City Council Work Session Transcript – 09/15/2020 Title: City of Austin Channel: 6 - COAUS Recorded On: 9/15/2020 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 9/15/2020 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. [9:06:13 AM] >> Mayor Adler: All right, colleagues. Today is Tuesday, September 15th, 2020. I'm going to call to order the city of Austin city council work session today. It is 9:06. We have a quorum present. We're handling this meeting virtually today. Colleagues, we have a series of briefings. We have one on the virus, one on the convention center expansion, one on Johnnie Trevino park. May hope is to get all of those done before lunch if at all possible. We have a busy day today. Take a lunch break, come back and do pulled items. We have not a small list of pulled items today and then to go into executive session, and then we have a [9:07:13 AM] number of things to be discussed on executive session. We have an order for those things -- I think that's only one of these things that we can't also address on Thursday because it's only noticed for today, that's the personnel matter. So if we are running late and can only do one thing, maybe we touch on the others but make sure that we get that one. All right. So we're going to try to go through the briefings first. If we can do pulled items before lunch, we will, otherwise we'll break for lunch, come back to pulled items and then go into executive session. So let's begin with the briefing and we'll start with the covid briefing so that Dr. Escott and director Hayden can get over to the county where they go to when they leave us. Manager, I'll turn it over to you. >> May, mayor and council. [9:08:14 AM] This is our standard briefing. I'll note before I hand it over to director Hayden and Dr. Escott, that since last meeting we did mark a milestone in this endeavor and that is six months since we declared the local disaster and since months since we had our first covid test come back positive for community. As you can imagine during that time we've seen incredible work from our professional staff and from our community to make sure that we are containing the spread of the disease. We are so thankful and appreciative of everyone that's working on it, the cablations that we have with our -- collaborations that we have with our partners and we need to continue that message of keep at T we cannot stop and lose our standing of ensuring that we're taking the precautions necessary to combat this virus. With that I'll turn it over to director Hayden. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. >> Hayden: Thank you, good [9:09:15 AM] morning, Spencer. I agree with Spencer, we have hit the six-month milestone when we received the information about our first positive case. And you know, Austin public health started doing work in January when we were doing surveillance and working with the airport about individuals that may be coming back in from mainland China. So I would like to applaud Austin public health staff because the passion that the staff have in this space is just so amazing. I have a really good team of individuals that really have decades of experience in working in infectious disease, and you know, of the ones that may be relatively new to the city, but have really stepped up. You know, we have a really good team, so I would like to publicly acknowledge [9:10:16 AM] them, but I would also, you know, like to thank all of our partners across the city and other departments as well as our partners in the community and city management as well as our elected officials. In a lot of cities across the nation, as I have conversations with my colleagues across the state of Texas as well as the nation, I think I'm one of the more fortunate ones that has the support that I have throughout the city as a department. So we are really blessed. So the I just want to thank everyone for the support. Austin public health, just as a reminder, we have an interlocal agreement with the UT Dell medical school and we have an agreement with community care to assist us with our covid work, and that does include [9:11:16 AM] the testing and contact tracing. Each of them we have the data for their positive cases as well as information about where they are doing contact tracing, however, each of them have data that they share on their websites which provides a daily or a weekly update of the testing that happens for them in the cases that they are working on. So that has been a really great partnership. Our staff continue to work with those teams and so our epi team has a daily meeting with a staff person from community care and UT Dell med. And then on Fridays we have a special meeting which is specifically contact tracing. We continue to have our priorities in that area [9:12:17 AM] making sure that we have staff they are bilingual, that are working doing contact tracing as well as our nurse line to provide assistance and we continue to do this work through an equity lens. With our walk- in sites we token have dove springs, givens and walnut creek communities and the drive up site St. John center. Each of those locations are locations that have high positivity in those communities. We are adding another site next week. We will be adding the montopolis neighborhood center September 22nd. This is the older montopolis neighborhood center and we will be providing testing in that community three days a week. So that pretty much rounds [9:13:17 AM] all of the areas. At those testing sites, just as a reminder, individuals can go to the website and register or they can call our nurse line to register for appointments at either one of those locations as well as the at home testing. We continue to do that testing at home. With our long-term care incident management we are so excited to report that the nursing home data dashboard is now active. And so can you go on to that site and look at our data for the nursing home sites and long-term care sites as well as the year to date testing, strike team support team and ppe. So we're really excited about that. There continues to be a [9:14:17 AM] decrease for testing ppe and strike teams in that area. We have been notified that health and human services as a part of their phase I facility designation, they have issued new rules which require ongoing testing of staff at nursing facilities at a frequency that is determined by the county's positivity rate. So therefore there must be additional testing at these facilities. Now, some of the facilities have reached out, others have moved forward and put systems in place and so they are able to provide that testing to their staff at those facilities. With the homeless update with our food access eating apart together, eat initiative, has provided over 450,000 meals to people [9:15:20 AM] experiencing homelessness. And so this is a contract we've had with revelation foods as well as central Texas food bank and Cisco to be able to provide this food. In addition, the department has worked very closely with animal services to test homeless folks that have pets and so within this initiative we've been able to provide dog food for pets as well. Our staff have continued to provide those reports through that system. Our hygiene services, we have eight sites in the city that provide access to showers and toilet and hand washing stations. And just a reminder that is on the website and you can see that there. With our education and training, Austin public health in partnership with [9:16:22 AM] echo, community care and Dell med, is providing ongoing education and information to homeless shelter and outreach staff through the community. We provided a training seminar on the 7th of this month. With our protective lodges, the department met with FEMA to address concerns that the protective lodges are being perceived as an emergency shelter. These are not emergency shelters and that is not how the city is using them. These services are designed for high risk individuals that meet the CDC guidelines. And so we are available to meet with you individually to discuss if you have any concerns about the meeting with FEMA. The social services branch, we're continuing with our partnership with central [9:17:23 AM] health community care in Travis county. Protect yourself and protect your family campaign with our ppe distribution. You can go to our website and see our sites. We will be today at the Mexican consulate. We'll be at [indiscernible] Library and George morales dove springs providing ppe. In addition to that ppe, when individuals come through all of our testing sites, we provide them ppe as well as information about services that they can access if they need to. As a reminder, our rise 2.0 applications opened yesterday and will be open through September 21st at 7:00 P.M., and that information is on the website. Our childcare in schools are continuing to provide [9:18:26 AM] targeted outreach to childcare centers in five focus zip codes to provide additional technical assistance on preventing the spread of covid. Our epidemiology and I.T. Teams are finalizing an online reporting form for schools to complete on a weekly basis. We have continued to receive that information through our normal process. We have added additional nurses to assist with the calls that we are starting to receive through those lines as well. We have a website, as you know, so you could send information to us at aph info@austintexas.gov if you have any questions or concerns at the school level. We are continuing to do additional outreach and education and enforcement at several of our facilities, including businesses and restaurants. That concludes my report, [9:19:27 AM] and I will transition over to Dr. Escott. >> Dr. Escott: Thank you, Stephanie, thank you, Spencer. If I could ask av to pull up my slides. I just want to echo Spencer and Stephanie's sentiments regarding the last six months. We really do have an incredible team and are certainly blessed to have so many people who are passionate about their jobs. Austin is in great hands. Next slide, please. On mayor and council, again the updates regarding our covid-19 situation in the city and Travis county. This is a graph of our new confirmed cases with the yellow being the seven-day median average. Yesterday we reported 75 new cases, which places our moving average at 105. You can see from the graph that since September 3rd we have been on the [9:20:28 AM] increase. September 3rd we had a moving average of 69 to 70. And again, now we're at 105. So we are no longer plateaued, no longer decreasing, but increasing over the past 11 days. Next slide, please. This is a graph of the new admissions that you're used to seeing. Our admissions yesterday was 11, which places our moving average at 14.9. This has been plateaued for a little while, but thankfully now decreasing again. I'll talk a little bit later about why we're seeing increasing cases, but continuing to see some decrease in admissions, at least a theory about why we're seeing that. But again, our primary indicator in the past has been new admissions in relation to our community [9:21:31 AM] risk and staging, so it's good that we continue to see that drop. Our hospitals are in a great situation. Plenty of icu beds and hospital beds and ventilators, so once again if folks have been putting off care, physicals, certainly immunizations, please go get those things taken care of. Next slide, please. This is a graph of our hospitalizations in blue. In Orange is the icu beds being utilized, in gray ventilators. Again, our hospital capacity has been improving. We reported a total of 93 hospitalizations yesterday, which has flattened out a little bit in the last several days. We have a moving average of 97.7. Icu we reported yesterday 34icu beds being utilized with a moving average of 37.4. And we've got 18 ventilate easy being utilized with a [9:22:32 AM] moving average of 22.9. Again, those two measures continue that slow decline. Next slide, please. This is an update of our hospitalizations in the five-county msa by race and ethnicity. The green is a line that we've been focusing on for some time, which is our latinx, so those who have identified as hispanic during their admission to the hospital. Last week we reported 43.3% of the admissions were in that group. This week it's 43.8%, a slight increase, but relatively flat. Similarly our African-American population in gray, which is the third line from the top, is 12.5% of the admissions this week and 12.5 percent of admissions last week. We did have a significant increase, if you see towards [9:23:33 AM] the bottom the Orange, which is our asian-american population hospitalized, it increased from 0 roadway 8% to 4.2% of the total individuals being hospitalized in the past seven days. Next slide, please. This is a graph of our hospitalizations by age group. We have seen a decrease in our older age group, the 70 to 79 and 80 plus, which we're thankful for. I will point out the gray line, third from the bottom, which is our 10 to 19 age group, which is 5.8% of the hospitalizations this week, 6.1% last week. That represents six individuals in that age group that were hospitalized in the last seven days. And I'll talk more about that particular age group near a moment. Next slide, please. [9:24:35 AM] So this graph is showing the total positivity by week. Again, this is a collaborative effort from a number of different testing entities with more than 275,000 test results entered into this database. Last week I reported week 34 and week 35, if you recall week 35 was reported at 4.6%. That has increased slightly to 4.7% with additional test results coming in. Week 36, which is the new week, is 4.8%. So relatively flat. Again, week 33 and 34 flat at 6.1. Week 35, week 36 relatively flat, 4.7 to 4.8. Next slide, please. This is a breakdown of positivity by race and ethnicity. Again, the red dotted line is that five percent mark that we'd like to get everybody under. [9:25:35 AM] I'm showing you here week 34 through week 37, you can see that the gray line are hispanic or latinx community has had a Progressive decrease. That decrease is slowing down, but was about 9.3% for week 37 and week 36 both. Again, we want to push that below that five percent line. In the gold color is our African-American population which is under five percent at this stage. Again, we're continuing the same efforts as director Hayden mentioned, targeted, focused efforts in communities of high positivity which also tend to be communities of color. So it's -- we're hopeful that these ongoing efforts, these efforts by our partners at community care as well as our community partners from the non-profit agencies will continue to [9:26:37 AM] push these positivity rates down. Next slide, please. Mayor and council, this is a graph of the positivity by rage group. The gold bar is representing the 10 to 19-year-old age group and you can see unlike the other age groups that are generally decreasing in positivity, that age group is increasing in positivity with a significantly higher rate of positivity as compared to every other group. Most groups are in the five percent change or less. The 10 to 19 age group is significantly higher than that. So in the neighborhood of 12 to 14 percent over the past two weeks. So again, as we see younger people getting infections, our case numbers are going [9:27:37 AM] to increase, but because of the risk of hospitalization being so much less, dramatically less in those age groups as compared to older adults, we can see that increasing cases but we would not expect to see an increase in hospitalizations, icu and ventilator use. But we have to make sure that that disease does not spread beyond those age groups. And that's where it's important for our school students, particularly our high school and college students, to be really focused on those efforts at social distancing and personal hygiene. It is even more important when they're around adults. To give you some perspective - - and we are working on some additional data that can be shared publicly related to rates within that 10 to 19 age group, but I'll give you the numbers now because I think a lot of people are thinking this is all college students. [9:28:37 AM] And the college students are playing a significant role in the positivity and that 10 to 19 age group as well as the 20 to 29 age group. And UT has done a great job of sharing their information publicly on a covid-19 dashboard. When we look at the data that we have in hand, our positivity rate for our college students last week, week 37, week 36, was 9.4%. That's out of 235 individuals tested. Our high school students, however, are 14% positive. But much less of them were tested, 107. Middle school students 5.6%, 36 tested. And elementary school students, 1.5% with 48 tested. And those are tests that we have results for. Again, because it was last [9:29:38 AM] week there's still going to be some results that are going to roll into us, but right now our highest transmission within that 10 to 19 age group, high school students number one, college students number two. But again, we're asking those young people to take responsibility to be leaders to aggregate for safety and in particular avoid any large gatherings where we know that these diseases are transmitted. Next slide, please. Mayor and council, this is just an overlay. I showed this to you several weeks ago. This is updated with three measures. The blue is the new cases per 100,000 population in Travis county. The Orange is the seven-day moving average of new admissions. And the gray dots are the percent positivity overlaid on the same timeline. I've indicated with a red [9:30:39 AM] arrow approximately when the governor issued the statewide mandate. If you recall in the weeks leading up to that, there were significant advocacy from the mayor and his council as well as public health entities around the state of Texas regarding the importance of masking and requesting that mandate. We can see that very shortly after that, those discussions increase and that mandate was created that we had a significant decline in cases in terms of positivity as well as new cases and hospitalizations. I do want to point out also if you look towards the right of that screen you can see our positivity numbers in gray plateau off for two weeks, drop down and plateau off again for two weeks. That 6.1% for two weeks and then the 4.7, 4.8% for two weeks. If we follow the same [9:31:40 AM] pattern that we've seen in hospitalizations, we can expect that we'll see a decline and then a plateau again as we saw over the past couple of weeks prior to the onset of last week. So again, we're still watching these numbers, still determining if how predictive this positivity rate is in terms of the impact on hospitalizations and wally continue to provide -- and we'll continue to provide updates on this graph. >> Mayor Adler: Dr. Escott, while you have that graph up, just to be clear because this has come up in discussions, when somebody implements a new policy we would expect to see it impact in admissions about three weeks later, about 21 days. So what this chart shows us is that the initial arresting of the peak as it was going up was not the governor's action, it was the action that cities across the state took prior [9:32:40 AM] to the governor's action. Certainly the governor's action much appreciated, the governor mandating certainly helps give that message. And I'm certainly appreciative of mayors and county judges across the state moving with that earlier and kind of bringing the governor along to make that change and to stop that peak from going up. >> Absolutely, mayor. As you said, it's going to take at least two or three weeks to really see the impact on hospitalizations. That's why the increasing discussion, that increasing dialogue with the state and the federal government around the importance of masking leading up to the governor's decision is -- is likely responsible for the initial blunting of that peak. But I do also want to reinforce the importance of [9:33:41 AM] unity, of city, state and federal government in terms of masking and social distancing. And I bring that up because we're going to see increased pressure to relax these restrictions, these protective actions as the situation continues to improve. The debate on the utility of masking will continue to rage on despite evidence such as this which certainly correlates with the blunting effect and a subsequent decrease in cases. This is the effect of the treatment. The treatment is masking and social distancing and hygiene practices. If we take away that treatment, the disease will return. Just like when we stop taking our blood pressure measure, our heart seizure medicine or other types of medicines, it's not gone it's still around. And we need to continue to reinforce this unified message at all local governments so that the [9:34:41 AM] community is very clear on this issue. So thanks for bringing that up. Next slide, please. As director Hayden said, there's a new covid-19 long-term care facility dashboard. So the if you go to the main austintexas.gov/covid-19 page, there's a button for dashboards and this is on there. As she said, it shows a number of different measures individuals can click on of facilities and find out the disease trend cases in terms of residents and staff cases as well as an overall picture. So I'll encourage folks to utilize that site. I will not be providing updates during council session with the nursing home spreadsheet that I normally do because this is much better. [9:35:42 AM] So we'll continue to point that to folks and that will be updated on a regular basis so folks can follow the trends. Next slide, please. Mayor and council, if you would permit me, I want to talk a little bit about two things which are consistently coming up in terms of questions. Number one is airborne transmission of covid-19 and what role it plays. And the other is covid-19 convalescent plasma. We're going to call this [indiscernible] Because that's what we call it in medical school when we talk about research and having a discussion about it. So as folks are familiar with, there's this ongoing discussion about airborne transmission in terms of covid-19. And a lot of this is based upon this study which was published in the new England [9:36:42 AM] journal of medicine. The reference is there on the screen. Which showed that in a lab setting, a sample with intact virus when introduced to a nebulizer basically shooting air through the liquid to create an aerosol can create an aerosol where virus intact can be sampled for up to three hours in this study. It's three hours because that was the duration of the experiment. There are additional studies that indicate it may be longer than that, 16 hours. This is an experimental setting trying to create aerosol of the virus. Next slide, please. So there are a number of studies. There's six studies here which shows that when sampling is done in settings [9:37:43 AM] such as a medical center, a patient's room with covid-19, you can detect viral R and a. You can -- rna. You sample it, take it to the pcr lab and you can detect it. There's a significant difference between being able to detect a virus and that virus being able to transmit disease. Next slide, please. This is I think eight additional studies which do air sampling in similar settings. This may be bathrooms, it may be hospital rooms, it may be cruise ships with active transmission of disease. It did not find virus in air sampling that was capable of transmitting disease. So we have conflicting [9:38:44 AM] evidence -- we have some information that we can create an aerosol in the laboratory setting which has intact virus. We've got a group of studies showing that you can detect some aspect of that viral rna in this group of studies which says that you can't. Next slide, please. So where does that leave us? These are the take-home points regarding airborne transmission. So it's been shown that it's possible in a lab setting to aerosolize or nebuliza and have the particles stay in the air for a duration of time. When we look at settings, actual settings, patient rooms, cruise ships, etcetera, we don't have any evidence to show that there's a virus there that is intact and in enough quantities to lead to significant transmission of [9:39:45 AM] disease. So the conclusion at this stage -- this is not just Dr. Escott, this is the who and other entities, is that airborne transmission is a possible route of transmission, but it's unlikely to be a significant contributor to the spread of covid-19. So the primary method is droplet, just like it's been all along. Is it possible that it may be on smaller particles and travel a short distance of time? It's possible. We have to use caution in confined spaces, indoor spaces, where there's lots of people, and it's poorly ventilated and you're together for a long period of time. But outside of that setting, it's very unlikely that the airborne transmission is a significant factor. This is also reflected in the national academy's publication regarding [9:40:45 AM] schools where they talked about the importance of air ventilation as something else you can do if you -- if you've done the other protective measures, but it's probably not the key to decreasing transmission. Physical distancing, the hand hygiene and the masking are the keys. So again, there's a lot of concern. I know there's a lot of concern from teachers and other workers regarding the possibility of airborne transmission. If folks wear their masks, if they keep their distance, if they're washing their hands and certainly if they're staying home when they're sick, airborne transmission is unlikely to be a significant factor in the spread of disease. Next slide, please. So convalescent plasma. We've certainly seen a lot of debate on this issue also. So I'm going to pro/con on this as well. [9:41:46 AM] So our -- we've been using it here in Austin and Travis county for months and months. We had one of the first blood banks that made plasma available for use in the hospital. So this is a study which is published by the mayo clinic and in the study I think it's more than 35,000 patients, 53% in the icu, 27.5% of them on a ventilator. So two key findings on this study. It's a non-randomized control trial, but it's a big study and there's a lot to learn. Number one, if a patient received that convalescent plasma in three days or less, they had a 37% lower seven-day mortality rate as compared to those who got it four days or after. So that's a relative risk reduction, 8.7% versus 11.9%. The same findings were true for 30- day mortality rate [9:42:48 AM] where that benefit was 24% decrease in mortality. Important finding number 2 is that there's a dose response relationship for both seven-day mortality and 30-day mortality, meaning progressively higher doses of convalescent plasma equate to progressively increasing protection or decreasing mortality risk. And again, 8.9 for those who receive the highest doses versus 13.7 for those who receive the lowest. And a similar relationship with the 30-day mortality. When you take these things in combination comparing those who receive high antibody doses and in three days or less they had a 20% rate of mortality over 30 days as compared to 30% and those who had the lowest coo have a less [9:43:53 AM] sent plasma that were after the, four days or after, so again significant changes in mortality based upon those things. Next slide, please. >> So some controversy was brought up with this study in, and the reference is located on the screen there. So the study was to be a randomized trial to assess 60 day mortality of convalescent plasma versus stashed care. They claimed to enroll more than 400 patients they enrolled eight since and halted the study because what they found is, by the imthe patients were randomized the antibody they had in their blood was similar to the antibodies they were going to be administered. And they felt that there was not much point in giving somebody who already has antibodies, antibodies of a similar magnitude. But the patients were randomized [9:44:55 AM] at a meeting of ten days since onset of their symptoms. So again this doesn't really tell us that much. There was obvious mortality benefit and benefit because they didn't have enough power, they didn't do all of the 400 and so forth patients, so this really doesn't tell us much and it is not, it is not enough for us to consider changing the practice of the administering of covid-19 plasma to our patients here in Austin and Travis county. Next slide, please. So clinic studies show what the convalescent plasma is promising, early administration improves benefits and has increased yield in mortality benefit, progressively higher doses give progressively better reductions in mortality. But we do need to still have randomized control trials, so [9:45:56 AM] that the mayo clinic studies is the initial study to see if it has got indicators of benefit, then comes the randomized control trials to answer questions like who are the patient whose are most likely to benefit? What is the optimal time of administration and what is the optimal dosing of the convalescent plasma. These things still need to be done but that does not mean we should put the brakes on convalesce September plasma therapy, include, .. Encouraging storage of supplies. So my recommendation is that we continue to utilize that in a clinical practice and it will increase our preparation of being able to screen people, be able to increase our collection and increase our storage of covid-19 con extra less September plasma. Next slide, please. [9:46:57 AM] We are still at stage 3. To get into stage 2 we need to be less than 10 on that seven-day moving average admission of admissions and again we would like to be below three percent in terms of our positivity rate across the community. We are going to have to discuss changes this policy as we get to stage 2, which we are working on, as director Hayden said earlier in terms of our protective lodges, those are meant to protect people during significant immunity, community transmission of covid-19, as we move to better stages of risk and that transmission is controlled, then we may need to alter our policies associated with the protective lodges, which may not be necessary in these lower stages of risk in Travis county. With that I will turn it back over to you, mayor. [9:47:58 AM] >> Mayor Adler: Dr. Escott, thank you and, again, thank you to your staff and director Hayden, to yours, it is really encouraging to see the numbers go down the way that they have. We have a couple of things that present possible risk factors to us that we haven't had a chance yet to work through our system. That would be labor at a, where we would see -- associated with that, the UT football game potentially, students coming back, 40,000 people which is test Matt of the number of people who were fleeing the hurricane that passed through our city. We haven't seen an increase in hospitalizations yet but the case numbers are seen going up a little bit although it is weighted toward younger people that hopefully aren't going to end up in hospitals but are just as contagious for sending somebody else to the hospital as anyone else. [9:48:58 AM] So we see cases beginning to go up yet, community needs to stay real cautious if we are going to be able to drive the positivity rates down farther so we have a better chance of opening up and sustaining both schools and businesses, so I really appreciate that work. I also want to compliment you and Austin public health director Hayden on managing to avoid outbreaks among our population community experiencing homelessness and in talking to my peers, mayors around the country that has often, that is often a critical area of kind of failure in their system, so whatever it was you were going to prevent that from happening in our community worked, so I am just real appreciative that you did whatever it was that you did to make sure that on top of the challenges we have had to deal with, like in nursing homes and [9:49:58 AM] the challenges we have in the hispanic community, we haven't had that, you were able to identify and arrest and isolate early the clusters of breakouts we have, so thank you for that, for that work and work that you are doing I add my call to yours and director Hayden's and to the city managers for people to stay diligent on this. That chart you have showed the impact of masking and why that is a discussion anywhere in the country whether masking helps or not is just beyond me. Colleagues, questions for our public health folks? Councilperson kitchen? >> I just want to say thank you again for, thank you both for getting .. The dashboard out [9:50:59 AM] related to long-term care facilities. That was really useful information and the way it was presented will be very helpful for people so I just want to say I know you all have been working on it for a while and I consider that to be a major accomplishment and I understand we will be updated on a regular basis, so again thank you very much. It is very helpful for people to see what has been happening and also down to the level of the individual facilities. So thank you again. >> Thank you. Anything else before we go to the next briefing? Councilmember tovo and then councilperson alter. >> Thanks so much, I wanted to just, excuse me briefly say thank you for the tremendous work. I wanted to ask a little bit about our food programs. I was really pleased to see -- well, let me just ask, whether there is an update to the [9:52:01 AM] caregiver meals question of funding. I receive word yesterday there might be. I just wanted to ask that question if anyone on the call has that information. >> I don't have an update in that space. I have not received any information about us having additional funding, so I would have to check with the budget office again. >> Okay. I appreciate that. And I wanted to talk just briefly how we are funding, how we are supplying meals to pro lodges. Is there an opportunity there -- it is my understanding they have been primarily handled through large contracts and I wonder if we might regard those pro lodges as another opportunity to really have some support for our local businesses so it could be both a necessary basic needs program as well as an economic development [9:53:01 AM] one. And so to the extent that is something you have explored I would just want to speak to you about that. I have had an opportunity to meet with some restaurants and all along they have proposed these kind of conglomerations of local restaurants to help meet the need in our community for food, at the same time, take care of the employees. And helping getting their families fed S that a model we can utilize in the program? >> Yes. We can follow up with you about that and look at what we done, you know, with the school districts. That has been a very efficient model to our community so I can follow up with you and we can kind of walk through that, definitely we don't want to bring the purchasing folks to the table to be a part of it, we do want to, because they typically help us out with the kind of meal provision. [9:54:04 AM] >> Thank you. And I look forward to that conversation and perhaps there will be an opportunity to bring zoom of it into our conversation at the economic development cabinet tomorrow. I am familiar with the way it worked very successfully through the school districts, through the caregiver meals. I am not aware that it is being utilized widely. It may be utilized in one case with regard to the pro lodges but I am not -- I see that as another opportunity to use this model of employing our local restaurants to help meet that need that we are supplying for food at those pro lodges. So I welcome that conversation. Director Hayden. I wondered if you could speak to us about whether uta, I know there has been conversation and U. The is doing a great job of getting information out to their students and getting information out to the public about the status of cases. I know, well -- well, Dr. Escott early on I think addressed some of the issues attendant with [9:55:05 AM] that, do you have any updates as to whether UT is moving forward with providing isolation facilities on campus or whether students who are finding themselves in need of isolation are -- have an option as their main option ice Reagan in a city -- >> .. Yes, our emergency operation folks had a meeting with UT staff and talked with them about, one being are isolation facilities available? But we wanted them to develop a contingency to establish that. And so they were going to go back and meet internally, look at potential options for that, because we don't want to over them with asset in the community. And so that is something they are working on so they are going to follow up with our [9:56:05 AM] emergency operations staff about that. Great, so they are -- they have been -- they are looking at the contingency of providing an isolation facility for their students, separate from the -- >> Yes. Because -- because the goal is we don't want to overwhelm. Right now it is fine. It has been relatively low, but we don't want to be in a position where if this -- if that asset is full then we don't have another -- more space for other individuals that are outside of the college setting. >> Yes. I think that is -- we have seen that, in colleges and universities around the country, the provisions on their campuses, I assume not just for the convenience of students and other personnel that might be from the community but also as you said to avoid overwhelming [9:57:05 AM] the city assets, limited assets in this case. So thanks very much for those conversations. >> Thank you. And I will follow up with you about the meals. >> Thanks. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. The councilmember alter. >> Thank you. I appreciate being up to, updated on a well as the operations for the pro lodges. I think that is a really important opportunity for helping out our restaurant sector. I have a couple of different questions. I don't know if this is a question for you, director Hayden or for Mr. Cox, but I have been hearing some concerns that certain departments are really experiencing some mask shortages that is making debt for them to carry out their work fully because folks are out taking advantage of the fmla and obviously that is an important benefit and we should be proigd [9:58:06 AM] that. I am just trying to he understand what the impact is honesty operations, have a sense of how many staff people we have who are out, taking advantage of those covid operations and what impact that is having honesty operations. >> Councilmember I think I can respond the that, we are monitoring that closely, deputy city manager, we are certainly monitoring that. We have frequent meetings with hrd as we look through that and we certainly want to encourage folks who have that need to avail themselves of the extended fmla to do so. We have asked departments to let us know periodically where they find shortages and we have been helping to bring in additional resources across the enterprise where that is needed. [9:59:07 AM] There are folks that have been, continuing in the enterprise that have been able to be reassigned as the need be. I will say too that we are being very conservative with our hiring of vacancies, or filling of vacancies as we move forward while we have -- we realize that we are in a pandemic and we want to make sure we are monitoring our resources, where departments are working in the pandemic or in areas that require some assistance we have certainly been filling those vacancies as the need and the criticality arises so we are being mindful but we can certainly get back to you and the council body about fmla usage as that moves forward. >> Thank you. >> Alter: Thank you. Maybe we can have a conversation off-line but there are a couple of departments I am particularly concerned about that seem to be impacting services that are [10:00:08 AM] raising other issues, they are not able to meet those needs when you have these conversations it is clear they just don't have the staffing given what they are trying to juggle and that is having a big impact on some services so if we can have that conversation I would appreciate that. So thank you on that. My next question I think is for Dr. Escott. So I wanted to just make sure I have some clarity on the airborne transmission part, because I don't want there to be confusion up there. And as I heard what you said, you said that airborne transmission is possible it is not something that we are seeing as having viable virus in some constrained places, so it is possible but what we really need to worry about is the droplets, [10:01:09 AM] if someone coughs on you or touching the droplets and the best defense for that is wearing a mask and social distancing, staying home when you are sick is that correct, Dr. Escott? >> Yes. You got all of that correct. And again, I think to position on the contribution of airborne transmission is evident by public policy across the world. Which is still keeping social distance. Obviously if airborne transmission was a significant factor it would really prevent us from doing things that we normally do about having accelerated growth in the rate of transmission. That's something not happening. The evidence is not suggestive of airborne transmission, so there are factors that we [10:02:10 AM] discuss all along that you just mention ready critical and people need to be cautious in those types of settings. A small office with a lot of people and no ventilation, transmission could be more in that type of setting, which is why we continue to recommend that separation of people and the masks. >> Alter: And what is the implication of that for the school setting? >> I think the implication is that teachers and staff shouldn't be overly concerned about virus floating in the air for hours. I think our classrooms, our schools are getting -- are of sufficient size and have sufficient ventilation to prevent recirculation of air that that method of transmission is not going to be significant. >> Alter: Thank you. And then I wanted to just have a [10:03:11 AM] better understanding of how we are watching for those risk factors that mayor mentioned like labor day and the football game and the return to the university. >> We are watching the cases, the new cases and of course the hospitalizations. We did start to see increases in the cases prior to labor day but it really corresponds with increasing mobility that last week of August. So people were getting out more and impacting more, they were going to restaurants more and bars more and they were gathering more outside of the household. So it is not just the holiday and especially a UT game, generally speaking people are -- having more relaxed, so we will be watching those factors over the next we can or two to see if there is any significant impact, again, hopefully, the [10:04:12 AM] transmission rate which was low at that time period, between the 4.7 and since .1 percent, that, 6.1 percent, we may see a small bump but hopefully not a huge bump. >> Alter: Thank you. And who is -- who is responsible if there are gatherings that are off campus, that is the city that is responsible and do we have -- how are we mobilizing for addressing those gatherings, particularly off campus? >> So calls for concern regarding gatherings or noncompliance with masking should go to 311 and director Hayden can direct me on this, but generally speaking it is either going to go to code or it is going to go to the fire marshal's office for enforcement depending on the venue that is involved. If it is a restaurant or it is a [10:05:14 AM] licensed food establishment, that would go to Austin public health, environmental health services. >> Alter: Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Councilmember alter also worth noting in conversation you are asking about the university of Texas. They have the capacity to test up to 5,000 students a week. They are not getting 5,000 students a week yet to take the test, they are trying to ramp that up. But there is still a significant number of students that are being tested and they get the results from the off campus testing as well, that goes on their dashboard, the university of Texas has their own dashboard. All the information and data on that are a part of what we have on our dashboard, but it is that subset a that is available to be seen. I think everybody has taken note of the fact that of the thousands of students that were tested, that has to be tested in order to get a ticket to the football game, which is a good practice and we appreciate the university of Texas doing that, [10:06:15 AM] about 100 of them tested positively, it was a positivity rate of about ate percent, eight percent so we have that information and data as well, that everybody -- anything else with these folks? Councilmember Casar? >> I know that we are still working up and getting some of the per capita data, something else that I noted we haven't seen in a little while since we engaged in some extra efforts was the spanish-speaking versus nonspanish-speaking data for the Latino community and so it would be great to get an update on that. I remember the last time we checked into some of the hospitals it was like a majority of the Latino patients were primarily Spanish speakers but I know we have engaged in new work there and so I think it would be a good time to check in and get that as well with per cap data that I know is being delivered too. [10:07:21 AM] >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Anything else, questions on this? All right, Dr. Hayden, director Hayden, Dr. Escott, thank you so much. I will let you head over to Travis county now. Thank you. Colleagues are you ready for the next presentation that we have briefing? We will go to manager to the convention center briefing. >> Absolutely. And I believe assistant city manager Rodney Gonzales is going to kick us off. >> Thank you, deputy. Good morning mayor and council, Rodney Gonzales, assistant city manager .. I am going to kick off today's briefing and send it off to interim director for the Austin convention center department. You may recall that on may 23rd of last year council adopted a resolution directorring the city manager to recommend an initial design for the convention center expansion. The resolution was on the heals of the UT center for sustainable [10:08:23 AM] studies of alternative features for the convention district. Several milestones have transpired since that time and pleased to present updates to the design for expansion as well as the update 0 to the market study. On August 19th, staff forwarded both documents to council in advance of today's presentation. And with that brief introductionly turn the presentation over to interim director taltro, thank you. .. Good morning, mayor and councilmembers. We are here this morning to provide you with presentations on two final reports that accd staff and our consultants have completed in response to council resolution 201-9052 3-0 29. The first presentation is Austin city convention center impact and viability study provided by Tom and Anthony Davis from ATS convention and sports entertainment consulting. With that I will turn it over to [10:09:26 AM] Mr. His cinosky and Mr. Davis .. Good morning, mayor and councilmembers, thanks for the invitation to be here today I have a question about the technology. Do I need to share my screen or will city hall have the presentation? >> City hall -- >> I am sorry? >> Okay. >> Mayor, I have a quick question. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember kitchen. >> Kitchen: It may by missed it, was this sent to us? >> Yes, councilmember this was sent on August the 19th. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Councilmember do you mean this powerpoint? >> The powerpoint -- >> Yes. The report was -- I think councilmember -- >> The powerpoint is what I am talking about. >> Do we have the powerpoint? [10:10:27 AM] >> Or is it linked as backup for today? >> Mayor and council I can check separately with Katie powers to ensure that the offices have received it. It is not in the backup so if you all could -- >> Okay. >> It has been a continuing problem at our work sessions, we come into the work session and we have presentations and we frequently have to get them at the last minute, sometimes it is 30 minutes before the meeting, sometimes it is as they are being presented. Could we get them at least by Friday before our work sessions, please? >> I appreciate that, councilmember and look into that and get back to everyone about it but we will do our best to get those to you as soon as we are able. >> Thanks so much. >> This powerpoint presentation is a very high level summary of the key findings of our research. And the detailed report was made available in August. So the idea of this presentation is to give an overview and to give you an opportunity to ask [10:11:29 AM] questions regarding our study. First of all, a little bit of background on. If you want to go to the next slide the reason we are working on this project is we have experience in working in most of the major market, events and markets in the U.S. In helping plan, develop new facilities or expansions and our goal is as a business analyst we do market research. We make facility program recommendations. We help our clients figure out how to finance and operate these types of facilities. So I have been doing this for nearly 30 years and H visit S has an office in business since 2001. So we bring a lot of relevant experience and other markets as well as prior experience as well. So if you want to go to the next [10:12:29 AM] slidely dive into our work. >> My understanding, colleagues also is that these -- I have been told the two powerpoints were e-mailed to council offices yesterday at 10:21 in case you want to find them. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> So first of all, our work start started precovid so we had an opportunity, although we had been to Austin many times before, but to inspect the convention center interview management and other key stakeholders, and we conducted a market analysis looking at all of the factors that help Austin as a convention designation. We surveyed potentially users, primarily getting names of potential users from visit Austin as well as from the convention center asked them [10:13:34 AM] about the ACC and their likelihood of using it. We also looked deeply into historical operations and group sales. We also compared Austin's physical development and destination to comparable and competitive convention centers in the U.S. Using all of that we projected demand in attendance and forecast the financial operations for a three phased expansion using the expansion model that has been developed by -- you will hear from them later today and we estimated the impacts. Want to give you some highlights of that research. If you want to go to the next slide, we -- first of all, the survey findings were extremely [10:14:35 AM] impressive. We had done surveys over the last 25 years of event planners asking them about their facility needs, their specific lines and dislikes of destinations and their likelihood if using a convention center if it meets their needs and this survey produced the most positive response that I have seen in 25 years of event surveys. 83 percent of respondents say they were very likely or somewhat likely to use an expanded ACC and only four percent said they were unlikely. So that is -- that is what is called a large score, 83 percent, that is record high. In Austin, and Austin appeals to events planners not because of the facility, but because of the designation. It has, destination. It has become an extremely popular destination and it has [10:15:36 AM] fostered that through south by southwest to other events as well as existing convention centers. And the thing that we found, though, in their view of the destination was that the convention center itself was the lagging factor in attracting veangs, one fifth says that was the most prudent that could be made to Austin and that was the most highly recommended improvement. And the other thing is that the nvention center is generating demand. We asked them about when their events occurred, what the pattern was when the events occurred, what times a week and months and year, and these events occurred during periods, Austin has tremendous leisure demand component and that falls mostly on the weekends but these events fall during the weekdays, so it is a good fit for filling [10:16:37 AM] in the gaps in the market and we will show you later what the financial impacts of that pattern of events is. If we can flip to the next sl slide. We also did a comparison of the existing facility to comparable venues in Texas, in Houston, in San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, et cetera, and Austin current is sort of at the bottom of those range in terms of the total function spaces offered, and when we say function space, we mean exhibit space, banquet space or ballroom space and meeting space. And with, it excludes prefunctionaries -- this is just the rentable function space. And so it really is behind -- [10:17:43 AM] one of its main national competitors is music city center, Nashville, which really leapt to the forefront when they built their convention center and in terms of quality and size of convention center, it eclipsed Austin, and you can see that other convention centers in Texas and nationally are much larger. The proposed expansion, however, put Austin near the top of Texas and above most of its national competitors. If you want to flip to the next slide. One of the, actually I should mention one other factor about the convention center that we learned from the event planners as well as from our review is there are a lot of functional obsolescence in the existing facility. It doesn't provide the right ratio of meeting space to other [10:18:43 AM] types of function space. It also has certain issues of flexibility in its use because of the way the spaces are laid out and -- and so there is an opportunity with expansion and replacement of the existing center to not only create more space buzz but to create space that functions much better and is more attractive to the event planners. >> So we made the assumption based on the physical planning that has been going on is that there would be a three phased expansion and the first phase of it would be new west building on the new site would be leave the existing building intact and operating and that would open in 2024. These aren't hard dates. These are dates that we assumed based on our current knowledge [10:19:44 AM] and I think our analysis would hold if the date were pushed back a little bit, if that were necessary, but -- so then the second phase of expansion is the -- building which is -- which would be demolished and replaced and finally a third place to the north section would be replaced. And so we don't really reach a stabilized level of complete demand until 2033, these are really quite long-term projections and you can see how they ramp up gradually and I want to note that because there are questions about well, what is happening with covid and with the economy and how is that going to effect future utilization? So these projections, because they ramp up slowly try to take into account that recovery. I will talk about that a little bit more later on. So moving on to the financials in the next slide, we did a deep dive into the historical operations of the convention [10:20:46 AM] center and worked choicely with staff to determine what level of increase in expenditures would be necessary/mess to support an expanded convention center at each one of the phases. If you could flip to the next slide it shows our testimony projections. So right now, the facility is generating about 33 to 34 million in operating revenue . We -- -- -- as a baseline. That revenue could grow to over 60 million under a fully expanded facility, but .. Operating expenses are also going to grow significantly as there would be new permanent labor, separate labor, obviously operations and maintenance [10:21:47 AM] costs, energy costs and all of those would increase, so we -- you can see in our report we have broken these projections down by line item, our revenue projections are made by event type and so we were able to based on the analysis, historical operation to calibrate a model which predicts what happens when you add new demand to the convention center the terms of increasing revenue and an expansion because there are certain -- would occur. This again is in $2,024 would increase, decrease to about 21 million, according to to our projections. We should note too that, you know, demand for convention centers is lumpy and so we are [10:22:48 AM] showing kind of smooth projections, but you get one or two big events a year it can really have an effect on a given year's financial operations. You should view these kind of as a smooth average of what would happen year to year. Some years are going to be lower and some years are going to be higher depending on events. I with a tonight flip to the next slide. One of the issues that has been raised as well, what is the real impact of the convention center on the of demand. Data from visit Austin, daily [10:23:49 AM] data on events are -- events are not in the market, and we did a statistical analysis called the difference of means test, to analyze whether that -- whether there is a difference and whether that difference is statistically significant, and we found that on convention event days, compared to nonevent days occupy city is over 12 percent higher, and average daily room rate is $37 higher. So a lot of the -- a lot of impact on the hotel market that you hear about is how many rooms are blocked? And that is really not a food measure of what the impact of the convention center is on the [10:24:53 AM] hotel market. Because when it increases occupancy it causes compression effect, and so it is not just convention, new convention people coming to the market, everybody in the market is paying 37 more dollars for a room. So it is stimulating a lot of new revenue, if you combine these two effects in the downtown market alone, it is generating over $58 million in annual revenue for the market. Now, we only had data on downtown and how that is affected but when we did the same kind of analysis in other cities like in San Diego, for example, we found that it is not just the downtown markets that it has affected but people who can't get rooms downtown it compresses and surrounding concentric circles of markets are also positively affected. So we think if you were to take into effect the entire market and not just downtown you would have about $80 million in annual impact. [10:25:53 AM] So it is a real boost to the lodging market, and that's one part of an overall economic impact. And let me flip to the next slide to show you what our total impact estimates are. So at least impact estimates take into account not only the estimate of impact that I just showed you on cloning market but also on restaurant retail entertainment spending, transportation, all of this spending that is brought into the market, and we think the current ACC is generating an economic impact of close to 500 million and that could increase by about 300 million with expansion. There is on an annual basis so that includes the direct impact of new spending, the new income that is generating and respent in the economy, let's say, you know, server staff at restaurants have more money, they spend that into the economy, that is an indirect [10:26:57 AM] impact. And -- I mean dined impact and new business spending associated with it. So the total, direct, indirect induced impact would be over $800 million after -- in a stabilized year of expansion. So a lot of that spending is taxed so there is a direct fiscal impact to the city of Austin and we have estimated that to be, after completion of expansion, at about $27 million a year. Of direct impact. So that kind of spending throughout the economy, not just at the convention center, but throughout the entire XI, would support over four and a half thousand jobs, permanent jobs .. Those are measured in full time equivalent jobs. Some of that would be part-time labor and some would be full time but there is a measure of full time equivalent jobs. So that is a high level summary of our projections. If you want to flip to the next slide I want to talk a little bit about what is -- what is on [10:27:58 AM] everyone's mind and listened to the excellent presentation on the status of the pandemic in Austin and we have been following this down -- early part of next year and then start to come back. So -- now if you notice our first year projection is in 2024. So my big concern is not with covid, the covid impact and the immediate health concerns because I think it is very fair to assume that this, while it is much more prolonged than we ever hoped, expected it would be, it is a temporary phenomenon and [10:28:59 AM] some resolution is going to happen before 2024. There will be a vaccine, there will be new treatments, et cetera, so we set aside immediate impacts of covid and we did give an estimate of what they would be in 2022 and 2023. My bigger concern and the concern that we built into this analysis is what the pandemic's long-term impacts are on the economy. So what we have seen in past recessions is it takes a long time to recover from a recession. And we are going to be in a recession, recessionary environment following the covid, so we look back at other recessions and how recoveries have occurred and being a group business is the slowest piece of business in the hospitality industry to recover. Of particular concern to us is [10:29:59 AM] how deep the damage is going to be and something that I think is of increasing concern to me and it should be to everybody is the lack of federal stimulus to support the economy. We had an initial $2 trillion stimulus package, which kept the economy from falling off a clip, cliff, but since the end of July that see -- that and to reflect those kind of concerns which actually we hoped for more stimulus when we are doing these projections but the real key thing is going to be how well the economy is going to recover after covid is over, [10:31:02 AM] and fortunately for this expansion there are a number of years for that to happen, and in our projections we have tried to be very conservative in the early years about the new demand that would be attracted to the convention center and we really don't hit full stabilization until 2033 so we could actually be through another recessionary period by that time. So we have tried to take that into account, but I think in terms of your concerns about the risks associated with future demand, it is really one that is related to economic recovery and not specifically to covid. There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding that and we will keep following that as we go. So that is my overall take on this and high level summary. With that, mayor and councilmembers I would be happy to answer any questions you may [10:32:05 AM] have. Have you want to go to the second briefing or ask questions on this? >> I just have a quick question. >> Mayor Adler: Go ahead councilmember tovo. >> Thanks, I really, really appreciate the acknowledgment about the impact of lack of -- coming from congress will have impact on our convention center and work here in Austin. I agree with you about the likely economic impacts. We did a good job of sharing the burden through our budget this year flowing into fiscal 21, a lot of that was because of the really strong fiscal, financial policies yes at the city and strong property tax income in January, this time we are in January and the money that we did get from the federal government to help really [10:33:08 AM] targeting to this sector and to restaurants and small local businesses residents and constituents doing in that is [10:34:08 AM] completely virtual. So again I thank our staff for that and I really want to thank you, about the necessity to have additional support from higher levels of government. Or introduces nation. Thanks. >> #01: Councilmember alter. >> Alter: I hope I can get some answer to questions I submitted. I appreciate the over view. I wanted to get a sense of the typing of the survey. Was that preor post covid? Because I this you started this analysis in the fall, the 83 percent saying they wanted to come. >> You are muted. >> I am muted? >> Yes. >> I got muted. >> It was precovid, and so we don't have data on [10:35:09 AM] their views of the post covid, actually it is probably a good thing, because we are trying to model a more normalized market and so if we had that survey colored by the covid pandemic it might actually not have produced, you know, as useful of results. There have been a lot of work, IBM has done a lot of work in terms of surveying facilities and users during covid and, you know, what we are seeing generally as a reaction to covid is mostly postponement and not cancellation of events. And unfortunately those polls have been multinow, because earlier hopes of being able to open up later in this year have vanished, and so those hopes have now moved into second quarter, third quarter of next year. And so we are going to -- we are seeing that but we are actually [10:36:10 AM] seeing a lot of exceptup demand in convention centers as the desire to meet in person has not gone away. We have kind of seen this story before. In other recessions where, where the economy contracts and events contract and they think everyone is going to flip to electronic meetings and so on but that hasn't happened historically and we don't expect that will happen here. I think the struggle with school openings is a good example of the pressure, the need, the same need to educate, which is an important function of event centers tosh, to educate in person and have that social interaction, is what convention centers offer and it is absolutely essential for learning and business transactions for the exchange of information. So we think -- the issue again is going to be whether people [10:37:10 AM] will have the wherewithal, not desire, to attend in person meetings. That desire is going to be there and it is a question of whether the economy is going to be there to support that activity. >> Thank you. So if I am understanding correctly, you suggesting that, from your knowledge, that folks are still going to want to convene, it is going to be more of an economic decision than a health decision? I am trying to understand because I am getting a lot of questions about, you know, the impact of covid and there are some pieces I feel like are still missing given the data that we have. >> Yes. Well, you know, I think one of the impacts of covid will be the thought of a next virus. But I firmly believe in having gone through multiple recessions and recovery periods where the [10:38:11 AM] same fer has arisen there is going to be a permanent dampening of the need for in person meetings, that has never materialized and I firmly believe that is not going to materialize. And I have also -- it is not just me holding that opinion, it is widely shared in the hospitality industry. If you hear the major hotel brands shareholders they are the same thing, they are saying this is an economic issue, it is not going to be a health issue in the long run so we need to kind of do it and treat it that way. >> You are muted. >> Okay. These new button are really -- because now it says I am on mute but I am unmuted. Okay. So I think that is a really helpful perspective, you know, it is more economic than health [10:39:12 AM] and that we have a history of having these recessions where we see kind of some of that happening, so I think that is a useful perspective to share. So thank you for that. I don't know that you have it now, because I didn't see it in the report, but I am missing a piece of the analysis for me, it seemed to be what would happen to our hotel occupancy taxes as a whole. You had the hotel occupancy levels but not the taxes and there wasn't, it wasn't always clear that the marginal difference was in there so I don't know if we have those calculations that you can share and then I am hoping at some point we are going to have some idea of the costs which may come in the master planning. >> Well, that analysis of overall tax availability was not a part of our scope of services [10:40:12 AM] so I don't have those projections for you. I think those have been done internally so far within the city, but we have done that kind of projection for a lot of other cities, especially in this crisis where there has been a collapse in the revenue sources and questions how will they recover? So we have helped some cities with refinancing of debt in projecting what those would be. But we don't have a projection available. I would have to turn to city staff for any information they might have on that at this point. Is that something you have available for us or can get us through the Q & a? I am trying to understand, there are a lot of steps here and ultimately this is funded through hotel occupancy taxes and I am trying to understand that trajectory given the assumptions that have been presented about the type of growth we would see. Council member we have engaged and he has helped give us [10:41:14 AM] projections for the hotel tax projection overall in the spring when covid had first hit and we have got projections for the first five years or so during an imposed,n't, and post covid. We are certainly happy to engage and gather a report or get that data for you for the outlying years in line with what Tom has presented in his presentation. >> I think it would be helpful, because, you know, you have the loss of revenue, you know, it is operating on a revenue loss, which is made up from the hotel occupancy taxes, which we also used to fund other things, and it just really was very difficult from the data that was presented to us to understand you those would grow and I understand there is a piece that may come in to support, and none of those pieces are very clear in what we saw. I don't know at what point we are going get those in this process, but I think we need to [10:42:15 AM] have that information to be able to make an informed decision. >> We. We have got that information and we have got -- we have been very conservative in our projections in the model for the financing plan and we are happy to share that with you. Additionally, we have received your questions and we are working on comments to respond back to you as well, the written comments. >> Alter: Great. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Colleagues let's go ahead and get the second report while we have the consultants here. Do you have a quick question councilmember kitchen? >> With. >> Kitchen: Well just about this peace I thought it was easier to take it in chunks but either way. I mean, there are some follow-ons to councilmember alter. Do you have a time frame for -- >> Mayor Adler: It is 10:42 the hope is obviously we have important questions we want to ask, we want to make sure we get all of the information out and get some of the answers that people give. [10:43:17 AM] >> So I think if I may just ask my questions and follow on the economic piece of it. >> Kitchen: So I apologize but I missed one piece of what counsels at asked but I think she was asking you when the interviews with stakeholders were done and I think I heard the response about interest and the steps that are in our long report about what were the factors that would make this case more appealing and what no. They were all done precovid; is that correct? >> That is correct. >> Kitchen: Let me add a couple of quick questions. 2033, the slide 6, full stabilization, by full stabilization, you are talking about not kind of full buildout of space, I mean, because we are talking about a couple of different things happening here, you are talking about a full buildout of space but kind of a full -- the full demand coming [10:44:17 AM] back to the market; is that correct. >> That is correct? >> By your estimates, 3033 before we are actually seeing the full demand. >> That is correct. >> Realized. >> >> There was a comment you made earlier or maybe it is in your presentation that the projections assume that the pandemic has subsided by the time of the implementation of the project. Do you mean by the time the construction is completed? >> By the time the -- by the time the construction -- by 2024 in our model that's when the construction of the first Asia would be completed. So I guess following on councilmember alter's question, let me just say I think it seems -- I appreciate the conversation -- as we move forward and talk [10:45:17 AM] about a design, it makes it even more important that we have a design that is flexible and adaptable and usable for a variety of circumstances, because it would seem to me none of us know at this point what might change among the convention industry and what might be some of the new preferences or the new changes. And so I wonder if you could potentially through the question and answer process provide us with some of the sources you talked about in the hospitality industry or in other industries that are talking about what might be the long-term, the long-term shifts in preferences for meetings. I know the question was asked of you more or less, you know, are these -- well, this wasn't the question, but the answer you were providing seemed to suggest that the appetite for large meetings would continue to be there even after we get through this period, that economic [10:46:18 AM] recovery would be the only thing halting that return to full capacity. Could you help us see some of the literature that you are reading that leads you to that conclusion and if you could provide us those resources through our question and answer process I think that would be helpful. >> The sure. I could follow up with some sources on industry trends, that we have relied on. We also, you know, rely on our experience in talking with venue managers and event planners. There are a number of trends in the industry that are reflected in our projections and in the planning of this facility. One is that the focus of competition is not on the venue itself but it is on the destination. So this plan, as we see it, and [10:47:21 AM] we have discussed it at length with physical planners is not like the existing convention center, which actually has kind of a quieting effect on the neighborhood, right? When nothing is going on at the convention center it is kind of -- this involves on the street level, well, a completely different urban design. A lot of retail, entertainment availability within, behind the street level so to create an active convention district. >> Right. >> And that is consistent with trying to address that industry trend. The other Kay industry trend that this addresses is that there has been a movement away from -- since there is stagnant growth in the use of exhibition space and a concurrent growth in the use of breakout meeting [10:48:22 AM] space, so having more meeting space and higher proportion of meeting space and more flexibility in your ability to configure those spaces is addressing event needs. And that trend is tale reflective of what is going on in the economic as a whole, as greater special station occurs let's say in the medical industry when you have a medical meeting it is really hundreds of meetings within that, because each specialty is -- each specialty wants to share information in a separate form, and that's true of nearly every industry, in tech industry and even in manufacturing that is true, so that is why we have seen kind of a reconfiguring and increase in the level of meeting space. So this plan is designed to address those trends and to make it a leading edge, state of the [10:49:22 AM] art facility that will be will be address -- >> I hate to interrupt but we are going to lose the presentation presenter for next report and I want to get the report presented rather than postponing that presentation. So we are going to go to the next presentation. Please hold on to your questions. >> Kitchen: Yes, I do have more for -- >> Mayor Adler: He is not the one leaving so he will remain here and be able to answer the questions on this presentation. Do you want to call up the next presentation before we lose that presenter? >> Absolutely. I will let Rodney or Tricia take it on and I appreciate your patience as we accommodate schedules. Thank you, mayor and Tricia will introduce the next round of presenters. >> Thank you, Rodney. The next presentation is the Austin convention center master plan update presented by David o'neill and Rick Schmidt with conventional wisdom consultants and Alan, I will turn it over to Mr. Neil and the team. [10:50:24 AM] >> Thank you. And will you put up our gr graphics. And just to make sure, are you able to hear me? >> Yes. >> Since we are having technical problems. Okay. Thank you. >> You are there. Okay. That is Alan. About five years ago, we did the initial Ms. Is, master plan study with against her and our scope was kind of limited to how can you expand this contiguously and looked in every direction possible .. And happened to move to the west as the most logical place to go, because it was the most available land at the time. Afterwards, if we can go to the next slide, please. We have updated this study and once again we are looking at a phasing strategy and you heard of phasing earlier when Tom talked, phasing is an attempt to -- leasable inventory levels [10:51:26 AM] constant over multiple construction phases and then to smooth the construction costs cash flow over a number of years with phasing rather than building the west expansion and totally redeveloping the east side and then by spreading out the construction it allows you to respond to changes in the markets, following each phase of development as one of the councilpersons recommended, giving you time to look backward to move forward. Alan. >> Yes. And thanks, David. And the design strategy that we had for this part of town really took its queues from a lot of the previous studies that occurred, particularly the UT study, which said, we are no longer just going to look at a west expansion, we are going look at this as a complete district, which is something we totally support and glad we are going in that direction. But some of those things we carried through is how do we [10:52:27 AM] recapture the public uses and that's everything from, you know, palm park and some of the street activity that is currently there, the walnut creek corridor, we also looked at re-establishing street grid and pedestrian mobility and we know there is always the fear of a convention center creating a huge wall, probably one of the best examples is the George R brown which I think takes up seven city blocks, separating the downtown from the east downtown. We don't want that here. In fact, we have heard from the city from the very beginning we want to open up this grid and make it accessible for everyone, and connect those other pieces that are on the outside, the entertainment district, the downtown central business district, Rainey street. So and the third thing was to create, you know, development paths for P 3 development. We know revenue generation and funding streams for the future phases of development are absolutely essential to making [10:53:27 AM] this work. >> So the design goals now are still to provide a competitive and highly marketable facility and once again you have the highest demand potential of just about any destination in the country and so you want to lead the industry with an inventory of meeting and multifunction spaces which has been the growth trend for at least the last ten years, and so when you look back atom Hazinski's slides with the facilities looking at the details of that, we will see that Austin will have a great amount of total exhibition plus meeting space, but it won't have nearly the largest amount of exhibit space, this is the banqueting space. Next slide, please. >> The master plan update is really a compilation of the [10:54:27 AM] previous studies from the original long range master plan to the urban land institute's task force report that followed the master plan, and then the university of Texas framework for place making that did look at the convention district. Some of the key recommendations that came out of that and we have attempted and I think successfully shown to carry these planning preseptembers forward is re- establishing the street grid, improving the pedestrian experience, providing accessible public spaces, including the parks and create development paths that work with the convention district. >> Next slid, please. >> So in looking at this, we took two approaches, one was to put the halls below grade, which was that potential is brought about by the UT study and the multiple urban benefits that are [10:55:27 AM] achieved by doing that. And in this case so -- second street would be available for a development parcel to help pay for the future expansion and then you get all of the street level amenities back available to you. You would have meeting and ballroom space on the northside of the site above grade and additional development paths would be possible along red river, overlooking the waller creek zone. >> It is important -- oh. >> Go ahead. >> Keep going, David. >> No. >> I was going to say it was [10:56:30 AM] important for the study to not come up with a specific plan, because we knew there were going to be a number of over lays that came later and that includes working with private development to make facilities work with their needs as well. So that's why you are the best -- way into the final. But for the halls, this is suggesting that all service, truck activity and everything go below grade and all activities related to the convention center, including the exhibit halls are above grade. You know, in the one case if you look at the halls down solution at the top, second street between Trinity and red river becomes a linear park for events [10:57:32 AM] and for connectivity, pedestrian connectivity, the waller creek and palm park. In the lower, in the halls up solution on the lower side, you see second street actually being opened up and connecting vehicular traffic between Trinity and red river, with the attempt again to re-establishing the street grid. In both solutions you see paseos, some are enclosed and some are open, to allow people to have shopping experiences not just along the street sides but also internal to the overall complex. And in both solutions, where you see red, those are all considered retail opportunities, dining, entertainment, and this is where we would also see, you know, a lot of local vendors and authentic Austin experience taking place within the complex, not only for visitors coming from out of town but also for, you know, local residents and workers downtown. Go to the next slide. [10:58:33 AM] >> The major feature of both of these plans is the addition of development pads, revenue generation for tax revenues for those facilities and the addition of retail spaces that serve the pedestrians and the general public. It is not just for the convention center alone. They can't survive just serving the convention center. It has to be a community amenity. Please, next slide. >> Yes, again, this is sort of an isometric that shows the large contiguous exhibit hall below grade on one level and I think that is best shown on the lower left-hand side, the yellows, the exhibition space connecting under Trinity, and it establishes the street grids, a third street paseo as Allen said which is a passageway east and [10:59:35 AM] west, the pa at the 0 connecting from north to south, second street linear park and that connects downtown to waller creek and then the corridor at palm park and the a very important piece for financing this project, it creates P 3 development pads, two along Cesar Chavez which are probably the most valuable real estate you, have and then two additional pads with red river frontage. >> So at this time we would, you know, solicit any questions you may have about the plan. >> And because I have a trained, train to catch I am going to have my business partner and convention president Rick Schmidt to act on behalf of conventional wisdom. >> Thank you. And thank you for your presentation. So I think the folks we have left can answer questions about [11:00:35 AM] either of them. Let's go back to Kathie, since I interrupted. Kathie, and we will have a second round of questions too, so ask your questions and then pass on to other people. Kathie, go first. >> Thanks, I appreciate it, I think that what I was talking about, we were talking about the predictions the, you know, I think it is more of a philosophical questioned, you said you would provide us with some of the industry references I think that is important and it is important to understand what those who are doing this day in and day out believe based on their appearances it is going to happen and the potential timelines. There were a couple of comments that you made about, you know, in the past that the desire we can look to the past to see periods, the desire -- the desire for large conventions and [11:01:35 AM] the returned desire for these kind of experiences return. I think we have never -- I think we all have acknowledged in so many ways that there is so much about this time that is extraordinary that it is a little hard to predict what and how life may change moving forward in terms of our workplaces, our methods of gathering. I am not even sure once it is -- once we have a vaccine and we are virtually eradicate covid I am not sure how long it will take people, people to, you know, many people to want to go back to large crowded environments. I just don't know that any of us have the answer, and that is kind of the question for the future's experts and some of those who are used to thinking about this in broader terms so. So I wonder if you are talk to that point, your sureness of [11:02:36 AM] things you are seeing. So not just past industry trends but what you make of some of the information coming out about how companies are beginning to rethink their strategies going back into the workplace after this or going back to traveling. You know, we have heard announcements from multiple companies that they made they will have fewer travel events or travel based events in their -- in the years to come. If you could speak to that point. >> Rick, you are sounding like a chipmonk. >> I empathize. That happens to me too. I don't know how to fix it. >> This is really a question I think for Mr. Hazinski. >> All right. Okay. Yes. .. I have -- I have to agree [11:03:37 AM] there is a level of uncertainty about the long-term impacts that is real, and we have to consider that. But I do think there are some historical precedents in terms of long-term impacts of exogenous shocks like this, the 9/11 being a classic one. And it caused change of behaviors about security that were lasting. And it caused an adaptation in facilities, suddenly every facility has security plans and so I think those kind of effects are likely to happen here, only they will be health related. But what I have never seen and I think what we are even seeing now is a change in the desire [11:04:40 AM] for face-to-face meetings. In fact, I think covid has been had the ironic effect of reinforcing their importance. If it weren't important, for example, to have face-to-face learning in schools, the issue of being online wouldn't be such a massive issue across the country. It would be something that people would readily step it. It is the fact that kids need to be taught in person at every level from preschool through graduate school, right? And I think that is true of business interactions and true of interactions among members of the associations, fraternal groups, all of the kind of groups that use convention centers. That basic human need is foundational, and is going to be there. So we will find a way to adapt to the health requirements and [11:05:41 AM] we will have new sanitation procedures will hopefully, we will develop plans to deal with the next pandemic more effectively based on this appearance, you know, and so I think adaptations are likely to be made but the basic fundamental demand is not going to change. And that is my firmly held view on that. >> Thank you very much, I think that was a very thoughtful and informed response and I appreciate it. You brought up several good points and I think a comparison to 9/11 is probably more apt than comparisons to earlier pandemics and other recessions and things like that. I know you are going to provide us some research, if any of that brings that experience into play [11:06:43 AM] that would be very helpful. Thank you very much. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you, councilmember kitchen. >> Kitchen: I have a question I wanted to -- I think this is for Mr. -- Hazinski. I wanted to ask you a bit more, you were helping us understand the trends that we are seeing in convention center business. So I wanted to talk a little bit more about make sure I am understanding one of the trends you mentioned and that was, I think you characterized it as the focus of competition is on the destination, so I want to understand, does that mean that really it is the place that is Austin and Austin's brand that is a big part of the competition for events? Is that -- is that the way to understand that? Yes. Absolutely. And in this industry, the destination decisions are made by actually relatively a small [11:07:46 AM] handful of people. You know, with independent leisure and business travel, those decisions are made by millions of people every day, right? But in the convention industry, those decisions are made by event planners that control the destination for 20,000 people, one person or board of their association makes that decision for thousands of people, or hundreds 0, in different cases depending on the size of events. So their perspective which is what we need to adopt when we are thinking about demand is how many people can I get there? How many people are going to show up? Because that's going to affect the revenue from that and going to affect the happiness notify association or my business and what kind of experience are they going to have? So it used to be that you could make people happy by providing adequate hotel and function [11:08:49 AM] space and that's no longer true because the various cities all have that offering, so that is kind of an equalizer. What really makes the difference is how many people can you get to the destination to make an event successful and are they going to have a positive visitor experience? Are they going to get the entertainment they need? Are they going to feel safe and comfortable are they going to really enjoy themselves while they are doing business? And so that is why destination is a big factor, and it has been true for a while. It is just that the competition becomes more intense because there has been a lot of urban revital station all across the country over the past couple of decades. Austin being kind of at the cutting edge of that fortunately, and so it really provides that appeal. >> Thank you. [11:09:49 AM] That's what I was thinking that you meant, that's very helpful. And my other question I think is for Mr. Smith. And I wanted to understand a little bit better about the P 3 development pads. I think you mentioned something about the relationship to -- can you tell me what you meant by that? >> I think you are muted. >> Yes. While he is getting his audio, this is Alan again, this is Alan ginzler. Yes. Part of the program that we were asked to plan for was the inclusion of private sector development on some of the land that the city currently holds. Knowing that funding for the convention center would be challenging without another source of funding, it was seen as an opportunity to again use private sector funding from either the lease of the land or [11:10:50 AM] from integrated development with the convention center as those second and third phases occur. Very similar to what is happening on the west expansion with, you know, private development and the convention center expansion being vertically integrated with one another and so that is what we were asked to look at, and then of course there were different approaches to how that P 3 development would occur. But the two areas that obviously were consistent in both scenarios was development pads along red river and then along Cesar Chavez. And keep in mind things that in each one of those scenarios, it really used the private sector development in different ways so that in one scenario this was,, it allowed for a much larger expansion of palm park but on the other scenario it allowed [11:11:54 AM] for more integrated development with the convention center, knowing that the convention halls were down below grade. >> So they just provided different approaches to working with private -- the private sector in getting those developments done along with the convention center itself. >> >> Kitchen: So I am sorry --ly add to what Alan said. We did ask them to provide us with all of the opportunities and all of the possibilities within this study, meaning that nothing has been decided, nothing has been decide. We simply wanted to take a look at the entire footprint of the existing convention center and with a smaller footprint of it, of the convention center what then available space would be left to return back and what opportunities might there be for additional development or whatever it is that the city deems would be the best use of [11:12:55 AM] that space. So I just wanted to to be clear we asked them to provide us with all of the opportunities that, but no decisions have been made and it was really just to show you the possibilities of what may be available. >> Kitchen: Okay. Thank you. I am sorry. Someone else -- was someone else speaking. >> That was Tricia with the convention center. >> Oh, okay. All right. Thank you. So that's very helpful and I think I really appreciate that. I think it is very -- I think it is very exciting to think about the integration of the convention center with the restaurants and music venues and other venues throughout the downtown area at least as well as the rest of the city, so I appreciate seeing different options. So this is probably a question for later, then, because I am understanding that the financing model itself is still under development and will be coming to us in the spring so I had a lot of questions about that, but am I right on the timeline that [11:13:56 AM] the presentation of the financing model will come later >> That's correct, councilmember. Katie is going to jump in. >> Yes, councilmember. I believe we've got some information for you this afternoon in and then we will also be bringing -- in executive session and then we will be also bringing you back more information in the spring as well. >> Kitchen: Okay. Because I have questions about the relationship between the p3 development potential as well as the potential for working more closely with our local businesses and music and arts venues. But those are all financing kind of questions. So if you. >> Absolutely. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Anybody have anything before we go to the next presentation? Councilmember tovo, we'll come back to you. >> Tovo: Thank you, I appreciate that. I wanted to just speak to the design for a little bit and to step back and appreciate -- appreciate [11:14:57 AM] really the recon September actualization of what -- the reconceptualization of what the convention center could be downtown. I have a quick question for I guess our manager. Are we scheduled at some point to approve or to comment on or discuss the update to the long range master plan? Or are we just talking about it in today's context? >> Councilmember, that the point we're just talking about this in today's context, but we can certainly raise that up as well to talk about what updates might be needed for the master planning process. >> Tovo: Thanks. So one thing -- it all fits together for me because I'm very excited by the new design. I think it is reflective of the resolution that I brought forward that others of my colleagues co-sponsored that was supported unanimously, which was to really recon [11:16:02 AM] reconceptualize this area of downtown and all of us involved were really to think about themselves as sort after palm district. So one thing I would like to emphasize, there are multiple references in the update to the convention center district and that's exactly the kind of C change that we had hoped to effect in bringing forward that resolution and again thinking how does the Waterloo green wearing the expansion of the convention center, the downtown cap metro station, palm school, how do these all fit together into one district that we might think about as a palm district rather than convention center? Talking about it as a convention center district I think doesn't recognize kind of where we are as a downtown and as a city where we have a confluence of really fabulous projects that need to have place making at its center and so not kind of the convention center at its center. You know, our new convention [11:17:04 AM] center should work within that language that you just gave us about working to create a destination. So just that. I want to highlight that, that I would really ask as we're approaching -- that our approach and our language be consistent with that. As part of that I am interested and have submitted some questions through the q&a about how well -- what the feedback we've gotten from our great partners at UT who helped us think about it a little differently. How -- what their comments are on this, how well we're -- this update and this design lives out that vision of really helping us reimagine our southeast quadrant of downtown. For me, though, the challenges as we consider what's on our agenda this week and move forward with -- potentially move forward with getting the [11:18:07 AM] eastern portion underway, what happened -- I'm sorry, the western portion. What happens on that eastern portion is critical. So expanding to the west for the convention center makes great sense when we create that additional public plaza expanded palm park on the east. So I appreciate and understand that our convention center staff wanted to see a multitude of options. The one that we asked to see was the one that involved that taking down of the space. So I'm glad we see that, but I'm in a quandry about how we move forward, how we really get that codified in an agreement as we move forward. Again, if we're increasing the convention center space which is going to function differently and I hope function for a multitude of purposes beyond conventions and have lots of local uses and things that we talk about and I think are [11:19:08 AM] reflected in this center, I want us to be more intentional about what we really want to see on that eastern portion. And that it is not just increased development. In that infather face with -- interface with the Waterloo greenway and palm park. I'm not sure exactly where to go from there, but I did want to mention that point that I think that was a large part of why we had excitement about the UT conceptual study because it did involve that balance of increasing space and increasing the density of the convention center, at the same time making it more of a destination, making it more pedestrian friendly, user friendly for locals and a place people want to come to even if they're not going to convention centers, but also that trade-off on the eastern side. Any thoughts on that from our staff? On where and what the [11:20:09 AM] appropriate way to do that is? And then if I'm the laster, I do have another question about the palm district planning. >> Mayor Adler: I see other people raising their hands as well. >> Tovo: If you could come back to me for that last question, but if our staff have a response to that eastern portion and where we go from there on that, that would be helpful. >> Yes, councilmember. I can share with you that we are certainly in commitment to the same vision that you have spoken about. We have working in earnest with ridat and the working group and working with cap metro and making sure that we are creating an entire district that is not a convention center district, it is a reimagining of that entire eastern quadrant of this portion of downtown. We engaged with UT. They have been -- they've reviewed our master plan update. We've had conversations on [11:21:10 AM] the phone between Allen with ginzer with conventional wisdom and Allen with UT will be providing the feedback and responses to you in writing so that you're fully abreast of the situation. It is certainly we're committed to the vision and to the goal of reimagining this entire area, which is why y'all hear in executive session today we are actually going to be we bin the redevelopment of the eastern side of the convention center in parallel with the design of the western side so that we make sure that we're designing both the west and the east simultaneously while bringing back to you public comment, most importantly making sure that we're designing something that will be what everyone is expecting and happen with. [11:22:10 AM] So it is not the intent to design the westside and then start to design the eastside. We really want to do that in parallel and make sure that we're designing something that will really flourish and be something that we imagine in redeveloping this entire portion of downtown. >> Tovo: Can I just ask a clarifying question? But as I understand it, the report that we have in front of us has two difference scenarios contemplated for the eastern side. One that would be -- one that would have more open space and create more space for palm park and the other that envisions buildings in that space. Am I misunderstanding? >> No. The two different scenarios were given for a hall's up and a hall's down approach. For example, the hall's down on that approach with the buildings on that land doesn't necessarily mean the buildings need to go there. It was just simply to show what the different [11:23:12 AM] opportunities were for design within that area. So it's -- we're not committed to having those parcels of land. There's certainly economic value to the parcels on the land, specifically as with we've been talking through part of the financing plan for that potential eastern redevelopment. But again, nothing has been set in stone. We have not began the doesn't of the eastern side and so all options are on the table at this point. >> Tovo: And I guess what I'm thinking about and wondering about is I feel like at this point I'm not necessarily sure I want all options on the table on the eastern side. I feel at this point that we might as a council want to be more directive about that -- about how we want that eastern side designed because as we had this conversation and as it developed, what happened on the eastern side was very much part of getting support for what happens on the western side. [11:24:13 AM] So that increased public space on the eastern side was an important reason I don't have I am supportive of the expansion to the western side. So that's really for my colleagues more than the convention center, but I am at the place where I think we need as a council to be more directive about what we want designed on that eastern side. And I welcome my colleagues' thoughts on that. >> Mayor Adler: Great, thank you. Councilmember alter. >> Alter: Thank you. I appreciate councilmember tovo's view on this and I think that's one of the things that I've been struggling with not having the UT study right next to this proposal is really to understand what carried over from that scenario five and what data, and I think some of your comments got at that clearly and I think that is one of the most exciting things about this whole process is the total transformation for that part of the district, totally apart from the pieces and the benefits that come from renovated convention center. [11:25:15 AM] I wanted to go back a little bit to the covid part and just touch on. We had a conversation about this and I just want to understand so that there are still some uncertainties and I really appreciate Mr. Hazinski's point of view and a lot of that helps me to clarify my thinking. But as we think about the decisions that are before us this week, the part of how I'm thinking about is that we -- first, it will take awhile to do the design and we'll have some more certainty before we actually have to proceed too far with the next steps of the design. But we would want to -- in my view we want to redevelop where the convention center is so we could change the nature of that place so it's not a dead zone and that we could go up higher no matter -- you know, no matter whether we're ultimately expanding the footprint or not, but that would be better for the [11:26:18 AM] city. So can you help me understand am I right that with the phasing -- even if we're designing these together, there's still the flexibility if there's a major shift for us to pivot at a later stage if we found that we really needed to but that the space that we would be building in this phase I we had need even just to stay where we are with the convention center if we wanted to then kind of build differently around the existing convention center to address changing demands should they arise. >> Yeah, this is Allen. If I could jump in. The part of this master plan was to provide options to the city as changes in the economy, as changes in the market, as changes in our [11:27:20 AM] culture and society changed. You can imagine this is going to take place, whether it's two phases or three phases. This is going to take place over the next eight to 10 years. And a lot can change over that period of time. So if the west expansion is the only part that ever takes place then you will continue to be able to operate and in fact with a larger amount of space, whether it's meeting space, exhibition space. But the idea, again looking to the UT plan as a guide, the whole point was to look beyond this western expansion and should the market allow for this, and the city is ready for this and the demand is there, then we can begin the process of building to the east. The point of designing this at the same time makes a lot [11:28:21 AM] of sense and I think you need to look at the current convention center to know when you have a design that takes place a decade or two after the first phase, sometimes they don't necessarily fit well. Different architects, different times. And so I think at least to have the plan in place that says should this go forward in a positive spin, then all of a sudden we begin to be able to go forward with phases two and phase 3 and it still reflects the images and vision of the city at the same time, which is today. >> Alter: >> Alter: Thank you. >> And the plan also was really -- our charge was to how do you maximize the amount of development and potential revenue out of the six city blocks that the city owns as well as with the expansion to the west. Brand they're doing a great job of explaining. These are just ideas for [11:29:22 AM] meetings like today for you to say this is what works best for us. This is a larger expansion of the part. We want to open up the street and keep large trucks out of the city. And this plan speaks to all of those things. This has to remain somewhat -- for lack of a better word, aloof. So that those extra layers of private sector development needs can be infused with this to find the ultimate solution that works. >> A big part of the challenge, Allen, if I can, a big part of the challenge is find a way to balance commercial development and redevelopment and public space with the needs and demands of the convention center and appealing to that client market as being the people that generate the traffic for hot that pays for the project. [11:30:39 AM] It also puts some limitation on what you do above of that space. The challenge of going with the hall's up is that you end up with essentially a 10 story block that spans across Trinity. And whether or not that's politically or socially acceptable as one of the choices is part of what the challenge is. There's a lot of detail in the master plan, the master plan update starts to show what's the impact of some of these pieces and our key decision still comes back to is it one building or two. >> Alter: Thank you. It's nice to hear your actual voice. >> I had to substitute a new headset in an emergency, I apologize. >> Alter: I understand that we're not designing sort of stage one. It's one of the things that I've seen that excite me really do provide opportunities for our whole [11:31:40 AM] community to come into that space. We have another item on our agenda today about -- about having -- saving our venues, etcetera, and you know there are some interesting scenarios as we design this about how we really bring our music and our arts into this space and how this space can be used by the community in tandem with the convention center. And I think those opportunities are really great, particularly with the expansion to the west. And I happy to as we are designing and taking the next steps that we're really keeping that in mind and I know when we did the various convention center resolutions we included that as part of the scope. And I just think that in addition to changing the way this whole quadrant feels, I think that those opportunities are really important for the success of the convention center what happened it means to have [11:32:44 AM] one of that change here in Austin. >> Mayor Adler: Colleagues, anything else before we go on to the next one? I appreciate the presentation as well. I think it's really good. I think that we obviously have a lot of open questions. We need to proceed down this path to see in response. Councilmember tovo, you asked for others of us to chime in what's happening on the eastside. Still critically important for me to be able to realize the vision of making that part of downtown everything it can be. And it increases the opportunity for downtown into the future to fund so much of what we want to see around the city. So look forward to the action this week and answering some additional questions as we go forward. >> Thank you, mayor. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you for the presentation. >> Tovo: If I could, mayor. So -- I know unfortunately wee just have so many presentations it's harder in this format and there's so [11:33:45 AM] much on our agenda to just chat, but how do we do that? I don't know if what you're seeing is that you have a strong preference for one of those two scenarios, but if we have a strong preference as a council for one of those two scenarios, how do we recognize that and affirm that this week in what we're doing. I mean, I'm going to work out some direction and happy to it might be part of whatever action we're contemplating. I think councilmember alter brings up another issue that's come up in the past that we really should have a strong commitment to using local businesses as restaurants and retail vendors in this new space. How that happens at the airport is a little different than I think it looks to the public that those are really large companies that are providing those services in partnership with our local businesses, but it's not actually -- I think we ought to really have some of these [11:34:50 AM] commitments [indiscernible]. So perhaps we can work outside this session and others have ideas of how we get those commitments recognized in a formal way [inaudible] And that would be really important. >> Mayor Adler: I'd love to work with you on that, councilmember tovo, in teeing it up so it comes back to the council to really talk about the design. My sense is from the conversations that I think this is a pretty united council right now on those priorities and importance. I'm anxious to see how the next part of the conversation goes to see what the parameters are within which we can work or things we have to explore and move forward. I expect that as you go through this staff talking with the property owners and with the potential bondholders and the like, you will be able to come back to us with more information is the concept that develops. But I do agree with councilmember tovo that there are certain kinds of degn interests that we have collectively which are [11:35:53 AM] reflected in that UT work that we all liked. All right. Let's go ahead to the next presentation. Manager, we have the Johnnie Trevino park? >> Mayor, before we go into that, are we able to discuss that item any further in executive session? >> Mayor Adler: We're going to discuss it in executive session, yes. >> Garza: Just double-checking. >> Mayor Adler: Is that correct, manager? >> Yes. >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Mayor and council, we're going to go to our third presentation this morning and that's on the John Trevino, junior metropolitan park and Morrison ranch vision plan. And we have our staff from parks and recreation to lead that. I believe they're coming on as panelists and so as soon as director Mcneeley is ready, she can start. [11:37:08 AM] >> Tovo: Could I ask one more question while we're doing that transition of our designers if they're still on? Or are they gone? >> I think we lost them, councilmember. >> Tovo: I'll ask in the q&a. I look at all the green space on that kind of tiered [indiscernible]. >> Mayor Adler: Can't really hear you, Kathie. >> Tovo: Sorry. It's a very noisy street. I have all kinds of construction going on outside today. My question I'll submit by q&a, but one of the questions I wished I had asked the designers, as I look at that tiered convention center, I'm really excited about the green space and hope that we will also -- I assume that was intended to be public access, at least most of the time public access and not just accessible to those using the convention center. For convention reasons. So I wanted to kind of get the designer's take on how [11:38:08 AM] they envisioned the use of that and the access to it. But that too is one of the things that perhaps we can come to some agreements on as we move forward this week or [inaudible]. >> Renteria: Mayor? I'm going to be leaving y'all guys at noon. We're going to -- I'm participating in saltillo deiz Y seis event. They're having their introduction and the Mexican consulates going to be speaking at noon so I will be leaving you for a little while but I will be watching on TV. >> Mayor Adler: That sounds good. My hope is that at noon we'll take an hour lunch break, come back at 1:00 to do pulled items, if, Kimberly, we could make that, that would be great. >> So here's the great news. On August 27th your offices received a memo that said the parks and recreation department is pleased to [11:39:10 AM] offer individual conversations about this particular vision plan and so if there's something that you really want to discuss in-depth we've already been setting up meetings with your offices and so that should allow you to end -- we should be able to end this presentation in the time that you're looking to end the presentation to get to your lunch break. I am going to allow this presentation, I'm going to introduce to you Charles Mabry, a staff member of the parks and recreation department and our planning department and our consultant, David mall Ta from ggn, and they will provide you this presentation in advance of the agenda item. And again I just want to remind you, another gentle reminder, if you have any specific questions or really want to discuss this in-depth, our department is prepared to schedule individualized meetings. With that I'll turn it over to Charles and David. >> Great, thank you. Good morning. Thank you, maybe and [11:40:10 AM] councilmembers. The parks department contracted with ggn in 2019 to develop a vision plan for the unwith developed and not publicly accessible John Trevino, junior metro park. We're here today to provide an overview of that approximate year long planning process and also the vision plan itself. And if we can have the presentation pulled up and I'll go ahead and turn it over to Mr. Malta to take us through the presentation. >> Thank you, Charles. And thank you all for the opportunity to speak about what's become an incredibly important project in our office and one we feel is very valuable for the city. Next slide, please. A little bit of background. The property was purchased by pard in 2003. In 2006 it was named after John Trevino, junior, and I want to stress the significance of that in terms of the park's [11:41:11 AM] development. It's been central to the entire story and process of the park to think about how Mr. Trevino's legacy is a part of this place. It's 330 acres, about two-thirds of that sits in a floodplain, which puts a lot of constraints on the land. And also it's important to note there's significant river frontage as a part of that floodplain and the park itself sits to the east of 183. And that's an area that's historically not been served by a large park. And is going to be changing, as the city continues to grow. Next slide, please. The process we went through starting in March had a lot of community engagement at each step. We began with analysis of the site, which informed with the design thinking, but we also worked to develop a shared vision with community members so that the vision plan isn't just a drawing of what it should look like some day, but really document that embodies the priorities of the community. From there we developed concepts and a preferred [11:42:11 AM] vision plan, which is what is in review now. Next slide, please. The engagement approach took multiple formats from community meetings and events, surveys and individual outreach. And it was a mixture of trying to get information about what the priorities of the community were and are, but also introducing the site to people who are not familiar with it because it's a new property for many. Next slide, please. Through that process we heard very strongly that this is a place it to access nature. It's about trails, it's about getting family out, it's about getting to the river. It's also about heritage and culture of the Latino community. So these were guiding principles and priorities for the design of the park as it's developed in this vision plan. We also asked questions about what should the early phases be, what are the priorities for the money that is available now? And putting that into context again of the community vision of the place. Next slide, please. [11:43:12 AM] From there we developed a framework that talked about the project looking at its intersection of the river and the up land post-secondary condition. It's a unique ecological moment in the city and very important. We also talked about adapting the heritage of the site, really building on this former agricultural ranch land character. And then the number one on this list was the overlay of advancing community through the legacy of John Trevino, junior. So not just a name for a park, but how could his mission serve this park. Next slide. What you see here is the concept plan, the the two primary Zones being that of the river as we've called it, which is that lower two-thirds in the floodplain and an upper area we call the post-secondary, which features a series of independently developable activity centers that are immersed within a much larger natural setting. Next slide, please. Starting with the field, this is a photo of the [11:44:13 AM] existing condition, fairly open, former range land. Next slide. What this is really envisioning is the kind of core community park services, small play field, picnic areas, some restoration in wildflower meadows, but a place to come together with family with easy access from the road adjacent and visibility, but you can see it's really about immersing in this larger natural setting. Kind of keeping it as pure as it can be. Next. Here's a plan of the field and you can see some of those primary components also bringing in restrooms, those kind of basic functions and again trails and natural areas. That was so emphasized through the process. Next slide, please. The next area to talk about is what we called the ravine. This is where the topography starts to move down towards the floodplain. There is a grade change, some more existing trees through this area. Next slide. And you can see here the character is that of play, discovery, really a focus on kids. And one of the things that [11:45:13 AM] we heard was that this needs to serve teens. There's not as much park access opportunities focused on teens. So the idea of nature play, adventure play is a part of this. Next. And you can see here the plan, there's some creeks to navigate, but arrest a really interesting environment once done sensitively. Next slide, please. The farm is the next area, taking advantage of the old barn. This is one of the photos of a community event we had there. Next slide. And imagining that this is a place that focuses on community gathering, but also food demonstration and gardening opportunities to talk about again that agricultural heritage access to food and resources. Next slide, please. And you can see there's play integrated in this. We're always trying to think about how you get older folks with kids, different groups mixing together. Great public opportunity here. Next slide. And then the last area of [11:46:14 AM] the post-secondary level is home. And this is an old house on the site, an amazing resource. Looks out over the floodplain and downtown. Really the idea is to keep it as it is. Next slide. Bring in some access, bring in some picnic opportunities, but take advantage of the beauty of the place. Next slide. Looping through this is a one-mile walk that's currently called the community's walk, but really it's in honor of John Trevino, junior. Rather than having a statue or a plaque, a one mile loop that is available to all for different programs and activity centers and could be used for events. In our last community meeting we actually took this walk with community members, talked about the ecology, also talked about the legacy of Mr. Trevino. Next slide, please. Down at the floodplain level you can see an aerial view. Fairly open field with some trees along the river. Next slide, please. The focus here is really [11:47:15 AM] reforestation. When we talk to community members they said we want shade, we want trails. This is an amazing resource, 200 acres that could be forested on the river with access for people. There's a mixture of old fence lines that we thought were good to keep for clear, direct access, and then looping trails as well. Next slide. The ecological management of this I should note too there is a river access point for small non-motorized boats. River access and fishing is something we heard. Now, part of doing this kind of park is ecological management. And what we've called for in the vision plan is to write an adaptive management plan so we can use resources appropriately, carry out strategic efforts to curb the spread of invasives, introduce important ecologies back into the site. The good news is there's a lot of good stuff out there already so it's really amplifying and building on that through strategic planning. And that's something that's adapted over time, learning from success. Next slide. [11:48:17 AM] Here you see the network of trails, very important that we've heard through the process is there are trails all through the park, but they also connect beyond the park so we want to make sure that the bike ways are connected to larger regional trail initiatives and really here also focusing vehicles on to the edges so that the primary experience is not encumbered by cars. Next slide. Phasing, really phase I with the money that's at hand looking at getting basic access, more of a trail head mentality to the park and beginning that ecological restoration and management of the site so that the bones, the kind of big ground itself, can be lifted up and improved to make way for future phases to expand what we heard is a priority is that field area, the neighborhood park resources, as well as access down to the river. And then additional partner projects here like the agricultural components could be developed once a partner is found at an appropriate time. Next slide. And here you just see a [11:49:18 AM] sketch looking over that up lands towards the river. Thank you. >> So councilmembers, if you're so compelled to ask us questions at this time, Charles, David and myself are available. Otherwise we'll be happy to have a more intimate conversation via individualized presentations if that's your preference. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember pool. >> Pool: I just wanted to thank you guys. This is really inspiring. I love the walk, I love the various -- how you're using the different terrains and the ecology and the melding of the legacy of Mr. Trevino and [indiscernible]. I can't wait to see this when it's complete. Thank you so much. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember kitchen. >> Kitchen: Yes, I want to echo that. I have a quick question. So just as a reminder, can you remind me the dollars that are available right now [11:50:19 AM] and what your timeline is for beginning to work on any improvements? >> So the dollars that are available are between about 3.5 million and 5 million. It's in in the bond program for specific funding for metro parks and this is one of those parks. So there was a total of 10 million requested and it would be divided among our metro parks, which also includes the Walter E long plan. And I would say to you that construction would likely not begin for after the adoption of this plan. We would need at least six months to a year to get the permitting and those sorts of things. However, because a lot of this is natural, that might be expedited. I'd need a little more time to give you an exact time frame, but that's typically what happens after an approved vision plan. >> Kitchen: Okay, thank you very much. >> Mayor Adler: Mayor pro tem. >> Garza: I just want to [11:51:20 AM] make sure I didn't miss. So after the one on one meetings, what is the next step to approve the plan? The sooner the better because three out of five million buys more than it will in a year or two. So what is the process after the one on ones? >> Yes, ma'am. This will come back to the council, the entire council on the council agenda in October for your -- for the council's approval and then we can start right in to the opportunities to determine how to spend the funding and to get started on the actual projects. >> Garza: Thanks. Last question. I appreciate the presentation on the community engagement. Was the family also part of that and were they a part of the discussion on the mile loop versus a bust or a statue of some sort? >> Yeah. I'm going to allow Charles and David to answer that question. He can provide the details. >> Yes. They were very involved in [11:52:20 AM] the process. In fact, with our small group meetings, our first meeting was with family and friends of John Trevino and our last meeting was with family and friends of John Trevino. So yes, they were heavily involved. >> Garza: And thanks. I know those are usual obvious questions, but a lot of times we'll get questions from the public so I want to make sure everyone heard that. So thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Sounds good. Councilmember alter. >> Alter: I also just want to chime in this is a really exciting project. I did want to just ask if you can remind us how much pard paid for the property in 2003 and using what source? >> Councilmember, I don't remember. Charles, if you know the answer, please provide it. And if not, we will send that answer to you. >> Alter: That's fine you can send it to me. I don't need it today. >> I don't know the answer right offhand. We can get that to you, though. >> Alter: Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. [11:53:21 AM] Councilmember tovo. >> Tovo: Thanks very much. This looks like a really exciting park and I really am especially appreciative of the way in which you embraced adventure playground strategies and wondered if you could just give us a few examples of what some of those could look like within this park. And I especially appreciate the emphasis on how its park could also include elements that are related to teams. That's that's been a long cited need for parks' elements that might appeal to some of our older youth. So if you could give us a couple of examples of what some of those adventureish -- >> Charles or David are probably best able to provide that information. >> I can start. I will let David take it after. Really it's -- we're looking [11:54:21 AM] to attract those kids who are past the playground age and may go to young adults. You know, we don't have exact designs in mind, but it may be features such as zip lines or treehouses for gathering areas and also just kind of blending that nature play in with that. This is an area that we'd like to -- it's further down the line as far as development. Probably five to 10 years down the road. So it's an area we'd like to revisit with the community because we know that area is going to change quite a bit. Also this park is not used right now so it's a little bit after unique situation in master planning it. We'd like to revisit and see how people are using the the park and certainly engage with those younger users to see what they would like there. And David, if you want to [11:55:21 AM] add to that, please go ahead. >> I think that's a great description, Charles. It's about being really immersed and finding those more informal play opportunities and spaces, but I think also finding that active opportunity is a key piece of it. It's not just going to a playground. There's space, there's a lot of movement that needs to be a part of it. And the kinds of zip lines, ropes courses, things like that even could really be a great attraction and unique opportunity. >> If I could add to that, I also think about climbing features where -- things where folks have to test their skill level. They have to challenge themselves physically, challenge it mentally about thinking about foot placement or how will they traverse a particular sort of natural things that are in front of them. So it's that kind of idea, but to Charles' point, because it's a little bit further down the line, we don't want to pinpoint [11:56:22 AM] exactly what it will look like, but we hope it will be exciting for teams to be able to challenge themselves. >> Tovo: Thanks. Thanks for some of those examples. They sound like good ones. I know that you always do great public engagement and hope that our public engagement with regard to that piece would really be focused on pulling in teams and others to help inform those choices. Some of those directions, which it sounds like might have been your intent that you referenced. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember Flannigan. Sorry. I'm sorry. Councilmember Flannigan. >> Flannigan: Thanks, mayor. I I think this is a good example of vision that I think makes sense and is really kind of exciting park amenity for the community. I want us to really think about how we better engage with Travis county in the development of these parks. This is another park that sits right on the edge of the city. And again, like in the old days when you could annex as [11:57:24 AM] growth occurred then you could reasonably know the parks' users were investing and paying the taxes that funded the parks. I've been through enough budgets now to know that the park system is underfunded so I want to make sure we're being really thoughtful about as we add amenities, which are great, we all love the amenities, but we're looking at the fiscal sustainability of those amenities. We know how politics often plays and parks on the westside get better maintenance and we've all examples and I don't want to be creating a situation in the future. So I'd love a separate from this vision, which I think is great and there's no reason to slow it down, but we need a better conversation with Travis county about how we cost share these amenities that are going to necessarily spur growth and development on the eastside. That's what happens when you build out new amenities and that we're all appropriately paying for access to those amenities.. Thank you for that presentation. [11:58:24 AM] It is an exciting plan to see. Thank you. All right, colleagues, at this 1158. Let's go ahead and take a break until 1:00 o'clock. We will come back at 1:00 o'clock and knock out the items and then we will go into executive session. We are going to try to hit all of the items identified for executive session. Let's see how we can work through. So here at 11:58 we are in recess until 1:00 o'clock. See you guys then. >> [12:26:49 PM] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ lunch recess ] [12:31:22 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Test test . >> Mayor Mccomb: Test. >> Mayor Mccomb: Test test. >> Mayor Adler: Test test. >> Mayor Mccomb: Test test. >> Mayor Mccomb: Test test. >> Mayor Mccomb: Test test ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [12:48:15 PM] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [1:05:23 PM] >> Mayor Adler: We areback from lunch. Today is still September 15th, 2020. We're in this virtual city council work session. We're going to go and go through the pulled items, and then we'll go into executive session. Everybody ready to move forward? All right. Let's start with number 12. Council member Ellis, you pulled that? >> Ellis: I did. Thank you. And I thought maybe it would make sense to briefly touch on 67 as well because my questions and thoughts are -- are the same. But I wanted to pull these because I had a couple of thoughts while I was going through this agenda. We've been having ongoing conversations about updates to title 25, especially given the ldc appeals process. [1:06:26 PM] And updates to the Amanda system. I wanted to update my thoughts and see if anyone had similar concerns about trying to move this into a process, to a system that's having its own kind of analysis and review. And then I had a couple other thoughts about some licensing requirements and trying to understand what the difference is between demolition permitting and qualifications it takes for someone to be able to do a demolition and something more like a general contractor. And I wasn't sure if those were very similar licenses and if they needed similar or separate registrations or kind of a little bit more about why we would -- we wanted to do, like, a demo permit type of system right now. So those are kind of my high level thoughts. [1:07:27 PM] Is there any input that dsd could be able to provide to help address some of these thoughts and concerns? >> This is Denise lipkins with the [indiscernible] Department. Council and city manager. As background for these two items, dsd began working on the item findings that came out of the demolition permits report that was dated August 2017. And from that report, there was a resolution from council dated December 14th, 2017, that directed the city manager to address the findings in the audit. Since that time, we have released updates to council, the first one being October 18th, which outlined the things that we would work on in response to both the audit and to the counsel resolution, and October 19, 2019, we gave an update on the demolition permitting process to let everyone [1:08:29 PM] know what work we had accomplished. The latest was July 29th where we gave the updates to the permitting process. Joining me today is [indiscernible], assistant director and building official, as well as Jaime Castillo, leading dsd efforts to implement changes. So Beth? >> Hello, mayor and council. So the questions I heard from council member Ellis is you'd like to understand the difference between the contractor registration program for demolition and for building contractors? Is that accurate? So apparently we don't have any program design. We do have some items in mind from the feedback we gained from stakeholders in 2018. There does appear to be an interest in having bonding and insurance requirements for demolition contractors, but then also in general for other types of contractors that aren't currently registered with [1:09:31 PM] the city, by having a method to have accountability for the work that those contractors perform, such as with expired permits. We may discuss if bonding and insurance requirements are necessary for the other types of contractors, but with demolitions, you're in a unique position that when the work is actually conducted for a demolition, if something doesn't go correctly, the work's already been done. You can't undo it. You can't fix it. So I believe that's the feedback we got for demolition contractors having an interest in bonding and insurance. I don't know if that's going to be necessary for the general contractors. The only contractors, at least in this area of the work we do, that have registration are our strayed permit contractors, so plumbers, air conditioning contractors, [1:10:31 PM] electricians, our right-of-way contractors, we have a licensing program for that. So the licensing program for right-of-way contractors, those include bonding and insurance requirements. The registration program for electricians is the most comprehensive we have out of the other trade contractors. And we do have provisions in there for expired permits, if they allow more than five permits to expire, then we are able to suspend their ability to obtain permits, I believe it's for a period of 12 months. We've also considered, you know, a shorter period. It wouldn't prohibit them from getting new permits in the city of Austin, but we could have some repercussions that would make them have to address their expired permits, and at that time they could be, you know, reinstated and start obtaining new permits. But as we were doing the stakeholder maintaining, we just thought there was a great need extending beyond demolition contractors. The types of stakeholders we had involved for [1:11:33 PM] demolition permits primarily were demolition contractors, with some remodelers. And so we felt that we needed a more comprehensive program that reached beyond just demolition, that we reached out to the appropriate stakeholder groups beyond just the demolition stakeholders. So that's what this resolution for the contractor registration program is proposing. >> Ellis: And I can special appreciate that. One of the other facts I had, I noticed that item 67 had an affordability impact statement, but item 12 did not, and I was also thinking about small women-owned and minority-owned businesses and their ability to do bonding and insurance. Because in my experience working for a small woman-owned business, there were just some projects we couldn't do because we didn't have bonding to be able to do that. So I wasn't sure if there was an intent on doing one of these analyses or if, for some reason, is it necessary because of the way this is proposed, or what the thoughts were [1:12:34 PM] on that. >> I believe the resolution as proposed is currently open for us to investigate what the best requirements are for the city. We can certainly consider, you know, any inferiors to being able to obtain permits because of the requirements we put in place. We aren't intending for this to preclude somebody from doing business, but to help protect the safety of the citizens that are involved, that are hiring these companies, and then any future owners of the property as well. So it's definitely a balance between which types of contractors we're working with, as well as general contractors can be anybody. So we do have some consideration written into the resolution for homestead permits so those would be homeowners performing their own work, requirements can be reduced for that. So I think we can definitely consider, you know, how to make sure that that's an equitable program that we're putting into place. [1:13:37 PM] >> Ellis: That's interesting. So what would the difference be between a homestead owner doing work on their own house versus doing work on a house they don't reside in but they still own? Stuff like that we - ->> We currently have a current homestead ordinance, there's just a limited amount of work that somebody is able to do on their own property. The items that are allowed are deemed to be, you know, fairly safe for somebody to perform on their own without a licensed individual or without somebody with more experience to perform that, whereas the you're performing that --if you're performing that work on someone else's property, it's not something that you own and that you're going to live in. It is required to be your homestead. You can't just buy a property and then instantly have the rights to be able to perform that work. It's really intended for the owner inhabiting that property to do that work. >> Ellis: But it doesn't extend to a homeowner [1:14:38 PM] that owns a property and rents it out to somebody, they can't do that work on a type of property that they are leasing to somebody else? >> Correct. If they are not occupying the structure as homestead for their taxes, they couldn't do that work, if a licensed contractor is required. But for general permitting work, there's no license required by the state would that work. Work. >> Ellis: Okay. So the state licensing for a demo versus contracting -- I know I've touched on that earlier and I don't remember if there was an answer to that, maybe I missed it, but is there any, like, education and certification difference between people or businesses who might be doing these two types of work? >> There's currently not regulations in place like there would be for electricians, plumbers, air conditioning contractors. Those have licenses by [1:15:40 PM] the state, so the requirements for just a general contractor who's doing building, this may include demolition, and then for demolition contractors, there's not just a single state requirement for that type of contractor. So, for example, the city of San Antonio does have a licensing program for their demolition contractors. That's very similar to our right-of-way licensing program where the city provides a license, and the license does require the bonding and is it your experience. -- bonding and insurance. We have this gap with building, general contractors and demolition contractors where they're not regulated by the state and currently there's nothing holding them accountable by the city as well. >> Ellis: Okay. Interesting. And then if anything changes with the Amanda [1:16:40 PM] system, do they have to go through an entire new registration process if something were to change over the next year or two, would they have to reapply, or how would that work? Because I know with that system there's a lot of ways that some of the information input doesn't line up between departments. And so I wasn't sure if there were updates to Amanda over the next year or two, what that would do to a registration process that's just starting now. >> There -- the changes that I'm aware of shouldn't have an effect on the registration process. We do register our electrical contractors, our plumbers, our irrigation contractors, and the hvac air conditioning contractors. So it's really a matter of usually on an annual basis, we will check to make sure that their license is current. So if the requirements are for the city, we would look into, you know, what is a reasonable amount of time to update somebody's registration. We're not constantly [1:17:41 PM] checking everything. We're just checking it on a regular basis. So that would be something that we'd want to look at. I believe the San Antonio program, it may be every two years. So we're not really locked into a certain time frame. So that would definitely be a question that we'd be looking for feedback from the community on. >> Ellis: And I do appreciate you bringing up the permits that are still either open or expired because I did have a constituent reach out, an hvac company, that says there has been a concern when there are permits that are pulled and they're just sitting there, and people who end up transferring that property end up kind of stuck in a system where there's an old permit that either can't be used or can't be closed for some reason. So I appreciate trying to make sure that that is addressed. And I have one note on [1:18:43 PM] item 67. There was a section that talks about appeals in connection with demolition permits, being limited to technical code issues. So I just wanted to double-check something that I heard through the ldc process, that neighbors and residents just wanted to be more aware of kind of what developments were happening and what to kind of expect out of a certain building situation that they may be aware of. And so I noticed in the bottom of page 5 of the 2018 demolition process stakeholder feedback report, on page 5, says appeals in connection with demolition permits are limited to technical code issues within the purview of building and fire code board members. Outside of historic designation, approval of demolition permits is non-discretionary. Therefore, to the extent parties are seeking to generally limit demolitions, an appeal is not the appropriate means [1:19:44 PM] of seeking relief. So I just wanted to double-check and make sure that's still staff's current understanding of the state law. >> Yeah, that's still our current understanding. We have some people who want to appeal for various reasons to prevent the demolition. Maybe they don't agree that that building should be allowed to be demolished. But it is by right that you can demolish a structure. The only real prevention is if it's a historic structure, and that goes through the historic landmark commission or at least through our historic preservation office to see if there's any -- any historic value in retaining that structure. But otherwise, if you want to appeal the issuance of the permit, there's a perception that you're able to stop the demolition. So sometimes people are disappointed when they find out that that's not really the result. What the result would be is if their appeal is [1:20:46 PM] valid, that something was maybe issued incorrectly because we didn't have maybe the correct signature or something was missing on the application. We would just ask for a correction of that item and then continue with the demolition. So we did want to make sure that it was clear to interested parties what their rights were. And so we are working on a -- it's actually part of the sort of project 1 that's listed on page 4, that will provide more information about what is an appeal, what can you appeal, and so that's one of the projects that we've been working on, to make sure that it's really clear to both staff and to the public of what happens when you appeal a demolition permit, what are the next steps. And what are some things that are commonly appealable, versus what can you not appeal? For example, there are no appeal rights for a tree permit associated with a demolition permit. So I think that's not clear right now to many people, and so part of this project is to [1:21:46 PM] clarify all of those requirements. >> Ellis: That's helpful. And I appreciate your clarification on some of these. I still am struggling with my thoughts on making updates to title 25 and some of the things that may take place with the Amanda system over the next few years. But I appreciate your -- your answers on these. They've been helpful. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Anybody else on this item? Anybody else on item 67? >> Flannigan: Mayor? >> Mayor Adler: Council member Flannigan. >> Flannigan: Thank you. Yeah, I share a lot of concerns from council member Ellis. I had kind of two questions, and I missed the first couple minutes so I'm sorry if this was already covered. But the item -- item 12 has a significant amount of backup, but the draft resolution is really short. So I'm not quite sure what we're expecting to [1:22:46 PM] have come back. The two questions I have, one is, in the original resolution from 2017, you know, it was really specific to demolition. And I don't know why the building end was added to this resolution. Why that got added to this when that was nothing -- there was nothing in the original resolution that led to that. >> Hi. This is Beth, I can speak to that. So when we conducted our stakeholder engagement in 2018, it was indented to look at just the demolition contractor registration program, but it became apparent during that stakeholder engagement that this was not just a -- an issue with demolition contractors and that we didn't really have the contractors in the room that needed to be there to talk about more comprehensively how this affects building permits. [1:23:46 PM] So you do get into demolitions with both renovations and demolitions, so you may have a building permit for a renovation that really spills over into this demolition issue. So that's something I hadn't mentioned earlier, so you didn't miss that part. But we just found from the stakeholder engagement that our scope was too narrow to just do demolitions, and then have it, you know, not reach what all of the stakeholders were needing. So that's some of the feedback we got from both contractors and citizens. And there's just a general interest from the public that we get that there is an interest in registering contractors. But that was not the forum to do that in. So we felt that coming back to you with just a demolition contractor registration program would have been incomplete at that time. So this is our response, is to request that be able to broaden that look and come back with a better ordinance in the [1:24:49 PM] end. >> Flannigan: But it doesn't -- the problem with the resolution is, it doesn't -- it doesn't really talk about this contractor registration program or what it would be about. I mean, I'm really kind of stunned to see how little is included in this resolution. Also, the exemption on residential, all these one- and two- family residential structures, which is a whole "Whereas" in the 2017 resolution, specifically to over 64,000 single-family structures built before the '78 ban on lead, why are we exempting them if that was specifically called out in the original resolution? >> We're only exempting people who have a homested exemption so that does not exempt all one and two family residential. It's only for people that have a homestead exemption that are eligible for a homestead permit. If you're doing work on your own home, then you're exempt. That's the only exemption that we've considered. >> Flannigan: Does that include people who hire a [1:25:50 PM] contractor to do work on their own home? >> No. >> Flannigan: So that's just literally if you're knocking gown a wall in your own house, you're not a contractor. That seems like an issue, frankly, that I'm not sure I'm okay with that either. But I'll leave that for a separate conversation. And then the other thing that I would -- and I don't know if I'm going to bring one on Thursday or not, but if we're going to contemplate a contractor registration program then, you know, I really want to be thoughtful about how that process could streamline the permitting and inspections to the extent where if you're going to be regional -- be a registered contractor, you're signing onto something, there's some minimum requirement, and that minimum requirement should have some benefit to city operations. So, for example, if you're regional contractor -- if you're a registered contractor, that means you're using the very complicated set [1:26:51 PM] of regulations we have, and then work done by a registered contractor can have their work continue operating for minor infractions, they can be exempt from full red tag. There's got to be some benefit to being registered because I'm not hearing what the benefits of registration is. >> So that, I believe, is part of what the stakeholder engagement for determining what this ordinance should be would include. We heard benefits from the contractors who were concerned, just the one that council member Ellis pointed out. We've heard from other contractors that are just concerned that nobody is being held accountable or the work that's being done, and that does affect the contractor themselves. So, you know, we have a program in place for electricians -- we have removed that actually, from the national electrical code and the electric board which includes representatives of electricians in town, [1:27:52 PM] as well as some other electricians, did indicate to us that they wanted that program put back in. So what we can do is investigate further what is the benefit to them to make sure that we're not just providing an onerous requirement for them to obtain a permit. >> Flannigan: And so this is going to engage another stakeholder process after this is adopted this week? Is that is that what you said? Correct. We would include a much broader stakeholder group so it's not just including demolition contractors. We felt like we weren't reaching other contractors other than demolitions, we felt we were just reaching the ones that do demolitions as part of their work. >> Flannigan: I want to make sure the next thing that council sees is not a completely written ordinance. There's got to be some check-in along the way to make sure things are heading in the right direction and not just -- because, I mean, this week, we'll all get busy with other things and [1:28:52 PM] shiny objects on every agenda, but I think there should be one more check-in. It could be the housing committee if chair member Casar would entertain that it could be in another form, it could be audit and finance. But I think a check-in would be useful as opposed to just seeing an ordinance at the end. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Council member tovo. >> Tovo: Yeah, thank you. I think these are good questions and a good conversation, and I would suggest audit and finance might be a good place for it to come back to if it needs to come back before it hits council again, since it was, as staff have said, it was inspired by really important findings of audit and finance that showed, one, that given the huge number of demolitions we have going on -- and I have those stats, I'll talk about on Thursday, but the extent to which there is very little notification of neighbors and, you know, really releasing of [1:29:52 PM] asbestos into the air, [indiscernible] Didn't touch on that it was just talking about processes. It is a concern, and I think it would be helpful to have a check-in potentially of audit and finance. I would like to just urge, though, that we move forward quickly, as quickly as possible. This has been a very, very long time, and long before it was an audit and finance issue, it was something that community members mentioned a lot, that their neighbor had just torn down a house that was very likely asbestos, the air was full of various kinds of building products, and, you know, why didn't they know about it with enough advanced notice to not be outside if they had the ability to do so. So I would like to see this move forward. I would like to signal to my colleagues I will likely have some questions and some amendments on Thursday, but again, I appreciate the conversation. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Anything further on these items? All right, council. Staff, thank you very much. Let's go to the next pulled item. In this case it's item [1:30:55 PM] number 17. Council member Flannigan, you pulled this one? >> Flannigan: Yes, this I pulled expecting to have a longer everything's can. I checked in with staff and they are working on some language for Thursday. I wanted to make sure that we were addressing some of the concerns and requests that I was hearing from the ems association. And so I think -- I think we'll see that drafted for Thursday so we don't have to spend too much time on it today. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Council member alter? >> Alter: Thank you. I had an opportunity to meet with Ms. Franco, and I will have two amendments on Thursday, and I understand they're also making a few adjustments. I wanted to share what my amendments were. I wanted to make sure that we were adjusting the need for school finance reform and for the continued support for sexual assault victims, so the language that we came up with -- and I'll have these for Thursday [1:31:55 PM] or posted as soon as I can, in the tax reform and debt issuance section of the agenda, support legislation and funding that ensures sustainable sources of revenue for hb 32019 which provides residents with meaningful property tax relief. Then in the public safety section of the agenda, support legislative efforts to continue support for sexual assault victims, including the continuation of the Texas sexual assault survivors task force, the completion of the state auditor's offices audit of investigation and processing of sexual assault cases in Texas and clearing of rape kit backlogs. So he those will be two that I make as amendments. And then I had spoken about the need to make sure that we were getting support to fight wildfires or not having things happen that were going to lead to wildfires, and I understand Ms. Franco has some amendments that will be in the version that we get, I guess, after today. Is that correct, [1:32:56 PM] Ms. Franco? >> That's correct. So there already was a resolution that addressed that that I'll include in the agenda, and revisions will be posted on Wednesday. >> Alter: And that basically just means putting wildfires next to where we have flooding. >> Correct. >> Alter: In those places. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Council member pool? You're muted. >> Pool: Of course I am. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks for being here. There were two items. One item was already in and then another one I sent yesterday to add -- I think it looks like you're going to add to page 9 in the education, economic, and workforce development section, support for litigation and funding to strengthen the resiliency of creative and hospitality industries, including restaurants and bars. That's a good addition. Thank you for that. [1:33:56 PM] And then following on our -- the last legislative session to overturn the Baxter rule against inclusionary zoning, which I had worked with representative Gina Hinojosa to help her file, we are -- that was also part of our official legislative agenda last session. I'm glad to see that it will continue. I hope it continues until we can actually get that prohibition that was entered in Baxter, imposed on us, so thank you very much for that. >> You're welcome. >> Mayor Adler: Anyone else on this issue? Council member Casar? >> Casar: You maybe getting a letter from our local plumbers to make sure we maintain the independent plumbing board, which is important for our building standards here, and I know is a major legislative hiccup last session, so we may or may not address that. We'll figure it out between here and [1:34:57 PM] [indiscernible]. Thank you, council member alter, for raising the rape kit backlog issue as well. >> Mayor Adler: All right. Let's go on to the next item, which is item number 49. Council member Flannigan? >> Flannigan: This is the fire and ems study. I know we're all actually excited about it. I want to just ask staff, you know, as this gets kicked off, what is the opportunity for the public safety committee to engage with a consultant on the parameters at the beginning to make sure that we're able to provide that level of insight? And of course I mean I would have assumed that all councilmembers, most of us would want to be able to weigh in a little bit. >> So if I may, council member Flannigan, certainly happy to provide to the public safety committee a briefing once we have the [indiscernible] And an initial kickoff to present kind of the approach we'll be taking [1:35:57 PM] and just kind of check with you, and the efficiency of how we provide medical services looking forward. >> Flannigan: That sounds great to me. Thanks. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Council member kitchen? >> Kitchen: I did have a question about this because I'm not seeing the scope of work in the backup. So is that something that you can provide us at this point? Because, you know, it's to execute a contract, but I see backup information, but I don't see the actual scope of work. >> Council member kitchen, we can certainly provide that information here before Thursday. >> Kitchen: Okay. Can you describe the scope of work here right now just so we have it on record? Then I would like to see it before Thursday. >> Certainly. What we're intending to do with this particular scope of work is to take a look at how we can improve upon the equity and efficiency of how we dispatch both the fire [1:36:59 PM] department and ems with these health care services. So what we're asking the contractor to do is to take a look at how we dispatch ems [indiscernible] -- [audio is cutting out.] >> Mayor Adler: Can you get closer to the microphone? You're going in and out. >> I apologize. Is that better? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Okay. And so the intent is for the consultant to take a look at how we dispatch and respond to calls that come into the call center, and so we'll take a look at the standards that are out from a national perspective, and then as well, I think unique to this scope of work is to take a look at, you know, how we also can address equity concerns and interests from both the community and that's reflected in council direction. Also take a look at [1:38:00 PM] resource allocation. And this can be certainly whether or not it makes sense to dispatch fire asset, as compared with an ems asset, then certainly working with the office of the medical director, you know, are there different ways that we can respond and provide services without having to potentially take a patient into the emergency room, with a future-looking kinds of response that we're very interested in. And in terms of how can we prevent having to respond and take a patient to emergency room, in consult with the medical record, I want to say Dr. Escott is also here with available information, we'll take a look at how effective we're being out in the community to provide proactive kinds of advice services and so forth that can be helpful in raising the overall standard of health within the community. So I'll take a pause and see if there are any questions or if [1:39:01 PM] Dr. Escott would like to provide additional additionalinformation. >> Mayor Adler: Anybody have any further questions on this? >> Kitchen: I just need to see a scope. That sounds like a lot -- I'm not saying I have a problem with it, it just sounds a lot broader than is evident on how we dispatch. If you could provide that to me, so I'd have time to read it before Thursday, I'd appreciate that and I'm sure my colleagues would like to see it too. >> We'll certainly make it available for all council. >> Mayor Adler: All right. Let's go on to the next pulled item. Thank you, Dr. Escott, for being here. Next item, council member tovo, you pulled item 53? [1:40:16 PM] Kathie, you want me to come back? Are you ready on this one? >> Tovo: I'm sorry. I had to step off, then when I came back, everything was quiet and I didn't know what happened. >> Mayor Adler: I'm sorry, I didn't know you didn't have your microphone on. 53, you pulled that? >> Tovo: Yes. This is the commodities item. Thank you. Sorry about the delay. This is an item that we had an opportunity to talk about at the last session, and it's my understanding that the staff intend to ask for a postponement. I know we have some participating staff on our -- on our phone call. You know, part of -- part of my pitch is that we take a real look, real careful look at this budget expenditure to see where we can trim with the intent of real indicating to more immediate needs. I would -- while I certainly want to talk to staff about their interest in having a postponement, but I also would like, if there -- if we are indenting to -- intending toreallocate that funding, I'd like to do it as [1:41:17 PM] quickly as possible. My first question to staff is if they intend to bring it back and what they've learned at this point about whether there's still a need for the kind of materials that this contract was intended to support. You know, as I think about it, probably many of the departments that would utilize such a contract already have lots of items on hand. Some of the questions that I've asked about this item that I know the staff are working to get answers are are, you know, kind of what remaining inventory the departments have, what would be their intended places for distribution, if they typically distribute at events. I think we know that those won't be happening, at least in the near future, and potentially not for a long time in fiscal year '21. So those are some of the questions I've asked. So I guess purchasing [1:42:18 PM] staff, I know Sean willet I think is on the line, if she could maybe start with when they intend to bring it back, what they've learned by now, and whether we could take it up on Thursday with the information that we have at present. >> Good afternoon, mayor and council. This is [indiscernible]. As far as our intent, our intent was to delay this or postpone it until October 15th, which would give us additional time to answer some of the questions we've gotten from your office, and we want to [indiscernible] We really thought we needed the extra time to gather all the information. >> Tovo: I wonder if we could -- I'm happy to work closely to understand the questions and kind of some general -- you know, I'm not sure -- I'm not sure how deeply we need to dive into the issue if there's support on the council to generally make some different choices with at least some of -- some portion of this funding. And so I guess I'd feel [1:43:19 PM] more comfortable if it is getting postponed this week, and I appreciate -- I really appreciate your intent and your willingness to get that additional information. It's very helpful. I would ask that we look toward the 1st, potentially, as a postponement date. Again, that gives us an opportunity to respond to some of the really pressing needs for which we're still looking for funding, if this turns out to be a viable source. Is that -- would that work for you, do you think? >> Yeah. I think that we can do that. But, again, just a reminder that moving money out of the authorization for this contract doesn't necessarily free up anything because there is no -- no budget actually taken out by [indiscernible] This contract. >> Tovo: Right. I'm thinking, though, as I understood it, there was funding available that had been identified in the fiscal year 20 budget for this, and my guess is that most of the departments that intend to make use of the contract have some budgeted funding within [1:44:19 PM] their individual department >> At this point in time, anything planned for this for fy 21 is not going to be able to be used because the contract would not be executed in time. So that budget, again, (indiscernible). >> Tovo: So Shawn, is my assumption correct if they intended to utilize it in fiscal year 2021 -- I'm sorry, I'm getting myself distracted with two questions at once. Let me ask the first one. If the department is intended to use that funding in fiscal year '21, their department budget for fis cam year '21 would reflect that, right? We would be able to see what they thought they might make use of with that contract, and what they set aside for that expenditure? >> That is correct. Those amounts were based on the [1:45:21 PM] estimated amount and I'm not (indiscernible) Before then. It's something we need (indiscernible) The department on. >> Tovo: You said it wouldn't necessarily be available. I understand -- I think what I understand you saying is that full amount of the contract wouldn't necessarily be available for reallocation. But it seems to me if the departments that really intended to use it, will have carved out some portion of their individual budgets for the use of that contract, and especially within the general fund, you know, if we determine that that may not be the highest and best use of that funding, it seems to me that would become available. And I guess the second part -- I don't know if you wanted to respond to that, and just clarify whether that's accurate, whether I'm accurate in my understanding. The other part of that is I remember from when it was on our council initially, it was a reference to amount of funding [1:46:21 PM] from fiscal year '20 that was available for us, now I'm not remembering if there was 20 or 30 or 60,000. There was some amount under 100,000 that was available for this contract. Can you remind us what that amount was? >> Give me just one moment. >> Tovo: That's okay. I guess I could find it. >> Again, anything that the department has set aside for this specific use, they would have available to allocate for department use. Even if we executed this contract on Thursday, we (indiscernible) Be able to get oversight in the fy-20 budget. >> Tovo: That means to me, that those funds from fiscal year '20 could be available for reallocation, they couldn't be expended for this purpose? >> That would be correct. The department (indiscernible) Exactly what they have remaining. >> Tovo: Thanks. I look forward to working with you on the rest of the [1:47:22 PM] questions. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Councilmember Flannigan? >> Flannigan: Thank you. Yeah, I think, manager, to that end, I think the budget office may need to weigh in here and provide us a clearer answer in where these budgeted items exist, and in what departments, so we can have a better picture of what enterprise -- how much of this is enterprise, how much of this is general fund, even the 60 grand, 65 grand noted in the backup from the '20 budget doesn't say if that's from ae or wherever. I think that would be helpful context. >> Appreciate that, councilmember. That's the reason staff is recommending postponement. >> Tovo: Just to clarify, those are some of the questions I think miss willet could give us last time. I asked a series of follow-up questions along those lines, kind of which budget, which departmental bust and how much. That's some of the information that she and others are working together for us. [1:48:24 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Let's move on to the next item, 62. The last conversation I think was a great segway. Councilmember tovo brought up the question with respect to this funding a couple of weeks ago. It was apparent we might have departments buying swag or considering buying swag, and the thought was that may not be the best use of funding right now. And if that exists, maybe there are others, too, to take a look at are other departments doing the same thing. Giving rise to the question about the radios that we were financing, as part of the end of the budget process. Or come up with some immediate capital. And that -- those kinds of conversations, and what was happening in the community, gave rise to this saves resolution, safg the vital economic sectors. [1:49:27 PM] And it was yet another one of the (indiscernible) Coming from council trying to deal with the economic crisis, and human crisis associated with this pandemic. This item 62 I think could have been written by any one of us on the dais, or by all of us on the dais. It's not too dissimilar to the action the council has taken, or taken several times with respect to trying to bring attention and to bring relief. This one has a slightly different slant. We've had funding, not enough, to be able to help with P rent money. We've just heard today from brie Franco that we've already received a cdb grant. It looks like about $7 million. That seems to be needed to be dedicated perhaps toward rental relief. [1:50:27 PM] So there's money, again, coming in that way directed toward individuals. We've put money toward trying to make sure that people have food to be able to eat. And we've directed direct payments to people in our city. Unfortunate thing, of course, is the need is much greater than our resources and our ability to be able to do that. We've also started additional functions, and additional funding, and additional funds to help other industries and sectors in the community. And they've been in varying amounts, and varying help for people, again, not enough to really be able to meet the need, which is why we need the federal funding. But even while we need the federal funding, we can't wait for the crisis that exists here. This resolution, 62, was aimed at focusing on kind of our seed [1:51:29 PM] core. What is it that we need to invest in now in order to ensure that it's still here as we come out of the virus. What is the infrastructure that we need, that if we lose, will be very -- potentially impossible to be able to replace. Where is the failure to survive. And unfortunately we see that happening too many times associated with this virus, both in terms of people and businesses. Where is it that we should invest in order to protect and maintain and help the survival of our civic infrastructure. This resolution focused on the items that were identified in the university of Houston analysis of those industries that would be hardest hit, which spoke to music venues, it spoke [1:52:30 PM] to arts venues, it spoke to restaurants, bars. We also know from talking to stakeholders and our staff, that there's a real crisis in the civic infrastructure kind of way in respect to childcare. And that's going to be a real crisis for us, if we lose that infrastructure, the people in that industry are already in dire straits before the pandemic. If we don't have that as we're coming out, we're not going to be able to get people back to work. We're not going to be able to have people trained to upscale for themselves and their families. This is a resolution that was looking at that, and saying, we've already spent all our money, where can we find more money, and can we take money, and would it be possible for us to be able to cobble together enough money to actually help some elements of our city, that look like they're going to fail [1:53:31 PM] or not survive, but need to, because our city on the back side of this will have suffered in ways we can't repair for certain failures. For me, the things that really stand out are childcare and the music venues. If lost, would find it difficult to come back, because many of them are in properties right now that don't represent the highest and best use of the properties, are already tight and need us to be able to step in. So this resolution focuses on that world. It recognizes that we've already done a lot of work as council on this, and it lists many, but probably not even all of the resolutions we've done that directs this -- narrows it down to be different than the funding for things other than institutions and infrastructure that have a multiplier effect. [1:54:33 PM] It recognizes that the economic -- the economists predict that Austin is going to have a k-shaped recovery coming out of the virus, for a certain part of our community, it will do fairly well relatively speaking. But a large part of our community is going to be the downward turning leg. We run the risk of ending up if we don't preserve critical infrastructure of becoming an even more unfair community with greater disparities. So this asks the staff to take a look at different funding places where we might be able to find dollars. It points out the fact that there's $12 million that is available. $12 million in overage in sales [1:55:33 PM] tax. That might be able to provide a funding system. And it asks staff to take a look at the kinds of things that were raised by councilmember tovo's earlier discussion. The other things that we've talked about here collectively as a council. But it says, and it asks staff to try and figure out ways that we can support businesses within sectors that are susceptible, critical, and that are very vulnerable, faced with not being able to survive. Is there a way for us to invest in ways that actually enable some industry or sector or component that forms that part of our critical civic infrastructure that without this is not going to make it. This is really the survival resolution. This is the saves resolution. It specifically asks staff with the amendment that I'll offer to take a look at the Austin [1:56:34 PM] economic development corporation. We are moving forward with that idea collectively as a council, working on it, many of us, if not all of us, for years on that. That's focused on things like some of the large developments that are happening in the city, with the work that was just done. I think the staff's bringing that back to us very -- the end of September, the first day or two of October. But the thinking is, maybe that same structure could come in nimbly to be able to help with childcare, or to help with iconic music venues in the city, or otherwise. And maybe be able to take dollars that we have and leverage them and multiply them as we talked about the work with the Austin economic development council. But I have that amendment that I posted this weekend. I know that others of us have additional amendments to make. There's not enough money to go around. We're not going to be able to [1:57:36 PM] take care of all the need in the city. Every time we make a spending decision, it involves tough choices. And I think at this point, what would be a good investment for us is to preserve the seed core, and enables Austin to come out the back side of this with those industries in place, that if are lost, we're in trouble, even greater trouble. Councilmember pool. >> Pool: Thanks for that, mayor. We got the updated steps from the workforce, our partners with workforce first -- the workforce development folks. And they show that the sector that is going to be -- is now and will be -- continue to be most directly affected negatively are in the service sector. And that's our restaurants, our [1:58:36 PM] servers, people who prepare the food, and other parts of our community are going to come back, the k- shaped form that the mayor is talking about. But the ones that are really targeted by item 62 for sure are the ones in the service sector. So I'm glad we're digging in on that further. Thanks. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you. Pio? Councilmember Renteria? >> Renteria: Yes, mayor, I agree with you on all of this. Through all the years of living here, I've gone through a couple of these recessions, and seeing how long it took for some of these people, especially in the service area, and the musicians, it's very difficult for them to make up. So I would like to also be a co-sponsor on this resolution. >> Mayor Adler: Thank you, councilmember Renteria. Councilmember Flannigan. [1:59:36 PM] >> Flannigan: Thank you, mayor. I would like to be a co-sponsor on this item, too. It's going to be a lot of work as you laid out. I posted an amendment to the message board that adds some language related to equity, and to the workers that rely upon the industry, because as we know, it's not just the musicians, it's also the crew workers that make those venues function, and that rely upon them for their income. That's posted on the message board. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember alter, then councilmember kitchen. >> Alter: Thank you. I'm glad to co-sponsor this. Those are sectors we need to see what else we can do. I did want to ask Mr. Benino if he could speak to the sales tax. I had raised that as an issue in budget. In the time we have, the conversations about whether that [2:00:36 PM] was money we could think about allocating as we were trying to find money. It was my understanding that while we're ahead on our sales tax for right now, our projections are for higher sales tax than we might be expecting given the information we have at this time. So I wonder if Mr. Benino can speak a little bit to any concerns you have about that particular pot of money as being a likely one, or what the down sides of that. I think some of the other ones you mentioned, like trying to see if we could do the certificates of obligations like we did for the radios, or contractual obligations might actually yield a significant amount of money without risking refractory over time. But something might have changed, and Mr. Benino, maybe you can share more information. >> Mayor Adler: Ed, did you hear [2:01:37 PM] that question? >> Certainly. In regards to sales taxes, we are, as has been mentioned, currently [lapse in audio]. Am I not coming through? >> Mayor Adler: You are coming through. Go ahead. Can you hear, Ed? You might be frozen on the screen. Why don't you cancel your video and see if you can just talk. [2:02:40 PM] We can't hear you, if you're trying to talk. >> This is city hall. It looked like his internet was going out. So he may be trying to reconnect. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. >> Alter: While we're waiting, can I ask another question? >> Mayor Adler: Yeah, go ahead. >> Alter: And I don't know if this is to colleagues or economic development staff, I'm just wondering if there have been any comparative look at other cities and programs that are specifically towards the venues. I know we had the report on childcare which had some specific thoughts. But for venues in particular, I wasn't sure if we had any comparative insights that might help us on the structuring beyond the development [2:03:45 PM] (indiscernible) Organization. This is not a problem unique to Austin. And I know that (indiscernible) Has been doing a lot of comparative work and I wonder if they could be able to weigh in, if there are any good decisions we should be considering as we move forward. >> Mayor Adler: Do you want to respond to that? >> I apologize in advance that I have some work going on here, so I apologize to council. The economic recovery officer, we have been having conversations with other cities. I would look specifically at Nashville and New Orleans as well. In terms of the question about specifically the cultural trust, our consultant is looking and giving us recommendations on cities that have considered a cultural trust. I don't know specifically (indiscernible) To this resolution. >> Mayor Adler: That would be great, thank you. [2:04:45 PM] >> Alter: Do you think we need to add any language to it, to make sure that we have that included when it comes back? Just in terms of the comparative. >> I don't think so. I think we have that direction (indiscernible). I would be happy to consider additional (indiscernible). >> Alter: Thank you. And whenever Mr. Benino is back, he can answer my prior question >> I think he might be back. >> Mayor Adler: Ed? >> Hopefully you can hear me better now. >> Mayor Adler: We can, go ahead. >> Could I have councilmember alter restate her question just to make sure that I have it correct? I think it was about sales taxes and where we currently are. >> Alter: Yes. So I would like to know, first of all, where we currently are and any thoughts you have as our chief budget officer about deploying that moving forward, given sort of our assumptions for fiscal year '21. >> Sure. And the sales tax collection to [2:05:48 PM] date have been, you know, good news relative to what we had initially projected, what John had projected. We had projected a more severe contraction of sales taxes. We have seen a significant contraction of sales taxes, just less severe than we projected. We are currently $12 million ahead of the pace that we had projected for fiscal year 2020. The concern with that, and the thing that I would advise caution on is what the uncertainty of the future. So the depth of the sales tax contraction has not been as deep as what we had projected. But it is beginning to look like the duration of the contraction may be longer. So we deal with a two-month lag on sales tax collections. Our last collection period was for -- well, we got our September payment which was for July sales. [2:06:49 PM] It was down 9.4%. We were projecting by November we would be back to a situation where our sales tax -- month-over-month sales tax were down 5%. And by the end of the year we would essentially be back to flat. You know, given where we are currently with the trajectory of the virus and the duration that it may last, THAs the risk out there, is this going to last longer than what we had initially anticipated. Not as deep, but lasting longer in that we may end up giving back some of that 12.5 million that we are currently ahead. >> Alter: Thank you. That's helpful. And do you have a sense, now that we're closer to the end of the fiscal year, what additional amount of money beyond the 12 million in sales tax we might be depositing into our reserves as above and beyond the 12%? >> Not at this time. And it will be a really good [2:07:49 PM] month to six weeks after the fiscal year ends before we start getting a better picture of that. I mean, of course, property taxes are our largest source of revenue, more than half of our general fund revenue, and they're just not going to fluctuate at this point. The vast majority of property tax collections are already in, so those projections will come in very, very close to what we had included in the budget as will the utility transfers. There will be just a little bit of a plus or minus in our departmental projections in terms of the fee they charge. We wouldn't expect that to be significant, whether it's positive or negative. I think the major variance you could expect would be in regards to sales taxes, and again, there's a two-month lag on getting data for those. So we won't get our final sales tax collection number until around mid-november. So by mid-november, we'll really know where we landed in fiscal year '20 with our sales tax collection, compared to what we [2:08:51 PM] had budgeted. >> Alter: Okay. I just want to underscore that I'm happy for us to explore all these options. But I would hope that when you come back with any recommendation, that you will take into account those kinds of budget issues so that we don't create a hole later on that we're not able to undo at a later date. And I would, you know, think that some of the other options are maybe more productive for the long run. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Anyone else? Ann? >> Kitchen: I think I just want to say I'm really pleased that we're at this point to take steps on this resolution. I mean, the council as a whole has done a lot of work in the past. We know our businesses, and these sectors are continuing to [2:09:54 PM] suffer, so I am wanting us to explore every -- I'm wanting us to be creative. I'm wanting us to think broadly. And I'm wanting us to ask the staff to explore every option that they can. We'll have to -- when information comes back to us, we'll hope to be weighing what might appear to be best. At this point I think we need to explore every option. So I do have an amendment that I've posted on the message board, which is another option to explore, and so I'm a co-sponsor on this resolution. I'm hoping that amendment will be accepted as a friendly amendment, to explore another option. I also want to say that I'm excited about the options related to the economic development organization and the continued work to push that [2:10:55 PM] forward. I want to thank councilmember tovo for getting that started years ago. And I'm excited that we're at the point with everybody's work, you know, over the past years or so, to get us to this point. I really think that that entity is going to be -- provide us some flexibility and some nimbleness. So thank you, mayor, for adding the detail about that into this resolution, to push it forward. I think that's going to be helpful. I also am intrigued by the idea of being able to look at sales tax over and above what we projected. I understand councilmember alter's concerns, and so I expect we can speak to that when it comes back. But I do think it's something we need to look at right now. Again, I just think it's important that we think broadly and creatively and look at all of our possibilities. So thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. [2:11:55 PM] Anything else on this before we go to the next pulled item? Yes, councilmember tovo? And then mayor pro tem. >> Tovo: Thank you. Thank you, councilmember kitchen, for the work on the amendment. And I think this is a great opportunity to use it, and to use the ideas that you've brought forward, and really see how those strategies help us meet this challenge. I have -- I'm very supportive of this, and I'm a co- sponsor, and appreciate it. I have asked for the q&a -- you know, we have, as the mayor has indicated, many of us have brought forward resolutions that speak for assistance for venues throughout the pandemic. I did submit some questions through the q&a, but wanted to offer staff an opportunity to talk about whether they have any information about the results of their strategies. So the resolution, for example, [2:12:57 PM] that I brought forward with you, mayor, and others on the red river cultural district, asked the staff to look at expediting -- at reducing fees for patio cafes, and permitting processes, and fee adjustments. We also asked the manager to look at the development rights, acquisition strategies. Of course, we need money for those acquisition strategies. >> Mayor, I'm getting some feedback. Can you have somebody cut -- whoever is online, hang up? I can't understand >> Is it on my end? I may have to ask my co-worker if my office if she can have her class discussion a little quieter. Hopefully this will be a little better. We asked for the manager to look at the transfer of development rights and some other things. So I didn't know if our staff had any information that they [2:13:57 PM] were ready to report back on any of those things. I would invite them to answer that question now or they can provide an answer through the q&a. >> Councilmember, we're working on an update. I would recommend we provide you that response through q&a. We're collaborating with multiple departments, as you can imagine. So we'll get you that information. But staff is hard at work in response to the previous direction. >> Tovo: Thank you. You know, I think because we need to understand, you know, as other colleagues have said, we really need to turn over every stone in this process, I think. So if any of those are viable in identifying funds or lowering costs, I want to get those in place, too. I think we need multiple strategies here. Like councilmember kitchen, I'm interested in creative solutions and interested in contemplating things that we may have not thought were viable solutions in the past. But in a time of hard choices, [2:14:58 PM] we're ready to make them now. I do intend to introduce the following resolution -- I mean, amendment rather, and hope it will be regarded as friendly. It should be on the message board right now and I think it's being circulated (indiscernible). I read the gist of it. It adds in a whereas, several, I think -- several additional resolutions that are relevant to the conversation, resolutions that we passed earlier in the spring related to venues, especially the venues in red river. This is obviously broader than that. But I think it's still relevant to the conversation. And then it would ask for the manager to return to council at the next meeting with an ordinance that places into a designated fund, payments from the following sources. Temporary use of right-of-way fees, vacation sale payments, and street vacation sales. We know that these are actual [2:16:01 PM] funding sources that could be utilized, the funding from them (indiscernible) To go into the general fund. Some of you may have seen an earlier version of this, it talks about license agreements that go to the transportation department, which is an enterprise fund, so I stayed away from those funding sources. But for the next two years, my proposal would take temporary use of right-of-way fees, alley vacation sales and street vacation sales and designate them for use helping provide location assistance to businesses displaced by the convention center (indiscernible) To the most vulnerable and at-risk venues. So this is on the message board. I would welcome your comments about it. I'm absolutely interested in looking through and analyzing the other funding sources that are identified here. Some of them we have considered in the past. Some of them we had an [2:17:02 PM] opportunity to vote on as council and it didn't move forward or they didn't get the support. I do see the funding sources I identified as an immediately available source that would potentially add several million dollars, probably by our estimate, upwards of $30 million in the next two years for the time period, for that designated time period. Not forever, just for two years while we're really helping those iconic businesses, the civic infrastructure. I love that phrase, mayor, the civic infrastructure to really recover during this challenging time. Again, that's an amendment I anticipate introducing as friendly, and would welcome my colleagues' feedback on if that's something they would like to know more about, or any questions they might have. [2:18:07 PM] >> Mayor Adler: Mayor pro tem, I'll recognize you. >> Garza: Thank you. Actually I was thinking somewhere along those same lines that the proposal that Kathy just suggested, as everybody was talking, I was looking up airbnb and seeing if -- you know, I think we -- some of our str fees, we ramped up, because of more -- I believe we hired more code officers because of a lot of concerns we had during that whole revisiting of that issue. I don't know, just off the top of my head, maybe it's not an opportunity, what I was thinking is there some fee the city has right now, I don't know if that's a parking fee or airbnb registration fee that could be temporarily diverted to a fund that does -- what this resolution is trying to do. And then aside from that, maybe [2:19:08 PM] it's our economic development reaching out to airbnb and maybe there's a way to add to -- when we pay our electric bills, do you want to add an extra dollar for something or other, an extra dollar to donate to this cause, and maybe there's an opportunity to reach out to those industries that are still -- you know, people are still visiting Austin. Maybe there's an opportunity when you book your airbnb to give an extra five bucks to whatever the new bucket will be called. I appreciate how this builds on all the work that all of us have done, including R.I.S.E. And economic development corporation. And any other kind of subscription fee. I know, for example, Amazon allows the opportunity to provide -- to give a portion of your purchase to different nonprofits and maybe there's an opportunity for the city to reach out to the people that are making a lot of money. I just lost everybody. I don't know if that's on my [2:20:09 PM] end. >> Mayor Adler: We can still hear you, though, keep going. >> Garza: Okay. Maybe this is along the lines of what Kathy is proposing. I don't need to write any language, but if we can be really creative with the direction, asking our staff to reach out and provide creative solutions, adding an extra dollar to your -- I don't know, grocery delivery fee or something, and letting austinites know that extra dollar is going to this buck et. As you mentioned, mayor, there's not enough money -- in fact, the state keeps taking away our ability to provide more services. So I always am concerned about organizations thinking that it's always the city's going to solve all of those, because we really need state help and we really need federal help, and we even need more philanthropic help to find a creative way to do that. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Any other comments on this one? [2:21:10 PM] Councilmember alter? >> Alter: I just want to say [lapse in audio]. >> Mayor Adler: You're muted. >> Alter: I'm having real trouble with these new buttons. Can you hear me now? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Alter: Okay. So councilmember tovo, I just want to check, are you like in this creating that, and designating it, or are you asking staff to explore it? And the reason I'm asking is that I had a question in q&a and I don't remember the exact answer, but it was on at least a portion of the funding sources that you were talking about. And as I recall, there's some serious shortfalls in our transportation department because of the loss of parking fees, and that those right-of-way fees were subsidizing the -- you know, the transportation department's ability to keep all the staff, et cetera. I don't remember the exact details, and I need to go look at it. But I don't know, you know, those fees were counted in some budgets, and I just would want [2:22:11 PM] to understand what the consequences are. Again, I'm totally happy to be creative, but I just happened to ask questions during the budget process, and I don't remember all the specific answers. So I don't know if you can say -- tell me a little bit more about how you're formulating it. I'm happy to have us explore it and coming back, but if we're designating it, we need to understand the consequences better before we vote on it. >> Mayor Adler: I think at this point it's -- (indiscernible) >> Mayor? >> Mayor Adler: Go ahead. >> Tovo: Thanks, councilmember alter. Thank you for mentioning your budget questions. I'll go back and look at them and make sure they're consistent with the answers we received from staff. In answer to your question, though, no, my language is directing the manager to return to council at our next meeting with an ordinance that would accomplish it. I think we've now initiated several explorations and [2:23:11 PM] analyses, and we're six months later without any meaningful support for specifically for venues outside of some of those bigger [lapse in audio]. -- Revenues come in from those uses, they can be captured and designated for this purpose. But I will look at your budget questions and again work with staff to make sure that we all can understand before the first -- before October 1st, what the impact would be of designating the funds for this use for the next two years. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember kitchen? >> Kitchen: I'm sorry, I want to make sure I heard right. You are including encroachment funds, right? Councilmember tovo? >> Tovo: I am looking at -- I think I may have [lapse in [2:24:13 PM] audio]. Does somebody else have a question? So I had four funding sources, one of which I removed because it does go to the transportation department. And I think it's license agreements. But I think I may have an error on what we just sent around. Encroachment funds were intended to be included, yes, thank you. I may not have read that aloud. >> Mayor Adler: I'm in favor of us investigating everything. I think this is an opportunity to really ask, to look in the cushions for where we might be able to find dollars, and to be creative and think about things maybe differently. I would need to learn more about some of the proposals that I see on amendments. And I want very much to get the information with respect to those. Transportation department kind of operates like an enterprise fund, but not quite. [2:25:13 PM] It's not an enterprise fund, which means everything, I think, that goes through there goes through the general fund so I would need to understand about the ramifications about not getting that. But I don't -- I'm certainly not ruling it out or objecting to us taking a look at it, because now that you have raised that, I think that's a perfectly valid kind of question for us to be asking to see what the ramifications are. And I recognize that, you know -- well, I'm -- as I'm sure everybody is, I'm happy to explore ideas. I couldn't tell if rob was here with his hand raised, and if Veronica was here with her hand raised. But if you were raising your hands, I want to give you guys a chance to talk as well >> Thank you, mayor. This is Robert spiller, director of transportation. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes. >> Great. Just a couple of points to correct. Yes, we are an enterprise fund, [2:26:14 PM] mayor. And so the only general fund tax moneys we receive is for reimbursement for fees that council chooses to waive. The temporary use of right-of-way fees are the one fee that was mentioned that actually is used to support the transportation department as part of our basic revenue. We will, of course, follow council direction to explore how those funds might be used, if there's extra funds used -- not being used to directly manage the right-of-way. You know, the other major source of revenue as was spoken about was parking and the transportation user fee. Parking revenues have almost been depleted with the covid pandemic. They're starting to come back, but we are transferring moeps to the parking fund to keep it solvent this year, first time in 12 years. It's typically transferred money to the transportation [2:27:16 PM] department. And then the other source of funds are the tuf. Of course, if we lose a major revenue source, we certainly want to make sure you're aware of the revenue needs to either go back and look at the tuf fee and other funding sources. We directly invest temporary right-of-way fees, pand many of the fees that we collect that were mentioned, to do everything from vision zero, you know, to discourage dangerous driving behavior, like driving while intoxicated to running the signals and keeping the electricity on. But we'll be team players and work with the manager to figure out what we can do to help. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Anything else before we go to the next pulled item? Councilmember tovo? >> Tovo: If I could, director spiller, that's some of the information we received. So we will need to get staff talking with one another >> Sure. >> Tovo: But in terms of what you just described, parking is [2:28:16 PM] not included in my amendment, and the only one where there is overlap is the temporary right-of-way. >> Correct. >> Tovo: Is that correct? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Tovo: We'll take a look at the temporary right-of- way, with that in mind, and perhaps we can see -- perhaps we can see what revenue you're drawing from that. And go from there. >> We'll be happy to work with your office to help you understand where there's room, and certainly with the city manager as well. >> Tovo: I just do want to clarify, again, the parking, none of the other sources are contemplated within that amendment. >> Thank you. >> Tovo: Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember Renteria. >> Renteria: Mayor, the sales tax, are we collecting those taxes from them? Or do we just decided not to? [2:29:17 PM] And if it is, if there's an opportunity to tap into that money, because my understanding, I might be wrong, but they were talking about millions of dollars there. So I would be interested to see if there's an opportunity for that. >> Mayor Adler: Certainly that could be along the list of things staff takes a look at. I don't think we take those dollars yet. I think we made a policy decision that we didn't want to take those dollars. Because it becomes a fee, an activity that license facilities was not something that was legal under our system. I also don't know whether that would just be hot tax, and we would follow with limitations that we have on hot tax. But at this point, I think this is -- let's take a look at [2:30:18 PM] everything and see what's allowed by law, or allowed practically speaking in the resolution. It asks staff to take a look at what the legal implications are, the practical implications, the cost -- opportunity cost implications and the like. Councilmember pool? >> Pool: I just wanted to reiterate something that Kathy said, that we're talking about temporary. And so Mr. Spiller, who I think is off the camera there, I think to the extent that this is temporary, and we are pulling out all the stops in order to rescue and provide relief for sectors of our economy -- of the city's economy that haven't been touched in more than six months of trying, I think we should all be putting everything on the table. Everything. And then I'll just remind everybody about the hundreds of millions of dollars that have come to our transportation department over the last two [2:31:20 PM] bonds, there will be more coming to Austin transportation department if B passes. In the spirit of sharing and everybody sacrificing, thank you, Mr. Spiller, for putting (indiscernible) In, and support for these efforts really to the core. I think that's necessary. It's a good role model that should be showing everybody. And yes, we all need to be doing that right now >> Thank you, councilmember. We will absolutely do our best. You know, obviously there's difference between capital dollars and operating dollars, but we will work with the manager to figure that out, figure out what we can do. >> Mayor Adler: All right, guys, we have a lot of things to discuss in executive session, too. Let's go ahead to the next pulled item, which I think is our last pulled item. We have 69 and 70, which I think we're going to be discussing in executive session. And then we have item 106 pulled by councilmember Flannigan. [2:32:30 PM] >> Flannigan: I wanted to pull this as we start to enter into this recovery. I don't see any reason to delay this action itself, but we need to start contemplating how we better manage this reality for our local economy. Given the fact that as we've seen from the economic reports, you know, that employment is -- in our community is like 6% to 7%. It's not 25%, or something really, really big. And so I want to make sure we're understanding how folks who are taking advantage, or who are in a position where they need this protection, are the ones who are receiving it. And that folks who are able to keep their jobs, or who are able to have some financial stability are still paying their rent. You know, it's just too big of a solution as the problem narrows. I don't know how -- we keep [2:33:31 PM] moving this forward, but I'm not sure how we're going to solve that other problem. >> Mayor, I can share some of my thoughts. But I don't know if you have some as well. >> Mayor Adler: I think we do need (indiscernible) On the back end of this and figure out -- I'm not sure exactly how to do that. I have had the opportunity to have just a whole series of experts and consultants in this field working in different cities, working on relief. Every one of them I asked the question, what are we doing to help with the pent-up evictions on the back side of this, what are other cities doing, and I haven't gotten an answer to any of these yet. My hope is that maybe there's a solution where we would use some of the rental assistance dollars [2:34:34 PM] to encourage landlords to enter into long-term agreements with tenants. You know, kind of the way that you would individually do a workout on a lease or a loan, when you couldn't do payments. But maybe the fact that we could bring money and it looks like now there's additional cdbg grant money, that seems to be directed toward rents, maybe there's a way for us to not only provide rental relief, but provide it in a way that provides an incentive for landlords and tenants to resolve those issues now, and then extend the lease for 12 months. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I sure hope we struggle to find one, so that we're actually helping people avoid what would be a pretty significant crisis. But that's obviously not something that's part of what's in front of us today, this week. But I think we ought to be working in that direction, and [2:35:36 PM] my hope is we figure out something, maybe with the cdbg funds. Councilmember Casar, did you want to respond? >> Casar: I think that today's action makes sense given that the federal government has (indiscernible) Evictions against people who can't pay through the end of the year. And I think that's an important action they've taken. We should line up our local rules to the same thing. But I think councilmember Flannigan, as you raise, that is not -- that's basically anybody that has had a challenge paying their rent, that doesn't solve the back end issue of what do we do once we -- you know, once a lot of people have accumulated a ton of back rent that they can't pay. And in my head, the clearest answer is that this is a national crisis, and a national issue, and, a thoughtful federal [2:36:36 PM] government would address it. But as we saw with the saves resolution we just covered, we have a senate that sat on their hands, without voting on another action, so we can't rely on that. So I think that it's on us to think about if they don't do anything, how do we start working on this rather than just continuing -- we need to continue to ban evictions of people who just couldn't pay because of the disaster, and then we also have to figure out how do we -- if the federal ban goes away at the end of the year, how do we address the pent-up issues that's described. >> Mayor Adler: Anything else on this? Councilmember alter and then councilmember Flannigan. >> Alter: So I think we definitely need to move forward with this this week, and I'm pleased we've gotten the additional federal dollars to help with evictions. [2:37:40 PM] I feel like we need a little bit more targeted information on the challenge here in Austin. I was in a report with an economist about our economy and they said 99% of the rents for multi-family were being paid on time. And I understand that we just have the shift in the unemployment amounts that are coming in, that is going to have a ripple effect through time. But there's a disconnect between the information that we're hearing and the magnitude of the problem and the details of what we're trying. And I don't know if staff has information or my colleagues have any additional information, there are obviously people struggling with their rent which is why we're doing the rent for them for eviction, but the magnitude of the problem is a little unclear with conflicting information that we're getting. I think it would be helpful to have greater clarity if we want to figure out that back end. And I don't know if other people [2:38:42 PM] have additional information than what I have. But it's something that I'm trying to understand how that information goes together. I know that the 99% level is for multi-family, does not include necessarily the folks who are renting single-family homes, which there might be a lot of delinquencies in that situation that are not captured in the 99%. But to date, at least up to the point where we had that change in the unemployment amounts, that was what we were seeing as counterintuitive that it might seem from what the economists were reporting. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. I don't know the numbers offhand, but I understand the request is to get that information. Councilmember Flannigan? >> Flannigan: I think to piggyback on what councilmember alter is saying, the data piece [2:39:42 PM] seems to be missing, and maybe that's what I'm struggling to understand is, what is the scale of people that are being covered by this protection. And are landlords able to report that back to the city, so that there's some level of, you know, I have -- and it could be anonymized, it wouldn't have to be with names, it could just be with numbers. But some understanding of the scale of this, so that folks who think it's something that it's not can actually have some data showing what it's really doing. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember alter? >> Do you want to speak to this, Dr. Truelove? >> Mayor Adler: You're muted. Maybe you're not muted, but we can't hear you. No? [2:40:50 PM] She'll call in. While she's calling in, did I see another hand raised? Councilmember alter? >> Alter: I was actually just going to ask miss truelove if she wanted to speak. But I just think there's a data issue trying to understand the magnitude and the slicing of it. We did also set aside some money to support the landlords, and if the data that I'm hearing from the economists is correct, again, we're going to have a shift with losing the unemployment -- the additional $600 that's going to ripple through. But there may be that that is providing some clear direction for those tenant -- for the landlord supports that we need to be factoring in that would address the concerns that the landlords have in this process for their own livelihoods. So I feel like we have some pieces of that, but I'd like us to connect the dots. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Councilmember kitchen? >> Kitchen: This is along the [2:41:52 PM] lines of what others said. I just want to understand where we're at on the solutions that we discussed earlier. You know, we discussed this issue the last time we extended the eviction moratorium, and we discussed ways to address smaller landlords in particular. And as councilmember alter said, we did put some things in place to do that. So I think we need to understand the status of those. Is support continuing the eviction moratorium, we need to understand the status of what we put in place last time to help out the concerns of smaller landlords in particular. But we need to -- we just need to understand the status of those. If there's anything we need to learn from them. >> Mayor Adler: I think, manager, I don't know if we'll get Rosie back, is to get a feel for what is the scale of the [2:42:52 PM] challenge that we face with respect to delinquent or default payments. And then second, the issue as before, what have we done and where are we in getting relief to especially the smaller mom and pop landlords that need to make mortgage payments. >> Sounds good. Dr. Truelove, were you able to call in? If not, we will answer through q&a. >> Mayor Adler: We still don't have any sound >> We'll follow up. >> Mayor Adler: Okay. Those were all the pulled items we have. Council, are we ready to go into what's going to be a rather lengthy executive session? Yes, mayor pro tem? >> Garza: Did you say my name? Everything froze. >> Mayor Adler: Yes. Mayor pro tem. >> Garza: We didn't talk about (indiscernible). >> Mayor Adler: I think we'll consider that in executive session. >> Garza: Oh. That's fine. >> Mayor Adler: But if you [2:43:54 PM] don't -- it was reported to me they had been pulled for executive session. >> Garza: I didn't pull it for executive session. >> Mayor Adler: Go ahead. You don't need to. >> Garza: There may be questions that (indiscernible) Anybody can ask. This has kept coming back to us, and it's my understanding it was initiated because of the zoning cases that will be coming up. So if we pass this overlay, I guess that's my first question for staff. If this overlay passes, does that effectively mean we do not vote on the zoning cases? Because they wouldn't -- they couldn't -- that could not be built if the overlay passes? >> Councilmember, this is Jerry rusthoven. Can you hear me? >> Mayor Adler: Yes >> With the exception of the overlay, just take it out. [2:44:55 PM] You could pass the zoning cases but they would not be able to utilize the overlay they're asking for. So it would be rendered moot by taking the exception out. >> Garza: Okay. Thanks for the clarification. My concern with this, if airport staff is available, can speak to it, please do, but again, it was initiated because of the zoning cases. And while it's my understanding we need it to take out this exception, I don't know of the public input process that has happened to create what are essentially additional protections for people around the airport. And my concern -- obviously I want us to be able to provide additional protections, noise and what have you, my concern is that there hasn't been a public input process. And we consistently hear from -- as a district that has -- the [2:45:55 PM] airport is in one district, and there are a lot of new neighborhoods, and a lot of development going up in southeast Austin. Is that -- when are we going to go back -- because it feels like the nature of this has been, let's go ahead and take this exception out so we can address these two zoning cases, but when are we going to go back and take a more holistic approach to determining if these are the right overlays for this area? Because if I remember correctly, in one of the zoning cases, they hired an airport -- airplane noise expert guy who, you know, gave his presentation about, you know, (indiscernible) Would not be affected by planes. So I just have a lot of questions about why there has not been more public engagement. And there's a need for it. I'm curious -- it sounds like this is going to pass. I will likely abstain. But I do want to add some [2:46:59 PM] direction that would direct the airport to initiate a process to analyze this overlay, and more community engagement, especially before, as we talk about the airport expansion, possibly a third runway, I think there needs to be a more detailed look at what the reported overlay is. I don't have any questions, I'm working on some language, I'll share that with -- I believe my staff has shared it with law, and shared it with the airport staff to make sure that we -- I would prefer we don't vote on this on Thursday. But I don't think that we've gone through the right process to do that. But if we do, I would like to add some direction. >> Mayor Adler: Sounds good. Councilmember pool? >> Pool: Can we take this item up in executive session? >> Mayor Adler: Yes, we'll take it up in executive session. [2:48:01 PM] Councilmember alter? >> Alter: I was just wondering if we were to have given notice on this overlay, would we be giving that notice just to those who have the exception and it's chaning in the properties around them, or the whole overlay, and how many would be involved in either case? And if that's an executive session question, we can answer it there. >> I think Jeremy may be off the line. I think he has the information. But we can talk about it in executive session. >> Alter: Okay. Thank you. >> Mayor Adler: You may have to help me go through this script here, because I'm not sure that I have 60 and 70. As we go into executive session here, I want to remind everybody, this is my hand day in Austin, streaming going on [2:49:04 PM] over the course of the day, especially tonight, 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. Jackie Vinson and others raised $600,000 today to help musicians. With that said, the city council is now going to go into executive session to take up, I think potentially five items. Pusht to 551-072 the government code we'll discuss real estate and legal matters related to e-2, which is the purchase, exchange and lease of the convention center. And we'll discuss personnel matters related to item e-3. Duties and evaluations of the city manager. Pursuant to 55071 of the city code we'll discuss legal matters related to e-4, which is funding economic recovery efforts. Also, items 60 and -- no -- [2:50:05 PM] >> 69 and 70. >> Mayor Adler: 69 and 70. Legal matters related to those two. So without objection, we'll go into executive session. Hearing none, we're going to give everybody a chance to go to the restroom. It is 2:50. At 3:00 we're going to start the executive session. Ten minutes. See you there. [Recess at 2:50 P.M.] [6:10:15 PM] <<Mayor: We are out of closed session. In closed session we discussed legal matters related to items: E2 and E4 real estate matters related to item: E2 and personnel matters related to E3. It is 6:10 and with that I adjourn today's Council Work Session, September 15, 2020.