City Council Discussion Transcript – 02/07/2022 Title: ATXN-1 (24hr) Channel: 6 - ATXN-1 Recorded On: 2/7/2022 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 2/7/2022 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. [9:05:36 AM] >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> Mayor Adler: Morning colleagues. We ready? If everybody could please stand and professor sill verse chase from the -- Sylvester chase from united methodist Wesley will deliver the invocation. It's always a great morning when I wake up and see you. >> Praise god. Dear hearts, if you don't mind, let us bow, please. Another day, oh lord, that you have let us see we don't know what's all in store, but as long as you are with us we know we will be able to make it. We thank you, oh god, for letting us be here today. We thank you for leaders that we have here at city [9:06:36 AM] hall and what they are doing to make this a great city. Continue to work with them and through them. They are willing, oh god, to give their very best. Now be with us, all of us, help us to do what you would want us to do to help to make this world, this city, the very best, in Jesus name we pray, let us all say amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> And amen. >> Amen. >> Mayor Adler: You can all be seated. And now cutting straight to the chase for what you are all here for, a glorious day, pastor chase, would you please administer the oath [9:07:39 AM] of office? >> Chase: The oath of office. Do we want him on this side with me? Come on. They might not have a wide angle, okay? [Laughter]. Jose chito vela, please repeat after me this oath of office this morning. On Monday morning, February 7th, 2022. Please raise your right hand [9:08:41 AM] and repeat after me loudly, clearly and distinctly. I, Jose chito vela. >> I, Jose chito vela. >> Do solemnly swear. >> Do solemnly swear. >> That I will faithfully execute. >> That I will faithfully execute. >> The duties of the office. >> The duties of the office. Of council district 4. >> Of council district 4. >> Of the city of Austin. >> Of the city of Austin. >> Of the state. >> Of the state. >> And will do to the best [9:09:41 AM] of my ability. >> And will do to the best of my ability. >> Preserve, protect and defend. >> Preserve, protect and defend. >> The constitution and laws. >> The constitution and laws. >> Of the United States. >> Of the United States. >> And of this state. >> And of this state. >> So help me god. >> So help me god. >> Amen. Congratulations, my brother. [Applause]. >> All right. We did it well, didn't we? >> We did it great. [Applause]. [9:11:24 AM] >> Mayor Adler: Nice to be gathered everybody here today. No contentious votes or anything. [Laughter]. And I bet we're out of here before midnight. We're going to give our newest colleague a chance to be able to speak and then when he's done if anybody on the dais wants to welcome him, that will be the program today. Council member, the chair is yours. >> Vela: Thank you so much to pastor chase and mayor Adler and so many family and friends. It's heartwarming to see so many people here. I'm humble, I'm grateful and I'm excited to serve the people of district 4 and of Austin. I'm ready to get to work so [9:12:26 AM] I'll keep it very brief and just green my deepest -- again my deepest heartfelt thanks to the voters of the district for choosing me and to so many people who have been there for me, who have helped me, who have pushed me and helped me and pulled me along the way to get to this destination, to this goal. I'm humbled and honor and I hope to do everyone right and do the best I possibly can in my position. Thank y'all. [Applause]. >> Mayor Adler: Council member Fuentes. >> Fuentes: Yes, just wanted to say welcome, council member vela. Our eastern communities are held together by values and needs. It's wonderful to have another Progressive council [9:13:27 AM] member on the dais, and I'm excited about the work that we'll do together. Welcome. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember Ellis. >> Ellis: Welcome to the dais. This will be your shortest meeting ever. [Laughter]. We know this election happened out of cycle and the fact that you were willing and able to step up so quickly and willing to serve your community and the stint shows your heart is a true servant leader and I wish you the best of luck. >> Renteria: Yes, welcome aboard. My office will be open to offer any assistance that you and your staff might need. So just want to say welcome. Well job done. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember kitchen. >> Kitchen: I also want to add my congratulations and [9:14:29 AM] my welcome. We're all here to help you. We agree obviously on times, but we're a team and so here to help you. Please don't hesitate to reach out at any time. And we look forward to what you bring to us to add to our discussions and add to the work that we're doing for the city. So thank you for being here. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember tovo. >> Tovo: Thank you, mayor. I also want to add my welcome. I know in your comment you thanked those gathered here but I wanted to add my thanks because it takes extraordinary courage to step up and run for office and it takes a lot of support for friends and from family and it takes a lot of support in the time to come from here. So your path here is -- has been successful and now as we go forward to work together, I hope you continue to have lots of [9:15:33 AM] support and sustenance from the folks who helped provide that support. And like my colleagues, I have a fabulous team and fabulous staff and we all stand ready to work with you and collaborate with you and we're very happy you're here. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember pool. >> Pool: Thanks, mayor. Welcome to the dais, chito, and congratulations. Congratulations also extended to the large family, the extended family and friends who you brought with you body and were a signal in ensuring the success you had in the campaign. So welcome to the Austin city council. >> Mayor Adler: Councilmember Kelly. >> Kelly: I just wanted to welcome you as well. Last week we had opportunity to get together. I showed you around city a my office is always open as well. I really look forward to collaborating with you and [9:16:33 AM] finding issues we can work together with. As Vanessa will tell you, when times get hard just remember how special this day was. Thanks. [Laughter]. >> Mayor Adler: We'll conclude with the mayor pro tem and then I'll go. >> Alter: I want to note this crowd. I don't think we've had this many people in the chamber in two years. Thank you for being here for us to celebrate this new day for our council and for being engaged in our city. Chito is going to need you during this period so he can succeed. We need you here so that we can be held accountable and that we can do great work. I look forward to working with you and with council member vela in this office. Thank you for being here and hopefully this can mark a movement forward with the [9:17:37 AM] pandemic. I also acknowledge council members Fuentes and Kelly who were inaugurated January 6 of 2020, which was an interesting day, to say the least. We have really enjoyed having you on the dais as well and we welcome Mr. Vela. >> Mayor Adler: Council member vela, welcome the dais. This is a absolutely crucial moment in time that you join us. There's so much promise and potential in the community and at the same time over the last couple of years today a great relief. We've seen the challenges that the community faces and you know inherent and -- inherent and walk into a seat of critical importance as we navigate both. Congratulations to your friends and your family. You know, people don't [9:18:38 AM] realize just how much service on the council impacts our family lives and our ability to spend time with our friends. So really a special thanks to your family. Thanks to reverend chase, one of our most important community leaders. Thank you for gracing us with your presence here today. The program doesn't allow for me to tell council, citizen, resident Casar, that he only has three minutes, although he look forward to having that opportunity at some point in the future. It's good to have you with us. But council member vela this is a lot of work, but everyone on this dais is here to support you and make you absolutely as effective as you can be for the people in the community that have [9:19:40 AM] given you their trust. Welcome aboard. And that will end our program. I want to point out to everybody that you can get your parking tickets validated out in the lobby. That's the most important, I'm told. And with that, thank you all so much for being with us today. Everyone will now roll up our sleeves and we'll go to work. Thank you. Congratulations. [Applause].