CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS- MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Meeting January 17, 1969 2:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL The meeting was called to order with Mayor Akin presiding. Roll Call: Present: Absent: Councilmen Janes, LaRue, Long, Nichols, Mayor Akin None Mayor Akin announced that this meeting was a called Special Meeting for the purpose of hearing the Urban Renewal Agency concerning the Blackshear Project and discussion of the Neighborhood Development Plan as related to the Brackenridge Project and the Kealing Urban Renewal Project, as well as discussion and action on the Milton Smith case. URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY Commissioner John H. Chiles, Jr., Chairman of the Urban Renewal Board, brought before the Council several matters which he felt could turn into problems, as they related to the Blackshear Project. Yesterday the Urban Renewal Commission had met with the Blackshear Neighborhood Committee, headed by Mrs. MacDonald, the Design Center at The University of Texas, headed by Dr. Williams, Dr. King of Huston-Tillotson College and University students and residents of the Blackshear community. The various groups were involved in planning for the Blackshear Project separate from the Urban Renewal Agency and had come up with proposals which differed from the Agency's approach. Until that meeting, there had been little communication between the various groups and the Agency, and some confusion existed as to what was going on. The Urban Renewal Board authorized Mr. Leon Lurie, Director, to contact Dr. Norman Hackerman, President, The University of Texas, and explain the conflict and interference that Urban Renewal was experiencing and to ask him to curb the action taken by the staff and students under them. Dr. Hackerman had stated that the University would sanction any research in the Blackshear area, but not planning. He met with the appropriate people from the University who were involved in the project and instructed them not to do any planning, but that anything concerning research would be permitted. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS January 17, 1969 Mr. Chiles stated that the Agency was going to ask for an extension of time from the Federal government to complete the Blackshear Project, but there was some question as to whether or not the extension would be granted because of the time already spent on the project. If the government did not grant the extension, Mr. Chiles wanted to know what the Council's posture would then be. One consideration would be to hold a public hearing. Mr. Lurie stated that another consideration would be to allow Model Cities to coordinate the activities of citizens participation to various citizens' committees, commission committee and neighborhood committees to interact with the Blackshear committee. Mr. Bob McCulloch stated that he felt that it might be appropriate to include the Blackshear plans under the Model Cities structure so that some agreement could be reached among the various parties. City Manager Tinstman stated that he felt that the Council should agree to the time extension request and he cited several points which could be used to justify the request. After some discussion among the Council, City Manager Tinstman, Mr. Chiles and Mr. Lurie, they decided to leave the matter of requesting the extension in the hands of the Urban Renewal Agency and not pass a resolution on the matter. Mr. Chiles then brought up the matter of whether or not to incorporate the Brackenridge Project into the Neighborhood Development Plan. He then called on Mr. Lurie, who explained to the Council what the Neighborhood Development Plan was and how it could benefit the City. Mr. Chiles pointed out that NDP was funded by the year and not for the entire project. The concept behind NDP was to release money on projects which were not moving. The Council discussed the NDP concept with Mr. Lurie and Mr. Chiles. At the conclusion of the discussion, Councilman LaRue asked that the Minutes reflect that he did not enter into discussion of the Brackenridge Project. MILTON SMITH CASE The Council had been requested by a majority report of the Human Relations Commission to consider the removal of Mr. Milton Smith from the Commission because of circumstances surrounding a brief filed with the National Labor Relations Board by Economy Furniture, Inc., of which Mr. Smith was President. Objection centered around the language used in the brief. Councilman Janes stated that he would reject the majority report of the Human Relations Commission and sustain the minority report. He stated that Mr. Smith undoubtedly did not have knowledge of the language in the brief, and that as soon as he did, he had filed a language change. In view of Mr. Smith's lifetime of service to the community, Mr. Janes did not believe it would be right to ask Mr. Smith to resign. CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS January 17, 1969 Councilwoman Long stated that she felt that the brief was written without Mr. Smith's knowledge. She referred to a brief dated May 23, 1968, which had been filed with the NLRB by Economy Furniture, Inc. She felt that Mr. Smith had done a lot for the community and hoped he would continue to do so, but that she would have to uphold the majority of the Human Relations Commission. She asked that the following items be filed with the City Clerk as part of the records of today's meeting: 1. Minority report of the Human Relations Commission 2. 3. 4. Majority report of the Human Relations Commission Brief dated May 23, 1968, to which she had referred to earlier Newspaper clipping dated January 14, 1969 from the AmericanStatesman Newspaper headlined "Recognition Order Sought by Union" Mayor Akin stated that he also wanted his press release, entitled "The Milton Smith Case" made a part of the record. Councilwoman Long then moved the Council uphold the Human Relations Commission majority report. The motion, seconded by Councilman Nichols, failed to carry by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Long, Nichols Noes: Councilmen Janes, LaRue, Mayor Akin EXECUTIVE SESSION The Council went into Executive Session to consider appointment of a judge. The regular meeting was resumed. The Council then adjourned. ATTEST: Trace Monipe Asor, City Clerk Harry Akir APPROVED: Mayo .