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You are watching a meeting of the austin city council

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with mayor kirk watson, mayor pro, tim

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cheadle, vela council members natasha harper madison,

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vanessa fuentes, jose velazquez,

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ryan alter, crystal lane,

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mike siegel, paige ellis,

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zoe cadry, mark uchin,

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city attorney deborah thomas, city clerk

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erica brady and city manager tc broad.

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good morning everybody. It's 10 o'clock in the morning on april 23rd, 2026,

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and I will call to order this regular meeting of the austin city council.

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uh, we are, we have a quorum of the city council present and we're meeting in the city council chambers,

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which are located in city hall at 3 0 1 west second street in austin, texas.

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uh, members the order of the day will be that in just a second, I'll read some changes and

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corrections into the record. We will then go to our consent items.

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uh, there are two items that have been pulled from the consent agenda. Item number six

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and item number 29. Item number six and item number 29

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have been pulled from the consent agenda. I will also,

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by the way, read late back, uh, uh, read make for the, for the record that

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you have late backup, but I'll do that in just a second. Once we finish the

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consent speakers, uh, we will then go to, uh, I'll

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call for a motion and a second on the consent agenda. We will have discussion from the council.

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we will then either go to the a hs austin housing finance corporation

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board of directors meeting, where we'll recess the austin city council, and I'll call that board

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of directors meeting to order, or we will just go to the pooled items. We'll just see how the

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morning goes. We have a number of non-consent items. Uh, items

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42, 43, 44, 45, and 46

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are, uh, non-consent items. Also items 48 49, 50, 51, 52, 53,

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and 54 at noon. We will pretty

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much stop wherever we are and we will take up a time certain, which is our public

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communications, uh, at, at at noon. We will also recess

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at around 1230 to 1235 for live music, and

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I anticipate that recess will go until about one 10 at some

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point during the course of the day. And with that, without objection, uh, I'll just try

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to manage when the best time for us to do that. We will go into an executive session

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and at two o'clock, of course, we have a time certain we will get to that as close to

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two o'clock as we can, which is our zoning and, and neighborhood planning items.

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members, for the record, let me state that you have late backup.

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you have late backup in, uh, that has been posted,

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and you have it on the agenda. It relates to board

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and commissions, nominations and waivers. I wanna call that out

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for the record. In addition, for the record, uh, let me read some changes and

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corrections. Item number six, uh, you should, should not say district

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one. It should say district two, item number 41.

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it should add council member krista lane as one of the sponsors.

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item number 61 is withdrawn. Item number 62

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is withdrawn. And members, as I've already noted, items

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six and 29 have been pulled from the consent agenda.

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unless there's questions or objection, we will now go to

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speakers that have signed up on the consent agenda. And, and I don't see any,

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so any, uh, questions or, uh, or objections.

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so, um, I do see some speakers, and so we'll go to those speakers.

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thank you, mayor. We'll begin with in-person speakers on item one, jen

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robo.

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good morning, counsel. I'm jen robo, a longtime austin resident.

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I'm addressing the homeless strategic plan from the council's meeting on march 26th.

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first, I thank the homeless strategies and operations for their planned

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cleanups. Taxpayers have asked for this, and it shows that the city

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is working to maintain public spaces. While I appreciate the city gathering

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data to assess our strategies, effectiveness, significant gaps

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remain in data collection and housing options. To truly understand homelessness

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in austin, we need better information about where our homeless neighbors are coming from,

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such as did they move here by choice or were they sent by another municipality

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when they arrived? Did they come for a job or were they already homeless? Have

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they ever held a job in austin or had their own housing? Here, the

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data matters to taxpayers who support helping local austin neighbors,

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but oppose using public resources for homeless migrants, knowing if

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our policies attract homelessness is essential for public trust and effective solutions.

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we also face gaps in housing options. Many homeless neighbors refuse shelter,

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yet our strategy relies almost exclusively on traditional models

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and fails to offer legal non-traditional alternatives that respect

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the rights of both the unhoused and housed. Our city code

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makes it a crime to camp in public areas that are

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not designated as a camping area by the parks and recreation department.

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this indicates that park parks and rec has the authority to designate

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such areas, and austin has nearly 300 acres of undeveloped

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parkland. Taxpayers do not want encampments in our neighborhoods on streets,

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along trails, creeks, or swimming holes. However, creating public camping

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areas outside these zones with clear environmental and public safety guidelines

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could provide viable options for those who decline shelter. These gaps

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come from addressing the issue too narrowly and excluding taxpayers as stakeholders.

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thank you for your time. We will move next

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to item three, bill bunch. Katie cam,

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if your name's been called, please come forward if you wish to speak.

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mr. Bunch is passing on item number three, katie cam,

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I don't see katie cam on. Perfect.

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we'll move to hang, hang before we go to item number five. Item number four,

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members. Uh, item number four is a legal matter with

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a proposal for a settlement. So I'm going to ask, uh, our law

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department to come forward and make a brief presentation with regard to item number four.

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good morning, mr. Mayor. Thank you, uh, mayor pro tem, members of the council.

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I am assistant city attorney jeremy thompson. I'm here today to recommend, uh,

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that you approve a settlement payment and a personal injury lawsuit that appears on your

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agenda is item number four. Item number four, our mijo versus

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city of austin. We recommend that you prove a payment of $120,000

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to settle the lawsuit titled gustavo, our mijo v, city of austin,

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dba austin energy. This lawsuit relates to a january, 2018

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car accident involving an austin energy vehicle where plaintiff seeks payment

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for injuries allegedly sustained in the accident. In exchange for the payment,

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plaintiff will release any and all claims against the city from the accident and will also dismiss

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his lawsuit filed in the district court of travis county. The austin city

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attorney's office recommends that you approve payment based upon these terms. I'm

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available to answer any questions you may have. Thank you members. Does anybody have questions of our legal

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staff? Thank you very much for the presentation. Uh, I'll turn back to

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the city clerk to go to item number five on item number five,

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bill bunch.

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mr. Bunch is passing on item number five.

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item number seven, david levesque, hayden

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bagot. Item signed up on six. Item number six is

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I indicated earlier, has been pulled from the consent agenda, mr. Bunch.

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okay, thank you. Thank you. Please state your name and begin speaking.

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mayor and counsel, thank you for the opportunity to speak. Speak today. My name is hayden

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bagget and I'm here on behalf of the coalition for clean, affordable, reliable energy

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or ccare to support the utility scale solar and distributed battery storage

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contracts, as well as the resolution to expand residential solar and battery access

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today. Collectively, these items help the utility fulfill

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its resource generation plan and maintain its renewable energy production

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as a percentage of load, while also offering financial benefits to customers. Thank

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you. Thank you. Moving

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on to item eight. Paul robbins is bobby lavinsky.

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here, you'll have time donated. It'll

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be four minutes.

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counsel, uh,

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a few days ago you received a letter from me and four other

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commissioners from the resource management commission asking you

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to delay item eight on your agenda. This is a

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contract for electric storage batteries located at individual

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buildings in the austin area. We have an engaged

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commission, and I feel sure that we could have gotten at least

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eight out of our 10 members to sign on to this letter,

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but I limited it to five members out of concern for

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quorum rules. I began my involvement

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in austin's affairs in 1977,

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opposing the south texas nuclear project. In a five year period,

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uh, the nuke experienced a 460%

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overrun. This early experience greatly influenced my

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skepticism of utility proposals that do not

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offer enough information to understand them.

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in 2008, austin energy proposed a

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biomass powered generator with very little time

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to evaluate it. Despite warnings about its

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cost from environmentalists council, approve the contract,

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and today it is the utility's most expensive

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source of electricity. The cost was so

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high that mayor steve adler ran against it in his first campaign.

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uh, we, the commission are generally enthusiastic

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about storage batteries and their potential to

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be coordinated as virtual power plants. And

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I have heard good things about this specific company. The

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problem arises because there's no information in

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the backup material about the contract's cost effectiveness

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to austin energy's rate payers or participating customers.

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this is a $41 million contract.

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uh, where is the cost benefit analysis after

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the failure of prop q? Every single line item in your

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budget is under a microscope. There is no time

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to, this is no time to abandon fiscal caution. The

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utility has publicly stated its intent to raise

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rates 5% a year for the next four

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years. I've worked around energy policy

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for almost 50 years. I have personally attempted to analyze

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the sparse amount of data in the backup material, but little

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information there seems to point to a cost of

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about 19 cents kilowatt hour contrasted to

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retail austin energy power of about 11 cents

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per kilowatt hour in 2025. The contract

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might still be cost justified. There may be savings from

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reduced air cot fees or savings from lower peak demand

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costs, but the utility needs to be transparent and

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explain what these benefits are. I would not expect

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more than a month's delay to get more clarity on the numbers.

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again, this is a $41 million contract and the first

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of what might be a growing trend. The public needs

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to know the benefits. I would think you would want to boast about

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them. Uh, take the time to do this right.

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again, please get rate payers a cost benefit number.

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thank you. Continuing on item eight, david

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lavesque and hayden bagot.

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if your name's been called, please come forward.

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I don't, I don't see any movement.

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we'll move to item 10, jennifer robo and bill bunch.

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good morning counsel. I'm jen robo longtime austin resident.

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I'm speaking on item 10, the proposed issuance of bonds for the walnut creek

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wastewater treatment plant. I support necessary investments in our wastewater

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infrastructure, however, approving this bond without addressing known

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upstream contamination in the walnut creek watershed raises serious

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concerns about fiscal responsibility and long-term risk to taxpayers.

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my first concern is financial stewardship. The walnut creek plant processes

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water from a wa watershed contaminated for over 50 years by leachate

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from the closed travis county landfill. On highway two 90,

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independent testing has shown elevated levels of lead barium and arsenic

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well above epa acceptable limits flowing directly toward the plant.

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unaddressed upstream pollution could dramatically increase future operating

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costs. Maintenance and treatment challenges all passed on to

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austin taxpayers. My next concern is regulatory oversight.

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when residents raised water quality issues, watershed protection

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staff said they would ask travis county if they wanted the city involved in the stakeholder

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group. This inverts the relationship. The city of austin

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is the regulator. Travis county is a defendant in a state environmental enforcement

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action over the landfill, regulators should not need a polluter's

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permission to investigate their own watershed. My last concern

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is accountability. The environmental commission tried to advance a

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resolution for water quality testing in walnut creek, but city legal

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intervened to block it. So the city avoids accountability by staying ignorant

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of the data. The plant expansion may be necessary, but proceeding

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while actively avoiding upstream accountability turns a needed investment into

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a far larger liability for austin's future. Thank you for your time

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mr. Bunch. Thank you mayor. Council members for your service to

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our community. Uh, bill bunch, executive director will save our springs

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alliance, uh, speaking again, uh, and urging you to

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stop or slow down on this massive expansion to

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the, uh, walnut creek wastewater treatment plant. From 75 million gallons

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per day capacity to a hundred million gallons of day per day

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capacity, um, we simply don't have the water

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to ever need that much capacity, um, to convert

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into sewage. Uh, we are in a water crisis. Uh, you're

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also facing severe fiscal restraints as you know it. Uh,

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and this project just in the last six months, ballooned from

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a billion dollars to $1.6 billion.

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now, I appreciate the item before you is a $59 million loan.

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just a small piece of this. Um, but I urge you to

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slow down on this. There definitely needs to be some flood management at

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the site, but we really need to have this wastewater treated

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upstream, decentralized, where it can be reused

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on site or close to where it's needed. Simply doing things the

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same way we've always done 'em, uh, has got to stop.

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times are have changed. We're in a whole new reality, a whole

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new water reality and, and technology reality.

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and also urge you to listen to what ms. Robosho said. You have

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se have had very serious upstream pollution

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problems with samsung and others, discharging

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toxic materials into the wastewater system, doing

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00:18:03,265 --> 00:18:07,065
damage to the functioning of this plant. Um,

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and if any of all, any of that continues, uh,

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you're gonna have way more financial problems on your hands.

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so we really need to scrutinize this project. Thank you.

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00:18:21,665 --> 00:18:23,565
moving to item 30, synovia joseph,

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ms. Joseph, ms. Joseph,

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00:18:32,485 --> 00:18:35,245
I don't believe she's here. Item 31, bill bunch.

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00:18:39,505 --> 00:18:40,805
mr. Bunch is passing on item 31.

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item 33, bill bunch.

242
00:19:04,275 --> 00:19:08,155
good morning. Uh, bill bunch, executive director save our springs alliance. This

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00:19:08,445 --> 00:19:12,305
item is to approve a service extension request to

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00:19:12,605 --> 00:19:16,465
a 2.85 acre tract, uh, very close to barton creek and

245
00:19:16,685 --> 00:19:20,005
the barton creek watershed. Um, your environmental commission

246
00:19:20,915 --> 00:19:24,405
recommended against this, your staff had also been

247
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recommending against this. Uh, you have a divided vote from your wa

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00:19:29,025 --> 00:19:32,935
uh, water and wastewater commission. Um, it's a fairly small

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00:19:33,415 --> 00:19:37,365
tract, but you are now challenged with the

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00:19:37,565 --> 00:19:41,345
ability to make sure that once they get this water and

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00:19:41,735 --> 00:19:45,495
sewer service, that they don't completely change their plans

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and overdevelop the tract. Uh, you know about the

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00:19:50,375 --> 00:19:53,725
state law, uh, changes that are in place.

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and so, uh, would urge you to be extra careful,

255
00:19:58,865 --> 00:20:02,525
uh, doing this and to follow your environmental commissioners

256
00:20:04,025 --> 00:20:07,845
who did the deep dive on it and recommended against it. Thank you for

257
00:20:08,045 --> 00:20:12,025
your consideration. Item 34, carlos leone and

258
00:20:12,245 --> 00:20:12,445
bill bunch.

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00:20:27,705 --> 00:20:31,665
so at carlos leon, first and foremost, cios for letting me say why

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00:20:31,885 --> 00:20:35,375
not to do business with ka metro. On item 34, april 17th,

261
00:20:36,425 --> 00:20:38,575
guilty blackmail. Obama bus driver 3 2 2 4 7 0

262
00:20:40,755 --> 00:20:44,605
intentionally initiated an escalated abusive controlling behavior against

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00:20:45,185 --> 00:20:48,635
me to disrespectfully, tried denying me what's legally mine

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00:20:49,345 --> 00:20:53,165
to accommodate and serve him. Though he must accommodate and serve me because

265
00:20:53,435 --> 00:20:56,705
he's a public servant like you per texas. Penal code 1.07

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00:20:57,885 --> 00:21:01,575
a 41 a yesterday guilty older middle eastern obama

267
00:21:01,955 --> 00:21:05,885
male driver of bus 2 8 0 6, refuse to board

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00:21:06,165 --> 00:21:10,125
me falsely claiming I was banned. He refused to look at the cat metro

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00:21:10,405 --> 00:21:14,365
letter I had in hand saying I could ride and refused to call

270
00:21:14,525 --> 00:21:18,485
radio dispatch to verify him blatantly disregarding truth

271
00:21:19,135 --> 00:21:22,845
rules. Protocol chain of command and constitutional

272
00:21:23,585 --> 00:21:27,545
law triggered an irate male passenger to attack me

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with assault by threat and assault by contact, explicitly

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00:21:32,325 --> 00:21:35,615
threatening to smash his metal thermos in hand on my skull,

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and shoving me off the bus for lawfully standing my ground. These

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00:21:40,865 --> 00:21:44,195
cat metro attacks appear to be continuing retaliation

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00:21:44,885 --> 00:21:48,845
against me for whistle blowing cat metro senior director

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00:21:49,265 --> 00:21:53,155
of public safety and emergency management, darrell jamal's,

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00:21:53,645 --> 00:21:57,605
alleged crimes a pd special investigations unit. Lieutenant

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00:21:58,455 --> 00:22:02,085
breal said, my report is still being reviewed, a prerequisite

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00:22:02,825 --> 00:22:06,765
to launching an official investigation toward criminally prosecuting

282
00:22:07,225 --> 00:22:11,185
jamele. Reread my report that I mail emailed all

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00:22:11,405 --> 00:22:15,075
of you february 25th via the city clerk because

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00:22:15,905 --> 00:22:19,085
kat metro, ceo president and dottie watkins

285
00:22:20,025 --> 00:22:23,985
hasn't neither stopped this nor fired jamel, she's no

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00:22:24,205 --> 00:22:27,985
better kick corrupt cat metro to the curb. In

287
00:22:28,305 --> 00:22:29,955
jesus' name I pray. Amen

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00:22:32,905 --> 00:22:36,805
mr. Bunch. He's passing on that item. Moving to item 35,

289
00:22:37,785 --> 00:22:41,515
carlos leon, bill bunch. Join carlos leon,

290
00:22:42,215 --> 00:22:46,065
first and foremost s for letting me speak to item 35 issues.

291
00:22:46,915 --> 00:22:50,725
your library commission allegedly has not updated you since august, 2023.

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00:22:52,835 --> 00:22:56,645
apls use rules two b three 15, d one and 15

293
00:22:57,245 --> 00:23:01,165
d two still have not complied with your superseding rules

294
00:23:01,825 --> 00:23:05,765
for public use of city properties or paramount constitutional

295
00:23:06,425 --> 00:23:10,325
law. August, 2025, I filed allegations of wrongdoing

296
00:23:10,845 --> 00:23:14,285
against hannah terrell with the city auditor to hold her accountable

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00:23:14,905 --> 00:23:18,645
for her alleged criminal behavior and force her to follow city code

298
00:23:19,025 --> 00:23:22,985
one dash two to revise a pl rules to comply with your rules in

299
00:23:23,205 --> 00:23:26,995
federal law. September, 2025, her boss, assistant

300
00:23:27,605 --> 00:23:31,215
city manager, stephanie hayden howard, said she was working on those rules

301
00:23:32,025 --> 00:23:35,845
and would update the city auditor once done yet, as of

302
00:23:36,135 --> 00:23:39,965
today, nothing's changed worse. Hayden howard allegedly

303
00:23:40,555 --> 00:23:44,355
ignored terrell's transgressions to help her boss city

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00:23:44,645 --> 00:23:48,245
manager, broad necks wrongly reward terrell's in subordination

305
00:23:49,305 --> 00:23:53,085
by fraudulently promoting terrell to director over true top candidate

306
00:23:53,895 --> 00:23:57,635
kathy donlin. Thus expect me to soon file

307
00:23:57,925 --> 00:24:01,695
allegations of wrongdoing against hayden, howard, and broad necks

308
00:24:02,315 --> 00:24:05,945
with the city auditor to help you take action against them. And

309
00:24:06,445 --> 00:24:09,245
terrell, following your february 26th ordinance

310
00:24:10,705 --> 00:24:14,225
to safeguard public confidence in city services by

311
00:24:14,885 --> 00:24:18,085
identifying and implementing performance enhancements via assessment

312
00:24:19,075 --> 00:24:22,765
requiring external independence, accountability, and transparency.

313
00:24:24,485 --> 00:24:28,375
if you don't do that, you are just as guilty as them because

314
00:24:28,925 --> 00:24:32,865
to him, that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him,

315
00:24:33,125 --> 00:24:36,715
it is sin. James four 17 king james.

316
00:24:38,005 --> 00:24:41,885
in jesus' name I pray. Amen. Praise god,

317
00:24:42,485 --> 00:24:46,485
our true lord. Heck yeah. Moving

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00:24:46,905 --> 00:24:49,265
to item 37, we will now begin with remote speakers.

319
00:24:51,365 --> 00:24:55,025
before we do item 37, item 35 is the one that I pointed out. We have

320
00:24:55,715 --> 00:24:59,705
additional backup, uh, on item number 35, not just

321
00:24:59,865 --> 00:25:03,605
that item that he was talking about, but the other boards and commissions as well. So

322
00:25:03,895 --> 00:25:07,855
I'll just point that out to you. I'm sorry, go ahead. 37, beginning

323
00:25:08,465 --> 00:25:09,395
with nisha abram.

324
00:25:13,315 --> 00:25:17,065
hello city council. My name is nisha abraham. I am a longtime austin

325
00:25:17,425 --> 00:25:21,275
member austin constituent and, uh, from district, um, seven.

326
00:25:22,265 --> 00:25:26,245
I wanted to call and speak about, um, the safe to call, uh, resolution, and

327
00:25:26,545 --> 00:25:30,265
I would just really like to encourage the, the city council to consider passing

328
00:25:30,585 --> 00:25:34,105
this resolution. Um, it really affects the fact that we can't call

329
00:25:34,725 --> 00:25:37,745
our police officers, uh, our most vulnerable populations

330
00:25:38,855 --> 00:25:42,485
like victims of domestic violence, immigrants, um, you know, government go

331
00:25:42,985 --> 00:25:46,785
governor abbott is making it impossible for, for us that I include myself in this

332
00:25:47,365 --> 00:25:51,245
to get help and safety that we need. Um, I really encourage us not to give in

333
00:25:51,465 --> 00:25:55,425
to governor abbott's pressures to cut funding. It's a really low blow to take,

334
00:25:55,965 --> 00:25:59,705
um, especially with our most vulnerable populations. Um, and I also wanna mention

335
00:25:59,985 --> 00:26:03,745
that this measure has brought a lot of stakeholders and groups together that have a lot of deep knowledge

336
00:26:04,105 --> 00:26:07,785
of criminal justice. So we know that this is a vetted measure and that it really makes sense

337
00:26:08,165 --> 00:26:11,605
and we need public safety for people who need help, but might be scared to ask.

338
00:26:12,445 --> 00:26:16,425
um, I myself have had to call on police officers multiple times in the 20 years that I've lived

339
00:26:16,545 --> 00:26:20,465
here in austin, um, and, uh, I've become more and more afraid of calling them,

340
00:26:20,765 --> 00:26:24,605
and I think that's a really, you know, problematic time that we live in. So really

341
00:26:25,305 --> 00:26:29,265
encouraging city council to go ahead and pass the safe to call resolution and I see the rest

342
00:26:29,385 --> 00:26:30,025
of my time. Thank you.

343
00:26:34,745 --> 00:26:38,115
continuing with the remote speakers on item 37 j popham.

344
00:26:43,265 --> 00:26:47,185
uh, thank you mayor and council for the opportunity to speak on this important issue. Uh, my

345
00:26:47,405 --> 00:26:51,005
name is jay popham. I'm a resident of district two and a member of austin democratic

346
00:26:51,605 --> 00:26:54,965
socialist of america stepping away from work for a moment to speak in my personal capacity.

347
00:26:56,025 --> 00:27:00,005
uh, the fourth amendment protects the right of every person in the united states to be safe from unreasonable search

348
00:27:00,325 --> 00:27:04,325
and seizure. It requires that if the federal government wants to take you from your home, they need

349
00:27:04,725 --> 00:27:08,565
probable cause in the approval of the judge, the trump administration and its junior partners

350
00:27:09,125 --> 00:27:12,945
in our state government have discarded this bedrock requirement of the united states law

351
00:27:13,465 --> 00:27:17,465
as part of a spectacle of cruelty that they expect will pay political dividends for them in november and

352
00:27:17,685 --> 00:27:21,505
beyond. Make no mistake, what they're proposing is nothing less than

353
00:27:21,745 --> 00:27:25,435
a two-tiered race-based system of law enforcement in the state of texas aimed

354
00:27:25,785 --> 00:27:29,785
at destroying families and trampling our constitutional rights for one group, judicial

355
00:27:29,985 --> 00:27:33,945
oversight, semblance of due process and the chance of legal remedy for the other group, a life

356
00:27:34,065 --> 00:27:38,025
in the shadows, constant threat of permanent separation and removal, and the painful calculation of

357
00:27:38,145 --> 00:27:42,105
whether to call for help from your city or suffer alone, leaving yourself and your loved

358
00:27:42,265 --> 00:27:45,905
ones in danger in the hope of just one more day. We're a country of loss.

359
00:27:46,565 --> 00:27:50,425
we aspire to one standard of justice and we will not abandon our neighbors regardless of the state threats.

360
00:27:51,175 --> 00:27:54,935
item 37 establishes a stakeholder process to determine how to ensure universal

361
00:27:55,545 --> 00:27:59,385
access to city services, including public safety. While preserving our fundamental

362
00:27:59,845 --> 00:28:03,145
rights, I like to talk about how socialism is about

363
00:28:03,865 --> 00:28:07,745
positive beliefs. Stability is public safety. We will look after one another.

364
00:28:08,125 --> 00:28:11,945
we will work together to solve our shared problems. We will not submit to bullies

365
00:28:13,375 --> 00:28:17,175
the embattled state government and the disgraced, but not yet discarded. Attorney general ken

366
00:28:17,515 --> 00:28:21,395
facts than our bullies desperate for any distraction they can find. From the disastrous state

367
00:28:21,555 --> 00:28:25,395
of the national and global economy, the gruesome wars of choice, we have waged and supported

368
00:28:26,015 --> 00:28:29,785
and their total submission to the billionaire class in christian nationalism. Cornell laws

369
00:28:30,245 --> 00:28:33,845
legal information institute provide us with a timely warning. Today, protection

370
00:28:34,515 --> 00:28:38,075
under the fourth amendment can be waived if one voluntarily consents to

371
00:28:38,535 --> 00:28:42,315
or does not object to evidence collected during a warrantless search or seizure.

372
00:28:43,275 --> 00:28:47,205
I believe they're always trying to find a way in the first and always. Thank you. You give up first. Thank

373
00:28:47,555 --> 00:28:51,525
you. Do not give up. Do not consent to this extortion. We'll

374
00:28:51,875 --> 00:28:55,755
now move back to in-person speakers on item 37, and we will begin

375
00:28:56,035 --> 00:28:59,215
with spanish speakers. Leticia mendez.

376
00:29:01,555 --> 00:29:05,425
eva aldo, kayla erve,

377
00:29:08,175 --> 00:29:08,595
manuel garcia.

378
00:29:13,625 --> 00:29:14,055
soma franco.

379
00:29:38,295 --> 00:29:39,835
I'm sorry, but we, we,

380
00:29:42,985 --> 00:29:46,285
our rules don't allow if you're, if you're here to mm-hmm .

381
00:30:08,515 --> 00:30:09,325
yeah, please explain.

382
00:30:14,535 --> 00:30:14,885
thank you.

383
00:30:30,375 --> 00:30:34,325
hello, my name is catalina juarez mendez, and I'm here to ask you to

384
00:30:34,525 --> 00:30:35,285
vote for item 37.

385
00:30:51,905 --> 00:30:55,845
on june 15, we left our home, my husband and I, and we were going

386
00:30:56,045 --> 00:30:56,245
to church.

387
00:31:18,385 --> 00:31:22,245
so when we were passing a light, we were stopped by a trooper that told us

388
00:31:22,405 --> 00:31:26,245
that they needed to check our lights, and they told us that everything was

389
00:31:26,475 --> 00:31:29,395
okay, but we needed to go to a gas station that was 10 minutes away.

390
00:31:32,065 --> 00:31:32,925
car cannot track her.

391
00:31:47,515 --> 00:31:51,285
they told us to go to a gas station because they only needed to check for weapons

392
00:31:51,865 --> 00:31:55,665
or drugs and that everything was okay, and then we could leave after that. But

393
00:31:55,885 --> 00:31:59,315
when we got to the gas station, we were surrounded by three cars

394
00:31:59,905 --> 00:32:01,265
and about six ice agents.

395
00:32:07,705 --> 00:32:11,125
we were handcuffed and they were, didn't even make any questions.

396
00:32:23,625 --> 00:32:27,315
we were taken to a detention center. I was there, uh, for 10 days.

397
00:32:27,945 --> 00:32:31,365
my husband was there for three months and he was then deported to mexico.

398
00:32:47,165 --> 00:32:50,775
they also put an electronic bracelet and they said that I couldn't work anymore.

399
00:32:51,645 --> 00:32:55,555
then I lost my house. That was my home, my that my home for my children and

400
00:32:55,775 --> 00:32:57,815
my grandson and I can't work anymore.

401
00:33:23,275 --> 00:33:27,245
so I couldn't work anymore. I couldn't pay for my, my bills. When

402
00:33:27,575 --> 00:33:31,495
I went to court, my lawyer couldn't go with me, so that's when I met the advocates

403
00:33:31,815 --> 00:33:35,595
from grassroots. They are the only ones that have come with me, and

404
00:33:35,835 --> 00:33:36,975
now I am living in a nightmare.

405
00:33:51,045 --> 00:33:55,035
this is not only my experience, but the experience of many. So that's why I'm

406
00:33:55,255 --> 00:33:57,935
asking you to vote for item 37. Thank you very much.

407
00:34:30,545 --> 00:34:34,335
hello, my name is eva aldo, and I've been living in the area of austin

408
00:34:34,715 --> 00:34:37,695
for 22 years, and I'm asking here to vote for item 37.

409
00:34:44,015 --> 00:34:44,015
.

410
00:34:48,275 --> 00:34:48,535
I'm here.

411
00:34:53,035 --> 00:34:56,975
I'm here raising my voice for my son because we don't want more families that

412
00:34:57,135 --> 00:34:57,295
are separated

413
00:35:06,885 --> 00:35:10,875
because if we have a problem at any moment, we shouldn't be fearful to

414
00:35:11,095 --> 00:35:11,495
call the police.

415
00:35:16,875 --> 00:35:18,055
we are risking to be separated.

416
00:35:30,715 --> 00:35:34,495
my family was victim of this law. My son that who lived in austin

417
00:35:34,945 --> 00:35:35,635
since he was 1-year-old.

418
00:35:54,785 --> 00:35:58,625
my son, since he was living in austin, uh, since he was 1-year-old, he

419
00:35:58,845 --> 00:36:02,835
was deported to mexico. Now I'm, uh, I'm asking that

420
00:36:03,125 --> 00:36:06,865
they stop, they meet the police with immigration because we

421
00:36:07,375 --> 00:36:11,285
don't have, we can't do anything for him. He has a problem

422
00:36:11,665 --> 00:36:14,125
of he's in mexico and he has a mental health problem.

423
00:36:25,235 --> 00:36:28,165
he's not okay, and he has health problems there. In mexico,

424
00:36:29,385 --> 00:36:31,925
we shouldn't be feared to be asking for health.

425
00:36:37,225 --> 00:36:38,785
you have the power to change. Austin,

426
00:36:46,505 --> 00:36:49,665
please be brave and defendants from governor abbott.

427
00:36:54,915 --> 00:36:58,125
once again, I ask you to vote for and thank you very much.

428
00:37:01,015 --> 00:37:01,015
kayla.

429
00:37:17,815 --> 00:37:21,525
hello, my name is kayla and I've been living in austin for 10 years,

430
00:37:21,865 --> 00:37:23,845
and I'm here today to ask you something very important.

431
00:37:32,145 --> 00:37:36,025
please vote for item 37. We are a very vulnerable community and

432
00:37:36,265 --> 00:37:36,605
we are fearful.

433
00:37:48,625 --> 00:37:52,485
the collaboration between the police and immigration is affecting many families,

434
00:37:53,525 --> 00:37:57,405
families that are hard workers, families that are honest, families that only want

435
00:37:57,685 --> 00:37:58,045
to progress.

436
00:38:11,465 --> 00:38:15,085
we live with uncertainty every day and every day we ask ourselves,

437
00:38:16,025 --> 00:38:19,785
can we go out to work and come back home with our children? Is who,

438
00:38:23,225 --> 00:38:24,885
is it fair to live with this fear?

439
00:38:31,105 --> 00:38:34,205
austin is a beautiful city, but it should be safe for everyone.

440
00:38:40,705 --> 00:38:44,605
we don't ask him for privileges. We only want to live in peace and with dignity.

441
00:38:55,065 --> 00:38:58,905
we only want to work and take care of our families. We're asking you to listen to

442
00:38:59,125 --> 00:39:01,685
our voices because you are parents and you have families.

443
00:39:12,305 --> 00:39:16,125
please be in our places. You have the power to change this. Please listen

444
00:39:16,365 --> 00:39:18,485
to our voices and vote for item 37.

445
00:39:24,435 --> 00:39:24,435
okay,

446
00:39:37,935 --> 00:39:37,935
leadership.

447
00:39:43,115 --> 00:39:46,965
good morning. My name is summa franco and I live in district two. I work with

448
00:39:47,165 --> 00:39:51,165
grassroots leadership and I'm asking the city council to please vote for item 37.

449
00:40:00,985 --> 00:40:04,845
we all live to this. Uh, we all deserve to live in a place with peace and justice,

450
00:40:05,425 --> 00:40:07,205
and that's exactly what we don't have.

451
00:40:18,395 --> 00:40:22,085
it's also to know that a city like austin that is so beautiful cannot

452
00:40:22,405 --> 00:40:25,565
take care of their residents, and they are all living in fear.

453
00:40:34,825 --> 00:40:38,245
we all know how our immigrant community has been suffering of racist attacks

454
00:40:39,075 --> 00:40:42,765
that is being, becoming like consequences, like to being in jail and being separated

455
00:40:43,165 --> 00:40:43,805
from their families.

456
00:40:52,695 --> 00:40:56,665
right now, texas has been becoming like a lab that is

457
00:40:56,885 --> 00:41:00,485
only like judging people because they race or color and attacking

458
00:41:00,925 --> 00:41:00,925
them

459
00:41:12,735 --> 00:41:16,305
with a series of rules and policies that are only attacking and destroying

460
00:41:16,785 --> 00:41:18,425
our communities. Like the new rule at the dmv

461
00:41:25,565 --> 00:41:29,505
now, they're not allowing that people with legal status, they can renew their stickers,

462
00:41:29,945 --> 00:41:30,145
their registrations.

463
00:41:41,035 --> 00:41:44,965
this is only increasing the risk that a person is being detained in any street

464
00:41:45,345 --> 00:41:49,005
for by the police because the sticker is expired. And this increasing the nightmare

465
00:41:49,485 --> 00:41:50,085
for families.

466
00:41:57,135 --> 00:42:00,765
abbot, please be brave and defend our community from the attacks

467
00:42:01,155 --> 00:42:02,025
from governor abbott.

468
00:42:09,585 --> 00:42:13,525
we deserve something better. We deserve something better than this. We need to be

469
00:42:13,835 --> 00:42:16,165
safe to be, to call the police without fear.

470
00:42:28,665 --> 00:42:32,625
it is time that you take action and you defends. And then please vote for

471
00:42:32,845 --> 00:42:34,965
item 37. Thank you for your time.

472
00:42:37,735 --> 00:42:41,365
thank you. Has one more if she has time?

473
00:42:42,145 --> 00:42:45,085
she, she has 51 seconds. Okay. Can you read that in?

474
00:42:56,945 --> 00:43:00,825
my name is res. I've been in a resident in district four for 21 years, and

475
00:43:01,045 --> 00:43:02,245
I'm asking you to vote for item 37.

476
00:43:10,185 --> 00:43:14,165
I'm afraid to call the police if I have a problem because I'm afraid that they will do

477
00:43:14,365 --> 00:43:15,785
something to me instead of helping me

478
00:43:27,935 --> 00:43:31,865
every day. I am afraid of going out because I dunno if I'm going, coming back to my house to

479
00:43:32,085 --> 00:43:34,925
my children. We deserve something better. Please help us.

480
00:43:41,385 --> 00:43:44,605
the time is, thank you.

481
00:43:48,495 --> 00:43:49,965
continuing speakers on item 37,

482
00:43:56,635 --> 00:44:00,365
rebecca lightsey, catherine garcia, jenny fleming,

483
00:44:01,635 --> 00:44:05,445
michael stein. If your name has been called,

484
00:44:05,725 --> 00:44:09,165
please state your name and begin speaking.

485
00:44:22,715 --> 00:44:26,245
good morning. I'm rebecca lightsey. I'm co-executive director at american gateways.

486
00:44:27,345 --> 00:44:31,325
for nearly 40 years, american gateways has been providing critical

487
00:44:31,655 --> 00:44:35,605
legal immigration services to our low income, uh, neighbors here in central

488
00:44:35,845 --> 00:44:39,765
texas. We wanna thank council member siegel and the, and your colleagues

489
00:44:40,345 --> 00:44:44,285
for this proposed resolution, which we strongly support. We would also

490
00:44:44,485 --> 00:44:48,275
like to thank the city manager, city manager, bro and his team

491
00:44:49,105 --> 00:44:52,845
for his budget transparency and listening to the nonprofit

492
00:44:53,355 --> 00:44:57,085
community, including many of us who are impacted by this, this resolution.

493
00:44:58,665 --> 00:45:02,395
as you have just heard from kayla and her colleagues, this

494
00:45:02,685 --> 00:45:05,685
is an incredibly perilous time for our immigrant community.

495
00:45:08,175 --> 00:45:11,705
their stories are heartbreaking and not at all unique.

496
00:45:12,905 --> 00:45:16,195
we hear from clients with these experiences virtually

497
00:45:17,375 --> 00:45:21,325
every day. As you may know, texas leads the country and the number

498
00:45:21,485 --> 00:45:25,365
of ice arrests, one in four ice arrests take place here in texas.

499
00:45:27,385 --> 00:45:31,205
our clients have the same fears that you just heard, afraid to go

500
00:45:31,585 --> 00:45:35,385
to their cancer treatments, to send their children to school, even to

501
00:45:35,605 --> 00:45:39,565
go to church. So we support this resolution to enhance

502
00:45:40,105 --> 00:45:44,085
the community's trust in getting the help they need, and we support all the

503
00:45:44,245 --> 00:45:48,115
strategies laid out in this resolution. We also

504
00:45:49,005 --> 00:45:52,565
commend you for, uh, recognizing the need to include community partners.

505
00:45:53,805 --> 00:45:57,685
I know that'll be a tricky piece of it, figuring just, uh, which

506
00:45:58,005 --> 00:46:02,005
community partners to include. Um, that said, american gateways would be

507
00:46:02,255 --> 00:46:05,405
happy to be involved in this, um, critical process.

508
00:46:06,425 --> 00:46:10,385
so thank you for the thoughtfulness of this resolution, um,

509
00:46:11,105 --> 00:46:12,925
and for all that the council does. Thank you.

510
00:46:16,975 --> 00:46:20,845
hello, council. My name is kat gia. I live in district 10. Um, I

511
00:46:21,435 --> 00:46:25,165
have grown up here in austin and I also, uh, volunteer as a community

512
00:46:25,765 --> 00:46:29,725
advocate. Um, I'm really pleased to see this item on the agenda and I encourage you

513
00:46:29,885 --> 00:46:33,665
to vote in favor of it. Thank you council member siegel, for bringing this forward. Um,

514
00:46:34,195 --> 00:46:38,085
this issue of public safety is extremely important to our community, and I

515
00:46:38,205 --> 00:46:42,085
think you can see from the people who turned out today and also from the people who could

516
00:46:42,365 --> 00:46:46,125
not take time off work, who did not actually feel safe to come here today.

517
00:46:46,405 --> 00:46:49,965
this is exactly why it's important that we, uh, move forward with this process

518
00:46:50,865 --> 00:46:54,705
and I urge you to approach it with urgency and to

519
00:46:55,075 --> 00:46:58,745
help give our community the dignity and respect that we all deserve, um,

520
00:46:59,545 --> 00:47:03,465
as, as austinites and also as human beings. And

521
00:47:04,725 --> 00:47:08,645
I just wanna share, like myself as a survivor of domestic violence, I

522
00:47:08,765 --> 00:47:12,505
know how difficult compounding elements of,

523
00:47:13,145 --> 00:47:16,545
uh, of uh, I dunno, uh,

524
00:47:17,325 --> 00:47:21,085
, trying to think of the word, but like anything that can be used against

525
00:47:21,505 --> 00:47:25,205
you, anything that prevents you from being seen by authorities

526
00:47:25,785 --> 00:47:29,705
as someone who is worthy of receiving safety and receiving help in

527
00:47:30,005 --> 00:47:33,845
a, in the instance of being the victim of a crime that will be used by

528
00:47:34,045 --> 00:47:38,035
your abuser. And they absolutely know that people who have unprotected

529
00:47:38,725 --> 00:47:42,365
status are afraid to call and will not be respected when they call.

530
00:47:42,905 --> 00:47:45,975
and we've seen a pd officers struggle to judge,

531
00:47:47,145 --> 00:47:50,305
uh, appropriately how to prioritize felony

532
00:47:51,205 --> 00:47:55,145
investigations over low level misdemeanors and or administrative warrants. Um, and

533
00:47:55,365 --> 00:47:59,325
that's something that we really need to change to make sure that our community, uh, equitably can

534
00:47:59,525 --> 00:48:03,245
access safety, which will improve safety overall for all of us. Thank you.

535
00:48:05,465 --> 00:48:08,925
yes. My name is michael stein. I'm a resident of district seven.

536
00:48:09,585 --> 00:48:13,525
um, I can't really add more than what's already been

537
00:48:13,765 --> 00:48:16,285
said here. Uh, I support this resolution.

538
00:48:17,895 --> 00:48:21,815
thank you. Continue on item 37, francesca leahy,

539
00:48:23,285 --> 00:48:27,215
hans maverick, jamie gardner. Trudy

540
00:48:27,565 --> 00:48:31,245
smith, please state your name and begin

541
00:48:31,685 --> 00:48:31,685
speaking.

542
00:48:47,505 --> 00:48:51,445
please begin. Good morning. My name

543
00:48:51,565 --> 00:48:55,425
is francesca fraga lehe and I'm a resident of district five, and

544
00:48:55,965 --> 00:48:59,005
I am proud of austin for putting this resolution forward. Item 37

545
00:49:00,105 --> 00:49:03,865
and grateful to each council member and staff member who were in, was

546
00:49:04,285 --> 00:49:08,285
involved in putting this, um, this testament to

547
00:49:08,485 --> 00:49:12,325
austin's values together and as the, uh, speaker from the

548
00:49:12,645 --> 00:49:16,545
american gateways, um, said to enhance the community's trust in

549
00:49:16,765 --> 00:49:20,515
getting the help they need. Last july,

550
00:49:21,265 --> 00:49:24,895
the republican controlled congress passed a, the quote,

551
00:49:25,305 --> 00:49:29,175
big beautiful bill act, which means that ice's

552
00:49:29,525 --> 00:49:33,405
budget has skyrocketed to becoming the highest, highest funded us law enforcement

553
00:49:33,765 --> 00:49:36,565
agency with $85 billion now at its disposal.

554
00:49:38,555 --> 00:49:42,545
last night, senate republicans passed a blank check of $70 billion to

555
00:49:42,765 --> 00:49:46,285
fund ice with zero reforms added. Hopefully it fails in the house

556
00:49:47,885 --> 00:49:51,645
a week ago, mayor watson, who made the statement that our a pd officers

557
00:49:52,005 --> 00:49:55,885
do not have the capacity and should not be asked to do the other, to do

558
00:49:56,045 --> 00:49:59,675
the jobs of other entities. I agree. I do not want

559
00:50:00,385 --> 00:50:04,265
my taxpayer dollars to go to fund an already, um,

560
00:50:04,635 --> 00:50:08,425
over bloated, uh, highly corrupt and, um,

561
00:50:09,505 --> 00:50:13,085
unconstitutional, uh, in immigration enforcement entity

562
00:50:13,545 --> 00:50:17,445
at the federal, uh, government. My taxpayer taxpayer

563
00:50:17,645 --> 00:50:21,525
dollars are already going to that, and I am infuriated by that fact

564
00:50:21,725 --> 00:50:25,115
every day, and I do not want my city municipal,

565
00:50:26,065 --> 00:50:28,995
uh, taxpayer dollars to go to further

566
00:50:30,505 --> 00:50:34,225
in, uh, to support an, an agency that is

567
00:50:34,515 --> 00:50:37,925
causing such great harm to our community. As we've heard today,

568
00:50:38,895 --> 00:50:42,805
thank you for putting this resolution forward and please, uh, do everything that we can

569
00:50:43,145 --> 00:50:46,765
to ensure that it passes and is, um, uh, fully implemented.

570
00:50:47,455 --> 00:50:51,295
thank you, mayor watson. Mayor proto

571
00:50:51,805 --> 00:50:55,725
vela council members, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is hans maverick.

572
00:50:56,585 --> 00:51:00,565
I'm a resident of council district 10 and I'm a policy and research organizer with grassroots leadership

573
00:51:00,965 --> 00:51:04,285
here in austin. I'm here to express my support for item 37,

574
00:51:05,065 --> 00:51:09,045
the safe to call resolution. Not long ago, I worked for a nonprofit that helped

575
00:51:09,245 --> 00:51:13,245
people resolve outstanding class c tickets and get their driver's licenses reinstated.

576
00:51:14,625 --> 00:51:18,405
we called it fighting the criminalization of poverty. What I learned from that experience

577
00:51:18,885 --> 00:51:22,365
is that something as simple as a traffic ticket can create a barrier to fully

578
00:51:23,085 --> 00:51:26,485
participating in life, accessing housing, employment, childcare, healthcare,

579
00:51:27,105 --> 00:51:30,785
et cetera. I observed that class c tickets have a disproportionate impact

580
00:51:31,205 --> 00:51:34,965
on low income people, unhoused people, undocumented people, and people of color.

581
00:51:36,115 --> 00:51:39,685
also, the systems most cities use to help people resolve their tickets are difficult

582
00:51:40,165 --> 00:51:43,885
to understand and navigate what's more people have outstanding

583
00:51:44,375 --> 00:51:48,305
class c warrants may hesitate to contact law enforcement if they are the witnesses or

584
00:51:48,525 --> 00:51:52,525
victims of crime, particularly if they are undocumented. I worry

585
00:51:52,805 --> 00:51:56,245
about my unhoused and undocumented neighbors having access to emergency services.

586
00:51:57,105 --> 00:52:01,105
recent state and federal actions have further eroded their trust in

587
00:52:01,385 --> 00:52:05,365
law enforcement. I want everyone in austin to feel safe to call when

588
00:52:05,645 --> 00:52:09,625
they need help. In light of those concerns, I believe that item 37 is

589
00:52:09,845 --> 00:52:13,725
good policy. Engaging the community in effective and compassionate approaches

590
00:52:14,005 --> 00:52:17,355
to class c tickets will help rebuild the trust that has been lost.

591
00:52:18,385 --> 00:52:21,715
an easy to navigate system for addressing class cs will reduce unnecessary

592
00:52:22,405 --> 00:52:26,325
police contact. Please stand up for our community and stand up against

593
00:52:26,855 --> 00:52:30,525
right wing bullies. Take measures that reduce racial disparities,

594
00:52:31,205 --> 00:52:35,165
protect the rights of immigrants during police encounters, and dismantle the

595
00:52:35,525 --> 00:52:39,485
pathways that lead to family destruction. True safety is like

596
00:52:39,795 --> 00:52:43,685
true justice. It is only meaningful if it applies to everyone.

597
00:52:43,895 --> 00:52:47,775
thank you. Good morning. My name is trudy

598
00:52:48,125 --> 00:52:51,805
taylor smith. I'm senior administrator of policy and advocacy at children's defense fund, texas

599
00:52:52,145 --> 00:52:55,565
and I live in district 10. Um, we are a nonprofit

600
00:52:56,325 --> 00:53:00,205
advocacy organization dedicated to advancing child wellbeing and building community so

601
00:53:00,365 --> 00:53:04,365
that young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy, and we support the safe to call

602
00:53:04,725 --> 00:53:08,725
resolution as a necessary first step toward protecting young people in austin from the serious

603
00:53:09,025 --> 00:53:13,005
and multifaceted harms that result when a pd goes above and beyond the requirements of the

604
00:53:13,405 --> 00:53:16,975
law to collaborate with ice current a pd policy harms

605
00:53:17,485 --> 00:53:21,285
children and families in a number of ways, including discouraging immigrant residents from reporting crimes,

606
00:53:21,525 --> 00:53:25,465
seeking help to escape violence or abuse or calling emergency services. As

607
00:53:25,685 --> 00:53:29,565
others have mentioned, it also increases the risk that children will experience or

608
00:53:29,725 --> 00:53:33,085
witness violence and civil rights violations in the course of an immigration arrest.

609
00:53:34,025 --> 00:53:37,865
but beyond that, it exposes families to dangerous detention conditions at

610
00:53:38,085 --> 00:53:41,725
the dli detention center outside of san antonio, ice detains families including

611
00:53:42,485 --> 00:53:46,345
children in horrific conditions marked by medical neglect, hunger, and

612
00:53:46,565 --> 00:53:50,525
inadequate access to clean drinking water and nutritious food, even in cases

613
00:53:50,725 --> 00:53:54,255
where children are not detained. Ice arrest arising out of traffic stops

614
00:53:54,805 --> 00:53:58,805
wellness checks and 9 1 1 responses. Frequently traumatized children separate them from

615
00:53:58,925 --> 00:54:02,885
their families and place children in harm's way. Within the past year, at least three

616
00:54:03,125 --> 00:54:06,915
austin children were deported despite holding us citizenship. And in the most recent case,

617
00:54:07,205 --> 00:54:11,125
this happened because a pd contacted ice while responding to a 9 1 1 call.

618
00:54:11,865 --> 00:54:15,565
at local schools, more children and immigrant families are arriving at school emotionally distraught,

619
00:54:16,045 --> 00:54:19,845
over missing relatives coming to school hungry after a family breadwinner has been

620
00:54:20,125 --> 00:54:23,885
detained, or they're no longer attending school at all. Shockingly,

621
00:54:24,485 --> 00:54:28,445
children in many cases are left without a legal guardian after ice arrests and

622
00:54:28,565 --> 00:54:32,445
detains their parents without making any arrangements for their care. Every child

623
00:54:32,765 --> 00:54:36,565
deserves to grow up in a caring family and community where they are safe and have access

624
00:54:36,925 --> 00:54:40,925
to the resources they need to thrive. With that goal in mind, cdf texas

625
00:54:41,255 --> 00:54:45,085
asked the city council to pass this resolution and to continue working to secure

626
00:54:45,325 --> 00:54:48,805
the safety and wellbeing of every child in our city. Thank you. Thank you.

627
00:54:54,525 --> 00:54:57,945
continue on item 37, kendra bolton,

628
00:54:58,885 --> 00:55:02,075
savannah lee, carrie ann smith, brandon pickard,

629
00:55:04,345 --> 00:55:05,845
please state your name and begin speaking.

630
00:55:20,615 --> 00:55:24,505
good morning, mayor and council members. My name is kendra walton of

631
00:55:24,985 --> 00:55:28,975
district five, and I'm here as a representative and board member of toto

632
00:55:29,385 --> 00:55:32,065
juntos learning center and strong support of item 37.

633
00:55:33,925 --> 00:55:37,655
people in austin should be able to call 9 1 1 without fear

634
00:55:38,485 --> 00:55:42,145
and trust that reaching out for help would not put their family at greater

635
00:55:42,575 --> 00:55:46,385
risk. At total juntos, we work alongside immigrant

636
00:55:47,225 --> 00:55:50,785
families, students, and community members. We hear the fear,

637
00:55:51,725 --> 00:55:55,455
we see the hesitation, and know that for many people, calling

638
00:55:56,045 --> 00:55:59,905
for help feels dangerous. It feels like one desperate moment

639
00:56:00,555 --> 00:56:04,545
could spiral into detention, separation, or other long lasting harm,

640
00:56:05,485 --> 00:56:09,465
and that is unacceptable when people are too afraid to call 9 1 1.

641
00:56:10,065 --> 00:56:13,185
that does not make our city safer. It makes it more dangerous

642
00:56:14,335 --> 00:56:17,505
when victims are too afraid to come forward. Violence continues

643
00:56:18,495 --> 00:56:20,955
when witnesses stay silent. Accountability disappears

644
00:56:23,075 --> 00:56:26,925
when families decide they are safer. Staying quiet in crisis than the system

645
00:56:27,185 --> 00:56:31,085
is failing the very people it is designed to protect and we must

646
00:56:31,245 --> 00:56:35,085
build a better system. Item 37 is about

647
00:56:35,325 --> 00:56:39,285
community safety and trust. Trust is the foundation of public safety without

648
00:56:39,775 --> 00:56:43,425
trust, emergency systems break down. People do not report

649
00:56:43,955 --> 00:56:47,765
harm and fear wins. This resolution is about

650
00:56:48,035 --> 00:56:52,005
real people and their families, like the speakers that we have heard earlier this morning.

651
00:56:53,255 --> 00:56:57,245
every policy choice we make impacts real people. No one should

652
00:56:57,445 --> 00:57:00,845
have to stop and think, will calling for help make this

653
00:57:01,565 --> 00:57:05,525
situation worse? No one should have to earn the right

654
00:57:06,105 --> 00:57:10,085
to be protected in a crisis. I'm asking you to

655
00:57:10,245 --> 00:57:14,205
support item 37 as a policy decision and as a statement about who we are

656
00:57:14,425 --> 00:57:18,365
as a city. Austin should be a place where people can ask for help

657
00:57:18,525 --> 00:57:22,085
without fear, where families are protected in a place where safety includes

658
00:57:22,645 --> 00:57:24,685
dignity, fairness, and trust. Thank you very much.

659
00:57:27,635 --> 00:57:31,545
good morning, mayor and council. Thank you for having us today. My name is savannah lee. I'm

660
00:57:31,765 --> 00:57:35,725
here with equity action and I'm a resident of district one. I'm here in support of item 37

661
00:57:36,165 --> 00:57:39,825
because no one in our, in our city should be afraid to call for help. That's

662
00:57:40,245 --> 00:57:44,105
not a controversial statement, and I know everyone in this room shares that value. But

663
00:57:44,325 --> 00:57:47,925
values only matter when they're reflected in our actions. And in this case, our policies.

664
00:57:48,665 --> 00:57:52,085
we can say austin believes in trust, dignity, and compassion. But if survivors, immigrant

665
00:57:52,685 --> 00:57:56,565
families and low income residents are still afraid to call 9 1 1, then we've got work

666
00:57:56,725 --> 00:58:00,705
to do. As the federal government continues targeting immigrant communities and

667
00:58:00,925 --> 00:58:04,905
the state continues enabling that cruelty, it falls to cities like austin to protect our people and

668
00:58:05,125 --> 00:58:08,965
lead with humanity. That is what this item begins to do. Survivors of

669
00:58:09,245 --> 00:58:13,225
domestic violence, victims of sexual assault, witnesses to crime, immigration, fa or

670
00:58:13,445 --> 00:58:17,285
immigrant families, and people living paycheck to paycheck should never have to wonder whether

671
00:58:17,605 --> 00:58:21,335
asking for help could lead to their own arrest over an unpaid ticket or some other low level issue.

672
00:58:22,275 --> 00:58:26,165
when people are afraid to call for help, violence goes unreported. Abuse escalates and trust

673
00:58:26,445 --> 00:58:30,325
in the government breaks down that makes every neighborhood less safe. Public institutions

674
00:58:30,995 --> 00:58:34,845
only work when people trust them enough to use them. When those most vulnerable to

675
00:58:35,005 --> 00:58:38,975
police contact or ice involvement do not feel safe seeking help, we begin the fairness, legitimacy,

676
00:58:39,645 --> 00:58:43,565
and effectiveness of our systems. Item 37 offers a common sense path

677
00:58:43,845 --> 00:58:47,805
forward. It brings the community into the policymaking process. Prioritizes survivors

678
00:58:48,405 --> 00:58:52,325
increases accountability and helps ensure that asking for help does not become another source

679
00:58:52,605 --> 00:58:56,445
of harm. I would add in light of recent news that every good thing

680
00:58:56,705 --> 00:59:00,565
we do in this building only stands a chance at making a difference if we refuse

681
00:59:00,925 --> 00:59:04,805
to bow to the governor's power grabbing cruelty. The 11 of you are the last elected

682
00:59:05,315 --> 00:59:09,035
line of protection for the millions of people in this city. True

683
00:59:09,325 --> 00:59:12,985
bravery and leadership means doing the right thing even when it's difficult or

684
00:59:13,485 --> 00:59:17,485
frightening. I would ask that you use the power you've been given to prioritize the most vulnerable

685
00:59:17,965 --> 00:59:21,790
folks here and stand in the way of the state's latest attempt at forcing, forcing us into their authoritarian

686
00:59:22,565 --> 00:59:26,125
ideology. The first way to do that is by supporting this item. Thank you.

687
00:59:30,335 --> 00:59:34,305
hello, mayor watson and city council members. My name is carrie ann smith. I'm

688
00:59:34,525 --> 00:59:38,165
leader. I'm a leader with vocal texas. I'm here to support item 37.

689
00:59:39,925 --> 00:59:43,825
I stand here today with a heavy heart to address a critical and

690
00:59:44,045 --> 00:59:47,645
safety justice issue, class c tickets and warrant

691
00:59:48,065 --> 00:59:50,955
issues. I support the stockholders procedure

692
00:59:52,275 --> 00:59:55,295
process because in austin here alone, over 60,000

693
00:59:57,005 --> 01:00:00,985
warrants has been issued. Not in the state of texas, but just here in the city of

694
01:00:01,205 --> 01:00:05,185
austin. And more concerning 25% of these tickets has

695
01:00:05,405 --> 01:00:08,575
been issued to black residents. I speak

696
01:00:09,675 --> 01:00:13,565
from a de personal experience. I too have received multiple tickets

697
01:00:14,665 --> 01:00:17,365
for sleeping in my vehicle that turned into warrants.

698
01:00:18,745 --> 01:00:22,605
how do you expect someone to be compliant with these tickets when they do

699
01:00:22,765 --> 01:00:23,925
not have stable hounds in

700
01:00:28,745 --> 01:00:31,565
and they don't even really know? These tickets exist multiple tickets,

701
01:00:33,505 --> 01:00:36,005
and you get repeated offenses for these tickets

702
01:00:37,635 --> 01:00:41,365
that turns into warrants. This is, this cycle

703
01:00:41,705 --> 01:00:45,445
is a nuisance. It's no, this cycle is not just a

704
01:00:45,765 --> 01:00:49,565
nuisance. It's a trap that escalated to tickets, to warrants, to felonies

705
01:00:50,585 --> 01:00:54,145
and all without offering real services support or

706
01:00:54,925 --> 01:00:58,885
a pathway outta homelessness. Rather than continue to spend millions

707
01:00:59,325 --> 01:01:03,285
of dollars on encampment suites tickets and arresting poor people and unhoused

708
01:01:03,845 --> 01:01:06,765
people, please support this item and so we can work together.

709
01:01:07,895 --> 01:01:08,245
thank you.

710
01:01:14,855 --> 01:01:18,525
hello, mayor watson city council. My name is brandon

711
01:01:18,875 --> 01:01:22,405
pickard, but most of y'all know me. Here is eight track. It's good to be back.

712
01:01:23,385 --> 01:01:27,285
um, I am here in support of item 37. Uh, for those of

713
01:01:27,405 --> 01:01:30,685
you that don't know, I am currently homeless out on the streets of austin.

714
01:01:32,325 --> 01:01:36,165
things get crazy out there very quickly. And at

715
01:01:36,385 --> 01:01:39,975
the drop of a hat, you could be in trouble. Your friend can be in trouble, someone

716
01:01:40,515 --> 01:01:44,295
could be hurt, but you got that camping

717
01:01:44,785 --> 01:01:48,665
warrant. What are you gonna do? You can't call the cops, they're just gonna lock

718
01:01:48,945 --> 01:01:52,675
you up. And then maybe take your friend to the hospital, maybe

719
01:01:54,455 --> 01:01:58,395
the, the, this pa oh, I'm so sorry. This paves the way

720
01:01:59,095 --> 01:02:02,915
to actually start helping people out here. This is a very,

721
01:02:03,225 --> 01:02:06,495
very good first step. People should not be afraid

722
01:02:07,415 --> 01:02:11,355
to have to call for an emergency at all. I've met

723
01:02:11,575 --> 01:02:15,375
so many people where somebody got hurt and then they're like, hey bro, can

724
01:02:15,595 --> 01:02:19,435
you call 9 1 1? I got that camping warrant, or I got that criminal trespass or blah

725
01:02:19,725 --> 01:02:23,605
blah blah. And so I'm left there, you know, trying to

726
01:02:23,765 --> 01:02:27,405
take care of somebody who I don't know until ems gets here. And hopefully

727
01:02:27,885 --> 01:02:31,765
I don't have to talk to the cops because why are the cops

728
01:02:31,925 --> 01:02:33,765
showing up when I'm calling for ems?

729
01:02:35,965 --> 01:02:39,715
they should be not needed at all. I need ems, not

730
01:02:40,095 --> 01:02:43,615
a pd. So that's probably another conversation

731
01:02:44,235 --> 01:02:47,375
for another day. But thank you all for listening.

732
01:02:48,365 --> 01:02:51,765
it's great to be back. Um, I hope to have many

733
01:02:52,415 --> 01:02:56,175
positive conversations with you in the future and, uh, thank you y'all so much.

734
01:02:57,185 --> 01:03:00,195
thank you. Continuing on item 37,

735
01:03:02,155 --> 01:03:05,915
kay graziani, barry jones, tony carter,

736
01:03:07,515 --> 01:03:10,585
david weinberg. Antonio rena,

737
01:03:24,525 --> 01:03:27,505
please state your name and begin speaking. Feel free to begin. Good morning.

738
01:03:28,535 --> 01:03:31,895
good morning, mayor and council. My name is david weinberg, ima district five

739
01:03:32,865 --> 01:03:36,105
resident. Um, I'm gonna start off with a platitude. Uh, the united states

740
01:03:37,205 --> 01:03:39,825
is a nation that was built by immigrants.

741
01:03:41,365 --> 01:03:45,295
um, this idea is very

742
01:03:45,585 --> 01:03:49,585
true for the texas that we live in today. Immigrants are a

743
01:03:49,875 --> 01:03:53,545
vital part of the texas economy, many critical pieces

744
01:03:53,885 --> 01:03:56,695
of it, oil and gas, production, agriculture,

745
01:03:58,065 --> 01:04:00,835
construction, hospital, hospitality, healthcare.

746
01:04:03,525 --> 01:04:07,235
we should be embracing these

747
01:04:07,615 --> 01:04:10,905
populations who are doing so much for our state.

748
01:04:12,205 --> 01:04:15,915
uh, I kind of miss the republican party of texas, which

749
01:04:16,285 --> 01:04:19,345
was what is good for business is good for texas.

750
01:04:20,925 --> 01:04:24,385
um, we should be, I think this item is a no-brainer.

751
01:04:25,345 --> 01:04:29,145
I thank you for bringing it. Uh, I wish we were not in a position where the

752
01:04:29,545 --> 01:04:33,465
governor was vilifying and terrorizing these communities,

753
01:04:35,125 --> 01:04:38,575
um, who put food on our table, who put gas in our gas tank

754
01:04:39,155 --> 01:04:42,205
who'd care for the elderly who build our houses and hotels.

755
01:04:43,405 --> 01:04:47,255
um, and I laed

756
01:04:47,705 --> 01:04:51,705
you for taking this very important step today. Thank you.

757
01:04:52,795 --> 01:04:56,645
thank you. Members of

758
01:04:56,865 --> 01:05:00,345
the council. Mayor, thank you for allowing me to testify. My name is jorge reno

759
01:05:00,925 --> 01:05:04,815
and I'm an organizer at grassroots leadership. I urge you to pass this

760
01:05:05,305 --> 01:05:09,245
resolution based on my experiences. I was honorably discharged from the army in

761
01:05:09,585 --> 01:05:13,365
1976 and returned to beeville. I went to a dancing center, rolled

762
01:05:13,785 --> 01:05:17,765
through a stop sign, was pulled over by a local policeman and ended up not with a traffic

763
01:05:17,925 --> 01:05:21,045
ticket, not with a warning, but thrown into the local county jail.

764
01:05:21,975 --> 01:05:25,125
where I found out later, the arresting officer told folks there to touch me up.

765
01:05:26,355 --> 01:05:30,225
what resulted was a series of events that still resonate with me today, 27

766
01:05:30,885 --> 01:05:34,775
years in prison and on parole until I until 2051. We've

767
01:05:35,125 --> 01:05:38,925
heard someone say that we all make, make mistakes when explaining away a prison

768
01:05:39,155 --> 01:05:42,925
term. I did not go to prison for a mistake, but because

769
01:05:43,205 --> 01:05:47,185
I made choices after that first arrest, choices based on rage and an individual in

770
01:05:47,445 --> 01:05:51,405
a system that thought it was okay to have me brutalized, beaten, and raped for not stopping

771
01:05:51,545 --> 01:05:55,445
at a stop sign at an arguing with a police officer. There is

772
01:05:55,565 --> 01:05:59,405
a phenomenon called churn that refers to individuals who cycle through the

773
01:05:59,685 --> 01:06:03,605
criminal legal system, the majority of them, people of color, most with either

774
01:06:04,045 --> 01:06:07,725
substance abuse or mental health disorders. The chance of an individual being rearrested

775
01:06:08,125 --> 01:06:12,045
and going to prison, losing family and employment, and being consigned to a life

776
01:06:12,285 --> 01:06:16,265
of poverty and despair, go up exponentially after that arrest for wa was yes

777
01:06:16,845 --> 01:06:20,835
a mistake because once in the system, police and prosecutors and judges look

778
01:06:21,125 --> 01:06:25,005
at you not as a citizen with your respect and dignity, but as a number, a

779
01:06:25,195 --> 01:06:29,085
misc to the criminal. Austin has made great strides when

780
01:06:29,245 --> 01:06:33,205
it comes to offering diversion to individuals, mostly youth who become

781
01:06:33,645 --> 01:06:36,965
ensnared in a system that offers little but incarceration to those that captures,

782
01:06:38,265 --> 01:06:41,325
we have a sobering center and a mental health diversion complex on the horizon.

783
01:06:42,285 --> 01:06:45,885
I ask that you vote yes on item 37 and offer relief in the life of hope

784
01:06:46,425 --> 01:06:50,285
to at least 60,000 people who have made a mistake and to not let that mistake

785
01:06:50,605 --> 01:06:54,285
grow into a life of incarceration or regret. Thank you. Thank you.

786
01:06:55,225 --> 01:06:59,165
yes, sir. Uh, good morning, city council and mayor watson.

787
01:06:59,785 --> 01:07:03,605
my name is barry jones. I'm a leader at vocal texas. Uh, formerly

788
01:07:04,285 --> 01:07:07,385
I was unhoused in austin for 10 years. Um,

789
01:07:08,505 --> 01:07:12,445
I'm here to support item 37. Uh, when I first became homeless, I

790
01:07:12,565 --> 01:07:16,185
had an old vehicle and I was trying my hardest to get outta my

791
01:07:16,725 --> 01:07:19,755
situation. I didn't have income, I couldn't pay my vehicle

792
01:07:20,835 --> 01:07:24,405
insurance, which quickly led to a citation

793
01:07:24,905 --> 01:07:28,345
and then a warrant and then arrest. And

794
01:07:29,065 --> 01:07:33,065
so, so I spent 10 days courtesy of the city inside.

795
01:07:34,185 --> 01:07:38,045
uh, when I got out, I still had to face, uh, coming up

796
01:07:38,205 --> 01:07:41,985
with the money to, to, uh, get my vehicle back from impoundment, uh,

797
01:07:42,295 --> 01:07:45,945
which was really difficult. Um, and I just wanna say

798
01:07:46,995 --> 01:07:49,885
that this system of, of warrant enforcement

799
01:07:51,185 --> 01:07:54,625
too often turns into a trap for poor people. Uh, if,

800
01:07:55,385 --> 01:07:59,205
if you're working and you are arrested, the chances are very good that you're

801
01:07:59,405 --> 01:08:03,325
gonna lose your job. If you lose your job, you're very

802
01:08:03,605 --> 01:08:07,445
likely to lose your vehicle. Now you are a person without a vehicle, without

803
01:08:08,005 --> 01:08:11,805
a job, without income who is facing the same situation

804
01:08:12,045 --> 01:08:15,885
that you got the citation for to begin with, so you can get more citations.

805
01:08:17,065 --> 01:08:19,805
and this just becomes a downward spiral for too many people.

806
01:08:21,465 --> 01:08:25,365
and I think that we really need to look at this situation. We need,

807
01:08:25,785 --> 01:08:29,405
uh, our leaders to step up and, uh, help us move forward

808
01:08:30,345 --> 01:08:33,825
to solve this situation to together and, and

809
01:08:34,385 --> 01:08:38,325
put this situation behind us. Thank you very much for your time.

810
01:08:42,715 --> 01:08:46,055
good morning, counsel. Mayor, my name is kate ani, also with vocal texas.

811
01:08:47,065 --> 01:08:51,045
um, we are here in support of item 37, as you've heard from some of our members

812
01:08:51,405 --> 01:08:55,285
already. Um, the criminalization that's happening on the streets of austin

813
01:08:55,445 --> 01:08:58,465
right now is putting people already vulnerable in more danger.

814
01:08:59,745 --> 01:09:03,565
um, folks who are poor and can't pay their tickets are, are getting,

815
01:09:04,305 --> 01:09:07,885
uh, warrants issued by the city. And this is a local policy that we think need to changing.

816
01:09:09,305 --> 01:09:13,205
um, I have a, um, a story from one of our leaders, tony carter,

817
01:09:13,485 --> 01:09:17,465
who couldn't be here today that I wanted to read quickly as an example of how

818
01:09:17,685 --> 01:09:21,435
broken this system is. Um, tony

819
01:09:21,785 --> 01:09:25,605
got a car, a ticket for flying a sign in december. Um, in

820
01:09:25,805 --> 01:09:29,675
order to, um, addressed the ticket, he engaged

821
01:09:30,165 --> 01:09:34,005
with dak case management, um, and he's currently in, in

822
01:09:34,205 --> 01:09:38,205
their deferment program. But because he, tony hasn't been connected to housing, the waiting lists

823
01:09:38,525 --> 01:09:42,245
are too long. Every night when he lays his head down, he's at risk of getting

824
01:09:42,805 --> 01:09:46,405
a camping ticket, which would violate, um, the program through

825
01:09:46,945 --> 01:09:50,845
dak could revoke his deferral. He'd have to pay a ticket that he can't pay for

826
01:09:51,045 --> 01:09:54,805
$300 leading to a warrant. Um, we have over 66,000

827
01:09:55,765 --> 01:09:59,525
warrants for class c um, misdemeanors in this city right now.

828
01:09:59,865 --> 01:10:03,355
and that's why we are in support of item 37 because we need

829
01:10:04,125 --> 01:10:07,845
a real robust stakeholder process,

830
01:10:09,105 --> 01:10:13,005
um, to discuss how we're going to stop criminalizing people who live

831
01:10:13,165 --> 01:10:16,165
on the streets, um, people with immigration status

832
01:10:17,185 --> 01:10:21,125
and how we're gonna begin to support our most vulnerable austinites. Many

833
01:10:21,365 --> 01:10:24,765
of us live here in austin because we stand up to the state

834
01:10:25,585 --> 01:10:29,455
and we have different values here, and we protect our most vulnerable community members. Right

835
01:10:29,945 --> 01:10:33,785
now, folks on the streets are being terrorized daily with sweeps

836
01:10:34,225 --> 01:10:38,105
led by a pd. These are, these individuals are also victims of

837
01:10:38,325 --> 01:10:42,005
crime and assault and violence, and they are not safe to call the police

838
01:10:43,025 --> 01:10:45,995
and we need to change that. Thank you. Okay,

839
01:10:48,335 --> 01:10:50,965
continuing on. Item 37, daniella silva.

840
01:10:52,755 --> 01:10:56,755
roxanna herndon, allison cole, susanna

841
01:10:57,515 --> 01:11:01,465
raza, marissa dixon, please

842
01:11:01,885 --> 01:11:03,045
state your name and begin speaking.

843
01:11:12,515 --> 01:11:16,445
good morning, mayor. City council members. My name is daniela silva. I'm the austin

844
01:11:16,565 --> 01:11:19,725
policy coordinator at workers defense action fund, an organization

845
01:11:20,685 --> 01:11:24,525
representing thousands of working class latina people across the state of texas that fights

846
01:11:24,885 --> 01:11:28,725
for immigrant and worker justice. I would first like to express deep gratitude to

847
01:11:28,925 --> 01:11:32,845
the co-sponsors of this item. Council member siegel mayor pro council members

848
01:11:33,325 --> 01:11:36,885
fuentes and velazquez. Our members in austin work across industries

849
01:11:37,505 --> 01:11:41,005
and live different lives, but share one thing in common. They want safety for themselves,

850
01:11:41,535 --> 01:11:45,525
their families, and their communities. Whether someone has been a victim of a hate crime,

851
01:11:45,955 --> 01:11:49,685
wage theft, or domestic violence workers', defense members wish for a city where they

852
01:11:50,125 --> 01:11:53,725
can call 9 1 1 for help without worrying if they are going to be discriminated against,

853
01:11:54,805 --> 01:11:58,485
harassed, or harmed. Because of unrelated civil issues or low level offenses,

854
01:11:59,825 --> 01:12:03,725
one member sino asks for clarity throughout our police department that if

855
01:12:03,885 --> 01:12:07,805
any officers considering calling ice, they fully understand how they're supposed

856
01:12:07,925 --> 01:12:11,925
to act and what is required compared to what is optional. Another member,

857
01:12:12,345 --> 01:12:15,955
manuel says that our community doesn't feel safe calling the police because

858
01:12:16,555 --> 01:12:20,445
they may call ice. So if there is an emergency, they don't really know what to do.

859
01:12:21,105 --> 01:12:25,005
he believes the police are supposed to be here to protect people and wants to be able to

860
01:12:25,125 --> 01:12:29,025
trust them. Manuel has a question for chief davis. Can

861
01:12:29,285 --> 01:12:32,875
I trust you? Can I trust that I can call you with any problems I have? Because

862
01:12:33,395 --> 01:12:37,205
many police are working with ice, so the trust isn't there. Now, by aiming

863
01:12:37,565 --> 01:12:41,325
to protect victims from unnecessary and unrelated arrests or detentions, the safe to call

864
01:12:41,645 --> 01:12:45,365
resolution is the first step in reestablishing true trust amongst vulnerable populations.

865
01:12:45,945 --> 01:12:49,565
by bringing community members with lived experience to the table, to co-create policies

866
01:12:50,075 --> 01:12:53,965
that support the safety of folks experiencing crisis and tragedy. The current systems

867
01:12:54,285 --> 01:12:58,245
that exist leave vulnerable people at risk of being punished for the bravery it requires to

868
01:12:58,405 --> 01:13:02,345
ask for help and for putting faith in institutions that haven't always listened or stood up to them. We

869
01:13:02,595 --> 01:13:06,565
call on the chief of police, mayor, city council and manager to emulate

870
01:13:06,805 --> 01:13:10,635
that same bravery by standing firm behind this and all policies created

871
01:13:11,185 --> 01:13:15,125
to protect all austinites. Anyone can become a victim regardless of age, race,

872
01:13:15,965 --> 01:13:19,535
nationality, gender, or income. Thank you. Hello,

873
01:13:20,065 --> 01:13:23,205
my name is roxanna herndon. I'm a austin knight with grassroots

874
01:13:24,095 --> 01:13:27,925
leadership under the taj advocate for justice. I have

875
01:13:28,365 --> 01:13:32,005
resigned in austin, texas in district four for 40 plus years living.

876
01:13:33,185 --> 01:13:36,775
I'm here to ask city council to vote yes for item 37. Class

877
01:13:37,285 --> 01:13:41,005
c traffic tickets is a hindrance for citizens to be able to commute back

878
01:13:41,365 --> 01:13:45,235
and forth to work, school, or doctor's appointments. This

879
01:13:45,545 --> 01:13:48,995
is hurting us by not allowing us to choose to pay for groceries

880
01:13:49,705 --> 01:13:53,525
or pay for a traffic violation that will prevent us from going back

881
01:13:53,805 --> 01:13:57,665
to jail. I'm standing up because I'm a mother that is standing in

882
01:13:57,885 --> 01:14:01,625
those shoes that has class c tickets that is hurting me. I'm

883
01:14:02,005 --> 01:14:05,715
speaking on this because that I'm facing situations that

884
01:14:06,265 --> 01:14:10,165
is hurting me from going to work or being arrested when I get

885
01:14:10,325 --> 01:14:14,265
in my car to drive, to take care of my children and grandchildren for

886
01:14:14,485 --> 01:14:17,925
safe call resolution to be effective. People living here in austin shouldn't

887
01:14:18,525 --> 01:14:22,245
be afraid to drive on the road to fear of being arrested, nor make 9 1 1 calls

888
01:14:22,545 --> 01:14:26,175
for help. And this is being used against us. There

889
01:14:26,665 --> 01:14:30,585
is, there shouldn't be penalties that hold us back from trying to change for

890
01:14:30,805 --> 01:14:34,705
the better in our lives. This goes against the amendment for,

891
01:14:35,585 --> 01:14:38,885
for the amendment for, and this goes against the rights for justice.

892
01:14:39,705 --> 01:14:43,405
I'm here asking city council again to vote yes to item 37

893
01:14:44,185 --> 01:14:48,165
to help us to be able to survive and provide for our family. Thank you very

894
01:14:48,405 --> 01:14:50,905
much for hearing me. Thank you. Yes.

895
01:14:52,545 --> 01:14:56,345
hi, my name is susanna za. I live in district nine and

896
01:14:56,665 --> 01:15:00,645
I'm here in support of safe to call item 37. You heard

897
01:15:00,995 --> 01:15:04,965
lots of personal stories to support and I have nothing to add to that, but what I

898
01:15:05,045 --> 01:15:08,695
would like to highlight is that a pd keeps

899
01:15:09,305 --> 01:15:12,645
saying publicly that wants to build trust within the community.

900
01:15:14,105 --> 01:15:17,365
one great step to do that is to come in here

901
01:15:18,265 --> 01:15:22,055
and testify in full support of it, because if you have guidelines

902
01:15:23,275 --> 01:15:27,245
that you can prioritize the safety of the people you're supposed to serve

903
01:15:27,625 --> 01:15:31,165
and not add them to the prison pipeline,

904
01:15:32,515 --> 01:15:35,765
that would be the best pr you can ever

905
01:15:37,265 --> 01:15:41,205
get without any money. It's just like, support this resolution. It will

906
01:15:41,325 --> 01:15:45,245
make your life easier. People will start going to not be afraid

907
01:15:45,525 --> 01:15:49,445
of you, and you'll help the community. Please, I, uh, urge everybody

908
01:15:50,065 --> 01:15:52,245
to support item three, seven. Thank you.

909
01:15:57,185 --> 01:16:00,885
excuse me. Good morning.

910
01:16:01,505 --> 01:16:05,345
um, my name is alison cole. I'm a resident of district 10,

911
01:16:05,905 --> 01:16:09,595
and I am also the vice president of community services at safe

912
01:16:10,165 --> 01:16:13,915
alliance, which is a nonprofit that serves survivors of abuse with

913
01:16:14,205 --> 01:16:17,725
things like shelter, housing, advocacy, forensic exams, counseling,

914
01:16:18,245 --> 01:16:22,025
therapy, legal support. The list goes on. I'm also personally an

915
01:16:22,405 --> 01:16:26,085
attorney who has spent my career, um, serving survivors of domestic

916
01:16:26,485 --> 01:16:30,005
violence, interpersonal violence, and what I and my colleagues have observed

917
01:16:30,835 --> 01:16:34,805
time and time again with the people that we work with is that they do not feel

918
01:16:35,075 --> 01:16:38,755
safe for so, so many reasons coming forward or seeking emergency

919
01:16:39,365 --> 01:16:42,945
assistance, even in life-threatening assaults. There are

920
01:16:43,505 --> 01:16:47,235
so, so many reasons for that. Too many to get into today. However,

921
01:16:48,105 --> 01:16:52,045
why I personally and safe are so excited about item 37 is that

922
01:16:52,165 --> 01:16:56,045
this is an opportunity to remove some of those barriers, very real barriers

923
01:16:56,505 --> 01:16:59,475
to seeking services in a life and death emergency.

924
01:17:00,795 --> 01:17:04,605
what we know is that abusers are very, very good at weaponizing the systems that

925
01:17:04,885 --> 01:17:08,725
are meant to protect people against them. And we have clients who are thinking

926
01:17:09,140 --> 01:17:12,765
twice before calling 9 1 1. They're thinking, who's gonna take care of my kids tomorrow

927
01:17:13,345 --> 01:17:17,325
if both of their parents are arrested tonight because of that unpaid parking ticket that

928
01:17:17,565 --> 01:17:21,525
I have? Because of that time, I got camping because my abuser kicked me out and I

929
01:17:21,645 --> 01:17:25,605
had nowhere to sleep that night. They're worrying, what if it's gonna be my fault

930
01:17:25,905 --> 01:17:29,325
for calling police because my mixed status family gets torn apart tonight.

931
01:17:30,395 --> 01:17:34,235
this is a chance to empower a pd to fight crime because

932
01:17:34,725 --> 01:17:38,725
this is a lot of unreported crime going around, a lot of vulnerable people not being

933
01:17:38,885 --> 01:17:42,525
protected. This is a chance for a pd to be empowered to prevent

934
01:17:43,285 --> 01:17:47,115
homicides because survivors of abuse won't have to think twice when

935
01:17:47,405 --> 01:17:51,405
they are calling for help in life and death situations. So I wanna thank you all for bringing

936
01:17:51,485 --> 01:17:55,045
this forward. I wanna thank you for considering this because this could be something

937
01:17:55,635 --> 01:17:59,565
that could make our community so much safer for everyone, and it's

938
01:18:00,005 --> 01:18:03,285
actually a way that we can fight crime. Thank you.

939
01:18:05,605 --> 01:18:08,425
continue on item 37, ryan rosser.

940
01:18:10,765 --> 01:18:13,485
courtney ski salvador espinosa,

941
01:18:15,045 --> 01:18:18,105
vin robo mira ros,

942
01:18:20,705 --> 01:18:24,605
please state your name and begin speaking with the speakers. Go ahead

943
01:18:24,725 --> 01:18:28,045
and come on down if that next group is present.

944
01:18:28,755 --> 01:18:28,755
alright.

945
01:18:45,475 --> 01:18:48,765
good morning counsel. I am jen robo, a longtime austin resident.

946
01:18:49,695 --> 01:18:53,355
while I support the goal of helping victims and witnesses feel safe, calling 9 1 1

947
01:18:54,225 --> 01:18:58,005
the policies and the safe to call resolution will actually make law enforcement less

948
01:18:58,245 --> 01:19:02,165
effective and austin less safe for everyone. The resolution

949
01:19:02,485 --> 01:19:06,125
directs officers not to check for warrants on victims or witnesses during emergency

950
01:19:06,725 --> 01:19:10,285
calls, to delay arrests on unrelated warrants and to use alternatives

951
01:19:10,965 --> 01:19:14,815
instead of tickets. These changes may sound compassionate, but they are broad

952
01:19:15,385 --> 01:19:19,205
and reach far beyond our homeless and immigrant communities. They deliberately

953
01:19:19,765 --> 01:19:23,285
reduce the chance that people will face real consequences for the crimes that they commit.

954
01:19:24,315 --> 01:19:28,245
even more concerning stopping officers from checking someone's criminal record during

955
01:19:28,725 --> 01:19:31,965
a nine one one call puts both officers and the public in greater danger.

956
01:19:32,965 --> 01:19:36,915
officers may not show up with knowledge that the person that they're dealing with

957
01:19:37,625 --> 01:19:41,625
has a violent history or an act of warrant that raises the risk of

958
01:19:41,845 --> 01:19:43,895
sudden violence against the officers or bystanders.

959
01:19:45,885 --> 01:19:49,805
research and real, real world examples show that when the cost of breaking

960
01:19:49,945 --> 01:19:53,655
the law goes down, crime goes up, especially property crime, theft

961
01:19:54,005 --> 01:19:57,845
and disorder. We already have a county da whose policies

962
01:19:58,085 --> 01:20:01,945
have been widely criticized for dropping or reducing charges and releasing repeat

963
01:20:02,565 --> 01:20:06,245
offenders. Adding city rules that further limit warrant checks, arrests and

964
01:20:06,605 --> 01:20:10,235
citations makes the problem worse. This is not victim centered, it's

965
01:20:10,765 --> 01:20:13,445
criminal centered, and it makes the revolving door problem even bigger.

966
01:20:14,835 --> 01:20:18,765
this resolution is presented as protecting victims, yet much of the

967
01:20:19,045 --> 01:20:22,925
language focuses on protecting people with warrants and immigration issues, creating a cascade

968
01:20:23,425 --> 01:20:27,235
of unintended consequences in trying to help some. It puts

969
01:20:27,525 --> 01:20:31,445
the safety of law abiding residents and the whole community at risk. If public

970
01:20:31,685 --> 01:20:34,955
safety is truly the goal, we need accountability for weak prosecution

971
01:20:36,085 --> 01:20:39,965
policies, not new policies that erode deterrents. Thank you for your time.

972
01:20:40,655 --> 01:20:41,005
thank you.

973
01:20:46,955 --> 01:20:50,615
good morning, mayor and council members. My name is courtney siver

974
01:20:51,105 --> 01:20:54,965
and I'm here today in support of item 37, the safe to call resolution.

975
01:20:56,245 --> 01:20:59,875
I speak not only as an austin resident of district four of volunteer

976
01:21:00,485 --> 01:21:04,405
with hands-off central texas, but as a social worker who has worked with

977
01:21:04,925 --> 01:21:08,715
incarcerated individuals, survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,

978
01:21:09,255 --> 01:21:12,365
which I have lived experiences with and immigrant communities

979
01:21:13,805 --> 01:21:17,045
I have seen firsthand what happens when people are afraid to ask for help.

980
01:21:18,115 --> 01:21:21,165
fear isolates people, traps them in dangerous situations

981
01:21:22,185 --> 01:21:25,075
and deepens trauma. When someone calls 9 1 1,

982
01:21:26,345 --> 01:21:30,165
it is often during the worst moment of their life, they may be fleeing

983
01:21:30,565 --> 01:21:34,125
abuse, reporting, violence, or trying to protect their children.

984
01:21:35,585 --> 01:21:39,215
no one in that moment should have to wonder whether reaching out for safety could

985
01:21:39,685 --> 01:21:43,405
instead lead to arrest or detention over an unrelated matter.

986
01:21:44,845 --> 01:21:48,615
I have worked with survivors who already carry enormous fear and shame.

987
01:21:49,685 --> 01:21:53,325
I have worked with immigrants who are terrified of systems because they believe any interaction

988
01:21:53,885 --> 01:21:57,485
with authorities could tear their families apart. I have worked with

989
01:21:58,085 --> 01:22:01,545
people who have been incarcerated and know how easily minor illegal issues

990
01:22:02,105 --> 01:22:05,965
can spiral into life altering consequences. When we

991
01:22:06,125 --> 01:22:09,575
create barriers to calling for help, we empower those who abuse

992
01:22:10,185 --> 01:22:14,105
silent survivors and make all of us less safe. Austin

993
01:22:14,525 --> 01:22:18,265
should not be cooperating with fear-based enforcement practices or

994
01:22:18,635 --> 01:22:22,605
cowtowing to ice priorities when our responsibility is to protect the

995
01:22:22,805 --> 01:22:26,465
safety and wellbeing of our local community. Our city's

996
01:22:26,885 --> 01:22:30,205
emergency response system should be focused on helping people in crisis,

997
01:22:31,225 --> 01:22:34,885
not creating more trauma. This resolution is about restoring

998
01:22:35,375 --> 01:22:38,885
trust, protecting vulnerable people, and ensuring that emergency

999
01:22:39,725 --> 01:22:43,505
services remain emergency services. I urge you to vote yes

1000
01:22:43,825 --> 01:22:47,125
on item 37. Thank you for your time. Thank you.

1001
01:22:49,475 --> 01:22:53,325
also speak, oh, sorry. Go ahead, continue. Oh, thank you.

1002
01:22:53,745 --> 01:22:57,685
uh, good morning, counsel. My name is mayor ros. I also go by gumbo.

1003
01:22:58,045 --> 01:23:01,885
I use they them pronouns. I'm one of the co-chairs of austin, dsa resident of

1004
01:23:02,205 --> 01:23:05,965
district three. I wanna start by thanking council member, single and council

1005
01:23:06,245 --> 01:23:09,725
members, cadre, ententes, and velazquez for introducing this item number 37,

1006
01:23:10,255 --> 01:23:13,525
which I am in support of today. I had the honor to visit minneapolis

1007
01:23:14,265 --> 01:23:18,205
at the end of february, beginning of march for a week of action for people around the

1008
01:23:18,325 --> 01:23:22,185
country to learn about how they resisted ice in their city. And they kept asking

1009
01:23:22,745 --> 01:23:26,685
me what things were like in austin, what things were like in texas, and I

1010
01:23:26,805 --> 01:23:30,725
would describe to them how state troopers were pulling people over and people were being

1011
01:23:30,925 --> 01:23:34,765
deported on the spot. Uh, I've seen them come and go within 15

1012
01:23:35,205 --> 01:23:39,165
minutes, they detained, they arrest, they deport, the car is towed and they're

1013
01:23:39,325 --> 01:23:43,205
gone. Um, and they said, wow, we have it easy up here.

1014
01:23:43,865 --> 01:23:47,525
um, they said that, you know, ice has to, had to move in minneapolis

1015
01:23:48,125 --> 01:23:52,125
like an occupying army because they had no open collaboration

1016
01:23:52,675 --> 01:23:56,605
with local and state police. And so they had to move that way because they knew they were

1017
01:23:56,685 --> 01:24:00,545
under scrutiny. And here ice and cbp are almost

1018
01:24:01,045 --> 01:24:04,325
like a fact of life. They're just around and they just

1019
01:24:05,275 --> 01:24:08,805
show up. We have no way of knowing where they're coming from, where they're going, where they're taking people,

1020
01:24:09,985 --> 01:24:13,605
um, and the fact that they're able to come when 9 1 1

1021
01:24:14,165 --> 01:24:17,925
calls come up. And the fact that a pd is not always able to distinguish

1022
01:24:18,485 --> 01:24:22,445
between an administrative and a judicial warrant only increases that lack of safety.

1023
01:24:22,945 --> 01:24:26,725
so we need to put as many barriers as possible between our public safety

1024
01:24:27,085 --> 01:24:31,085
locally and the forced migration and deportation of people across the country.

1025
01:24:31,825 --> 01:24:35,765
and we also need to break the mold set by am mayor whitmeyer in houston of caving to

1026
01:24:35,905 --> 01:24:39,825
abbott and paxton and their threats against our cities. They wanna take away two

1027
01:24:40,045 --> 01:24:43,565
and a half million dollars and then maybe a couple hundred million more from public safety.

1028
01:24:44,345 --> 01:24:48,165
and that shows that this is not about safety for them. This is about force and threats

1029
01:24:48,405 --> 01:24:52,245
of violence. So please vote yes on item 37 and, uh, f**k ice. Thank

1030
01:24:52,565 --> 01:24:52,565
you.

1031
01:24:56,605 --> 01:24:59,355
continue on item 37, crystal silva, mccormick,

1032
01:25:00,925 --> 01:25:04,475
alvin stewart, chris harris, rye vasquez,

1033
01:25:05,625 --> 01:25:08,805
and ben sotheby. Please state your name and begin speaking.

1034
01:25:18,075 --> 01:25:21,965
good morning. My name's ben sotheby. I'm a resident of district four. Uh, I wanna

1035
01:25:22,125 --> 01:25:25,725
start by thanking the sponsors, uh, of, of this item.

1036
01:25:26,345 --> 01:25:30,205
uh, council members siegel, mayor proam vela, council member fuentes,

1037
01:25:31,105 --> 01:25:34,205
uh, cadre and velasquez. Thank you so much.

1038
01:25:35,145 --> 01:25:38,845
um, we've heard excellent testimony this morning. The overwhelming

1039
01:25:39,725 --> 01:25:43,665
majority, I think all but one we've heard so

1040
01:25:43,885 --> 01:25:46,965
far vastly in favor of this, this is what our community wants.

1041
01:25:48,495 --> 01:25:52,265
their lived experiences are gonna speak louder than anything I can say,

1042
01:25:52,865 --> 01:25:56,725
but there are aspects of this that jump out at me. From a public budgets perspective.

1043
01:25:58,185 --> 01:26:01,805
we see an intention to find efficiency in our systems.

1044
01:26:03,855 --> 01:26:07,805
loads and loads of unresolved class c misdemeanors, bogging down our legal

1045
01:26:08,065 --> 01:26:11,805
system. Uh, don't save us money. You know, I pay

1046
01:26:12,105 --> 01:26:15,605
one tax bill, both city and county on that one thing.

1047
01:26:16,385 --> 01:26:20,165
and some of the most expensive. And the biggest dollar spend that's happening

1048
01:26:20,485 --> 01:26:24,325
on there is chasing after people who have gotten caught

1049
01:26:24,725 --> 01:26:28,475
up with, you know, low level nonviolent crimes that,

1050
01:26:28,785 --> 01:26:32,625
uh, maybe it's camping 'cause they have nowhere to go. We

1051
01:26:32,845 --> 01:26:36,825
know that our, our capacity is, uh, outstripping our supply of, of

1052
01:26:37,475 --> 01:26:41,405
beds to sleep. And it's just stacking and putting these people in

1053
01:26:41,565 --> 01:26:45,405
worse places, you know, sending them to the travis county jail where it's really expensive

1054
01:26:45,885 --> 01:26:49,795
to house and feed and healthcare and all the, all the other things that

1055
01:26:50,085 --> 01:26:54,045
doesn't help my tax bill. So I love that you're looking for strategies to

1056
01:26:54,205 --> 01:26:57,075
make both their outcomes and their lives better, but also

1057
01:26:58,305 --> 01:27:01,885
saving our precious public resources to devote them to things that

1058
01:27:02,545 --> 01:27:06,525
really help people get safe. Safety means my neighbor's needs being

1059
01:27:06,945 --> 01:27:10,325
met. I think about, uh, the hesitancy to call 9 1 1

1060
01:27:10,965 --> 01:27:14,175
when, when my neighbor's, uh, tools got stolen. Right.

1061
01:27:15,105 --> 01:27:19,005
uh, now he can't go work on that construction site delaying the

1062
01:27:19,205 --> 01:27:23,085
providing of housing if I get hit by a car. Thank, sir. I wanna

1063
01:27:23,245 --> 01:27:26,005
make sure that their witnesses call 9 1 1. Thank you.

1064
01:27:30,555 --> 01:27:34,545
good afternoon. My name is alvin stewart. Um, and I'm here to

1065
01:27:35,235 --> 01:27:38,725
vote in favor of item 37. But I wanna begin with a story.

1066
01:27:40,005 --> 01:27:43,085
a mother and a daughter were deported after police were called for a domestic dispute.

1067
01:27:44,075 --> 01:27:47,925
well begin as a call for help turned into a life-changing consequence for an entire

1068
01:27:48,205 --> 01:27:50,925
family. The mother was detained over an administrative

1069
01:27:52,365 --> 01:27:56,125
a warrant, and then the daughter and her were later deported.

1070
01:27:57,305 --> 01:28:00,325
the lowest level of offense should not create the highest level of consequences.

1071
01:28:02,255 --> 01:28:06,165
years ago, a personal story of mine. I was taken

1072
01:28:06,445 --> 01:28:10,045
to jail for a class c misdemeanor. I did not even had, I didn't even know I had.

1073
01:28:10,905 --> 01:28:14,885
it came from a criminal trespassing ticket after officer saw a car I

1074
01:28:15,005 --> 01:28:18,925
used drive past the school that I was expelled from. Even though the car

1075
01:28:19,085 --> 01:28:22,965
was not in my name, I was never aware of that warrant until I was arrested. That experience

1076
01:28:23,365 --> 01:28:25,265
showed me how quickly a minor issue can become

1077
01:28:27,645 --> 01:28:31,475
like something serious. I also want to acknowledge the, the

1078
01:28:31,935 --> 01:28:35,855
hispanic women that came up here earlier. I know some of them personally, and

1079
01:28:36,015 --> 01:28:39,775
that story truly touched my heart. Their experience reflect real people trying

1080
01:28:40,175 --> 01:28:43,855
to build their lives in the city, and they deserve understanding and fairness in how

1081
01:28:44,235 --> 01:28:48,215
our systems impact them. That's why I'm asking this council to support alternatives

1082
01:28:49,015 --> 01:28:52,495
and incarceration for class c misdemeanors to help reduce more than 66,000

1083
01:28:53,415 --> 01:28:56,335
outstanding class c warrants and to vote in favor of I 37.

1084
01:28:57,815 --> 01:29:01,575
I also wanna highlight a serious concern. African americans make up about 8%

1085
01:29:02,135 --> 01:29:05,535
of austin's population, yet account for roughly 25% of warrants

1086
01:29:06,235 --> 01:29:10,155
for these low level offenses. That disparity is significant and

1087
01:29:10,315 --> 01:29:14,195
raises real questions about fairness. But at the same time, I,

1088
01:29:14,455 --> 01:29:18,295
and we respect, support and appreciate our police officers. They do

1089
01:29:18,595 --> 01:29:22,535
a difficult and dangerous job every day, and that service deserves recognition. And

1090
01:29:22,755 --> 01:29:26,075
because we respect that work, we also believe in transparency and accountability

1091
01:29:26,775 --> 01:29:30,405
so our community can understand how our decisions are made to build a stronger trust.

1092
01:29:31,925 --> 01:29:35,795
thank you. Good morning,

1093
01:29:36,075 --> 01:29:39,555
counsel. My name is ra va community advocate, representing myself.

1094
01:29:40,255 --> 01:29:44,155
people should not be scared when they scared that they will be incarcerated

1095
01:29:44,475 --> 01:29:48,375
because they call for help. Our tax dollars go to a system that relies heavily on law

1096
01:29:48,595 --> 01:29:52,475
enforcement as the mechanism to mediate violent offenses. Blue collar crime and mental

1097
01:29:52,675 --> 01:29:56,675
health episodes being caught in your worst day shouldn't result in you being

1098
01:29:56,875 --> 01:30:00,395
booked and processed. The fact in the matter is that the metrics show that incarceration

1099
01:30:01,345 --> 01:30:05,275
statistically skyrockets when factoring in race, disability status,

1100
01:30:05,655 --> 01:30:09,635
or other marginalized groups. Personally, I know that when I

1101
01:30:09,755 --> 01:30:13,725
would be scared to call 9 1 1 if I knew there was a threat, that I would be turned over to a federal force,

1102
01:30:14,325 --> 01:30:17,755
especially if it's an administrative warrant that has no approval from a judge.

1103
01:30:18,875 --> 01:30:22,585
I pride myself in knowing that the city of austin endeavors to rectify these overreaches

1104
01:30:23,295 --> 01:30:26,875
of enforcement that do nothing but harm the greater good of our community.

1105
01:30:27,865 --> 01:30:31,835
changes to systems like this are daunting, I know, but this is a drop in

1106
01:30:32,035 --> 01:30:35,305
the bucket compared to the great good it will do for our austin city.

1107
01:30:36,225 --> 01:30:39,395
this is a meaningful way to ensure the safety of our neighbors.

1108
01:30:40,385 --> 01:30:43,765
greg abbott is not the arbiter of how austin uses its public funds.

1109
01:30:44,685 --> 01:30:48,555
abbot has made it clear if the governor manchin was not located on 11th street, he would not

1110
01:30:48,825 --> 01:30:52,525
live in austin. He's started with our rainbow crosswalks

1111
01:30:53,415 --> 01:30:57,355
and now he threatens our public funds because we dare to show compassion for our fellow

1112
01:30:58,115 --> 01:31:01,875
neighbors. Do not let his empty threats stop you from doing something that will benefit

1113
01:31:02,655 --> 01:31:06,515
our community. Having a task force to reassess that statistics,

1114
01:31:07,215 --> 01:31:11,215
our and backgrounds of arrest, is

1115
01:31:11,595 --> 01:31:15,235
a great idea. I hope that it will lead to a better and more prosperous city

1116
01:31:15,735 --> 01:31:19,075
and more avenues for our neighbors to feel comfortable relying on emergency

1117
01:31:19,915 --> 01:31:22,515
services that they paid for. Vote yes on item 37.

1118
01:31:24,445 --> 01:31:28,265
thank you. Good

1119
01:31:28,555 --> 01:31:32,395
morning, uh, council mayor. Um, my name is chris

1120
01:31:32,635 --> 01:31:36,315
harris. I'm with texas civil rights project. I'm also a resident here in district nine,

1121
01:31:37,295 --> 01:31:41,095
um, here today in support of item 37, uh,

1122
01:31:41,315 --> 01:31:44,715
I want to thank, uh, the sponsor and co-sponsors, uh, council members,

1123
01:31:45,675 --> 01:31:49,415
velazquez, fuentes, vela cadre, and

1124
01:31:49,785 --> 01:31:51,595
sigu, um, for bringing this item.

1125
01:31:54,155 --> 01:31:58,095
we often talk, especially in, in nonprofit spaces, but also in in go

1126
01:31:58,295 --> 01:32:01,745
government spaces about helping marginalized people. Um,

1127
01:32:02,505 --> 01:32:06,125
and of course that's very important. Rarely do we talk about actually ending

1128
01:32:06,625 --> 01:32:10,285
key vectors of their marginalization. Uh, social, cultural,

1129
01:32:10,845 --> 01:32:14,685
economic isolation, denial of political power, denial of access to

1130
01:32:15,125 --> 01:32:18,965
resources. We have an opportunity through this item and the stakeholder process

1131
01:32:19,315 --> 01:32:23,145
that follows and actually helping people to become less marginalized by,

1132
01:32:23,465 --> 01:32:26,965
by enabling people to access city resources in a way that they have

1133
01:32:27,555 --> 01:32:31,285
currently do not feel safe to do. Uh, and and this is really important

1134
01:32:31,605 --> 01:32:35,235
because while some would argue that marginalizing people over

1135
01:32:35,935 --> 01:32:39,805
their documentation status or committing the lowest level offense in

1136
01:32:40,005 --> 01:32:43,975
our criminal system, that doesn't even carry jail time if found guilty, uh, helps

1137
01:32:44,475 --> 01:32:48,365
make us safer. Uh, but I think all the evidence, all the data and all the testimony

1138
01:32:48,565 --> 01:32:52,005
you've heard here today points a very different story. That when we marginalize people,

1139
01:32:52,625 --> 01:32:56,585
we make us all less safe. I wanna also talk about the

1140
01:32:57,045 --> 01:33:00,325
governor first. The terms of the governor's public safety grants

1141
01:33:01,285 --> 01:33:05,125
violated our initial freedom city policy. Signing that grant to begin with

1142
01:33:05,505 --> 01:33:09,325
was a, a major betrayal of the immigrant community in this city, and whoever's

1143
01:33:09,805 --> 01:33:13,715
responsible for that in this city deserves accountability. Full

1144
01:33:14,005 --> 01:33:17,805
stop. Second, the governor cannot compel this city to violate

1145
01:33:18,185 --> 01:33:20,565
the fourth amendment in, in order to receive grant funds.

1146
01:33:23,395 --> 01:33:27,365
okay, like the, you cannot be compelled to

1147
01:33:27,525 --> 01:33:31,205
violate the fourth amendment in order to receive the grant funds. Please fight

1148
01:33:31,705 --> 01:33:35,685
and please vote for item 37. Thank you. Thank you. We'll now move to

1149
01:33:35,845 --> 01:33:39,625
item 38, beginning with remote speakers. Cassie

1150
01:33:40,335 --> 01:33:40,335
soren.

1151
01:33:46,345 --> 01:33:50,165
uh, good afternoon. My name is cassie soren. I live in

1152
01:33:50,845 --> 01:33:54,795
district six and I work at goof bamo, often also known as gava.

1153
01:33:55,145 --> 01:33:58,845
I'm speaking today on item 38. Um, I have been involved with the dell valley food

1154
01:33:59,255 --> 01:34:03,085
co-op from inception. Having written the original grant proposal in 2022

1155
01:34:04,265 --> 01:34:08,235
for the austin community owned food retail initiative, I began as a project manager

1156
01:34:08,825 --> 01:34:12,675
and now serve on the capital campaign committee to get to this point. Gava

1157
01:34:12,965 --> 01:34:16,925
has facilitated hundreds of hours of extensive community engagement and organizing

1158
01:34:17,615 --> 01:34:21,125
activities. Established a multilingual resident led steering committee

1159
01:34:21,745 --> 01:34:25,705
who developed the co-ops business plan, and we now support the board as

1160
01:34:25,925 --> 01:34:29,885
they oversee this truly community owned asset. For years,

1161
01:34:30,885 --> 01:34:34,765
residents in dell valley have sounded the alarm on their lack of access to fresh,

1162
01:34:35,095 --> 01:34:38,805
affordable food. And this problem exists due to a lack of investment

1163
01:34:39,745 --> 01:34:43,625
in the community, which has left people with limited access to food and

1164
01:34:43,845 --> 01:34:47,645
basic necessities. Uh, now the co-ops board has obtained

1165
01:34:48,085 --> 01:34:52,005
a three year lease for the property in question, and it requires rezoning

1166
01:34:52,365 --> 01:34:55,885
so the community efforts can continue to move forward. The current

1167
01:34:56,405 --> 01:34:59,905
property owner is, is in full support of the co-op, as evidenced by his

1168
01:35:00,445 --> 01:35:04,245
collaboration and recent letter of support for the city's community project funding

1169
01:35:04,795 --> 01:35:08,765
application via representative kassar's office, so the city

1170
01:35:08,985 --> 01:35:12,285
can hopefully buy his land and the co-op can find a permanent home.

1171
01:35:13,305 --> 01:35:16,885
um, I wanna thank council member fuentes for all of your support on this initiative

1172
01:35:17,395 --> 01:35:20,955
over the years, as well as the other co-sponsors today, including

1173
01:35:21,625 --> 01:35:25,235
my council member, council member lane, um, for supporting this critical step

1174
01:35:25,705 --> 01:35:29,545
in the dell valley food co-op initiative. And I urge others to vote yes and

1175
01:35:29,765 --> 01:35:32,485
support food security in dill valley. Thank you.

1176
01:35:35,295 --> 01:35:38,785
continuing with remote speakers on item 38, monica guzman.

1177
01:35:43,315 --> 01:35:47,005
good morning. I'm monica guzman, policy director gaba, go. Austin

1178
01:35:47,835 --> 01:35:51,735
bain speaking on item 38. We thank the food policy board

1179
01:35:52,185 --> 01:35:56,165
for their recommendation for council approval and waiving of related

1180
01:35:56,595 --> 01:36:00,085
fees. We thank council member fuentes for proposing

1181
01:36:00,605 --> 01:36:04,365
this resolution and thanks as well to the co-sponsoring council members

1182
01:36:05,145 --> 01:36:08,805
to initiate the rezoning of the delval food cooperative property.

1183
01:36:10,365 --> 01:36:13,925
historically, food access in del has been an issue for residents,

1184
01:36:14,845 --> 01:36:18,695
residents having to drive long distances to bike groceries. Planning a trip to a grocery store

1185
01:36:19,575 --> 01:36:22,965
isn't easy for working family. I know the challenge personally

1186
01:36:23,675 --> 01:36:27,485
from my lived experiences when I lived in san antonio off loop four

1187
01:36:27,865 --> 01:36:31,845
10, and for those who know san antonio, that that was way

1188
01:36:32,145 --> 01:36:35,905
out there. The route to a grocery store was loop four 10 to

1189
01:36:36,245 --> 01:36:39,725
us 90 to military drive. That was quite a drive.

1190
01:36:40,505 --> 01:36:44,365
and we also had to plan since we were at, uh, one car household.

1191
01:36:45,185 --> 01:36:49,025
and my then partner had the car most days. So,

1192
01:36:50,015 --> 01:36:53,885
thank you, you know, for all who have supported this work, community driven,

1193
01:36:54,705 --> 01:36:58,645
and we request counsel to approve the draft resolution and waive the rezoning fees

1194
01:36:59,345 --> 01:37:01,965
as re remain recommended by the food policy board. Thank you.

1195
01:37:04,385 --> 01:37:06,965
moving to in-person speakers on item 38, christopher reyes

1196
01:37:08,625 --> 01:37:12,605
and brittany burke, please come

1197
01:37:12,805 --> 01:37:13,725
forward if your name's been called.

1198
01:37:18,225 --> 01:37:21,085
please state your name and begin speaking. ,

1199
01:37:30,785 --> 01:37:34,765
please. Good morning, mayor and council members. My name

1200
01:37:34,885 --> 01:37:38,685
is christopher reyes and I'm the board chair of the dell valley food co-op

1201
01:37:39,005 --> 01:37:42,985
and a resident of district two. I'm here to ask for your support in

1202
01:37:43,205 --> 01:37:46,405
this item to initiate the rezoning of 58 0 7

1203
01:37:47,315 --> 01:37:50,535
ross road, so that dell valley can have a neighborhood grocery store.

1204
01:37:52,135 --> 01:37:55,855
right now, many dell valley residents travel long distances, often

1205
01:37:56,205 --> 01:37:59,075
over an hour just to access fresh, affordable food.

1206
01:38:00,545 --> 01:38:04,505
our co-op was created by community members to change that, to

1207
01:38:04,725 --> 01:38:08,685
bring healthy and affordable groceries closer to home. But what we're

1208
01:38:09,045 --> 01:38:12,985
building is more than a store. We envision that this site is

1209
01:38:13,285 --> 01:38:17,225
a community space, a place where people can gather, learn, and

1210
01:38:17,445 --> 01:38:21,405
connect. In addition to grocery sales, we plan to host events, offer educational

1211
01:38:22,045 --> 01:38:24,925
programming, and create a welcoming third space for residents.

1212
01:38:26,175 --> 01:38:30,085
we're also exploring opportunities like growing produce on site, and supporting local producers

1213
01:38:30,325 --> 01:38:33,765
and craftspeople through weekend markets. This rezoning

1214
01:38:34,675 --> 01:38:38,445
ensures the property can help support these kinds of community centered

1215
01:38:38,755 --> 01:38:42,405
uses. Importantly, we have strong alignment with a property owner.

1216
01:38:43,625 --> 01:38:47,335
our multi-year lease includes a formal recorded purchase option reflecting

1217
01:38:48,005 --> 01:38:51,435
a shared commitment to making this a long, long-term community rooted site.

1218
01:38:53,595 --> 01:38:57,145
I ask you to vote in favor of item 38. This is an opportunity

1219
01:38:58,055 --> 01:39:01,785
to turn a vacant property into something the community truly owns,

1220
01:39:02,695 --> 01:39:05,395
allows for economic opportunity and a place to gather.

1221
01:39:06,815 --> 01:39:10,485
we hope you'll help us make that possible. Thank

1222
01:39:10,835 --> 01:39:14,355
you, council min fuentes, and the other co-sponsors. Thank you.

1223
01:39:14,975 --> 01:39:18,595
yes. Good morning, council and mayor watson. My name is brittany burke

1224
01:39:19,075 --> 01:39:22,995
and I am the director of the dell valley libraries. We have the elroy library

1225
01:39:23,375 --> 01:39:27,275
on eight 12 and the garfield library on 71. We're also building

1226
01:39:27,555 --> 01:39:31,555
a new library at 7 2 2 5 ross road, next to the dell valley health and

1227
01:39:31,835 --> 01:39:35,795
wellness center, and down the street from the proposed side of rezoning. I'm in favor

1228
01:39:35,995 --> 01:39:39,835
of this rezoning because the dell valley community is in dire need of equitable food access.

1229
01:39:41,025 --> 01:39:45,015
I've worked at the library since 2019 and time and time again we

1230
01:39:45,235 --> 01:39:49,035
have heard from patrons about food insecurity. Food access is so central

1231
01:39:49,275 --> 01:39:53,185
to work in dell valley because we do not have a traditional grocery store. With

1232
01:39:53,475 --> 01:39:57,325
this effort to rezone, it will ensure food access for those in de valley. Thank

1233
01:39:57,675 --> 01:39:58,435
you. Thank you.

1234
01:40:04,455 --> 01:40:08,275
moving to item 39, beginning with remote speakers. Monica

1235
01:40:08,775 --> 01:40:08,775
guzman.

1236
01:40:13,305 --> 01:40:16,975
good morning. I'm monica guzman, policy director at gava. Go. Austin. Obamas

1237
01:40:17,395 --> 01:40:21,115
austin. Whoops, speaking on item 39. Thank you, council

1238
01:40:21,555 --> 01:40:25,315
member quez for leading the response to the community driven efforts to protect

1239
01:40:25,595 --> 01:40:29,585
the affordable housing supply in austin. This resolution is not an equity overlay,

1240
01:40:30,075 --> 01:40:33,915
but it takes a step in the right direction. While it does not protect our

1241
01:40:34,115 --> 01:40:38,075
naturally occurring affordable housing from the displacing impact of the city's density

1242
01:40:38,205 --> 01:40:42,035
bones programs, it does provide direction to staff to monitor

1243
01:40:42,375 --> 01:40:46,355
for harm and give commissioners more information to consider before they recommend upzoning

1244
01:40:47,315 --> 01:40:51,035
existing multifamily properties. The strategic housing blueprint 10 year goal

1245
01:40:51,735 --> 01:40:55,685
is to produce 45,000 units for people making less than 60%. Mfi,

1246
01:40:56,475 --> 01:40:59,325
according to the scorecard from 2018 to 2023,

1247
01:41:00,585 --> 01:41:03,905
10,094 units have produced only 22.4%

1248
01:41:05,945 --> 01:41:09,605
of its goals for units at this level. Yet the past three councils have

1249
01:41:10,045 --> 01:41:13,705
approved upzoning and subsequent demolition of at least 600

1250
01:41:14,165 --> 01:41:18,085
units. Only one of these apartments required one-to-one replacement of affordable

1251
01:41:18,605 --> 01:41:22,205
units lost, which means we're operating in a negative for this goal.

1252
01:41:23,135 --> 01:41:26,805
these are some of the last multi bedroom apartments that rent for under 1500 per month.

1253
01:41:27,345 --> 01:41:31,165
the tenants who live in these properties often don't receive notice of proposed development like

1254
01:41:31,365 --> 01:41:35,265
home owning constituents. They rely on neighbors and allies proactively working to

1255
01:41:35,485 --> 01:41:39,365
ensure that their rights are recognized and have an opportunity to advocate for themselves and

1256
01:41:39,565 --> 01:41:43,245
their neighbors. This policy would provide an opportunity for a review by the community development

1257
01:41:43,685 --> 01:41:47,565
commission, the only commission designated to consider the needs of the working

1258
01:41:47,875 --> 01:41:51,765
poor. Uh, um, more and more of your constituents fall into that category,

1259
01:41:52,355 --> 01:41:56,035
even those who were previously considered middle class. While this policy doesn't

1260
01:41:56,525 --> 01:42:00,525
outright grant protection to our naturally affordable housing or to

1261
01:42:00,685 --> 01:42:04,365
austinite who live there, it provides commissioners and council members a more informed opportunity

1262
01:42:05,005 --> 01:42:08,925
to do so. Please vote yes on item 39 and take a small step toward

1263
01:42:09,245 --> 01:42:12,485
protecting the supply of truly affordable housing in austin. Thank you.

1264
01:42:15,665 --> 01:42:19,085
moving to in-person speakers on item 39, david weinberg.

1265
01:42:27,645 --> 01:42:31,055
good morning, mayor and council. Uh, I am david weinberg.

1266
01:42:31,735 --> 01:42:35,355
I am from district five. I am supporting, uh,

1267
01:42:35,965 --> 01:42:39,935
this item 39. I think it is a

1268
01:42:40,205 --> 01:42:43,695
step in the right direction, uh, to sort of improving,

1269
01:42:45,635 --> 01:42:49,535
uh, the thoughtfulness of process and communication where we have existing

1270
01:42:49,695 --> 01:42:53,685
affordable housing in the city, uh, and making sure

1271
01:42:54,485 --> 01:42:58,255
that the voices of the folks who are living there are being heard. If we are

1272
01:42:58,535 --> 01:43:02,495
considering a rezoning of those properties. I think this council aired when

1273
01:43:02,775 --> 01:43:06,405
it granted a rezoning of akia cliffs. Um, seriously,

1274
01:43:07,475 --> 01:43:11,345
uh, it's not clear to me what exactly is happening with that property today.

1275
01:43:11,715 --> 01:43:14,515
it might be good to get an update on that. Um,

1276
01:43:15,725 --> 01:43:19,325
also, uh, while the resolution is good, it could have,

1277
01:43:19,955 --> 01:43:23,625
um, more teeth. Uh, it, it does not require applicants

1278
01:43:24,295 --> 01:43:27,415
to participate in this discussion with the cdc

1279
01:43:28,365 --> 01:43:31,975
also. It, it says that the process of rezoning cannot be held up,

1280
01:43:32,675 --> 01:43:36,495
uh, with these conversations ongoing with this, uh, with this,

1281
01:43:36,995 --> 01:43:40,995
um, commission. Uh, and I think the last thing I'll say is,

1282
01:43:41,915 --> 01:43:45,855
um, also this, this has more meeting if, when rezoning applications

1283
01:43:46,965 --> 01:43:50,925
find their way to the full council, that they are not taken as state

1284
01:43:51,205 --> 01:43:54,915
a complete, I think darryl slusher and the independent reported that,

1285
01:43:55,225 --> 01:43:58,445
uh, a couple weeks back, y'all voted down two zoning applications,

1286
01:43:59,825 --> 01:44:03,785
uh, on split votes. And as the first time this council has

1287
01:44:04,005 --> 01:44:07,905
done that in a number of years. Uh, so let's be thoughtful and,

1288
01:44:08,385 --> 01:44:12,245
uh, intentional about how we are dealing with, uh, existing

1289
01:44:12,405 --> 01:44:16,365
working class housing, uh, in this city. But this is a step in the right direction. Thank

1290
01:44:16,645 --> 01:44:20,465
you. Speaking on item 41, hayden

1291
01:44:20,895 --> 01:44:20,895
bagot

1292
01:44:27,015 --> 01:44:30,045
bag. I'm good. Moving to item 64,

1293
01:44:33,155 --> 01:44:35,775
speaking remotely is monica guzman

1294
01:44:40,525 --> 01:44:40,525
ipads.

1295
01:44:45,975 --> 01:44:49,365
moving to in-person speakers on item 64, adam greenfield.

1296
01:44:51,165 --> 01:44:53,235
david weinberg, miriam schofield.

1297
01:45:03,075 --> 01:45:06,585
thank you mayor and council member, and especially thank you to council member

1298
01:45:07,185 --> 01:45:10,845
ellis and the co-sponsors for bringing forward this item. Um, transportation

1299
01:45:11,745 --> 01:45:15,425
infrastructure decisions in general are decisions about future development

1300
01:45:16,525 --> 01:45:20,485
and the decision to expand. Uh, urban highway is no more and

1301
01:45:20,705 --> 01:45:24,265
no less than a decision to encourage the people who are utilizing

1302
01:45:24,805 --> 01:45:28,585
the opportunities in the city to live further away from it. Uh, the

1303
01:45:28,835 --> 01:45:32,705
mopac expansion that's being proposed, um, is no exception to this. And the

1304
01:45:32,865 --> 01:45:36,165
project is particularly egregious because of the impacts on

1305
01:45:36,965 --> 01:45:40,525
sco park austin high and barton springs. Um,

1306
01:45:41,095 --> 01:45:44,885
what I really want to emphasize though about this project and

1307
01:45:45,105 --> 01:45:48,625
this resolution is that this is a project by c-t-r-m-a,

1308
01:45:49,265 --> 01:45:53,085
the central texas regional mobility authority and not by tdot. And

1309
01:45:53,305 --> 01:45:57,005
that has two important implications. First, in addition to the

1310
01:45:57,355 --> 01:46:01,225
harms that this, uh, expansion would cause, there's huge opportunity

1311
01:46:01,895 --> 01:46:05,825
cost. C-t-r-m-a has so much flexibility in how they use their

1312
01:46:06,025 --> 01:46:09,905
funds, unlike txdot, and the billion dollars for this project

1313
01:46:10,355 --> 01:46:14,135
could be spent building the transportation system of your dreams. This

1314
01:46:14,425 --> 01:46:18,085
could be spent on regional rail. This could be spent on improving transit infrastructure, on trails,

1315
01:46:18,505 --> 01:46:22,195
and on so much else. Second, this isn't

1316
01:46:22,545 --> 01:46:26,505
being driven by the state. C-t-r-m-a is governed by a seven person

1317
01:46:27,115 --> 01:46:30,245
board. Three of those board members are appointed by travis county.

1318
01:46:31,205 --> 01:46:35,065
uh, this is a project that as the economic and social hub of

1319
01:46:35,265 --> 01:46:38,545
our region, the city should and can have influence over

1320
01:46:39,325 --> 01:46:43,225
the asks in this resolution that the expansion be no more than one lane in each

1321
01:46:43,385 --> 01:46:47,265
direction, and that the environmental issues be seriously considered,

1322
01:46:47,925 --> 01:46:51,745
are reasonable, achievable, ask. This is a fight that, uh, the city can

1323
01:46:51,965 --> 01:46:55,885
win on. So please pass the resolution. Thank you for your interest

1324
01:46:56,025 --> 01:46:59,685
and attention to this matter. And I'd also ask all of you who are interested

1325
01:47:00,185 --> 01:47:03,925
and concerned about this project to not just support the resolution, but also

1326
01:47:04,405 --> 01:47:05,925
continue to engage in other ways. Thank you.

1327
01:47:10,015 --> 01:47:13,685
hello again. David weinberg, uh, district five

1328
01:47:14,165 --> 01:47:18,165
resident, uh, supporting this item. I want to thank you very much,

1329
01:47:18,745 --> 01:47:22,635
uh, for bringing it forward today. Uh, I'll try to be brief. I'll

1330
01:47:22,925 --> 01:47:26,845
try to be quick. Um, I think the idea of doing a

1331
01:47:27,095 --> 01:47:30,635
major highway expansion over

1332
01:47:31,765 --> 01:47:35,585
a river, which we call a number of different lakes, uh,

1333
01:47:36,115 --> 01:47:38,715
through our main metropolitan park,

1334
01:47:40,135 --> 01:47:43,125
where we have, uh, I think four different

1335
01:47:44,725 --> 01:47:48,685
endangered species living there, or in the vicinity of vicinity of this project,

1336
01:47:49,405 --> 01:47:52,875
proposed project that we would not be doing a full environmental

1337
01:47:53,785 --> 01:47:57,005
impact statement does not pass the the smell test.

1338
01:47:57,985 --> 01:48:01,925
uh, so I am, I'm glad that, that y'all are getting on board

1339
01:48:02,235 --> 01:48:06,045
with, with asking for that. I guess also, just before I wrap up

1340
01:48:06,245 --> 01:48:10,225
here, as the parent of a sophomore at, uh,

1341
01:48:10,445 --> 01:48:14,185
austin high school, and as the parent of a, of a, as a rising, uh,

1342
01:48:14,535 --> 01:48:18,225
sixth grader at o henry, I will be one of those people, uh,

1343
01:48:18,545 --> 01:48:22,235
who will have to deal with the, uh, supreme mess,

1344
01:48:23,025 --> 01:48:26,665
uh, that this project appears that is going to impose on our,

1345
01:48:27,385 --> 01:48:31,325
uh, on austin high school here in central austin. Uh, so thank you very much

1346
01:48:31,465 --> 01:48:34,585
for doing this. Uh, I, I know that it is, um,

1347
01:48:36,025 --> 01:48:39,575
uh, something that a lot of folks are looking for leadership

1348
01:48:40,675 --> 01:48:43,165
from y'all to do, and, uh, you're doing the right thing. Thank you.

1349
01:48:45,005 --> 01:48:47,555
continue on item 64, bobby lavinsky, christian may,

1350
01:48:49,115 --> 01:48:53,115
bill bunch is paul robbins and neda

1351
01:48:53,405 --> 01:48:56,445
cholar here. Perfect. Mr. Lavinsky will have six minutes.

1352
01:48:58,015 --> 01:49:01,925
thank you, mayor and council. Um, and a special thank you to council member ellis for

1353
01:49:02,085 --> 01:49:06,065
sponsoring this resolution. Um, council member cadre, council voa, um,

1354
01:49:06,285 --> 01:49:09,965
council member alter and velasquez, thank you for sponsoring this. It's really important

1355
01:49:10,625 --> 01:49:14,385
and I think it's going to help out quite a bit. You may also know that the travis

1356
01:49:14,805 --> 01:49:18,585
county commissioner's court has called for the c-t-r-m-a to

1357
01:49:18,875 --> 01:49:22,645
prepare a full environmental impact statement as well for the mpac expansion project,

1358
01:49:23,665 --> 01:49:27,605
as well as the urban transportation commission. And I understand that the, um, austin

1359
01:49:27,925 --> 01:49:31,805
environmental commission is gonna be, uh, addressing this matter ag on, uh, the

1360
01:49:32,065 --> 01:49:35,825
may 6th agenda. Um, why

1361
01:49:36,085 --> 01:49:40,005
does it matter? This is a, it's, it's being sold as a forward lane expansion. It is

1362
01:49:40,285 --> 01:49:44,285
actually a six to eight lane expansion between, uh, scissor chavez, uh, really anfield

1363
01:49:44,755 --> 01:49:48,465
road down to slaughter, really slaughter creek. Um,

1364
01:49:48,875 --> 01:49:52,765
this is one of the most environmentally sensitive areas of the city, which you're well,

1365
01:49:52,965 --> 01:49:56,795
well aware of. It's the recharge zone. I'm gonna address just some really high

1366
01:49:57,085 --> 01:50:01,085
level stuff, but I would encourage you to reach out. We've got, um, experts that

1367
01:50:01,285 --> 01:50:04,945
are submitting comments as part of the environmental process. So we've had, um, you

1368
01:50:05,325 --> 01:50:09,105
know, doctors that are specialists in their fields addressing, um,

1369
01:50:09,625 --> 01:50:13,365
the in, uh, inadequacy of the environmental assessment

1370
01:50:13,985 --> 01:50:17,805
and the ridiculousness of a fonzi for such a massive highway

1371
01:50:18,395 --> 01:50:22,355
expansion project, um, in our community. Um, just

1372
01:50:22,645 --> 01:50:26,645
to remind you, the I 35 expansion project was also eight miles, and it

1373
01:50:27,195 --> 01:50:31,105
what required an environmental impact statement? Um, air

1374
01:50:31,325 --> 01:50:35,125
quality, uh, as you are aware, is a major concern. This project is not consistent

1375
01:50:35,835 --> 01:50:39,805
with the, uh, the city's goals for reducing,

1376
01:50:40,305 --> 01:50:44,035
uh, greenhouse gases and reducing dependency on single occupancy

1377
01:50:44,645 --> 01:50:48,385
vehicles. Uh, it actually will result in a, uh,

1378
01:50:48,715 --> 01:50:52,365
that should be a 331 million, um, increase in vmt

1379
01:50:53,045 --> 01:50:56,545
annually. Um, and that is an increase, um, of

1380
01:50:57,125 --> 01:51:00,285
a 96 million between the builds and the no build scenario.

1381
01:51:01,235 --> 01:51:05,125
over that same period of time. They are projecting that air quality

1382
01:51:05,755 --> 01:51:09,545
will improve despite that increase in, uh,

1383
01:51:09,905 --> 01:51:13,805
in car emissions. Um, that is not consistent with the recently

1384
01:51:14,045 --> 01:51:17,765
published draft environment, uh, uh, emissions

1385
01:51:18,245 --> 01:51:21,405
reduction plan by campo, uh, which acknowledges that

1386
01:51:22,305 --> 01:51:25,605
the increases in vmt in our community, uh, will outweigh

1387
01:51:26,465 --> 01:51:30,435
any benefits that we're seeing with clean technology. And I think it's highly discredited

1388
01:51:31,125 --> 01:51:34,455
that the state of texas is relying on clean technologies when they're actively suing

1389
01:51:35,155 --> 01:51:38,985
over emission standards federally and, uh, suing to

1390
01:51:39,205 --> 01:51:42,365
prevent the tracking of air quality emissions related to highways.

1391
01:51:43,545 --> 01:51:46,965
um, the current ea only really addresses,

1392
01:51:47,785 --> 01:51:51,585
um, uh, the basic, uh, ones and not

1393
01:51:51,805 --> 01:51:55,785
the ones that matter. It doesn't address pm 2.5, doesn't address pm 10.

1394
01:51:56,505 --> 01:52:00,105
um, and it, uh, doesn't address ozone, uh,

1395
01:52:00,655 --> 01:52:04,565
water quality. Uh, you're hearing a lot about jellyfish. I wanna emphasize that,

1396
01:52:04,905 --> 01:52:08,885
uh, this jellyfish type, uh, filter technology that's being proposed is not

1397
01:52:09,365 --> 01:52:13,125
accepted by the city of austin as an acceptable water quality treatment method over

1398
01:52:13,405 --> 01:52:17,185
the recharge zone. Um, and that's because it has issues

1399
01:52:17,635 --> 01:52:21,325
with the inspection, maintenance, and operations of it over time. It also,

1400
01:52:21,665 --> 01:52:25,565
uh, only, uh, addresses total suspended solids. That's only

1401
01:52:25,985 --> 01:52:29,885
one of the, uh, contaminants that are associated with highways. Uh, it doesn't

1402
01:52:30,205 --> 01:52:33,945
address things like oil and gas and fertilizers and

1403
01:52:34,265 --> 01:52:38,245
all, everything else that's associated with highways. Uh, dr. Lauren ross made a really

1404
01:52:38,485 --> 01:52:42,195
great presentation that I'm probably gonna forward to your office until you have it. Um, that,

1405
01:52:42,665 --> 01:52:46,605
uh, identifies all of the, I think she had 13 other contaminants that

1406
01:52:46,845 --> 01:52:50,485
these, these, uh, stormwater, uh, quality, uh, treatment methods are not addressing.

1407
01:52:52,745 --> 01:52:56,475
uh, and it also doesn't address the construction phase. That

1408
01:52:56,765 --> 01:53:00,565
is really where we're getting a lot of the environmental damage in the, in the threat to barton springs

1409
01:53:00,885 --> 01:53:04,805
to cold springs and the endangered species. There are four endangered species that have been

1410
01:53:05,125 --> 01:53:09,075
identified that will be harmed by this project. That is one of the factors that

1411
01:53:09,365 --> 01:53:13,005
under the old ceq that, uh, would identify that an environmental

1412
01:53:13,485 --> 01:53:17,425
impact statement would be needed. Um, that is the austin blind, the

1413
01:53:17,645 --> 01:53:21,625
barton springs salamanders, as well as two cape craters that are live underneath the

1414
01:53:21,965 --> 01:53:25,625
highway. So this premise that they're expanding inward, um, really

1415
01:53:26,045 --> 01:53:30,045
doesn't support the, the notion that they're actually damaging the habitat for these species

1416
01:53:30,625 --> 01:53:34,125
on top of them. And then upstream, uh, in, in the recharge zone.

1417
01:53:35,105 --> 01:53:39,045
um, what happens with salamanders, with the sedimentation, um, with, with the

1418
01:53:39,205 --> 01:53:42,965
dirt that, so that they take these high pressure drills where they're drilling

1419
01:53:43,515 --> 01:53:47,485
into the karst features, they, that results in

1420
01:53:47,685 --> 01:53:51,345
a bunch of sediment that gets kicked up and it go, it goes into the,

1421
01:53:51,745 --> 01:53:55,725
uh, salamander habitats. It clogs their gills, it destroys their shelter,

1422
01:53:56,505 --> 01:54:00,485
and it destroys their food supplies. So there's a massive harm to the, to the

1423
01:54:00,645 --> 01:54:04,365
species that we're legally required to protect under a habitat conservation

1424
01:54:04,995 --> 01:54:08,705
plan. Um, traffic, this is a really important one.

1425
01:54:09,025 --> 01:54:12,965
um, there was a 2024 update where they adjusted this, this project

1426
01:54:13,255 --> 01:54:17,205
based off the model. Initially they were proposed saying that with the, we do nothing, we're gonna

1427
01:54:17,525 --> 01:54:21,205
have 52 minutes of new delays. That changed

1428
01:54:21,565 --> 01:54:24,925
in 2024 when it updated with the new model down to only 20 minutes.

1429
01:54:25,745 --> 01:54:29,525
so what that means is this build scenario is only giving you a benefit

1430
01:54:29,865 --> 01:54:33,845
of five to six minutes during peak hour if you travel

1431
01:54:34,265 --> 01:54:38,065
the entire eight mile stretch of the highway. That is not

1432
01:54:38,515 --> 01:54:42,205
something that I think this community is asking for. It's just that five to six minute benefit.

1433
01:54:42,575 --> 01:54:46,285
we're asking for better solutions for mobility and to stop living

1434
01:54:46,625 --> 01:54:50,315
our lives on highways. Um, and it also doesn't take into account post

1435
01:54:50,845 --> 01:54:54,655
pandemic trends, emerging technology, or even the current camp model. Thank

1436
01:54:55,005 --> 01:54:55,005
you.

1437
01:55:00,695 --> 01:55:04,415
please go ahead. Uh, good morning council. Uh,

1438
01:55:04,735 --> 01:55:08,475
I'm here to speak, uh, uh, in favor of item 64. Thank you so much

1439
01:55:08,775 --> 01:55:12,415
to all council members who have worked and put this forward, especially council member ellis. Um,

1440
01:55:12,975 --> 01:55:16,975
the city must do everything within, in its power to prevent the widening of mopac. The

1441
01:55:17,195 --> 01:55:21,035
reasons are countless, but I'd like to focus on one, the air pollution that would create and that

1442
01:55:21,235 --> 01:55:25,115
pollution's very humid cost. I don't need to convince you that highway expansions caused more pollution.

1443
01:55:25,715 --> 01:55:29,395
co2 and o2 so 2:00 pm 2.55 10, it all goes up.

1444
01:55:30,415 --> 01:55:34,355
I'd instead like to describe the intersection, uh, as a way of exploring the

1445
01:55:34,475 --> 01:55:38,355
human cost, uh, of mopac and davis lane, uh, which is along the path of the

1446
01:55:38,595 --> 01:55:42,595
proposed expansion. Uh, on the east side of this intersection, within a block is the

1447
01:55:42,675 --> 01:55:46,285
primrose school, a preschool in kindergarten. On the west side is dell

1448
01:55:46,685 --> 01:55:50,625
children's hospital. The, uh, davis lane location just north is

1449
01:55:50,955 --> 01:55:54,805
dick nichols district park, with a lovely play playground. These are places

1450
01:55:55,005 --> 01:55:58,925
where children learn, heal, and play. It shouldn't be

1451
01:55:59,125 --> 01:56:03,095
a place where we allow air pollution to increase their risk of lung and heart disease, especially

1452
01:56:03,765 --> 01:56:07,765
childhood asthma. Uh, and pollution does not just affect children.

1453
01:56:08,305 --> 01:56:12,285
uh, in the middle of these three properties is another business, uh, silverado,

1454
01:56:12,945 --> 01:56:16,685
barton springs memory care community, a nursing home that takes care of people with diseases

1455
01:56:17,125 --> 01:56:20,955
like dementia, alzheimer's, uh, diseases, which are significantly more

1456
01:56:21,245 --> 01:56:25,185
likely to affect those exposed to highway air pollution. Uh,

1457
01:56:25,585 --> 01:56:29,365
my wife has as had, has had asthma since she was a child. Uh, every

1458
01:56:29,685 --> 01:56:33,685
time she struggles to breathe, it breaks my heart. My grandfather died from

1459
01:56:34,005 --> 01:56:37,985
dementia. Watching him waste away broke my heart. We

1460
01:56:38,205 --> 01:56:41,245
should do everything we can to save others from that pain. Thank you,

1461
01:56:42,865 --> 01:56:46,165
sir, can you please state your name? Oh, sorry. Christian may. Thank you

1462
01:56:48,185 --> 01:56:52,025
so much. Good morning, mayor and council. Adam greenfield here with safe streets austin speaking in

1463
01:56:52,245 --> 01:56:56,125
support of agenda item 64. Thank you so much for this resolution.

1464
01:56:56,905 --> 01:57:00,875
uh, to the co-sponsors, council members ellis que alter, kari

1465
01:57:01,165 --> 01:57:04,875
and mayor pro tem vala, uh, thank you for raising your

1466
01:57:05,245 --> 01:57:09,185
concerns about this proposed highway expansion. We

1467
01:57:09,765 --> 01:57:12,805
absolutely concur that we should be prioritizing for this project,

1468
01:57:14,475 --> 01:57:18,045
bike and pedestrian trails along the full extent of the area,

1469
01:57:18,995 --> 01:57:22,885
more crossings and everything we can do for transit we should absolutely

1470
01:57:23,225 --> 01:57:26,935
be doing for this project in this most anti-urban

1471
01:57:28,265 --> 01:57:31,805
of environments, anything we can do to increase transportation

1472
01:57:32,385 --> 01:57:36,365
choice is extremely valuable, uh, to the point made in

1473
01:57:36,565 --> 01:57:40,435
the resolution. We absolutely cannot allow this project to increase vehicle

1474
01:57:40,935 --> 01:57:44,835
miles traveled. We absolutely cannot allow this project

1475
01:57:46,065 --> 01:57:50,025
to undo the progress, the amazing progress that osen is making on

1476
01:57:50,245 --> 01:57:53,885
transportation mode shift. Speaking of shift,

1477
01:57:54,265 --> 01:57:58,205
we are in the middle of a generational shift in how we think about

1478
01:57:58,865 --> 01:58:02,525
and implement transportation infrastructure. We will

1479
01:58:03,005 --> 01:58:06,485
probably have these kinds of projects coming forward for a while around austin.

1480
01:58:07,465 --> 01:58:11,365
and every time council speaks on projects

1481
01:58:11,885 --> 01:58:15,735
like this, you hasten you speed up this badly

1482
01:58:16,185 --> 01:58:19,655
needed and much de not desired generational shift.

1483
01:58:20,295 --> 01:58:24,135
thank you very much for your engagement and leadership on this issue. Thank

1484
01:58:24,485 --> 01:58:28,405
you. Thank you mayor. Council members, bill bunch,

1485
01:58:28,715 --> 01:58:32,525
executive director, save our springs alliance district five. Thank you

1486
01:58:32,825 --> 01:58:36,565
so much, council member ellis and the other co-sponsors for bringing this forward.

1487
01:58:37,465 --> 01:58:41,425
um, especially your very first be it resolved, calling on

1488
01:58:41,805 --> 01:58:45,405
c-t-r-m-a to prepare a full environmental impact statement,

1489
01:58:46,545 --> 01:58:50,185
um, that is required by federal law, our national charter, the

1490
01:58:50,565 --> 01:58:54,465
national environmental policy act. This is earth week. Um, we

1491
01:58:54,685 --> 01:58:58,485
need to adhere to that national environmental charter by doing

1492
01:58:58,725 --> 01:59:02,525
everything we can to live in harmony. There's gonna be

1493
01:59:02,925 --> 01:59:06,635
economic growth. We have to do things smarter with the best social science,

1494
01:59:07,745 --> 01:59:11,515
uh, environmental science and economics at the table. There's

1495
01:59:12,005 --> 01:59:15,625
nothing of that in the ea. This truncated, uh,

1496
01:59:16,215 --> 01:59:19,865
study and proposed conclusion that's absurd,

1497
01:59:20,915 --> 01:59:24,705
that there'll be no significant impacts from this project. Adding

1498
01:59:25,265 --> 01:59:28,645
six to eight lanes of pavement, uh, basically converting

1499
01:59:29,375 --> 01:59:33,025
mopac into a, a, uh, western I 35, um,

1500
01:59:33,695 --> 01:59:37,685
8.8 miles over the most vulnerable place in the entire

1501
01:59:37,965 --> 01:59:41,635
state of texas. Uh, it's easy to forget that.

1502
01:59:42,185 --> 01:59:46,005
um, there's no other city on the planet that has a natural,

1503
01:59:46,355 --> 01:59:49,605
beautiful, clean, uh, giant spring in the heart of it.

1504
01:59:50,745 --> 01:59:54,605
and our state has told us that this is more vulnerable to

1505
01:59:55,045 --> 01:59:59,005
pollution than any other aquifer in the whole state of texas. There's four

1506
01:59:59,285 --> 02:00:03,165
endangered species, and that they admit this, that will be harmed by this

1507
02:00:03,515 --> 02:00:07,365
project. Two aquatic salamanders at the springs and two cave

1508
02:00:07,645 --> 02:00:11,545
critters. There's caves all up and down underneath this, we,

1509
02:00:12,225 --> 02:00:15,525
we have to protect this one other thing on the construction phase,

1510
02:00:16,315 --> 02:00:20,205
they will be having to shut down the roberta crenshaw bridge, which is our

1511
02:00:20,395 --> 02:00:24,365
hike and bike trail for years. Just think of the harm to the

1512
02:00:24,525 --> 02:00:28,495
recreational benefits of lady bird lake boaters, walk, heart

1513
02:00:28,845 --> 02:00:31,125
walkers, hikers, all of them. Thank you. Thank you.

1514
02:00:33,385 --> 02:00:36,295
we have one remote speaker on item 64. Megan meisenbach.

1515
02:00:40,225 --> 02:00:43,935
hi, this is megan meisenbach. Thank you for letting me speak on item 64.

1516
02:00:45,505 --> 02:00:48,915
I'm in support of it. I think it's, uh, fabulous that

1517
02:00:49,825 --> 02:00:53,635
our council members, ellis and uh, other supporters have

1518
02:00:53,985 --> 02:00:57,705
put this forward. I really can't add much to

1519
02:00:58,435 --> 02:01:02,405
what, uh, the experts have said. I think bill bunch has beautifully

1520
02:01:02,965 --> 02:01:06,525
pointed out what there is to lose with continuing with this

1521
02:01:07,435 --> 02:01:11,265
roadway project, which, uh, we need to keep our air

1522
02:01:11,485 --> 02:01:15,165
quality as, as clean as we can. The water quality,

1523
02:01:16,425 --> 02:01:19,925
the species that are, we are legally must, uh, uh, protect.

1524
02:01:20,945 --> 02:01:24,645
so thank you so much for bringing this up, and I hope you'll give it your full support,

1525
02:01:25,295 --> 02:01:27,525
especially the environmental study. Thank you.

1526
02:01:29,305 --> 02:01:33,135
moving back to in-person speakers on item 64, jordy

1527
02:01:33,575 --> 02:01:36,205
tello, roy whaley and xia joseph.

1528
02:01:41,345 --> 02:01:43,005
if your name's been called, go ahead and come on down.

1529
02:01:47,985 --> 02:01:50,445
mr. Whaley floor is yours.

1530
02:01:52,335 --> 02:01:55,435
howdy, y'all. My name's roy whaley. I am a long time environmental

1531
02:01:56,725 --> 02:02:00,035
activist here in austin, and a longtime political activist also,

1532
02:02:00,865 --> 02:02:04,465
um, and a longtime lover of barton

1533
02:02:04,885 --> 02:02:08,625
springs in zilker park. My first memory of

1534
02:02:09,145 --> 02:02:13,045
the little old western williamson county hill country

1535
02:02:13,665 --> 02:02:17,625
kid of coming in to see my family in austin, was

1536
02:02:17,845 --> 02:02:21,805
going to barton springs. Going to zilker park, zilker park.

1537
02:02:22,945 --> 02:02:26,495
and as a realtor, I get asked this all the time about

1538
02:02:27,225 --> 02:02:30,905
zilker park. The wonderful thing that we have this spring

1539
02:02:31,745 --> 02:02:34,285
and pool in the middle of our city.

1540
02:02:36,285 --> 02:02:39,705
I want to thank all of you that are sponsoring this and

1541
02:02:40,525 --> 02:02:43,805
encouraging those of you that haven't to vote for this.

1542
02:02:44,665 --> 02:02:48,625
and let's get the study done. A, as mr.

1543
02:02:48,855 --> 02:02:52,245
bunch said, we've got four endangered species, we've got

1544
02:02:52,925 --> 02:02:56,785
multiple environmental features, and we're rushing this through as

1545
02:02:57,005 --> 02:03:01,005
if it's a federal issue. And I'm not gonna start it on the

1546
02:03:01,235 --> 02:03:03,665
feds, but all of you please.

1547
02:03:05,265 --> 02:03:08,465
we had a great event last night. We had between 250

1548
02:03:09,325 --> 02:03:13,285
people on a very busy night in austin, texas, where there are

1549
02:03:13,475 --> 02:03:17,465
very many different meetings show up to listen to and

1550
02:03:17,755 --> 02:03:21,555
discuss this. That's great that we had that turnout.

1551
02:03:22,545 --> 02:03:26,485
we need more people coming out commenting on this. So if you would,

1552
02:03:27,425 --> 02:03:30,915
all of you have great outreach, and I'm on most of your newsletters

1553
02:03:31,605 --> 02:03:35,285
and I'm glad because I learned so much from each and every one of you.

1554
02:03:36,255 --> 02:03:39,715
reach out to your constituents at that are part of your newsletters,

1555
02:03:40,985 --> 02:03:44,365
ask them to weigh in on this, ask them to comment on this,

1556
02:03:45,065 --> 02:03:48,295
ask them to ask for a real environmental study.

1557
02:03:49,665 --> 02:03:53,605
not looks good from here. Well, I'm sorry, but you're

1558
02:03:53,885 --> 02:03:57,765
in ontario. Anything might look good from there. Thank you very much. It's good

1559
02:03:57,925 --> 02:04:00,085
to see all of you again. Have a great day. Thank you, sir.

1560
02:04:02,175 --> 02:04:05,765
thank you mayor. Council anovia. Joseph, I just wanted to state my opposition

1561
02:04:06,305 --> 02:04:10,285
to the park and ride that's actually specified. I'm pa

1562
02:04:10,505 --> 02:04:13,925
I'm paid it's lines 1 78 to 180 8 to the city manager.

1563
02:04:15,205 --> 02:04:19,025
I just wanna remind you of a comment made by council member ryan alter on

1564
02:04:19,255 --> 02:04:23,085
april 15th, 2026 at your finance and audit committee meeting

1565
02:04:23,365 --> 02:04:27,245
where he said, quote, so, you know, we can decide to violate

1566
02:04:28,125 --> 02:04:32,025
policies or change the policies to meet where we are. And

1567
02:04:32,285 --> 02:04:35,845
I just want you to recognize respectfully that as it relates to transportation

1568
02:04:37,145 --> 02:04:40,445
in the southwest area, it's 2.9 boardings an hour

1569
02:04:41,185 --> 02:04:44,845
on convict hill. And paige ellis has engaged in willful

1570
02:04:45,325 --> 02:04:49,205
blindness and she refuses to recognize that black people

1571
02:04:49,465 --> 02:04:52,955
are waiting 60 minutes for the bus, 10 times longer than southwest

1572
02:04:53,705 --> 02:04:57,665
in central austin residents. And so at our, what I want you to recognize is

1573
02:04:57,885 --> 02:05:01,865
that it is discriminatory. You've acknowledged it on page one

1574
02:05:02,085 --> 02:05:05,765
of the document at the bottom, it mentions project connect, the november 3rd, 2020

1575
02:05:07,665 --> 02:05:11,545
ad valorem tax increase. I want you to recognize that this was

1576
02:05:11,875 --> 02:05:15,865
late backup mayor. And so respectfully, you have put

1577
02:05:16,085 --> 02:05:20,005
us on a strict diet and you do not allow us to provide our slides.

1578
02:05:20,385 --> 02:05:24,125
so I'm gonna ask you if you're gonna be lenient with the council for you to be

1579
02:05:24,405 --> 02:05:28,205
lenient with us so that we can provide the documentation that supports the

1580
02:05:28,445 --> 02:05:32,305
comments that we make. I do want you to recognize as well, it says to

1581
02:05:32,525 --> 02:05:36,285
cooperate with capitol metro central texas regional

1582
02:05:36,685 --> 02:05:40,645
mobility authority. Mayor, you've seen the slides before. You know that it's

1583
02:05:40,885 --> 02:05:44,225
infrequent, unreliable, disconnected northeast of us, 180 3.

1584
02:05:45,385 --> 02:05:49,275
and so my opposition is to funding anything in southwest

1585
02:05:49,885 --> 02:05:53,805
austin because it was november 7th, 2016 that you

1586
02:05:54,005 --> 02:05:57,725
can find it on page 20 in capital metro's board packet that tells you

1587
02:05:58,345 --> 02:06:02,155
2.6 boardings an hour. The consultant rush chisholm told capital

1588
02:06:02,695 --> 02:06:05,525
metro that they don't have the ridership there. Thank, thank you

1589
02:06:06,935 --> 02:06:10,845
mayor. That concludes all speakers on the consent agenda. Thank you. Uh, members, you just

1590
02:06:11,005 --> 02:06:14,345
heard that that concludes all the speakers on the consent agenda for

1591
02:06:15,325 --> 02:06:18,685
planning purposes. Let me tell you how I, I see us going forward. Unless there's an objection.

1592
02:06:19,685 --> 02:06:23,605
I think we go ahead and address the consent agenda, get the con,

1593
02:06:23,985 --> 02:06:27,285
uh, pass the consent agenda or, or turn it down, whatever we end up doing here.

1594
02:06:28,225 --> 02:06:32,005
and then we will go then to our 12 o'clock time certain

1595
02:06:32,865 --> 02:06:36,585
on public communication at the conclusion of that. Uh,

1596
02:06:37,355 --> 02:06:41,345
what I will, what I, I wanna suggest we do is recess,

1597
02:06:42,475 --> 02:06:46,425
just for a brief period of time, we will come back and go

1598
02:06:46,725 --> 02:06:50,525
into an executive session at that point. I I, before we go into any other

1599
02:06:50,805 --> 02:06:54,765
items, so let's, let's address the consent agenda. We will

1600
02:06:54,925 --> 02:06:58,845
then have, uh, public communication and uh, then we

1601
02:06:59,045 --> 02:07:02,875
will go in, into the, the executive session. And, and I'm, I'm gonna work

1602
02:07:03,165 --> 02:07:07,085
on something with regard to the music, uh, so that maybe

1603
02:07:07,325 --> 02:07:11,185
what we do is we just go straight into the executive session and we allow the music to be handled in

1604
02:07:11,405 --> 02:07:15,245
another way than what we typically do. Yes. Council member fuentes is the executive

1605
02:07:15,765 --> 02:07:19,725
session item time sensitive because we do have quite a number of people here for item

1606
02:07:19,945 --> 02:07:23,845
six. It is. Okay. Yeah. Council member ellis.

1607
02:07:24,455 --> 02:07:28,445
mayor, I wanted to pull item number 33 off the consent agenda. Agenda. That was gonna be the very next thing I did

1608
02:07:28,585 --> 02:07:32,425
was to ask for that and I knew you were gonna do that. So, uh, for the record, uh,

1609
02:07:32,645 --> 02:07:35,905
the items that are not on the consent agenda are item 6 29

1610
02:07:37,785 --> 02:07:41,125
and 33, item 6 29 and 33.

1611
02:07:43,065 --> 02:07:46,005
is there any other item that anybody wishes to pull from the consent agenda?

1612
02:07:47,275 --> 02:07:50,875
alright, then the chair will entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda as read,

1613
02:07:51,705 --> 02:07:55,165
uh, made by council member cadre, seconded by council member ellis.

1614
02:07:55,905 --> 02:07:59,885
uh, if anyone wishes to be heard and is part of the discussion on the consent agenda,

1615
02:08:00,165 --> 02:08:04,095
please let me know. All right. Council member alter.

1616
02:08:04,445 --> 02:08:07,895
council member cadry. Council member siegel. Council member ellis. Then council member alter,

1617
02:08:08,485 --> 02:08:12,485
followed by the member pro. Tim, I've got you. If you punch the button, I get

1618
02:08:12,645 --> 02:08:16,605
you. So thank you. Great. Yes. Well, you, I I you have

1619
02:08:16,685 --> 02:08:20,605
not punched the button, but I, I I saw you raise your hand. Perfect. So the order will

1620
02:08:20,885 --> 02:08:24,515
go in is cadre siegel ellis, mayor pro timm

1621
02:08:25,125 --> 02:08:29,045
velazquez andar. He still haven't

1622
02:08:29,365 --> 02:08:32,985
punched it. Well, your name, council member lane, your name's not up there, so

1623
02:08:33,465 --> 02:08:37,425
you told me. Well, I, I, it went off. You, you, if you, if you punch it

1624
02:08:37,865 --> 02:08:41,645
and you punch it a second time, it takes your name off. So punch it once,

1625
02:08:42,135 --> 02:08:43,965
leave it there. Unless you want to be off

1626
02:08:46,515 --> 02:08:50,035
that, that, that helps me keep it through order. Thank you. Alright,

1627
02:08:51,505 --> 02:08:55,255
uh, we'll start over. Councilman codre,

1628
02:08:55,765 --> 02:08:59,265
followed by councilman siegel, then council member ellis. Great. Thank you, mayor. Um,

1629
02:08:59,925 --> 02:09:03,785
I wasn't even trying to be first and I somehow ended up first. Um, before

1630
02:09:04,205 --> 02:09:08,125
I get into my, uh, remarks that I, I do wanna acknowledge that the train derailment

1631
02:09:08,645 --> 02:09:12,605
that happened earlier this morning, uh, in district nine. And, and, you know, thankfully there were no

1632
02:09:12,725 --> 02:09:16,045
casualties, there was no injuries, uh, and really want to thank our first responders,

1633
02:09:16,825 --> 02:09:20,555
uh, for, for being on scene. Uh, I understand it's, it's the process to kind

1634
02:09:20,845 --> 02:09:24,625
of clear it up. We'll be the entirety of, of the day, uh, but very much thankful for,

1635
02:09:24,985 --> 02:09:28,445
for first responders on scene. Um, we just wanna touch on item 37.

1636
02:09:29,585 --> 02:09:33,205
uh, want to thank council member siegel, uh, and his team for their hard work on it.

1637
02:09:33,825 --> 02:09:37,725
um, you know, I, I think the testimony that we heard today, especially from

1638
02:09:37,965 --> 02:09:41,965
the, the speakers who kind of kicked it off, uh, it, it was

1639
02:09:42,045 --> 02:09:45,935
very heartfelt. Um, it was very human. And I think often

1640
02:09:46,285 --> 02:09:50,105
when we bring forward policy, um, I, you

1641
02:09:50,325 --> 02:09:54,245
know, I, I think it's important to always remember that when we bring forward policy, there, there

1642
02:09:54,525 --> 02:09:58,485
are people behind that policy. Uh, there's people, the, the reason why we do what we do is to

1643
02:09:58,605 --> 02:10:02,605
make sure that people are, are taken care of. And it was mentioned by a lot of the speakers on, on how the

1644
02:10:02,805 --> 02:10:06,755
state has, has kind of shirked their responsibilities, uh, and, and, and lead

1645
02:10:07,045 --> 02:10:11,005
with, uh, well, don't lead with empathy. Uh, but it's important for us as a council to, to

1646
02:10:11,165 --> 02:10:14,725
do that. So I'm very thankful that we're able to get the item across the finish line,

1647
02:10:15,465 --> 02:10:19,445
uh, to provide assurance and safety and protections, uh, for our, for our

1648
02:10:19,525 --> 02:10:23,465
most vulnerable communities. Uh, and I, I really am

1649
02:10:23,925 --> 02:10:27,845
encouraged by this, this council, uh, the work that we've done in the past and the work that we'll continue

1650
02:10:28,005 --> 02:10:31,905
to, to do to make sure that, that austin really does work for everyone. And that, you

1651
02:10:32,125 --> 02:10:35,825
know, folks that we're here from today are, are properly taken care of. So I wanna thank council member, uh,

1652
02:10:36,245 --> 02:10:40,245
siegel and his team again, and, and all the folks who, who made the item possible and as well as

1653
02:10:40,325 --> 02:10:44,245
the speakers who came today. Thank you. Council member. Council member siegel, council member ellis mayor,

1654
02:10:44,405 --> 02:10:48,365
pro team. Thank you mayor. Um, we'll briefly just wanna acknowledge some

1655
02:10:48,525 --> 02:10:52,325
great environmental items on the agenda. Um, really awesome

1656
02:10:52,605 --> 02:10:56,455
energy is doing a great job on, on some climate forward items. We have item seven, which

1657
02:10:56,805 --> 02:11:00,485
is eight megawatts of solar power generation, uh, at our

1658
02:11:01,005 --> 02:11:04,685
landfill. Item eight is 40 megawatts of electric power capacity

1659
02:11:05,035 --> 02:11:08,365
from dis, um, distribution scale sale battery

1660
02:11:09,125 --> 02:11:12,925
facility portfolio, basically battery storage across the community that's gonna keep rates down,

1661
02:11:13,435 --> 02:11:17,185
improve reliability. And then we've got item 23, which is, um,

1662
02:11:17,945 --> 02:11:21,595
you know, new solar power, uh, panel facilities on city land,

1663
02:11:22,265 --> 02:11:26,205
uh, 25 megawatts or more. Um, and, and there's another ifc from council

1664
02:11:26,405 --> 02:11:30,085
member alter. So just, you know, even despite all the challenging things happening

1665
02:11:30,445 --> 02:11:34,205
at the state and federal levels on energy policy, uh, I wanna continue to lift up and celebrate

1666
02:11:34,565 --> 02:11:38,165
what austin energy is doing. And I also wanna thank, um, council member ellis for item 64

1667
02:11:38,725 --> 02:11:42,565
to discourage a massive expansion of mopac, which is also a very important,

1668
02:11:43,025 --> 02:11:46,885
um, item 37. I'm honored to be the, the sponsor of the safe to

1669
02:11:47,045 --> 02:11:50,765
call item. And I do wanna thank council member fuentes, council member velazquez,

1670
02:11:51,165 --> 02:11:54,905
council member cadry amer pro tela for your co-sponsorship. The

1671
02:11:55,285 --> 02:11:59,225
resolution covers a lot of ground, but at its core stands for something simple that we

1672
02:11:59,445 --> 02:12:03,325
need to do everything we can to make sure that everybody in austin, including our most vulnerable

1673
02:12:03,765 --> 02:12:07,285
community members, feel safe calling for help in an emergency.

1674
02:12:08,135 --> 02:12:11,405
we've had dozens of mu meetings in the last few weeks, uh, with survivor leaders,

1675
02:12:12,525 --> 02:12:16,405
domestic violence and sexual assault service organizations, leaders in the immigration space,

1676
02:12:17,015 --> 02:12:20,805
legal providers, experts, civil rights organizations, and directly impacted people,

1677
02:12:21,905 --> 02:12:25,785
um, who feel unsafe to call the city for

1678
02:12:26,005 --> 02:12:29,485
help due to any number of vulnerabilities including poverty, housing insecurity,

1679
02:12:30,085 --> 02:12:33,845
immigration status, past negative experiences with the criminal legal system and more.

1680
02:12:34,625 --> 02:12:38,415
we know, unfortunately, there have been instances across the country and in our own city where

1681
02:12:38,765 --> 02:12:42,425
victims of sexual assault and domestic violence have called for help and

1682
02:12:42,805 --> 02:12:46,045
have then been threatened with arrest on low level or even non-criminal

1683
02:12:46,845 --> 02:12:50,745
warrants. We know there are over 60,000 warrants for unpaid

1684
02:12:51,165 --> 02:12:54,725
class c citations, which are low level ta uh, traffic offenses

1685
02:12:55,305 --> 02:12:59,225
and other poverty based offenses. We know that people

1686
02:12:59,645 --> 02:13:03,645
with warrants unpaid tickets are not only afraid to call the city for help in emergencies. They're afraid to go

1687
02:13:03,765 --> 02:13:07,405
to court to go vote, to get their id card, apply for needed

1688
02:13:07,925 --> 02:13:11,685
benefits and more. And we know we have to come together as a community and do something about that.

1689
02:13:12,105 --> 02:13:15,905
so this resolution will start a stakeholder process in

1690
02:13:16,125 --> 02:13:19,965
which community experts, city staff, and relevant county officials will come

1691
02:13:20,285 --> 02:13:23,845
together to develop safe to call policies related to at least three different

1692
02:13:24,465 --> 02:13:28,125
but interconnected topics. The first topic is a direct response

1693
02:13:28,625 --> 02:13:32,555
to incidents in which victims have been threatened with arrest or unrelated warrants, even

1694
02:13:32,845 --> 02:13:36,645
during rape examinations. We know that there are already steps being taken

1695
02:13:36,865 --> 02:13:40,805
to address this, and we are very grateful to chief davis and the many experts and service

1696
02:13:41,285 --> 02:13:45,205
providers we've spoken with who've expressed a commitment to a stakeholder process to further

1697
02:13:45,365 --> 02:13:49,355
these efforts. The resolution describes multiple policies and strategies, including

1698
02:13:49,965 --> 02:13:53,845
performing identification checks without running the optional warrant check

1699
02:13:54,125 --> 02:13:57,885
on victims and witnesses, and less required for safety reasons, and also expanding

1700
02:13:58,405 --> 02:14:01,925
alternative reporting paths and ways to access services, including through victim

1701
02:14:02,485 --> 02:14:06,165
services and partnerships with trusted community organizations. The se second

1702
02:14:06,525 --> 02:14:10,255
topic relates to the over 60,000 warrants for unpaid class

1703
02:14:10,725 --> 02:14:14,685
c tickets. We've had conversations with national experts who have successfully redesigned

1704
02:14:14,935 --> 02:14:18,935
court forms and notices with behavioral science principles, which

1705
02:14:19,285 --> 02:14:23,165
result in a decrease in warrants and failure to appear rates. The safe to call

1706
02:14:23,325 --> 02:14:27,005
stakeholder group will also explore ways to reduce arrests on class

1707
02:14:27,365 --> 02:14:31,285
c offenses, including through expanded use of alternative options like the sobering center

1708
02:14:31,825 --> 02:14:35,805
or transport directly to court and set, uh, rather than jail to resolve

1709
02:14:36,165 --> 02:14:40,165
tickets. And then the third topic relates to administrative warrants, which is a

1710
02:14:40,285 --> 02:14:43,885
subject that is heavy on our minds. Earlier this year, a woman called 9 1 1

1711
02:14:44,945 --> 02:14:48,925
to report domestic violence and ended up being removed from the country along with her

1712
02:14:49,085 --> 02:14:52,945
child. We thank and commend chief davis for amending the general orders to

1713
02:14:53,165 --> 02:14:56,325
clarify that detaining somebody b solely based on a non-judicial,

1714
02:14:57,365 --> 02:15:01,245
non-criminal administrative ice warrant, is not permissible under the fourth amendment

1715
02:15:01,565 --> 02:15:05,405
of the us constitution. And we want to make sure that we do everything we can to protect our

1716
02:15:05,605 --> 02:15:09,565
communities and make austin a safe place for everyone. Thanks again to my

1717
02:15:09,685 --> 02:15:13,485
co-sponsors and all the community experts who came forward to help, uh, draft and hone the

1718
02:15:13,805 --> 02:15:17,725
language of this resolution and who are committed to seeing the stakeholder process through. And again,

1719
02:15:17,965 --> 02:15:21,945
thank you to chief davis for coming to the table and committing to an open and

1720
02:15:22,165 --> 02:15:26,125
honest conversation with the community, with the goal of coming together with real concrete

1721
02:15:26,285 --> 02:15:30,205
solutions. I truly believe that if we bring everyone to the table directly impacted

1722
02:15:30,325 --> 02:15:33,565
people, decision makers at the city and the county community partners and service organizations,

1723
02:15:34,545 --> 02:15:38,395
we can make austin a safer city for everyone. Thank you, mayor. Thank you. Council member. Council

1724
02:15:38,885 --> 02:15:42,885
member ellis, followed by the mayor pro tim and council member velasquez. Thank you

1725
02:15:42,965 --> 02:15:46,805
mayor. And I would also like to be added as a co-sponsor on 37. I really appreciate

1726
02:15:47,285 --> 02:15:51,115
the work that you and, um, the other colleagues have done on that. The mother and daughter were

1727
02:15:51,515 --> 02:15:55,505
from district eight, and so it's something that we have definitely felt an impact for in

1728
02:15:55,725 --> 02:15:59,645
southwest austin to make sure that folks are, um, not ending up deported simply

1729
02:16:00,025 --> 02:16:03,685
for calling 9 1 1, um, to make sure that their home and their family is safe.

1730
02:16:04,075 --> 02:16:07,445
without objection, council member ellis will be shown as a co-sponsor of item 37.

1731
02:16:08,375 --> 02:16:12,245
thank you. I would also like to speak briefly to item number 64, which is

1732
02:16:12,405 --> 02:16:16,325
the one you just heard the speakers come and testify about. That is in regard to

1733
02:16:16,445 --> 02:16:19,955
the highway expansion through southwest austin. Um, this

1734
02:16:20,575 --> 02:16:24,525
mopac south expansion covers eight miles and is essentially the entire

1735
02:16:24,975 --> 02:16:28,405
spine of district eight. It, the impacts that this highway expansion

1736
02:16:29,020 --> 02:16:32,765
are going to have, are going to affect almost every neighborhood, every school

1737
02:16:33,045 --> 02:16:37,045
that's close to mopac, endangered species, and, and a number of

1738
02:16:37,245 --> 02:16:41,205
different stakeholder and interest groups along the way. Um, we have found through our conversations,

1739
02:16:41,925 --> 02:16:45,755
a couple of the groups that operate within the footprint of zilker park, um, we're not consulted

1740
02:16:46,785 --> 02:16:50,605
and didn't know what to say about the public comment period and what the impacts

1741
02:16:50,985 --> 02:16:54,965
to their businesses and their events were going to be. Um, so I wanna

1742
02:16:55,165 --> 02:16:58,985
thank c-t-r-m-a for stepping up once we recognize that and offering to have those, uh,

1743
02:16:59,205 --> 02:17:03,165
consultations to make sure that as many constituents have the information that they need

1744
02:17:03,465 --> 02:17:07,445
as humanly possible. Um, this resolution builds on the one that

1745
02:17:07,605 --> 02:17:11,405
we sent to c-t-r-m-a about a year and a half ago at this point, that

1746
02:17:11,645 --> 02:17:15,445
the city council had also supported for us to put in as a recommendation,

1747
02:17:16,225 --> 02:17:20,205
but it not only focuses on, um, expansion for car lanes, but it

1748
02:17:20,325 --> 02:17:24,065
also calls for better bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Um,

1749
02:17:24,635 --> 02:17:28,565
park and ride conversations about appropriate locations for park and rides that are part of

1750
02:17:28,785 --> 02:17:32,585
the project connect system that voters approved in 2020. And

1751
02:17:32,925 --> 02:17:36,885
a number of other environmentally friendly initiatives like safe street crossings to make

1752
02:17:37,045 --> 02:17:40,245
sure that we don't end up with this further divide through southwest austin.

1753
02:17:41,385 --> 02:17:45,365
um, the city departments do have until may 3rd to contribute

1754
02:17:46,005 --> 02:17:50,005
their comments into the public comment period. So there, I know that there are, those were not ready

1755
02:17:50,165 --> 02:17:54,125
to go. At the same time. This resolution is ready to be considered by the city council,

1756
02:17:54,505 --> 02:17:58,285
but we know that the departments are working very closely, um, to be able to submit those

1757
02:17:58,725 --> 02:18:02,665
comments. Um, there are a number of different structures that contribute to

1758
02:18:02,905 --> 02:18:06,645
the historic nature of zilker park that were left off the list. Um, clarksville

1759
02:18:07,325 --> 02:18:11,325
as a historic neighborhood is not one that, um, is being factored into some of this footprint.

1760
02:18:12,185 --> 02:18:16,125
and I've noticed some language around impacts to endangered species not being considered

1761
02:18:16,325 --> 02:18:19,985
regionally significant, which I find to be interesting because the

1762
02:18:20,365 --> 02:18:24,285
endangered species that our speakers listed previously, they don't have another

1763
02:18:24,565 --> 02:18:28,165
home to go to if their cave is impacted, that species

1764
02:18:28,705 --> 02:18:32,685
may cease to exist entirely, and they are on the federal list of endangered

1765
02:18:33,205 --> 02:18:36,925
species. So this is really, really sensitive. This is something that we cannot get wrong.

1766
02:18:37,795 --> 02:18:41,765
this highway is set to double in size. Um, so I think that the

1767
02:18:41,965 --> 02:18:45,805
finding of no significant impact needs to be looked at again. And so I'm happy that hopefully

1768
02:18:46,405 --> 02:18:50,305
if council approves this, that we will be joining arm in arm with the county who

1769
02:18:50,525 --> 02:18:54,205
has already called for the full environmental impact statement. And I appreciate my co-sponsors,

1770
02:18:54,855 --> 02:18:58,685
mayor proam, vela alter, velasquez, and cadre for

1771
02:18:58,885 --> 02:19:02,565
working on this with us. Um, it's very, very impactful and it's important

1772
02:19:02,965 --> 02:19:06,805
that we get this right. Thank you, council member, uh, mayor proam vela,

1773
02:19:07,125 --> 02:19:10,965
followed by council members velasquez and alter. Thank you mayor. Uh, council member

1774
02:19:11,525 --> 02:19:15,135
siegel highlighted those, uh, critical austin energy items

1775
02:19:15,835 --> 02:19:19,825
that are moving through. Uh, again, a lot of good stuff on this agenda, but

1776
02:19:20,045 --> 02:19:23,565
item seven, eight, and, uh, 23. Uh, just want to reiterate

1777
02:19:24,425 --> 02:19:28,075
the austin energy moving aggressively on, uh, battery storage

1778
02:19:28,985 --> 02:19:32,835
on, uh, solar power. You know, the item number seven with,

1779
02:19:33,145 --> 02:19:36,995
um, solar on the landfill. That's, I think, one of the last

1780
02:19:37,575 --> 02:19:41,485
large scale sites that we're gonna be able to put a, a, a big solar farm on within

1781
02:19:41,905 --> 02:19:45,425
the city of austin. Uh, but item number 23

1782
02:19:46,315 --> 02:19:50,305
with the solar on city facilities, we're, we're looking for any square footage we can to,

1783
02:19:50,525 --> 02:19:54,205
uh, put, uh, solar power on there and, uh, generate additional

1784
02:19:54,765 --> 02:19:58,765
renewal power, uh, strengthen, uh, local generation and, and make austin

1785
02:19:59,005 --> 02:20:02,925
energy a a better, more, uh, reliable system. Great to see these items, uh, on the

1786
02:20:03,045 --> 02:20:07,045
agenda. And I just want to thank, um, our, our director o'reilly

1787
02:20:07,605 --> 02:20:11,325
and all the staff at, uh, austin energy for all their, their hard work on that.

1788
02:20:12,025 --> 02:20:15,805
um, I, I won't, uh, say, uh, much more about item

1789
02:20:16,045 --> 02:20:20,005
37. Again, I just want to thank council member siegel proud to be a co-sponsor on it, and the testimony

1790
02:20:20,245 --> 02:20:23,985
with, uh, very, uh, compelling, uh, it, it's, uh, heartbreaking, uh,

1791
02:20:24,265 --> 02:20:27,925
out there right now. Uh, what's going on with, uh, the immigration, uh, tactics.

1792
02:20:28,625 --> 02:20:32,605
um, item number 29, uh, it was actually not on the consent

1793
02:20:32,845 --> 02:20:36,805
agenda. I'm gonna hold off on, on that one. Um, item number 31 is a tiny

1794
02:20:36,965 --> 02:20:40,395
little item, but an important one. Uh, it, it will help

1795
02:20:41,365 --> 02:20:45,145
preserve historic properties that makes the process for

1796
02:20:45,675 --> 02:20:49,555
getting, uh, electricity and, and, and other, uh, renovations

1797
02:20:50,385 --> 02:20:54,325
to historic buildings that may, uh, infringe on the city right of way.

1798
02:20:54,575 --> 02:20:58,565
again, these are a hundred year old bid buildings, and, and the right of way has changed on them more than

1799
02:20:58,725 --> 02:21:02,555
they, they've done anything wrong. We had a long grueling process to do this. This

1800
02:21:02,845 --> 02:21:06,765
will simplify it and, and make it better and help preserve historic buildings in austin. A

1801
02:21:06,885 --> 02:21:10,055
goal that I very, very much support. Um, number 64,

1802
02:21:11,185 --> 02:21:15,065
uh, the, uh, resolution on the, the mopac expansion. I would just say

1803
02:21:15,395 --> 02:21:19,345
that, uh, I 35 had to have a full environmental impact

1804
02:21:19,765 --> 02:21:23,465
statement. Project connect, had to have a full environmental impact

1805
02:21:23,885 --> 02:21:27,615
statement. I just don't see why the expansion of mopac

1806
02:21:27,975 --> 02:21:31,845
would not have to have, uh, a full environmental impact statement. I just wanna thank

1807
02:21:32,005 --> 02:21:35,785
council member ellis for, uh, bringing that item. And then, uh, last but

1808
02:21:36,065 --> 02:21:39,985
not least, uh, item 40, the city is

1809
02:21:40,205 --> 02:21:44,145
going to be, uh, sponsoring the dragon vote, uh,

1810
02:21:44,685 --> 02:21:48,265
festival. Uh, and first of all, I want to thank, uh, amy wong

1811
02:21:48,955 --> 02:21:52,485
monk, uh, andrew lee, victoria lee, nat ho,

1812
02:21:53,145 --> 02:21:56,885
uh, and then the, uh, board members, uh, yusak young,

1813
02:21:57,225 --> 02:22:00,985
uh, be bernhardt and jeff manley for,

1814
02:22:01,425 --> 02:22:05,425
uh, being here to, uh, support for all their work in making the dragon

1815
02:22:05,875 --> 02:22:09,485
boat festival. Such a great, uh, success and, and such a great event.

1816
02:22:10,545 --> 02:22:14,325
the festival started in 1999. This is the, I guess, 26th

1817
02:22:14,995 --> 02:22:18,625
year, uh, 26th annual, uh, dragon boat festival for,

1818
02:22:19,225 --> 02:22:22,935
uh, this is also be the first ever city sponsored asian

1819
02:22:23,645 --> 02:22:27,045
american event, which is a long overdue. Uh, and it's a,

1820
02:22:30,445 --> 02:22:34,305
a, a really exciting, uh, time for, for those that that are not

1821
02:22:34,765 --> 02:22:38,595
familiar with, uh, what the dragon boat race is. Uh, it's

1822
02:22:39,085 --> 02:22:43,045
a, uh, a chinese tradition, uh, sporting event

1823
02:22:43,405 --> 02:22:47,405
dating back, um, 2000 years or so. There's a, a boat with

1824
02:22:47,725 --> 02:22:51,725
a, a dragon head on it and a team of paddlers, and they line up and they

1825
02:22:51,915 --> 02:22:55,625
race each other. Uh, it will be this saturday at,

1826
02:22:55,945 --> 02:22:59,885
uh, festival beach, uh, uh, going, uh, all day from about, uh,

1827
02:23:00,045 --> 02:23:03,885
this nine o'clock or so to the end, around three o'clock. Please go and check

1828
02:23:04,125 --> 02:23:07,845
it out. Uh, I, I look forward to continuing to work with, uh, the sponsors

1829
02:23:08,325 --> 02:23:12,325
of the dragon boat festival to highlight it. And, uh, I, I'll just say

1830
02:23:12,525 --> 02:23:16,525
that it would be great to move it to, uh, auditorium shores as well, where I can have even

1831
02:23:16,755 --> 02:23:20,175
more participation and become an even more high profile event.

1832
02:23:20,885 --> 02:23:24,845
I just wanted to, uh, sincerely thank everybody that's been involved in that. We appreciate you and we

1833
02:23:24,965 --> 02:23:28,925
appreciate all y'all do. Thank you. Yeah, thank you mayor pro tim. Some of us

1834
02:23:29,045 --> 02:23:32,785
are old enough to remember 1999 and, um,

1835
02:23:33,105 --> 02:23:36,965
and I'll see you saturday. So, thank you. Uh, council members, velasquez

1836
02:23:37,605 --> 02:23:41,505
altar and lane. Um, uh, thank you mayor. I also want to co-sign what, uh,

1837
02:23:41,935 --> 02:23:45,805
councilman oh, mayor pro te vela said about making sure we bring this to auditorium shores

1838
02:23:46,045 --> 02:23:49,615
next year. Um, uh, uh, colleagues,

1839
02:23:50,425 --> 02:23:54,245
uh, item number 39, uh, ask planning staff to give the community development

1840
02:23:54,685 --> 02:23:58,665
commission our commission that is specifically focused on the needs of our, of

1841
02:23:58,965 --> 02:24:02,935
austin's low-income residents, an opportunity to review zoning cases

1842
02:24:03,475 --> 02:24:07,385
that affect existing multi-family communities. We,

1843
02:24:07,605 --> 02:24:11,405
as ais have aggressively pursued ways to increase affordable housing here

1844
02:24:11,645 --> 02:24:15,405
in austin, and I'm damn proud of that work. We also need to be just as aggressive

1845
02:24:16,165 --> 02:24:19,905
when we're tackling displacement. Um, this will be one

1846
02:24:20,185 --> 02:24:24,045
in many steps that our office has taken and will continue to take to ensure that, that

1847
02:24:24,285 --> 02:24:27,675
we are working to mitigate displacement. I want to thank my co-sponsors,

1848
02:24:28,365 --> 02:24:32,365
mayor watson, mayor pro te, and council member puentes and uchin. Thank you

1849
02:24:32,445 --> 02:24:36,345
to trish link and our law department and also the community development commission for

1850
02:24:36,565 --> 02:24:40,385
their work on this item. And a huge thank you to victoria hall and the d three office for

1851
02:24:40,605 --> 02:24:44,285
all of her work. Thank you. Thank you. Council member, council member

1852
02:24:44,655 --> 02:24:48,505
alter, followed by council member lane and uchin. Thank you very much. Uh,

1853
02:24:48,755 --> 02:24:52,395
just a few quick hits here on, on item five, which is around our city

1854
02:24:52,805 --> 02:24:56,785
designated cultural district. So I appreciate the, the work staff's done and wanted to ask

1855
02:24:57,465 --> 02:25:01,125
if they could include the scoring and impact analysis for the south shore

1856
02:25:01,525 --> 02:25:05,075
cultural district, which is something we've talked about, and I think they can do. So just

1857
02:25:05,565 --> 02:25:09,425
whenever y'all are doing that, if, if you could take a look there. Um, I also want to thank our

1858
02:25:09,645 --> 02:25:13,605
item number nine, kim vardas, who, um, this is

1859
02:25:13,765 --> 02:25:17,625
a pit. It's, it's by d five, but she

1860
02:25:17,945 --> 02:25:21,885
has helped with some of the intricacies here and made this happen. And so

1861
02:25:22,005 --> 02:25:25,975
I just wanna, uh, thank her for her work on that to get us where we are today.

1862
02:25:26,905 --> 02:25:30,605
um, also item number 30, just thank greg, uh, congressman

1863
02:25:30,925 --> 02:25:34,845
kassar's office. Uh, we will always accept money into the

1864
02:25:34,965 --> 02:25:38,555
city, and this is gonna be, uh, money for us to help improve,

1865
02:25:39,585 --> 02:25:43,325
uh, longhorn dam and, and the mobility infrastructure there.

1866
02:25:43,625 --> 02:25:47,445
so that's very exciting as well. Um, certainly wanna touch

1867
02:25:47,725 --> 02:25:51,575
on, we, we had the chance to touch talk yesterday at the climate water environment parks

1868
02:25:51,925 --> 02:25:55,685
committee, but when, when I first came here, we had a discussion

1869
02:25:56,125 --> 02:25:59,535
about how we had all these great, uh, environmental plans,

1870
02:26:00,505 --> 02:26:04,425
but they were just kind of sitting on the shelf, not doing the work that we wanted them to

1871
02:26:04,645 --> 02:26:08,545
do. And through the work of this council, uh, we

1872
02:26:08,765 --> 02:26:12,585
were able to okay, provide direction and, and ultimately, our

1873
02:26:12,805 --> 02:26:16,665
climate action and resilience staff and director bomber, uh,

1874
02:26:17,015 --> 02:26:21,005
under your work, put together an actionable plan of the steps that we

1875
02:26:21,165 --> 02:26:24,705
could take to move us forward to achieve the goals that we had set

1876
02:26:25,265 --> 02:26:28,765
as a community. And today we are ticking off a lot of those.

1877
02:26:29,505 --> 02:26:33,365
uh, one of those was to do the landfill solar project. We're approving that today.

1878
02:26:34,145 --> 02:26:38,125
one of those was to have a virtual power plant, uh, project through austin

1879
02:26:38,405 --> 02:26:41,895
energy's work, uh, with item number eight. We're doing that today.

1880
02:26:42,715 --> 02:26:46,285
another one, put solar on city facilities. That is something that

1881
02:26:46,725 --> 02:26:50,565
I have believed we should have been doing a long time ago, but it's gonna save us money. It's going to

1882
02:26:51,225 --> 02:26:55,105
imp, uh, increase our local generation. And that's on the list. We're doing that today. And

1883
02:26:55,325 --> 02:26:59,145
I really want to thank, uh, all the work that zach, your team has done, and,

1884
02:26:59,365 --> 02:27:03,285
and austin energy, I know has helped as well. We had to, we had to rush

1885
02:27:03,485 --> 02:27:07,105
this one a little bit to, to meet a deadline, and I think we're gonna do it. So

1886
02:27:07,505 --> 02:27:11,485
really kudos to you on that. Um, item 41, something that, that I'm

1887
02:27:11,805 --> 02:27:15,745
bringing forward to increase residential solar, uh, bring more of that to

1888
02:27:15,965 --> 02:27:19,325
our community, uh, in new innovative ways. And I wanna thank my co-sponsors,

1889
02:27:20,035 --> 02:27:23,725
council member fuentes, velasquez siegel and lane on that.

1890
02:27:24,225 --> 02:27:28,125
but within that is also how we can enhance demand response, which is also on our

1891
02:27:28,285 --> 02:27:31,885
list of actionable items. And so we are really moving the ball forward

1892
02:27:32,495 --> 02:27:36,405
today, uh, in terms of getting closer to our environmental goals

1893
02:27:36,665 --> 02:27:40,645
as a city. And last but not least, I'd be remiss if I didn't thank council member ellis for

1894
02:27:40,765 --> 02:27:44,645
all her work on the mopac south, uh, expansion project. Not just this resolution,

1895
02:27:45,105 --> 02:27:48,825
but, uh, you have championed all that needs to be done, uh,

1896
02:27:49,185 --> 02:27:53,115
in order to make that project better and, and, uh, hopefully

1897
02:27:54,585 --> 02:27:58,485
not have an adverse impact on our community like it's currently scheduled to do. So I just appreciate

1898
02:27:59,195 --> 02:28:03,125
your dedication to that. Thanks. Council member, council member lane. Council

1899
02:28:03,365 --> 02:28:07,165
member deon. Thank you, mayor. Um, first, as it relates to item 37,

1900
02:28:08,165 --> 02:28:12,085
I wanna thank council member siegel for his leadership, the co-sponsors who brought

1901
02:28:12,365 --> 02:28:16,165
this forward for us, and absolutely the many community members

1902
02:28:16,585 --> 02:28:20,465
who have spoken about their, the direct impacts of these issues on their lives. You

1903
02:28:20,685 --> 02:28:24,425
should not have to come and tell us about these experiences, and

1904
02:28:24,845 --> 02:28:28,655
I am so grateful that you did. Um, I'd like to be added as a cons co-sponsor

1905
02:28:29,325 --> 02:28:33,175
for item 37. Without objection, council member lang will be added as a co-sponsor

1906
02:28:33,845 --> 02:28:37,685
of item number 37. Thank you. As it relates to item 27,

1907
02:28:38,615 --> 02:28:42,485
which, um, is about the salvation army women and children's shelter,

1908
02:28:43,325 --> 02:28:47,085
I am very pleased that austin is continuing its support of the austin shelter

1909
02:28:47,465 --> 02:28:51,325
for women and children. Shelter for children together with their guardians is a

1910
02:28:51,685 --> 02:28:55,685
critical component of austin's emergency shelter and homeless response programs, the need

1911
02:28:55,925 --> 02:28:59,805
for which has grown dramatically over the last five years. Our existing shelter

1912
02:29:00,085 --> 02:29:03,365
system was designed before families with children faced housing instability

1913
02:29:04,185 --> 02:29:08,165
in the numbers that they now do. Thank you to director gray and the homeless strategy

1914
02:29:08,305 --> 02:29:11,765
and operations team for your continued efforts to ensure adequate shelter for austin's

1915
02:29:12,325 --> 02:29:16,025
children, which includes sustaining this downtown shelter for women and

1916
02:29:16,365 --> 02:29:20,365
children, but also requires first expanding access to family shelter

1917
02:29:20,995 --> 02:29:24,605
outside of central austin and closer to children's home schools

1918
02:29:25,025 --> 02:29:28,805
and neighborhoods. And second, adding a family shelter option that is accessible

1919
02:29:29,285 --> 02:29:32,805
to men caring for children members. I hope to have your support and working with

1920
02:29:33,405 --> 02:29:36,975
director gray as we move through both budget and bond discussions so that austin makes

1921
02:29:37,605 --> 02:29:41,285
progress this year on the critical goal of shelter for children and their

1922
02:29:41,645 --> 02:29:45,285
guardians. While austin's financial realities are tougher than they have ever been,

1923
02:29:46,565 --> 02:29:50,365
austin's children and their guardians cannot continue to wait for us as a council

1924
02:29:50,905 --> 02:29:54,005
and a city to prioritize expanded access to family shelter.

1925
02:29:55,835 --> 02:29:59,625
with respect to item 64, the mopac expansion, I wanna express my

1926
02:29:59,845 --> 02:30:03,845
support encouraging c-t-r-m-a to re reevaluate their draft

1927
02:30:04,085 --> 02:30:08,005
environmental assessment of this expansion. And to find the middle ground on this project.

1928
02:30:08,645 --> 02:30:11,365
widening by two lanes does not align with the city's goals. Environmentally,

1929
02:30:12,665 --> 02:30:16,605
yes, but also with respect to transit and mobility. We must find a way

1930
02:30:16,725 --> 02:30:20,565
to develop responsibly because this is a very sensitive area, surrounded by sensitive populations

1931
02:30:21,835 --> 02:30:25,765
that it is our duty to protect. And so I would also like to be added as a co-sponsor

1932
02:30:26,165 --> 02:30:30,165
on this item. Uh, without objection, councilman lane be shown as a, a

1933
02:30:30,295 --> 02:30:33,955
co-sponsor of item number 64. And finally, on a happier note,

1934
02:30:34,785 --> 02:30:38,715
uh, I am a co-sponsor of item 40, the drag, which relates to the dragon vote

1935
02:30:39,325 --> 02:30:43,285
festival. I wanna thank council member vela for his leadership in mobilizing city

1936
02:30:43,525 --> 02:30:47,485
support for this longstanding tradition in amy mock for her years of dedication to

1937
02:30:47,645 --> 02:30:51,355
austin, ensuring that we celebrate our asian community, both

1938
02:30:52,075 --> 02:30:56,005
near my home in north northwest austin and in the heart of our city this weekend. I

1939
02:30:56,125 --> 02:30:59,805
will see you there. Thank you. Thank you. Council member. Council member uchin.

1940
02:31:01,615 --> 02:31:05,215
thank you, mayor. I wanna just flag a couple of items. First, items seven,

1941
02:31:05,935 --> 02:31:09,925
eight, and 23. Uh, I wanna point out that these items

1942
02:31:10,265 --> 02:31:14,235
are just gonna help austin grow our local energy production to make us more resilient, more

1943
02:31:14,525 --> 02:31:18,015
cost effective, and more environmentally friendly, which are exactly the three priorities

1944
02:31:18,685 --> 02:31:22,525
that austin energy has for us. For item nine, which councilor alter touched

1945
02:31:22,785 --> 02:31:26,645
on the estancia hill country development is a positive

1946
02:31:26,805 --> 02:31:30,605
for the city of austin. It's gonna allow for and support the development of both single

1947
02:31:30,885 --> 02:31:34,125
family homes, as well as other housing types that we commonly encourage.

1948
02:31:35,185 --> 02:31:38,565
and it's gonna allow broader market activity that's going to, I think, encourage,

1949
02:31:39,745 --> 02:31:43,725
uh, vast, uh, and diverse groups of people to settle

1950
02:31:44,085 --> 02:31:46,965
down their residents. They're gonna put down roots there for generations to come.

1951
02:31:48,115 --> 02:31:52,065
item 35, 31, I'm not sure if we brought up yet. Um, I'm voting yes

1952
02:31:52,285 --> 02:31:56,275
in this item to revise our policy for license agreements, a very sexy item

1953
02:31:57,305 --> 02:32:01,305
and the right of way relationships for historic buildings and structures. Uh, the

1954
02:32:01,525 --> 02:32:05,525
exemption here is well taken, but we're only here. The action is

1955
02:32:05,645 --> 02:32:09,435
only really necessary because the cost of the agreements has grown considerably over

1956
02:32:09,725 --> 02:32:13,515
the last decades. Agreements that I think in the first place we're there to simply guarantee

1957
02:32:14,125 --> 02:32:16,805
the city's legal right to access the public infrastructure

1958
02:32:18,235 --> 02:32:21,915
have instead transformed into becoming a revenue generation tool.

1959
02:32:22,785 --> 02:32:26,365
and so we've seen now in several instances where formally insignificant

1960
02:32:27,275 --> 02:32:30,845
fees have become, uh, for some os knights thousands of dollars

1961
02:32:31,395 --> 02:32:35,245
that, uh, essentially become approaching

1962
02:32:35,805 --> 02:32:39,645
a whole yearly tax bill for them. So as we're reviewing the positive impacts

1963
02:32:39,985 --> 02:32:43,965
of the exemption for historic structures, I wanna encourage us as a city to review the

1964
02:32:44,165 --> 02:32:47,885
totality of these contracts to ensure that our calculations are justifiable

1965
02:32:48,525 --> 02:32:52,485
and fair for all. And then finally, for item 64, I wanna

1966
02:32:52,645 --> 02:32:56,565
thank council member ellis for her work on this. I also request to be added

1967
02:32:56,685 --> 02:33:00,525
to a co-sponsor the latest version of this item. And I'm also hopeful going forward

1968
02:33:01,065 --> 02:33:04,875
as a council district that borders on the proposed expansion area

1969
02:33:05,315 --> 02:33:08,965
that I can actively work with my colleagues on solutions here. Without objection, council

1970
02:33:09,325 --> 02:33:13,285
member ducen will be shown as a co-sponsor of item number 64. Thank you, council,

1971
02:33:13,525 --> 02:33:17,235
member members, is there anyone wishing to abstain from

1972
02:33:17,565 --> 02:33:21,545
a vote on the consent agenda? Uh, as the motion second

1973
02:33:22,115 --> 02:33:25,715
came in, anyone wishing to be shown recusing themselves from

1974
02:33:26,125 --> 02:33:29,885
a vote on any item on the consent agenda? Anyone wishing

1975
02:33:30,285 --> 02:33:34,285
to be shown voting no on any item on the consent agenda as it was read?

1976
02:33:35,195 --> 02:33:39,085
hearing none without objection. The consent agenda is adopted with council member harper

1977
02:33:39,365 --> 02:33:43,065
madison, absent members as I indicated. Uh,

1978
02:33:43,545 --> 02:33:47,325
now what we will do is we will go to our public communication

1979
02:33:48,145 --> 02:33:51,925
agenda item, uh, the, for the, just to give a little bit of heads

1980
02:33:52,165 --> 02:33:56,045
up on where we will go. We will do this, uh, then we will

1981
02:33:56,585 --> 02:34:00,525
go into an executive session. Uh, we will have, we will still have live

1982
02:34:00,765 --> 02:34:04,275
music, but I've arranged to have, uh, somebody from acme

1983
02:34:04,905 --> 02:34:08,805
uh, do the introduction of the live music so that we can go continue to do the work of the

1984
02:34:08,965 --> 02:34:12,625
council, uh, in, in executive session when we return

1985
02:34:13,045 --> 02:34:16,365
from the executive session and for the public that's here on other items.

1986
02:34:17,285 --> 02:34:20,905
I don't know how long the executive session's going to take, but it will, it, it, it, um,

1987
02:34:22,555 --> 02:34:26,525
just please pay attention so that you'll be here. What we will do, however, is the

1988
02:34:26,725 --> 02:34:30,725
first item we will take up will be the board of directors meeting of the au austin housing

1989
02:34:31,045 --> 02:34:34,845
finance corporation. And then we will take up immediately following that

1990
02:34:35,435 --> 02:34:39,405
item number six. So with that, uh, I'll turn to the city

1991
02:34:39,565 --> 02:34:42,645
clerk to call for our general public communication.

1992
02:34:44,255 --> 02:34:47,765
thank you, mayor. We'll begin with adrian macias, marianne

1993
02:34:48,395 --> 02:34:51,785
sanchez, valerie menard, pedro hernandez, jr.

1994
02:34:53,025 --> 02:34:56,245
mad gutierrez, please state your name and begin speaking

1995
02:34:57,335 --> 02:35:01,285
folks. Hey, everybody that's, uh, in the council chambers, I would

1996
02:35:01,445 --> 02:35:05,405
please ask that you wait to start your conversations until you get out so

1997
02:35:05,605 --> 02:35:09,205
that we can continue with our work. Thank you very much for that. We appreciate your being here.

1998
02:35:10,105 --> 02:35:13,845
please, uh, whatever order he called your names, but feel free to begin.

1999
02:35:15,005 --> 02:35:18,405
I had a slideshow with my presentation. Thank you.

2000
02:35:19,075 --> 02:35:23,005
good afternoon, mayor and city council members. My name is adrian macias. I am one of the

2001
02:35:23,125 --> 02:35:26,875
youth. Um, I am one of the youth coordinators for poes

2002
02:35:27,165 --> 02:35:30,845
summer youth program, young scholars for justice, or wise j for short.

2003
02:35:31,805 --> 02:35:35,765
I have been a youth coordinator since 2022 when I was invited to help with the scheduling

2004
02:35:36,165 --> 02:35:40,125
and programming for the youth program by pos director susana amanza, who was also

2005
02:35:40,325 --> 02:35:40,485
my grandmother.

2006
02:35:44,695 --> 02:35:48,485
sorry. Before stepping into this leadership program, I was a y street student

2007
02:35:48,765 --> 02:35:52,445
myself. I joined the program in 2016 when I was just 13 years old,

2008
02:35:52,795 --> 02:35:56,725
alongside my two older brothers. At that age, I didn't fully understand the

2009
02:35:56,925 --> 02:36:00,845
importance of the work I was stepping into, but over time, ysj became a

2010
02:36:00,965 --> 02:36:04,925
shape that shaped my perspective, my voice, and my purpose. Through the program, we learned

2011
02:36:05,085 --> 02:36:08,925
about the history of austin, not just the version you find in textbooks, but the lived experiences

2012
02:36:09,585 --> 02:36:13,445
of our communities. We learned about the racism that has deeply, that has

2013
02:36:13,605 --> 02:36:17,365
been deeply rooted in austin's past and how those systems continue, continue to impact

2014
02:36:17,965 --> 02:36:21,895
families. Today we started gentrification and

2015
02:36:22,135 --> 02:36:26,135
how it has displaced generations of people from their neighborhoods. We

2016
02:36:26,355 --> 02:36:30,275
talked about juvenile justice and how young people are affected by inequities in the

2017
02:36:30,395 --> 02:36:34,075
system. We learned about the victories that many community members

2018
02:36:34,775 --> 02:36:38,635
and organizations like pura have fought hard to achieve victories like

2019
02:36:38,795 --> 02:36:42,515
the shutdown of the tank farm, the holly power plant, and the victory against

2020
02:36:42,955 --> 02:36:46,915
peer casting y street didn't just teach me history, it gave

2021
02:36:47,075 --> 02:36:50,805
me the tools to become part of that change. I developed skills in public speaking, leadership

2022
02:36:51,575 --> 02:36:55,115
and community organizing. I learned how to work with others

2023
02:36:55,735 --> 02:36:59,715
and to advocate for my community. These are the skills that I carry with me

2024
02:36:59,835 --> 02:37:03,515
every day and then continue to shape the work that I do. Now as

2025
02:37:03,875 --> 02:37:07,875
a youth coordinator, I have the opportunity and responsibility to give back to the same program

2026
02:37:08,075 --> 02:37:12,075
that helped shape me. I want the next generation to understand not only where they

2027
02:37:12,235 --> 02:37:16,205
come from, but also the power that they have to shape where we are going. Programs

2028
02:37:16,765 --> 02:37:20,205
like yj are important because they invest in young people, not just as students,

2029
02:37:21,735 --> 02:37:24,735
but the fu. But as future leaders, organizers, and decision makers,

2030
02:37:26,235 --> 02:37:29,355
yj summer youth program starts this summer from june 1st through june 25th,

2031
02:37:30,375 --> 02:37:34,305
monday through thursday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm ages 14 through

2032
02:37:35,035 --> 02:37:38,745
18 may join, and every week students attend receive

2033
02:37:39,435 --> 02:37:43,435
$160 stipend per week. You can find out more information and fill out an

2034
02:37:43,595 --> 02:37:47,475
application on our website, poe austin.org. On that note,

2035
02:37:47,675 --> 02:37:51,235
we would like to invite everybody to poes 35th anniversary. The anniversary

2036
02:37:51,755 --> 02:37:55,675
will take place at colony godo from six to 9:00 pm we will have

2037
02:37:55,835 --> 02:37:59,715
dinner and dance, and also have an award ceremony honoring those who have earned portes

2038
02:38:00,115 --> 02:38:02,875
social justice leadership award. Thank you for your time.

2039
02:38:08,355 --> 02:38:12,225
I begin, okay, please, yes. Just state your name for the record. Uh, maria sanchez with poed.

2040
02:38:12,565 --> 02:38:16,315
thank you counsel. Centering on clean energy education and advocacy.

2041
02:38:16,905 --> 02:38:20,345
poed solar equity campaign is founded on the energy cost burden, unreliability

2042
02:38:21,415 --> 02:38:25,035
and clean energy and equity that's faced by east austin's low income communities of color.

2043
02:38:25,815 --> 02:38:29,595
energy poverty. Studies conducted across texas have reflected the disparate

2044
02:38:29,995 --> 02:38:33,955
burden that these demographics faced face compounded by

2045
02:38:34,115 --> 02:38:37,935
the climate change and affordability crisis that austinites are enduring in

2046
02:38:38,275 --> 02:38:41,855
tandem with the ever increasing cost of living in austin. Just a few years ago,

2047
02:38:42,345 --> 02:38:45,395
city council district three experienced the highest increase, 23%

2048
02:38:46,655 --> 02:38:50,635
in austin energy rates lived in shared experiences during extreme weather

2049
02:38:50,875 --> 02:38:54,315
events. Highlight the lack of reliability that our energy grid desperately needs.

2050
02:38:55,085 --> 02:38:58,835
solar installation, solar installations, and batteries that produce reliable,

2051
02:38:59,405 --> 02:39:02,995
clean, and affordable energy at all times have the potential to remediate these issues.

2052
02:39:03,985 --> 02:39:07,715
unfortunately, many austinites lack access to solar energy because they're

2053
02:39:08,075 --> 02:39:11,155
renters cannot afford the steep upfront costs, lack awareness,

2054
02:39:12,155 --> 02:39:15,995
sufficient property standards, et cetera. A survey that poder conducted found

2055
02:39:16,235 --> 02:39:19,715
that a combination of these factors inhibit many of our community members from inclusive

2056
02:39:20,515 --> 02:39:24,515
participation. As such, poder host solar workshops throughout east austin

2057
02:39:24,715 --> 02:39:28,265
communities working to raise awareness about the advantages of clean renewable

2058
02:39:28,875 --> 02:39:32,435
energy and connecting them to local solar resources and initiatives.

2059
02:39:33,375 --> 02:39:37,195
we leverage educational tools such as our solar laia, which is characterized

2060
02:39:37,775 --> 02:39:41,435
by solar energy and sustainability related terms. Poed also

2061
02:39:42,035 --> 02:39:45,425
advocates for the advancement of solar at the city and state levels. Locally.

2062
02:39:46,185 --> 02:39:50,035
poed has engaged with allison elementary's, pta, and campus architectural team

2063
02:39:50,575 --> 02:39:54,545
in addition to the cdc and haka to ensure that solar is incorporated into

2064
02:39:54,835 --> 02:39:58,835
the allison elementary and santa rita courts. Redevelopments poed additionally participated

2065
02:39:59,515 --> 02:40:03,395
in the electric utility commission working group for the resource generation and climate

2066
02:40:03,635 --> 02:40:07,335
protection plan. Update submitting recommendations to ensure austin energy

2067
02:40:07,825 --> 02:40:11,725
prioritizes clean energy, community needs and divestment from fossil fuels.

2068
02:40:12,265 --> 02:40:15,935
looking to the future, poed and its partners will continue to champion local

2069
02:40:16,385 --> 02:40:19,605
and statewide coalition efforts toward a clean, affordable energy transition.

2070
02:40:20,545 --> 02:40:24,545
we believe that we must use creative mechanisms to foster greater deployment of solar energy

2071
02:40:24,965 --> 02:40:28,865
projects within our most disadvantaged communities. In austin, low

2072
02:40:29,085 --> 02:40:33,085
income communities of color tend to benefit from reduced energy costs, re

2073
02:40:33,485 --> 02:40:37,385
resiliency, and a healthier environment for the austin community at large, in

2074
02:40:37,605 --> 02:40:41,545
accordance with our city's climate equity goals, we encourage the city of austin and austin energy

2075
02:40:42,185 --> 02:40:45,805
to continue to explore the avenues that could allow solar to be implemented at every opportunity.

2076
02:40:46,815 --> 02:40:49,565
thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you.

2077
02:40:51,555 --> 02:40:55,555
whoever wants to go next. Good.

2078
02:40:55,885 --> 02:40:59,365
a good morning. Oh, afternoon , uh, mayor watson and council members.

2079
02:40:59,975 --> 02:41:03,965
we're here today as you might might, uh, can tell, uh, to celebrate well

2080
02:41:04,165 --> 02:41:07,945
that 31st anniversary to share information with you about, um,

2081
02:41:08,315 --> 02:41:12,165
some of our programs. I have a slide. Could you state your name? I'm sorry. This is

2082
02:41:12,325 --> 02:41:16,305
valerie menard with bo of for

2083
02:41:16,525 --> 02:41:17,275
the colorado river conservancy.

2084
02:41:23,375 --> 02:41:27,085
thank you. So I am the project director for the colorado river conservancy,

2085
02:41:27,755 --> 02:41:31,625
also a project of poed. Uh, the colorado river conservancy was,

2086
02:41:31,905 --> 02:41:35,745
uh, founded in 2020 by, um, daniel yez,

2087
02:41:35,965 --> 02:41:39,325
chris brown, linda guerrero, and susan almanza.

2088
02:41:40,225 --> 02:41:43,965
and as a coalition, it was organized to protect, uh, preserve and restore

2089
02:41:44,935 --> 02:41:48,685
one's most precious natural resources. The wild green stretch of the lower

2090
02:41:49,165 --> 02:41:52,475
colorado river that runs from east austin's longhorn dam to the travis county line.

2091
02:41:53,705 --> 02:41:57,605
um, to preserve the colorado river, um, we bled and crc

2092
02:41:58,005 --> 02:42:01,725
joined the ra's crown volunteer river testing program in 2022.

2093
02:42:02,555 --> 02:42:06,245
testing the river at two locations, the, uh, onlo bridge,

2094
02:42:06,905 --> 02:42:10,655
uh, considered a pristine section of the river and near the dog's

2095
02:42:11,025 --> 02:42:14,925
paw in austin's colony. We also continue to work to minimize the

2096
02:42:15,125 --> 02:42:19,065
impact of impending development along the river. Uh,

2097
02:42:19,285 --> 02:42:23,045
to protect the river, po and sierra sea built a strong partnership with the austin

2098
02:42:23,315 --> 02:42:27,285
watershed protection department. Uh, wpd led by, uh, manager

2099
02:42:28,315 --> 02:42:32,205
jure morale, wpd staff and crc in the

2100
02:42:32,325 --> 02:42:36,285
loop regarding issues of concern. Um, through the partnership with that and

2101
02:42:36,445 --> 02:42:40,165
the crc successful successfully lobbied city council on march 27th, 2025,

2102
02:42:42,545 --> 02:42:45,915
to pass the, uh, wpds colorado river protections ordinance

2103
02:42:46,795 --> 02:42:50,565
that expanded the erosion hazard zone to 200, 200 feet and 2025.

2104
02:42:51,205 --> 02:42:54,925
with that ncoc joined the wpds rain to river community activation

2105
02:42:55,405 --> 02:42:59,245
group to help revise the strategic plan to be more inclusive of underserved

2106
02:42:59,645 --> 02:43:03,485
communities. Uh, to restore the colorado river po and crc

2107
02:43:03,845 --> 02:43:07,685
supported efforts by the wpd to restore the bridge at roy guerero park and

2108
02:43:08,125 --> 02:43:11,885
stabilize areas of the park damaged by erosion completed in 2026. The project

2109
02:43:12,185 --> 02:43:16,105
was cost 28.5 million, is the largest erosion control project in

2110
02:43:16,325 --> 02:43:20,085
austin's history. Our next concern is the, um, pumping station

2111
02:43:20,715 --> 02:43:24,305
that will direct all storm drainage from the expanded ih 35 to

2112
02:43:24,745 --> 02:43:28,625
the montopolis bridge. Um, and so we are ready to

2113
02:43:28,845 --> 02:43:32,685
support the wpde and the city in its efforts to find the 21.65 million

2114
02:43:34,205 --> 02:43:38,125
they'll need to finish in and install a filtering system that will make sure

2115
02:43:38,285 --> 02:43:42,125
the storm drainage water, uh, runoff from the expanded I three five will be clear

2116
02:43:42,365 --> 02:43:46,165
of particulate pollution. Uh, finally, um, our future stewards,

2117
02:43:46,605 --> 02:43:50,505
everything we do will include our ysj, our, our young folks. Uh,

2118
02:43:50,725 --> 02:43:54,725
we include them in the river testing part part. Um, they get to see what we do there,

2119
02:43:54,905 --> 02:43:57,585
but the youth is always gonna be in our minds, um,

2120
02:43:59,185 --> 02:44:03,065
and our future of projects. And very quickly, we have our anniversary. Also wanted to mention we

2121
02:44:03,285 --> 02:44:06,445
have free panels, and the last one is today

2122
02:44:07,305 --> 02:44:11,205
at, uh, roy. Thank you. Can I just mention this? We, we solved it on the

2123
02:44:11,445 --> 02:44:13,365
previous slide, so thank you very much. Yes, thank you,

2124
02:44:15,945 --> 02:44:19,885
please. Good evening, mayor and city council members. My name is

2125
02:44:20,005 --> 02:44:23,565
ma gutierrez and I'm one of the youth coordinators at poed young scholars for justice program.

2126
02:44:25,075 --> 02:44:29,005
I've been a part of poed since 2017 as a youth scholar and eventually became a

2127
02:44:29,125 --> 02:44:32,805
youth co coordinator in 2023. After acquiring two associates

2128
02:44:33,325 --> 02:44:37,205
in general, science and biology at a cc poes and scholars for justice

2129
02:44:37,465 --> 02:44:40,965
has taught me many values in my community from organizing to communicating and sculpting

2130
02:44:41,525 --> 02:44:45,385
me and becoming a young leader. I'm proud to share that our program has

2131
02:44:45,605 --> 02:44:48,805
continued to grow with now regular summer ysj at the advanced ysj.

2132
02:44:49,985 --> 02:44:53,445
the advanced ysj program meets biweekly throughout the year outside of the summer session

2133
02:44:54,185 --> 02:44:57,645
and focuses more on in-depth and current issues related to political and social justice.

2134
02:45:00,245 --> 02:45:04,125
students who complete the summer program are invited to continue their involvement throughout advance ysj,

2135
02:45:04,525 --> 02:45:08,405
where they gain more exposure and engagement. Some of the topics and activities

2136
02:45:08,885 --> 02:45:12,865
are at events ysj students have participated in, include youth candidate forums,

2137
02:45:13,855 --> 02:45:17,445
voter registration, discussions on artificial intelligence and data centers,

2138
02:45:18,465 --> 02:45:22,005
and conversations around birthright citizenship and emergency preparedness.

2139
02:45:23,265 --> 02:45:27,265
lastly, I would like to invite you all to ed's 35th anniversary celebration friday

2140
02:45:27,745 --> 02:45:31,485
may 1st from six to 9:00 pm at the k guerrero center.

2141
02:45:31,945 --> 02:45:35,725
during this event, we'll host an award ceremony honoring recipients of the poed social justice

2142
02:45:36,045 --> 02:45:39,165
leadership award. Thank you for your time. Thank you.

2143
02:45:42,025 --> 02:45:46,005
yes. Um, good afternoon

2144
02:45:46,365 --> 02:45:49,925
council members. My name is bianca guerrero and I'm board president of far east austin,

2145
02:45:50,445 --> 02:45:54,405
cdc, and a sustainability analyst and organizer with boded austin.

2146
02:45:55,745 --> 02:45:59,365
um, if I could have the slide go on at the very last 30 seconds, that'd be great.

2147
02:46:00,265 --> 02:46:03,165
um, I'm here to speak for the residents of austin's colony in 7 8 7 2 5,

2148
02:46:04,565 --> 02:46:07,685
a community just outside of the city, but right next to tesla's gigafactory

2149
02:46:09,105 --> 02:46:12,965
and, um, left to deal with the water crisis that should not exist anywhere

2150
02:46:13,215 --> 02:46:17,085
while tesla receives clean water. A clean city of austin water, our neighborhood

2151
02:46:17,445 --> 02:46:20,815
is stuck with a privatized utility monopoly delivering discolored

2152
02:46:21,555 --> 02:46:25,285
foul smelling undrinkable water to a marginalized committee, uh, community.

2153
02:46:26,465 --> 02:46:30,085
um, that is not sustainable. And it is not just, this is an environmental justice

2154
02:46:30,735 --> 02:46:34,495
issue. Families are paying high monthly bills for water they cannot trust, while

2155
02:46:34,915 --> 02:46:38,745
also absorbing the costs of damaged plumbing water heaters, and,

2156
02:46:39,185 --> 02:46:43,085
um, needing to buy bottled water just to meet the basic needs. For the last

2157
02:46:43,225 --> 02:46:46,965
two years, we've partnered with ut bridges project to sample

2158
02:46:47,525 --> 02:46:50,915
drinking water quality in the neighborhood. And those results are coming soon.

2159
02:46:51,705 --> 02:46:55,645
um, we are not asking you to imagine the problem. We're bringing data and we

2160
02:46:55,845 --> 02:46:59,585
are bringing the lived reality of people who live in this, um,

2161
02:47:00,195 --> 02:47:03,885
live with this every day. I want to thank poed for investing

2162
02:47:04,485 --> 02:47:08,205
time, resources, and care into austin's colony, and for helping this community

2163
02:47:08,645 --> 02:47:12,605
better understand document and fight for the solutions we need

2164
02:47:13,115 --> 02:47:16,685
that support matters. Um, poed is also hosting a free legislative

2165
02:47:17,565 --> 02:47:21,235
workshop to help residents understand how bills move through texas legislature,

2166
02:47:22,035 --> 02:47:25,815
because we need policy change, not more delay. Um, those

2167
02:47:26,525 --> 02:47:30,115
workshops start this weekend and you can find more on poed, uh, website.

2168
02:47:31,065 --> 02:47:34,725
um, and finally, I hope you'll join us on may 1st for our 35th anniversary

2169
02:47:35,365 --> 02:47:39,365
at the conley guerrero senior activity center. We'll have dinner dancing, and a chance

2170
02:47:39,525 --> 02:47:43,525
to reflect on, uh, justice work still ahead. Um, I

2171
02:47:43,645 --> 02:47:47,555
also wanna thank councilwoman vanessa fuentes and state rep lulu

2172
02:47:47,945 --> 02:47:51,945
flores for their state and local town hall that was given at the dell valley opportunity center.

2173
02:47:52,945 --> 02:47:56,165
um, thank you and clean water for all. Thank you.

2174
02:47:56,985 --> 02:48:00,725
yes. Good afternoon, mayor council members. My name is carlos

2175
02:48:01,055 --> 02:48:04,925
pinon and I'm the resilience program coordinator at ed. Though I've worked here full time

2176
02:48:05,085 --> 02:48:09,045
since february, 2023. I actually started as an intern in the winter of 2018 when

2177
02:48:09,325 --> 02:48:13,085
I was a student in environmental science at ut. My experience then was incredibly

2178
02:48:13,405 --> 02:48:17,275
important for my personal and political development. Bold is one of few places in austin that

2179
02:48:17,565 --> 02:48:21,445
understood just how interwoven the struggle for a cleaner, safer, and healthier

2180
02:48:21,845 --> 02:48:25,765
environment is with the struggle against racism, exploitation of working class communities,

2181
02:48:26,345 --> 02:48:30,115
and the legacy of settle colonialism. It was me and just one other student, then

2182
02:48:30,405 --> 02:48:34,285
making maps in arc gis and helping susanna to write reports on how code x would've

2183
02:48:34,805 --> 02:48:38,715
compounded the impacts of gentrification that began here years before I was even born.

2184
02:48:39,495 --> 02:48:43,405
prior to po I spent maybe 95% of my time on campus. And there

2185
02:48:43,665 --> 02:48:47,645
in my program was little mention of environmental justice. It was only through this internship

2186
02:48:48,035 --> 02:48:51,865
that I learned how to be an active participant in the issues affecting the most vulnerable, to

2187
02:48:52,085 --> 02:48:56,045
listen to and build relationships with longtime residents of a place that I didn't grow

2188
02:48:56,165 --> 02:49:00,125
up in. And to understand the responsibility of using my skills and talents to support

2189
02:49:00,445 --> 02:49:04,405
my community. Now things have come full circle in a way. As a part of

2190
02:49:04,485 --> 02:49:08,445
my work, I'm deeply involved with the bridges program, which bianca mentioned. Um, it's a

2191
02:49:08,645 --> 02:49:12,295
collaborative project between poed and the environmental science institute at ut co-created

2192
02:49:12,965 --> 02:49:16,605
with three primary goals. One, to have community members in the eastern crescent

2193
02:49:17,115 --> 02:49:21,045
lead research projects that will ultimately provide, uh, material benefits to their

2194
02:49:21,165 --> 02:49:24,645
neighborhoods through data that supports lived experiences, policy change and skill

2195
02:49:25,285 --> 02:49:29,215
building. Two, to establish a bi-directional learning model and build expertise among

2196
02:49:29,565 --> 02:49:33,565
community members so that they may conduct the research themselves. And three, to go against

2197
02:49:33,805 --> 02:49:37,535
the history of extractive relationships between academia and communities. Originally,

2198
02:49:38,205 --> 02:49:42,165
we were funded by the national science foundation for five years. However, last april, our

2199
02:49:42,365 --> 02:49:46,065
grant was terminated. Shortly after our years long work with austin energy

2200
02:49:46,485 --> 02:49:50,085
to bring residential solar to working class communities and bolster the community. Solar program

2201
02:49:50,515 --> 02:49:54,085
took an incalculable hit when the epa solar for all grants were rescinded.

2202
02:49:54,915 --> 02:49:58,605
poda also submitted a federal grant application for the first time ever, when the epa lesson

2203
02:49:59,125 --> 02:50:02,905
barriers to entry through the grantmakers program so that we could construct a network of

2204
02:50:03,285 --> 02:50:06,965
resilience hubs in mentalis. But that went to, despite our losses,

2205
02:50:07,305 --> 02:50:11,105
we continue to fight and we celebrate next friday, may 1st, we

2206
02:50:11,325 --> 02:50:15,085
invite all to commemorate the depo that was founded 35 years ago. Our gathering

2207
02:50:15,485 --> 02:50:19,445
offers an opportunity for us to reflect on the struggles and victories we've had for over three decades,

2208
02:50:20,635 --> 02:50:24,575
alongside many community members and organizations. We fought fuel storage tanks, power

2209
02:50:24,925 --> 02:50:28,845
plants, garbage truck facilities, upzoning, unaffordable, housing displacement,

2210
02:50:29,645 --> 02:50:33,605
and the destruction of our green spaces. To this day, we still pass on the

2211
02:50:33,725 --> 02:50:37,365
lessons we've learned to the next generation. We work to preserve the colorado river east of 35

2212
02:50:38,145 --> 02:50:41,805
to lower the costs of utility bills and fares to take on private water

2213
02:50:42,445 --> 02:50:46,365
companies and developers who prioritize profit over community needs. We rise up for

2214
02:50:46,525 --> 02:50:50,445
equitable education, economic development, the preservation of working class neighborhoods, built

2215
02:50:50,725 --> 02:50:54,465
over generations, basic human rights and environmental justice. The

2216
02:50:54,805 --> 02:50:57,645
struggle is long and continuous. Thank you. Thank you.

2217
02:50:59,675 --> 02:51:03,525
carolyn rose kennedy silver, white mountain, george reyna.

2218
02:51:04,785 --> 02:51:08,045
if your name's been called, please come forward and if you're already,

2219
02:51:09,745 --> 02:51:13,365
sir, if you'd like to go ahead, please go ahead. Just state your name for the record.

2220
02:51:13,915 --> 02:51:17,905
alright. Okay. Hello. Um,

2221
02:51:18,655 --> 02:51:22,325
hello. My name is george rain. I'm here to talk to city council people in this room, people

2222
02:51:23,045 --> 02:51:26,805
watching and listening wherever you are into the future audiences of the city council meeting

2223
02:51:27,715 --> 02:51:31,225
when they watch or listen to it. Um,

2224
02:51:31,965 --> 02:51:35,925
I was told, I said a lot of ums and ahs. So lemme go ahead and get those out of the way before I

2225
02:51:36,205 --> 02:51:36,205
continue.

2226
02:51:42,705 --> 02:51:46,585
and a few more are gonna slip by. So please bear with me. I'm trying to get better at,

2227
02:51:46,825 --> 02:51:50,025
um, public speaking or speech speaking. Um,

2228
02:51:50,945 --> 02:51:54,545
I'm here to talk about hard red light runners and stop sign pauses.

2229
02:51:55,395 --> 02:51:59,355
hard red light runners are drivers who after the yellow light has turned red, that

2230
02:51:59,645 --> 02:52:02,765
they run it. I understand when the light is yellow trying to make the light,

2231
02:52:03,865 --> 02:52:07,805
or if you have an aggressive driver behind you, you don't want to, you have to gas it 'cause you don't want

2232
02:52:07,885 --> 02:52:11,725
to get hit. Uh, you don't wanna get rear-ended. But now they're eating

2233
02:52:11,955 --> 02:52:15,325
into the time of pedestrians trying to cross the street when they have the right of way.

2234
02:52:16,305 --> 02:52:20,205
and the only time I have the right of way is when, uh, the sign

2235
02:52:20,405 --> 02:52:24,305
says walk. So I'm trying to follow that. Um,

2236
02:52:26,315 --> 02:52:29,995
also stop sign pauses are people that treat a stop sign as a yield sign.

2237
02:52:31,025 --> 02:52:34,965
and I know we can't stop 'em, but at the same time, maybe I'm just talking to

2238
02:52:35,165 --> 02:52:38,445
them like, I understand you're focusing on cars, but you need to take a moment,

2239
02:52:39,355 --> 02:52:43,325
scan the sidewalks for walkers, people on bikes, mopeds scooters,

2240
02:52:43,955 --> 02:52:46,145
e-bikes, et cetera. Um,

2241
02:52:48,015 --> 02:52:51,935
to close. Speaking to the red light runners and the

2242
02:52:56,015 --> 02:52:59,575
the oh the stop sign pauses. Please

2243
02:53:00,645 --> 02:53:03,575
don't eat up my time. Um,

2244
02:53:04,695 --> 02:53:08,565
and if you can make the light, make it, but try not to eat my slice of pie. Leave

2245
02:53:08,915 --> 02:53:12,835
mine alone because, uh, you're eating

2246
02:53:13,095 --> 02:53:16,805
my time crossing the street when I have the right of way. I thank

2247
02:53:17,155 --> 02:53:21,135
you. Thank you. Ms. Kennedy.

2248
02:53:22,495 --> 02:53:25,105
oh, um, carolyn rose kennedy.

2249
02:53:27,405 --> 02:53:29,015
thank y'all for having me

2250
02:53:32,055 --> 02:53:34,995
and thanks for serving all of y'all. I,

2251
02:53:36,695 --> 02:53:39,255
the day I met caesar chavez,

2252
02:53:41,235 --> 02:53:44,595
I was 17, fresh outta high school.

2253
02:53:46,795 --> 02:53:50,735
I planned to volunteer all

2254
02:53:50,955 --> 02:53:54,135
summer. I, excuse me,

2255
02:53:55,195 --> 02:53:59,135
I, I chose caesar chavez and

2256
02:53:59,355 --> 02:54:01,915
his crew to boycott lettuce.

2257
02:54:04,035 --> 02:54:06,955
I told my parents I was going to california.

2258
02:54:09,995 --> 02:54:12,275
I am, I'm third of nine kids.

2259
02:54:14,175 --> 02:54:17,735
dad said, do you need some money? Mom

2260
02:54:19,285 --> 02:54:21,815
cried all night. God bless her.

2261
02:54:23,795 --> 02:54:27,755
I went to california by bus. It took

2262
02:54:27,995 --> 02:54:29,675
me a day and a half to get there.

2263
02:54:32,115 --> 02:54:35,915
I was wearing t-shirt, blue jeans,

2264
02:54:37,305 --> 02:54:39,505
cutoffs, and bare feet.

2265
02:54:42,675 --> 02:54:46,615
I, I looked at him in

2266
02:54:46,835 --> 02:54:50,545
the eyes, cesar chavez, and I said,

2267
02:54:51,095 --> 02:54:54,935
hi, I'm kennedy. I'm

2268
02:54:55,155 --> 02:54:58,535
from texas. He looked at me

2269
02:55:01,095 --> 02:55:04,195
and looked at, looked at my bare feet

2270
02:55:05,345 --> 02:55:08,365
and he said, where's your boots?

2271
02:55:11,265 --> 02:55:12,475
that's all. Amen.

2272
02:55:15,775 --> 02:55:18,265
thank you. Thank you. Yes.

2273
02:55:21,185 --> 02:55:25,045
silver white mountain here. Afternoon, council mayor zenobia

2274
02:55:25,565 --> 02:55:29,235
c joseph tries to get y'all's cooperation through dollar figures.

2275
02:55:30,445 --> 02:55:34,055
I will try to get her point across through a different angle

2276
02:55:34,705 --> 02:55:37,915
and possibly a higher power. Since I feel compelled

2277
02:55:38,745 --> 02:55:42,265
to do this. Our lifespan could be determined by

2278
02:55:42,835 --> 02:55:46,155
disease, accident, suicide, and homicide. Whereas

2279
02:55:47,275 --> 02:55:50,485
maximum lifespan is determined by rate of aging.

2280
02:55:51,605 --> 02:55:55,285
aging rates vary between individuals based on lifespan, genetics,

2281
02:55:55,845 --> 02:55:59,805
and the environment. Here in our city, certain factors greatly contribute

2282
02:56:00,285 --> 02:56:04,205
to a shorter lifespan. There's the air quality issue here in austin because

2283
02:56:04,625 --> 02:56:08,525
of all the pollution from traffic, there's road rates that causes physical

2284
02:56:08,825 --> 02:56:12,765
and mental stress. Also losing time that we are never going to

2285
02:56:12,885 --> 02:56:16,705
get back because it takes longer to get from one place to another. The

2286
02:56:16,925 --> 02:56:20,825
rate of aging is significantly elevated by living in

2287
02:56:21,045 --> 02:56:24,915
austin. So now I'd like to quote denzel washington from

2288
02:56:25,205 --> 02:56:28,695
the movie the equalizer. Do the right

2289
02:56:29,415 --> 02:56:33,245
thing because we all have a limited lifespan and it's getting shorter

2290
02:56:33,865 --> 02:56:37,685
by the minute. Everyone will expire and it won't necessarily

2291
02:56:38,385 --> 02:56:42,065
be at boot hill with your ancestors. Action

2292
02:56:42,555 --> 02:56:42,845
play video.

2293
02:56:48,755 --> 02:56:51,325
there's a trail that leads from dodge up here to boot hill

2294
02:56:52,955 --> 02:56:56,645
that many people travel it by choice because it stops right here.

2295
02:56:57,915 --> 02:57:00,525
most of the men lying here thought they were heading somewhere else,

2296
02:57:02,385 --> 02:57:06,205
but this is where they ended for all their trouble, I know I'm matt dillon,

2297
02:57:06,625 --> 02:57:10,525
us marshall. Part of my job is to steer 'em away from here,

2298
02:57:10,645 --> 02:57:14,545
to keep 'em from a useless, violent end. But

2299
02:57:14,765 --> 02:57:18,485
now, and then there's one who won't listen. And more often than not,

2300
02:57:18,835 --> 02:57:22,085
he's buried out here alone and forgotten.

2301
02:57:27,395 --> 02:57:31,035
I need to pay tribute to my mother. A a half breed, a warrior, a missionary

2302
02:57:31,695 --> 02:57:35,465
who later in life earn her credentials to become a pastor because

2303
02:57:35,975 --> 02:57:39,465
of her. I cannot curse as I had my mouth washed out with soap.

2304
02:57:40,795 --> 02:57:44,615
I need to come clean and confess one of my sins here in front of the public before

2305
02:57:45,075 --> 02:57:48,305
I die. I do not want to be near people with aids. Vanessa

2306
02:57:49,155 --> 02:57:52,195
fuentes. Topic, proclamation dedication on february, 2026.

2307
02:57:53,715 --> 02:57:57,495
2026 was about aids. The first aids case was

2308
02:57:57,875 --> 02:58:01,645
reported in austin, texas in the summer of 1983. Not much

2309
02:58:01,905 --> 02:58:05,805
was known about aids back then. Over 40 years ago. I was working at the

2310
02:58:05,965 --> 02:58:09,145
texas department of health back in the eighties at a young age,

2311
02:58:10,875 --> 02:58:14,845
even though I was not in direct contact with people that had aids, I quit

2312
02:58:15,125 --> 02:58:17,965
my job. 'cause other people in the office I worked with

2313
02:58:19,155 --> 02:58:23,045
were in direct contact with those patients. I did not

2314
02:58:23,205 --> 02:58:27,085
have empathy back then, and that's contrary to christians. Thank you.

2315
02:58:27,375 --> 02:58:31,215
thank you mayor. That concludes all public communication speakers. Thank

2316
02:58:31,565 --> 02:58:35,485
y'all, um, members that as you've just heard that it concludes all of the people that have signed up

2317
02:58:35,625 --> 02:58:39,365
to speak in our, uh, general public communication. As I've indicated,

2318
02:58:39,735 --> 02:58:43,725
we're now gonna go into an executive session. When we return from the executive session,

2319
02:58:43,985 --> 02:58:47,725
the first item we will take up will be the board of directors meeting of the austin housing

2320
02:58:48,125 --> 02:58:52,085
finance corporation. And then we will take up item number six while we are

2321
02:58:52,205 --> 02:58:56,005
in executive session. Uh, we will continue with our live music

2322
02:58:56,445 --> 02:59:00,205
tradition and we will have a live music. Uh, they will be introdu.

2323
02:59:00,585 --> 02:59:04,545
the the, the music will be introduced by, uh, acme, uh, our,

2324
02:59:04,765 --> 02:59:08,645
our our acme department. So with that being said, uh, the city council

2325
02:59:08,965 --> 02:59:12,175
will now go into a closed executive session to take up two items

2326
02:59:13,085 --> 02:59:16,965
pursuant to section 5 5 1 0 7, 1 of the government code. The city

2327
02:59:17,165 --> 02:59:20,835
council will discuss legal issues related to item 66, discuss

2328
02:59:21,325 --> 02:59:25,035
legal issues related to sb four passed during the 85th texas legislative

2329
02:59:25,725 --> 02:59:29,445
session regarding enforcement by local government entities of state and federal immigration

2330
02:59:30,195 --> 02:59:34,085
laws. This will be a private consultation with legal counsel pursuant to 5 5 1 0 7 1

2331
02:59:35,965 --> 02:59:38,965
of the government code. In addition, pursuant to sections 5 5 1 0 7 1

2332
02:59:40,665 --> 02:59:44,445
and 5 5 1 0 7 2 of the government code, the city council will discuss

2333
02:59:44,725 --> 02:59:48,675
legal issues and real estate matters related to item 67. That

2334
02:59:48,965 --> 02:59:52,845
will be a discussion of legal and relate and real estate matters related to the acquisition by

2335
02:59:53,045 --> 02:59:56,885
imminent domain of a fee. Simple interest in right of way, consisting of approximately

2336
02:59:57,835 --> 03:00:00,385
0.282 acres, 12,301

2337
03:00:02,125 --> 03:00:06,015
square feet. Located at zero zero mount larson road, austin, texas

2338
03:00:06,775 --> 03:00:10,325
7 8 7 4 6 for the public use of situating

2339
03:00:10,885 --> 03:00:14,765
a communications tower to provide radio coverage in support of all city and

2340
03:00:14,965 --> 03:00:18,405
county public safety and public service departments and agencies.

2341
03:00:19,035 --> 03:00:22,245
this will be a private consultation with our legal counsel pursuant to 5 5 1 0 7 1

2342
03:00:24,085 --> 03:00:27,885
of the government code. And a discussion of real property matters pursuant to section

2343
03:00:28,125 --> 03:00:32,005
5 5 1 0 7 2 of the government code. There being

2344
03:00:32,205 --> 03:00:36,195
no objection to us going into an executive session on the items announced. The council will

2345
03:00:36,485 --> 03:00:40,475
now go into executive session at 12:59 pm hold

2346
03:00:41,105 --> 03:00:41,325
apd accountable.

2347
03:00:45,155 --> 03:00:48,735
my name is angela means director of arts culture, music and entertainment.

2348
03:00:49,755 --> 03:00:53,275
and it is a pleasure to be here today to introduce our

2349
03:00:53,855 --> 03:00:57,175
musician of the day for the city of austin. As little j

2350
03:00:58,165 --> 03:01:02,085
from dale. From dale. I knew I was gonna say

2351
03:01:02,245 --> 03:01:06,185
it like we say it in san diego, california. Little j from the

2352
03:01:06,525 --> 03:01:09,615
o hi uhhuh austin, texas.

2353
03:01:11,345 --> 03:01:15,325
all right. And I see his family's here, so I wanna make sure I give y'all a

2354
03:01:15,445 --> 03:01:19,125
shout out. Thank you for being here. This is a big deal. Thank y'all.

2355
03:01:20,845 --> 03:01:24,625
I hope you are proud of him. Lil

2356
03:01:24,965 --> 03:01:28,925
j from the o is a rising reality rap artist from austin,

2357
03:01:29,335 --> 03:01:32,365
texas known for blending raw street perspectives

2358
03:01:33,355 --> 03:01:37,145
with authentic texas storytelling rooted in

2359
03:01:37,365 --> 03:01:40,485
real life experience. His music reflects the realities,

2360
03:01:41,665 --> 03:01:45,445
the res, the resilience, ambition and culture of the city

2361
03:01:45,685 --> 03:01:49,205
that shaped him. Delivering records that resonate across generations

2362
03:01:49,945 --> 03:01:53,645
and communities. His sound captures the grit of

2363
03:01:54,005 --> 03:01:57,515
southern hip hop while remaining accessible, energetic,

2364
03:01:58,465 --> 03:02:02,045
and purpose driven building consistent momentum.

2365
03:02:02,665 --> 03:02:06,575
lil j from the o is a two time official south

2366
03:02:06,985 --> 03:02:10,545
by southwest artists establishing himself as

2367
03:02:11,045 --> 03:02:14,715
a standout presence on one of the world's most influential

2368
03:02:15,575 --> 03:02:19,505
music stages. That is a big deal. He

2369
03:02:19,745 --> 03:02:22,505
has toured across texas, alongside texas legend

2370
03:02:24,315 --> 03:02:28,095
several legends, but chino bling further expanding his reach

2371
03:02:28,785 --> 03:02:31,805
and live performance reputation throughout the region.

2372
03:02:33,065 --> 03:02:36,315
his rise has earned him notable recognition across respected

2373
03:02:37,245 --> 03:02:41,145
platforms, including being labeled next to below by rap

2374
03:02:41,725 --> 03:02:45,245
economics. Top 20 texas latino artists by texas

2375
03:02:45,755 --> 03:02:49,245
buzz and recognized as a top 20 rap artists

2376
03:02:50,145 --> 03:02:54,045
by austin streets tv. These accolades reflect both

2377
03:02:54,385 --> 03:02:58,335
his growing influence and the respect he's earned within texas

2378
03:02:58,905 --> 03:03:02,365
hip hop culture. He has received genuine

2379
03:03:03,445 --> 03:03:07,105
co-signs from iconic artists such as paul wall bby

2380
03:03:07,545 --> 03:03:11,525
and lil kiki, and has established groundwork with artists

2381
03:03:11,915 --> 03:03:15,555
like chino bling, gt garza, slim

2382
03:03:15,995 --> 03:03:19,785
thug, oc chris that mexican ot, the

2383
03:03:20,005 --> 03:03:23,565
baby, and more at his plat. As his platform

2384
03:03:24,085 --> 03:03:27,885
continues to grow, he remains focused on representing austin

2385
03:03:28,315 --> 03:03:32,165
with authenticity while pushing texas hip hop forward on a

2386
03:03:32,485 --> 03:03:33,965
national level. Thank you.

2387
03:03:37,235 --> 03:03:41,085
okay, and I have a proclamation for you and I'm

2388
03:03:41,285 --> 03:03:44,645
gonna read it on behalf of this city council. The mayor and city council,

2389
03:03:46,185 --> 03:03:50,165
be it known that whereas the city of austin, texas is blessed

2390
03:03:50,675 --> 03:03:54,285
with many creative musicians whose talent extends to virtually

2391
03:03:54,895 --> 03:03:58,655
every musical genre. And whereas our music

2392
03:03:59,095 --> 03:04:03,045
scene thrives because austin audiences support good music

2393
03:04:03,725 --> 03:04:07,615
produced by legends, our local favorites and newcomers alike.

2394
03:04:08,585 --> 03:04:12,205
and whereas we are pleased to showcase and support our local artists.

2395
03:04:13,345 --> 03:04:16,335
now, therefore, I angela means

2396
03:04:18,045 --> 03:04:21,685
I am the director of acme of the live music capital of the world

2397
03:04:22,385 --> 03:04:24,375
due hereby proclaim april 23rd, 2026

2398
03:04:27,385 --> 03:04:29,745
as lil j day in austin. Woo.

2399
03:04:44,255 --> 03:04:44,605
thank you.

2400
03:05:03,765 --> 03:05:07,345
I feel like before I get started, I just wanna shout out a few people that played a big role in uh,

2401
03:05:07,825 --> 03:05:11,275
to where I'm at today. And first and foremost, I want to give a shout to jose.

2402
03:05:12,025 --> 03:05:15,905
um, part of the council. He played a big role as far as like getting to

2403
03:05:16,125 --> 03:05:19,875
me where I'm at and achieving this goal. Um, greg,

2404
03:05:20,585 --> 03:05:24,485
uh, shelby, everybody that has played a part to get to where

2405
03:05:24,605 --> 03:05:28,505
I'm at, um, it's crazy how to thank uh, a little get a boy in

2406
03:05:28,725 --> 03:05:32,725
the east side projects can one day, um, have its own day in its own

2407
03:05:32,805 --> 03:05:36,545
city. So, um, it's definitely a huge stepping stone for me. Um,

2408
03:05:36,835 --> 03:05:40,305
this is just the beginning to where I, I see myself, um,

2409
03:05:40,865 --> 03:05:44,845
but thankful for everybody that is here today and anybody that plays

2410
03:05:45,185 --> 03:05:48,745
my music or plays any part of seeing me grow. So

2411
03:05:49,515 --> 03:05:50,285
this is for the city.

2412
03:05:53,615 --> 03:05:56,405
let's go. Let's go n boy. Let's give him a show.

2413
03:06:00,465 --> 03:06:04,205
hey, a, you turn me up on the mic a little bit.

2414
03:06:05,565 --> 03:06:08,665
I want to hear myself a little bit more. Aye hey,

2415
03:06:09,625 --> 03:06:13,625
hey, hey. I'm this hop beat be

2416
03:06:13,845 --> 03:06:17,745
rap. So when it come to this paper I wanted them blues. I ain't taking no dust, no

2417
03:06:17,965 --> 03:06:21,785
handout trying to look like a million. I step in the building, it look like one off a scratch out.

2418
03:06:22,105 --> 03:06:25,985
no, this came for the payment. I put put that in if you played it this man down and

2419
03:06:26,225 --> 03:06:30,085
I'm going way harder than ever expected. They still can't said it but they going respect as far

2420
03:06:30,285 --> 03:06:34,245
as the days that I used be re I put on the beat, now I get straight to re and I today the people,

2421
03:06:34,405 --> 03:06:38,325
they can't even compare. I'm feeling out whoever declared, I always stay ready. No need

2422
03:06:38,525 --> 03:06:42,485
to prepare. They saying this, well I came here declared they taking no days off or behind

2423
03:06:42,745 --> 03:06:46,675
the next part in the middle of summer. They call it the class clown. Now you look like cash

2424
03:06:47,025 --> 03:06:50,805
cow who get some money, need all my, they come in the bun replying the

2425
03:06:51,085 --> 03:06:54,725
pressure for things that I want and don't know how to quit. Mama say don't something. Some things never changed. Never

2426
03:06:55,090 --> 03:06:58,025
changed with the money. I kept it on honey. Huh?

2427
03:06:59,605 --> 03:07:03,485
I kept it on honey. Hey let's go.

2428
03:07:06,505 --> 03:07:09,765
hey, I am that test made mexican, huh? Let's go.

2429
03:07:13,705 --> 03:07:16,645
hey, I ain't finna tell y'all how I got away with this s**t.

2430
03:07:19,375 --> 03:07:23,285
let's go. Hey, hey. I said back then,

2431
03:07:23,595 --> 03:07:27,335
then won. But now popping today, y'all on me nine days going do a show in. Let's

2432
03:07:27,685 --> 03:07:31,645
pull it. Our homie big do I clip these other just small ponies

2433
03:07:31,875 --> 03:07:35,725
down outside. We gripping gray. We chops like paul blend. Don't elevating my name.

2434
03:07:36,175 --> 03:07:39,965
don't hear me up. With no small budget. Gc game. The vbs going

2435
03:07:40,205 --> 03:07:44,165
to bang for me. Section eight. Y'all spoon fed. Can't even see in my lane homie. I been

2436
03:07:44,325 --> 03:07:48,285
doing my thing homie. Chase makes real change homie. I I take you back when. I ain't

2437
03:07:48,525 --> 03:07:52,525
even know I who I was. Y texas talk. Now that texas boy done got a

2438
03:07:52,645 --> 03:07:56,525
buzz. I made a way. That's why they hey, but s**t, you gotta love it. I bet they

2439
03:07:56,685 --> 03:08:00,675
changed they mind when supposed be pulling up his bumper. Kids don't bump your lift because by best

2440
03:08:00,965 --> 03:08:04,925
ain't good. Come around my side of town. You know we on that texas, I said bumper kids

2441
03:08:05,165 --> 03:08:08,925
don't bump lifts because by best ain't go come around my side of town.

2442
03:08:09,305 --> 03:08:09,765
you know he on

2443
03:08:13,615 --> 03:08:17,445
going crazy. Hey, I got one more song

2444
03:08:17,685 --> 03:08:21,285
for you. If you came a long way had to go the hallway,

2445
03:08:22,155 --> 03:08:24,865
this song's dedicated to you. Ah,

2446
03:08:26,175 --> 03:08:29,885
let's go hi to the wrong down the path. I guess I had to learn a hard

2447
03:08:30,185 --> 03:08:33,905
way. Let's go. Hey,

2448
03:08:35,005 --> 03:08:38,925
I done came a long way. I

2449
03:08:39,045 --> 03:08:41,725
to the wrong way down the path. I guess I had to learn a whole way.

2450
03:08:43,365 --> 03:08:47,045
I, I guess I had to learn a hard way. I done came

2451
03:08:47,405 --> 03:08:51,405
a long, long way. I to the wrong way down

2452
03:08:51,685 --> 03:08:53,605
a path. I guess I had to learn a hard way.

2453
03:08:56,405 --> 03:09:00,205
I guess I had to learn a hard way. I done came a long way up out the trenches.

2454
03:09:00,645 --> 03:09:04,245
I had to be the difference. They trying to beat me when I'm down. So I just keep my

2455
03:09:04,805 --> 03:09:08,485
distance. You know, my phone didn't only ring when that's beneficial. I had to

2456
03:09:10,875 --> 03:09:14,805
hard times. Hey, I had my fair share. I had to learn to grow

2457
03:09:14,965 --> 03:09:18,845
from pain that I can't on bel just certain things I would not say. I keep that to myself.

2458
03:09:19,645 --> 03:09:23,465
I add like I don't really know, but I be willing, aware. I'm going for hey,

2459
03:09:23,825 --> 03:09:27,645
for sure for tribulation and trials. Been traumatized by certain things that I done seen

2460
03:09:27,885 --> 03:09:31,885
as a child. A lot that I let go. 'cause if I don't, it just pile lot of

2461
03:09:32,045 --> 03:09:36,045
things went on my mind that outta sky with a smile dedicated to this rep. I put

2462
03:09:36,245 --> 03:09:39,685
my life on the line. No substitution. If I fall, I got my family, my spine

2463
03:09:40,355 --> 03:09:44,285
hardworking, perseverance, they gonna pay over time. My hardworking perseverance.

2464
03:09:44,805 --> 03:09:45,405
they, I done

2465
03:09:49,165 --> 03:09:52,085
I to the wrong way down a path. I guess I had to learn the hard way.

2466
03:09:53,705 --> 03:09:57,685
hey, I guess I had to learn the hard way I done came a

2467
03:09:57,805 --> 03:10:01,605
long, long way. I to the wrong way down

2468
03:10:01,885 --> 03:10:05,305
a path. I guess I had to learn the hard way. Hey,

2469
03:10:06,525 --> 03:10:10,265
I guess I had to learn the hard way. Ain't promised no tomorrow. But one thing for sir,

2470
03:10:10,745 --> 03:10:14,685
but every second I got, I'm chasing there for my purpose. It's when they tell you

2471
03:10:14,805 --> 03:10:18,765
you worthless when you find what your worth is. I'm trying to break this fan cycle. That's good.

2472
03:10:18,925 --> 03:10:22,845
or with curses. I'm not in day with this microphone trying to make it happen. So many

2473
03:10:23,125 --> 03:10:27,085
people done told me y'all wouldn't make a rapping. But now they see me performing. I went

2474
03:10:27,245 --> 03:10:30,805
and make connections. My life was damn. But I went and made a change of direction.

2475
03:10:31,545 --> 03:10:35,525
so much built up deep inside that I could have blown a piston. I guess my love and my loyalty

2476
03:10:36,025 --> 03:10:39,565
was just used against me. Can't jeopardize what I'm working for. I got five pennants.

2477
03:10:40,225 --> 03:10:44,165
so that's my reasons why I get up off my and get it. I know I'm desperate for greatness

2478
03:10:44,485 --> 03:10:48,245
down. Its time for the riches. Now with the scars that I've gained for the

2479
03:10:48,605 --> 03:10:52,565
trenches, I had to give him my all knock straight out the hinges. I'm just a person

2480
03:10:52,755 --> 03:10:56,505
with problems that going vent with these lyrics I done came a long way.

2481
03:10:58,025 --> 03:11:02,005
huh? I took the wrong way down a path. Guess I had to learn a whole

2482
03:11:02,245 --> 03:11:06,245
way. Hey, I guess I had to learn a

2483
03:11:06,365 --> 03:11:09,345
hard way. I done came a long, long way.

2484
03:11:11,125 --> 03:11:14,085
I to the wrong way down a path against. I had to learn the hallway way.

2485
03:11:15,625 --> 03:11:19,525
hey, I guess I had to learn the hallway way I then came a

2486
03:11:19,645 --> 03:11:22,885
long way. Love, man. I love y'all in texas.

2487
03:11:24,705 --> 03:11:25,285
you don't wanna sleep.

2488
03:11:43,805 --> 03:11:44,815
can we take down

2489
03:12:17,235 --> 03:12:21,005
good afternoon everybody. It is 2 59 and we are out of the closed

2490
03:12:21,365 --> 03:12:25,315
session. In the closed session we discussed legal issues and real estate matters related

2491
03:12:25,805 --> 03:12:29,315
to item 66 and 67. Um, members.

2492
03:12:33,235 --> 03:12:37,085
members. Um, without objection, we will recess the meeting

2493
03:12:37,365 --> 03:12:40,085
of the austin city council, um, at 3:00 pm

2494
03:12:41,435 --> 03:12:45,405
there's no objection. So we are in recess and I will now call to order the board

2495
03:12:45,645 --> 03:12:49,305
of directors meeting of the austin housing finance corporation. Um,

2496
03:12:49,745 --> 03:12:53,525
and we have a quorum of the board of directors of the austin housing finance corporation present,

2497
03:12:54,465 --> 03:12:58,385
uh, with, uh, and, and I will turn to

2498
03:12:58,815 --> 03:13:02,125
we're by the way, we're meeting, it's on, uh, april 23rd, 2026 at 3:00 pm

2499
03:13:03,385 --> 03:13:07,195
and we are meeting in city council chambers located in city hall at 3 0 1 west

2500
03:13:07,485 --> 03:13:11,365
second street. And we will recognize our professional staff to talk

2501
03:13:11,565 --> 03:13:15,445
to, uh, the board of directors. Good afternoon y'all. I am

2502
03:13:15,665 --> 03:13:19,605
nicole jocelyn. I'm the housing and community development officer for austin housing.

2503
03:13:21,045 --> 03:13:24,965
I am here to present the agenda for the a hfc board meeting today.

2504
03:13:25,705 --> 03:13:29,475
we have two items on consent. The first item

2505
03:13:29,985 --> 03:13:33,845
is to approve the minutes for the previous board of directors meetings

2506
03:13:34,245 --> 03:13:36,735
for march 12th, march 26th and april 9th.

2507
03:13:38,675 --> 03:13:42,645
item number two is to authorize a amended loan

2508
03:13:42,885 --> 03:13:46,405
agreement with the la vista de lopez lp

2509
03:13:47,385 --> 03:13:51,065
in an amount not to exceed one point, uh, 1 6 0 5

2510
03:13:52,325 --> 03:13:55,665
$5 million for a total loan amount, not to exceed $6,233,365

2511
03:13:59,785 --> 03:14:03,395
for a multifamily rental development known as la vista de lopez, located

2512
03:14:03,885 --> 03:14:07,705
at 8 0 9 east ninth street. This loan is

2513
03:14:08,275 --> 03:14:11,965
utilizing homestead preservation district tax increment reinvestment

2514
03:14:12,395 --> 03:14:16,245
zone funds and it is located in district one. And that is

2515
03:14:16,445 --> 03:14:20,285
all we have on the agenda today. Uh, thank you very much. Uh, clerk, do we have any, uh,

2516
03:14:20,485 --> 03:14:23,955
speakers? Yes, we have one speaker on item

2517
03:14:24,685 --> 03:14:26,365
hfc 0 0 2. Zenobia joseph,

2518
03:14:39,395 --> 03:14:43,345
welcome ms. Joseph. Thank you mayor pro

2519
03:14:43,585 --> 03:14:47,405
tim members, I'm enovia joseph. My comments are specifically

2520
03:14:47,725 --> 03:14:50,965
related to the $1 million request. The actual application

2521
03:14:51,795 --> 03:14:55,705
says project connect and it specifies plaza saltillo fee

2522
03:14:56,025 --> 03:15:00,005
in lie. I just think that this particular project is a

2523
03:15:00,305 --> 03:15:04,265
bit deceptive. If I'm correct, I think it's 10 stories, 27

2524
03:15:05,015 --> 03:15:08,765
units, $20 million total. That's about $734,000

2525
03:15:10,985 --> 03:15:14,925
per unit. If it's only 27 units, maybe the staff can clarify.

2526
03:15:15,935 --> 03:15:19,885
there was a discussion june 10th, 2025 community development

2527
03:15:20,445 --> 03:15:24,445
commission where mandy demille actually mentioned the hud funding about $3 million.

2528
03:15:25,985 --> 03:15:29,865
it is however unclear why we would spend that much money on

2529
03:15:30,185 --> 03:15:33,925
one unit. I just wanna make you aware, this is 27 units for the senior

2530
03:15:34,605 --> 03:15:38,585
citizens and the senior citizens and northeast austin specifically do

2531
03:15:38,805 --> 03:15:42,245
not have transportation on breaker lane. 3 92 is eliminated

2532
03:15:42,905 --> 03:15:46,745
to collinwood. And so my comments are always in the context of

2533
03:15:46,965 --> 03:15:50,885
title six of the civil rights act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination

2534
03:15:51,575 --> 03:15:55,565
based on race, color, or national origin. I would call to your attention that harris branch

2535
03:15:55,925 --> 03:15:59,805
senior living, it's about two miles to walk on dessa to the nearest bus stop.

2536
03:16:00,505 --> 03:16:04,295
and so I am having some difficulty understanding how you could invest $734,000

2537
03:16:07,105 --> 03:16:10,885
in one unit per elder. And it's about a mile

2538
03:16:11,155 --> 03:16:15,005
walk from the wells branch, merrill town as well. And so it's

2539
03:16:15,245 --> 03:16:19,125
an equitable, it's discriminatory, and it also would violate the fair

2540
03:16:19,405 --> 03:16:23,245
housing act in 1968. So if you could just see clarification on the funding

2541
03:16:23,445 --> 03:16:27,215
mechanism. It's started at 16 million. It's only about eight

2542
03:16:27,895 --> 03:16:31,685
affordable units at 30% area median income. And then there

2543
03:16:32,065 --> 03:16:35,455
are 19, uh, total for 50%

2544
03:16:36,165 --> 03:16:40,005
area median income or median family income. It just seems a bit excessive

2545
03:16:40,825 --> 03:16:44,725
and I would ask you to table the item and recognize that it's not cost effective.

2546
03:16:45,305 --> 03:16:48,765
if you have any questions, I'll gladly answer them at this time. Thank you, mr. Joseph. You're welcome.

2547
03:16:49,425 --> 03:16:52,945
no other speakers. That concludes all speakers. Thank you. Then, uh,

2548
03:16:53,515 --> 03:16:57,245
with the, uh, can I-a-f-c-a austin housing

2549
03:16:57,645 --> 03:17:01,425
finance corporation, uh, the consent agenda would include the

2550
03:17:01,845 --> 03:17:05,595
approval of the minutes and approval of item two. Is there a motion? A motion from

2551
03:17:05,885 --> 03:17:09,545
council member alter second from council member of velasquez, uh,

2552
03:17:10,145 --> 03:17:13,785
any, uh, objections then? Without objection, the

2553
03:17:14,285 --> 03:17:16,805
h of the consent agenda is approved.

2554
03:17:18,375 --> 03:17:22,045
going back to then, actually we were,

2555
03:17:22,785 --> 03:17:26,545
yes. Alright. Uh,

2556
03:17:27,035 --> 03:17:30,345
then sorry. Do you have the list of folks who are off the diocese? Uh,

2557
03:17:31,055 --> 03:17:34,925
thank you for the reminder with, uh, council member harper madison,

2558
03:17:35,505 --> 03:17:39,365
uh, uh, absent and, uh, the mayor of the

2559
03:17:39,765 --> 03:17:43,605
diocese and, uh, council member lane off the dais. Let the record reflect

2560
03:17:44,085 --> 03:17:47,905
that, uh, on the consent agenda vote, those three members were, uh, not

2561
03:17:48,125 --> 03:17:51,995
present for the vote. Uh, and with, uh, that vote, then

2562
03:17:52,385 --> 03:17:55,565
we will, uh, adjourn the meeting of the austin housing finance corporation

2563
03:17:56,585 --> 03:18:00,045
and we will, uh, return, uh, to the meeting

2564
03:18:00,745 --> 03:18:03,385
of the austin city council, uh,

2565
03:18:05,135 --> 03:18:08,285
clerk, where are we on the speakers

2566
03:18:09,315 --> 03:18:13,225
when we're done with the consent agenda item? And we're going to item six. Yes,

2567
03:18:13,445 --> 03:18:17,245
sir. Then, uh, we'll go ahead and call up item six, and please call

2568
03:18:17,565 --> 03:18:21,405
any speakers on item six. Thank you. It'll be, uh, we'll start with remote

2569
03:18:21,765 --> 03:18:24,145
speakers. The first one will be ira ner.

2570
03:18:29,855 --> 03:18:33,715
good afternoon, uh, mayor and city council members. Uh,

2571
03:18:33,935 --> 03:18:36,895
my name is ira ner and I'm the ceo of rita development,

2572
03:18:38,195 --> 03:18:41,855
the developer of the proposed coda project. We believe

2573
03:18:42,485 --> 03:18:46,135
this project will be transformational to the dell valley

2574
03:18:46,835 --> 03:18:50,745
and eastern crescent communities. The proposed project will

2575
03:18:51,035 --> 03:18:55,025
create thousands of excellent construction and permanent jobs

2576
03:18:56,015 --> 03:18:59,755
of very significant new tax base and literally billions

2577
03:19:00,375 --> 03:19:04,335
of positive economic impact when built. It will

2578
03:19:04,495 --> 03:19:08,445
also become an anchor and town center for austin's eastern

2579
03:19:08,935 --> 03:19:12,445
crescent and dell valley communities. These are very

2580
03:19:12,965 --> 03:19:16,895
complex public private partnership agreements and will

2581
03:19:17,095 --> 03:19:20,575
need the cooperation and support throughout the city,

2582
03:19:21,245 --> 03:19:24,995
including staff city legal, and of course, you

2583
03:19:25,325 --> 03:19:29,015
council members and the mayor once coming to fruition.

2584
03:19:30,555 --> 03:19:33,695
we see a tremendous future for that region.

2585
03:19:34,875 --> 03:19:37,475
as a result of significant infrastructure

2586
03:19:39,275 --> 03:19:43,115
and follow on projects, we have developed similar projects in

2587
03:19:43,335 --> 03:19:47,255
florida, texas, colorado, and california, and seeing these projects

2588
03:19:47,885 --> 03:19:51,875
literally transform their local communities, we look forward to

2589
03:19:52,095 --> 03:19:56,095
working towards making this vision reality. We thank you

2590
03:19:56,175 --> 03:19:58,495
for your support and are here to answer any questions.

2591
03:20:00,225 --> 03:20:03,935
thank you. Uh, mr. Mr. We'll now move to in-person

2592
03:20:04,335 --> 03:20:08,335
speakers on item six. Susan spataro is sharon

2593
03:20:08,575 --> 03:20:12,175
blythe here. Thank you. Susan. Will have four minutes.

2594
03:20:12,885 --> 03:20:16,775
also, willie gonzalez. Gus trujillo. Marquita

2595
03:20:17,335 --> 03:20:17,335
presley.

2596
03:20:26,225 --> 03:20:30,115
good afternoon counsel. Susan pitaro, district eight. I'm here

2597
03:20:30,315 --> 03:20:33,705
to speak very favorably for this, uh, item.

2598
03:20:34,875 --> 03:20:38,575
I think that I remember back when coda first came, it

2599
03:20:38,955 --> 03:20:42,675
was built in the economic, um, desired development

2600
03:20:43,235 --> 03:20:47,115
zone. And so people were very enthusiastic about getting, you know, some

2601
03:20:47,355 --> 03:20:51,295
real structure out there. It's done a wonderful job of

2602
03:20:51,515 --> 03:20:55,355
growing with the community and providing benefits

2603
03:20:55,615 --> 03:20:59,275
for everyone. And an, an interesting number to have

2604
03:20:59,775 --> 03:21:03,035
is that from, in a, in the period of 2012

2605
03:21:03,895 --> 03:21:07,155
to 2021, angeles angelo did an economic

2606
03:21:08,435 --> 03:21:12,035
analysis of, of coda. And what they know, what they

2607
03:21:12,545 --> 03:21:16,075
concluded is that the economic benefit was a billion dollars

2608
03:21:16,755 --> 03:21:20,695
a year. And that facility has expanded. This is the

2609
03:21:20,915 --> 03:21:24,065
perfect compliment for that. It provides jobs,

2610
03:21:25,065 --> 03:21:28,905
good jobs, it works, can work with the hospitality program

2611
03:21:29,655 --> 03:21:33,535
at dell valley high school. And, you know, I, I watched the

2612
03:21:33,755 --> 03:21:37,395
work session the other day on the budget, and people are concerned about

2613
03:21:38,295 --> 03:21:41,835
not enough economic growth. This is really good economic growth.

2614
03:21:42,695 --> 03:21:46,595
the other thing is that they're worried about, you know, what

2615
03:21:46,905 --> 03:21:50,585
is the future of property taxes? And I get that, but

2616
03:21:51,065 --> 03:21:55,025
one of the things you do then is you focus more on sales taxes. And

2617
03:21:55,245 --> 03:21:59,125
that's what this building does. But they also pay property

2618
03:21:59,285 --> 03:22:02,855
taxes. And I think that's important because many facilities

2619
03:22:03,705 --> 03:22:07,445
out there really don't pay property taxes. Uh, coda pays property taxes

2620
03:22:07,945 --> 03:22:11,645
and, and these people will pay property taxes. They will also generate

2621
03:22:12,555 --> 03:22:16,325
many, many other taxes. The hot tax is something that I kind

2622
03:22:16,565 --> 03:22:20,105
of call a, but for tax, in other words, it,

2623
03:22:20,625 --> 03:22:24,565
if there isn't a hotel, then there is no hot tax. And so there's

2624
03:22:24,885 --> 03:22:28,005
nothing to redistribute. So I think it is extremely important

2625
03:22:29,155 --> 03:22:33,085
that the agreement on hot tax makes a whole lot of

2626
03:22:33,245 --> 03:22:37,125
sense. And that is you build a hotel, it generates hot tax and a whole lot

2627
03:22:37,325 --> 03:22:41,145
of other things. And if in fact, the hot tax is

2628
03:22:41,425 --> 03:22:45,245
not gathered, then they don't get it back. And there's no

2629
03:22:45,475 --> 03:22:49,445
loss to the city of austin whatsoever. So I think this is a, a,

2630
03:22:49,725 --> 03:22:53,625
a really excellent project. Um, my understanding is

2631
03:22:53,845 --> 03:22:57,805
that it has, these projects have succeeded, like the previous gentleman said

2632
03:22:58,045 --> 03:23:01,755
in other areas. So it's not as though it's totally new. It's

2633
03:23:02,065 --> 03:23:05,965
the perfect compliment for coda. Um, so I would

2634
03:23:06,165 --> 03:23:09,985
encourage you to, um, approve this. Uh, one

2635
03:23:10,205 --> 03:23:13,555
more thing I would like to say on this item is it's in the dell valley independent

2636
03:23:14,245 --> 03:23:18,125
school district. Why is that important? Well, the enrollment is a little over,

2637
03:23:18,945 --> 03:23:21,205
uh, 11,000 students, but 92.5%

2638
03:23:23,155 --> 03:23:27,035
come from economically disadvantaged homes. We should be concerned

2639
03:23:27,695 --> 03:23:31,205
about being able to provide assets training

2640
03:23:32,305 --> 03:23:35,795
for that district. And when I've seen projects working

2641
03:23:36,355 --> 03:23:40,165
with that district, they're very successful because the kids there wanna learn,

2642
03:23:40,465 --> 03:23:44,385
the parents want them too. So I think this is a really nice, um,

2643
03:23:45,375 --> 03:23:49,305
blend with with the school district. Um, and one

2644
03:23:49,525 --> 03:23:52,685
more thing is that, you know, I I think

2645
03:23:53,555 --> 03:23:57,555
it's consistent with what we wanna do in this city. All day long I've

2646
03:23:57,845 --> 03:24:01,835
been hearing people not having jobs, not having money. This is jobs, this

2647
03:24:02,125 --> 03:24:05,995
is money, it's good jobs, construction jobs, long time fits

2648
03:24:06,285 --> 03:24:10,125
nicely into the, the, the complex dakota. So thank you very much. I hope

2649
03:24:10,325 --> 03:24:10,995
you will support this

2650
03:24:14,735 --> 03:24:18,205
jania marbury, jen robshaw, bill bunch,

2651
03:24:19,635 --> 03:24:20,305
michael waylan.

2652
03:24:31,465 --> 03:24:34,805
uh, good afternoon, mayor and city council. My name's willie gonzalez.

2653
03:24:35,665 --> 03:24:39,405
I'm the secretary treasurer for local 23. We represent hospitality workers

2654
03:24:39,755 --> 03:24:43,385
here in austin. So we are here in support of item six.

2655
03:24:44,345 --> 03:24:47,805
um, I'd like to speak about this in terms of the workers,

2656
03:24:49,545 --> 03:24:53,285
the people who work in the hospitality industry that are a

2657
03:24:53,605 --> 03:24:56,685
backbone of this city. The people that get up every morning,

2658
03:24:57,625 --> 03:25:01,395
go to work every day, clean those hotel rooms, cook

2659
03:25:01,845 --> 03:25:05,645
the food, serve the drink sometimes to an upset guest and make

2660
03:25:05,965 --> 03:25:09,965
'em feel better. And then go home to their family. And at the end of the week,

2661
03:25:10,905 --> 03:25:14,885
try and figure out if they have enough money to go out on saturday night and spend some time with their family.

2662
03:25:16,265 --> 03:25:20,035
um, this is about them too. Many of these projects talk

2663
03:25:20,325 --> 03:25:24,325
about the building, the thing, the project, the land. I wanna

2664
03:25:24,485 --> 03:25:28,435
talk about those workers, you know, and, and they're important is they're

2665
03:25:28,835 --> 03:25:32,785
the ones that make the industry succeed and working with

2666
03:25:33,315 --> 03:25:36,945
employers that are willing to do the right thing. Rita,

2667
03:25:37,575 --> 03:25:40,825
we have worked with them in houston and created good jobs

2668
03:25:41,815 --> 03:25:44,715
in that city. This, there is a very good example,

2669
03:25:45,935 --> 03:25:49,715
two hours to the east of here of working with rita, where they created

2670
03:25:50,145 --> 03:25:54,115
good jobs and, and made an impact on people's lives and created

2671
03:25:54,595 --> 03:25:58,475
a good standard for those workers. So we have to look at

2672
03:25:58,675 --> 03:26:02,575
these projects, not just in terms of the economic value as

2673
03:26:02,795 --> 03:26:06,115
they say. They assess how much it brings to the city about what it does for those workers.

2674
03:26:07,135 --> 03:26:10,835
and there's a track record with rita and we are here to talk about it. 'cause we've,

2675
03:26:11,155 --> 03:26:15,135
we've been partners with them on that. Um, so for

2676
03:26:15,555 --> 03:26:19,115
us, and a few months, a few years ago, this council

2677
03:26:19,705 --> 03:26:23,465
said they wanted to take some steps to make sure the airport jobs were

2678
03:26:23,755 --> 03:26:27,555
good jobs. And we did that. And you'll

2679
03:26:27,835 --> 03:26:31,635
hear from some of those people. And that was a decision that was made.

2680
03:26:32,895 --> 03:26:36,195
and so you'll hear from some of those people now. Thank you very much.

2681
03:26:38,935 --> 03:26:41,275
please state your name and begin speaking whoever wants to go next.

2682
03:26:43,145 --> 03:26:46,795
good afternoon, mayor and city council. My name is marquita presley

2683
03:26:47,195 --> 03:26:51,195
and I'm a cashier at areas. Former delaware north concession stands at the

2684
03:26:51,355 --> 03:26:55,355
austin airport. A few years ago, we started organizing at the airport.

2685
03:26:56,125 --> 03:26:59,585
since then, with the help of many of you in particular, city councilor,

2686
03:27:01,065 --> 03:27:05,015
city council, woman, vanessa fuentes, we have really, we

2687
03:27:05,235 --> 03:27:09,045
have really changed the jobs at the airport. These

2688
03:27:09,395 --> 03:27:12,795
are now good jobs with good wages, benefits. In most of all respect,

2689
03:27:13,635 --> 03:27:17,455
I have now been able to move into a bigger place and was able to pay off my

2690
03:27:17,695 --> 03:27:21,565
car early. I no longer have to live. Check

2691
03:27:21,915 --> 03:27:25,795
to check. Many of my coworkers have been impacted as well. Many brought

2692
03:27:26,075 --> 03:27:29,875
their first car and purchased homes for the first time. For this

2693
03:27:30,235 --> 03:27:33,655
reason, I'm excited to support this project. The more we create jobs, so

2694
03:27:34,305 --> 03:27:38,255
good hotel jobs, the more we can raise standards for hotel workers and

2695
03:27:38,495 --> 03:27:41,925
all hospitality workers in this city. Thank you. You thank you.

2696
03:27:43,345 --> 03:27:47,155
and congratulations. Thank you. That's good. Good

2697
03:27:47,445 --> 03:27:51,405
afternoon, mayor and city council. My name is, uh, gus trujillo.

2698
03:27:52,085 --> 03:27:56,085
I work at the hilton austin airport. I'm a supervisor and I have worked at

2699
03:27:56,205 --> 03:28:00,045
this hotel for over three years now. Uh, prior to working at the hilton,

2700
03:28:00,485 --> 03:28:04,405
I worked with a property management company downtown. At that job, I was

2701
03:28:04,695 --> 03:28:08,565
overworked and I was still not making enough income. As a result,

2702
03:28:09,045 --> 03:28:13,045
I had to be a lyft driver on the weekends. It was difficult with, it was difficult

2703
03:28:13,365 --> 03:28:17,365
because I was living paycheck to paycheck despite working every day without a day off.

2704
03:28:18,355 --> 03:28:21,605
shortly after I began working at the hilton, we organized our union.

2705
03:28:22,545 --> 03:28:26,005
we were able to win good raises and improve our benefits.

2706
03:28:26,835 --> 03:28:30,685
that has allowed me to le lead a better life. Uh, I can now afford

2707
03:28:31,045 --> 03:28:34,885
to pay my bills with one job, and I'm able to take vacations and have

2708
03:28:35,205 --> 03:28:38,925
a balanced life. The other important thing we won was respect.

2709
03:28:39,955 --> 03:28:43,085
with the union, we are able to speak up and sit down with management

2710
03:28:44,065 --> 03:28:47,765
and work through issues. I'm excited to support this hotel development

2711
03:28:48,285 --> 03:28:52,285
because the more good hotel jobs we create, the more we will raise

2712
03:28:52,625 --> 03:28:56,565
the standard for all hotel hotel workers across austin. Thank you.

2713
03:28:57,815 --> 03:28:59,665
thank you. Please.

2714
03:29:04,455 --> 03:29:08,085
hello, my name is jania marre, and I'm an organizer

2715
03:29:08,685 --> 03:29:12,645
with unite here in houston, texas. But before becoming

2716
03:29:12,785 --> 03:29:16,715
an organizer, I was a housekeeper at the marriott marquee

2717
03:29:17,425 --> 03:29:20,285
in san francisco. And those were good jobs,

2718
03:29:21,785 --> 03:29:25,725
but when I moved to texas, it was, I was shocked to see the difference.

2719
03:29:27,385 --> 03:29:30,725
um, but luckily I got a job at houston marriott marquee,

2720
03:29:32,385 --> 03:29:36,175
and which, you know, it is owned by rita. That hotel

2721
03:29:36,545 --> 03:29:40,085
became a industry leader and worker standards

2722
03:29:41,195 --> 03:29:44,795
from wages to benefits. Also,

2723
03:29:45,365 --> 03:29:48,885
workload was changed when issues came up.

2724
03:29:50,065 --> 03:29:53,895
we were able to sit with management and work it out with local management,

2725
03:29:54,745 --> 03:29:57,245
um, in a respectful atmosphere.

2726
03:29:59,915 --> 03:30:03,825
that hotel also helped raise standards and

2727
03:30:04,045 --> 03:30:07,925
jobs in the area. As someone who's worked

2728
03:30:08,085 --> 03:30:10,755
for rita before, I can testify

2729
03:30:12,755 --> 03:30:12,755
firsthand

2730
03:30:17,035 --> 03:30:20,825
that the commitment to treating and creating good jobs for

2731
03:30:21,045 --> 03:30:24,925
the workers in the community. Thank you. Thank you.

2732
03:30:26,085 --> 03:30:29,965
continue on item six, enovia, joseph,

2733
03:30:32,135 --> 03:30:32,705
katie, cam,

2734
03:30:44,825 --> 03:30:48,445
mr. Bunch. Thank you mayor. Uh, council member bill bunch,

2735
03:30:49,045 --> 03:30:53,025
speaking as individual, uh, resident of district five. Um,

2736
03:30:53,315 --> 03:30:57,295
this item is proposing to authorize your staff

2737
03:30:57,825 --> 03:31:01,395
to negotiate and execute in the back room, a business expansion

2738
03:31:02,005 --> 03:31:05,625
program for this giant, uh, ultra luxury resort

2739
03:31:06,175 --> 03:31:09,765
hotel out at the, uh, f1 racetrack that's being

2740
03:31:10,205 --> 03:31:14,085
proposed. It's a 30 year agreement. Your back, uh, does not even

2741
03:31:14,395 --> 03:31:18,285
tell you how much projected money you're gonna give

2742
03:31:18,515 --> 03:31:22,495
away. 75% of the hotel

2743
03:31:22,985 --> 03:31:26,965
tax will be rebated to the owner operator.

2744
03:31:27,945 --> 03:31:31,075
um, who is, uh, this, uh, gaylord

2745
03:31:32,275 --> 03:31:36,025
rita global multi-billion dollar resort

2746
03:31:36,515 --> 03:31:39,925
developer. Um, this is not an agreement for workers.

2747
03:31:41,115 --> 03:31:44,135
this is a giant corporate welfare blank check

2748
03:31:45,265 --> 03:31:49,185
for, we don't even know how much money. Would one of you please ask

2749
03:31:50,185 --> 03:31:53,525
how much money it is projected to be.

2750
03:31:54,505 --> 03:31:58,005
and if you really want to help these workers, I don't think there's an agreement in place.

2751
03:31:58,635 --> 03:32:02,505
your backup says that it's gonna save 25, they're gonna pay a little bit over market

2752
03:32:02,935 --> 03:32:06,285
rates, maybe even 25%. It's just a suggestion, though.

2753
03:32:07,225 --> 03:32:10,825
you should put this on hold until you see the agreement that locks in

2754
03:32:11,675 --> 03:32:15,605
what it is given to the workers, what is promised to the workers and in writing.

2755
03:32:16,505 --> 03:32:20,485
and then see if that's actually a substantial fraction of this

2756
03:32:20,765 --> 03:32:24,625
corporate welfare. I also wanna make a point of order and ask mayor if

2757
03:32:24,845 --> 03:32:28,615
I might have, uh, four more minutes, because you're combining three

2758
03:32:28,965 --> 03:32:32,725
different items here. And as you know, all of you know

2759
03:32:33,025 --> 03:32:36,915
now we get two minutes per item. This

2760
03:32:37,205 --> 03:32:41,085
is authorizing your staff to cut a deal in the back room.

2761
03:32:42,155 --> 03:32:45,955
it's then waiving and erasing two important

2762
03:32:47,135 --> 03:32:51,125
ordinances for transparency and public hearings and public

2763
03:32:51,405 --> 03:32:55,275
notice. Thank you mr. Bunch. Do I get my four minutes more?

2764
03:32:55,915 --> 03:32:59,645
it's certainly implicit in my thanks. Was that you? You don't, okay. I just

2765
03:32:59,925 --> 03:33:02,545
wanted that on the record. Well, I, I'm, appreciate that. Yep,

2766
03:33:04,745 --> 03:33:08,645
go ahead katie. Kim, and I think I have four minutes from two minutes

2767
03:33:08,765 --> 03:33:12,765
donated. Is, uh, betsy greenberg here? Perfect. Yes she is. Yes. Katie cam will

2768
03:33:12,925 --> 03:33:16,805
have four minutes. Okay. Thank you. Hello, I'm katie cam, resident of district nine.

2769
03:33:17,115 --> 03:33:21,065
I've spoken before about my concerns with how the hotel occupancy tax hot revenue is

2770
03:33:21,285 --> 03:33:25,045
used for this item. The plan is to return most of the city's hot revenue that the hotel

2771
03:33:25,605 --> 03:33:29,125
generates directly back to the hotel in exchange for agreements made between the city and hotel.

2772
03:33:30,125 --> 03:33:34,125
I understand the good intentions of creating an agreement that brings benefits to the community. However,

2773
03:33:35,005 --> 03:33:38,965
economic impacts and benefits need to be questioned and viewed from a wider perspective that

2774
03:33:39,485 --> 03:33:43,365
considers the costs, especially opportunity costs. In other words, what is

2775
03:33:43,525 --> 03:33:47,375
the detrimental cost to the community of giving the hot revenue to the hotel? First,

2776
03:33:47,755 --> 03:33:51,635
this will result in loss of funding for other valued programs. Using the texas open

2777
03:33:51,925 --> 03:33:55,925
data portal, we can retrieve the local hot revenue reported by the city

2778
03:33:56,305 --> 03:34:00,085
to the texas comptroller. The texas tax code allows for up to 15%

2779
03:34:00,765 --> 03:34:04,085
of the hot revenue for cultural arts and 15% for historic preservation.

2780
03:34:05,115 --> 03:34:09,105
however, according to the data, the city of austin reported to the texas comptroller. The

2781
03:34:09,325 --> 03:34:13,205
city of austin has not been spending up to 15% of the hot revenue for cultural

2782
03:34:13,405 --> 03:34:17,325
arts and historic preservation. The last time those categories received 15%

2783
03:34:18,085 --> 03:34:21,685
each was in 2019. Since then, the percentage has dropped to 13%

2784
03:34:22,205 --> 03:34:24,685
in 2020, 12% in 2021, and 11.7%

2785
03:34:26,495 --> 03:34:29,985
since 2022. According to a pie chart online,

2786
03:34:30,555 --> 03:34:34,485
with the source listed as austin convention center, I'll hold it

2787
03:34:34,605 --> 03:34:38,325
up here. If the multi-billion dollar convention center is built, then the percentage of hot revenue

2788
03:34:38,675 --> 03:34:41,915
that will go to cultural arts and historic preservation drops to 9.5%

2789
03:34:43,195 --> 03:34:46,365
each. Even though texas law allows for 15% each,

2790
03:34:47,235 --> 03:34:51,085
this is concerning and will hurt the cultural arts that contribute to a vibrant cultural

2791
03:34:51,245 --> 03:34:55,045
and tourism economy. In addition, I've spoken about how we can better support

2792
03:34:55,685 --> 03:34:59,335
musicians, artists, and other creatives in austin through the texas tax code section 3 51

2793
03:35:00,285 --> 03:35:03,325
provisions that allow for use of hot revenue without a percent limit.

2794
03:35:04,385 --> 03:35:07,885
for instance, the city can use the revenue to promote the creative works. In events of austin

2795
03:35:08,405 --> 03:35:12,405
residents, the city can hire local artists, musicians, and other creatives to serve as ambassadors

2796
03:35:13,145 --> 03:35:16,845
to encourage more people to visit austin. Second, subsidizing

2797
03:35:17,205 --> 03:35:21,145
a hotel by returning hot revenue sets a precedent. This opens the door for

2798
03:35:21,365 --> 03:35:25,245
other hotels to ask for hot revenue, further eroding away the revenue available to support

2799
03:35:25,485 --> 03:35:29,435
their creatives in historic and cultural venues in austin. This

2800
03:35:29,935 --> 03:35:33,645
hotel would be built without this plan to give them hot revenue. Using hot revenue

2801
03:35:33,985 --> 03:35:37,965
to subsidize corporate events and multinational corporate entities is not the highest

2802
03:35:38,185 --> 03:35:42,115
and best use of this revenue. With that said, if city council decides

2803
03:35:42,605 --> 03:35:46,455
to proceed with this proposal to provide hot revenue directly back to the hotel,

2804
03:35:47,405 --> 03:35:51,245
I ask for the following conditions. One require, as bill bunch

2805
03:35:51,515 --> 03:35:55,245
said before, the final agreement is made that the agreement with the labor union is finalized

2806
03:35:55,865 --> 03:35:59,685
and signed to protect the workers and require the hotel to honor that portion of

2807
03:35:59,885 --> 03:36:03,765
the deal. Two require that the final labor union agreement

2808
03:36:04,345 --> 03:36:08,285
inc. Includes support not only for livable wages, health benefits and pension,

2809
03:36:09,145 --> 03:36:12,725
but also for financial support of educational and creative pursuits.

2810
03:36:13,795 --> 03:36:17,765
what is the quality of those 900 full-time jobs for career and personal development?

2811
03:36:18,475 --> 03:36:22,165
perhaps they don't want to be working in hotel, they have bigger dreams and visions.

2812
03:36:23,025 --> 03:36:26,885
so let's have a policy to help austin res residents reach their full

2813
03:36:27,085 --> 03:36:31,085
potential. In this case, in the agreement, every employee in those 900 full-time

2814
03:36:31,485 --> 03:36:35,365
jobs should have access to funding to pursue an education or even perhaps dreams

2815
03:36:35,865 --> 03:36:39,685
of being an artist, musician, actor, or become a contributor to austin's creative economy.

2816
03:36:40,425 --> 03:36:40,425
thanks,

2817
03:36:44,475 --> 03:36:47,805
michael. Waylon on, uh, behalf of rita coda hotel, llc.

2818
03:36:49,025 --> 03:36:52,765
um, like the others before me, I wanna start by thanking council member

2819
03:36:53,445 --> 03:36:57,425
fuentes for leading on this item and for helping to craft a project and

2820
03:36:57,645 --> 03:37:01,445
a partnership that is truly dell valley strong. As you've

2821
03:37:01,685 --> 03:37:05,685
heard me say already, this agreement will bring a transformative project

2822
03:37:06,225 --> 03:37:10,165
to dell valley creating a long awaited economic anchor for the eastern

2823
03:37:10,485 --> 03:37:14,365
crescent. The agreement structure that we're seeking

2824
03:37:14,615 --> 03:37:18,525
would ensure there are no upfront dollars coming from the city.

2825
03:37:19,365 --> 03:37:22,115
absolutely none. Rita takes on the full $985 million

2826
03:37:23,795 --> 03:37:27,085
financing, construction and operations risk. All the risk,

2827
03:37:29,145 --> 03:37:33,085
any rebate would be completely performance based and would be

2828
03:37:33,205 --> 03:37:36,685
tied directly to the actual hotel occupancy tax receipts

2829
03:37:37,595 --> 03:37:41,565
that are remitted by the hotel to the city. If the

2830
03:37:41,815 --> 03:37:45,745
hotel is not built, there would be no hotel occupancy tax.

2831
03:37:45,985 --> 03:37:49,825
if the hotel generates no hotel occupancy tax

2832
03:37:50,045 --> 03:37:53,225
revenue, there would be no rebate available to

2833
03:37:54,235 --> 03:37:58,125
rita. The economic impact of this project is immense.

2834
03:37:59,275 --> 03:38:02,685
it's projected to generate over $10 billion in overall economic benefit

2835
03:38:03,945 --> 03:38:07,225
to the community over the next 30 years, including over $600 million

2836
03:38:08,505 --> 03:38:12,405
in total property taxes to the city, county, dell valley

2837
03:38:12,605 --> 03:38:15,805
independent school district, a cc, and central health.

2838
03:38:17,305 --> 03:38:20,965
as you well know by now, this agreement will ultimately deliver

2839
03:38:21,485 --> 03:38:25,205
hundreds of permanent union jobs at the hotel. And we are grateful,

2840
03:38:25,555 --> 03:38:29,125
very grateful to unite here for their partnership and their support

2841
03:38:29,745 --> 03:38:33,745
of this item. Also, as always, I'm available to answer any

2842
03:38:34,125 --> 03:38:38,025
questions that you might have about, uh, the project and

2843
03:38:38,245 --> 03:38:40,965
where we're headed. Thank you very much. Thank you,

2844
03:38:43,385 --> 03:38:47,185
ms. Joseph. Thank you mayor council. I'm enovia joseph, I'm

2845
03:38:47,405 --> 03:38:51,285
just going to read into the record as I did on tuesday during the work session. My opposition,

2846
03:38:52,425 --> 03:38:56,165
it is the language as mr. Bunch mentioned earlier, where you are approving

2847
03:38:56,645 --> 03:39:00,325
an ordinance waiving the staff presentation, public announcement, and portal setup

2848
03:39:00,905 --> 03:39:04,865
and public hearing requirement. But in backup, if you look at f on

2849
03:39:05,085 --> 03:39:09,055
page one of two, it specifies pursuant to the chapter three

2850
03:39:09,405 --> 03:39:13,085
80 policy, the city manager conducted a review of the business expansion

2851
03:39:13,685 --> 03:39:17,585
program, including extensive public outreach and input and

2852
03:39:17,805 --> 03:39:21,605
offered revisions to improve the effectiveness of the program. If you look at

2853
03:39:21,885 --> 03:39:25,805
the past three 80 agreements, specifically samsung and apple, I want

2854
03:39:26,005 --> 03:39:29,925
you to recognize that we've heard these lofty promises before. I

2855
03:39:30,045 --> 03:39:34,025
want you to understand that there's a 425 acre development east village across

2856
03:39:34,445 --> 03:39:38,295
from samsung, and you have refused to invest in any transit. There

2857
03:39:38,645 --> 03:39:42,645
are over 2000 units within two miles of samsung. And I want you to

2858
03:39:43,005 --> 03:39:46,965
recognize it's a one to five mile walk to affordable housing. The nearest bus

2859
03:39:47,165 --> 03:39:51,085
stop, 3 92 is approximately three miles. So what I

2860
03:39:51,365 --> 03:39:55,255
want you to recognize, mayor, is that this is fraud. Fraud

2861
03:39:55,605 --> 03:39:59,445
is trying to get something of value through willful misrepresentation. On one hand,

2862
03:39:59,665 --> 03:40:03,565
you say that you want public input on the other, you say that you don't. I want you

2863
03:40:03,685 --> 03:40:07,085
to recognize that you added part three to the 200, the 2024

2864
03:40:08,235 --> 03:40:11,795
ordinance, and specifically it's adding austin transit partnership.

2865
03:40:12,825 --> 03:40:16,765
as you're aware, the light rail will never go to northeast austin

2866
03:40:17,345 --> 03:40:21,085
in perpetuity. It stops at crestview station. And as it relates

2867
03:40:21,425 --> 03:40:25,045
to the part three, it specifies that, uh, the city manager

2868
03:40:25,465 --> 03:40:29,245
can promulgate rules. But I want you to recognize that you refuse to comply with

2869
03:40:29,485 --> 03:40:33,485
your publicly promulgated rules, regulations, and procedures. If you have any

2870
03:40:33,805 --> 03:40:37,645
questions, mayor, I'll gladly answer them at this time. But it is a lofty goal to say

2871
03:40:37,845 --> 03:40:41,725
that transit will be a part of this project because you've not demonstrated

2872
03:40:42,085 --> 03:40:45,945
a willingness to commit to getting low income residents to the job.

2873
03:40:46,165 --> 03:40:49,965
thank you, justice. Thank you, mayor. That concludes all speakers on item

2874
03:40:50,305 --> 03:40:54,285
six. Thank you. Um, member members, those are all the speakers

2875
03:40:54,565 --> 03:40:58,375
on item number six. Let me ask if anybody has any questions of staff

2876
03:40:58,725 --> 03:41:02,595
before we go forward. But in that case then, uh, I'll

2877
03:41:02,885 --> 03:41:06,485
entertain a motion with regard to item number six. Council member fuentes, you're

2878
03:41:06,965 --> 03:41:10,365
recognized I move to. Okay. Um, council member fuentes moves

2879
03:41:11,045 --> 03:41:14,405
approval of item number six. It's seconded by council member velazquez.

2880
03:41:15,425 --> 03:41:19,325
um, I'm gonna recognize council member fuentes. Thank you colleagues. I know we had

2881
03:41:19,485 --> 03:41:23,405
a discussion about this item on tuesday at the work session. Uh, just wanted to

2882
03:41:23,805 --> 03:41:27,805
continue with the conversation. First, give my wholehearted things to everyone that showed up to

2883
03:41:28,005 --> 03:41:32,005
support this item. Special thank you to unite here. Also, wanna thank the dell

2884
03:41:32,205 --> 03:41:36,125
valley community coalition. Their letter of support is in the backup, as well as

2885
03:41:36,285 --> 03:41:40,225
the southeast neighborhood contact team is also supporting the item as

2886
03:41:40,445 --> 03:41:44,245
it relates to the pud, which we'll discuss later today. But I just wanted to demonstrate

2887
03:41:44,545 --> 03:41:48,365
the strong community support that we have for this economic

2888
03:41:48,665 --> 03:41:52,605
anchor that that is proposed for a city partnership in southeast austin.

2889
03:41:53,505 --> 03:41:57,405
and when I think about the needs of the dell valley community and what our dell

2890
03:41:57,605 --> 03:42:01,485
valley community deserves, it's exactly this. It's jobs that are

2891
03:42:01,685 --> 03:42:05,125
stable, jobs that are close to home. It's parks where our kids can play.

2892
03:42:05,915 --> 03:42:09,525
it's a kind of real investment that other parts of austin has seen for decades

2893
03:42:10,265 --> 03:42:14,205
and yet hasn't. We haven't materialized that in our dell valley community. And so that's why

2894
03:42:14,285 --> 03:42:18,095
there is such strong support for this type of proposal because it really is first

2895
03:42:18,445 --> 03:42:21,515
of its kind and will be transformative. We're talking about 900

2896
03:42:22,595 --> 03:42:26,125
jobs that pay livable wages that come with benefits and pension.

2897
03:42:27,055 --> 03:42:30,965
we're also talking about upfront guarantees with this partnership. And that

2898
03:42:31,165 --> 03:42:34,565
includes two full-sized developed public soccer fields,

2899
03:42:35,225 --> 03:42:38,935
nearly 12 acres of parkland and space for a potential recreation

2900
03:42:39,605 --> 03:42:42,645
center. We also fought to secure a $1.5 million

2901
03:42:44,085 --> 03:42:47,845
contribution to the affordable housing trust fund. And that goes towards exactly the

2902
03:42:48,285 --> 03:42:52,085
families that need it the most. And with this type of proposal, we are

2903
03:42:52,325 --> 03:42:56,245
ensuring a new and steady stream of revenue for our struggling schools in de valley,

2904
03:42:56,605 --> 03:43:00,285
isd and for city services in which our families depend upon.

2905
03:43:01,185 --> 03:43:04,995
and one thing that I didn't mention on tuesday is that there's also a local discount program

2906
03:43:05,665 --> 03:43:09,205
for dell valley residents that they also can enjoy and participate

2907
03:43:09,825 --> 03:43:13,765
in activities at the resort. So there's a lot of good community benefits

2908
03:43:14,095 --> 03:43:17,445
baked into this proposal, and I'm excited to see the momentum move forward,

2909
03:43:18,145 --> 03:43:22,085
uh, with your consideration. And what is special about this type of project

2910
03:43:22,545 --> 03:43:26,375
is that all of these guarantees are made up front before a single guest

2911
03:43:27,155 --> 03:43:31,075
ever checks in and without spending a single penny from our general fund.

2912
03:43:31,785 --> 03:43:35,745
and so this project specifically leverages funding from hotel taxes. Um,

2913
03:43:36,045 --> 03:43:40,025
I know we'll talk a little bit more about that further. Uh, but with that, I just wanted to signal my

2914
03:43:40,245 --> 03:43:43,975
strong support for this partnership and appreciate your consideration. Thank

2915
03:43:44,325 --> 03:43:48,285
you. Further discussion, council member alter. Thank you very much. And I just

2916
03:43:48,445 --> 03:43:52,365
want to, I guess third, uh, what council member fuentes

2917
03:43:52,865 --> 03:43:55,915
has mentioned, you know, this is going to be a transformative project

2918
03:43:57,105 --> 03:44:00,825
for an area that has been under invested for too long and

2919
03:44:01,215 --> 03:44:05,045
bring really high quality, high paying jobs to that

2920
03:44:05,355 --> 03:44:09,325
area. Um, that being said, and we had the opportunity

2921
03:44:09,685 --> 03:44:13,355
on tuesday to talk about some of the, the nuances

2922
03:44:13,845 --> 03:44:17,645
of how this is going to work mechanically, this is the first time we've done a three 80

2923
03:44:17,875 --> 03:44:21,305
with hotel occupancy tax, and there are just some subtle

2924
03:44:22,165 --> 03:44:26,125
questions in there as it relates to unintended consequences. We wanna

2925
03:44:26,285 --> 03:44:30,035
make sure it doesn't impact, uh, adversely, um, some

2926
03:44:30,325 --> 03:44:34,085
other things that we're doing as a city. And so I do have a motion that

2927
03:44:34,365 --> 03:44:38,305
I've shared, and this is to continue to move forward with this, uh,

2928
03:44:38,745 --> 03:44:42,685
to authorize negotiation, but not yet execution. So we will

2929
03:44:43,105 --> 03:44:47,045
get those terms sorted out, have then the final agreement,

2930
03:44:47,555 --> 03:44:51,405
come back to the council, but just so we can be sure that we have all those details

2931
03:44:52,185 --> 03:44:55,845
ironed out. Uh, and I am with this, you know, very committed

2932
03:44:56,245 --> 03:45:00,245
to seeing this deal moved forward. I just wanna make sure that, like I said, some

2933
03:45:00,445 --> 03:45:04,425
of those nuances that we haven't, 'cause we haven't done this before, that we get it

2934
03:45:04,665 --> 03:45:06,445
all, uh, properly,

2935
03:45:08,745 --> 03:45:12,445
uh, established. So I, I will be making that motion at the appropriate

2936
03:45:12,765 --> 03:45:16,405
time, but just wanna highlight that. Uh, why don't we do, why don't we do that

2937
03:45:16,905 --> 03:45:20,705
if there's sir, turn it off. Alright. Um,

2938
03:45:22,155 --> 03:45:25,945
members, unless there's objection, what I, what I would do is

2939
03:45:26,565 --> 03:45:30,565
recognize council member alter's motion to amend. We can

2940
03:45:30,685 --> 03:45:34,585
have a discussion on the motion to amend, and then we will come, of

2941
03:45:34,805 --> 03:45:38,625
course, vote on that, and then come back to the main motion, uh, if regard

2942
03:45:39,045 --> 03:45:42,725
whether it passes or doesn't pass the motion to amend. And then we'll have further discussion.

2943
03:45:43,205 --> 03:45:47,045
is that appropriate for everybody? Alright. Council member

2944
03:45:47,455 --> 03:45:51,105
alter moves. Amendment of item number six.

2945
03:45:51,945 --> 03:45:55,905
you have that in front of you. He has described that, uh, he moves to

2946
03:45:56,135 --> 03:46:00,085
amend. It's, it's alter council member. Alter number one. Uh, is there

2947
03:46:00,325 --> 03:46:04,325
a second? Second by council member uchin discussion on the motion

2948
03:46:04,745 --> 03:46:08,555
to amend. Yes. Council member fuentes. Thank you. You know, I just,

2949
03:46:08,845 --> 03:46:12,525
colleagues of my office has been involved with the proposal,

2950
03:46:13,025 --> 03:46:16,765
um, for many months now. And I just wanna lay out my priorities for consideration

2951
03:46:17,425 --> 03:46:21,205
as this amendment is considered by the diocese. And my priorities

2952
03:46:21,765 --> 03:46:25,125
for this partnership have been three things. One, to bring significant

2953
03:46:26,085 --> 03:46:30,025
economic development to dell valley in the greater southeast austin region. Two,

2954
03:46:30,725 --> 03:46:34,525
bringing high paying high quality jobs to the people of austin, especially

2955
03:46:35,185 --> 03:46:39,005
for our dell valley community. And three, to ensure that we bring in additional revenue

2956
03:46:39,465 --> 03:46:43,325
to support cultural arts and our local arts and music

2957
03:46:43,645 --> 03:46:47,605
community, all of which stand to benefit from the additional hotel taxes

2958
03:46:47,995 --> 03:46:51,765
generated from this proposal. Thank you.

2959
03:46:52,065 --> 03:46:55,925
um, yes. And by the way, a number of people have signed up.

2960
03:46:56,105 --> 03:46:59,945
I'm, I don't know. So I, I'll just call names because I worry I, some people may

2961
03:47:00,165 --> 03:47:04,155
have signed up thinking they were gonna speak on the main motion. Yeah. And, and, and that, so I'll, I'll, I'll

2962
03:47:04,445 --> 03:47:08,215
try to organize that. Council member lane, this is on the motion to amend

2963
03:47:08,565 --> 03:47:12,505
mm-hmm . I have a question for mr. Waylon as I understand the implications of

2964
03:47:12,725 --> 03:47:14,785
this motion, mr. Waylon,

2965
03:47:23,675 --> 03:47:27,645
your name. So I understand the desire to balance,

2966
03:47:28,385 --> 03:47:31,265
um, caution and

2967
03:47:32,475 --> 03:47:36,445
execution of an agreement. Um, it seems to me

2968
03:47:36,595 --> 03:47:40,305
when I read the amendment that what this does is

2969
03:47:41,025 --> 03:47:44,945
remove the clarity that your client would otherwise have as to whether the

2970
03:47:45,165 --> 03:47:49,005
council is in agreement with these terms. Can you speak

2971
03:47:49,205 --> 03:47:53,105
to that a little bit? Perhaps? I certainly wouldn't wanna vote based on a misunderstanding. No. Uh,

2972
03:47:53,325 --> 03:47:57,155
michael whalen on behalf of, uh, rita, uh, coda hotel. So just

2973
03:47:57,445 --> 03:47:59,665
so there is clarity on that point, uh,

2974
03:48:02,385 --> 03:48:06,325
mr. Mier has made it clear to me that he can't have the civil engineers and

2975
03:48:06,525 --> 03:48:10,525
the architects really begin until there is an agreement in place.

2976
03:48:11,585 --> 03:48:15,105
um, I mean, that's, that's the bottom line for him. So,

2977
03:48:16,065 --> 03:48:19,965
uh, the lack of clarity won't help until there is clarity, as you just

2978
03:48:20,085 --> 03:48:23,895
noted. And that clarity will come with an agreement. And if that agreement needs

2979
03:48:24,305 --> 03:48:28,105
to come back, uh, that's the will of the council. We

2980
03:48:28,325 --> 03:48:32,305
understand, I mean, we're gonna abide by the will of the council, obviously, but as

2981
03:48:32,565 --> 03:48:36,385
a private citizen, mr. Miter isn't gonna invest the, uh,

2982
03:48:36,675 --> 03:48:40,545
extraordinary dollars until he's got a, an agreement that's

2983
03:48:40,965 --> 03:48:44,725
clear. And more importantly, that, uh, isn't subject

2984
03:48:45,515 --> 03:48:49,445
year to year to, uh, uh, uh, appropriations

2985
03:48:49,915 --> 03:48:53,675
from a council 10 years from now, or 15 years from now. There's gonna need to be clarity, just

2986
03:48:53,965 --> 03:48:57,925
like you have with your bonds and any bonds that you issue. There just needs

2987
03:48:58,085 --> 03:49:02,065
to be clarity in the agreement that there's a stream of payment that, uh, the

2988
03:49:02,285 --> 03:49:06,185
financial, the capital markets are gonna expect, uh, when he seeks the

2989
03:49:06,555 --> 03:49:10,265
size loan that he's seeking. Thank you, sir.

2990
03:49:10,585 --> 03:49:13,925
it is not done till it's done and until it's signed on the dotted line,

2991
03:49:14,985 --> 03:49:18,765
we haven't signaled our actual commitment in the way that is needed. So this would effectively

2992
03:49:20,655 --> 03:49:24,165
serve as a postponement of that commitment? It does, it is definitely

2993
03:49:24,725 --> 03:49:28,645
a postponement of that commitment. And, and he'll, uh, if that's the will of

2994
03:49:28,765 --> 03:49:32,725
the council, obviously, uh, mr. Mitch's gonna abide by that will, and it just

2995
03:49:33,165 --> 03:49:36,705
postpones, uh, opening, you know, he's hoping to have it open by, uh,

2996
03:49:37,465 --> 03:49:41,195
uh, 2030 october, 2030 for the, uh, formula one race. Then,

2997
03:49:42,985 --> 03:49:46,965
uh, that's actually, it seems very long way, but his building

2998
03:49:47,045 --> 03:49:50,685
permit alone will be thousands of pages long. I mean, it's a very large project, obviously,

2999
03:49:51,395 --> 03:49:55,205
with a conference center out there. So I, I myself

3000
03:49:55,485 --> 03:49:59,445
have clarity on where I stand in relation to this agreement. Um, so I

3001
03:49:59,645 --> 03:50:03,625
would, I will be opposing this motion to amend. Um, and

3002
03:50:03,875 --> 03:50:07,265
I'll also simply share that, you know, part of what I, I ran on

3003
03:50:08,345 --> 03:50:12,325
was, um, actually, I'm gonna stop right there.

3004
03:50:13,415 --> 03:50:17,005
y'all know where I stand. I'll pass it off to others. Thank you. Thank you. Council member.

3005
03:50:18,185 --> 03:50:21,845
um, councilman roller, if I might ask you a question,

3006
03:50:24,745 --> 03:50:27,805
and, and you may have said it earlier, but I want, I, I just wanna make sure I have clarity,

3007
03:50:28,865 --> 03:50:32,385
the reason to not all have an execution of

3008
03:50:33,105 --> 03:50:35,625
the item. Uh, now, uh,

3009
03:50:37,125 --> 03:50:40,995
describe what, why we, we wouldn't want to do that right now. Yeah,

3010
03:50:41,345 --> 03:50:45,265
so there are some open questions as

3011
03:50:45,485 --> 03:50:49,465
it relates to hotel occupancy taxes and use of those taxes as it

3012
03:50:50,015 --> 03:50:53,155
implicates the city's own bond issuances.

3013
03:50:54,505 --> 03:50:57,845
uh, you know, these bonds are used for the convention center,

3014
03:50:58,785 --> 03:51:01,985
and because we don't have resolution on

3015
03:51:02,875 --> 03:51:06,755
what those impacts would be it, without

3016
03:51:07,245 --> 03:51:11,095
knowing the specified terms of the deal, and then how those terms

3017
03:51:12,585 --> 03:51:15,045
impact our operations as a city,

3018
03:51:17,335 --> 03:51:21,195
we could inadvertently be authorizing something that the council

3019
03:51:21,585 --> 03:51:25,085
doesn't know what the impact's gonna be to other very important

3020
03:51:26,315 --> 03:51:30,285
city assets and, and revenue generation. So what this is doing

3021
03:51:30,585 --> 03:51:34,345
is saying, we're going to go do that negotiation and,

3022
03:51:34,705 --> 03:51:38,125
and then have the clarity of what are all the impacts of this deal?

3023
03:51:39,195 --> 03:51:43,185
come back to the council and then we can weigh those, uh, things. And

3024
03:51:43,405 --> 03:51:47,365
my, is my sincere hope, and I'm gonna be the first one, uh, on the call

3025
03:51:47,565 --> 03:51:51,525
with our lawyers to, to get it right so that if they'll take call, right, we can deliver

3026
03:51:51,725 --> 03:51:55,585
all this , um, and, and

3027
03:51:55,805 --> 03:51:59,445
make those terms work out. This is not intended to delay, to kill this is

3028
03:52:00,625 --> 03:52:04,525
get it right. So that, 'cause what could happen is we do what we do

3029
03:52:04,645 --> 03:52:07,475
today. We send staff to go negotiate,

3030
03:52:09,185 --> 03:52:13,045
and there is an inability to meet the terms

3031
03:52:13,985 --> 03:52:17,925
of the other side, and that's it. We have no, that, that's the end

3032
03:52:18,045 --> 03:52:22,045
of the conversation for the council. And this allows for us to be able

3033
03:52:22,285 --> 03:52:26,075
to have that input and, and get a deal done

3034
03:52:26,625 --> 03:52:30,505
to make this, this ultimately happen. So this is meant to, to

3035
03:52:30,725 --> 03:52:34,485
get us to the finish line, not to take us anywhere backwards. Okay. Thank you for that clarification.

3036
03:52:34,965 --> 03:52:38,545
I'll, I'll say from my perspective, um, on, on

3037
03:52:39,155 --> 03:52:42,265
this, and the, the main motion is that as,

3038
03:52:43,185 --> 03:52:47,145
as I saw, uh, the various iterations of how

3039
03:52:47,385 --> 03:52:51,185
we get to this, one of the things that concerned me was the impact

3040
03:52:51,675 --> 03:52:55,125
that it would have, uh, with the, the hotel occupancy

3041
03:52:55,745 --> 03:52:59,205
tax, the impact it might have on the convention center.

3042
03:53:00,225 --> 03:53:03,825
and we have a whole lot going on with our convention center. And it,

3043
03:53:04,525 --> 03:53:08,485
I don't want, I want this deal to go through, uh, for all the good reasons

3044
03:53:08,725 --> 03:53:12,725
that we're talking about, but I wanna make sure we're not in an effort to get

3045
03:53:12,845 --> 03:53:16,475
that deal to go through, uh, and in our, in our eagerness

3046
03:53:17,085 --> 03:53:20,985
to do that, doing damage to something we don't know about. And

3047
03:53:21,205 --> 03:53:25,205
so I'll support the motion to amend for the reason of it, making sure

3048
03:53:25,485 --> 03:53:29,425
that we get to, we, we do it in the right way. We cross t's

3049
03:53:29,645 --> 03:53:33,645
and dot I's, um, I think that, you know, my hat's off to council

3050
03:53:33,885 --> 03:53:36,965
member fuentes for, uh, bringing this forward and to,

3051
03:53:38,085 --> 03:53:42,005
I think it's a, well, it's, as I say, I'm supportive. I just wanna

3052
03:53:42,205 --> 03:53:45,735
make sure we cross t's and dot I's any further discussion

3053
03:53:46,705 --> 03:53:50,525
on the motion to amend. Alright. The vote will be on the

3054
03:53:50,725 --> 03:53:54,255
motion to amend all those in favor of the motion to amend.

3055
03:53:54,735 --> 03:53:55,285
raise your hand.

3056
03:53:58,875 --> 03:54:02,845
alright. It, uh, passes unanimously with, um, council member

3057
03:54:03,125 --> 03:54:07,005
harper madison being absent, members that will take us back to the main

3058
03:54:07,245 --> 03:54:11,185
motion as amended. So this is item number six as

3059
03:54:11,835 --> 03:54:15,525
amended. Uh, mayor pro. Tim, you're recognized. Uh, thank you, mar,

3060
03:54:15,885 --> 03:54:19,745
I actually, mr. Waylon, uh, could come back down for just a couple of

3061
03:54:20,125 --> 03:54:20,125
questions.

3062
03:54:30,665 --> 03:54:34,525
uh, yes, sir, mr. Win. Um, we've, uh, talked a a little bit

3063
03:54:34,685 --> 03:54:38,405
about this, uh, off the da, but I wanted to make sure

3064
03:54:39,315 --> 03:54:43,285
that our local artists are gonna be a

3065
03:54:43,725 --> 03:54:47,645
priority when we talk about the, uh, you know, prints and

3066
03:54:48,125 --> 03:54:52,045
paintings that are gonna be at the hotel, any sculptures, any artistic features, and, uh,

3067
03:54:52,385 --> 03:54:56,085
and all of that. Uh, and, and I was just, uh, wondering if you could, uh, uh, address

3068
03:54:56,405 --> 03:55:00,305
that. Yes. Uh, michael whalen on behalf of, uh, rita, and apologies, uh,

3069
03:55:00,525 --> 03:55:04,485
mr. Mitter was cut off as soon as he was speaking. Um, but he and I have talked

3070
03:55:04,765 --> 03:55:08,725
about this. They typically have, well, they not typically, they

3071
03:55:09,085 --> 03:55:12,865
absolutely have an art budget as part of the project as it's getting built. That's number one.

3072
03:55:13,345 --> 03:55:17,145
and they typically have a preference to use local artists in

3073
03:55:17,365 --> 03:55:21,365
order to ensure that the look and feel of the hotel and the

3074
03:55:21,595 --> 03:55:25,105
grounds blend with the local flavor. They're not interested in,

3075
03:55:25,865 --> 03:55:29,605
uh, having flavor that looks like orlando or flavor. That

3076
03:55:29,885 --> 03:55:33,885
looks like, uh, uh, uh, houston, where their houston product. 'cause

3077
03:55:33,965 --> 03:55:37,665
when they built the houston marriott, they did the same thing. They use local talent,

3078
03:55:38,215 --> 03:55:41,485
local artists to help, uh, fill the project,

3079
03:55:42,265 --> 03:55:46,085
uh, the rooms and other aspects of, uh, the hotel. Same thing

3080
03:55:46,445 --> 03:55:50,405
happened in chula vista. They used california artists, uh, for much of the

3081
03:55:50,525 --> 03:55:54,385
public areas so that it, it's just, uh, it makes common sense and

3082
03:55:54,605 --> 03:55:58,505
they're committed to doing that. Absolutely. Very important. Well, uh, uh,

3083
03:55:58,845 --> 03:56:02,785
I, I appreciate that. And, uh, I know when we were talking about this, you

3084
03:56:03,005 --> 03:56:06,965
know, we, we kind of went back and forth on what is a local artist. I mean, I, I, I don't

3085
03:56:07,165 --> 03:56:10,525
think it would be right to limit it to just city of austin, even though ultimately this is our project.

3086
03:56:11,765 --> 03:56:15,685
I don't even think it'd be right to limit it to travis county because I mean, there's a lot of local artists that

3087
03:56:15,925 --> 03:56:19,645
have moved out to bastrop and lockhart and, you know, uh, uh, I mean,

3088
03:56:19,945 --> 03:56:23,625
you know, farther than that even they, they still kind of are austin artists and

3089
03:56:23,965 --> 03:56:27,885
consider austin home. But for whatever reason, they've, uh, moved, uh, kind of out of the, the core,

3090
03:56:28,665 --> 03:56:32,285
uh, urban, uh, area. Uh, so again, I, I don't have

3091
03:56:32,685 --> 03:56:36,645
an amendment to that effect to say, but, uh, I just wanted,

3092
03:56:37,065 --> 03:56:40,705
you know, you to represent and, and on behalf of, of mr. Misner

3093
03:56:41,185 --> 03:56:44,865
to represent, uh, that, that there will be that, uh,

3094
03:56:45,485 --> 03:56:49,365
emphasis on using, uh, local artists for the project. Yeah, I, I mean, I think the proof's

3095
03:56:49,765 --> 03:56:53,765
in the pudding. I think you've heard from unite here, the proofs in the pudding with rita and their track

3096
03:56:54,005 --> 03:56:57,935
record. I think if you look at any of their lobbies or any of their, uh, facilities

3097
03:56:58,605 --> 03:57:02,365
or rooms, you'll see the proofs in the pudding in terms of using, uh, local artists that

3098
03:57:02,645 --> 03:57:06,565
can bring that flavor. Great. And I just wanted to also say that publicly for

3099
03:57:06,935 --> 03:57:10,725
staff, I know we're still negotiating this agreement, and like I said, I, I don't wanna amend

3100
03:57:11,045 --> 03:57:15,005
it because I, I'm, I don't have that language. I, I, I'm not sure what I would put in there,

3101
03:57:15,145 --> 03:57:18,605
but I just wanted to make sure and, and, uh, and, and just offer direction

3102
03:57:19,345 --> 03:57:23,325
to, uh, staff to make sure that we are supporting our local artists

3103
03:57:23,785 --> 03:57:27,755
as a part of the agreement. Uh, and then finally, I just wanted to say thank you to all the folks from,

3104
03:57:28,385 --> 03:57:31,805
uh, unite 23, uh, and appreciate y'all being here. And I'm sorry that

3105
03:57:32,435 --> 03:57:36,285
this has gone so long. It's been a, a full day for council, but I, I just,

3106
03:57:36,485 --> 03:57:39,705
I really appreciate you getting here and, and still being here. And, uh,

3107
03:57:40,715 --> 03:57:44,715
it's been a, a long day. But, uh, again, thank y'all so much. Yeah. Council

3108
03:57:45,205 --> 03:57:49,125
member ry, um, I'll make my comments as short and sweet as I can.

3109
03:57:49,465 --> 03:57:52,995
um, I just want to congratulate district two and, uh, council

3110
03:57:53,485 --> 03:57:57,445
mayor fuentes on her leadership around this. I, I think it's really important. You know, I, I represent

3111
03:57:57,605 --> 03:58:01,115
a district that I think, you know, has a lot of, uh, opportunity

3112
03:58:01,865 --> 03:58:05,615
and, and an abundance of, of resources at times. And folks unfortunately on the east side don't

3113
03:58:05,965 --> 03:58:09,955
always have that. So I think this is a, a game changer, uh, for the region, um, council

3114
03:58:10,555 --> 03:58:14,265
fund that's already highlighted all the great stuff it's gonna do. So I'm really excited to see it, it come to,

3115
03:58:14,825 --> 03:58:18,575
to district two. Uh, and then also wanna, um, thank

3116
03:58:18,925 --> 03:58:22,215
unite here 23 for, for being here as long as y'all have. I appreciate the pizza slice,

3117
03:58:23,065 --> 03:58:26,925
uh, that I, I snuck in before executive session. Uh, but, but truthfully, I,

3118
03:58:27,085 --> 03:58:31,025
I appreciate everyone, um, you know, having worked with unite here folks, uh,

3119
03:58:32,465 --> 03:58:36,085
for years and just the work that y'all do, uh, you know,

3120
03:58:36,755 --> 03:58:40,685
jobs of, of dignity and, and so much importance. Uh, so I really do want to just say

3121
03:58:40,885 --> 03:58:44,785
thank y'all for, for everything y'all do and, and really excited what this means for, for

3122
03:58:45,165 --> 03:58:49,135
district two, what it means for workers and what it means for our city. Thank

3123
03:58:49,485 --> 03:58:53,295
you. Council member. Council member uchin. Thank you, mayor.

3124
03:58:54,005 --> 03:58:57,645
I just wanted to flag a couple of things. Um, first, like everybody,

3125
03:58:58,485 --> 03:59:02,365
a, a real huge appreciation for all the stakeholders, councilor fuentes,

3126
03:59:03,265 --> 03:59:06,855
uh, all our work here. Uh, we included in backup today

3127
03:59:07,405 --> 03:59:11,195
a letter from the southeast neighborhood plan contact team that highlights two opportunities that

3128
03:59:11,485 --> 03:59:15,165
I haven't heard a lot of discussion around. So just wanna highlight them. One is to address

3129
03:59:16,115 --> 03:59:20,105
what appears to be a known water quality issue in the area, and two,

3130
03:59:20,425 --> 03:59:24,265
is to potentially create some pathways for community youth to

3131
03:59:24,505 --> 03:59:28,165
access assets and vocational programs. And so I'm just hopeful

3132
03:59:28,525 --> 03:59:32,365
that going forward we can be thoughtful about incorporating some of these opportunities in the agreements.

3133
03:59:32,985 --> 03:59:36,885
thanks. Thank you. Council member, uh, I'll recognize,

3134
03:59:37,225 --> 03:59:41,145
uh, council member fuentes to close on the motion to

3135
03:59:41,365 --> 03:59:45,365
approve item number six as amended. Thank you. Thank you. Council

3136
03:59:45,605 --> 03:59:49,545
member uchin for highlighting the southeast neighborhoods contact teams, um,

3137
03:59:50,075 --> 03:59:54,005
support letter. I just wanted to flag that there is a commitment to work with the

3138
03:59:54,085 --> 03:59:58,035
dell valley isd for internship pathways, uh, through their career and technical institute.

3139
03:59:58,705 --> 04:00:02,565
and certainly having a hospitality base, uh, is exciting and something that

3140
04:00:02,785 --> 04:00:06,765
is part of the commitments being made moving forward. Also, the water quality

3141
04:00:07,045 --> 04:00:11,005
issue that is highlighted for dell valley is an austin colony, which is a complicated

3142
04:00:11,795 --> 04:00:15,365
part of the dell valley community, uh, largely residing in the etj.

3143
04:00:16,105 --> 04:00:19,965
uh, and so certainly part of, as you all know, dell is a huge part

3144
04:00:20,585 --> 04:00:24,365
of austin and crosses three different council districts and is partly in the county.

3145
04:00:25,345 --> 04:00:28,925
um, but that's what makes this proposal so exciting and such a milestone

3146
04:00:29,585 --> 04:00:33,475
in our commitment and really having a first of its kind type

3147
04:00:33,765 --> 04:00:37,765
of city partnership in the area. I had the opportunity to have

3148
04:00:37,965 --> 04:00:41,965
a, a town hall with state representative lulu flores, uh, last weekend in dell

3149
04:00:42,205 --> 04:00:45,925
valley. And when we talked about this proposal specifically, the community applauded

3150
04:00:46,655 --> 04:00:50,445
about the partnership. They really are appreciative and see the potential

3151
04:00:50,925 --> 04:00:54,805
that we have here, um, with this type of partnership. So I have a lot of hope

3152
04:00:55,065 --> 04:00:59,005
and faith and what this means for our southeast austin community. And just wanna

3153
04:00:59,205 --> 04:01:02,965
share my appreciation for everyone who has shared their support along the way

3154
04:01:03,265 --> 04:01:07,255
and, and grateful for this council's consideration. Thank you. Thank

3155
04:01:07,605 --> 04:01:11,325
you. Council member. Uh, there being no further discussion. Do you?

3156
04:01:14,045 --> 04:01:17,985
I had my hand raised, but it went down. Okay. I'd

3157
04:01:18,205 --> 04:01:22,165
love to say something. That's okay. After this is over, let's come over here and I'll show you how this works. .

3158
04:01:22,635 --> 04:01:26,385
I'll pushed it, I'm telling you. Um, okay. Thank you so much. Um,

3159
04:01:27,445 --> 04:01:31,325
I, I, I, I also wanted to note how much it meant means to me to hear

3160
04:01:31,515 --> 04:01:34,535
from the members of our unite here, um, union

3161
04:01:35,585 --> 04:01:39,325
and so many community members. Um, thank you to council member vela for

3162
04:01:39,765 --> 04:01:43,465
covering the last few of my concerns there is the, the artistic and

3163
04:01:43,885 --> 04:01:47,605
creative community is certainly of strong importance to me and, and council member

3164
04:01:48,005 --> 04:01:52,005
fuentes for her leadership. The last thing that I really would like to

3165
04:01:52,215 --> 04:01:55,945
touch on is thinking our economic development staff who've been working around the clock on

3166
04:01:56,865 --> 04:02:00,425
not just this agreement, yes, this agreement and others that are so

3167
04:02:00,965 --> 04:02:04,845
critical to our city's ability to rise to the challenge of our current financial realities

3168
04:02:06,325 --> 04:02:10,285
combined with the pressing community needs that we know we have with both

3169
04:02:10,525 --> 04:02:14,525
thoughtfulness and speed. And thank you for allowing me to ask the questions

3170
04:02:14,725 --> 04:02:18,665
I have. Um, and I appreciate your thoughtfulness so

3171
04:02:18,885 --> 04:02:22,475
that we don't need to waiver from our shareholder values even as speed signals

3172
04:02:23,145 --> 04:02:26,835
to all that. Austin is in fact open for business that will help us weather the current financial

3173
04:02:27,445 --> 04:02:30,605
storm. I'm really pleased to join you all in supporting this agreement.

3174
04:02:32,335 --> 04:02:36,315
thank you there being no further discussion on item number six as amended,

3175
04:02:37,145 --> 04:02:40,715
uh, without objection. Item number six as amended

3176
04:02:41,385 --> 04:02:45,005
is approved with, uh, council member harper madison, off the dive. Congratulations

3177
04:02:45,845 --> 04:02:48,285
everybody. Congratulations y'all. And thank you for what you do.

3178
04:02:53,435 --> 04:02:55,625
members that will take us to item number 29,

3179
04:02:57,915 --> 04:03:01,845
item number 29, which was pulled from the consent agenda. And I will

3180
04:03:01,925 --> 04:03:05,765
turn to the city clerk to start calling on speakers for item number 29.

3181
04:03:06,935 --> 04:03:08,805
thank you, mayor. For item 29, we have catherine garcia,

3182
04:03:11,045 --> 04:03:14,925
hans maverick, bill bunch, chris harris,

3183
04:03:20,785 --> 04:03:24,525
ben sotheby, please state your name and begin speaking.

3184
04:03:25,145 --> 04:03:26,645
mr. Your name's been called. Please come forward.

3185
04:03:29,185 --> 04:03:33,145
please go ahead. Afternoon, mayor watson, am mayor. Hey,

3186
04:03:33,365 --> 04:03:37,005
one second everybody, everybody that's leaving the, uh, council chambers,

3187
04:03:37,565 --> 04:03:41,445
thank you for being here. We appreciate it, but if we could have you hold your conversations

3188
04:03:41,925 --> 04:03:43,165
until you get outside. Thank you.

3189
04:03:46,665 --> 04:03:50,325
uh, mayor watson, mayor proto vela council members, thank you for the opportunity

3190
04:03:50,725 --> 04:03:54,625
to testify today about item, uh, 29, the trust act.

3191
04:03:55,465 --> 04:03:59,285
my name is hans maverick and I'm a resident of council district 10. I'm also

3192
04:03:59,565 --> 04:04:02,645
a policy and research organizer for grassroots leadership here in austin.

3193
04:04:03,785 --> 04:04:07,645
uh, here's the thing. The last several years have seen an alarming growth in for-profit

3194
04:04:08,475 --> 04:04:12,435
mass surveillance systems. The companies that develop these technologies only

3195
04:04:12,925 --> 04:04:16,245
care about the money they can make from people from brokering people's data,

3196
04:04:17,145 --> 04:04:21,005
not people's civil and human rights. Despite res repeated

3197
04:04:21,215 --> 04:04:25,035
assurances to the contrary, many systems have been found to have back

3198
04:04:25,325 --> 04:04:29,145
doors that allow unauthorized access to the data they collect, as

3199
04:04:29,365 --> 04:04:31,605
if the authorized access wasn't bad enough.

3200
04:04:33,425 --> 04:04:37,305
we already know that employees of companies like flock have used their access to

3201
04:04:37,525 --> 04:04:41,325
these tools in ways that range from merely disturbing to downright

3202
04:04:41,955 --> 04:04:45,325
illegal. I worked for more than 20 years in the tech sector,

3203
04:04:46,185 --> 04:04:49,895
so I'm aware that these systems are never perfectly safe. Human

3204
04:04:50,255 --> 04:04:54,165
error, greed and racial bias com compromise their integrity

3205
04:04:54,665 --> 04:04:58,525
all too often. Because of that, I hope that this ordinance will give

3206
04:04:58,695 --> 04:05:02,325
austinites insight into and control over the decisions the city makes

3207
04:05:03,055 --> 04:05:06,685
about surveillance technology. In particular, the requirement

3208
04:05:07,285 --> 04:05:10,925
of a privacy impact assessment means that the council and the community

3209
04:05:11,465 --> 04:05:15,195
can make informed decisions about whether to adopt a given type

3210
04:05:15,485 --> 04:05:19,215
of surveillance technology. I want to shout out, uh, mayor proam

3211
04:05:19,725 --> 04:05:23,645
vela and council member siegel and their respective staffs for all their

3212
04:05:23,875 --> 04:05:27,485
hard work on this ordinance, especially for keeping community stakeholders

3213
04:05:28,235 --> 04:05:32,085
like us in the loop. Mayor tr pro tem velas motions

3214
04:05:32,525 --> 04:05:35,875
to reduce the exigent circumstances period to 60 days

3215
04:05:36,945 --> 04:05:40,805
and increase the lead time to review contracts to four weeks are welcome and necessary

3216
04:05:41,245 --> 04:05:45,205
improvements. I believe this ordinance strikes the proper balance between

3217
04:05:45,605 --> 04:05:49,605
safety in our public spaces and respect for austin residents. I

3218
04:05:49,725 --> 04:05:53,605
urge you to vote yes on the item. Thank you, mr. Sobe. Good afternoon.

3219
04:05:54,065 --> 04:05:58,005
I'm ben sobe, resident of d four, and I'm here to deliver testimony on behalf of

3220
04:05:58,205 --> 04:06:01,935
the no aprs coalition in support of the final trust

3221
04:06:02,285 --> 04:06:06,085
ordinance language. On today's agenda as item 29, our coalition

3222
04:06:06,565 --> 04:06:09,875
of over 35 organizations has watched council grapple

3223
04:06:10,595 --> 04:06:14,445
with a number of challenging decisions over the last year regarding whether to use

3224
04:06:14,645 --> 04:06:18,565
technology that compromises the civil liberties of austinites in the

3225
04:06:18,685 --> 04:06:22,365
name of public safety. These choices are difficult because council is tasked

3226
04:06:22,765 --> 04:06:26,675
with keeping our city safe. But navigating proposals that

3227
04:06:26,965 --> 04:06:30,755
involve surveillance often requires you all to learn about very new technologies quickly

3228
04:06:31,245 --> 04:06:34,525
enough to make policy decisions that impact millions of people.

3229
04:06:35,585 --> 04:06:39,285
we trust and support the trust act because we want to lend our support

3230
04:06:39,605 --> 04:06:43,505
to you as you navigate those decisions. And we believe the

3231
04:06:43,725 --> 04:06:47,425
amended ordinance language meaningfully expands our opportunity to do so by

3232
04:06:47,805 --> 04:06:51,765
ensuring we can lend our expertise with respect to surveillance, use contract

3233
04:06:52,365 --> 04:06:56,285
analysis and impacts on privacy. We believe trust is an important step in

3234
04:06:56,485 --> 04:07:00,325
the right direction, but we want to emphasize that implementing this policy

3235
04:07:01,025 --> 04:07:04,925
to the collective benefit of austinites requires vigilance from us and from

3236
04:07:05,125 --> 04:07:08,775
you all. Unethical companies like flock have found ways to circumvent

3237
04:07:09,495 --> 04:07:13,405
ordinances like trust in other cities. Moreover, we have to be ready

3238
04:07:13,625 --> 04:07:16,785
to respond to companies and technologies that haven't even been created yet.

3239
04:07:17,795 --> 04:07:21,325
even with trust, the necessity of learning, researching, and vetting remains

3240
04:07:22,515 --> 04:07:26,085
crucially. Trust offers us a longer window to analyze

3241
04:07:26,585 --> 04:07:30,485
and share insights with your offices. Avoiding last minute mobilizations

3242
04:07:31,205 --> 04:07:35,005
of community that is already deeply engrossed in def defending democracy.

3243
04:07:36,065 --> 04:07:39,945
and at capacity working to block the authoritarian consolidation of power taking

3244
04:07:40,365 --> 04:07:44,125
place in our community and in our country. We hope to offer material

3245
04:07:44,885 --> 04:07:48,885
relevant perspectives that will meaningfully support you and making decisions that serve our community.

3246
04:07:49,305 --> 04:07:52,925
in exchange, we trust that you will listen and engage with the concerns we raise.

3247
04:07:53,625 --> 04:07:57,405
we wanna express our gratitude to council member vela and council member siegel's offices

3248
04:07:57,745 --> 04:08:01,285
for working to draft that continue on item 29, daniela silva,

3249
04:08:02,275 --> 04:08:04,715
kard, writeoff mckenzie ryan.

3250
04:08:07,405 --> 04:08:09,565
justin wash, nick cavalero.

3251
04:08:13,235 --> 04:08:17,145
good afternoon, mayor and council. My name is daniella silva. I'm

3252
04:08:17,365 --> 04:08:21,245
a resident of district three here on my personal capacity to speak in

3253
04:08:21,445 --> 04:08:25,265
support of the trust act. Um, thank you council members for,

3254
04:08:25,545 --> 04:08:29,325
um, bringing this forward on the agenda. I know it's taken a lot of hard work and has been

3255
04:08:29,715 --> 04:08:33,555
very wonky work, um, getting this all together. There's a common joke

3256
04:08:34,035 --> 04:08:37,925
that congress could be sent to its knees simply by asking the members to reformat

3257
04:08:38,565 --> 04:08:42,405
a word document into pdf. While reductive, it does point to

3258
04:08:42,845 --> 04:08:46,765
a larger concern. Technology is evolving faster than our government has been able to

3259
04:08:46,885 --> 04:08:50,725
keep up with. You have the power to be more intentional with technology

3260
04:08:51,565 --> 04:08:55,205
adoption to protect austin residents from extractive and exploitative

3261
04:08:56,125 --> 04:09:00,045
companies who sell their harmful mass surveillance tech under the guise of keeping people

3262
04:09:00,715 --> 04:09:04,495
safe. But we have seen time and time and time again

3263
04:09:05,115 --> 04:09:09,075
that these technologies have often been abused and safeguards ignored when

3264
04:09:09,365 --> 04:09:13,315
adopted in cities across the country. The trust act is a step

3265
04:09:13,475 --> 04:09:17,335
in the right direction, allowing our elected officials and the public to

3266
04:09:17,555 --> 04:09:21,235
better understand the technologies we are spending our tax dollars on and implementing

3267
04:09:21,905 --> 04:09:24,875
into the daily lives of millions of people without their consent.

3268
04:09:26,095 --> 04:09:29,205
we know what keeps people safe. Investments in housing, healthcare,

3269
04:09:30,135 --> 04:09:33,955
public education, parks, restorative justice practices, and

3270
04:09:34,155 --> 04:09:37,855
the arts, not unbridled and unaccountable ai fueled

3271
04:09:38,275 --> 04:09:41,275
mass surveillance technologies that only see bodies but not humans.

3272
04:09:42,335 --> 04:09:46,265
please pass the trust act to begin to build our trust in you, that

3273
04:09:46,555 --> 04:09:50,435
you'll prioritize our rights to privacy and spend our tax dollars

3274
04:09:50,855 --> 04:09:54,275
on technologies that help and not harm us. Thank you.

3275
04:09:55,565 --> 04:09:59,455
thank you. Please, please begin. Hi,

3276
04:09:59,695 --> 04:10:03,405
my name is mckenzie ryan. Uh, certainly not as exciting a name as anita

3277
04:10:03,945 --> 04:10:07,635
bong hit, but nevertheless, I'm a digital rights attorney and a

3278
04:10:08,035 --> 04:10:11,995
resident of district nine. I'm speaking in support of the trust act today. I

3279
04:10:12,115 --> 04:10:15,685
wanna start by saying how much I respect the difficulty of the decisions this council faces.

3280
04:10:16,215 --> 04:10:20,155
you are regularly asked to evaluate really complex and fast moving technologies

3281
04:10:20,935 --> 04:10:24,315
and make policies that affect more than a million people. That's no small thing.

3282
04:10:25,055 --> 04:10:28,475
the fact that you're meeting that challenge directly with the ordinance speaks well to this body.

3283
04:10:29,615 --> 04:10:33,435
uh, the surveillance landscape shifts faster than any policy can possibly keep up with.

3284
04:10:33,735 --> 04:10:37,615
in 2016, I was a computer science major using a research grant to do work with my vision lab

3285
04:10:37,835 --> 04:10:41,515
for amazon's image recognition tool recognition, supposedly to help workers locate

3286
04:10:41,875 --> 04:10:45,505
packages that within a year was taken for mass

3287
04:10:46,035 --> 04:10:49,755
surveillance. Um, in just a few months time, ring quietly partnered with over

3288
04:10:50,195 --> 04:10:54,115
1300 agencies to share user's data without their knowledge. That's how

3289
04:10:54,275 --> 04:10:58,135
fast the landscape shifts. Not in decades, not in years, but in months and often in

3290
04:10:58,355 --> 04:11:01,635
secret. This surveillance fight requires vigilance from all of us.

3291
04:11:02,655 --> 04:11:06,455
you should honestly expect surveillance companies to violate this ordinance and for them to try

3292
04:11:06,675 --> 04:11:10,675
and work it in their favor in any way possible. They spend a lot of time and money doing that

3293
04:11:10,875 --> 04:11:14,835
exact same thing across the us constantly, and we should be ready to meet that challenge when

3294
04:11:15,035 --> 04:11:18,955
it arises. But this ordinance is a very good step in the right direction and provides

3295
04:11:19,475 --> 04:11:22,955
some pretty good safeguards against that. Surveillance technology is extraordinary,

3296
04:11:23,595 --> 04:11:27,075
difficult to understand in full the systems, the contracts, the downstream consequences.

3297
04:11:27,795 --> 04:11:31,235
I don't expect any single council member to have all the answers because no one possibly can.

3298
04:11:32,095 --> 04:11:35,795
that's exactly why something like the trust act matters. It creates a window for informed community

3299
04:11:36,155 --> 04:11:39,995
voices to bring their expertise and experiences before decisions are made, and gives council time to

3300
04:11:40,195 --> 04:11:44,155
review the contracts and consequences for these powerful tools so that what none of

3301
04:11:44,275 --> 04:11:48,115
us know in full doesn't end up hurting all of us. I'm grateful to mayor

3302
04:11:48,315 --> 04:11:51,905
pro tem vela and council member siegel for their leadership and strengthening this ordinance. Genuinely,

3303
04:11:53,105 --> 04:11:56,955
this council has shown that it takes civil liberty seriously, and I look forward to continue working

3304
04:11:57,155 --> 04:12:00,845
alongside you to keep austin free and privacy respective. Thank

3305
04:12:01,195 --> 04:12:02,375
you. Yes.

3306
04:12:06,975 --> 04:12:10,835
hi. And I am nick cavalero and I'm not

3307
04:12:11,185 --> 04:12:15,165
nos tonight. I've driven here from houston four times so far to either

3308
04:12:15,455 --> 04:12:19,245
speak out against invasive surveillance cameras or give my support for legislation

3309
04:12:19,925 --> 04:12:23,825
that restricts such camera systems flock. Cameras are

3310
04:12:24,045 --> 04:12:27,515
already in use in houston, used and are being misused. This

3311
04:12:28,245 --> 04:12:31,935
proposed privacy impact assessment will at the very least, help bring

3312
04:12:32,285 --> 04:12:35,485
light civil rights violations that will otherwise be ignored.

3313
04:12:36,575 --> 04:12:39,805
thank you. Thank you.

3314
04:12:40,595 --> 04:12:44,325
that concludes all speakers on item 29 members. That concludes all the speakers

3315
04:12:44,645 --> 04:12:48,605
on item number 29. I'll entertain a motion. Uh, the

3316
04:12:48,765 --> 04:12:52,285
mayor pro tem moves approval of item number 29. It's seconded by council member

3317
04:12:52,895 --> 04:12:56,725
cadre. Um, before we go to discussion members,

3318
04:12:57,425 --> 04:13:01,165
we have, uh, as I understand it, three proposed

3319
04:13:01,495 --> 04:13:05,265
amendments. Uh, the first amendment is by the mayor pro tem,

3320
04:13:05,865 --> 04:13:09,805
and then we have two proposed amendments by council member uchin. I'm gonna recognize

3321
04:13:09,965 --> 04:13:13,945
the mayor pro tem on his proposed amendment. You have it in front of you as

3322
04:13:14,165 --> 04:13:18,165
item number 29, april 23rd, 2026 mpt velas

3323
04:13:18,485 --> 04:13:21,805
motion sheet one mayor pro tem. You're recognized. Thank you, mayor.

3324
04:13:22,505 --> 04:13:26,265
uh, the one of the, the speakers mentioned it, but we're, uh,

3325
04:13:26,535 --> 04:13:30,445
increasing the time required to lay out the, the privacy

3326
04:13:30,785 --> 04:13:34,245
impact assessment from two weeks, uh, to four weeks.

3327
04:13:35,145 --> 04:13:38,635
uh, and then with regard to the city manager's

3328
04:13:39,355 --> 04:13:43,165
ability to adopt and use, uh, technologies and exigent

3329
04:13:43,605 --> 04:13:47,605
circumstances, we're, uh, reducing that, uh, timeframe from a 120,

3330
04:13:49,065 --> 04:13:53,045
uh, days to, to 60 days. Uh, and in a,

3331
04:13:53,165 --> 04:13:57,005
in a handful of different sections, uh, to again, to, to tighten up the requirements

3332
04:13:57,405 --> 04:14:00,475
to make sure that we're, uh, getting information quickly,

3333
04:14:01,465 --> 04:14:05,245
uh, and that the public is getting that same information quickly so we can all kinda make our assessments

3334
04:14:05,685 --> 04:14:09,605
of whether the, the, the technology is good and whether the the benefits

3335
04:14:09,765 --> 04:14:13,485
outweigh the the costs members. Uh, mayor pro tem vela moves

3336
04:14:13,785 --> 04:14:17,405
to amend item number 29 with vela, uh, amendment number

3337
04:14:17,825 --> 04:14:20,965
one. As he's indicated, it makes six different changes

3338
04:14:22,305 --> 04:14:26,185
all related to the two issues he's described. The motion to, uh,

3339
04:14:26,575 --> 04:14:30,005
amend by a council by member pro 10 vela is seconded by council member siegel,

3340
04:14:30,625 --> 04:14:34,385
is there discussion on the motion to amend vela number one

3341
04:14:34,825 --> 04:14:38,205
to item number 29? Hearing none without objection.

3342
04:14:39,305 --> 04:14:43,155
uh, vela amendment number one to item number 29 is adopted

3343
04:14:44,035 --> 04:14:47,925
with, uh, council member harper madison, absent that will take

3344
04:14:48,125 --> 04:14:51,885
us now to council member uchin proposed amendment number

3345
04:14:52,545 --> 04:14:56,185
one. Uh, it is labeled cm uchin amendment number one

3346
04:14:56,585 --> 04:15:00,345
on item 29. It is to amend the draft ordinance to

3347
04:15:00,625 --> 04:15:04,605
add a section 2 19 10 f.

3348
04:15:04,725 --> 04:15:08,545
council member uchin, you're recognized on uchin proposed amendment number one

3349
04:15:08,765 --> 04:15:12,745
to, to item 29. Thank you, mayor. Um,

3350
04:15:13,245 --> 04:15:17,225
I want to say a few comments, uh, just leading up to that. Um,

3351
04:15:17,755 --> 04:15:21,485
essentially this amendment is going to add some

3352
04:15:21,765 --> 04:15:25,365
additional language, uh, to subsection f

3353
04:15:25,875 --> 04:15:29,825
requiring additional reporting regarding this ordinance and its effect to the public, uh,

3354
04:15:30,145 --> 04:15:34,045
to public safety. So the amendment, or, uh,

3355
04:15:34,245 --> 04:15:38,165
sorry, the, the item actually has reporting in it, but it's regarding violation of civil liberties,

3356
04:15:38,645 --> 04:15:42,645
of misuse, of technology, of review, of other policies related to surveillance technology.

3357
04:15:43,385 --> 04:15:46,535
and that's, I'm happy that's in there. That's all vital.

3358
04:15:48,155 --> 04:15:51,715
what isn't included is whether the ordinance itself is slowing

3359
04:15:52,205 --> 04:15:55,805
down our adoption of reasonable technologies or preventing advances

3360
04:15:56,865 --> 04:16:00,675
in public safety to some unintended degree. And without

3361
04:16:01,165 --> 04:16:03,405
this amendment will only be reviewing what was permitted.

3362
04:16:05,225 --> 04:16:08,965
so I want us to know what was, what was the opportunity cost here for the city?

3363
04:16:10,025 --> 04:16:14,005
and, uh, and the specific concern, I think is just looking at other cities and how

3364
04:16:14,165 --> 04:16:17,885
they've adopted similar policies and recognizing that in some cases

3365
04:16:18,505 --> 04:16:22,365
it, you know, that has substantially delayed, uh, not even adopting, but even

3366
04:16:22,685 --> 04:16:26,525
just piloting technologies that might be useful, that may have taken many years

3367
04:16:27,115 --> 04:16:30,885
just to get to that stage. So I think it'd be valuable for us to know that.

3368
04:16:31,765 --> 04:16:35,165
I wanna further add, um, you know, I came this week

3369
04:16:36,275 --> 04:16:40,035
with every intention of supporting this

3370
04:16:40,325 --> 04:16:44,245
item. And, and I agree with my colleagues that, and, and often

3371
04:16:44,565 --> 04:16:47,645
frankly, it really the speakers that this is needed for our city.

3372
04:16:48,945 --> 04:16:52,885
uh, however, we've had recent outreach from various stakeholders that have given me

3373
04:16:53,085 --> 04:16:57,085
some pause on it. And that's one reason I want this amendment. And frankly,

3374
04:16:57,365 --> 04:17:01,325
I wish we had more time to discuss some of the details of this,

3375
04:17:01,625 --> 04:17:05,445
and I'm calling. You know, I'm, I'm, I'm very aware that for many of you, this is the first time you're hearing this.

3376
04:17:05,865 --> 04:17:09,745
in the future, I'd really like to be able to bring these issues to light in

3377
04:17:09,965 --> 04:17:13,885
discussions earlier. Part of what the challenge is, is I'm precluded from

3378
04:17:14,005 --> 04:17:17,845
discussing them with the authors by, uh, you know, open meetings act and sub quorum

3379
04:17:18,285 --> 04:17:21,765
policy. So while I'm broadly supportive of the policy,

3380
04:17:23,025 --> 04:17:26,765
um, that's gonna allow the city to employ technological

3381
04:17:27,485 --> 04:17:31,365
solutions for public safety interests, I worry that as it's currently

3382
04:17:31,925 --> 04:17:35,855
designed, it's gonna have some unintended consequences that may stymie our ability to adopt basic

3383
04:17:36,255 --> 04:17:39,365
technology for everyday quality of life issues that we deal with.

3384
04:17:41,185 --> 04:17:45,005
the current assessment process for minimal risk to civil liberties

3385
04:17:45,675 --> 04:17:49,025
appears in some cases overly broad. Um,

3386
04:17:49,785 --> 04:17:52,085
and that determines that any technology,

3387
04:17:54,305 --> 04:17:58,245
in essence may have greater than minimal risk that we're

3388
04:17:58,525 --> 04:18:01,085
talking about here. And I have a couple of examples to, to step through.

3389
04:18:02,705 --> 04:18:06,325
the presence of any one factor will weigh strongly against

3390
04:18:07,035 --> 04:18:10,865
this idea of minimal risk determination that's outlined in the

3391
04:18:11,085 --> 04:18:14,885
ordinance. Among those factors is whether

3392
04:18:15,125 --> 04:18:18,405
someone could associate anonymous data with quote a group.

3393
04:18:19,425 --> 04:18:23,325
and although not an attorney, logically, if any set of

3394
04:18:23,445 --> 04:18:26,805
data exists, by definition, that is a group

3395
04:18:28,195 --> 04:18:32,045
that alone could weigh strongly against the adoption of technology by city staff without

3396
04:18:32,525 --> 04:18:36,045
council approval. There are additional issues, however, pedantic

3397
04:18:36,605 --> 04:18:40,325
they may seem with grammar that we could be wise to resolve

3398
04:18:40,645 --> 04:18:44,485
before trying to implement this policy from a

3399
04:18:44,835 --> 04:18:48,815
privacy assessment algorithm. If the electronic device quote

3400
04:18:49,425 --> 04:18:53,165
can collect sensitive data, personal, uh, personnel information without

3401
04:18:53,565 --> 04:18:57,325
a warrant or quote, if technology allows for the

3402
04:18:57,685 --> 04:19:01,645
creation of data records that shall weigh strongly against a termination of

3403
04:19:01,765 --> 04:19:05,055
the technology is minimal risk. So can allow,

3404
04:19:06,095 --> 04:19:10,045
opens the doors for virtually anything you can think of.

3405
04:19:10,265 --> 04:19:14,165
and I can't think of many technologies that don't meet this threshold. Any database the

3406
04:19:14,365 --> 04:19:17,205
city has is collecting data and creating records,

3407
04:19:18,665 --> 04:19:22,605
and that could be captured in this process. One last example,

3408
04:19:23,075 --> 04:19:27,075
I'll move on. It shall weigh strongly against a minimal risk

3409
04:19:27,365 --> 04:19:30,665
assessment if a technology collects data that is disproportionately

3410
04:19:31,525 --> 04:19:35,405
associated with a particular demographic. I have to admit, I have no idea what

3411
04:19:35,685 --> 04:19:39,525
limiting principles would prevent this from applying to literally any data at all.

3412
04:19:41,625 --> 04:19:45,395
so I'm hoping that registered or, or made sense, but there's

3413
04:19:46,125 --> 04:19:49,715
language in here, and even per mayor pro tems

3414
04:19:50,505 --> 04:19:54,345
motion, we've been tinkering with this up until today. So,

3415
04:19:55,185 --> 04:19:58,985
uh, if we can't get this amendment passed, what I would then ask

3416
04:19:59,265 --> 04:20:03,225
is us to really consider postponing for two weeks. And

3417
04:20:04,005 --> 04:20:07,985
I wanna do that to make sure the language reflects both the community's needs and

3418
04:20:08,205 --> 04:20:11,695
the city's needs, because this is gonna be in place and working for us for years,

3419
04:20:12,265 --> 04:20:16,065
if not decades. And part of this, because the language has,

3420
04:20:16,345 --> 04:20:19,485
as I said, been tinkered with, and I think we need to strive to get it right,

3421
04:20:21,595 --> 04:20:25,205
this is gonna guide technology across many different departments.

3422
04:20:26,215 --> 04:20:30,205
we've seen the other cities like seattle struggle with unintended consequences of their comparable

3423
04:20:30,845 --> 04:20:34,785
policies. In some cases, we're seeing cities not even though, as

3424
04:20:35,125 --> 04:20:38,975
I said, pilot or understand whether there's an appropriate use that meets

3425
04:20:39,325 --> 04:20:43,285
the needs to adopt or purchase. And finally, the last thing

3426
04:20:43,445 --> 04:20:47,445
I'll say is we are already having to make tough budget choices and think

3427
04:20:47,605 --> 04:20:51,565
through those decisions, what to fund, what to scale back, recognizing

3428
04:20:51,885 --> 04:20:55,565
that we can't have at all. And that precarious balance

3429
04:20:56,505 --> 04:21:00,445
is also true for safety and our safety decisions. And we'll be short hundreds of

3430
04:21:00,565 --> 04:21:04,445
officers for several years. We, but at the same time, everybody here wants

3431
04:21:04,645 --> 04:21:07,085
more responsiveness. Uh, we want less crime.

3432
04:21:08,865 --> 04:21:12,725
and public safety professionals are gonna tell you the number one way to economically address

3433
04:21:13,115 --> 04:21:17,085
that gap is through smart, safe use of technology. So I'm just asking

3434
04:21:17,295 --> 04:21:20,545
y'all to take a little, either take a little longer to get this right or to consider the,

3435
04:21:21,425 --> 04:21:25,365
uh, consider this amendment, which just adds some additional reporting for us to,

3436
04:21:25,565 --> 04:21:28,305
to work on. Uh, so with that, I, uh,

3437
04:21:29,705 --> 04:21:33,705
uh, move for adoption council member uchin a moves approval of

3438
04:21:34,325 --> 04:21:38,205
uchin amendment number one to item 29. Is there a second? Council member? Ellis,

3439
04:21:38,365 --> 04:21:42,095
you're seconding the motion. It is seconded by council member ellis. Additional

3440
04:21:42,765 --> 04:21:46,285
discussion, mayor pro tim. Uh, and this is a discussion

3441
04:21:47,065 --> 04:21:50,985
on uchin proposed amendment number one to item 29. Uh,

3442
04:21:51,325 --> 04:21:55,295
a couple of, uh, of, of quick, uh, thoughts. Uh, we've

3443
04:21:55,645 --> 04:21:59,305
worked very closely with city staff to try to

3444
04:22:00,805 --> 04:22:04,785
minimize the administrative burden while trying to maximize, uh,

3445
04:22:05,005 --> 04:22:09,005
information, uh, available, uh, to the public. And again,

3446
04:22:09,315 --> 04:22:13,245
this item doesn't put the thumb and say, we are going to use this

3447
04:22:13,445 --> 04:22:17,155
technology and we're not going to use this technology. It just creates a framework

3448
04:22:18,225 --> 04:22:21,925
by which to analyze the types of surveillance technologies,

3449
04:22:22,745 --> 04:22:26,165
uh, that we do use. Uh, I don't have a problem

3450
04:22:26,865 --> 04:22:30,185
in principle for a review

3451
04:22:30,955 --> 04:22:34,785
from staff a year after this comes out, uh, to say,

3452
04:22:35,145 --> 04:22:38,845
hey, what kind of, 'cause the way I read it, uh, council member uchin, is that,

3453
04:22:39,745 --> 04:22:43,245
you know, is this too hard to implement? Is this causing too much of an administrative

3454
04:22:43,845 --> 04:22:46,885
burden or is this causing us problems in the pro pro procurement process?

3455
04:22:47,865 --> 04:22:51,765
my concern, honestly, I would, I would be supportive of

3456
04:22:51,885 --> 04:22:55,675
the amendment if it was direction and, and not in the actual kind

3457
04:22:55,965 --> 04:22:59,165
of court, 'cause you're here, we're amending the ordinance. Whereas I think direction

3458
04:23:00,105 --> 04:23:04,015
to, uh, have staff come back and, uh, report back after

3459
04:23:04,565 --> 04:23:08,525
a year of the trust act pending would be, uh, a more palatable, lemme lemme

3460
04:23:08,765 --> 04:23:12,685
just say, uh, that way, instead of putting it permanently in the ordinance, that I would, I would just offer

3461
04:23:12,925 --> 04:23:16,685
that as an amendment to the amendment. Could, could we make it direction instead

3462
04:23:17,125 --> 04:23:20,645
of, uh, instead of, uh, an an actual amendment to the ordinance?

3463
04:23:22,845 --> 04:23:26,765
I appreciate that suggestion. Can you help me understand the distinction between those

3464
04:23:26,965 --> 04:23:30,685
two options and what that looks like? Practically speaking, I just wanna also clarify really quickly to your point.

3465
04:23:31,945 --> 04:23:35,645
um, I think it, to me, it's less about the administrative burden

3466
04:23:36,185 --> 04:23:40,085
and instead capturing to understand if we are experiencing similar

3467
04:23:40,885 --> 04:23:44,525
challenges that I know you're well aware of that other cities have faced when implementing similar

3468
04:23:45,285 --> 04:23:49,005
policies regarding, uh, not the civil liberty side, but the technology

3469
04:23:49,605 --> 04:23:52,925
side. Are we, we being overly broad as per the examples that I listed

3470
04:23:53,745 --> 04:23:57,685
in our dragnet for capturing and reviewing technology that's in the city that may have

3471
04:23:57,845 --> 04:24:01,835
nothing to do with surveillance? Well, I would, this is a, a one time review. It's

3472
04:24:02,125 --> 04:24:05,965
not kind of an ongoing review that we're, I mean, it's basically divided into two parts.

3473
04:24:06,425 --> 04:24:10,225
one is existing technologies of which the city manager has, uh, oh

3474
04:24:10,445 --> 04:24:14,345
lord, I believe a year to return or, uh, uh, close to, uh,

3475
04:24:14,725 --> 04:24:18,605
a year to return with saying, hey, these are the existing types of surveillance technologies we use.

3476
04:24:18,955 --> 04:24:22,725
this is some basic information about them. And then for new technologies,

3477
04:24:23,865 --> 04:24:27,045
as we adopt them, again, just to take an example, the parks cameras,

3478
04:24:27,895 --> 04:24:31,665
there would be a before, again, four weeks before, uh,

3479
04:24:32,065 --> 04:24:35,665
it comes to council for, uh, the, the public where the, uh, privacy impact

3480
04:24:36,085 --> 04:24:40,005
assessment would be out there. So we could understand what data is being collected,

3481
04:24:41,105 --> 04:24:44,965
who is, uh, has access to it, how long are we keeping the data, you know,

3482
04:24:45,125 --> 04:24:49,045
those kinds of just relevant questions. And, and I put that out there, and I appreciate your comments on the

3483
04:24:49,165 --> 04:24:53,085
administrative burden because, for example, with the parks, uh, cameras item, again, not

3484
04:24:53,245 --> 04:24:57,125
to beat that, uh, uh, to death, but that, that's come forward a handful of times now. And, and

3485
04:24:57,325 --> 04:25:01,075
we didn't have the, the kind of the answers to some of the questions that we needed. This

3486
04:25:01,365 --> 04:25:05,365
is designed to, to make the, the discussion and debate and, you know,

3487
04:25:05,765 --> 04:25:09,645
adoption or rejection of those technologies more streamlined so we're not having to kind

3488
04:25:09,845 --> 04:25:13,425
of debate the same thing, uh, uh, again, and, and, and again. So,

3489
04:25:13,945 --> 04:25:17,925
uh, in, in a certain sense, even though we're creating kind of

3490
04:25:18,085 --> 04:25:21,565
a, a workflow around the adoption of these technologies,

3491
04:25:22,445 --> 04:25:26,245
I think ultimately it will reduce administrative burden in the sense that we're not

3492
04:25:26,555 --> 04:25:30,485
kind of having the same argument again and again and again, that that's the

3493
04:25:30,605 --> 04:25:34,545
goal of the, uh, uh, of the, the ordinance. So,

3494
04:25:34,765 --> 04:25:38,705
and again, we do, we're asking the city manager to come back with that report on

3495
04:25:38,925 --> 04:25:42,545
the existing technologies. Uh, again, I don't mind adding,

3496
04:25:43,145 --> 04:25:46,805
uh, your amendment kind of to that report to say that

3497
04:25:47,825 --> 04:25:51,725
are there are, are we tripping ourselves up in any ways or, you know, are there procurement concerns

3498
04:25:52,005 --> 04:25:55,825
and all of that? Like, I, I would just like it more as it's kind of a standalone report as

3499
04:25:56,045 --> 04:25:59,805
opposed, again, it's just kind of, it's a cleaner, I think, and better way to, uh, approach

3500
04:26:00,515 --> 04:26:04,385
what is ultimately a one time, like, it's, it's you're saying, hey, we want to, to

3501
04:26:04,605 --> 04:26:08,285
take a look at this. Uh, and I'm, I'm fine with that. I, I, I think direction

3502
04:26:08,845 --> 04:26:12,525
would probably be just a, a cleaner and better way to, to make it. So I would offer that as amendment

3503
04:26:12,925 --> 04:26:16,585
to the amendment. Mayor, I'm sorry, I don't have a, a document in front of me. I know you liked that, but

3504
04:26:19,195 --> 04:26:23,165
typically we wanna have a document. But let me, let me, um, I,

3505
04:26:23,395 --> 04:26:27,325
I'll, I'll, I'll try to provide a little help here. Um, what I would do is

3506
04:26:27,525 --> 04:26:31,525
I would take, for those that wanna follow along here, I would take, uh, uchin

3507
04:26:31,685 --> 04:26:35,525
amendment number one, strike the words additionally, one year after the

3508
04:26:35,725 --> 04:26:39,685
effective date of this ordinance and begin it. The city manager is directed to

3509
04:26:39,845 --> 04:26:43,385
work in coordination with austin technology services to conduct a review

3510
04:26:43,865 --> 04:26:47,445
of any procurement. Take that down to the third line from the bottom,

3511
04:26:48,265 --> 04:26:51,945
and then add at the, at the end of the sentence, that is

3512
04:26:52,295 --> 04:26:56,205
start, it doesn't start there, but it, it's completed. Uh, on that third line from

3513
04:26:56,405 --> 04:27:00,405
the bottom, this review should be conducted one year after the effective

3514
04:27:00,765 --> 04:27:04,685
date of this ordinance. And the findings of this review shall be provided as the public

3515
04:27:04,885 --> 04:27:08,555
safety committee. Uh, that would be what I would offer as direction

3516
04:27:09,265 --> 04:27:12,945
as opposed to an amendment of the ordinance. Uh,

3517
04:27:13,585 --> 04:27:16,865
yes. Council member walter, just for clarity, are we striking the add to

3518
04:27:17,965 --> 04:27:21,915
19 dash 10 f? Yes, of course. Thank you. Um, good

3519
04:27:22,205 --> 04:27:26,205
catch. So let me read this into the record and then I'll see

3520
04:27:26,505 --> 04:27:30,145
if, uh, there's a second to the motion to, if the vela motion

3521
04:27:30,785 --> 04:27:34,685
to amend is, instead of it reading, I move

3522
04:27:34,885 --> 04:27:38,545
to amend the draft ordinance to add 2 19 10

3523
04:27:40,685 --> 04:27:43,805
f it would read as direction to the city manager.

3524
04:27:45,185 --> 04:27:48,525
the city manager is directed to work in coordination with austin technology

3525
04:27:49,485 --> 04:27:53,375
services to conduct a review of any procurement, possible procurement or pilot

3526
04:27:53,725 --> 04:27:57,665
program of surveillance technology affected by this ordinance. The

3527
04:27:57,885 --> 04:28:01,885
review should assess impediments to technological advancement that may affect the

3528
04:28:02,085 --> 04:28:05,845
city's ability to serve the public. It will also determine if there are more effective

3529
04:28:06,245 --> 04:28:09,725
ways to use the technology and determine if it could improve efficiencies for other departments.

3530
04:28:11,075 --> 04:28:14,905
this review should be conducted one year after the effective date of

3531
04:28:15,125 --> 04:28:18,805
this ordinance, and the findings of this review shall be provided to the public safety

3532
04:28:19,165 --> 04:28:23,005
committee within 60 days following the one year anniversary of

3533
04:28:23,205 --> 04:28:27,165
the effective date. Is that your motion, mayor pro tem? I

3534
04:28:27,565 --> 04:28:31,265
I will second your motion. Mayor . Um,

3535
04:28:32,065 --> 04:28:35,845
all right. Um, the motion, uh, I guess it's

3536
04:28:36,085 --> 04:28:39,605
now wa I don't know how that happened, but, uh, yeah, I do, uh, became watson's

3537
04:28:40,165 --> 04:28:43,845
motion to amend the uchin amendment number one. Is there discussion

3538
04:28:44,585 --> 04:28:48,445
on that? Motion to amend hearing none without objection, watson.

3539
04:28:48,865 --> 04:28:52,725
motion to amend uchin amendment number one is adopted with council member harper madison,

3540
04:28:53,425 --> 04:28:57,385
absent. Um, so item number 29 is now

3541
04:28:57,775 --> 04:29:01,385
there has been amended, uh, by the vela amendment number one,

3542
04:29:01,865 --> 04:29:05,805
and then there is direction to the city manager. Uh, well, we gotta go back to the,

3543
04:29:05,925 --> 04:29:09,805
to, to, uh, I'm sorry. We gotta go back to the motion to amend by council

3544
04:29:10,045 --> 04:29:14,045
member uchin, which has now been amended to be direction to the city manager. Do you wanna

3545
04:29:14,215 --> 04:29:17,685
close? I'll just say very briefly, I appreciate

3546
04:29:18,395 --> 04:29:22,285
your, uh, accommodation on that and would look forward to the results.

3547
04:29:22,585 --> 04:29:26,445
and I think this addresses a lot of the concerns. I do think there's some language that still probably could

3548
04:29:26,685 --> 04:29:30,445
be cleaned up, but hopefully that can, that conversation

3549
04:29:30,925 --> 04:29:34,925
if need be, will happen in a year from now when we gather some additional information. Fair enough.

3550
04:29:35,265 --> 04:29:39,125
uh, members, the vote is on uchin amendment number one to item number

3551
04:29:39,445 --> 04:29:43,275
29 as it has been amended. Is there any further discussion? Hearing

3552
04:29:43,765 --> 04:29:47,645
none without objection. Uh, uchin amendment number one as amended

3553
04:29:48,125 --> 04:29:51,925
is adopted with council member harper madison being absent. That will now take

3554
04:29:52,165 --> 04:29:55,445
us to uchin proposed amendment number two to item number 29.

3555
04:29:56,675 --> 04:30:00,315
I'll go ahead and that. Alright, uh, council member uchin is pulling down,

3556
04:30:00,865 --> 04:30:04,765
uh, the, uh, motion to his, his second proposed motion to amend.

3557
04:30:05,085 --> 04:30:08,445
so members, that now takes us back to the main motion on item number 29.

3558
04:30:09,515 --> 04:30:12,965
item number 29, as amended. Council member siegel,

3559
04:30:14,595 --> 04:30:18,425
just brief comment before we go. What are you commenting on, on the

3560
04:30:19,155 --> 04:30:22,725
base motion? I guess, let me get, let me get it out there as a, as a base motion. Wonderful.

3561
04:30:23,435 --> 04:30:26,585
I'll recognize you right off the bat. Thank you, sir. Um, uh,

3562
04:30:27,505 --> 04:30:30,945
the discussion now is on the main motion, which is,

3563
04:30:31,705 --> 04:30:35,625
uh, the motion to motion to adopt item number 29 as

3564
04:30:35,845 --> 04:30:39,825
it has been amended by the vela motion number one

3565
04:30:40,265 --> 04:30:44,145
and uchin motion to amend number one as it

3566
04:30:44,365 --> 04:30:48,285
was amended. Council member siegel, you are happily recognized. Thank you, mayor, but, uh, mayor

3567
04:30:48,525 --> 04:30:52,505
pro tem, did you wanna go first? No. No. Okay. Thanks sir. Well, I just wanna say thank you, uh,

3568
04:30:52,725 --> 04:30:56,645
to mayor pro tem for your really important leadership on this and, and also the work of

3569
04:30:56,805 --> 04:31:00,305
your staff. The trust act is a critical procedural reform

3570
04:31:01,115 --> 04:31:05,005
that will provide public transparency and opportunities for discussion before the

3571
04:31:05,205 --> 04:31:09,185
city acquires new surveillance technology. And we've seen the need for the trust act

3572
04:31:09,405 --> 04:31:13,085
in prior votes where, uh, something was brought to us under the auspices,

3573
04:31:13,525 --> 04:31:17,445
for example, of license plate readers or park cameras, and we didn't have all the

3574
04:31:17,565 --> 04:31:21,445
information about the artificial intelligence backend and who could get access to that data.

3575
04:31:22,225 --> 04:31:26,005
and so this item, this trust act, really is gonna bring our procurement process

3576
04:31:26,795 --> 04:31:30,645
into the information age. It's a recognition that artificial intelligence and big

3577
04:31:30,845 --> 04:31:34,845
data present profound risks to our fundamental right to privacy and to our

3578
04:31:34,965 --> 04:31:38,885
civil liberties. Um, and I'm really thankful that the city is now becoming a

3579
04:31:39,165 --> 04:31:42,965
national leader in protecting our community from unwarranted surveillance and corporate

3580
04:31:43,445 --> 04:31:47,325
driven violations of privacy. Thank you, mayor. Thank you council mayor, any

3581
04:31:47,525 --> 04:31:51,405
further discussion? Mayor porter, I'll recognize you to close. Thank you, uh, very much.

3582
04:31:51,745 --> 04:31:55,645
uh, very excited to, uh, get this done. And I really want to thank

3583
04:31:55,825 --> 04:31:59,085
the, uh, stakeholders that we worked with, uh, very, uh, closely.

3584
04:32:00,145 --> 04:32:04,085
uh, grassroots leadership comes to montey hans out there, uh, uh, texas civil

3585
04:32:04,245 --> 04:32:08,165
rights project. There are too many, uh, to mention, but it was a, a really good collaborative

3586
04:32:08,725 --> 04:32:12,485
process to get here. Uh, I think this is, uh, a big step

3587
04:32:12,765 --> 04:32:16,765
forward, uh, and we, if we're gonna have good debates on

3588
04:32:16,885 --> 04:32:20,885
the diets, we need to have good information. We can't be guessing at things. We can't be

3589
04:32:21,045 --> 04:32:24,725
dealing with misinformation. We, you know, having that, uh, privacy impact assessment

3590
04:32:25,385 --> 04:32:29,245
in hand to refer to when we're debating, uh, the adoption of,

3591
04:32:29,445 --> 04:32:33,445
uh, surveillance technology, I think will really help center and ground our debates

3592
04:32:33,885 --> 04:32:37,725
in a, a more kind of factual and realistic and kind of weighing the cost against the

3593
04:32:38,125 --> 04:32:42,005
benefits. So, uh, very, uh, happy to, to see this, uh, move forward and, and

3594
04:32:42,165 --> 04:32:46,125
I think it will be a, a big step, uh, and a big change and, and serve as

3595
04:32:46,325 --> 04:32:50,165
a model hopefully for, um, for other cities. Uh, I just wanna

3596
04:32:50,615 --> 04:32:54,605
thank, um, uh, ko and, uh, from my office and, uh, emily

3597
04:32:54,885 --> 04:32:58,565
garrick from, uh, council member siegel's office, who have put in a lot of time

3598
04:32:59,105 --> 04:33:03,065
on this, uh, ordinance over the last, uh, six, eight months. Uh,

3599
04:33:03,505 --> 04:33:06,765
and, uh, it's a, it's a good document. Uh, I have to thank, uh, uh, deputy,

3600
04:33:07,585 --> 04:33:11,365
uh, city manager, john fortune, uh, the, the, the police department, the different

3601
04:33:11,645 --> 04:33:15,645
departments that have also kind of taken a look and given us guidance. We didn't want to

3602
04:33:15,725 --> 04:33:19,725
put something out there that was gonna, you know, make people just kind of go crazy and pull

3603
04:33:20,005 --> 04:33:23,785
out their hair about how difficult it is. We've talked to other cities where that was, uh,

3604
04:33:24,075 --> 04:33:27,965
that, that did, uh, cause major problems and, and gum up the work. That's

3605
04:33:28,325 --> 04:33:32,185
not what we're trying to do. And I just, I really appreciate their, uh, their, their thoughts and their guidance. And

3606
04:33:32,475 --> 04:33:36,475
with that, uh, close, thank you very much, mayor proti. Um, alright,

3607
04:33:36,965 --> 04:33:40,905
members there being no further discussion on, uh, this item on

3608
04:33:41,125 --> 04:33:44,205
item number 29 as amended, uh, without objection.

3609
04:33:45,155 --> 04:33:49,075
item number 29 is adopted as amended, uh, with

3610
04:33:49,365 --> 04:33:53,325
council member harper madison. Uh, absent, thank you. That will now take

3611
04:33:53,485 --> 04:33:57,405
us to item number 33. Uh, I'll turn

3612
04:33:57,565 --> 04:34:01,405
to the city clerk for comments, uh, by people. Well, I know we already had that,

3613
04:34:01,585 --> 04:34:05,165
we had that during the consent agenda. This item was pulled after we heard

3614
04:34:05,665 --> 04:34:09,645
the comments on the consent agenda, so I'll recognize council member ellis on item number 33.

3615
04:34:10,465 --> 04:34:14,385
we did, and I apologize if this is out of order, but I believe the applicant's, my

3616
04:34:14,605 --> 04:34:18,485
mic is way too loud. Um, I believe the applicant's representative is here

3617
04:34:18,625 --> 04:34:22,605
but had not signed up to speak. I don't know if it would be out of order to let them it be, do a brief

3618
04:34:22,725 --> 04:34:26,605
presentation. No, it would be out of order for them to, uh, to, to be able to speak

3619
04:34:27,025 --> 04:34:30,925
if they didn't sign up to speak. Okay, well, I've got a couple of the folks here. I know the

3620
04:34:31,245 --> 04:34:34,575
director of austin water is here, and I think our director of watershed protection.

3621
04:34:35,385 --> 04:34:39,025
oh, we've got liz. Okay. Our environmental officer is here. Um,

3622
04:34:39,525 --> 04:34:43,445
I just wanted to daylight this because I know a lot of folks had kind of asked me where I was at with

3623
04:34:43,725 --> 04:34:46,745
this wastewater service extension request. Um,

3624
04:34:48,055 --> 04:34:51,905
these are getting trickier and trickier as our city grows and

3625
04:34:52,155 --> 04:34:55,845
shrinks and we have properties released themselves from the extraterritorial

3626
04:34:56,685 --> 04:35:00,285
jurisdiction. Um, this particular case had the environmental

3627
04:35:00,835 --> 04:35:04,635
environmental commission unanimously vote to deny

3628
04:35:04,925 --> 04:35:08,925
the service extension request. This was one that had come to us about a

3629
04:35:09,045 --> 04:35:13,005
year and a half ago, but the timeline had expired. And so as this conversation

3630
04:35:13,845 --> 04:35:17,685
progresses around where do we offer our utility services and what

3631
04:35:17,925 --> 04:35:21,885
are some of the other environmental protection rules that different tracks of

3632
04:35:22,075 --> 04:35:25,885
land do and don't abide by, I just wanted to

3633
04:35:26,085 --> 04:35:29,805
flag, I am starting to lean on the denial of the service extension request simply

3634
04:35:30,165 --> 04:35:33,745
because the environmental commission had denied it and

3635
04:35:34,225 --> 04:35:38,125
the watershed protection staff had denied it. Um, but I

3636
04:35:38,245 --> 04:35:41,885
would like to flag for us as colleagues, um, that this conversation

3637
04:35:42,565 --> 04:35:46,525
around the service extension request in the drinking water protection zone continues to

3638
04:35:46,645 --> 04:35:50,425
get stickier and stickier as the years go by. And I know that former

3639
04:35:50,915 --> 04:35:54,645
council member and mayor pro tem leslie poole had started to open up this

3640
04:35:54,925 --> 04:35:58,565
conversation around when and how do these come to council

3641
04:35:59,425 --> 04:36:03,375
and when do they get administratively approved. And so right now it is split

3642
04:36:03,725 --> 04:36:07,645
kind of west austin versus central and east austin. It's the drinking water

3643
04:36:07,925 --> 04:36:11,805
protection zone. And then the other side is the desired development zone that

3644
04:36:12,005 --> 04:36:15,825
was set a number of years ago. And I'm finding that these are getting more complicated as

3645
04:36:16,045 --> 04:36:19,905
they come to us, and not every council office has to deal with them, but I did

3646
04:36:20,155 --> 04:36:23,925
want to just flag for staff that I think we need to open that conversation

3647
04:36:24,445 --> 04:36:28,205
back up and figure out a smoother way to, uh, better right

3648
04:36:28,525 --> 04:36:32,485
size our utilities and make sure that we are getting as, as many environmental

3649
04:36:33,125 --> 04:36:36,645
protections as we possibly can out of these service extension requests.

3650
04:36:37,385 --> 04:36:41,225
so I know this had already been postponed once or twice, um, but I'm

3651
04:36:41,445 --> 04:36:45,405
having a hard time continuing to extend wastewater service into an

3652
04:36:45,565 --> 04:36:49,465
area that is getting less environmental protection as the years go by and

3653
04:36:49,715 --> 04:36:53,585
also has more demand on our wastewater utilities. Um, so I'm,

3654
04:36:53,835 --> 04:36:57,605
I've struggled with this. I'm sorry for keeping folks here all day to be able to talk about this one particular

3655
04:36:58,075 --> 04:37:01,445
item. Um, but I'm gonna move denial of the service extension request.

3656
04:37:02,395 --> 04:37:06,245
members, uh, council member ellis has moved denial of item number

3657
04:37:06,605 --> 04:37:10,375
33. It is seconded by council member alter, uh, discussion

3658
04:37:11,045 --> 04:37:14,955
with regard to item number 33. Hearing none without

3659
04:37:15,445 --> 04:37:19,445
objection. Uh, the motion by council member ellis to deny item number 33

3660
04:37:20,465 --> 04:37:23,875
is passed, uh, with council member harper madison off the daes.

3661
04:37:25,395 --> 04:37:29,335
alright, members that will now take us to, um, other

3662
04:37:29,715 --> 04:37:33,455
non-consent items. Uh, the first ones we'll take up will be items 42, 43, 44, 45,

3663
04:37:35,705 --> 04:37:39,505
and 46. Uh, those are items that are related to

3664
04:37:39,725 --> 04:37:42,865
imminent domain, and I will turn to the city clerk, uh,

3665
04:37:44,305 --> 04:37:48,125
for calling out the names of the people who have signed up

3666
04:37:48,325 --> 04:37:52,265
to speak on item 42. We

3667
04:37:52,485 --> 04:37:53,445
have no speakers on item 42.

3668
04:38:02,545 --> 04:38:06,525
all right, uh, members what I'm gonna do is, is I'm gonna put those together as a

3669
04:38:06,645 --> 04:38:10,265
packet after we've heard the speakers on all of them and just take them as one motion unless

3670
04:38:10,685 --> 04:38:14,365
there's an objection. Alright, item number 43 is also an imminent

3671
04:38:14,925 --> 04:38:18,685
domain item, and I'll ask if there are there any speakers on item 43, no speakers

3672
04:38:19,005 --> 04:38:21,855
on item 43, uh, item number call up item number 44,

3673
04:38:23,745 --> 04:38:26,695
no speakers on item 44. Um, item number 45,

3674
04:38:28,345 --> 04:38:32,225
no speakers on item 45. Item number 46, no

3675
04:38:32,445 --> 04:38:36,095
speakers on 46 members. Uh, those are all of the imminent domain items.

3676
04:38:36,545 --> 04:38:39,415
so I will entertain a motion that with respect to items 42, 43, 44, 45,

3677
04:38:41,865 --> 04:38:45,445
and 46 being non-consent condemnation items,

3678
04:38:46,425 --> 04:38:50,015
the motion is to the effect that the city council of austin authorizes

3679
04:38:51,025 --> 04:38:54,765
the use of the power of imminent domain to acquire the property set forth

3680
04:38:55,345 --> 04:38:59,245
and described in the agenda for the current meeting for the public uses that are described

3681
04:38:59,715 --> 04:39:02,925
therein. Council member velasquez moves approval of that motion.

3682
04:39:03,865 --> 04:39:06,925
is there a second? Seconded by council member siegel. Discussion,

3683
04:39:07,875 --> 04:39:09,975
hearing none without objection. Items 42, 43, 44, 45,

3684
04:39:12,345 --> 04:39:16,245
and 46 are adopted members that will take us to the public

3685
04:39:16,645 --> 04:39:20,145
hearings. The first one will be item number

3686
04:39:20,775 --> 04:39:24,525
48. Uh, this is I've indicated as a public hearing. So without

3687
04:39:24,805 --> 04:39:28,165
objection, we'll open the public hearing on item number 48. The public hearing is now opened

3688
04:39:28,865 --> 04:39:32,445
and I will turn to the city clerk, no speakers on item 48.

3689
04:39:33,005 --> 04:39:36,885
members. There are no speakers. On item number 48, I'll entertain a motion to approve the ordinance

3690
04:39:37,205 --> 04:39:40,645
in item number 48. It's made by council member cadre, seconded by the mayor pro tim. Discussion,

3691
04:39:41,515 --> 04:39:45,485
hearing none without objection, item number 48 is adopted with council member harper madison.

3692
04:39:46,545 --> 04:39:50,285
absent that will take us to item number 49, which is also a public hearing without

3693
04:39:50,605 --> 04:39:54,465
objection. We'll open the public hearing on item number 49, and I'll turn to the, the

3694
04:39:54,685 --> 04:39:58,625
public hearing is now open and I'll turn to the city clerk speaking on

3695
04:39:58,845 --> 04:40:01,885
item 49. Bill bunch. Mr. Bunch, do you wish to be heard?

3696
04:40:07,025 --> 04:40:09,665
all right, all we have to go on is you signed up.

3697
04:40:17,425 --> 04:40:21,245
all right. Uh, those are all the speakers on item number 40, the public hearing on item number 49.

3698
04:40:22,225 --> 04:40:26,225
so without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 49. The public hearing is

3699
04:40:26,445 --> 04:40:29,845
now closed. Is there a motion to approve the ordinance?

3700
04:40:30,825 --> 04:40:34,445
motion made by council member velasquez is seconded by council member siegel

3701
04:40:34,995 --> 04:40:38,845
with, uh, uh, any discussion? Hearing none without objection, item number

3702
04:40:39,125 --> 04:40:42,885
49 is approved with council member harper madison, absent. Item number 50

3703
04:40:43,165 --> 04:40:47,145
is also a public hearing. Without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 50. The

3704
04:40:47,365 --> 04:40:49,565
public hearing is now open. I'll turn to the city clerk

3705
04:40:51,405 --> 04:40:55,325
speaking on item 50. Bill bunch. Mr. Bunch, do you wanna speak on 50? No. Thank

3706
04:40:55,525 --> 04:40:59,285
you. Mr. Bunch is not speaking on 50, that's the only speaker signed up on item number 50.

3707
04:40:59,625 --> 04:41:03,445
so without objection, we'll close the public hearing on item number 50, the public hearing

3708
04:41:03,685 --> 04:41:07,605
is now closed. I'll entertain a motion to approve the ordinance in item

3709
04:41:07,845 --> 04:41:11,645
number 50. Is there a motion? Motion is made by the mayor pro tem. Seconded by council member

3710
04:41:12,165 --> 04:41:16,085
siegel. Uh, is there any discussion? Hearing none without objection. Item number 50

3711
04:41:16,385 --> 04:41:20,045
is adopted. That'll take us to item number 51, which is also a public hearing

3712
04:41:20,795 --> 04:41:24,685
item. Uh, without objection, we'll open the public hearing on item number 51, and the

3713
04:41:24,805 --> 04:41:28,485
public hearing is now open. And I'll turn to the city clerk, no speakers

3714
04:41:28,885 --> 04:41:32,845
on item 51. Members. There are no speakers on item number 51. So without objection, we'll close the

3715
04:41:33,005 --> 04:41:37,005
public hearing on item number 51. The public hearing is now closed. I'll entertain a

3716
04:41:37,125 --> 04:41:39,965
motion with regard to the ordinance, uh, in item number 51.

3717
04:41:41,465 --> 04:41:45,385
is there a motion council member coder removes approval of the ordinance. It is seconded by the mayor pro tim,

3718
04:41:46,025 --> 04:41:49,925
is there a discussion on item number 51? Without objection. Item number

3719
04:41:50,245 --> 04:41:54,105
51 is approved with council member harper madison off

3720
04:41:54,325 --> 04:41:57,495
the daes members. That will now take us to item number 52.

3721
04:42:03,595 --> 04:42:07,565
item number 52 is also a public hearing. We'll open the public hearing on item without objection. We'll

3722
04:42:07,765 --> 04:42:11,685
open the public hearing on item number 52. The public hearing is now open and I'll turn to

3723
04:42:11,885 --> 04:42:15,245
the city clerk's office. Thank you, mayor. We'll begin with remote speakers.

3724
04:42:16,295 --> 04:42:17,735
kevin koch on item 52,

3725
04:42:21,655 --> 04:42:25,445
mayor council members, my name is kevin cook. I speak only for myself and on behalf

3726
04:42:25,765 --> 04:42:29,685
of any commission, association or body, I appreciate your taking a new

3727
04:42:29,925 --> 04:42:33,815
tack on this very complex subject regarding the directors stated on the message board,

3728
04:42:34,265 --> 04:42:38,005
the suggested directors presume a need to make it easier to relocate billboards.

3729
04:42:38,825 --> 04:42:42,525
please consider directing staff to first define the public need for flexibility and

3730
04:42:42,965 --> 04:42:46,685
relocation or any ordinance change at all, and communicate that justification

3731
04:42:47,605 --> 04:42:51,525
publicly before proposing any changes. At this point, we have questions as to how this need was

3732
04:42:51,965 --> 04:42:55,605
identified to begin with. Since the account of billboards impacted by project connect wasn't

3733
04:42:56,005 --> 04:42:59,725
even yet available for planning commission, I appreciate the stated goal of removing billboards

3734
04:43:00,245 --> 04:43:04,165
from residential areas and scenic areas, but consider as we successfully created denser and more

3735
04:43:04,565 --> 04:43:08,485
interconnected city, there is not a good place for billboards anywhere. If the directive is

3736
04:43:08,605 --> 04:43:12,505
to find easier ways to relocate. We need to know exactly where and why the

3737
04:43:12,725 --> 04:43:16,725
potential impacts of any change need to be clear and publicly communicated. I ask that

3738
04:43:16,845 --> 04:43:20,625
the 40 year goal of ultimately eliminating billboards from the city be considered a starting point for any

3739
04:43:21,125 --> 04:43:24,685
analysis. Please do not dismantle any part of that, including the 25 year moratorium

3740
04:43:25,325 --> 04:43:29,325
on the one-time only relocations that are currently allowed. And I suggest staff start

3741
04:43:29,605 --> 04:43:33,525
from an understanding of the issues around all the billboards that have already been relocated. There are 25

3742
04:43:33,845 --> 04:43:37,765
year terms coming up very soon. I ask that interested citizens be involved in the

3743
04:43:37,885 --> 04:43:41,525
process such as scenic austin and the cherrywood neighborhood association, at least on par

3744
04:43:41,965 --> 04:43:45,805
with business interests. Most importantly, I ask the city allow all billboards condemned

3745
04:43:46,165 --> 04:43:50,165
by the state along I 35 to be permanently removed by the state. This is a

3746
04:43:50,285 --> 04:43:54,285
state issue on state land. We should not be facilitating retention of any billboards condemned by the

3747
04:43:54,445 --> 04:43:57,995
state or their relocation back onto city land. Finally, please consider billboard

3748
04:43:58,845 --> 04:44:02,705
companies are not like housing developers, restaurants, music venues, health providers, offices or

3749
04:44:02,925 --> 04:44:06,925
industries offering a significant number of jobs or retail establishments serving public

3750
04:44:07,205 --> 04:44:11,025
needs. They offer only visual pollution and light pollution driver distraction. And

3751
04:44:11,245 --> 04:44:15,165
as noted earlier on the message board, they complicate housing development and lower property values,

3752
04:44:15,775 --> 04:44:19,515
which is why we wanted them gone for decades. That should remain our ultimate goal, like

3753
04:44:19,805 --> 04:44:23,485
our pure cities across the state. Texas is a big state with plenty of room for billboards.

3754
04:44:23,985 --> 04:44:25,965
we don't need them in the city of austin. Thank, thank you very much.

3755
04:44:29,595 --> 04:44:31,845
next speaking remotely on item 52 is robert schmidt.

3756
04:44:36,665 --> 04:44:40,445
yes, hello, my name is bob schmidt. Um, I've lived in austin since 1986.

3757
04:44:41,045 --> 04:44:44,905
that's 40 years. And over this time I always thought and

3758
04:44:45,405 --> 04:44:49,285
believed and assumed that the austin city council, which is a council for a progressive

3759
04:44:49,605 --> 04:44:53,545
city, is different than that that's going on in washington dc and

3760
04:44:53,765 --> 04:44:57,245
in the texas legislature. And that you all actually represent

3761
04:44:57,845 --> 04:45:00,845
citizens and real people and not just money. Special interest.

3762
04:45:02,165 --> 04:45:06,145
honestly, that's why I'm so disappointed that with this item 52 and

3763
04:45:06,365 --> 04:45:09,535
mayor pro tems vela, um, his initiative involving billboards

3764
04:45:10,635 --> 04:45:14,425
only the billboards company's interests were being represented. The

3765
04:45:14,645 --> 04:45:18,365
mayor pro tem and his office met privately for months with billboard company lobbyists

3766
04:45:19,265 --> 04:45:23,085
and no other stakeholders. The lobbyists also met privately with members of the

3767
04:45:23,445 --> 04:45:26,925
planning commission. There's an article that was published in the statesman that details

3768
04:45:27,795 --> 04:45:31,585
some of this special interest involvement. The first proposal that was put

3769
04:45:31,805 --> 04:45:35,445
out on this literally called for amending the code to allow billboards

3770
04:45:36,085 --> 04:45:40,005
to be zero feet from residential property. Only by luck

3771
04:45:40,265 --> 04:45:44,205
did somebody from our neighborhood spot this on the planning commission agenda. And because

3772
04:45:44,545 --> 04:45:48,205
we testified against it, the proposal was changed to be a little better, 150

3773
04:45:48,955 --> 04:45:52,755
feet or basically a half a block from residence instead of the 500 feet

3774
04:45:53,045 --> 04:45:56,845
that's been in place since the 1980s. We pushed back several times

3775
04:45:57,345 --> 04:46:00,995
now and honestly spent countless hours fighting this. And we understand it's

3776
04:46:01,425 --> 04:46:05,425
to be indefinitely postponed, and we are truly grateful for this. If

3777
04:46:05,645 --> 04:46:09,405
this issue comes back, we hope this time the interest of regular citizens

3778
04:46:09,665 --> 04:46:13,545
who don't want a billboard moved in their backyard are brought into the discussion and

3779
04:46:13,765 --> 04:46:17,765
take into account. Um, I'm concerned that this item will somehow pop back up on the

3780
04:46:17,885 --> 04:46:21,355
agenda. And regular people like us who don't check these agendas

3781
04:46:22,185 --> 04:46:26,125
of planning commission to see council are just gonna miss it. I believe that that was the

3782
04:46:26,205 --> 04:46:30,125
hope of the billboard lobbyists and perhaps the mayor pro tem when this item was first

3783
04:46:30,285 --> 04:46:34,285
brought up. We ask that that not happen this time. I thank the mayor

3784
04:46:34,545 --> 04:46:38,135
pro tem for changing course on this, and I ask you and that the city staff

3785
04:46:38,635 --> 04:46:42,455
include and notify groups like the chair. Thank you very much. Association. Other

3786
04:46:44,025 --> 04:46:47,095
moving to in-person speakers on item 52, maria rosa

3787
04:46:48,155 --> 04:46:50,605
morales, betsy greenberg and bill bunch.

3788
04:47:09,195 --> 04:47:13,125
bill bunch, uh, district five executive director save our springs alliance.

3789
04:47:13,465 --> 04:47:17,365
uh, definitely hope that, uh, you'll listen to all that you've heard from the

3790
04:47:17,725 --> 04:47:21,725
previous speakers. It all sounds really very reasonable to me. I haven't followed

3791
04:47:21,905 --> 04:47:25,245
the details on that this so far. Uh, I admit completely.

3792
04:47:26,705 --> 04:47:30,525
um, but we're just inundated with commercial messages everywhere.

3793
04:47:31,505 --> 04:47:35,075
we do not need to be accommodating billboards anymore than,

3794
04:47:35,865 --> 04:47:39,345
uh, we're required to by state law. Uh,

3795
04:47:40,025 --> 04:47:43,865
so please take your time. Uh, if anything, go and

3796
04:47:44,085 --> 04:47:47,790
take action to reduce billboard clutters in our in our city.

3797
04:47:48,295 --> 04:47:52,155
thank you. That concludes all speakers on item 52 members.

3798
04:47:53,025 --> 04:47:56,805
um, those are all the speakers on item number 52. So without objection,

3799
04:47:57,245 --> 04:48:00,485
we'll close the public hearing on item number 52, the public hearing is now closed.

3800
04:48:01,315 --> 04:48:04,925
that will take us to the ordinance. Uh, captain mayor peram, you're

3801
04:48:05,645 --> 04:48:09,245
recognized for a motion on item number 52. Uh, thank you, mayor.

3802
04:48:09,905 --> 04:48:13,575
uh, I have a, a motion, it was, uh, posted on the message board

3803
04:48:14,965 --> 04:48:18,885
a few days ago, I believe. And, and, uh, council member ellis made a, I

3804
04:48:19,005 --> 04:48:23,005
think a very, a good suggestion. And that's, uh, a reflected in in my motion.

3805
04:48:23,625 --> 04:48:27,605
uh, I just wanted a little bit of background on this. I know it's, uh, been a long day,

3806
04:48:27,865 --> 04:48:31,685
but 20 years ago, a little bit, maybe more

3807
04:48:31,925 --> 04:48:35,925
than 20 years ago, uh, actually billboards, new billboards were

3808
04:48:36,085 --> 04:48:39,475
banned in the eighties. Uh, the, uh, ordinance

3809
04:48:40,195 --> 04:48:43,895
that, uh, essentially tried

3810
04:48:44,245 --> 04:48:47,245
to push for their removal was passed about 20, 21

3811
04:48:49,255 --> 04:48:53,245
years ago. Uh, there are more billboards today in the city

3812
04:48:53,405 --> 04:48:57,065
of austin than there were when the ordinance was, uh, originally passed.

3813
04:48:58,025 --> 04:49:01,565
and I think that the, uh, number of billboards that have been, uh, removed,

3814
04:49:02,445 --> 04:49:06,285
I could probably count them on, on, on both hands. Uh, so the reality

3815
04:49:06,985 --> 04:49:10,425
is that we're, we're not in a good status quo.

3816
04:49:11,065 --> 04:49:14,765
uh, the, a lot of billboards that were put up

3817
04:49:15,075 --> 04:49:19,045
were in different areas that were in different parts of the city that had different goals. I

3818
04:49:19,525 --> 04:49:23,505
think about manor, uh, road, uh, I think about the old,

3819
04:49:24,025 --> 04:49:27,765
uh, airport where there are so many billboards, uh, right around

3820
04:49:28,085 --> 04:49:31,905
that area because that's used to be where the airport was. Uh,

3821
04:49:32,545 --> 04:49:36,385
and they really don't even serve much of a purpose anymore, but

3822
04:49:37,035 --> 04:49:40,965
they linger there and they will linger there indefinitely, kind of in

3823
04:49:41,085 --> 04:49:44,145
the heart of the neighborhoods and in, in the middle of the city. Um,

3824
04:49:45,185 --> 04:49:48,655
the, the goal of the original, um, item was relatively

3825
04:49:49,585 --> 04:49:53,425
modest, uh, to, uh, reduce, uh,

3826
04:49:53,825 --> 04:49:57,725
any costs for when we have to remove a billboard because of

3827
04:49:58,085 --> 04:50:01,885
eminent, uh, domain. I don't wanna be spending money, uh, city money

3828
04:50:02,425 --> 04:50:06,385
on buying out, uh, billboards when we have a road project or,

3829
04:50:06,745 --> 04:50:10,565
uh, as project, uh, connect, uh, bills out. Uh, but ultimately

3830
04:50:11,685 --> 04:50:15,425
I think we need to look again at how we

3831
04:50:15,705 --> 04:50:19,475
are handling billboards in austin and, uh, take

3832
04:50:19,875 --> 04:50:23,775
some kind of, right now we just use a stick approach and we've kind of tried to just force

3833
04:50:24,125 --> 04:50:27,725
them out and that has not been successful. They are grandfathered

3834
04:50:28,425 --> 04:50:32,355
in. They can stay where they are for, you know, decades, uh, if they want.

3835
04:50:32,875 --> 04:50:36,365
very few of them have been removed. Uh, so I, I don't

3836
04:50:36,925 --> 04:50:40,045
consider the that 2000 and I believe a 2006, 2004,

3837
04:50:41,145 --> 04:50:45,145
uh, ordinance to have been successful. Um, other cities

3838
04:50:45,955 --> 04:50:49,745
have been able to provide some kind of combination of, of

3839
04:50:49,995 --> 04:50:53,925
carrots and sticks, uh, to be able to get to a better

3840
04:50:54,535 --> 04:50:58,355
place. Uh, we have not done that. And with

3841
04:50:58,755 --> 04:51:02,625
this direction, uh, uh, I want to open the door to that as

3842
04:51:02,925 --> 04:51:06,705
a, a possibility. Uh, it's a, a very short, uh,

3843
04:51:07,235 --> 04:51:11,165
direction and, and I would move to postpone that indefinitely and then provide direction

3844
04:51:11,645 --> 04:51:15,565
to the city manager to go out and kind of, uh, talk to all the stakeholders

3845
04:51:16,145 --> 04:51:19,825
and see where we can get on, uh, this, uh, very kind of tricky

3846
04:51:20,345 --> 04:51:23,955
and, and, uh, difficult, uh, item.

3847
04:51:24,545 --> 04:51:28,385
um, and one of the things, this is not in the, the motion itself, but you

3848
04:51:28,605 --> 04:51:31,895
know, it's kind of the, the elephant in the room is, uh, digital billboards.

3849
04:51:32,785 --> 04:51:36,765
uh, I know a lot of people, you know, fiercely dislike, dig digital

3850
04:51:37,255 --> 04:51:41,205
billboards. I, I, I don't see a

3851
04:51:41,325 --> 04:51:45,205
huge difference between a regular billboard and a, and a digital billboard. And to

3852
04:51:45,365 --> 04:51:49,285
the extent that there's some kind of, uh, negotiation that

3853
04:51:49,565 --> 04:51:53,245
can happen to reduce a overall number of billboards, if we allow

3854
04:51:53,685 --> 04:51:57,685
a certain number of, of billboards, for example, a long, major highways to

3855
04:51:57,765 --> 04:52:01,635
do, again, I, I, I don't know where that will take us, but I do think that

3856
04:52:02,035 --> 04:52:05,695
it's important that we open the door to some kind of discussion

3857
04:52:06,365 --> 04:52:10,205
and negotiation that could potentially get us to a place

3858
04:52:10,535 --> 04:52:14,005
where we are, uh, in a win-win situation where we're pulling

3859
04:52:14,645 --> 04:52:18,385
a lot of, uh, the billboards that are lingering in our residential neighborhoods out,

3860
04:52:18,985 --> 04:52:22,845
uh, and, uh, and, and, and leaving the ones that are more kind of along

3861
04:52:23,165 --> 04:52:27,045
highways, again, in line with the 2006 ordinance. But unless we do

3862
04:52:27,245 --> 04:52:31,125
something, the status quo is not gonna change. And that's more than anything the

3863
04:52:31,285 --> 04:52:35,265
point that I was, uh, trying to make. So with that, I would, uh, move passage of my,

3864
04:52:36,065 --> 04:52:39,885
uh, direction members. You have been provided a copy of item number 52,

3865
04:52:40,745 --> 04:52:44,665
uh, mayor pro tim velas, motion sheet one, version two.

3866
04:52:45,585 --> 04:52:49,165
uh, he moves approval of that motion. It is seconded by council member

3867
04:52:49,725 --> 04:52:53,605
velasquez. Is there any discussion? Yes, council member

3868
04:52:54,085 --> 04:52:58,025
uchin. Uh, just really a question for, uh, mayor per tem,

3869
04:52:59,855 --> 04:53:03,605
we've been struggling with this also in terms of how to find what the right balance

3870
04:53:04,145 --> 04:53:07,925
is. And you've heard frustration from speakers today about what that might be.

3871
04:53:09,265 --> 04:53:13,045
and trying to think about this in a way that's perhaps more, I don't

3872
04:53:13,445 --> 04:53:16,995
wanna say sophisticated, but maybe more granular than the city was currently

3873
04:53:17,605 --> 04:53:21,505
thinking with just a blanket one 50 feet from dwellings, and even if

3874
04:53:21,725 --> 04:53:25,685
that's the right or wrong distance, but thinking about, you know, which side of a

3875
04:53:26,045 --> 04:53:29,705
corridor, for instance, might a site be, might, might a site be sign beyond and, and,

3876
04:53:30,465 --> 04:53:34,325
you know, does it need different, uh, measurements based on that corridor?

3877
04:53:34,695 --> 04:53:38,625
which side it's right? Um, is there a distinction, say between taller,

3878
04:53:39,315 --> 04:53:43,245
multifamily and single family? I, is the intent

3879
04:53:43,625 --> 04:53:47,525
behind what you've got here, the, in the, the investigation, the

3880
04:53:47,725 --> 04:53:51,485
direction to staff to go help explore those options and come back with

3881
04:53:52,285 --> 04:53:56,205
a better sense of what we could be voting on, whether it's height or

3882
04:53:56,605 --> 04:54:00,285
distance or whatever the circumstances are, knowing that we need to identify some locations,

3883
04:54:01,745 --> 04:54:05,485
uh, to potentially prevent some other scenarios from coming to coming to light.

3884
04:54:06,085 --> 04:54:10,085
I, I would say, in answer to your question, customer reduce all of the above. I,

3885
04:54:10,245 --> 04:54:13,985
I, I'm not trying to say, you know, just this or just that. Just go

3886
04:54:14,305 --> 04:54:17,765
see what would potentially work, what would be acceptable

3887
04:54:18,365 --> 04:54:22,285
to the different, uh, stakeholders, again, whichever side that

3888
04:54:22,485 --> 04:54:25,675
they're on. Uh, and see if there's a better path forward.

3889
04:54:26,625 --> 04:54:30,605
uh, I don't want to be prescriptive and say, you know, list a, a bunch of

3890
04:54:30,765 --> 04:54:34,495
items that they should. That's why it's, it's a, it's, it's very broad language to give staff

3891
04:54:35,105 --> 04:54:38,885
the ability to go out there and, and take a look at it. And, and again, just to be frank,

3892
04:54:39,625 --> 04:54:43,605
if there's not the desire, and if, if no one wants to change it and we just wanna stick

3893
04:54:43,805 --> 04:54:47,645
with the status quo, so be it. Uh, but I just wanted to open that

3894
04:54:47,925 --> 04:54:51,925
up as an opportunity. If folks can come together and we can get, uh, to a

3895
04:54:52,045 --> 04:54:56,005
place where, uh, uh, stakeholders, various stakeholders are happy and we move

3896
04:54:56,165 --> 04:54:59,705
forward, great. If not, then so be it. We'll just stick with the status quo.

3897
04:55:00,225 --> 04:55:04,125
uh, my concern is that I think we know what the status quo is gonna be. Actually, I don't,

3898
04:55:04,325 --> 04:55:08,145
what is, is the status quo the one 50 feet proposal? What is the status quo? No,

3899
04:55:08,525 --> 04:55:12,125
I mean, the status quo is that the billboards are where they are

3900
04:55:12,585 --> 04:55:16,165
and they're not gonna move from where they are because there is no incentive

3901
04:55:16,985 --> 04:55:20,965
for them to move. They're kind of really dug in and, you know, just

3902
04:55:21,235 --> 04:55:25,185
extending leases and just kind of really just trying to, to stay. Our,

3903
04:55:25,465 --> 04:55:29,125
our ordinance, uh, is designed where once it moves,

3904
04:55:29,505 --> 04:55:32,995
you can move the billboard once, and then it starts this kind of 25 year

3905
04:55:33,925 --> 04:55:37,605
clock where, uh, purportedly at the end of the 25 year clock,

3906
04:55:37,985 --> 04:55:41,585
the billboard is then supposed to, uh, end. Uh,

3907
04:55:42,125 --> 04:55:46,045
I don't think that's gonna happen. I mean, just to be perfectly, uh, blunt, I,

3908
04:55:46,205 --> 04:55:50,125
I, I think that, again, I'm speaking for myself here, not on behalf of law. I think that's a taking.

3909
04:55:50,905 --> 04:55:54,815
and if we want to, at the end of that 25 year period, remove that billboard, we're

3910
04:55:55,165 --> 04:55:59,165
gonna have to buy that billboard. And, and that's a, just a concern. I don't think

3911
04:55:59,325 --> 04:56:03,165
that the, the current status quo is, uh, is going

3912
04:56:03,405 --> 04:56:07,045
to change. I would just put it that way. Uh, and, and that's my concern

3913
04:56:07,505 --> 04:56:11,285
is that we're just gonna kind of, no one wants to mess with it. And so we're just gonna continue with, uh,

3914
04:56:11,635 --> 04:56:15,485
with everything in the same place, uh, indefinitely. And, and I don't think that's

3915
04:56:15,725 --> 04:56:19,565
what anybody wants, honestly. Alright, so you're thinking more broadly than even just getting

3916
04:56:19,765 --> 04:56:23,685
back information about the condemnation process. You're thinking

3917
04:56:23,925 --> 04:56:27,885
about all billboards and what happens there? Am I dancing a line

3918
04:56:28,045 --> 04:56:31,975
here? This would be broad direction to staff to go out there and again,

3919
04:56:32,425 --> 04:56:35,845
see what's possible. Okay. Alright. Thank you for clarifying that.

3920
04:56:36,855 --> 04:56:40,605
thank you. Um, members, the motion has been made and seconded. It's the, it's,

3921
04:56:40,885 --> 04:56:44,495
uh, the mayor pro tim's motion. Uh, is there any further discussion?

3922
04:56:46,115 --> 04:56:49,935
hearing none without objection. Uh, item number 53

3923
04:56:51,025 --> 04:56:54,985
as, uh, sorry, 52. Item number 52, as motion

3924
04:56:55,465 --> 04:56:59,005
was made by mayor pro, tim vela is adopted with council member harper madison

3925
04:56:59,975 --> 04:57:00,625
being absent.

3926
04:57:06,585 --> 04:57:10,445
um, that'll take us item number 53 is also, which is also a public

3927
04:57:10,645 --> 04:57:14,605
hearing. Uh, without objection, we'll open the public hearing on item number 53. The public hearing

3928
04:57:14,825 --> 04:57:18,125
is now open and I'll recognize, uh, the city clerk's office,

3929
04:57:18,865 --> 04:57:22,845
no speakers on item 50. There are no speakers on item number 53. So without objection, the public

3930
04:57:23,045 --> 04:57:25,585
hearing will be closed. The public hearing is now closed and

3931
04:57:28,015 --> 04:57:31,635
there is no motion to be made

3932
04:57:36,905 --> 04:57:40,785
on this item. Item number 54, uh,

3933
04:57:41,145 --> 04:57:44,845
is a public hearing without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 54.

3934
04:57:45,785 --> 04:57:49,705
the public hearing is now open and I'll turn to the city clerk. We

3935
04:57:49,925 --> 04:57:52,605
have one, uh, speaker for item 54, ali tharp.

3936
04:57:59,155 --> 04:58:02,645
that concludes all speakers, maam. Alright, there are no other further speakers on item number 54.

3937
04:58:03,265 --> 04:58:07,045
so without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 54. The public

3938
04:58:07,285 --> 04:58:10,965
hearing is now closed members. This was to conduct a public hearing in accordance

3939
04:58:11,405 --> 04:58:14,915
with four,

3940
04:58:16,425 --> 04:58:19,505
um, with texas park send wildlife code. Um,

3941
04:58:20,725 --> 04:58:24,165
I will now entertain a motion with regard to the resolution on item number 54.

3942
04:58:25,745 --> 04:58:29,585
is there a motion? Motion is made by council member alter. It

3943
04:58:29,805 --> 04:58:33,685
is seconded by council member uchin. Uh, is there any discussion

3944
04:58:34,205 --> 04:58:37,965
on item number 54? Hearing none the motion

3945
04:58:38,475 --> 04:58:42,055
without objection. The motion is adopted with council member harper madison being

3946
04:58:42,625 --> 04:58:42,625
absent.

3947
04:58:48,515 --> 04:58:52,155
members that will take us to our 4 46

3948
04:58:53,185 --> 04:58:55,655
and 34 second time certain zoning items.

3949
04:59:01,385 --> 04:59:04,915
and ms. Harden has been waiting patiently, knowing

3950
04:59:05,515 --> 04:59:09,285
full well that at some point we would get to ask her

3951
04:59:09,725 --> 04:59:13,575
questions. It's all yours, ms. Hardin ? Absolutely. Thank you mayor

3952
04:59:13,925 --> 04:59:17,605
and counsel. I'm joy hardin with austin planning. Your zoning and neighborhood

3953
04:59:17,965 --> 04:59:21,305
plan amendment agenda begins with item 55 in pa 20 25 0 0 2 6

3954
04:59:24,125 --> 04:59:28,125
0.02. This item is offered for consent on all three readings.

3955
04:59:28,905 --> 04:59:31,315
the related rezoning item is 56 c 4 20 25 0 0 9 9.

3956
04:59:34,815 --> 04:59:38,815
again, this item's offered for consent on all three readings with the following motion, which

3957
04:59:39,415 --> 04:59:43,395
reads, remove research services from the list of prohibited uses

3958
04:59:43,685 --> 04:59:47,645
in part two a of the draft ordinance. And with that, again, this

3959
04:59:47,805 --> 04:59:51,525
items offered for consent on all three readings. Item 57 is c 8 14 20 18 0 1 2 2 0 3.

3960
04:59:56,315 --> 04:59:59,515
this item is offered for consent first reading only.

3961
05:00:00,705 --> 05:00:04,565
uh, this item has two staff motion sheets that includes language

3962
05:00:04,745 --> 05:00:07,625
to be added to the ordinance when this item returns. May 21st

3963
05:00:08,865 --> 05:00:12,365
for second and third reading consideration. These motion sheets are in your backup

3964
05:00:13,425 --> 05:00:17,205
and the language reflects ongoing discussions with the applicant concerning

3965
05:00:17,845 --> 05:00:21,825
parkland and cocktail lounge use. Again, this item is offered for

3966
05:00:22,055 --> 05:00:25,605
first reading only and will return for second and third reading

3967
05:00:26,165 --> 05:00:28,745
consideration on march. March may 21st.

3968
05:00:30,225 --> 05:00:34,205
um, may 21st. Um, and consent. First reading. Thank you. Item 58

3969
05:00:34,885 --> 05:00:38,885
c 14, 20 25, 1 21. This item is offered as an

3970
05:00:39,045 --> 05:00:42,965
applicant postponement to your may 21st council meeting. Item 59

3971
05:00:43,565 --> 05:00:44,045
is c 8 4 2 8 8 7 2.

3972
05:00:49,315 --> 05:00:53,025
this item is offered for staff postponement to your may 7th

3973
05:00:53,635 --> 05:00:56,525
council meeting. And lastly, item 60 c 1 4 20 25 0 0 8 0.

3974
05:00:59,915 --> 05:01:03,285
this item is offered for a neighborhood postponement to your may 21st

3975
05:01:03,965 --> 05:01:07,845
council meeting. This concludes the reading of the zoning and neighborhood plan amendment portion of

3976
05:01:08,045 --> 05:01:11,925
your agenda. And as always, this is at your discretion. Thank you. Thank you ms. Harden. First

3977
05:01:12,125 --> 05:01:16,005
of all, does any, any, any council members have any questions of ms. Harden? I wanna

3978
05:01:16,165 --> 05:01:18,615
make sure I understand something. On item number 57.

3979
05:01:22,105 --> 05:01:25,805
the staff have two proposed motions and you read both of those,

3980
05:01:26,505 --> 05:01:30,385
uh, they're in your back, I understand. Yeah. So they're in the backup. Two

3981
05:01:30,605 --> 05:01:34,585
different motions. Yes. Two different motions. One deals with the cocktail lounge use and

3982
05:01:34,805 --> 05:01:38,685
one deals with, uh, parkland. I wanna make sure that everybody understands that. And council

3983
05:01:38,965 --> 05:01:42,925
member fuentes, it's my understanding you also have a proposed direction to

3984
05:01:43,085 --> 05:01:47,045
staff, is that correct? So what I'm gonna do, unless there's objection is I'm gonna

3985
05:01:47,185 --> 05:01:50,915
ask that we take up item number 57 off the consent agenda, just

3986
05:01:51,205 --> 05:01:55,045
so that there's no lack of clarity with regard to that. And we make sure that council member

3987
05:01:55,525 --> 05:01:59,045
fuentes has the opportunity to provide the direction that she wants to provide on that.

3988
05:01:59,705 --> 05:02:03,565
is there any objection to that? Alright, then the consent agenda that I'll entertain a motion

3989
05:02:03,745 --> 05:02:07,685
on will be the following item number 55, all three readings. Item 56,

3990
05:02:08,465 --> 05:02:12,445
all three readings subject to the motion sheet that was read by ms.

3991
05:02:12,745 --> 05:02:16,605
harden. Uh, item number 58, a postponement to

3992
05:02:16,905 --> 05:02:20,605
may 21st. Item number 59, a postponement

3993
05:02:21,225 --> 05:02:25,145
to may 7th. And item number 60, a postponement to may 21st.

3994
05:02:26,545 --> 05:02:29,885
uh, that is the consent agenda. Is there a motion on the consent agenda?

3995
05:02:31,145 --> 05:02:35,045
uh, motion is made by council member walter, second by council member lane, and I'll turn to

3996
05:02:35,165 --> 05:02:39,165
the city clerk and see if we have people signed up to speak on those items. Thank you, mayor.

3997
05:02:39,475 --> 05:02:42,295
item 59, bill bunch. And malcolm yates,

3998
05:02:44,075 --> 05:02:47,665
what? Postpone with nine. Um,

3999
05:02:48,665 --> 05:02:52,525
not clear on that. Are you wa I, I I can't hear you. Did you say you're waiving or what are you?

4000
05:02:52,885 --> 05:02:56,555
I just said support to postpone. Oh, okay. Well, um, alright.

4001
05:03:00,145 --> 05:03:03,885
we don't have a postponement for 59. We do, we do on 59

4002
05:03:04,285 --> 05:03:07,185
staff postponement to, uh, to may 7th. Oh,

4003
05:03:08,595 --> 05:03:12,335
perfect. It looks to me like there were some changes

4004
05:03:12,645 --> 05:03:16,335
made today, so that's why you may not have that in your notes on item

4005
05:03:16,705 --> 05:03:17,525
60. David ruddick,

4006
05:03:21,765 --> 05:03:25,455
mr. Ruddick, david ruddick doesn't appear to be here. That

4007
05:03:25,905 --> 05:03:29,625
concludes all speakers on the consent. Thank you very much. Members. That concludes all the speakers

4008
05:03:29,985 --> 05:03:33,665
on the consent agenda as it was read. Is there any discussion on the consent agenda

4009
05:03:34,045 --> 05:03:37,905
as it was read? Yes. Council member 59 and

4010
05:03:38,065 --> 05:03:41,125
65 said 59 is a postponement to may 7th

4011
05:03:42,125 --> 05:03:45,825
and 60 is a postponement to may 21st. Thank you.

4012
05:03:46,285 --> 05:03:50,105
any further discussion? Hearing none without objection. The consent agenda is adopted

4013
05:03:50,385 --> 05:03:54,305
with council member harper madison. Absent that will take us back to item number

4014
05:03:54,715 --> 05:03:58,075
57, uh, members. I'll entertain a motion on item number 57,

4015
05:03:59,445 --> 05:04:02,845
uh, which includes the motion sheets

4016
05:04:03,535 --> 05:04:07,505
that were read by ms. Harden. The two items that I, I asked her about just a

4017
05:04:07,625 --> 05:04:11,105
minute ago. And then I'm gonna recognize council member fuentes for direction

4018
05:04:11,885 --> 05:04:15,745
to staff motions made by council member velasquez. It's seconded by council member

4019
05:04:16,235 --> 05:04:19,565
alter to approve. By the way, this will be, uh, on,

4020
05:04:20,365 --> 05:04:24,305
uh, this is on first reading only, second and third reading. It will

4021
05:04:24,425 --> 05:04:27,785
come back for second and third reading on may 7th. Council member fuentes, you're

4022
05:04:28,465 --> 05:04:32,385
recognized. Thank you colleagues. I move to, this is a motion sheet

4023
05:04:32,705 --> 05:04:36,625
that's in your backup for reference. Um, the city manager is directed to collaborate

4024
05:04:36,905 --> 05:04:40,745
with the property owner, cap metro and travis county on the future expansion of

4025
05:04:40,945 --> 05:04:44,745
public transportation services to the pud, including identifying

4026
05:04:45,105 --> 05:04:48,065
a location on the property for a future bus stop.

4027
05:04:49,735 --> 05:04:53,405
members, council member, sorry. Council member fuentes moves to

4028
05:04:53,795 --> 05:04:57,665
amend item number 57 to add the direction that she just

4029
05:04:57,865 --> 05:05:01,505
read into the record. It is seconded by council member siegel. Is there discussion on

4030
05:05:01,925 --> 05:05:05,105
the, uh, fuentes motion to amend item number 57?

4031
05:05:06,055 --> 05:05:09,385
hearing none without objection. The motion to amend is adopted.

4032
05:05:10,215 --> 05:05:14,065
that will now take us back to the main motion. Before I call for the main motion,

4033
05:05:14,585 --> 05:05:17,945
I want clarity on when this comes back for second and third reading.

4034
05:05:18,645 --> 05:05:22,045
yes, this item will be returning at your may 21st

4035
05:05:23,095 --> 05:05:27,025
council meeting. Okay, very good. Uh, may 21st for people that are interested in that, it will come

4036
05:05:27,185 --> 05:05:30,605
back on may 21st. Alright, with that being said, uh,

4037
05:05:32,245 --> 05:05:36,165
we go back, we now, I, I guess what we need, we, we have

4038
05:05:36,325 --> 05:05:39,965
a motion and now we have a motion to amend item number 57.

4039
05:05:40,545 --> 05:05:44,125
so we will go back to the main motion as amended on item number 57.

4040
05:05:45,185 --> 05:05:49,165
is there discussion on item number 57 as amended? I'm signed up to

4041
05:05:49,285 --> 05:05:53,235
speak on this. Uh, mayor. Yeah. Okay.

4042
05:05:53,525 --> 05:05:57,325
well then come on down. We've been waiting for you. Nobody called me,

4043
05:05:57,565 --> 05:06:01,525
I don't think. Mayor, we pulled that off

4044
05:06:01,725 --> 05:06:05,725
consent, so I didn't call speakers for that. I, I'm teasing. I was teasing mr. Bunch. He, he doesn't take the

4045
05:06:05,885 --> 05:06:07,045
joke very well, but I was teasing him

4046
05:06:10,465 --> 05:06:14,165
and mayor, I had, uh, I I'm fine. We, we we're getting ready to call speaker.

4047
05:06:14,545 --> 05:06:17,845
so, uh, you're right, mr. Bunch is right. I, I jumped the gun.

4048
05:06:20,335 --> 05:06:23,585
thank you mayor. Council members bill bunch, executive director, uh,

4049
05:06:24,525 --> 05:06:28,005
district five, uh, I first, I have a whole raft of points of order here.

4050
05:06:28,865 --> 05:06:32,645
um, you can't do first reading when on of an ordinance, when there is no such

4051
05:06:32,885 --> 05:06:36,635
ordinance. You can't amend an ordinance when there's no such ordinance, uh, that

4052
05:06:36,925 --> 05:06:40,445
you're violating the city charter. Uh, there's no ordinance in the backup.

4053
05:06:41,325 --> 05:06:44,465
I don't know what you're talking about. Uh, secondly, um,

4054
05:06:45,585 --> 05:06:49,405
you have all the posting violations of the texas open meetings act that

4055
05:06:49,645 --> 05:06:53,265
we still have on litigation, uh, with the states of hud.

4056
05:06:53,985 --> 05:06:57,955
uh, you put this as zoning. There's all kinds of things in here that

4057
05:06:58,245 --> 05:07:02,125
are, uh, have nothing to do with zoning. Uh, I don't know why you

4058
05:07:02,285 --> 05:07:06,285
would continue to do this. Uh, the, the posted notice says we're

4059
05:07:06,565 --> 05:07:09,555
mending from pud to pud, which tells people nothing.

4060
05:07:11,945 --> 05:07:15,585
unlike our traditional zoning categories, we say sf one to

4061
05:07:15,995 --> 05:07:19,485
multifamily, you know, mf people understand that

4062
05:07:20,705 --> 05:07:24,165
pud to pud amendment basically tells the reader

4063
05:07:24,895 --> 05:07:28,445
who's not an expert, he's not y'all, that there's no change at all.

4064
05:07:29,825 --> 05:07:33,565
um, there's dozens of items in here. You can't do this.

4065
05:07:34,435 --> 05:07:38,245
I'll say it again and only give somebody two minutes. That's completely

4066
05:07:39,005 --> 05:07:43,005
unreasonable given the complexity. But it's also illegal because there's a whole lot more

4067
05:07:43,165 --> 05:07:47,135
than one item. Uh, the summary of what you're talking about

4068
05:07:48,115 --> 05:07:51,015
that just gives us an outline is, uh, amendments

4069
05:07:52,505 --> 05:07:56,485
to a putt ordinance that are not just a to z, but they're a to

4070
05:07:56,765 --> 05:07:59,965
z plus. A to double a to double I.

4071
05:08:01,145 --> 05:08:05,005
and some of these are horrible. You're losing 79 acres, 78

4072
05:08:05,765 --> 05:08:09,745
acres of open space. You're saying we're gonna put a, a golf course in

4073
05:08:09,965 --> 05:08:13,895
the critical water quality zone with all the fertilizers, pesticides,

4074
05:08:14,695 --> 05:08:18,425
herbicides. Um, that's nasty. Um,

4075
05:08:18,825 --> 05:08:22,665
you're talking about getting rid of a commitment to build, uh, two.

4076
05:08:23,025 --> 05:08:26,865
so, uh, fields, thank you mr. For the public. You're cutting me off at

4077
05:08:27,085 --> 05:08:31,025
two minutes. Yes, sir. Okay, thank you. Can

4078
05:08:31,245 --> 05:08:35,125
I have someone donating two minutes? Well, did they sign up to speak sharon blythe?

4079
05:08:35,525 --> 05:08:39,085
yeah, you'll have four minutes. You'll have four minutes, yeah. Okay. Thank you very much.

4080
05:08:39,705 --> 05:08:43,105
uh, I very much approved this and thank you, uh, uh,

4081
05:08:43,835 --> 05:08:47,725
council member fuentes for bringing this forward. This fits very nicely

4082
05:08:48,755 --> 05:08:52,745
with trying to do as much economically and what we can

4083
05:08:53,265 --> 05:08:57,255
out there in that district. When I was reading the backup, I have to agree

4084
05:08:58,085 --> 05:09:02,005
a lot of it I didn't understand. So as I started looking at it, I said, you know, really,

4085
05:09:02,435 --> 05:09:06,405
what is code? What, what are we looking at here? And so

4086
05:09:06,645 --> 05:09:10,325
I thought I'd point some of these things out to, during the covid

4087
05:09:11,225 --> 05:09:15,205
crisis, uh, they were shut down. You said the council

4088
05:09:15,835 --> 05:09:19,305
shut them down. Like they shut every other business down. And

4089
05:09:20,025 --> 05:09:23,685
all of a sudden, unfortunately, this was when f1 was coming

4090
05:09:24,625 --> 05:09:28,465
and they were in a serious situation. They had to lay off people because unlike

4091
05:09:28,925 --> 05:09:32,925
the government, if you don't have money coming in, you can't pay your people. But you know what they

4092
05:09:33,225 --> 05:09:36,995
did in, in covid, despite the serious layoffs

4093
05:09:37,985 --> 05:09:41,185
and the financial problems, coda donated 2 million

4094
05:09:42,255 --> 05:09:45,895
meals to the food bank. 2 million meals.

4095
05:09:46,745 --> 05:09:50,355
how many people did not starve? Because what

4096
05:09:50,795 --> 05:09:54,725
coda did then, of course, there was a pro problem of how are we getting these

4097
05:09:55,005 --> 05:09:58,565
people shots? And coda had the first

4098
05:09:59,055 --> 05:10:03,025
drive through shot and it, and that, that went on and on.

4099
05:10:03,625 --> 05:10:07,365
and so they came to the community even though

4100
05:10:07,685 --> 05:10:11,365
they were hurting with everything else, goodwill

4101
05:10:12,305 --> 05:10:16,005
was getting things and they couldn't store them during this area. Coda said,

4102
05:10:16,455 --> 05:10:20,345
bring them up to us. You can bring your trucks here and you can and

4103
05:10:20,575 --> 05:10:24,565
store them here during weather crises. And there's a lot

4104
05:10:24,665 --> 05:10:28,435
out in that part of town. Coda always has been open

4105
05:10:29,465 --> 05:10:33,305
for the governments to come in and use their facility as

4106
05:10:33,605 --> 05:10:37,095
a staging area. They're more than just trees

4107
05:10:37,665 --> 05:10:41,605
and things like that. This is a major impact, not only

4108
05:10:41,945 --> 05:10:45,505
on the money. I mean, we know how, how important f1 is,

4109
05:10:45,985 --> 05:10:49,845
and we know what they bring in, but there's a lot more out there.

4110
05:10:50,435 --> 05:10:54,165
another thing I would like to point out, and that is when the police

4111
05:10:54,515 --> 05:10:58,505
were on their knees, when we were defunding police, and you know, I hated that, um,

4112
05:10:59,065 --> 05:11:02,985
the a pa decided that they would have a picnic, a morale picnic for

4113
05:11:03,205 --> 05:11:07,125
their people. And someone called me up and said, would you mind calling coda and see if they

4114
05:11:07,345 --> 05:11:10,835
donate $500? And I did that. And you know what? The answer is $500.

4115
05:11:12,235 --> 05:11:16,045
they can come out here. We will host them. They came out to coda.

4116
05:11:16,325 --> 05:11:20,285
they've been doing that for, for I think it's four years. Um, that children

4117
05:11:20,505 --> 05:11:24,485
of police and the police free hot dog for each kid a a

4118
05:11:24,605 --> 05:11:27,705
drink, they could ride free on the little rides. And

4119
05:11:28,785 --> 05:11:32,475
one of the people said to me, they invited me and I was happy to go. And she said, they're

4120
05:11:33,165 --> 05:11:37,035
treating us so well here. And it kind of made me feel bad that

4121
05:11:37,545 --> 05:11:41,325
people think that they shouldn't treat our our police very well.

4122
05:11:42,025 --> 05:11:45,645
the other thing is, when jorge past one of our police officers

4123
05:11:46,265 --> 05:11:50,245
was tragically killed police all over the state of texas

4124
05:11:50,585 --> 05:11:54,485
wanted to come to the funeral, and coda opened their door. And that's

4125
05:11:54,845 --> 05:11:58,845
where it was. And even more touching to me was, and I

4126
05:11:58,965 --> 05:12:02,785
think bobby paid this for himself, this huge flag on the back of the, of

4127
05:12:03,025 --> 05:12:06,965
the amphitheater, the american flag. And when you looked up there and

4128
05:12:07,165 --> 05:12:10,985
you saw that officer, he gave his life and that flag, that's

4129
05:12:11,405 --> 05:12:15,325
the kind of organization that coda is. And they have done

4130
05:12:16,315 --> 05:12:20,165
countless things for the dell valley district. So I just wanted you to look

4131
05:12:20,325 --> 05:12:24,205
at that. Is this, it's more than just numbers. It's what are

4132
05:12:24,365 --> 05:12:27,965
they doing for our community? And, and this, we, we are blessed

4133
05:12:28,785 --> 05:12:32,365
to have this. And you combine this with this new hotel convention

4134
05:12:32,965 --> 05:12:36,885
center. I mean, it's a win for everything. And I thank you so much for bringing

4135
05:12:37,025 --> 05:12:40,805
it forward. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Starro. Switching to

4136
05:12:41,225 --> 05:12:42,885
remote speaker luke charlton.

4137
05:12:48,375 --> 05:12:52,325
thank you. Thank you, mayor. Thank you, uh, council member fuentes and, and other council

4138
05:12:52,605 --> 05:12:56,565
members, um, for taking this up. And, and also all the hard work you've

4139
05:12:56,845 --> 05:13:00,585
put in today. Know it's been a long day for everybody. So I'll make it short and sweet. Um,

4140
05:13:01,205 --> 05:13:04,175
speaking in, uh, favor of item 57,

4141
05:13:05,465 --> 05:13:09,045
my name is luke charlton. I'm the chief operating officer of rita development.

4142
05:13:09,985 --> 05:13:13,755
we are proposing to build the hotel, um, on the coda

4143
05:13:14,285 --> 05:13:17,875
premises and, and in favor of this pod because we believe it clarified

4144
05:13:19,125 --> 05:13:23,085
a lot of, um, unclear drafting in the original pod. And this

4145
05:13:23,285 --> 05:13:26,645
amendment is necessary for us to be able to construct the improvements.

4146
05:13:27,455 --> 05:13:31,425
thank you all for your time. Thank you. Moving

4147
05:13:31,845 --> 05:13:35,645
back to in-person speakers, willie gonzalez. Gus trujillo,

4148
05:13:37,045 --> 05:13:40,285
marquita presley. Jania marbury,

4149
05:13:41,715 --> 05:13:44,325
michael waylan, daniella silva.

4150
05:13:51,895 --> 05:13:55,865
good afternoon, mayor and council. My name is daniella silva. I'm a resident of district three

4151
05:13:55,985 --> 05:13:59,945
and here in my personal capacity for the record, I am a union member

4152
05:14:00,225 --> 05:14:03,705
of n-o-l-s-w-u-a-w, local 2320, an active participant

4153
05:14:04,385 --> 05:14:08,385
of the central labor council through my day job. And I'm generally a massive supporter of

4154
05:14:08,525 --> 05:14:12,065
unions and union jobs. What really keeps me up at night is that capitalism,

4155
05:14:12,665 --> 05:14:16,625
billionaires and lawmakers have created a false dichotomy making us feel like we

4156
05:14:16,745 --> 05:14:20,745
either prioritize union jobs or prioritize our collective

4157
05:14:21,145 --> 05:14:24,745
future by protecting the environment. Since this pud was approved back in 2023,

4158
05:14:25,505 --> 05:14:29,205
amendments have been made and each one was used by developers to make incremental requests

4159
05:14:29,725 --> 05:14:33,605
as a tactical way to get away with devastating changes. What was originally

4160
05:14:34,125 --> 05:14:37,925
a project with land set aside for affordable housing, soccer fields and parkland has morphed

4161
05:14:38,285 --> 05:14:42,015
into a luxury resort for out of town visitors, a 1000 room luxury hotel,

4162
05:14:42,635 --> 05:14:46,445
helipad convention center practice race trek golf course in the critical water quality

4163
05:14:46,795 --> 05:14:50,765
zone, two buildings in the floodplain swimming pools illuminated signage at

4164
05:14:50,925 --> 05:14:54,605
night and no noise barrier. To protect the nearby community from the additional racetrack.

4165
05:14:55,455 --> 05:14:59,265
there are at least six other golf courses within 10 miles of this project. Do

4166
05:14:59,485 --> 05:15:03,365
we really need another one in town? Built in a critical water quality zone, that means it's

4167
05:15:03,885 --> 05:15:07,805
positioned right next to a creek and all the pollutants will leach into it. What is

4168
05:15:07,965 --> 05:15:11,775
being offered in exchange for all of this destruction is just 0.87 acres

4169
05:15:12,125 --> 05:15:15,965
of wetland mitigation. Think about 0.87 acres on a

4170
05:15:16,285 --> 05:15:20,285
thousand acre lot. It's a pitance. We are on the cusp of stage four critical drought.

4171
05:15:20,505 --> 05:15:24,415
for the first time in recorded history, corpus christi is running out of water. Texas

4172
05:15:24,905 --> 05:15:28,765
is at the forefront of data center colonization. We must protect what little

4173
05:15:28,965 --> 05:15:32,695
water we have and using it on golf courses and luxury hotels for out of town. Ultra

4174
05:15:33,045 --> 05:15:36,845
wealthy is not it. No amount of hotel occupancy tax funds will help solve

4175
05:15:37,225 --> 05:15:41,035
our water crisis. I understand the amount of money and jobs this project will bring into

4176
05:15:41,325 --> 05:15:44,865
the city, and both of which are deeply needed in today's economy. But selling off

4177
05:15:45,365 --> 05:15:49,365
tomorrow in order to pay for today is the extractive and scarcity mindset that billionaires who control

4178
05:15:49,685 --> 05:15:53,105
our economy have conditioned most of us to make decisions through. Please

4179
05:15:53,805 --> 05:15:56,845
consider taking the time between now and may to think about these ecological

4180
05:15:57,845 --> 05:16:01,845
ecological devastations. Thank you. That concludes all speakers on item 57 members.

4181
05:16:02,325 --> 05:16:05,425
that concludes all the speakers on item number 57. Um,

4182
05:16:06,665 --> 05:16:10,365
you for the motion is to approve item number 57 on first reading

4183
05:16:10,715 --> 05:16:14,545
only. It will come back on second and third reading on may 21st. It

4184
05:16:14,765 --> 05:16:18,725
is as it was amended with the direction, uh, with what was read

4185
05:16:19,265 --> 05:16:23,145
by ms. Harden and the direction in the motion to amend by

4186
05:16:23,365 --> 05:16:27,285
council member fuentes. Is there any discussion? Yes. Council

4187
05:16:27,525 --> 05:16:31,365
member fuentes. Thank you and colleague. Just wanna again, emphasize this is on first

4188
05:16:31,605 --> 05:16:35,415
reading only. The ordinance is in the backup starts on page, uh, 62,

4189
05:16:37,145 --> 05:16:40,845
uh, of the staff report. Uh, this has been a very long process

4190
05:16:41,305 --> 05:16:45,285
to amend the putt has gone through several, uh, zoning and planning

4191
05:16:45,365 --> 05:16:49,095
commissions, environmental commission and uh, and parks

4192
05:16:49,445 --> 05:16:53,285
and rec board as well. And through that work and through the recommendations and the

4193
05:16:53,725 --> 05:16:57,245
feedback from our volunteer commissioners and through the work of our

4194
05:16:58,085 --> 05:17:01,965
district two office, um, the way the p stands before us is in a really strong

4195
05:17:02,365 --> 05:17:06,125
place. And so I think there've been a lot of efforts to ensure that the community gets the

4196
05:17:06,485 --> 05:17:10,245
benefits that our dell valley community deserves. And certainly there have been

4197
05:17:10,605 --> 05:17:14,485
a lot of modification and improvements to the original proposal. So I just wanna highlight that

4198
05:17:15,025 --> 05:17:18,885
and flag that my motion that I added to it really hones in on the transportation

4199
05:17:19,655 --> 05:17:23,365
piece. Uh, circuited america's cap metro are all in agreement

4200
05:17:23,675 --> 05:17:27,525
that we need to get a bus stop out at coda, especially with us having

4201
05:17:27,805 --> 05:17:31,125
this type of activity in the area where we're gonna have 900 people

4202
05:17:31,985 --> 05:17:35,885
in and out, uh, of the hotel activity. So we wanna make sure that we get that long

4203
05:17:36,165 --> 05:17:39,605
awaited bus stop. And so I'm really pleased to offer that motion to ensure that conversations

4204
05:17:40,315 --> 05:17:44,175
move forward and that we're able to improve public transportation access. Thank

4205
05:17:44,525 --> 05:17:47,485
you. Thank you. Any further discussion on item number 57

4206
05:17:48,905 --> 05:17:52,805
as amended without objection? Item number 57 as amended is adopted

4207
05:17:53,185 --> 05:17:56,345
on first reading only with council member harper madison, absent

4208
05:17:57,195 --> 05:18:01,085
members. That concludes all of the items that have been posted on the agenda for the austin

4209
05:18:01,355 --> 05:18:05,345
city council on this april 23rd, 2026 regular meeting. So

4210
05:18:05,565 --> 05:18:08,925
without objection, the austin city council is now adjourned at 5:05 pm

4211
05:18:10,265 --> 05:18:10,685
thanks everybody.