City Council Regular Meeting Transcript – 06/04/2020 Title: City of Austin Channel: 6 - COAUS Recorded On: 6/4/2020 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 6/4/2020 Transcript Generated by SnapStream ================================== Please note that the following transcript is for reference purposes and does not constitute the official record of actions taken during the meeting. For the official record of actions of the meeting, please refer to the Approved Minutes. [10:22:52 AM] >> Mayor Adler: Let's go ahead and start. I'm going to go ahead and convene this morning's meeting, June 4th, 2020. This is the regular city council meeting happening remotely. The time is 10:22. I'm going to go ahead and -- read the -- let's check and see if we have a quorum. [10:23:55 AM] Is councilmember harper-madison here? No? What about -- >> She is on screen. >> Mayor Adler: Is she here? >> I thought she was. >> Can we come back? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Is councilmember -- mayor pro tem here? >> Garza: I'm here. >> Mayor Adler: What about councilmember Renteria? >> Renteria: Mayor, I'm here and I can see myself on TV, so -- >> Harper-madison: I'm here. I'm here now. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Councilmember Casar? >> Casar: I'm here. [10:24:56 AM] >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Councilmember kitchen? >> Kitchen: I'm here. >> Mayor Adler: Jimmy Flannigan? >> Flannigan: Here. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember pool? >> Pool: Yes, I'm here, thanks. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember tovo? >> Tovo: Present. >> Mayor Adler: Alter? >> Alter: Present. >> Mayor Adler: Okay, so we're all present, we're all here. >> [Inaudible] >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember Ellis, sorry, didn't even mention you. Thank you. Let's look at the changes and corrections for this morning. Item number 6 is withdrawn and replaced by item 44. Item number 16 was removed [10:25:57 AM] by the -- reviewed by the mobility committee on the 28th. Item 19, south congress preservation and improvement district. Number 41, 42, 42 and related. Item 48 has councilmembers alter and Ellis joining as sponsors. Item number 50 as councilmember kitchen joining as a sponsor. I think on the consent agenda for today we have three items that have been pulled. Item 7, 40 and 48. 7 was pulled to be voted on after 3:00. The same speakers signing up on item 7 also wanted to speak on the special called [10:26:58 AM] meeting so we're going to held those meetings concurrently at 3:00. Item 4 pulled by councilmember case we have late backup on 6, 18, 29, 31, 33, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 51, also 32 and 38. And 39 and 47. >> Mayor? On 48, hopefully you will have seen the amendment that was directed. It should not be a long discussion or no discussion if the co-sponsors are amenable to it. >> Mayor? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Casar: I consider that amendment entirely friendly. I suggested to my staff that maybe we add a couple of words for flow, but basically councilmember Flannigan suggested a factual statement and some context I think we all agree [10:28:00 AM] with, and so once he sees a couple of words, we just tried to make it a way that I think reads a little bit better, but I don't think it will require discussion because I think we'll agree with what he's done. >> Mayor Adler: So we'll leave then -- let's leave it pulled right now until you come back with that. When we take the vote, why don't you try to put that back on. >> Casar: I will will some of the that on the mental board in -- post that on the message board in 10 minutes. >> Mayor Adler: That will work. All right. The -- all right. Consent agenda for today are items 1 through 19 and items 40 through 50. We have some speakers that have signed up to speak on these items. I would propose that we go to those speakers first, and [10:29:03 AM] then we work through that. We have some assistance today with respect to the speakers. We're going to call the speakers that need translation first if they have called in. If not, we'll go through those other speakers. And as we start going through those speakers, we're going to have the speakers on the consent agenda -- on everything other than zoning and number 7 this morning at 9:00. And then at 2:00 we'll have the speakers for the zoning cases, if any. And then as close to 3:00 as we can we'll take action on 7, have the discussion on the special called item. It's my intent to recognize speakers under our rules. This is really difficult and there's no right answer with respect to speakers this [10:30:06 AM] evening. It would be great if we could give everybody three minutes to speak, but we have 335 speakers speaking. And if we did that, we would have literally, like, 18 hours of speakers. Which we can't do and we need to have this conversation among ourselves about -- also about police procedures and protocol before we continue on with demonstrations in the city. So I looked at different kinds of options in terms of having speakers and tried to change it and hopefully be able to get to all the speakers tonight so we can convene in the morning. I'm going to stick by our regular rules which is the first 20 speakers get three minutes, everybody else gets one minute. I also recognize that councilmembers have the ability to extend a speaker's time as we -- very infrequently but have [10:31:07 AM] allowed. So if any of the councilmembers have a speaker that want to get that three minutes, keeping it at a very small number, please let the clerk now. That's the procedure. So we get to it this afternoon. Every one of us will have a chance to be able to say something quickly once, let's try to keep it as close to two minutes as you can. We'll give the police chief a chance to [inaudible] And the manager if he wishes to, and then we'll have the speakers tonight. At the last speaker to speak we will hold the meeting and hold off on discussion and deliberation until 9:00 tomorrow morning. I see us taking a brunch break after we do hopefully the agenda and coming back at 2:00. I see us taking a 30-minute dinner break this evening while speakers are being [10:32:09 AM] raised. So with that, I would turn over the chair to mayor pro tem. Thank you for picking this up, and I would have our assistant call the speakers for everything other than zoning and 14. >> Mayor, is it possible for us to know when the dinner break will be for those of us who have kids, it would be much easier if we at least had a time. >> Mayor Adler: I would anticipate that start at 3:00. I would anticipate [inaudible] Somewhere between 10:00 and 11:00. So how about if we take the dinner break at 6:00 or 6:30. Is 6:00 okay? Doesn't have any faces but -- so we'll take the dinner break as close to [10:33:10 AM] 6:00 as we can. >> Tovo: Mayor pro tem, if we could get -- thank you, councilmember alter, if we could get clarity on the lunch break. I wasn't clear whether you said we were just going to take it as after we're done with speakers on the consent agenda or if that too was scheduled. >> Mayor Adler: Shooting for noon for the lunch break unless we're closed to ending, but I would anticipate us taking a noon break. Let's plan on taking a noon break. If we're real close, we'll just come back a little before 2:00 and finish it up. Let's plan on a noon break for lunch. >> Tovo: Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. >> Kitchen: Mayor? >> Mayor Adler: Ann pgh >> Brian: And then tomorrow we'll reconvene at 9:00? Is that 9:00 until we finish [10:34:11 AM] or 9:00 until an end? >> Mayor Adler: I think people had things on their calendars. My hope is that we'll be able to finish our conversation in the morning so I'll plan on 9:00 to noon. >> Kitchen: Okay. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. All right. I'm going to turn the [inaudible] Over to the mayor pro tem and if the he assistants could start calling speakers. Thank you. >> The first speaker is mikelle mead. You have three minutes. >> Thank you, again, mikelle mead with hush-blackwell. I'm speaking on two items and have been advised to speak on both at the same time. He would like to make comments on 40, the covid-19 [inaudible]. I serve as a member of help wanted for Austin musicians and I want to first say we [10:35:12 AM] are very much in support of item 40 and getting a framework underway. We want to really just express that there has been a question out there about whether they would be eligible for funds. We have been told there's a possibility that the interpretation of the ordinance or the resolution that was adopted a may 7th would ham and we would totally degree. We would ask council to have staff work with us to work through the reasons we might be ineligible and if there is ineligibility that that be amended. The other item is item 50, request to vacate an alley. This is for the development project that has been called the Lopez tower. It is a great project. It is a great project, though, that is in a [10:36:13 AM] terrible location. It is on a site that is much too small and the problem with the site is that it has no access. Our firm represents Tindell partners, Tindell has a building of 180 homes that is directly adjacent to this lot, and the request for this alley vacation puts that new building even closer making our access to the site even worse. We are asking council to postpone action on this to allow there to be time for the developer to meet with the 180 owners in the Tindell to talk about the plans to date. The developer has not presented a final set of plans and so they are asking council to make this decision based on the set of plans that have outdated. We would ask this be postponed, item 50, to the July 30th meeting to give time to that discussion to happen. And I thank you for your time and for allowing me to speak. [10:37:26 AM] >> The next speaker is Lisa brown. And you have three minutes. >> My name is Lisa brown and I live in district 9. I'm a white person here supporting the demands of the communities of color united, grass roots leadership, [inaudible] And java and others to allocate the $70 million of the federal covid fund to direct financial assistance to community members in Austin. And I cede the rest of my time to people bacteria -- people impacted and people of color. Thank you. >> The next speaker is Paula Rojas. You have three minutes. >> Hi, this is [inaudible] [10:38:31 AM] From communities of color united for racial justice. I'm here on behalf of ccu. There's many of us that wanted to speak but we know there's hundreds, and we're with gave out of Austin, grass roots leadership, Texas advocates for justice and other organizations asking you to take very serious the decision on how to allocate the federal covid relief funds today. We know you are making very difficult positions with lots of competing needs for our city. Though we think it's very important to fully fund Austin public health, we think that you can find more money maybe from other sources -- other parts of it including funds going to the business and others to increase the amount of money [10:39:32 AM] that's going directly in direct financial assistance to families, and that is direct ach transfers, pre-paid cards, and we are asking or recommending or demanding at this point that 70 million needs to go in that direction. If you think about per capita how many people are living in poverty in Austin right now and what they are going through because we're talking to many of them, it's absolutely necessary that people receive direct financial assistance to be able to survive and so that we can contain the pandemic. People are out looking for work in unsafe conditions because they are unemployed or continuing to work in unsafe conditions. We have 1,271 signatures on the petition that came into your in-box this morning and many more still wanting to sign on to this. [10:40:34 AM] Please look [inaudible] There's a video we sent you as well. The way you spend your money speaks to who we are as humans. Think about those who right now are running out of food, cleaning supplies are about to have mass evictions. This has to be the priority and we must find the money, fund the police we've been asking for years, there's millions and millions of dollars that you can move to this priority. So I know you have very difficult decisions that you are sitting on, but this is the moment to decisively show that as Austin we have our priorities straight as a city. We can show that we can take care of all of our people. I urge you to take this decision very seriously. [Buzzer sounding] [10:41:37 AM] >> Thank you. The next speaker is Amanda afeefe. You have three minutes. >> Hi, I'm Amanda afeefe and I'm -- take care of the hispanic quality of care advisory commission. We did have a commission meeting last week. We heard several residents and community leaders call in just expressing concerns about covid-19 and how it's disproportionately affecting the Latino community. We had care listen Mack and John bosh from a manufacturing group call in saying in 14 days they had 14 positive cases and of those 14, 12 were hispanic and Latino. And so really they were also asking we educate the workforce and community and so we did pass a [10:42:37 AM] recommendation to covid-19. It's called covid-19 and the disparate impacts for latinxen also, you know, there is some fear in the community about being tested for covid-19 because it might expose immigration status. And so we did request concrete action to address this for outcomes for our communities of color including address the digital access and technology barriers making self- assessments available to a multi lingual list and really providing all this via telephone, creating mobile site based testing. So really going into those living in public housing, homeless shelters for construction sites. Request Austin public health and the emergency operation center to prioritize if not [10:43:41 AM] allocate all tests from the I am aware -- of concentrated poverty in latinx, black and asian-american communities. We urge council continue fund [inaudible] Again concentrated zip codes, prioritize city social services funding for individuals that have tested positive and expressed financial need to ensure they and their families are able to isolate and continue to support their family and not tying any of this assistance to immigration status -- [music playing] And there's also more [inaudible] [Music playing] >> Okay. Thank you. The next speaker is Rachel [10:44:43 AM] manning. You have three minutes. [Music playing] >> Rachel manning. Sorry. We don't know what that is. One second, everyone. [Music playing] >> Yes, councilmember, we're aware. We're working on it. >> Am I supposed to be speaking or is there music? >> Rachel, one second, please. >> Of course. >> Okay. Go ahead, Rachel. You have three minutes. >> Hi. Okay, thank you, Rachel manning, I live in district 1. I am speaking today from -- [10:45:47 AM] I'm going to keep this very short. The person who just spoke on behalf of the organizations, grass roots leadership, I.C.E. Out of Austin and many more said it best. I am a white person here supporting the demands of all -- of all of those organizations to allocate this $70 million of the federal covid funds to direct financial assistance to community members in Austin. I cede the rest of my time. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Jermaine Williams. You have three minutes. >> Hi, Dr. Jermaine Williams, a resident of the Tindle and I'm calling to speak on item number 50. The main thing with this project is that I support affordable housing, however, we've not had the opportunity to look at the plans since we are neighbors right next door to ensure [10:46:48 AM] this is the best project for our community. And I would ask the council to please postpone this project any further. I know this is just the vacation of an alleyway, but it's essential to the plan as far as we know. Thank you, and that's all I need for my time. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Amanda Traphagen. Amanda Traphagen. You have three minutes. >> Hi, this is Amanda from district 4. I want to echo [inaudible] And direct the amount to public health and other [10:47:51 AM] community funds. [Inaudible] Covid-19 pandemic. I cede the rest of my time. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Claire Atwood. You have three minutes. >> Hi there, I just wanted to 5d my voice to previous speakers in supporting agenda items 40 and 49 around covid-19 spending framework and adding to the rise fund for direct financial relief. I believe the city has a moral obligation to prioritize the needs of communities of colors. Like others, I've seen statistics that black and Latino residents are disproportionately affected in terms of hospitalizations and economic fallout. I'm asking the city council allocate $70 million towards [10:48:51 AM] the rise fund and prioritize organizations that work directly -- communities of color. Thank you. >> The next caller is Matt Mathias. You have three minutes. >> Hello, greetings, mayor, council, mayor pro tem. This is Matt Mathias, and I am one of the developers along with the honest steamed partner Terry Mitchell of the Tindle project. We're here to talk about item 50, the alley vacation. Terry is well known for building affordable housing, he's got multiple projects on the way totaling almost 5,000 units, many of which will be affordable. We as an organization are very supportive of [10:49:52 AM] affordable housing and all 25 residents of the Tindle that spoke at planning commission expressed support for affordable housing. This vote today is being couched as an alley vacation, when it really is, but the effect of this is allowing a process to be thwarted that is normally afford to do other neighborhoods. The Tindle neighborhood consists of 182 homes and residences in the Guadalupe neighborhood. I know this is Mr. Rogers' neighborhood, it always has been and he's done a great job supporting it, but there's in residences here. The problem is the city missed the notification of the site plan submittal so none of the residents knew about it a year ago and didn't have input into it with gmdc. Then they missed the notification of this alley way which went through the process and we're getting to [10:50:52 AM] have this process over again today. A may 11, the homeowners association asked gndc for a set of plans and to meet and have not received a response. Any other neighborhood in this town should have the courtesy of having input on what's built next to them so that they can create the best project possible. And that's what we're asking you for today is process. Allow it time, don't vote on this alley way today, postpone it so gndc and the Tindle neighbors can get together and understand for the first time what is proposed to be built. By the way, the city website during covid has linked this case to a set of plans on metric drive. Not the project that's under consideration here. It's finally been taken care of, but it's been a problem. So we ask for your delay on this, and thank you very much for your consideration. >> Thank you. [10:51:54 AM] The next speaker is Miriam conner. You have three minutes. >> Hi, this is Miriam conner, vice chair of the African-American signal a community organizer and member. Mayor Adler, city council and staff, good morning. Recording item number 40, moral documents. Dr. Cornell west said justice is what love looks like in public. Allotting little to no money to rise shows a lack of care given to Austin's -- forcing people into financial literacy programs assume that they have the time and they don't have the knowledge to take care of themselves and/or their families. It's not respect, it's availed system of ignorance that we have the responsibility to change. We need to plan to defund the police, we need direct [10:52:54 AM] support, and we need that $70 million to go to rise. Thank you for all that you do, however, we have got to do more now. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Emily shenovert. You have three minutes. >> Thank you. One moment. Good morning, mayor and council. Illegalillegal my name is Emily shenovert. Let me start by saying on behalf of our 14,000 members, I would like to thank each of you for continued public service, particularly during last week as this has been a difficult time in our community and communities across the country. Today I want to speak in favor of item 40 and I'm asking council to allocate $40 million towards rental assistance that is available for both tenants and landords. Specifically I would ask that you keep one to two million dollars in the [10:53:54 AM] economic development department for small landlord assistance. After a certain date if there were any unused funds remaining, those could be shifted to overall rental assistance. Over the past few weeks we've had experiences and anxiety from those that are military families [inaudible] Rely on each month's rent to maintain and pay their family home until they can return home from Austin. We heard from families concerned about how they are going to pay next month's rent. We've heard from retired seniors who rely on investment property and other livelihoods. We've heard from property owners who care about their tenants and working with them to ease their financial hardships by waiving late fees and setting up individualized payment plans in ways that work for both size. Sadly we've also heard stories from property managers who are experiencing unresponsive and uncooperating tenants [10:54:55 AM] who are purposely not paying grant citing the council's of 0-day grace period as the reason. That remind us we are all in this together. We are also reminded as a majority of the tenants are responsible and hard-working individuals, the same for the landlord. Both sides need to not let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch. Allocating additional assistance towards both tenants and landords. Just as tenants should have to bear the front of this pandemic without similar relief and assistance neither should small landords. Thanks for your time and public service during this crisis. >> Thank you. The next speaker is David waddle. [10:55:56 AM] You have three minutes. >> Good morning, mayor and city council. My name is David waddle, executive director of the Texas restaurant association. I came to talk about item 47 asking for approval of an ordinance [inaudible] Creating a pilot program that would authorize specific businesses to use private parking lots and public right-of-ways for expanded business operations. The benefit provide a real benefit to businesses and help bring people back to start buying again. Businesses, specifically restaurants, have been devastated by the pandemic and 30 to 35% of all restaurants will close down permanently because of the pandemic. Using a sports analogy, you say a great coach is judged on how well [inaudible] [10:56:56 AM] During half time. This is a crucial time for our industry, allowing [inaudible] Would be -- for businesses and restaurants until our life and businesses come back to new normal, whatever that is. Createivity is key in restaurants have shown these last 60 days, last 90 days, they can be creative in keeping businesses open. Three factors. One, social distancing. We hear the governor and our great mayor talk about the only way we're going to get passed this is social distancing. I think national feel that social distancing will help a great deal. It will bring back consumer confidence in going back to restaurants. They will have the opportunity to check -- choose between sitting inside or outside. And a lot of times people [10:58:01 AM] sit outside and some apartments will give the restaurants another option for their followers. And financing will help restaurants get back on their feet. The restaurants have time again realizing [inaudible] Is 25%, 50%, now it's 75%, and with each step they've tried to do their best. Dallas is doing it now and we think that would be on a temporary basis and we would like to do that as well. Thank you for your time. I know there's a lot of people waiting to speak [inaudible]. >> Thank you. The next speaker is [10:59:02 AM] Adriana kehoto. >> Hi, thank you, good morning, councilmembers. I'm a community organizer with ready, set. We provide direct legal services to families and individuals who have been detained and released. I'm calling alongside communities of color united and grass roots leadership to urge you all to reorganize and simplify the rise fund process. Distributing or we only know of one family who confirmed receiving any kind of assistance in the form of rent payment, not even cash assistance. This doesn't include the other countless families and individuals who have been made aware of the program and who haven't been able to access it. Many of the families that I organize with currently are not able to pay their bills and they are rent bills are [11:00:04 AM] accumulateing and may face eviction in the near future. A lot of them have major medical bills. Many don't have way of accessing support because of fear of the [inaudible], deputizing ability to -- jeopardizing their ability -- I'm asking for two things. One for you all to vote in favor of item 40, $70 million to go to the covid-19 relief response. To directly to the rise fund for direct cash assistance to the families and individuals disproportionately affected, specifically communities of color. I would like to encourage you all to vote in favor of item 49 to simplify the process and remove any barriers and challenges to actually being able to apply for these rise funds. Many families have reported [11:01:04 AM] calling -- phone lines constantly swamped or organizations running out of funds and this is to no fault of the distributing orb but telling of the volume of need and lack of structure to meet that need. I'm asking you all to consider simplifying and streamlining the -- as leadership have already stated previously that we urge you to prioritize the communities of color those disproportionately affected during this time and not to prioritize funding the police. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Denise prince. You have three minutes. >> Hi. My name is Denise prince, I live in district 3 and I wanted to speak for items 40 [11:02:07 AM] and 49. There are artists in Austin, Texas struggling to survive. I have incredible privilege in comparison to people of color in this city or people mostly struggling with poverty and I feel that it's always important to have voices to remind, you know, caring humans of our humanity because we -- I think with these issues firsthand, one can easily not understand the impact in one's life. As a person who has come from a law enforcement background, my father was chief of police of Dallas, Texas, I'm thus incredibly concerned about the funding of the police department here because I'm horrified at the way that -- that our citizens are being treated and the murder in this country by them. I'm urging, you know, defunding the police department as much as possible until the people of [11:03:07 AM] this country feel safe and especially the brack -- black and brown people and people of color. All the exact information, these agenda items, but I'm -- I'm still an incredibly privileged in comparison. I cede my time to everyone else, but thank you for hearing me. >> Thank you. The next speaker is David Johnson. Have you three minutes. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> My name is David Johnson and I'm with grass roots leadership and Texas advocate for justice. I would like to speak on 40 and 49. Simply put, the recent events of the past few months have shown us that there are systemic [11:04:11 AM] inequities that truly affect more people than we ever imagined or perhaps anyone ever imagined, but I can tell you people of color and people from lower socioeconomic sectors have known these inequities existed for a long time. But now with the covid-19 pandemic, there is this rush to suddenly take care of everyone. And the way in which many people are cared for by the community through the government is condescending and patriarchal and disregarding toward autonomy and agents and treats individuals as though they do not know what the best for themselves and how to best provide for their own needs when given adequate resources. I ask both 40 and 49 be passed so that there are adequate fund put aside as they should be and they are adequately and sufficiently allocated towards the rise fund. And also so the manner to which the funds are made [11:05:11 AM] available to those who need it most in the community is most impactful and effective as well. Thank you. >> Thank U you. The next speaker is Aaron Walter. You have three minutes. >> Hello, my name is reverend Erwin Walter with the Texas unitarian ministry and I live in district 3. I'm a white person here asking to you defund APD and -- I.C.E. Out of Austin and others to allocate $70 million of the federal covid-19 funds to direct financial assistance to community members in Austin. I want to say amen to everything Mr. Johnson just said. Thank you all for your time and I cede the rest of my time to directly impacted people and people of color. >> Thank you. [11:06:14 AM] The next speaker is Bria Moore. You have three minutes. >> Hello, my name is Bria Moore, Austin resident living in district 6. I'm calling to request '0 million in federal covid-19 relief funds be allocated to the rise fund and used to provide detective financial assistance to the black and brown lives impacted by this pandemic. I yield back the remainder of my time. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Erin cooper. You have three minutes. Erin cooper? [11:07:27 AM] >> Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can hear you. >> Hi, my name is Erin cooper and I'm calling in support of item 40. Minimum of $70 million to be allocated to direct financial assistance. As a community member of the city I and many others [inaudible] Equitable. Vulnerable and those in our community being disproportionately affected by this virus. I want to support 20% decrease of APD's budget, increased violence and I want that money reinvested for the rise fund, another equitable action. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. The next speaker is will Davies. You have three minutes. >> Good morning. My name is will Davies. I live in district 1 and [11:08:29 AM] here to is he speak on 40 and 49. [Indiscernible] Supporting students of families personal and professional success is about far more than just what happens in the classroom. That's perhaps never been more clear than now with the effects of covid-19 causing long lasting and harsher consequences on Austin's black and brown communities. Access to unemployment benefits. During the first round of rise fund distribution, our organization was able to help distribute direct financial assistance that serve as critical life line and those that care for them. Support the efforts of organizations see Austin address an enormous hit to our economy. [11:09:30 AM] Allocate additional monies to the rise fund and use for evidence based practices directly in the hands of Austin's most affected families. Both the research and evidence are clear. Direct financial assistance is cost effective and it can even stimulate the local economy from the bottom up. For this reason I think the city should allocate 70 million for direct financial assistance. In this particular moment where communities across the nation are rising up for black lives, it's not enough to condemn publiclyly visible forms of racism. Part of the fabric of our institutions including our budgets. Do the necessary work to reevaluate, reprioritize. Gets at the heart -- [indiscernible] Supporting families mean supporting youth. With not only moral and [11:10:30 AM] equitable but also a mag mattic investment in our present and future that benefits all austinites. Thank you very much. [Buzzer sounding] >> Thank you. The next speaker is Anna defrets. You have three minutes. >> Hi, my name is Anna, I live in district 3, and I'm here in the capacity of one of the cove founders of survivor justice projects. We're a local advocacy group seeking system and community level transformation to address sexual violence in Austin. And we're here in support of item 40 and solidarity with the broad coalition of folks including communities of color united who are demanding that $70 million be allocated to the rise fund. This is relevant to us [11:11:31 AM] because the ways in which people have used direct assistance when the $2 million was allocated to the equity office will absolutely enhance people's safety. I think that the equity office is underutilized and underfunded aspect of our city government that proves to serve a really critical role when they work together with local organizers to award $2 million in direct financial assistance to people in Austin. I trust the equity office to develop an equity based approach to prioritize black and indigenous people of color, people with disabilities. There is no substitute for direct financial assistance. I don't want to throw shade at the organizations currently serving as sort of the middle pass-through for [11:12:32 AM] these funds, but I think we've seen from experience and we've heard from groups like [inaudible] That they are unable to meet the task and so we have to think differently, bolder, and I think we have to now more than ever trust the leadership of black women specifically who are telling us that there is no substitute for direct financial assistance. We've also spent a lot of time historically advocating for reforms within the Austin police department related to sexual assault. And we are now moving in a different direction because we see that that was not time and resources well spent. We thank you for your time. I cede the rest of my time. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is pat budka. You have three minutes. >> Yes, good morning, [11:13:33 AM] councilmembers. Pat here. Forgive me if I have a little trouble talking today as I had two teeth pulled yesterday. It see some of you my know me as the executive director of Austin Texas musicians, but I'm also a [indiscernible] Recipient and my anti-rejection meds caused some pretty severe tooth decay. Fortunately haam was able to cover the cost of this dental work and the anti-rerejection meds that keep me alive. Yet as we sit here today, haam and many other organizations that serve the music community are on the brink of closure after a loss in funding due to the cancellation of south by southwest and covid-19. That is why I am here today along with our non-profit partners to ask for your help. We ask that you keep current allocations of clear monies in place, musicians and industry workers are counting on clear funds to [11:14:35 AM] have jobs again, the live music economy that drives tourism and quality of life considerations for businesses who choose to relocate to Austin have no chance of a recovery unless clear funds become available. We also ask through anchor funding you support music, non-profit service providers who continue to provide essential services to musicians at no cost, even as they themselves no longer have operational funding in place. And although those non-profits are at risk of closing their doors, the underserved communities, including communities of color that will rely on the non-profit services for basic health care, legal, professional, development, advocacy and education, those are its communities that will suffer most. So by name I want to name those non-profits that include Austin music foundation, Austin Texas [11:15:37 AM] musicians, the health alliance for Austin musicians, home, mosaic sound, Texas accountants and lawyers for the arts. I want to thank each of you the past months for providing to our community. Obviously you each understand the value that we bring to our city and day-to-day situation that we now face. I know it's a heavy burden to bear, but please know that Austin Texas musicians and our partners are here to support your efforts on the long road to recovery. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is reni Collins. You have three minutes. >> Hi. This is reni. >> Yes, go ahead. >> My name is reni Collins and -- can you remember? [11:16:39 AM] Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can hear you. >> Okay, thank you. My name is reni Collins and I'm the director of the health alliance for Austin musicians. I'm speaking on behalf of item 40 specifically anchor funds for haam. I sent a letter to council clarifying two things. One is that haam be considered for anchor funds or other public health funds to ensure that Austin musicians have access to affordable health care services outlined in the letter or specific points showing why haam would be eligible for these funds as a non-profit bringing health care services to Austin's low income musicians. While haam uses the word members to describe our musicians, they are not members in the traditional sense. This word is used around dignity. They are clients. Our musicians are clients just as they are clients of other social service agencies. We also ask that council [11:17:41 AM] direct city staff to work directly with haam staff to help find solutions that will help us to continue to fund our essential services for Austin's musicians. You heard recently -- you just heard pat talk about some of his experiences, but I wanted to paint a picture for you that might be a little more personal too. Like every organization, covid has hurt haam, but for us it is especially dire because our health care services are more important in this pandemic and at this time the music industry is facing the most devastating impact they have ever faced, making it impossible for musicians to work. I also want to paint a picture of hope for you and inspire you about haam's value. I think you already know that. But I wanted to let you understand the pressure that I feel because haam is at risk due to covid related challenges of almost a million dollars in lost funding. What this means is that starting in September and [11:18:41 AM] October haam will be faced with some challenging choices of cutting services and/or reducing the number of members we are able to serve by a large margin, perhaps as many as a thousand musicians. I wanted my words today to have urgency because we are facing challenges and I am looking for council and city staff to help us because we want to ensure that this cultural safety net that haam is does not leave Austin. We don't want to lose it. If we don't receive I thinker funds or other public health funds, I think musicians will be losing life saving services. Because of haam over 2600 musicians have access to a wide variety of health services and you've heard me say this before, we have primary, medical care, hospitalizations, emergency services, specialty services, dental, hearing, vision. What does that list [11:19:42 AM] of long services really mean? It means if you have cancer you have the resources to get treatment rather than set up a go fund me to get people to pay because no treatment center will take you if you don't pay in advance. [Buzzer sounds] It means if you don't have the money for a prescription that costs thousands of dollars a year you can get the medicine you need. It means that if you are having chest pains and are not sure whether or not you can afford to go to the hospital in case it's really not serious that you do go and that your life is saved. It means if you have a baby that needs neonatal care that you can be in a hospital that will provide for that. It means if you have a car accident and need a year of rehab services to be able to play music again that you can get those services. And finally, it means that if you are an Austin musician and you go downtown to peacefully protest and better understand what's going on and you get hit in the face with rubber bullets or bean bags and break your [11:20:43 AM] jaw, you can call haam and we will help you find emergency dental services. Beyond the moral [indiscernible] And keeping austin-austin, there's the practicality of just how much losing haam services will cost the Austin taxpayers and the city and health services if those musicians are not insured. Not to mention what happens to Austin as a city over time if these musicians move away and do not return. That cost will be astronomical to Austin. >> Thank you. Your three minutes are up. Please wrap up your comment? >> Thank you. >> Alter: May I just comment on this? This is councilmember alter. Mayor pro tem? >> Garza: Sorry. Yes, go ahead. >> Alter: So I can't speak to every one of the organizations that were mentioned in the prior speaker, but I will say that as a person who wrote the requirements for the anchor fund and worked those out, [11:21:43 AM] the particular piece that is being used to disqualify haam I do not believe applies to yes, they have a membership structure, but there are individuals that are members and it is very similar to other social service organizations. It is not the same thing as what we were trying to prohibit, which is to prohibit organizations like the chamber of commerce coming in or movability coming in where their members are corporations that are apart of receiving the benefits of that non-profit. So I'm going to be having my staff work with economic development on that. We'll try to work through some of the other organizations as well, but for that specific one. That being said, as we move into our conversation on item 40, as they're currently conceiving anchor, [11:22:44 AM] the grants would be on the order of $20,000, which is not going to meet the need that is being described here. For the health insurance piece of that. So while I believe we can resolve eligibility for anchor easily, how we fund and what we do with the creative funding or the direct assistance will impact whether we can address the concerns that have been raised. >> Thank you so much for that clarification. >> Tovo: Mayor pro tem Garza? >> Garza: Councilmember tovo. >> Tovo: Thank you, and thank you, councilmember alter. I know you and I had an opportunity to talk about this yesterday. I appreciate your willingness to work with EdD on that point. I hope as we talk about the spending framework today that we can clarify with economic development department that particular language. Reni and others raised this issue to my office's attention and we have gotten [11:23:45 AM] clarification from EdD that it is that language that is causing some challenges for some of our non-profit that are doing -- non-profits that are doing different kinds of work. My hope is today we can get to some point of clarity with our staff on that together. >> Garza: Okay. Anybody else want to comment on that? I don't see any -- councilmember harper- madison. >> Harper-madison: I don't have a comment so much as a question. Are any of any colleagues, are you having any trouble with your audio going in and out or are you just me? >> Garza: I think it's just you. And I've noticed you will get the circle-y thing on your screen. >> Harper-madison: I think I'll exit out and come back. >> Tovo: Councilmember harper-madison, so I'm not having that issue today, but I have in the past, and what's helped me is to also have it on my phone so that when I lose audio or the [11:24:46 AM] ability to speak -- >> Harper-madison: Then you can hear, okay. That's a good idea. Thank y'all. >> Garza: Councilmember kitchen, did you have your hand up? No? Okay. You can go to the next speaker. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Ashley Hamilton. You have three minutes. >> Hi, my name is Ashley Hamilton. I am a black single mother from 21 who has been recently displaced due to gentrification in the area. I'm calling to support items 40 and 49 as it has been proven that black and brown people have been disproportionately affected and impacted by covid-19. I ask that we go ahead and support those in need of direct financial assistance to people via direct deposit and ach transfer. I believe that's all I would like to say. Thank you very much. [11:25:52 AM] >> Thank you. The next speaker is Cynthia Vasquez. You have three minutes. >> Hi. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Judge Eckhardt:. -- >> My name is Susie Vasquez and I am a teacher with Gus guess and I am here representing the southside, northside families that live in zip code 78744, 45, 48 and 52 and attend title I schools in your district. Title I schools are campuses where over 90 percent of the student population receive free or reduced lunch. We were further subdivided when covid-19 hit. The digital divide [indiscernible] Has caused mental health stress and concern that affects children and adults in our families. Please send direct cash [11:26:54 AM] assistance to Austin's families. [Indiscernible] Fund the people and invest $70 million to keep supporting Austin families in need. I'd like to share the testimony of one of our families in 78745 who was a recipient of direct cash assistance. I'm a single mother [indiscernible]. When the pandemic first started I instantly began to worry. My job was my security. When they shut my job down I was devastated. I didn't know how I was going to pay rent, my light bill or even get groceries. There was no way possible for me to continue to live in Austin without income or support. Being a quarantine only made me stress even more. I had to ask neighbors for food and other household things. I was at the lowest point in my life. I never realized how much school really helped me and my family. Today I got the phone call stating help was on the way. [11:27:55 AM] I knew god heard my prayers. Because of the cash relief program I was able to answer questions for my son that I was not able to at first. I was able to get him things that he needed to continue his learning. I am so thankful for the program. I'm able to look at my child in the eyes and know that everything is going to be all right. This program gave me hope in a time where it was nearly impossible to find. Not only was I given funds, but I was given support. I did not feel alone anymore. I know there are people out there that care. Please continue to invest in the city rise fund and help families like mine. Thank you for your time and invest in the people, fund your community and put $70 million back into the city's rise fund. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Gabriel Coleman. You have three minutes. [11:28:55 AM] >> Yes. My question is about item 40. I'm curious, I get it we're going to give a lot of this money to families in need. I'm just wondering how much of that should have been allotted to small businesses because if you think about it we have a beautiful engine here in Austin, it's a beautiful, well run machine. And the engine is small business. I get it, we all need our jobs back, we need the place open, but we are putting gas in the tires and it should be in the engine to fund this economy. We all need help, but what we need is to open this up. I've been sitting here an hour and our mayor is absent. It's a beautiful depiction of what's going on here in Austin. Our mayor isn't even online with us right now. And we're going through two crisis right now, a pandemic they call it which that's another topic, but our mayor is gone. And it's -- if he can't answer, then he turns it over to Greg and that's just [11:29:57 AM] about the same thing. Where are we going to [indiscernible] That? But ceremony thing about what I'm seeing is an absentee mayor and we should have had leadership last weekend. He's having discussions against chief Manley and we should be having leadership on how to solve these problems, not absentee mayor, okay? And what really appalls me is that he came out with a mask and he hadn't even been tested. And he wants everyone else to be tested. And he came out here in front of us wearing a mask. And he doesn't even have the test done to him. So he's wanting us locked down. He doesn't want any businesses started up. He wants -- he wants everybody wearing masks. He wants things that he's not even doing himself. Listen, we got to get it opened back up, guys. We have to get it back open. And the small businesses, that's what funds this engine that we call Austin. [11:30:58 AM] It's a beautiful city. Let's don't let it be destroyed. We need to open things up because if you think about it -- here's what gets me here. Y'all don't talk about the surviveability rate of covid, none of y'all. Y'all talk about death, death, death. And that's a lie. There's 99.7% surviveability rate. From the age of zero to 20, .002% of one percent survive. Ages of 20 to 40, .0057% of people survive. 40 to 60, 00.75. Now, the elderly -- I have an elderly mom. I take care of her. I get it. We have to take care of the more vulnerable. But listen this thing going around, it's enough. It needs to stop, guys. Nobody is dying from this because we're having a lot of positive tests and you know and I know that you get positive negatives, you get negative positives. You have to test people three times, but every time someone comes up as [11:31:58 AM] positive, Adler is sitting here saying it's a hospitalization and it's a lie. Don't need to be telling the -- you need to be telling us the truth and get it back open and get it back to work. There -- look, Adler is still not here. I don't know what's going on with him. We need a leader right now. [Buzzer sounds] And I don't know what the heck he's doing. So what we need to do is be thinking about what's most important. That's the engine of this economy. It's the small businesses. Let's get this thing opened up again. Quit being silly. Y'all are being silly. Stop it. Okay? Let's get it opened back up. Let's get back to business. Stop this nonsense about social distancing. You know and I know that doesn't even work. Whoever came up with that number, I don't know what buffoon came one that. That's a lie there. Look at all these riots going on beneath the freeway. You're not talking about social distancing there. You're now saying everyone has the first amendment to [11:32:59 AM] protest. If it's to benefit all the riots, no social distancing there. Adler is oh, got to stay in-house, nobody can be getting together. So which one is it? Okay? Y'all have to make up your mind. You have to -- >> Okay. Thank you, your time is up. >> All of y'all. Okay. Well, you know, I said what I've got to say. I can say more, but hopefully I get to talk to these people again. Okay? >> Tovo: Mayor pro tem? >> Garza: Councilmember pool, go ahead. >> Pool: I wanted to respond back to the caller to just let him know that the mayor is here. He had to step away from the panel, which is why the mayor pro tem is conducting the meeting, but mayor Adler is here. He has been here throughout all of the past events just like all the other 10 of us have been. And actively engaged and involved. He isn't missing. Thanks. [11:34:00 AM] >> Garza: Thank you, councilmember pool. You can go to the next speaker. >> I'm going to make a quick announcement. For all of the callers, if you have not pressed 0, please do so now so that you can be admitted to the call. [Speaking Spanish]. The next caller is seven. You have three minutes. >> Hi there. I live in district 1. I'm here it supporting the demands of a broad coalition, including communities of colors united, grassroots leadership and others to allocate $70 million of the federal covid funds to direct financial assistance to community members in Austin. I've seen firsthand through my work with [indiscernible] [11:35:03 AM] That direct financial assistance has had for community members here in Austin. There's really no replacement for that. And if Austin really wants to commit to being a sanctuary city, we need to do that. I cede the rest of my time. Thank you. >> Thank you. We have a Spanish speaker that we'll be taking up next, so if the interpreter can please log on. Edie is the next caller. [Speaking Spanish]. >> [Speaking Spanish]. [11:36:06 AM] >> I'm here today speaking for my community. >> I'm here to talk about article 40 and 49. [Speaking Spanish]. >> Covid-19 has affected my families and other families in the neighborhood and my husband, has hours have been reduced. [11:37:11 AM] >> Even with the low hours that he goes to work he still risks his life to go to work so we can pay the rent and different utilities that we have. And even though -- my health was affected by covid-19 in that I had issues and the only way I was able to get these tests done and get taken care of was with the funds that the rise community helped me with. I thank very much rise to help in the city of Austin to helping my family at this [11:38:12 AM] time. >> I ask you were gently that you help with 70 million that organizations like rise to help families like my own. A lot of families are still waiting for the help. >> Gracias. [11:39:12 AM] The next speaker is joy Rucker. You have three minutes. >> Good morning, councilmembers. Thank you for the opportunity to speak and thank you for your work and your patience in listening to the many testimonies today. I want to talk about agenda 40, and while I agree and support all the previous speakers of the need for assistance within the community, I also want to talk about harm reduction services that's through this covid epidemic or pandemic that we're experiencing. There's a lot of funding going to homeless services and then there's a [11:40:15 AM] subpopulation of those homeless services, homeless communities that are drug users and they continue to inject drugs no matter what else is going on. And it's a public health issue. The overdoses have increased. The need for harm reduction splices has increased. We can -- reduction supplies has increased. We can barely keep up. The public health department, we applied for some rise money. We did not get funded, and I know that we're not a mainstream service or a large entity, but who we serve is part of a public health issue that is not really being addressed. And we sent in a letter explaining our services and [11:41:19 AM] that we try to get people on medicaid assisted treatment. We make sure that they have clean supplies so that they're not at risk of hepatitis C and HIV. And giving out masks. And none of this -- the supplies that we are now providing were in our budget to give out. Hand sanitizer, mask, food. So we're being asked to stretch out to a population that is a subpopulation that nobody else is really able to engage with. We can engage with them because we have people who have lived experience, that understand how to engage with people, that are not committed to recovery. Traditional recovery programs. But we can engage them and act as a bridge to navigate [11:42:22 AM] mainstream services. So I would really encourage you to -- have the public public health department really look at -- [buzzer sounds] -- As a continuum of care for people in this city that are using substances that are unable, unwilling or cannot access traditional treatment or have not been able to successfully complete structured traditional treatment programs. And we're looking at harm reduction as an alternative service for those folks. Thank you. >> Garza: I wanted to quickly comment that I did receive an email from -- to that last speaker, the Texas harm reduction alliance that [11:43:22 AM] spoke to the high overdoses so I wanted to comment that I believe we have a meeting set up to see how we could help with your efforts. So thank you for calling in. >> The next speaker is Scott Brenner. You have three minutes. >> Hello. This is Scott. I'm speaking on item 50, the [indiscernible] Vacation issue. I'm a resident of the tyndall number 336, 43 years commercial insurance broker. I ensure risks such as Dillard department store's domain location and there are significant concerns regarding fire safety at [11:44:23 AM] this location. Because the city of Austin didn't give notice to the neighbors about the site plan, we didn't know to contact the ndc early in the process. We've since requested plans and a meeting on may 11th, but didn't receive an answer. So we request that you please hold up on approving the project so we can meet and make this a better project. We support affordable housing. We support the Lopez project, but need to have questions answered to make it better. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Marva Overton. You have three minutes. [11:45:24 AM] >> Good morning, mayor, city councilmember, city manager. I am the executive director of the alliance for African-American health in central Texas. And I come before you today to speak to items 40 and 49 related to the covid-19 spending framework. And I ask that within this framework you make available $70 million to the rise fund for direct financial support to families. I know firsthand the impact of being able to provide this type of assistance to families has made. The response was overwhelming and we were not able to assist all of the families who reached out to us. There were various family structures impacted by the loss of income from layoffs and a reduction in hours due to the covid-19 that we were able to assist. Families consisting of adults only, two parents, single parent headed households with minor children and adult children taking care of senior parents. Appreciation for the timeliness in which they were able to receive the assistance was expressed by [11:46:25 AM] the family. There may be some on the council who do not favor providing direct financial assistance in the form of ach deposits or prepaid cards. If there's an underlying assumption that those who receive assistance in this manner either won't spend the funds in the way in which you think is appropriate or that they somehow don't know how to manage their finances, I would assert that this is assuming the worst of people when you could easily just assume the best. Why not have the mindset that families that are struggling know better than anyone else what their immediate needs are and empower them with the financial assistance to meet those needs as they see fit. Needing financial assistance at this time do not know that families do not know how to manage their money. There are folks who make a lot of money and are constantly in debt. Often times people that have less manage our finances better because we have a smaller margin for error. You all know that the [11:47:26 AM] disproportionate impact that covid-19 is having on communities of color. You also know that the income inequality is a major contributor to the conditions that has produced this disparity. I believe that reducing income equality should be at the top of your mind whenever you're considering and making decisions on a wide range of issues for the city. Ask yourself how does this decision impact the most economically vulnerable in our city. I know that you have a lot of tough decisions to make today and in the future as the city and country works itself out of the aftermath of a pandemic that is not yet over. So I ask you today to take this opportunity to prioritize families who have not hit hardest by covid-19 and allocate 70 million to the rise fund to provide direct financial assistance. And I also would ask you to limit, decrease the funding that is going to APD, which [11:48:27 AM] is always the largest segment of our city budget, but there are other ways in which we can produce safety, there are other ways in which we can reduce better health outcomes and there are better ways in which we can increase income equality for all. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next caller is amit [indiscernible]. You have three minutes. >> My name is amit. I am a member of the community and development commission, although I am not speaking on behalf of that commission. I'm speaking as a community member who is unaffiliated and who has worked for 20 years in private non-profit social services here in Austin, Texas. Thanks to all the leadership right now for working in [11:49:28 AM] times where there's no handbook except for the guidance of intuition that is cultivated by an open mind and kind heart. I'm speaking in support of items 40 and 49, provided that the combination of those elements have the amount of assistance for families to reach at least $70 million. That's a 55-million- dollar delta from where it stands right now. To be clear, direct financial assistance includes ach transfers and prepaid credit cards that enables families to apply funds where they know they need the most during times of crisis. I'd like to frame the three important statistics. The first is that about half of our population in Austin can be considered low income as compared to the mfi. Amplified by the pandemic, who knows what that looks like now. Second, even the cares act, which wrangled individual protections from an unprecedentedly racist and classist congress yields 30% [11:50:29 AM] of the total spend to pass through directly to individuals and families, to pass through directly to households. Now, by comparison Austin's allocation of the covid spend of Austin's covid spend of the 270 million total dollars is at five percent. So that's five percent compared to nearly 30% of how the federal government prioritized it. Also, well intended programs that are missing the mark can yield paternalistic and tone deaf results. Some examples are the rent program, which very quickly served many people and very quickly disbursed $1.2 million. However, the reports were raant about folks being missed, who were unbanked, who didn't have lease contracts, who had informal contracts, who have a stigma of dealing with landlords or abusive landlords and any landlord who didn't want to deal with the bureaucracy. How many families were left out of that. Another example is utility [11:51:30 AM] assistance. The first consideration is that electricity and water are not the only utilities so those programs should not only be managed by the utility organization. All low income households have the right to consider mobile and internet among non-negotiable utilities and denying them the choice on how to spend the funds is a patternistic and tone deaf look. And being on hold and waiting for qualification, calling again and waiting for the right window if a document scan didn't go correctly, reverse engineering calculations to see how that affects the finances of the household, couldn't we take the projected bottom line and allocate them to direct assistance for families. [Buzzer sounds] From both my lived experience and working in non-profit services over the last 20 years I've seen these obstacles to achieve support are dehumanizing during times of extreme crisis. Let's be clear this is the poll tax of a stimulus. We can take 16 million from the rental assistance program, 10 million from the [11:52:30 AM] rental assistance program, 10 million and 21.5 for better Edwards that the budgeting exercise taught us that we can take from APD and that would easily provide the amount that we would need to get to $70 million. And there would be a double bottom line. The quick release of families would result in another wave of stimulus that comes in if there's a high probability that the vast majority of those funds are going to be spent immediately in our local economy. Independent of bottom line, the right thing to do. It's our chance after 25 years of systematic movement marked by welfare reform in 1996 to historically inequitable tax codes that have locked families in cycles of poverty. Cuts to our supported safety nets and opportunities from the federal state governments shirking their responsibilities to ensure the well- being of the populous. It's a chance for us to be bold, to demonstrate that we can reimagine the role Ta that a Progressive and forward thinking government can play in the absence of [11:53:32 AM] appropriate resource distribution from other tiers of government. I invoke the paradigm of government that works for all as a philosophical framework to make this direct financial support available to families in a way that honors their ability to make decisions as pertinent to their needs. Thank you all for your time. >> Thank you. The next caller is Jessica Wolfe. >> My name is Jessica Wolfe. I'm testifying in support of item 40 with the inclusion of councilmember Casar's amendment which increases the rise fund by $12 million and puts $150 million into eviction protection. We are in support of item 49, which directs the city manager to use available resources to streamline the rise fund process. Workers defense is a membership based organization with low wage [11:54:33 AM] workers -- an organization of low wage workers and immigrant families. Covid-19 has affected our community in many ways, but particularly financially and in the workplace. Most of our members work in the construction industry, fear exposure to covid-19 and in turn fear exposing their household. We also have members continuing to work in the service industry, but their hours or shifts have been dramatically decreased or lost their jobs entirely and fear how they will feed their families and pay their bills. [Indiscernible]. The latinx community is currently at the highest risk of being hospitalized in our city. We appreciate the steps that city council has taken to address this, finding ways to increase testing, funding and community education. The rise fund has been a lifeline for our members and their families because most of our maintains do not qualify for unemployment or federal support. Juan, one of our member leaders, said the support he received last month from the rise fund allowed his family to purchase groceries, pay a few bills and provide him a sense of security for a few [11:55:35 AM] more weeks. We continue to hear the need for direct financial support from our members and our community. This is their number one priority. Councilmember Casar's amendment will increase rise funding by $12 million and provide our members, their family and the community with what they have been voicing they need. We thank you all for the work you have done and continue to do to provide support for our community during this crisis. It's imperative that our elected officials continue to provide support for the most vulnerable in our community. We ask you to please support item 40 with the inclusion of councilmember Casar's amendment. Thank you so much for your time. >> Thank you. The next caller is Kenya Gillespie. You have three minutes. >> Hi. My name is Kenya Gillespie and I am the resident of district 1. I'm a queer asian-american in support of allocating $70 million of the covid [11:56:35 AM] funds to directly assist the needs of underserved communities and families of color in Austin. Equally as important, Austin must follow the lead of cities such as Los Angeles, whose mayor and city council just announced yesterday that it would cut 100 to $150 million or 5.5 to 8% of the police budget to reinvest in communities of color. I believe we must defund the APD and reallocate those funds to our communities of color by investing in public health, community housing, mentoring programs and education. After the apeninsulaing treatment of protestors over this past weekend and the continued feelings of anger to the city regarding police brutality, we must not support an APD that engenders a culture of violence and racism, as well as alleged sexism and homophobia. Frankly, I'm especially a bared of our APD and the tactics of police against the black community and cannot and will not stay silent for any longer. [11:57:36 AM] Thank you for your time. >> Garza: Quickly, colleagues, I know the mayor said that we would break at noon. We have about 20 more speakers. I'm wondering if those of us who need to make lunch for our co-workers, if they can maybe just listen and we can make it very clear that everybody -- that councilmembers are -- even if their screens are blank, they can listen to you and hear your comments. I'm curious where people are on if we could keep going. >> Pool: Mayor pro tem, it's Leslie over here. I think that's a great idea. Thank you. >> Councilmember kitchen? >> Kitchen: Can you hear me? >> Garza: Yes. >> Kitchen: Yes, I agree with that approach. With the understanding that we would then break. It sounds like about 1:00 [11:58:38 AM] when the 20 speakers have the chance to speak. Is that what you're speaking? >> Garza: I would say we do a quick vote on consent and then break. >> Kitchen: That's fine. That's fine. Thank you. >> Garza: As quick as we can vote on consent. >> Kitchen: Exactly. >> Garza: Councilmember Renteria. >> Renteria: Yes. I can also, you know, listen to it on the Austin city network TV station, so I could listen to it by -- I'm in my house so I can just be watching it and cook dinner. Lunch. Whatever. >> Garza: Okay, let's keep going, with the understanding that we still need to have at least six council members with their video on. Keep in mind if you're about to go off, make sure you're not the sixth going off. So you can go to the next speaker. [11:59:38 AM] >> The next speaker is Michelle mahia. You have three minutes. Michelle mahia? >> I'm here. Sorry. I was on mute. >> Go ahead. >> First of all I would like to introduce myself as an early childhood organization for Austin go with Austin. Thank you for your support and approval of item 8 for the funding of the United Way to work with community partners to distribute community financial assistance to family childcare providers. This funding will help address the caregivers and providers impacted by the covid-19 pandemic. Many of these providers are on the front line of the pandemic risking their own health and safety to take care of children, many who are children of the central employees, such as [12:00:38 PM] healthcare workers and first responders while others had to temporarily close to the loss enrollment and state mandated covid-19 closures. These will provide support to the childcare providers for the cleaning supplies and services and supplementing lost wages and income. In my role, I have talked to childcare providers on a spectrum, those who have remained open and those who have had to close permanently. They have gone from taking care of 10 children to just watching one or two. They have seen dramatic change in their income and are being faced with financial instability. Home based childcare providers are not only worried about the families they see lose their jobs and incomes, but now worried about their own livelihoods, too. 83% of U.S. Families struggle to find affordable, accessible [12:01:41 PM] childcare, home based childcare is the solution for more than 7 million children ages 5 and under, nearly double the number of children in school-based care. Providers of home-based family childcare are often low income women of color, and because of covid-19 they are having to use these caregivers. They are contending with business disruption that threatens their continued operation and personal well-being and economic stability. Many are not eligible for stimulus and C.A.R.E.S. Act funding. Austin families rely on a healthy and stable childcare industry for parents to go back to work without any action to maintain the supply of the home childcare near term and to rebuild the economy may be stalled, and they impact the young children's development in the short and long term. Thank you for approving item 8 today. [12:02:45 PM] >> Thank you. The next speaker is Francis Akuna. You have three minutes. >> Hi. My name is Francis Akuna. I'm a longtime resident from duck springs, and a community organizer with (indiscernible). And I want to thank you for the low-income communities, and I would like to thank you you for the approval of item 8. And I would like for the -- to ask for the approval for item 40, for covid spending framework, and for item 49 for (indiscernible) City manager to review the process for providing direct financial relief based on (indiscernible) Funds. (Indiscernible) Color united, grass roots leadership, and [12:03:48 PM] other organizations to allocate $70 million of federal covid funds to direct financial assistance. As a community organizer, I have the honor of working with residents in my community who are going through extreme hardship, to put food on their table, pay their utilities, rent or mortgage. It's not easy to ask for help. And because I know what it feels like to ask for help to feed my kids, I ask that you do all in your power to allocate funding for all these residents that are struggling right now. And I do have some of my neighbors that don't have bank accounts. So if some of that money could go to debit credit cards, or any other means that they could be [12:04:51 PM] able to have, any financial help. And the list that we have is big. We have many residents that are in great need. And they're waiting for funding. So if we could allocate as much money as you can, please do so. Thank you very much for your support, and for everything that you guys are doing for all the council members, for mayor pro tem Garza and mayor Steve Adler. Thank you. That's all I have. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Rebecca Sanchez. You have three minutes. >> Hello. Yes, I'm here. >> Go ahead. >> Oh, sorry. Good morning, my name is Rebecca Sanchez. [12:05:51 PM] I'm here as a member and supporter of tcu leadership along with gave, and many others. Just to reiterate what many others on the call, plus the thousands of folks who signed the petition who called you, who have e-mailed you, that 70 million go directly to the R.I.S.E. Fund in the form of direct financial assistance to people and families. The community and working with community, we urge everyone to interact with the council, to interact with the power of calling in, by writing testimony, by giving firsthand experiences, by e-mailing, when in reality this entire process is pretty traumatic. Folks elevate their voices making demands for their livelihoods only to be silenced when the actual votes come down. (Indiscernible) Seriously of how to allocate this funding. Our people have been forced out of Austin in droves, are [12:06:53 PM] collecting thousands of dollars in fees for not being able to pay rent, and in dire situations that require direct financial help, not hurdles, barriers and paternalistic remedies. Put 70 million in the R.I.S.E. Fund, period. >> Thank you. The next caller is Claudia Munoz. You have three minutes. >> Hi. Yes, my name is Claudia Munoz. I am the interim co-executive director of grass roots leadership comprised of thousands of supporters, and one that centers on immigrants, like myself, and formerly incarcerated people. I want to agree with everything (indiscernible) Said and will add a few things. I live in Austin with my family for 20 years. [12:07:53 PM] We migrated from Mexico looking for a better life and have seen Austin fail black and brown people over and over again as far as allocating resources. About a month ago, many of us asked you to have at least $7 million for this expense. (Indiscernible) Only 2 million went to the cash assistance. We have hundreds of members who can't pay rent, buy groceries or any other thing, but you know these things and you've known these things and you continue to make all the wrong calls and leave us to scrape and struggle to take care of our own communities. You know the right thing to do here is allocate more money. We're asking for 70 million for assistance. You know that's the right thing to do. It's not okay to make the communities and organizations ask (indiscernible) For resources. When there's plenty of money to care for everyone in the city, the thing is that money is going [12:08:54 PM] in the wrong places, so please do the right thing with this bhoen. The framework that the city manager put forward is inadequate. Which brings me to my next point. This past weekend I, along with other colleagues and friends were tear gassed as we were protesting in solidarity with black people who have had enough of the violence. To which all of you have co-signed for many years. You continue to fund the wrong things. I don't know how many people know that our city manager actually came from (indiscernible) In 2014 to 2018. There was an article last week about the culture that enabled the type of systemic abuse and violence perpetuated against George Floyd and (indiscernible) Is part of that culture. His spending framework is inadequate, including cash [12:09:55 PM] assistance, you know. Anything else other than that is quite unacceptable. And it's the least that you can do. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Carrie chess? You have three minutes. >> Hi. Yes, my name is Carrie chess, and I'm a resident in district 1. And I'm a first time homeowner at the tyndall. I'm asking for you guys to delay the vote on the right-of-way for the alley vacation. We have safety concerns about -- fire safety concerns for both buildings as well as access concerns. About putting a senior living facility at the end of a dead-end street with only one point of access in and out. [12:10:56 PM] But with regards to the agenda today, we ask that you delay it so that we have time to weigh in on this issue, and to hopefully meet with the developer. Because although I moved in in August, the first time I ever heard of this issue, and most of my neighbors ever heard of this issue was March. Because we were never properly notified about the site plan, and we were not properly notified about the alley vacation. So none of us found out about this until March, after it had already been voted on by the planning commission and the city council. And we still have not had access to updated plans from the developer, and we have not been able to meet with the developer. And any other neighborhood would have the opportunity to weigh in on plans before things got to this point. So we're just asking that we have a chance to go over the [12:11:58 PM] plans of the developer and to have our input heard, because there are some safety requirements that would affect the tyndall and the apartments across the street and potentially the residents of the Lopez tower. We know that the -- only what's on the agenda today is the vacation of the alley, and that it should be viewed as separate from the site plans or the building plans, but in our view, or at least in my view, they should not be viewed as separate issues, because we should take into account what's actually going to be built on the property. And just because the property is there, and that we all want affordable housing, it doesn't mean that this project itself is a good idea, or at least the plans that as far as we know how the building will be developed. So we fully support affordable housing, and perhaps this project can move forward, but in a different format. Most of all, we would like a [12:12:59 PM] chance to weigh in, and to have our views heard and taken into account. Thank you so much for your consideration and time. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Nora Hansel. You have three minutes. >> Hi. My name is Nora. I live in district 1. I am born and raised in Austin. And yeah, I just want to urge y'all to really listen to what a lot of people are saying here. I am in support of the coalition of organizations that are urging you to allocate 70 million, at least, to the R.I.S.E. Fund, making it available in direct cash assistance and ach transfers. So, yeah, in support of number [12:14:00 PM] 40. And number 49, I think it's really clear that both the financial burden of this pandemic and the health ones of who are at risk are largely black people and indigenous people. And y'all need to be listening to what they need right now. You're in a position of power to make it happen. And it is urgent. There is no reason APD needs almost 40% of the city's budget. When those resources could be used for things like affordable housing. I've been seeing how many people have been getting pushed out of the city over the last however many years before the pandemic. Please allocate resources to services that people need, mental health, housing, public health (indiscernible) Reduction. I concede the rest of my time. Thank you. >> Thank you. [12:15:01 PM] The next speaker is Justin dew. You have three minutes. >> Hello. Can everyone hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay. Great. So good afternoon, council members and mayor Adler. First I want to thank you all for taking the time out of your schedules to hear all of our concerns. Today I will be speaking in opposition to item number 50, which is an alley vacation between east 8th and 9th street. Before I begin, I would like to ask miss prince and miss alley, sorry if I butchered those names, for actually coming out to the site and seeing our concerns as well. And so the reason I'm protesting this alley vacation is because it would pave the way to the senior Lopez project. And as Carrie, a few callers [12:16:01 PM] ago, she mention the project hasn't really considered some areas of concern that citizens have had. So I guess the main one would be fire safety, because the Lopez project is geared towards senior citizens who have limited mobility. In addition to there's only one exit at a dead-end street. It's very dangerous for the citizens, and plus -- very dangerous to the citizens if they can't escape in time. It's essentially a wooden frame high-rise. It's definitely going to be prone to fire. And it's only a few feet away from both the tyndall and the historic Lopez house. So you're creating fire hazards to the tyndall piece of history. I would also like to kind of echo what all of my other tyndall residents have been saying about the developer and transparency. Tyndall residents were not [12:17:02 PM] really notified about this project until this year, and unfortunately we had coronavirus, so that puts us at an even greater disadvantage of actually gaining the necessary information, in seeing project plans, seeing how that would affect our safety. And so with all that said, I really want to urge city council and mayor to reconsider the alley vacation until after we address all of these concerns. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Chavez Watson. You have three minutes. Chavez Watson? >> Can you all hear me? I'm sorry. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Okay. I'm Chavez Watson representing [12:18:02 PM] district 1 and other affected districts 4, 10 and 3. I lived in Austin for 21 years and I'm speaking in favor of items 40 and 49 today. I've been a professional in the domain area, and a student here in Austin. So I vividly understand the difficulty of an Austin family trying to sustain like many have said property taxes in the last decade. Families in Austin are suffering unemployment, food insecurity and health inequities daily. Can you all hear me? >> Yes, we can. >> Okay. I think families in Austin who are suffering inequities daily all the time. Eviction protection, (indiscernible) And 78744 want to know direct assistance has benefited their household. [12:19:03 PM] (Indiscernible) Included safety, health and environment. There should be no alternative to those two outcomes and there is no substitution for direct assistance during this pandemic. If the council remains loyal to the vision we accept together. I stand with the equity office, tcu, gave and others that have practical solutions by distributing $2 million to covid affected families in less time than it took deric chauvin charged with George Floyd's murder. I strongly share with you all that after we were tear gassed on Sunday, all funds should be diverted from the APD pipeline and $7 million applied to the R.I.S.E. Fund. We're being asked to accept the (indiscernible) Intentional behavior that killed George Floyd. Families were struggling before George was murdered and continue to suffer from income inequality during the stay-at-home orders. [12:20:07 PM] 41% of the general fund is outstanding. 6.03, which I know some of you have a law background, like Delia, you all should know covers culpable mental state. I believe that denying to act now, providing assistance, is both intentional and (indiscernible). I'm asking that you all vote unanimously to approve items 40 and 49. I've got more residents that want to share. We could add 100 more and you wouldn't see a shift in our focus. Spencer, we need you and the council to get direct assistance to families now with the R.I.S.E. Fund with the existing (indiscernible) That you have in the equity office. I don't see any other viable option. If you continue to deny the direct assistance that's needed, rather than stakeholders that Greg represents, in d-4, that Natasha represents in d-1, that dahlia represents in 2rkz-3, and [12:21:09 PM] that we hope Pio represents in 2, will continue to suffer. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next caller is David king. You have three minutes. >> I'm sorry, how many minutes do I have? >> Three minutes. >> Three minutes. Okay, thank you. I speak on 40 and 49 regarding the R.I.S.E. Framework and funding. My name is David king. I live in district 5 and I'm white. I urge you to support calls from gava, go austin/vamos Austin, grass roots leadership and Austin justice coalition to allocate at least $70 million to the R.I.S.E. Fund for direct financial support through direct transfers to low and very low income families of color. Please use the emergency reserves and fund APD's budget [12:22:11 PM] to make more funding available to our most vulnerable families and communities of color. Please use APD's budget to hold APD accountable for systemic racism, brutality and violence against communities of color. And for perspective, $70 million will provide one-time grants of just $5,000 to just 6% of low- income households in Austin. It's really a drop in the bucket. $5,000 will help one family pay just one or two months' rents. It's just 6% of the city's $4.2 million annual budget. We have a moral obligation to do more. Please provide $70 million in funding to the R.I.S.E. Fund now. Please use your power in the city budget to dismantle systemic inequities in racism in Austin. Direct 5% of the city's annual budget to direct funding to low [12:23:11 PM] and very low-income families in Austin. That would provide $252 million annually to fund programs that provide direct grants to those families. And for perspective, that's just $1,082 annually to each of these low-income households. Thank you for considering my comments. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Jenny Williams. You have three minutes. >> Yes, I'm here. >> Go ahead. Thank you. >> Hello? >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Thank you. My name is Jenny Williams. Before my comments I just want to say a big thank you to the city clerk today. She helps me a lot get on the line because we had technical difficulties. So thank you to shanette Goodall and her staff for all of the help you've been giving to all of us who want to speak to the city council. [12:24:11 PM] Good morning, mayor and council. Oh, it's afternoon now. My name is Jenny Williams and I'm speaking on behalf of more than 14,000 members. Thank you all for your continued leadership during these dual crises that we are all experiencing right now. Today I'm speaking in favor of item 40 and I'm asking council to immediately allocate $40 million to rental assistance. And that that assistance is made available for both landlords and tenants. To echo what you heard from Emily earlier today, we ask that you keep 1 to $2 million in the economic development department for small landlord assistance. And after a certain date, any unused funds could be shifted over to overall rental assistance. Just yesterday, in the news, a real estate trade public pags featured an article about how [12:25:12 PM] many small landlords, specifically those without a large operation, or any staff, were not eligible to apply for the payroll protection program. (Indiscernible) Federal data from 2015 showed that about 47% of rentals across the country were run by mom and pop landlords. The exact kind of property owners who were least equipped to take advantage of that program. The portion of small landlords here in central Texas is similar to that across the country. Because of the loophole in this program, many of these community members are stuck between a rock and a hard place if they have had an unresponsive or uncooperative tenant. We know many in our community rely on this type of income, that they receive, to feed their families, pay important bills and maintain the property where their tenants reside. It will go a long way to helping [12:26:14 PM] property owners in this situation bridge the gap, and continue to work to open the lines of communication with their tenants. That's what we want most of all. Tenants and landlords to be in communication. Allocating additional funding to rental assistance and making it available for both renters and landlords will help our entire community. Thank you so much for your time, and your public service during these crises. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Mary Chisom. You have three minutes. >> Yes, my naer is Mary Chisom, and I live in district 4, and I'm just speaking in support of 40 and 49 like everybody else. I believe that the city should transfer $70 million to the [12:27:15 PM] covid funding, to support those in need directly. And I cede my time to those directly impacted and other grass roots leadership and other community organizations. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Rachel stone. You have three minutes. >> Hello? >> Rachel stone? >> Oh, yes. I'm here. Can you hear me? >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Hi. My name is Rachel stone. I'm the assistant director of Guadalupe neighborhood development corporation. Thank you for hearing us today. I did want to echo my support for item 40 for the 70 million for the R.I.S.E. Fund. [12:28:16 PM] And I wish I had more time to speak on that, but I wanted to clarify some and speak in favor of the alley for our project for item number 50. We have a really exciting senior housing project that we are planning on property that we have owned since 2015. It currently houses the historic Lopez house which is a single-family home housing one family for affordable housing. We're going to add senior housing to the site. We have been working on the site plan on that for a long time. That plan was submitted in October of 2018. And [lapse in audio] Misinformation that the tyndall owners were not noticed, but notice went out to interested parties who were registered owners in February of 2019. I understand that not everyone was living at the tyndall at that time, but that process was not -- nothing was wrong with [12:29:16 PM] the site plan process. Our project has -- as you know, affordable housing has many hoops to jump through. We have done a lot to (indiscernible) The Lopez house. We have a partnership with family elder care that we're working on to provide great things for the seniors that will be living there. And all we're asking today is to vacate the 10 by -- the 500 square feet of alley behind our building, the tyndall also had that piece of alley vacated to them so they could make their project viable, we need this alley piece so we can -- 10 feet make a big difference in affordable housing. Postponing this vote today would be very detrimental to our project. As I've mentioned, affordable housing has many hoops to jump through. We have funding we are working on. [12:30:17 PM] We have many different layered financing that has various timelines that we are following. And this alley vacation has been held up due to the mistake of not -- that the real estate office had with noticing. We thought this was taken care of a couple of months ago, and we're starting to get into a challenging space with our timeline. So I just encourage you to move forward with this project. We appreciate the support from the city. We're excited to provide housing to seniors who are otherwise being displaced from east Austin. We have 800 people on our waiting list and 180 of them are seniors that we will be giving priority to who are from the zip codes in east Austin who are otherwise losing their housing and we think it will be a really great project. It's close to the hospital and it's close to public transit and we're very excited about it. >> Thank you. The next caller is Anna [12:31:19 PM] clements. You have three minutes. >> Hi, my name is Anna clements. I'm calling in support of item 40. (Indiscernible). Over the last several months I've been working with over 50 black and brown families in Austin who lost their jobs due to covid, trying to problem-solve how they're going to be able to pay their rent, and basic essentials. The R.I.S.E. Fund has been incredible for those families who have been able to access it but it has not been enough, by the time these families have been able to access it. It's being used to pay late payments toward rent and utility bills. Families should not have to decide whether to buy food or pay rent. Please invest more in the families and less money into the police force right now. We need it to show as a city, that the city is supporting our black and brown families and supporting -- responding to [12:32:19 PM] their requests for greater equality among families in Austin. These R.I.S.E. Funds for those who have been able to access them are incredibly helpful, and we need more. Please invest that in supporting families. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Adam hammock, and you have three minutes. >> Good afternoon. Can everyone hear me? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Good afternoon, my name is Adam hammock, I'm a member of district 5. I support item 40. I'm speaking to urge you to commit at least $70 million to direct financial assistance to Austin's most vulnerable families. Moreover, I urge of the city not to increase APD funding. [12:33:22 PM] The APD does not deserve the money it has already which is obviously an issue considering most recent. I also urge you not to use service organizations as barriers in getting the 70 million to our residents. The city doesn't (indiscernible) Slow the distribution of funds. Again, thank you for your time, and please support item 40. That's all I have. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Alisia torres. You have three minutes. Alisia torres? >> Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can hear you. Go ahead. >> Yes, can you hear me? >> Yes. >> My name is Alisia torres. I am a member of (indiscernible) Austin. I apologize for the noise. I am currently waiting for road [12:34:25 PM] assistance. I present the urgency of why I'm staying online. As an undocumented person, I definitely know that communities are disproportionally affected by the pandemic here in Austin, and I also know what is needed right now is direct financial assistance. Via direct deposit, via prepaid cards, the type of assistance that we as a city have as an initiative. $2 million was given to the equity office and distributed to organizations that work with directly impacted people. I know city council received a video which I am not sure if everybody has had an opportunity to view. It's full of testimony from those communities, the black community, the immigrant community, community disproportionately impacted in the city of Austin, and what is [12:35:29 PM] needed, right? I know that right now, yes, as city council, as mayor, you have many difficult situations -- I'm sorry, that many difficult decisions to make. This is a moment where you demonstrate the backbone that you will have to make the right decision. We know you know what the right decision is. And that is to invest in the community. A simple way to do that is by investing minimum $70 million into the recovery of Austin's most impacted communities. $70 million might seem like ooh high number, but it's an achievable number. Let people from the community know how to work numbers come in and inform you. I'm fully aware that Austin's health department, and Dr. Escott (indiscernible) To control this pandemic, the way to get the community back on a [12:36:32 PM] healthy track, and the economy, is by addressing and investing in these issues. You have an opportunity right now to do that. And once again, do not let the black community, the immigrant community down by choosing the safe choices and saying we couldn't do it. You can do it. It's a matter of, will you have strong backbones to say we made the difficult decision because our city has its priorities straight. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Alana colon. You have three minutes. >> Hi, my name is Alana colon, and I'm speaking in support of item 40. I live in district 9, and I'm part of communities united, and a community health worker and a student midwife. In the current proposal there's [12:37:34 PM] no money dedicated to the R.I.S.E. Fund. Our community is asking a minimum of $70 million be allocated to direct financial assistance through this fund. Through black and people of color led the groups of organizations, it reached about 1,000 families with $2 million. I can assure you every one of those families could share the names of many other families that need the same kind of support. In my work with tcu, I work with people in the community every week who can't pay for their basic needs, people living in broken-down cars, pregnant with little kids who need money for food, people with health concerns who cannot work or even go to the grocery store, people who are already on the edge financially, people who are covid positive and in the hospital all alone, people who are stressed over loans, exhausted, working tirelessly just trying to get through hoops and access resources that are completely inaccessible. We know that communities of [12:38:36 PM] color disproportionately are affected by covid-19. The answer right now is fast and direct cash assistance. We do not need more funds directed to the Austin police department, as the Austin police department provides no health or safety benefit to the community. We need to invest in equity. We need to invest in our community. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next speaker is Monica Guzman. You have three minutes. >> Thank you. Good afternoon. I'm Monica Guzman, policy director for gave, speaking on item 7, 40 and 49. Item 7, I urge the city manager and council to terminate the grant, bring up city funds for allocation to the R.I.S.E. Fund, and ach transfer directly to residents. Items 40 and 49, many have [12:39:38 PM] repeatedly stated in previous council meetings, e-mails, phone calls and a petition, you must prioritize equitable funding for direct financial support. Ach transfers, direct deposit, prepaid cards, for Austin's most vulnerable families. Covid-19 cases continue to rise, disproportionately impacting immigrants and people of color in Austin's east crescent. 7.5 million of the original R.I.S.E. Fund was not allocated to direct financial support as originally approved. The city of Austin can make an impact addressing the local economy by approving an equitable covid-19 spending framework using the bold, evidence-based practice of placing direct financial support in the hands of Austin's most affected families. No one knows the residents' priorities better than the [12:40:39 PM] residents themselves. Just as the council meeting began, an e-mail was sent to you with resident testimonials, I ask that you play them during the meeting so their voices are heard as well. In closing, I ask you to look at the passage title, we are not in the same boat. I sent that to y'all by e-mail. I urge you mayor and council to invest in Austin's eastern Chris ent. Thank you. >> Thank you. That concludes all the speakers, mayor. >> Mayor Adler: All right. Thank you. Thank you, mayor pro tem. That gets us to the end of discussion on the consent agenda. Other consent agenda, we have three items that are pulled. Item number 7 is pulled, because we're going to consider that after 3:00. We also have item number 40 is [12:41:39 PM] pulled, we're going to discuss that after lunch. And then we also have 48 pulled. Is there any reason to pull that? Or are we okay with adding the amendment that was posted? >> Has Greg's language been distributed? Because I am comfortable with it. >> Mayor Adler: Does anybody have any objection to that language? Hearing none, that language is incorporated into 48. And 48 stays on the consent agenda. The only thing pulled is 7 and 40. Any discussion on the consent agenda? Yes, mayor pro tem. >> Garza: Did you say 7 and 40? >> Mayor Adler: I think it's 40, isn't it? >> Garza: I thought I heard 4. I just wanted to make sure it said 40. Real quick. We had this discussion on council member pool's 47. I'm sorry, I guess I would just add the direction -- I meant to ask the speaker that spoke, if I could just add the direction that we make sure we do all that [12:42:40 PM] we can to solve any conflict with the restaurants and with their tab license, if it somehow prohibits them from using their (indiscernible) Help them out as much as possible. That's my only direction. >> I concur in that direction. It's Leslie. Thanks. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Councilmember Flannigan? >> Flannigan: As we get into item 40, I'll bring it up again, but this is a good example, but probably not the only one of ways we can provide regulatory support to our local and small businesses as we shift around the dollars when we get to the item 40. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. I would point out that this morning on changes and corrections, I had listed a change that shows up on our page, item number 19. That's not for item number 19 this week, it's for item number 19 next week. So that doesn't relate to [12:43:41 PM] anything on our agenda today. With respect to item number 4, which is the (indiscernible) Project, real excited to see that project going forward. And want to know what I can do to be helping mexa carte with its -- meeting its fund-raising commitment to make this project move forward. It's important. And hopefully public works will be able to proceed with the project that was proposed to the voters. And that everything will fall into line. Any further discussion on the consent agenda? Councilmember harper- madison. >> Harper-madison: You'll have to forgive me, I'm having technical difficulties today. My hope is you can hear me. You're all frozen so I can't tell. >> Mayor Adler: We can hear you. >> Harper-madison: I wanted to [12:44:42 PM] briefly, item number 50, there was a speaker earlier who accredited another office's staff for coming out and hearing their concerns. While I can appreciate that all of our staffs are working double, triple time, I just wanted to take the opportunity to say that was not in fact who that person accredited with that, it was Lauren from my office. And Louisa from councilmember pool's office. That went out and took the opportunity to address their concerns. So just wanted to make sure that we were clear. I know everybody's working hard, but got to give credit where credit is due. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Councilmember tovo? I can't understand you. You have the Mickey mouse high-pitched voice. We can't understand you. [12:45:54 PM] While councilmember tovo is getting on the -- speak up as soon as you can. Does anyone else have any comments? Yes, mayor pro tem? >> Garza: I'm sorry, I wanted to briefly speak on 49, I believe it's still on consent. That is just streamlining R.I.S.E. Money, at a time that we authored this amendment, I want to thank all my co-sponsors who were part of the very first. I think we set an example, frankly, for the entire country. Our office heard from council offices from Seattle, to Houston, to Minneapolis, asking about how we set up that fund. And I want to thank the co-sponsors, my staff, public health, all the social services that -- the contracts that got the money out as quickly as possible. When we first saw the spending framework, I know that was more [12:46:55 PM] to 40, I was disappointed to see there hadn't been an increase in R.I.S.E. I know we'll have that conversation on 40, but it looks like we'll be increasing it. I believe that it is best to get it into the hands of the people who really are (indiscernible) Right now. I respectfully disagree with the speaker who said that that wasn't the best way. And I think we've heard overwhelmingly from the community that there's so much need, and that's a really quick way we can help our low-income and our minority communities. So thanks for all the co-sponsors, and I look forward to the conversation in item 40. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Thank you. Kathy, are you on yet? >> Tovo: How is this? >> Mayor Adler: Good. Gotcha. >> Tovo: Super. Thank you. My co-workers have implemented a series of pranks. I don't think the Mickey mouse voice is one of them. I'm not sure why that's happening. I just wanted to speak to -- by [12:47:57 PM] co-workers, I don't mean y'all, I mean the ones I'm residing with in my house. I wanted to just very briefly speak to 45, the ratification with the Austin Ed foundation and food access. I just wanted to let all of you know that we received a report, an update this morning that aid in the period between may 19th and may 29th has been able to serve 60,000 -- nearly 60,000 meals. Can you still hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Tovo: Okay. And those were served by a variety of restaurants. So again, it was -- it enabled them to reemploy some additional staff. So I think that's really -- that really speaks tremendously to the value of putting resources into food assistance, and especially leveraging the work that our school districts and our city already are doing to provide student meals. I'm told that the meals with [12:49:03 PM] govalle haven't yet started, but since the time that this was put into place, after our council action, they were able to serve 60,000 meals. So thanks again to all of our staff who worked so hard on that, and the Austin Ed foundation and aid. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Any other comments on the consent? Let's take a vote on the consent. Everybody in favor of the consent agenda, raise your hand. Those opposed? It's unanimous on the dais with council member -- yep, we're all here. Do you have something? >> Did somebody make a motion? I wanted to make sure we're ... >> Mayor Adler: Okay, you're right. Yeah. Mayor pro tem makes a motion. Is there a second to that? Councilmember pool seconds. Those in favor, please raise your hand. Those opposed. It passes. Strictly speaking under rules, you are allowed to pass [12:50:03 PM] something just by akly mags. All right, those are all the consent agenda items. We're going to come back from lunch, at that point we will handle item number 40. After number 40, we will go at 2:00 to hear the speakers signed up on zoning. I'm not sure if we have any -- I think we have one item that I think is contested, with speakers signed up on, everything else is being postponed is my understanding. So that could go fairly quickly. And then we can't start before 3:00, to hear item number 7, and the speakers signed up for the other item. I don't know how controversial item number 7 itself is. People will take a look at that, it would be good to be able to pass that, if we're going to pass that sometime today, so we've taken the deliberative [12:51:03 PM] action today as opposed to holding that action until tomorrow. So people should take a look at 7 and see if that's in any way contested. Everybody who signed up for 7, or signed up for 40 -- signed up for 7, or for the special call item will be called to speak. Yes, councilmember Renteria? >> Renteria: Mayor, you know, there was a comment made earlier during citizens communication that, you know, there was only like a little bit over 3% of the people who were dying from this virus and we should open up this community, and the whole country. I just wanted to say, those 3% represents 330,000 people. And if that person is satisfied to see that many people that has this virus, then I really feel sorry for him. It's sad. [12:52:09 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember kitchen? >> Kitchen: I just have a question for this afternoon, and I apologize, I'm just not clear on the order in which we're doing things this afternoon. >> Mayor Adler: Yes? >> Kitchen: Can you help me understand when we would receive information? I assume we're getting a presentation from our staff? Is that -- I'm sorry, what? >> Mayor Adler: On the policing issue? >> Kitchen: Yes. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. The way I was going to do that is we were going to give everybody on the council a couple of minutes to be able to speak. We would just go through that one time. And then we would give the police chief a chance to just open, and then we would have the community conversation. But the formal presentation from the police will happen tomorrow morning. >> Kitchen: All right. That was my question. There was quite a bit of information requested. So that's tomorrow morning we should expect that? >> Mayor Adler: Right. Okay? I appreciate you all listening [12:53:10 PM] to the comments. I understand that there was a question asked when I was off the dais. And I appreciate what I understood councilmember pool to say. So thank you for that. I've been listening to as much of this as I can this morning. I would have been here the whole time but (indiscernible). And then with that, then, it is 12:53. What time do you all want to come back from lunch, to engage on item number 40? Do you want to come back at 1:45, or do you want to come back at 2:00? >> 2:00. >> Mayor Adler: We'll take a break then. We will recon vain at 2:00. We will take up item number -- we're coming back at 2:00, we xo take the two speakers that are speaking on the zoning, so that we have that done. And then we'll discuss and move forward, and then we'll go to the planning. That's how we'll do that. [12:54:10 PM] With that said, it is 12:53. And we're now in recess until 2:00. [2:04:52 PM] >> Mayor Adler: I don't see everybody. Alison, are you here? >> Alter: Yeah, I'm here. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Ann, are you here? >> Kitchen: Yes. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Mayor pro tem? Delia, are you here? Don't have Delia. What about Natasha, are you here? We're missing Delia and Natasha. I think those are all the members we have present. It's 2:04. We're going to begin by taking the callers. Hello, mayor pro tem. We're going to begin by taking the callers that have signed up for the 2:00 agenda. I think there are two people? Is that right? [2:05:52 PM] >> We currently have one, but yes. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Go ahead and please call that speaker. >> Okay. The first caller is Jeanine stack. You have three minutes. Thank you. >> Hi. Jeanine stack from gma development company. We are the developer of Arbor park, which is the subject of the zoning case. I'm just here to be available for questions if you have any. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Thank you. Jerry, are you here? [2:06:52 PM] Do you want to call the consent agenda? >> Yes. Mayor. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Okay. I'll go through the consent agenda today. C814-201-8121. Staff can do postponement to July. 29, case c14-2020-0015, this case is ready for consent approval on all three readings. Item 30, case c14- 2019-0108, staff is requesting postponement to July 30th. 31, c14-2020-0025, this case is offered for consent approval, all three readings. C14-2020-0, all three readings. C814, all three readings, [2:07:54 PM] c14-2019-0159. This is a staff requested postponement till July 30th. Before I read into the record item 35, I would like to read into the record item 52, which is a public hearing case but related, to conduct a public hearing for the full purpose annex of approximately 9.4 acres located at 1140 a 5, 409, and 411, north fm 620, authorize negotiation and execution of a written agreement with the owner of the land for the provision of services. Item 35, this c14-2020-0012, I can offer this case for consent approval on all three readings, provided you approve what I just read into the record. 36, npa-2019-0015. Postponed. 37, c14-2020-0002, ready for [2:08:56 PM] consent approval, all three readings. C14-2019-0129, this case has a postponement request by till June 11. Finally, c14-2020-0036, I can offer this case for consent approval, all three readings, that includes the consent agenda and annexation agenda as well. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. All the items -- are up on consent -- >> Right. >> Mayor Adler: And what are the numbers for the consent agenda? >> Mayor, those would be items 29 -- I'm sorry -- 28 through 39, and also including item 52. >> Mayor Adler: 28 through 39, also item 52. All items are on consent. >> Mayor? >> Mayor Adler: Any discussion on consent? [2:09:57 PM] Yes, Ann. >> Just so the record is clear, you need to open and close the public hearing before the vote, please. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. The public hearing was open when we asked for speakers. All speakers who wished to speak were given the ability to do that. So item 52 on our agenda is both take the action and close the public hearing. Further dcussion, if any, on the consent agenda? I need a motion to pass the consent agenda. Is there a motion? Councilmember Flannigan makes the motion. Councilmember Ellis seconds that. Any further discussion? Those in favor of the consent agenda, please raise your hand. Those opposed? Unanimous on the dais. Councilmember harper-madison, are you still not with us? Councilmember harper-madison is off the dais. Okay? [2:10:58 PM] That gets us then to our discussion right now of item number 40. And then we'll come back and pick the other consent items. Anyone want to make a motion on number 40? Councilmember Casar? >> Casar: Mayor, I'll move item 40 with the amendments I posted to the message board after work session. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember Casar moves item 40 with the amendment that he posted. Is there a second to that? Councilmember Renteria seconds it. I'm sorry, councilmember -- mayor pro tem seconds that. Any discussion? Councilmember tovo. >> Tovo: Mayor, I wanted to -- we had a conversation about this on Tuesday, and I wanted to add some general direction that I think is in line with that conversation and open it up for thoughts from my colleagues. [2:12:00 PM] The general direction would acknowledge that the council is, especially with the amendments from councilmember Casar, making some general, I would say, minimum requirements. And that brings me to a question I have for councilmember Casar that I'll get to in a minute. But the language that I would like to support as general direction would go something like, excluding the rental assistance, financial and oer direct support and child care service provider categories, the city manager is directed to reduce or reallocate proposed funding within the covid spending framework categories to meet critical needs and priorities as they emerge, such as anticipated investments relating to food assistance. I'm open to other wording, but my point is really the one that I think we got to in our conversation on Tuesday that in some of these, we'll shift and [2:13:08 PM] need to shift. I have some questions with regard to technical assistance and rental assistance. So I open that up for my colleagues' thoughts, whether that is general direction they can support or whether they have embellishments to make. >> Garza: Could you read it one more time please? >> Tovo: Excluding rental assistance financial direct support and child care services, the city manager is directed to reduce or reallocate proposed funding within the covid spending framework categories to meet critical needs and priorities as they emerge, such as anticipated investments related to food assistance. And maybe instead of reduce or reallocate, we could say adjust, if that's better. What I really want to just signal and if we need to do it in a less formal way, that's fine, I want to signal to the manager that we understand some of these categories are going to need to shift as we get better understanding of the true need [2:14:08 PM] and true capacity to meet it is in different areas. One area I see that immediately relevant in is food assistance. Another area is definitely in small business, and I hope that we can continue to look at some of those categories, including one I'm going to talk about here in a minute, as ways of seeing if we can open up some more opportunity to support the small businesses in our city that are going to continue to keep people employed. >> Kitchen: Mayor, I don't know if you can see us. I've got my hand up. >> Mayor Adler: I can. Do you have that written down somewhere, Kathie? >> Tovo: I do. I think I just made some adjustments to it to the fly, so I have to work on it. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. >> Tovo: I would work on some stats for my colleagues before I have it posted or circulated. >> Mayor Adler: I'm not quick enough to follow it. Mayor pro tem, councilmember [2:15:11 PM] policy, then councilmember kitchen. >> Garza: I think I understand the intent. I just -- I just wanted to make sure because it could mean that [indiscernible] Can't be flexible, all that accept it couldn't be flexible -- and I know you're not intending this, but [indiscernible] Couldn't go up, we're taking the flexibility away from that. I know that's not what you intended but maybe there's a way to -- that's why I think -- I feel like we had all come to the consensus that we all agree that all these are flexible, but maybe it's just that with the exception of individual assistance, cannot go anywhere lower than -- that's one thing that can't go lower, but can be flexible. >> Tovo: I think that's a really good point. And, you know, I would prefer just to provide this as general direction rather than have a specific amendment, but my [2:16:12 PM] concern was, manager, when I asked you that question on Tuesday, you indicated that it might be -- I took away from our conversation that you might need more specific direction. So if we can get to a general understanding that with regard to those particular called-out categories, we don't want to go lower, but that we -- but we would like to be flexible and nimble. We would like you to be flexible and nimble and be ready to respond to some of those additional needs and potentially be creative within the framework you've provided to better meet some of the needs that we -- that are still there. Then I would be comfortable leaving it there. So I guess that was kind of a question for you. >> Yeah, councilmember, I think that direction is very helpful in knowing that the entire dais is really encouraging us to continue to think creatively and make sure that we have that flexibility in place. Having these specific conversations is helpful, but I [2:17:12 PM] don't think it needs to be an amendment. I think the direction is perfectly fine. >> Tovo: Yeah. >> Mayor Adler: If it was lower, how can it be flexible? >> Tovo: It's just those called-out categories, mayor, that would not go lower, rental assistance, child care, and direct assistance. >> Mayor Adler: Got you. >> That was my understanding, too. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember pool, I think, was next. >> Pool: Great. Thanks. Yes, thank you both for the amendments, councilmember Casar, and the added direction from councilmember tovo. That addresses the interests I had in retaining the flexibility that I know the city manager is seeking. So I'm good with the amended item and the direction. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember kitchen. >> Kitchen: I think I need to understand the direction a bit better, and I would suggest some different wording if we're going to do wording. [2:18:14 PM] I see all [indiscernible] As minimals within -- I see all these buckets as minimums, with the -- with understanding the city manager has the ability to adjust, but just like Mr. Van eenoo let us know the other day, he would still bring back to us, if it was to adjust a large amount, one way or another, but I'm concerned about -- I'm not sure what you're mean, councilmember tovo. I don't want any of these buckets to go lower. I support councilmember Casar's reallocation. I think that's important to put more dollars into direct services, but I am not prepared to say that only some of them there's a minimum for and not others. So with the understanding that minimum means, as in a flexible way, so that the city manager can [2:19:15 PM] come back to us and say, look, you know, we're really seeing we need to add a whole lot more to rise, for example, or a whole lot more to something else, and so we're amending this adjustment. I'm fine with the city manager doing that, but I'm concerned, our -- I want our direction to be that this is -- sort of in general, these are the levels that we are expecting, at a minimum, unless, you know, the city manager feels like we need to make adjustments, and if they're large adjustments, he should come back to us. So with that -- if that's what you mean, I'm fine with that. >> Tovo: I mean, if there can't be any adjustments -- I mean, there's not -- this is the money we have, so if nothing in here can get lower, then I don't think that allows for that kind of [2:20:16 PM] flexibility without further conversations with council. And so maybe I think that'she answer, we just have to -- we'll just have to continue to come forward with ifcs that shift money around. >> Kitchen: That's not what I said, Kathie, I'm sorry. I can repeat it but that's not what I said. >> Tovo: Well, I apologize for misunderstanding you. Can you help me understand then why -- >> Kitchen: Sure. >> Tovo: It sounded like you were saying you would not be comfortable if any of these buckets being reduced from the amounts on the spending framework. >> Kitchen: No. I'm sorry. I wasn't clear. What I meant to say is, you know, these are -- let me use some different words and that might help. So what I meant to say is, we are talking target amounts that we want as a minimum. We understand that there may need to be adjustments. And I'm not concerned about, you know, minor adjustments, but if there are major adjustments -- so, for example, if the city manager is understanding that there's a whole line item that we [2:21:19 PM] just are going to have to not do at all because we need to put it more in another bucket, that's something I would like to know about. So I would want the city manager to come back to us. You know, I don't have them in front of me to give an example, but -- but I think it's -- that's what I mean. I'm not saying that you cannot go below on certain items, I'm just saying that I think that that kind of thing needs to come back to us if we're talking about -- if we're talking about going below in a large way. And I think that we had that conversation the other day, and Ed van eenoo described to us what that might mean. So, city manager, let me ask you, does it make sense what I'm saying to you? Do you understand what I'm intending? >> Councilmember coffee, those larger swings in certain areas, and we had to move -- the order of magnitude is a little hard [2:22:19 PM] because each bucket is different. >> Kitchen: Yeah. >> There would certainly be an update to council, and if there was that order of magnitude that would necessitate coming back to council for further direction, I feel like that's what your intention is. >> Kitchen: Yeah. Okay. Well, then we're on the same page. But order of magnitude, I trust your judgment on that. But, you know, the best example I can give you is if -- if there was a decision made that we were going to take all the dollars out of the -- out of small business, for example, that's a big change if we just take it all out, don't expect that to come back to us. We can say that about the anchor or clear fund or the rest of the others. I trust your judgment on what would be a large change. And I'm certainly -- certainly think it's appropriate and I know that adjustments will need to be made. I also know that you'll be coming back back to us and we'll be having further conversations that [2:23:19 PM] you can report. So... >> Mayor Adler: I have a question. One of the groups that we identified that might be slipping through the cracks in this, I just want to make sure that they aren't with this framework as it's laid out, would be those landlords, mostly small mom and pop, that are not otherwise receiving federal funding or mortgage deferral protection, that are renting some of the most important affordable missing middle housing that we have in the city. I want to make sure that within one or more buckets, they're otherwise covered, demonstrating that they're landlords that are landlords of properties that are [2:24:21 PM] low rent, that, for whatever reason, their tenants are choosing not to participate in the rent program. I want to make sure that Rosie or others are trying to figure out how, at least with some small portion of that, it's -- they figure out how to make that available, either in the rent or in the clear funds or somewhere so that we're also meeting that need in the city. Is that covered in some of these otherwise established buckets, for our staff to figure out how to make that also available? >> If Dr. Truelove could chime in, that would be great. >> Good afternoon, Rosie truelove, director of neighborhood community an housing development. We met with the Austin apartment [2:25:22 PM] association and board of realtors earlier this week and discussed the framework of their need. Based on those discussions, we think that funding out of the clear program is the most appropriate way to meet that need, and that's the clear fund that's managed through economic development department. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Further discussion on this issue? Kathie. >> Tovo: I have a couple of specific questions. Councilmember Casar, you distributed a new motion sheet today. Does it preserve the same -- the same reductions and additions as what you handed out on Tuesday? >> Casar: Yes, councilmember. >> Tovo: Okay. Thanks. I appreciate it. I have momentarily misplaced it. I wanted to ask about a couple things. So you've proposed a reduction in 3.5 to the creative sector assistance line, which I need to ask staff about. It was -- no, I think I've resolved that. But we did have a conversation back and forth a little bit on [2:26:22 PM] Tuesday, and then prior to that, about the technical assistance line. And I wondered if you could offer some thoughts on why retaining one million in technical assistance rather than taking -- I know we had a conversation with EdD staff about, you know, that's -- that will help -- that will help marshal support for some of the businesses applying for these programs. But I guess I'm still undecided, just knowing that we've heard about the real tremendous need to keep people employed, most of the people in Austin are employed by small businesses, I really am inclined to ask our staff to use -- to maybe reallocate funding in some of their existing technical assistance pams to provide that level of assistance and take that million and put it elsewhere. I'm not sure where elsewhere is at the moment, whether it would [2:27:24 PM] go back into small business assistance or creative sector assistance. I'd be inclined to kind of leave that open but I do see that as the more important assistance right now if we have to make a choice among those categories. But didn't know if you had thought through that and had a rationale for that addition. >> Casar: Councilmember tovo, if that works for the staff, I'm fine with the million in technical assistance sort of floating between categories. My limited understanding was that some of the technical assistance was important for -- for successfully executing the other categories of funds, and so I didn't know how much I could reduce that before making it difficult to implement the categories. But if all of those things blend together or if there's some reduction in that that still allows those funds to be deployed efficiently and equitably, that's the reason I didn't ask no there because I thought there was potentially foundational to [2:28:24 PM] making the other things work. But I think the solution you proposed also makes sense to me if it makes sense to the staff. >> Tovo: Thanks for that. Sorry. >> Councilmember tovo, I'm synovia with economic development. We would ask that you give us that flexibility to go between the technical and the small business category. >> Mayor Adler: I'm sorry, synovia, you weren't quite loud enough to hear. >> Sorry, mayor Adler. I would ask for that flexibility to be able to pivot between technical assistance and small business so that if we don't use all of the technical assistance, we will put it into the small business category. >> Tovo: Director, how much do you think you could reduce technical assistance by and still manage the existing program? I guess that would be, you know, [2:29:26 PM] one of -- well, that would be my interest, in seeing us allocate less to technical assistance and more to those other categories. So I would -- I guess I would want us to spend a minimum -- the minimal amount possible in technical assistance, since we're, at this point, making -- you know, making hard choices among different categories. >> Yes, councilmember coffee. We've done an analysis, and we're still in the final negotiation stage with our champions, and we believe we can spend half a million dollars and then transfer the other half back to the small business assistant line item. >> Tovo: All right. Thank you. That would be a help. Councilmember Casar, I want to be sure that I'm understanding correctly. I think that your motion removes one million in rental assistance? Did it land -- >> Casar: That is from the commercial -- the brand new [2:30:27 PM] $2 million program for commercial tenants. It creates a $1 million program, I suppose, to a $2 million. >> Tovo: Okay. So that's not from residential. >> Casar: Correct. >> Tovo: And then, let's see, I had a last question. Oh. Oh, I know. I want to ask our EdD staff if they could verify, I imagine you were present in our earlier conversation about haam and Sims and some of the other nonprofit organizations that my office communicated with your office about earlier this week. What would be helpful in terms of direction from council today to ask you to look at the, at ways to look at ways we can support ways for the nonprofit piece, with the point that councilmember alter raised is a very good one, the eligible [2:31:28 PM] amounts are low enough that it's not going to solve some of the really dire economic circumstances, some of our nonprofits are facing, but I would -- I think it was the intent, and councilmember alter and others can verify this, it does seem to help in the intent that we allow for nonprofit organizations like haam to compete within that nonprofit pool of funding. And so what would be helpful, manager, or Dr. Holtlab, from today's conversation, for you to have -- feel you have the flexibility to allow those agencies to compete within that pool? >> If I might, I also have some [indiscernible] -- I have some language written, if that's helpful, too. >> Mayor Adler: What do you have? >> So, what I have is that -- so I believe that based on what we've learned in the limited time we've had since our speakers this morning, that I want to clarify that our intention was to allow [2:32:30 PM] any 501(c)(3) That provides direct services to be eligible to apply for the anchor funds. The mere use of the word member or the word foundation in their name or program description should not automatic disqualify an organization. We wanted to disqualify organizations that were foundations in the traditional sense, as organizations that primarily exist to provide grants to nonprofits, and we wanted to disqualify membership organizations where members pay to join an organization that primarily provides advocacy on behalf of their members. From my review, the the Simms foundation and haam would be eligible to receive anchor funds, under the intention council was trying to convey in the resolution authorizing that many pray. There may be others as well so staff shall feel free to seek clarity. But merely having the word member or foundation in a description of the program should not automatically disqualify a 501(c)(3) That provides direct [2:33:31 PM] support and services. >> Mayor Adler: Do you have any [indiscernible] With the language, synovia? >> Thank you, councilmember alter. I think that will solve it. I was hoping Ron [indiscernible] Was on the line because I believe we just need to remove the word "Members" at the end of line 134. >> I think it's still supposed to be for nonprofits, though. So there may be some other organizations that are in that group that are not haam and are not Sims that may need to be served by other funds. >> Okay. >> Alter: So, you know, we're trying not to have chamber of commerce or [indiscernible] Or organizations with a large advocacy or really representing other organizations that are for-profit entities. In the case of haam, it's individual musicians that are [2:34:32 PM] getting health insurance, and that is qualitatively different. There's a whole host of associations that advocate, say at the capitol, for other organizations that we were -- that are nonprofits that we were trying to exclude but not groups that provide the direct services. >> Thank you, councilmember alter. I believe we understand the direction. We do. >> Alter: And there may be others that are providing important services in our community, but the anchor fund was supposed to be for the nonprofits. >> Correct. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Everybody okay with that direction? Okay. What else? Kathie, was that all you had? >> Tovo: Yeah, for the moment. I think we're still in a quandary about some of the categories just not having sufficient funding, [2:35:33 PM] but I guess we'll just -- we'll work on it post this meeting with the understanding that some of those categories are flexible. I would hope, since the council passed a resolution asking us to explore caregiver meals, for example, that if we are able to make some movement on that, my concern is that it might happen at a period of time where we're not meeting or don't have an opportunity to get it on June 11th for an amendment. So it's -- hopefully, those will fall into the category of less significant budget shifts, though it's a fairly significant portion compared to the allocation in the spending framework. So we'll just have to go from there. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Just to double back real quick, then we'll go to Alison, the question I asked earlier about making sure in one of the buckets we have some relief for those tenants through those landlords, and, Rosie, I think you said you thought it was most appropriately [2:36:34 PM] clear, and it very well may be that, but I understand that councilmember Casar is okay with the general statement that says you can look at clear or the rent bucket so long as they meet qualifications of serving those low-income people. If that's way to figure out how to do that qualification, I still think that's something we can try to figure out. Councilmember alter. >> Alter: I think councilmember harper-madison had her hand up first if she'd like to go first. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember harper-madison. >> Harper-madison: Thank you, I appreciate that, councilmember alter. Thank you for recognizing me, chair. I have a question about I'd like to know whether or not it's possible to have an expedited, competitive bidding process, or to include vendor scoring in our emergency procurement process. [2:37:36 PM] >> Councilmember, I think the intention here is really to get these funds out the door as quickly as possible. We are looking at all ways in which we do that, and creative ways as well. We're working closely with our procurement department in ensuring that we're still abiding by government rules, but are really knowing that in this time of emergency, we have additional flexibility as a result. And so the short answer is, we are doing everything we can to ensure that we can get these funds out the door quickly. And I think you've seen that already through the work that we have been doing. But I appreciate your feedback and we'll continue to take that into consideration as we look for other ways to get this funding out. >> Harper-madison: So in my mind, I think there's some transparency issues. I think if I could offer the direction of purchasing include a scoring process for emergency procurement, I think that would be helpful. [2:38:38 PM] I don't know if there's anybody better than the city manager who could speak to that on the line. >> I don't think we have anyone from that department specifically, but certainly we're going to take that into consideration, councilmember. >> Harper-madison: Thank you. >> Alter: I think you said councilmember alter, but I think you're muted. So I wanted to ask if Ms. Bore Briseno ordr. [Indiscernible] Had anything else they wanted to share with us. The areas that are being reduced all fall kind of under economic development, economic recovery, and, you know, just a significant departure from what staff suggested, and I agree that we need to put more into direct [2:39:38 PM] assistance. But I did want to make sure that we took another opportunity to hear from them if there are additional concerns that we may need to be addressing or allowing for flexibility. >> Councilmember [indiscernible], chief economic officer. I certainly understand and listening closely to a discussion from council, support a direction that council is going in. We do have significant needs [indiscernible] So we will -- we understand the direction and flexibility as we're moving forward and we will certainly keep it in mind. We did build out our recommendations based on the need that we're seeing already with the bridge one program that we have underway, and we know that that continues to grow. We are continuing to make sure that we're collecting the data needed to make the best recommendations we can make, and we will continue to have that discussion moving forward. [2:40:40 PM] >> Alter: Thank you. Do we know if we don't spend that cbg money on the loans, because we don't have enough qualified business, if that can be redirected to help assist in another way? >> We have had conversations about that. The simplest process forward would be to redirect to our existing family business loan program, and there are businesses that are inquiring about that program. So we are aware all the dollars may not be spent and we're looking for ways that we can use them. >> Alter: And does that loan fall within the bucket from the 16.5 million, or because it's loans, is that not included? Does this mean there's additional 5.5 above, or is this -- how are we counting for that business loan? >> It was already budgeted in our operational budget, so it's not additional funds. [2:41:41 PM] >> Alter: Okay. But the -- does the 16.5 million that would remain in the small business assistance bucket, there was 10 million for clear, a million for the technical piece there, but then there's 5.5 million more. What is that going to? >> The 5.5 million more, my understanding was to go to the clear fund. So that's different from the [indiscernible]. I was looking at those, but the sheet that we've showed [indiscernible] That's my understanding. >> Alter: Okay. But the roughly six million that we put into the loan program is not accounted for at this juncture. You know, I think, you know, it's pretty clear this is the direction we're going to go, and I think that there's definitely been demonstrated demand for direct assistance. I do think that, you know, should [2:42:42 PM] we get additional funding from the feds or identify additional funding in the budget process, that we should be very focused on the economic recovery piece. This is not necessarily traditional economic recovery approaches, but I think we need to be thinking about making some of those pivots, should we identify additional funding or should additional funding come down because I think that is the piece of the spending framework where it is weakest. And I think that, you know, as we're thinking about putting together our budget and, you know, we're going to have to not only cut but also think about whether existing programs are meeting our needs, I'd like us to make sure that we're thinking about sort of, you know, some of the issues that were raised on Tuesday in work session where we [2:43:43 PM] were able to make some health investments that have both covid and non-covid applications to help folks who are experiencing hypertension and diabetes, et cetera, in ways that also advance our ability to reduce the fallout from covid, but then also with workforce development or small business support, that gets us to be more resilient. This is a crisis like no other where we have a very large time of this immediate impact, and I think what's appropriate, where we're calling with the money that we have now, but I think we do need to begin, as we go into budget, thinking about other investments, should congress come through with additional funding. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Anyone else want to speak? [2:44:48 PM] One additional issue I wanted to raise, I know that we have talked about moving money into the direct assistance programs. We moved some money out of art and music because those folks could otherwise qualify for the general funding, which I agree to. I just want to make sure that we set that up in a way that makes it so that everybody in the community has that same ability. So if it's a lottery system that happens, I think that that works. If we're giving it to groups to better reach into communities of folks that have the greatest need, then we need to make sure that we have groups that reach into all the different communities of similar greatest need in our community. So either of those, make sure that that happens. Anything else on discussion on [2:45:48 PM] this item number 40? Okay. Those in favor of item number 40, please raise your hand. Those that are opposed? I can't see my screen, but I think it was unanimous. If anybody was not intending -- now I have everybody. It's unanimous on the dais, item number 40 passes. Okay. Let's now go to the remaining items that we have to address. We have, on the non-consent, we have an eminent domain matter to be heard. Is there a motion to approve item number 20, being a non-consent [2:46:51 PM] condemnation item, to the effect the city of Austin -- use of power of eminent domain, require the property set forth described in the agenda for the current meeting, for the public uses described therein. If someone will make that motion. >> Renteria: I'll make that motion, mayor. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you, councilmember Renteria. Is there a second? Councilmember Ellis seconds that motion. Any discussion? Those in favor of that item, please raise your hand. Those opposed? It's unanimous with everyone on the dais. We have then one, two, three, four -- five public hearings, items 21, 22, 23, 24, and 51. I think we have called all speakers at this point, so we have no further speakers on those items. Is there a motion to approve the actions and to close the public hearings on those five items? [2:47:55 PM] Motion? Mayor pro tem makes the motion. Second? Councilmember pool seconds. Any discussion? Hearing none, those actions are approved and those public hearings are closed. I think that gets us just to item number 7, which we said we were not going to call until 3rd. 3:00 so I'm not going to call that until then. I think the only things we have left on our agenda are item number 7 and the special called item. We can't begin until 3:00 so we have a few minutes we'll take in recess at 2:48. When we come back at 3:00, we will reconvene this meeting, take action on 7, and then start hearing speakers on items -- on the special caused item. But we'll begin, before we take speakers, again with getting -- with [2:48:56 PM] giving everybody on council a couple minutes. Please keep it to a couple minutes. Everybody speak just one time, then we'll ask the chief if he wants to kind of open the conversation, give the manager a chance to speak. Then we'll go into speakers, and we will just go through and call all the speakers that we have. The first group, about three minutes each, then down to a minute, and then at the end of the last speaker, we will recess the meeting and convene tomorrow morning at 9:00 for the presentation from the chief and the manager on the issue, and then we'll have our deliberations on no action. With that at 2:48, we're in recess until 3:00. [Recess] [2:56:27 PM] >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> [Music]. [3:00:00 PM] [Music]. [3:03:47 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Okay. The time is 3:04. I am reconvening the city council meeting here on June 4th, 2020. This is a remote meeting. I am also convening concurrently the city council special called meeting set for 3:00 on this same day. We have with quorum. Councilmember harper-madison, are you here? Councilmember Renteria is here. Councilmember Casar is here, the mayor pro tem. Is here. Councilmember kitchen is here. Councilmember Flannigan is here. Councilmember pool is here. Councilmember Ellis is here. Councilmember tovo is here, councilmember alter is here. So we're going to proceed. [3:04:50 PM] >> Casar: Mayor -- >> Mayor Adler: Before we start -- >> Casar: Mayor, before you start, did you say that councilmember harper-madison is or is not here? >> Mayor Adler: I do not see councilmember harper-madison yet. >> Casar: I would ask that we wait two minutes or three -- >> Pool: There she is. >> Harper-madison: I'm here. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Before we begin I note that the memorial in Minneapolis has just begun for George Floyd. And as we begin our meeting here I just wanted to take a moment as we're addressing issues related to race relations and equity to acknowledge that George Floyd is being memorialized today and now in [3:05:50 PM] Minneapolis. In the chaos and emotion of last week and the important work to come, I'd like us all to just stop for a beat and reflect on this man, the being, the father who was lost. We just take a moment of silence in memory of his life and that our work here can be in part of tribute to him. Also to have in our thoughts the families of Mike Ramos and the people who were injured this weekend. Just a moment. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Colleagues, thank you. We have two items in front of us. We have item number 7, which is slated for action. [3:06:51 PM] Does anybody need to discuss item number 7 or can we pass that accepting grant funding and move on? Is there a motion to approve the grant funding in item number 7. Councilmember pool makes the motion. Is there a second? Councilmember Renteria seconds. Discussion? >> Casar: Mayor, question. Aren't there people signed up to speak on the item. Would we have an usual not hearing those before we vote? >> Mayor Adler: I was making an assumption that people were signing up here to speak to the other item but we can hold off. Let's remember to take action on that item before we leave tonight so that we're not taking any action tomorrow. So if you all would help me remember to do that, I would appreciate that. Okay? >> Garza: Mayor, I think it would be important -- my [3:07:51 PM] understanding is it's accepting grant money, so could staff explain what 7 is? >> Mayor Adler: Manager, is there someone here who could explain item number 7? >> Acm Arrellano can sign in as well. This is grant funding and we've had it in the past and we can continue with it. It's just the acceptance of a grant. Acm Arrellano, do you want to add anything? He may not be on. >> Mayor Adler: If we could get a further explanation from that if rey comes back on the line. We're not going to take any action on it now because I think the point is well [3:08:51 PM] taken and there are some people signed up and we can't be sure what they were signed up to speak about. >> Hello? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> This is Karen Fitzgerald with APD. I'm the grants manager. Did you want me to give a summary? >> Mayor Adler: That would be good. >> Okay. So we're requesting a resolution that's going to allow APD to apply for $430,685 in continuation grant funding from a state agency. The motor vehicle crime prevention authority, the focus of the grant is motor vehicle burglary, including theft of parts and motor vehicle theft. It's a continuation proposal so we're basically submitting the exact same budget and narrative that we did in 2019. All funds are will indicated for five positions, three sworn, two civilian. Specifically the grant will fund 80% of the base salaries of three detective [3:09:53 PM] positions and 100% of the base salaries and fringe benefits for an admin specialist and a neighborhood liaison. And the grant application is due next Friday, June 12th and the requested resolution has to be attached for the proposal for it to be considered valid. Unfortunately I checked, the grantor does not provide extensions on the application deadline, so if we don't have this resolution we won't be able to apply. Performance measureswise, each detective that's assigned to grant works about 600 cases annually and we've had this grant since I want to say 1997. >> Pool: Mayor? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Pool: I know a little about the original program. It used to be called the [3:10:54 PM] auto prevention act. I was working at txdot at the time. I happened to be in the vehicle titling and registration division. This was a really important program with the funding coming from the state at the time that helped to combat the loss of cars. Cars were being stolen and parts were being pilfered and stolen on the black market. So for the property of folks in our state who owned cars, txdot really relied on this program to be able to combat the auto theft. I think it's morphed into what it is now called, along with the fact that vehicle titles and registration had moved out of txdot and now it's its own state agency. This is a long-standing program, probably 30 years old. And from what I can gather, since we don't hear about it very much, it is doing the work that it was intended to do. I would urge approval to allow our staff to submit for this grant. >> Thanks. [3:11:56 PM] >> Renteria: Mayor? And the reason I'm supporting this is that my neighborhood has one of the highest -- I believe some of the highest auto theft going around. We are so close to I-35, and people might not want to believe this, but there are groups of gangs out there that their whole purpose is to go out and steal a vehicle and break it down into parts and sell them out in the black market. So we're constantly always getting reports of vehicles being stolen out of our neighborhood here and out of our property. So that's one of the reasons why I have supported this grant. This is something that -- I'm lucky enough that no one wants to steal my vehicle, but if I did have one I'd be very afraid and would always try -- would keep it inside [3:12:56 PM] the lot because there are people out there that are stealing vehicles. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Any further questions for staff at this point? Yes, mayor pro tem. >> Garza: Is it all grant money or are there matching city dollars in this program? >> There is a match. It's about I want to say 28% of the total project cost. And we match using existing city personnel salaries. >> Garza: Okay. I'll just add I'm interested to hear obviously from the speakers, but this is going to be an incredibly tough discussion we're about to have and part of that is changing the way we've done things in the past. So I'll just -- that's all I have to say about that. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. [3:13:57 PM] Anything else on this? We'll pick this item up at the end of the discussion tonight -- >> Harper-madison: I'm trying to teeter between the video and the phone. [Echo on the line]. [3:15:08 PM] >> Mayor Adler: We can't hear you. >> Harper-madison: I will text you. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Councilmember harper-madison just wanted to echo Delia's concern and looked forward to the clarity. All right. So now we're going to go [3:16:08 PM] through the council and give everybody a chance to talk for a minute or two, then we'll recognize the chief to open and then we'll go through the speakers. Does someone on council want to speak? Councilmember pool. >> Pool: I've already made my remarks at work session and the statement I put out on Monday so I want to use my brief amount of time to offer for the record comments from two district 7 residents that I got who weren't able to be here today and make one last point briefly at the end. [3:17:11 PM] So the first writer was a young man who walked his letter to my door on Sunday and he wrote this. This is a little excerpt from what he wrote. Yesterday I attended the protest at the capital building and police headquarters. The events were scary and confusing. It didn't feel like a safe environment with extreme vitriol demonstrated by all parties involved on this larger issue of policing and citizenry. I would like to see my city officials, particularly non-law enforcement leaders, to do what they can on this situation engulfing our populous. And then I got an email from our good friend Roy Whaley who can't come to speak to us today so this is the second of two I want to read. From Roy, I didn't sign up to speak tomorrow so as not to take time away from others. Of all the thing I have to say, this is the most important. [3:18:12 PM] No more beanbags fired into the crowds. It's unbelievable that anyone has to be told this. Deal with this situation, please. And then get to the real work needed for social and racial and environmental justice for all. Make real change. Sacrifice your careers for this. Don't just say a bunch of words and follow up with window dressing actions. To deal with racism we all must look inside ourselves to see where it's lurking, hidden behind our liberal self-perceptions. Not bigotry. I don't believe any of you are bigots, nor am I, just imperfect. It's inevitable because of the sewed we're raised in and live in. No matter how much we try, the blind spots are still there. I do my best and pray for help wherever it may come. Please do the same. With love or at least as much as I can muster in these times. Roy Whaley. So to close I just want to reiterate something I said [3:19:15 PM] on Tuesday. People feel like they're being policed when they should feel like they're being protected. And I want to emphasize this point. The police are one visible part of the reform we need to look at and work on, but I'm committed to rooting out the inequities that are system-wide. And if we do that then we build trust and resilience in Austin. It's hard and it's necessary. Tuesday I focused on community policing. Done right that approach helps build the resilience that we so need, but we must build trust. We do that through personal connections. That's the basis for the peace that we are all so desperate for and that's the Austin way. We have to stop the mill tarization in -- militarization in our police department. That's the culture change we desperately need, and focus fiercely on building resilience. Thanks. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. [3:20:16 PM] Councilmember Renteria. >> Renteria: Yes, mayor. Growing up here in Austin, it was -- in the 50s, '60s, the racial hate was in the open. We lived in a segregated city and it was written all over the wall. No colored here, colored only over here. You couldn't sit at the counter. You couldn't sit at the front of the bus. That's the way I grew up here. And in the '70s we started in our community, our brown community, a little seven-year-old boy or eight-year-old, can't remember his exact age, he went to the little local grocery store -- he lived in Santa Rita, right where Juan in a million is at. And he went in the grocery store and stole one loaf of bread because he was hungry [3:21:17 PM] and a police officer saw him running and killed him. That was the kind of -- that was a time when that was it. We were not going to tolerate it. We went to the street, we demonstrated. We had another father that called a police officer and he was having trouble with his son, and he ended up getting shot by the police officer. These are the kinds of things that have been going on year after year. I tried doing community policing. It worked in my neighborhood. I tried to promote it all over the city. And when I got elected I tried to implement community policing here in Austin. And every time we got close there was always somebody that had to mess it up in the police department by shooting someone or throwing them out of the car. And these things have to stop. We need to go ahead and immediately adopt the eight [3:22:18 PM] policies that Obama was talking about yesterday. The eight policies that he advocated for, and I'm sure, mayor, that you heard it because he reached out to all the mayors of all the city. And we cannot wait. We need to implement these policies, ban the choke holds and the strange guylation holds. Require deescalation. Require warning before you shoot. Exhaust other means before you shoot. Ban shooting at moving vehicles. We ended up losing Michael Ramos and he grew up in east Austin and he was a boxer when he was younger. These are the things we need to do that, require comprehensive report, you know. We need to adopt these policies immediately that shows the citizens of Austin that we really are concerned and we really want to -- [3:23:21 PM] we're really going to change. And if we implement these policies immediately, the next day, and then come back and we'll work on the training process that will be needed that my colleague, Natasha brought up, these are the kind of things that we really need to start doing now. We cannot wait. I'm so fed and sick and tired of all this. I demonstrated so many times in our streets of Austin over police brutality. I'm -- over 50 years of marching out there. How many years more do I have to do to March to protest to have this stop? We need it to stop and stop now. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Councilmember Flannigan. [3:24:22 PM] >> Flannigan: Thank you, mayor. This weekend revealed the sad truth, one that many people already knew and others unfortunately treat with denial. We discovered that Austin is broken. For years the divisions in our society have grown into giant canyons of distrust and despair and what we witnessed this weekend is just the tip of the iceberg. In the lbgtq community we sometimes forget that stonewall was a riot against unfair and brutal policing led by trans women of color and commemorated in June and celebrated with festivals and parades, but we don't need parades right now, we need answers. We need justice, we need reform, we need it now. That includes changes in leadership and changes in the budget. Tonight I listen and for as long as it takes and for as [3:25:23 PM] many meetings and hearings I'll listen, but more importantly I commit to getting this work done without delay. Work that includes dismantling white supremacy in all its forms and for the long list of names we must say like George Floyd, Tony Mcdade and Mike Ramos. Black lives matter. And I can't breathe. With that I defer the rest of my time to the community being directly affected. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Mayor pro tem. >> Garza: Thank you, mayor. I've thought a lot about what I would say in two minutes and it's been incredibly hard so forgive me if I read most of my comments. This wouldn't be the first time I have been in a room with our chief, albeit virtual right now, and [3:26:25 PM] expressed my disappointment in APD leadership. It's not the first time I expressed to a group that I was an early supporter of chief Manley, but have become incredibly disappointed in what felt and feels like complete disregard for the reform efforts this council has consistently tried to implement. And it's not the first time I have expressed to a group that my faith in our police leadership has been shaken. I know that these are incredibly tough times for our city and for our officers. These conversations about police accountability are always hard and possibly harder for me because of my public safety background and because of the fact that there are members of my immediate family who have answered the call to serve their communities as police officers. My family has friends who have answered the call to serve in the Austin police department and those friends [3:27:25 PM] are people that look like me and some of them are born and raised east austinites. I know all these people to be honorable and to be great public pants, but I also know our police officers behave as they are trained to, as they are allowed to by their leadership. Councilmembers are in an incredibly tough position. It's something we know when we take this job. We are rightly expected by the people that puts us in these seats to call for change. I truly believe there is a space for our community to demand police accountability and police reform while understanding the complexities of the police department. But our community needs to hear now more than ever that our leaders are listening. This council can pass resolutions all day everyday, but they mean nothing if APD leadership continually chooses to [3:28:27 PM] ignore that policy direction. We must pass immediate reforms and work on larger institutional problems, but we need to know that these calls for change are being answered by our police department. We must listen to our community demanding change and I am prepared to do everything in my power to ensure that change. There really is no alternative. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Anyone else wish to talk. Councilmember Ellis. >> Ellis: I know this is a difficult day to discuss this issue, but incredibly important. What we have seen this weekend should not be reflective of Austin, but sadly it apparently is. It is also a side of Austin that has experienced [3:29:27 PM] disproportionately by community members of color and that must change. This city council has begun work to address allegations of racism, homophobia and a culture of overpolicing in certain parts of our community while underpolicing in others. The tactics referred to as less lethal are clearly not non-lethal. Three members of our community have ended up in the hospital with their lives forever changed by the events of this weekend. And the so-called bean bags are not that at all because this is not a game. Who are making these calls. We have some standing respectfully and others ready to shoot and they're standing right next to each other. I stand with our community in anger and disbelief and I promise to be an ally and amplify the he is voices of people in color here in Austin. And it absolutely breaks my heart to see this right here at home. [3:30:27 PM] I am here to listen to those who have signed up to speak today and who have emailed and called us over the past few days and I ask tough questions about the processes being followed or broken within the very same police department. And what we need to do as a council to ensure that all in Austin have their first amendment right to peaceably assemble. We must ensure that violence against our citizens never happens again. And to the people who were injured this weekend and their families, I kneel with you because black lives matter. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Anyone else wish to speak? Councilmember tovo. >> Tovo: Thank you, mayor. I wanted to start by thanking all of the community members for [3:31:29 PM] joining us today at what is really an emotional and pivotal time in our city. Most of you know in the last several days we've received lots of phone calls. We've received more than 8,000 emails at this point. And today we have more than 300 people who have signed up to speak. And to all of those who are participating in any of those ways in this conversation I want to thank you. I want to thank you for reaching out. I want to thank you for speaking your truth, for sharing your concerns and your hopes and your ideas for how together we can forge a more justice and equitable Austin. My heart, like all of yours, is with the grieving family of George Floyd and the far too many women and men of color who have suffered the greatest injustice of a violent death at the hands of police. And along with you I'm outraged and demand [3:32:30 PM] accountability for the officers involved in George Floyd's death. And also in demanding a full and transparent investigation of the death of Mike Ramos here in our own community as well as a fuller understanding of the events that had transpired over the last weekend. To those individuals who were seriously injured here in Austin, I apologize. I apologize that you were injured when you came downtown to be present, to raise your voice, to give voice to valid concerns. And I send my deepest wishes and most sincere wishes for a full recovery. You know while our community is experiencing the shock and trauma over what has transpired in our community as well as those across the nation, the reality is several of you have already said today is that these events have already -- have really only shed a light on what was always there in Austin as well as every community, a deep and [3:33:30 PM] corrosive history of systemic racism that we as a society ands I an individual have a responsibility to acknowledge, to dismantle and to eradicate. I support meaningful police and criminal justice reform here in Austin while also supporting those officers who are serving our community with fairness, courage and dignity. I support the reforms of this council has called for with regard to police training and protocol and I know that systemic racism and inequities exist across all of our systems. Those systems that are creating barriers to housing, to health care, to education and jobs and more. So for those participating in today's meeting I commit to you for today and as long as it takes I will be present to listen and to learn from you and from my colleagues and from the community organizations involved in this work. And as importantly to join with you in thoughtful action. [3:34:32 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember kitchen. >> Kitchen: Thank you. I want to join my colleagues and be very clear to everyone. [Inaudible] >> Mayor Adler: I have Ann freezing up on my screen. You may need to come back, Ann. Councilmember alter, do you want to speak? >> Alter: Yes, thank you. So I want to start by thanking the thousands who have emailed my office as well as the hundreds of people who have called to share their experiences and perspectives with us and let you know that I'm listening. I've seen many of the videos and photos of the last week and I have a lot of serious questions that demand [3:35:34 PM] answers. It's clear that as a city and a community that we have a lot of work to do. I want to be here today and moving forward to listen as we work together to identify our next steps. For me I'm approaching these issues not only as an elected official, but also as a mother. I'm thinking of the mothers of Mike Ramos and George Floyd and the mothers who worry every single day, every single time their kid walks out their door. In our community in our are country, no parent or child can have this pervasive fear when they leave their home. I believe we can make change when we have honest conversations and follow our words with action. We have many different conversations ahead of us in the coming days, weeks and months. I really appreciate the time and care that each of you have put into the thoughts you're sharing with us today. It's my hope that Austin can [3:36:34 PM] be a leader in moving us forward as a country. We are all here to create a community that is fair and just, where ever austinite can feel safe. Thank you for being here today with us. >> Councilmember Casar. >> Casar: The last 24 hours I've had the chance to speak with Brenda Ramos, Mike's mom. I've had the chance to speak with Edwin Ayala. You never get used to those phone calls. I'm glad that Levi is alive and Justin Howell and others that have survived, but many have suffered real, real [3:37:35 PM] harm. Mike Ramos should be alive too. That's why people are out protesting. People don't want to be out protesting in a pandemic. It's that people feel like they have to they feel like they have to so that our government will respond and it's up to us now to respond. And unfortunately we now not only have to respond to the police killings, we also have to respond to how the police handled this weekend. People shouldn't be in the hospital for attending a demonstration. It's unacceptable. So I appreciate that speakers will be coming to share their stories today. I wish that you didn't have to, but once you're done testifying the ball is clearly in our court. I share the disappointments in leadership shared by the mayor pro tem. We've got to make transform transformational change from top to bottom. We have to realize that police enforcement can'ting our primary tool for dealing [3:38:36 PM] with social problems in our city. And along with my colleagues we have to start making immediate change and I've been talking to colleagues about some of that being as soon as our next voting session next week. That means banning, explicitly banning the choke holds that killed George Floyd and Eric Garner. It means not allowing tear gas and use impact munitions to be used against people just expressing their first amendment rights. It means adopting some of those eight can't wait and just getting all of them done as councilmember Renteria mentioned, as soon as our next voting session. That means all of us on the dais here trying means Austin trying, try the best we can to be who it is we say we are. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Councilmember kitchen. [3:39:36 PM] >> Kitchen: Can you hear me now? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Kitchen: There's a number of things that I want to say to add my voices -- to add my voice to what my colleagues have said. First off, I just -- I want you to know, I want everyone to know that I am -- I am trying to think of the right words, but I am greatly disturbed, I am appalled. And very saddened at what happened this past weekend in Austin. As I said a few days ago -- I think as others may have said it is absolutely unacceptable that people are injured by the police in our city. That cannot continue, we can't have a situation where that even becomes a possibility again. And we all are due, all are due an open and transparent [3:40:38 PM] and complete review of these incidents and we need accountability. I would also like to say that I do respect and say thank you to the police officers who serve our city honorably. I do believe that we have failed in our society by -- often by not investing in our people and ending up with social problems in our criminal justice system and our police officers. But it is necessary, it is absolutely necessary and not for debate that we hold our police officers and our police department and our police leadership and our chief accountable for their actions. And that's what we do. We support our police officers and we support those who honorably serve our city. When we hold everyone [3:41:38 PM] accountable for meeting the highest standards. This is a city -- we should be the best in this country. And we are far from it as we can see. We hold -- we support our officers when we hold everyone accountable for meeting the highest standards because that's what we expect of our city, that's what we expect of our police and that's what they respect of their -- they expect of their department. So I am absolutely committed to work with all of you, to listen today. I know it must be very, very hard, I know it is very hard, for people to come and talk with us about what happened to them, what they saw happen. And it is very difficult and I appreciate so much you continuing to speak out. So I am absolutely committed to listening today and then [3:42:44 PM] I will use all of my heart and my mind in collaboration with you and with my colleagues for fundamental, immediate change. And I appreciate the kinds of things that councilmember Casar has mentioned and others have mentioned. We can do this. We can do this, we have to do this and we must immediately make change. And so thank you again for being here and sharing with us. I know it's not easy. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Councilmember harper-madison, do you want to go before or after me? >> Harper-madison: You're the chair. I'll let you make the call. >> Mayor Adler: I'll go first and then let you close. It's really clear that this is the moment to stand against institutional racism and systemic inequities. We have to rise to this [3:43:46 PM] occasion, we have to deliver accountability for wrongs and dismiss the wrongs of justice. Real change is uncomfortable. That's okay. We must lean in to have real action. I believe that we cannot have our police shooting into crowds of protesters. The right to protest and disrupt cannot be fraught with fear of injury. That issue that led me to join with colleagues to set this deliberation and conservation today to talk about how we do demonstration in this city because we know that they will continue over time. We do not have to choose between encouraging expression and keeping everyone in the community protected, demonstrators, police officers business owners. We have to start seeing each other as part of one [3:44:47 PM] community who rise and fall together. We should not follow any voices that suggest otherwise. We should not follow any voices that suggest that questions and criticisms of police stack ticks and protocols are somehow -- at that time ticks and protocols are somehow indictments of individual police officers or anything other than the hope that in Austin we can have a police force, we can have a relationship between police and the community that looks and feels like the Austin that we aspire to be. The protests that have played out locally since George Floyd's killing have focused our attention on Mr. Floyd's senseless death, the killing of Mike Ramos here in Austin and of other black people whose interaction with police have [3:45:48 PM] turned fatal with regularity. People have been joined together because things have to change. They're demanding accountability and this council hears that. I heard someone say recently that they were tired of living in unprecedented times, which was a funny way of stating that it's hard to overstate how complicated a moment like this is in our industry. We are finally, it seems, ready to take on institutional racism and the difficult conversations that that entails. I believe that we're finally ready to make things better. I want to talk about the demonstrations. I am the cheerleader on covid and the virus. I am alarmed that in our community our daily average of hospital admissions is increasing and I'm concerned about that impact on [3:46:50 PM] populations of color that are most susceptible to this virus. I want as many black and brown people as possible here to experience the more equitable future that we are going to build together. That means being smart and prepare for the choice to go out into the crowds during this pandemic. Your heart calls you out to protest and to the degree you can please maintain as much distance as possible. I believe in protest. I agree with my friend and mentor, the president of huston-tillotson, who just said to her huston-tillotson community to stand shoulder to shoulder as warriors, warriors who must be smart and strategic, denouncing violence. Warriors who recognize that violence is not smart and in no Wray strategic. Violence neither erad indicates or dismantles [3:47:52 PM] anything besides hard won progress. Violence is not the way. I also want to call out the moments of race relations that we have -- moments of grace a that we have witnessed, both from the protesters and police. There were people picking up trash on I-35, strangers comforted one another. Tens of thousands of dollars -- tens of thousands of dollars have flowed from the community to make businesses whole again. Protesters have used their bodies to disrupt daily life for comfort and to demand the attention of the broader community. Yes, protests are disruptive. They're meant to be. By interrupting business as usual, protests also disrupt patterns of thought and policy in important ways. Many of our bends and arcs towards justice have been the result of protest. [3:48:57 PM] My message to every black person in this community who is anguished by recent events, every mother who sees her own child and Mike Ramos and George Floyd is this: I want these protests to mean real change and I want you there to see it. Councilmember harper- madison. >> Harper-madison: Thank you, chair. And thank you to all my colleagues for sharing your heartfelt words. Although I've been given permission on multiple occasions by people in our community to cry again if I need to, I went through a pretty great deal of embarrassment about crying in front of you on Tuesday so I'm going to try not to do that again today. But I will say that your words are inspiring and I [3:49:57 PM] feel like they're heartfelt. But I would feel like we would be remiss to take one more minute of this meeting and not have our police chief not show his face. Chief Manley, I implore you, when these people come before you, if you can do it for my colleagues, when these people come before you to share their words with you, I want them to look at you when they do it and I want you to look at them. I implore you to please turn your camera on. The other thing I would say is I'm concerned about rumors I'm hearing about pro provokeateurs taking the [3:50:58 PM] moment from what should be communities of color to recognize the lives lost too soon, a very long list of black and brown people. Turns out there's some white people on that list too and I'm not disregarding them for a moment, but today what we're talking about is how black lives matter. Black life matters! If that's not why you were out here demonstrating, if you're a person who would take advantage of this opportunity to push your agenda and it's not about black life, then dadblast it, shame on you! But I want to encourage people who may find themselves alongside these people, do not let them sway [3:52:02 PM] you or confuse your mission if your goal was to talk about the importance of black life. Don't let people who think this is a party, who think this is lollapalooza out here and they're having a great time, don't let those people confuse you and don't let them get you in trouble or get you hurt! If you don't know that person, don't deal with them. If somebody is trying to hand you something and encourage you to do something you otherwise wouldn't have done without them handing you that thing and telling you to throw it, I am begging you do not let these people confuse you and the mission right now. And I'll go on to say this, if I may. I'm going to try to be [3:53:03 PM] brief. I already said it. The time for us continuing to talk -- and this is certainly not a slight against any of my colleagues. I'm just saying I'm tired of talking. And I'm tired of feeling bad. I don't think it's intended to sound like this, but when you say you must feel so bad right now. You must be so sad right now. We should all be that mad or sad. Any black or brown or marginalized person, we should all feel sad and mad and demand that we stop talking. The outcry for justice, we didn't answer it. When the outcry wasn't [3:54:03 PM] answered, here we are right here, right now in Austin, Texas, saying since the day this beautiful city was founded everything was wrong because not everybody was included, right now, right now at this moment it just so happens it's the loudest it's ever been. But it's not a new sound. There are just some folks who were able to ignore the sound, who were able to gaslight people and tell them that their concerns weren't valid. Well, time to show up! No more time for talking! No more time for talking in circles for sure! It's time to listen to the people. I can't wait to listen to the people who are coming here to tell us their truth because the truth of the matter is they've been telling this their truths for generations, hundreds of years of people saying this [3:55:04 PM] is my experience. And in the modern day era of being able to click on these traumatic ass videos -- by the way, people, be careful what you share. Please be careful. The continuation of trauma doesn't make me feel any more compelled to speak my truth. I was already telling y'all my truth! Be careful. And please be gentle with people who are already dealing with present traumatic stress disorder. There's no post, it's right now, it's everyday! And as we navigate that space I want folks to know we heard you, we see you. We're about to hear from more of you. And we know that what you're [3:56:04 PM] going to tell us is the truth and we need to hear you. We need action! We need justice! And we need it right now! Somebody reached out to me to tell me that my words as of late made them feel uncomfortable, that they were too aggressive, nod ladylike. Two things. I never told y'all I was a lady, and I don't care about making people feel uncomfortable. We need to get it together and we need to do it right now and we have to do it as a community bound by the recognition of the truth, and that's all I've got, to be honest with you. It's taken everything I have to stay in my chair and not cry. And I just -- I will close with this: Thank you to [3:57:06 PM] every person who took the time to share your truth with us today. I will keep my camera on even if my kids come in, even if my dog barks. My camera is on because I want you to know that I see you and I hear you and I don't want you to for one moment not believe that we see and hear you and that your words, your actions, you standing up, it is what's pushing us forward to do things that are extraordinarily difficult, but the time has come. And with that I'll close, thank you, chair. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember harper-madison, thank you. Thank everybody on the dais. We're now going to recognize the chief and the manager, if they want to say something, and then we'll go to speakers. [3:58:07 PM] After speakers we're going to recess the meeting until tomorrow. After speakers we're going to try to vote on item 7 and then we'll recess the meeting until tomorrow. Manager, did you want to say something? >> I would. Mayor, councilmembers and community, we are here to listen today because over the last past weeks and months our city and broadly our nation has again been forced to confront the tragic loss of human life. Our community has expressed a range of emotions and many are justifiably outraged, sad, anxious and for some even fearful for themselves and their families. And while we all are rightly disturbed by much of what we've seen, I've also witnessed the strength and courage on the part of our city to face these issues head on and continue to have these difficult conversations that are necessary to confront our deeply troubling history of inequity, and I personally struggle with [3:59:08 PM] the complexity of this moment and realize that our feelings can't and shouldn't be limited to one or two choices. I believe we can condemn the disgusting abuse of power, authority, and trust by some officers while at the same time respect and appreciate those who choose policing as a calling and treat others with the dignity and respect we all deserve. I also acknowledge that for far too many in our community, lived experiences left them feeling hopeless, afraid, and convinced that nothing will ever change. I want everyone in Austin to know that I am committed to continueding the hard work, adding the difficult conversations, taking the appropriate actions and finding a way forward that rebuilds that loss of trust while improving our police force reflective of the community values that Austin holds dear. Today is about listening, tomorrow we will have a [4:00:08 PM] comprehensive discussion about the tactics that were used last weekend. But with this, I'll pause and pass it over to our police chief. >> City manager, thank you, mayor and council. I, too, take this as a very important and momentous time, a time where we need to reflect on what brought us here, and unfortunately it's what's brought us to this point so many times before, and that is, things involving police and community relationships (indiscernible) In Austin an area we've worked on so far. I do struggle to watch that video in Minneapolis. I, along with many of my peers, and police chiefs, and rank and file members across this country immediately spoke out of what we saw. Because that does not reflect (indiscernible). Policing is not perfect. Men and women are in very [4:01:10 PM] dynamic positions day in and day out. We treat we train them to the best of our ability. The momentum we have right now is to look at our interactions (indiscernible), to identify areas (indiscernible) Better and differently -- >> Mayor Adler: Chief, it's hard to hear you. Can you get closer to the microphone? >> I'm sorry, is this better? >> Mayor Adler: Much better, thank you. >> Okay. Do I need to start all over? >> Mayor Adler: No. >> I will wrap then, I think -- I'll wrap with just saying that we are committed, the Austin police department, to serve our community, to serve them rightly, and appropriately, and to look for opportunities to improve. And I look forward to hearing the comments, and to look for [4:02:12 PM] opportunities again to make improvements in those areas that need improvement. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Council member harper-madison? >> Harper-madison: Sorry. I just wanted to say, as a follow-up, there's an event that's taking place this weekend at (indiscernible) University. It's going to be hosted by Austin coalition. It will have black and brown voices to lead the conversation, which while we can appreciate all the voices of all of the allies, sometimes it's important to recognize when you need to take up space, and when you need to listen. So this will be an opportunity for black and brown people to take up space, and everybody else to listen. So there's going to be an event this weekend at till it son university. I want to tell other folks who [4:03:13 PM] might go out this evening or tomorrow evening or Saturday evening, there will be a time and a place and a space that we carefully curate in a way that we are being mindful about the message, the goals, and the agenda. And it will be a place and a space for us to lead the conversation and other people to listen. If folks are looking for a way and a place and a time, I encourage you to take the opportunity on Sunday at HT to let your voice be heard. I don't have all the specifics in terms of time and everything, but I will promise you that before this meeting is over, I will make certain to share it on my page, I'll make certain that the city is sharing the information, but there will be a place and a space and a time for us to have our voices be heard, [4:04:14 PM] and for anti-racist allies to listen. I'll bring whatever details I have later. Just please keep that in mind, folks. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Thank you. We're going to try to get to the speakers. Councilmember alter? >> Alter: This is actually a procedural. I'm hearing some speakers have been cut off from the speaker line, and they're having trouble calling back in. Does staff any advice on folks being able to re-access the line? They were disconnected and then they're having trouble calling back in. Who should they contact? Can we get some guidance on that? >> If they have been disconnected, many of them are e-mailing me and I'm giving them the information. But I'll also provide it to 311. >> Mayor Adler: Will you say [4:05:14 PM] that out loud again? >> I don't want to give the number out. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. >> But many of them are e-mailing me, and I'm providing that information. And I will also provide it to 311. >> Mayor Adler: Great. Thank you. >> Alter: Thank you. >> And for anyone listening, if they are in the queue, they need to press 0 to be admitted. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. I think we're prepared now for you to recognize speakers. As we discussed, colleagues, the first 20 speakers are going to get three minutes, there's been invited testimony that will be given similar time, and thereafter speakers will have one minute. And we have about 334 speakers that signed up yesterday. I'll now turn it over to the clerk and the others to take us [4:06:14 PM] to the speakers. >> Okay. Mayor, we will begin with the Spanish speakers. So if the interpreter can be admitted. And each caller will get two minutes. The first Spanish speaker is Karina Sanchez. >> [Speaking Spanish]. >> Translator: Good afternoon. [4:07:29 PM] I am calling because ... I've been here for 12 years, and I'm calling for the community of the 70 million. That's the only foundation that's helped us. [Speaking Spanish]. >> Translator: I'm asking for this help, because this is the help that we need. We need help to be able to pay our rent and to pay for our food. [4:08:34 PM] That's it. >> Gracias. [Speaking Spanish] Cindy Perez. >> [Speaking Spanish]. >> Translator: I'm Cindy Perez. And I've lived in Austin for one year. I'm on the call today to ask for the city to help and support us with the $70 million to the R.I.S.E. [4:09:43 PM] Directly to us. This is for food. We count as the community as well. This is the moment to help us all, and it's very difficult for us because of the pandemic. We ask for you to invest the $70 [4:10:45 PM] million in the foundation R.I.S.E. That would be it. Thank you. >> Maria Lopez. >> [Speaking Spanish]. >> Translator: I've been living in Austin for 13 years. I'm calling to ask you to please as a favor to invest in our community. Because there's a lot of people that need it more than the police. [4:11:52 PM] This is the only fund that's been helping most of the families. That they don't have any money to move ahead. The families, and those DACA young people that didn't receive any help. They work and they study, and that's why -- they study, and that's why they don't have jobs. We're asking for this help of the communities and the families that are helping Austin to grow more and more. It's our only way to move forward. God bless. [4:13:03 PM] >> [Speaking Spanish]. >> [Speaking Spanish]. >> Translator: I've lived over 12 years here. My family is living in Travis county, and I'm giving them a voice. They're here in the city of Austin, our community. Please put the $70 million in the R.I.S.E. Foundation. [4:14:09 PM] To be able to move forward. It helps us a lot. With the rent, our bills and our insurance. To help our parents that are far from here with some money. Because we've been affected by this pandemic. So we can move forward. [4:15:13 PM] Austin has the power. The police needs it, but the community needs it more. (Indiscernible) Not the police. Please, I know you're hearing my voice. [Buzzer] [4:16:13 PM] May god bless and take care. >> Mayor? >> Mayor Adler: Would it make sense for the translator to let the speakers know that we have approved the 70 -- >> I'll go ahead and do that. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. >> [Speaking Spanish] . >> Muchas gracias. >> Thank you so much. God bless. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. You can proceed. >> That concludes all of the [4:17:14 PM] Spanish speakers, mayor. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Please continue with the next ones on the list. >> The next speaker is Edwin Ayala. You have three minutes. >> My name is Edwin, and yesterday marks the one week of my little brother's 16th birthday. And on Saturday, he had just left Saturday morning, he left his Jersey Mike's job, work, to (indiscernible) His car. And after work (indiscernible), he was shot with a beanbag. I'm sorry. [Crying] (Indiscernible) Twice to the body. He underwent surgery that night. [4:18:14 PM] We didn't even know until he got transported to children's. When my mom heard, we drove to the hospital. I said on the car ride there, my mom got lost, we couldn't even find the place because she was just so in shock. And by the time we got to the hospital, they told us -- they said that he had a puncture in his head, and the risk of internal bleeding wouldn't be known until they got into surgery. So we didn't know, they started the surgery at 11:00, we didn't know, we thought he was going to die. (Indiscernible) Risk of being punctured. It was the hardest decision, it was so painful. [Crying] I was there with my mom. We prayed all night. [4:19:19 PM] And the fact is, the doctors thought it was a rubber bullet, so they left it in there for hours. He got shot around 7:00. They left the, quote unquote, rubber bullet. Once they got in there, they found it was actually a beanbag. This beanbag had a larger surface area than a rubber bullet that actually created a very large wound, a very large hole essentially on his forehead. Not only that, but it had penetrated the skull, it had ruptured -- it had fractured it. It indented into the brain and left a large contusion which is much more dangerous than a concussion. His prefrontal cortex is (indiscernible). He has problems right now managing his emotions because that part of his brain is damaged. His cognitive abilities will have to be assessed in the months coming. We hope he'll recover. [4:20:20 PM] We thought he was going to die. [Crying] He's such a smart guy. (Indiscernible) When they shot him. And because of the nature of the, quote unquote, beanbag, the risk of infection was so large, he was on multiple antibiotics. He still is. The surgery was around seven hours due to the complications. They had to get a backup surgeon. He's going to have a scar down his forehead the rest of his life. But they told us that hopefully [4:21:22 PM] we are hoping for a good recovery. The fact is, these beanbags are not innocuous, they are not less lethal if they're shot at the head. If what we suspect is going on, because in the video, he was on a hill, and there's no way you can miss shooting at the head. You know? They were aiming above his head, where the bullet would go down into it. It hit him in the forehead. We just want to know the truth. We just want as much transparency from the police to know what happened. [Crying] The pain that I'm feeling is nothing compared to my mom. The pain is so much worse. Because a part of his brain that controls emotion is damaged. So whenever he feels even a little bit of pain, his brain [4:22:24 PM] goes into overdrive and it makes him tense up his body, which makes more pain. [Crying] It's so hard being with him. We can't leave him. He's my brother. [Crying] He's in so much pain and I can't help him. We really do just want as much transparency, and footage to be released. And I'm asking for anybody that was there to contact us. To provide us with the footage. From the police as well. Because we want to know the truth. We just want to know what happened. And they can't be using beanbags on people. [Crying] They're so dangerous. [4:23:33 PM] The infection, the pain. The doctors said it would have been better if it was a rubber bullet, because the puncture wound would have been smaller and the risk of infection smaller. The surgery would have been shorter. His neck had whiplash damage. His neck hurts him more than his head. He can't even eat, because of his neck. He's strong, but he can't overcome this without help and support. [Crying] And I'm right here with him, but it's so hard. It's so hard for the family. We can't even imagine what he's going through. [4:24:35 PM] All we ask is transparency. Just the truth. To know what happened. >> Edwin, thank you for talking with me earlier today. And thank you for sharing your story. Everyone here is heart broken that there's nothing we can say to make it better. >> [Crying] Please, please, you can't be using these. He was so close -- the velocity that it hit him wl is like a 100 kilometer baseball smashing into his skull. He has a titanium mesh plate now. (Indiscernible). >> This is Leslie. I was going to ask, do you have [4:25:36 PM] someone with you? Do you have someone there with you? Do you have someone there with you? Maybe we could try to make sure there's someone there with Edwin, please. >> It's so hard. >> Make sure there's someone with Edwin, please. >> He's the kindest, most responsible 16-year-old I ever knew. He was so kind. He still is. He's in so much pain. He has emotional triggers. We can't even mention his friends, because he starts to cry. [Crying]. >> Mayor Adler: Edwin, our prayers -- our hope is with the conversation that you have [4:26:37 PM] started here this evening, that the speakers that are going to speak tonight, and with the presentation tomorrow, we'll get hopefully some answers. And some directions. >> We just want the truth. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. >> That's all we want, the footage, and people to come forward if they have more information. >> Edwin, don't hang up yet. Edwin, don't hang up yet. We said we weren't going to ask questions right now, but I'm going to ask my colleagues to let us ask a couple while you're on the line. Manager, chief, I want to know what we are doing to make sure this does not happen to a single person ever again. I want to hear from both of you, what we are doing, to make sure this never happens to anyone. >> I will speak to some [4:27:37 PM] immediate changes. To our deployment for the protests this week, and that is that the use of the beanbag munition not be used in a crowd situation. It is still an appropriate (indiscernible) In many other circumstances, and so it is still approved for use. However, in crowds (indiscernible) So I think that's probably the most correct answer I can give regarding these circumstances. >> Manager? >> Council member, we've already begun a review of obviously the events of last week and making sure that we can be fully accountable and transparent for everything that happened. But we're also including in that more immediate review of those policies and procedures. That was really initiated by the leadership of this council back in December with the resolution, [4:28:37 PM] but we're not waiting for the initiation of that, we're already starting that process. >> Well, it's just not enough. I've seen the video of Levi and he wasn't in a crowd. He was standing by himself. So changing the policy for crowds would not have changed this. The answer is insufficient. And we're going to keep on asking questions. But it is insufficient. >> Mayor Adler: There will be a lot more questions on this. Let's continue to let the people who have signed up to have a chance to speak. Councilmember harper-madison? >> Harper-madison: Thank you, mayor. Thank you, Edwin. And I'm sorry, truly. I wish I could give you a hug. But in the absence of that, I'll say that it's you and your [4:29:39 PM] family right now, and (indiscernible) And other folks on the line, we are -- we're just people up here. And we're doing the best. But we're not immortal, right? And so to hear somebody share this kind of really personal, really painful, really emotional testimony you just shared is sometimes really hard. And so I just wanted to let everybody know, you, Edwin, and anybody who might come up after you, if we mute our camera, it's not because we're not listening, and it's not because we're not present, it's because we are mortal, and sometimes we're expected to be extraordinarily (indiscernible) And graceful. So if we turn off our camera, it's not that we're not listening. Sometimes we just have to take a minute to compose ourselves. So thank you for sharing. My office and I will be in [4:30:39 PM] touch. >> Mayor Adler: Let's continue on with the next speaker, please. I want to make sure that we get a chance to hear from all our speakers. Before midnight, if we can. >> The next speaker is Kathy Mitchell. You have three minutes. >> Hello? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, Kathy. >> Okay. Sorry. I am simply here today to channel a video that many people put time and energy into collaborating on, that will allow you to see kind of all in one place a number of the key issues that you should attend to. And I'm just going to leave it at that. Because it's almost a [4:31:40 PM] three-minute video and I believe it is ready for your viewing. [Video playing] [4:35:06 PM] . >> The next speaker is Samuel kirsch. You have three minutes. >> Hello. This is Sam. Can you all hear me? >> Yes. >> Hello? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please proceed. >> Okay, thank you. First of all, I want to thank mayor Adler and the city council for allowing me to speak today. So I was peacefully protesting on Sunday, may 31st, in solidarity with black lives matter. When I was near I-35, police started using what I believe was smoke grenades, which is when I started running away. While I was on the grass, while I was running away, I was shot with what I believe to be either a rubber bullet or a beanbag. I was hit in my face. [4:36:06 PM] If I were not wearing sunglasses at the time, I have no doubt in my mind that I would be blind right now. I immediately hit the ground and was dragged away by fellow protesters and I was rushed to the hospital. There was blood all over my chest, and my hands. It felt like a war zone. I did not know what was going on, and it all happened extremely quickly. The damage that I took was a very large laceration due to the cut from the sunglasses, from the bullet hitting them. I suffered a broken nose. I believe it was also five or six broken bones near my upper cheek and the bone supporting my eye. I also have hopefully temporary retinal bruising. I have to undergo another surgery in a week. That surgery is risky, because I [4:37:08 PM] will be getting multiple titanium plates to support my eye. There's a risk for the -- for my body to reject those plates. There's a risk for infection with those plates. There's also a risk of going blind from the surgery, because when they do the surgery, they have to make an incision in my lower left eyelid. And there's also a significant risk, I was told by an ophthalmologist, of permanent vision loss, either temporary or -- either partial or permanent, even if the surgery goes well. I'm currently unable to eat anything except pureeed food, I have to drink through a straw. I have double vision, I have no depth perception, I am in enormous pain, both physically, emotionally and soon to be financially. And I would like to thank some of those councilmembers that [4:38:09 PM] have called out the police chief for not showing his face, and for not having sufficient answers to using these, quote unquote, less lethal rounds on people, protesters. I think it was wrong in any scenario. So I'm open to any questions if you have them. And thank you for allowing me to speak today. >> The next speaker is brently Donnel. You have three minutes. >> Hello, councilmembers. Can you all hear me? >> Yes, they can hear you. Go ahead. >> Okay, great, thank you. Yes, my name is Brent Donnell, I'm a member of the newly formed [4:39:12 PM] group street (indiscernible) Austin. (Indiscernible) When emergency services cannot reach location for whatever reason. Several of our medics were injured, including one who now will have to undergo major surgery in her hand. She was escorting Justin Howell to police as she was instructed to do, via 911, and had her hands in the air, and was shot directly. In her hand. We also treated about a dozen very severe head wounds from beanbag rounds, and a couple hundred mucous membrane irritants from both gas and pepper spray. I would like to say that ems commander Wesley Hopkins was fantastic to work with, the moment that he knew there were experienced medics on the ground, he had established [4:40:13 PM] communication with us within minutes. And his actions really helped us to respond quickly to a lot of things. I did ask him to pass my information off on Saturday morning to unified command. I know he's done that a few times. And unified command never reached out to work with us, to protect life. Thank you very much for having me on to speak to you today, and for the actions that you'll take moving forward to ensure that this doesn't happen again. >> Next speaker is rontine farsat. You have three minutes. >> Hello. [4:41:14 PM] Can everyone hear me? >> Yes, go ahead. >> Hello. Okay. I've participated in the protest all weekend. At no point in time did I commit an act of violence or property damage. On Saturday I was beaten with batons, maced three times, tear gas and had multiple shots fired in my direction. On Sunday I was maced twice, had many shots fired at me and I witnessed what I can only call a massacre Sunday night. I have witnessed countless, heinous, violent, criminal acts from many APD officers, committed against peaceful civilians. The tactics of the police were appalling. Literally exactly like a gang. They would provoke the crowd, and when someone threw a plastic water bottle from 30 to 50 yards away, the officers would retaliate by shooting and macing peaceful protesters standing on [4:42:14 PM] the front line. That's exactly how a gang retaliates. I spoke with officers who swore they cared for our cause. And knew that APD has trigger-happy and racist officers. Yet when they witnessed these heinous and violent crimes, they did nothing. For that, they are accomplices to the crimes committed by the other officers. I believe every single officer who worked the protest either committed one of those crimes or witnessed one of those crimes being committed and did nothing. I witnessed a counterprotester run over a peaceful woman protester on her motorcycle and fall off his bike and attack a protester and get immediately swarmed by protesters to be detained. And then to the position of the motorcyclist, beating protesters out of the way who had detained the man, let him get on his bike and ride away. There is video evidence of this happening. I witnessed -- I'm going to say it, it felt like a massacre [4:43:15 PM] Sunday night. Shortly before it began, I noticed one of the officers holding a weapon with live ammunition who looked quite excited being out on the line. I started to inform the officers on the line, and I was informed by two other protesters that if he shoots anyone tonight, he scoffed and said no. Outraged I ran up and down the line yelling at the officers to tell their sergeant. Little did I know the sergeant was standing on the line silently. I only found out after I asked one of the officers where his sergeant is, at which point in time he pointed to the man standing right next to him. I pleaded with him, I begged him to do something about it. I told him what was said and brought the two witnesses of the officer in question's comments to confirm the accusation. Some officers just shook their head in disappointment on hearing one of their officers said that. They knew the officers in their department that think that way, with that mentality. He told me -- the sergeant told [4:44:16 PM] me he can't do anything unless I show him evidence that the officer in question said that. I said this isn't a court of law. People could die tonight. Then the sergeant went to the officer in question, spoke with him briefly, then approached me and the two witnesses. One of the witnesses asked if he denied it, and the sergeant said, of course he denied it. It was clear he didn't believe the officer either. He told me he could do nothing about it, and walked away. Moments later the shooting started. I was standing approximately 15 yards away from Justin Howell as he was shot in the back of the head while running away. I was looking right at him when it happened. Right at his face. I saw it go from (indiscernible) To cold, and that moment keeps playing in my head over and over again. Chief Manley claims a protester standing next to Justin threw a backpack and water bottle at police. I demand chief Manley release [4:45:16 PM] the video from the camera. I've seen high-quality footage of that moment from someone recording in the crowd. It is clear that there is no projectile in the air going towards that APD line. A clip from the video was in the compilation Kathy shared with us today. We ran Justin to the medics. And I went back out to the east side of the southbound access road and hid behind a tree, recording live on Facebook, at which point in time officers on the I-35 overpass behind me opened fire directly at me, specifically. I believe between 8 and 12 rounds were fired and landed within less than two feet of me. Within a matter of seconds. I'm thinking it must have been a coordinated effort between multiple officers to shoot me in the back, while I was recording. One of the shots were so close to hitting me in the back of the head, that a piece of the bark broke off the tree and hit me in the face. This just minutes after I witnessed Justin get shot in the [4:46:16 PM] back of the head. That moment also plays in my head over and over again. I witnessed more than one officer wait until medics got close and what seemed to be a coordinated fashion aiming their weapons at the medics and protesters carrying Justin and opened fire, striking one of the medics who had very CLI high-visibility tape from three feet away. Not only that, but she had been in communication with the police line who requested they carry Justin from the medic staging area toward police officers firing into the crowd. Those brave medics followed orders. That medic, the lead medic, the one who spoke with APD today, she gave me permission to say this, last night she said she would speak at this meeting today and that she wanted to speak at this meeting today, but she told me this morning, she told me she couldn't do it because she had nightmares all night last night. And her anxiety was too high to speak today. [4:47:17 PM] I hope that one day she is heard, for she has many, many stories of over the weekend. APD should have to pay for the therapy of every protester and medic in need, straight from their budget. Sunday night was nothing short of a massacre. People being peaceful, people running away, all facing nearly sustained fire from police in front and behind for several minutes. It was like they were shooting fish in a barrel. I believe it is imperative that the city of Austin follow the lead of the city of Minneapolis and seriously consider and debate the entire police department and replacing it with an entirely different law enforcement institution. Minor reforms will not do the trick, what I've seen over the weekend was a massive culture pro throughout the entirety of APD. And no officer is willing to [4:48:17 PM] stand up against another officer. Probably because they fear for retaliation against them by their fellow officers. It is disgusting. Please do something. Please help us. Thank you. >> The next speaker is Chris Harris. You have three minutes. >> Hi. I'm here to advocate for justice for the Ramos family, the Ayala family, the martin family and all the families impacted by recent police violence in Austin, for the firing of the officers involved and the police leadership in accordance with the letter that you received from the advocates following the death of Mike Ramos. I'm also here to call for divestment from police and investment in the community for [4:49:17 PM] direct assistance so many need to make it through this pandemic and recession. The traumatic stories and police violence over the past two weeks that have shocked the conscience of this city, this nation and the world are all too familiar to us. This violence demands not another study or another round of training or another piece of tech or another layer of civilian oversight, but a fundamental restructuring of how we define and protect public safety and demand that we defund police. The mayor of Los Angeles announced yesterday they'll be cutting the police budget between 100 and $150 million this year, representing an 8% to 12% cut, and investing that money in communities of color. In New York more than 40 city council candidates are asking for a $1 billion credit to the NYPD (indiscernible). This is just a start. [4:50:18 PM] And the decades of scholarship and practice, like Angela Davis, and more must be recognized for leading us here. Organized people of color (indiscernible) Budget cycle after budget cycle have fallen on deaf ears, so listen now. Now that we all see how the institution of policing is across this country, including our own city, the institution protects horrific violence by those in employ against black people regardless whether it violates policy. It's important that city policies change to reflect the values of this community. It's also clear we can no longer, especially with current police leadership, count on policies being enforced, or hope for reforms to improve the interactions officers have with people. We just have to drastically reduce those interactions. [4:51:19 PM] We have to divest from police, invest in the health, housing, education and opportunity that will improve safety for all, and ultimately create new community based approaches to addressing the conflict and harm that guide us toward a future free of police patrols and state violence. Thank you. >> The next speaker is -- one second. Sorry. David Johnson. You have three minutes. >> Hello, everyone, my name is David Johnson. I'm with leadership and advocacy of justice. I'm also an Austin resident, a black man and incarcerated person. I participated in the protests this weekend as well, and Monday as well, and I can tell you that [4:52:22 PM] the first violence that I saw was when just west of city hall, a police officer snatched an umbrella out of the hands of a very small female, and when she turned to ask why, sprayed her with pepper spray in her face from about three feet away. The only thing I can say that's exactly what happened is because I was watching it with a clear lateral view. And I saw it all. While I was not surprised that the police department did something like that, and I would hope none of you hearing this would be surprised based on the ample data and evidence that shows that since the inception the Austin police department has been racist as hell. And I hope you wouldn't be surprised, even though all of you on the council today, and Mr. Mayor, you haven't all been here the entire time that Austin's been around, but you have been here long enough to [4:53:23 PM] have already heard these complaints, and these cries and these concerns. And so I want to lift up -- in this moment, I feel LE any pd is the big bully in town. And whenever we get beat up by the bully, we go to the parent's house and say, hey, your son is beating up on us, and the parents say, oh, well, that's not what they said. We don't have any proof, so we're going to trust our kid. Then the parents of the children who have been harmed, the people charged with representing the ones who have been directly harmed by this bully, or these bullies, they're a family of them, they then go to the parents and say, hey, please do something. No, we just think that people are bitter, and they're jealous, or they're just targeting (indiscernible). If you have any proof, let us know. Well, to you, the council, I [4:54:25 PM] say, there is ample evidence. We have overwhelming proof. We have everything from a report that the city paid for saying, APD is racist as hell, to pretty much everything APD has done since its inception. Brian Manley is a coward and a racist. Fire him. If Spencer cronk is not available or not up to the job of managing APD, fire him. Because at the end of the day the buck stops with the Austin city council. So earlier in the day we talked about making sure the money went into the R.I.S.E. Fund and I'm very glad you voted for that 70 million, but I need you to know if you are going to be consistent in listening to the people who are most directly impacted, then you will listen to us now, when we say, do not approve this grant, do not approve anything that puts more money into the hands of APD. Because all that is is financing a group full of bullies. And they are all bullies. Because even if 10 out of 1,000 are the ones who have done [4:55:27 PM] wrong, the other 990 are complicit because they've done nothing, because they've stood behind that blue line. They have cowardly chosen not to uphold the oath to which they have sworn, but instead they want to uphold their own self-interests and their fragile mail egos. I know there are women in the force, too, (indiscernible) So read about it. So I simply ask that the council today decide to listen to its people. Don't be the parent that always excuse your bullying son or your bullying daughter. Instead, do what good parents do, punish your children, restrict their access to resources, and take away their blank- blank poise. Because as long as you allow them to add their toys, as long as you allow them to have their budgetary ability, as long as you allow them to believe there is no recourse when they wrong us, they will continue to wrong us. So stop funding APD, and put the [4:56:31 PM] money into health care, put the money into harm reduction, put the money into direct cash transfers, put the money into affordable housing that isn't restricted for individuals who are just involved. By all means I would rather you throw the money into the dumpster than to give it to APD, because at least I'm not worried about a dumpster killing myself or my son. Thank you. >> This is Mirna from the clerk's office. Just a quick statement to the speakers. If you have not yet dialed 0, please do so at this time. Thank you. The next speaker is Chavez Watson. You have three minutes. Chavez Watson? [4:57:52 PM] The next speaker is nitza deblotzi. >> Hey there. Can you hear me? >> Yes, go ahead. >> Thank you. Good afternoon, my name is nitza and I'm a childcare provider in the east Austin community. I am here to discuss my disapproval of how Austin funds are being used to weaponnize and used against Austin public citizens. As an educator I observed firsthand the fear black students have of law enforcement and I can remember this semester when one of my older students clung to my t-shirt when an APD officer was walking through the hallway and she was scared of him. She begged me to protect them. And that's when I realized that black kids see what's happening on the news. They recognize the fear and pain in their parents' voices. As they are forced to reconcile with this and have conversations about [4:58:53 PM] [indiscernible] Being murdered and conversations about in our own community Mike Ramos being shot by Kristopher Taylor of APD with no justice and only an attempt cover it up, the cycle of fear and resentment. And I'm here to say no more with everybody else. At the protest on Sunday, APD mobilized bicycles to forcibly assault one of my good friends. Before we could reach her, a swarm of police officers swarmed her and as the arresting officer threw her to the ground and that same day I watched as APD officers aimed the same non-lethal weapons that hospitalized others, aimed at civilians from rooftops to the chaos they were creating. Initially I planned on bringing my little sister to show her the strength of the community, I hoped it would be a beautiful lesson so the especially boyerment of standing up -- especially boyerment for standing up [4:59:54 PM] for what is right. And not only that, but recognizing as a black woman there there's a whole community of allies who will stand up for her when she needs it. A message that is rarely shared with our black youth. I can say that I watched families with kids run from the streets. I saw relief that I didn't bring her because I had never felt so unsafe in Austin, a city that I've lived in for 13 years. And I have taught for a year. At 2:30 APD tear gassed most of us standing in front of APD and they later lied to the media and the news saying that it was just gas or -- smoke bombs and it was non-lethal to the protestors. As we ran from the chaos I handed people in my community water bottles and wash cloths as we desperately washed chemicals from our mouths and eyes and the only threat was caused by the people who were armed, which was APD. This is why I'm asking you to defund APD. I'm asking you to remove [5:00:57 PM] officer Brian Manley, Kristopher Taylor and the officers who used unnecessary force on civilians. While looking at the budget I find it oppressive that black and brown residents already struggle to pay for emergency and health care while APD is granted over $400 million. [Buzzer sounds] -- To use on weapons on its own citizens and we are asking for justice. That is not a society your children deserve and I am asking you for the first time in 400 years to stand up because black lives do matter and what you do today will reflect on the process of healing that our community desperately needs. I have met most of you in person and I shook your hands and I have looked you in the face and I know that some of you have good intention in your hearts so I'm asking you to stand up for my little center, stand up for me, for my mom, stand up for the people I love. Don't let this happen anymore. It's up to you and [5:01:57 PM] only you. You guys are the ones making the laws and you guys -- we are taken as violent when asking for more. Thank you so much for listening. >> The next speaker is is Lisa brown. You have three minutes. >> Hello. My name is Lisa brown and I live in district 9 and I'm speaking outside against item 7. I'm a white person and I'm here supporting the demands of undoing white supremacy Austin grassroots leadership, the Austin coalition and others to demand that council fire chief Manley, defund Austin police department and invest in community resources that will truly keep us safe. My heart goes out to those who have shared the impact of these events on them and their family members. [5:03:02 PM] I cede the rest of my time to directly impacted people and people of color. Thank you. >> The next speaker is is chivas Watson. You have three minutes. Chivas Watson? The next speaker is Diana Haggerty. >> Yes. Am I able to be heard? >> Diana Haggerty, go ahead. >> Yes. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can hear you, go ahead. You have three minutes. >> Wonderful. [5:04:02 PM] My name is Diana haggertierty and I am a proud homeowner in district 5 and business owner within district 9. But I am today here as a mother, a role I share with several of you on the council. I think you will agree that the sacred thread of mother we all feel. And we heard super so many mothers, children already today. And I am the mother of four incredible daughters that I will defend with my life. The police response to the protest here in Austin rendered me confused and helpless and terrified as it has so many black mothers and mothers of color in countless situations. My heart is with those mothers who have had their children abused, injured and killed at the hands of police this weekend and for so many, many years' before. The past week in Austin has brought the feelings uncomfortably close to home [5:05:03 PM] as I have felt safe, sent my teenager to numerous civic engagements and been to almost every March since I moved here in 2007. I am crystal clear that since the recent events are so shocking to me and so many of my white counterparts is due to privilege. This level of police brutality is not shocking to our black counterparts in Austin as they have had to endure not only inequitable policing, but abuse at the hands of police that are there to protect and serve. As Anita said, you keep using that word and I do not think it means what you think it means. And since us moms are so excellent at research as we act as our family's health care specialist, personal assistants and risk energies, we quickly have come to realize that this is not new to Austin and in fact far worse than we could have a imagined. I don't know if you've been hanging out in the mom's groups lately, but in between our kids being home 2011 and our socially [5:06:03 PM] enforced need to fix everything, white Austin mothers are over it. We want more for our city, for our citizens and not just white citizens. We don't want our city to be a place where we can go our whole lives without a meaningful interaction with a person of color. This is a systemic problem and we are here to discuss the events of this weekend that I want you to know that we are watching. And we are listening. And I would urge not only the council, but white allies to move over and let these brilliant and capable black community leaders show us the way. We are listening to our black counterparts and the black leaders of this movement. We stand in solidarity and we are prepared to act as the heart wrenchingly accurate statement replays over and over in my mind, all mothers were summoned when George Floyd called out for his momma. I clearly do not speak for all mothers, but this mother is deferring to black leadership and to the office for police oversight. I urge you to heed their recommendations and the [5:07:04 PM] recommendations brought today. [Buzzer sounds] To maintain and strengthen community oversight, to implement the eight can't weight protocols. To listen to our black leaders in the ways they see fit to improve their quality of life. To fire the officers who child Mike Ramos and in a capture in the Austin police department in a shift in the way Austin citizens are served. And chief Manley if you love your city and the department the way you do, you will step aside and make way for the community. Mr. Cronk, if he doesn't step aside I would like you to make sure he does. City council, we are watching. Thank you. >> The next speaker is amit Patel. You have three minutes. >> Yeah, hi. So I would like to agree with some of the people that have gone before me. I've personally made it very clear to the city manager's [5:08:04 PM] office, to Jason Alexander in the city manager's office that systemic police abuse is an issue. I've had to face it as a brown individual in this city and it's something that I come from a privileged background. My parents are fairly wealthy, but I stood up and fought for it. In my case when I personally met with the assistant city manager and showed him details, videos, recordings of this abuse, of unlawful orders being given, it was blown off. So at this point anyone that denies that this hasn't existed or is just coming to the resolution that this is a problem should immediately be let go for gross negligence. As a taxpayer I would also like to know for the past two years this has been a fraudulent effort because it's a non-thing covered up. Is the council recovering those funds and what will those be placed towards? Thank you. [5:09:05 PM] >> The next speaker is Katrina black. You have three minutes. >> Hi. Can you hear me. Hi, can you hear me. >> Yes, please go ahead. >> >> Hi. My name is Katrina black. I live in 78704. I just moved 44 from Harvard law school. I'm calling for the defunding of the police and investment into the black community. Black and brown people in the city need better. It is absurd that 40% of Austin's budgets goes to police. And I understand that this is a free money situation with the grant, but right now public health and neighborhood housing receive 10% combined. I would ask that you, you know, transfer like 20% of the police budget to -- or more to this. That's what I feel like a meager ask. And then the other ask that [5:10:06 PM] I have is that you please fire those officers that killed Mike Ramos and that you also consider firing police chief Brian Manley, assistant chief Troy gray, assistant city manager rey Arrellano who have not done their job in keeping the city safe and bringing accountability to these cops who abused their power as many have mentioned earlier. Demanding justice for Mike Ramos and his mother. Black lives matter and I will step out of the way for people of color to share their stories. >> The next speaker is John Cowart. You have three minutes. >> Hey, can you hear me? >> Yes, proceed. >> Good afternoon. My name is John Cowart. I'm the tenth grade [5:11:07 PM] assistant principal at keep Austin brave high school. I'm here to share about Brad. I know him as an honor student who took advanced class. I heard him call out is this true or is this what you want us to learn about history? Brad loves history. He thinks critically. And when he was walking home that day and saw what was happening, he told his mom on the phone, I'll be home shortly. I want to see history happening. He never made it home. And he hasn't been home since then. Chief Manley said the officers who shot Brad worked within the policy. Really? That's our policy? That's the policy, to shoot unharmed peaceful children in the head. Is that what all of you are signing off on right now? Mayor Adler, you urged us [5:12:07 PM] not to make bad tactics an indictment on the individual police officers. And with all due respect, Mr. Mayor, hard disagree. This was not a case of bad police tactics or lack of training or an accident. This was intentional. We've Manley, your answer to Edwin earlier was absolute and complete garbage. How dare you listen to a grieving brother and spew our idiotcy about what is within or outside the policy. Policy? Your officers shot him and sniperred him down because I wanted to. A 16-year-old boy peacefully observing in the distance. We need action. We need the officers responsible fired and charged. We need chief Manley fired. And we need to defund our police department right now. Defund them and give that money to our black and brown community. Raid the Austin police pension fund and use it to [5:13:08 PM] pay for Brad and Justin's medical bills and for Mike Ramos' funeral costs. No more platitudes. Your prayers and hopes are not enough. Brad needs you, Justin needs you, Mike's family needs you, and our black and brown citizens in the city need you to act. >> The next speaker is is chivas Watson. Please be sure your phone is not muted. You have three minutes. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes, please proceed. >> Okay. I'm representing district 1 and all the affected communities in Austin. District 3, district 6, district 2, district 10. So that makes me in direct correspondence with several of you. I appreciate anyone who finally stands for black lives, but truth is it always have. That's why you listen to several of us who have [5:14:08 PM] direct experience with APD and the city of Austin. I'm a black man. I can't say with certainty that black lives have mattered before. Truth is under art Acevedo we dealt with trigger happy officers in APD and also in the county officers. In 2018 we as community advocates we begged you all to hold a comprehensive search for a Chris chief, but we were denied for the existing chief. While under Acevedo's lead of the Houston police department they've had 111 police initiated shootings and 34 murders. So at the same time Manley's 430-million-dollar operation has covered up investigations and slain more bodies. So mayor pro tem Garza, I heard you say black lives matter and if we would have analyzed the resisting arrest charges as a result of APD interaction you gain scores of excessive force and brutality. Black lives also matter when a man like George Floyd or [5:15:09 PM] Mike Ramos make it to Travis county jails and have to engage with an indifferent relationship with local attorneys that deny rehabilitation and reentry and more than likely leave austinites with documented stains that prevent them from resolving basic needs. Black lives don't doesn't matter to this city and the responses to homeless decriminalization. And to be honest, a black lives has to matter full scale at this point and I'm saying even more sidewalks, bike lanes and bars have meant to the city. Almost 39% of the general fund goes to a department that wants to hire more officers only so they can tear gas and intentionally murder medical personnel and groups of people. I think it's time to change directions and by a defunding them, I think it's influenced by recently using the city's budget tool in seeing how much is dedicated to public health in Austin. I think the disparities there all for an instant defunding. Those who I stand with, but more communities in which [5:16:09 PM] I've lived in which you represent that need rise from assistance and other advocates you hear from today, I think we're seeking from now on to communicate with you in ways that are immediate and skilled in diversion of funds when it comes to APD and operational accountability. I personally have taken undoing racism with APD leadership outside of Manley and I felt that these were still unsuccessful reasons to fund the department $430 million without moving away from such an expensive option to even fully staff. I think it's time to let specific ones go out. I think you heard from advocates already. You've got austinites with experience from this past weekend that can testify before the grand jury and APD culture that defies even constitutional rights. So along with demanding an immediate 70 million diversion from the rise fund to covid-19 names, we request Z for the removal after list of officers and of Manley, maybe like many of you didn't want Charlie strong at UT. [Buzzer sounds] Council, you are aware that since I participated in past actions that Latino [5:17:10 PM] communities have long been ignored because of a negative involvement with APD. I support Chris' early recommendation to disband the department with the media denying of funding -- >> Speaker, your time has expired. >> And Spencer, you hold the authority for the change in APD leadership. And Jimmy, I agree with mass accountability. I think you've heard tears today -- >> Sir -- >> Based on APD killing. I think we do need to make an instant change and we will come to you with initiatives. Professional ones that I think can exist with efforts that we already have going on. Thank you again for the time. >> The next speaker is Paul Adrian. You have three minutes. Paul Adrian. [5:18:13 PM] Be sure to unmute your phone if you're on mute. Paul Adrian. >> Hi, can you hear me? >> Yes, please proceed. >> This is Paul. Thank you. My name is Paul Adrian. I'm an eighth generation Texan who attended UT Austin and later the Harvard Kennedy school. I worked two decays as a broadcast journalist and for the last decade I've been a technology entrepreneur, a cloud based video transfer solution used by some of the world's largest media companies. In short I am a privileged white guy. I was not at the protest, but I did see video on the news that cannot be unseen. Of Austin police officers lined upside by side repeatedly firing their shotguns, beanbags, less lethal rounds, whatever that is, tear gas. I can't stop seeing those officers side by side, shooting. I also can't stop seeing the video of 16-year-old Brad Ayala standing by himself on [5:19:14 PM] the embankment doing nothing but stopping to see democracy in action. APD shot him in the head and he dropped like a rock and I can't stop seeing that and unhear his brother who testified earlier. The injuries at the protest were predictable. They were because the Austin police department dressed its officers as stormtroopers and sent them to a free speech event armed as guns that would be aimed at Austin audits like Brad. The key issue to me is APD thinks it's okay for its officers to take guns to a free speech event at all and that it's okay for those officers to use those guns on austinites. Even today we hear this in the explanations from the police chief. It reminded me of that March in Selma where there was undeniably a right side and wrong side, a good side and bad side. That bad side was armed with sticks and guns and dogs. The good side got injured, [5:20:15 PM] but changed the world. This week APD played the role of those cops in Selma. This time the blood of that 16-year-old is on my hand as an Austin voter and a taxpayer. And I accept that responsibility, which is why I'm speaking today. Mayor Adler, councilmembers, I have great respect for all of you and for what you do to grow and protect this community, but you are responsible for the injuries at that protest because you hire the city manager who hires the police chief who authorized this use of force on Austin citizens. You approved the police budget that paid for those guns. The remedy is to say in no uncertain terms that what happened this week in Austin was wrong and that it should never happen again, and I believe you do that by removing the police chief from his job. And if you don't have the authority to do that, by [5:21:16 PM] removing the person that you can remove, the city manager. Shooting civilians is wrong and it is your responsibility and your opportunity to take direct action to ensure that every police officer knows that they should never, ever aim any gun at a citizen -- [buzzer sounds] -- Who is exercising their constitutional right to free speech. Thank you. >> Mayor, did you hear the buzzer that time? >> Yes. >> The next speaker is Vicky deweis. You have three minutes. >> Hi. I'm going to give a little bit of an opposing view. First off I want to say I was born in Austin. I am actually -- I actually [5:22:18 PM] did endure police being overbearing to me personally in the '80s. I had guns drawn on me with my baby in the car in a station wagon. So I fella that feels like. One of -- I felt what that feels like. One of my best friends ran for office. As an African-American, I was his treasury, so to give a little bit of background. I am going to say that I don't think that you should defund the police department. I'm saying that based on I hear more training. I know that takes a shortage of money. There's a shortage of officers, I hear that constantly. I hear all the time that APD cannot patrol neighborhoods, they can't respond effectively. A number of officers retiring or resigning exceeds the number who are graduating. They have a delayed response to property crimes if they respond at all. They take officers from assigned sectors on an ongoing basis to put them in other sectors, leaving every sector in town short of the [5:23:19 PM] minimum number of officers required. They require backup from other agencies. I don't know about you, but I want them to be able to return to community policing. They don't have enough officers to do that that is what I'm constantly told. I don't want to live with areas of town being boarded up. I don't understand why that has to be the case. A year ago chief Manley was hailed as a hero. Cities all over town wanted him to come to work for him. Now he's being vilified. Prior to these protests there was a tribunal. That's what they called it, a special interest group called for a tribunal on chief Manley. I see him as a voice of calm and reason. I think his sensitivity is refreshing. I think he's horrified by some of the events that occurred this weekend. He's not the first chief to have people criticize him. Art Acevedo was criticized before he left Austin. [5:24:19 PM] You will never find the perfect person. I think you need to work with chief Manley. I want to ask what about injuries to cops? It's terrible that there were injuries to anybody, but what about injuries to cops? I don't hear anybody asking about that. I think protecting the citizens and your first responders needs to be your number one job. No neighborhood, very few neighborhoods can afford to hire private security. I know a lot of neighborhoods are feeling like they need to know. I know my neighborhood can't and we're in baker sector and that's another thing. I think the sectors need to be smaller. They're huge. It's impossible. With the traffic in Austin it's impossible for the police to even answer calls. It's been on the news constantly. I hope that you will consider some of what I've said. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Colleagues, I've been asked [5:25:23 PM] to help let speakers know when the buzzer has rung. I'm going to try to start doing that. Go ahead. >> The next speaker is Molly Malone. You have three minutes. >> Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, we can. >> Hi. -- Great, thank you. I'm here to discuss today's hearing about defunding the police. The reason being that as everyone has indicated here today that there are certain tactics and certain things that have been tried in the past over and over and over again and those items are not successful. So in my opinion I think it's time that we start defunding the police and putting those resources towards other programs within the city that can help create change in communities of color, as people have discussed today [5:26:25 PM] from public health care, also in public housing and other areas around mental health and public health care. Going through resources in need and going through and realizing that on a consistency of crisis and community, it's very, very hard for people to live the lives that they are intended to live. So I just want to share that today and I would defer the rest of my time to other folks. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker is Alexandria hart. You have three minutes. >> Hello, can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Thank you. I want to start off with a thank you to councilwoman harper-madison. I'm very, very proud to live in your district. My name is Alex hart and I've been in Austin for eight years. And every year when the [5:27:26 PM] anniversary of moving here approaches I like to wonder if I qualify as an austinite yet. Me being an austinite is a guest, something that we should be both appreciative and proud of. And while there have been many days since the 2016 election that I've been ashamed to be an American, I've never felt shame in regards to Austin until now. When the protests started it seemed like our police force would not behave in the despicable manner that we've seen on screen and replaying in our heads the murder of George Floyd. It was naive to think that our beautiful city is in any way immune to deep rooted racism that plagues our country. 20-year-old Justin Howell may die. 16-year-old Levi is in critical condition. A black pregnant woman was shot in the belly. None of these individuals posed a threat to officers, and all of this was done at the hands of the Austin police department. It is no surprise that each [5:28:26 PM] person I mentioned here is a person of color. The force used on these individuals exercising their constitutional rights was excessive and it's criminal. It's time leaders and those in power show us courage and compassion in addressing the wrongdoings of APD. For my fellow Latinos... [Speaking Spanish]. Fire the officers who are responsible for these crimes. Charge them with criminal offenses and charge them immediately. Then require all officers to go through explicit bias testing and do not put officers in the field who are a danger to our community. Require warnings before shootings. Require deescalation before shooting. Make shooting an absolute last resort. Adopt eight can't wait, which is moon to decrease police violence. Require officers to protect and serve, not police and [5:29:26 PM] murder. Full stop. And lastly, take some of the 400 plus million taxpayer dollars allocated to the APD and use that money to help heal our community. Provide better housing opportunities for people of color and invest in medical services and homelessness that also disproportionately affects people of color. The police are not above the law and it's your job to prove that now. Prove to us that Austin is actually a home we can be proud of. Please act now and take no half measures. Inaction will cause more suffering in our community. Suffering that's been inflicted upon the black and Latino community and the minority community for far too long. I hope the council sees this as an opportunity to set a national standard. It starts here with you at the local level. And councilmembers, if it doesn't start with you, there will soon be someone else in your chair willing to make the changes that our community needs. Thank you. [5:30:27 PM] [Buzzer sounds] >> Mayor Adler: Just a moment, please. Councilmember harper-madison? >> Harper-madison: I'd just like to give a moment to address that last speaker. Not just because she's a d1 constituent, but because she said something that's so important. I think as we move through this -- I want to be -- y'all have to forgive me. I've been trying my best all day to like compose myself. I think what I'm trying to say is the thing that she said that I really appreciate that everybody can appreciate, she talked about civil engagement. Civic, rather, engagement. She said the words so these things that are making us all so very uncomfortable, rightfully uncomfortable, I mean, to the point where I'm [5:31:28 PM] muting my camera as often as I can because I don't want y'all to see me cry. I don't want you to see me wiping my nose. I don't want anybody on the line who has taken the opportunity to share with us to think that if we mute ourselves on camera that we're not listening to you. More often than not it's a matter of us just trying to remain professional and composed. I appreciate that that last speaker said the thing that they did about getting civically engaged. I don't even get these opportunities so I'm going to take this moment. You've got to get engaged civically. You've got to make sure you're registered to vote, you've got to make sure you're prepared to be a part of this process. Not even from the municipal process, but like as it moves into who governs us. Just one quick moment to take the opportunity to say please get engaged. And if you have any [5:32:29 PM] questions, if you're concerned, if you don't know how to do it, find us. Y'all know how to find our email addresses. When you want to you find us. So please find us if this is a moment where you feel like you need anything in the way of guidance about how to move forward in a way that we can help you make calculated and intentional decisions about who you vote for because that's important. >> Mayor, you're muted. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. We have two more speakers who are speaking for three minutes each and then we have a little over 300 speakers speaking for one minute each. That will take us probably five and a half, six hours. Let's go ahead and call the last two speakers at three minutes and then we go to one minute. We're still anticipating taking a break about [5:33:33 PM] 6:00 oak. Please go ahead. >> Next speaker is summer Mansfield. You have three minutes. >> Hi. I live in district 7. Manager cronk, what more evidence do you need to see that austinites do not approve of our police leadership? That our leadership has failed miserably. The assistant police chief was openly racist. Man he admitted it to Manley. Manley failed to fire him. This again is grounds for dismissal. The accounts of police action we have heard here today give credence to the perception that all cops are bad cops, but I want to play devil's advocate for a minute. Chief Manley, your actions have not only put the community at large, but put your officers in danger. If the community is anger they will take it out on the [5:34:33 PM] police as we have seen over the course of events this weekend. Not only were the officers physically abused, they were mentally and emotionally degraded. As such it stands to reason as human nature dictates that these officers unless treated properly go on to harbor even greater fear and resentment of the community they're to protect. Therefore to keep peace and come together, citizens and police force, we must start fresh from a place of mutual respect and trust. And that is going to be hard to do -- chief Manley, I wish you well, I wish you peace and forgiveness. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Savannah Jones. You have three minutes. >> Hello, can you hear me? >> Yes, please proceed. >> Hello. First I would like to commend councilwoman harper-madison for calling out chief Manley for not [5:35:34 PM] being fully present, by having his camera on in this meeting when this is all happening because of him and his police force. I am a long time president dent and speaking of APD tactics of crowd control over the weekend and what is being done to expedite the open investigation with the attacks on Brad and multiple other victims during the peaceful protest. As you know, a minor by the name of Brad ayaly was standing alone doing absolutely nothing and while a safe distance from the crowd was shot down by a shot from non-lethal ammunition. A 20-year-old black male received a head shot while idly standing by and there were reports in which he was being carried away by a team of medics. Officers continued to shoot at them with rubber bullets and beanbags. It is completely absurd and criminal. What steps are being taken to find their attackers and what will you do to hold them accountable? Another thing I would like to address is there needs to be a discussion in read a indicating the use of rubber belle let's and beanbags in [5:36:35 PM] our cities. There is no need for this ammunition T has caused multiple injuries, including for Brad who remains in intensive care. Also a woman by was shot in the back multiple times as she ran for cover and it turns out she was pregnant. Although it is reported by her husband that the baby is okay, it is possible to change. This form of crowd control is supposed to be administer below the waist only to avoid serious injuries, but officers have displayed that they are not capable of using this method responsibly. And what do you do when -- what is to be done with someone who can't use things responsibly? They have it taken away. I would also like to see chief Manley replaced by someone who is completely transparent. The fact that he is unwilling to release footage from the cameras on the front lines and put it in front of the city and lie about the events that transpired is a complete disgrace and I don't feel safe having someone like him running the force that is supposed to serve and [5:37:36 PM] protect us. I would like to see Christopher Taylor charged with the murder of Mike Ramos. Members of council, we need for you to stand for us as leaders and as citizens of this wonderful city. Bring justices to the victims of protest and hold the criminals of our police department accountable for these acts of violence. >> Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: We're now going to go to speakers speaking one minute. I will tell everyone on the line, and I'll probably do this a couple of times, we're going to take a break around 6:00 for dinner. If you're online and on the phone, don't hang up because you will lose your place in line. When we take the break we'll see what time we're coming back, but if you're on the line and haven't been called, don't hang up because you will lose your place. Please call the first one-minute speaker, please. >> Angelica arrohaso? [5:38:39 PM] >> Who. >> Yes, go ahead. You have one minute. >> I am a d1 resident. I was a peaceful protester on stunned and shot and tear gassed by APD. People next to me were vomiting and passing out and still getting shot at while trying to get their breath. I was hit in the head with the so-called non-lethal rounds. The only reason I'm okay is because I was wearing a helmet. I wore a helmet because I expected that APD might shoot at us. Hear that and understand that. This weekend innocent people were brutalized by the police of this city. How much blood needs to be spilled until you give a damn? Spencer cronk, our statement yesterday said our chief of police is committed. Is somebody who sent a letter to Ken paxton trying to Exxon Nate the officers who killed Mike Ramos someone who is committed? Someone for weeks refused to [5:39:42 PM] acknowledge that the searches and arrests are a serious issue and a chief of police who is committed? Someone who publicly stated that there was no issue with the [indiscernible] And chief of police that is committed? [Buzzer sounds] [Multiple voices] >> Mayor Adler: Angelica, thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. >> Cassie Matthews. You have one minute. >> Mayor Adler: And I know one minute is not sufficient time for anyone to be really able to speak. But you get to pick probably one impactful thought, but you do have one minute. We're going to be listening to speakers until about midnight. Go ahead, please. >> My name is Casey Matthews. I'm a resident of data. I wanted to take a moment to [5:40:44 PM] call attention to the glaringly obvious racial disparities and injustices held by the Austin police department as evidenced in the handles of two protests that have taken place in the last couple of months. One being the info wars [indiscernible] Which were largely white citizens and the other being the protest in the recent week. Represented by people of color. And our and the oppression of people of color. APD, your racist principles and your fear of the rising up of people of color are on grand display. Austin citizens are watching you. And I just wanted to say the name of the woman who was shot while pregnant and attempting to peacefully protest. [Buzzer sounds] I am demanding the [5:41:44 PM] resignation of chief Manley and the officers who were involved in the murder of Mike Ramos. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Next speaker is topaz mcgarkle. You have one minute. >> Hello. I was down in the protests on Saturday and Sunday. Can you hear me? >> There are obviously much larger issues here, but I'm here to suggest a resolution for how protests are managed and how to strengthen the police department instead of spending money on riot gear, tear gas, I would propose that we have a city department of medicineiation and crowd control. With the right training and tactics there would be no need for beanbags and tear gas. It's silly that the police [5:42:45 PM] are in charge of a protest against the police. And they show up in riot gear. It's like you're begging for confrontation. You could use -- police force could be used to combat violent criminals and that's all. The mediation of crowd control would be useful on weekends on sixth street at festivals and with the right training would cut down on racially motivated police violence and profile. [Buzzer sounds] The fact that chief Manley hasn't stepped down tells you the kind of person he is and the trauma he's caused to his officers. The poor management and the trauma that will be caused to all the police officers as well. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> My message is directed towards the police department and chief Brian Manley. I'm a college student and I [5:43:45 PM] have to say I'm extremely disgusted by how you treated protesters. However I'm not surprised. You say your job is to serve and protect us, but the only ones protecting us were the medics and you were shooting them. We had to rely on each other. Personally at one protest I was covering and protecting a black woman with four other people who y'all maced while she got her eyes flushed out while APD officers stormed us after we screamed we were helping an injured person. One of the officers yelled, then pick her up and leave. Then they beat us with batons, pushing us with shields and me being shot in the eyes with the tear gas. You started shooting rubber bullets at anyone you can see. Chief Manley how can you sit up there in your office and claim that your officers are -- [buzzer sounds] -- When there are videos [5:44:46 PM] everywhere of APD committing brutality of them committing crimes against the public. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much for participating. Next speaker. >> Justin galise. >> Hi. Can y'all hear me? Hi name is Justin. I'm a resident of district 9. I'm here to voice my concern and anger over the way protesters were treated last weekend by the APD. The police took an oath to defend and serve the public, shooting kids, pregnant women or anyone for that matter does not fit within that oath. I'm asking for an open and independent investigation into how this happened and how it can be prevented in the future. I'm asking that you remove chief Manley whose leadership allowed it to happen. I'm asking that you investigate the killing of Mike Ramos. I'm also asking that you delay the current cadet class to implement training. I'm asking that all of you propose and pass policies that ban choke holds and strangleholds. [5:45:46 PM] Require that officers deescalate the situations first. Ban shooting at moving vehicles and require officers to file comprehensive reports after they use or threaten to use force against a civilian. I also ask that you defund the APD. If you do not vote in favor of the people and create policies in our interest, we will vote you out. I cede the rest of my time. >> Thank you. Next speaker. >> Zachary mallet. >> Hip. I'm here to say that the funding of the -- defunding of the current police budget must be reallocated. We have to [indiscernible]. And instead focus on redirecting that money into neglected communities. Condemning people to victim ismizization of the police. In this case we should use the funds cut from the [5:46:46 PM] police department for rent support, for people who could be evicted on June 1st, as well as an immediate refusal of eviction started on June 1st. In addition, chief Manley must be removed from his position immediately. His conning of violent -- condoning of violent behavior against people, and you have too many witnesses to think that you can down play the actions of APD and make up stories to justify the violence retroactively, ie the backpack story to justify shooting Justin Howell. It's bull S---. You lied. Any city councilmembers who have been supported financiallily police unions -- [buzzer sounds] Donate to local organizations or go fund mes. [Indiscernible]. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Thank you for participating. Next speaker. >> Shane Johnson. [5:47:48 PM] >> All right. Can y'all hear necessity? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, go ahead. >> [Indiscernible]. I just can't believe them until I actually see them put into practice. I've been doing this work for three and a half years and as a black man I haven't had the privilege of not realizing how brutal and how much APD cadets [indiscernible] The culture in Austin. At the bare minimum you should institute all of the eight primary deescalation tactics that organizations have put out. It is absolutely absurd that APD doesn't have to do things like deescalate or do other measures before shooting at people. And then as an absolute bare minimum you must fire chief Manley, fire APD chief of [5:48:49 PM] staff Troy gay, fire assistant manager rey Arrellano who personally tried to slow down the creation of the mental health [indiscernible] Response program, a program that -- [buzzer sounds] People like me would be murdered. I want to end with saying that if you don't do these things you're going to wish that the protests had stayed as small as they have been. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Cecelia yatin. >> Can you hear me? >> Please proceed. >> My name is Cecelia and I live in district 1. I'm here to demand that choke holds and strangleholds be banned from the APD. I think it is distrusting that APD claim that their accuses this past weekend were to protect people. There's countless evidence that this is not the case. [5:49:50 PM] Handing out cookies and kneeling and hugging for photo ops and lying to cover up what actually happened this weekend is never going to bring back the lives of people that have been murdered and will never fix the irreparable lives of mass incarceration of black people. I'm here to say that APD should be trained to do all other alternatives before turning to weapons. And that other procedures like wearing body cams are proven to be ineffective. APD's budget is extremely disproportionate and I demand they are defunded and that chief officer Manley step down, be fired. And y'all need to do better. It's disgusting that hundreds of people have to call and tell you how to do your jobs. [Buzzer sounds] You're supposed to be the professional and you are proving to be the criminals and y'all are the ones who should be locked up. Thank you. [5:51:09 PM] >> Do you support a national registry for officers with criminal report. What do you take to do adequate backgrounds. How many secondary weapons is an officer allowed to carry? Please define carry. The approved weapons states ar15s can be carried by both on and off duty officers. Are there any restrictions at all to carry ar15s or any rifles. Who pays for settlements regarding police brutality cases? If tax dollars, why? What is the status of the Mike Ramos case? When will the officer be charged? Who is taking care of Brenda Ramos? Do you participate in a -- do we participate in no knock warrant serving? Is an officer required to identify themselves? And then lastly in regards to the minor Brad -- [buzzer sounds] He suffered a head wound by being needlessly shot while he was up against a fence. Officer Manley stated he was shot while he was clearing the highway. He was on a grassy hill. [5:52:10 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> I want to know what has been done to identify the shooters. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. >> Are there any APD body cams? Are there any ballistic testing that can be done. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for participating tonight. Thank you. Next speaker. >> Deidra doty. >> Hello? >> Yes, go ahead. >> Yes, hello? >> Mayor Adler: Go ahead, please. >> As a white person, as a white person, I cannot know the lived experiences of or speak for black people and other people of color. And I was not at the recent protest. As an ally I want to say I am outraged over the use of force tactics, including shooting protesters with so-called less lethal beanbags that the Austin [5:53:12 PM] police department used for police brutality and police tacks ticks that have lead to the countless killings of people across our nation, including George Floyd and Mike Ramos here in Austin, Texas. This comes on the heels of the at a time item report and homophobia in the department and on the heels of policy refusals under chief Manley's leadership, including the ability of Austin police to shoot at moving vehicles. I call on Austin city council to defund APD and reallocate that money to fund better solutions, such as more mental health and mental health workers. Investing in housing and community-based security and restorative justice plans and I call on -- [buzzer sounds] We need new leadership to make sure that police reform in Austin actually reserves. As councilmember harper-madison said, we need to stop talking listen to the people demanding justice and take action. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Thank you. Next speaker. [5:54:13 PM] >> Patches Brashear? >> Hello? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, go ahead, please. >> I've lived in district 2 for 12 years. I've spoken to the council many times and it always comes down to the racism of some system in this city. Anyone who has been paying attention has seen this coming for a long time. Community advocates have been bringing in problems to light for many years. Our outrage is justified. Our city's budget has consistently supported these excessive policing that has led us here. Defund and disband our city's police force. In any APD officer that didn't quit this weekend is part of the problem. Please listen to the voices of those affected most. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Lauren dug a iatnato? [5:55:17 PM] >> My name is Lauren. You all know the eight steps to take. We're not interested in apologies. It is lame. They are not genuine. People want action. We won't accept these promises of reform since the system is designed to be violent. We're not fools or impressed by your performance of taking a knee. It's a publicity stunt. They're releasing all peaceful protesters, begin planning to defund the police department. Hold the officers accountable. Reallocate funds into the community and know that the people of Austin will continue to protest until the city starts dismantling the racist system of the police. I'm out. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> David chase. >> Yes. My name is David chase. [5:56:19 PM] And I was lucky enough to experience the peaceful protest that's been happening for these last four days. And I talked to a lot of protesters lately and we all feel that the police should not be writing their own police reports. It should be done by a third-party, possibly the director or office of police oversight. I don't see why this didn't happen a long time ago. Right now the system is biased because police officer's emotions are involved, the mentalities are involved and we don't know the history of that mentality and those emotions. So it's biased. If we had a second, third-party review board or something to take the police reports or take make a second police report, then we would have an unbiased system. But until that happens, you know, nothing is going to change. I also call for Manley's resignation. And defunding. If this doesn't happen. I feel like it's the only [5:57:19 PM] way to change the system. [Buzzer sounds] Appreciate everyone and what you're doing and I hope I see some change. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. >> Jacari renter. >> Hello. My name is jacari. I'm a black woman. And I'm a resident of Austin in district 3. Every interaction I've had with the police is nerve-wracking because there's no guarantee for just treatment. I had to push through many threats to my physical and mental health to protest at the capitol on Sunday. The biggest threat being the massive amount of armed police officers that continued to use excessive amounts of force against civilians for exercising our first amendment right. I am asking the city council to fire chief Manley and the officers involved with Mike Ramos' murder. [5:58:20 PM] Defund the Austin police department and put that into the communities that need it. Listen to your community. I want to know what it feels like to trust in law enforcement. That is impossible with this kind of police department. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Let's hold on now. We're going to take a break. Councilmember harper- madison, did you want to say something? >> Harper-madison: I did, yeah, thank you. Y'all, this is brutal. And I don't think we spend enough time outside of policy work talking about mental health and wellness. I'm struggling to stay on the call, to be honest with you. I can't even speak to the people who are going to talk to us [5:59:21 PM] tonight. I am struggling to stay on this call, because it's brutal, and it's painful. And so my hope is that during the course. Break, that everybody takes a moment to do some deep breathing, drink some water, eat some food, hug your loved ones, like take a minute for yourself. And I would encourage the people who are waiting to speak to do the same. While I recognize that the subject matter is so very important, I am worried about all of us. Somebody sent me a message, I do this thing when I'm anxious. I rock, and somebody was like, you look like an absolute maniac right now. And I don't care. I'm doing what I need to do for myself. [6:00:21 PM] So do what you got to do. Like whatever behavioral modification you have to do for yourself, whatever minute you have to take for yourself to be okay in a moment like this that's so incredibly absurd and crazy. Like it's the moment that's crazy, it's not you. So I hope people are taking an opportunity to take care of themselves. I will also say this. Without discounting the relevance of being accountable, I'm looking at Brian Manley, who turned on his camera, thank you, that's a whole human person right now, y'all. So while I can appreciate that we all have something to say, that is entirely relevant, and us holding him by way of his position of leadership [6:01:22 PM] accountable, I want you to look at that man's face. That's a whole human person. He's not a robot, he's not a monster. We can hold him accountable, and also recognize that he might need to take a minute, too. So I want everybody to just know that I'm not feeling okay. I don't know about y'all, but I don't feel okay. I feel bad. I'm on the struggle bus. I'm driving the struggle bus. I want y'all to all take a minute, take some breaths, eat some food, drink some water, do what you have to do to take care of yourself, and remember, none of us are immortal, none of us are robots, we're all human people. Regardless of our opinions of how you did or did not, frankly, do your job, and I have some thoughts about that, which I'm certain we'll talk about later. [6:02:22 PM] My hope is that we all remember, everybody -- every face you can see right now is a human face. These aren't robots, these are humans. Give them a minute. Please give them a minute to be human. The other thing I wanted to say, and I appreciate you recognizing me, chair, because I feel this is of the utmost importance. Sometimes some of the hard times I get are by way of the Austin police association, and their leadership. The fact that Ken caddie, aka box, the leader of the union for the police department, is not on this call, I personally find it problematic. I think this is an opportunity for people to put all of -- and I'm not going to make any apologies, I think some of the words that have been expressed, some of the fears and anger that [6:03:24 PM] have been expressed towards our police chief are entirely valid. But the fact of the matter is, when it comes to the loud voices, they come from Apa. They come from the Austin police association, and Ken Cassidy and his leadership there, I think it's problematic that he's not on the call. My hope is during the course of the break, we get him on the call. Because in my mind's eye, that's an important introduction to this dialogue. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for that. Take care, everybody, tonight. Colleagues, it is 6:04. There are about 120 people that have actually gotten in the queue that have yet to speak. [6:04:24 PM] The other 150 would have the right to be able to call in. But at this point, about 120 people. It is 6:04. I suggest we come back at 7:00 to complete the calls. Does that work for everybody? 55 minutes, so you actually have a chance to rest. All right. So then here at 6:04, both the regular city council meeting as well as the special called city council meeting are both in recess until 7:00. See you guys then. >> To all of the speakers, this is Myrna from the clerk's office, reminder to not hang up or you will lose your spot in line. Also, if you have not pressed 0, please do so now, so that you are admitted to the call. Thank you. [6:05:35 PM] [Recess at 6:05 P.M.] [7:05:12 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Council. It is 7:05. We are going to reconvene the city council meeting set for June 4th, 2020. It is also an currently the special called meeting also for this same day, June 4th, 2020. We were listening to speakers that had signed up and we'll start back in on that process. When we are done hearing all the speakers we'll entertain a motion on item number 7. And then right after that we will all hold our comments and reconvene tomorrow morning at 9:00 this meeting so we can have the presentation and then questions and discussions. I would say out loud again that having one minute to speak is clearly insufficient time for people to be able to speak. [7:06:14 PM] The reason that council decided this policy a couple of years ago is because it was also unfair to have people having to wait hours and hours and hours and only get to speak to the council at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. We have 334 people sign up, if everybody spoke for three minutes, that's almost 17 hours that we would have people speaking and it's imperative that as a council we get to discuss procedures and protocols associated with demonstrations certainly before we go back into -- into demonstrations this week. With that said we're going to go ahead and continue on with the speakers. Every speaker has one minute. I apologize no for that, but I would ask the speakers to try to hold to that one minute so that all the remaining speakers have a [7:07:14 PM] chance to speak before we get too late. Do we still have the folks on that are helping us recognize speakers? >> Yes, we're here. >> Mayor Adler: Okay, great. Why don't you go ahead and call the next speaker. >> Brette Tarr. >> Thank you very much for -- thank you very much for having me. I am a business owner and have lived here in Austin for 18 years and participated in the protests Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening. What I witnessed were multiple acts of APD officers firing at unarmed peaceful protesters, shooting in the head and the torso, and not taking appropriate measures outlined by APD. Being a business owner myself, I know that I am responsible for those that I manage and oversee. [7:08:17 PM] I did not hear chief Brian Manley participating in this weekend's activities. I did not hear of any type of reports of oversight of the police, but what I saw firsthand were individual police officers firing multiple times with other officers standing shoulder to shoulder and not saying anything. What I saw were peaceful protesters policing themselves, putting out fires -- [buzzer sounds] At one point peacefully confronting a man wielding a knife. Telling others not to throw water bottles. And I personally confronted police officers who were indiscriminately firing live rounds -- pardon me, non-lethal rounds at individuals. And once they saw a semi-imposing 45-year-old male come to them videoing them on the spot -- [buzzer sounds] [7:09:18 PM] -- They stopped firing at that individual, pointed the gun at me, this one officer did, and then stopped firing. So you had peaceful protesters policing APD. You had leadership not participating -- >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> And getting ready -- thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Crystal Ericsson Collins. Crytal Ericsson Collins. Be sure to unmute your phone. >> I'm sorry, thank you. I am a member of undoing white supremacy Austin. Thank you for participating in the UT equity panel yesterday. I agree with much of what you said. I agree. Today is about over due justice. I agree no mother should fear for the life of her child. Where is justice for Brenda [7:10:20 PM] Ramos? For years people of color have spoken, engaged and collaborated and sought reform. No more. I agree, it is time for deep and total change to all of our institutions. You must act now. Chief Manley has given lip service to reform while allowing racism to flourish. His policy changes directly resulted in the murder of Mike Ramos. He must be fired. If assistant manager -- if city manager cronk won't, then you must. Public safety comes when people are fed, have good education, health care and jobs. We must redirect funds from APD personnel budget to housing, education and public health and contribute $70 million to rise funds to be allocated directly into the hands of underfunded families. Thank you. [Buzzer sounds] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Rick swan. >> Hi. [7:11:20 PM] On Sunday I found out what tear gas looked like and see my own fate. Irritants wash out, fear doesn't. If this is how they treat peaceful protesters with all eyes on them, how can we trust APD with our community. [Indiscernible] Shouldn't be my white privilege. It's a human right. Black lives matter. [Indiscernible] The APD budget. I yield my time. >> Nikia Arnold. >> My name is Nikia arrestnol. Can you hear me? >> Yes, go ahead, please. >> I spoke at the protest this weekend. My [indiscernible]. I want y'all to acknowledge that Austin is the capital of Texas for a reason. We started as a slave trade [7:12:22 PM] city and chief Manley and Mr. Cronk, don't stand on it. Give it to the community, give it to our black people who need it, better health care, our economy, our school. We need food. Other homeless out here. We're scared out here. If y'all feel like y'all are going to protect us, [indiscernible]. We can protect ourselves. I've been living in Austin for 27 years. I've never felt safe. I have to raise my child. I've seen the worst things happen to us, to us. This is enough. If y'all feel like this is enough stand with us. Stand with us and say this is enough! Please, Natasha, thank you for everything. [Buzzer sounds] Again, my name is Nikia Arnold. Stand with us, not against us. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for participating. Next speaker. >> Mary Chisholm. [7:13:23 PM] Mary Chisholm, make sure you unmute your phone. >> Hi, my name is Mary Chisholm. I am from -- I live in district 4. I would like to ask the city manager to terminate the grant noted in item 7. I'd like to ask the city council to direct the manager to dismantle the police and start new just like Chris Harris said and I agree with Chris Harris and the gentleman after him. And Chris Harris' policy recommendations. And I urge the city council to hold Manley, [indiscernible] And all officers accountable for their actions. We know that Ken Cassidy has assaulted people, it's on video. And I urge every person who was injured while protesting to contact an attorney to file a civil rights suit against Austin police department and their officers. Thank you for your time. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Monica Guzman. [7:14:31 PM] >> I'm here, sorry about that. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, go ahead, please. >> Hello. >> Mayor Adler: Yes, go ahead, please. >> Yes. I'm Monica Guzman, policy director for gave, go Austin, vamos Austin. Speaking on item 7 and sp001. It is horrifying to know that protesters in multiple instances were met by violent responses by APD that have left multiple young people of color in critical condition while our police department continues to ask for additional resources. So-called non-lethal ammunition is incredibly dangerous and in fact lethal when used in the manner that Austin police officers fired at protesters and bystanders. These policies and practices cannot stand. Do not allocate additional resources to APD without first addressing the egregious events of the last week and identifying changes [7:15:33 PM] that can prevent this from happening in the future. Instead of funding APD requests, use those funds to address health and other systemic inequities, starting with Austin public health to address the disproportionate impact of -- [buzzer sounds] Lighting in the parks, which are much more cost effective deterrents. As I said this morning, I urge terminating the grant, freeing up city funds for allocation to the rise fund, but [indiscernible] Directly to the residents. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Next speaker. >> Al G I want Esler. -- Al Giesler. >> Hello, thank you. I'm an ally and I appreciate my fellow citizens. I've lived in the Austin metro for 12 years in sixth district. I did not physically protest, but I bore witness. I see horrific footage 17 miles from my home and it is unacceptable. We need action, justice and accountable for Mike Ramos and his mother and so many others. We need to speak out against [7:16:36 PM] fascism and racism and shave it into submission. I demand that APD lay down weapons of violence or risk putting more folks in critical condition with non-lethal tools. Like they did with Mr. Howell or shooting an unarmed pregnant womanlike Ms. Martin, shooting journalists and medics. It happened here. It's disgusting and we can't tolerate it. Police departments should resemble brothers and sisters of the community and not Robo cops. I ask them to have faith in the city of Austin first and know you need our faith. The APD budget is way too much of the pie and it needs to be reduced. The priority and spending should be educational and accountable. We must invest wisely in our community. Black lives matter. And police violence, end racism. [Buzzer sounds] Chief, you need to resign. Council you must act. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Mona Mindy. >> Yes, hi. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, go [7:17:36 PM] ahead, please. >> Great. Okay. I was in the protest last Sunday during the part at the capitol and governor's mansion and the vast majority of these recent protests, including the ones in Austin, by my own direct witness and knowledge of the events that went on later in the evening, were peaceful. Basically people were very tired of the police killings, the systemic racism of the criminal justice system and so on primarily directed at people of color. So what I'm saying is that people here in Austin engaged in peaceful civil disobedience on I-35 for a limited period. That could have ended with respectful dialogue and very mild means. That's the people -- they asked the people to leave. But instead APD as you know, as you've been hearing, used highly damaging, capable of maiming and killing people, [7:18:37 PM] different elements -- [buzzer sounds] Of the rubber bullets and beanbags. My son who was there in the evening saw police officers lined up on I-35 with an officer pointing his rifle directly down at the citizens below in front of the APD headquarters. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. [Multiple voices] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next speaker? >> Caroline metz. >> Hi, can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, please go ahead. >> Hello? >> Go ahead, please. >> Thank you for letting me speak today. I was at the protest this past weekend, peacefully protesting myself. For the record, I did not once feel threatened by my fellow protesters, but I felt threatened because of the police tactics used. I won't go into detail because of the time, but [7:19:40 PM] everything that has been said is accurate. They did not go the extra too mile to keep things from getting out of control. I was not injured myself, but I felt like I could have been one of those injured because APD was trigger happy and firing the rubber bullets at random into the crowd. I personally experienced a terrifying situation and I felt powerless and as a privileged white female I can't even begin to imagine how black Americans have felt for so long. Reform could change our model and we need more than empty words and we can start by defining APD and justice for Mike Ramos. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next speaker. >> Kyle renfield. >> First, the idea of a a curfew in Austin is absurd at best and it's another excuse for the APD to beat up peaceful protesters. Don't do it. More importantly, there's a 2020 research paper online [7:20:41 PM] at bmj journals on rubber bullets. Three percent of people injured by rubber bullets die. 15% are permanently disabled. If you ban them only in crowd control settings that distinction is another shield for the police to hide behind. They need to be banned immediately, changed policy tonight. Brad ayayla and Justin Howell are Johnson City human beings and police chief Manley actively for-profittered an environment in which they were shot and brutalized to the brink of death. And I wonder if city manager cronk was asleep in his oversight like he was in Minneapolis. Has the APD identified the officers that shot those boys or are those officers still on duty right now being paid extra to work these protests? I want everyone to remember that it's we who are being looted to fund this police brutality. We pay for the bullets, the guns. [Buzzer sounds] And right now we're paying the cops' salaries and health care and retirement and many people in Austin are out of jobs and while Brad and Justin are fighting for their lives. [7:21:42 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Thank you. Next speaker. >> Benjamin Montez. >> Hi, can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, go ahead. >> Hi, my name is Ben Montez. I'm a resident of district 1. Thanks for hearing us out today. I'm happy that many of you are willing to adopt the eight can't wait policies and I hope it will happen immediately, approximate but it's hardly a baby step. We need to cut funding to the police department and reallocate those resources is into public health, education and affordable housing. Additionally, Dean Margaret Moore has stated that they do not have enough staff to effectively and efficiently prosecute police. They does not have enough lawyers to hold police accountable. The killing of [indiscernible] Was never prosecuted and the officer in that case of the same who killed Mike Ramos. That is unacceptable. You should not hire more officers if you do not have staff that can hold them accountable and you certainly should stop paying [7:22:42 PM] officers when they are being investigated. The next thing I would like to address is the immediate actions regarding the protests in the coming days. There are reports that chief Manley is thinking of a curfew. We have seen they are abused by LAPD and NYPD -- [buzzer sounds] Defund the police, black lives matter. I yield my time. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Kenzie Gomez. Be sure to unmute your phone. >> Good evening. I am a constituent in district 7. Is it my turn? >> Yes, please proceed. >> Mayor Adler: Go ahead. >> And I have lived in Austin for 17 years. I'm here to add my voice to those who condemn the unprovoked and excessive force used by APD at this [7:23:44 PM] protest. It is unacceptable. As someone who works at camp Austin I'm here in particular in support of Brad ayayla. As a reminder, Brad is 16 years old and remains in excruciating pain. You need to demand total transparency about these incidents. Terminate the officers who clearly violated policy to warm before firing and fully reimburse every victim using existing APD funding. Now, I want to address chief Manley's response. It has been [indiscernible]. There is no amount of training [indiscernible] Or policy that can overcome weak leadership. The changes required are not tweaks. They will take vision and backbone. We need new leadership now. Thank you. [Buzzer sounds] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Christopher Scollard. >> Thank you. My name is Christopher. I'm in Ann kitchen's [7:24:45 PM] district 5. Despite Austin's tolerant, Progressive reputation, the APD when facing its citizenry shows its racist oppression time and again. On Saturday, may 30, my minor son and I attended a protest at APD hq. We were prepared for peaceful protests. We were not prepared for violent attacks by the police. As several videos and photographs show, my passively resistant child was attacked by several mounted police officers in a concentrated and deliberate fashion. In fact, councilmember Flannigan had a photo of this happening to my child on his Facebook page. I'm lucky it wasn't a bullet. We've all seen' too many black and brown people who were not so lucky. You parents who didn't before know now how APD will treat your children regardless of color. The APD has demonstrated time and again that it exists chiefly to oppress citizens often with racist [7:25:45 PM] violence. As a taxpayer and human, I demand that the APD -- [buzzer sounds] -- Defunded, dismantle and only then if needed rebuilt from the ground up. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Ace Lynn Smith. Ace Lynn Smith. Be sure to unmute your phone. >> Hello. First of all, I would like to recognize Chaz Moore for his leadership of the Austin justice coalition. Black lives have always mattered. District 10 can no longer have a police department that has always racially profiled latinx or black community members. It is [indiscernible] Constitutional rights to the hospital. Incompetent police presence at protests use weaponry [7:26:46 PM] both lethal or semi lethal ways that left citizens damaged physically and emotionally. The city of Austin has the responsibility to pay for these medical treatments and any future legal fees. My following suggestions for police reform have been [indiscernible] Austin justice coalition and the 2020 Austin budget survey. I want to remind chair woman Alison alter that they are real actual steps we can take. The employment of police chief Brian Manley should be called into question. Also why does APD even have access to tear gas? At a bare bin numb city funds should be dramatically reduced and reappropriated from the crucial items that will affect the lives and safety of austinites, especially people of color. [Buzzer sounds] This includes Austin public health, rent freezes, etcetera. A considerable part of the budget should be used to improve the Austin police monitor. -- [Overlapping speakers]. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for your participation. Next speaker. [7:27:46 PM] >> Alexandra Evans. >> Hi. I'm Alexandra Evans. Can you hear me? >> Yes, go ahead, please. >> Hi, I'm president of the university Democrats at UT Austin. And many members of my organization were tear gassed this weekend. Austin APD have been lying about this on social media until they were forced to recant after countless testimony. APD greatly abused their power this past week. How can Austin pride itself on being Texas's [indiscernible] Which is so eager for the first amendment and retaliate on protesters. Mr. Cronk, how does black neighbors feel about the chief of police after the last few years and city council what are you willing to do to ensure that APD does not do further damage to this community. [Indiscernible]. I do want to say that I have a group of students who are greatly politically engaged. They are passionate, aware and furious. How do I inspire them to [7:28:47 PM] continue to draw time and resources to elect people like you when Progressive leadership does not stop cops from [indiscernible] Unarmed protesters. [Buzzer sounds] [Indiscernible]. Do we need to elect people less concerned with telling lies and [indiscernible] Fan find people more concerned with justice and public service. [Overlapping speakers]. >> Mayor Adler: Thanks for participating. Councilmember harper-madison? >> Harper-madison: Thank you, chair, thank you, mayor. I just wanted to remind folks I absolutely recognize that one minute is not enough time, but it's what we have. And no one person's experience or commentary is more important than any others, and so it's not just a matter of us cutting you off, it's a matter of us trying to make sure that we can within the bounds of what's humanly possible -- [7:29:48 PM] and frankly, by way of mathematics, there's just not enough time for us to give everybody more time, so I recognize -- I'm certain that some of my colleagues would echo my sentiment in saying one minute is not enough time for you to say what you want to say about something that's so extraordinarily important, but we can't give any one person more time than we give another person time. Everybody's got something to contribute to the dialogue. I just want to make certain to advocate for my colleague, the chair, mayor Adler. When and if he cuts you off, it's not because your contribution is not valued. It's because there are 280 some-odd people standing in line behind you. And everybody wants to make their contribution and honestly, it's just -- we could do this dialogue for three consecutive weeks and still not have enough time. There's just not enough [7:30:49 PM] time. So don't feel cut off, don't like we don't feel you. We hear you, we're hearing you. By I want to remind people that our email addresses are readily available on the austintexas.gov website. Email us. If you didn't get a chance to say everything you wanted to say, this is not your singular opportunity to talk to us. I would like to encourage people to continue to talk to us outside of this opportunity. And don't feel cutoff, don't feel slighted. It's not about you. It's just a matter of we just don't have enough time to have people go over the one minute. And that the decision around it being one minute has to do with like the finite nature of time. And I'm so sorry. I just personally want to say my apologies, I'm so sorry that you guys are feeling like you're getting cutoff, you're not getting to say everything you wanted to say. I want to hear it all, but [7:31:51 PM] honestly, you know, we could be here for folks hearing it all. So if everybody could be really mindful about respecting the one minute, it's because we want to hear from your friends, your allies, our anti- racist allies. We want to hear from everybody. So the one minute is a hard, firm cutoff for a reason. And not because we don't appreciate what you're contributing to the dialogue. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Thank you, councilmember. Let's go ahead and call the next speaker. Say the name again, please. >> Spencer Garland. >> >> Hi, thank you. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Okay. Well, my name is Spencer Garland. I was there all this weekend. I saw all the same types of [7:32:52 PM] things that everybody before me that's speaking has described. A pregnant woman, a 16-year-old college student. Over 50 arrests of protesters, but zero arrests in the murder of Mike Ramos, [indiscernible] Christopher Taylor who killed both is still working. The assistant chief walked with $130,000 in sick pay after a decade of racist remarks and no punishment. Manley has done nothing but lie after what happened last week. Cronk has done nothing. Whet thing here is the country is waking up and holding you accountable that you have known for years and done nothing with. Absolutely no curfew. Mayor Adler, you're just like new Austin, Progressive on the surface and driving to Dallas to endorse Joe Biden on the weekend. Fire chief Manley. He is a human like Harper said -- [buzzer sounds] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for your testimony. Next person. [7:33:52 PM] >> Sophia cassini. Sophia, be sure to unmute your phone. Emma Gilbreath. >> Emma? Emma, be sure to unmute your phone, please. [7:34:53 PM] >> Mayor Adler: And how do they unmute? >> They're probably just muted themselves on their telephone. Just unmute. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. A eve Galbreath. Robert segova. Mayor, if you can give us a minute, I believe something went wrong. One second. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. >> Harper-madison: Mayor Adler, if I could take a moment, there was a couple of colleagues and I were having a conversation over the course of the break about self-care and some other things that I think are relevant and important. [7:35:53 PM] And so while we the way I wonder if there's anybody other than me -- I don't want to take up more space than necessary. I wonder if there's anybody other than me to take up a minute or two to talk about taking care of ourselves during this extraordinarily difficult time? >> Mayor Adler: I'm drinking way too many diet cokes. I know that's not what you had in mind. >> Garza: Councilmember harper-madison, I followed your orders and I watched a little TV with my little one. While on the break. >> Mayor Adler: Ann? >> Kitchen: I tried to follow your orders, but I looked at my bicycle, but I didn't actually get on it. [7:36:55 PM] I am standing, though. And thank you for caring for us. >> Mayor Adler: Alison? >> Alter: I went for a walk and got some air and I think that's something I've been trying to do regularly through this whole covid and protests and everything. And I think it's a really important reminder for us to take care of ourselves and for everyone to pause. I appreciate you thinking of us. >> Mayor, we're back. >> Mayor Adler: All right. Call the next person. >> Robert Segovia. >> This is Robert. I am a person -- I am a Latino man in the community. I'm from district 1. I own a -- co- own a theater downtown. I just want to echo the sentiments of other folks that say we need to defund the police, and if that [7:37:56 PM] doesn't work we need to abolish the police. Firing chief Manley should have already happened, but he is just the head of a rotten tree and we need to rebuild the police from the ground up. They have shown us that they do not want to be part of the community. We as a city council need to decide between the community and the police. We need the city council to say we value human lives over property and jobs. We need the city council to say we are not going to take this anymore. And we're not going to have another black boy or brown boy die and give the police any more money. Thank you. And I yield my time. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Eric Wickman. >> Hi, this is Eric. I had a recording that was going to be played, but the recording is not going to play so I will go ahead and [7:38:57 PM] read it real quickly. I'm here to apologize for not telling this story before. I had a meeting with a senior officer with APD. In the meeting I told him that our business will not call APD if we have an issue with a person of color because I'm afraid of police brutalizing someone and wouldn't able to sleep at night if I knew I was a part of that. He told me we were doing the right thing and we should not call APD in the instances where someone that is a people of color for the safety of that person. I wasn't even shocked that he told me that. You're scaring my friends from going to peaceful demonstrations. Black lives matter is helping to teach white people how we can participate without putting people of color at further risk. [Indiscernible] Is important for me and my friends to be able to listen. Chief Manley's last act of service is to be the call that everyone will be safe and protected from officers. Demonstrators are learning to identify the bad actors and expose them and get them out of the demonstration. We can work together to get rid of those bad actors and we also need to work officers that are not fit for duty. [Buzzer sounds] [7:39:58 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Councilmember harper-madison? >> Harper-madison: I'd just like to take the opportunity to recognize the speaker. This is somebody in my district who is a strong, strong anti-racist advocate. And during the course of the pandemic they opened up their business to offer people free wi-fi and so many other things. So I hear you, I see you. Thank you. This is probably your first time showing up to council to speak your truth. And thank you very much. Not just for showing up today, not just for showing up during the course of the protests, but thank you for all the things that you and your fellow proceed pry Tores did to show up for the community during the course of this crisis. Proprietors. I'm really happy to see you on the line. >> Mayor Adler: Next speaker, please. [7:40:59 PM] >> Nieti ripati. Be sure to unmute your phone, please. >> Hi, can you hear me? >> Yes, go ahead. >> Okay. Thank you so much for your time. So just echoing other people. I'm calling for the arrest of the officers who killed Mike Ramos and for defunding of the Austin police. I guess one thing I wanted to add was that reformism isn't enough and community policing isn't enough so I'm hoping that as we defund the police and redirect those funds into the community and into affordable housing, into our health, we also think about how we can take [7:41:59 PM] care of each other within the community in other ways. Yeah. Thank you. I yield my time. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next speaker. >> Beth classer. Be sure to unmute your phone. Georgia eei. >> Hello. [7:43:00 PM] Can everyone hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Hello? Thank you. My name is Georgie and I attended these protests as a peaceful protesters, but little did I know that it could have been my potential death sentence. If this isn't clear it needs to be made clear the escalated force model does not work. This idea that a dominant show of force by the police will convince protesters to comply does not work because all it does is actually incite more violence. And in doing so you're teaching police to equate civil disobedience with anarchy and it only emboldens racist APD cops to kill. So I would like to ban on a statewide level police officers and actually charge them. So this means not allowing cops to just take a leave of absence, but then also be able to reapply and become a [7:44:01 PM] state trooper one day as well. [Buzzer sounds] I think we should have third-party vendors conduct the postmortem. And also to defund the police. Right now 40% of Austin's city budget goes towards the police, but that can be reallocated towards housing and public health hours. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> And also for -- >> Mayor Adler: Excuse me, thank you. Next speaker. >> Jackie Callaway. >> Hi. I'm a black resident of district 5 and more than anything I want [indiscernible] And black lives matter. Like the earlier speakers have said the videos look exactly like marches in the 1960s and I don't want to face police in riot gear who are shooting medics and [indiscernible]. Chief Manley's response that will not be used in crowds was so disrespectful to Brad [7:45:03 PM] ayayla who was standing on his own. I am demanding that we defund the police and adopt eight can't wait because it's a systemic issue and we don't need more cops and training. Officers are stopping and arresting and brutallizing black and brown people on camera without penalty! So we must defund because it is a crime -- if I saw a crime being committed by a black man today I would never go to the police because as soon as they arrived I would think that could be the reason a black man dies today. [Buzzer sounds] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for your comments. Councilmember harper-madison. >> Harper-madison: To the last speaker, I want to be mindful about how you are feeling right now. So I don't want to ask you to elaborate if you're doing what a lot of us have been [7:46:05 PM] doing and just taking a minute. Like sometimes you just need to take a minute and cry or scream or be mad. But I would like for her to be able to have the opportunity to elaborate a little bit so -- she said something that I think a lot of our constituents are saying in that there's [indiscernible] Where people just don't feel like they can elaborate on their feelings and elaborate on how we are just not showing up for them. So if she's still on the line I would like very much to ask briefly how can we as a council do a better job to show up for people when y'all are feeling the same thing we feel, you know. None of us are immortal, right? We're all mortal humans. [7:47:07 PM] How can we show up better for you in that space where you're just feeling like we don't see you. We don't hear you. Like do you have something you'd like to offer in terms of an addition to that? >> Councilmember, she's no longer on the line. >> Harper-madison: That's unfortunate. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Next speaker. >> Thomas hopes. >> Thomas hopes, if you're on mute, please unmute your phone. >> Thank you for the time. I just want to say with the current grant that's coming in, the money, please take action for creating some sort of cop watch. We require police to take [7:48:09 PM] psychology and see psychologists as a continuing education evaluation since they are constantly being challenged psychologically, but they lack the empathy to actually communicate with their audience. We require police to teach a required course in high school on law language of police, so we are all aware of the language that the law uses against us constantly. I support the previous callers and I stand with any police and public officials against these looters who have tried to hijack this movement. Please direct these funds to an external organization whose mission is to have lawful arrests in low income communities, predominantly of African and Latino did he cents. [Buzzer sounds] They will all be trained in self-defense, weapons, martial arts and to neutralize any unlawful [7:49:09 PM] brutality, arrests or murders on behalf of the Austin police department. At least half of the Austin police department budget should go forwards this program and various -- >> Mayor Adler: Sir, thank you. [Overlapping speakers]. Appreciate your participation with us tonight. Thank you. Next speaker. >> Warren Berkeley. >> Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Go ahead. >> Warren Berkeley. I'll keep it short. Firemanly. Defund APD. Put that money towards mental health crisis, getting people the help they need when they are in a mental health crisis. Manley's song and dance with all these white people out here, we've seen it before, we know his policies and how they apply to black and brown bodies. Get him out of here. [7:50:10 PM] Good-bye. >> Thank you very much. Next speaker. >> Bethany Carson. >> Good evening. This is Bethany Carson speaking on behalf of grassroots leadership and undue white supremacy Austin. I am here because I wanted to challenge the idea that reform without die vestment will end police brutality. This assumes that the intended role of the police is to neutrally enforce a set of laws that are automatically beneficial to everyone. It's not and it never has been. Policing in the U.S. Emerged from foot patrols and APD specifically emerged from an 1865 city council meeting about how to fix the, quote, problem that three black people were, quote, congregating in and around Austin, referencing the Freeman towns where newly freed black people were [7:51:11 PM] finally building a semblance of safety and autonomy. It's up to city council to make amends for this that history by defunding the Austin police department. The 40% of the budget that is currently attacking our black and brown community members could instead keep all of us safe. We can keep the basic needs of families most impacted by the pandemic through the rise fund, mental health ems, crisis response, rental assistance. [Buzzer sounds] Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very. Next witness -- next person. >> Daniel Lucio. >> Hi. Can y'all hear me. >> Mayor Adler: Yes, please go ahead. >> Hello? Okay. Hi, my name is Daniel. I'm on the board of echo and a resident in east Austin district 1. On Sunday I joined a peaceful gathering outside of city hall to support black lives matter and calling attention to the murder of Mike Ramos. After 15 minutes Austin police created a barrier on Cesar Chavez's bikes, batons and guns. [7:52:11 PM] Without warning police began firing on myself and other demonstrators, many of whom had their hands up. They shot us at close range with beanbag bullets into a ground with parents and young children, including a father who had a two-year-old son had his shoulders right next to me. S this unprovoked shootings continued throughout the afternoon. Right now there are two men of color sitting in the hospital with critical injuries because of APD's appetite for violence. I do not understand why not one single police officer or someone in city management has not lost their job over this. You have a responsibility to hold these people accountable. We need justice for Mike Ramos, we need justice for Brianna Taylor and George Floyd because black lives matter. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Tucker rile. >> Hi. My name is tucker and I live in council district one. Thank you, councilmember harper-madison, for beginning the discussion about how to actually create [7:53:13 PM] a just and equitable public safety system in Austin. With all the money we spend on the police department, what we get in return is an ongoing violent disruption of our black and brown community and the murders of people like Mike Ramos. What we also get is peaceful protesters brutalized with chemical weapons and so-called less friendly munition, which sent Justin Howell and Brad ayayla to the hospital in critical condition. Leaving them with life altering injuries. Excuse me. The people who respond to crisis in our community should be the people best equipped to deal with those crisis. And in all crisis the best equipped people are not members of a mill tarlized police force. If we were to reallocate police forces towards the needs of our community whether it's public health, including mental health services is, jobs, schools, if we did that we would with see we don't have a need for a police force. This a radical and sustainable step towards a community based model of safety that would ensure black people thrive in the city rather than be terrorized by an increasingly racist police [7:54:14 PM] force. Remove Manley. Black lives matter. Thank you. >> Colter Sandoval. >> Hello. I was a code enforcement officer for six years. I carried the weapons of the police. We were told that if we used excessive force we would be thrown under the bus. That is not the culture of APD. In 2014 I went to sixth street. I saw two bike cops come out of an alleyway too fast. They almost ran into a sober pedestrian. One of the bike cops got mad that this guy was in his way. So he got off his bike and pushed the man in a way that you might see a drunk frat boy start a fight. But this frat boy was wearing an Austin ppp uniform. The plan told the cop to slow down. The cop grabbed hissiest and brought out handcuffs and the man gently pulled away. Instantly the officer punched him in the head and did a take down maneuver slamming his face into a brick wall. [7:55:15 PM] It all happened so fast. I saw his face covered in blood as they dragged him away. This could have happened to anyone listening to my words right now. The next day I tried to become a witness, but I failed. If that man is listening, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't help you when you needed it most. [Buzzer sounds] That's it. >> Erica Galindo. >> Hello, can y'all hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, please go ahead. >> Good evening, my name is Erica and I'm the organizing program manager at [indiscernible]. We are committed to dismantling the barriers for autonomy and this must be putting and end to the [7:56:17 PM] unacceptable and racist police brutality in communities across the U.S. We are here to actively affirm that freedom from police violence and racist justice are reproductive justice issues and we are also affirming the black lives matter. In the last week we have seen APD respond to a protest by brutalizing protesters like Brad ayayla, Justin Howell and many others, including Nemo martin, the pregnant black woman. Disproportionately high rates of black women with mortality and the ongoing [indiscernible] Of pregnant people are outcomes of racist systems of oppression. We feel the same systems that APD upholds when they shoot pregnant black women. We're in deep solidarity with the organizers on the ground demanding accountability from APD and the city of Austin. We stand with them and demand that chief Manley and the officers -- [buzzer sounds] Responsible for the murder of Mike Ramos to be fired and that the city divest from APD and invest in real solutions for our community. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. [7:57:21 PM] >> Muniera furreed. >> Hi, good evening. Y'all must be really tired and thank you for being so patient and listening to all of us. My name is (saying name) And I've lived in Austin for about 24 years. I live on the board of Texas public schools and Brad ayayla is one of our students. You heard his brother's heart wrenching testimony. What I want to know is why is the officer who shot this innocent child still on duty? Why hasn't he been charged? And I believe that the same officer has been on a list for promotion to become a corporal. How can we be sure that he won't be promoted? We can't be sure because we had an APD leadership problem. City manager cronk, you must ensure we have a police chief who [indiscernible] All of us. Who will immediately apply the eight practices from campaign zero. So that we can reduce violence by 72%. [7:58:23 PM] City councilmembers, I urge you to listen to the Austin leftist coalition and reduce the APD budgets. We're counting on you to make a real change and we'll support you all the way. Thank you for your time and for your work. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. For time management, colleagues, there are 220 people now in queue to speak. Just under four hours. It looks like we'll be approaching midnight. Next speaker. >> Megan scornia. >> Hello. I'm Megan scornai, in district 1, I'm here to [indiscernible] Neighbors. I walked up to APD headquarters and looked at officers seen on video attempting murder against black people and people of color using 40-millimeter bullets. From the image we've all seen [indiscernible]. She was laughing, joking, pointing, and being paid. Meanwhile, a black Texas state student is in the hospital with [7:59:23 PM] brain damage. A young Latino man is in the hospital. A black pregnant woman is dealing with the trauma of being shot. There's no excuse for the attempted murder of black people and people of color. I'm also deeply disappointed in the long silence and statement from the city manager's office that attempted to reduce the severity of the situation. We've missed your leadership during the covid crisis and you missed the remark here too. I ask you to remove chief Manley, charge Chris Taylor and fire all officers involved in this weekend's injury shootings. I would also like to ask that you terminate the request in item 7. Thank you for your time. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next person. >> Janice [indiscernible] >> I'm a mother in district 1. I co-organize the collective that includes many black and brown community leaders whose voices I have vowed to amplify. I'm also the director of performance measurement and [8:00:23 PM] measure. Under Acevedo, the average number of non-white people killed by police was 1.3 per year per million. Under Manley this has increased to 4.1. That's two and a half times the number of white austinites. The total number of people killed by police have also increased. A report shows non- transparency, tolerance of racism, homophobia, bat action of homophobia and culture of retaliation. Harming protesterses and killing of Mike Ramos, unarms, hands up. Groups who tried to work with APD were were undermined. Austin is 14th in the nation for police violence. Controlling is not the police job. Protecting is. It's a materialistic state. We need nothing less than performance leader. Fire them. [8:01:23 PM] [Buzzer sounding] I want my children to grow up in a world where they can trust public servants. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next witness. >> Morgan Wright. Morgan Wright, be sure to unmute your phone. >> Hi. My name is Morgan Wright. I attended the protest on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. My one experience that I would like to point out is that the protesters' motives and attitudes during these protests never varied. And what we were approached with from the police on Saturday and Sunday was violence and what we were approached with on Monday [8:02:27 PM] was peaceful. So it is obvious to me and to what I experienced and to what everyone else experienced those different days that it was the motive of the police that were different those two -- those three days, and it's obvious that the protesters' intentions were always peaceful. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Emma chavalier. >> [Indiscernible] >> Hello? >> Emma chavalier. >> Mayor Adler: I think someone is not muted. >> Can you hear me? Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please go ahead. >> Okay. So I'm here today to echo and amplify the voices and lives of black people in our community. Manager cronk, mayor Adler and all of you, listen to your black [8:03:28 PM] contingency now. I'd also like to say thank you to the councilmembers who do. We will continue to vote for you, and if you aren't listening, we'll vote you out. I'm calling for the divestment in the police officer and reinvestment in black and brown communities, including community and family health services, education, affordable housing, mental health services, public parks and the like. Do not approve this funding. It doesn't matter that it is a grant. Do not pump money into this department anymore. Chief Manley needs to resign now. I'm also here to demand the justice for the Ramos, howl, Ayala, and martin and all other families affected by police brutality. Implement restored justice now. [Buzzer sounding] The APD set up a protests -- >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Thank you. >> [Indiscernible] To antagonize and harm the community. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for joining us. Appreciate that. Next speaker. [8:04:29 PM] >> Amanda mesino. >> Okay. >> Amanda mesino, be sure to unmute your phone. >> Hello. Hi. Amanda mesino, chair of natural scientific huston-tillotson university and the Austin data coalition. Three quick things, reiterating the call you've had many times to get rid of chief Manley, ask the city manager to fire him, this is not about intention, it's about effectiveness, and chief Manley has failed to transform APD. Case in point, number two, Austin lacks five of the eight use of force policies that have been shown nationally to reduce police killings. You've heard this many times already. We need the remaining five in place as soon as possible. [8:05:29 PM] And number three, please, use this as a lesson and please start taking equity seriously across the board and move beyond words to actions. I usually reach out on environmental justice or health or housing. You need to address racism in these areas and so many more. Community groups have been communicating and asking for antiracist policies and equitable funding for years, and it never seems to get beyond pilot projects with y'all. So please -- [buzzer sounding] -- Listen to us before we lose more of our citizens. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next speaker? >> Casar: Mayor, because it has been brought up several times, I think I mentioned it, we've mentioned it earlier in the call, we will take immediate action and on those eight policies a lot of folks are talking about where we are, I think deficient in five of them, I'm asking and I think our colleagues are on board with bringing forward those actions for next week so that we can show we're not just going to be [8:06:30 PM] talking but we'll be taking immediate action on that and many other things. And for the folks that have been asking questions about what happens to some of the young people who were hurt at the protests, we'll be asking those questions in the morning. So please tune back in because that's when we're scheduled to do that. I know many of us will be asking those hard questions, so thank you. >> Rachel manning. >> Hi. Good evening. My name is Rachel manning. I live in Sunday. I'm a white person as part of [indiscernible] Asking black and brown organizers in Austin to fire chief Manley and defund the Austin police department. I've watched you, mayor Adler, and city council members witness as austinites of color demand justice from the ongoing legacy of white supremacy, and as well as asking for a slice of the funding that goes towards the Austin police department to be directed toward programs that [8:07:32 PM] make all austinites safe. Nothing has changed. Ramos, Ayala, and howl would be home with their families right now. We all know that the safest community have the most resources and not the most police. Doubling down on policing is doubling down on white supremacy. We must do better. Completely defund the APD and use [indiscernible] Instead. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Joshua Gonzalez. >> Hello. I'm Josh yeah, I live in Riverside, district 3. Thank you, councilmember harper-madison for calling out chief Manley. We're seeing Austin dealing with its very [indiscernible] Past, inside of our city limits. [Indiscernible] Doing exactly [8:08:32 PM] what they were trained to do. I'm calling to defund the police, at the very least, you can fire chief Manley [indiscernible]. It's time. >> Jeffrey Carlyle. >> Hello and thank you for your service to our community during this incredibly difficult time. My name's Jeffrey Carlyle and I reside in councilmember kitchen's district. I caught 8th grade science, which is in councilmember Casar's district but I do not speak in an official capacity. Last Sunday, may 31st, Levi Ayala was exercising his constitutional rights by protests system ACC racism at Austin police headquarters. My current and former students have asked me if it's safe to protest this injustice after seeing videos of Brad being shot. [8:09:32 PM] Sunday's shooting of Brad Ayala sent a very strong message to my students, even if you've done nothing wrong, the police can still shoot you. So far none of the officers in shooting Brad or the pregnant black woman shot in the stomach have been suspended or fired. On behalf of all teachers of black and brown students in Austin, I want to know how you as a council will guarantee students will not be shot by on your parallel. When I go back to teaching and my students say they're scared of police, I want to be able to tell them something more than their fears are valid. Thank you for your time. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Christina flackawitz. >> Hi. My name's Christina. I'm an Austin resident. I live in councilmember Renteria's district. This is my first time speaking directly to council. I don't have much to say that hasn't already been said. The fact that we know cops were firing directly at people seeking medical attention says a lot about the attention on the force. [8:10:34 PM] I'm calling city council to defund APD and to put that money directly into community resources that will actually help people, calling on you to fire chief Manley, as well as prosecute Christopher Taylor, the police officer that killed Michael Ramos, and I'm calling on you to [indiscernible] APD at all public buildings, especially schools. Black lives are consistently at risk and the fact that our children are quote-unquote being protected by a violent and racist police department is unacceptable. If -- we should have made these steps directly after Michael Ramos's death and we did not. If we do not again, it says a lot. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. [Buzzer sounding] >> Lynn Hammond. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Thank you. [8:11:35 PM] Hi. My name is Lynn Hammond. I am a constituent in district 5. I also am an attorney working for a law enforcement agency. And it's very important for me to speak out to chief Manley and say, in the words [indiscernible] Likes to use, bullshit, chief. If you wanted these officers to be fired, they'd be fired. Mistakes weren't made, crimes were committed. As someone who works in the criminal justice system, I'm ashamed of the lack of response you're giving this community. Fire them and charge them. Atlanta did it. You can do it too. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Mica Rodriguez. >> Hi. Can y'all hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please go ahead. >> My name is Rodriguez. [8:12:35 PM] I'm a resident of district 7. I'm testifying today to demand that city council defund APD and reallocate a large portion of funding to release state emergency funds immediately. Austin police have demonstrated time and time again that they do not value human life. In the murder of Mike Ramos at the hands of Christopher Taylor, the attempted murder of Justin Howell and the young boy Brad Ayala over the weekend, there's more danger to our community. It's clear that APD officers misused these equipment, when they were firing rounds that they know will cause bodily harm and even death. The city must defund APD immediately to prevent others from being harmed. Over the weekend, APD officers can be seen escalating violence during protests at every single opportunity. The city must also pressure APD to name, charge, and fire the officers who shot Ayala and howl. Why don't we know their names? [8:13:37 PM] Chris Manley somebody fired. [Buzzer sounding] He's sociopath and great threat to our community. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. >> Megan Hollis. >> Can you guys hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please go ahead. >> All right. I am not here speaking as the chair of the public safety commission today, I'm here speaking as a private citizen. [Indiscernible] Were not gone, they're more covert. White people tend to get uncomfortable. Today I come to you with solutions and a call to action. First revise the r2r in gatherings. Redesign all training and education to promote democratic forms of policing. Reallocate funding from [indiscernible] To reorient the entire agency to a true community policing model. To do this, we need three things. First we need a chief advisory board comprised of citizens from each district, representatives from community groups who are [8:14:39 PM] underrepresented or not represented in police decision making. Second, we need a commander advisory board for each commander to better engage with and respond to community needs. Finally, reallocate funding from broken windows and zero tolerance style initiatives, militaristic approaches and community policing approaches. [Buzzer sounding] Including hiring social workers, psychologists and therapists with master's degrees. Thanks, guys. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Reverend Katie Wright. >> Thank you. I'm Katie Wright, a priest at [indiscernible] Episcopal church downtown. You'll also hear from [indiscernible] And Janet. I'll start with theological resection. According to scripture, circular Walter [indiscernible], blessed are the history makers. The real history makers are not [8:15:40 PM] kings, presidents, those are violence seek to control and harm, or to silence with power. He calls those people the history stoppers. History makers are the outsiders, the marginalized that carry on the the tradition with a bowl of conviction about an alternative possibility that goes under the name of hope. In scripture, god allies himself with marginalized people to create history. We are called to do better as a society than the type of responses we are hearing about and seeing from law enforcement. If the presiding bishop of the church put it, if I make room for you -- [buzzer sounding] -- Then you make room for me, and we will work together, we will create a society where there's room for all of god's children. Don't give up. Love can save us all. >> Carlotta Garcia. [8:16:43 PM] >> My name is [indiscernible] Garcia here with our lady of Guadalupe, it's the second of three [indiscernible] Of central Texas. The murder of George Floyd George Floyd in Minneapolis supposes the rayism and violence in our country. The president, in holding up the bible after violently disbursing peaceful protesters was calculated and rep hencable. Employees tear gas and weapons against unarmed demonstrators is equally reprehensible and should never happen again. Our diverse faith traditions compel central Texas interfaith to stand with peaceful protesters in Austin, across the country, to say enough is enough. With Ramos who was killed by Austin police, calling for police department reforms. With the catholic archbishop who denounced in front of a shrine in church and with the coalition of [8:17:43 PM] Austin justice groups who are calling for long overdue change. Our next speaker is Janet from holy cross catholic church who will outline ways we can move forward. [Buzzer sounding] >> Janet fontenet. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Hello? >> Go ahead. Proceed. >> I'm Janet fontenet of holy cross catholic church, central Texas interfaith. We support the mission of the office of police oversight to provide impartial accountability of APD. We'll continue our community policing initiative for communities to [indiscernible] With APD to build relationships which hopefully will prevent escalation of challenges. We'll engage council and others on concrete ways to undo racism and address the effects of [8:18:45 PM] systemic discrimination. Austin has a history of systemic and institutionalized races towards African Americans. Central Texas interfaith will listen to all facts. But we stand with the marginalized who are boldly leading this moment. African Americans [indiscernible] Who influenced in the non-violence philosophy, the very courage we're witness. Don't ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. What the world needs now is people who have come alive. [Buzzer sounding] We will stand with the history makers and those who have come alive. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Rachel Shannon. >> Hello? >> Yes. [8:19:47 PM] Go ahead. >> Hello? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Rachel Shannon? >> Yes. Okay. Hi. I'm Rachel Shannon. I'm with undoing white supremacy Austin and 18-year resident of district 1. A locally and nationally based [indiscernible] Color groups, white supremacy Austin presents our demands, in the last 30 hours, 1,000, more than 1,000 people have expressed written support in signatures towards the petition including the following, fire police chief Manley with a vote by this Monday, June 8th, he failed to meet the requirements of office. Create a zero tolerance policy for police shootings and immediately remove officers involved in shootings. Cancel Austin cadet academy, cease training and hiring new officers, and prevent the use of all military weapons and equipment. Asking for a defunding of APD starting with reducing the APD budget by at least 20% in the next fiscal year. It's time for us to use our collective imagination towards a [8:20:47 PM] vision of public service that addresses the needs of the people, all the people, and does not continue the legacy of white supremacy that this country was built upon. Austin can be a leader in this. [Buzzer sounding] Start defunding APD now, the time for leadership is now. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Thank you. Colleagues, everybody is still trying to figure out this new system that we have. Turns out that 118 people are on the line, but they have all spoken, and they're on the line continuing to listen to the conversation. So our best estimate at this point is that there are about 84 people on the line who have yet to speak that have indicated intention to speak. So back to an hour and a half. If that changes, I'll let you know. Please, go ahead, next speaker. >> David king. >> Hello. >> Mayor Adler: Go ahead, David. >> My name is David king. [8:21:47 PM] Thank you, mayor. My name is David king. I live in district 1 and I'm white. The Austin had police department repeatedly kills and brutal ices black people and other people of color in Austin. The city manager, APD chief, and APD officers must be held accountable now. APD officer shot and seriously injured Justin Howell, a 20-year-old black man, Brad Ayala, a 16-year-old hispanic teenager, and saraneka martin, a pregnant black woman, while they were peacefully protesting. The response was, Beal do better. Don't cut our budget. In 2015, APD officers brutalized breonna king. We'll do better. Don't cut our budget P. Killed David Joseph. They said we'll do better, don't cut our budget. In April this year, an APD officer killed Mike Ramos. APD said we'll do better, don't cut our budget. APD will funnelsly change only when you defund APD -- [buzzer sounding] [8:22:48 PM] -- Fire chief Manley, and fire the officers who killed them, not the peaceful protesters. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Alan [indiscernible] >> Hello. My name is elan, I'm a resident of district 1. As a victim of corrupt police assault, scrutiny and illegal searches, during my lifetime it's life --inadequate. We demand nor these funds to come from [indiscernible] Health care and education programs for underserved communities, we demand that APD be demilitarized, means of suppression be [8:23:50 PM] discontinued immediately. The degree of lethality is [indiscernible], tantamount to the open declaration of Marshall law against the people. We demand that chief Manley turn in his badge which is the only honorable act he can perform now. If any of you takes issue with these or accepted financial contributions from the Austin police association or law enforcement who fails to represent our best interest and serve in good faith -- [buzzer sounding] -- We will find out who you are, hold you accountable and ensure you don't continue to represent us. Take the action we demand. If you fail to, you are implicit in our continued oppression. All power to the people. Black lives matter. [Indiscernible] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Eric Sanchez. Eric Sanchez, if [8:24:55 PM] you're on mute, please unmute. >> Hi. This is Eric Sanchez. I'm a resident of district 4 and an Austin resident for over 15 years. And I attended the protest on Saturday, Sunday, and on Monday. As another caller on the chat said earlier, Saturday and Sunday were marked by police violence and police rioting. And overwhelming overreaction to a largely peaceful crowd. And Monday was marked by a total lack of violence because police did not engage in it. And additionally, what felt like were face-saving measures by way of an apology that. Like alligator's tears. [8:25:57 PM] Additionally, chief Manley's briefing, there was references to protesters throwing rocks and bottles. The only bottles I saw the entire event, including what would be evidence of his claim, were plastic water bottles, usually uncapped. [Buzzer sounding] Overwhelming force in the form of [indiscernible] Tear gas and pepper spray, all of which I experienced. To my person and to my wife's person. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Thank you for participating. >> Thank you for your time. I appreciate it. Black lives matter. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker? >> Emily sawyer. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please proceed. >> Thank you. I live in council district 4. [8:26:59 PM] I ask that the city council recommend and the city manager take action to fire police chief Manley, gay, and rey Arellano, as well as the officers involved in the murder of Mike Ramos and attacks on protesters this weekend. Stop new cadet classes and hiring of new officers until the culture and training practices of our police department are changed, prevent funding from policing and reallocate those funds into housing, health care, mental health crisis response, education and pandemic assistance. A budget is a moral document and it should reflect our priorities as a community. Listen to those most directly affected. Recognize the limits of reform and take bold and radical action to reimagine a different way and create the world we say we want. It doesn't have to be this way. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Sarah ninan. [8:27:59 PM] Sarah ninan, if you're on mute, please unmute. >> Yes. I'm not on mute. >> Go ahead. >> I'm a native Texan, 15-year Austin resident. Last week after protesters in the precinct building, among other destructive acts, it should surprise no one that APD was ready for and expecting the worst. Austin protesters acted in a peaceful manner, holding signs and [indiscernible] The officers blocking I-35 multiple times, destroying property and packed little, making it necessary tore APD to use the type of force they had to use last weekend. The violent protesterses are responsible for their actions and the violent protesterses are the ones that cause these measures. I oppose defunding APD, it needs [8:29:00 PM] support to have personnel, excellent training, and most up to training for Austin growing residents. I'm advocating for chief Brian Manley and his leadership of APD. Thank you, chief Manley for your courage and attending your own session today. My god grant all of APD wisdom and stamina. [Buzzer sounding] Our police department is short staffed. They need more police. July the cadets should be approved. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Sarah Rodriguez. Hi. This is Sarah Rodriguez, 78722 native and resident, and I'm calling in support of ajc to defund APD and also to fire police chief Manley, and ask that [8:30:01 PM] you remember that this is -- when you do that, that you remember that this is a long battle and not to forget that, that we have, through privilege and silence and fear, built up that amount of funding, and then to look at APD, look at the policies, the procedures, the people, and understanding that racism is deeply routed in that system, and that it's a long fight. Thank you for your time. >> Mayor Adler: Next speaker. Thank you. >> Alicia Castillo. >> I'm with Texas criminal justice coalition, district 3, I'm one of the many protesters who were here on Sunday. Councilman Renteria, while much shows [indiscernible] Inherently racist institution, I appreciate you looking at this proposal for [8:31:04 PM] a solution to the over arching problem of police brutality. I'm having a problem understanding how you're holding these two die metrically opposing truths. You come to support proposals for improvement, you also are in support of [indiscernible] Which would perpetuate harm that the city is begging you to change. We must commit to critically thinking about the solution and [indiscernible] In community-based solutions to safety. Some of the ways we could cut these funds immediately is to cut weapons used against protesters, cute the fusion center, which is an operation of homeland security, cut surveillance, driver's license readers and cut the aid police officer. I could speak further on the evidence of all this, but I think that you all have reports that [indiscernible], Austin justice coalition, its leadership and many other Austin organizations have worked on and delivered over the many years to support the [8:32:05 PM] cleanse of institutional racism in APD. And with that, I yield my time. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next speaker. >> Matt Wallace. >> Hi. This is Matt Wallace. I am the victim of Austin police brutality. We need everyone on the virtual dais to understand that APD decided against controlling the situation by redirecting traffic on I-35 during these protests. Instead, the response to protests over police brutality was more brings brutality to escalate the situation. Attacks of black people on our city know it's far too common. Black people in our city are tired of our local governments investing in our oppression. We called for chief Manley's resignation after his blatant unwillingness to work with the social justice groups in the [8:33:06 PM] community and your offices at city council and now for how he's handled these protests. You continue to fail us. We will continue to fight them. That's it. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Taylor Adams. >> Hi. This is Taylor Adams from district 3. I was just thinking how can the citizens of Austin rely on the Austin police department to protect us, guarantee our safety when they interfere violently during people's protests, specifically on I-35, which is a symbol of racism in our city. Police were protecting I-35 and not citizens and later on they were more concerned with businesses instead of listening to the protests. What will the city of Austin do to fix the systematic racism? Hopefully [indiscernible] Once and for all. Thank you for your time. [8:34:08 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Jared Breckenridge. >> Okay. I'm calling for the firing of chief Brian Manley because he has consistently showed us that he cannot handle managing such a department. I've attended the APD gala and have seen first handedly that he does not have enough black officers. Also, after the report has shown, he has not taken the necessary action against officers that have committed racial, homophobic and all of that type of violence. He has not tooken any action to handle that. Instead, he has allowed them to continue to do that. He allowed that officer to stay on the force and retire, actually, before, and if he was able to delete all the evidence. Manley is not doing the right thing. If you are wanting to confront racism, you will allow more black people to be on your dais, so I heard a lot of you saying you [8:35:09 PM] don't like racism. That's racist. What else? The officers that were involved in Ramos case, they need to be fired and they need to be prosecuted. [Buzzer sounding] You have a long history in Austin. Defund APD. Also, gentrification is a very big issue. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Thank you very much. >> I'm a black man and [indiscernible] Get your knees off of our neck. >> Mayor Adler: Sir, I appreciate you joining us. Thank you so much. Next speaker. >> Lindsay la grange. >> Hi. My name is Lindsay la grange. I am not speaking for myself today but for the 24,000 community members that have signed the petition on change.org demanding the immediate removal of Brian Manley. Manley, using a chemical agent that causes excessive coughing on large groups of congregated civilians. During a respiratory pandemic, is [8:36:09 PM] a cruelness that I cannot begin to comprehend. When New Orleans protesters over took their interstate on study, the officers worked with them and let them take their time with no violence. Manley is unfit. Spencer cronk, remember the three officers who stood by and did nothing were also charged, doing nothing [indiscernible]. Finally to anyone who opposes defunding APD, I'd like you to think about what could have happens if a social worker had shown up to that call instead of Christopher Taylor? The other person that Christopher Taylor killed would still be alive. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Catherine Gonzalez. >> My name is Catherine Gonzalez and I serve as the vice chair [8:37:15 PM] lgbtq commission, I speak to you as a citizens not on behalf of the commission. I ask ask that you immediately fire Brian Manley and replace the entire team of the Austin police department on unpaid administrative leave, pending an exhaustive investigation of the useful force against peaceful protesters this past weekend. Chief Manley was hired to lead the department on the presume he would act Progressive and community focus policing facts. Instead, his failure of leadership has led to a further erosion of trust in the department, a profound lack of morale among APD officers among the police association and disgusting abuse of power demonstrated by APD not only this past weekend but for decades. Chief Manley has not kept his promise to us but I ask each of you as our elected representatives to fulfill your promise to ensure the safety and protection of every person in Austin. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. [8:38:16 PM] Next speaker. >> Henry arjett. >> Hi. Thank you. My name is Henry and I've lived in district 3 for 19 years. I spoke to many officers over the past three days. All of them said they had to shoot because they had no way of protecting them from bottles and rocks. I didn't see any rocks. If the officers aren't safe without using force, don't send them out. Find another way or protect your officers better. I'd like to refer back to something that happened earlier when chief Manley was asked how to make sure this wouldn't happen again. He talked about beanbags, he didn't talk about the policies that causes the officers the shoot multiple peaceful protesters in the head. It shows a failure of leadership with one solution, fire Manley. I'd also like to echo my absolute disgust with APD these past few days, I'd like to thank [8:39:17 PM] councilwoman harper-madison and [indiscernible] For echoing the pain and anger we all feel. I yield my time. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Jacob Wallace. >> All right. Yeah. Chief Manley, you're a disgrace and epitome of everything that's wrong police forces across this country. Using tear gas and pepper spray in a pandemic is cruel and inhumane. For the young man hit in the head with beanbag, officers had a water bottle, even if this is true, this is the root of the problem. Officers are outfitted with military, and you knowledge believe the proper response to a water bottle being thrown is throwing a non-lethal beanbag at their head which is capable of cracking their skull. [8:40:17 PM] There's no reason the APD should take up 43% of the budget. That's why I'm calling for defunding and dismantling of APD, invest in affordable transportation so we can have less policing on our roads, people struggling with mental health issues so police don't have to respond to those calls, invest in affordable housing for our underprivileged citizens, invest in community programs as a preventative measure for crimes. I'm calling for the resignment of chief Manley. [Buzzer sounding] Black lives matter, they always have, always will, we won't stop asking for change until you take action. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next witness. Next person. >> Clorina browning. >> Hi. My name is koreena. I live in district 6. I'm an angry white woman demanding that you fire chief Manley, defund the APD and invest in community resources to keep our people of [8:41:20 PM] color safe. Silence is complicity. Inaction is complicity. Voidant answers like chief Manley gave are complicity. We are watching. Black lives matter. No justice, no peace. I cede the remainder of my time to people of color. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next witness. Councilmember harper-madison, are you raising your hand or -- >> Harper-madison: No. That was me just saying black lives matter. >> Mayor Adler: I just want to make sure. Next witness. >> Donna [indiscernible] >> Yes. Hi. Good evening. I'm [indiscernible], organizer, executive director of interconnecting [indiscernible] Funds of middle easterners. [8:42:20 PM] I'm a brown I am gant from Iran. Immigrated here to go to college. I was carrying a big load of anti[indiscernible] I knew close to nothing about racism. It's taken me years to wise up to what I unknowingly stepped into and became complicit in. I came to the U.S. To mostly escape Iranian state violence and I realize state terror is state terror, whether it's applied by resolutionary guards in Iran or military equipped police officer in the U.S. Killing folks for existing, enzyming folks -- --snipping by killing, bystanders, aiming for their heads, it's becoming harder and harder to distinguish between my old home and my new home. Black lives have always been precious. [8:43:21 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next person. .>> Keegan shepherd. Hi. City budgets are documents that reflect community value, and right now the fact that there's hundreds of millions of dollars going to a highly militarized police force is reprehensible, it's morally bankrupt. Defunding APD, invest that money into public health, invest that money into color, into affordable housing, APD has shown that it doesn't deserve that money. Put it where it should actually go into our community. Have the integrate, have the backbone. Fire Manley. Black lives matter. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next person. >> Theo Adams. [8:44:21 PM] >> Hi. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please go ahead. >> I'm calling because APD needs to be defunded. Manley needs to be fired. APD [indiscernible] City budget and they still have enough for their vehicles? Sounds like a personal problem. They don't need more money, they have already used the money they've been allocated. Not only should this item not pass but their portion of the budget should be cut entirely. It was shown that they are completely violent and have mismanaged their funds up until this point by targeting people at protests. They don't deserve funding ever again. Defund the police and fire Manley. Give the money back to black and brown communities. And pay reparation for [indiscernible] Over the past decade. Defund the police and fire Manley. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker? >> [Indiscernible] [8:45:23 PM] >> Hi. I want to just keep it pretty short. If we are a Progressive city, then we are failing. Our budget shows your priority. They, the budget of the police, I double the combined budgets of emergency medical services, Austin public health, and neighborhood housing and community development. It shows that we support how APD acts. We have to stop this budget. Defund APD. Reallocate the resources to provide better health care, more affordable housing and more responsible emergency medical services. We don't need thoughts and appraiser, we need action. Mayor, city council, thanks for having us. You can act on this. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next speaker. Yes, councilmember Ellis? >> Mayor? Thank you. I'm not sure if [indiscernible] Is still on the line but I know him and I wanted to thank him for his activism and for putting together the memorial for the covid victims. You shouted out at one of your moments, I wanted to reiterate [8:46:24 PM] that and thank him for his activism. >> Mayor Adler: All right. Thank you. Next speaker. >> [Indiscernible] [Indiscernible] Azar. >> Hi. This is [indiscernible]. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak with you today. I'm here today in response the a question from councilmember Casar in the presence of Edmund Sanchez. Chief Manley said we use the beanbag ammunition will not be used in a crowd situation. It is an appropriate tool in other circumstances, it is not approved for crowd situations. Let me clarify, the change in policy would not have saved Brad [8:47:24 PM] Ayala from being injured. I ask you, do these policies save the people and their safety or do black and brown bodies [indiscernible] Of these perpetrators. I ask that all steps be taken to ensure the protesters are treated with respect and dignity, that they be how would accountable for the deaths, and the Austin police department be defunded and used for needs such as health, housing, in this time of covid-19. Thank you very much. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker? >> [Indiscernible] -- >> Casar: Before he speaks, I want to thank him -- manager and chief, you've heard several people testify about the answer to that question with Mr. Ayala [8:48:25 PM] on the phone. I'll be asking the question again tomorrow, and I hope we have a much better answer about how to make sure that never happens to anybody in our city ever again. So I'll ask it tomorrow and I hope we have a better answer than the one we had today. >> Mayor Adler: Next speaker. >> J. R. Zombrano. >> Hi. Yes. Councilmember harper-madison, you asked how you could show us that you've been listening to us and that you've been there for us when so many of us are here today saying that there's a failure in the leadership, a failure in the police force. Action. Action is the answer. That's what we need to see. We need to see action taken immediately. And today. Not a week from now. I know things take time, but we need to see something immediately. I have a minute. How many more minutes do we have some how many more lives will be spent between now and then? [8:49:27 PM] How much more injury legislature be? -- How much injury will therebe and suffering before things change? It has taken this much blood and expenditure of lives to get to this point? To the point where we feel like we are finally maybe being heard? Please, show us that you are listening and act. Thank you very much. I yield the remainder of my time. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker some. >> Taylor Davis. >> White folks should hang up and be called back so they can be last in the queue. We need to hear from more people of color. I'm demanding APD hire no new officers. Kathie tovo, you should be ashamed of yourself for guiding the police department thus far. [Indiscernible] Approved funding for police in the past is also complicit in the deaths and injuries of the people we are discussing here today. If members of city council continue to accept the idea that [8:50:29 PM] police are a necessary force and believe in reformist policies like bias training, you will be supporting a racist organization of unqualified professionals rather than addressing the real roots of crime, crimes in themselves, economic inequality, unequal access to health care and housing, and domestic violence. Defund the police, period. You need to take away their guns. The idea of there not being enough officers is a baseless assumption that comes from the police themselves and puts black and brown bodies at risk. The real question here is if you have the courage to fund new systems that actually serve the people -- [buzzer sounding] -- With more than just death sentences and arrests. I yield my time. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. >> Jennifer [indiscernible] >> Hello, are you calling for Joseph [indiscernible]? >> Yes. >> Hello? [8:51:32 PM] Oh. Thank you. Appreciate it. My name is Justin [indiscernible] And I, like others, are demanding chief Manley's removal and defunding of APD. We have as a community have lost all faith new. I do not feel safe when I see a member of the APD. We need to replace him with someone. The police chief being fired in less than a day, can be swift if we want it to be. People have heard time and time again, return to order, then we'll talk. We lost faith in any solution that isn't here and now. City council seats 2, 4, 6, and 10 up for selection some November and we'll replace you with change. You've told me it's going to take time. It's taken my father's time, my mother's time, uncle's time, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, how much time do you want for your progress? Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. [8:52:33 PM] >> Kianna Thomas newton. >> Hello. My name's Kiana Thomas newton. I've been at the protests every day since Sunday. APD must pay for their crimes. Our time has been cut, as a black woman I've lost all confidence in APD. You see no amount of cookies and superficial conversations that will make us forget your actions. We don't respect you. I do not nor will I try to find any [indiscernible] For Brian Manley. He must be fired by Monday June 8th and removed by his position by June 30th. Any later than that, Steve Adler [indiscernible]. Christopher Taylor must be immediately fired and charged. All officers who fired and [indiscernible] Must be named, fired, and charged, who caused the fellow officers to continue with citizens, took an oath to [8:53:34 PM] protect and serve, they must be fired. Must be defunded and redirected toward mental health, resources for people experiencing homelessness and affordable housing for people of color. [Buzzer sounding] That's from the people of the city or we won't [indiscernible] APD. This is just for start. Anything else and people will continue to fly out. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next speaker. >> Justin shade. >> Yes. My name is jump shade. I'm a 32-year-old African American with district 6. A lot of the other collars conveyed everything I prepared to say today so I'll change my statement to say this. Don't allow yourself to believe for a split second just because there are 300 of us in queue that there aren't countless others, angered, hateful, deeply sattened. We expect every and we realize that we're living a nightmare. The existing society, we're [8:54:36 PM] paying a price to be heard in listening to [indiscernible] Being shot with beanbags and tear gas. In this city and across all 50 states, the American citizens trust and belief in law enforcement is shattered because it's felt and now more frequently captured on video of officers acting with impunity. To echo the words in my email to councilmember Flannigan and the rest of the Austin city council on June 2nd, or city's police force must no longer continue to behave in the manner they've demonstrated moving forward. Words and other pleas of the people must no longer be an afterthought. [Buzzer sounding] We're the United States of America. It must change for the better and change now. Black lives matter. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaking. Speaker.>> [Indiscernible] >> Hello. I have served on the city of Austin's public safety commission for five years for district 4. You have a responsibility to [8:55:38 PM] address systemic racism here at home. In my neighborhood, where cop cars regularly speed by, I worry about the safety of my black and brown neighbors encountering the police. The murder of George Floyd was a tragic reminder of the cruel ways black lives have been devalued for centuries. Mike Ramos should be life today and his family deserves justice. We need public safety, I urge you to invest in communities of colors. [Indiscernible] Must be thoroughly investigated and officers who hurt people must be held accountable. Funding aggressive tactics that harm the community should be rejected. City council must question whether a problematic police department deserves even more money when there are families who can't afford to put food on the table because of covid. We should be allocating funds towards improving health, safety, and well-being. [Buzzer sounding] City council is questioning whether leadership can be trusted [8:56:39 PM] to bring about change given the series of failures over the years. I urge you to do your part to break from the deadly status quo from people of color by divesting from police and investing in health and well think of our families instead. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Smith. >> I'm Yasmine Smith, born understand a raised austinite, black woman. I'm usually more eloquent when I speak to you all in public or in private individually, but I'm exhausted and heartbroken so this is what you're going to get tonight. I stand in solidarity with my communities in saying and demanding the firing of those that killed Mike Ramos, the firing of chief Manley, who allowed that behavior and that culture to permeate in a way that that way was acceptable and the behavior that's administered [8:57:41 PM] during these protests were acceptable. I further say that we need to divest from APD, put that into things that actually help us as a community and further, personally, I would suggest and say that the Austin police department has not abided by a central function of our contract with them, they have breached our contract with them, and therefore, our contract should be renegotiated and, furthermore, I would argue that and urge those with a badge that your duty to protect and serve, also entails your duty to protect and serve when the threat is from a fellow officer. [Buzzer sounding] City council, you need to go ahead and put restrictions and consequences for those that don't step up, for me, for us, for Austin. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> James Casey. >> Hello? [8:58:41 PM] Can you remember? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. -- Hello.can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please go ahead. >> I'm a white [indiscernible] Who uses [indiscernible] I live in district 5. The Austin police department maintains a legacy of terrorism against black and brown bodies, traces back to the early days of the Texas rangers. Today Austin is only safe for effluent, white bodied residents. This is not an accident. These are our demands, undoing white supremacy in Austin. Remove chief Manley now. He lies to you, to the public and to the official public institutions. He is unthoughtful to everyone. By Monday, June 8th. Create a zero tolerance policy for police shootings. [8:59:41 PM] (Indiscernible) Immediately be fired without pay, benefit to pensions and charged with criminal offenses. The very presence of military weapons (indiscernible). Defund the APD, reduce the budget by 20% every fiscal year until we're replaced by a department that is (indiscernible) For every citizen in Austin. >> Alana Buteau? >> Hi. Yes, thank you for holding this. I'm a resident of district 7. And I'm here to ask my city council, defund the police, increase funding in education, health care, public housing. And also require de- escalation before shooting. Charge the officer who shot Mike Ramos and show the police are not above the law. Also you need to protect all of our rights (indiscernible). [9:00:41 PM] Black lives matter. Thank you for your time. >> Bobby Mack? >> Hi. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, go ahead. >> Hi, my name is Bobbi Mack. I was born in Houston. I am speaking today on item 7. I vote no to awarding APD a grant of $430,000. This program incentive (indiscernible) I personally know firsthand that additional funding will not be beneficial. As a minority black and brown, a child of two, attempting to navigate through the city of fine works, I was the person who is not listed on the insurance [9:01:42 PM] of a car, and the surcharges that I had limited ability to pay which then led to life of (indiscernible). People in minority communities already have strained resources are more likely to be stopped when driving than those in the white community for the same offense. This will create even more devastating impact on the community because of the ability to travel to and from work. I'm asking this grant money be diverted to the R.I.S.E. Fund and the civil rights department which has been on the table since January and not been spoken of since. As a former employee of the crime victims department, the crimes committed by police to members of society should also be punished to the full extent of the law. It impacts the victims of police abuse and their families for decades. We cannot change the hate in officers' hearts but we can hold them accountable for the use of excessive force. They need to be arrested, send a message that they are not above the law. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. [9:02:45 PM] Thank you very much. Next speaker? >> Eliza Epstein? >> Sound check. >> You're good. >> Okay, thank you. My name is Eliza Epstein, I live in district number 5. I'm a white person. I'm speaking in community with the grass roots leadership. Fire police chief Manley, defund the APD. Start with the immediate termination of the relationship with aid. Eliminate and dismantle the APD within five years, build a system of community safety. One that provides the resources, health care, housing and love that the people of Austin, that all people should have. There aren't good cops and bad cops. Policing is based on a violent and flawed theory of humanity that perpetuates the [9:03:47 PM] (indiscernible) Of black and brown people. We must imagine a world without police. We must dismantle oppressive system everywhere to win liberation for us all. Today is not the time for change. Today is well past the time for change. Lives are at stake. APD already took the life of Mike Ramos and are still trying to take more lives. Black lives matter. Listen to the community assembled here. The city council must act. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Jeffrey Clemmons. >> I want to thank the council people for having this important meeting tonight. What I want to say since our time is short and it is late is that if you think it's a radical idea we should defund or [9:04:49 PM] demilitarize the police, that the police can go out and attack their fellow citizens for the sole fact they have a shiny badge on. That's not fair. We need justice for the people who were abused by the system. Martin Luther king, Jr. Said himself if we do not act now, we will surely be dragged down the long, dark and sorrowful corridors of history for people who use their power without compassion. That's exactly what we need right now, compassion. Thank you all. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Denise prince. >> Yes, hello. I live in district 3 and have lived here for 18 years. The testimony of my fellow witnesses, I'm actually humbled and incredibly troubled. A lot of the details that have been divulged today are new to me. I understand from an activist, [9:05:51 PM] the policy change is the most likely -- the thing that's most significant and necessary toward liberation and change. And some demanding policy change. We're facing several incredibly critical issues right now. And each of them require dramatic change. I mean, in the name of humanity, policy change. And chief Manley, I must say, you must step aside with hate. Let those who are actually able to implement this change, dismantle the police department, let them make the change that you're not capable of making. I understand that it's really difficult to allow for change. There are so many things in our brains that work against it. But this is like -- this is all we have [buzzer sounds] Before we need from the woman who was out of her mind. We need help. We need actual policy change. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. >> Maudi cedes? [9:06:58 PM] >> Hello? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, please go ahead. >> Okay. I'll be quick. Let me see here. Hello? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, please go ahead. >> Okay. The officers swore an oath to protect the citizens. They have an obligation to the people. $343.8 million of the city budget is to the APD. APD has failed. Police officers use rubber bullets, beanbag rounds, tear gas from a highway. A highway that was part of the dividing line between marginalized communities and Austin. Austin civilians were shot in the face, suffering head trauma, bruising and temporary blindness. (Indiscernible) Housing and development. About 30 times that to [9:07:59 PM] weaponizing officers with their backs turned to gentrifying the black neighborhoods. Communities of color every day are made aware of the housing insecurity. Locally and nationally. We are being pushed out of Austin by an economic force. Do communities of color matter to you. Justin Howell (indiscernible). Brett Ayala, their lives need to matter. Unknown citizens and their wounds, their pain is now their cross to bear, Manley. This is on your head. I'm calling for the defund APD and reallocation of those funds to neighborhood housing and development and public health services. We do not need $434 million of lip service and brutality. We need documentation of this [9:09:00 PM] incident where force is used. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> It's not optional at this point. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for joining us tonight. Thank you. Next speaker. >> Amy Cavender. >> Hello. I'd like to start by saying black lives matter. And the manner in which the Austin police department chooses to present itself and chooses to act also matters. APD has not chosen well lately. The pictures I saw of APD officers this weekend looked like they were from a war zone or a country we pity for the brutality of its (indiscernible). That's what's happening left than five miles from where I live in central Austin. These officers fired at street medics who presented no threat at all to police. Which is absolutely shocking on a number of levels. [9:10:01 PM] I ask the city council to redirect funds to parks, (indiscernible) And immediately discontinue all APD use of so-called (indiscernible) Rubber baton rounds and beanbags as well as chemical agents on peaceful protesters. [Buzzer sounds] Lastly, I suggest you take more funds from APD and upgrade your technology for call-in comment as the current system is trash. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Kevin Tran. >> Hello. I'm calling to say we need to defund the police. It's disappointing, and frankly, a bit shocking that all of you, including the mayor, were about to give more money to the police as a matter of course, when people are saying you need to defund them. Sadly those reforms have not [9:11:02 PM] worked. Those (indiscernible) Body cameras and early warning systems to identify problem officers make no difference. De-escalation training has proven to be a failure. A recent scholar said, we keep imagining we can turn police into social workers. Police are violence workers. You've seen it in Austin and around the country. Take an evidence-based approach to make our safe and equitable place for all to live. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker? >> Ashley Hamilton. Ashley Hamilton? Unmute, please. >> Yes. My name is Ashley Hamilton. [9:12:04 PM] I am calling as a community member. I grew up in the east side of Austin. I want to speak to items as to why we should -- as a matter of fact, I demand that we defund APD. In regards to how black people are treated, not only in the information that you all presented and the racial profiling (indiscernible) 2020, the data is clear, black people are 15% of the staff. Not only that, there is an absolute imperative that we not only take money from APD, but utilize those resources in other places, like public health, as well as mental health. It has already been proven that women are dying at an exponential alarming rate than other races themselves. I ask that we take this time to not only reallocate those funds and better uses for black people and brown people, but also punish those that have been killing us at alarming rates. [9:13:10 PM] You are representatives of us. This isn't something new. You're letting us know that you all are very well aware of the murders that you have committed time and time again. When is the time going to be to change. When are we actually going to do something, when are we actually going to matter to the people that have been paid to protect us. You all are constantly stating and showing, more importantly, how black lives don't matter. Please change that. Please. I'm demanding that we no longer fund the police, but instead if in fact we truly care about equity -- >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> -- That black lives do in fact matter, I ask again, you take the time to reallocate those funds to public health -- >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Natalie mullen? >> Hi. Can you hear me? [9:14:10 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Yes, please go ahead. >> Hi, my name is Natalie mullen and I saw the tragic attack of Justin Howell. There is a young black man who cannot speak tonight because he's in the hospital from injuries inflicted on him by the APD. I was there when he was shot and critically injured. The severity of the situation was graphic. His blood was on the street and I heard everyone screaming telling the police that he was dying, and I saw them responding by shooting more bullets into the defenseless crowd. They were shooting at us from both sides. I remember begging them to stop and asked them who they meant to be protecting. I saw them respond by gassing the defenseless medics. I truly never felt so exposed and terrified in my life at the hands of my own police force. I watched after this happened, a cop on I-35 emptied a water bottle onto the crowd and threw it at us. [Buzzer sounds] If the police doesn't protect us, austinites [9:15:14 PM] need to defend their rights. Chief Manley, I'm sorry to say, (indiscernible). This is much deeper than a simple mistake. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Critical injuries and death. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Thank you. Next speaker. >> Scott reegal? >> Hello. My name is Scott. I live in district 9. I just want to say that the reason that the protests have spread across the globe is not just the tragic death of George Floyd, but every city from L.A. To Austin and New York, we need to act now to reign in the police, the occupying armies in every city that act with impunity. It's spurred on by the police union for disparity of the elected officials that supposedly have authority over [9:16:15 PM] them. The APD shifted the blame onto the citizens that they themselves brutalized and act as if they are the real victims because of middle fingers and tossed water bottles. We need to defund the police and reinvest in health care and housing for our disadvantaged communities. We need to fire and prosecute police officers who engage in violence against civilians including the killers of Mike Ramos and those who injured Levi Ayala and Howell. Black lives matter. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker? >> Kevin Welch? >> Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please go ahead. >> Yes. Ladies and gentlemen of the council, my name is Kevin Welch, [9:17:18 PM] and I live in Austin, Texas, current homeowner in district 8 (indiscernible). I'm speaking to you today as a resident of the city, to express my shock, dismay and horror at the actions I witnessed APD take in response to the recent uprisings in this city over the deaths of George Floyd, Rihanna Taylor, Aubrey and others, and Mike Ramos. I'm calling on council to take steps to bring about real systemic change for these problems. I call on city manager cronk to fire police chief Manley. If cronk won't do so, I call on the council to fire cronk. If the council will not do that, on call on the voters to replace every council member to do so. I call for immediate massive reduction in the APD budget. Changing the rules for APD settlements [buzzer sounds] As they're paid out of the police retirement fund and not the general fund. [9:18:21 PM] Rhetoric of the systemic racism means nothing if the council does not act. Thank you for your time. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next speaker? >> Makayla gray? >> Hi. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, please go ahead. >> Hi. My name is Makayla gray, and I'm a senior at UT. I demand the elimination of the projectiles and tear gas and physical force, and defunding the APD and reallocation of the funds to the Austin health department and R.I.S.E. Fund. The APD consumes nearly 30% of our city's resources. It's intertwined with I.C.E. And the prison system. When you fund the APD, you fund (indiscernible) And black people in our community. Following these actions I urge the search for institutional policing, permanently suspend the APD, (indiscernible). [9:19:26 PM] Does not solve the inequities of the black and brown people. You, mayor Adler, and chief Manley, are responsible for it all. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Lance Wimer. >> This past weekend I was in the streets of Austin, I saw my neighbors. I saw austinites standing up for black lives and against police oppression. And it was beautiful. Beautiful to see austinites coming together united because we are fed up with what happened in Minneapolis, and what's been happening here in our own city. But despite this unity, yes, there were agitators. They were the ones in uniform. APD are the violent agitators. Their actions demand accountability. We need real change. [9:20:27 PM] And no, APD sudden pr campaign is no substitute for that. Our systemic problem requires systemic change. Not only within APD but in Austin at large. The reality is, crime isn't random. Criminality is created by the social ills we lack the courage to address. Funding the police is not an investment in public safety. Defund and disband APD. We need a city budget for the people, not for the police. Black lives matter. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Ryan roshert. >> Hey. I assume you can hear me. >> Mayor Adler: Yes, please go ahead. >> Being in a place, seeing things with your own eyes gives you a special kind of insight. And the insight that I got from being at the protest over the weekend was that there was a certain malice in our police [9:21:30 PM] officers, an ability to hurt citizens of Austin. There's things that no one brought up yet. I saw the police steal a bicycle and backpack from protesters. I actually got to see -- not got to, I had to see Levi Ayala get shot in the head and after he was moved by protesters toward the police, all of the people that were assisting Levi were maced. There were police officers firing in response to insult. Directly in response to insults. So I'm sure sometimes they received a flying object, but sometimes it was a middle finger and they shot back. You could easily see that the police were discussing who they would shoot the next time that they had the opportunity to. You know, trying to maximize pain or get back at people that they had decided they didn't like. [Buzzer sounds] So deeply troubling that the police are seeing that people of Austin as [9:22:30 PM] their enemies, and I-35 as the (indiscernible). >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker? >> Jason vee. >> Hello. My name is Jason vee, I've lived in Austin for nearly 30 years. So-called police chief Manley, your claim that this is not what we set out to do is a blatant lie. You have to know the damage batons can cause (indiscernible). You would not have deployed the gear against the citizens of Austin. The indiscriminate use of these weapons is brutality tactics by a gang. The officers that committed these assaults must be prosecuted. Every officer who refused to render aid should be charged as an accomplice. I aee with the calls for [9:23:31 PM] defunding, if not complete dismantling of the Austin police department with large portions of its budget diverted to community organizations, public health, social workers, and other community causes to actually drive improvements in Austin. The police association [buzzer sounds] Must be brought to task for what occurred this past weekend. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. The next speaker? >> Dana Seyer? >> Hello. Thank you for this opportunity. As a mental health professional, I've heard speaker after speaker describe symptoms of trauma and PTSD. Experiencing come flex trauma puts people at higher risk of health complications throughout the life span and contribute to increased incidences to the community of color. Racism is a public health issue and (indiscernible) By the police is sanctioned genocide. [9:24:33 PM] City council (indiscernible) Is not followed by action. The actions of APD are abusive. APD has undermined the entire health care of Austin and the work of health professionals responding to the covid-19 pandemic. The only people who should interact with protesters are those who have been trained in crisis intervention. Any APD officer whose actions have harmed or injured a civilian needs to not only be fired but face criminal charges. APD officers should not have access to tear gas, beanbag grounds or (indiscernible). Black lives matter in Austin. The city of Austin needs funding used to military APD (indiscernible) Instead. I yield my time. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker? >> Joseph robecho. [9:25:34 PM] >> Good evening. I'm a black man, and medic in Austin ems. I've been called upon to provide care to injured officers and I answered that call dutfully and proudly. However, I feel like I can no longer give protection by putting those at risk of violence. We have failed. We arrive to find at least seven officers pressing their weight into him. I watched this, and his cry of I can't breathe, get weaker and weaker. Thankfully we were able to get to him in time. Another time I had to stop an officer who was pressing his weight onto a defenseless man's neck. I often have to physically place myself in between someone having a mental health crisis and a malicious officer. I wanted to share one near miss as a result of the militarization of the APD. (Indiscernible) Conference with [9:26:35 PM] the child's mom, who called 911 for her son's safety. [Buzzer sounds] APD showed up with two bearcats, officers with long rifles. The family had no idea what was coming. No one was physically hurt, but everyone in the neighborhood was in danger because of poor decision-making. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Divest -- >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Thank you very much. Councilmember harper-madison? >> Harper-madison: Chair, if I may. As far as I'm concerned, this is like any other briefing we get from a professional. From one of our civil service professionals. I'd like for the current speaker to continue. >> Mayor Adler: You have that right. >> Harper-madison: Thank you. >> He's been disconnected. >> Mayor Adler: All right then. Next speaker. [9:27:37 PM] >> Richard boland. >> We saw APD's true colors this weekend. APD needs a good housecleaning from top down. They should fire officers for misconduct. I ask that the council take action to end civil service for APD, and amend the city charter if that's what it takes. It may take a petition or referendum. APD made several thousand new enemies this weekend. Now is a good time to take this action. It seems the cops now want to pass out cookies to the protesters and sing kumbayah. They should have thought of that before they showered beanbags on prg women and protesters. I appreciate you having this meeting, but I wish you had all spoken out by Saturday afternoon. [9:28:37 PM] I wish cronk had taken action on Saturday. One single public safety commissioner was the only city official to speak out about this this weekend. Silency is consent. Black lives matter. Blocking the freeway is not violent [buzzer sounds]. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Michael Frazier. >> And mayor, before Mr. Frazier speaks, I just want to assure folks, many of us on this dais, as many of us -- legal limits talking to each other, many of us were contacting the manager, contacting chief, contacting the assistant city managers about what we were hearing. Several of us put out public statements over the weekend about the things that people were experiencing. It clearly was not enough. I want folks to know that those [9:29:37 PM] attempts were made, even if many of them were unsuccessful. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. >> Mayor, it looks like other council members might say something. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember kitchen? >> Kitchen: Thank you, councilmember Casar. We tried to talk to people, and a number of us, we all communicated in whatever ways we could. Including myself and others. And I put out information as did others. And so for the person who is speaking, I'm sorry if you didn't see what we sent out. And I invite you to contact my office, I'm happy to talk with you directly. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Next speaker? >> Michael Frazier. >> Hi. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please proceed. >> Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please proceed. >> Can you hear me? [9:30:38 PM] I'm so sorry. My name is Michael Frazier. And my chosen name is Rainey. I'm a resident of Austin and have been a social worker here for about seven years, I've worked with children in foster care and people with developmental disabilities. I'm extensively trained in crisis management (indiscernible) De-escalate violence. There is no excuse for the violence perpetrated by the police. I work with a man who is almost twice my weight trying to smash a solid wooden chair over my head, and I never needed a weapon to protect myself in that situation. (Indiscernible). Did not need weapons. So the police are absolutely insane for thinking that we will believe that they need that. I want to thank Gregorio Casar and Natasha harper-madison. You're exemplary council [9:31:39 PM] persons, and the people stand with you. Because we know you stand with us. I demand justice for Mike Ramos, Justin Howell, Brad Ayala, the man who appeared (indiscernible) Arrested for standing on a closed highway in the middle of the night in flip-flops, I demand justice for the -- >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> -- Disabled man who APD murdered last year. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for calling in. And joining us. Appreciate that. Thank you for joining us. >> If you have questions for me -- >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Thank you. Next speaker. >> Katherine matie? Katherine Mcbee? Unmute, please? [9:32:43 PM] >> Sorry about that. Can you all hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please proceed. >> Hello? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, go ahead. >> Okay, great. I would just like to add a point that I have not heard made yet. It is completely outrageous that the APD needs tear gas this weekend. Especially near the encampment of the homeless, especially in a crowd where there were children, and especially where we're in a pandemic that -- where the disease targets people's respiratory systems. Tear gas has long-lasting health repercussions for many of the people who experience it. I just want to say, I was walking toward the police station when they deployed it. And everybody around me, myself included, started coughing and choking and crying. So I don't know. There's a lot of egregiousness. [9:33:45 PM] Defund APD, demilitarize, chief Manley, you've got to go. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Abas hussein? >> Hello. My name is abas hussein. The last few weeks have shown fatal and critical mistakes in a job where there cannot be a margin of error. I attended the protest on Sunday and immediately called your office, appalled at the treatment of peaceful protesteders. Mayor Adler and my councilwoman, to no avail. This meeting should have been (indiscernible). It's resulted in horrific stories we're hearing today. My recommendation, leaders to take a hard look, if we truly believe (indiscernible) Increase over police budget will drive impactful change. It won't. Mayor Adler and council members, [9:34:46 PM] you have a choice to make. Continue to use police as a catch all, continue to have them set up for failure with increase in police budget, continue to have disproportionately higher stops for people of color, and critical mistakes by officers. Four, invest those funds in your community. Invest in social services that require trained professionals on issues like mental health. We remember the direction you all go and we will hold you accountable for additional mistakes that result in loss of life. I have sent you all [buzzer sounds] Research and studies that back up my recommendation. I ask you guys to make change, no more talking. Make change. You can do this today. We've seen the peaceful protests today with officers not having riot gear. This can happen in a moment. When you know your jobs are on the line, you can make a change. [9:35:46 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. >> Stay up all night if you have it. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for participating. Next speaker. >> Stephanie crocker? >> Hello. Good evening. My name is Stephanie crocker. Resident of district 2. Police brutality and racial injustices have been a problem since the foundation of our country. We can no longer remain quiet because silence is complicity. I speak out today as a white mother, and an educator for Austin ISD. I have the privilege to teach adorable (indiscernible) Graders of all ages, but at what point do people start to perceive my students of color as a threat instead of the adorable children that they are. Police brutality continues to happen here in Austin and across our country. It is our constitutional right as Americans to assemble and [9:36:47 PM] petition, yet the first amendment is seen violated and people can no longer peacefully assemble and petition without the potential threat of being injured or even worse killed by police. Let's not forget how the catalyst of this most recent (indiscernible) Began. The murder of a black man, George Floyd, murdered under the knee of a police officer. And then the brutality continued throughout the peaceful protests. You cannot blame the pot for boiling over if you never addressed the flames. As a mother, I don't have to worry about my son getting shot by the police. But as a teacher, I fear for the safety of those remarkable children of color sitting in my classroom. [Buzzer sounds] I am aware there are good people as police officers and prosecutors, but they are working inside of an incredibly broken system. Now is the time more than ever that we speak up. We demand change. I implore you, the city council, to lead this change. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. >> All lives cannot matter until [9:37:48 PM] black lives do. Black lives matter. >> Mayor Adler: Appreciate it. Council member harper-madison. >> Harper-madison: Thank you for recognizing me. I could not be more grateful for all the voices we're hearing. I could do this all night. But it turns out there's a lot of us on the line including that last speaker who recognize that she's a mom. I saw two little cuties pop up on the screen. And I saw Kathy's cutie pop up on the screen. We've got to put these kids to bed. It's 9:38. And I would like very much to ask for a moment of privilege. Can we take 10 minutes to put our kids to bed, and then come back? Is that acceptable to my colleagues? >> Mayor Adler: That's fine. We could do that. We also have -- really close to the last 25 speakers. So during this 10-minute break, some of these speakers have left [9:38:48 PM] and then come back on. And our system doesn't tie their phone numbers to their names. So if it's possible, I don't know if it's possible during this 10 minutes, without losing the phone line, if you could -- Myrna, if you're there, would it help if they text in their name to a number? I don't know how we identify these people. We could call the last four digits of their phone numbers when they come back, and then they could come on? I'm a little nervous doing that, though. That's what was recommended. >> With so many problems earlier, I'm really, really, really hesitant to ask anyone to go anywhere with the exception of saying, y'all, special pli -- I know there are parents on the line right now so I know what I'm talking about. So some of them need that 10 minutes, too. If I could take 10 minutes to make sure that my kids are good. >> Mayor Adler: No, no, go ahead and do that. During this 10 minutes I want to see if there is something we can do for those other people. [9:39:49 PM] We'll recess for 10 minutes. If you need to go do that, please go do that now. Myrna, while we have you on the phone, is there any direction we should be giving to these folks to help us with the phone numbers we can't identify? >> I will be calling the last four digits of their phone number. I will admit them to the call. And if they can just please state their name, that would be great. >> Mayor Adler: What if we did the last two digits of their phone number? >> We can try. Sure. >> Mayor Adler: Let's try that. And if two people call in, then you can just ask for it again. I'm just concerned if you do four digits, we're effectively identifying who they are. There aren't that many phone numbers that start with the first three. Let's try it with the first two, and let's see how close we get to getting everybody on. Even if it means we end up in a little bit different order on the last 25. >> Okay. >> Mayor Adler: All right. It is 9:40. [9:40:51 PM] We'll come back here in 10 minutes, at 9:50, and we'll start that process. Thank you. [9:55:01 PM] >> Mayor Adler: The time is 9:54. We are reconvening here on June 4th. The city council, regular city council meeting as well as the currently run special called meeting also on June 4th. The full dais is present. We'll continue on with the last 27 speakers. >> Amanda afifi. >> I'm Amanda afifi, school psychologist and district 2 resident. I want to remind everyone of an excerpt from mayor and council regarding Austin police chief. There are concerns whether or not Manley is able to bring about a cultural change in the department around areas of policing and accountability. This concern was primarily due to his internal status and [9:56:03 PM] whether or not an internal candidate can be an effective change agent. He will never be an effective change agent. (Indiscernible) Held a special session with APD, thank you mayor pro tem Garza for being there. They said that pretty much anything can be classified as that, even a shove, and they have to report it. We asked them to break that down into categories and I have yet to see it. People at that time did not call for Manley to be removed because the community wanted to give him another chance. [Buzzer sounds] But it seems it's gotten worse. Fire Manley, assistant city manager, justice Mike Ramos, you know -- >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> -- Shot with a beanbag. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for participating this evening. Thank you for joining in. Thank you. Next speaker. [9:57:04 PM] >> Eve galbraith. >> Is Amanda still on the phone? Amanda afifi? >> Hello? >> Never mind. >> Amanda is not. We have eve galbraith. >> Okay. Yeah, hello. I want to say first while we were in recess, I heard mayor Adler and all the council members (indiscernible). In the last 27 callers, you should not feeling relieved. The entirety of Austin is watching with little or no patience. People are calling in with cops in relation to the protest. (Indiscernible) The normalized (indiscernible) Cops should provide a last-resort safety net on an individual level to be called on individuals who arrive at the scene and deal with individuals in isolated [9:58:04 PM] incidents. Neighborhoods of color are more policed communities than white neighborhoods. Mike Ramos is not an isolated incident. They were already patrolling and stalking the community. Why is that? White communities have all the other structures to run within the law. (Indiscernible) There's a directly inverse correlation between neighborhoods of color and neighborhoods of high to medium income. (Indiscernible) In a way to move up the totem pole [buzzer sounds] (Indiscernible). With these systems in place, the white neighborhoods have watch committees and can do their own watch on a community level. (Indiscernible) Rather than policing a whole society. By demilitarizing the APD and having officers -- >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Thank you. Excuse me, thank you very much. During the break, when I -- I [9:59:05 PM] wasn't congratulating the councilmembers for anything. They're doing their job. But I did thank and I want to thank again while we're in the meeting the staff put together this phone system within 24 hours. So again, I want to thank the staff for putting this together so quickly. It's worked pretty well for something that was put in place in such a limited period of time. Next speaker. Next speaker. >> Emma galbraith. >> Hi, can y'all hear me? >> Mayor Adler: I didn't. Please go ahead. >> Can you hear me? Fantastic. I live in district 9. Hi. So the argument for police is that they protect the community, which begs the question, which community, covering the medical expenses of folks like saraneka martin, Justin Howell is community protection. APD shot them and they're [10:00:05 PM] shooting the street medics with home made supplies to protect our community. There's an irony in protecting medical workers and gunning them down weeks later. I saw police pull down people's masks and mace them, demanding justice of I-35. APD has zero regard for protection of community and every penny in their budget is another drop of blood on your hands. You cannot have more training and Mary hires from the institution is built on death. Brian Manley needs to go. Fire him. In charge of public safety, needs to go. Redirect the money to programs that help [indiscernible] Public health, library, and low- income housing. If you don't, please expect to say protests at I-35 the across the city until we're in the hospital or the ground. It's that nimble. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next speaker. >> Ray Martinez. >> Hi. [10:01:07 PM] [Indiscernible] Director for the Texas [indiscernible] Network. I'm also a resident of Austin, specifically district 9. I ask that the city does [indiscernible] From police and use the funds within APD to invest in health, housing and direct pandemic assistance. Anythings to this I'm asking in the police fire chief Brian Manley and the police officers who killed Mike Ramos and -- now. Currently, 40% that's been allocated to the police department, which is wild we continue to fund the force that murders black folks and others in Austin, when we protest the same police brutality. Austin city council needs to take action now to divest from the APD. The fact police officers shot Ramos in April are still part of APD is shameful. [Indiscernible] The individuals who murdered them should be removed as soon as possible if [10:02:08 PM] city council wants to help this community. Make chief Manley accountable -- [buzzer sounding] -- The funds have been divested into areas that will actually help Austin thrive. Black lives matter. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Victoria Tatum. >> Hi. Can everyone hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please go ahead and proceed. >> Thank you. I'm a resident of district 9 and I'm here to voice strong opposition to item 7. The automobile burglary and theft convention authority advocate for tactics that I do not think benefit community safety. For instance, [indiscernible] Cars and applicanted policing that disproportionately target minority communities, it is also stated outright in the operation plan that task forces are routinely called upon to provide assistance and use of special equipment to narcotics, robbery, and vice division. The money would not even be necessarily restricted to the Austin auto theft project nor is [10:03:09 PM] this money free as the term grant might imply. I stated earlier a percent of it is matched by the city. I think it was clear from APD's behavior that more money and officers in any capacity are not for the betterment of our community and frankly I'm appalled that the council almost voted on 7 without community input or debate. Every dollar given to the department needs to be scrutinized and vetted thoroughly. [Indiscernible] Council did not approve this grant. [Buzzer sounding] Priority to the APD, I'm sure they could find the money elsewhere in their exorbitantly large budget. Thank you for your time and thank you for hosting all of us here to speak today. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Jennifer cradky. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please go ahead and start. >> Thank you. I'm a lifelong Texan, a graduate of the university of Texas and a [10:04:10 PM] homeowner in district 8 for ten years. I don't envy your job tonight. It's parent that maybe 100 or 200 activists have activated tonight but I don't think they represent the majority of regular Austin taxpayers who have been staying home because, number one, there's supposedly still a pandemic, and number two, seeing videos from here and around the country of violence, destruction, fires and looking at. We have our mayor encouraging people to go out to, quote-unquote, disrupt? Blocking freeways is not peaceful. Multiple businesses owned by people of color were ruined. We stand with chief Manley and defunding the police department will not magically make crime disappear. Why were you councilmembers not out there every night keeping the peace? If no tack advertising were needed, why weren't you out there? Instead of encouraging mass protests you could be holding gathers in each of our districts [10:05:10 PM] so we could be heard by our councilmembers and come up with a solution. [Buzzer sounding] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next speaker. >> Kara Mcconnell. >> Hi. I'm a district 1 voter and member of Democrats of Austin. I started yesterday carefully crafting my statement, cutting down the time, and when I have to say is [indiscernible] So I just want to ask this: Chief Manley, why have only two women called in to speak in defense of APD's actions taken? If y'all are [indiscernible] The community, why is no one applauding you? Why does no one feel safer? APD's victims [indiscernible], there are police reforms that are part [10:06:11 PM] of the eight can't wait reform, and other plans would defund the APD, starting with the grant in question. No one here is testifying that APD's actions, because they are completely unjustifiable. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Next speaker. >> Katie trusdbale. >> Hi. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Please go ahead. We're ready. >> Thank you. I live in district 3. The pain of the white community is being met with violence in the city's violent leadership until now has been deafening. City manager cronk, if you have listened to people's pleas, if Google or Facebook were emailing you, it's clear that Austin's leadership operates under the guise of being Progressive while [10:07:11 PM] lining their pockets. Think of what Austin wants to see immediately, any future protest, any officer using excessive force will be removed immediately and charged for mirror actions. Defund the police and bet money for public health care, education, and affordable housing. We're living in history today, I know everybody has already said what I've said, but my grandfather was a pastor ten miles away from Selma when mlk and when I asked him as young child what he did to stand with mlk, he said nothing, it wasn't his fight. I say this is my fight and it's yours as well. You'll be asked what you did in this moment of history. I pray you do not live to regret it. I know I will not. Fire chief Manley and justice for Mike Ramos. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Yes, councilmember harper-madison. >> Harper-madison: Wait, I hate that we lose the caller so fast. Is the previous speaker on the line still, or no? >> She is not. [10:08:19 PM] >> Harper-madison: Okay. >> Mayor Adler: My task and assignment, I think, given the direction of the council, is to try to use the structure as best I can. >> Harper-madison: And I appreciate that very much, but I think some of the people that are sharing with us and saying things to us are under different circumstances, they would be in council chambers, and we could ask they will to come back up. Because I'd love for that previous speaker to be able to talk about their experience with, you know, having had that as their formative experience, and then subsequently how they, as an adult, moved through it. But that's neither here nor there. Never mind. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Next speaker. >> Kyle Harmon. >> Hi. I'm a amendment professional [10:09:20 PM] doing crisis work. I'd like to speak directly to chief Manley. You said earlier today unfortunately there would be mistakes in the reference to the murder of George Floyd. How dare you call this a mistake, this was intentional targeted, racist to, terrorism. It was an institution created in 1865, born out of [indiscernible] To the civil war, an institution that is evil from its inception can never be reformed. How dare you, chief Manley, in front of his own grieving brother call 16-year-old Brad Ayala being shot in the head standing in the grass during a peaceful movement being damaging -- how dare you? You can still John in this movement by resigning immediately. City council, take action now to divest in the police, immediately invest this money into housing, public health, and education. Black lives matter. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Colleagues, there are about 20 speakers left, I think. [10:10:20 PM] It's past 10:00. Is there a motion to move this meeting past 10:00? Councilmember Casar makes the motion. Councilmember harper-madison seconds. Those in favor, please raise your hand. Those opposed? It's unanimous on the dais to extend past 10:00. Next speaker, please. >> Brooke styles. >> Hello. My name is Brooke styles, and I live in district 10. I'm a white person who supports all [indiscernible] White supremacy and Austin justice coalition that has been mentioned again and again and again today. My husband and I did attend the protests this weekend, despite the pandemic, because black lives matter to us. I second, third, fourth, all of the disturbing accounts you heard [10:11:23 PM] today. Nothing has been exaggerated, nothing has been overstated. I reiterate that the police officers looked trigger happy and agitated. I did see them point a finger at my husband on one occasion as a possible target. What I haven't heard asked or mentioned was the point of view of community leaders were there. Based on the way that you opened the call, sounds like you were upset by what happened but did any of you come and try to stop it on day two or three? The protests circulated over days. It can happen one day or a couple hours. It was days. We saw it escalate. And I know that you have social media too. You watched it happen. [Buzzer sounding] I can't imagine that APD would open fire on mayor Adler or chief Manley, and I can't help but wonder if those boys, two young boys, would have made it out [10:12:23 PM] safely. My family will be there on Saturday to attend, learn, and exemplify. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> People who called in tonight should be there too. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. >> Lyah Clark. >> I'm in district 1. I hold a master's in public health from U.T. And have worked in the nonprofit community the last decade. Health experts have concluded, police brutality is a determinant of health based on five mechanisms, high morbidity in black communities. Fatal injuries that increase mortality rates, physiological responses that increase morbidity, public reactions that cause stress, legal, medical, and funeral bills cause strain and disempowerment. Police brutality is a public health crisis, economic inequality is a had you been health crisis. Take the following actions to address these crisis, allocate at [10:13:25 PM] least $7 million to the rise fund. Dollars are a drop in the bucket compared to your ability to direct in communities made vulnerable. Adopt a use of this policy, defund the police department, fire Manley and officers that killed Mike Ramos. Policy actions are empty unless they're combined with community oversight. This is your chance to create real and chasing change to Austin. I encourage you, black lives matter. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Daniel Shea. >> Thank you. I'm calling today in solidarity with black organizers and community of color in Austin to demand real changes that keep all austinites safe, that includes firing chief Manley, the new leadership in APD is not enough. Defund APD and that [indiscernible] You vote on later. Speakers have already addressed the huge discrepancy between funding we allocate to APD and [10:14:25 PM] that we allocate to critical city services and how harmful that is to people in our community. But you know that already. You're the ones who approve the budget. You know the money is there and you know that every dollar [indiscernible], a dollar that goes toward harming black and brown people in Austin. Instead of going to housing, public health or other services that might keep community members safe. Councilmember pool, you started this meeting with a commitment to, quote, risk your career to make this right, in inviting your colleagues to do the same. Several of you made some more comments. Statements are one thing, but it's absolutely critical that you follow through. Black lives matter. It's time to defund the city now. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Trevor Vosburg. >> [Indiscernible] >> Mayor Adler: Yes, please proceed. Go ahead. >> I'm a resident of district 7. [10:15:27 PM] I'd like to draw attention to the contract which was unanimously approved by council in 2018 for police oversight. The union contract [indiscernible] Defunding the office of police oversight is purely advise to her, is not investigatory power, does not have power to buy officers. The 180-day [indiscernible] Limits. Officers can appeal and be reinstated. The two officers fired for violence and who cost the city $75,000 in a lawsuit were reinstated with back pay. As councilmembers work toward the [indiscernible] Remember how the unanimous vote for police contract [indiscernible] Misconduct, they should look at all legal means to end and replace the current union contract. The council must proactively rewrite the union contract in the future to serve people of black -- serve black people and [10:16:28 PM] people of color [indiscernible] [Buzzer sounding] From accountability. >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Thank you very much for participating. Next speaker. >> Mekia Arnold. >> My name is meka Arnold and I just want to let y'all know in this night, everything that doesn't serve y'all, know that it is time to heal as a community, as a black community, let it go. Let's heal. It's time to heal. It's time for y'all to heal. Let's heal together. It's way overdue. Same with the black people. A lot of people, white people out there sacrificing for us. Y'all see it. They're standing with us. They with us. [Indiscernible] Go against us, that doesn't serve you, stand with us. [10:17:28 PM] Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Kathleen Houlihan. >> This is Kathleen Houlihan. I'm a native austinite, a white woman and a resident of district 9. I'm hear in solidarity with my black and brown neighbors and friends. I oppose item 7 as we saw this weekend and heard austinites funding for APD is essentially funding for local terrorism. The time for reparation is right now, starting with this budget. According to research from police union contract, APD has all of the major barriers to police accountability written into their contract. Rep hencable behavior we've heard about tonight will likely result in no justice for the families of those harmed by APD. Achieve Manley's threat are a step backwards. We just got curfew off the books. Must not creep back in to black and brown austinites. I urge the council to defund APD, [10:18:34 PM] adopt campaign zero and uplift the community that we continue to [indiscernible]. I feel anger and shame and sadness and I echo the letter writer from earlier today who said please, put your career on the line for change. Black lives are on the line. Their blood is on our hands. No justice, no peace, black lives matter. My partner put my child to bed hours ago so I could stay here and talk to y'all, but the sacrifice is minuscule, I can never atone for [indiscernible] Silence is violence and business as usual is death. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Cathy Maxwell. >> Hi. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. You can go ahead please. >> My name is Cathy Maxwell, a proud austinite over 11 years. This weekend my heart was shattered as I watched lives of officers sworn to protect our community repeatly shooting into crowds of innocent people like it was a war zone. [10:19:37 PM] I was enrectangled by incidents spoken about today that trance expired this week that are violent, unacceptable, and I know you agree. Burglarizing people at a police brutality protest is adding fuel to an already raging fire. The unnecessary excessive force that we've seen and specialized on the end of APD during this time is fanning the flames and suffocating with peace of and. Our officers are visually terrifying right now. The actions over the weekend were terrifying. The direction of these peaceful protests are going that have been agitated by excessive force is terrifying. Weapons surrounding their bodies, looking more like they're ready for war against their own citizens than lay down arms and hear the deafening sounds and pleading needs of the people and community. I believe in justice and I believe in peace. I would implore you to speak with underserved communities -- [buzzer sounding] -- Organizers and leaders. Call on APD, Austin ems, councilmembers and any other government officials available to meet and greet with people. [10:20:37 PM] Hold a town square. Give them a microphone. Allow people to be heard on a large scale. Anything. Just listen, hear them, hold space for them. It is in your power to reform and enact real change, the incidence the Mike Ramos case caused our community, to heal relationships between civil servants and our people. We are not New York or Philadelphia or any of the other other places that are completely out of control, we are Austin, Texas, a city of love and good vibes. We don't need you here, we need your change. Help us break the gap, correct the wrongs inflicted on our people and get back to the city we can be. We can be better than we were before. Thank you for your time. Black lives matter. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Julie Nolan? >> Hello? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. I'm sorry. >> Hi. I got this -- my name is Julie [10:21:41 PM] Nolan. I'm a native austinite and I did see a lot of different videos, and I saw a lot of even officers, you know, fighting to keep their guns, I saw four African American officers spinning in circles trying to keep the gun in the bag, and that was supposed to buy an African American state [indiscernible]. What I learned was, there was a lot of [indiscernible] Stress going on and mistakes happen under stress. If your child is doing wrong, do you take away everything? Or do you put them in school and teach them how to do right? What I saw -- I train -- I'm not going to lie, I've never trained APD, but we've done demos for them and tested them under stress. I've fired guns at them to test their reaction. If you really want to make it better, you find out which one of those were fighters, which one of those were in a war zone. [Buzzer sounding] You test them under stress and [10:22:43 PM] you find out who exactly they're dealing with. That's dealing with a personality. Thank you for all this extra time for us. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Emily Garrett. >> Mayor Adler: Hold on one moment, please. Mayor pro tem? Amanda afifi is back on the line if you wanted to ask her a question. >> Garza: I only wanted to see if she had -- she's chair of the Latino quality of life and a district 2 resident and we don't get many callers so I just wanted to offer her -- sounded like she was closing her thoughts and I just wanted to offer her the opportunity to say -- if she had anything else to say. >> Thank you so much, mayor pro tem Garza. I really just wanted to say that I'm a school psychologist. We are trained in crisis [10:23:43 PM] intervention, deescalation, psychological services and counseling. And it just really pains me to hear how much, you know, it's affected our young citizens. Working in the schools, kids ask me about racism, they see it, they know it's there. And it's already hard for us to respond to -- you know, like these little tiny faces asking us these tough questions. But now, you know, with APD, I --with APD harming a 16-year-old, you know, we are here to help. School psychologists are here to help. Reach out to us. Reach out to the Texas association. Reach out to the national association of school psychologists. We support social justice. We are trying to reform, you know, the way that discipline is in schools because we know that [10:24:44 PM] also is just disproportionately affecting the African American and Latino kiddos. It starts there. We need funding. We need more school psychologists. Right now the ratios are awful for school psychologists. Especially for bilingual, you know, school psychologists to provide services in Spanish to kiddos and families, so just thank you so much, mayor pro tem Garza, for, you know, asking for me, and really that's what I wanted to say. >> Garza: Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Okay. I think we were going with Emily Garrett? >> Yes. Thank you, mayor and council. My name is Emily Garrett. I'm an attorney for the Texas defense project which fights poverty in Texas. Through on you work we've seen countless ways the system targets and brutal ices people of color [10:25:47 PM] and people in poverty and [indiscernible]. It all begins with police and as we all know now in Austin, our police department is one of the worst. And that's not because they don't have enough money, it's because they have too many resources that they are using to hurt people of color. We cannot continue like this and it is up to you to change it. I've been so incredibly moved by the testimony today, and as others have said, we have to defund the police, we have to specifically take away the resources that are actively being used to hurt our residents, and that includes at a minimum no new officers and no new cadet classes this year, no weapons against protesters, surveillance of our residents [indiscernible] No officers in school, and we need real accountability. Thank you. [Buzzer sounding] >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Okay, mayor. Now we begin with the callers that we do not have a name for. [10:26:48 PM] So I will call out the last two numbers of the phone number. The first one is 83. And if you are on the line, please state your name. The last two numbers of your number are 83. >> This is Brendan Walsh. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Mayor Adler: Go ahead, Mr. Walsh. >> Thank you, mayor, and everyone. This is Brendan Walsh of district 1. Two years ago I moved here from the midwest. I watched in horror talking to my friends in Minneapolis about the absolute horror of George Floyd's murder, the police response, and also the police response to all protesters with tear gas, et cetera. I hoped that Austin would be better. After Saturday, I was grave will I disappointed. I urge the Austin city council to [10:27:49 PM] adopt goals which are achievable, to promote real change and help people of color in the city. I think the research based approach for people at large and all voters, not just voters on this call, I really appreciate their activism and passion today. I encourage all city council members to think about what it might mean to do a campaign losing every single police union vote because that might be what you need to do. I was deeply disturbed watching reports of Austin officers smiling or expressing joy when they successfully hit protesters. [Buzzer sounding] At least four protesters were gavely injured and were a you will not a threat. After watching officers that shot Brad Ayala and more videos come up from different angles, there are four officers holding beanbag shotguns who crawled over the barricade of I-35. One officer clearly raises his rifle in the video from Sean king and Brad goes down after that moment. There are no pictures of those four officers walking over that barricade in close succession, [10:28:50 PM] and I believe that looking at those pictures, the city council and the authorities can put those officer [indiscernible] Interview who is the final shooter, and also call for the officer who fired the shot and cracked Brad's skull to be taken at a minimum fired from the APD or publicly tried in a court of law. [Indiscernible] Thank you for link to our call. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker? >> Jessica Cohen. >> Hi, guys. Sorry for the technical issues. I was disconnected. [Indiscernible] Came back in. I live in district 3. I'm not going to repeat everything you guys have heard tonight. One thing important to mention, beyond the systemic racism and excessive force, we need to address that APD employees are a large number of officers who don't live in Austin, don't share our more or less and values, and honestly, don't seem to like [10:29:50 PM] austinites much. On top of the eight can't wait, we need to institute a policy that would require all officers to live in the community they serve [indiscernible] We also need to end the contract with the Austin police association. This is no longer [indiscernible] To strong arm city council and our officers. Please defund APD, take away the military gear. They don't need it. They need to be trained [indiscernible] Regardless of their skin color. Thank you so much for standing up for us. I really appreciate y'all. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much. Next speaker. >> Okay. Caller with the last two digits of 39. Please state your name. >> Good evening to you all. My name is Rebecca Cruz. After serving in the united States army I chose to hang up in [10:30:52 PM] 2018. I believed my morales no longer aligned with the path I saw our country taking. This is including the lack of respect for human life that is mirrored in our local APD's action. As a law student I'm now charging myself with assisting in changing the legislation that made it difficult to wear that uniform. Since the murder of George Floyd, I have volunteered, made signs, protested in our streets and like many others, I want to do more. This Wednesday, June 10th, you will each receive an email from can seeing of both questions and recommendations of how motivated citizens like myself can work towards making the changes you've heard on today's call. Thank you for this opportunity. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker? >> Okay. The speaker with the last digits of 62. >> Mayor Adler: I'm sorry? >> 62. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. 62. >> Please state your name. If the last two digits of your [10:32:00 PM] phone number are 62, please state your name. We heard you. Please -- >> Mayor Adler: Is someone -- >> Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Would you state your name, please? >> Yeah. I'm sorry, I apologize. Good evening. My name is James. I'm a native district 1 austinite that organizes with the industrial workers of the world. >> Mayor Adler: James, what's your last name? James, what's your last name? >> My last name is Donnelly. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> I've watched with abhorrent frustration as this council has blythely dismissed or blatantly ignored the desperate cries of its constituency against acts of [10:33:00 PM] fascism. I see y'all yawning, I see y'all bored. Let me be cleared, Mike Ramos was murdered next-door to me. Brad Ayala is an ambitious student in my prior high school. I've watched as countless people in my community are murdered, murder named, crying out for their mom, dad, for mercy. No solution that you propose overnight will function millennia upon millennia of systemic oppression. We need a united unilateral approach over the economic systemic barrier that has historically marginalized classes. We won't be silent after this meeting. We won't be silent until we see intersectional change. New mission fired -- [buzzer sounding] -- On protesters is an act of fascism. Fire Manley, eight can't wait, and black lives matter. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> The last two digits are 23. [10:34:10 PM] >> All right. My name is Chris [indiscernible]. Your lack of leadership, it shows. Your committee is a sh show you did nothing to protect the city. Your line of communication to the Austin police department is nonexistent. Do you not know where APD has your is? It's off I-35, probably where a lot of y'all need to be jailed right after these past days of protest. You're all complicit to the people being tear gassed and pepper sprayed to their face. Y'all don't seem concerned by the lack of facial expression, with the exception of Ms. Has seen son. Instead of funding this now militarized organization, how about you get your heads out of your asses, defund Austin police department, defund these clowns and put funding towards education. You have schools in underserved communities closing down. Perhaps if these schools had funding, they could teach you to recognize racism that is present within the Austin police department and the racism in decision making in the city council. [10:35:10 PM] Chief Manley, you need to be fired. You're not even half of what the name suggests. Mayor Adler, you're a terror [indiscernibleine Austin and Riverside, based on your gentrification and your promotion towards -- [buzzer sounding] -- Riverside and the domain east. You are gentrifying neighborhoods. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you very much thank you for participating this evening. Is that the last speaker? Or do we have an additional speaker? >> We still have a few. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. That's good. >> The last digits are 78. Please state your name. >> My name is Melinda Taylor and I'm a resident of district 10. Chief Manley, I'm civinomics had, -- I'm hispanic and on behalf of many, many austinites we want to thank you and all the law enforcement officers for everything you are doing for us. We can never repay you. Here's a great idea. All officers should stage a walkout and let these idiots fend [10:36:12 PM] for themselves. Then we'll see the results of the stupidity that I've been hearing tonight. Thank you again, chief. All of our law enforcement officers on the state, local, and federal level, we love you. *. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next speaker. >> Last digits are 30. Please state your name. >> My name is Lisa Knapp. I founded a local organization of children [indiscernible] Firing chief Manley is not a solution. Crippling APD is a ridiculous suggestion. We have an inexperienced leader. Let's discuss with him about the power and influence of the police union and specifically [indiscernible] Provides bad cops as possibility for change. I've heard a great deal about the alleged violence committee by the Austin police department during this past week. [10:37:12 PM] I was also present during the protest. I saw thugs throwing frozen water bottles, bricks at police, and shouting disgusting names at officers. My experience with children, chief Manley and his team have saved countless children from violent criminals. Who do you expect to investigate Andreas these heavily armed traffickers if you disfund, defund and disarm our officers? Children won't be safe just because criminals have health care, covid relief initiatives, housing and better lighting on the greenbelt. There are criminals in this city. The right thing to do is for city council to work with chief Manley and support him his team instead of throwing him under the bus. To make real change, he can't do it alone. This is a good man, ladies and gentlemen. And I am disgraced and ashamed by some of the people that I heard on these calls today. Thank you very much. [Buzzer sounding] >> Last digits are 39. [10:38:15 PM] Please state your name. >> Hi. [Indiscernible] Let me turn off am I other phone. I wanted to call in, I've been here since 2:30 like you. Thank you so much for doing this. My name is Veronica Gonzalez and I'm a business owner, community leader, woman of color from district 5. I want to offer an additional perspective. I come from Puerto Rico and I see what corruption does, what [indiscernible] Does, internal forces in the government that prevent changes does I know that you may feel that your hands are tied in many ways but I'm here to say it's not and you're still in time. I challenge all of you to not let Austin decay or the U.S. Decay. I we want to law school and it's very scary, the constitution is being violated like never before. You know what you have to do, [10:39:15 PM] fire, hire, enact. Make the city an example. Look at your spirit and your heart, honor [indiscernible] I've seen your faces today, I know there's a lot of hurt, even in Manley. I don't agree with the things that happened but I know we're all human so we're all hurting together. And I want to say I love you all. All of you. With love, that's how we're going to make a change in this country, with love and changing our spirit, and it's an inner, where we have a crisis. [Buzzer sounding] I wish you all the best. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> The last speaker has the digits 88. Please state your name. >> Hi. My name's Eric . I am a ph.d. In engineering and I just wanted to question some of the emotions that are flying around on these phone calls. One is how time passes, I would [10:40:17 PM] suggest that y'all, we've look -- we'veelected to power, take the time, look at data, not anecdotes, emotions, group think. Civilized society does not occur without enforcement of law, without police force. There will be exceptions. There will be people who make mistakes and I'm not saying we should allow for those exceptions to go uninvestigated or not have consequence, but by and large, not having a police force is [indiscernible]. Use data. Use all the crime data you have. Make a logical, rational discussion when you're not exhausted, when emotions are high. Group think and mob mentality are dangerous. Please use data to support a civilized and structured society. Go police. >> Mayor Adler: Great. Any other speakers? Councilmember harper-madison? >> Harper-madison: I would just like the echo the sentiment of [10:41:19 PM] that last speaker and say I 100% appreciate the benefit that we have by way of the data. The data shows that we have a problem. And multiple speakers throughout the course of the evening have given us the opportunity to recognize that it can be both. We can both have a problem and have fantastic, honorable people who show up and do a great job in a way that is responsible, both emotionally and professionally. So it can be both. So I just don't want anybody to walk away thinking it has to be one or the other. It can be both. Turns out we have both. [10:42:20 PM] And at the end of the day, the data shows us that we have a problem. >> Mayor Adler: Okay, colleagues. >> Flannigan: I have people messaging me that they're still waiting to speak. Can we confirm that there's nobody left? >> We have three callers that have just called back in, so we can call their names, or their -- >> Mayor Adler: Okay. >> Their telephone numbers. We don't know their names. Last digit -- >> Mayor Adler: Okay. >> 00. >> Mayor Adler: If your phone number ends in 00, would you please unmute and say your name. >> Hi there. This is [indiscernible]. This is Mattie Bratt, I just want to point out that three unarmed men of color have been killed [10:43:21 PM] under Manley's leadership, and no officers have been charged, arrested, or in any way disciplined. Additionally, no use of force data by police have been released since Manley had been chief. These reasons, along with a plethora of other reasons listed today is why I'm in solidarity with or you community, I'm demanding chief Manley be fired immediately, no later than June 8th. Manley, when you were asked by a reporter on Monday about the families of the victims, the [indiscernible] You said that you would provide clear conversation. I don't know how to make it any more clear to you that the community doesn't want your damn [indiscernible] And conversation. We want action. I demand a unanimous vote of no confidence of chief Manley and immediate firing by June 8th, along with other officers who have killed unarmed Austin citizens, [indiscernible] Public health, et cetera, mayor Adler want to do vote unanimously to item 7 -- [buzzer sounding] [10:44:22 PM] -- The citizens who spoke are specifically asking for you to defund the police and that means voting no for item 7. If you're actually listening to us today, you will fire chief Manley. The officers involved in the murders of unarmed people, vote no on item 7 and start defunding the police immediately. And also end the police union contract. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Next phone number. >> Christina flackowitz. >> I just had one other thing to say. Loitering was implemented when [indiscernible] Had nowhere to go and the first calls for gun control were to disarm the black panthers. The entire system is based on racism and white supremacy. The police force currently gets on 40% of the budget. They are more than supported and still made these decisions. [10:45:23 PM] [Indiscernible] APD, fire police chief Manley. Thank you. Black lives matter. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Last two digits 57. >> Mayor Adler: I also have someone texting me on the phone for several hours, she says, and her last two digits are 96. I think that's Ellie Winkleman who's name is on the list. Go ahead with the number that just got called. >> Hi. My name is brianrthon. I live in district 7. The one thing I've heard unanimously is a lot of people calling for the police chief to be fired. And as a disabled veteran myself who has fought in actual war and had to actually fight against the enemy, you couldn't tell it was your enemy, you couldn't tell if they were a child or a short person because they all dressed in different -- you couldn't tell [10:46:24 PM] until the enemy is engaging you. And I haven't heard a single person on here stand up and try and put themselves in the unit of the police force when there's a handful of officers trying to defend themselves against thousands of people. Now, it is insane for these people to be talking about dismantling and defunding the police force. My question to every single caller out here would be, what do you do if you do defund the police force? What do you do when you have no police officers to do the policing? Who's going to come and protect you when you need help and there's no one there to help you? This is a problem. I understand. Everybody is saying APD has issues. Probably so. Every police force in the country is having issues right now. Look at the contracts with the police. Look at the contracts that they have with the labor unions. And try and get it straightened out. But defunding and dismantling the police department for a city that that has almost a million people [10:47:25 PM] in it is completely and utterly ridiculous. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Joelle Mcnew. >> Hello. >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Go ahead, please. >> Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> I hate asking -- anyway, thank you all so much. I am calling to support the maintaining of the public safety budget and moving forward with the July cadet class. There's a lot of conversation right now about defunding public safety, and I think right now -- I don't understand what that means. There needs to be more conversation about that. Mayor Adler, you have an APD security control. Does that mean you're willing to let go of that yourself? I mean, where is the funding going to come from? What does that look like? Most important, chief Manley, god [10:48:26 PM] love you. There are 1793 of your colleagues right now on day 7 of trying to navigate, and my 29 years of living here that I've never seen before. And I was so moved by what councilmember Harper said earlier, and making way for everyone's voice to be heard right now -- [buzzer sounding] -- In this time that we're all feeling the pain. And what's most important, I feel that your leadership is supporting your coworkers, your colleagues, the 1793 that stand outside tonight with the hundreds of people, where some, of course, are absolutely peaceful, and more people who are peaceful want to be out there, but there are people inciting violence. There are people saying they're going to burn down the police station. We do not need to be talking about defunding and following this national movement when we have people in pain out on our streets that don't even feel safe [10:49:31 PM] protesting peacefully. And that includes supporting our police officers. Please, join your colleagues, the police department, meet with them, meet with the community, but you have to support the public safety for that to work. They are saying that it's not going to end, so what are we going to do now? Please use all your time right now tonight, and I know you're all tired and the person who said you're yawning because you're bored, that is ridiculous. You are in the most extremely difficult, unprecedented time of our life thus far. And I -- please, I know you're tired, and I'm so grateful that you put this together, mayor Adler, when you said that earlier. It is true, it was a great effort to make this possible today. And I appreciate it. And it's so important, and there's so many young people out on our street right now trying to be heard. And our officers that have [10:50:31 PM] devoted their life to public safety. We need to consider the big picture in Austin, Texas and step back from this defunding and move forward together right now. Thank you all so much. And, again, councilmember Harper, what you said earlier is powerful. Let everyone be heard and the people who are not, who are inciting hate and who are inciting to hurt other people, we have to address that. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Thank you all so much. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Have we now covered everyone in the queue that you're aware of? >> Mayor, we have a few more that have called in, but they are not registered, so I don't know who they are. It appears someone shared the number to reconnect with folks who may not have been registered. [10:51:33 PM] >> Mayor Adler: They should only -- we should only be calling folks that have signed up. Have you called all the folks that have signed up that you're aware of? >> Yes, we have. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Then let's proceed. Thank you very much, and thank you for your assistance with the call-ins. Colleagues, that gets us to item number 7. What's your pleasure with respect to item number 7? Do you want to hear staff -- do you want to have questions for staff with respect to item number 7? What do you want to do? Is item number 7 time sensitive? >> Yes, the grant has to be sent in by the 12th, I believe, and they have to have [indiscernible], that's in the backup. [10:52:33 PM] >> Pool: I'd be happy to make a motion -- >> Renteria: A motion has been made and seconded. >> Mayor Adler: Did we make a motion and second it earlier? >> Renteria: Yes. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Do you remember -- did you make -- did you make the motion, councilmember Renteria? >> Renteria: Ann made the motion, I seconded it. >> Mayor Adler: Ann made the motion? >> Renteria: Yes. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. I'm going to call for it again, just for the record, just so that it's clear. Is there a motion to approve this item number 7? >> Renteria: I move. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember Renteria makes the motion. Councilmember pools seconds the motion. Discussion on the motion? >> Renteria: Mayor? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, councilmember Renteria. >> Renteria: Memorandum make sure -- >> Renteria: Let me make sure sure, if we don't use this money, it's going to go back. There's no using it anywhere [10:53:34 PM] else. I just want to let the people know, if they get their car stolen out there, that are getting robbed and they'll never see their vehicle again because we don't have the resources or peak officers out there doing that, for their vehicle to have been stolen, we are constantly in deep -- every day, every week we're getting week that cars have been stolen. I had a teacher that had the car stolen right across the street. I know what they do, they take it up to the boat ramp behind fiesta garden, they leave it there, come at night, strip it and pitch it into town lake. The last time, a week later after the teacher got her are can a, they found three cars in town lake. No telling what was going on, in tier car was full of gasoline, oil, been leaking, no telling how long it's been down there. So I mean if we want to go out here and start doing these crazy [10:54:34 PM] things of defunding everything that is good for Austin, then y'all can go ahead, do it. I'll just tell people, hey, I tried. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. It's been moved and seconded. Further discussion on this issue? Councilmember Ellis. >> Ellis: There were a couple other hands, too, so I don't want to cut in line, but I do want to back up what Pio was saying about -- I had my car broken into last November. There's been an auto theft ring in my neighborhood. And while I completely know that we need to be looking at the funding of different aspects of police financing, I don't know that vehicle theft is exactly where I would begin. So I'm going to support it but I wanted people to know it was just because it hits close home to me that my own car was broken into and I needed to have it fingerprinted. So I understand the need for this in my community for sure. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember kitchen. >> Kitchen: I wanted to support [10:55:35 PM] also what councilmember Renteria said. This is a grant from -- grant program for specifically focused on burglaries of autos. I think that that's an important function that we need to pursue. I want to assure everyone I remain committed, and I have in the past. I have done quite a bit in the past with regard to the police budget and will continue to do that in the future. This item is not the one to do that on. >> Mayor Adler: Mayor pro tem, councilmember Flannigan, then councilmember Casar. >> Garza: It's incredibly unfortunate that we -- this is a decision that has to be made tonight because this is such a large conversation we're going to [10:56:36 PM] have to have, and one that -- you know, many of us have tried to have. I've had this -- gosh, I don't know how many budgets we've asked -- it was before the current chief, it was under our previous -- not police chief, fire chief, and I remember I asked every ems, I asked ems, I asked police, and I asked fire to cut, I think it was 1% of their budget. Can you find me 1% of your budget so we can give that to public health. And in each department, with all due respect, kind of offered a sacred cow, so to speak. One option was, close station 9, which we know that wasn't going to happen, or one of the stations that always gets offered to get closed and it's never going to happened, it's the one in Hyde park. But Hyde park will never let that station close. Then every department offered, you know, something that they [10:57:38 PM] knew there was tremendous community support for, and it wouldn't that. And so I have great respect for every colleague who has spoken out and said that this particular program is important. But that's why I just wish we weren't having to have this conversation -- we weren't having to have this broader discussion, but it is -- yeah, absolutely, car theft, we need funding for it, but when we look at -- how does that fit into everything else in the budget? If this is a huge priority, why do we -- why are we depending on grant funding? It's my understanding there's another way of -- a match of about a hundred and -- correct me if I'm wrong, staff. My note said there was a match of 173,000, of city dollars. >> Yeah, that's correct. >> Garza: Okay. So it's -- so it is grant money, but it also includes a match of [10:58:41 PM] $173,000 of city dollars. And we are just at this we are just at this moment right now that we have to start making incredibly tough decisions, and whether this is symbolic in ways, you know, I've talked about how symbolism is important in our jobs. And so, you know, I -- it's a broader discussion we have to have, where we start cutting, where the priorities are. I mean, this council added to APD's budget to reduce the rape kit backlog. There are things we need to talk about. But tonight I can't support passing this after hearing from the community, and with the inability to have a broader discussion of where priorities are, what our options are, and just tonight, I can't support [10:59:41 PM] $173,000 match, and, you know, we've heard about hospital bills of people who were hurt at the protest. We've heard of reallocation of -- anyway. I will not support this item. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember Flannigan. >> Flannigan: I think just for context, we're talking about .1% of the police budget. .1%. And while it is a topic that a lot of people are frustrated about, it is not the only way that we can address that issue. And I can't remember if staff said this had to be adopted within the next seven days or not. If it could be adopted in the next eight days, then it could still be brought back as an emergency item. But without more time to dig into the details exactly how and [11:00:42 PM] to which elements of APD this money can go, I can't support it today. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember Casar. >> Casar: I'll not be supporting this item either. If it's a critical function we can find a way to do it within our budget and I think it sends an important message that we should be finding within our budget what we're going to do to make it up to people who were injured this last weekend and what it is we're going to do to make up to people what it is that the community brought up. Systemically today. >> Mayor Adler: I'm going to be voting yes on this. I'm voting yes because we have to -- this is an important function of what we need law enforcement to do. So it's one of the areas discussed here tonight. A substantive area. Having money from a grant [11:01:42 PM] program means we have more money to be able to spend on social services, or whatever else we want to spend money on, because this is grant funding. There are going to be some tough votes next week, some far-reaching votes next week. And I think it's really important when we take those votes next week, that people will say that they were reasoned decisions that we took. And we're taking in the context of ensuring public safety in the best possible way, and in an Austin way. And I think being able to demonstrate that level of seriousness and deliberateness means we have to look at something like this and say that this is a way for us to both do something that is an important function with respect to the theft of automobiles, but doing it in a way that maximizes the funding, that we can spend in [11:02:43 PM] support of our community on the things that have our highest priority. Any further discussion? Councilmember alter? >> Alter: Yeah, I wanted to clarify with staff, because when I was just reading it, it seems to me that the match is not like a match that gets -- like if we believe that we have to deal with auto theft, this is just money that's already been allocated to auto theft that counts as our match. It's not that we're coming up with other money that could really, if we believe that auto theft is an area we need to be paying attention to, that would be reallocated if we didn't accept the grant money, we would be losing an opportunity because we might say then we need to take another $430,000 and put it into auto theft. Am I correct in that -- [11:03:45 PM] >> Yes, ma'am. The match is $173,000 of existing city funded salaries. So if we're looking at the budget, I think I only ordered it to councilmember (indiscernible)'s office. Both of those categories include existing city funded positions that contribute towards auto theft as it is. So these positions are in addition to. I should also point out that there are three detective positions. I think I mentioned it earlier. And it funds 80% of detective positions that the city would have to take up if not funded by auto theft. By the grant. >> Alter: Thank you for the clarification. [11:04:48 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Mayor pro tem? >> Garza: Yeah, mayor, I absolutely agree that we're going to have some incredibly tough votes coming up. But maybe I misunderstood what your reasoning was, and I respect everybody's reasoning, but to say that this money would then maybe come out of social services, I guess that's the whole problem is that -- I'm sorry if I misunderstood, but when public health can't find money, they can't go to the police to look for it. It's -- it's just been a continual discussion about a budget -- a part of our budget that grows and grows and grows and I agree that where we can leverage dollars, it's important to leverage those dollars. But there always seems to be, well, for only this much more, in this budget we can get this, and I just -- anyway. [11:05:48 PM] Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying. >> Mayor Adler: That's not what I said. But councilmember Flannigan. >> Flannigan: Can I just make sure what staff said. They say that if we reject the grant, that there's a certain number of positions that are currently funded with similar dollars, we would have to fund elsewhere? Is that what was said? >> So, right now with the auto theft grant, we have three detective positions that are funded -- the base salaries of which are funded at 80% by the motor vehicle authority. And 20% by the city's general fund budget. The city also already pays for those three officer positions' benefits. >> Flannigan: So it's three detectives? >> Yes, sir. >> Flannigan: Do you know just off the top of your head how [11:06:50 PM] many there are for detectives in that class? >> This is chief Manley. >> Flannigan: Go ahead, chief. >> I can speak to that. There shouldn't be any vacancies in the detective ranks because we promote whenever those vacancies occur. There could be a vacancy (indiscernible). So any vacancy that would be there would be one that would be created in the past two weeks or three weeks. >> Flannigan: Generally in the department there's over 100 vacancies right now, is that correct? >> More than that, yes. And they're officers. >> Flannigan: So we're not going to lose these officers, because we already budgeted 100 officers in the department, that the team hasn't been able to recruit for, regardless of the cadet classes because this has been a long-standing multi-year problem, even though the recruiting system has failed it. This is just my point again. It's .1% of the budget on this day in this moment, I cannot vote for it. [11:07:54 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember kitchen? >> Kitchen: I want to say a few things, because I'm not sure if I was clear on why I'm supporting it. And I respect everyone's opinion and approach. But from my perspective, these are existing three detectives for a much-needed service, and councilmember Renteria said that much better than I, and this is grant money that we're going after. So from my perspective, that stretches our dollars, that we have available for other purposes. And I have been in the past, and will continue to be, and expect to take tough votes next week, and I have in the past looked for changes in the police budget, and I've been very proud of what we've done in the past. We need to accelerate it and do even more. And I am prepared to do that. But from my perspective, this is [11:08:58 PM] not turning down this level of grant funding, for three detective positions, in a function that is very important to our community is not something we should be doing. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. And that was just the point that I was trying to make earlier. Ready to take a vote? Those in favor of this motion, please raise your hand. It is councilmember alter, councilmember kitchen, koub tovo, councilman Ellis and myself. I'm sorry? And councilman Renteria. That's 7-4 voting against. Councilmember harper-madison, are you voting? 7-4, this item passes. With that, council, it is 11:09. [11:10:01 PM] We are going to adjourn the regular city council meeting. And we are going to recess the special called city council meeting. And we will reconvene tomorrow at 9:00. When people reconvene tomorrow at 9:00, do they use the same login that they used this morning, or another login? >> You should have received a new login for tomorrow morning. >> Mayor Adler: Sounds good. All right. So I think that's it. We'll see you all tomorrow. >> Mayor, before you close -- >> Kitchen: Mayor, I think councilman harper-madison had her hand raised. Now I'm not seeing her, so I think -- >> If she logs back in. >> I just wanted to wave good-bye. >> I was trying to see if she wanted to say something, because it looked like she was raising her hand. [11:11:01 PM] But given the conversation today, I know there are more protests happening now, and tonight, and have been happening through the meeting. Manager and chief, I think -- I know that you all heard, I hope you all heard what people were talking about, and I hope for the safety of all people, whether they are working for city or out on the street, and I appreciate people testifying, and I know that you all -- I hope that you all have heard. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. See you all tomorrow. Take care. [Recessed at 11:11 P.M.]