City Council Special Called Meeting Transcript – 8/26/2019 Title: City of Austin Channel: 6 - COAUS Recorded On: 8/26/2019 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 8/26/2019 Transcript Generated by SnapStream ================================== [3:34:26 PM] >> Mayor Adler: I call to order the special called meeting, Monday, August 20, 2019. It is 3:32. We are here at 301 west second street, Austin city council chambers, for our special called meeting. We have a quorum. Without objection, we're going to go into closed session to take up one item. Pursuant to 551.071 of the government code we're going into executive session to discuss legal matters related to item 2, November 2019 election. Without objection, we will recess and go into executive session. [Executive session] [3:54:50 PM] >> Mayor Adler: All right. We are -- oops. Really loud. We are out of closed session N closed session we discussed legal matters related to item number 2. And we are back in city council chambers. The time is 3:54. We have a quorum present. While we're outline gathered here together, I think we have a council meeting that's set for December 5th and I think that's the last council meeting that's set in December. I think the land development code people ask that we keep open the following Thursday, December 12th in case we need that for first reading of the land development code. So people should probably look at their calendars and see if they can keep the [3:55:50 PM] 12th open. And maybe we, you know, add a tentative hold for that day or something like that. Okay. Is there a motion to -- to adopt language for the -- there's an ordinance. Is it already drafted this the ordinance? >> Pool: Mayor, I would like to make a motion. >> Mayor Adler: Adopt an ordinance amending number 20190808-017 to amendment ballot language. >> Pool: I would like to move that we adopt the petitioner's caption that was on the petition that was signed and submitted. >> Mayor Adler: There a second to that motion? [3:56:51 PM] Councilmember kitchen seconds that motion. Is there any discussion? Mr. Flannigan. >> Flannigan: I will point out in the court ruling about ballot language it asked for certain phrasing to be included, that the petitioner's language does not include. I don't think it would be appropriate to use their language. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Are you ready to take a vote? Any further discussion? Councilmember alter, did you want to say something? >> Alter: I don't think we can put on the ballot something that's not a question. >> Pool: Thanks for bringing that up. I would obviously change the formulation to be shall an ordinance be adopted to or prioritizing -- or prioritizing, so that would be changed to make it a question. >> Mayor Adler: It's been moved and seconded. Those in favor of councilmember pool's motion, please raise your hand. I have pool and tovo. Those opposed please raise [3:57:52 PM] your hand. It's the balance of the council. >> Alter: Mayor, I'm abstaining. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember alter abstains. >> Alter: I'm not comfortable with this whole process. >> Mayor Adler: Is there any motion? Councilmember Flannigan. >> Flannigan: Do we have the language in front of us? Do I need to read this? >> Mayor Adler: Why don't you read it. >> Flannigan: I move to adopt the amended ordinance with the following posted language. Shall an ordinance be adopted that prioritizes the use of Austin's hotel tax occupancy, 15% of the revenue on cultural arts and 15% on historic preservation, limiting the city's spending to construct, operate, maintain or promote the Austin convention center to 34% of Austin's hotel occupancy tax revenue and requiring all remaining hotel occupancy tax revenue to support enhance Austin's cultural [3:58:53 PM] tourism industry and requires the city to obtain voter approval and public oversight for convention center improvement and expansion costing more than $20 million. >> Mayor Adler: As a motion to adopt that language, declare an emergency, is there a second to that motion? Councilmember Ellis seconds that motion. Any discussion? Let's take a vote. Those in favor please raise your hand. Those opposed? It's unanimous on the dais. This language is adopted. With that, I think we have taken care of all of our business and this meeting is adjourned.