City Council Regular Meeting Transcript – 1/6/2023 Title: ATXN-1 (24hr) Channel: 1 - ATXN-1 Recorded On: 1/6/2023 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 1/6/2023 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. [6:01:54 PM] yeah. Seven. Five. Or three. Two. Good evening. Why not? Saturday? It has been an incredible honor and privilege. Every time I have stepped to the podium, either I and that includes this last time. I want to recognize [6:02:58 PM] elected officials that have joined us here for this celebration and new beginning one of my colleagues on the council council member Sabino Pio area is with us today. Former member of the 10 1 council council, county attorney Daniel Garza dais. My partner and many things, including the covid virus. County judge Andy brown is with us. That's Andy brown cadres. Constable George morales is with us. Commissioner [6:03:59 PM] trevelyan is with us. Initiate. We have a couple of former mayors coming back to the city hall mayor frank Cooksey is with us tonight. And mayor Lee Leffingwell is with us. Senator Sarah Eckhardt is with us. Kirkus here, mayor Lee cook, please stand up. You must have snuck in and I make it on the list, but an honor to have your ears. Give Sarah Eckhardt chance to stand. Okay we also have with [6:05:02 PM] us senator Pete flores with us senator. The members of our champion legislative delegation in the house of representatives . Cheryl Cole, former member of council and mayor, pro tem. Representative Donna Howard. Representative John Bussey. And representative Gina and a Hosaka. Were also honored with the presence of consulate general record them and as council agenda from Mexico. Commissioner Bridget Shea. Thank [6:06:09 PM] you. Good one and representative good winners with us. Thank you. Are there any other elected officials? That that snuck in and didn't make the list. I'm sorry, trustee. Thank you, can see Jose. What? Yes alright, and Jose Garza district attorney is with us. County judge Hernandez with us. Thank you. Any other elected officials? We have congressman Doggett's wife with us. Let me dog ins. Thank you, [6:07:09 PM] okay. Thank you. Senator seliger , I think is with us as well. Thank you, senator. Senator. Thank you. Council member Riley is with us council member Riley and there you are in the back Chris Riley. Heck, we can be here all night. Going on issue any other because I want to make sure that we get a chance to recognize elected officials that have come back or are here. All right with that said then if everyone could please stand for the posting of colors and the pledge of allegiance. Color guard, please post the colors. Wright. What. [6:09:14 PM] Oh, to the flyer, the United States of America to the republic. Richard stands one nation rodeos , libertad. I would like to now introduce a Lissa Harris for the singing of the star spangled banner would remain standing while we retire the colors and when the chaplain delivers the invocation. Of the star spangled banner. Expanded wire. Oh say, can't you see by the dark? [6:10:16 PM] Sponsored early live I what's so proud? Lovely we have had the twilight's last the meeting me whose broad stripes and bright stars rise to the apparel a spy or the sweet want Josh worse, okay. Well it least treat me. Buckets. Where the bombs burst E singing. No. Gave proof. Move through the night. I that our flag was still there. Oh say does that star space angle Ben [6:11:17 PM] yet away. Or the lake and of the free and hood. Elaborate. Okay? Great. What. [6:12:22 PM] What. Have you raised. Now I asked the chaplain Creola Shaw burns of the Austin police department. Please step forward. Thank you. Again. Amen how are we this evening? Can we all say this is the day that the lord has made and will haul gonna be glad in it. Amen. I'm in. If we could all put ourselves in a position to receive our god position of prayer. And now you're Asian. Father god, humbly bring this invocation inviting. You are [6:13:23 PM] creator in the name of your son . Jesus Christ our savior to be present with us in this city of Austin council swearing in, and celebration. Father god, you who are the creator of all things in the master planner of all time, the chief architect of the universe. Brussels 11 10 records that Abraham look for city that had god as its eternal builder. God join us tonight in this city of Austin, billed as it was built as a result of the saints and the forefathers who came before this group who gather here tonight. Join us and send your holy spirit. To forever dwell in these chambers well in each crevice around every window seal around every door. Please [6:14:25 PM] cover us. Lord. Continue the blessed individuals who you have placed in seats of authority over your this your city. Your place on the hill for all to see . Cover them with your blessings and allow them to be reminded that their placement here is for your purpose. I pray that they will be reminded to seek you first and all that. They are charged with every task that is laid upon them. May they be removed. Find it a proverbs 35 through six to trust in the lord with all my heart. And lean not unto your own understanding. You shall be successful. Give them wisdom and discernment, you know staff and or advocates to assist them. God, you have a purpose for everything you created. And everything you created has a [6:15:25 PM] purpose. We know that this purpose is not of our doing. Noise but if yours and we exalt you, for it ate them to not stray from your placement, open their ears to hear you place their feet in the vineyard you have chosen for them, show them how to find their way back when they stray help them to build bridges across this city, and when there is disagreement helped them to find common ground. Give them the spirit not to live as a prisoner of unforgiveness. Give them confidence that you made no mistake in placing them and that you are always with them, shower them with the principles of transparency, honesty, diversity, equal equity. Justice and respect for all mankind show them the way to resolve the current housing and, housed [6:16:27 PM] challenge. Give them the vision when it comes to keeping your people safe through the law and through our law enforcement, emerging management, health and recreation areas order their steps when working towards improving transportation, employment. Lack of cultural diversity and handling our population growth helped them to determine helped to spread the benefits that the new the new come companies coming into the city are receiving, especially for all of those tax paying citizens who we welcome built. We welcome the growth lord, but we would like to see need some results on our end. Also help us to continue education for our children and all those in higher at ranks. Massage. To help them [6:17:31 PM] to find your grace and your comfort protect them. Lord remind them that their that you are always present always the silent listener to every conversation and every plan plan could just asked who believes. Amen. Amen. Amen. I mean, Chaplin. Thank you. You can be seated, please. I now invite the, continuing council members , city manager Spencer crock and the city attorney and morganton to please take their seats on the base asientos, the ISIS. [6:18:46 PM] I would now ask that the council members elect remain seated on the floor but approached the podium when your when your name is called now, I would like to introduce the honorable sherry statman, who is the presiding judge municipal court who will administer the oath of office. Mr. Gracias. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me, Watson Watson. Do solemnly swear . Swear that I will faithfully execute the duties faithfully execute the duties. Of the office of Austin, mayor of Austin, the state of Texas state of Texas, and will to the best of my ability to Billy daddy's preserve, protect and defend the constitution protected defend [6:19:48 PM] the constitution and the laws of the states and this state needles laws of the united States and so help me god. Raise your right hand. I found I Natasha harper-madison, Natasha harper-madison do solemnly swear , do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of city council district, one of the opposite city council for district, one of the state of Texas and will to the best of my ability and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution. Serve protect and defend the constitution and the laws of the United States and this state of [6:20:50 PM] the United States and this saddle, so help me god help me god! I do the medications. It's very your hand and repeat after me. I Jose Velasquez Velasquez. Do solemnly swear, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of city council district three of the office of city council district three of the state of Texas, the state of Texas and will to the best of my ability and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution, preserve, protect and defend the constitution. Laws of the united States and the laws of the United States of this state this state so help me god. So help me god. Congratulations. Racial [6:21:51 PM] hand until Amano Ryan alter your Ryan alter only swear solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties this office xena council district five Cinco of the state of Texas has and will, to the best of my ability. Dad is preserved, protected institution. And the laws of the United States and of this state , so help me god, can you measure the congratulations? Please raise your hand and repeat after me. I Paige Ellis Paige M solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of the city council eight. Of the state of [6:22:56 PM] Texas and will to the best of my ability to they happily Dallas preserved protected by the constitution, constitution, protect and defend the constitution and the laws of the United States. This state so help me god video. Congratulations. All right. I am so qadri solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties. The office of city council district nine. Don't worry council district nine state of Texas. They have and will to the best of my ability radish preserve, protect and defend the constitution [6:23:57 PM] institution and the laws of the United States. End of this state . So help me god, the videos. Congratulations. Call the order the special called meeting of the Austin city council. Okay 6 24 on Friday January 6th 2023 at Austin city hall in the council chamber. Gentlemen, tonight's [6:24:58 PM] meeting is for the election of the mayor pro tem for the Austin city council protein plays an important role in city council meetings and its ceremonial functions for the city. In the mayor's absence pro Tim is elected by the council. And from the council Canseco. I want to thank on behalf of the council previous council, the city of Austin, he has served us very, very well deserves a thing. And I will now call on the mayor pro tem to make a motion on. Ah thank you. Mayor Watson. I moved to la council member Paige Ellis for the calendar year 2023 ending on December 23rd 2023 council member Leslie pool as mayor pretend for the calendar year 2024 ending with the [6:25:59 PM] election of the next mayor pro tem in 2025 Cinco members. You've heard the motion motion. Is that council member Paige Ellis being made mayor pro tem for the Austin city council for the year? 2023 limit on 12 23 2023 counts remember Leslie pool Tim for the year 2024 until the election of another mayor, pro team in 2025. Is there a second moving to think of second back council member harper-madison. Seconded by councilor member Mackenzie Kelly Mckenzie. Is there any objection to the motion hearing? No objection. The motion is adopted. Congratulations. The chair will now recognize mayor pro Tim Ellis of for some comments. You [6:27:01 PM] just heard that she was re sworn in with her reelection. The mayor pro tem also represents council district eight pro Tim. Thank you, mayor Watson. It is an honor to return for a second term serving the residents of district eight in southwest Austin. This district has been my home for more than a decade longer than it's even been a district and we've all seen changes around us southwest Austin community resilience together we've been through pandemics, winter storms and more. That's why holding this position means you always need to be at least once. Up ahead throughout it all. We look out for our neighbors every step of the way to make sure our community is better take care of our parks road safety emergency response always seems to be someone ready to help with a four by four. This sense of [6:28:02 PM] community gives me hope, and it continued sense of optimism for the work that we do here on the dais. Over the years we've seen changes in southwest Austin changes that we're seeing around our entire city and the kind of growth that has turned our once small town into one of the biggest cities in America. And when I see Austin's growing skyline, I see a city that people love so much. They just had to be here. It's that love for the city that also gives me a sense of optimism. As council members. We are working to make sure that Austin is welcoming. Everyone is having money. This is not just about my work. It's also about the tireless work of the district eight team constituents trust in us to help because they believe that elected representation should be responsive to the needs of the community. And that is exactly why I decided to step up four years ago, and it's why today I renew my commitment to serve my community to my district and to [6:29:04 PM] the people all around the city of Boston. My team and I will make will take on the tasks ahead with a sensible work ethic and continued sense of optimism . But I want to thank especially my husband at Espinosa for his unwavering support. My family for their support and their patients as we planned a wedding during a re election campaign. I can't say enough. Don't do that , and I think my staff for the diligent work that they've done over the past four years serving the people of southwest Austin and to my colleagues for trusting me with a leadership role as mayor, pro tem council member pool and I will work closely together over the next two years to uphold the city council's procedures and policy and the best serve our community. He in a responsible and equitable for my new colleagues. Welcome to the diet that working together we can make our city the best it can be. But let's please try to avoid any meetings that go until four am. Thank you, member Tim [6:30:11 PM] and I second that motion. Now we're going to be drawing seats every six months council will draw for different seats at the diets. This process takes place in January and July of each year . The city clerk is now going to walk up to each member and each member will select a number and announced the number that was picked number one is the seat on the west side of the dais. Work desk is and number 10 is the seat on the east side of the knights. These will be your assigned seats going forward, effective at the January 26 2023 meeting corporate Madison. Number eight yesterday in the middle of number five. Cinco number. Three. You don't have to move number seven number 10 [6:31:11 PM] dias. Number six. Number nine. Maybe. Number. Two four number one. All right. We will start starting on the January 26th meeting. Will everybody will be in their new seats. Don't look forward to me trying to always know where everybody is. And about the time I get it, I bet we're gonna switch. So that drive themselves now an honor for me to get the opportunity to call on the newly elected and re elected council members. Few words and so I will start with council member Natasha harper-madison Zarco. Unlike Mr mayor wasn't listening. What what did you ask? That doesn't [6:32:11 PM] stop. I'm fully prepared. Now this is an opportunity for the newly elected and newly re elected council members to say if you words and I'm recognizing you first from district one. Thank you, mayor. I appreciate that. Good evening. Everybody first like to just say I'm looking out at a sea of familiar faces. People I love and people who were very supportive during , let's just call it a hard campaign. And so thank you all for your tireless support. I appreciate you more than you know. And then for everybody else. I'm so incredibly proud to continue to represent my hometown. You know, there's a couple austinites up here and I probably am and speaking to the choir when I say there's nothing more prideful, then really being able to pour your all into serving your hometown, and so thank you for the continued opportunity to do so I look very much forward to taking on some bold challenges. We're in a [6:33:12 PM] housing crisis and mobility is absolutely connected to housing . So let's talk about mobility and housing and economic opportunity and be the best version of Austin that we can be. I heard somebody call us a global city the other day, I will say we have all the problems of a global city. But none of the advantages. We don't have the comprehensive transit and enough housing. So let's work on that together. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Council member. I'll now recognize council member Jose Velasquez from district three. I just wanted to thank everybody for being here. My family, especially, I have, it is. It's still kind of hitting me that I'm up on this diet. I actually visited city hall, not the city hall. But city hall for the first time about almost 20 for 26 years ago when I received the [6:34:14 PM] mayor's community service award , from this mayor back then. So we're book ending this thing when I was at at student at Austin high school in the in the smart program, so it is. It is ridiculously surreal to be up here to be serving my hometown. My whole life has been about service. All I've ever wanted to do was serve, and this is just the this is all I've ever wanted is to serve my hometown. I do want to thank a few people in my family that is out there. My specifically my mother, Yolanda Velasquez, who is right there in the audience. Cool who is my champion? And who taught me that ? Regardless of where you come from? It doesn't determine where you're going. My niece as arrive , Alaska's who's here with me today. And then three of my dear [6:35:16 PM] mentors that are here and if they can rise because there is this photo of us about 10 years ago, when none of our 10 or 12 years ago when none of us were elected, and now we've all either been elected or are elected and that is the county attorney Delagarza. Okay. The honorable Paul Saldana to and constable George morales morales. I love you all. So I just want to thank my campaign team. My pitbull, Michael Tomlinson strategies and all the amazing folks that wide strategies and E the total dream team that that I have been fortunate enough to build UT Dora and Lisette. Thank you all so much for coming on board and let's make this city a better place for everybody to get into that. Rose. Thank you very much. Counselor Velasquez pro Tim, who [6:36:18 PM] will ask? It just reminded me. I had thank you to Michael Tomlinson at wise strategy in my notes, and I skipped over them, but thank you so much for your team's hard work. I know. I know y'all do this every day, and sometimes things get slow. And then all of a sudden there will be a million races and a million write offs. And I just know y'all are always there to work for us. So thank you. Thank you. The chair now recognizes council member Ryan altar of district five single had to write this down to make sure I didn't forget anybody. So I just want to start off with some. Thank you's, which can start anywhere other than. You supported me in this endeavor, every aspect of our lives and it's measurable. Does not someone who invites the spotlight, so I'm sure right now she's loving that I'm talking about in front of everybody. But you truly are the engine that keeps our family moving. You keep me centered. You've [6:37:21 PM] listened to more stories than I know. You care to and pretended like you're interested. So thank you. There will be more my sister? Yes. I also, you know, have to thank my family. My mom . My dad. Deborah andreina, sister Savannah. Can't be here giving me your time resources council, even when I might not want it. I just I can't thank you all enough, I wouldn't be here without you and Rebecca. I don't know. Somewhere out there are always there when we need you. And I just can't tell you that how helpful that really is so thank you all both grandparents, not you. You've always given me that support that wisdom. And I know my grandmother's hand is still recovering from that stack of postcards I gave you. I told you it was small, but it wasn't. My campaign team. Thank you all for [6:38:22 PM] putting up with me. You are the best and then my council members, my fellow council members, consejo, I am so appreciative of all of you reaching out throughout this process, giving me your counsel . Your wisdom I know that I'm going to learn from from all of you just can't wait to have that opportunity and now call you colleagues, true honor. Okay, so who know Nora's? There's one new colleague, though, that I would be remiss not to single out and give a little extra. Thanks gracias. At least you gave me the opportunity to follow my passion my dreams in your senate office into have learned an incredible amount from you. You put your faith in a young law student eager to make Austin a better place. You'll always be senator Watson in my head, [6:39:23 PM] Watson para MI. I can't wait to work with you now, as Mary Watson do what we've always done, and that's just improve the lives of our community. So thank you. Thank you. Gracias. Lastly in district five. You know whether you supported me or not? I am so honored that you trusted me to be your voice when deciding issues that so directly impact your neighborhood. Your family, your community that I will do everything I can to live up to this honor, and I'm ready to get to work for you. So I think we have a special opportunity to solve some of our most stubborn problems. The list if we have to be willing to recognize it together. You know, the best solutions are born from collaborations with those who agree with us and those who don't short time just getting to know each each and every one of you know, we're up to the task, and I'm incredibly excited. So [6:40:24 PM] thank you connection. Thank you . Councilor member alter the chair now recognizes council members. Oh, qadri of district nine. Thank you, mayor. Good evening, everyone. You know, tonight I'm I'm filled with hope and dealt with. Thanks and I think that's where I'm going to start and I'm thankful for the folks who have laid a foundation before this council and thankful for the work folks like Mary Adler about going council members. Renteria kitchen tovo. I'm so thankful for the work that their staff did those who are continuing on with this new council and those that are that are leaving city hall. It's the work that you all have done that we I hope that we will build off of and you know, I'm thankful for this council and I'm so touched with the kindness that [6:41:26 PM] every single person on this diet has has shown me and one another during this transition process had the fortune to talk to everyone. Chilies with some. And you know, I'm so excited because every single person on this diocese gives me hope that we can be a better city that we can do right that we can live up to our values that we always claim to be because you know, the work starts now so excited that I get to work with these folks. And I'm thankful for the folks who helped get me here. You got a key? Good god. It was 12 13. Months ago, we launched a campaign for city council. We had people who I consider friends for life. Now who gave everything to this to this campaign to the campaign because they cared so much about the city, this house city suffering from a housing crisis, a city [6:42:26 PM] that on house folks were dying if it was getting too hot or too cold. City that didn't work for everyone came together and with with with love with the labor of love, they worked and worked and worked, and I'm so thankful for every single one of you who's sitting down standing up. Maybe watching this from from home. Y'all made this possible also very thankful. For those who supported us on this campaign. And also for those who didn't thank you for being an active participant in the city. If you supported me, thank you. That's why I'm here. And if you didn't support me, I generally hoped to build bridges. And to work with you for the next four years, and in fact, if I do a good enough job, hopefully another four years and lastly but not but you know, not legally, I'd like to. I'd like to thank my family. My [6:43:29 PM] wife couldn't be here tonight, but, if she's watching this from from somewhere, thank you. Welcome to for always being there. For being a cheerleader, you know, during this race, I generally couldn't have done it without you and your love. I want to thank my mom who. My dad passed away about a decade ago, and she raised me and my three siblings. It wasn't always easy . And I thank you for it. I want to thank my grandparents, who 50 years ago decided to leave the only country that ever knew and came across the pond to give them their kids and their grandkids and, you know, so forth, and so on a better life sacrifices that that's why I'm here and I hope to do right by them and so many others. So you know, last I just want to say thank you to the city. Thank [6:44:29 PM] you. Everyone who is who is here? Thank you. Everyone tuning in. You took in a guy with a funny name. Who looks like it looks like me and never made me feel other. You made me feel like that that I belong. And when your name is zohaib mammoth gatherer, you often feel like you don't belong in a lot of spaces. And you guys never allowed that to happen. So thank you. Did you know? So I am. I am ready to serve. You know, this campaign was never about me. It was about the issues. It was about doing what's right. And now that we are here, I'm just so thankful. And I'm so ready to serve alongside everyone. So thank y'all allowed. The hotel is Gracia. Thank you. Thank you. Council member qadri my opportunity to say a few words and I want to start by saying thank you to everybody in the south. Their family is here with me. My wife, my son, Preston Preston, my son cooper, daughter in law, Catherine, my brother Kyle and sister in law, Mary [6:45:30 PM] Ann. And my too perfect granddaughters. And birdie birdie is the one that started applauding real early. If you notice they also want to say thank you to all my friends are here and colleagues and fellow austinites, the great philosopher yogi Berra once said , this is like deja Vu all over again. It's hmm. As some of you know, this is the third time that I've been sworn in as Austin mayor with about a 20 year intermission between terms , and while this moment does have a real familiarity to it at the same time, I have to tell you I am very clear. I think about the world we live in and how profoundly different it is from anything that we've experienced before, for example, it's not lost on me and I hope [6:46:34 PM] not on you that this is January, the six that's an undeniable reminder. Very deep political divisions that color so much. Of our national public life today, trevi, but I also see January 6th as a critical reminder that we rely on assumptions. Great peril. On this day two years ago we saw with our own eyes institutions we think of as foundational, even our democracy or not a given no stand, but they still require diligence and sacrifice even blood to protect and maintain as we embark here tonight on a new journey of public service together, I think we would be well served to consider how the fact of January six should have perhaps apply to us, maybe most importantly, against this national backdrop of extreme partisanship of the [6:47:35 PM] relentless, relentless pursuit of lyrical power where one side gets everything at once, and the other side gets nothing at wants . Against that backdrop, my hope for us in Austin is that we will relentlessly pursue unity. You don't know any of that. Now I ain't gonna sit here and pretend that we didn't all just lived through it very hard fought election. That's how we do it. It's not much fun for anybody, and inevitably there are conflicts, but when races are over, the work must begin that work demands. I think now more than ever that we make every effort to seek out and find common ground and ultimately to pursue a shared vision of our future together and I want you to know. I wholeheartedly [6:48:36 PM] believe that we can do just that . I couldn't care any less about who supported whom? Over the past year. What I care deeply about right now is finding ways to work together over the next year and beyond. In fact, the more the world around us becomes mired in division and in action , the more I think we have a responsibility. Austin to come together and get things done for this city. We all love that leads me back to the second point about January 6th assumptions here is the truth that nothing about Austin is a given. Is Al go down nothing. Yeah. Our story for almost all of our 185 year, history has been one of nearly constant growth and change. And even though we've made mistakes and sometimes paid a very dear prize [6:49:38 PM] for those, for the most part, Austin has enjoyed an enviable success past is not a reliable prologue, and there are no guarantees about how the next chapters of Austin story may unfold at the same time. We have already learned, especially over the past decade that it is inherently dangerous to believe that the core character of this city can withstand any challenge . It's just not so most of us think about what Austin is what we want Austin to be think of a city that's innovative and unique. We think of a city that's caring and compassionate. And we think of a city that open minded, tolerant, inclusive and fair to the reality is that a lot of those core characteristics? What made that make Austin special a lot of the [6:50:39 PM] foundational ideas that we all have about what Austin is or should be at risk as we speak, and I'm here to tell you people all across this city since it said it before it again now. You can count on me again in the future for a lot of our neighbors. This is an emergency Americans, austinites who can't find an affordable place to live or who or who are at risk of being forced out of their home. It's an emergency austinites experiencing homelessness urgently need our help to rebuild their lives. It's an emergency for austinites who don't feel safe in their homes. Neighborhoods don't have the trust that they deserve to have in police. It's an emergency, but I just it's an emergency for austinites who spent hours and hours every day just getting to [6:51:41 PM] and from work in school. For those who want to know that their local government is spending tax dollars and managing vital community aspects of assets effectively. It's an emergency. And it's an emergency for austinites who care deeply diversity and equality of opportunity who want every part of this city get its fair share every part of this city to give its fair share. As I see it. We've been called on at a critical moment to respond to these emergencies that starts with the commitment proactively working together, taking nothing for granted and unquestionably demands that we act with a new sense of urgency. All of that leads finally to the question of aspirations last year, like so many of you optimist, and I have [6:52:42 PM] a positive vision of our future. But also, like many of you, I'm a pragmatist, and I know that hard choices are almost always part of the deal. Zero sum games too often result. Zero can we solve every problem can we realize everyone's ideal? No no one should expect that farrera. So what last night's do want and should expect is confidence that they're realistic aspirations to be safe to be healthy to be respected, have opportunity to be happy surface can and will be carried out by their elected representatives. Professional staff. Self. That those elected representatives must rely on and look to give them what they want [6:53:42 PM] to invest our shared priorities , but make sure every single dollar count. Let's go the extra mile when we can, but after we've made sure that the basics are covered, let's make progress right now not wait on perfection. Most of all. You must do good by doing better excited, and I'm very eager to work with each of my new colleagues on Austin city council, city staff and with community members who are ready to write Austin's next chapter, frank historian story feels a little like a cliffhanger. At the moment, the point that I've probably belabored by now is that a happy ending is not guaranteed. To guarantee so please make no mistake I got Austin, Texas is a truly exceptional place. It's a place where you I and all of us can [6:54:45 PM] live our very best lives. And I know in my heart that keeping it that way is squarely within our power to choose now to act deliberately and decisively together in pursuit of the shared positive. Practical vision. I know we can make the next part of our story even more amazing. Let's get after it. Thank you all very much. At this time, the chair calls Alisa Harris, too. Sing America the beautiful America beautiful. Love beautiful for spacious guy for him. Amber waves upgrade a [6:55:46 PM] for person. Purple mountains, majesty above the fruited play, America. America god shed his grace on thee and crown my good with brother. Fatherhood. From sea to shining iding see? Thank you very much. It's now my pleasure to have Chaplin Creola Shaw burns performed the benediction diction. This is a benediction for us all if you could all just join me in saying [6:56:49 PM] the lord bless you and keep you may he allow his face to shine upon you to all of you and give you peace. Give us peace. Lord I am excited about this kingdom can we all say? Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. Before we adjourn. I want to say on behalf of the council in the city of Austin. Thank you. Adler Adler council members that served before us and in the positions that we served. It's a it's a debt we owe for great service and for your willingness to serve, so thank you and thank all the former council members. Members if there's no objection [6:57:49 PM] , the special called meeting of the Austin city council is now adjourned at 6 57 on Friday, January six. Is there any objection hearing? No objection . We're adjourned.