Emergency Funds for Austin Tourism, Legal Battles
Here are the key takeaways from the September 30, 1985 Austin meeting:
Emergency Tourism Funding Approved
City leaders quickly authorized monthly allocations from hotel "bed taxes" to three local chambers of commerce. This emergency measure ensured uninterrupted convention and tourism promotion as their existing funding expired that very day.Interim Funding Solution
The temporary funding was provided to the Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Capital Area Chamber, allowing them to continue operations while a long-term annual funding plan is developed.Closed-Door Legal Review
The meeting concluded with a private executive session to discuss ongoing lawsuits, including cases where the City of Austin was involved in litigation with Houston Lighting and Power Company.
Full Transcript
: CITY OF AU FOUNDED 181. Austin City Council MINUTES For SPECIAL CALLED MEETING - September 30, 1985 - 4:00 Ρ.Μ. City Council Frank C.Cooksey Mayor John Treviño, Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Council Members Mark Rose Smoot Carl-Mitchell Sally Shipman George Humphrey Charles E. Urdy Jorge Carrasco City Manager Elden Aldridge City Clerk Council Chambers, 307 West Second Street, Austin, Texas Memorandum To: Mayor Cooksey called to order the special called meeting The of the Council, noting the presence of all councilmembers. Mayor said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss taking action on the allocation of Hotel/Motel tax funds for the promotion of convention and tourism services. Mayor Pro Tem Trevino stated they need to know the direction the three chambers will take because their funded monies "run out today". Motion The Council, on Mayor Pro Tem Trevino's motion, Councilmember Humphrey's second, authorized the City Manager to allocate money on a month to month basis, out of bed tax money, for Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Capital Area Chamber, until a decision is made, then monthly fundings will be subtracted when the yearly sum is decided upon. (7-0 Vote) EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Cooksey announced Council would go into executive session pursuant to Article 6252-17, Texas Revised Civil Statutes Annotated, to discuss the following matters, and action, if any, on the matters will be taken during the public meeting after the conclusion of executives session: Pending Litigation, including but not limited to the following items - Section 2, Paragraph eHouston Lighting and Power Company, et al v. Brown and Root, et al in Matagorda County, and City of Austin vs. Houston Lighting and Power Company in Travis County. RECESS AND ADJOURNMENT Council recessed for executive session at 5:50 p.m. and adjourned its meeting at 7 p.m. i