDINANCES THAT PROVIDE EQUITY ACROSS THE BOARD AND WITH THE PASSAGE OF ITEM NUMBER 18, NO MATTER WHAT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY YOU LIVE ON, YOU WILL NOW BE ABLE TO RESPONSIBLY ENJOY A BEER WHILE TAKING A NEIGHBORHOOD STROKE.
SO AGAIN, THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO HELPED US, UM, BRING FORWARD THE RESOLUTION AND ULTIMATELY THE PASSAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE.
IT'S AN AGENDA HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED AGAIN FOR THE RECORD.
I'M READY TO REFUSE FUNDING NUMBER 14, UH, BECAUSE I SHARE A CHAIR ROLE WITH, UH, THE COUNTY JUDGE, UH, WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION THAT ISN'T RECIPIENT OF FUNDING.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, JUST A QUICK COMMENT ON ITEM NUMBER 10.
REMEMBER CASARA I, I, UH, SECOND THOSE WORDS, I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT ITEM, WHICH, UM, ADVANCES THE, UH, THE INTENT OF THE ENTIRE COUNCIL IN MAKING SIGNIFICANT, SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON HOW WE, UM, ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
SO I'M EXCITED TO SEE THAT MOVE FORWARD.
MAYOR, I COULDN'T DESTROY THE REST OF IT.
I CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION SINCE 62, IF YOU WOULD LIKE, BUT GO AHEAD.
UM, THE QUESTION ABOUT, UH, FOR COUNCIL MEMBER, TABLEAU'S QUESTION ABOUT THE, UH, UH, THE NEW REVISED VERSION.
THE NEW REVISED VERSION IS CLARIFIES THAT WE'RE NOT INCLUDING THE HEALTH SOUTH PROPERTY IN THE INITIATION OF THE PUD IN RESPONSE TO COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHENS QUESTION.
YES, THIS IS JUST THE INITIATION OF THE CASE.
WE'LL BE GOING BACK TO THE PLANNING MISSION AND COMING BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL WITH THAT SAID 68 CENTS AGENDA AS WELL.
ITEM NUMBER 14, UH, HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED, UH, READY TO TAKE A VOTE.
THAT WAS A FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UM, WE'RE SEEING IT AS BEING IN ANANYMOUS, UH, WITH EVERYBODY APPEARING ON THE CALENDAR THAT CONSENT AGENDA PASSES.
UH, I SUGGEST THAT WE COME BACK HERE AT ONE 40, THAT'D BE 20 MINUTES TO TWO, AND THEN MAYBE WE CAN START TAKING CARE OF SOME OF THE PULLED ITEMS. THE PULLED ITEMS ARE EIGHT 11, 12 2352 53 55 57 OR THE PULLED ITEMS. OKAY.
QUARTERED, I MEAN THE 20 MINUTES TO TWO IT'S AN HOUR FROM NOW WHERE WE CAN BEAM, IT IS 1238.
AND WITH THAT, THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE IN RECESS.
SO YOU ONE, TWO, THREE MAYOR I'M HERE.
I CAN'T SEEM TO CHANGE MYSELF FROM A BLUE SQUARE AND I SAW A COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, I THINK A MOMENT AGO AND TO SEE WHO WE'RE MISSING, IF ANY I'M HERE, I'M JUST STILL EATING.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.
[02:35:01]
STILL OCTOBER 1ST, 2020.THIS IS THE CONTINUATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, UM, MEETING.
WE PULLED SOME ITEMS OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UH, WE ALSO HAVE A TWO O'CLOCK, UH, SPEAKERS, SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND SEE WHAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF HERE.
UM, HOPEFULLY RELATIVELY QUICKLY, UH, TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE SPEAKERS CLOSE TO TWO.
SO ZONING SPEAKERS CAN GET ON THERE ON THEIR WAY.
[8. Approve a resolution finding the use of the construction manager-at-risk method of contracting, as authorized by Subchapter F, Chapter 2269 of the Texas Government Code, as the project delivery method that provides the best value to the City for renovations and additions to the Asian American Resource Center.]
EIGHT, UH, AS THE FIRST ONE UP THAT'S SOBER HARPER, MADISON COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, ALTER, ARE YOU GUYS READY TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS? OKAY.THAT'S A MEMBER HARPER MADISON.
THIS MUTE BUTTON IS NOT MY FRIEND TODAY.
I WANTED TO MAKE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE ITEM EIGHT UNTIL THE STRATEGIC FACILITIES GOVERNANCE TEAM CAN COME BACK WITH THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSOLIDATION AS DIRECTED IN A RESOLUTION NUMBER TWO OH ONE 909 ONE NINE DASH ONE FOUR SIX.
THAT'D BE POSTPONING THIS UNTIL THE RUTHERFORD PARK COULD CATCH UP TO POSTPONE IT.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER SECONDS.
LET ME GIVE COUNCIL MEMBER HARBOR MADISON THE FIRST CHANCE TO SPEAK THAT'S OKAY.
DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK FIRST COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON? SURE.
I MEAN, I THINK IT'S A, IT'S, IT'S PRETTY, UM, UH, SELF-EXPLANATORY THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON FOR OUR DECKER LAKE REED LONG, UM, SORT OF PROJECT.
IT JUST MAKES SENSE IN MY MIND'S EYE THAT, UM, ASSETS THAT ARE SO ADJACENT TO ONE ANOTHER SHOULD BE CONSIDERED, UM, AT THE SAME TIME, WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
AND I THINK THE PROCESS WOULD BE MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE HAPPIER IF WE WERE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER ALL OF THESE ESSENCE SIMULTANEOUSLY AND HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING PROCESS.
UM, I'VE HEARD SOME CONCERNS FROM THE COMMUNITY ALONG THOSE LINES.
AND I CAN'T SAY THAT I DISAGREE WITH THEM.
UM, THIS ISN'T THE ONLY PROJECT OF ITS OF ITS KIND IN DISTRICT ONE THAT REALLY NEEDS TO HAVE MORE OF A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.
UM, I HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER PEPPER MADISON HAS MENTIONED.
I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE INTEGRATING THIS PLANNING WITH THE RUTHERFORD CAMPUS THERE.
UM, SO THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH A, A COHERENT PROJECT THAT MAXIMIZES THE POSSIBILITIES, UM, TO ADVANCE THE AIR SEA PLAN.
SO I JUST WANTED TO ASK STAFF WHAT THE TIMEFRAME WAS, UM, ON, IN TERMS OF COMING FORWARD WITH THEIR PLANNING, IF THEY HAD ANY UPDATE ON WHERE THEY WERE WITH SOME OF THAT WORK.
I BELIEVE WE WERE PLANNING TO COME BACK IN NOVEMBER ON THE LARGER STRATEGIC PLANNING, UPPER ON THIS FACILITIES GROUP.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED THE MOTION TO POSTPONE.
SO YOU VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
UH, THOSE POSED I'M SURE LIKE EVERYBODY VOTING AYE.
OUT OF THE BOX OF THE POSTPONE PASSES.
I DIDN'T SEE YOUR HAND, BUT THANK YOU.
I CAN'T SEEM TO TURN LIKE MY CAMERA'S NOT FUNCTIONING.
ALRIGHT, LET'S GO TO, UM, UM, I'M TRYING TO THINK IF THERE'S SOMETHING HERE THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE, UH, UH, AN AMENDMENT I HAVE NUMBER 11.
IS THAT GOING TO BE A WHILE ON THIS ONE? I WOULD HOPE NOT.
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT THAT'S BEEN SENT OUT BY KATIE.
UM, I, I THINK IT'S IN LINE WITH THE MISSION OF WHAT THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT IS GOING TO DO AND I'M HAPPY TO LAY IT OUT, BUT CAN'T REALLY TELL, I THINK TEXTILE OR NOT.
I THINK YOU'RE MAD AT ME KIND OF QUICK.
YOU ALSO PULLED THIS COUNCIL MEMBER TOPO.
DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS TAKING A WHILE? I ACTUALLY HAVE, YEAH.
IT'S NOT GOING TO BE SUPER FAST.
I DO HAVE QUESTIONS FOR OUR STAFF ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SOME OF THE CHANGES AND, UH, AN AMENDMENT TO SUGGEST ON ITEM 40, WHICH IS INDEPENDENT ONE.
[02:40:01]
THIS IS PROBABLY 15 MINUTES, I THINK ITEM 23, I'LL BE QUICK.[23. Authorize award of a contract with Abbott Rapid Dx North America, LLC, to provide Rapid Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test kits and controls, for a term of five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $800,000.]
THANK YOU.SO I PULLED THIS AND I WANT TO JUST RECORD THIS ITEM.
UM, BUT I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BROADER APPROACH THAT WE HAVE FOR HIV AND STI TESTING.
I THINK THESE ARE QUESTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
UM, SO WE HAD A MEETING LAST WEEK, WHICH INCLUDED SOME SERVICE PROVIDERS, UM, WHO DO HIV AND STI TESTING.
UM, AND THEY COMMUNICATED TO ME THAT AT ONE POINT WE PAUSED OUR DELIVERY OF THESE TYPES OF TESTS THAT WE, THE CITY DUE TO COVID AND IT HAD AN IMPACT ON THEIR DEMAND FOR SERVICES.
SO I ASSUME THAT THE SUPPLIES USED IN THE RBJ CLINIC AND THE MOBILE HIV TESTING PROGRAM.
I WANTED TO ASK STAFF IF THEY CAN CONFIRM FOR ME, IF THAT'S THE CASE, AND PLEASE GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHETHER OR HOW THIS TYPE OF TESTING HAS BEEN PAUSED.
AND WHAT, IF ANYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT WHETHER OUR EXISTING SERVICE DELIVERY IS WORKING WELL DURING COVID FOR THIS TYPE OF STI HIV TESTING, WE DO HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF.
UM, ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF A PAGE HAS HAD TO SHIFT PERSONNEL TO COVID CONTACT TRACING OR OTHERS THAT WORKED IN STI TASTE TESTING SERVICES TO COVID RESPONSE.
UM, AND ARE WE OPERATING AT ANY REDUCED CAPACITY FOR THIS TESTING? OKAY, GOOD TO KNOW.
I'M STEPHANIE HAYDEN, I'M DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH AND, UM, FOR THE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION CLINIC AT RBJ, UM, THOSE SERVICES ARE UNTIL SERVICES TO THE DEPARTMENT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN VERY HIGH DEMAND.
UM, AND SO, UM, FROM A KIND OF OVERALL PERSPECTIVE, UM, THOSE SERVICES HAVE CONTINUED TO, WE CONTINUE TO OPERATE THERE, UM, BUT BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
AND SO THAT HAS, UM, THAT HAS A SMALLER IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF SERVICES, UM, BECAUSE OF KOBE AND WORKING OFF OF APPOINTMENT ONLY.
UM, IN THE PAST, WHEN WE JUST HAVE A REGULAR CLINIC, IT IS, UM, KIND OF FIRST COME FIRST SERVE WITH, UM, SOME APPOINTMENTS IN IT FOR FOLKS THAT ARE SYMPTOMATIC.
SO RIGHT NOW WE'VE MOVED TO A, UM, INITIALLY IN MARCH, WE MOVED TO A, A PROCESS, UM, WHERE IF PEOPLE HAVE, ARE SYMPTOMATIC, THEY WILL COME IN, UM, AND, AND TAKE THE TESTING AND TO TAKE THE, THE HIV TESTING.
SO IT'S THE WHOLE SERIES OF, UM, SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS THAT THEY, THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE.
UM, WE IN JUNE AND JULY, UM, BECAUSE THERE WAS, UM, YOU KNOW, UM, WE WERE VERY, VERY BUSY IN JUNE AND JULY.
UM, SOME OF THOSE FOLKS WERE SHIFTED OVER, UM, TO THE, UM, TO THE KOBE RESPONSE.
UM, WE HAVE SHIFTED SOME OF THEM BACK, UM, IN AUGUST AND, UM, HAVE STARTED USING, UM, AN OUTREACH METHOD, UM, FOR THE RBJ CENTER.
SO WE ARE A COUPLE OF EVENINGS A WEEK.
WE ARE PROVIDING, UM, THE, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN CALL AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, WHETHER YOU'RE SYMPTOMATIC OR NOT.
AND WE'RE PROVIDING THOSE, UM, EVENING THOSE SERVICES, UM, A FEW EVENINGS A WEEK.
UM, I DON'T NEED TO TAKE TOO MUCH MORE TIME ON THE DIET RIGHT NOW, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MAYBE WE CAN HAVE AN OFFLINE CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WE ARE ADDRESSING THE NEED, UM, BECAUSE I'M HEARING REPORTS OF JUMPS OF, YOU KNOW, 500 TESTS A MONTH AT SOME OF THE CLINICS THAT ARE IN MY DISTRICT.
I'VE GOT A COUPLE, UM, IN MY DISTRICT AND, AND THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME KNOCKOFF EFFECTS OF THE POLICIES THAT WE PUT IN PLACE FOR COVID, OR THERE'S A HUGE INCREASE IN THE NEED FOR TESTING, UM, AND EITHER WAY, UM,
[02:45:01]
IT SEEMS LIKE WE NEED TO BE ADDRESSING THAT DEMAND AND MAKING SURE THAT, UM, THOSE ARE PROVIDING THAT SERVICE HAVE ACCESS TO THE MATERIALS THAT THEY NEED AND THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THE SERVICE.UM, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T WANT ANY OF THOSE TO BE SPREADING.
AND THIS IS A CHALLENGE WE HAVE WITH ALL HEALTHCARE RIGHT NOW.
UM, BUT THIS IS A CASE WHERE WE HAVE EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO GET TESTED, YOU KNOW, ELSEWHERE, WHICH IS GOOD, THAT THEY'RE GETTING TESTED.
UM, BUT I, HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION OFFLINE TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS GETTING TO YOU AND THAT, UM, WE CAN ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.
AND AS I SAID, I'M FOR THIS, UM, PARTICULAR ITEM, BUT I DO THINK IT WAS AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO PAUSE FOR US TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, GIVEN THAT THE SUCH HAS COME TO, UM, MY ATTENTION.
SO IF WE CAN, UM, SET THAT UP IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
HOW MANY PASSAGE? I MEAN I'M 23.
COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER MOST PASSAGE OF ITEM 23.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS ITEM, CUSTOMER POOL SECONDS, THE ITEM, ANY DISCUSSION THOSE IN FAVOR OF 20, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I THINK I CAN SEE EVERYBODY THIS TIME THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
DOES ANYBODY THINK ANY OF THESE OTHER ITEMS WOULD BE HANDLED JUST THE SECOND 52? WE'RE GOING TO NEED TIME ON 53.
ON 55, WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT, A 57.
NO, WE HAD SOME APPOINTMENTS FOR THE SOBERING CENTER.
I CAN'T REMEMBER IF WE'RE DONE.
UM, WE HAVE THREE ITEMS THAT ARE NOT CONSENT THAT COULD BE BROUGHT UP.
ONE IS THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS ON SOBERING CENTER.
WE ALSO HAVE THE WHISPER VALLEY PYD AND THE DEMO PERMIT TO 40.
LET'S SEE IF WE CAN HANDLE THOSE.
[38. Approve the appointment of Kathie Tovo and Elizabeth Boston to the board of directors of the Austin/Travis County Sobriety Center Local Government Corporation.]
IS THERE A MOTION TO PASS ITEM 38? I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION.IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? THE MAYOR PRO TEM SECOND SET OF MOTION.
ANY DISCUSSION MAYOR, WILL SOMEBODY JUST LAY IT OUT FROM THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE? OH, THAT'S GOOD.
UM, AND SOMEONE FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, JUST LAY OUT THE NOMINATIONS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED COUNCIL MEMBER OR PER MADISON.
YOU WANT ME TO DO THAT? YOU'LL HAVE TO FORGIVE ME.
I WAS DISTRACTED AT THE NEWS THAT SATELLITE OFFICES FOR PEOPLE TO DROP OFF COMPLETED MAIL IN BALLOTS, UM, JUST HAPPENED.
AND SO I WAS DISTRACTED BY THAT.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT WHO NEED TO KNOW THAT.
SO, UM, YES, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
UH, THEY HEALTH AND HUMAN, UM, PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE MET AND WE ALWAYS HAVE SUCH GREAT, UM, INTER PEOPLE TO INTERVIEW AND WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT COUNCIL MEMBER TOBA, UM, CONTINUE HER SERVICE GRATEFUL FOR THE YEARS OF SERVICE.
SHE'S SHE'S DONE FOR OUR COUNCIL THERE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
UM, YEAH, AGAIN, GREAT, GREAT CANDIDATES.
AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WORK THAT OUR, OUR NEW, OUR NEWEST APPOINTMENT IS ABLE TO DO.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN MAKE THE MOTION.
SO THEN I GUESS SOMEBODY ELSE THAT'S OKAY.
IT'S FROM THE COUNTY AND I MEAN, FROM THE COMMITTEE IT'S BEEN LAID OUT, UH, IT COMES FROM THE COMMITTEE.
UH, IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS? THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TEM.
I'D ALSO JUST LIKE TO SECOND YOUR, UM, UH, YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO SERVICE.
WE, UM, WE ALL HAVE A HARD ENOUGH JOB WITH DOING WHAT IT IS THAT WE DO AS COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SO TO TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITY, UM, FOR A VERY IMPORTANT, UM, ORGANIZATION, UH, WE APPLAUD YOUR SERVICE.
AND I THINK WE, UH, I THINK WE'VE MADE A GOOD CHOICE WITH OUR SELECTION, UM, AND LOOK FORWARD TO, TO SEEING HOW THAT ALL WORKS OUT.
AND THANK YOU FOR LAYING THAT OUT FOR ME.
THIS ITEM, UM, NUMBER 38, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I THINK YOU'RE TRYING TO SPEAK, BUT YOU'RE MUTED.
I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES FOR YOUR KIND COMMENTS.
THAT'S REALLY LOVELY, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT WE HAVE ANOTHER POSITION THAT JUST BECAME AVAILABLE WITH THE ELECTION OF ANDY OR THE NOMINATION OF ANDY BROWN.
AND SO HE HAS RESIGNED FROM THE BOARD.
SO THERE IS CURRENTLY A JOINT CITY COUNTY APPOINTMENT OPEN, UM, AND JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT THE PUBLIC KNEW THAT WE DID, AS MY COLLEAGUE SAID, HAVE SOME VERY STRONG CANDIDATES WHO APPLIED FOR THE POSITION WE JUST MADE THE
[02:50:01]
RECOMMENDATION FOR.UM, AND THEY'LL ALSO BE CONSIDERED, BUT THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR THE COUNTY AS WELL FOR THAT JOINT POSITION.
THOSE ARE FAVOR OF ITEM 38, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED IT'S UNANIMOUS ON THE DIAS 38 PASSES COLLEAGUES.
WE NEED TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE ON A 30 ON 29.
IT WAS A FRANCHISE TO BEC, OR WAS IT ORDINANCE WAS NOT IN BACKUP WHEN WE PASS IT.
UH, IS THERE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER, UH,
[29. Approve second reading of an ordinance granting a ten-year renewal of the franchise to Pedernales Electric Cooperative for use of City rights-of-way necessary to provide electric utility services to customers in PEC’s certificated service area within Austin.]
ITEM NUMBER 29, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOBO MAKES THE MOTION SECOND TO MY COUNCIL MEMBER.ALICE THOSE IN FAVOR OF RECONSIDERING, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND UNANIMOUS ON THE DYESS.
UH, IS THERE A MOTION TO NOW PASS ITEM NUMBER 29 NOW THAT THE ORDINANCE IS IN BACKUP, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, ALICE MAKES IT A MAYOR PRO TEM SECONDS.
IT DISCUSSION DOES A FAVORITE PASSAGE 29.
THOSE OPPOSED UNANIMOUS ON THE DIOCESE.
WE WERE ABLE TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF WORK DONE.
[39. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance approving the 2020 Amended and Restated Service and Assessment Plan for the Whisper Valley Public Improvement District (District), making a finding of special benefit to the property in Improvement Area #2 of the District, adopting the Improvement Area #2 assessment roll, levying assessments for property in Improvement Area #2, approving the second amendment to the Whisper Valley PID Financing Agreement approving and authorizing a Whisper Valley PID Acquisition and Reimbursement Agreement, and declaring an emergency.]
UM, IS THERE A, SOME OF THEM WANTS TO MOVE PASSAGE ITEM NUMBER 39, WHICH IS THE WHISPER VALLEY PID.WE HAD OPPORTUNITY FOR SPEAKERS EARLIER.
NO ONE SIGNED UP COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS MAKES THE MOTION CAPITAL ACCOUNTS MARKETS.
THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED TO UNANIMOUS ON THE DIOCESE
[40. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending City Title 25 related to demolition permits, including notification requirements. (Part 1 of 2)]
DO NUMBER 40 DEMO PERMITS, MOTION TO ADOPT ITEM NUMBER 40 COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO MAKES THE MOTION AS A SECOND.THAT'S WHERE OUR POLL SECONDS AND DISCUSSION OVER TOPO.
UM, HAVING, HAVING MOVED TO APPROVAL OF THIS, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A QUICK AMENDMENT, AND THAT IS TO REPLACE THE DISCUSSION, THE DESCRIPTION OF NOTIFICATION UNDER D ONE AND TWO WITH THE FOLLOWING REQUIRE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION FOR ALL PROPERTIES OF THE DEMOLITION IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE NOTIFICATION PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH SONY OR LAND USE CHANGES.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE FAR EASIER THAN, THAN THE PRETTY COMPLEX NOTIFICATION THAT'S CONTAINED WITHIN THE ORDINANCE.
UM, AND I SAW SOME OF THE RESPONSES TO MY QUESTIONS IN THE, IN THE Q AND A, BUT LIKE IT, WE CAN GO INTO RE GO INTO THAT AND I CAN SORT OF TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE POINTS BACK THAT I DIDN'T COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND, BUT I THINK IT'S ACCOMPLISHED.
I THINK I CAN ACCOMPLISH ACCOMPLISH IT FASTER JUST BY REPLACING THE NOTIFICATION.
LET'S DO THE THREE SPEAKERS ON, SO LET'S PUT THAT ON THE TABLE.
LET'S GO THEN THAT WAY EVERYBODY CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT, YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY OR CHECK BACK WITH THEIR OFFICES.
UH, AND WE'LL DO THE, THE SONY SPEAKERS.
SHE ASKED COUNCIL OVER PLANNING IT, CAUSE NUMBER TOMO IS THE LANGUAGE YOU READ HOSTED SOMEWHERE OR WHERE WE CAN, WHERE WE CAN SEE IT.
I CERTAINLY CAN'T STRESS THAT ONE LINE JUST TO REPLACE BASICALLY TO REPLACE THE NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE LISTED OUT.
IT'S LIKE ON A PROPHET, IT TALKS ABOUT ADJACENCIES AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ADJACENCY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND THEN A DIFFERENT ADJACENT, A DIFFERENT LOT NUMBER THIS WAY AND THAT WAY.
AND I'M JUST SUGGESTING WE REPLACE IT WITH OUR STANDARD NOTIFICATION PROCESS IN TERMS OF DIAMETER OF THE EFFECTIVE.
ARE WE TALKING ABOUT ITEM 40 BECAUSE I'M SEEING A LOT OF BACKUP AND THE DRAFT ORDINANCE IS REALLY, REALLY BRIEF OR IS THERE ANOTHER DOCUMENT THAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO? IT IS, UM, HOPEFULLY I'M NOT AMENDING THE ONE, THE PIECES THAT WE'VE ALREADY PASSED.
LET ME DOUBLE CHECK WHILE WE'RE.
UM, SO YOU GAVE ME OTHER SPEAKERS.
SO WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GOING TO LAY ASIDE, I AM NUMBER 40 HERE, WHICH GOES WITH ITEM NUMBER 11.
WE'RE GOING TO TABLE THAT FOR JUST A MOMENT.
UM, AND IF THE CLERK MARIE YOU WITH US, WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD AND CALL THE
[Public Comment (Part 2 of 2)]
SPEAKERS FOR PLANNING AND ZONING AND THEY EACH HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK? I THINK THERE'S JUST A, HOW MANY SPEAKERS DO WE HAVE IN LINE AT THREE? OKAY, GO AHEAD.[02:55:02]
WE'VE DONE THAT.I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE AND I AM ADJACENT TO ITEMS NUMBER 65 AND 66 NINE ONE FOUR SADIE LANE.
UM, I AM ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS WHO HAS SIGNED AND FILED THE VALID PETITION AND BEEN WORKING FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF ON A COMPROMISE, UH, WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE APPLICANT.
UM, AT THE LAST MEETING, WE WERE ALL DOWN TO THE WIRE DECIDING, UH, THE CITY HAD NOT ADDED THE AGREEMENT INTO THE ORDINANCE AND WE WERE, DID NOT ADD THE ITEMS INTO THE ORDINANCE.
AND THE CITY TOLD US TO ENTER INTO A PRIVATE RESTRICTED COVENANT.
THIS WAS ALL HAPPENING AT THE VERY LAST SECOND, LITERALLY DURING THE MEETING.
UM, SO WE HAVE NOW UNDERSTOOD WHAT THE PRIVATE RESTRICTED COVENANT MEANS.
AND WE HAVE ENTERED INTO THAT, BUT WE DO HAVE, UH, THE CITY TOLD US THAT THE MAIN REASON THEY DID NOT ENTER THOSE ITEMS INTO THE ORDINANCE WAS THAT THE PROPERTY WAS TOO COMPLEX.
AND A LOT OF THE FRUSTRATION AND, UH, WORRY FROM THE NEIGHBORS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PROPERTY IS THAT APPROXIMATELY 85% OF THE PROPERTY IS IN A CREEK OR A FLOOD ZONE.
THERE'S ABOUT 15% MAYBE OF THE PROPERTY THAT IS NOT THE PROPERTY.
ALSO CONTAINS MANY COMPLICATED PUBLIC EASEMENTS, LIKE A BRIDGE THAT CROSSES THE CREEK AS WELL AS THE CITY ACCESS TO BOGGY CREEK AND UTILITY EASEMENT, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE MAIN CONCERN FROM THE NEIGHBORS.
AND THEN THE CITY BASICALLY AGREED WITH US BY SAYING, WE'RE NOT GONNA GRANT YOU PUTTING A FENCE ON THIS PROPERTY BECAUSE IT'S TOO COMPLICATED.
IF THE CITY WON'T EVEN GUARANTEE THAT YOU CAN BUILD A FENCE ON IT, WHY WOULD YOU GRANT DEVELOPMENT FOR THIS PROPERTY? SO WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE CITY TO RECONSIDER ADDING THE ITEMS AND THE AGREEMENT THAT THE NEIGHBORS AND APPLICANTS HAVE SPENT NEARLY 300 HOURS WORKING FOR INTO THE ORDINANCE.
WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU MAKE A CAREFUL DECISION FOR GO VALLEY FOR EAST AUSTIN, FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE RESIDENTS OF THIS AREA.
THIS WILL INCLUDE PROTECTION FROM POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL FALLOUT FROM THE DEVELOPMENT ON THIS COMPLICATED PIECE OF PROPERTY.
PLEASE CONSIDER ADDING THE AGREEMENT FROM THE APPLICANT AND THE NEIGHBORS INTO THE CITY ORDINANCE.
THIS IS ABOUT COUNT RIGHT NOW, RIGHT? FIVE OH EIGHT COME.
YES, THE CITY YOU'RE IN FRONT OF US.
WE'RE HERE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS NOW.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING MY COMMENT.
I'M CURIOUS IF YOU ALL HAVE ACCESS TO THE IMAGES THAT I SENT IN TO BE ADDED INTO THE BACKUP, OR THEY BEEN POSTED IN BACA EMAIL TO KATE, TO KATE CLARK, I BELIEVE IS HER NAME.
SO I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT I'VE LETTERED THE IMAGES FOR YOU ALL.
UM, SO I HEARD THE DEVELOPER OF THIS POSSIBLE, UH, SF THREE TO SF SIX UPZONING.
I HEAR A COMMON THEME, WHICH IS THIS KIND OF GREENWASHING OF THE SF SIX DESIGNATION.
IT'S THE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY DESIGNATION.
BUT WHEN I LOOK AT THE PLAN THAT'S PRESENTED TO ME, WHAT I SEE IS MORE IMPERVIOUS COVER IN MORE RUNOFF, UH, FROM THESE DEVELOPMENTS.
AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT FIVE AWAY CAMP IS THE FIRST OF LIKE EIGHT DIFFERENT PROPERTIES THAT WANT TO DO THE SAME, UH, ZONING OF ZONING IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO I PROVIDED IMAGES OF MY OWN PROPERTY
[03:00:01]
AND WHAT HAPPENED TO IT, UH, THE BACK OF IT, IF YOU'RE UNFAMILIAR WITH THIS PART OF EAST AUSTIN, THE GROUND DOES NOT HAVE NICE.IT LIKE IT DOESN'T MOST OF ALL, IT'S ALL SAND.
AND SO THIS PROPERTY IS BUILT ON A HILL, UM, THAT IS ALL SAND.
UM, THE PROPOSAL HERE IS TO STACK A ROAD THROUGH THE CENTER OF IT AND, AND HAVE 36, I BELIEVE, OR 32 UNITS ON THIS HILL.
UM, NOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WATER RUNS OVER THAT LAND IS THAT THAT THE SOIL ERODES VERY QUICKLY AND YOU CAN SEE THE CREEK THAT FLOWS BEHIND THE PROPERTY THAT GOES OVER THE, THE CITY, THE MUNICIPAL LANDFILL THAT WAS THERE, THE GROVE LANDFILL THAT'S NOW KEPT ALL THAT RUNOFF IS GOING TO GO RIGHT OVER THAT LANDFILL.
AND IT GOES INTO COUNTRY CLUB CREEK BEHIND.
AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WATER ON COUNTRY CLUB CREEK RISES.
THE, WHEN I BOUGHT THIS PROPERTY, THE, THE PERSON THAT HAD IT, I BOUGHT IT FROM CLEARED THE TREES ON THAT HILL.
AND YOU CAN SEE THAT WHERE HE CLEARED THE TREES.
AND WHEN WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE, YOU KNOW, THOSE MORE COMMON DELL, DELL USES OF RAIN THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, WE GET EVERY YEAR OR TWO HERE IN AUSTIN.
NOW WHERE YOU GET LIKE A FOOT OF RAIN, WHAT HAPPENED IS THE WHOLE HILL, UH, TURNED INTO A MUD SLIDE.
THE ONLY THING THAT'S HOLDING THIS HILL TOGETHER, BACK HERE IS THE TREES AND THE PLANTS.
THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO HOLD.
SO WHEN THIS, THIS DEVELOPMENT RIGHT HERE, HEIGHT, IT'S BUILT ON A HILL.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE, UH, THE SURVEY THAT'S PROVIDED, IT'S, UH, IT'S QUITE A STEEP HILL.
UM, AND THERE'S ALL THAT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS GOING TO IS GOING TO ESSENTIALLY ERODE WITH ALL THAT RUNOFF NEXT DOOR TO IT.
THIS IS ANOTHER PROPERTY THAT THE OWNER WANTS TO UPTOWN TO SF SIX.
YOU CAN SEE IT AS THE SOUTH OF THE PROPERTY AS WELL.
THAT'LL PROBABLY COME ONTO THE DOCKET SOON.
UH, IF YOU CAN IMAGINE A HUNDRED HOUSES THERE AND ALL THAT RUNOFF GOING RIGHT INTO THE GROVE LANDFILL FULL OF TOXIC POISONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE POSSIBLY LEACHING OUT OF THERE AND THEN INTO THE CREEK AND THEN CAUSING LANDSLIDES AND EROSION DOWNSTREAM FROM IT.
AND IF WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS KIND OF DENSE DEVELOPMENT, THEN WHO THE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT, IF WE SUBDIVIDE ALL OF THESE PROPERTIES AND ALLOW THIS MASSIVE DENSITY OF DEVELOPMENT IN A VERY, VERY ECOLOGICALLY, UH, PRECIOUS AND SENSITIVE AREA, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE THAT, THAT CAUSES.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING.
THIS IS A FUN YOUNG, UH, PHILLY IS, WILL NOT BE SPEAKING SO CAN NOT JUST BE THE NEXT SPEAKER.
OR ADJACENT TO THE APPLICANT'S PROPERTY FARM.
DO YOU KNOW? WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS REQUEST FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.
WE WOULD BE MAKING IT HAPPENING.
WE HAVE A VALID POSITION, BUT OUR CONTACT TEAM CHAIR HAS ASSIGNED THE COMPROMISE.
AND I WILL HONOR IT THOUGH, BUT MUCH UNHAPPINESS AND MISERY OF THE COMPROMISE ENDED UP IN THE RST AT THE LAST I DID A WAIT A MINUTE OR SEND OUT FIRST IN FORCE HAS BEEN A BRUTAL COMPROMISE.
YOU CAN IMAGINE REGULAR CITIZEN IS NO MATCH FOR PAID CONSULTANTS.
AND ONE WHO WORKED FOR THIS VERY CITY GOVERNMENT.
I LEARNED SUBTLE INTIMIDATION DEVELOPERS, FALL VICTIM.
SO WE DEFEND QUALITY OVER THE EYES.
HELLO, KALISPELL CHAMBER HUT A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, PLEASE.
[03:05:01]
YOU, NOTIFICATION POLICY.SO THAT OPPOSING CITIZENS ARE INFORMED OF IMPORTANT COUNCIL MEETINGS REGARDING THEIR JUST WE'LL KEEP IT.
NOW, I ASK YOU TO BACK YOUR OWN JUDGMENT AND TO THANK THE FOLLOWING FOLKS, GO VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD.
CO-CHAIRS JESSICA AND KENNY, OUR CONTENT
PLEASE RESPECT THE WORK, PUT IN FOLLOWING YOUR PROCESS AND DECIDE IF YOU MUST UPSOLD.
AND IF SO, IF YOU DO DUE DILIGENCE TO RESPECT THE AGREEMENT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
JUST BEFORE WE GET TO YOU, UM,
[64. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 20200812-002 to set the Fiscal Year 2020-21 power supply adjustments, community benefit charges, and regulatory charges for Austin Energy.]
FOR THE CONSENT, UH, PLANNING AND ZONING ITEM, NUMBER 64, AUSTIN ENERGY CHOCOLATES, ALSO A PUBLIC HEARING.UH, WE HAD NO SPEAKERS SIGNUPS.
IF YOU FOUND THAT, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 64? MAYOR PRO TEM MAKES THE MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER POOL SECONDS.
ANY DISCUSSION THOSE IN FAVOR OF ITEM 64, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED IT'S EVERYBODY ON THE DICE, EXCEPT FOR GREG CASAR.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE HERE OR NOT VOTES.
TO UNANIMOUS ON THE DIOCESE AT ITEM 64.
[Zoning Consent Agenda]
US THROUGH CONSENT ON A ZONING? SURE.THIS IS JERRY
UH, WE DO THROUGH THE CONSENT ZONING AGENDA, ITEM 42, THIS CASE C EIGHT 48 14 2018 ZERO ONE 22.
I CAN OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONSENT OR APPROVAL ON SECOND AND THIRD READINGS ITEM 43 IS CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO, ZERO 38.
THIS IS A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO OCTOBER 15TH.
THE APPLICANT IS IN AGREEMENT.
THIS IS THE ITEM ON KEMP THAT THE GENTLEMAN JUST SPOKE OF EARLIER.
ITEM 44 IS A DISCUSSION CASE ITEM 45 IS CASEY 14, 2020, DOUBLE ZERO 31 DOT S H.
I CAN OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONSENT APPROVAL.
ON SECOND AND THIRD READING, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT A PRIVATE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT HAS BEEN SIGNED.
AND UPON PASSAGE OF THIS ITEM BY THE CONSOLE, THE RESTRICTED COVENANT WILL BE RECORDED.
ITEM 46, THIS CASE C I'M SORRY, NPA, 2020 ZERO ZERO ONE 9.01.
I CAN OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONSENT OR APPROVAL.
ON FIRST READING ONLY ITEM 47 IS RELATED CASE C 14, 2020 ZERO ZERO 26.
I CAN ALSO OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL.
ON FIRST READING ONLY ITEM NUMBER 48 IS K C 14 2019 ZERO ONE 61.
I CAN OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS ITEM NUMBER 49 IS
I CAN OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON FIRST READING ONLY ITEM NUMBER 50 IS 14, 2020 ZERO ZERO 55.
I CAN OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONCENTRA APPROVAL ON FIRST READING ONLY AND FI FINALLY TWO RELATED ITEMS ARE A DENIM ITEMS ARE ITEMS 65 CASE NPA 2019 ZERO ZERO ONE 6.01.
I CAN OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT TO PROVE ON ALL THREE RADIANT'S RELATED CASES, ITEM 65, CASEY 14, 2019 ZEROS OR 98.
I CAN OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON THIRD READING.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE ON THESE ARE THE ITEMS THAT THE, UH, THE SHADY LIGHT ENDS.
WE HAD TWO SPEAKERS ON EARLIER.
UM, THERE IS A SIGNED RESTRICTED COVENANT SIGNED BY THE, UM, PLAN CONTACT TEAM.
UH, THE INCORPORATES THE CONDITIONS.
THE REASON THAT WE HAD TO DO SOME THINGS IN A RESTRICTED COVENANT AND OTHERS IN AN ORDINANCE IS BECAUSE THERE ARE LIMITATIONS ON WHAT WE CAN PUT IN THE ORDINANCE.
THUS, THE RESTRICTED COVENANT, THE CASE DOES STILL HAVE A VALID PETITION.
IT PASSED ON FIRST READING AND A VOTE OF LEBANON THE PAST ON THE SECOND READING OF OUT OF 10 TO ZERO WITH CUSTOMER BECAUSE ARE OFF THE DIETS.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER THOSE FOR BOTH FOR CONSENT APPROVAL, 65 AND 66 ON THIRD READING, ONLY ON WHICH READING ONLY THIRD THEY'RE ON THIRD READING.
SO THE CONSENT AGENDA HERE IS ITEMS 42 THROUGH 50, ALSO 65 AND 66 44 HAS PULLED ITEM 44, BUT THAT'S THE ONLY ITEM THAT'S PULLED.
[03:10:01]
IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? THAT WAS A MEMBER READ THE REMIX, THE MOZART COUNTS, BARBARA HARPER.
THAT'S WHERE FLANAGAN ON ITEM 50.
UH, I'M FINE WITH THIS MOVING FORWARD, BUT I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE STAFF HAS DETERMINED THAT CMU IS CONSIDERED LESS INTENSE THAN C H ZONING.
IT DOESN'T REALLY MAKE A LOT OF SENSE IN WHAT WE WERE TOLD BY STAFF IS THAT IT IS JUST THE ORDER ON WHICH THE ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS UP HERE IN THE LIST.
I MEAN, YOU GO INTO THE DETAILS IN MANY WAYS, CS IS MORE INTENSE BECAUSE IT HAS MUCH SALT, SMALLER SETBACKS, A MUCH MORE IMPERVIOUS COVER, MUCH MORE BUILDING COVERAGE.
UM, BUT YET THIS IS WHERE WE GET INTO THAT LEGAL CONFLICT ABOUT WHAT CAN YOU DO BASED ON WHAT IS NOTICED AND WHAT THE APPLICANT PROVIDES VERSUS WHAT WE THEN AMEND TO LATER TO ME, THIS READS LIKE WE'RE DOING A MORE INTENSE ZONING AND SEE EACH BY SPLITTING IT BETWEEN CHPC SMU, BUT THE STAFF HAS APPARENTLY DECIDED IN THE CASE.
SO I'M GOING TO FIND WITH THIS MOVING FORWARD.
CAUSE I PREFER THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.
I JUST WISH WE HAD THIS OPPORTUNITY MORE FREQUENTLY.
AND THEN MAYOR DID IS 65 AND 66 THING ON CONSENT.
WELL ALREADY SEAN, SEAN VOTING.
FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WHATSOEVER.
HARPER MADISON, GIVE ME YOUR DATE.
UM, SO ON ITEM NUMBER 45, I WANTED TO JUST SAY, UM, I APPLAUD AND THANK MS. PETITE, MR. SHARP AND MISS NETHERTON HIS LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY FOR THE STONE GATE NEIGHBORHOOD AND BLAIR WOODS PR UH, PRESERVE AS WELL AS MR. THROWERS AND MS.
I KNOW THESE CONVERSATIONS AREN'T EASY.
UM, SO I TRULY, TRULY APPRECIATE THE EFFORT PUT FORWARD BY ALL PARTIES INVOLVED.
CAN YOU PROVIDE CLARIFICATION ON 45 AND THAT ONE? SURE.
UM, IT'S FOR A CONSENT TO PROVIDE SECOND, THIRD READINGS.
THERE IS A SIGNED RESTRICTED COVENANT.
UH, THE PARTIES HAVE COME TO AN AGREEMENT.
THE ONLY THING I READ INTO THE RECORD WAS THE FACT THAT THE RESTRICTED COVENANT HAS BEEN SIGNED AND THAT IT WILL BE RECORDED AS, UH, PROVIDED THE CASE PASSES CITY COUNCIL.
ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS? LET'S TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA SIGNING, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I THINK WE COULD SEE EVERYBODY.
UH, COLLEAGUES, UH, WE POSTED ONTO THE MESSAGE BOARD, UM, UH, WHERE I THOUGHT WE WERE AS WE CAME BACK FROM LUNCH ALSO WITH LINKS TO AMENDMENTS THAT WE HAD BEEN ABLE TO FIND THAT WAS PUT ON THE MESSAGE BOARD AT, UH, ABOUT 10 TIL TWO.
UM, I'M PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO POOLS.
NUMBER TWO ON, UH, PULL NUMBER ONE ON A ITEM 52, AND THAT WAS POSTED ABOUT TWO O'CLOCK AND THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN CIRCULATED AS WELL.
UH, AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE DAY AND HANDLE THINGS, I'VE ASKED MY OFFICE TO UPDATE THAT MESSAGE BOARD POSTING, UH, UH, SO THAT YOU CAN SEE AT LEAST WHAT I'M SHOWING WE'VE TAKEN CARE OF, WHAT STILL, UH, UH, OUTSTANDING COLLEAGUES LET'S CONTINUE THEN WITH THE, UH, UH, PULLED ITEMS THAT WE HAD, UH, WE HAD PULLED EIGHT AND PASSED IT.
I THINK THAT GETS US TO, UM, ITEM NUMBER 11, I THINK RELATES TO ITEM NUMBER 40.
WE READY TO DO THAT WHEN YOU, OR SHOULD I SKIP THAT AND COME BACK TO THAT ONE, JUST TO BE CLEAR, MAYOR, WE PULLED IT AND POSTPONED IT FULL DAY.
WE PULLED EIGHT AND POSTPONED.
AS I SAID, PASS THAT'S CORRECT.
UH, LET'S HOLD OFF ON 11 AND 40.
[12. Ratify a contract amendment with the Better Business Bureau to administer a total of $25,890,750 in emergency funds through the Austin Small Business Relief Grant, the Austin Non-Profit Relief Grant, and the Austin Creative Worker Relief Grant programs to small businesses, non-profits, and creative workers in need of relief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an option to amend and extend the term and administrative fee should additional grant funds become available to administer.]
ITEM NUMBER 12, COUNCIL MEMBER TELEPHONE.YOU KNOW, WE COULD TAKE THAT UP.
I ALSO JUST WANT TO NOTE, I DID CIRCULATE OR KATIE POWERS JUST CIRCULATED MY AMENDMENT, WHICH IS REALLY DIRECTION FOR ITEM 57.
IF YOU'D LIKE, WE CAN TAKE THAT ONE UP FIRST.
WE'LL COME BACK TO YOUR SO ON ITEM NUMBER 12.
YOU'RE OKAY WITH THAT MOVING FORWARD.
THAT'S A LITTLE BIT LENGTHIER.
UM, LET'S GO AHEAD AND DO THAT.
WE HAVE TO HAVE LET'S WE'RE NOW AT THE PLACE NOW WHERE WE'RE JUST TAKING THINGS.
[03:15:01]
HAVE TIME LET'S, LET'S TAKE THE THINGS UP AS WE GO.UM, HAVE YOU CIRCULATED THE AMENDMENT LANGUAGE AND I DON'T REMEMBER 40, YOU SAID THAT'S BEEN SENT AROUND SO 57, WHICH IS THE CAREGIVER ITEM HAS BEEN SENT AROUND AND LIKELY AS, ALSO ON THE MESSAGE BOARD BY NOW ITEM 40, WE'LL BE THERE SOON.
AND I AM WORKING TOWARD ITEM 52.
THOSE MY AMENDMENTS WILL SOON BE CIRCULATING.
SO WE DON'T, THE AMENDMENTS WERE 40, NOT QUITE READY YET.
SO I'M GOING TO HOLD OFF ON 1140 SO THAT THOSE AMENDMENTS GET A CHANCE TO GET CIRCULATED.
IT'S JUST ONE SIMPLE ONE ON 40, BUT, BUT IF PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT, IT'LL IT'LL HIT YOUR BOXING.
UM, SO THAT GETS US THEN TO ITEM NUMBER 12, BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.
IS THAT ONE READY TO, FOR US TO CONSIDER? SURE.
I HAVE SOME INFORMATION FROM STAFF.
I WAS HOPING TO FIND ANOTHER 400 EMAILS IN MY BOX, UM, BECAUSE IT CAME IN DURING THE COURSE OF THIS MEETING.
SO I MAY APOLOGY STAFF, IF YOU ARE, I'M ASKING YOU TO ANSWER SOME, SOME QUESTIONS THAT YOU'VE ALREADY PROVIDED INFORMATION TO MY STAFF ABOUT THAT'S OKAY.
SO I, UM, FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR, FOR, UM, ASKING OUR STAFF TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCESSES THAT, THAT REVIEWS TO EVALUATE APPLICATIONS AND THE ACTUAL LIST OF APPLICANTS.
UM, AND WHAT I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, IN LOOKING AT THAT LIST LAST NIGHT, I, I JUST HAVE TO EXPRESS MY SURPRISE AT A COUPLE OF THINGS.
UM, AND SOME OF THE LIKELY REQUIRE, UM, AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ABOUT IT.
SO I, WHAT I THINK I WANT TO START WITH IS, IS ASKING OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF ABOUT WHO SET THE CRITERIA.
I ASSUME, I ASSUME OUR STAFF DID AND NOT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, BUT THERE ARE A COUPLE OF, THERE ARE A RANGE OF THINGS I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT.
ONE IS IT'S NOT CLEAR IN LOOKING THROUGH AND LOOKING THROUGH THE LIST OF, UM, RICK GRANT RECIPIENTS.
I'M NOTICING, I'M NOTICING THAT, UM, WITHIN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES THERE'S A WIDE DIFFERENCE AMONG WHAT PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING.
FOR EXAMPLE, UM, NAIL SALONS, ONE RECEIVED $55, ONE RECEIVED 9,000, ANOTHER ONE RECEIVED 40,000.
AND THAT HAPPENED WITHIN ALL KINDS OF INDUSTRIES.
AND I ASSUME SOME OF, YOU KNOW, SOME OF IT HAD TO DO WITH WHAT EXPENSES THAT PARTICULAR BUSINESS WAS FACING.
UM, BUT OTHERS ARE JUST MORE PUZZLING.
AND, AND AGAIN, I SAW THAT HAPPEN ACROSS INDUSTRIES.
THERE ARE TWO REALLY WONDERFUL CHINESE DANCE, UM, CON STUDIOS IN AUSTIN.
I'M FAMILIAR WITH BOTH OF THEM AND THE NATURE OF FULL DISCLOSURE.
MY CHILDREN HAVE ATTENDED ONE AND CONTINUE TO DO SO.
ONE OF THEM ONE RECEIVED $35 IN AN AWARD, THE OTHER RECEIVED 8,500.
SO I, AGAIN, I SAW THAT HAPPENING IN MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES AND I, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOME OF THOSE DIFFERENCES HAPPENED.
UM, SO I WONDER IF WE COULD GET SOME FEEDBACK ON THAT.
I GUESS I WAS ALSO PRETTY SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF AWARDS UNDER A HUNDRED DOLLARS UNDER A THOUSAND DOLLARS.
I'M NOT SURE, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS, WHAT THE ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS ARE FOR THOSE BUSINESSES OR FOR OUR BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, UM, WHETHER, WHETHER IT'S EVEN COST AND TIME EFFECTIVE FOR EITHER PARTY TO BE RECEIVING OR GRANTING WORDS ABOUT THEIR A HUNDRED DOLLARS, ANOTHER QUESTION.
AND THEN THERE ARE A FEW THAT I JUST NEED TO REALLY GET CLARIFICATION ON WHETHER OUR CITY ADOPTED POLICIES HAD ANY ROLE IN HELPING SHAPE SOME OF THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
UM, THERE IS AT LEAST FOR EXAMPLE, ONE CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER WHO RECEIVED AN AWARD OF, I THINK ABOUT $31,000.
WE GAVE A PRETTY LARGE SIZE OF WORK TO A DOG BREEDER AT A TIME WHERE WE'RE TRYING HARD AND PUTTING LOTS OF CITY INVESTMENT INTO OUR ANIMAL CENTER AND OUR ANIMAL CENTER PARTNERS.
UM, SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS.
UM, I HAVE, IF WE COULD PLEASE GET A SENSE OF
[03:20:02]
REAL CLARITY ON WHO SET THE ELIGIBILITY ABILITY CRITERIA, WHY SOME OF WORDS WITHIN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES ARE JUST REALLY DISPARATE IN TERMS OF SCALE.I MEAN, REALLY DISPARATE, YOU KNOW, RANGING FROM 40,000 AND THEN OTHERS UNDER A HUNDRED DOLLARS.
UM, AND THEN IF YOU COULD HELP US UNDERSTAND, I THINK WHAT WE'LL NEED TO DO IS, UM, AND THEN I PROBABLY HAVE SOME LEGAL FRESHMANS THAT ARE, ARE NOT, ARE NOT ONES I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO IN OPEN SESSION COUNCIL MEMBERS, BRIAN COOPER, SANYO CHIEF ECONOMIC RECOVERY OFFICER, HAPPY TO, UM, ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, COUNCILMAN BUTOVO.
UM, SO FIRST OF ALL, IN TERMS OF THE, UH, EXPENSES AND THE VARIATION OF EXPENSE AMOUNTS, UM, IT PURELY DEPENDENT ON THE RECEIPTS AND THE EXPENSES THAT THE APPLICANT PROVIDED AS A PART OF THEIR APPLICATION.
SO IT WAS A REIMBURSEMENT, UM, PROCESS, AND IT DEPENDS ON THE AMOUNT OF, OF ASK THEY HAD FOR ELIGIBLE REIMBURSEMENTS.
THERE WERE SOME THAT WERE SMALLER AMOUNTS AND, UM, THE REASON BEHIND MOST OF THOSE IS BECAUSE IF YOU RECALL, THIS ALSO INCLUDED A PPP, A PPE PROGRAM.
SO SOME BUSINESSES OPTED TO ASK FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF SMALLER PPB EXPENSES.
SO THOSE WERE THE REIMBURSEMENTS THERE, THE ELIGIBLE, COULD WE PAUSE THERE FOR JUST A SEC? I JUST WANT TO BE SURE I'M UNDERSTANDING YOUR ANSWER.
UM, AND I WONDERED IF THEY WERE REIMBURSEMENTS, BUT I'M WONDERING HOW MANY BUSINESSES WOULD HAVE TAKEN TIME TO ACTUALLY SUBMIT AN APPLICATION WITH REIMBURSEMENTS FOR AMOUNTS UNDER A HUNDRED.
AND IT, AND IT, THERE WERE A FAIR NUMBER OF, OF, YOU KNOW, SUPER SMALL GRANT AWARDS.
UM, AND, AND UNDER, YOU KNOW, I'M CONSIDERING SOME OF THOSE UNDER A THOUSAND IS PRETTY, SUPER, SUPER SMALL GRANT AWARDS TOO, JUST BECAUSE THOSE USUALLY FALL INTO LIKE A VERY MINI GRANT KIND OF SOLUTION, BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE MULTIPLE UNDER A HUNDRED DOLLARS AND, AND I'VE A LARGER GROUP UNDER A THOUSAND WHERE THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAY HAVE SUBMITTED RECEIPTS THAT WERE NOT ELIGIBLE.
AND IF SO, DID THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND SUBMIT ADDITIONAL EXPENSES? SURE.
SO THE, UM, THE TPE WAS A DIFFERENT PURPOSE, A SEPARATE PROGRAM.
IF YOU RECALL, WE HAD A FUND ALLOCATED FOR BUSINESS RELIEF GRANTS AND THEN A FUND ALLOCATED FOR PPE.
SO IT COULD HAVE BEEN THAT A BUSINESS APPLIED FOR BOTH.
HOWEVER, AS YOU KNOW, THE, THE BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT SIDE, SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT WAS OVERSUBSCRIBED VERY QUICKLY.
SO THEY MAY NOT HAVE RECEIVED FUNDS THROUGH THAT APPLICATION PROCESS, UM, BUT WERE FOR THOSE EXPENSES THAT WERE A PART OF THE PPE PROGRAM, WE'RE ABLE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THOSE.
UM, BUT CERTAINLY CAN UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN AND THE, AND THE QUESTIONS THERE ARE CERTAINLY IS ONE THAT WE HAD AS WELL.
I KNEW YOU HAD SOME ADDITIONAL LINES.
SO WE ACTUALLY, AND JUST ALONG THOSE LINES OF BEING MOVED BY STAFF, WE, UH, OF NOTE, WE HAD SOME PPE FUNDS REMAINING.
WE REALLY HAD A, UM, THAT PARTICULAR FUND WASN'T AS HEAVILY SUBSCRIBED AS THE BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM.
SO THE BBB REALLY WORKED REALLY HARD TO TRY TO, TO, UH, REIMBURSE BUSINESSES AS THEY SUBMITTED RECEIPTS OF FOUR ITEMS THAT WERE CONSIDERED PPB.
UM, AND THE, THE NECK, THE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAD WERE IN REGARDS TO THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, UH, WE DID ESTABLISH THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO BE CLEAR THAT IT WAS A CITY THAT ESTABLISHED THAT CRITERIA.
WE WORKED WITH BOTH COUNSEL PANELS.
I BELIEVE THESE, FOR THESE PARTICULAR PROGRAMS, IT WAS THE COUNCIL ECONOMIC RECOVERY PANEL.
UM, AT THAT TIME WE WERE MEETING WEEKLY AND WE WERE UPDATING THE PANEL ON WHAT WE WERE, HOW WE WERE GOING TO APPROACH THAT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, BUT WE REALLY TRIED TO KEEP IT WITHIN THE RESOLUTION THAT COUNCIL PASSED IN REGARDS TO THESE RELIEF PROGRAMS. THANK YOU.
HOW DOES IT, UM, I HAVE TO REMAIN.
AND SO FOR, FOR SOME, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE OTHER THING IS LOOKING AT AND LOOKING AT THE LIST IS THAT THERE WERE SOME PRETTY LARGE SIZED AWARDS FOR BUSINESSES THAT, YOU KNOW, JUST WITHOUT, WITHOUT KNOWING SOME OF THEM REALLY CLOSELY WOULD SEEM TO BE MORE EASILY ABLE TO CONVERT, TO WORK, WORK FROM HOME SOLUTIONS, GOOD NUMBER OF LAW FIRMS, FOR EXAMPLE.
UM, AND THEY SEEM TO BE GETTING, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE LARGER GRANTS AND THEN SOME, SOME BUSINESSES THAT, THAT I KNOW HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, UM, GOT SMALLER GRANTS.
SO CAN YOU, CAN YOU HELP US, CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT SOME OF THE FACTORS WERE IN LEADING TO THOSE, UM, IMPACTS? SURE.
SO WE HAVE ALSO LOOKED INTO, UM, THAT CONCERN
[03:25:01]
AS WELL.UM, AND I CAN CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE, THE THOUGHT THAT A LAW FIRM IS AS A TYPE OF BUSINESS THAT COULD WORK FROM HOME.
UM, INTERESTINGLY, A LOT OF LAW FIRMS ARE THOUGH ARE TAKING A BIG HIT DURING THE PANDEMIC AND DURING A RECESSION IN GENERAL, UM, BECAUSE OFTEN, UH, A LOT OF SERVICES, IF A BUSINESS OR AN INDIVIDUAL IS LOOKING AT LEGAL SERVICES, THAT'S SOMETHING THEY MAY NOT PRIORITIZE IF THEY THEMSELVES ARE HURTING FINANCIALLY.
UM, THAT'S A GENERAL RESPONSE.
WE HAVE LOOKED AT A COUPLE OF SPECIFIC SITUATIONS, UH, ONE FIRM THAT RECEIVED FUNDING FUNDING FROM US AS AN IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM.
AND, UM, WHEN WORKING WITH THEIR CLIENTELE, UM, IT'S USUALLY ON A FACE TO FACE BASIS AND THAT'S SOMETHING THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO AND DEPENDS ON IT.
SO THEY ACTUALLY FURLOUGHED, UH, SEVERAL EMPLOYEES AND WERE SEEKING THIS ASSISTANCE TO ASSIST WITH THE, WITH THE EMPLOYEES THAT THEY'VE HAD TO TEMPORARILY LAY OFF.
AND THEN I DID SEE, UM, SOME GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ACTUALLY HELPING TO RAISE MONEY FOR CITY FACILITIES.
SO I ASSUMED THAT THAT WAS THAT SOME OF OUR FRIENDS GROUP OR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN SOME OF OUR CITY FACILITIES WERE ALSO DECLARED TO BE ELIGIBLE.
SO WE LOOKED AT, UM, WE LOOKED VERY CLOSELY AT THE NONPROFIT, UH, GUIDELINES IN PARTICULAR.
UM, AND WE SAW, UM, MANY WAYS TO LOOK AT WHAT NONPROFITS THAT WOULD BE ELIGIBLE OR NOT ELIGIBLE.
UH, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS ON THAT AND THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS PASSED BY COUNCIL, UM, WE LOOKED AT THE ENTITY THAT WAS APPLYING AND, AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE A NONPROFIT AND WHERE THOSE SERVICES WERE PROVIDED, WHERE THEY WERE LOCATED, WHERE THEIR EMPLOYEES WERE LOCATED AND SO FORTH.
AND I SHOULD ADD, WE ALSO THAT PARTICULAR BUCKET, THAT PARTICULAR FUND, IF YOU RECALL, WE ALSO HAD THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF FOCUS, UM, BASED ON, UM, DIFFERENT, UM, DIFFERENT AREAS, ARTS, UM, ENVIRONMENT AND SO FORTH.
UH, AND AS A REMINDER, WE CURRENTLY HAVE ROUND TWO OF THE NONPROFIT FUND OPEN.
SO IF ANYBODY IS A NONPROFIT, A PART OF A NONPROFIT AND LISTENING TO THIS, WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO LOOK@ATXRECOVERS.COM.
CAUSE WE DO HAVE THE REMAINING FUNDS FOR THE NONPROFIT FUND ON THE STREET RIGHT NOW.
AND THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THE NONPROFIT FUNDS THAT ARE REMAINING.
IF, IF AN ORGANIZATION APPLIED IN THE LAST ROUND AND DID RECEIVE A SMALLER AWARD, ARE THEY ELIGIBLE TO REAPPLY? I BELIEVE AS LONG AS THE EXPENSES, AGAIN, WE'RE VERY, WE'RE EXPENSIVE BASED.
SO AS LONG AS THE EXPENSES ARE NOT DUPLICATED, THAT IS THAT RIGHT.
AND I, I KNOW I HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM YOU.
UM, SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE TIME THAT WAS SPENT WITH MY STAFF AND THE TIME HERE TODAY.
RIGHT GUYS, WE'RE OUR KITCHEN.
UM, I JUST HAVE A QUESTION JUST SO I CAN, UH, CLARIFY AND THAT RELATES TO, UH, WE'RE RATIFYING A CONTRACT.
AND, UM, I HAVE A QUESTION RELATED TO THE, UM, THE MAIL THAT WAS PAID FOR THE SERVICES THAT WERE PROVIDED UNDER THIS CONTRACT.
SO I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WAS, IT WAS A PERCENTAGE, AM I CORRECT WITH THAT? THAT IS CORRECT.
AND SO THAT AMOUNT, WHAT WAS THE AMOUNT? OKAY.
WHAT WAS THE AMOUNT AND THE PERCENTAGE? NO PROBLEM.
SO THERE'LL BE A WHOLE RAMP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR THE AUSTIN.
SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT WAS $869,250, WHICH IS 5%.
THE NONPROFIT REALLY RANT WAS 307,500, WHICH IS 5% AUSTIN CREATIVE WORKER RELIEF GRANT WAS 157,500, 4.5%.
AND DOES RA GROW THOSE ALL TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU? THAT IS CORRECT COUNSEL NUMBER.
IF I COULD, IF I COULD ADD TO THAT YOU RECEIVED A Q AND A, AND THE BACKUP THAT TALKED ABOUT OUR PROCESS FOR IDENTIFYING THE BBB AS THE ADMINISTRATOR.
I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT EVERYBODY WE INTERVIEWED THAT WAS THE LOWEST ADMINISTRATIVE FEE, THE OTHER, UM, THIRD PARTIES THAT WE TALKED TO A FEE OF 10%.
UM, WITH A PERCENTAGE, UH, GIVEN THE NEEDS, AND I DON'T HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW, UH, THE LEVEL OF WORK THAT WAS REQUIRED, THAT WOULD, UM, THAT WOULD MAKE THAT LEVEL OF PAY APPROPRIATE.
SO, UH, WERE THOSE WERE THE, THESE LAST QUESTION.
[03:30:01]
RIGHT WHERE THEY ADMINISTERED SEPARATELY OR WAS THERE SYNERGIES AMONGST HOW THEY WERE ADMINISTERED? SO THE SMALL BUSINESS GRANT AND THE NONPROFIT GRANT IS ADMINISTER AROUND THE SAME TIME AND THEN CAME BACK AND LATER, UM, ADMINISTERED THEIR CREATIVE RELIEF RENT.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM 12 MARY, IF I COULD CLARIFY SOMETHING, I SAID EARLIER, HAVE A BEEN NOTICED BY STAFF, BUT IF YOU ARE A THAT RECEIVED A GRANT IN THE FIRST ROUND, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A GRANT IN THIS SECOND ROUND.
WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE APPLY FUNDS TO AS MANY NONPROFITS AS POSSIBLE.
I NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 12.
COUNCIL MARK FLANAGAN MAKES THE MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THE MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER, RENTERIA SECRETARY FOR THE DISCUSSION, THOSE IN FAVOR OF PATROL, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED ANYBODY ABSTAINING KITCHEN ABSTAINS.
ITEM NUMBER 12 AT CHASM, OUR POOL WHERE YOU I'M ABSTAINING KITCHEN AND PULL UP STAYING THE OTHERS VOTING.
I DON'T REMEMBER 12 PASSES MAYOR ADLER.
I VOTED, BUT I DIDN'T RAISE MY HAND.
I DIDN'T CLICK OVER IN TIME TO RAISE MY HANDS.
SO JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT FOR THE RECORD.
IN CASE THERE WAS ANY CONFUSION.
COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO YOU'RE MUTED.
I THINK IN LIGHT OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WE HAD HERE TODAY, AND SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION I WOULD LIKE TO TALK MAYBE WITHIN OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ABOUT POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE CRITERIA.
I THINK THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I WOULD PROPOSE WE CONSIDER INCLUDING, YOU KNOW, IF A NONPROFIT APPLIED AND GOT $50 THAT THEY MAYBE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO REAPPLY.
UM, AND THERE ARE POTENTIALLY SOME OTHER, UM, SOME OTHER CRITERIA I MIGHT INTRODUCE AFTER MY CONVERSATIONS WITH LAW TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT, UM, THE BUSINESSES WE'RE SUPPORTING ARE REFLECTIVE OF SOME OF THE POLICY.
UH, THE PHOTO THAT WAS NINE ZERO TWO HAD PASSED A COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.
I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE A COUPLE OF THINGS, BUT I SAID ON TUESDAY WITH REGARD TO, UM, HAVING LOCAL ENTITIES BE, UM, UP AND RUNNING TO ADMINISTER THESE KINDS OF FUNDS WOULD BE GREAT IF WE HAD, UM, MORE EFFECTIVE, UM, OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOLKS LIKE HAN AND THEN SOME OF THE OTHER GROUPS.
UM, AND SO IN FACT, I WAS TALKING WITH RENI WITH, UM, HIM, UH, WE HAD A LONG CONVERSATION YESTERDAY, AND SO I PROMISED HER THAT, UM, I WOULD WORK WITH HER AND PUBLIC HEALTH TO SEE IF THERE ARE SOME WAYS THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN CAN BOOST THE WORK THAT HAM IS DOING WITH HER HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR MUSICIANS.
UM, SHE DOES FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE THE POTENTIAL AND SCALABILITY TO HANDLE ADDITIONAL KINDS OF DISTRIBUTIONS.
AND SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR CITY STAFF, WITH VERONICA DIRECTOR,
ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES, NEXT ITEM WE'RE GOING TO GO TO HERE
[44. C14-2020-0057 - One Way Out - Conduct a public hearing and approve an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 by rezoning property locally known 5601 Nixon Lane (Walnut Creek Watershed). Applicant Request: To rezone from community commercial-conditional overlay (GR-CO) combining district zoning to community commercial-mixed use (GR-MU) combining district zoning. Staff Recommendation: To grant community commercial-mixed use (GR-MU) combining district zoning. Zoning and Platting Commission Recommendation To grant community commercial-mixed use-conditional overlay (GR-MU-CO) combining district zoning. Owner/ Applicant: Gyro Plus LLC (Mohammad Arami). City Staff: Heather Chaffin, 512-974-2122.]
IS GOING TO BE THE ZONING MATTER 44.IT'S MY INTENT AFTER THAT TO CALL 11 AND 40, UH, AFTER THAT, UH, WE JUST HAVE THE, UH, UH, SAVES AND RELIEF, UH, ITEMS AND WE'LL TAKE THEM IN ORDER OF 52, 53, 55 AND 57.
SO AGAIN, TAKING CARE OF 44 AND 1,140 AND THEN 55 AND 57.
SO LET'S TALK ABOUT 44, JERRY.
UH, I AM 44 IS K C 14, 2020 ZERO ZERO 57.
THE CASE IS CALLED ONE WAY OUT.
THE EXISTING ZONING IS G R A I'M SORRY.
THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 56 OH ONE.
NIXON LANE IS ABOUT 4.7 ACRE PIECE OF PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF NIXON LANE AND FM NINE 69.
UH, THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION WAS TO GRANT A G RMU.
THE APPLICANT IS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
HOWEVER, THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED GRM UCO WITH A CONDITION TO PROHIBIT SERVICE STATION.
I BELIEVE THAT THE APPLICANT SHOULD BE ON THE LINE TO STATE HIS OPPOSITION TO THAT SINGLE CEO PROHIBITING SERVICE STATION, BUT WITH THAT, I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON.
[03:35:03]
SO ON THIS SIDE, UM, UM, MY QUESTIONS INCLUDES THE SERVICE STATIONS ARE CURRENTLY AND ALLOWED YOU SEE ON THE SITE AND THE NEIGHBORING LIGHT INDUSTRIAL SITES, CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.AND IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THE PROPOSED NEW LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE WOULD HAVE PERMITTED SERVICE STATIONS AS WELL.
SERVICE STATIONS ARE PERMITTED IN GR AND I BELIEVE THEY'RE PERMITTED THE EQUIVALENT IN THE NEW CODE.
UM, IN WHICH CASE I HAVE TO ADMIT, PERMITTING AS SERVICE STATION ON PROPERTIES LOCATED IN THE FLOOD.
UM, BUT WHEN THOSE POTENTIAL ISSUES BE ADDRESSED THROUGH OUR ENVIRONMENTAL AND SITE PLAN REVIEW PROCESS, YES, THERE WOULD BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AT THE TIME OF SITE PLANNING, INCLUDING REVIEW BY THE UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK, A DIVISION OF WATERSHED PROTECTION.
IN WHICH CASE WE CERTAINLY DON'T NEED ANOTHER SERVICE STATION IN THIS LOCATION.
AND THE APPLICANT SAID HE HAS NO INTENTION OF BUILDING A SERVICE STATION, BUT ZONING IN MY MIND'S EYE IS REALLY ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE.
SO, SO OFTEN IN THESE CASES, WE GET WRAPPED UP IN WHAT AN APPLICANT INTENDS TO DO WITH A PARTICULAR PROPERTY.
BUT I THINK WHAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT IS WHETHER THE ZONING IS APPLICABLE TO THAT PROPERTY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE CODE, UM, AS A WHOLE, AND WE HAVE OTHER PROCESSES IN PLACE, AS YOU JUST CONFIRMED TO REALLY ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT ADHERES TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.
AND IF ALL THE SURROUNDING PROPERTIES HAVE SERVICE STATIONS AS A PERMITTED USE, UM, EVEN PROPERTIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN THE FLOOD PLAIN, I REALLY FAIL TO SEE WHY WE SHOULD SINGLE OUT 56 OH ONE NIXON AND PROHIBIT THAT USE.
AND WITH THAT, I'D ACTUALLY LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION ON FIRST READING.
THAT WAS A WALKING MOTION ON THAT ONE.
DOES ANYONE WANT TO ADDRESS THIS BEFORE? I RECOGNIZE THAT'S A MEMBER HARPER, MADISON FOR HER VOTE
I JUST HAVE A QUESTION FOR STAFF.
SO, UM, I KNOW YOU SAID THIS BEFORE, BUT THE, UM, THIS, UM, LIMITATION WAS, UM, SUGGESTED, UM, REMIND ME WHO SUGGESTED IT, IT WAS, IT CAME FROM THE COMMISSION, RIGHT? YES.
THE, THE REQUEST FOR SOME GRC O G RMU, THE STAFF RECOMMENDED G RMU, THE COMMISSIONER RECOMMENDED G RMU WITH THE ADDITION OF THE SERVICE STATION HAS PROHIBITED USE.
SO WERE THERE, UH, WERE THERE, UM, WAS THAT SOMETHING THAT, THAT, UM, THEY INITIATED THEMSELVES OR WAS THERE A REQUEST MADE TO THEM, UH, TO CONSIDER THAT, UH, COMMISSIONER? I DON'T KNOW.
I'D HAVE TO GO BACK AND WATCH THE SORRY, COUNCIL MEMBER.
I HAVE TO GO BACK AND WATCH THE, UH, THE ZAP TAPE.
I JUST KNOW IT WAS A PART OF THE, IT WAS THEIR PROMOTION FOR RECOMMENDATION.
I'M JUST WONDERING IF THERE WERE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND THERE THAT I'M NOT AS FAMILIAR WITH AREA COUNCILMEMBER HARPER, MADISON COULD SPEAK TO THAT.
I'M JUST WONDERING, I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT THE REASON WAS FOR THE INITIATION OF THAT KIND OF A LIMITATION.
I'M GOING TO LET THE APPLICANT OF THE APPLICANTS ON THE LINE SPEAK, AND THEN IT'LL COME BACK TO US.
IS HE APPLICANT WITH US? IS IT CLERK WITH US BURNER MAYOR? THIS IS JEANETTE.
WE'RE LOOKING TO SEE IF THE APPLICANT, OKAY.
IF I COULD, I DO HAVE AN ANSWER TO COUNCIL MEMBER.
KITCHEN'S QUESTION REAL QUICK WHILE WE'RE WAITING.
UM, IT WAS ACTUALLY A COMFORTABLE KITCHEN.
IT WAS AT THE REQUEST OF A CITIZEN WHO SPOKES AND THERE'LL BE A JOSEPH.
REMEMBER HOW MAD DID YOU WANT TO MAKE YOUR, AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK TO THE WHILE WE'RE WAITING.
THAT'S WHERE MY HARPER MATTERS.
UM, UH, SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION ON FIRST READING.
NUMBER 44, B FIRST READING STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION, WHICH EFFECTIVELY TAKES OUT THE CEO.
[03:40:01]
I CAN'T REMEMBER.HOW ARE WE DOING WITH THE APPLICANT MAYOR? WE DON'T HAVE THE APPLICANT ONLINE.
UM, HE'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THIS ITEM WITHOUT THE CEO STAFF RECOMMENDATION, UH, DISCUSSION COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER JERRY, CAN YOU SPEAK TO, UM, THE NEIGHBORS AND HOW THEY'VE WAITED ON THIS CASE? A CUSTOMER I'D HAVE TO, OBVIOUSLY NOBODY SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TODAY.
UM, I WOULD HAVE TO, IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU, IF IT DOES PASS ON FIRST READING, I WILL GO AND REWATCH THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION TAPE AND SEE IF ANYBODY SPOKE.
I JUST HAVE THE, UH, ALL I HAVE IN FRONT OF ME IS WHAT THE COMMISSIONER VOTE WAS.
SO BESIDES THE ONE PERSON WHO, UM, CONTACTED, UM, STAFFER OR WENT TO PC, HAVE ANY OTHER NEIGHBORS REGISTERED CONCERNS AT YOUR HOME? NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF, THERE IS NOT ANY, UM, OTHER LETTERS.
WE DO HAVE LETTERS FROM A ZENOBIA JOSEPH IN THE BACKUP, BUT SHE IS THE ONLY PERSON I SEE.
I'M JUST TRYING TO, WE'VE HAD A, WE HAVE A LOT OF, A LOT OF CASES IN SIMILAR AREAS AND I'M JUST TRYING TO KEEP THEM STRAIGHT.
THERE'S BEEN A MOTION AND A SECOND DONE ON THIS ITEM.
I, I THINK I, I, I, THIS IS MAYBE FOR COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON.
I THINK I'M UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU'RE FEELING LIKE THERE ARE ENOUGH OTHER CONTROLS IN PLACE THAT WOULD ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS RELATED TO THE FLOODING.
IS THAT WHAT I HEARD YOU SAY? CORRECT.
AND, AND FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH THIS YO DOESN'T ADDRESS FLOODING NECESSARILY.
IT'S A, UM, IN MY MIND, IS I SORT OF ARBITRARY GIVEN THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES, DON'T HAVE, UH, THE SAME CEO.
UM, I CAN SUPPORT THIS ON FIRST READING.
UM, I MAY WANT TO DO A LITTLE MORE, AND WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT BETTER, THE REASONING BEHIND THE, UM, THE THEO REQUEST IN THE FIRST PLACE, BUT I CAN SUPPORT THIS ON FIRST READING.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, UM, UM, ON THIS ITEM, SEEING NONE, LET'S TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE HARPER MADISON MOTION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED TO UNANIMOUS ON THE DIOCESE.
I THINK THAT GETS US TO, UH, ITEM NUMBER 11 IN ITEM NUMBER 40.
UM, THIS IS A CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION.
[11. Approve a resolution initiating code amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to establish a contractor registration program for building and demolition permitting.]
11.I THINK I CUT YOU OFF BEFORE YOU WANT TO MAKE THAT MOTION WITH AN INCLUDED AMENDMENT.
I WILL MOVE PASSAGE OF 11, UM, WITH THE AMENDMENT THAT I HAVE OFFERED.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? THAT'S A MATTER OF FLAT AGAINST SECONDS.
THE MOTION DISCUSSION ON ITEM NUMBER 11.
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO LAY IT OUT? WELL, LET'S SEE IF ANYBODY OBJECTS TO IT.
I WASN'T NECESSARILY OBJECTING TO IT, BUT I THINK IT'S HELPFUL TO THE PUBLIC TO KNOW WHAT THE AMENDMENT IS.
SO I APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS HAS OFFERED TO DO THAT.
UM, THIS AMENDMENT TO ITEM 11 IS INTENDED TO ENSURE AS THE CITY DEVELOPS A CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION PROGRAM, WE'RE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW THAT PROGRAM WORKS TO ENSURE IT DOES NOT WORK AGAINST OUR COMMUNITY'S AFFORDABILITY AND EQUITY PRIORITIES.
WHILE ALSO PROTECTING RESIDENT AND NEIGHBOR HEALTH AND SAFETY.
WE WANT TO BE CONSCIENTIOUS OF THE CITY'S DEVELOPMENT AND PERMITTING PROCESSES THAT ARE ALREADY COMPLEX AND CAN BE FILLED WITH UNEXPECTED DELAYS THAT RAISE THE COST OF DEVELOPMENT, WHICH MEANS HIGHER RENTS AND HIGHER HOME PRICES.
UH, WITH THIS LARGER CONTEXT IN MIND, WE SEEK TO MAKE A POTENTIAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION PROGRAM AS TARGETED AS POSSIBLE TO ADDRESS THE ORIGINAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS AND MINIMIZE ITS IMPACT ON AFFORDABILITY AND EQUITY.
AND TO WALK THROUGH QUICKLY THE PROVISIONS THAT ARE IN IT AND ASK THE CITY MANAGER TO ENSURE THE REGISTRATION PROGRAM DOES NOT DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT SMALL WOMEN OWNED AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES AND SUB POINT C
[03:45:01]
IT SUGGEST STAFF CONSIDER INCENTIVES OR PROCESS ADVANTAGES FOR CONTRACTORS WHO REMAIN IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE REGISTRATION PROGRAM OVER TIME IN SUB POINT D IT ALSO ASKS THE CITY MANAGER TO HOLISTICALLY CONSIDER WHO OR WHAT KINDS OF WORK MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE TO BE EXEMPTED FROM REGISTRATION.AGAIN, WITH A FOCUS ON EQUITY AND AFFORDABILITY, ALONG WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS IN SUB POINTS, E AND F AND AFTER THE POINTS OF CONSIDERATION, THE AMENDMENT FORMERLY CALLS FOR CONTINUED STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, INCLUDING COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE REGISTRATION PROGRAM.
AND LASTLY, IT ADDS DIRECTION FOR STAFF TO BRING THE PROPOSED PROGRAM TO THE HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR A CHECK IN DISCUSSION BEFORE BRINGING FINAL AMENDMENTS TO COUNCIL LATER NEXT YEAR WITH PROVIDES GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM AND MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INPUT.
AND IT'S NOW BEEN LAID ON COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.
I'D BE HAPPY TO SECOND THAT, UM, UH, ITEM THAT WHEN THE COUNCIL MEMBER MAKES A QUESTION IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED ALREADY THERE.
OH, WHO WAS THE SECOND BEFORE SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR.
I JUST WANTED TO HEAR IF STAFF HAD ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT THAT THEY THINK WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEFORE MANAGERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY STAFF MEMBER? WE DO HAVE DENISE LUCAS, OUR DIRECTOR AND BETH CULVER ON THE LINE.
UM, UM, WE DO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION POINTS I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE IDENTIFIED IN PROPOSED RESOLUTION.
WOULD YOU SAY THAT AGAIN, PLEASE? YES.
UM, THIS ISN'T DIRECTLY WITH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ON THE LINE WITH US WHO WILL SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE YEAR.
UM, SO OUR GOAL WITH THE RESOLUTION WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT CUSTOMERS UNDERSTAND AND COMPLY WITH OUR CODE PROGRAM THAT WE ARE PROPOSING WAS REQUESTED BY A STAKEHOLDER, INCLUDING OUR CITIZENS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, CONTRACTORS, TO CREATE A CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION AS A WAY THAT WE COULD HOLD THESE GROUPS ACCOUNTABLE FOR CREATING VIOLATIONS THAT ARE GREATER THAN THE NORMAL DEFICIENCIES OCCURRING DURING THE COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION.
SO WE UNDERSTAND THOUGH THAT THROUGH STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, THERE MAY BE IDEAS FOR INCENTIVES AND EXEMPTIONS.
WE WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHAT INCENTIVES AND EXEMPTIONS.
AND SO OUR CONCERN WITH IT AS WRITTEN IS THAT WE CAN'T STREAMLINE THE PROCESS.
WE CAN'T MOVE SOMEONE UP IN THE QUEUE.
THEY CAN'T RELAX OUR REQUIREMENTS.
SO WE'RE NOT SURE AT THIS POINT WHAT INCENTIVES AND EXEMPTIONS WE CAN MAKE, WE PROPOSE OUR STAKEHOLDERS COULD PROPOSE THINGS THAT WE CANNOT DO.
SO WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'LL BE ABLE TO BE FULLY RESPONSIVE.
SO THE, AS I, AS I READ THE DIRECTION, THOUGH, IT SAYS, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO WRITE, SAYS, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO CONSIDER THAT.
AND IF THE THINGS THAT COME BACK ARE THINGS THAT YOU LEGALLY CANNOT DO, THEN YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PROPOSE THEM, BUT IT'S ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THEY COME UP WITH AN INCENTIVE THAT YOU HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF IT COULD BE INCORPORATED.
I GUESS WE JUST DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT WE CAN, UM, CHANGE OUR PROCESSES OR ELIMINATE A STEP IN A PROCESS, UH, THAT THERE'S NOT NECESSARILY A STEP TO BE ELIMINATED.
DO YOU FEEL LIKE THIS AMENDMENT, I MEAN, THE, THE, THE PURPOSE OF, OF MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS PROCESS WAS TO PROTECT, UM, HEALTH AND SAFETY.
DO YOU FEEL LIKE THIS AMENDMENT IS, IS IN THAT DIRECTION OR IS IT, UM, RAISING ISSUES FOR THAT? I THINK IT DOES AS SOME FLEXIBILITY TO COME BACK AND MAKE SURE THAT THE PROPOSALS DO REFLECT HEALTH AND SAFETY.
UM, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT EXEMPTING ANYONE, UH, THAT WOULD EXEMPT THEM AND BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS.
NO, I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS IS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AND THAT, YOU KNOW, I'M, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH US CONSIDERING THESE THINGS, BUT, UM, THE WHOLE POINT OF THE DEMOLITION PROCESS, AND THE REASON THIS WAS ASKED FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE WAS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY.
UM, DOES STAFF HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR BANDWIDTH, UM, WITH THESE ADDED DIRECTIONS TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD?
[03:50:02]
IT NEEDS TO LOOK AS THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR, AND WE DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS BECAUSE WITH THE ADDED FEATURES THAT WERE BEING CONSUMED, WOULDN'T NEED TO HAVE AN APC STAFF TO MANAGE IT BECAUSE IT DOES ADD A LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY.YOU MAY DICTATE ONCE IT'S, ONCE IT'S CREATED OR TO CREATE IT.
UM, WELL IT ADDS MORE STEPS THAN WHAT WE ENVISIONED ORIGINALLY ENVISIONING WAS HAVING CONTRACTORS REGISTER SO THAT WHEN WE SEE THE COMPLAINTS, WE HAVE A WAY TO CONTACT THEM, TO GET COMPLIANCE.
TODAY, WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE ANYONE COULD COME AND GET A DEMOLITION PERMIT, AND THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT THAT THEY REGISTERED WITH THE CITY AND THEY, UM, I'M NOT NECESSARILY HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PERFORMING THE WORK, UH, AND THE PROPER WAY.
AND THAT WAS REALLY WHAT WE HEARD A LOT OF IN OUR STAKEHOLDER ENGAGES WITH BOTH THE CONTRACTORS AND OUR RESIDENTS, THAT, UM, THERE WAS A FEW INDIVIDUALS FOR COMPANIES THAT REALLY WERE CAUSING A LOT OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY WEREN'T OUR LOCAL, UM, CONTRACTORS THAT WERE CAUSING THESE KINDS OF ISSUES.
THIS GIVES US A WAY TO HOLD CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE IN THE CITY, AND ALSO ENSURE THAT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ARE BEING MET.
SO WOULD THIS AMENDMENT MAKE IT MORE OR MORE DIFFICULT OR TIME INCENTIVE INTENSIVE FOR YOU TO MOVE FORWARD? CAN I TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO INCORPORATE? WE HAVE GATHERED SOME FEEDBACK ALREADY DURING THE DEMOLITION PROCESS ON WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE FOR A REGISTRATION PROGRAM, BECAUSE IT EXPANDED DURING THAT TIME TO INCLUDE BUILDING CONTRACTORS, WE DID NOT FULLY DEVELOP WHAT THAT PROGRAM WOULD LOOK LIKE.
SO RIGHT NOW, OUR NEXT STEPS AS WRITTEN WITHOUT THE AMENDMENT, WE WOULD ONLY HAVE TO ENGAGE THE STAKEHOLDERS TO SEE HOW TO EXPAND IT TO THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND TO FINALIZE SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAD IN 2018 AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY CHANGES.
SO BY EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE RESOLUTION, WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EACH POINT IS ADDRESSED.
WE'LL NEED TO LOOK INTO, UH, HOW WE'RE GOING TO ADMINISTER AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT THE CHANGES.
IF THERE ARE INCENTIVES THAT ARE IDENTIFIED, UM, AS WELL AS HOW DO WE IDENTIFY EXEMPTION? SO THERE'S JUST A LOT OF, UM, LOT MORE INVOLVEMENT WITH DETERMINING AND DESIGNING THE SOLUTION.
AND IT MAY REQUIRE A COUPLE OF CHECK-INS WITH THE HOUSING PLANNING COMMISSION.
UM, ALTHOUGH I AM SUPPORTIVE OF US CHECKING IN BEFORE WE COME BACK TO COUNCIL, NOT OPPOSED TO THAT.
SO THIS ANSWER GIVES ME SOME PAUSE, BUT I'M GOING TO JUST STEP BACK AND LET MY OTHER COLLEAGUES WEIGH IN.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THIS ITEM, COUNCIL MEMBER FLANAGAN.
UM, LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, THIS WAS POSTPONED IN THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, YOU KNOW, THE ORIGINAL INTENT WAS FOCUSED ON DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF DEMOLITIONS ALONE.
AND THEN THROUGH THE STAKEHOLDER PROCESS, IT WAS IDENTIFIED THAT ALL BUILDING CONTRACTORS ARE NOT GOING TO BE REQUIRED OR HAVE THIS REGISTRATION PROCESS ON THAT.
AND SO THAT WAS REALLY THE THINKING.
AND THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS FOR, FOR DOING THE, UH, WORK ON PULLING THIS LANGUAGE TOGETHER.
UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE, WE REALLY DO KIND OF FACE THIS DIFFICULT SITUATION WHERE THE BAD ACTORS KNOW THAT THEY'RE BAD ACTORS.
AND SO MY HOPE IS THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE REGISTRATION PROCESS IN SHORT ORDER, BUT THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK ON BOTH THE CARROT AND THE STICK FOR OUR CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S SOME ECONOMIC INCENTIVE TO BEING A GOOD ACTOR IS BEING A BAD ACTOR ALONE AND WITHOUT REALLY ANY SUBSTANTIAL PENALTY THAT'S ENFORCEABLE, I THINK IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO DIFFICULT TO, UM, ENSURE THAT IT'S GOING TO WORK.
SO I DON'T, I DON'T SEE ANY OF THIS AS SLOWING DOWN ANY OF THOSE FIRST PHASE OF THE WORK, BUT I THINK ALLOWING US TO WORKING THROUGH IT ON ADDITIONAL OPTIONS AND KIND OF A PHASE TWO FOR THE DISCUSSIONS IN A MOTION COUNCILMEMBER TOE.
SO I'LL ASK THAT WE TAKE THESE UP ONE BY ONE, THE DIFFERENT AMENDMENTS, SOME OF THESE, I SUPPORT SOME I CAN'T, UM, YOU KNOW, AS COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR SAID, THIS, THIS AROSE FROM A CONVERSATION ABOUT BETTER HEALTH AND SAFETY PROVISIONS, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO DEMOLITION, BUT AS WE ENGAGE THAT CONVERSATION, IT BECAME CLEAR.
AND WE HEARD FROM BUSINESS, UM, INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS.
IN FACT, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE EMAILS, I THINK MAYBE ALL OF US GOT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS CAME FROM SOMEONE IN THE INDUSTRY, IN THE BUILDING
[03:55:01]
INDUSTRY WHO WAS TALKING ABOUT THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH CONTRACTORS FORGET TO CLOSE OUT PERMITS.AND, AND THE HOMEOWNER IS LEFT WITH, WITH, UM, SOMETIMES UNBEKNOWNST TO THEM, UM, PERMITS THAT NEVER GOT CLOSED AND IT CAUSES PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD.
SO I DO THINK CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WILL HAVE ASKED US TO DO FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW.
UM, I REMEMBER DOING A MEDIA INTERVIEW ABOUT IT PROBABLY FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN, UM, AGAIN, SOMETHING JUST VERY PROFESSIONAL SUGGESTED THAT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THEM.
SO I AM, I AM COMFORTABLE WITH SOME OF THE ADDITIONS.
YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK BACK TO WHAT THE STAFF HAD PROPOSED, THEY SUGGESTED ONE EXEMPTION AND EXEMPTION FOR THE OWNER OF A ONE OR TWO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE WITH AN ACTIVE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
THIS SEEMS TO GIVE, UM, SUGGEST THAT OUR STAFF LOOKED TO MULTIPLE EXEMPTIONS.
AND I JUST CAN'T, I CAN'T SUPPORT THAT AT THIS POINT WITHOUT KNOWING, UM, WITHOUT REALLY UNDER, WITHOUT GIVING US A TRY.
AND SO I GUESS I WOULD ASK OUR STAFF TO ADDRESS THAT POINT IN PARTICULAR, YOU CAN FORWARD ME THE, AND JUST LET ME SAY THE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS, WHICH HAVE BEEN GOING ON A VERY LONG TIME, SEEMED TO ME TO BE REALLY WEIGHTED TOWARD OUR INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS.
AND SO THE FACT THAT OUT OF THOSE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS CAME, UM, WHAT IS THE FOREST TODAY WITH REALLY LIMITED EXEMPTIONS IS VERY INTERESTING TO ME.
AND I WONDERED IF YOU COULD ADDRESS MAYBE MS. CULVER, WHY, UH, WHY THE EXEMPTION WAS LIMITED TO WHAT YOU HAD PROPOSED AND WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT OF, OF EXPANDING IT IN THE WAY THAT THAT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED, OR AT LEAST ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER EXPANDING IT IN THE WAY THAT YOU SUGGESTED.
I MEAN, MY EXAMPLE ON FIVE, WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO GET BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS.
SO IF I DO THIS, IT'S GOING TO RAISE THE COST AND I'M GOING TO PASS THIS ON TO MY END PRODUCERS.
I MEAN, VERY RARELY THOUGH, DO WE GET THE OPPOSITE COMMITMENT WHERE PEOPLE WILL SAY, YOU KNOW, IF I DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS, I'M GOING TO COMMIT TO A LOWER PRICE THAT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN.
SO ANYWAY, SORRY, MS. CULVER, I ASKED YOU A QUESTION THEN, EDITORIALIZED, I'M ASSUMING YOU STILL WANT ME TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.
UM, SO DURING THE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, WE DID, UH, I, I WAS EQUALLY SURPRISED THAT WE DID HEAR FROM, UM, NOT JUST, UH, RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS, BUT OUR CONTRACTOR STAKEHOLDERS.
WE'RE ALSO INTERESTED IN REGISTRATION.
UM, WE FOUND SIMILAR AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT FOR THE RECENTLY ADOPTED 20, 20 NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE.
UH, WE HAD TAKEN OUT THE CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION IN 2015 AND, UM, AND WE GOT AN EARFUL, UH, REQUESTING IT TO BE PUT BACK.
SO, UM, AT THE REQUEST OF STAKEHOLDERS, WE DID PUT BACK THE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION, AND WE, WE COULD CONSIDER LOOKING AT THAT AS AN EXAMPLE FOR THIS, THE CONTRACTORS FOR THEM DID.
UM, AND, AND I'M SPEAKING, YOU KNOW, THIRD PARTY.
SO, BUT, UM, THERE IS INFORMATION ON REPORT.
THE CONTRACTORS, UM, IMPLY THAT, UH, PEOPLE WHO ARE VIOLATING THE CODE REPEATEDLY AND ABLE TO GET A PERMIT THE NEXT DAY, UM, IT DIDN'T REFLECT WELL ON OTHER CONTRACTORS, UM, THAT IF YOU ARE NOT, YOU'RE NOT VIOLATING THE CODE REGULARLY OR DOING ANYTHING EGREGIOUS, AND YOU GENERALLY KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND JUST HAVE, UH, NORMAL DEFICIENCIES DURING THE COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION, THEN THEY WOULDN'T BE FACING ANY REPERCUSSIONS.
SO THEY DIDN'T NECESSARILY FEEL LIKE THEY WOULD BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY WHAT WAS UNDER DISCUSSION.
SO THE CONCERN FROM ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS WAS JUST, UH, ABOUT OCCURRENCES THAT WE HEARD ABOUT FROM CITIZENS, UM, SUCH AS, YOU KNOW, CONTRACTORS, STEALING UTILITIES FROM NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES, ATTRACTORS, DEMOLISHING BUILDINGS WITH LIVE OF UTILITIES ON THE SITE, UM, AND THAT EXTENDED INTO, THEY WONDERED WHY WE WERE JUST DOING THIS FOR DEMOLITION.
UH, WE ALREADY REGISTER OUR MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING CONTRACTORS.
UM, WE ALREADY HAVE REQUIREMENTS FOR RIGHT OF WAY CONTRACTORS.
SO THERE'S A GAP WITH THEM DEMOLITION, UM, AND BUILDING CONTRACTORS.
SO THE EFFECT THAT THIS COULD HAVE, IF WE EXEMPTED MORE THAN JUST HOMEOWNERS, WHICH HOMEOWNERS ARE MAYBE PERFORMING REPEAT WORK ON THEIR OWN HOME, UM, BUT NOT NECESSARILY ON OTHER PEOPLE'S, UM, WE'RE CONSIDERED TO BE A OKAY TO EXEMPT THAT WE DID NOT DISCUSS EXEMPTING ANY OTHER GROUPS AT THAT POINT, UM, AND INCENTIVES OR PROCESS ADVANTAGES.
WE, UH, THAT DIDN'T COME UP AND OF COURSE, A CONVERSATION.
SO I HAVE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AGAIN, 40 OF OUR CONTRACTORS ARE READY, OUR FOLLOWINGS, OKAY.
[04:00:01]
THIS CAN BE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY OR AREA, OR JUST NEW HISTORY.IT'S A WAY FOR US TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT'S GOING ON AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE REACHING OUT TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
WELL, UH, WHEN WE NEED TO, UM, AND THEN JUST PREVENTING THINGS FROM GOING TOO DOWN THE LINE INTO HAVING TO DEAL WITH AUSTIN, COME LATER, WE MIGHT BE A BIT MORE PROACTIVE IN THE PROCESS.
UM, SO AGAIN, EXEMPTING OR INCENTIVES, UM, YOU KNOW, WE CAN LOOK INTO WHAT THOSE INCENTIVES MIGHT BE.
UM, BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO IMPROVE OUR PROCESS IN SOME MANNER OR REDUCE FEES, IT'S NOT LIKELY THAT WE'D BE ABLE TO DO THAT FOR THAT LARGE QUANTITY OF CUSTOMERS.
THAT WOULD JUST BE THE NEW NORMAL MAY INCREASE COSTS ULTIMATELY, BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT.
THAT WAS, I WANTED TO ASK YOU IN PARTICULAR ABOUT THE, THE, UM, ADDITION.
SO AGAIN, YOU HAD THE ONE EXEMPTION AND THE STAFF PROPOSAL, UM, THIS WOULD, WOULD ADD LANGUAGE THAT SAYS EXEMPTIONS FROM MANDATORY REGISTRATION FOR INDIVIDUALS IN A MANNER THAT CONSIDERS EQUITY AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE AFFORDABILITY PRESSURES ON BOTH HOMEOWNERS AND TENANTS AND ON NO, SORRY, WHAT I MEANT TO SORT OF ADJUST THAT ONE, THE PREVIOUS ONE EXEMPTIONS FOR MANDATORY REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS BASED ON THE TYPE OR LEVEL OF WORKING PROPOSED, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION, THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS, I ASSUMED THAT I ASSUMED THAT THAT CONVERSATION HAS ALREADY MORE OR LESS THAN HAD, UM, AT LEAST BY STAFF, IN RELATIONSHIP TO WHAT THE STAKEHOLDERS HAD RAISED.
AND THAT'S KIND OF WHERE YOU LANDED IN TERMS OF THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS.
AND THAT'S HOW WE ENDED UP WITH THE EXEMPTION FOR PROPERTY, FOR HOMESTEAD THOSE WITH HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS.
I MEAN, I'M NOT SURE WHAT, WHAT ELSE WE WOULD COME UP WITH OR WHAT ELSE IN SOME WAYS THIS IS LANGUAGE THAT LOOKS KIND OF LIKE THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION.
I MEAN, IT ASKED YOU TO GO FORWARD AND CONSIDER DEVELOPING A PROGRAM.
AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT JUST DEMOLITION, BUT KEEPING IN MIND THESE VARIOUS THINGS, LIKE WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS SHOULD, WE'RE BASICALLY JUST ASKING YOU WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS SHOULD GET EXEMPTIONS.
AND YOU'VE ALREADY KIND OF TOLD US THE ANSWER TO THAT ONE OR TWO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES WITH A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS.
I JUST, I'M NOT SURE IF WE'RE ASKING THE SAME QUESTION.
I'M NOT SURE WHY WE GET A DIFFERENT ANSWER THERE OR A DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF.
I DO NOT KNOW IF WE WOULD HAVE A DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATION.
SO, MAYOR, AS I SAID, I, I AM REAL COMFORTABLE AND THANK COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS FOR HER ADDITION OF SEVERAL OF THESE.
UM, I, I CAN SUPPORT SEE, UM, SOME OF THE LANGUAGE TOWARD THE END, I THINK IS HELPFUL.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE HAVE, IN ADDITION TO THE STAKEHOLDERS, SHE SUGGESTED ALSO SOME HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, SINCE A LOT OF THIS CAN CAME FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH, UM, INTEREST.
BUT THE TWO THAT I'VE, THAT I, UM, AT THIS POINT CANNOT SUPPORT IS E BECAUSE I THINK IT'S REALLY JUST ASKING STAFF TO GO BACK AND, AND ANSWER A QUESTION THEY'VE ALREADY GIVEN US THEIR RESPONSE TO, AND, AND E I PREFER WHAT THE STAFF HAVE PROVIDED, WHICH IS AN EXTENSION FOR THE OWNER OF A ONE OR TWO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE WITH A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, WHICH I THINK DOES CONSIDER, UM, THE AFFORDABILITY ELEMENT FOR THOSE HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE WORKING ON THEIR OWN HOUSES, MAYOR YOU'RE ON MUTE.
SO THAT I UNDERSTOOD KATHY YOU'RE SAYING THAT YOU'RE OKAY WITH THE AMENDMENTS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF E.
UM, AND WHAT WAS THE OTHER ONE AND TO F AND THEN UNDER THE LIST OF STAKEHOLDERS, I WOULD ADD, IT SAYS BUILDING AND DEMOLITION CONTRACTORS, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS, UM, AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, IF WE HAD ANY WHO WANTED TO PARTICIPATE TO PROVIDE THEIR INPUT.
BUT, BUT LET ME JUST SAY, I HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT ONGOING STAKEHOLDER PROCESSES, EVEN BEFORE WE BROUGHT FORWARD.
UM, THE DEMOLITION ORDINANCE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY THAT GAVE RISE TO SOME OF THIS WORK.
[04:05:01]
THERE HAD BEEN AN ONGOING STAKEHOLDER PROCESS.SO I THINK THERE'VE BEEN STAKEHOLDER PROCESSES AROUND THIS ISSUE GOING ON FOR MAYBE TWO YEARS.
SO AT SOME POINT WE JUST HAVE TO KIND OF TAKE ACTION AND GO ALONG WITH THE BEST INFORMATION WE HAVE AND JUST ADJUST DOWN THE ROAD.
BUT YEAH, TO 2018 IS WHEN THE STAKEHOLDER MEETING STARTED.
AND SO IT SEEMED TO BE A LOT OF STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK.
SO I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WANT TO CONSIDER III SEPARATELY.
YOU WANT TO CONSIDER AF SEPARATELY, AND YOU WANT TO CONSIDER THAT FIRST PARAGRAPH UNDER F SEPARATELY, RIGHT? SO WITH RESPECT TO THE PARAGRAPH, HUNTER F WHETHER OR NOT THAT PARAGRAPH STAYS IN, DOES ANYBODY HAVE OBJECTION TO ADDING HEALTH PROFESSIONS, HEARING NON HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IS ADDED TO THAT PARAGRAPH? NOW LET'S GO AHEAD.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO ANY OF THE AMENDMENTS OTHER THAN E F OR THE PARAGRAPH UNDER F HEARING? NONE.
SO THAT'S A, TOVO BRINGS UP, JUST ADD ON D UM, I'M FINE WITH D BEING IN THERE AS LONG AS, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S OBVIOUSLY IT HAS TO BE, UM, SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE LEGALLY ABLE TO CONSIDER.
UM, THEY SAID WHEN IN RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS, THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS THAT THEY COULDN'T DO THAT THE STAKEHOLDERS MIGHT WANT, BUT THEY LEGALLY CANNOT DO THAT.
I'M JUST TAKING THAT AS GIVEN, I JUST WANT TO HAVE CLARITY FOR STAFF THAT WE'RE NOT ASKING THEM TO GO BACK AND RECONSIDER ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY LEGALLY KNOW THAT THEY CANNOT DO, BUT THERE MAY OF COURSE BE IDEAS THAT THEY HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF.
AND I THINK THAT'S, THAT'S A FAIR POINT COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR IN, IN SO MUCH THAT I DON'T THINK ANY, ANY DECISIONS WE TRY TO MOVE FORWARD ARE INTENDED TO VIOLATE STATE LAW, EVEN, EVEN IF THOSE, UM, EVEN IF THOSE THINGS ARE DESIRED BY FOLKS AND THERE'S, DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANYONE WHO CARES WITH VIOLATES THE LAW, NOBODY THINKS WE'RE GOING TO SUE OVER IT.
I KNOW THAT WE ALL AGREE THAT WE DON'T MOVE THINGS FORWARD THAT VIOLATE LAW IN ANY WAY.
SO LET'S CONSIDER THEN EACH OF THESE THREE THINGS IN TURN FIRST IS, UM, UH, E UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO, UH, HAS WANTS TO TAKE E OUT OF THE AMENDMENT.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT AMENDMENT, TO THE AMENDMENT COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER SECONDS.
IT, ANY DISCUSSION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO TAKE OUT EIGHT? YES.
MEMBER ELLIS? I WOULD PREFER TO KEEP IT IN SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS, IS ITERATION.
I THINK THE INFORMATION COULD BE HELPFUL AS THIS COUNCIL CONSIDERS WHAT MOVES FORWARD.
UM, BUT THAT'S, THAT'S WHERE I'LL BE OMNI ON THE AMENDING THE, THE AMENDMENT.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT, LET'S TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT.
I HAVE ALTAR AND TOVO KITCHEN AND POOL THOSE OPPOSED.
THE BALANCE OF THE DIOCESE THAT DOES NOT PASS THE NEXT AMENDMENT IS TO STRIKE, UM, UH, F DID I HEAR ACTUALLY, MAYOR I WOULD REPLACE IT WITH, UM, THE STAFF'S LANGUAGE, WHICH WAS C AN EXEMPTION FOR THE OWNER OF A ONE OR TWO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE WITH AN ACTIVE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
I JUST REVERT BACK TO THE STUFF'S LANGUAGE.
MY AMENDMENT IS TO SUB IN THE ORIGINAL C THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT IS TO SUBSTITUTE THE ORIGINAL C FOR THE NEW HALF.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT AMENDMENT? NOT TO OUR POOL.
SECOND STAFF DISCUSSION THAT'S MEMBER TOVO.
I THINK YOU'VE ALREADY ADDRESSED IT.
YOU CAN, DAN THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT ELLIS.
DO YOU WANT TO ADDRESS IT? AND THANK YOU, MAYOR.
UM, I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER.
TOBO TRYING TO LOOK OUT FOR PEOPLE WITH HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING IN MY DISTRICT TOO, THAT HELPS PEOPLE STAY IN THEIR HOMES OVER THE LONG HAUL.
BUT I THINK IT'S, UM, A BIT NARROW CONSIDERING ALL OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOUSING THAT PEOPLE HAVE AND THE TYPES OF OWNERSHIP AND NATURAL STRUCTURES THAT PEOPLE MAY HAVE MOVING FORWARD.
AND I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS TYPE OF AFFORDABILITY AND ASSISTANCE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS? WELL, I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
SO WHERE YOU'RE AT THAT'S SO THAT IT WOULD, I MEAN, THE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, AND YOU CAN HAVE A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, IF YOU'RE IN A CONDOMINIUM.
I MEAN, IF YOU'RE IN ANY KIND OF OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY, THIS WOULD SEEM TO APPLY IT TO THEN ALMOST ANY KIND OF DEVELOPER POTENTIALLY.
AND SO THEN I'M NOT SURE TO WHOM
[04:10:01]
THIS REGISTRATION WOULD APPLY.I MEAN, THE INTENT OF HAVING THAT ACCEPTION WAS SO THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LIVING IN THEIR HOUSE AND WORKING ON THEIR HOUSE CAN DO THAT AND DO THAT WORK, I SUPPOSE THEY MIGHT BE WORKING ON A RENTAL HOUSE, BUT, BUT YOU'RE ALSO POTENTIALLY OPENING IT UP TO ALMOST ANY KIND OF CONSTRUCTION.
AND THEN I GUESS I WONDER WHAT, WHAT WE'RE ACHIEVING HERE.
IT'S NOT INTENDED TO BE THAT BROAD, BUT, UM, THE, THE POINT THAT YOU MADE ABOUT SOMEONE WHO MAY BE FIXING UP A HOME, THAT THEY ARE RENTING TO SOMEONE ELSE, THEY SHOULD STILL HAVE THAT LEEWAY, I THINK, HAS BEEN LEFT OUT OF C.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO UTILIZE THIS TYPE OF, UM, ABILITY IF THEY'RE LEASING THEIR PROPERTY OUT.
AND, UM, AND NOT NECESSARILY USING THAT AS A HOMESTEAD AND A ONE OR TWO FAMILY PROPERTY MAY NOT ENCOMPASS SOMETHING THAT HAS ADDITIONAL UNITS.
SO I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW THAT CONDO FITS INTO THAT.
UM, I THINK THE LANGUAGE I HAVE STILL ACCOMMODATES OR THE TYPE OF THING THAT YOU'RE ADDRESSING, UM, AND AGAIN, IT'S JUST A CONSIDERATION.
AND I GUESS I WOULD JUST ASK OUR STAFF AS THEY CONSIDER THESE TO REALLY THINK BACK, UM, AND BE VERY MINDFUL ABOUT WHAT THE ORIGINAL INTENT WAS BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL INTENT IS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WHOEVER COMES TO RESIDE IN THOSE PROPERTIES, WHETHER THEY OWN THE PROPERTIES OR WHETHER THEY'RE TENANTS AND THERE'S EXTRAORDINARY RISK.
IF THERE ARE OPEN PERMITS AND THINGS HAVEN'T BEEN INSPECTED, UM, COUPLE OF WEEKS I'LL GIVE AN EXAMPLE.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WE HAD, UH, I SMELLED GAS.
I CALLED TEXAS GAS, HAD SOME WORK DONE, HAD TO REPLACE A HOT WATER HEATER.
WE HAPPEN TO GET THAT LETTER FROM ONE OF THE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS TALKING ABOUT, UM, CLOSED PERMIT.
AND I SUDDENLY THOUGHT, GOSH, I DON'T KNOW THAT I EVER GOT THAT CLOSED PERMIT AND SURE ENOUGH, THAT HADN'T HAPPENED YET.
SO, YOU KNOW, IT IS, IT HAPPENS, UM, PROBABLY WITH GREAT FREQUENCY THAT WHOEVER IS LIVING IN THE PROPERTY, WHETHER IT BE A PROPERTY OWNER OR TENANT MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THAT, THAT PERMITS WERE NOT CLOSED.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT IS, IT IS AGAIN, A HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS YOUR, UM, AND SO I WOULD, I WOULD REALLY URGE THAT WAY AGAIN, IT'S FINE FOR THOSE STAFF TO CONSIDER IT.
I WOULD, I WOULD SAY THOUGH, I HOPE THERE'LL BE GUIDED BY THOSE SAME HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS THAT PROMPTED THIS, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE HOUSING, YOU'RE LIVING IN, UM, WE HAVE SOME KIND OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THOSE, THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THE WORK ON THOSE PROPERTIES.
FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT TO SUBSTITUTE OLD C FOR NEW F COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
SO I THINK PART OF WHAT I'M STRUGGLING IS, IS SORT OF THE COMBINATION OF THE DEMOLITION PERMIT AND THE BUILDING PERMIT AND SORT OF ALL IN THE SAME SORT OF CLAUSES.
UM, SO I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S, UM, YOUR INTENTION, I COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS, YOU KNOW, WE MAY END UP WITH DIFFERENT, UM, RULES FOR DEMOLITIONS WHERE WE'RE VERY, WE HAVE VERY PARTICULAR HEALTH AND SAFETY RULES.
UM, WE ALSO HAVE THOSE FOR BUILDER CONTRACTORS, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE, THE, UM, REGISTRATION PROCESSES MIGHT LOOK DIFFERENT.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING IN WHAT YOU'RE SAYING THAT PRECLUDES THOSE FROM COMING OUT AND LOOKING DIFFERENT, UM, OR, YOU KNOW, AND IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME THAT THEY ARE, THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THESE AS A REGISTRATION FOR BUILDING PERMIT BUILDING AND A REGISTRATION FOR DEMOLITION I'M.
AM I, AM I CORRECT IN UNDERSTANDING THAT CAUSE THAT MAY BE PART OF WHERE I'M GETTING SLIPPED UP HERE, COUNSEL MUMBRELLAS I MAY, I MAY LET BETH ANSWER THAT.
CAUSE I KNOW THAT WHEN IT CAME OUT, IT WAS A DISCUSSION IN PREVIOUS YEARS ABOUT DEMOLITION AND THEN THERE WAS A LOOK AT BUILDING PERMITS AS WELL.
UM, I THINK REALLY LOOKING AT ALL OF THESE ASPECTS, WHETHER THEY'RE DEMOLITION OR CONSTRUCTION PERMITS IS, IS A HELPFUL THING TO DO.
UM, SO I'LL LET MS COLFER RESPOND TO EXACTLY THE SCOPE OF THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.
SO IT IS INTENDED TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THEM SEPARATELY.
UH, WE HAD DISCUSSED DURING THE HOLDER ENGAGEMENT THAT THE INSURANCE AND BONDING MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR DEMOLITIONS.
UH, IT MAY NOT BE NECESSARILY APPROPRIATE FOR BUILDING PERMITS, BUT IT'S OPEN TO THAT DISCUSSION WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO SEE IF THERE'S PARTICULAR PROJECTS WHERE IT WOULD BE.
SO WE WOULD COME BACK POTENTIALLY WITH DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS.
SO YOU COULD TAKE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS'S AMENDMENTS, AND YOU KNOW, IT MAY ONLY APPLY TO THE BUILDING PERMITS WHEN YOU GET DONE WITH THE STAKEHOLDER PROCESS OR THE BUILDING RENT BUILDING CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION VERSUS THE DEMOLITION.
THERE'S NOTHING IN HERE THAT PRECLUDES YOU FROM SEPARATING
[04:15:01]
THESE OUT.AS YOU HAD INTENDED, GIVEN THE DIFFERENCES OF THE GOALS THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE WITH THE PROGRAM.
NOW I DON'T, I DON'T SEE ANYTHING THAT WOULD PRECLUDE US FROM DOING THAT.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS AMENDMENT CAME ABOUT BY TURBO, LET'S TAKE A VOTE.
THOSE ARE VERY THE AMENDMENT TO THE MEMBER.
TOBO ALTER KITCHEN AND POOL THOSE OPPOSED.
SO THE BALANCE OF THE DIOCESE, NOT INCLUDING COUNCIL MEMBER, CUSTOMER, WHO I CANNOT SEE IN ANY EVENT STILL PASSES WITH THE VOTE OF FOUR TO SIX, DOES NOT PASS.
UH, THAT GETS US TO THE LAST AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT, WHICH IS TO DELETE THE PARAGRAPH UNDER F UM, DID SOMEBODY ELSE PROPOSE THAT MAYOR? SORRY.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WERE PROPOSING THAT.
NO, I WAS PROPOSING TO ADD, UM, PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM AND WE'VE ALREADY ADDED THE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.
WE DID THAT, SO I DON'T HAVE ANY, WE DON'T HAVE ANY REASON TO VOTE ON IT.
ANY FURTHER AMENDMENTS AND LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON THE ELLIS MOTION AS AMENDED THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
CAN WE CLARIFY HOW MUCH LONGER THE PROCESS, I MEAN, COULD WE COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON WHEN THIS MIGHT COME BACK ON HOW MUCH LONGER THE STAKEHOLDER PROCESS SHOULD GO ON BEFORE WE VOTE? COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS? COULD YOU ADD SOME LANGUAGE IN THAT WOULD AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF IT HAVING GONE ON TWO YEARS AND ALMOST A HALF AT THIS POINT? COULD YOU, COULD WE AGREE ON, UM, THE PROPOSED STAKEHOLDER PROCESS? OKAY.
BENDING A BIT BEFORE DECEMBER 31ST, IS THAT DOABLE? I WOULD LIKE FOR STAFF TO AT LEAST PROVIDE THAT COMMENT ON NIBBLE.
UM, I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DEADLINES SO WE KNOW WHAT OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE IN COMMUNITIES AND AS A COUNCIL WITH OUR SCHEDULE, BUT DON'T WANT TO NECESSARILY PUT AN ARBITRARY DATE ON SOMETHING FOR STAFF THAT THEY HAVEN'T HAD INPUT ON.
SO YOU HAVE THEM RIGHT NOW COMING BACK, UM, ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31ST STAFF.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT IS ACHIEVABLE? AND DO YOU THINK THAT YOU COULD WORK TOWARD GETTING IT BACK TO US EVEN SOONER OR POSSIBLE SO THAT WE HAVE A MORE, A MUCH MORE TRUNCATED STAKEHOLDER PROCESS AND THEN ENGAGED IN SO FAR? THE DECEMBER 31ST DATE WAS BASED ON THE BEST SOLUTION WE HAD.
I WOULD ASK THAT YOU NOT CHANGE THAT FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS PART.
IT DOES REQUIRE US TO GO TO OTHER COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS BEFORE BRINGING THIS BACK TO YOU, DEPENDING ON WHERE IT, WHAT SECTION OF THE CODE IT LANDS IN.
UM, SO THAT CAN TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS, UH, I, IF YOU WANTED TO SET A DATE FOR THAT HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR US TO COME BACK AFTER STAKEHOLDER GATE ENGAGEMENT, THAT MAY BE MORE REASONABLE, BUT I WOULD LIKE SOME FLEXIBILITY IN BEING ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE.
IF WE FIND THAT, UM, YOU, YOU DO NOT THINK WE'RE BEING RESPONSIVE IN THE WAY YOU EXPECTED, UM, DUE TO THE KIND OF DIFFICULTIES WE'VE EXPRESSED EARLIER WITH SOME OF THESE ITEMS. UM, BUT I THINK THAT WE WOULD, OUR INTERNAL GOAL WOULD BE TO GO TO THE HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE, UH, NO LATER THAN PROBABLY JUNE, IF THAT'S TOO LATE, WE WOULD JUST NEED TO KNOW THAT.
I'LL LEAVE IT AT, I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
I'M TAKING A VOTE NOW ON ITEM 11 AS AMENDED THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED THOSE ABSTAINING.
I HAVE IT WITH ALL OF US IN FAVOR.
UH, SO, UH, MEMBER TOBO I HAD, I THINK WE HAD, I THINK I HAD MADE A MOTION 40.
WHERE ARE YOU RECOGNIZING NATIVE MOVE ON TO 40? UH, I WAS JUST ABOUT TO CALL, I COULDN'T TELL IF YOU WERE RAISING YOUR HAND ON NUMBER 11, BUT I GUESS NOT SO 11 PAST 11 PASSES UNANIMOUSLY GETS US
[40. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending City Title 25 related to demolition permits, including notification requirements. (Part 2 of 2)]
NOW THE ITEM NUMBER 40.I THINK I ACTUALLY HAD MADE A MOTION FOR IT EARLIER, BUT IN ANY CASE I'LL I'LL MOVE APPROVAL, PLEASE.
YOU HAVE TO REMOVE REMOVES APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 40.
[04:20:01]
BUT YOU ALSO HAVE AN AMENDMENT THAT YOU WANT TO BRING TO ITEM 14.UM, AND COUNCIL MEMBER FLANAGAN, YOU HAD ASKED A QUESTION.
IT IS, IT IS AN AMENDMENT ON WHAT WAS POSTED IN BACK UP.
IT IS VERY SHORT AND THIS WOULD MAKE IT EVEN SHORTER.
UM, IT WOULD SIMPLY REPLACE THE END.
THIS SHOULD BE UP ON THE MESSAGE BOARD AND ALSO HAS CIRCULATED.
UM, IT WOULD SIMPLY REPLACE, UH, D THE ONE, TWO AND THREE WITH MY AMENDMENT, WHICH IS TO REQUIRE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION FOR ALL PROPERTIES OF A DEMOLITION IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE NOTIFICATION PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH ZONING OR LAND USE CHANGES.
UM, AND THAT JUST SIMPLY PUTS IT BACK.
PUTS IT BACK INTO, UM, WHAT WE USUALLY DO AND ACTUALLY LAW HAS, HAS SUGGESTED AND EVEN SIMPLER CHANGE, WHICH IS THE DIRECTOR SHALL GIVE NOTICE OF THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR DEMOLITION UNDER SECTION 25, ONE, ONE 33 EITHER IS FINE WITH ME, BUT I'M TRYING TO DO IS JUST MAKE SURE THE SAME PROPERTY WOULD BE NOTIFIED WITH ANY OTHER KINDS OF STONING CHANGE OR NOTIFIED IN THIS CASE.
SO THAT I JUST, I THINK IT MAKES IT MORE CONSISTENT AND MORE, UM, EASIER TO FOLLOW FOR THOSE WHO ARE DEVELOPING PROPERTY AND MAYBE ENGAGING IN THE DEMOLITION.
IT'S JUST WHAT THEY'RE ACCUSTOMED TO DOING.
I JUST HAD A QUESTION IF THAT SOMEHOW UNINTENTIONALLY, UM, OMIT RENTERS, BECAUSE I THOUGHT FOR ZONING, IF IT'S JUST TO OWNERS, THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE INTENT.
I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE THANKS FOR, YEAH.
I'M JUST LOOKING BACK AT THE LANGUAGE.
UM, AND THAT MAY BE THE RESPONSE THAT CAME BACK AND THE Q AND A, THERE WAS, UM, THE STAFF HAD RESPONDED TO ONE OF MY QUESTIONS AND HAD SAID SOMETHING ABOUT MULTIFAMILY AND MAYBE THAT'S WHAT THEY, MAYBE THAT WAS THE POINT THEY WERE GETTING AT THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO NOTIFY RENTERS IF WE SHIFTED.
THANKS FOR, THANKS FOR RAISING THAT.
AND MAYBE OUR STAFF CAN KIND OF HELP US UNDERSTAND THAT.
CAUSE IT SAYS IT'S YOU PROVIDE NOTICE TO ADJACENT STRUCTURES.
SO I WOULD ASSUME THAT COULD BE RENTERS.
AND THEN THE LANGUAGE THAT'S THAT'S STRICKEN IS MAILED OR PLACED ON PROPERTIES ADJACENT TO THE PROPERTY.
AND THAT, THAT COULD BE RENTERS TOO.
AND I JUST THOUGHT ZONING NOTICES ONLY WENT TO OWNERS.
SO IS THERE A WAY TO COMBINE, UM, THANKS FOR RAISING THAT.
CAUSE I, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GAP.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS ACHIEVE A DIFFERENT RANGE.
SO IT'S CALLED FOR, IS THERE A WAY YOU CAN HELP WITH THE LANGUAGE SO THAT IT IS, IT USES YOUR LANGUAGE FOR TWO FAMILY STRUCTURES AND ALL THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES, BUT WITHIN, UH, WITHIN THE SAME RANGE THAT WOULD BE NOTIFIED WITH OUR REGULAR ZONING OR LAND USE CHANGES, IF YOU MIGHT, CAN I SPEAK TO, UH, WHAT OUR STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT WAS ON THAT ITEM BRIEFLY? UH, THE, SO WE LOOKED INTO, WE HAD A DIFFERENT VARIETY OF RANGES FOR DISTANCES.
AND SO THIS PARTICULAR ORDINANCE IS RESPONSIVE TO THE REQUESTS FROM CITIZENS THAT WERE MORE CLOSELY ADJACENT TO THE DEMOLITION THAT WAS OCCURRING, THAT THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHEN IT WAS HAPPENING.
AND SO WHEN WE LOOKED OUR, WE DID LOOK AT THOSE ZONING LAND, USE NOTIFICATION AS AN OPTION.
AND THAT WAS NOT A PROCESS THAT WE FELT COULD GIVE THEM THE INFORMATION THAT THEY WERE REQUESTING.
HOWEVER, WE DID HAVE A REQUEST FOR AN EXPANDED RADIUS.
SO WE HAVE LAUNCHED AN ONLINE TOOL THAT, UH, STAKEHOLDERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THEY'VE STARTED USING, UH, WE SENT THIS TO COUNCIL AND A MEMO IN JULY, UH, WITH A LINK TO THAT, UM, OR, UH, THE LOCATION ON OUR WEBSITE.
BUT FROM THAT, UM, TOOL, YOU CAN ALREADY SIGN UP FOR NOTIFICATIONS, VERY SIMILAR TO THE ZONING AND LAND USE NOTIFICATIONS.
UH, YOU GET NOTIFIED WHEN THE APPLICATION IS BOTH FILED AND WHEN THE APPLICATION IS APPROVED, YOU CAN SELECT A RADIUS OF 500 FEET, WHICH IS IN LINE WITH THE OTHER NOTIFICATION RANGES, BUT YOU CAN ALSO SELECT ZIP CODE COUNCIL, DISTRICT, COMMUNITY REGISTRY
[04:25:01]
AREA.AND SO THIS WAS IN ADDITION TO THAT NOTIFICATION TOOL THAT WE'VE ALREADY LAUNCHED, UM, TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE STAKEHOLDERS TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHEN THE DEMOLITION WILL OCCUR.
AND SINCE THE DEMOLITION PERMIT LIVES FOR UP TO TWO YEARS, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO NECESSARILY PROVIDE AN ACCURATE DATE WITH A NOTIFICATION LIKE THE ZONING LINE.
SO DURING STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, WE FOUND OUT THAT PEOPLE MORE CLOSELY LOCATED TO THE PROPERTY.
WE'RE INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHAT THE DATE WAS, KNOWING WHO THEY COULD CONTACT, WHICH AGAIN, THE CONTRACTOR MAY OR MAY NOT BE SELECTED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.
AND IT MAY CHANGE DURING THE COURSE OF THE PERMIT THAT IS ALLOWABLE.
SO IF WE CHANGE THE RANGE TO MEET THE 500 FEET, UM, INSTEAD OF USING THE DIAGRAM, UH, THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO PUBLISH IN THE RULES, WE WOULDN'T NECESSARILY BE RESPONSIVE TO THE REQUESTS THAT WE RECEIVED.
SO IF YOU WANTED TO CHANGE THAT, WE'RE PROPOSING TO PUT THAT, THAT, UH, DIAGRAM AND THE RULES.
UM, WE, WEREN'T GOING TO PUT IT INTO CODE THERE.
MAY I ASK A FOLLOWUP QUESTION? SO IN THE, IN THE QUESTION AND ANSWER, UM, I HAD ASKED HOW, HOW DID STAFF DETERMINE THAT LIMITING ACTIVE NOTIFICATION TO JUST ADJACENT LOTS WAS ADEQUATE AND APPROPRIATE? UM, AND THE RESPONSE CAME BACK RESEARCH FROM 2013, FOUND HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD IN DUST, FAR FROM A DEMOLITION SITE AND RECOMMENDED THAT NOTIFICATION BE WIDENED TO A MINIMUM OF 400 FEET.
AND SO WHAT I WAS PROPOSING WORD WIDEN IT TO 500 FEET, I'M HAPPY WITH 400 FEET.
I JUST THINK THAT I THINK THE ONE 50 IS REALLY IS NOT CAPTURING THE AREA IMPACTED WHEN THERE'S A DEMOLITION AND WHAT WE HEARD HAVE HEARD.
AND AGAIN, IS AN INTEREST IN, IN REALLY MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE NOTIFIED WITHIN THE AREA THAT THEY WOULD BE IMPACTED.
I KNOW STAFF WENT ON TO TALK ABOUT PORTLAND, THAT ONE OF THE REASONS, UM, PORTLAND PORTLAND'S, UM, MEASURE OF 150 FEET OR, OR ONE OF THE REASONS THAT YOU'RE USING WHEN 50 IS BECAUSE PORTLAND DOES IT.
BUT, UM, ONE OF OUR CONSTITUENTS HAS POINTED OUT THAT PORTLAND HAS, I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY A CONSTITUENT IN SOMEONE ELSE'S, I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY A CONSTITUENT POSSIBLY IN YOUR DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBER LS.
UM, BUT PORTLAND HAS, HAS A HOST OF OTHER PROVISIONS, INCLUDING LOTS OF REALLY DETAILED MITIGATIONS FOR MITIGATING LEAD AND ASBESTOS HAZARDS, INCLUDING SUPPLEMENTAL DUST SUPPRESSION, UM, AND OTHER KINDS OF REALLY EXPLICIT MEASURES FOR CUTTING DOWN ON THOSE HAZARDS AT THE JOB SITE ITSELF.
SO, SO WHILE THEY'RE USING THAT 150, THEY ALSO HAVE THESE LAYERS AND LAYERS OF OTHER DUST SUPPRESSION AND, AND LET IN, UM, AS BEST AS MITIGATION THAT PROVIDES AN ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF PROTECTION FOR THOSE NEIGHBORS WHO ARE AROUND IT.
SO I, I AM NOT TERRIBLY COMFORTABLE WITH ONE 50.
I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE US AT OVER A HUNDRED OR 500.
I DO DO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE PROPERTY UNDER SURROUNDING, OR THAT IT'S ACTUALLY THE RESIDENCE.
SO CAN YOU HELP US, UM, MS. CULVER KNOW HOW BEST, HOW BETTER TO ACHIEVE THAT CHANGE IN WHAT YOU'VE BROUGHT FORWARD OR WHAT THE STAFF HAS BROUGHT UP.
MAKE A CORRECTION THAT A QUESTION INCLUDED THE 400 FEET, OUR RESPONSE, UM, THAT INFORMATION, I BELIEVE IN FRONT OF THE 400 FEET, UH, IT'S, IT'S SHOWN, I BELIEVE INCORRECTLY IN THE Q AND A.
THAT WAS ACTUALLY, SO THAT WAS PART OF MY QUESTION.
THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
UM, I DO THINK THOUGH THAT IT'S PRETTY SOLID RESEARCH THAT WE WERE, THAT WE WERE USING.
SO HOW CAN WE DID RECEIVE VARIOUS INFORMATION FROM DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT THE RESEARCH, OUR RECOMMENDATION, OR AS BEST AS LEN WAS ACTUALLY THAT IF COUNCIL WISHES US TO PURSUE SOMETHING FURTHER WITH THAT, THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HIRE A CONSULTANT, WHO'S A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT TO ADVISE ON HOW THAT PROGRAM SHOULD WORK.
THIS ITEM WAS RESPONSIVE TO THE REQUESTS FROM STAKEHOLDERS TO KNOW WHEN THE DEMOLITION WAS OCCURRING.
THEY UNDERSTOOD WHEN THE EQUIPMENT, WHEN WOULD BE THERE.
AND WHEN THE DEMOLITION ITSELF WOULD OCCUR IS NOT RESPONSIVE.
THE QUESTION ABOUT DUST, WE'VE LOST KEVIN, KATHY WITH US, KATHY'S TRYING TO CALL IN, KNOW I'M ON
[04:30:01]
THAT'S.KATHY HAS BROUGHT AN AMENDMENT TO THIS ITEM, NUMBER 42, CHANGE THE, UM, NOTICE AREA, UM, SORT OF SECONDARY.
WE ALREADY GOTTEN INTO THE SORT OF SECOND TWO DOORS ARE SECOND TO THE TOVO AMENDMENT TO BROADEN IT.
I THINK THERE AT THE MOMENT, I'M JUST GOING TO WITHDRAW IT.
I THINK IT'S, I COULDN'T COMPLETELY HEAR WHAT MS. CULVER HAD TO SAY ABOUT HOW WE WOULD, HOW WE WOULD BLEND THESE TWO THINGS.
SO LET'S JUST LET IT GO THROUGH AS IT IS.
AND I CAN ALWAYS BRING IN AN IFC IF IT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED, WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE IT THAT WAY.
AND LET'S, UH, THE MOTION THEN IS TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 40, UH, AS IT, UH, APPEAR WITHOUT AMENDMENT THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC, HEARING THOSE, PLEASE THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED THAT PASSES EVERYBODY, UH, PARTICIPATING.
UM, I THINK THE, UH, I THINK THAT WE'VE HANDLED 11, WE'VE HANDLED 40.
THAT GETS US BACK TO THE LAST FOUR THINGS.
LET'S BEGIN WITH, UH, ITEM NUMBER,
[52. Approve an ordinance amending certain Fiscal Year 2020-2021 department budgets to fund the Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) Fund to support COVID-19 emergency relief as follows: the Financial Services Department Capital Budget (Ordinance No. 20200812-001) to transfer out and appropriate $6,000,000 to the General Fund Emergency Reserve Fund; and the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Building Services Department Capital Budget (Ordinance No. 20200812-001) to transfer out and appropriate $500,000 to the General Fund Emergency Reserve Fund; the Pay for Success Reserve Fund Operating Budget (Ordinance No. 20200812-001) to transfer out and appropriate $4,800,000 to the General Fund Emergency Reserve Fund; and the Austin Transportation Department Mobility Fund Operating Budget (Ordinance No. 20200812-001) to transfer out and appropriate $3,700,000 to the General Fund Emergency Reserve Fund; and declaring an emergency.]
UH, 50 ITEM NUMBER 52.UM, I WOULD, UM, YOU KNOW, FOR THE PURPOSES, AS I PUT IT ON THE MESSAGE BOARD YESTERDAY WOULD LOSE A PASSAGE OF 52, UH, WITH A, UH, AMENDMENT, UH, THAT, UH, UH, HAS BEEN CIRCULATED, WHICH BASICALLY STRIKES THE PAY FOR SUCCESS.
MONEY STRIKES THE AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT MOBILITY FUND.
UH, IT ASKS THE STAFF TO, UM, UH, BRING BACK, UH, SO THAT WE CAN GET THAT $8.5 MILLION OUT OF THE SALES TAX RESERVE.
UH, AND IT ALSO DIRECTS THE CITY MANAGER TO BEGIN WITH THE PROGRAM OF PROGRAMMATIC WORK, UH, ON THE THREE FUNDS, UH, AS DESCRIBED IN THE, UH, MEMO, UH, SO THAT STAFF'S NOT WAITING, UH, FOR US TO TAKE THAT ACTION NEXT WEEK.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION? COUNCILMEMBER PLAN AGAIN, SECOND SEMESTER I NEED DISCUSSION OR ANY AMENDMENTS.
I THINK THAT COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, MAY LOOK HERE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, UH, FILED SOME AMENDMENTS, ACTUALLY IT WAS DIRECTION TO STAFF.
UM, WE, UH, THE FIRST DIRECTION TO START TALKS ABOUT THE THREE 80 AGREEMENTS.
AND WHAT I TRIED TO DO HERE WAS TO CAPTURE OUR CONVERSATION ON THE DIOCESE AND ALSO TO BUILD ON WHAT, UH, THE MAYOR HAD TALKED ABOUT, LOOKING EVERYWHERE THAT WE CAN AND EXPLORE AS, AS BROADLY AS WE CAN AND INCLUSIVELY AS WE POSSIBLY CAN TO FIND SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
UM, WE DO KNOW THAT THERE, AND IT WAS PART OF OUR PRESENTATION AT WORK SESSION.
THERE IS SOME FUNDING AVAILABLE TO THREE 80 AGREEMENTS, AND THERE'S A POTENTIALLY A WAY THAT THAT COULD BE HANDLED IN THE SHORT TERM AND, UH, POTENTIALLY, AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN NECESSARILY HAVE TO CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT, UM, THE THREE 80 FOR THE PARTIES TO THE THREE 80 AGREEMENTS WOULD ACTUALLY RECEIVED.
THIS WAS SIMPLY A DELAY, UM, MAYBE BY ONE YEAR OR POSSIBLY TWO YEARS, UM, THEN RECEIVING THE FUNDS FROM US AND CONSIDERING THE, THE, UM, THE GROUPS THAT ARE GETTING THE INCENTIVE PAYMENTS FROM THE CITY.
I THINK IF WE WERE TO ASK THEM, THEY WOULD PROBABLY BE, UM, INCLINED TO, UH, HELP US IN THIS REGARD.
SO MAYOR, I SAW THAT YOU HAD MADE A COUPLE OF CHANGES AND, UM, TO THE DIRECTION THAT I'D OFFERED AND BASICALLY THEY'RE THEY'RE OKAY.
THE ONLY CONCERN I HAVE IS THE THREE WORDS THAT THE NEXT TO THE LAST LINE OF ANY EXCESS FUNDS, IF, UM, IS THERE ANY NOW ON THE LINE HE COULD MAYBE JUMP IN AND ANSWER A QUESTION.
UM, BUT BEFORE WE DO THAT, LET'S TAKE A SECOND TO YOUR DIRECTION.
FIRST, IF THERE'S A SECOND TO THE DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER POOL OR KITCHEN SECOND STEP.
SO WHAT I WAS SAYING WAS YOUR AMENDMENTS TO MY DIRECTION, ARE I CONSIDER FRIENDLY, UM, WITH THE EX THE ONLY PIECE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ARE THE THREE WORDS OF ANY EXCELLENCE.
SO I WOULD OFFER THE, UH, UH, AMENDMENT, UH, THAT I HAVE, UH, TO, UH,
[04:35:01]
TO PULL DIRECTION.UM, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAVE US, UM, UH, ABROGATE OUR, OUR COMMITMENTS AND OUR, UH, AGREEMENTS, UH, YOU KNOW, WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO ENTER INTO THESE KINDS OF THINGS IN THE FUTURE CERTAINLY CAN BE A DISCUSSION.
BUT I JUST THINK THAT FROM A BOND RATING STANDPOINT, JUST FROM A REPUTATIONAL STANDPOINT, UH, WHEN THE CITY MAKES AN AGREEMENT LIKE THIS, IT NEEDS TO ABIDE BY THAT.
THAT'S THE ONLY PART OF THE ADDITION, THE MONEY THAT, THAT I, THAT I THINK WE SHOULD PUT IN PLAY WOULD BE ANY EXCESS FUNDS.
AREN'T THE EXCESS FUNDS THAT I, THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE US DO THIS.
IF THERE ARE EXCESS FUNDS, UH, THAT WOULD HAVE US BE ABLE TO PERFORM AS WE HAD COMMITTED TO PERFORM, UH, THEN THAT I WOULD, THAT'S WHAT THE AMENDMENT WAS INTENDED TO DO.
IT DOESN'T STOP US FROM OUTSIDE THIS, CONTACTING THEM AND SEE IF THEY WANT TO VOLUNTEER.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THE AMENDMENT THEN? HOW, FOR ME, ALICE SECOND SET AMENDMENT, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON, OH MAN.
I'D LIKE TO, I'D LIKE TO RESPOND.
UM, WELL, AGAIN, THE EXTRACTING FROM THE DIALOGUE, THAT'S BEEN ON THE DAYAS, UM, ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AND IN PARTICULAR, THE, THE COMMENTARY THAT YOU OFFERED MAYOR WAS, YOU SAID, WE NEED TO LOOK EVERYWHERE, OR YOU EVEN TALKED ABOUT COUCH CUSHIONS TO FIND AS MUCH, UH, COINAGE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
I THINK, UH, THE THREE WORDS THAT YOU'RE OFFERING ON HERE ACTUALLY RENDER THIS, UH, THREE 80 AGREEMENTS FUNDING CASE FAIRLY, UM, UH, FEBRILE.
UM, I DON'T THINK THAT IT DOES WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR AND WE ARE SIMPLY LOOKING, WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY COMMITMENTS.
I DID ASK IF HE COULD COME AND ANSWER A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR ME ON, ON THIS PIECE.
UM, MR. DENINO IN LOOKING AT THE, UM, AMENDMENT IN THAT THE PHRASING OF ACCESS FUNDS TO MY DIRECTION, TO STEP ON CREATING AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDING HOW THE CITY DOES BUDGET FOR THE THREE EIGHT PAYMENTS.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE PAY ONE YEAR AND BUDGET AHEAD FOR THE SECOND YEAR.
CAN YOU, AND, AND SO WE ESSENTIALLY ENCUMBER FUNDS FOR TWO YEARS AND IT'S A ROLLING, IT'S A ROLLING.
UM, AND COVERANCE, CAN YOU, CAN YOU COMMENT ON THAT? DO I UNDERSTAND THREE OF THE AGREEMENT PAYMENTS PROPERLY YOU DO? THAT IS CORRECT.
SO WHAT WE'RE BUDGETING THIS YEAR IS THE AMOUNT THAT WE NEED TO PAY BASED UPON INCENTIVES THAT WERE EARNED THROUGH 2019.
UM, AND THEN THE RESERVE BALANCE THAT WE REFLECT IS A, IS AN ESTIMATE OF TAXES THAT WILL BE PAID BY THE ENTITIES DURING FISCAL YEAR 21.
UM, SO TO THE EXTENT THERE WAS ANY KIND OF VARIANCE, IT WOULD BE IN REGARDS TO HOW MUCH WE'RE PROJECTING TO COLLECT THIS YEAR, THAT WILL BE DUE IN THE FISCAL YEAR 22.
WHAT KIND OF EXCESS FUNDS DO YOU RATE JUST HISTORICALLY? I WOULD NOT EXPECT HER, UM, VERY MUCH THERE.
WE USED TO GIVE OURSELVES A LITTLE BIT MORE CUSHION, BUT SEVERAL YEARS AGO, DURING A BUDGET PROCESS, COUNCIL ASKED US TO TRY TO TIGHTEN UP THOSE ESTIMATES.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, TO THE EXTENT WE ENDED UP WITH TAXES BEING PAID AND INCENTIVES BEING LESS THAN WHAT WE BUDGETED.
UM, THAT'S VERY, WE'RE GOING TO BE VERY CLOSE.
UM, I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS IN TWO PARTS, UH, JUST LIKE WE'VE DONE WITH PREVIOUS AMENDMENTS AS WE GO THROUGH THEM.
COUNCIL MEMBER POOL SAID THAT MOST OF WHAT YOU WERE SUGGESTING WAS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
AND SO I THINK THAT, UH, WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND, AND DEAL WITH WHAT IS HER AMENDMENT AND YOUR AMENDMENT AS FRIENDLY.
UM, AND THEN THE QUESTION REALLY IS THE TERM OF ANY EXCESS FUND.
SO I WANT TO VOTE ON THAT SEPARATELY.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO ANY OF THE AVATAR AMENDMENT TO POOL ONE? UH, WITHOUT, UH, THE, THE, CONSIDERING AT THIS POINT, THE ADDITION OF THE WORDS HAVE ANY ACCIDENTS HEARING NON THE AMENDMENT IS A ACCEPTED, LET'S GET IT DONE ON THE WORKDAY QUESTION, THOSE THREE WORDS.
SO HERE SOME REALLY, UM, I WASN'T FINISHED HERE'S, HERE'S MY QUESTION.
UH, I THINK WHAT, WE'RE, WHAT I, I DON'T THINK THAT X, THE TERM EXCESS APPLIES IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE,
[04:40:02]
UM, AS COUNCIL MEMBER TO POOL, JUST ASK AT BENNING AND NOW WHETHER OR NOT WE WOULD DECIDE TO USE ANY RESERVE FUNDS OR NOT.WE'RE NOT MAKING THAT DECISION WITH THIS, WITH THIS DIRECTION.
AND I THINK THE ADDITION MAYOR OF YOUR, OF YOUR LANGUAGE TO ASK THE, UM, CITY TO RETURN WITH RECOMMENDATIONS WILL ALLOW US TO HAVE A FULL CONVERSATION ABOUT THE USE OF THOSE RESERVES AND WHETHER THERE IS A WAY TO USE THOSE RESERVES IN A WAY THAT DOES MAINTAIN OUR CURRENT CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS.
SO I DON'T THINK THAT THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT IS TO MAKE A STATEMENT THAT WE DON'T WANT TO MEET OUR CURRENT OBLIGATIONS.
I THINK THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS SIMPLY TO, TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED SOME MORE CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT RESERVE FUND.
AND SO I THINK I JUST DON'T THINK EXCESS WORKS.
I THINK THAT, AND ALSO DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY HERE BECAUSE WE'VE ESTABLISHED THE INTENT WITH YOUR AMENDMENT TO MAINTAIN CURRENT CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS.
SO IT'S, THIS IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO CHANGE CURRENT COMMITMENTS, AND WE'VE ALSO ASKED STAFF FOR THEIR RECOMMENDATION.
SO I THINK IT'S, I THINK GIVEN WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH, WITH, UM, YOU KNOW, WITH W W WE ALL UNDERSTAND, WE ALL BELIEVE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF TRYING TO EXPLORE WHATEVER WE CAN.
SO I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S TIME TO SAY WHETHER OR NOT WE MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER SOME WAY TO RE USE THOSE RESERVES THAT WOULDN'T PUT AT RISK, OUR COMMITMENTS.
SO THAT'S WHY I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THE TERM, THE WORD, I THINK, I FEEL LIKE THE OTHER LANGUAGE ESTABLISHES THE INTENT THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO CAPTURE WITHOUT THE USE OF THE WORD EXCESS.
WELL, I HAD THAT WE HAVE NOT ASIDE FOR THE DOLLAR, WE HAD COMMITTED TO PAY FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WEREN'T DOING ANYTHING TO SEND ANY SEMBLANCE OF A MESSAGE THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO ABIDE BY THE FULL COMMITMENT, THE FULL FEMINISTS TO TIMING AND AMOUNT AND, AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
AND I HAD THOUGHT THAT IN THE PAST, WE HAD ALREADY THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY DOWN TO WHAT WOULD BE THE MINIMAL AMOUNT, BUT CERTAINLY IF THERE WAS ANYTHING EXTRA THERE, UH, THEN, THEN, THEN I WAS CERTAINLY OKAY WITH TRYING TO IDENTIFY THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO PASS ANYTHING THAT WOULD SEEM TO SUGGEST THAT, THAT WE WERE IN ANY WAY GOING TO, UH, NOT ABIDE BY, UM, WHAT WE HAD PUT IN RESERVE TO PAY THIS YEAR, UH, BECAUSE WE HAD COMMITTED TO DO THAT, PUT THAT MONEY ASIDE.
SO I'M NOT SURE THERE IS ANYTHING, UH, THAT YOU'RE DESCRIBING, UH, THAT WOULD BE JERMAINE OTHER THAN ANY EXCESS WELL WILL MAY, OR MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE'RE ALSO RESERVING FOR THEM FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
SO, UH, BECAUSE THIS IS A ROLLING TWO YEAR RESERVE.
SO, UM, SO THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.
AND, UM, AND I, AND I DO THINK YOUR LANGUAGE PROTECTS US IN TERMS OF, UH, KEEPING WITH THE CURRENT CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT JUST ALLOWS US TO EXPLORE SOME MORE POTENTIAL AND DOES THE RESERVE WE HAVE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET MONEY THAT WE ANTICIPATE HANGING OUT IN THIS YEAR'S FISCAL YEAR, THE RESERVE WE SHOW THE ENDING BALANCE, WE SHOW AN ECONOMIC INCENTIVE RESERVE FUND REFLECTS PROPERTY TAXES THAT WILL BE PAID THIS TAX YEAR THAT WILL ASSUMING THE COMPANIES MEET THEIR PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES WOULD BE PAID OUT IN FISCAL YEAR 22.
WE RESERVE THE TAXES WE RECEIVE.
IF THEY MEET THEIR PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES, IT GETS PAID OUT THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
SO I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE SAID WE WOULD DO.
SO I, I WOULD STILL LIKE TO KEEP THE WORDS OF ANY EXCESS, I GUESS.
SO, COULD YOU MORE TIGHTLY DEFINE XS THEN? AND LET'S SEE IF WE CAN COME TO SOME REASONABLE UNDERSTANDING OF THAT BECAUSE MY READING OF THIS WOULD COME UP WITH NO FUNDS.
AND IF YOU THINK THAT THERE AREN'T FUNDS THAT WE COULD DELAY PAYING OUT TO, I THINK IT'S SAMSUNG AND IT'S ENDEAVOR, UM, AT THE, AT THE CAMPAIGN.
I THINK WE HAVE A LIST OF THE 10.
IS IT 10, 10 TO TWOS? TO ME TO BE CLEAR, I DON'T THINK THAT THERE ARE ANY FUNDS HERE IS I THINK THAT WE'VE ALREADY STRIPPED IT DOWN TO, SO THAT'S THAT, THAT WAS WHAT I WAS, THAT WAS MY READ OF IT TOO.
AND I WANTED TO, SO IF YOU THINK THERE ARE NO FUNDS, WELL, LET'S GO AHEAD AND ASK STAFF TO LOOK FOR AND, AND LEAVE THAT, UH, ONE LAST PASS THROUGH, UM, ON THE INCENTIVES THAT WE'RE GIVING TO THE CORPORATIONS.
WE'VE TALKED MANY TIMES IN THE LAST TWO TO THREE YEARS
[04:45:01]
THAT WE WANTED TO REVISIT HOW MUCH MONEY WE ARE GIVING TO THE LARGE CORPORATIONS.THESE ARE, UH, KIND OF LEGACY CONTRACTS.
THE CITY IS NOT REQUIRED TO PAY THESE PSALMS IT'S IN THE CONTRACTS.
SO WE MAKE A DECISION EVERY YEAR ON WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO FUND THESE.
AND, UM, I THINK IN THIS INSTANCE AND CONSIDERING THE, THE CRISIS CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE FINANCIAL SITUATION RAN, THIS IS ONE TIME WHEN, WHEN I WOULD EVEN ASK THOSE, THOSE CORPORATIONS VOLUNTARILY TO STAND UP AND SAY, PLEASE, YES, WE WON'T TAKE IT THIS YEAR, ADD THOSE YEARS ONTO THE BACK END.
AND WE CAN RECRUIT THEM WHEN TIMES ARE BETTER, BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE NEED IS REALLY GREAT FOR OUR MUSIC VENUES AND OUR RESTAURANTS IN AUSTIN.
SO, SO THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING IS THAT WE LOOK AT THE THREE 80 AGREEMENTS, CAUSE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT DOING THAT AND, AND BRING IT, BRING A FRESH, UH, BOTTOM LINE TO US SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE, WITH THE DOLLAR FIGURES IN FRONT OF US.
UM, I GUESS I DON'T, IS IT, I'M CURIOUS IF IT'S IN FACT TRUE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY, BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT, THAT WAS THE CONTRACTUAL PART THAT THE MAYOR'S REFERRING TO THAT THEY, AND I THINK ED REFERRED TO IT TOO, IF THEY MEET CERTAIN CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, WHICH I THINK IN MANY CASES ARE JOBS, UM, THE NUMBER OF JOBS THAT THEY'RE OFFERING, UM, THEN AS A PART OF THAT.
SO I GUESS CLARIFICATION ON THAT.
SO WE, WE COULD, IS IT, IS IT IN FACT, TRUE, THIS MAY BE A LAW QUESTION THAT IF, UM, THEY MEET THEIR END OF IT, PROVIDING THE NUMBER OF JOBS TO, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE INCLUDE PROVIDING JOBS TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE FACED BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, UM, PROVIDING CERTAIN KINDS OF JOBS FOR THOSE AS WELL.
UM, WE STILL DON'T HAVE TO MEET OUR END OF THE AGREEMENT.
SO THIS IS AN WE'VE ALWAYS SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? THIS IS A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT.
SO IF THEY MEET THE GOALS, THEN, THEN THE CITY PAYS FOR THOSE, UM, FOR THAT MONEY THAT WE'VE PROMISED TO PAY.
AND THEN EVERY YEAR YOU DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THE PROGRAM, BUT IT'S THEIR LONGTERM PROGRAMS THAT THEY ARE REIMBURSEMENT.
SO IF THEY DON'T MEET THEM, MARK, WE DON'T PAY THE FUNDS.
AND WE HAVE KEPT VERY GOOD RECORDS OF THAT IN THE PAST THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UM, DEPARTMENT DOES A GOOD JOB OF THAT.
BUT IF THEY DO MEET THEIR GOALS, SUCH AS PROVIDING A CERTAIN NUMBER OF JOBS TO SOMETIMES PEOPLE THAT ARE HARD TO EMPLOY, UM, MORE DIFFICULT TO EMPLOY IT IS OUR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION TO MEET OUR PART OF THE DEAL AS WELL.
IS THAT RIGHT? THE CITY HAS ALWAYS PAID THAT.
I MEAN, MAY I, MAY I SUGGEST BECAUSE I KNOW, YOU KNOW, ON ONE HAND I DON'T, WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE'S TREMENDOUS NEED IN EVERY INDUSTRY, BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE AN INDUSTRY HAS PROVIDED JOBS AS A PART OF AN AGREEMENT.
AND NOW WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO OUR END OF THE BARGAIN OF THE DEAL.
SO, UM, MAYBE I COULD SUGGEST COUNCIL MEMBER POOL THAT THIS IS INFORMATION YOU CAN BE, YOU CAN GET FROM, UM, YOU KNOW, OUR STAFF, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY WHEN THE PROGRAM COMES BACK TO ADD THAT AS AN, AS AN AMENDMENT, WHEN YOU FIND OUT WHAT THAT IS, BUT, UM, CONCERNED ABOUT PROMISES ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN INDUSTRIES PROVIDE JOBS AND THEN NOW SAYING WE'RE NOT GOING TO HOLD UP OUR PART OF THE DEBATE.
I ACTUALLY THINK THAT'S A GREAT SUGGESTION, MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THIS PARTICULAR THING.
I THINK THAT COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO MAY HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE AND AN AMENDMENT THAT SHE'S WORKING ON.
UM, I WILL SAY THAT I HAVE DUG INTO THE, UM, INCENTIVE AGREEMENT AT THE DOMAIN.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT IN PAT IN THE PAST YEAR IS A COUPLE OF THREE TIMES ABOUT, UM, THE CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED OVER, UH, WHETHER AND HOW COMPLETELY THE CONTRACTS WERE FULFILLED.
UH, THERE WERE, UM, FOR HOUSING, FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SOME SMALL BUSINESSES WHO FELT LIKE THEY, UM, THINGS DIDN'T WORK OUT THE WAY THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD.
AND, UH, SO I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THAT PARTICULAR SITUATION.
THAT CONTRACT HAS SHIFTED ALONG WITH THE OWNERSHIP OF THE DOMAIN.
SO IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN HELD BY A DIFFERENT ENTITIES THAN IT WAS ORIGINALLY.
I'M HAPPY TO, YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHATEVER CONTINUES TO MOVE THE CONVERSATION FORWARD IS MY GOAL HERE.
I DO THINK THAT THIS CATEGORY OF FUNDING WHEN WE MADE THESE AGREEMENTS WERE NOT IN THE SAME SORT OF ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE WERE WHEN THESE AGREEMENTS WERE MADE.
AND I THINK THAT, UM, AND THEY DO HAVE, UM, I THINK ALL OF THESE CONTRACTS HAVE THE ABILITY NOT TO PAY.
AND THAT'S A DECISION THAT THE CITY, UM, CAN MAKE.
UM, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AN AGREED UPON DECISION.
BOTH PARTIES DON'T HAVE TO AGREE.
SO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THIS.
[04:50:01]
BE HAPPY TO PULL THIS.I WILL WORK WITH MR. DAMIANO AND STAFF TO GET, UM, AN UPDATE ON ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THREE 80 AGREEMENTS THAT WE'VE GOT AND GET A, UM, A COMPLETE ACCOUNTING AND WHERE WE'RE AT AND HOW THE, UM, THE PROMISES HAVE BEEN MET.
AND, UM, WE'LL BRING THAT BACK.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE THAT READY TO GO BY OCTOBER 15TH.
SO MAYOR, I'M GONNA PULL THIS DOWN AND I THINK THAT AFFECTS THE YEAR AND THEN THE SITUATION.
SEE, I'M NOT SURE YOU COULD PULL IT DOWN CAUSE IT'S BEEN OUT THERE THE SECOND NIGHT, WHICH BEFORE THE BODY, NO, YOU DON'T OWN THE AMENDMENT.
MORE BELONGS TO THE BODY AND EMOTION AND THE AMENDMENT BELONG TO THE BODY.
IT CAN BE PULLED DOWN IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION TO IT.
THE ONLY CONCERN WITH NOT OBJECTING TO PULLING IT DOWN, IS THAT GOING TO CREATE THE IMPRESSION THAT A MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL IS BIDING BY THE, UH, AGREEMENTS THAT WE'VE MADE.
UH, BUT I'LL GO AHEAD AND NOT OBJECT TO THIS PULLING DOWN.
CAUSE I DON'T, CAUSE I DON'T THINK THE VOTES ARE THERE TO PASS IT.
UH, BUT JUST REAL STRONGLY FOR ANYONE.
I MEAN, I JUST THINK OF THE MESSAGE THAT WE NEED TO SEND VERY CLEARLY, UH, IS THAT, UH, WE'RE NOT GOING TO, UH, ABROGATE, UH, AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE MADE.
UM, UH, AND, AND, AND FOR THAT REASON, UH, I'M OKAY WITH IT BEING PULLED DOWN.
DOES ANYBODY OBJECT TO IT BEING PULLED DOWN AND WE'LL GO AHEAD AND PULL DOWN THE AMENDMENT AND THE AMENDMENT.
THAT GETS US TO PULL ITEM NUMBER TWO.
YOU WANT TO MOVE, PULL TO, AGAIN, THIS IS DIRECTION TO STAFF TO REBALANCE THE FUNDS.
THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY EARLIER TODAY.
WE WANT TO REBALANCE THE FUND INTO THE INDUSTRY SECTORS TO PROVIDE THAT PROVIDE A SIMILAR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
SO THE CRITERIA FOR AWARDING THE GRANTS CAN BE ESTABLISHED AND MORE, FAIRLY CONSIDERED ACROSS THE APPLICATIONS.
THE COMMENTS WENT TO, UM, OH, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A, IS THERE A SECOND TO PULL NUMBER TWO, COUNCIL MEMBER, KITCHEN SECONDS.
UM, AND THE ONLY POINT I WOULD MAKE IN ADDITION TO THAT IS THAT SOME FOLKS HAVE SOME ENTITIES HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED FUNDS.
SO I WANTED TO, UM, LOOK AT CRITERIA TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, THOSE WHO HADN'T RECEIVED ANY FUNDS HAD A CRACK AT THE NEW FUNDS.
AND THEN ALSO IF WE ARE CHANGING THE BUCKETS, THE MONEY IS GOING INTO THAT WE SUBDIVIDE AND EVENLY DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE BUCKETS.
UM, SINCE WE PULLED SOME OF THE MONEY OUT, OKAY, 53, IS THERE A SECOND TO RULE NUMBER TWO? I PROBABLY DID THAT ALREADY.
UH, DO YOU MIND MUTING COUNCILMEMBER POLL? SORRY.
THERE'S A BACKGROUND NOISE THAT, UM, I'M NOT CLEAR EXACTLY WHAT, WHAT THE LANGUAGE DOES AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, UM, IT'S NOT MEN BECAUSE EVERYONE THINKS IT'S FIVE, FIVE AND FIVE RIGHT NOW.
AND, AND I WANNA MAKE SURE, UM, FOR EXAMPLE, UH, THE CHILDCARE BUCKET IS NOT GETTING DECREASED BY THIS DIRECTION AND THERE WASN'T ANY INTENT TO CHANGE THAT.
IS IT OKAY IF WE ADD SOMETHING LIKE THE, YOU KNOW, THE, THAT THE, THE ALLOCATIONS WILL REMAIN AT THE MINIMUM? I, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE REALLOCATION.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT AGAIN WHERE WE HAVE THREE BUCKETS AND, UM, IF ANY OF THE SECTORS ARE QUALIFIED INTO THE BUCKETS AND THEY HAVE TWO TRIES AT $10 MILLION, INSTEAD OF ONE, TRY AT $5 MILLION.
IF, IF PEOPLE HAVE TWO OPTIONS IN TWO BUCKETS, THEN THAT MEANS THAT FEWER PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE RELIEF.
SO IT WAS JUST SIMPLY A MATTER OF DISTRIBUTING OVER THE THREE BUCKETS.
NO, I WAS GOING TO DEBATE, I DIDN'T KNOW.
I HEAR THE CONCERN THAT YOU HAVE ONCE YOU FINISH.
I JUST, UM, SO YOUR RESPONSE, ARE YOU SAYING THAT IF THEY APPLY FOR BUCKET TWO, THEY CAN'T, THEY CAN'T APPLY FOR BUCKET THREE.
WE SEEM TO HAVE SEPARATED OUT CHILDCARE TO GET FUNDING IN ONE SPECIFIC ALLOCATION.
[04:55:01]
VENUES TO GET FUNDING FROM ITS CATEGORY.THE GROUP THAT WASN'T INCLUDED WERE THE RESTAURANTS.
AND THEN THERE WERE PROBABLY SOME OTHER ENTITIES THAT WANT EITHER MUSIC OR CHILDCARE.
AND I WANTED TO PRESERVE THE ABILITY OF THAT GROUP THAT WASN'T ALREADY NAMED IN EITHER THE CHILDCARE BUCKET, WHERE THE MUSIC, MUSIC, VENUE, BUCKET TO HAVE ACCESS TO, UM, AWARDS AND RELIEF THAT THEY HAVEN'T HAD ACCESS TO SO FAR.
UM, MAYBE SOMEBODY ELSE CAN HELP ME WITH THIS, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT REDUCING LIKE CHILDCARE, THAT IT WILL STAY AT 5 MILLION, JUST WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS, THIS IS NOT CHANGING, THAT ASSUMING WE HAVE AT LEAST 15 MILLION, THERE SHOULD BE EQUAL FUNDS IN EACH OF THOSE IN EACH OF THOSE AWARD BUCKETS.
SO MY, MY SENSE ON HIS COLLEAGUES IS THAT WE, WE GAVE REALLY SPECIFIC DIRECTION TO, TO THE STAFF WHEN WE PASS THE RESOLUTION TWO WEEKS AGO.
UH, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THAT THERE'S SUCH INCREDIBLE SCALE OF NEED IN THE CITY, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS, UH, YOU KNOW, THE RESTAURANT FOLKS SAID THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST 50 TO A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
UH, IF WE WERE GOING TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN, JUST IN THAT ONE INDUSTRY, UH, WE NEED THE FEDERAL HELP.
AND I'M REALLY ENCOURAGED BY, BY HEARING THE REPORTS TODAY THAT MAYBE CONGRESS IS COMING THROUGH, ESPECIALLY WITH PROGRAMS FOR RESTAURANTS, BECAUSE THE SCALE OF THAT CHALLENGE IS JUST SO MUCH GREATER THAN WE CAN DO.
SO WHEN WE PASS THE SAIS RESOLUTION, WE REALLY NARROWED DOWN ON, ON WHAT IT WOULD COVER.
AND WE PUT IN REALLY SPECIFIC CRITERIA IN THE RESOLVE CLOSET THAT HAD THE BULLET POINTS ON PAGES SEVEN THROUGH EIGHT OF 10.
AND IT WAS REALLY JUST THOSE BUSINESSES THAT WERE FACING IMMINENT CLOSURE.
IF THEY GOT FUNDING, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN.
BUT ALSO THOSE BUSINESSES THAT IF THEY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE REPLACED WITH A SIMILAR BUSINESS REOPENING IN THE SAME OR A NEARBY LOCATION EITHER TO RENT OR OTHER MARKET FACTORS.
UM, SO, SO IT REALLY, IT, IT, IT REALLY, AND THERE WERE OTHER FACTORS ABOUT, ABOUT REALLY TYING INTO, IN A REALLY SPECIFIC WAY THAT PARTICULAR BUSINESS, UH, WERE THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION WITH, UH, WITH THE BRANDING OF THE, OF THE CITY AND THE LIFE.
IT'S A NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TASK WHEN, WHENEVER YOU'RE TRYING TO BRING RESOURCES TO BEAR IN WAYS THAT COULD MAKE A CRITICAL DIFFERENCE.
AND, AND I RECOGNIZE A DESIRE TO BE ABLE TO SPREAD IT TO LOTS OF PLACES SO THAT WE, WE COVER A LOT OF PEOPLE.
UH, BUT I THINK THAT THE SAGE RESOLUTION WAS REALLY MORE TARGETED THAN THAT, RECOGNIZING THAT WE JUST REALLY CAN'T IN THIS MOTION AT THIS TIME, HELP HELP EVERYBODY.
AND I THINK THE STAFF CAME BACK WITH A REALLY, UH, ELEGANT, ELOQUENT, UM, UH, SOLUTION.
UH, IT WAS TO SAY MUSIC AND VENUES IN CATEGORY ONE, BECAUSE A LOT OF, OF WHAT WE RECOGNIZE AS BEING IRREPLACEABLE AND IF IT WENT AWAY, UH, AND THE ECONOMY CAME BACK, NOT LIKELY THAT A SIMILAR USE IS GOING TO GO IN A LOT OF THESE SAME LOCATIONS, JUST BECAUSE THE MARKET VALUE OF THE PROPERTY IS JUST TOO HIGH, UH, RESTAURANTS NEED ASSISTANCE.
UH, BUT AT THE END OF THE PANDEMIC, WE'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE RESTAURANTS DOWNTOWN.
UM, BUT THE, SO THE, SO THAT POCKET WAS JUST FOR THAT.
AND THEN THE SECOND BUCKET RECOGNIZED THAT, THAT, THAT WE MIGHT HAVE SOME BUSINESSES, UM, UH, IN ADDITION TO MUSIC VENUES THAT MIGHT ALSO QUALIFY BECAUSE SOMETHING REALLY SPECIFIC OR UNIQUE ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION OR THAT PARTICULAR, UH, OPERATOR THAT, THAT MET THE KINDS OF CRITERIA THAT WE LAID OUT AS A, AS A GROUP I IN THE MEETING TWO WEEKS AGO, AND THEN OPENED UP THAT SECOND BUCKET, UM, OF THE ADDITIONAL FIVE FOR THAT, FOR THAT WIDER GROUP, RECOGNIZING IS STILL HAS TO MEET THE CRITERIA THAT WE LAID OUT IN THE RESOLUTION FROM, FROM TWO WEEKS AGO.
AND THEN THE THIRD BUCKET SEPARATELY WAS CHILDCARE AND IT'S JUST CHILDCARE.
UH, SO, SO I DON'T SUPPORT THE, UH, UH, DIRECTION COMING FROM, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.
I WOULD LEAVE THE BUCKETS AS THEY ARE.
I WOULDN'T REBALANCE THEM, UH, BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS A, IS A REALLY ELOQUENT SOLUTION TO THE CHALLENGE WE GAVE TO STAFF AND THE RESOLUTION WE PASSED, UH, UH, TWO WEEKS AGO, FURTHER DISCUSSION,
[05:00:01]
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR.UM, I HAVE A QUESTION, I GUESS, FOR LEGAL FIRST, UM, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO ME THAT THE MOTION THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US ACTUALLY PUTS THIS INTO ANYTHING OTHER THAN THIS SAVES SECTOR FUND.
UM, IT DOESN'T SPECIFY HOW IT'S DIVIDED AS FAR AS I CAN TELL AM I CORRECT IN THAT IT'S IN A MEMO WE RECEIVED, BUT IT'S NOT ACTUALLY IN THE ORDINANCE, THE ORDINANCE, UM, TALKS ABOUT IN DIFFERENT BUCKETS, UH, JUST MOVING THE MONEY IN, AND THEN I THINK STAFF WAS GOING TO PUT THEM INTO THREE DIFFERENT PLACES THAT'S IN THE MEMO.
BUT IT JUST GIVES IT, IT JUST PUTS IT INTO THE SAVES BUCKET.
IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY SAY THERE ARE THREE BUCKETS OR WHAT IT'S GOING FOR AT THIS POINT.
I THINK THE MEMO SAYS IT'S AND SOMEBODY CAN, IT DOES, BUT NOT THE ORDINANCE IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GOVERNED BY A MEMO.
WE ARE GOVERNED BY THE ORDINARY.
SO THE DIRECTION THAT WE GAVE THERE WAS INCLUDED JUST A MOMENT AGO.
IT WAS PART OF THE DIRECTION THAT, AGAIN SAID THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO PROCEED IMMEDIATELY WITH THE PROGRAMMATIC WORK OF USING THE FULL $15 MILLION AS PROPOSED IN THE MEMO TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL DATED SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2020.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO CLARIFY ON THAT.
SO, UM, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, I SHARE, UH, THE MAYOR PRO TIMES CONCERN, UM, TO CLARIFY WHAT THE CHILDCARE, UM, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE RAISED MY COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, IT IS THAT IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE SOME GROUPS THAT ARE ALLOWED TO APPLY TO TWO BUCKETS.
UM, AND SOME THAT ARE ONLY ABLE TO APPLY TO ONE.
AND IT'S NOT CLEAR IF I CONIC, UM, MODIFIES EVERYTHING IN THAT LEGACY BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT.
UH, WE HAVE A LOT OF RESTAURANTS, UM, AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR THAT WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT MAY NOT BE LEGACY.
AND SO I I'M, I WAS JUST LIKE, THAT'S WHAT I THINK WHAT WE'RE STRUGGLING WITH.
UM, AND, AND SO MAYOR, CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY WE DON'T WANT TO SEPARATE THAT, GIVEN THE NUMBERS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO? I MEAN, YES, WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR VENUES.
THERE IS A 5 MILLION I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS, BUT I, I THINK I UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM THAT GOT TO MY POOL WAS TRYING TO, TO ADDRESS.
I THINK THE PROBLEM IS, IS, IS REAL.
AND IN OUR FACE, WE HAVE RESTAURANTS ALL OVER THE CITY THAT ARE HAVING EXTREME DIFFICULTY.
UH, YOU KNOW, THE MARKET NOW IS OPENED UP TO 75%, BUT WE HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT DOESN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE OR MANY DON'T, UH, GOING INSIDE A RESTAURANT.
I THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO BRING AS MUCH ASSISTANCE AS WE CAN TO THE RESTAURANTS KNOW WE PASSED A RESOLUTION THAT INCREASED THE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO EAT OUTSIDE AND REMOVE BARRIERS.
IT'S NOT, HASN'T BEEN ALLOWED TO PICK UP ON THAT AND MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE US DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN DO.
I'D LIKE TO SEE US MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CHAPTER THREE 80, UM, UM, OUR REEVALUATION TO SEE IF WE CAN PROVIDE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR, FOR RESTAURANT SPACES, UH, ALL OVER TOWN.
UH, I'D LIKE TO SEE US DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP RESTAURANTS.
THE SCALE OF THAT CHALLENGE IS ENORMOUS, UH, AND DRAWERS, THE KIND OF DOLLARS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.
UH, THE SAVES RESOLUTION WAS NOT, UH, ONE THAT, UH, WAS INTENDED TO CAUSE IT COULDN'T PROVIDE RELIEF TO, TO RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE, ACROSS THE CITY.
IF THERE'S A WAY FOR US TO DO THAT, UH, I WOULD LOVE TO BE PART OF THAT, UH, AND TO HELP TRY TO FIGURE THAT OUT, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS.
THE SAVES RESOLUTION AS WE ADOPTED TWO WEEKS AGO, RECOMMEND RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WERE LIMITED FUNDING WITH THIS EFFORT.
AND THIS EFFORT ONLY SPOKE TO, UM, UH, BUSINESSES, RESTAURANT OR VENUES, MUSIC VENUES, OTHER THINGS THAT MET THE CRITERIA THAT WERE LAID OUT ON PAGES SEVEN AND EIGHT OF THAT RESOLUTION.
SO IT'S, IT'S REALLY NARROWED DOWN.
THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE THE BUSINESS FACES A SUBSTANTIAL LIKELIHOOD OF CLOSING PERMANENTLY ABSENT ASSISTANCE.
AND THERE'S A VERY LOW LIKELIHOOD OF A SIMILAR BUSINESS REOPENING IN THE SAME OR NEARBY LOCATION TO THE INCREASED RENTS OR OTHER MARKET CONDITIONS, OR THE BUSINESS INDUSTRY FACES UNIQUE DIFFICULTY PIVOTING TO ALTERNATE OPERATING MODELS FOR GENERATING REVENUE.
SO, SO I RECOGNIZE AND BELIEVE THAT THERE IS HUGE NEED AMONG RESTAURANTS IN OUR CITY.
UH, AND, AND HOPEFULLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
[05:05:01]
WOULD GIVE US SOMETHING APPROXIMATING THE, KIND OF THE SCALE OF THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE.AND I WANT TO BE PART OF DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO BRING AS MUCH RELIEF TO RESTAURANTS AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
BUT IN THE SAY, AS RESOLUTION, IN ORDER FOR A RESTAURANT TO BE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR FUNDING, THEY WOULD HAVE TO SHOW MORE AND THEY WERE JUST, UH, A RESTAURANT AND, AND FACING, YOU KNOW, THE EXTREME CONDITIONS.
THAT'S HOW WITH THE SAVES RESOLUTION WAS.
BUT MAYOR EVEN WITHIN THAT UNIVERSE, WE NOW HAVE SOME GROUPS THAT ARE ABLE TO APPLY TO TWO POTS OF MONEY.
SO EVEN IF WE LIMIT IT TO THE UNIVERSE THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, WE HAVE SOME GROUPS THAT CAN APPLY TO TWO BUCKETS.
AND I'M JUST, I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE A STRONG FEELING ONE WAY OR ANOTHER WHAT THE ANSWER IS, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME CLARITY ON THAT BECAUSE THEY GET TO DOUBLE, I THINK THAT'S CREATING, EVEN FOR THOSE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE IN CERTAIN SECTORS, THEY ARE DISADVANTAGED.
AND, AND I JUST DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SET UP OR NOT.
AND I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE DIRECTION THAT WE'RE WE'RE.
I THINK, I THINK THE WAY, THE REASON THAT THIS WORKED THIS WAY IS BECAUSE AS YOU LOOK AT IT, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE MUSIC VENUES THAT ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR THIS MONEY THAN RESTAURANT AND RESTAURANTS.
AND I THINK THAT THE WAY THAT THE STAFF DEALT WITH IT, I THINK IS, IS, IS ACTUALLY KIND OF CLEVER.
IT SAID THAT THAT THERE'S $10 MILLION THERE'S $5 MILLION FOR CHILD CARE.
THERE'S $10 MILLION FOR THE BALANCE OF THAT BALANCE.
WE KNOW THAT AT LEAST $5 MILLION, WE WANT TO GO TO MUSIC VENUES BECAUSE OF THEIR UNIQUE STANDING, THE UNIQUE HARM, UNIQUE RISK, THAT UNIQUE VALUE, BUT THE OTHER $5 MILLION, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THAT AVAILABLE TO BOTH MUSICS AND, AND, AND RESTAURANTS AND BARS, UM, OR ARTS VENUE, UH, THAT CAN ALSO MEET THAT CRITERIA.
UH, AND I THINK THAT THE STAFF, WHEN THEY'RE APPLYING THIS CRITERIA WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
BUT I THINK IT JUST RECOGNIZES THE REALITY THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CRITERIA, UM, UM, MORE MUSIC VENUES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO QUALIFY YES.
SO I, I HEAR WHAT EVERYONE IS SAYING, BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD PRESUPPOSE THE OUTCOME, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE DOING.
IF WE ARE, IF WE ARE SAYING THAT RESTAURANTS THAT, YOU KNOW, FIT THE CRITERIA THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CAN ONLY APPLY IN BUCKET.
TWO VENUES CAN APPLY IN BUCKET ONE AND BUCKET TWO.
THEN THE EFFECT OF THAT IS JUST, IT'S SIMPLY NOT FAIR.
AND WE DON'T KNOW YET HOW MANY RESTAURANTS MIGHT QUALIFY.
SO BEFORE WE SET UP A SITUATION WHERE WE'VE GOT, UM, WHERE WE'RE, WE'RE NECESSARILY CREATING A LEVEL OF, OF, YOU KNOW, IMBALANCE, UH, WITH RESTAURANTS, I THINK WE SHOULD GO FURTHER IF, IF OUR STAFF HAS INFORMATION TO TELL US THAT THAT'S THE CASE, THEY JUST DON'T THINK THERE'S THAT MANY THAT'LL QUALIFY THAT I'D LIKE TO HEAR IT RIGHT NOW AND MAYBE WRITING THEM IN THE LONG RUN.
BUT THAT'S JUST AT THIS POINT, WE'RE JUST KIND OF, YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T REALLY DONE THAT ANALYSIS UNLESS THERE'S SOME INFORMATION OUT THERE THAT I MISSED.
SO, UM, SO I'D RATHER, UH, I'D RATHER, YOU KNOW, LET'S GIVE IT A SHOT AND SEE HOW MANY RESTAURANTS FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
WE DO KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT, A LOT OF RESTAURANTS AND I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF THE ORDER MAGNITUDE NEED FOR RESTAURANTS IS HUGE.
AND WE'VE GOT TO HAVE HELP FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK WE'RE ALL SAYING THE SAME THING.
WE WANT TO DO WHAT WE CAN HERE.
SO I JUST THINK THAT, UM, PRESUPPOSE T TO ME, IT FEELS LIKE IT'S PRESUPPOSING AN OUTCOME.
UM, AND, UM, AND I DON'T KNOW, I MEAN, DIRECTOR, YOU, DID, YOU GUYS DO SOME ANALYSIS THAT MAKES YOU BELIEVE THAT, THAT THERE AREN'T THAT MANY RESTAURANTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE QUALIFY.
AND SO THEREFORE YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO USE 5 MILLION FOR THOSE RESTAURANTS.
IS THAT WHAT WE'RE HEARING COUNCIL MEMBER? WE HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO DO A COMPLETE ANALYSIS CAUSE WE'VE BEEN WORKING VERY FAST ON THIS, THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, UM, WHO WE DESIGNED, WHAT WE PROPOSE.
WE REALLY LOOK TO THE RESOLUTION, THIS COUNCIL PASSED AND ALIGNED WITH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LIKE A C OR AN ICONIC, UM, LIVE MUSIC VENUE, RESTAURANT, OR ART SPACE.
WE TRY TO INCORPORATE AS MUCH AS THAT LANGUAGE AS WE COULD
[05:10:01]
FROM THE RESOLUTION SO THAT WE COULD HONOR THIS COUNCIL'S WISHES IN TERMS OF ADMINISTERING THESE PROGRAMS. OKAY.BUT AT THIS POINT, THE ANALYSIS HASN'T BEEN DONE, AND SO WE'VE GOT ONE BUCKET FOR MUSIC VENUES, ONE BUCKET FOR ICONIC OR WHATEVER THE RIGHT TERM IS, AND THEN ONE BUCKET FOR CHILDCARE.
AND I SHARE THE CONCERNS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER POOL IS RAISED TO COUNCIL MEMBER ALTERNATIVES RAISED.
I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, MAYOR AND I, I'M NOT DISAGREEING, BUT I JUST DON'T WANT TO PRESUPPOSE THE OUTCOME.
AND I THINK WE MAY BE SETTING UP A CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE WE'VE GOT RESTAURANTS THAT ARE, THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE FULL POSSIBILITIES FOR THEM.
AND I'D RATHER NOT DO THAT AT THIS POINT.
I'D RATHER LET OUR, UM, YOU KNOW, I'D RATHER HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO DO, TRY TO ADDRESS THAT, UH, IN THE WAY THAT COUNCIL MEMBER POOL HAS SUGGESTED, OR IN SOME OTHER WAY, YOU KNOW, WHEN OUR STAFF HAS MORE INFORMATION AND THEY COULD COME BACK TO US, I'M JUST AFRAID THAT WE'RE GOING TO END UP WITH, WITH THE RESULT.
I THINK IF STAFF SEES A PROBLEM WITH IT, THEY COULD CERTAINLY COME BACK TO US.
BUT AT THIS POINT I'M REALLY COMFORTABLE SAYING THAT THE MUSIC VENUES THAT CAN'T OPEN, EVEN AS RESTAURANTS CAN, AND I RECOGNIZE IT'S AN IMPERFECT SITUATION FOR RESTAURANTS AND GIVEN THE UNIQUE POSITION THAT THAT HAS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, I THINK THAT THE WAY THAT THE STAFF HAS DONE IT REALLY MEETS THAT IT DOESN'T PRESUPPOSE, THERE ARE RESTAURANTS AS MUCH AS IT, AS IT RECOGNIZES THE SPECIAL PLACE THAT, THAT, THAT MUSIC VENUES HAVE RIGHT NOW AS CONCERNS THIS ASPECT, UH, I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO JOIN WITH YOU OR ANYONE ELSE GENERALLY WITH THAT WITH A RESTAURANT RELIEF, UH, MEASURE, UH, THAT, THAT, THAT LOOKS AT THAT IN A DIFFERENT CONTEXT THAN, THAN WHAT WE HAD TO INSIGNIFICANT.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OTHER THAN COUNCILMEMBER KITCHEN BEFORE I GO BACK TO HER COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN? WELL, I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY, I THINK WE HAVE OTHER AVENUES FOR MUSIC VENUES.
I MEAN, ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT I INTEND TO BRING RELATES TO VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER, WHICH, WHICH, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO MAKE, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, APPLIES APPROPRIATELY, BUT, UM, I JUST, I JUST, THIS JUST DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT TO ME.
SO I'M GOING TO SUPPORT A COUNSELOR AMENDMENT ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION BEFORE WE VOTE, THAT WAS IN FAVOR OF POOL AMENDMENT, NUMBER TWO, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND POOL AND KITCHEN AND ALTER, UH, THOSE OPPOSED TO THE PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND TO THE BALANCE OF THE DIOCESE.
JUST SO THE RECORD IS CLEAR, UH, COUNCILOR KOSSAR'S OFFICE.
AND SO, UM, THE THIRD ONE THAT I'VE BROUGHT IS, UM, THERE ARE REVENUES IN THE T VENTURE CENTER THAT ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX, BUT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN A REPORT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
AND SO THIS IS A DIRECTION TO STAFF TO REQUEST, UM, UH, IDENTIFYING CONVENTION CENTER, EARNED INCOME FROM INTEREST RENTALS, SHE'S AND CONTRACTORS THAT IS NOT GENERATED FROM HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES RETURNED TO COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 15, WITH OPTIONS TO USE THE TAXES FOR RELIEF PROGRAMS FOR THE INDUSTRY SECTORS IDENTIFIED IN THE STATE'S RESOLUTION POOL, BOOTS DIRECTION.
NUMBER THREE, IS THERE ANY, IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS DIRECTION? IS THERE A SECOND KITCHEN, SECOND DISCUSSION? THAT'S MY POLL.
CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION? DO I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IT'S INTENT HERE IS TO GET THE STAFF TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND COME BACK AND OUTLINE WHAT THAT IS OR WHAT THAT MIGHT BE US TO BE ABLE TO ACT, BUT IT'S NOT TODAY EXPRESSING AN OPINION AS TO, OR ABSOLUTELY WITH ALL OF THE DIRECTION THAT I WAS OFFERING.
SO, SO I COULD VOTE TO SUPPORT THIS DIRECTION, EVEN IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M NOT SURE THAT I WOULD BE WILLING TO SUPPORT AN ACTUAL PASSING OF.
IN OTHER WORDS, MY PARENTS, I CAN OVERSEE THAT'S ALWAYS THE CASE.
SO WITH THAT UNDERSTANDING, I'M GOING TO SUPPORT
[05:15:01]
THE REPORTS DIRECTION THREE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS, THOSE IN FAVOR OF POOR DIRECTION.NUMBER THREE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
UH, NEXT, UH, UH, AMENDMENTS HERE.
52, CONTINUING ON 52, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO UH, YES.
AND THESE HAVE BEEN POSTED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD AND ARE ALSO DISTRIBUTED.
UM, AND SOME OF THEM ARE SIMILAR TO CONVERSATIONS WE'VE JUST HAD, UM, BUT WE'VE APPROACHED THEM A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.
SO I GUESS I WOULD JUST STEP BACK AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, I THINK ONE OF NUMBER ONE, I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS EXTRAORDINARILY HARD BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH LIMITED RESOURCES AND ARE TRYING TO EXTEND THEM, YOU KNOW, AS BROADLY AS WE CAN.
AND I AM THINKING BACK ON ONE OF THE COMMENTS THAT SOMEONE MENTIONED THIS MORNING ABOUT FEELING, UM, AS A BOARD OR COMMISSIONER, LIKE THEY WERE SITTING IN THE DUNKIN CHAIR, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES I SORT OF FEEL LIKE THAT AS A COUNCIL MEMBER.
UM, AND THERE ARE JUST NO REALLY GREAT CHOICES ON SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS THAT ARE BEFORE US BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME NEED WE HAVE FROM INDIVIDUALS NEEDS TO BUSINESSES.
UM, SO MANY OF THE BUSINESSES THAT SPOKE TO THIS MORNING OR IN PREVIOUS COUNCIL SESSIONS OR EMAILED US OUR DISTRICT NINE BUSINESSES OR BUSINESSES I FREQUENTED AND LOVED FOR DECADES IN OTHER DISTRICTS, IT'S, IT'S EXTRAORDINARILY HARD.
UM, AND I, I KNOW THAT, UM, IN THE COURSE OF TODAY, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT VARIOUS THINGS WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOOK TOWARD AND FUTURE MEETINGS.
AND SO AS WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW THAT SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED AND WHAT OTHER RESOURCES, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY COMMITMENT TO, TO ALL OF THOSE INDUSTRIES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FROM CHILDCARE TO RESTAURANTS, MUSIC, MUSIC, AND ARTS, THEN USE THE WOMEN'S SPACES, UM, AND OTHER, OTHER ARTS THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS, UM, TOWARD ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
AND AS WE HOPEFULLY GET SOME OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, I THINK WE'LL HAVE APPLES.
WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK AND, AND LOOK AT THESE.
SO ONE OF I HAD INTRODUCED SOME AMENDMENTS THAT WERE INCLUDED WITHIN THE SAFES RESOLUTION AT OUR LAST MEETING.
AND ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS THAT, YOU KNOW, BY THE TIME WE SAW WHAT THE STAFF WERE PROPOSING, THERE, WASN'T AN OPPORTUNITY TO THEN GET SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA, UM, TO CONSIDER MORE BROADLY.
SO MAYOR YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE PROPOSED SOME GOOD SOLUTIONS, AS I MENTIONED THIS MORNING TO ADDRESS YEAH.
SUCCESS TO REMOVE OUR USE OF PAY FOR SUCCESS, WHICH I GREATLY APPRECIATE.
AND, AND TO, UM, NOT USE THE TRANSPORTATION USER FEE AS A METHOD OF REPLACING THE RIGHT AWAY THROUGH THESE, WHAT I'VE, WHAT I'VE DONE WITH THIS.
IT KIND OF FALLS INTO TWO PARTS.
UM, SOME OF THE EARLY ONES ON HERE THAT'S ALL DIRECTION, BUT I HAVE ALSO OFFERED DIRECTION, NOT JUST FOR SOME OF THE EXPLORATORY WORK THAT I WOULD LIKE OUR STAFF TO DO, BUT ALSO ASKING THEM TO PROACTIVELY PLACE THESE THINGS ON THE AGENDA SO THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER THEM SO THAT WE ARE NOT LEFT IN A, IF THAT INFORMATION COMES BACK TO US, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACT.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SIGNAL TO THE COMMUNITY THAT IF THESE PAST TODAY, IT'S NOT THAT THE COUNCIL HAS AGREED TO DO IT, BUT IT IS THAT THE COUNCIL HAS AGREED TO DELIBERATE ON IT AT THAT 10 15 MEETING.
SO, UM, I'LL JUST LAY THEM OUT THE DIRECTION OF ANALYSIS.
AND MOST OF THESE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY LATER CONSIDERATION DIRECTION THAT WOULD ACTUALLY PUT THOSE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA PROACTIVELY FOR NEXT NEXT MEETING.
UM, AND THE TWO MEETING, THE TWO DATES THAT I'VE GONE BACK TO OUR TEN EIGHT, WHICH GETS THAT INFORMATION BACK TO US IN TIME TO PUT THINGS ON THE ADDENDUM FOR THAT 10, 15 MEETING.
I UNDERSTAND THIS IS EXTRAORDINARILY LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME FOR STAFF AND I, I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC, BUT ESPECIALLY OVER THE LAST WEEK, UM, TO GET THIS STUFF ON THE AGENDA SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
THE FIRST ONE ASKS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ECONOMIC INCENTIVES PAYMENTS.
IF WE WERE TO REDUCE THEM BY 50 OR 75%
[05:20:02]
MAYOR PRETEND GARZA RAISED AN IMPORTANT POINT THAT SOMETIMES OUR INCENTIVE PROGRAMS HAVE TO DO WITH WORKERS AND JOBS.AND OF COURSE, UM, I WOULD, I WOULD NOT SUPPORT MOVING FORWARD WITH REDUCTIONS TORE INCENTIVES PAYMENTS FOR THIS NEXT YEAR WITHOUT REALLY UNDERSTANDING WELL, WHAT THE IMPACT OF THOSE WOULD BE.
SO THIS IS ASKING OUR MANAGER TO LOOK AT THE AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE STOLE THAT ARE CURRENT AND SEE WHAT THOSE PERFORMANCE METRICS ARE, WHAT EXACTLY WE ARE INCENTIVIZING.
IS IT WORKFORCE TRAINING? IS IT JOBS? IS IT A COMBINATION? AND WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT IF WE TALKED WITH THOSE COMPANIES AND LET THEM KNOW UPFRONT, THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.
ED WILL HAVE TO VERIFY FOR ME THAT AS I UNDERSTAND IT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE REHAB, NOT JUST THE MONEY IN THAT FUND FOR, TO PROVIDE THAT INCENTIVE THAT THEY HAVE EARNED BY THEIR PERFORMANCE METRICS OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE SET ASIDE THE MONEY FOR THE INCENTIVES WE EXPECT THEY WILL EARN OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
SO THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
YOU KNOW, THERE, WE HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION COME UP MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE, AND THERE IS A CONCERN, AND I UNDERSTAND IT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SUDDENLY AGREEING IN THE BUDGET TO FULL FUNDING THAT IS PROVIDING AN INCENTIVE THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN EARNED, UM, BY THE, BY THE COMPANIES MEETING THOSE THRESHOLDS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, I GET THAT, I UNDERSTAND IT AND RESPECT IT.
AND, UM, THAT IS WHY I PHRASED IT IN THIS WAY THAT I'M NOT LOOKING AT 50 OR 70% OF THOSE EARNINGS IN THAT I THINK IT'S A $10 MILLION I'M I'M SUGGESTING AT THIS POINT IN THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR, WE ASKED OUR STAFF AGAIN, TO LOOK AT THOSE THREE 80 AGREEMENTS AND SEE WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT OF REDUCING THOSE PAYMENTS FOR THIS NEXT YEAR, LIKE 50 OR 75%.
AND THEN YOU'LL SEE THE LOW THAT I'VE ASKED OUR COUNSEL TO PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA SO THAT WE'RE PREPARED TO ACT DEPENDING ON WHAT THAT INFORMATION LOOKS LIKE.
AND IF IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN SUPPORT DOING.
UM, THE SECOND BULLET ASKED A SIMILAR QUESTION, WE HAVE CATHERINE, LET'S TAKE THEM ONE AT A TIME.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THE FIRST ONE? WE'LL LOOK AT REDUCING THE FEE BY 50 TO 70%, MY FIFTH YEAR, 75%.
THE FIRST IS ASKING TO HAVE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT COUNCILOR POLES, SECOND CITY OVER TOBO I, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I CAN'T SUPPORT FOR THE SIMILAR REASON AS BEFORE.
I DON'T THINK THAT WITH THESE AGREEMENTS, AND I KNOW THAT THIS HAS COME UP, UM, FOR THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.
I JUST THINK THAT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT UNILATERALLY RENEGOTIATE OR REDEFINE, UH, PERFORMANCE OR TERMS ON THESE THINGS.
I THINK THAT OUR REPUTATION AS A CITY AND OUR WORD IS A CITY OR, OR BONDED A CITY, UM, UH, SAYS THAT WE'VE READ SOMETHING LIKE THIS, WE'RE GOING TO ABIDE BY THOSE AGREEMENTS.
AND I AM REAL CONCERNED ABOUT THE MESSAGE THAT WOULD BE SENT FROM JOHN SAYING THAT AS A BODY WHERE WE'RE READY TO CONSIDER NOT DOING THAT.
I THINK THAT SENDS ABSOLUTELY THE WRONG MESSAGE AND NOT A PLACE WHERE WE CAN, CAN GO.
THERE ARE OTHER PLACES AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO DO, PERHAPS THAT IN THAT, SO I'M GOING TO VOTE NO TO THIS AND THEN TO THIS DIRECTION PROPOSED DIRECTION.
BUT JUST, AND I APPRECIATE, I APPRECIATE THAT PERSPECTIVE TO BE VERY CLEAR.
THIS IS ASKING OUR MANAGER TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE YOU'RE FROZEN ON THOSE BUSINESSES.
I KNOW IT'S NOT EFFECTING THAT CHANGE.
CAN YOU HEAR ME OR NO, YOU, YOU, YOU KIND OF TUCKED OUT IN THE MIDDLE.
UM, I WAS JUST SAYING TO BE EXTREMELY CLEAR, THIS IS ASKING THE MANAGER TO PROVIDE INFORMATION.
I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU MAY NOT WANT TO SUPPORT IT.
AND OTHERS MAY NOT EITHER BECAUSE IT SENDS THE WRONG SIGNAL, BUT TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE ACTION THAT I'M ASKING TO BE TAKEN, IT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE ON THOSE THREE 80 BUSINESSES.
IF THEY WERE REDUCED BY 75 OR 50% FOR THIS NEXT YEAR, UM, THIS WOULD NOT JUST GIVE US THE INFORMATION AND IT MAY BE AS MAYOR PRO TEM GARZA SUGGESTED IT
[05:25:01]
MIGHT THOSE, HEY, THOSE PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES MIGHT BE FOR JOBS.AND I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T SUPPORT REMOVING THEM IF WE'RE THEN GOING TO RESULT IN JOB LOSS AT THOSE COMPANIES THAT MAY BE FOR OTHER THINGS.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, AT THIS POINT I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION AND THIS WOULD BE ASKING OUR STAFF TO GET THAT INFORMATION AND IN DOING SO TO ENGAGE IN A CONVERSATION WITH THE COMPANIES, FURTHER DISCUSSION, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, AUTHOR, AND THEN MAYOR PRO TEMP.
SO I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THAT CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
I'M NOT SURE IF THIS WOULD BE FOR MS. PRESENT FOR MR. CRONK.
UM, ON PAGE THREE OF THE MEMO THAT YOU SHARED WITH US, UM, IT CITES NUMEROUS OTHER FUNDING SOURCES WERE ALSO CONSIDERED IN STAFF'S REVIEW, INCLUDING THE POTENTIAL REPRIORITIZATION, THE HOUSING TRUST FUND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS AND THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES RESERVE FUND ELIMINATING VARIOUS FEE WAIVERS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS AND DEVELOPMENT PERMITS AND HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES, AND OTHER SOURCES OF AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER REVENUES.
UM, IT THEN GOES ON TO SAY, HOWEVER, THE ANALYSIS OF EACH OF THESE FUNDING SOURCES PRESENTED MARRIOTT CHALLENGES THAT EITHER PRECLUDED THEIR APPLICATION TO THE PURPOSES OUTLINED, OR THAT COULD NOT BE FULLY RESOLVED OR VETTED AND THE TIME PERIOD ALLOWED BY THE RESOLUTION.
UM, SO THAT SEEMS TO ME TO IMPLY THAT SOME OF THOSE HAVE SOME MORE INFORMATION FORTHCOMING.
UM, CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES RESERVED FUND LANDED IN THAT SORT OF ANALYSIS AD WANTS TO CHIME IN, BUT CERTAINLY WITHIN THE LIMITED TIME PERIOD THAT WE HAD, WE WERE TRYING TO TAKE THE ONES THAT WERE EASIEST TO PUT FORWARD AS OPTIONS, KNOWING THAT THERE WERE SOME OTHER VARIABLES AND EXPLORING OTHER SOURCES YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO ADD.
I MEAN, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION TODAY ABOUT THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVE RESERVE FUND AND SOME OF THE, UM, THINGS THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED WOULD BE SOME OF THAT ADDITIONAL WORK THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO AND, AND LOOK INTO, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE KIND OF SIMPLIFYING THIS TO THE PROPERTY TAX, UM, THREE 80 AGREEMENTS, BUT THERE ARE OTHER AGREEMENTS INVOLVING SALES TAXES.
UM, THERE'S PART OF THE AGREEMENT FOR THE, THE MUELLER CORPORATION, THE FACTS DEBT.
SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLICATED THAN JUST THE PROPERTY TAX DISCUSSION WE'VE BEEN HAVING TODAY.
SO THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT, UM, THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE LOOKING INTO THAT COUNCIL WANTED US TO PURSUE THIS PARTICULAR OPTION FOR.
SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN I READ THE MEMO, I HAD UNDERSTOOD THAT THOSE, THOSE ANALYSES WERE ONGOING, THAT THIS WAS KIND OF THE, THIS 15 MILLION THAT YOU PUT BEFORE US WAS LIKE THE FIRST TRANCHE OF WHAT WE WERE LOOKING AT.
UM, BECAUSE YOU DID RESPOND IN A VERY QUICK TIME PERIOD.
UM, SO ARE THERE OTHER THINGS THEN, INCLUDING THIS THAT ARE STILL BEING ANALYZED AND LOOKED AT SO THAT YOU CAN COME BACK TO US WITH INFORMATION SO THAT WE CAN MAKE OUR CHOICES, THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS THAT WE'RE EXPLORING.
UM, AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE COULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE THAT I WOULD, I WOULD PUT AS BEING LIKE AN EASY CHOICE, I MEAN, BUT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT WE ARE EXPLORING THAT WEREN'T READY FOR TODAY.
DID YOU ELIMINATE THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES RESERVE FUND BY THIS PROCESS? UM, NO, WE DID NOT ELIMINATE ANYTHING, YOU KNOW, TODAY BY THIS PROCESS, WE'RE STILL GOING THROUGH, YOU KNOW, LEGAL LIMITATIONS, FINANCIAL LIMITATIONS, OPERATIONAL AND STRAINS.
AND OF COURSE WHAT WE HEAR FROM COUNSEL.
I'M JUST, I'M I JUST, YOU KNOW, I'M ANTICIPATING THAT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE COMING FORWARD AND THERE'S AN OTHER ANALYSIS.
AND IN MY VIEW, THIS WAS INCLUDED AMONG THAT ALREADY.
LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT TO NUMBER ONE, THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND FULL TAVO ALTER THOSE OPPOSED.
IT'S THE BALANCE OF THE DIOCESE COUNCIL MEMBER KOSSAR'S OFF, DOES NOT PASS.
IT GETS US TO ITEM YOUR ITEM, YOUR SECOND DIRECTION.
MAY I MAKE A QUICK COMMENT? YES.
UM, I WOULD ENCOURAGE COUNCIL MEMBER TOBO TO ASK FOR THAT INFORMATION.
I JUST SIMPLY DIDN'T WANT TO, I'M OPEN TO CONSIDERING I JUST DON'T WANT TO SEND
[05:30:01]
A MESSAGE THAT THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD DO.AND THAT'S WHY I DID NOT FEEL LIKE I COULD SUPPORT IT.
I'LL JUST FOR THE RECORD COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER MEDICINE IS NOT ON THE DICE FOR YOU.
CONTINUING ON COUNSELOR OR YOUR SECOND WOULD YES.
I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT, UM, TO SAY THAT WE WANT TO HAVE THE INFORMATION AND TO UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT TO SAY THAT WE WANT TO, TO, TO DO SOMETHING.
I THINK THERE ARE SOME NUANCES HERE WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE BOTH, BOTH YOU AND FOR INSTANCE, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL OR COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO ARE CORRECT.
SO, NO, WE DON'T WANT TO GO BACK ON OUR WORD ON, ON CONTRACTS THAT WE'VE MADE, BUT YES, THE CONTRACTS ALLOW US UNDER EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES TO MAKE CHOICES.
AND I THINK BOTH OF THOSE ARE TRUE AND THE INFORMATION IS USEFUL FOR US TO MAKE THAT DECISION.
EVEN IF ULTIMATELY WE LEAN TOWARDS, UM, YOUR SIDE OF THE ISSUE WHERE WE DON'T WANT TO UNDERMINE A CONTRACT.
UM, I THINK THOSE THINGS CAN BE BOTH TRUE AT THE SAME TIME.
LET'S CONTINUE ON COUNCIL MEMBER.
TOVO YOU WANT TO BRING UP YOUR SECOND ITEM? I DO.
UM, AND THIS ALSO HAS A COMPONENT.
THIS IS SORT OF TWO, AND I WOULD ASK THAT WE TAKE THEM UP SEPARATELY, BUT KIND OF TALK ABOUT THEM TOGETHER.
UM, THE SECOND BULLET ASKS OUR MANAGER TO DO A SIMILAR THING, TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE OF TEMPORARILY UNDERSCORE TEMPORARILY USING AT LEAST $10 MILLION FROM CONCENTRA CONVENTION CENTER RESERVES TO ASSIST WITH THE PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION OF VENUES AND BUSINESSES THAT SERVE AUSTIN VISITORS.
UM, WE KNOW THAT MOST OF THAT RESERVES, ALL OF IT IS YOU'RE MARKED OR, UM, UH, CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION, BUT THAT WILL TAKE TIME AND IT IS NOT IMMINENT.
SO WHILE WE NEED SOME OF THAT RESERVE MONEY RIGHT NOW TO BEGIN THE DESIGN WORK AND SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE'VE INITIATED ALREADY, UM, THIS WOULD DISCARD MANAGER TO ASSESS WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE OF BORROWING $10 MILLION RIGHT NOW TO DO THE KIND OF FROZEN PROMOTION WORK IS ALLOWED UNDER THE STATUTE TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE OUR AUSTIN VENUES THAT ARE PARTICULAR LITERALLY, UM, FREQUENT THAN BY AUSTIN VISITORS.
SO THE FIRST PART IS ASKING FOR THE INFORMATION DOWN BELOW, YOU'LL SEE THAT I'M ALSO ASKING AND PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE MANAGER TO PUT AN ITEM LIKE THAT ON OUR COUNCIL AGENDA SO THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER IT.
SECOND AMENDMENT IS TO, UH, PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEMPORARY USE OF CONVENTION CENTER.
RESERVES ARE SECOND TO THIS ONE, COUNCIL MEMBER, KITCHEN SECONDS.
IT, MY CONCERN WITH THIS IS THAT IS THAT THERE'S A DEBATE GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO USE CONVENTION CENTER DOLLARS.
AND, AND THERE'S, THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION ABOUT, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE EVEN THOSE THAT CAME TO SPEAK TO US TONIGHT WITH THE EXPECTATION OR HOPE THAT WE COULD TAKE THE MONEY THAT THE LEGISLATURE SAYS YOU CAN GET FOR A CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION AND SOMEHOW, OR ANOTHER DEPLOY THAT MONEY TO BE USED, UH, FOR, UH, UM, ARTISTS OR FOR VENUES.
AND WHILE WE'RE ALLOWED TO DO THAT IN REALLY LIMITED KINDS OF WAYS, WHICH HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, UH, YOU CAN'T DO IT, UH, OR, UH, IT, OUR LEGAL ADVICE HAS BEEN THAT YOU CANNOT DO THAT IN A WAYS THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED, UH, BROADLY IN THE, IN THE, IN THE COMMUNITY.
UM, AND, AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT FEEDING INTO THAT KIND OF FALSE NARRATIVE AND FALSE HOPE AND EXPECTATION, UH, CAUSE I THINK THAT THAT BUILDS, UM, UM, IT JUST IT'S, IT CREATES FALSE EXPECTATIONS.
THIS ONE THAT SAYS, CAN WE TEMPORARILY USE $10 MILLION FOR THE PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION? UM, I'M NOT GOING TO STAND IN THE WAY OF AND WOULD SUPPORT THIS ONE BECAUSE IT IS SO LIMITED BECAUSE IT IS TEMPORARY AND WITH THE SAME CAVEAT, UH, KATHY, THAT I'M, I'M NOT BY SUPPORTING IT AT THIS POINT.
IT'S JUST ASKING FOR THE INFORMATION, BUT IN NO WAY, SHOULD STAFF OR THE PUBLIC CONSIDER THIS TO BE A VOTE ON THE MERITS OF THIS ONE.
IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING AS WELL? YEAH, SO I MEAN THE OTHER, THE OTHER ONE THAT I'M BRINGING IS MORE DIRECTIVE ABOUT PUTTING IT ACTUALLY ON THE AGENDA, BUT THIS ONE IS ABOUT GETTING INFORMATION.
AND I, AS EVERY TIME WE TALK ABOUT HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES,
[05:35:01]
WE DO GET A RANGE OF, UM, A RANGE OF COMMENTARY ON IT FROM PEOPLE WHO THINK WE CAN USE IT VERY FLEXIBLY ON ALL KINDS OF THINGS.AND THAT JUST SIMPLY ISN'T THE CASE.
I ALSO AGREE WITH ONE OF THE THINGS SHE MADE THAT WE CAN'T USE 2% THAT IS, UM, ONLY ALLOWED UNDER STATUTE FOR CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.
I ALSO AGREED THAT WE CAN'T USE IT MORE FLEXIBLY FOR, OR, UM, PROMOTION AND THE WAY I'VE DESCRIBED.
I DO THINK THE OTHER HOTEL, AFRICANS ARE TAXES THAT ARE ALLOWED TO BE USED FOR TOURISM PROMOTION AND ARE USED FOR THINGS RANGING FROM PROVIDING ADVERTISING AND MARKETING FOR SOME DOWNTOWN EVENTS TO, UM, TAKING MUSICIANS TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
I SEE THAT VERY, VERY IN LINE WITH THE KIND OF THING THAT I'M PROPOSING, UM, FALLS UNDER.
WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT, UM, WHEN THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, BUT I DO SEE THAT I DO, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS ALLOWABLE WITHIN THE PORTION THAT IS NOT DESIGNATED FOR EXPANSION, BUT DID DOES, BUT DID ORIGINATE WITH HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES AND IS NOW IN THE RESERVES.
AND AGAIN, THE INTENT WOULD BE TO REPLENISH IT FAR IN ADVANCE OF THE TIME THAT IT'S NECESSARY FOR THAT EXPANSION.
AND WHEN, AND I'M CONCERNED THAT IT'S AS A RESERVE, THAT IT'S PROBABLY ALREADY PLEDGED ASSOCIATED WITH THE AGREEMENTS WE HAVE OUTSIDE OF THE, THE 2%, BUT FOR THE PURPOSE OF, WITHOUT EXPRESSING, UH, UH, ANY SUGGESTIONS OF SUPPORT FOR IT, I'LL SUPPORT THIS BECAUSE IT IS JUST ASKING FOR INFORMATION AND DOESN'T SEND A STRONGER SIGNAL THAN THAT.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS MIRROR? YES.
GOING TO BE ABLE, I KNOW YOU WILL, BUT I JUST DON'T SEE THAT IT'S GOING TO GO ANYWHERE AND I JUST CAN'T SUPPORT THEM.
FURTHER DISCUSSION THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS DIRECTION.
NUMBER TWO, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I HAVE A POOL TOVO KITCHEN AND ME ALTER THOSE OPPOSED.
UM, RENT THE RHEA LS FLAT OVEN.
UM, ME, HOW IS AN ABSTENTION ABSTENTION THAT MAY ASK AGAIN, THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS NUMBER TWO, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED TO THIS IS A FLANAGAN ALICE RENTER RE UH, UH, GARZA ABSTAINING, UH, THAT MAKES THE VOTE FIVE, THREE, ONE WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS COSAR AND HARPER MADISON OFF THE DIOCESE.
UM, SO IT DOESN'T, IT DOES NOT PASS IT.
LET'S GO TO THE NEXT ITEM ITEM NUMBER THREE.
UM, I MEAN, THE REALITY IS, YOU KNOW, I'M SIMPLY GOING TO TRY TO GET SOME SPONSORS TO BRING IT BACK.
I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION.
I THINK WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO TRY TO FUND THE NEEDS THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I THINK WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION AROUND IT, BUT I DO THINK THIS IS, UM, UH, A BODY OF, UH, FUNDING THAT'S AVAILABLE TO US AND WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER IT.
THEY ARE, YOU HAVE SOME AMENDMENTS THAT YOU DID NOT EXPLICITLY HAVE AMENDMENTS THAT I SAW ON YOUR MOTION SHEET, UNLESS I'M MISSING IT.
CAUSE I FOUND A LOT OF PAPER IN FRONT OF ME HERE AND A LOT OF AISLES OPEN ON MY COMPUTER, BUT I DID NOT SEE AN EXPLICIT DIRECTION TO OUR MANAGER TO COME BACK AND REPLENISH THE PAY FOR SUCCESS.
IS THERE A FUND YOU'RE PUSHING? I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THIS IS NECESSARY OR NOT, BUT, UM, MAY OR MAY NOT MEET THOUGH.
AND BY THE WAY, UM, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON, UH, HAS TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS A NO VOTE ON THE LAST ITEM, BUT WE JUST COULDN'T HEAR HER, BUT IT WAS, UH, NOT PAST EVEN WITH THAT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE THAT PART OF THE RECORD.
AND THEN ON THIS, IS SHE JOINING BY PHONE? I DON'T, I DON'T ACTUALLY SEE HER.
SHE SAID SHE SHARE COMMENT WAS YOU GUYS CAN'T SEE ME, BUT I CAN HEAR YOU.
UM, SO SHE'S GOT A FORMERLY PART OF THE VOTE.
I'M JUST TELLING YOU THAT SHE WOULD HAVE VOTED.
[05:40:01]
PART OF WHAT WE WERE DOING AND WE SEEN HER ENCOUNTERED HER VOTE IN ANY EVENT.IT DID NOT PASS WITH RESPECT TO NUMBER THREE.
I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARILY CATHOLIC IS WE'RE NOT TAKING ANY MONEY OUT, SO THERE'S NO MONEY TO REPLENISH.
SO IN ESSENCE, THEN WE'RE JUST FUNDING.
WE'RE JUST REQUESTING THAT OUR MANAGER MOVE FORWARD WITH FUNDING TO $15 MILLION, BUT IDENTIFYING A SOURCE OF FUNDS AND DIRECTION, THE 15 SAYS USE THE SIX AND A HALF.
THAT IS NEITHER PAY FOR SUCCESS NOR TRANSPORTATION.
COME BACK WITH US WITH A, WITH A WAY FOR US TO, TO DO THE BUDGET FOR THE EIGHT AND A HALF OUT OF SALES TAX, WHICH OF COURSE WE CAN COVER OTHER WAYS OR OTHER, BUT AT THE VERY LEAST, WE KNOW IT'S GOTTA BE DONE WITH THE SALES TAX SIDE SO THAT STAFF CAN START ITS WORK NOW, AND DOESN'T NEED TO WAIT WITH RESPECT TO DOING THE PROGRAMMING PROGRAMMATIC STUFF.
BUT AT THIS POINT, THE ONLY DOLLARS THAT ARE IN PLAY ARE THE OTHER ARE NOT THESE TWO AND THE SALES TYPES, SINCE WE WEREN'T TAKING ACTION ON THE SALES, SINCE WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION TODAY TO TAKE ACTION ON THE SALES TAX, I JUST DIDN'T KNOW IF THIS WAS GOING TO BE NECESSARY.
AND I SPECIFICALLY TOOK OUT THE PAY FOR SUCCESS ELEMENT OF THE BASEMENT, WHAT HAD BEEN PROPOSED TO STAFF.
SO THEN NEXT, WOULD IT BE SO BACK TO THE AMENDMENTS THAT WERE MADE, UM, ON OUR LAST, SO WE HAVE KIDS WITH ASKING FOR, UM, THE RIGHT OF WAY FEES.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS HAVE A CONVERSATION AGAIN ON OUR NEXT MEETING ABOUT USING THOSE RIGHT AWAY, NOT REPLENISHING THEM AS THE STAFF HAD SUGGESTED THROUGH THE TEMPORARY TRANSPORTATION USER FEE, BUT SUBBING OUT, SEEING WHAT IS LEFT ONCE WE TAKE OUT SALARIES AND FEES.
SO WE DID GET, WE'VE NOW GOTTEN TWO MEMOS ON THIS SUBJECT, BUT, AND I CAN TAKE YOU THROUGH MY QUESTIONS.
I'M SURE NOBODY REALLY WANTS TO THINK THAT RIGHT NOW, BUT WE DID GET A MEMO YESTERDAY WITH SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE RIGHT OF WAY FEELINGS.
THE QUESTION I HAD ASKED AND THE TUESDAY WORK SESSION IS WHAT THE PROGRAM IMPACT WOULD BE.
AND SO I APPRECIATE THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
IT DOES SUGGEST THAT THERE IS NOT A GREAT IMPACT ON SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS, BUT I CAN'T ATTACH DOLLARS TO THEM.
IT DIDN'T ATTACH PARTICULAR DOLLARS TO EACH OF THESE PROGRAMS. SO IT'S JUST HARD FOR ME TO MEASURE THE IMPACT AT THIS POINT.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE CAN DO WHAT I HAD SUGGESTED IN THE AMENDMENT LAST TIME OF TAKING 1.5 OUT OF, RIGHT AWAY WITHOUT HAVING A SUBSTANTIAL PROGRAM IMPACTED.
SO I'M SUGGESTING THAT THIS FEEDBACK ON OUR AGENDA FOR THROUGHS FOR NEXT 10, 15, SO THAT WE CONSIDER THAT YOU SAID OF RIGHT AWAY FEEDINGS.
ONCE WE TAKE OUT SALARIES AND THE FEES, YOU KNOW WHAT I MADE AS I MADE THE POINT WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT, THE FIRST TIME, IT'S KIND OF A LEGACY DECISION THAT THE WRITE AWAY FEES AUTOMATICALLY GO TO THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT THAT COULD HAVE GONE TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THEY COULD HAVE GONE TO HOUSING, THEY COULD HAVE GONE TO A LOT OF PLACES.
AND SOME OF THE PROJECTS, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEING USED FOR SOME PROJECTS THAT ARE, ARE CLEARLY IMPORTANT, BUT THIS IS IN RECOGNITION THAT THOSE FUNDS THROUGH THE YEARS COULD HAVE BEEN USED MORE FLEXIBLY.
UM, AND AT THIS TIME WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO IDENTIFY TARGETED FUNDING, ESPECIALLY FOR VENUES, YOU KNOW, MANY OF THOSE THEN USE, IF THEY'RE IN I CONSTRUCTION AREAS LIKE DOWNTOWN OR LONG SOUTH LAMAR OR SOUTH CONGRESS ARE IN AREAS WHERE THESE LEADS HAVE LIKELY BEEN GENERATED OR LIKELY WILL BE GENERATED IN THE FUTURE.
AND, YOU KNOW, THE BUSINESSES ARE IMPACTED, UM, AS WELL AS PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC AND OTHER THINGS.
SO THIS WOULD SET IT PROSPECTIVELY.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE STAFF HAD RAISED IN THEIR MEMOS WAS, YOU KNOW, THE, THE MONEY IS ALREADY COMMITTED FOR THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
I GET THAT I'M ASKING ABOUT PROJECTS BEGINNING OCTOBER 15, FOR WHICH THOSE FUNDS HAVEN'T YET BEEN THOSE FUNDS AREN'T YET SITTING IN THERE IN OUR ACCOUNT.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS TOVO FOURTH DIRECTION COUNCIL MEMBER POOL GIVES THE SECOND TO IT.
I, THERE, THERE ARE TWO ELEMENTS TO THIS.
ONE IS GETTING THE INFORMATION ON WHICH A DECISION CAN BE MADE.
AND THE OTHER ONE IS COMING BACK WITH ALL THE DOCUMENTS TO, TO ACTUALLY PUT IT IN PLACE.
UM, I DON'T, I'M NOT SURE THERE'S A NEED FOR HAVING ALL THE DOCUMENTS TO PUT IT INTO PLACE, UH, BECAUSE BY VIRTUE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THE SALES TAX, IT CAN BE INITIATED AND THEY CAN GET STARTED, UM, UH, THE, THE, THE ACTUAL SAVES RESOLUTION.
UM, AND, YOU KNOW, FROM A TIMING STANDPOINT, I WANT THEM MORE FOCUSED ON TRYING TO MAKE THAT WORK.
[05:45:01]
TURN THIS JUST INTO, COME BACK WITH THE INFORMATION? UH, CAUSE AGAIN, I'M NOT SURE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I, THAT I CAN SUPPORT, BUT IF THEY CAME BACK WITH THE INFORMATION, UH, AND BEFORE THE STAFF SPENT A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH IT AND TO AFFECT IT AND DO THE DRAFTING ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, UM, WE WOULD KNOW THAT THERE WAS, UH, AT LEAST SIX PEOPLE THAT WERE INTERESTED IN DOING IT, AND I HAVE THE SAME COMP, HOW AM I WITH RESPECT TO THE NEXT TWO? SO YOUR DIRECTION FIVE AND YOUR DIRECTION SIX, IS IT, IS IT OKAY SINCE THERE'S NOT A TIME ELEMENT TO IT, TO JUST ASK STAFF TO COME BACK WITH, UM, REALLY THE FULL ANALYSIS OF YOUR DIRECTION IS FOUR OR FIVE AND SIX.SO, SO THERE, I THINK IT GETS BACK TO THE USE OF SALES TAX.
YOU KNOW, OUR STAFF WERE RECOMMENDING USES, THEY WERE RECOMMENDING FUNDING OTHER THAN SIMILAR TO TUITION AS I HAVE.
ONE IS THAT THE STAFF WERE RECOMMENDING NOT YOU SALES TAX THAT WE USE SOME OF THESE OTHER SOURCES.
SO I'M TRYING TO RESPOND TO THAT RECOMMENDATION AND LOOK FOR SOURCES OUTSIDE OF SALES TAX.
I JOINED YOU IN SUPPORTING THAT SOLUTION FOR TODAY, PROVIDING THAT SUGGESTION BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T REHAB BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT REALLY, BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE IT OUT OF PAY FOR SUCCESS, YOU KNOW, ON OUR LAST AGENDA, WE PASSED THESE ITEMS, RIGHT.
WE SAID, STAFF GO FORWARD AND LOOK AT AND USING, AND WE HAD UNANIMOUS SUPPORT ACROSS THE DIOCESE FOR USING, OR AT LEAST ASKING OUR STAFF TO LOOK TO USING ENCROACHMENT ALLIE VACATION RIGHT AWAY FUNDS RIGHT AWAY FEES.
SO JUST ASKING THEM TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN, DOESN'T, DOESN'T GET US TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE POISED TO TAKE ACTION ON IT TODAY.
WE'RE POISED TO TAKE ACTION ON THE RIGHT OF WAY FEES, BUT WE WEREN'T GOING TO FUND IT THROUGH THE TRANSPORTATION USER FEE.
I MEAN, I THINK WE'VE GOT A LOT OF, WE'VE GOT JUST ABOUT ALL THE INFORMATION WE NEED ON THE RIGHT OF WAY BY VENUE.
WHAT WE DON'T HAVE, UM, IS WHAT I JUST MENTIONED, THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS ON THE BACK OF THIS NEMO SO THAT WE KNOW HOW MUCH IS THE TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, WHICH THE STAFF SEEM TO SUGGEST WOULD BE OKAY.
UM, I MEAN, IF I'M READING IT RIGHT, SINCE THEY'RE REASSESSING IT AND DEVELOPING A FRESH DIRECTION, IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT WE CAN USE THAT FUNDING THIS YEAR.
UM, YOU KNOW, ANYWAY, IT JUST, THE, THE RESPONSES OF, I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING THROUGH THE MEMOS, SUGGESTED THAT IT WASN'T GOING TO HAVE A MAJOR PROGRAM IMPACT.
DO YOU USE THOSE FEES? I JUST THINK WE DON'T WANT TO USE THE PORTION THAT IS ALLOCATED FOR SALARY AND FEES, BUT WE JUST, WE HAVE TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE, YOU KNOW, IF WE WANTED, IF WE WANT TO INCLUDE THEM, CONSIDER RESOURCES OUTSIDE OF SALES PACKS, WE NEED TO DRILL DOWN INTO THEM.
WE'VE ALREADY SAID, GO AND LOOK AT THEM.
NOT THESE, THEY DIDN'T BRING US BACK INFORMATION ABOUT ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENTS.
THEY DIDN'T BRING US BACK TO STREET NOW, MY VACATION.
SO WE CAN SAY, GO AND CONSIDER IT.
AND IT'S LIKELY NOT GOING TO COME BACK AGAIN.
SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS, YOU KNOW, THESE, AS I SEE IT ARE POTENTIALLY VIABLE, UM, WE KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF LARGE DOWNTOWN PROJECTS, THE CONVENTION CENTER, THE DOWNTOWN STATION, UM, SOME OTHER PROJECTS COMING FORWARD, THAT'S NOT FUNDING BECAUSE THOSE PROJECTS DON'T CURRENTLY EXIST.
IT'S NOT FUNDING, THAT'S BEEN ALLOCATED RUNNING THING THIS POINT.
AND SO, UM, WHILE I, I UNDERSTAND THE STAFF'S POINT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THESE SOURCES OF FUNDING RIGHT NOW HAVE ALREADY BEEN ALLOCATED FOR 21.
I'M NOT ASKING US TO REALLOCATE THE STUFF THAT'S ALLOCATED IN LESS.
IT'S NOT GOING TO HAVE A DRAMATIC IMPACT.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS GOING FORWARD FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS, LET'S LOOK TO THESE TWO SOURCES OF FUNDS.
SO THERE'S, THERE'S ONE ISSUE THAT I'D LIKE TO STAY AWAY FROM USING FUNDING, ALL OF THIS THROUGH SALES TAX OR MOST, OR A LOT OF IT THROUGH SALES TAX.
THE OTHER IS THAT I THINK WE NEED MORE FUNDING.
AND SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO, IT'S ALSO INCREASED THE POOL OF FUNDING THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO THIS.
THAT WAS A VERY LONG ANSWER, BUT THAT'S, THAT'S TWO OF THE REASONS WHY I WOULD LIKE TO GO FORWARD.
ONE IS SO THAT WE HAVE SOME OPTIONS OTHER THAN JUST SALES TAX AND TWO, SO THAT WE CAN INCREASE COOL.
AS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT, RIGHT? WELL, AT THIS POINT I'M COMFORTABLE LETTING THIS TEXT BE THERE.
IF IT TURNS OUT THAT THE SALES TAX DOESN'T MEET THE PROJECTIONS, WE RUN INTO PROBLEMS. AND I THINK THERE ARE OTHER THINGS WE COULD DO AND THEN MAKE THOSE HARD DECISIONS AT THAT POINT.
UM, IF YOU WERE JUST ASKING FOR MORE INFORMATION, I WOULD SUPPORT THAT IF YOU'RE ASKING THE STAFF TO DO THE WORK TO ACTUALLY READY AT TIME, NOT READY TO GO THAT WAY ON THIS ONE NORTHERN NEXT TO ANY FURTHER.
SO IF A DIRECTION, MAYOR PRO TEM TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WAS ON OUR AGENDA THOUGH, IT'S, IT'S JUST BASICALLY THE SAME LANGUAGE IN TERMS OF STAFF WORK.
I DON'T KNOW THAT IT IS AIRPORT TIME.
[05:50:01]
ONE, FOUR? WE'RE ON THE FOURTH BULLET FOURTH BULLET FOURTH BULLET.I GUESS I JUST HAD A QUESTION ABOUT HOW I APPRECIATE HOW IT, UM, ACCEPTS THE RAINY STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT.
I WAS JUST CURIOUS AGAIN, JUST IN CASE DON'T WANT TO MISS ANY THINGS INADVERTENTLY, UM, CAUSE WE'VE TALKED SO MUCH ABOUT THE RAINY STREET.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER FUNDS MAYBE THAT THE, THAT THIS MONEY GOES INTO THAT IS LIKE FOR, UM, SOME KIND OF PRESERVATION, LIKE, YOU KNOW, ALONG THE, THE 12TH STREET CORRIDOR OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THAT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT MAKING AN EXCEPTION FOR ONE AND THEN THERE'S ONE EAT EQUALLY OR EQUITABLY AS YOU KNOW, UM, SENSITIVE, I GUESS.
UM, DO WE KNOW IT'S, WE'VE GOTTEN NOW TWO MEMOS ABOUT THE USE OF PROVIDER WAY CLEANSE.
UM, AND AS FAR AS I KNOW, THE ALL MAKE CARVE OUT IS FOR THE RAINBOW STATE FUNDS.
AND SO, AND THAT'S WHY I, BECAUSE THOSE HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, THAT'S WHY I WAS SAYING LIKE THE OTHER, THE OTHER AREAS.
BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW, FROM THE TWO MEMOS, UM, THOSE ARE THOSE STAY WITHIN TRANSPORTATION AND I'M USED TO LIKE GREAT STREETS OR, YOU KNOW, OTHER, OTHER TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS, BUT STAFF, OF COURSE.
DID YOU SAY FOR LIGHTING STUFF? I DID NOT SAY LIGHTING.
FURTHER DISCUSSION ON CIOBO BULLET 0.4.
LET'S TAKE A VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF TOVO BULLET 0.4, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I HAVE THE MAYOR PRO TEM TOVO KITCHEN ALTER FLANAGAN, AND PULL THOSE OPPOSED.
UH, MAY AND ALICE, UH, THAT PASSES SIX TWO, THE OTHERS ARE OFF THE DAYAS COUNCIL MEMBER, HOPPER, MADISON.
YOU CAN'T VOTE, UH, IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO VOTE.
YOU HAVE TO, I EITHER BE SEEN OR BE HEARD.
UM, AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO CALL INTO STAFF OR HAVE STAFF CALLING TO YOU SO THAT YOU CAN BE SEEN OR HER THIS BULLET POINT NUMBER FOUR PASSES WITH SIX VOTES.
THAT GETS US TO TOBO BULLET 0.5 AND OUR ACCOUNTS EVER TOPO HAS GONE UP YOUR BACK.
SO, UM, THIS IS AGAIN, JUST THE OTHER PIECE OF THE AMENDMENT THAT WE HAVE ALREADY INITIATED LAST TIME.
UM, BUT WE GOT BACK THE STAFF RESPONSE, UM, THAT ENCROACHMENT AND, WELL, I GUESS I THINK I'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT IT.
I HAVE TO SAY, I NOW CANNOT REMEMBER WHETHER ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENTS IN THE RAINY AREA.
I'M SUDDENLY NOW FORGETTING WHETHER ENCOURAGEMENT AGREEMENTS, WHETHER THERE IS A CARVE OUT FOR BENNY STREET IN THIS, BUT IN ANY CASE, AS I MENTIONED, I THINK OUR LARGEST PORTION OF FUNDING WHEN I MENTIONED THAT THIS COULD GENERATE UP TO $30 MILLION IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MOST OF THOSE WOULD BE THROUGH ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENTS.
LIKE WHEN PEOPLE ARE BUILDING IN THE AIR RIGHTS OR ENCOURAGING ON THE SIDEWALK, THINGS OF THAT SORT.
SO THIS IS FUNDING THAT WE DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE BUDGETED OR ALLOCATED OR FOR PURPOSES OF PROJECTS.
SO ALLOCATING THAT TO, TO THIS, I THINK WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THOSE BULLET 0.5, UM, I'M GOING TO VOTE THE SAME WAY FOR THE SAME REASON THAT EXPRESSED BEFORE.
POINT FIVE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
IT GETS US TO BULLET POINT NUMBER SEVEN.
KENDRA POOL WAS IN FAVOR BULLET POINT NUMBER SEVEN.
THIS IS TOVO IS, UM, ABOUT THE STREET AND ALLEY VACATION FEE.
SO OUR SECOND TO THIS BULLET POINT, I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY SIX
[05:55:02]
YOU'RE RIGHT? PRETTY COOL.I REALLY SHOULD'VE NUMBERED THEM.
I WOULD IMAGINE THE DISCUSSION IS THE SAME AS THE LAST ONE.
WE READY TO TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF ITEM NUMBER SIX, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
ELLA'S POOL, AUTHOR, AUTHOR, RENTERIA, FLANAGAN.
THAT GETS US TO POINT NUMBER SEVEN.
DO YOU WANT TO HURT THIS ONE COUNTS OVER THE TELEPHONE? UM, WELL IT'S THE SAME ARGUMENT THAT I MADE WITH REGARD TO GETTING INFORMATION, MOVE APPROVAL.
DO YOU WANT TO URGE ITEM NUMBERS 0.7 OR POINT NUMBER EIGHT? OH, I'M SORRY.
I SAID I NEED MOVED APPROVAL OF SEVEN.
IS THERE A SECOND TO, TO NUMBER SEVEN? THAT'S WHERE OUR POOL IS SECOND SET.
I POSE THIS FOR THE SAME REASONS, EVERY WHAT DID AGAINST THIS FOR THE DIRECTION, BUT EVEN SO, BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY IS THE INSTRUCTION.
MAYOR, IF I MAY CLARIFY, SHOULD HAVE SAID ALLEN IN THE SAME WAY, THE INSTRUCTION ABOUT IT.
SO IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER MY MOTION TEMPORARY ALLOCATE, I'M SORRY.
UM, THE LANGUAGE SHOULD HAVE MIRRORED THE LANGUAGE ABOVE IT SHOULD SAY TEMPORARILY, TEMPORARILY.
READY TO TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, PULL KITCHEN.
IT'S A BALANCE OF THE DICE WITH A HOW'S HARPER, MADISON.
YOU CAN'T HEAR OR SEE I'M ABSTAINING.
AIR PRO TEM UPSTATES DOES NOT PASS.
IT GETS US TO ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, BULLET 0.8.
SO MAYBE WE HAVE, THIS IS MY LAST ONE ON THIS TOPIC.
UM, THIS IS, WE HAVE THE LIVE MUSIC WORKING GROUP THEY'VE BEEN WORKING, I THINK SINCE LAST FALL, BUT IN EARNEST.
UM, CERTAINLY THROUGH THE SPRING AND I'VE DONE SOME REALLY GOOD WORK.
I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO A LOT OF THE MUSIC COMMISSION MEETING YESTERDAY AND THEY DISCUSSED THIS WORK AS WELL, BUT I, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO URGE THEM TO GET THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO US SO THAT, UM, AT SLIGHTLY UNDER $2.5 MILLION MIGHT BE ABLE TO BE INVESTED IN THE RECOVERY, WHICH, YOU KNOW, IT IS, UM, OBVIOUSLY A SOURCE OF FUNDING THAT CAN BE USED BECAUSE IT IS DESIGNATED TO SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC AND TO MAKE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS IN OUR MUSIC ECOSYSTEM.
AND IF EVER WE NEEDED THOSE INVESTMENTS IT'S RIGHT NOW.
SO I DO WANT TO TRY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO WRAP UP THEIR WORK AND SO THAT WE CAN USE THAT GUIDANCE, UM, AND USE, AND FRANKLY USE THOSE FUNDS AT A TIME WHERE WE REALLY NEEDED THEM.
I KNOW THERE WAS CONCERN LAST SPRING ABOUT USING SOME OF THAT FUNDING.
I HAD BROUGHT FORWARD A PROPOSAL TO USE A BIT OF THAT FUNDING OR THE MUSIC DISASTER RELIEF.
INSTEAD WE FUNDED IT THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND BECAUSE THERE WASN'T INTEREST IN, IN ALLOWING THAT MONEY TO STAY THERE AND FUND MORE LONGTERM SUSTAINABLE CHANGE.
AND THAT'S, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS CERTAINLY, UM, USEFUL FEEDBACK.
BUT AGAIN, I THINK IF EVER WE'RE AT A TIME WHEN WE NEED MONEY FOR THOSE OR THE LIVE MUSIC ECOSYSTEM IT'S RIGHT NOW.
AND SO THIS SHOULD BE A SOURCE OF FUNDING THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AVAIL OURSELVES OF THE LIVE MUSIC WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT WE DIDN'T DO A MEMBER OF TOVO URGES, HER BULLET POINT NUMBER EIGHT.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT? THAT'S OUR POOL SECOND SIDE.
I DON'T KNOW IF STAFF'S HERE OR IF, YOU KNOW, KATHY, I, THOSE FOLKS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROJECT FOR SOME TIME, THE WAY YOU JUST DESCRIBED IT WAS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET BACK.
THIS SAYS TO DIRECT THEM TO COME BACK AND I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE IN THAT PROCESS.
AND I'D LIKE TO TRY TO HONOR THAT PROCESS.
CAUSE I KNOW THEY HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME ON IT.
UH, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE IN A PLACE TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO US MID.
OBVIOUSLY I WANT THEM TO COME BACK TO US SOON.
UH, I DON'T TO, TO UPEND THE WORK THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.
DO YOU KNOW IF THEY'RE READY TO REPORT BACK TO THE COUNCIL BY THE 15TH? WOULD A STAFF NOW? YEAH, I WOULD DEFER TO MY HOLT LAB.
[06:00:01]
RAB.UM, THE WORKING GROUP WILL ACTUALLY MEET ONE MORE TIME WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS SO I CAN ENCOURAGE THEM TO TRY AND BE BACK THERE ALMOST DONE.
SO ARE YOU COMFORTABLE DIRECTING THEM TO COME BACK TO US BY OCTOBER 15TH? ARE THEY THAT CLOSE OR IS THERE ANOTHER PRODUCT WE SHOULD USE OTHER THAN DIRECT? I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM BECAUSE OF COURSE THEY'RE MADE UP OF VOLUNTEERS AS WELL AS COMMISSION MEMBERS.
SO IF YOU COULD GIVE US DEFINITELY THROUGH THE 1ST OF NOVEMBER, I DON'T WANT TO OVER COMMIT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THEIR SCHEDULES, BUT AGAIN, IT'S NOT JUST MUSIC COMMISSIONERS.
IT'S VOLUNTEERS OUTSIDE OF THE COMMISSION COUNSEL SAID BY NOVEMBER 1ST, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
HOW ABOUT THAT? YES, THAT SOUNDS GREAT.
I MEAN, UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY MAY COME BACK AND SAY WE COULD FINISH IT IN TIME, BUT I JUST, I WANT TO, I WANT TO IMPOSE SOME SENSE OF URGENCY.
I'M SURE THEY FEEL IT AS WELL BECAUSE OF A SENSE OF URGENCY AND DEADLINE HERE.
UM, WE OF COURSE ALWAYS HAVE THE DISCRETION TO GO AHEAD AND ALLOCATE THAT FUNDING, ABSENT THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HONOR THAT LONG, LONG TIME WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING, BUT I ALSO WANT THEM TO HAVE THOSE THINGS IN TIME TO ACTUALLY INVEST THE MONEY REALLY BEST FOR THEM.
I KNOW THAT GROUP'S WORKING VERY HARD.
UM, AND I KNOW THE CLERK'S OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE ALL THE BOARD AND COMMISSIONS CAN DO THE WORK THEY NEED TO DO AND HAVE TIME TO REALLY HAVE THEIR DUE DILIGENCE.
AND SO I APPRECIATE THAT FLEXIBILITY.
UM, BUT I KNOW A LOT OF OUR VOLUNTEERS AND COMMISSION MEMBERS ARE ALSO, THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH SCHOOL, YOU KNOW, REMOTE SCHOOL AND TRYING TO NAVIGATE ALL THAT.
SO I CERTAINLY WANT TO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT'S GOING INTO IT AND THEN ENCOURAGE THEIR OPINIONS TO THE EFFECT TO BE IN THIS MATTER.
AND FOR IT TO BE SOMETHING THAT, TO PUT SO MUCH PRESSURE ON THEM, THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE RUSHING.
AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY'RE HURTING, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TOPO HAS SUGGESTED CHANGING THE LANGUAGE TO SAY NOVEMBER 1ST, IF AT IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, DOES ANYBODY OBJECTION TO THAT CHANGE BEING MADE HEARING NONE OF THAT CHANGES MADE WITH THAT CHANGE? IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS BULLET 0.8? LET'S TAKE A VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF BULLET 0.8, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED CIN ANANYMOUS WITH ALL THE PEOPLE THAT I COULD SEE.
I CAN'T SEE THE MAYOR PRO TEM.
I CAN'T SEE COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON.
UM, CAN YOU, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, YES.
ARE Y'ALL ARE ALL BLANK, BUT I CAN, I CAN SEE A BUNCH OF INITIALS.
SO THE RECORD WILL REFLECT THAT AS WELL.
ALL I CAN'T SEE COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON.
I THINK CALDERA TOVA THAT TAKES CARE OF YOUR AMENDMENTS FURTHER AMENDMENTS ON THIS ITEM.
IF THE TWO, ARE THERE ANY FURTHER ITEMS ON ITEM 52 THAT WAS A MEMBER OF KITCHEN? UM, I, I JUST WANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW I'VE MENTIONED IT BEFORE, BUT I WANT IT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT, UH, UH, WITH MY, WITH THE CO-SPONSORS, I'LL BE FILING A, UM, A RESOLUTION FOR OCTOBER 15TH, UH, FOR PEOPLE'S CONSIDERATION TO SEE, UH, HOW WE MIGHT APPROACH VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS, UM, AS THEY RELATE TO, UH, SOME OF OUR ICONIC, UM, UH, ICONIC, UH, MUSIC VENUES WHO, UM, ATTRACT, UH, TOURISTS FROM REALLY FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
I WILL GET IT POSTED, UM, BY NEXT FRIDAY.
AND SO EVERYONE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT AT THE, OKAY.
LET'S TAKE A VOTE THEN ON ITEM NUMBER 52, THOSE ARE IN FAVOR OF 52.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND RIGHT THERE.
YES, I KNOW YOU'RE TRYING TO WRAP UP THE ITEM, BUT THAT'S OKAY.
UM, UH, AND SORRY THAT I HAD TO HOP ON AND OFF.
UM, I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH A PRETTY MEAN HEADACHE TODAY.
IT'S HARD TO LOOK AT THE SCREEN.
UM, I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM WITH.
UM, DIRECTOR WAS DANIELLE, UH, REALLY BRIEFLY JUST ABOUT SOME OF THE EQUITY STUFF AND WORKER STUFF THAT HAD BEEN RAISED TO US, BUT I THINK PRETTY EASY FOR US TO DEAL WITH, BUT I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM A FEW THINGS WITH THAT.
UM, SO, UM, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY THE MAIN GOAL IS TO SAVE VENUES AND RESTAURANTS AND TO SUPPORT OUR CHILDCARE CENTERS.
[06:05:01]
THE, THE CORE GOAL YOU'VE HAD APART FROM THE TEST TESTIMONY OF JUST A DECENT NUMBER OF PEOPLE REACH OUT ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT OUR RECOVERY, WHEN PLACES ARE SAVED ARE AS FAIR AND INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE.UM, AND SO JUST IF I THINK THAT YOU DIRECTOR ARE WORKING HARD ON THAT, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT JUST TO MAKE THAT TRANSPARENT HERE.
SO MY QUICK QUESTIONS FOR YOU ARE THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE MUSIC COMMISSION IS WORKING ON A PROCESS AROUND EQUITY FOR MUSICIANS AND MUSIC WORKERS, MUSICIANS FROM MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN PARTICULAR, BLACK AND IMMIGRANT MUSICIANS HAVE, HAVE REACHED OUT PRETTY CONSISTENTLY ABOUT DISPARATE TREATMENT IN THE INDUSTRY PRE PANDEMIC, UM, AND GO, UH, MY UNDERSTANDING IS, BUT JUST CONFIRM FOR US THAT YOU'RE GOING TO ENSURE THAT VENUES, THAT YOU GET SAVES DOLLARS.
AND THEN WHEN THEY DO RECOVER, THOSE VENUES COMMIT TO A PROCESS OF MEETING WITH GROUPS OF MUSICIANS AND MUSIC WORKERS SO THAT THE POST PANDEMIC MUSIC ECONOMY HERE IS MORE INCLUSIVE, MORE FAIR, HAS IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS AND SOME COMMON SENSE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND.
UH, THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME, BUT I WANT IT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S OUT THERE AND THAT YOU CAN CONFIRM THAT OR CORRECT ANYTHING.
I SAID, THAT'S OFF COUNCIL MEMBER THAT HAS PRIORITY OF OURS.
WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY AS A DEPARTMENT IN ALL OUR PROGRAMMING TO MAKE SURE THAT EQUITY IS AT THE FOREFRONT AND WE'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE EQUITY OFFICE.
AND WE'RE ALSO WORKING CLOSELY WITH BOTH THE MUSIC AND THE ARTS COMMISSION IN THAT REGARD.
UM, OUR CONSULTANT THAT IS WORKING WITH US ON OUR CULTURAL CONTRACTS IS ALSO ENGAGED WITH THE MUSIC COMMISSION.
SO THIS IS AN ONGOING, UH, DISCUSSION AND PRIORITY, AND WE WILL BE BRINGING FORWARD A PROGRAM THAT, THAT APPLIES EQUITY, UM, AS A TOPIC IT'S PART OF JUST PART OF THAT, UM, ACROSS ALL OF THE CATEGORIES, BE IT CHILDCARE, RESTAURANTS, BARS, VENUES ARE, Y'ALL GOING TO BE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE BUSINESSES THAT ARE SHOWING A REAL COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND FAIR PAY ARE GIVEN EXTRA SUPPORTS OR SOME SORT OF PREFERENCE ARE INCENTIVIZED AS PART OF SAFE.
YES, THAT'S WHAT WE REPORTED ON TUESDAY EQUITY OFFICE HAS, UH, HAS DEVELOPED AN EQUITY FRAMEWORK FOR US TO APPLY.
SO WE WILL BE PROCEEDING WITH THAT.
WE ALSO HAVE AN EQUITY MATRIX, UM, ON THE PROGRAMS ON SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE ALREADY ROLLED OUT.
AND I IMAGINE THAT WE WILL UTILIZE SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES TOO, WITH THOSE WITH THE CITY.
AND THEN WHEN WE GOT A LOT OF FOLKS, UM, REACHING OUT, UM, FOR US TO APPLY SOME OF THE PROTECTIONS THAT WE HAVE APPLIED AT PLACES LIKE THE ZACH SCOTT THEATER TO EMPLOYEES, BUT THAT USUALLY APPLIES WHEN WE LIKE OWN A BUILDING.
UM, SO I ANTICIPATE THAT IF WE'RE BUYING ANYONE OUT THAT YOU WOULD COME BACK AND, AND TALK TO US ABOUT THAT.
BUT IF IN THE CASE WHERE IT'S LIKE SMALLER GRANTS AND NOT US OWNING A PROPERTY, UM, MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU USUALLY HAVE RULES THAT SAY, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T BE BREAKING THE LAW OR HURTING ANYBODY.
YOU KNOW, YOU COULD USE CITY MONEY FOR THAT.
AND I DON'T KNOW OF ANY, UH, ANY OF THE I, AND I ACTUALLY KNOW MANY OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT CAME AND TESTIFIED THAT THAT HAVE, UM, REALLY HIGH WORKER STANDARDS, BUT ON THE ISSUE OF WORKERS' RIGHTS, IF SOMEBODY IS, UH, VIOLATING SAFETY RULES FOR WORKERS OR OTHER BASIC WORKPLACE LAWS AND PROTECTIONS, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ALL OFTENTIMES SAY IS LIKE A BREACH OF OUR AGREEMENTS.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD EXPECT YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING AS LARGE AS THE PURCHASE OF A FACILITY OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES? ABSOLUTELY.
WE'LL BE LOOKING AT REPLICATING WHAT WE DO AS A CITY IN OUR ORDINARY BUSINESS PRACTICES IN REGARDS OF WORKER SAFETY.
WELL THANK YOU FOR, FOR ALL OF THAT.
UM, AND, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NOT JUST PASSING THIS, BUT THEN TO CONTINUE TO WORK, UH, IN THE COMING MEETINGS TO, TO ADD MORE MONEY AND TO PROVIDE MORE, MORE HELP, UM, BECAUSE IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO SAVE THESE ICONIC PLACES.
AND THEN I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT HOW IT IS THAT, UH, WE MAKE, WE HAVE THIS EQUITABLE OF A RECOVERY AND, UH, DON'T FORGET THAT THINGS WEREN'T PERFECT BEFORE THIS AND THAT WE WANT TO MAKE THINGS BETTER ON THE OTHER SIDE.
I WAS ALREADY HALFWAY THROUGH THE AGENDA, UM, OR THE DISCUSSION BEFORE WE VOTE ON BUY IN 52, LET'S TAKE A VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR 52, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS.
AND I THINK WE CAN SEE EVERYBODY, UH, IMAGINATION.
I THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT THING FOR US TO DO FOR THE CITY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE STAFF'S WORK AND GETTING SO MUCH ACCOMPLISHED TO THIS REGARD SO FAST AND RECOGNIZING THAT THE INDIVIDUALIZED
[06:10:01]
APPROACH, WHICH SAVES CALLS FOR, WITH RESPECT TO THESE IS ALSO GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT TIME COMMITMENT AND BRINGING IN OTHER, UM, UH, FOLKS AND EXPERTISE CAUSE THESE TO ACTUALLY DO THIS AND DO THIS WELL AND TO LEVERAGE THE DOLLARS IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF WORK.[53. Approve an ordinance amending Exhibit “A” of Ordinance No. 20200812-002 (Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Fee Schedule) to increase the amount of the Transportation User Fee; and declaring an emergency.]
A, IS THERE A MOTION TO, TO INDEFINITELY POSTPONE ITEM NUMBER 53, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER MAKES THE MOTION SECONDED BY THE MAYOR PRO TEM.ANY DISCUSSION AS A FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED TO ANANYMOUS ON THE DIOCESE.
UH, 53 IS INDEFINITELY POSTPONE.
[55. Approve a resolution creating the Austin Economic Development Corporation (Corporation), a Local Government Corporation under Subchapter D, Chapter 431, Texas Transportation Code; approving and adopting the corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws; and appointing the initial Board.]
TO ITEM NUMBER 55.UM, IS THERE A MOTION TO, UH, UH, APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 55, WHICH IS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION? HOW DOES I REMEMBER TOVO MAKES THE MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND COUNCIL MEMBER, FLANAGAN SECONDS, THE MOTION THAT'S MEMBER TOVA YOU WERE TO START US OFF.
AND I HAVE A COUPLE OTHER, OR I HAVE ONE QUICK, WHAT I HOPE WILL BE A QUICK AND EASY AMENDMENT TO IT.
UM, I JUST REALLY WANT TO SAY SOMETHING I'VE SAID BEFORE, BUT IT, IT BEARS REPEATING, BUT, UM, THIS WAS, THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME IN PROGRESS AND I SO OFTEN WE'RE WORKING ON ISSUES THAT HAVE STARTED LONG BEFORE WE CAME TO THE DIOCESE.
UM, IN THIS CASE, COUNCIL, MAYOR PRO TEM COAL.
NOW OUR, OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, UM, STARTED THIS WORK AND IT'S REALLY BEEN AN HONOR TO CONTINUE IT FORWARD AND SEE IT, SEE IT INTO LIFE HERE TODAY.
UM, I ALSO JUST WANT TO QUICKLY RECOGNIZE MY STAFF WHO I'VE RECOGNIZED BEFORE, BUT I, I THINK TOO, UM, IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THEIR CONTRIBUTION AND IN MAKING AND SEEING THIS IDEA INTO, INTO SEEING THIS VISION THROUGH, INTO FRUITION.
UM, SHANNON HOLLY ON MY STAFF WORKED REALLY CLOSELY OVER A PERIOD OF COUPLE OF YEARS WITH OUR CITY STAFF, WENT TO NEW YORK ON A DELEGATION OF CITY STAFF TO SEE THEIR EDC AND ACTION.
UM, ASHLEY RICHARDSON IS THE REASON THAT WE HAVE CHILDCARE EMBEDDED WITHIN THIS, THIS, THIS, HER IDEA THAT AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION COULD MAYBE AFFECT SOME CHANGE WITH REGARD TO CHILDCARE HERE IN THE CITY.
UM, AND THE TWO OF THEM HAVE WORKED, JUST WORKED ON THIS REALLY, UM, EFFECTIVELY AND WELL OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
UM, AS WELL AS I SAY, STAFF, THIS IS GOING TO BE A TERRIFIC, TERRIFIC, UM, ENTITY TO HAVE.
AND I THINK THAT WHAT WE'VE SEEN COME OUT OF THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS REALLY GONNA BE VALUABLE FOR ALL OF THE TARGETS THAT FALL WITHIN IT.
SO THANK YOU FOR OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND OUR FINANCE STAFF FOR ALL THEIR GOOD WORK.
UH, WE HAVE SOME, UH, AMENDMENTS, UH, ON THIS TO, UH, CALL UP.
UM, FIRST LET'S BEGIN WITH THE, WITH THE STAFF AMENDMENT STAFF WANT TO GO FIRST? WE SHOULD CLARIFY THIS WAS NOT A STAFF AMENDMENT.
THIS WAS, UH, INFORMATION THAT STAFF RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO CONVERSATION ON TUESDAY, BUT I'LL LET OUR, OUR LEGAL WELL, SHOULD WE THEN ASK THE COUNCIL MEMBER, LET'S ASK COUNCIL MEMBERS TO BRING THEM IN.
LET'S SEE, WHAT'S GETS MISSED.
IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT'S MISSED COUNCIL MEMBER, KITCHEN, THE AMENDMENT THAT'S IT'S.
UM, UH, I THINK IT'S TWO OF THE ONES THAT ARE, THAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO.
AND I HAVE A TOTAL OF THREE IN WOMEN'S CENTER ON TWO DIFFERENT PIECES OF PAPER.
SO, UM, SO THE FIRST ONE I'LL TAKE UP IS THE, UH, THE ONE THAT, UM, THAT, UH, TAKES TWO OF THE ITEMS OFF OF WHAT THE, UM, STAFF HAD CIRCLED FOR US.
UM, AND SO LET ME SPEAK TO THOUGH TO THAT ONE.
AND, UM, IT'S, I THINK IT'S TITLED ADDITIONAL KITCHEN AMENDMENTS, TWO 56, UM, 55.
SO THE FIRST ONE HAS TO THE APPOINTMENT OF THE BOARD.
SO THIS IS A APPOINTMENT OF THE INTERIM AND THE INITIAL BOARD.
AND WHAT IS THE, THE MOTION? I'LL SAY WHAT THE MOTION IS, AND THEN I'LL EXPLAIN IT.
UM, SO I MOVED THAT THE INTERIM BOARD BE APPOINTED IMMEDIATELY TO SERVE UNTIL THE BOARD IS APPOINTED.
FOLLOWING THE PROCESS DETAILED IN ARTICLE TWO, SECTION ONE, THE INTERIM BOARD SHALL BE PLACES ONE THROUGH SIX AS FOLLOWS, UH, PLACES ONE THROUGH FOUR OR VARIOUS STAFF MEMBERS PLACE.
ONE IS DIRECTOR OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLACE.
TWO'S DIRECTOR OF CITY NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLACE THREE AS THE CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER PLAYS FOUR AS THE CHIEF
[06:15:01]
FINANCIAL OFFICER PLAYS FIVE IS THE CITY OF AUSTIN ARTS COMMISSION CHAIR, AND PLAY SIX IS THE CITY OF AUSTIN MUSIC COMMISSION CHAIR.AND THEN THE SECOND PART OF THAT, AS I FURTHER MOVE THAT THE PROCESS DETAILED IN ARTICLE TWO, SECTION ONE FOR APPOINTMENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BE COMPLETED NO LATER THAN JANUARY 1ST, 2021.
SO LET ME BACK UP, HOLD ON, HANG ON, HANG ON.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS AMENDMENT POLL SECONDS? IS THERE ANY CHANGE TO THIS AMENDMENT? I WAS GOING TO EXPLAIN IT.
SO EVERYBODY WAS OKAY WITH IT THEN YOU WOULDN'T NEED TO, BUT I DO SEE SOME FRIENDS THAT ARE RAISED.
SO COUNCIL MEMBER, KITCHEN, YOU MADE THE MOTION, YOU CAN DISCUSS IT.
YEAH, IT'S JUST A, I JUST THOUGHT MIGHT BE HELPFUL BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S A LITTLE CONFUSING.
SO, UM, I THINK PEOPLE, MOST PEOPLE ARE, UH, UNDERSTAND THAT THERE YOU HAVE YOUR INCORPORATORS AND SO THE INCORPORATORS ARE LISTED IN THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND THEY'RE THE FOLKS THAT JUST SIGN ON TO GET IT SIGNED OFF ON AS A LEGAL DOCUMENT IN THE, UH, IN THE BYLAWS ITSELF, UM, IN, UH, UM, IN THE BYLAWS, UM, ARTICLE TWO, SECTION ONE, THERE'S A STATEMENT THAT THE, UM, THAT THE COUNCIL MAY APPOINT, UM, AN INTERIM BOARD AND THE INTERIM BOARD WILL SERVE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE COMPLETE BOARD CAN BE PUT IN PLACE.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT LONGER FOR THE COMPLETE BOARD TO BE PUT IN PLACE BECAUSE THE LIST OF PLACES, I THINK THERE'S 18 PLACES.
THERE ARE SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT THE STAFF IS, UH, HAS PUT INTO THE BYLAWS AND IS, WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO IDENTIFY WHO THOSE PEOPLE ARE.
THE FIRST SIX OF THOSE PLACES ARE PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD TO IDENTIFY.
SO WHAT MY AMENDMENT DOES IS JUST SAYS, OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN INTERIM BOARD.
AND THE INTERIM BOARD IS PLACED ONE THROUGH SIX.
UM, AND THEN THE APPOINTMENT OF THE FULL BOARD WILL OCCUR BY THE FIRST OF NEXT YEAR BY JANUARY 1ST.
WE NEED TO HAVE AN INTERIM BOARD BECAUSE THE INCORPORATORS DON'T ACT AS A BOARD, THEIR FUNCTION IS SIMPLY TO SIGN THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS AND, AND, UM, GET THE THING GOING.
UM, SO THAT'S WHY I WAS BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND THE RECOMMEND THE, THE PLACES ONE THROUGH SIX THAT I'M PROPOSING TO BE THE INTERIM BOARD.
THAT'S, THAT'S FOLLOWING THE, UM, I WORK WITH STAFF ON THAT, AND THAT WAS FOLLOWING WHO THEY WERE RECOMMENDING TO BE THE INTERIM BOARD, BECAUSE IT'S, THOSE, THOSE PLACES ARE, ARE STRAIGHTFORWARD TO FILL.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO WITH THIS.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED DISCUSSION MAYOR PRO TEM.
UM, MY ONLY QUESTION OR SUGGESTION WOULD BE FOR PLACE FIVE AND SIX TO ADD HER AS YOU HAVE AND ALL THE OTHER ONES OR THEIR NOMINEE, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE A COMMISSIONER AND MAYBE YOU'RE THE CHAIR AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE, YOU CAN'T HAVE THE TIME COMMITMENT.
MAYBE YOU COULD GIVE THAT TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE HAVE QUARTERS ISSUES WITH THIS KIND OF THING.
SO THAT WAS JUST, YEAH, I AGREE.
I THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT.
I THINK OBJECTION TO THAT CHANGE BEING MADE.
IF IT WAS COUNSELOR MAYOR, YES.
I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR, WE'RE SAYING, IS IT THE COMMISSION'S NOMINEE OR THE CHAIR'S NOMINEE? I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST THE MISSION, BUT I KIND OF LOST IT.
I MEAN, MY PREFERENCE WAS COMMISSIONED.
SO IT WOULD SAY THAT THE COMMISSION CHAIR, WHEREAS OTHERWISE DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSION, RIGHT? ANY OBJECTION TO THAT LANGUAGE BEING ADDED THE COMMISSION CHAIR, OR IS OTHERWISE DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSION.
AND THAT'S ADDED FOR BOTH OF THOSE SPOTS, FURTHER DISCUSSION COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO ASK STAFF IF THEY FELT LIKE THE BOARD COULD BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY 1ST, CAUSE THIS IS LIKE GOING INTO THE BYLAWS AND SO BENEFIT DOESN'T GET CREATED.
I'M FINE WITH THAT BEING THE GOAL.
I JUST, I'M NOT SURE HOW REALISTIC IT IS IF WE ALSO WANT THIS BODY TO BE DOING A LOT OF STUFF ON THE CULTURAL TRUST AND HIRING THE PERSON.
AND I JUST DON'T KNOW IF, IF THAT'S A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME OR NOT, I'M SURE IT'S A GREAT GOAL.
UM, I WANTED TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF INPUT FROM YEAH.
TO WORK WITH SEMI WAS TRYING TO UNMUTE, BUT PEOPLE TO WEIGH IN ON THAT.
SORRY, I WAS TRYING TO UNMUTE, WE ARE GOING TO WORK, UM, UH, DILIGENTLY TOWARDS THAT GOAL.
UM, I DO BELIEVE THAT IF WE RUN INTO HICCUPS, WE CAN, UH, BRING THE BYLAWS BACK, OR
[06:20:01]
I THINK THERE'S ALTERNATIVES THAT WE COULD PUT IN PLACE IF NECESSARY, BUT WE REALLY WOULD LIKE THE BOARD AS A WHOLE IN PLACE BECAUSE WE WOULD LIKE THE PRESIDENT CEO TO BE CHOSEN, UH, TO BE VOTED ON BY THE ENTIRE BOARD AND NOT THE INTERIM BOARD.THAT CLARIFIES FOR ME THEN, AS LONG AS WE LEGALLY HAVE A, DOES LEGAL AGREE THAT THERE ARE WAYS AROUND THIS, IF YOU DON'T MAKE THAT DEADLINE WELL, WE'LL MAKE IT WORK OUT NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.
LET'S TAKE A, VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS, UH, UH, KITCHEN AMENDMENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
UH, AND I THINK WE CAN SEE EVERYBODY.
I DON'T SEE COUNCIL MEMBER COSAR SO IT COUNTS OF OUR OTHER YARD.
WE, EVERYBODY, OKAY, SO NEXT, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, ANOTHER AMENDMENT.
THIS ONE, UM, I ACTUALLY PICKED IT UP BECAUSE I WASN'T, IT WAS ACTUALLY SUGGESTED BY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, COUNCIL MEMBER PLAN AGAIN.
AND SO I JUST PICKED IT UP CAUSE I WASN'T SURE IF THEY WERE GOING TO BRING IT.
SO IT'S JUST A, IT'S JUST, I MOVED THAT THE BYLAWS AND ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION BE AMENDED TO CLEARLY STATE THAT HE, ANY AMENDMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS MUST BE APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL.
ANY OBJECTION TO THAT AMENDMENT BEING INCLUDED, HEARING NONE THAT'S INCLUDED.
THAT'S WHERE OUR KITCHEN, YOU HAVE ONE MORE AMENDMENT.
AND THIS ONE RELATES TO THE, UM, CREATION OF THE, UH, CULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
SO, UM, IS THERE A SECOND TO THE AMENDMENT TO CREATE THE CULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT WAS WHERE I'M A POOL BRINGS THROUGH ANY OBJECTION TO THAT AMENDMENT SAYING NONE OF THAT AMENDMENT IS INCLUDED COUNTS.
BARBARA WILL KIND OF GIVE ME A W I HAVE ONE KITCHEN, SORRY.
UM, I, ONE AMENDMENT THAT I WANT TO URGE IT IS THE FIRST AMENDMENT ON THE STAFF'S DOCUMENT THAT WOULD CHANGE THE ACT OF MAJORITY OF TECH DIRECTORS PRESENT AT A MEETING TO THE ACTIVE MAJORITY OF TOTAL DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS, UH, AMENDMENT THAT'S MEMBER KITCHENS? ANY OBJECTION TO THIS SUMMIT? OKAY.
I DON'T HAVE AN OBJECTION, BUT COULD I ASK A QUESTION? UM, COUNCIL MEMBER, CLINIC, AND I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS ON TUESDAY AND I DIDN'T COMPLETELY, COULD YOU JUST WALK ME THROUGH AGAIN, THE RATIONALE FOR THAT? YEAH.
THIS IS LIKE A THING THAT I'M SURE WE'VE ALL EXPERIENCED SERVING ON DIFFERENT NONPROFIT BOARDS.
IF YOU HAVE 10 BOARD MEMBERS AND SIX SHOW UP TO THE MEETING, THEN YOU CAN TAKE AN ACTION WITH FOUR VOTES, BUT FOUR IS LESS THAN HALF OF 10.
SO IT DOESN'T WORK THE WAY THE CITY COUNCIL WORKS, WHERE IT'S A MAJORITY OF THOSE APPOINTED.
RIGHT? SO I'M MAKING THAT CHANGE TO ENSURE THAT THIS BODY OPERATES THE SAME WAY THAT WE DO ON THAT RESPECT MAKES SENSE TO BE, TO BE CLEAR WITH LAW.
IT'S NOT THAT THE TOTAL OF 21, IT IS THE TOTAL OF THOSE APPOINTMENTS.
SO IF YOU'RE, IF WE'VE APPOINTED 19 OF THE 21 MINUTES, 19 IS THE DENOMINATOR I GUESS IS THE QUESTION.
AND I WOULD JUST ADD ONE THING, THANKS TO THE STAFF FOR LISTENING.
SO ATTENTIVELY ON TUESDAY, THERE WERE MANY GREAT EDITS IN THE REVIVED VERSION THAT WAS POSTED TO BACK UP.
AND I WANT TO THINK, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR DILIGENT WORK, ESPECIALLY REMOVING GENDER FROM THE DOCUMENTS.
I KNOW ME AND MY STAFF REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
ANY OBJECTION TO INCLUDING THE FIGHT AGAINST AMENDMENT HEARING, NONE THAT'S INCLUDED.
UH, DO WE HAVE IT A BABIN FROM COUNCIL MEMBER AUTHOR? YEAH.
I HAVE AN AMENDMENT, UM, THAT I'D LIKE TO MOVE, WHICH IS TO AMEND EXHIBIT B OF THE BYLAWS.
UM, ARTICLE TWO TO REQUIRE THAT ALL BOARD MEMBERS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THE SAME MANNER AS CITY APPOINTEES TO THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AS LISTED IN TWO SEVEN, SEVEN TO C.
UM, AND IF I HAVE A SECOND I'LL IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU, CATHERINE.
IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THIS AMENDMENT HERE? I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN SO THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME REQUIREMENTS FOR FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE AS THE SOVEREIGN BOARDS DO, BECAUSE THERE WERE TWO VERSIONS.
SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT UNDERSTAND, THANK
[06:25:01]
YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO.DID YOU HAVE AN AMENDMENT? I DO.
UM, AND THIS, YOU KNOW, WHEN I THANK THE STAFF AND MY STAFF AND OTHERS, UM, I NEGLECTED TO THANK THE CONSULTANT.
UM, HE HAS DONE A REALLY TERRIFIC JOB AND HAS JUST HELPED OUR, OUR CITY, I THINK, THROUGH THIS CONVERSATION OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.
HE WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE CULTURAL ASSETS MAPPING, WHICH WAS OF A COMPONENT OF THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
AND I KNOW IT IS, IT IS, UM, VERY MUCH A PART OF THE WAY THAT THE EDD HAS BEEN CONCEIVED.
THAT HISTORIC PRESERVATION WOULD BE AN ELEMENT, BUT JUST TO RECOGNIZE THAT IN A FORMAL WAY, I'M PUTTING FORWARD A COUPLE OF QUICK CHANGES.
ONE WOULD CALL OUT HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND THE LIST OF, UM, REPRESENTATIVE IN A LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES, BUT IT ALSO CREATES A PLACE FOR A LOCAL HISTORIC PRESERVATIONIST AND THEN JUST REMEMBERS 19 TO 20.
SO IT STILL KEEPS AN ODD NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS BECAUSE THE 20TH IS THE EX-OFFICIO PRESIDENT.
UM, IT DOES, YOU KNOW, AS, AS I LOOKED AT EDCS THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AROUND THE COUNTRY AND WE'VE HAD SOME GREAT PRESENTATIONS THAT AUSTIN HAS SPONSORED AND OTHER GROUPS HERE HAVE SPONSORED THEY'RE VERY OFTEN AS THEY LOOK FOR THOSE ASSETS THAT CAN REALLY BE ANCHORS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AROUND THEM.
VERY OFTEN, THOSE ARE HISTORIC PROPERTIES.
IF WE LOOK AT RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT OR SIX SQUARE AREA OR LONGINGS 11TH AND 12TH, ALL VERY OFTEN, THOSE ARE OUR HISTORIC, THERE ARE HISTORIC STRUCTURES AT THE CENTER OF THOSE.
AND SO HAVING A PERSPECTIVE ON THE BOARD I THINK WOULD BE IMPORTANT, TOVAH AMENDMENT.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT AMENDMENT AS IT WERE HARPER MADISON, SECOND SENTENCE.
IS THERE ANY, UM, UH, OBJECTION TO THAT AMENDMENT BEING INCLUDED, HEARING DOWN THAT'S INCLUDED MAYOR PRO TEM.
I'M SORRY, WAS THIS THE, THE, LIKE THE, I'M SORRY, WHAT WERE WE JUST TALKING ABOUT? WHAT'S THE AMENDMENT? IS IT THE ONE WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENT PLACES? ONE THROUGH 20? YES.
IS, IS THE TOP, IS THAT ALL IT'S DOING? IS IT ALL CAUSE SO, SO MY QUESTION WAS WHEN I SAW THIS, SORRY, UM, THE, THE PART THAT SAYS THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD SHALL CONSIST, IS THAT ALREADY IN THERE? OR ARE WE ADDING THAT'S PART OF THE AMENDMENT AS WELL? UM, THANKS FOR THE QUESTION.
KNOW THAT THE ONLY THING THAT'S CHANGING IS THE BLUE SECTION AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LIGHTNESS OF IT.
UM, SO THE COMPOSITION, ALL THAT, THE ONLY THING I'M DOING IS ADDING IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION TO THAT DESCRIPTION THAT COMPOSITION ALREADY EXISTS IN IT.
UM, AND THEN BEING A PLACE AND THEN REMEMBERING, OKAY, I GUESS I'LL JUST VOICE A CONCERN AND I DON'T WANT TO, I DON'T WANT, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE THIS CONVERSATION GO LONGER, BUT, UM, WHEN I READ THIS, YOU KNOW, THE SECOND SENTENCE SAYS, IT SAYS FURTHER EACH REPRESENTATIVE SHOP POSSESS AND DEMONSTRATE SKILLS OR EXPERIENCE IN, AND THEN IT LISTS ALL THESE THINGS.
AND I FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, I COULD MAYBE QUALIFY ONLY BECAUSE I'VE BEEN A COUNCIL MEMBER, BUT I, I'M JUST CURIOUS HOW LET'S SAY, AND MAYBE I'M READING IT WRONG.
SO IT'S SAYING LIKE THE CHILDCARE REPRESENTATIVE WOULD HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE SKILL AND PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, INFRASTRUCTURE OF TRANSPORTATION, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION, URBAN, REGIONAL PLANNING, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, FINANCE, CREATIVE.
IS THAT SAYING THAT EVERY SINGLE PLACE WOULD HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE SKILL IN THAT AREA, IN ALL THE AREAS? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING IN ALL THE AREAS? YEAH.
IS THAT, IS THAT, IS THAT WHAT THAT SENTENCE IS SAYING? I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT WOULD.
UM, AND DOES THAT REQUIRE THAT INTERPRETATION? I THINK, SORRY.
I THINK THAT PERHAPS WE CAN FIX THAT BY A LITTLE MORE IN THERE.
UM, AND TO YOUR POINT AS WELL.
AND WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? I WAS JUST CONFUSED ABOUT THAT TOO, UH, OF THE HEAD ALONG THIS GAME, WHO CAN, AND CAN'T BE ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
AND THEN IF THERE'S SOME KIND OF POLITICAL SHIFT AND THEN, YOU KNOW, PLACE SEVEN, EIGHT AND 24, WHATEVER YOU SHOULDN'T BE ON THERE BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T, YOU DON'T HAVE DEMONSTRATED WILL SKILLS.
AND THEN WE GET INTO A DISCUSSION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THAT MEANS.
[06:30:01]
THAT SENTENCE WAS JUST A CONCERN OF MINE IF IT'S IN THERE.SO, SO I GUESS THE ISSUE IS IT'S NOT EACH REPRESENTATIVE.
IT'S, IT'S THE BOARD SHALL CONTAIN THESE AREAS OF EXPERTISE, COUNSELOR FLAT.
AGAIN, MAY I THINK IF, IF, IF I HEARD OUR CITY ATTORNEY, UH, I THINK IF HE JUST CHANGED THE END OF THAT OR WORKFORCE, IT THEN BECOMES ONE INSTEAD OF ALL A GOOD JOB.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO CHANGING THE END OF THAT SENTENCE OR FRONT OF WORKFORCE? GOOD JOB.
THANK YOU, MAYOR PROTONIC ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE TOVO MAN? ANY OBJECTION TO THE TOVO BED HEARING? NONE.
THE TOVO AMENDMENT IS IN LET'S.
NOW TAKE A VOTE ON ITEM 55, THOSE IN FAVOR OF 55 AS AMENDED THESE, I WANT TO ASK SOME STEPS, STAFF, SOME THINGS, BUT IT'S, IT'S ACTUALLY FOR WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
SO WE COULD GO AHEAD AND VOTE IF I CAN TALK AFTER THAT.
OKAY, LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF ITEM NUMBER 55, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED NAVIS ON THE DYES 55 PASSES.
AND YOU'RE GOING TO ASK A QUESTION.
BEFORE WE DO THAT, SORRY, I'M A DIRECTOR, A PRESIDIO.
DID YOU WANT TO IDENTIFY CERTAIN NAMES? YES.
COUNCIL OF AMERICA, AS PART OF THE MOTION, I FEEL COULD INCLUDE THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INTERIM BOARD.
AND SO I'D LIKE TO, WE GAVE YOU A LIST OF THE POSITIONS THEY WOULD HOLD, BUT I WANT TO SPECIFY NAMES SO WE KNOW WHO THAT COURT IS.
SO THE KITCHEN AMENDMENT HAD HAD SOME NAMES IN IT.
IT HAD, UH, UH, YOU OR YOUR NOMINEE, UM, A TRUE LAW OR HER NOMINEE OAKS OR HIS ON NOMINEE DOMBROWSKI OR HIS NOMINEE.
AND THEN IT JUST HAD THE CITY ART COMMISSION CHAIR.
I THINK WE ADDED THE LANGUAGE OR OTHERWISE AS DESIGNATED BY THE, BY THE COMMISSION.
WE DID THAT FOR BOTH PLACES FIVE AND SIX.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE TO THAT MOTION? SO WE WANT TO SPECIFY WHERE IS THE INDIVIDUAL DIRECTOR OR THEIR NOMINEES? SO IT WILL BE MYSELF AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
IT'LL BE ROSIE TRUELOVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND PLANNING.
THERE'LL BE KELLY COLEMAN AND THE EQUITY OFFICE THAT IS BRIAN OAKS IS D A DESIGNEE MARK, DON BOSKY, OUR INTERIM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER WILL BE APPOINTED.
AND THEN RICK CARNEY, OUR, UM, MUSIC COMMISSION, CHAIR, AND HIGH MAKE US THEO, OUR ARTS COMMISSION CHAIR.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT WE CHECKED WITH BOTH OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND THEY'RE COMFORTABLE SERVING, SO THAT WE'RE GOOD WITH THAT AS WELL.
SO WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE BRIAN OAK'S NAME TO KELLY'S NAME.
WE'RE GOING TO PUT IN THE NAME OF THE COMMISSION CHAIR FOR BOTH FIVE AND SIX, BUT OUR EARLIER AMENDMENT STILL STANDS.
UH IT'S THAT PERSON, OR AS WHATEVER LANGUAGE WE HAD IS DONE BY THE COMMISSION.
IS THERE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE? WE JUST TOOK, I NEED A MOTION CUSTOMER PULLBACKS THAT MOTION MAY PUT THEM SECONDS AT ANY OBJECTION, AND WE'RE GOING TO RECONSIDER THAT MOTION NOW AND IT'S EXACTLY AS IT WAS BEFORE, BUT WITH THE THREE NAME CHANGES, UH, FROM A DIRECTOR, UH, PRESIDIO, UH, THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
YOU HAD SOME QUESTIONS YOU WANTED TO ASK.
I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT NEXT STEPS AND PARTICULARLY, UH, ABOUT, UM, UH, STAFF STAFFING, UH, MOVING FORWARD OR ACTUALLY SUPPORT, LIKE, THIS IS A BETTER WORD.
UM, AS, BECAUSE WE NOW HAVE A GREAT ORGANIZATION, AS SOON AS THESE ARE FILED, THAT'S IN A STARTUP MODE.
UH, AND AS A STARTUP THAT REQUIRES, UM, UM, A LOT OF TIME AND EXPERTISE.
AND SO I'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS, UH, WITH, UM, UM, ACM, RONNIE GONZALEZ HAS WELL AS WITH THE DIRECTOR WE'RE CINEO.
AND SO I WOULD JUST ASK YOU ALL, OR ONE OF YOU, I'M NOT SURE WHO SHOULD SPEAK, UM, MAYBE RODNEY, UM, ABOUT THE, THE WHAT'S THE THINKING IS I HAD SUGGESTED FOR EXAMPLE, THAT, UM, THERE'D BE A CONTINUED, UM, CONTINUED, UM, CONTRACTING WITH, UM,
[06:35:01]
THE CONSULTANT BECAUSE HE COULD BE OF ASSISTANCE IN THE STARTUP PHASE.UM, AND, UM, AS WELL AS HE MIGHT HAVE THAT HE WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO PEOPLE WITH PARTICULAR EXPERTISE TO GET, UM, TO GET THIS UP AND RUNNING.
SO, UM, UH, UH, DIRECTOR WE'RE SENDING YOU, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SHOULD SPEAK TO THAT OR IF THE ACM CONZALEZ SHIT, I'D BE GLAD TO MARIN COUNCIL, RODNEY HIMSELF CITY COLLEGE CAM HAS BEEN WORKING SINCE AFTER THE LUNCH BREAK.
WE ARE COMPLETELY BEHIND GETTING THIS CORPORATION UP AND RUNNING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
UM, AS YOU'VE SEEN, UH, DIRECTOR BERCENIO WILL BE, UH, OUR INTERIM PRESIDENT, UH, FOR THE CORPORATION WE DO INTEND AND WE CHECKED IN WITH HIM, UH, TO UTILIZE OUR CONSULTANT, MATT CONTINENTS, TO HELP SUPPORT, UM, STAFF AND HELP SUPPORT THE GREAT WORK THAT VERONICA AND HER STAFF WILL BE DOING.
UM, SO MATT IS CERTAINLY ON BOARD, UM, AND TO THE DEGREE THAT WE NEED TO BRING COUNSEL MODIFIED CONTRACT IN THAT REGARD, WE WOULD DO SO, BUT WE CERTAINLY ARE EAGER TO GET TO WORK ON THE CORPORATION AND GETTING IT UNDERWAY AND A DIRECTIVE, OR SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU'D LIKE TO ADD KITCHEN.
UH, ONE LAST QUESTION, AND I HATE TO ASK THIS, BUT WHILE WE'RE HERE IN CASE WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO FIX IT, I BETTER ASK BECAUSE THIS DIRECTOR PRESENT HERE, WE JUST PUT YOU INTO PLACE ONE.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SERVE AS A BOARD MEMBER IN PLACE ONE AND ALSO SERVED AS THE INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO, BECAUSE THAT'S PLACE 19, WHICH IS EX OFFICIO.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE CREATING SOME KIND OF CONFLICT.
THAT'S JUST, I, I JUST POSE THAT FOR LEGAL.
WE CAN FIX IT LATER IF IT'S A PROBLEM.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS EVEN A PROBLEM, BUT I THOUGHT I SHOULD POINT IT OUT IN CASE YOU NEED US TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.
SO I GUESS THAT'S A QUESTION FOR LEGAL LAW.
THIS IS LEE LEFT BY HER SIDE FOR THE LAW DEPARTMENT AND COUNCIL MEMBER.
UH, WE HAVE THE ATTORNEY WHO OUTSIDE COUNSEL IS IN WORKING WITH US ON THAT.
AND, UH, AS LONG AS YOU'RE OKAY WITH US MAKING ANY CONFORMING CHANGES TO THIS IN ORDER, MAKE SURE THAT THAT, UH, DOCUMENTS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE APPOINTMENTS THAT YOU'VE MADE.
I'M SURE THAT WE CAN MAKE THAT WORK WELL, I'M NOT SURE WHAT A CONFORMING AMENDMENT IS BECAUSE WE, WE JUST TALKED IN TERMS OF THE, THE WHOLE COUNCIL NEEDING TO PROVE AMENDMENTS.
IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SOME SOMETHING TEMPORARY, I, YOU KNOW, I, UH, I'M TALKING ABOUT, SINCE YOU HAVE APPOINTED VERONICA TO PLACE ONE, AND YOU HAVE, UM, ALSO MADE HER PRESIDENT THAT IT WOULD BE MAKING THAT PRESIDENT POSITION TO PLACE ONE I SENTENCES IN THIS CASE ARE TWO POSITIONS.
ONE COULD BE THE DIRECTOR OR HER DESIGNEE.
AND ONE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY.
IT SEEMS AS IF, IF, IF, IF, IF DIRECT PERCENT OF YOU ARE JUST APPOINTED A DESIGNEE, THEN THAT PERSON WOULD SERVE IN PLACE ONE.
AND SHE WOULD SERVE IN PLACE 20, SO EVER SO LONG AS SHE WAS DOING THAT.
AND AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, IF THERE WAS A DIFFERENT CEO AND SHE WOULD THEN, OR COULD MOVE TO HER POSITION TO NUMBER ONE, AND IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME TO HAVE HER DESIGNEE PART OF IT AS ONE, AS WELL AS HER EX-OFFICIO IN 20, THAT SEEM OKAY TO YOU, ANNE.
I JUST DIDN'T WANT US TO SET UP SOMETHING INTERNAL THAT WAS SET UP SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE BYLAWS.
AND I DON'T WANT TO CHANGE IT FOR THE FUTURE BECAUSE I, I, YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST SO UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCE, SO I WOULDN'T WANT IT, OUR PRESIDENT, UH, AS IT ALL ON AN ONGOING BASIS TO BE ABLE TO FILL ONE OF THE BOARD POSITIONS.
SO, SO I THINK IT'S BETTER PERHAPS THE WAY YOU SUGGESTED IT, UNLESS YOU ALL NEED TO CONFORM IT AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE.
I THINK IT'S JUST GOING TO BE AN INTERIM TEMPORARY DEAL AND IT WORKS.
WE HAVE ONE ITEM LEFT, UH, THAT I HOPE WON'T TAKE THAT LONG.
WE ARE QUEUED UP TO PLAY WALK WITH ME AUSTIN, AS WE END OUR COUNCIL MEETING HERE TODAY.
SO WE HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO, BUT LET'S HANDLE THE LAST
[57. Ratify Amendment No. 2 to the agreement with the Austin Public Education Foundation, dba Austin Ed Fund, to provide emergency food access for caregivers of students in Austin-area schools, increasing funding in an amount not to exceed $369,728 and extending the current term through December 30, 2020, for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $2,689,078.]
ITEM IS ITEM NUMBER 57.[06:40:02]
COUNSEL, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 57 HAD SOME MEMBER TOPO, UM, MARY I'LL MOVE APPROVAL AND THEN I HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO CONSENT.IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS MOTION? COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER WAS GOOD.
REMEMBER, DO YOU HAVE AN AMENDMENT? YES, I DO.
AND IT'S POSTED ON THE AGENDA.
AND I SAID, OH MY GOSH, I'M SO TIRED CIRCULATED IT.
KATIE POWERS FOR CIRCULATING SO MANY AMENDMENTS TODAY.
UM, THIS WOULD ASK OUR MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AN EXTENSION OF A CONTRACT TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL $1.5 MILLION IN FUNDING, WHICH WOULD, UM, EXTEND THIS CONTRACT THROUGH THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR.
I AM ASKING THE MANAGER TO CONSIDER DIFFERENT SOURCES OF FUNDING, INCLUDING THE SALES TAX.
THAT'S ALSO BEING TAPPED OR THE SAVES RESOLUTION, BUT ALSO TO LOOK TOWARD OTHER ANA ON ALLOCATED OR UNEXPENDED FUNDS.
UM, WE'VE HAD A CONVERSATION OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MEETINGS ABOUT THAT ONE CONTRACT THAT HAD COME TO COUNCIL THAT COULD BE A SOURCE OF FUNDING.
AT LEAST SOME OF THAT PROBABLY IS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS THAT ARE NOT AMPLIFIES FUNDS.
UM, AND IT'S ALSO ASKING THAT IF A MANAGER MANAGER, IF YOU INTEND TO PROPOSE ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF FUNDING, IF YOU COULD PLEASE PROVIDE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO US BY TEN EIGHT, SO THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON, ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA FOR THE 15TH, YOU KNOW, I'VE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS PROGRAM IN THE PAST.
I THINK IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE IT IT'S PROVIDING, UM, NOT JUST A REALLY IMPORTANT PLACE THAT THE VERY IMPORTANT BASIC NEED DURING A TIME WHEN SO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE, ARE FACING, UM, FOOD INSECURITY, BUT IT'S ALSO, UH, HAS BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
AND GIVEN THE CONVERSATION WE'VE HAD THROUGHOUT THE DAY ABOUT OUR RESTAURANTS AND THE BUSINESSES, THE REAL CHALLENGES THEY'RE FACING, I THINK THIS IS, THIS IS DOING BOTH.
IT IS SUPPORTING BOTH OF THOSE NEEDS, UM, AISD AND I BELIEVE DEL VALLEY HAS FULL USE THEIR CON USE THE FUNDING THAT THEY'VE GOTTEN FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO HAVE LOCAL RESTAURANTS SUPPLY THAT FOOD.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT ALLEN IS DOING.
THIS IS KIND OF CONNECTING THOSE TWO THINGS AND MAKING IT CLEAR THAT THAT'S OUR EXPECTATION FOR THAT ADDITIONAL MONEY.
THERE'S BEEN A, A AMENDMENT OFFERED, UM, ANY OBJECTION TO THIS AMENDMENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE COUNCIL MEMBER.
I KNOW THAT THIS IS PUT FORWARD AS A RATIFICATION OF A CONTRACT.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THAT WE CAN EVEN MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS DIRECTION, OR IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'D HAVE TO COME AS A SEPARATE ITEM, IF OUR LEGAL, OR IF WE ARE APH, WE'RE JUST SEEING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
SO OUR COLLEGE, SO THIS IS AN, I DO THINK IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO HAVE THIS COME BACK AS AN ACTUAL ITEM.
NEXT TIME TO ASK FOR THIS EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS, BECAUSE THE POSTING WE HAVE IS TO RATIFY AN AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO, WHICH IS FOR $369,000 FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT OF 2 MILLION, SIX 89.
AND YOU'RE ASKING US TO AHEAD AND SPEND MONEY AND ASK YOU TO RATIFY IT NEXT TIME.
SO I THINK YOU AMENDMENT WOULD BE BETTER SERVED IF THIS ASKS THE MANAGER TO EXPLORE THIS EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT AND MAYBE BRING IT BACK NEXT TIME RATHER THAN SPEND THE MONEY RIGHT NOW.
AND I DID, UM, I DID GET SOME VERY USEFUL, REAL LATE NIGHT INFORMATION FROM YOUR STAFF, WHICH I APPRECIATE, WHICH SAID I CANNOT AMEND THE AMOUNT.
UM, SO I WAS TRYING TO STAY WITHIN THAT, BUT I'M NOT AMENDING BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TODAY ON THIS POSTING LANGUAGE TO NOW.
UM, WHAT HAVE I DIRECT QUESTION SIMILAR TO WHAT THE MAYOR DID, THE SALES TAX ITEM THAT WE TOOK OUT EARLIER.
YOU DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TODAY TO ACT ON THAT ALLOCATION FROM SALES TAX, BUT YET WE PROVIDED DIRECTION AND VOTED ON IT TO AFFECT THAT, UM, TO BASICALLY MAKE THAT FUNDING AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY FOR THAT.
SO HOW CAN, CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW I WOULD TWEAK THIS TO DO THE SAME THING? BASICALLY WE'RE NOT, WE WEREN'T POSTED TO EXPEND SALES TAX IN THAT WAY TODAY EITHER, BUT WE PROVIDE A DIRECTION THAT ALLOWS THE STAFF TO GET WORK IN GETTING THAT FUNDING WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT I GUESS NEXT TIME WE'LL VOTE ON THAT BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT WOULD AFFECT THE CHANGE FROM THE SALES TAX.
[06:45:01]
WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS, IS EXACTLY THE SAME THING, PROVIDE DIRECTION TO THE MANAGER THAT ALLOWS, ALLOWS HIM TO GO FORWARD AND NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT AND EXTENSION OF THAT CONTRACT BECAUSE THE MEALS, THE CAREGIVER MEALS ARE ABOUT TO END.I THINK I MAY HAVE THIS WEEK, POSSIBLY NEXT WEEK IT'S SO KATHY, GET THIS CASE, THE THREE 75 THAT WE CAN APPROVE.
NOW WE'LL STOP IT FROM ENDING.
THE MANAGER KNOWS THAT WE WERE GIVING DIRECTION.
IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS THE WAY THAT WE DID THE OTHER ONE, THEN IT REALLY, THE ACTUAL MONEY DOESN'T GET APPROPRIATED UNTIL TWO WEEKS FROM NOW.
BUT THE MANAGER KNOWS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE APPROPRIATED BY THE VOTE OF THE, OF THE COUNCIL.
NOW THEY COULDN'T ACTUALLY SPEND THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY TILL THAT, I GUESS YOU COULD RENEGOTIATE A CONTRACT, BUT THAT MAKES IT SUBJECT TO PASSAGE ON THE 15TH OF THE, OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
BUT THE DIRECTION IS TO PROCEED ASSUMING THAT WE'RE GOING TO PASS A BUDGET AMENDMENT.
SO AS TO ALLOCATE, YEAH, AND TO BE CLEAR WITH FUNNY THAT TODAY IS A RATIFICATION.
AND SO THE MONEY THAT WE'RE RATIFYING IS WHAT ALLOWED THEM TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM TO NOW.
SO IT'S, IT'S NOT PROVIDING FUNDING BEYOND, UM, BEYOND, BEYOND THIS MEAT.
SO I, I APPRECIATE THE CHALLENGES, THE LEGAL CHALLENGES HERE.
I WAS TRYING TO CRAFT IT IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT ALLOWED THAT IT ALLOWED, UM, IT ALLOWED THAT WORK.
IT ALLOWED THE MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE THAT AND POTENTIALLY TO ALLOCATE SOME FUNDING TO IT FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THE 10, BEFORE THE VOTE ON THE 10 15, SINCE IT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
WELL, I, I DO WANT TO BE CLEAR ON THE SAME AS RESOLUTION AT THE, THE CITY EMPLOYEES WILL NOT BE SPENDING ANY MONEY.
THAT'S COMING BACK TO YOU ALL TO MAKE A, TO HAVE A VOTE, WHICH WE ASSUME WILL BE TO GO FORWARD WITH IT.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SURE, UM, ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO, AND BECAUSE YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT YOU CAN'T GO ABOVE THE AMOUNT THAT WAS IN THE POSTING.
UM, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN, I THINK, APPROPRIATE TO GIVE DIRECTION THAT WE WANT TO, WE WANT THE MANAGER TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO CONTINUE THIS PROGRAM, WHICH WE FIND TO BE A GOOD PROGRAM AND HOPE THAT, THAT THEY'LL COME BACK AND, AND PRESENT SOMETHING ON THE 15TH WITH AN ABILITY TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM.
SO, AND WOULD IT, SO I THINK SO ONE PROBLEM, IT SEEMS LIKE WITH MY DIRECTION IS THAT IT TALKS ABOUT RATIFICATION.
UM, THOUGH THAT WOULD BE AN OPTION OPEN TO THE MANAGER WHO COULD CONTINUE IT.
WE COULD CONTINUE IT AND THEN COME BACK FOR RATIFICATION ON 10, 15, BUT PERHAPS IN, IN THE DIRECTION, WOULD IT, WOULD IT HELP THE SITUATION IF I CHANGED FROM RATIFICATION TO DELIBERATION SHALL BRING THIS ITEM TO COUNCIL FOR DELIBERATION OR FOR CONSIDERATION.
I THINK WHAT YOU'RE ASKING THE MANAGER TO DO IS TO, TO LOOK AT EVERY OPTION TO CONTINUE THE CONTRACT AS IT EXISTS.
AND I THINK THERE THAT PERHAPS THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE WILLING TO THEN ABSOLUTELY WANT TO DO.
NO, I WAS TRYING TO BE A BIT MORE PRESCRIPTIVE ABOUT IT AND JUST KIND OF GO FORWARD AND CONSIDER IT.
I THINK WHAT YOU'RE HEARING IS IS THAT YOU'RE ALL BUT PRESCRIPTIVE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T BE PRESCRIPTIVE, BUT TO THE DEGREE THAT YOU CAN BE ALL PRESCRIPTIVE, YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED THAT.
SO I, UM, THEN I, I WILL CONTINUE WITH MY MOTION HAVING SWAPPED OUT RATIFICATION FOR DELIBERATION OR VICE VERSA.
DO YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT? AND YEAH, I THINK IT'S THE SAME CONCERN.
YOU'RE, YOU'RE, YOU'RE DIRECTING TODAY FOR THE MANAGER TO SPEND $1,000,500.
I THINK THAT YOUR DIRECTION SHOULD ASK THE MANAGER TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT, UM, AND BRING SOMETHING AND BRING IT HOME, NEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT AND BRING IT BACK ON, UH, THE 15TH OF OCTOBER, YOU'RE SAYING STRIKE THE WORDS FOR RATIFICATION, BUT THEN, UM,
[06:50:02]
WE ADD THE WORDS, UNINTERRUPTED EXTENSION OF THIS CONTRACT IS ANY MANAGER SHOULD NEGOTIATE AN UNINTERRUPTED EXTENSION OF THIS CONTRACT AND SHALL BRING THEM TO COUNSEL COUNSEL EDITS 10, 15, 20 MEETING.I THINK THAT'S AS CLOSE TO BEING NON-PRESCRIPTIVE AS YOU CAN.
CAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A REAL DIFFICULT THING FOR THE MANAGER TO HAVE TO RESOLVE, OR WE'RE JUST ASKING HIM TO NEGOTIATE UNINTERRUPTED CONTRACT.
AND I DON'T KNOW, UM, UM, DIRECTOR HAYDEN, IF YOU'RE TRYING TO JUMP IN THERE.
I'M STEPHANIE HAYDEN DIRECTOR, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, UM, BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC.
UM, YOU ALL HAVE GRANTED US THE AUTHORITY TO, TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.
UM, IF WE'RE, IF WE'RE ABLE TO ALLOCATE, IF WE'RE ABLE TO LOCATE THE FUNDING, UM, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD AND, UM, AND DO THE RATIFICATION OR ADDITIONAL FUNDING, WHICH WOULD BE THE 1.5, FOR EXAMPLE.
AND THEN WE COULD BRING HIM BACK ON THE 15TH, UM, BECAUSE YOU'VE ALREADY GIVEN US THE AUTHORIZATION TO DO THAT.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S WHY WE DID THIS ONE THIS WAY, BECAUSE WE, WE KNEW WE NEEDED TO GO AHEAD AND KEEP THE MEALS GOING.
AND SO, UM, SO STAFF ARE CONTINUING TO LOOK FOR THOSE FUNDS.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE'LL CONNECT WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE AS WELL, BUT THIS, WE ALREADY HAVE THAT APPROVAL FROM THE FULL COUNCIL.
YOU DO THAT AND SOLVE YOUR ISSUE.
UM, I W I MIGHT SUGGEST THE LANGUAGE, THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO EXPLORE OPTIONS, TO INCLUDE NEGOTIATION OF AN ADDITIONAL AMENDMENT, UH, OF THIS CONTRACT, AND THEN LEAVE AT THE SAME AFTER THAT, THAT WOULD HELP, I THINK, ON THE LEGAL ASPECT, SAY THAT AGAIN, UH, THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO EXPLORE OPTIONS, TO INCLUDE NEGOTIATION OF AN ADDITIONAL AMENDMENT TO THIS CONTRACT TO PROVIDE 1,000,500 AND IT CONTINUES.
AND WE CAN THEN KEEP THE WORDS RATIFICATION BECAUSE YOU WILL BE RATIFYING IT.
IF HE, IF THE MANAGER ACTS, WE COULD RATIFY IT BASED ON THE PANDEMIC ISSUES THAT WE HAVE.
KATHY, HAS THAT WORKED FOR YOU? COULDN'T FOLLOW ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE, BUT I BELIEVE SO.
I MEAN, I THINK IT'S, IT DOESN'T WORK AS, AS WELL AS WHAT I PUT FORWARD, BUT I'LL, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY IT'S TO WORK OR, AND MORE THAN, I MEAN, I, I THINK WHAT I WANT TO BE SURE OF IS THAT IF THIS PASSES AS DIRECTION, THAT, THAT WE ALL LEAVE THIS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE'S A STRONG SUPPORT FOR USING OUR SALES TAX OR SOME OTHER AVAILABLE MEANS TO DO IT.
AND, AND THAT THERE'S, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THAT THERE'S SUPPORT FOR DOING THAT, NOT JUST TO KIND OF EXPLORE WHETHER OR NOT IT'S POSSIBLE.
I, AND I, I WANT TO JUST REALLY SAY THANK YOU TO OUR STAFF.
I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR THINGS, BUT I KNOW THAT WE'VE COME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND ASKED YOU TO IDENTIFY FUNDING FOR IT AND HAVE 'EM.
IT'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS PROGRAM AND YOU COULD MOVE, IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE STAFFING CREATED IN THAT FORMAL FUNDING.
AND I KNOW WE'VE ASKED YOU TO CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR FUNDING AND FOUND THAT ADDITIONAL 300 PLUS, BUT AT THIS POINT, I, I AM READY TO SPEND THE SALES TAX, UM, THAT HADN'T BEEN ALLOCATED.
AND SO HOPEFULLY COUNCIL MAJORITY AS WELL, ANY OBJECTION TO INCLUDING THE LANGUAGE THAT WAS RECITED BY, UH, AND AIRY.
NOW LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON 57 AS AMENDED THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE WELL, ACTUALLY ANZ WAS THAT'S RIGHT, AND THE LANGUAGE WAS ADOPTED BY ACCLIMATION.
AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE TOPO AMENDMENT AS AMENDED WITH THIS DIRECTION.
UM, ANY OBJECTION TO THE TOBO AMENDED AS AMENDED HEARING, NONE IT'S INCLUDED SECOND VOTE ON 57, THOSE WAS VERY 57.
ALRIGHT, COLLEAGUES, THOSE ARE ALL THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA.
[Additional Item]
OUT THIS MEETING BY PLAYING WALK WITH ME, AUSTIN.I THINK STAFF HAS SET THAT UP.
THIS IS A, UH, A SONG THAT WAS CREATED BY AUSTIN MUSICIANS, PRODUCERS, UM, THE MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE,
[06:55:01]
UM, JUST POST PANDEMIC STARTING AND BEFORE EVERYTHING THAT WAS HAPPENING IN LOUISVILLE HAPPENED CHALLENGED, UH, OTHER CITIES TO COME UP WITH A MUSIC VIDEO THAT MIGHT EXPRESS THE WILL AND CULTURE OR SENTIMENT OF THE CITIES.UH, I HAD HIS COMMUNITY DO WANT HIM.
UH, A BUNCH OF CITIES HAVE TAKEN ON THAT CHALLENGE.
UH, WE BROUGHT THE CONCEPT HERE.
UH, THERE WAS A GROUP OF, UH, UH, FOLKS, UH, IN THE CITY THAT, UH, PUT THE MONEY, UH, UH, TOWARD THIS, UM, UH, I LIVE HERE.
I GIVE HERE CITY FOODS, YETI, UH, BUT ALSO, UH, JUST A SCORE OF INDIVIDUALS PUT MONEY TOGETHER.
IT PROVIDED REAL EMPLOYMENT FOR ARTISTS THAT A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN THERE WAS NONE.
UH, BUT, UH, ADRIAN WITH, UH, UM, HAS AS, UM, UH, ACTED AS THE, AS THE PRODUCER DIRECTOR ABOUT YOU'LL SEE.
SO MANY OF THE ARTISTS THAT, UH, UH, YOU WOULD, UH, YOU WOULD SEE IN OUR CITY, A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKED ON THIS THERE, THE ABILITY TO GO ONLINE AND DOWNLOAD THE SONG FOR LIKE $2.
IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO DO THAT, THE MONEY ALL GOES TO HAM.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET MERCHANDISING FOR THIS.
UH, AND IF THIS GETS LEGS AND ENDS UP SOMEWHERE, ALL THE MONEY WILL GO TO AM.
SO I'M GOING TO ADJOURN THE MEETING, UH, LET THE SONG, UH, UH, PLAY US HOW I HEARD EVERYBODY ENJOY IT, BUT I URGE EVERYBODY TO, TO ACTUALLY BUY SOME OF THE MERCHANDISE OR BUY THE SONG OR OTHERWISE I GO IN AND SUPPORT A HAM.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK STAFF, CAN WE DO THIS AFTER THAT BUILDUP SHOULDER? RANDOM? MOST OF MY CONSCIOUS IS HOT, NO LUXURY.
I HOPE THAT THINGS DON'T MAKE ME FEEL AS OPEN.
LIKE EVERYTHING IS LOOKING EVEN HOPELESS.
I HOLD MY HEAD UP LIKE A KING OR QUEEN AND KEEP IT GOING.
BUT WITH THE MOVEMENT, NOT A MOMENT WASN'T STOPPING NOBODY.
IT'S TOO MUCH LIKE THE LACK OF SOUTH, THE DOPAMINE SCARE SOLDIER.
THAT'S ALL OF MY, MY WHOLE DOWNFALL WALKING WITH MY POWER.
THAT'S MY MAIN COMPONENT OUT THE CAPSTONE FOR ME.
[07:01:17]
SO WE'RE GOING TO POST ON TO THE MESSAGE CAN ACTUALLY PULL IT UP AND I SUGGEST AND GET YOU A TEASER TASTE OF THE SONG.
IT MEANS FROM MY HEART, BECAUSE IT'S EVERYTHING HE DHAMMA MEANS.
THANK YOU TO INDIVIDUAL WILL BE LAW MEANS THANK YOU TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE.
TALK, SHOUT MEANS I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN AND WRITE THAT FOR OUR LEADS AT 6:15 PM.
THIS, AND AS WE, UH, HAD A REALLY, REALLY BIG WEEK WANTED TO RECOGNIZE, UH, GINA IN THE VIDEO WHO JUST GOT NOMINATED, YOU KNOW, AUSTIN NATIVE JUST NOMINATED FOR A LATIN GRAMMY.
AND HER MOM USED TO TAKE CARE OF US AT THE FRONT DESK AT CITY HALL.
AND THEN JACKIE VINSON IS DEBUTING IN 45 MINUTES OR A NATIONAL DEBUT ON ACL LIVE TONIGHT.
UM, AND SO I THINK THAT THE VIDEO REALLY, UH, PUTS IN REAL RELIEF.
WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR OUR MUSICIANS AND WHAT WE ALL WORKED ON SO MUCH, THESE LAST FEW WEEKS AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE ADVOCATING FOR.
UM, SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S A, IT'S A INSPIRATIONAL VIDEO, BUT ALSO, UH, IT FEELS REALLY HARD TO WATCH KNOWING WHAT IT IS THAT, UM, WE'RE, WE'RE ALL, ALL HERE FIGHTING FOR.
UH, AND JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE THOSE TWO, TWO MUSICIANS, UH, FOR THEIR BIG WEEKS THIS WEEK.
[07:05:01]
GOOD WORK TODAY, GUYS.UM, THIS MEETING IS A JOURNEY.