New Police Data, Springs Reno, Green Fleet Goals
Police Data Transparency
A major push for a public-facing Austin Police Department (APD) data dashboard gained support, aiming to provide detailed information on police operations, reduce public record backlogs, and build community trust. Discussions highlighted existing technical and administrative hurdles for APD in data compilation.Barton Springs & Airport Projects
Debates continued over the long-planned renovation of the historic Barton Springs Bathhouse, with public concerns about design, cost, and accessibility. Separately, the airport expansion project drew criticism regarding its environmental impact and community engagement, despite affirmations of protective measures.Key City Contracts & Initiatives
A new labor contract for Austin EMS was approved, significantly increasing paramedic pay and aiming for greater stability. The city also moved to require windows in new rental bedrooms for health and safety and accepted federal funding for "Safe Streets and Roads for All" initiatives.Green Fleet & Tourism Funding
Plans to electrify the city's vehicle fleet were discussed, acknowledging challenges in meeting aggressive 2030 goals, alongside the approval of exploring solar panels for park shade structures. Additionally, major changes to the Tourism Public Improvement District (TPID) were advanced, aiming to reallocate hotel tax revenue to benefit the city, with some suggesting funds be directed toward addressing homelessness.
Full Transcript
City Council Regular Meeting Transcript – 09/14/2023
Title: ATXN‐1 (24hr) Channel: 6 ‐ ATXN‐1 Recorded On: 9/14/2023 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 9/14/2023 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. [10:00:15 AM]
So I will call the Austin city council to order. It's 10:00 am. We are meeting on September 14th, 2023, at the Austin city council chambers, which are located in city hall at 301 west second street in Austin, Texas. And we have a quorum of the city council. All
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quorum of the city council. All present members. I want to note that councilmember Allison alter and councilmember pool are off the dais. One thing I will note that that originally this date was not scheduled for a council meeting when we had the whole calendar put together at the beginning of the year. And so that's the reason some some people are not here, is that things have been scheduled. And then we in order to make sure that the work and business could get done, we scheduled this meeting. I'm going to read changes and corrections into the record and item number 19 is withdrawn and replaced by addendum. Item 131. An item number 34 for instead of reading Evans group, LLC, dba, Evans person, el consultants and Evans temporaries, it should read Evans personnel consultants, dba, Evans temporaries item
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dba, Evans temporaries item number 58 is withdrawn an item 6196 and 104. For those three items are postponed to September 21st, 2023. Item number 82 added as a sponsor should be council member. Leslie pool. Item 85 is withdrawn. Item 95 is postponed to October 5th, 2023. Item 102. There's a postponement discussion request at item number 124 and 125. It says that this is in district nine an that should be stricken and it should say district four for item number 132 added as a sponsor should be council member. Leslie pool on the board and commissions recommendations. Item 29 should read September 13th, 2023 read amended by the
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13th, 2023 read amended by the water and wastewater commission on a60 vote with one absence and four vacancies. Those are all the changes and corrections to the Thursday, September 14th, 2023. Agenda members. The order of the day that we will go through is of course, at 4:00. I'm sorry, at 4:00 I have it down as item number four on my list. If anybody's wondering why I would screw that up that way, if we're here at 4:00, somebody lost a bet. All right, let's just say that 10 A.M, we'll we'll have our the speakers that are signed up. I want to make a note that those that are signed up to speak at the public hearing for item number 103, you will have an opportunity to speak at the time certain at 115. That's the actual item. There's also an item which is item 103, which is to set a
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item 103, which is to set a public hearing. And what I think may have happened is some people signed up to speak on the setting for the public hearing. There have to be two public hearings for the second public hearing. And they really meant to be signing up to speak at the public hearing today. So I will make a note and we will call on you so that we don't you didn't sign up for the wrong thing and not get to be heard. Item 86 is an item that's the one I was telling you about that sets the public hearing. We will then vote on the consent agenda with a brief remarks from council. I have two people that have indicated they wish to be heard on the consent agenda. We have two items that have been pulled. Item is item 17 and 132. Their they're listed as non consent items because they are items from council committees. Item 88 and item 89 and item 90, we will take them. We'll take them. We will. Then we will. Then I've
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will. Then we will. Then I've got some as much as I enjoy hearing my own voice, I don't like hearing it twice. By the way, for the record, council member Velazquez has joined remotely. We will then take up eminent domain on items 91, 92, 93 and 94. We will then go to the public hearings. I will call the I will call the public hearings in this order. And it's based upon the number of speakers we had. When I sat down to put together this list. So we will go with item number 101st, then we will go to item 98. Then we will go to item 99. I want to note for the public item number six, which is a public hearing and the related item number 104 have been postponed. So right now, I think we only have one person that signed up to speak. But those items that they will
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But those items that they will be postponed at noon. We will have public communication and live music. I want to note for the record that unfortunately, I have to be off the dais for a period of time. The mayor pro tem will handle that matter. And then the live music councilmember Fuentes because we have one of her constituents here today, she will help us with that. At 115. We will have a time certain and that is with regard to item number 103 that I previously mentioned, Ed. What we are required by law to have a time certain for a public hearing on on one of these types of agreements. And that will be at 1:15 P.M. There will be no action council will take action on this item on September 21st. And then of course, at 2:00 we will have of our zoning items. There have been two items as I currently understand it, that have been pulled from the zoning consent agenda. Those are 116 and 117 and then we have
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and 117 and then we have postponements on 111 113 Ann one 1418 and 128 yes. Councilmember qadri thank you, mayor. >> My apologies, but I'd also like to speak on the consent agenda. I don't think that was made known, so my apologies on that. >> No problem. We'll make sure it happens. Mayor yes, me as well. >> Thank you. >> I thought I mentioned you, but I've got you. >> Okay. Sorry. >> You did. Let us know. And so I've got that. So thank you very much. All right. So let's go to for having done that. And if there are any, unless there's any questions about the order of the day, we will go now to our our speakers at 10:00 on the consent agenda. And I'll look to the city clerk. >> Okay. Mayor the first speaker is Jean Latasha on 99. Thank you . Jean please unmute. We will.
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Jean please unmute. We will. Jean. Next speaker is Karen Kreps on on item. 98. >> Thank you. My name is Karen Kreps. I live in district eight. I go to Barton springs every day. I think that the plan to redo the bathhouse is a total disaster. I, I cannot imagine why you would reassign Godfrey and limbacher if you look at what they did to the ladies dressing room bathhouse. It is one of the worst designed bathhouses I've ever seen. They made this big mistake so that they had to put privacy screens in after they were done. You can't be there in the rain and keep your stuff dry anywhere.
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keep your stuff dry anywhere. The only electric outlet is right by the sink. The mirrors right over the sink. It's a terrible bathhouse. Women hate it. It's creepy. And why would you? I think that there control tracked for having done the master plan for that almost cut down all the trees around the pool says that they are not allowed to do any projects coming from that plan. This is one of their plans. I also think that what you're going to be doing is shutting down access to a huge amount of the parking lot, making it impossible to enter the back the north shore. That's really bad for people with accessibility issues. I know people who are extremely upset knowing they won't be able to get to the pool and. I just don't understand how the budget for it could have escalated. I understand it's gone from $2 million up to something like $10 million. This does not need to be done. Just use some of that money to fix the plumbing. I
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money to fix the plumbing. I know that you've been neglecting these bathhouses for years with the idea of pulling them down and renovating it and I think that this is just part of the whole master plan to concretize the park and make it difficult for the public to attend. Thank you for listening. >> Next speaker is Susan pentel speaking on item four and 101. >> I'm speaking in opposition to the airport expansion and I'm quite disappointed that none of you have spoken up to question whether we should be doing this major expansion of the airport. >> We are in a climate crisis and we should not be more than doubling the size of our airport, which will significantly increase air travel and climate change emissions. We have a climate
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emissions. We have a climate equity plan and the goal is to is to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions as this project directly contradicts that and you conveniently don't include the air travel in the climate plan goals. There has never been a community conversation, a community wide conversation about whether we should be doing this project, discussing the pros and cons of this project. The people who benefit from this are the business travelers and the tourists and the people who are harmed are again the lower income and moderate income people who especially live under the flight plan. And they will have increased air, air pollution and increased noise pollution as a result of this. The project says that they are likely exceeding air pollution standard as they broke this
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standard as they broke this project up into a bunch of smaller projects. So that they can claim that none of the projects Bartz have excessive environmental impacts. The community outreach by the airport has been extremely minimal. Only 12 people commented on the environmental assessment in a region of over a million. That is not acceptable . All we really need to reconsider this project that it is not a good project. Thank you . >> Next speaker is Jean Latasha speaking on item 99. Jean, please unmute your phone. Is the next speaker is Michael
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Is the next speaker is Michael cannot speaking on 98. >> Hi. Greetings council members mayor. Mayor pro tem. I'm communicating in favor of something before you for a change of pace on behalf of the Bartz springs conservancy, we have been working with the city of Austin. Actually going back to starting with mayor Leffingwell and then with mayor Adler and now with mayor Watson. We're hoping to see this project move forward. The bathhouse was built in 1947 and has a number of plumbing and mechanical problems which reflect the age of this 75 plus year old structure. And to fix these problems and provide a first class facility for Barton springs visitors. The project was launched in 2018. We've actually been working through an extensive community input process. I heard Mrs. Kreps speak earlier. She was part of that process. I understand Mr.
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that process. I understand Mr. Bunch is going to speak. He was also part of that process. This project requires an amendment to the sos ordinance and we have not heard any objections to the approval at this point from any of the boards and commissions, reviews. And we really do feel it's important for this project to move forward. We're requesting that the council support the amendment to the sos ordinance. The project is addressing some fire safety and impervious cover challenges that the site has. But importantly, it's also providing new environmental education exhibits that will be part of the entrance experience. Everybody understands that the best and only way to protect Barton springs and the Edwards aquifer is to dramatically increase our public education and outreach. And I hope the council will understand we need to upgrade the bathhouse, but it's a very challenging location. Ann near the pool near the recharge features as an historical project. So we urge you to
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project. So we urge you to please support this. Having private partners try to step up and raise funds to partner with the city is going to be extremely challenging if these projects just drag on and on and on. So we urge council, please support the amendment. Thank you . >> Next speaker is Kathleen Mitchell on 132. >> Hi. I'm hoping you all can hear me. I'm Kathy Mitchell and I have done a lot with data, public safety data over the years, and I support this item and I want to make a couple of comments. You may be hearing that the council is getting too granular in its direction and that that overstep into the city manager's role. I don't know if you're hearing that on this item, but it has been a refrain
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item, but it has been a refrain . So speaking to that, this item has a long and unfortunate history of inaction or frankly, backward action in making granular direction mandatory. You will hear from others today about data requests long overdue from APD data that should already be on the portal is not some example. >> The use of force data set 2019 is the most recent one. The annual racial profiling data set, which APD does send this data by law to dps every last one that's posted is 2020. >> The discharge of firearm at a dog, which is mandatory under a legal settlement. The most recent one is 2021. >> And then I think most telling, the innovation an office in 2021 produced an important series of maps and data analysis of the 911 call data previously used by the Austin justice coalition to initially lift up the nature of 911 calls and the
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911 calls and the appropriateness of the city's response. >> This important work appears to have been discontinued. No 911 call data has been released to the public and those requesting it have been in limbo . You are only called upon to direct policy at this level of detail when management has failed to do what is required or has closed down successful work without consultation. You may be told that this is because APD lacks staff or APD staff are not the issue here. The data missing from the public debate and that will be included in this resolution is produced daily in the ordinary course of business . An open data model ensures that data problems are quickly identified by public users. >> Thank you for your time. Has expired. I'd like to make a quick announcement. There are a few speakers that have called in and they're not calling in from the number they registered with , so we are not accepting them.
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, so we are not accepting them. So if they can let us know, email us and let us know your name so that we can let you through next speaker is Zenobia Joseph speaking on 1346 and 76. >> Thank you, mayor. >> Council I'm Zenobia Joseph. My comments are specifically related to item 76 safe streets and roads for all the $22.9 million from the us department of transportation. I just want to ask that you prioritize closing the mid‐block stops on palmer, not palmer. My apologies on north Lamar, which is 801 chinatown. There is also another item, specifically number 46, which speaks to $5 million for Ada sidewalk and ramp improvements. But neither of those items show zo a prioritization of closing mid‐ block stops and making 88 compliant sidewalks accessible
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compliant sidewalks accessible for the people in wheelchairs, walkers and canes in that area. And I would just ask staff for 46 to put online a map that actually has the streets. I'm looking at a blue line and it appears to be dessau road. I'm not sure if that's what this is signaling. It would be helpful. Besides lines and dots, I would also ask you to recognize as it relates specifically to Braker lane that for district one, there will be some improvements. But what's really needed for wheelchairs is for there to be pedestrian hybrid beacons. It's a one mile walk to the bus stop from dessau and palmer to Rotherham and Shropshire, which is the pioneer crossing area. And lastly, I will just say as it relates to item 3013, the $35.7 million total for iconic music and connecting equitably project for I 35 central is a bit disconcerting to me. I'm not
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bit disconcerting to me. I'm not sure if this is just for music, but it does include urban renewal in the backup from 2021 and as James Baldwin once said, it's removal. So this does give me reason for pause. Do you have any questions? I'll gladly answer them at this time and we'll just ask mayor that you put your rules online for the board for these meetings because it's a little difficult to know who can speak and when. Thank you. I. Next speaker is Scott Cobb on item 98. Work as a lifeguard for the city of Austin. >> And I'm speaking on the bathhouse, which I look forward to modernize, renovated bathhouse when it's completed. I'm talking about today about a nomination form that I submitted three weeks ago to named the
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three weeks ago to named the bathhouse after Joan named gabelli and I made the hundred and $65 application fee. As many of you know, Joan was 17 year old girl who in 1960 organized swimming to protest the lack of access for her and members of her community to the pool who were excluded because of the segregation. And this tribute to rename the bathhouse for her would be a nice tribute. And it isn't confined to the past. It's an investment in the future. By honoring Joan in this way, we're making a commitment to a future that mirrors her ideals of equality and inclusivity. Just as her bravery ignited a movement that opened Barton springs pool for everyone in this act to rename, the bathhouse becomes a constant reminder that progress isn't static. It evolves, adapts, adapts and thrives. Every child
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adapts and thrives. Every child walking through the doors to Barton springs pool, every family gathering by the poolside will be touched by Joan spirit guiding us towards a brighter, more just future for all. For Austin. So as the doors of Barton springs in the future, swing open the Gates for the entrance, they will swing open to all. It will be a space where equity and unity thrive. Joan's legacy extends beyond the present, passing its influence on tomorrow's yet to unfold here at Barton springs, individuals from diverse walks of life will convene, connect and shape a future rooted in access, acceptance and shared humanity. Katy domains cabella story will continue to remind us that one person's unwaged, courage and ability to harness the power of her community city has the power to ignite change that reverberates through time. >> Thank you, speaker. Your time
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>> Thank you, speaker. Your time has expired to forge a better world for all. >> Thank you. >> That concludes the remote speakers at this time. So I'm going to move on to the in person. If your name is called, please make your way to the front and state your name at the podium. First. Speaker is Gus Pena speaking on five, six, seven and eight. On on deck is Rachel Melendez on nine and Zhao Paul Connelly on nine. Please make your way up to the front. Thank you. So good morning. >> My name is Gustavo Gus Pena, native east austinite. I am supporting Lang five, six and seven. Dave Evans and Travis county mental health and mental
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county mental health and mental retardation, which is very, very important because the brain issues are we have a lot of people with brain issues, so we need help on that. Now Jesus, I asked you to talk to that person over there. You haven't done it to take corrective measures. This is very detrimental and it is not supposed to be happening. Don't do it again because I will file a federal law. I'm still federal irs. Okay. But the issue is this is when somebody's profiling you, that's a federal offense. So just remember that. Just remember that you haven't done a thing to me. And you take corrective measures and I see officers over there, hey, I took two academies, okay? Irs and the other one from New York. Okay, so now you're not the only three police officers are here. But I just wanted to let you know that. Please please take corrective measures. I'm over
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corrective measures. I'm over here. You want to see my card? I got it right here. Mackenzie I love you because you always said hello. And some of my people don't even say hello. I don't care. But you know what? I love you because of that. And and my wife of 38 years. I love you, honey. You know, but the issue is this, is that I, I, I just want to tell you because you have been helping me a whole lot when it really hurts me. I have brain injury from Vietnam. I spent two tours in Vietnam. How many of you all were in combat? How many of you all? How many of you all were in combat? You all don't know what the hell it is. Excuse me. My wife told me to not say that. But anyway, I just wanted to take corrective measures. Every time I come over here, she's profiling me. You have not done a thing about it. And that's wrong. Take measures, because I will be federal and I am federal. Thank you very much .
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. >> Next speaker is Rachel Melendez. On deck? Are Zhao Paul Connelly, as well as bill bunch? Please state your name at this podium. Hi Rachel Melendez. >> I'm with unite here, local 23 and here to speak on behalf of local 23, we represent hotel workers at several hotels and almost all of the food service at the end. Retail at the airport. In fact, workers at the Hilton downtown and the Hilton at the airport, just one really great first contracts the thousands of hotel and hospitality workers in this city are often the first and last faces that visitors see when they're coming to our city. Whether we are serving them food and drinks at the airport or the convention center or cleaning their hotel rooms in a hotels across the city. We are the backbone of this industry. We know that when the industry is doing well for our members and hospitality workers have more opportunities to do well. We want the hotel and hospitality industry to be successful knell
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industry to be successful knell so that workers in that industry can also thrive. We look forward to continuing the work to work with hospitality workers across the city to improve working conditions and raise the standard for them. Thank you. >> Next speaker is John Powell Connelly, bill bunch. Alex Alexander, stranger if your name is called, please make your way to the podium. Wayne Shipley. Shall I? >> Okay, good morning. Bill bunch executive director with save our springs alliance. I want to ask for your support and
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want to ask for your support and indicate our support for item 79. The site specific amendment initiation for the Erickson property in Barton hills with the strict guidance that you've written into that resolution. Thank you for that. We also support item 80, please do challenge the proposed dam on the llano river. And then of course, item 81, please do support the resolution providing for a free swim day next Tuesday for the Barton springs university day event that that is open to the whole community. Katy but the target there is about 1000 high school students who show up for a full day of outdoor learning and swimming at the springs. Please join us if you can, working in and around your work session. And then we also support the site specific amendment for the Barton springs bathhouse. But there's still
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bathhouse. But there's still huge questions, site specific amendment to the ordinance, but there's still a ton of questions in the community, especially the regular swimmers who actually use the bathhouse on a regular basis about this project, about the staging area which earlier speaker mentioned. So please ask Mok encourage direct staff and the contractors was to hold educational meeting about the project very soon before it actually starts moving forward with the drawings and do it at the bathhouse or on the grounds right outside side so that people can really understand the process, the procedure and the substance of exactly what is currently on the table, because this has gone through multiple iterations over years and years . And I think there's there shouldn't be this many questions left on the table before the project moves forward. So that's our request attached to our
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our request attached to our support for that measure. Thank you. >> I'm going to go back to a remote speaker very quickly. Cynthia Vasquez speaking on item 100. >> Hey, y'all, can y'all hear me out there? >> Yes. Please proceed. >> All right. My name is Cynthia Vasquez. I'm a seven, eight 702 east Austin chicano native. And I'm here to speak on item number 100. About the joint use park use agreement with our schools. And I'm asking to postpone this work so we're able to coordinate more robust conversations in the early 90s and 78 702 black and brown kids were being arrested and placed in the juvenile justice center and aid with that data started sending out letters to people like my mom, east side moms were getting notified that their students were at risk. So my brother was one of the brown kids in east
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one of the brown kids in east Austin who was told he was at risk. So some of that park use and some of that work, families started asking, where are the safe places that our children have to go and our city and our school parks were part of that solution to keep them safe, to add amenities to provide safer environments for our black and brown kids. Right now, over ten schools are at risk of losing public funding. Public funding that's provided over $3 million in amenities and service and maintenance in schools. Otherwise, that would look like trash. We know the history of and how they treat parks along the eastern crescent and the city has done an amazing job in coordinating specifically our parks and rec department and coordinating and collaborating with over $3 million worth of park amenities at school parks, including waste receptacles, playgrounds, water fountains,
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playgrounds, water fountains, benches, picnic tables, nature play features and more. Imagine our east side schools. Without these things, please slow down. Please slow down. I know I'm one person right now, but I guarantee you if you postpone this work, I will bring 50 people from along the eastern crescent to ask you to slow that process down and do not rescind that contract with the joint use parkland agreement. Thank you. >> Your time has expired, y'all. >> East Siders. That's. I'm counting on y'all for that solidarity. Thank you. >> Back to in person. Alex sander, stringer, Wayne Shipley . Speaking on item 80 on deck is Jen weaver. >> Hi, everyone. My name is
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>> Hi, everyone. My name is Wayne Shipley. I'm a former Austin resident. Now living in L.A. County. I'm with the lake Buchanan communities alliance. And considering this resolution, I thought it might be helpful to bring a highland Lakes perspective to the issue. I was at the hearing in rock springs with Mr. Greg, Mr. Greg Garland , the owner of the above ranch, was there as well. None of the three commissioners were there. The ones who would actually vote on the project. This is an aerial view of the proposed waterstone dam. The yellow pen is the center of what would be a six foot high, 120 foot long structure, much of the white area below the pen would be dredged. This product is completely for private use with no value to the public. It's an idea of the scope of it. This is a dam in mason county. It was not permitted blocks off the James river, which is a close tributary to the llano river in case you are wondering what these things look like, here's a screen grab from a movie. This one is tiny compared to mason
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one is tiny compared to mason and waterstone. This is more like the real thing. Note this dam is only about four feet high. A dam like this would set a precedent for any other landowner to do the same thing. What would stop them? If you look to the far right, it shows the combined storage of the history of lake Travis, the far right red line there indicates a drop of about a million acre feet of storage just since summer of 2025. For perspective , in 2022, Austin residents used about 267,000 acre feet. The light blue bars represent average inflows into the highland Lakes. The dark blue bars represent inflows during the last drought. The last drought was the second worst in drought history and by far the longest one. August had a 2023 is shaping up to be the worst inflows on record. August had almost no inflows concerning
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almost no inflows concerning Austin's growth. There is no way a dammed up river system will be able to supply water to our area. Please pass this resolution. Thank you. Thank you . >> Next speaker is Jen weaver speaking on 82. On deck is Jessica Cohen and Chris flores. If your name has been called, please make your way to the podium. >> Good morning. Honorable council members. I'm Jen weaver . I'm chair of design commission. I'm also a downtown commissioner. I am not here to speak on those capacities. This morning. I'm here to speak on item 82. Require airing windows for sleeping bedrooms or rooms for sleeping facilities. We've been working, David. Carol could not be here this morning, and he's been working with the advocacy group Juan Mauro, professor Juan Mauro has been working with the students and other professors, 750 students wrote in requesting windows be required for sleeping facility his we've been working with
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his we've been working with staff to try to move this through the ifc process as we've been successful with other parking Lang, removing parking minimums. That's not possible in this case because this is a building code amendment. So if we're adopting this on the building code cycle, which is staff's preference, that would allow a pipeline of more windowless dorms to be created. This is an urgent matter due to the incentives in the district. We have an unpressed rented building boom in west campus. Some of these new buildings have up to 22% windowless bedrooms, 44% windowless bedrooms. I urge you to take action on potentially outside of the building cycle. All building code adoption cycle, all to require the windows be. Require bedrooms that are rented to have windows. This is really
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windows. This is really reprehensible that a city this large would stop an adoption requiring windows to allow a pipeline to produce more windowless bedrooms. It's not time to pat yourselves on the back yet. I appreciate all the support from all the council offices on this, but this is urgent to take action now. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Jessica Cohen speaking on 96 on deck. Are Chris flores and Dave Anderson as well as matthias segura. If your name has been called, please make your way to the podium. >> If your name is being called, please make your way to the podium. Mayor council members Dave Anderson here representing
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Dave Anderson here representing aid for item 100. >> We just wanted to make ourselves available for questions when that item arises. Thank you. Thank you very much. Next speakers are Jeff Traeger, George Wilcox, Greg porter, Kathie Steele, John berdnik, jack means, Scott walker. >> Ava lugo, Courtney hickey. Diane Tran. Laura Scheer. Ethan Holmes and Rebecca Ballinger on 102. And they are going in that order. Thank you. >> Hello. City council members. I'm Chris flores, resident of district ten and a daily swimmer at Barton and deep eddy pools. I come before you today to ask you to implement a citizen swimmer review of the Barton springs bathhouse rehab plan before the project begins. I'm a part of a group of retired professional women who have been reviewing
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women who have been reviewing the 2018 design plan, the 120 public comment from February 2019. The building history and the building itself. The public approved a $2 million bond to upgrade the bathhouse nearly 20 years ago. So the projects no longer on time or on budget. Our little group of citizens want to help make it done right. In my group are a retired architect, a retired engineer, a retired project manager and a business owner. We have been in contact with the assistant project manager, miss Ashley wells. We have offered to help the city staff communicate with the swimmer community community during the project, we asked the parks board to designate enough parking for staff so that they can get in at the very least, they can get in, in and out quickly. We have four primary concerns with the design as it is, three of which could be because the plan is unclear.
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because the plan is unclear. These are the 2019 comments asked that the guard location be in an area close to the deep part of the pool, which is a public safety issue. There is no comprehensive list of historic features that will be preserved. The public comments emphasize this the 2018 design could not foresee the 2020 pandemic and we have since learned about airflow and contagion. We are beginning to think the 1947 building without a C may have had safer airflow than we have today. 2023 heat wave was unforeseen. Ann. In 2018. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, madam clerk. >> Can I can I ask a question? Have we finished with everything? All of the speakers that were signed up for the consent agenda? And if we now
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consent agenda? And if we now move to the public hearing items because. >> Yes. So our understanding is that we would take 98 and 100 and during the public hearing. So that was my mistake for calling Mr. Anderson yeah. >> No, in fact, when I laid it out, I was I said we would take up item 100 as the first public hearing because at that point we had the most speakers for that. If we're just to the if we're just now let me rephrase that. If we now have only public hearings is where people have signed up, let me know that. Because what we'll do is we will go ahead and vote on the consent agenda and then we will come back to the public hearing. Does that make sense? >> These are public hearings. >> Okay. And we concluded those that have signed up on the items that we believe are all the consent agenda items, correct consent have all been called. Well done. Thank you. Then in
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Well done. Thank you. Then in that case, members, I'm going to with without objection, Ann. And let me just say this again on items that are set for public hearing are 95. 96 is related to 104, but it's been postponed. It's 97, 98, 99 Ann 100 and 101 and 102. If you've already spoken on one of the public hearing items, we're not going to call on you again. But we will go in this order when we get to the public hearings 198, 99. With that, members is the items that have been pulled are items 17 and 132. They have been pulled from the consent agenda. Item number 54. However has a proposed motion and as I understand it, a proposed motion with the idea that the item would stay on the consent agenda. Is that correct?
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agenda. Is that correct? Councilor member Fuentes members , you have in front of you the motion sheet for council member. Fuentes for item number 54, the motion to adopt the consent agenda would include include this amendment to item number 54. So when the motion is taken on the consent agenda, it will include Eid. This motion on item number 54, councilmember vela. Okay. Councilmember Fuentes, you want to be recognized? Okay is there. Okay. I'm told it's not in the backup, so let me please read this. Well, regardless if it's in the backup, we'll we'll we'll. It is okay. Again, I like hearing my voice, but I don't need to read that. Very good. So with that being said, let me get a motion on the consent agenda, including this proposed change. Councilmember qadri moves
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Councilmember qadri moves adoption of the consent agenda. Its second by council member Fuentes. I'm now going to ask if there's anyone that wishes to be shown abstaining from the consent agenda. Councilmember Kelly thank you. >> I'd like to be shown as abstaining from item 82. >> Councilmember Kelly will be shown abstaining from item 82. Is there anyone wishing to be shown as recusing themselves? Ralls is there anyone wishing to be shown voting no, no, not today. >> Mayor. >> Oh wow. In that case, without objection, we are adjourned. Thank you, councilmember. All right. So. And there will be no votes shown? No, no votes shown. Councilmember alter councilmember pool and councilmember Harper Madison will be shown off the dais on the vote on the consent agenda. Before we take the vote on the consent agenda, let me recognize in this order, councilmember Kelly, councilmember Ryan alter and councilmember qadri for
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and councilmember qadri for brief comments on on the agenda. >> Thank you, mayor and members. I'd like to thank my council colleagues for the thorough discussion that we had on Tuesday and the work we did on item 83 and including the incorporation by the author of the item of my suggestions. I would like to personally thank councilmember pool and her team for working with my office and staff to include the following provisions in version two of her resolution one registration with the city. If the unit will be used as a short term rental to compliance with the city's residential code, including fire distance required between dwelling units and three designation as a dwelling unit that is subject to the city's limits on the maximum number of dwellings allowed in chapter 25, two of the city's zoning code, as I outlined in my message board post community members in my district had deep concerns about what the resolution looked to have proposed. But with these new changes in the friendly collaboration with councilmember pool, we've ensured that there will be transparency throughout the process and there are assurances for single family homeowners. To that end, I want to especially thank my team for
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to especially thank my team for communicating with the constituency and to council Poole's team for helping us work through those concerns and addressing them before today's meeting. Thank you all very much. I'm thrilled to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Austin ems association for successfully reaching an agreement with the city, which is set to be formally signed later today. And I'm looking forward to it. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of both the city staff and management team. We're profoundly grateful for their commitment to coming to the table and forging this important agreement. And as we move forward, I eagerly anticipate future public safety agreements that will serve as shining examples of the remarkable cooperation and partnership between our city and its dedicated public safety departments. Thank you, mayor. With that, I yield back. >> Thank you very much, mayor. I want to make brief comments about two items. First, the tourism and public improvement district item number 19. I'm really excited that today we're moving forward on an improved tpid plan that really is a win win for our local hotels and our
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win for our local hotels and our residents. The new version of this plan guarantees us that 20% of tpid revenue will be spent to reimburse the city for expenses that increase tourism. These expenses will increase hotel stays, increase our tax revenues and through their reimbursement, free up general funds for the city to use to address critical needs. Through this deal, we will be able to invest in our workers in invest in our local businesses and invest in our residents. But I'd be remiss if I didn't thank council member Fuentes for her leadership on this issue and insistence on getting the best deal possible for our community. I also want to thank the Austin hotel lodging association, Ann and Scott zaslav for their willingness to address our concerns and for working with us collaboratively to find a solution that advances us all our goals. I'd also like to make a quick comment about item 101. It's the Westgate expansion at the airport we had received a
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the airport we had received a few questions about the environmental protections in place for this project and our office had the opportunity to actually go out to the airport and do a tour and we had a conversation about the environmental protections that they're going to put in place, especially for particulate matters and emissions. And so I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank them for their commitment to these protections for our community. >> Thank you, councilmember members, one of the things I was going to point out just before the vote, but councilmember alter just was discussing the tpid item on the changes made to the proposed tpid that he just discussed and working with councilmember Fuentes that he just discussed is in the backup . It's so it's a as requested by me and others, it's a different version of what we've seen. And so I want to make sure everybody knows that the one the item you're voting on is the version that is that's been posted and is in your backup. Just for
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is in your backup. Just for clarity purposes. It's labeled version two. Okay thank you, councilmember councilmember qadri. >> Thank you. Mayor. Wanted to quickly talk about two different items. Item nine, tpid. And then item 82, the windowless bedrooms item concerning item nine. I know we've been working on this thing for years and years and years, and that's why I'm so glad we're finally at the finish line. I just want to thank my colleagues, specifically councilmember Ryan alter and councilmember Vanessa Fuentes, for their hard work on this, for coming together and doing right by our community, our staffers, the local hotels, the stakeholders, our tourism commissioners and our convention center staff, including Katie and Tricia for working so hard on this, especially in the past few weeks. I'm glad we're able to reach this point where we are today, and I'm committed, as are my colleagues, to working with staff to stay on top of it throughout its duration. And then the next item I really want to quickly touch on and I do
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to quickly touch on and I do appreciate the support from my colleagues is item 82, the windowless bedrooms. As you know, this resolution is the fruit of hard work put in by students, by advocates from the Austin chapter of the aia, which is the American institute of architects, and my district 19, as I said on Tuesday's work session, affordability is a major challenge in our city and we need to look at every tool in our toolbox to get a handle of it. And but however, we can't sacrifice essential quality of life features in the name of reducing rents and, you know, as it's been said by, you know, the speaker and a lot of conversations we've had, you know, natural light is a is a necessity, not a luxury. Students have had have hard enough as it is, you know, going to school and having to worry about tuition and transit and all these other things in this crazy world we live in. And this shouldn't have to worry about being in a windowless box. And it's just not. Students in west campus, as developers often use loopholes in our code to build
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loopholes in our code to build windowless bedrooms, as in other parts of the city, it's not good for mental health. It's also not good for public safety. Many cities across the country recognize this. More than a century ago, when they outlawed windowless bedrooms to prevent people from being trapped inside during a fire. So I think so. I want to thank the advocates once again, and I want to thank my co‐ sponsors, the rest of this council, for making sure this resolution passed. And I look forward to staff's work and stakeholder outreach on this. And it can't wait for the draft amendment to come back to us so we can close this windowless loophole for good. A lot of work still has to be done. I agree with the speaker. Ms. Weaver, on this. We shouldn't pat ourselves on the back. There's a lot of work to be done. The job's not over, but I'm glad to be here. Thank you. >> Councilmember councilmember Fuentes. >> Thank you, colleagues. I'm super excited that on our agenda we have the on our agenda we have for approval. The ems labor contract and I think that it's
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contract and I think that it's an exciting day for us to see this negotiation come forward. I want to thank city staff for their hard work and negotiations and, of course, the ems association, Ann and union president Selina Hsieh for her leadership on this. I was very pleased to see this deal come forward and see that we're going to be able to pay our medics much more and much more along with what they're worth. We certainly have a long way to go and I certainly want to see our paramedics, too. I want to see them reach parity with other public safety personnel. But I think this contract goes a long way in getting us on that on that step. And so I'm excited to see this deal go forward. And I'm very proud of the ems division that we have. We have an award winning nationally recognized ems department that serves as a model for the nation and so the work that they're doing day in and day out, saving lives, responding to emergencies, is critical. And so
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emergencies, is critical. And so I'm thrilled to see that. And then I also wanted to talk about the tourism public improvement district that we are initiating today. It is the next step in a long process. Of course, it will go out for petition with the hotels and then it will come back to council later this fall for another consideration by our our colleagues here. And so I want to thank councilmember Ryan alter for his strong leadership and getting us to a better deal for the city. So certainly this council will have a lot to consider on how we allocate the funds that will be freed up in our general fund to address our critical needs. I want to point out that the tourism commission met yesterday, and their recommendation is that it that any dollars that come out of our tpid and that we're able to utilize as part of the reimbursement process or as part of the process laid out in the framework that those dollars go towards addressing homelessness . And so that remains my
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. And so that remains my priority on how we utilize the funds with the tpid. And of course we will have those conversations at a later time and that will be a matter of policy for this dais. But just wanted to note that and want to thank the tourism commissioner for their recommendation. Thank you. >> Council mayor pro tem and then councilmember Vella. >> Thank you for the recognition. Mayor. I also wanted to highlight item number 76, which is $22.8 million coming from the us department of transportation for our transportation and public works division. So I'm very excited about the opportunities presented by accept getting this federal grant and really appreciate all of the work that is coming from that department in a way that makes our our roads and our streets safer for all types of users. >> Thank you. Mayor pro tem, councilmember Vella. >> Thank you, mayor. >> I would like to be shown as a co sponsor on council member Kadri's item 82. If off and on also on councilmember Poole's
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also on councilmember Poole's item with regard to the dam on the L.A. River. Item 80. I think those are both excellent items and I'm happy to support them. I also wanted to thank hang on one second with that objection, councilmember vela will be shown as a co sponsor on those two items. >> Thank you, mayor. >> And I also wanted to thank council member Ryan alter and councilmember Fuentes for their work on the tpid. It's a much improved item thanks to their efforts. Tourism is a vital industry here in Austin. The downtown hotels are are a linchpin of that tourism. I also wanted to mention that the city owns a downtown hotel as well. So we're supporting our own efforts in this regard. And, you know, that said, I want the hoteliers to also support labor . There are a lot of people employed downtown. They need to be receiving a living wage and benefits. And I would definitely
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benefits. And I would definitely like to see continued improvements in that line down the road. >> Thank you, councilmember council. We're getting ready to vote on the consent agenda. And before we do that, a couple of people have made comment. But I think it would be entirely appropriate to ask the head of the ems union, Selena Garcia, and her team, if you would, why don't you come down front as we get ready to vote on this very important contract? And chief, you come to your part of this and as they're coming forward on behalf of the council, let me also say we appreciate the work from the city manager's office and interim assistant city manager Bruce mills. You want to say anything quickly? >> I just want to say thank you to council the mayor and the city manager and his staff, and especially Sarah Griffith, who we worked with bargaining for about five months this year. >> I really think that we made a
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>> I really think that we made a big step in addressing our wage issue, which will help with our staffing crisis. This and especially because, as this is my whole bargaining team and also our board Ed together and every day, you know, we're driven to work really hard because we see how hard all of our paramedics and medics work and especially with the staffing crisis as well as the increase in environmental emergencies, as increase in mental health issues, substance use disorder issues, and trying to really think about how we appropriately address some of these issues from an ems point of view, I really hope that this contract will provide some stability so that we can really start to think about how we can be best use of resource monies and think really critically and smartly about how we use ems in this community to take care of the folks the best that we can. Well we it's been said councilmember Fuentes said it well. >> Others have said it well. But we deeply appreciate the service that you all bring to our community. It's probably
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community. It's probably particularly appropriate you're here on a day that councilmember Kelly is not going to vote no on something on the consent agenda because there may there may be cardiac arrest in the in the community. I shouldn't tease that way. Let me just say this. The quality of life in this community cannot be the quality of life we desire for in this community. Cannot be achieved without the work that you all do . That is something we think about all the time and that we fully appreciate. So the fact that we are now here today getting ready to vote on this contract and celebrating Lang through the vote on this contract, the role that you play in our community is a significant way for us to say thank you for all that you do. Members the consent agenda has been read without objection. The consent agenda is adopted unanimously with with councilmember pool.
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councilmember pool. Councilmember alter and councilmember harper‐madison off the dais. Thank you very much for all you do. God bless you all and be safe. Thank you. Members. That will take us to items 17 and items 132 I will call up item number 17. That item was pulled by council member Ryan alter. I'll recognize councilmember Ryan alter. >> Thank you very much. Mayor I pulled this item for two reasons. This is a purchase contract of various various things. But but really in particular, I want to talk about the vehicle purchase component tonight. If you look at our climate equity plan, transportation is equal to, if not now, the greatest source of our mission.
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our mission. >> Hang on one second. Councilmember councilmember, if I appreciate everybody wanting to talk and but if you could please take your conversations outside of the council chambers . Councilmember alter, I recognize you again. >> No, no worries. But so within our climate equity plan, by 2030, it calls for 40% of our total vehicle miles traveled to be electrified back when we had our budget process, I asked a question about what our current state is for our city fleet, and that is right now we have 1.8% of our city vehicle miles there. They're are their miles traveled are electric. So we are certainly a far way off from that 40% goal, only seven years from now. And within this contract or in this purchase, only 14 out of 296 of these vehicles, which is less than 5, are going to be electrified. And so really, I have a question. It
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so really, I have a question. It can be for you, manager or staff or Ed, but just really understanding what our plan is between now and 2030 of how we get to that 40% goal, recognizing where we are today. Thank you. >> Council member good morning, mayor and council. Ed Benigno chief financial officer certainly appreciate, appreciate the question. Staff is absolutely committed to achieving the goals and the climate equity plan we currently have 305 vehicles in our in our mobile fleet that are electric that currently represents 7% of all the vehicles, which is above the national average, which is roughly around four, 4.5. >> So a little bit above national averages for seeing electrical vehicles coming into fleets. So we are on pace to get another 43 vehicles. This year that are currently on order that will be coming in. We're planning to purchase another 59 vehicles citywide. And so the
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vehicles citywide. And so the question responds, this reimbursement resolution is about the city's general fund contractual obligation debt. 14 vehicles out of that. But including our enterprise vehicles will be bringing on board another 59 electric vehicles and there are challenges with electrifying the fleet right now. There currently isn't a pursuit rated police vehicle that meets the department's mission. And so as soon as there is, we'll begin piloting that pursuit vehicle and we'll will then transition our our police pursuit vehicles to an electric option. But currently there isn't that option. There are challenges with getting vehicles as well. There. For example, the large passenger vans, there's electric options for those vans. But right now, you can't get them. So if they become available, we would buy those vans and you would see that 14 number go up a little bit. But if they're not available because the supply chain issues or whatever the issue might be, we can't get them. So we are very committed to it. We are making good
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to it. We are making good progress. Our goal in getting to that mileage count is to have 1000 electric vehicles in the fleet by 2030. And we absolutely think we're going to be able to get there. Great >> Well, I really appreciate that. And I appreciate your attentiveness to this this issue. The other reason why I pulled this was it was posted, I believe, yesterday in the backup an amendment as it relates to our shade structures, that we've had some conversations with Austin energy, as well as parks department about exploring whether or not we could use solar panels as shades to two birds with one stone, not only have us some clean generation, but also have that shade for our parks or pools. And so this amendment will just ask them to explore where those options and opportunities might be. And so I would if it is the appropriate time. Are you going to offer the amendment that you put on the. >> Yes. So the appropriate time
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>> Yes. So the appropriate time now would be for a motion to adopt the item. We'll get a second and then I'll recognize you on a proposed amendment. >> I will move to adopt item 17. >> Motion is made by councilmember Ryan alter, seconded by councilmember qadri to adopt item number 17 council member alter you're recognized on a motion to amend item number 17. >> Now, I would like to offer our solar shade amendment to item 17. >> Members, you have been provided a copy of item. The proposed amendment on item number 17. It was in the back up is there a second to the motion? It is seconded by councilmember Fuentes. Is there any objection to the adoption of the proposed amendment to item number 17? Hearing none. Without objection, the amendment is adopted. Members. There are there's no one that has been signed up to speak on item number 17. I'm looking over at the clerk's. Sure said that very forcefully didn't I? And they confirming that without objection, an item
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that without objection, an item number 17, seen as amended is adopted with three members off the dais. So thank you, councilmember. That will take us to item number 132. Councilmember Fuentes well, before I go to councilmember, she pulled the item, but before I go to councilmember Fuentes, I'll recognize councilmember vela. >> Thank you very much. Mayor I've been working on this item for a while and very excited to move it through. First and foremost, I really want to thank the Austin police department specifically Elise Renshaw. Jonathan cringan, assistant city manager. Bruce mills, and chief Anderson. We've worked very closely with them to kind of massage the language and get things just right to understand their processes and work with them in getting this item in a pass in a way that works within their systems and gets the
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their systems and gets the public the information that they need. I think we've got finally a good draft that meets everyone's needs. And also I have to thank all the community data experts who provided valuable input on this item and gave it a look and helped us with guidance. Particularly, I want to thank Julio Gonzalez Altamirano, who has worked really this came from conversations that we have, and he was the one that provided me the first kind of draft of it. I really appreciate his help and his support. This is not a groundbreaking item. I'm other cities, Seattle, San Antonio have excellent publicly available police data dashboards. What we're doing today is we're bringing national best practices to Austin. And this is one of the, I think, the rare public safety items that everyone supports. APD has a backlog of public information requests. Many of them are for exactly this type of data, have this data publicly available, reduces our open records workload. The public wants this information so they can evaluate
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information so they can evaluate public safety trends and patterns. And policymakers need this information. If we are going to make data driven public safety decisions and transparency around public safety is critical for building community trust. While we are releasing public data, we are taking steps to make sure that there is no personally identifiable information within that data. For example, we started out by asking for the block number of all the service calls, but out there are small blocks and we didn't want to inadvertently identify anybody. Sade so we switched over to using census block group instead, which is one of the smallest units at the census measures. Using this measure gives us good granular data without revealing any individually identifiable information. We don't want to reveal the address or specific location of sexual assault victims. Mental health calls and other sensitive information. And then in the recent budget, we funded for civilian data positions for APD. These are the positions that will be working
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positions that will be working to get this data out to the public. The out to the public. So the department should have the resources they need to get that done. All that said, some of the data we are requesting may take longer for APD to provide because of technical or administrative hurdles, and we've been discussing that with the department and I was wondering if there was anyone from the department that could run through some of those areas . >> Chief Henderson and councilmember I think we've also appreciate that you've given us to December to come back when we do identify that there's a need for additional resources, we'll make those as part of your consideration because there may be resource needs that we don't know yet, but we will know it after this analysis. And we want to be able to have those resources and able to comply with the resolution. >> Thank you. City manager. And I know there may be software purchases that are needed or there may be additional resources that are needed to get this out and absolutely, we want to support that. And can I
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to support that. And can I apologize, chief, it's been called my attention that on item number 98, which is a public hearing, which I know we have had people signed up to speak on , item number 98 requires nine votes of the council in order to address it. >> So item number 98 is going to be postpone until the 21st. And I just want the public to know that. What are you doing? I think we have the same problem for item 79. >> Okay. >> Well, I'll look at that in a minute. Item number 98. Item number 98 will be postponed until the 21st. So if you're waiting to speak or you're looking forward to speaking or you've been practicing, all morning, we're going to put that off. You got more time to practice. Sorry to interrupt the flow, but I just hate for somebody to be sitting there and then not know about it. >> Appreciate that, mayor.
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>> Appreciate that, mayor. >> Chief, you're recognized. Councilmember vela. >> Thank you, mayor and chief, I just wanted to I like I said, we've been looking through them some of the items are you already have that data. >> You already recorded it shouldn't be that hard. Others there may be a technical or administrative problems. I was just wondering if you could discuss some of those. >> Yes, thank you. Council member vela. Mayor mayor pro tem and members of the Dyess. First, I do want to thank you, council member vela for bringing this item forward and understand that APD does value and very much appreciates, first of all, the need and interest for public facing dashboard as it relates to our police operations. And we very much want to want to fulfill that. We just want to make sure that, first of all, what the requested data is our interpretation of it is accurate . Therefore, we're delivering the true ask of what's in the in the item, because sometimes our interpretation of how we read it and then what is actually produced may not align. And so we just want to make sure that
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we just want to make sure that we're clear on those. In addition, we also note that there are various operating systems that we have that do not currently communicate with one another. And so they don't naturally draw that information and can align it with the with the items that are being being asked. And that's going to be either manpower, heavy or software heavy in order to produce those those items. In addition to that, we also have several other projects that are currently in works inclusive of producing our own public facing dashboard as we was a result from our dps partnership, we realized that this was an outstanding item and at that point it got brought to the forefront that we needed to expedite that. So please understand in the background we have been working on our own public facing dashboard in addition to other projects that we have in works. And so I do have lieutenant askew from our police technology unit. I also have Mr. Mcgrath who is standing in for Dr. Jonathan cringan. He is under the weather, but he is from our research and planning team and so I'll just pass the
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team and so I'll just pass the mic to them. So they can give you a better understanding of what those challenges and hurdles are. Thank you. >> Good morning, everyone. My name is Sheldon askew. I'm a lieutenant with the Austin police department's police technology unit. I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today. So as chief Henderson mentioned, there are just certain software solutions. The police department deploys that provide limited options with respect to compiling the data, not only the data itself, but the timeline that the resolution obviously is asking us to do. There's also business practices in place that the department is going to have to work through in order to achieve exactly what the resolution is asking us to achieve. So there definitely are going to be those two limitations and I'll drill down just real briefly on two. So one of the one of the request is for us to provide information as it pertains to individual calls, as everyone on the dais is aware, we have a cad system, computer aided dispatch system, as well as a records management system.
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as a records management system. Those two systems obviously operate on some level independent. Ali there is some shared data, but a lot of that data set is manual entered by the end user. The officers on the street. Obviously, any time you introduce the human element to transferring data, it's prone to errors. And so as a result, not aligning those two data sets from two systems oftentimes presents a challenge to some degree. That's the first example. The second example is the digital timekeeping system. Ukg the Austin police department is currently deploying ukg and we expect to have it up and running by April of next year, 2024. The issue, though, is that ukg does not present the granularity needs to satisfy some of the things in the resolution. In other words, there's an example or I'm sorry, a requirement in the resolution that would require us to provide Eid granular data on overtime spent for officers working patrol construction, Ann and special events. Well the police department can provide the rate of pay for those particular
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of pay for those particular assignment. But drilling down on the actual assignment itself would require a business practice change that that ukg obviously doesn't accommodate. So those are just two examples of several that exist in the resolution and the reasons why making a 30 day meeting, a 30 day requirement would be problematic. >> And I appreciate that. And I think one of the reasons that I wanted to have this conversation is to set some expectations for what we can do and how quickly we can do it. And that's a great example. In other we're tracking over time, but we're not kind of flagging each individual purpose of that overtime and with regard to O lord, the first item that you mentioned, lord, it slipped my mind. But anything else in particular that that that comes to the forefront in terms of concerns with the, with the data or the timelines or anything like that? >> Those are the two I'm prepared to prepare to talk about today, sir, but I'll pass it over to rob if you have any other examples of things that
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other examples of things that would be problematic. >> Hi, my name is rob Mcgrath. I'm the crime intelligence analyst, super. Oh, sorry. Yes, there you go. Hi, I'm rob Mcgrath. I'm the crime intelligence analyst supervisor overseeing patrol operations for APD. We get a lot of the requests from city council or from public information requests, and a lot of the we interpret the requests and do the research to get the answers for those requests. So just as an example, all in June, we got a request about how many false alarms have we gone to in the last year? How long does it take to for your officers to clear those calls? It's not cut and dry to be able to get those answers. Sometimes it's not just pulling a spreadsheet and just tabulating at the end. I work closely with the research and planning team and we as a team, we collaborate into what are we actually trying to answer here? And in this particular case, from June 20th, June 20th of 2022 to June 20th, 2023, there
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2022 to June 20th, 2023, there were 29,864 false alarm calls that we went to. But we have to do a lot more digging into that because when officers go to calls, it may not start as a false alarm. It might start as something else. It might end as a false alarm or it might we might get dispatched to a false alarm and ends up being something else. So do you want to know how many it starts? As how many end it as what happened? And when asking how long does it take for officers to clear those calls? Well it all depends on each each individual one. Sometimes one officer goes some most of the time it's two two, but sometimes it could be three, four, 5 or 6, depending on what's going on. And in each of those different scenarios, it really all those variables change and it takes time for us to pull it apart because we can't just spread it out. So in this particular just very simple requests or seemingly simple requests, this was a about 6 to 7 hour man hours for us as a team to be able to pull it apart, do the
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able to pull it apart, do the research, figure out what we need to do to answer it, and then put it back together. So and that's just one example of one request. Well I appreciate those examples. >> And my understanding again, with our conversations with the police department were that a lot of the data exist. It's but it might just be in the individual offense reports or it might be it's not tabulated where you can just kind of click, click, click. And there it is. So again, I understand that. And again, I just want to set the public's expectations for that. This is a process, you know, and council member I just want to say that the comments by miss Mitchell earlier were inaccurate or at least a mischaracterization. >> We do our best to comply with transport agency and we're happy to meet with her to tell her the complexity with this. So she's aware of that. >> Anything anything else on the on the particular incident or any other data concerns or the movement? Also, I would just add, this is another in the conversation that we're having
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conversation that we're having that y'all are moving from to ukg right now. My understanding is that the current payroll practices are are still paper based. That's a correct statement, sir. >> They are. >> So, you know, again, it's really hard to pull over time data and, you know, different kind of officer work data when we're going to have to flip through the papers, you know, piece by piece. I think the move to ukg and a digital time frame , even if it doesn't quite get us everything, all the granularity that we need, hopefully it will get us more information to be able to release to the public. >> So one of the things I think needs to be stated and I'd be remiss by not doing so is we need to be crystal clear on the definitions, what the actual expectations are. There's verbiage inside the resolution that is open or subject to interpretation. And I'll give you an example. All the unique case identifier or case unique identifier, I think is the exact terminology used. It's my understanding they're looking for the case number. The problem with that lies in the fact that if you have a major event, you may have multiple people calling 911. Well there's one case
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911. Well there's one case number that everything is potentially duped into, but is the request for all multiple case numbers, is it for one singular case number? So again, there's a lot of nuance behind some of these terms and definitions. So it's we need Eid clarity to in order to abide by and meet the meet the requirements of the resolution. >> Understood. And I think that's a that's an excellent example. And like I said, this is, I think, the start of a process to get that down. We've worked with the pd because again, there are terms of art that are used when we're talking about this and you know, we might be asking for something, but the APD understands it in a different way. So we've tried to get the language just right. But again, it's the start of a process and I just look forward to continuing to work with the department to get as much data out to the public as we can. >> Thank you, councilmember. Now that we've laid out this item, what I want to do is I'm going to recognize the speakers on the item and then I will come back and I will recognize is councilmember Fuentes and then councilmember Kelly on the item.
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councilmember Kelly on the item. So if we can, let's go to the speakers. And if they've already spoken as part of the previous list of speakers on item 132, we're just calling those when it was pulled that are listed for 132 if I call your name, please come down to the front and then state your name at the podium. >> Julio Gonzalez Altamirano, followed by Chris Harris, followed by meme styles. Can you hear me? >> Yes. Great. >> Please, please don't touch it . Thank you. >> You can't fly the plane without the instruments. My name is Julio Gonzalez Altamirano. 15 years ago, I was a public sector manager, consultant with and I worked with a dozen police
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worked with a dozen police departments, including this one, to look at staffing and operations data. Two years ago, I initiated a public information request around workload data that I still have not received a response to. I'm here to express my full and enthusiastic support for item 132. This item will save money by reducing enterprise friction. It will help address APD's backlog. It will fight misinformation and it will help your officers do their job, starting with the 24, 20, 24 council of vintage. If you think about it, a two term council member will vote on four $4 million of police spending. It makes sense to have some instrumentation on how to fly that plane. We can definitely afford to do this given the quantities involved and because the core of this ifc is implemented by code and scripts to establish interoperability and the transfer of data, this is not ongoing operating expenses. This is very cheap, high roi, capital expenses. It will deliver exemplary public
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will deliver exemplary public value to the taxpayer by back to basics. That's what we're about . These are the basics. You can't fly the plane without instruments. Thank you to council member vela for illuminating us on this issue. To the APD staff who have worked very hard as well as to the other council members who are sponsoring this, including my council member from district ten who is not here today. But I'm sure there's a good reason for that. Two little things. One, if you read the resolution and I hope you did, there is a community advisory commission or advisory body suggested which can solve a lot of the technical questions that have been addressed here to you. There is a request to explore how we survey around underreporting. I got to tell you, when I talk to people in different sides of the issue, it bothers me greatly that people do not trust the chiefs monthly report on crime because of the perception of underreporting. We can nip that in the bud with a suggestion in this resolution. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Hi. My name is Chris Harris.
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>> Hi. My name is Chris Harris. I am in district nine. Thank you so much for the opportunity to address you today. Thank you. Councilmember vela, for this item. Thank you to the co‐sponsors for putting it forward this is highly needed information in the community. And again, I can't stress enough we obviously have just seen an audit, a report about the backlog of peers, particularly those related to police information. Obviously, that is a city issue, not a police department specific issue. But this information being put out publicly will really help to address that and future backlog such that people can have access to the information that we sorely need and that you all, as policymakers, sorely need in order to make informed decisions about the operations of what constitutes the largest portion of the budget, the largest thing that you are allocating money towards each and every fiscal year. The other thing I'll say is that during the dps partnership, disastrous partnership, we repeatedly saw
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partnership, we repeatedly saw APD put out extremely dubious information charts without dates, charts without data definitions, you know, information that wouldn't pass muster in an undergrad, stats class. And so having this information be be produced in a format that anyone can access and utilize will greatly enhance trust in the information that we receive from the city about policing. Thank you very much. >> Good morning, mayor, city council and community. My name is Mimi styles. I just want to say that I know was called meme, but it's Mimi styles. I'm the founder and president of measure a research and data activism organization that's been dedicated to the pursuit of data justice in the city for the last decade. Measure was awarded last year at south by southwest as a nonprofit year of the year. We
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nonprofit year of the year. We and I also hold the key to the city, to this city, our organization's mission aligns closely with the principles laid out in this resolution Ann. And I'm here to advocate for it. And for the police. Open data, technical advisory committee included in the resolution. In addition to my leadership at measure, I'm one of six national fellows with the social science research council. The just tech cohort and as a as a person in tech, I can assure you right now that there are solutions to approve and deploy this resolution in, especially in the city where we have the most brilliant tech minds is right. They can solve these or these these problems, these these gaps by supporting 132 we're reaffirm our commitment to getting to a place where we might at some point say that APD is evidence based right. And also data driven. So let me say this. We're standing at a threshold of
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We're standing at a threshold of a future where open data empowers our community, where every single resident has access to accurate, up to date information nation regarding policing. But it's not just about data. This resolution is also about collaboration. It's about it's about us as a community, really coming together for urging a mandate of trust. We can't just say that we're building trust. We need to forge a mandate of trust. That's what we've learned over the last ten years. And so by supporting this resolution, we're saying that this is a city where truth is the cornerstone of progress. Mayor, that's what we're saying. Imagine a future where our community is not only informed by actively engaging and shaping our law enforcement policies, but it's also working together. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Next speaker is alia Alicia Castillo. >> Following is Angela Carol. Miss Castillo.
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Miss Castillo. >> Miss Carol. Saved you that. >> Good morning. My name is angel Carol. For the record, thank you. As the director of advocacy at measure, I have the honor of standing before you today to discuss an exciting opportunity for the city of Austin that I was born in. We often hear the phrase knowledge is power, and never has it been truer than the context of our city's law enforcement. Burt we understand that a thriving, just and equitable city relies on the principles of transparency, accountability and public trust. And it's with these principles in mind that I stand before you in support of resolution 132, the release of open data pertaining to the Austin police department. The data release is not just about the numbers and statistics. It's about empowering our community with accurate up to date and easily accessible information regarding
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accessible information regarding police activities. It's about every citizen having the tools that they need to engage actively with their law enforcement agency. We let Austin be the city that seizes this opportunity for positive change. Let Austin be the city that has improved community relations and enhances public safety. Thank you. >> That concludes all of the speakers for item 132. >> Thank you. I'll recognize councilmember vela for a motion on item number 132. Move passage councilmember vela moves to adopt. It is seconded by councilmember Fuentes. Item number 132. I'll now recognize councilmember Fuentes to speak on the item and also for a proposed amendment. >> Thank you. And thank you, councilmember vela, for bringing forward this item. Colleagues, the motion sheet in front of you really is just language that brings in line with other data requests and data data needs that we have as a community. This data, information that's outlined is part of the freedom
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outlined is part of the freedom city policy that the city of Austin passed a number of years ago. It has already been a council policy. It's already been directed. And since we are initiating the dashboard collection of information, I just want to ensure that this information is also captured. Great >> Thank you. Members any questions? Councilmember Fuentes, on the proposed amendment. Councilmember Fuentes moves adoption of the proposed amendment to item number 132. It is seconded by councilmember qadri. You know, old habits grow. It takes a long time for old habits to go away in the legislature. That is a no vote. And every time I look over councilmember qadri vote no on something, it's a but I'm getting you. You saw caught up with you there, councilmember qadri moves adoption of the proposed amendment seconds. The adoption of the proposed amendment is there any objection to the adoption of the proposed amendment to item number 132? There being no objection, the motion to amend is adopted with
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motion to amend is adopted with three council members that have been previously identified wide off the dais. Councilmember Kelly, I'll now recognize you to speak on item number 132 as amended. >> Thank you. I've often reflected on the resolution that council brings forward and thought that we as a council and as a community could benefit from two key items associated with each resolution before we vote on them. Those two things are a potential fiscal impact statement and a projected estimation of staff. Time to complete the resolution and its goals. So that said, I have several questions related to this item I'd like to have answered before we take a vote. Thank you. >> Go for it. Okay. >> Well, so for staff by the way, that that rain really wasn't brought by you, you just proved that maybe the city manager can answer this. Do you see what do you see as resources that might be needed in order to accomplish the many objectives proposed in this resolution? >> I think the way the resolution is written we're given between now and December to come back in December. So in
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to come back in December. So in December, we'll have a resource plan as well as some of the issues that will need to be addressing and we intend to sit down and continue to work with councilmember vela's office and councilmember Fuentes and anyone else who wants to work with us to make sure that we've got the specific dates. And so I think that that you'll have that presented to you at the right time in December. I think the last meeting is 14th December or something like that. Okay. >> So my next question is what resources or initiatives would need to be pulled from other priorities to accomplish the goals in this resolution? >> For what now? >> We have to pool yeah, what would you have to stop doing or pause doing to make this work? >> Well, you have enough flexibility in the budget when you're asked to go do get a project will simply reassign folks to take this as a higher priority than something else they're working on. >> But that's not we get we get as you may know, we get a number of these resolutions every, every, every week. And it does sometimes have to scramble us to try to figure out how we address those. And so we we're constantly shifting resource to try to be able to address
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try to be able to address council's priorities as the chief available to answer that question, well, she can I'm not sure she's going to say anything different than I just said. >> But mayor, I have a quick comment on that. We also this budget that we just approved added an additional four individuals to the department to help. >> When you did the budget, we weren't anticipating this councilmember. I mean, you do have the resources, but I'm just saying that it may require some shifting of resources. That's just a reality. >> It's like the operation of any business. >> I mean, I'm not saying we shouldn't do it. I'm just saying that sometimes that's what's required, right, chief? Yes sir. Thank you very much. >> Councilmember Kelly, you have a question for the chief? >> I was just going to ask what things or priorities or initiatives would need to be put on hold in order to make this resolution come to fruition? >> Yes. Councilmember Kelly, thank you for the question. Please know that we do have just standard operations that we are we're currently in progress. We don't get to put those on pause. In addition to lieutenant ask you mentioned the uk system and
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you mentioned the uk system and integration and that's going to be a unique lift just for our department just because the type of shifts that our officers work and the variances in in in our pay scales. In addition to that , I did mention that our team was currently working on a public facing dashboard and understand we're just going to have to shift based on based on this resolution. But as as a city manager stated, we'll we'll be prepared in December to have a more robust and outlined items that that will need in order to fulfill the resolution. >> Thank you. Okay. So I'll just finish up here. I'm not against any additional data being given to us and I'm not against, you know, more transparency in the city. But I do feel very uncomfortable given the backlog of current public information requests that the police department and the fact that this is outside of a budget session for us to be considering , because I do strongly feel like there will be additional resources needed at APD to fulfill this and to fix the backlog of public information
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backlog of public information requests. And I know that's something you're working on currently. You know, if we had done this or if it was proposed in a phased approach or something similar to where we weren't just fulfilling it all at once, I think I could be more in agreeance. >> And you notice through the audit, I mean, the audit not just about this, but the public information request in general, we get a we get a whole host of those and a whole number. So we've got and I know that Ann and other parts of the department are working on those. And it is a it's a huge quantity and it's so we've got to get get a way to get a handle on it. Yeah. I mean, we know that I have this article from the Austin chronicle that says that we're behind 20,000 public information requests. >> And I just strongly feel that adding additional responsibilities to staff currently at APD is going to put a lot worse strain on them. And I want to figure out what's going on there before we start adding additional duties. But I do think that this data is important that when we're able to figure that out. So I will be voting no today on this item. Thank you, councilmember vela. >> Chief, and this may actually be more appropriate for lieutenant askew, but what percentage of that those 20,000
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percentage of that those 20,000 pending open records requests are involving kind of publicly facing data or, you know, data that could be available all on the dashboard? Just out of curiosity, I know it wasn't broken down as far as I'm aware, but any sense of that? >> Councilmember? I could not speak to the specific breakdown in those public information requests. Now, I can state just through the audit that there is a lot of information Ann that would not require a peer or either there would be a process in place explaining how to access that same information via the dashboard. Once it's once it stood up and there's public access to it. So. So that's the best that I can say. But for a specific number, I'm not in a position to do that, sir. Lieutenant ask you, did you have anything to add related? No, ma'am. >> And I appreciate that. And again, my thinking would be that in the future, when you do get a public information request for, let's say, the number of thefts
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let's say, the number of thefts in this area or whatever the case may be, you can just email them back and be like, here's a dashboard, you know, go ahead and just click, click, click. And you know that that's my again. So I think this could be a resource ultimately a resource saving type of that won't work, but public information, not under public information act request not to belabor the point, but under the under the law, we can't just say go look at the dashboard. >> If they want us to produce the information, we have to produce it. So it's there are two different things going on. So that backlog we hope to get to, I hope to get resources put in place to take care of those public information requests. But it is a little separate from what you're doing here today. Okay >> Councilmember qadri, the mayor pro tem. And on that point . Okay. Mayor pro tem, and then I'll call councilmember qadri. I was just going to say, I appreciate that maybe the public information answer can't be that. >> But I would hope that if we have transparency in some of these dashboards, that the public information request isn't
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public information request isn't necessary because the information is readily available. So I know this may be kind of a steep curve of trying to get this information up and running because we know the information the department has been able to share with us in the past is usually a compilation of what was handled by APD, what might be handled by a sheriff's office, just so we can understand that the information may not be compiled the same way on intake, but then it has to be compiled differently for it to be shared publicly. But I hope that we can get to a place where almost all of our departments have the same transparency that we would see for instance, with budgeting, where you can click through and see every every bucket of money and every department and sub department within them. So I hope in the effort of accountable and transparency that this ultimately will smooth the process. >> Councilmember qadri and then members, without objection, we'll go to a vote. So we can take up a couple of these other items before the noon time. Sir >> Thank you, mayor. I'll make it really quick. I just want to thank councilmember vela for bringing this item forward. I just wanted to be added as a
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just wanted to be added as a co‐sponsor to the. >> Fair enough. Anything else? All right, members, the motion is to adopt the item at item 132 as amended, without objection, the item is adopted, with council member Kelly being shown voting no and three members previously identified off the dais. Let me ask a question of the city clerk. Item number 88, 89 and 90. Is there are there any people signed up to speak? No council members. I'm going to bring up item number 88. It's an item from a council committee of public health committee. And I'll recognize councilmember Fuentes for a motion. Thank you. >> As chair of the public health committee, I move to approve the appointment of Jenny Achilles as private sector member to the community development commission . >> Ann members, you've heard the motion is there a second second by the mayor pro tem? Is there any discussion? Without objection, item number 88 is
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objection, item number 88 is adopted. Item number 89 also comes from the public health committee. Councilmember Fuentes, you are recognized. >> I move to approve the reappointment of Chris Seibel and Chad Hooten to the board of directors of the sobering center local government corporation. >> Is there a second to the motion? Motion seconded by councilmember Vella? Is there any discussion on the motion? Without objection, item number 89 is adopted by the council with three council members off the dais members. I'll call up item number 90, which is from the audit and finance committee . We have the chairs and the chair and vice chair are off the dais. So I'll recognize councilmember Fuentes, a member of the audit and finance committee, on item number 90. >> Yes, on behalf of the chairs of the audit and finance committee, I move to appoint Troy madras to the Austin convention enterprise board is there a second to the motion seconded by councilmember Ryan? >> Alter? Is there any
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>> Alter? Is there any discussion without objection, item number 90 is adopted members is with respect to items 91, 92 and 93. They are not on consent condemnation items. Is has anyone signed up to speak on those items? I'm sorry, 91, 92, 93 and 94. If I didn't say that . >> No, I do not see anyone. >> Members with respect to items 91, 92, 93 and 94, these are non consent condemned condemnation items. Is there a motion to the effect that the city council of Austin, Texas authorizes the use of the power of eminent domain to acquire the property set forth and described in the agenda for this meeting for the public uses that are described therein. Mayor pro tem makes the motion. It's second by councilmember Fuentes. Is there any discussion on the item without objection. Items 91, 92,
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without objection. Items 91, 92, 93 and 94 are adopted and. Members, what we're going to do without objection is I indicated earlier for that when we got to the public hearings, we would take up items where there were speakers. What I'm going to try to do, since we have a 12:00 time certain that involves communication from the public, what I'm going to attempt to do is move through a couple of these items and go ahead and get them adopted and then we will come back after our 12:00 time. Certain and our 115 time certain in order to take up these other items. I without objection, I'll open the public hearing on item number 95. Is there anyone signed up to speak with regard to item number 95? There are no speakers. Without objection, we will close the public hearing on
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will close the public hearing on item number 95. The chair will entertain a motion to adopt item number 95. >> Whoops. >> Well, she sure is running. Any time you see a lawyer running, everybody just take a big break. >> Mayor and council, Trish, link with the law department. We actually need to postpone this item until, I think, October 5th . >> Okay, well, then the motion I ask for was to adopt. >> But I'll ask for a motion to postpone item number 95 until October 5th. Did you say October 5th? >> All right. >> The motion is made by council member Kelly. It is seconded by council member Velasquez. Is there any objection Ann to the motion without objection. Item number 95 is postponed to October. Fifth item number 96 and item number 104. I'll open the public hearing. Yeah, I know. They're postponed and we'll see if she'll run down
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we'll see if she'll run down here again. Oh okay. Yeah, that is not nice. You're right. I proved more than once in the last eight months. I'm not a very nice guy. Item number 97. With that objection, I'll open the public hearing on item number 97. Is there anyone signed up to speak on item number 97? >> No speakers on 97. >> Without objection, we'll close the public hearing on item number 97. I'll entertain a motion to adopt item number 97. Motion is made by the mayor pro tem and is second by council member. Qadri is there any objection to the adoption of item 97? Without objection. Item number 97 is adopted with three people previously identified being off the dais. The chair now will open without objection. Item number one. Oh one item number 101. Is there anyone signed up to speak at the public hearing on 101? >> There are no speakers for 101. >> There are no speakers for 101. Without objection, we will close the public hearing on item
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close the public hearing on item number 101. The chair will now recognize a motion to adopt and approve item number 101. Motion Ann is made by councilmember Ryan alter, seconded by councilmember Vella is there objection? Without objection, item number 101 is adopted. Member members. That takes us. To only those public hearings where there is someone that is signed up to speak Mok what I'm going to attempt to do, will you will you please confirm for me that there is only one person signed up to speak on item 99. >> Yes. She was called earlier and she's already spoken. >> Thank you very much. Without objection, the chair opens a public hearing on item number 99. One person had been signed up to speak. That person has previously testified to the council there being no one else to sign up to speak on item
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to sign up to speak on item number 99. Without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 99. Is there a motion to adopt item number 99 made by council member Fuentes. Seconded by council member qadri. Is there any objection? Without objection, item number 99 is adopted with council member Kelly being off the dais along with the three who have been previously identified members with your permission, in order to not be disjoint and make people wait that have been signed up for the 12:00 time. Certain with your permission, I would recess the meeting until noon, the time certain of noon. We have a time certain at noon. And we have a time certain at 115. What I would suggest occur is that we recess now until noon. The mayor pro tem will preside during the public communication at noon. It is councilmember Fuentes S
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councilmember Fuentes S constituent that is going to be performing for us. And so she will handle and preside over the live music. We would reconvene after the public communication, a recess after public communication will reconvene at 115. We will then take up that item that is a time certain and then we will go back to these public hearings on item number nine, we item number 100 and item number 102. Item number 98, as has been previously indicated, will be postponed. Is there any objection without a yes, mayor pro tem? >> There's no objection. I just wanted to flag that I have posted an amendment for item 100, but my afternoon I will be likely remote and maybe on and off, depending on availability. >> I'll make I'll make sure that that is handled. Yes thank you for pointing that out. And the reminder without objection, the city council of Austin, Texas, is recessed until all noon for public communication. It is
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public communication. It is 11:49 A.M. Thank you, members. Thank you. Public. You.
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You. >> The first speaker is Julio masad. >> Hi, council. I'm Julio masad. I am married to Margaret Dismukes masad right there. Who is the. The daughters is the. The daughter of the founder of Peter pan mini golf. This year represents our 75th anniversary of Peter pan mini golf. We're extremely proud of that. Our lease is set to expire March 31st. The state agency that manages the lease provided has not provided a firm timeframe about the renewal. So we're here to seek your help in obtaining a historic landmark designation for Peter pan and we hope your support could have a positive impact on lease renewal. The
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impact on lease renewal. The lease is managed by the Texas juvenile justice department significantly tjjd is acting as a trustee. The John Darwin trust deeded the land to the state many, many years ago. So here's the wrinkle, guys. The sunset commission did a periodic review of tjjd and they have a recommendation that they appoint a new trustee to manage our business, our site. So zo in working with tjjd to renew the lease, they have not provided a firm date yet in terms of discussing the lease there. Here was their previous statement from a few months ago. There have been no discussions about renewing the lease so as not to tie the hands of the new trustee . No timeframe has been provided . Puts us in a little bit of a bind. Uncertainty six months to go before the lease expires. We've already communicate dated with the historic landmark commission, Ben Smith, the
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commission, Ben Smith, the commissioners and the staff. And they have been absolutely wonderful. All they have already done research research on the site and have met with the city attorney's office and staff, provide us a comment last week that said legal has reviewed food the will establishing the trust and determined that it does not deed the subject property to the state. That's very significant for us because that means, as it's been explained to us, that the city of Austin does have some jurisdiction here. So accordingly, we're seeking historic landmark designation for Peter pan. We are working very closely with the historic landmark commission. The commission and the staff have been absolutely incredible. They're a wonderful team. So we are requesting city council support to facilitate obtaining historic landmark designation, as well as your show of public support that could help in renewing the lease with the
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renewing the lease with the state commissioner. Qadri our Peter pan site is located in district nine. We would very much appreciate any support you and the city council can provide and slide. Slide please. If we could throw up that slide. We're incredibly humbled at the at the show of community support since these news reports hit of. 23,000 people have signed that petition. So we very much value any help you can provide. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Go ahead. Councilmember qadri, did you want to say anything? >> Yeah. Thank you. Mayor pro tem. I just want to thank Julio and Margaret for being here today. We've got initials correspond guidance from our office via email. And Caleb Pritchard from our office, which I don't see. Caleb quite yet out in the stands, but Caleb will be coming down and he can, I guess, give you a little bit more insight on what's going on. Thank you.
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Thank you. >> Next speaker is Margaret Dismukes. Missus. >> Hi there. Good afternoon. Mayor pro tem members of the council. My name is Margaret Dismukes. Massad I'm a proud native. Austinite in 1948, three brothers opened a miniature golf course at 1207, Barton springs road. Originally called varsity links, the name and theme soon evolved and became Peter pan mini golf. One of those brothers was my father, Glenn Dismukes. My father was the talented artist just behind all the original sculptures, including the iconic Peter pan and t‐rex that stand watch over Barton springs road. Still owned and operated by my family. This year marks our 75th year in continuous operation through the years, Peter pan has been
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years, Peter pan has been featured in countless best of lists, magazine and newspaper articles, photo shoots and social media posts. We are frequently found on artwork and souvenir items featuring Austin attractions. Read any visitors guide about things to do in Austin and Peter pan will likely be high on the list. We've been featured in books such as 111 places in Austin that you must not miss. The children's book goodnight Austin and many other Austin centric publications. We've hosted generations of visitors tirz tourists from around the world, countless first dates and birthday parties , corporate events UT social events and a whole bunch of marriage proposals. As generations of people return celebrating kids and grandkids, birthdays in the same place they once did. And that famous marquee out front has announced birthdays for several
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birthdays for several generations of austinites. In addition to the over 23,000 petition signatures, my husband referred to posted comments have been in the hundreds and by the way, the petition was started just by avid fans. We did not create the petition. As one reads through the comments, here are a few oft repeated words and phrases. Legacy iconic, magical . An Austin landmark. Not antalgic a piece of Austin's heart, a remnant of old Austin, a monument to be protect sid, an Austin staple, a tradition to be kept alive an institution, a local treasure for a cultural gem, quintessential Austin an and you would also find many heartfelt pleas such as leave our happiness alone when the madness stops here, and the most repeated of them all keep Austin Austin. We now respect fully
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Austin. We now respect fully look to you our city council, as well as the historic landmark commission for your assistance in securing our little piece of Austin culture that it might be enjoyed by the people of Austin and our visitors. For many generations to come. Thank you. To thank you. >> Next speaker is Alexander stringer. >> Good afternoon, mayor and council. I'm here to speaking on behalf of the greatest political prisoner and greatest president of our time, Donald J. Trump and nobody has done more for America than Donald Trump. Like during covid, when he printed up 80% of our country's money supply, he did that mayor and council. He
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did that mayor and council. He did that because he wanted to expose the federal reserve and the banking cartel. That's why he got it. That's why he got the fed to print up 80% of our money. And hand us covid stimulus checks. That is why he wanted us to lock down, because he wanted to let everybody know that your dollar and ain't worth nothing. Mayor, it ain't worth nothing. And when Donald Trump gave control of the country to Dr. Fauci, when Donald Trump pushed operation warp speed, the only reason he did that is to show us that vaccines kill people like Donald Trump. He's playing on five D chess. Y'all know Donald Trump is playing five D chess. When Donald Trump pushed for lockdowns, when Donald Trump printed all of our money, when Donald J. Trump gave control of the country to Dr. Fauci and gave him a commendation, all he all he was
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commendation, all he all he was doing was exposing the evil cabal of big pharma. And let me tell you something. All right. Let me tell you guys about Ron Desantis. You know, when Rhonda sanctus opened up Florida, when Ron Desantis banned central bank digital currencies, when one when you think Ron Desantis is out here fighting, this woke. Ideology in the schools and with with with Disney, he's only doing that because he's working with the globalists. All right, mayor, that's what's happening. And we got to have a parade and a rally for Donald J. Trump and listen, I don't understand everything that he does. I don't understand why he hired John Bolton. I don't understand why Donald Trump. Hire bill Barr to be the attorney general. I don't understand why he never pardoned Snowden or Julian assange. But you know, I also don't
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you know, I also don't understand Jesus. And so what do you want me to do? Y'all what do you want me to do? And let me tell you something else. When Ron Desantis fired those George Soros district attorneys and he only did that because George Soros told him to, can't y'all see that y'all sheep? You guys got to wake up. And let me tell you something, man. You know, I stopped drinking. I have when Dylan Mulvaney did that bud light commercials, I stopped drinking alcohol and I started drinking mountain dew instead. Anyway y'all, thank you. >> Your speaker. >> We need we need speaker. >> Your time is expired. >> A parade for Donald J. Trump >> Your time is expired. Your time has expired because he knows that we have a second amendment right. Thank you, sir. Everyone gets the same amount of time and yours is up next.
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time and yours is up next. >> Speaker please do. Diana proctor. Good afternoon, Ann my name is Diana proctor. >> First, I would like to address three topics. First, there is an upcoming meeting of the audit and finance committee on September 27th. Please consider making a recommendation for an audit by the city auditor's office for the zilker park vision plan. Survey number six so we can find a better way to perform community engagement in the future to gain public trust that the vision planners failed in several respects. They did not ask good questions. They did not perform a statistically valid survey. They did not modify their plan to reflect the overwhelming negative feedback of the public. They withheld details of survey results from their final report that would have informed decision makers is an audit of survey number six would be both educational for pard and would help restore
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pard and would help restore public confidence and willingness to participate in future city sponsored community engagement. But second, you will be receiving a recommendation from the parks board to close the polo field for overflow parking. I suggest that you not only approve that proposal, but strengthen it and close it for all parking, including special events. So that the field can be revegetated without further impediments of vehicles. You see right now a picture of the current status of the polo field . Third, climate change has had exponentially negative effects this summer in zilker park. I have reported three complaints to the t‐c‐e‐q regarding unacceptable levels of dirt dust from the polo field and stone dust from the butler gravel lot and the ten or more acres of newly compacted soil in zilker park that should be evaluated to deter vermin if they are impervious acres and negatively impacting the aquifer. I have another concern. A man recently
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another concern. A man recently broke his arm on the eroded muddy hillside adjacent to Barton springs pool. Two other compacted and eroded hills pose similar dangers for pedestrian safety inside the park. I recommend the addition of three sets of stairs. You will find details and photos of these new environmental hazards and my recommendation for stairs at my website today in zilker park.com. And you have a copy of my presentation if you'd like to remember that link and I'm just going to let the pictures roll right now. These are the eroded areas in zilker park. That's that hill where a man broke his arm. That's the butler landfill. Gravel lot that has dust like this is. There's another ribbon of dust that's what the ground looks like. This is the polo field. This is what it looked like in may. This is what it looks like now. This is the area of the eroded creeks along Barton Barton creek. It looks
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Barton Barton creek. It looks like this. The trees are at risk of dying. I appreciate your attention. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Julia hatch. Hello >> My name is Julia hatch. I'm 32 years old and I'm a city of Austin lifeguard. Now that the summer season for lifeguards is over, after experiencing the first year in a long time of having sufficient guards to open all pools in the city of Austin , we want to look at how to continue to have sufficient quality lifeguards so as to keep all pools open for next summer and year round and continue to keep our patrons and staff safe if further. We also want to make lifeguarding and aquatics a career for not just a job or a summer job. We want to do this by creating further incentive
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by creating further incentive and training, such as in basic skills that can be carried forward in life, in any job or career. Should one choose another path, such as leadership, we'd like to implement courses for this from the years 2012 to 2019, just prior to the pandemic. You see it not only in Austin but nationwide. A shortage of lifeguards in prior years has been escalating based on the past decade. We predict a potential shortage, yet again. Therefore, we would like your support in our proposal to amend the city charter to specifically cover temporary and seasonal employees, specifically lifeguards, as having civil service protection in terms of job security. That they have recourse should, god forbid, anything happen. There are lifeguards who have been continuously working for years and years for the city year round, as well as very hard working, newer ones, yet they can be fired at will on the spot without any appeals process. While regular employees have
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While regular employees have civil service protection, lifeguards are eligible for health insurance after 12 months, but they can lose that health insurance one day if they are fired and have no ability to appeal. Our job can be grueling and this would be quite supportive. Our proposal is that after serving either two full summer seasons, a total period of six months or a summer season , three months and directly before or after that three months of what we refer to as winter guarding, we are granted civil service protection. We have very competent management and auditors who continuously monitor, test and maintain lifeguard competency and job performance throughout this time , we now would like to provide a culture of retention for our competent dedicate staff. Drowning has become a top reason of death for children, especially in the summer season are around bodies of water. Austin is a city of parks and pools are an essential part of our city, making it necessary to have the network of lifeguards
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have the network of lifeguards that we do to create a safe space where people can enjoy themselves as. Additionally, after the hottest Austin summer, it is more imperative to keep our city pools fully staffed and open. It's has been seen some of you on picket lines working to protect employees at private companies. Thank you for doing that. I ask for your help now to protect public employees over whom you have direct control from the city of Austin. Lifeguards. Thank you. City council and mayor for your continued support and interest in improvements resulting in sufficient lifeguards. Save patrons and an enjoyable experience, especially through this heat wave. Thank you. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Randy Rollinson. Randy Rollinson. Please make your way to the podium. Next speaker is Gary foster. Gary Pfost. Next speaker
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foster. Gary Pfost. Next speaker is Kathleen Schneeman. Kathleen Schneeman. I'll move on to the next speaker, Ryan Cagan. Ryan Cagan. Hello >> Thank you for allowing me to speak today on hb 969, a bill that easily passed in the state legislature and took effect on September 1st. The bill allows municipalities to impose a civil penalty up to a $500 fine for violating custody visitation orders. I volunteer for the women veteran Claudia Avalos,
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women veteran Claudia Avalos, who spearheaded this bill. Oftentimes times veterans have little time with their children and are easily erased by the other parent because of their schedules serving our country. The easiest way to remove a parent from a child's life is by not allowing the other parent their time with their children. In an estimated 22 million parents are erased from their children's lives. This happens to both mothers and fathers, although mothers are in the minority, there are not so small a group and as we hear more about the fatherless crisis in this country, I believe it is important to emphasize how fatherlessness is impacting our children. Research shows that only 37% of mothers are cooperating and inclusive in co‐parenting, but over 40% are restrictive gatekeepers. After divorce or separation restrictive gatekeeping is when a parent is not supportive of the other's involvement, does not recognize the value of the other parent for the child's
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other parent for the child's development and is actively hindering involvement by ensuring that a child optimizes their time with both parents, the better chance they have to create strong bonds and child parent relationships. Statistics show when a father has little time with the child or has minimized as a parent, the outcomes are devastate for their children, diminish self‐concept. Behavioral problems, poor academic performance. 781% of high school dropouts are fatherless. Youth crime 85% of youth in prison have an absent father teen pregnancy drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness. 90% of runaway children have an absent father. Physical health problems. Mental health problems likely to experience unemployment more likely to die as children when both parents are involved in a children's lives, their success rates in
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lives, their success rates in life are statistically as good as children at homes, with both parents. I'm not asking you to create a new law, but to enforce a law that already exists. I want to ask you today to adopt an ordinance to enforce hb 969. This will ensure children have time with both parents and are able to build good relationships with both parents. And they have the best chance to succeed in life. Thank you. Mayor pro tem. >> That concludes our noon speakers. >> All right. Thank you for everyone who came to speak to us . The time is now. 1225. I will recess the city council meeting . Thank you. Council member Fuentes, for offering to do the proclamation for the music this afternoon. And then after that, we will be on break until mayor Watson comes back at 115. And as mentioned before, I will be remote and potentially be coming in and out remotely, depending on my availability for the
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on my availability for the afternoon. But thank you all for being here. This is a city of Austin
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This is a city of Austin employee, an artist. Please welcome Thomas grauzer to the stage. Thank you. So I'm going to share a little bit about our artists. Mr. Thomas doc grauzer is a Harper and storyteller of the Irish tradition Ann, including in his repertoire a wide variety of Irish and Scottish harp tunes that originate from the middle ages through the modern day. For 22 years, he has performed three days a week at mother's cafe and garden. Although it closed during the pandemic. But he still finds time to perform three times a week. Wow amazing these days. He can be found performing for Sunday brunch at Riley's Irish pub at Mueller or at the Irish tune sessions at Riley's B.D, Riley's Irish pub and at Lockhart's arts and club cafe. So this is so please join me in and welcoming Thomas
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me in and welcoming Thomas grauzer. For the city council chamber. >> Mr. Thomas grauzer. I'm Thomas grauzer agus is ironic tradition. I am a traditional Irish Harper and so welcome here. Good afternoon and thank you. I'll start off with a tune from the 16th century by the Irish Harper and composer Rory gall. That is blind Rory is his name. And so the tune is called third day love, that is give me your hand. Karamakov. Thank you, everyone.
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Karamakov. Thank you, everyone. I play another. Okay, grand. Thank you. Okay this is a tune written by my favorite Irish Harper composer turlough o'carolan. He died in 1738, but before he did, wrote probably a couple of thousand harp tunes during the course of his life. And this was actually the subject of the first song that he ever wrote. So there are words to it, but they're in Irish and I don't sing them. But the story about a local legend in county roscommon, which is in the north and west of Ireland, and there were two mountains in the area that were said to have fairy kingdoms that lived under them. And where the fairy folk are concerned, it's probably best for mortals to just keep their distance. But the legend was that the fairy court that lived under the small fairy hill , the queen of that fairy court, got jealousy on her of the queen of the big fairy court. And so
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of the big fairy court. And so they went to war for no other reason than that. Near as we can tell, great war was started between the fairy armies of both of these and it came to a complete stalemate and neither one was able to gain the upper hand until the invasion of yet a third fairy host that came from elsewhere. We don't know where or why and the first two had to get into an uneasy alliance with each other in order to defend themselves against the new incursion. So this is the song about that local legend, and it's called sheebeg sheemore. That just means the little fairy hill and the big fairy hill. Carbajal of garden. Mahadev
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Carbajal of garden. Mahadev agus attacked and thank you for listening today. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> How incredible. That was. So relaxing. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Have a special proclamation to present today. Be it known that whereas the city of Austin is blessed with many creative musicians whose talents extend to virtually every musical genre. And. Whereas, our music scene thrives because Austin audiences support good music, produced by legends , our local favorites and newcomers alike. And. Whereas, we are pleased to showcase and support our local artists and side note also a district two resident at. Now, therefore, I. Vanessa Fuentes, Austin city councilwoman alongside city council member chito vela on behalf of Kirk Watson, mayor of the live music capital, do hereby proclaim September 14th, 2023, as Thomas grauzer day.
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2023, as Thomas grauzer day. Park is park in the photo. One one. >> You can thank you very much. >> Thank you. Oh all right. Yes, that's right. All right. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you so much. Wonderful. Did you want to say a few words? Oh, yes. Yes yes. >> Okay. Good afternoon, everybody. And thank you so much for being here and listening. I'm delighted to be here. And my thanks as well to council member pool for asking me to be here
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pool for asking me to be here today. She missed when I used to work in the building here and I would play for saint Patrick's day in the atrium outside here. And these days I work for the watershed protection department. So just across the river now. But and yes, many of many of my coworkers here, thank you for being here, everyone. I'm delighted to see all of you here . And yeah, it's true. I played at mother's cafe for 22 years. It was a wonderful place. I miss it very much. But it was really, really wearing me down. It was people would see me coming in here usually on Thursday and Friday with both my harps slung over my shoulder. I like to describe it as my 50 pounds and $8,000 worth of lumber that I would walk around with and when the pandemic came and everything shut down and in the first couple of weeks, it occurred to me I had literally felt better rested than I had in literally decades. And just so mixed blessing. I miss mother's very much, but it was very much it
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much, but it was very much it helped me along with my career. These days, my favorite thing to do is to sit in a session with a bunch of other Irish musicians. We have two of them inside the city. These days, one at B.D. Riley's my favorite pub in the Miller development we do on Thursday nights, and then Lockhart arts and craft, which we do usually once a month on Sunday afternoon. The next one is Sunday, October fifth, if I remember right. So and that's just it's not a stage show at all. It's just whoever shows up a bunch of Irish musicians and we show up and just play tunes and enjoy each other's company and that that is my joy. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Thank you very much. Oh, look at you.
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Oh, look at you. >> You can't do nxp before one. Got it. Okay I just wanted to make sure. I >> I'll call back to order the Austin city council. It is 115, and we are meeting continuing to meet on September 14th at the city council chambers at 301 west. Second street. Members the items that we have on the agenda, we do have a 115 time certain, but item number 100 ought to go really fast. And we would allow by taking up item 100 in a very rapid fashion and would allow our superinten of
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would allow our superinten of schools to go really earn his pay working with the our students in aid. So unless there's objection, I'm going to take that item up and I apologize to the folks that are here, but this ought to be quick. So with that being said, I will call up item 100, which relates to the Austin independent school district city of Austin inter‐local agreement and call on staff to who are we going to have lay this out. >> Our economic development director, sylnovia holt‐rabb is going to say a few words before we kick it off. >> Did I move? Oh I'm sorry. >> I'm switching on you. I apologize. Okay >> I bet she panicked. >> We're going to have Keith Mars from dsd who does know something about this set it up, please. >> Good afternoon, mayor.
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>> Good afternoon, mayor. Council members Keith Maurer, assistant director of development services department . Before you is the Austin ISD city of Austin interlocal agreement. The interlocal agreement is specific to the land development regulations that apply to Austin ISD. City staff and the ISD have worked together for many years on various iterations of this. Iola the one before you, is reflective of some of the current needs of the of the school district and staff have worked hand in hand with the ISD for the past several months to bring this for you before you again. It is specific to the land development regulations burns and we are also rolling in some of the recently adopted telecommunication amendments. Staff and the ISD, along with their representation, are here. Should you have questions? >> Let me ask a question and get it out there before we go to the speakers. There's been an issue raised. There's been. There's been an issue raised Ed and it
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been an issue raised Ed and it was raised again this morning by one of the commenters or one of the public that commented related to this doing damage to an ongoing agreement between ISD and the city of Austin related to shared park land co can we get a comment on that? >> Yes, I believe we have both dsd and we have our parks department here that can speak to that. >> I just want to address that issue up front before we go to comments. Keith Morgan development services department . >> From a development perspective, the Ila is limited to land development regulations and does not have a bearing on park use. Also, the parks director is here as well. Okay >> Kymberley Mcneely, serving as the parks and recreation director. The Ila references one section about joint use and that is that we will allow there will be no issue with allowing temporary buildings to be placed
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temporary buildings to be placed on in the shared use space in order to facilitate the construction of the new facility. And then it references the second agreement which I left up there and I've forgotten the name of. But that second agreement outlines how the city of Austin parks and recreation department and the school district will work together to maintain shared use opportunities. Thank you. To maintain shared use opportunities and to work together through the construction and then post construction. How we'll maintain that relationship. >> So as we as we as a council start to vote on this, we should understand that what we're voting on does not change the shared use agreements that we've had with aid. And in this regard, even though some people have indicated they're worried that it does that and in fact expressly it lays out how we continue to operate with shared use. Yes >> Yes, there is a specific agreement which is called the
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agreement which is called the agreement between the city of Austin and the Austin independent school district regarding development and shared use of jointly owned facilities , ground improvements and open spaces. And that relationship is outlined in this agreement and no vote that we're taking here today on this agreement that would change that nor change would it would create the concern that we have heard from some that that what it would do is it would do away with the ability to have the joint use. No, sir. Your vote today does not impact that ability. >> Great. Thank you very much. With that being said, let me turn to the city clerk. We have somebody signed up to speak on this item. Yes >> Yes, we have. Mathias segura . >> Yeah, we've heard of him. Why don't you just tell us you think we all vote for this. Mayor and council? >> Mathias segura, serving as the interim superintend for the
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the interim superintend for the Austin dependent school district . Really? Here. Just to express my sincere appreciation for all the work that's taken place over the last year, year and a half. As we talk about all the time, we're both entities serve our entire community and this bond is historic. Bond in November of 2022 will reshape this organization, this community and help us serve students for decades to come. And all of that cannot be done without your partnership in this document here helps us do that efficiently and save tax dollars honestly. So thank you very much and just again, very much appreciate the support from the city manager's office and everybody behind me. So thank you. >> Thank you. And if I might just ask along the lines of what I was just asking questions, you agree that we're not doing when we vote for this today? We're not doing anything that would foul up joint use related to parks? I agree 100. Very good. Thank you, mayor. Yes. Councilmember Fuentes. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Segura, for being here with us today. Many of us heard from
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today. Many of us heard from constituents and community members about confusion regarding the joint use agreement, the confusion around the word condemn that's outlined in the agreement. Can you talk us through how will the community be informed regarding the reconsider action modernization efforts? How will keep the community informed? >> Absolutely. So one of the things that you will hear from ISD and I certainly believe in this is that we will communicate transparently. Every one of our projects has a robust community engagement process. We actually don't design for community. We design with community. So we have a comprehensive process that includes multiple campus architectural teams, which does include community involvement. I think one of the challenges that we have as an organization is that we as a large entity and you all as a large entity have assets where they're shared use and shared ownership. In fact, there are over 20 within the city of Austin. And what happens is whenever we construct and we have to encroach on an area that is jointly owned and in almost all cases the majority ownership is aid, we cannot have the city
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is aid, we cannot have the city of Austin sign up on the site development permit because you're not the you're not sponsoring the development. And so what we have to do is go through a legal process. City attorney and Morgan is familiar with it. And through that process we identify what has to be adjusted. But all of that done all that is done openly. We communicate it out. We have public hearings around it. And that process has not started. And will take take a look at some point in the future once we're in the design process. >> Thank you for that. And might I suggest, colleagues, that it might be a topic of consideration for our joint committee between the city of Austin and the county and the school board. I know you all meet pretty regularly. That might be another area where those committee members can further discuss this topic in greater detail. >> Good idea. Councilmember Bella. >> I just wanted to thank the superintendent for conveying the sense of urgency to me and like you said, $1 billion bond. You all have to rebuild the schools. And as you were saying, you know, you can't delay is affects the school district in
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the school district in particular because you you know, you can't just cut it off halfway through the school year. You know, and so I know that things weren't quite moving as quickly as we would have liked. I just want to again say thank you for conveying that sense of urgency to our offices, you and your team came to visit with us, and I'm glad to see us here. You know, passing the inter‐local government agreement to get that bond done. >> And I very much appreciate that. One of the things that we often say and it is true, is that the 2.4, $4 billion, 72% are going to investments in the eastern crescent. And so the students that are going to have and receive this invest moment are those that have been historically underserved for decades. And so we take it very seriously. We want to make sure that these improvements are done with fidelity and on time. As you just mentioned, we don't have the opportunity of opening a school, a week late or a month late at that point, it's a semester late or even a year. So very much appreciate you acknowledging that and thank you for the support, Mr. President. >> Thank you very, very much.
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>> Thank you very, very much. Very welcome. Here not just about this, but we appreciate your service to our community. Thank you. Thank you, madam clerk. That concludes all the speakers. All right. Thank you. One other item, members, I want to remind everybody because she had to be off the dais. Oh, there she is. Mayor pro tem. Are you able to hear me. There she is. Yeah. Great thank you. Yeah, I was just going to remind people about your amendment, but I'll do that in the appropriate course now that I know you're there. Okay okay. >> Sounds great. >> Thank you. There's no one else signed up to speak, is that correct? Correct do you raised your hand? Do you want to say something? You okay? Remember that earlier? We have somebody here that has can answer questions. If we have questions with that. Council member Vila moves to adopt item number 100. Is there a second? Second by
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Is there a second? Second by councilmember qadri? There's a I want to recognize the mayor pro tem on a proposed amendment. >> Thank you, mayor. My proposed amendment has been circulated via message board and through the city clerk's office. And I believe it's in backup as well. But it adds a new section 1.5 into article one of the agreement, and it is about having at least two noticed public meetings when applying for change of use for some of these facilities. So I just I move approval of my amendment motion's been made to amend item number 100 seconded by council member alter before because we have that motion on the table. >> I want to ask, is there any objection to closing the public hearing on item 100? There being no objection, the public hearing is closed and members, the vote will be on the motion to amend. Is there any discussion? Without objection, the motion to amend
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objection, the motion to amend item 100 is adopted with councilman councilmember harper‐madison council member alter Allison alter and council member pool off the dais. The motion on the table now is to approve item 100 as amended. Is there any discussion, councilmember Fuentes? >> Thank you. And this message is for our city manager and Briseno. You know, I've had a couple of community conversations this week around the joint use agreement. And then yesterday I was in a meeting with councilmember Velasquez and councilmember qadri, and we were talking about the joint development agreement between palm park and Ann and Waterloo greenway and waller creek conservancy board. And I think what I want to offer is an seek some action from our city manager is figuring out a way that we can inform our community about the differences and the distinction burns of these
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distinction burns of these agreements and also have a better way where the community can see what type of agreements in place and then where are the engagement opportunities. I don't know exactly what that looks like, but given that this has come up multiple times in the last week or so, I think it's worthy of us thinking through how can we better inform our residents. >> Councilmember, thank you for that. We will absolutely come up with a plan to better inform our community, and we'll share that with council as we move forward. >> Thank you, councilmember. Any further discussion? Without objection. Item 100 as amended is adopted with three council members previously mentioned off the dais members that will take us to item. Number 103, which is a public hearing with regard to the project live oak in nxp. Without objection, I will open the public hearing on an item 103 and I'll recognize staff. >> Good afternoon, sylnovia
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>> Good afternoon, sylnovia holt‐rabb, director of city of Austin economic development department per the city of Austin, chapter three economic development policy. It is required that we conduct a public hearing to hear from the community on a potential chapter 380 partnership between the city of Austin and nxp. We in the audience today from nxp is Jenna Wilmot is executive vice president and general counsel, as well as Chris Jensen, executive vice president of air are here today. >> Thank you. Members just before we get into the public testimony, I want to also lay out and I'll ask if somebody correct me if I say something wrong here, but you'll recall that at the Tuesday work session, one of the issues that was brought up by councilmember Fuentes and I followed up on it was related to the child care Ann. And the there was a recognition, I think, that both the city of Austin and nxp are
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the city of Austin and nxp are both leaders in the area of child care and want to be leaders in the area of child care. And there was a recognition that this potential 380 agreement presents an opportunity for nxp to partner with the city and invest in child care in a way that's new and different. And we actually utilize these 380 agreement in a way that is new and different and would would help in an area of great concern and interest in the city of Austin. To this end, I believe there has been agreement. I've been in discussions, I've talked to councilmember Fuentes about it, and I've been in discussions with a variety of people to revise what we talked about on Tuesday, shay, which was a 40% base inducement award. We would revise that to a 35% base inducement award, and that 5% that specifically would be for child care for at need
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child care for at need households in Austin in addition to that, the city is proposing and I believe in nxp is in agreement that in the numbers you saw on Tuesday that for workforce training that half of the workforce training and transition fund be dedicated to at need in nxp employees for child care assistance, which would. The first 5% I talked about would probably go to the city's public health department and be administered by the city. This 5% that we're talking about would be administered by nxp, but it would be for new child care services beyond what they were talking about on Tuesday. So these changes would be specified in the award. I think I'm right when I say that. Nxp's agreed to it and I see nods in
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agreed to it and I see nods in the head. And by the way, there are nods of people from nxp, so that worked out well. So I want to say thank you to nxp because as I indicated on Tuesday, your long time players in the community and leaders in the community and this reveals another demonstration of that. So I want to say thank you and I want to say thank you to all of the council members. But particularly to council member Fuentes for helping and having raised the point. So with that being said, we without objection, we have opened the public hearing and I'll turn to the city clerk. >> The first remote speaker is Mike tuchband. >> Hello. Good afternoon, everyone. Can you hear me? Yes okay, great. So my name is Mike tuchband. I'm an engineer working at nxp's atmc fab. I've
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working at nxp's atmc fab. I've been with the company for about a year and a half. I appreciate the opportunity to share my support for the chapter 380 agreement with nxp. My wife is a native austinite and we moved to Austin from Boise, Idaho. A couple of years ago to be near her family. We currently currently reside Ed in Austin city district two and so only after moving to Austin did I realize the significant contribution that the city of Austin and the state of Texas have had to the development of the semiconductor industry. The fab I work in now in particular has been developing and producing semi conductor technologies in Austin since the early 90. So nxp, I'm sure, as you know, is one of the many companies in the area that makes Austin a rich regional tech hub . So I think this agreement, you know, would be great for Austin and it means a great deal to nxp
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and it means a great deal to nxp would allow it to continue to invest in chip manufacturing in Austin and leveraging federal chips act money and bringing that money to Austin as well. So I believe this would benefit the city of Austin. Austin residents and to help secure domestic chip manufacturing for the benefit of the us. So with that, I ask you to please consider supporting the project live oak and thank you to the city council for their consideration and appreciate your time. Thank you . >> Next speaker is Laura Reisner . >> Hi, good afternoon. My name is Laura Reisner. I'm a 26 year resident of Austin district ten and a 12 year employee at nxp semiconductors, fab. I urge the city council to lend its support to nxp's live oak project and the significant benefits it can bring to our company and the
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bring to our company and the city of Austin. The semiconductor shortage that began in 2020 really highlighted the vital role our chips play in our economy. Me I have personal experience. Car shopping for over two years, rarely able to even do a test drive due to the scarcity of vehicles caused by the semiconductor shortage. Nxp Austin predominantly manufactures automotive chips and the live oak project that would enable us to further strengthen our presence in the automotive market. Maybe I'd even be able to find some cars to test drive. You might have heard about at Taiwan semiconductor becoming a semiconductor giant and that is thanks to impressive support from the Taiwanese government. Let's harness our government superpowers and use them. Texas charm to get federal chip seq. Money for nxp's live oak project . Thank you for your time and dedication to Austin's growth. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker Ryan shiono. >> Hello, my name is Rio shiono.
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>> Hello, my name is Rio shiono. I live in district eight and I am an engineering manager at one of nxp's Austin wafer fabs. >> Thank you for the opportunity today to share my support for chapter 380 agreement with nxp. I've been an Austin resident for 34 years since moving after college to my first ever job at what is now nxp. I love the job offer but was unsure about moving so far from home. But after seeing the city during my interview trip, the 1989 version, I knew this was the place for me. I have grown in my career since then. From college, fresh out to director, more importantly, I've grown as a person. I married and established a family here. The kids have gone through schools from early childhood pre‐k to high school. My oldest graduated from saint Edward's university recently and now works at now. And so a second generation working Austin residents from my family has taken root. My wife and I have committed to being
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and I have committed to being active austinites volunteering at our schools, coaching youth sports, support charities focused on voter registration, infant care, special needs adults and victims of family violence, and even serving on a three month we give willingly with our time and money because we truly care about giving back and community. The chapter three will create new opportunities at nxp, but it will also create cycles, stories and legacy for another generation of Austin who work at nxp. Pool greater community. Nxp has shown its nearly 50 years inside the city , and so that the council will agree to invest to continue this great faithful partnership. Thank you again for the time today. >> Victor Martinez. Hello mayor Watson.
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Watson. >> Mayor pro tem Ellis, members of the city council, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak in favor of item 103. >> My name is Victor Martinez and I have been a resident of Austin since 1995, when I arrived from Mexico to study at the university of Texas. I currently live in district three and I have been a city of Austin commissioner for over 12 years. I'm currently serving on the commission on immigrant affairs . I started working in Morocco as a summer intern in 1999 and have been there ever since. Moving up the ladder as we became freescale and later on nxp, semiconductors. I currently work as a domain manager in the manufacturing. It organization. As you know, nxp is not only one of Austin's largest employers, but also a great corporate member of our community. And nxp works with and supports many local nonprofits that improve the lives of all austinites from building houses with habitat for humanity, fundraising for sammaritano, providing volunteers to the kind clinic participating in the Texas
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participating in the Texas conference for women to marching on mlk day. Nxp employees are out in the community serving our neighbors and building a better , more welcoming city for all. This speaks to a corporate culture that emphasizes service, work, life balance and commitment to be a good corporate citizen. In this year, nxp was recognized as a great place to work in the united States, and I can attest that it did. It is we have aggressive goals to increase our hiring, retention and promotion of women and other minorities and we are well on our way to reach them. I also want to emphasize that commitment to the environment, reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our water recycling are two of the major goals we are working towards every day in our factories here in Austin. I hope you will vote in favor of the chapter 380 agreement with nxp. So that we can continue to invest in Austin and upgrade our facilities to produce much needed computer chips right here in our backyard. Your support is essential for nxp to be eligible for chips act funds. One of
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for chips act funds. One of president Biden's priorities that also has the full support of our local congressional delegation, both Democrats and Republicans. >> Speaker, your time has expired agreement. >> Very often these days. >> Thank you. >> Jordan Diaz. Hi, my name is Jordan Diaz. >> I'm an operator at nxp's oak hill. Fab I have been working for nxp semiconductors. For seven years. I was an Austin resident for more than ten years and I continue to live in the suburbs of Austin. My whole family. We are austinites and I'm always commuting to Austin for work or whether it's entertainment or shopping and I think that's agreement would be a great deal to Austin's economy
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a great deal to Austin's economy as it could bring more jobs to the community and allow it to thrive as a technology based using the chips act. Money I started working here when my first child was born seven years ago. So this company has been the stability for my family of five. I would love to be able to call nxp my place of employment employment for many years to come. As as an nxp employee for seven years, I can confidently say that it's a great place to work and always looks for the best ways to assist in our community. Thank you for your time. >> Okay, mayor, I will now move to in person speakers if your name is called, please approach the podium and state your name please. First person. First speaker is Chris Jensen. On deck is Jennifer Walmart and following is Guillermo Prieto.
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following is Guillermo Prieto. >> Thank you, mayor. And the city council for the opportunity to speak to you today. My name is Chris Jensen and I'm executive vice president and chief human resources officer for at nxp. And a proudly lived in Austin for 29 years and a member of district six. My colleague Jennifer Schmidt, who you will hear from in a moment, and I, as well as other members of our team, are here today in support of bringing federal chips act money to the city of Austin, which is the reason that we're seeking support from Austin in the form of chapter 380 incentive fees as as the chief human resources officer, I can speak directly to nxp's commitment to providing resources and support out to our employees and their families through health and well, welfare programs and more specifically, child care, and how these incentives will help enhance those important benefits, as was already discussed earlier, nxp
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already discussed earlier, nxp is recognized as the access to child care as a top priority and as already outlined, we are committed and we are committed with the cities of Austin support in the form of chapter 380 incentives. We're open to committing that 10% in the total city incentives for child care initiatives, which we are proudly partnered with the city to do. We would also enhance our child care efforts and for current as well as future team members by including discounts for child care centers by providing prior free enrollment for our team members at these child care centers and providing free membership to our team members to sit our city, which is a service that helps our team members provide and find before and after school programs as well as full time daycare programs. These are in addition to the comprehensive child care benefits and nxp provides to our Austin employees, as well as our us based employees, including tax dependent care, flexible spending accounts, back up or
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spending accounts, back up or urgent priority care support and tutoring assistance for students. K through 12 through out our 50 year history here in Austin, we strived to set a really high bar with our employee benefits, including child care, resources and accessibility. I'd like to thank the city council for the opportunity to speak today and we look forward to continuing to partner with you. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker is Jennifer. Walmart followed by Guillermo Prieto and fanny akingbala. >> Thank you, mayor Watson and the city council for the opportunity to speak today. >> My name is Jennifer Walmart. I'm the president of nxp usa and the general counsel and chief sustainable officer of nxp semiconductors, our global parent company. I've spent the last 25 years of my career at nxp, formerly freescale and motorola. I'm also an Austin resident of 22 years. I live in district nine, and I'm I'm very proud of the many ways nxp has and continues to positively impact Austin Ann. As my
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impact Austin Ann. As my colleague Chris Jensen just was here as our chief human resources officer and we are pleased together with on behalf of our 3000 Austin employees to support project live oak. When the federal chips act was passed last year, it presented a potential once in a lifetime opportunity for our industry as an industry that's vital to us. Competitiveness S and critical to the future of our country. We are here today to seek your support, to help bring some of the federal chips act funding back to our home city and state , obtaining chips act funding is only possible if we first demonstrate local government support, which is the reason we are seeking your support of project live oak in the form of a chapter 380 agreement. At one of the few local incentives available to Austin manufacturing companies. The cost of making chips in the us is roughly 30% higher than comparable locations in Asia, so availability of incentives is an important factor in considering
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important factor in considering whether to invest in the us or other locations. The fact is other countries are heavily subsidizing their chip industries and it's difficult for us to remain competitive in a global industry like ours without similar assistance. Nxp would like to make a significant investment in Austin in a city it has called home for 50 years and nxp's proposed expansion and modernization Ann project would bring to Austin technology that is more sustainable and creates significant economic benefits for the community. The project would create new, well‐paying jobs and robust benefits packages so as we said, please support us in project live oak. We appreciate the time to talk today and thank you, mayor Watson. The council and the city administration. Thank you. Next speaker is Guillermo Prieto, following with fanny akingbola and William bunch. >> Good afternoon, mayor and members of the city council. My name is Guillermo Prieto. I've I'm a resident of district one.
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I'm a resident of district one. I've been here in Austin since 1999. I've been here in Texas before that as well. I I'm here to basically indicate that I would like you guys to support and centers for an nxp and basically allow an nxp to create new capacities of Austin and manufacturing here and here in this city. I've raised a family here in Texas, in Austin. My spouse is an educator and particularly I just wanted to highlight the importance of the value that she brings to the community. First and foremost, a semiconductor industry is a pillar of modern economy driving innovation, creating jobs and contributing significantly to a technology technological advancements that have transformed our lives. The us government has also recognized that that's the chips act right . By supporting efforts to modernize, we are not only embracing the progress of
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embracing the progress of Austin, but we're also supporting our country in the creation of jobs is a crucial aspect of the of this endeavor. The semiconductor company like brings promise of expanded employment opportunities for our residents, and these jobs span a range of skills from entry level positions to highly specialized roles, ensuring that people of all backgrounds can benefit from the economic growth that nxp can provide. It is also important to note that nxp has a solid commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, and by supporting nxp, we align ourselves with a company that has actively working toward reducing our carbon footprint and developing more energy efficient technologies. And this can have a positive impact to our overall city. Environmental goals as finally granting incentives to nxp is a decision that not only makes economic sense, but it also aligns with the city's commitment to progress and innovation. I urge you all to not lose sight of
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you all to not lose sight of that, and thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Fannie akingbola. Following is William bunch and Alfred soyemi. >> I'm Fannie Aquino Barlow with central Texas interfaith. I'm here to testify on the nxp application for consideration under the city's chapter 380 guidelines. As we have worked with the city leaders for nearly 15 years to set standards for city incentives, we don't like tax payer subsidies to private co‐ops nations, but if we give them the jobs should provide at least pay minimum wages with benefits, have a career ladder, primarily hire locally and include strong worker safety protections. We opposed nxp's chapter 313 application with aid because we oppose all
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aid because we oppose all school district based tax incentives, but we have not opposed city and county abatements. If they have lived up to the high community standards, we will be analyzing this application over the next few days to assess whether this proposal does so. We would like to lift up a few points to consider here. With an average annual wage of $50,000 or a little over $24 an hour, it seems to imply that many of the jobs may be below city living wage. Can the company ensure that all jobs will meet city wage standards? 53 jobs for a potential benefit of $1,515 million incentives from the city and federal government seems like a high cost for a job. Can
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like a high cost for a job. Can you further elaborate on this cost per job? We would also like to hear a detailed explanation of the company's recovery of 100% of incentives. If only 80% of the goals are met. Thank you, ma'am. >> And by the way, for clarity purposes and it's 1.5 million, not 15 million. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker is William bunch on deck? Is Antoine yang and Alfred soyemi. >> Good afternoon, mayor. Council members bill bunch will save our springs alliance. Thank you for your service to our community. We just for clarity purposes personally as a voter, individual, I oppose all 380 agreements on this one, though I'm speaking for save our springs and we're particularly concerned about subsidies going to economic development in the
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to economic development in the Barton springs watershed. We've had a policy in this community for at least 40 years to not subsidize, develop in the Barton springs watershed because of its vulnerability to development. When I first learned about about about this, I did reach out to nxp and they were super responsive immediately. And some of our key concerns have been allayed to some degree, but not entirely. I'm hoping for further communication and perhaps by next week's hearing, we'll we'll not we'll have our concerns addressed, but but it's my understanding at this point that the oak hill facility, which is right on partially on the recharge zone and partially in the contributing zone, would not be expanded. Its footprint and that the investments there would be primarily just to upgrade equipment to current standards with newer modern chips that that seems reasonable. We'd like
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that seems reasonable. We'd like to consider if there's some way to upgrade water quality runoff controls there, because this motorola facility, 80, was one of our first chip plants in Texas, in Austin, as I understand it, was before any of our water quality standards. We were also told that they're going to be improving their water use efficiency, which is super important because chip making is very water intensive. So we've heard some good things. We hope to hear more and we'd hope that any 380 agreement that you do ultimately consider and approve puts in some some firm water, water protection standards. Thank you. >> Thank you. Mr. Bunch next speaker is hanchuan yang on deck? >> Is Alfred soyemi and Michael Toups. >> Hello. Good afternoon. Austin council member my name is hanchuan yang. Thank you for
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hanchuan yang. Thank you for giving me the chance to speak on behalf of my company and on my personal experience with nxp. I live in district one for a year , a little bit over a year, and I have been a process engineer for a little bit over a year. I graduated on the east coast and moved to Austin just because of the job I as an nxp employee, I can attest his great place to work people from the company are very caring to each individual, from their employees in motorola dating back to the 2000. I have heard many great stories of how companies high executives and stakeholders care about employees during the time of their need and the culture has not changed since then. I think the council needs to approve this application from an nxp, since this application is not only good for the growth of an nxp, but also the benefit for the greater city of Austin. I follow tech news very closely
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follow tech news very closely and I have noticed that semiconductor industry has grown very rapidly in Texas. Recent news mentioned that there are multiple tech giants like Texas instrument Samsung building their chip fabs in different parts of Texas and with Samsung moving to Taylor and Texas instrument building their fab north of Dallas, the expansion of nxp will be one of the largest in Austin and without the support from Austin city council, I fear that nxp will not be able to modernize the two fabs in Austin and compete in the same level as the other big name companies us and young graduates will be attracted to different parts of Texas gradually and semi conductor industry will potentially face a decline in the city of Austin. Your vote to support this agreement would mean a great deal to the company and the city . And thank you for the city council for your service and
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council for your service and consideration. Thank you. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Alfred soyemi. On deck? Is Michael tubes and Roy Whaley. >> Good afternoon and thank you very much. Council members. My name is Alfred zohaib. I moved to Texas in 1998 with a three month old baby and my wife. I've been in Texas in the same. The same district, five since then, till today. I've worked at oak hill, worked at. One of our plants in California and also at a at blue stone. So so I'm here to ask that, you know, this council support and express live oak project and asking the, you know, council members to do the same. I'm here with nxp. I've been with, like I said, you
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been with, like I said, you know, almost 29 years plus today at various, you know, engineering roles. Attest firsthand that nxp is a worthy ethical, technological and environmentally friendly organization, partner to the city. And nxp. And nxp provides, you know, provides an environment for employees growth through trade, through training in a college degree, support which I and many others have benefited from. Those translating to an express growth in Austin at nxp. Interestingly, the company has a kind of operational cradle called sk, dhcp, but I will go in that order. I will just give you the first three letters, the first one is for safety of employees. The second one is the quality of
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The second one is the quality of the product that we make and the next one is the delivery on time delivery to our customers. Those are three key pillars for any organization, especially in technological industry. Thank you. Next speaker is Michael Toups. >> On deck? Are Roy Whaley and gene Keller. >> Well, thank you. Thank you for letting me talk in front of you all. My name is Michael Toups. I reside in district eight. I've been a resident of Austin for 35 plus years now. Just a little bit about me. I was born in Killeen, Texas. My father served in the military. He served 20 years in the army. We traveled all over the world. But he got a job opportunity in tech field here in Austin. And we pretty much came to Austin and lived here. I started my first job here working fast food places and stuff like that, and
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places and stuff like that, and I knew those jobs were not going to sustain me for the long haul. And my friend told me about these semiconductor jobs that they have here and so I put my application in and I started working at amd for a couple years, is back in 96, worked here for seven years, and I moved on to motorola, which is now freescale. I've been at freescale for 20 plus years now. I've raised three kids my oldest kid right now he is going to college Paige he's getting his it degree in a bachelor degree and he's always we're always in constant contact. You got jobs down in Austin because I want to come back home and said, yeah, there's plenty of high tech jobs you know, so he wants to come back and, you know, have a family move down here. So my support is, you know, you got to look at this and the ship back and we really need the money to help, you know, retool our factories and bringing the jobs . And it helps keep the jobs here. So with your approval, help keep the jobs here in Austin, help create new jobs
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Austin, help create new jobs without the jobs, this community may not grow. Tax money is needed for economic development. Without economic development. And infrastructure, it is hard to attract homeowners and businesses, stores, attractions . Et cetera. When a community does not grow, sometimes crimes and other negative forces like drugs and gangs take over. So that's why it is important that nxp chapter 380 application gets your approval. So thank you. Thank you for your time. >> Next speaker Roy Whaley, you're on deck. Gene Keller. Then phillipe montet. Yes. Hello >> My name is gene Keller and I reside in district eight. As a matter of fact, I was born here in Austin and I have lived in district eight my entire life. I started at nxp when I was 21 years old, and I recently celebrated my 30th work
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celebrated my 30th work anniversary. I am currently an it manager supporting it automation services for the nxp wafer fabs and I am super excited about the possible approval of chapter 380 and the opportunities that would bring to expand our Austin facility in the future. Just like me, nxp has called home Austin home for many decades, and I cannot overstate how positively nxp has impacted my life, my career at nxp enabled me to continue my education when I was young and provided me with stable employment during some bad economic times. So that so that I would not be forced to leave this beautiful city where I was raised. Since nxp stuck with me when the chips were down, I have been able to raise my wonderful children here and help my parents as they struggled with getting older and ultimately passing on. And now I look forward to helping my children get started with their own careers. Yes probably 1 or 2 of them at nxp and setting the stage for our family's next generation. I really love how
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generation. I really love how how engaged nxp is with our local community and how they provide so many opportunities for us to participate in local charities and other events in closing, I am proud to work for nxp and I appreciate the opportunity to come here and speak on their behalf. And nxp is a people first company and the products we design and manufacturing help all of us in our daily lives. And I hope we can count on your support to continue to do so. For here in Austin. So thank you. Thank you. >> Want to say that you're chipping away at your credibility when you use frontline things like the chips were down, so I couldn't help myself. >> Sorry. >> Next speaker is Philippe monteilhet on deck is Luis morales and Barbara Casas. >> Philippe Montiel. I'm the hr lead for the Americas and live in district six. So council member Kelly, thanks for all that you do for us. Mayor Watson , council member Fuentes and the whole city council going through
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whole city council going through this whole process of the 380. I do have to say, just as an austinite, it is really empowering and powerful to see and it's very great and encourage ING to see how passionate you are about the theme around child care and doing all that we can and being creative. You're right, it is hard going first, but we're glad to do it. So, so thank you for this opportunity. I know my colleague Chris Jensen talked about our commitment and our to child care, but I did. I didn't. I did not want to be remiss in saying that we are also very big partner to the community. And I did want to list out and I'll try to be very quick about some of the partners that we have throughout the community. We are as a employee base. We are very committed to being part of this , being part of Austin, highlighting in a few educational spaces university of Texas, Houston, tillerson university. Austin community college. Austin independent school district. Rodriguez elementary. Barbara Jordan prep govalle elementary. Laura bush
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govalle elementary. Laura bush elementary public schools. Band springs schools that we've been participating in helping with, but also to add some additional organizations. And I've tried to cull from a list of over 200 and the African American youth harvest foundation and can amplify Austin. Andrew Rodriguez foundation in Austin, Austin, African American book festival. Austin habitat for humanity. Austin humane society. Big brothers. Big sisters of central Texas. Borderland rainbow center. Casa of central Texas. Catalyst collective. Central Texas food bank code to college . Earth day. Austin ending community homelessness coalition . El Buen samaritano engineers without borders. Greater Austin gazelle foundation. Girl scouts of central Texas girls start impact Austin foundation Ann keep Austin beautiful latinitas literacy coalition of central Texas Medellin house of Austin national society of black engineers. So again, thank you so much. And I would say is also to the point raised earlier that as part of this agreement, we
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as part of this agreement, we are committed to the living wage. No question. Thank you. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Lourdes morales air and following following Barbara Casas and Aaron Glenn. >> Good afternoon, mayor and members of the city council. Thank you for allowing me to speak in support for 380 agreement with nxp semiconductor. My name is Lourdes morales. I live in district eight. I move in Austin with my siblings and in 1995 and has been an active citizen or members of Austin. I started working in an nxp since 1997 as an operator and currently I am working as a ship administrator here at annex at emc, at bluwstein site. I am honored to be standing here not only to
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be standing here not only to represent myself and my experience at an nxp, but my coworkers as well. This is in support with the nxp and to share my testimony that nxp is a great place to work at and nxp has enabled me to provide for my family. We actually was able to help me enable to buy my first home, send my son to school at a university right now and we continue to be we continue to be a productive member of the Austin community and nxp also developed me to be in a leadership role wherein I can train coach and mentor the new generation Ann of semiconductor workforce is your favorable consideration in supporting the 380 agreement? It's a win for the austinites. Our community and our new generation. For the
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and our new generation. For the workforce force. It will be a great deal not just in Austin, but for the United States to be in a significant force with its global need for semiconductor industry. Thank you, mayor. And the city council for your service to the community. Thank you. Thank you. >> Next is Barbara Casas, followed by Aaron Glenn and Denise kefka's. >> Hello. My name is Barbara Casas from district eight. I'm asking for support for nxp's live oak project. 25 years ago, I moved to Austin as a young engineer to chase my dreams in high tech manufacturing at motorola. Now in nxp, and I am so glad that I did. I'm proud to work at nxp and live in this wonderful community alongside all of you. I am proud for so many reasons. You know, when I started in my career, I wasn't
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started in my career, I wasn't sure if I was going to stay in Austin or where it was going to take me. But what I've learned is that there it's not just where you work, it's who you work with and the community that you work in. What I think makes Austin so great is that there is something for everyone here. Wright we are a wonderful compilation of arts, higher education, government and technology and nxp and its high tech manufacturing are an integral part of what makes Austin Austin. Not only do we have the technology really cool technology that powers your 5g phones, that allows that adaptive cruise control that people can't live without these days, and we manufacture it right here in Austin. And we've been doing that for decades. As Wright and nxp, live oak project is a great opportunity, not only for the city of Austin, the state of Texas, but the entire United States of America. It ensures that Austin continues to be seen and known as a technology hub. I have built a wonderful life here in Austin. I
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wonderful life here in Austin. I would not trade it for the world. Working at nxp, and I want to extend that experience to my children and my children's children. With that, I urge you to support nxp's live oak project and I thank you for your time and your service to our community. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker is Aaron Glenn and following is Denise kafkis. Hello >> Thank you for having me. My name is Aaron Glenn. I'm a proud austinite born and raised, still live in Austin. I'm speaking on in hopes that the Austin city council will support nxp's live oak project. I started with nxp 30 years ago, directly out of high school on night shift on an entry level job in nxp has given me the opportunity to build a career that has allowed my family and I the ability to stay in Austin around my seven other siblings and their families and nxp has been a staple and a good business partner in the city of Austin for over 50 years. Approving the live oak project will open a pathway to obtain chips, act money and create more
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chips, act money and create more jobs in Austin, with many, many of those being entry level. This will allow high school graduates who do not want to pursue a college degree along with the new college graduates. The potential to build a long term career at nxp and keep them in the Austin area. I hope that you support nxp's live oak project and I appreciate your service to the city of Austin. >> Next speaker is Denise kefka's. >> Hello, my name is Denise kefka's. I am a senior director in human resources at nxp and I support the manufacturing factories globally. Thank you for the opportunity to share my support for the chapter 380 agreement with nxp. I have been in Austin for more than 38 years. I currently reside in district eight in nxp, has called Austin home for decades and throughout that time has had a rich history of engagement and advocacy in many different communities across Austin. As an
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communities across Austin. As an nxp employee for almost 30 years, I can attest that it is a great place to work and dedicated to investing in our community. I am a recipient of nxp's education reimbursement program. This allowed me this allowed me the opportunity to obtain my degree and to progress my career from an operator to my position currently. My position now allows me to advocate for our employees to experience similar opportunity entities within nxp. I am also able to influence and support such programs as the collaboration with arc for our employees within manufacturing. Your vote to support this agreement would mean a great deal to me and my family and will affirm your confidence in local business and critical knell domestic chip manufactures Singh in nxp is a company that I am proud to work
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company that I am proud to work for. It is a win for Austin. Our residents, our community. Thank you to the city council for your service and consideration. >> That concludes all the speakers for item 103. >> Thank you. Members without objection, we'll close the public hearing. On item 103. I'll remind everybody that this requires that there be a second public hearing. That public hearing will be conducted next Thursday, the 21st. But before we break, I would Eid ask, could you come back up to the podium real quick just so that we're all operating off the same numbers and since there was a statement today made about the size of the grant and I spoke in terms of 1.5, which of course is
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terms of 1.5, which of course is one of the numbers that gets talked about. The benefit to the city. But if you would walk through because the grant itself is actually less than the 1.5, which I think is now caused some confusion. And the 15 million was was mentioned. So if you would just walk through those numbers so that everybody has those numbers in their head. >> Thank you, mayor. And we will also update the backup so that the slide refresh, it's the changes that were discussed today. Yes. So the estimate city fiscal benefit impact is $2.5 million from that impact, the base inducement, the workforce training, the childcare, the economic disadvantaged percentage, the total potential full grant to the company. Is 1,026,332, which leaves a net benefit to the city of $1.5 million. Right. We always
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million. Right. We always calculate to the positive of the city. >> Got it. I just want to make sure that that's clear, because when I hear numbers that are used that I want to make sure we're all talking about the same thing and we'll update the backup. Okay, very good. Thank you very much. All right. With that, we have closed the public hearing on this item, and I would be remiss if I didn't say in response to the answer to the questions. Again, thank you to nxp for the discussions we've had even just since Tuesday. And in particular, thank you to the professional staff of the city of Austin that dives so deep into this and thinks it through so much. We couldn't do this without you, and we deeply appreciate it with that. Members we will go to item 102 and without objection, I will open the public hearing on item 102. I will recognize council member Velasquez on this item. Council member. Can you hear me? If
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member. Can you hear me? If you're talking, we can't hear you. Okay. There you go. All right. >> You can hear me. >> Yes. >> Perfect. Thank you for the recognition. First off, I want to thank the folks that came out to speak on this item today. After speaking with some of the neighbors this morning. I'd feel more comfortable if we postpone this item to October 9th. Teeth. This will allow us time to be more inclusive of all the parties involved and so I move for postponement. >> Members council member Velasquez moved postponement to October 19th. This is a I'll open the public. We've opened the public hearing and if we vote to postpone this then it would people would be allowed to speak, but they would only be allowed to speak with regard to the merits of the postponement, is there a second to the motion to postpone Ann second by councilmember vela?
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councilmember vela? >> Mayor, can you clarify which number? >> Oh, I'm sorry, 102. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Sure thank you. I hope make sure I'm clear on those. Is there any discussion with regard to the motion on objection? Ann without objection . Item number 102 is postponed to October 19th. Let me wait, wait, wait, wait. I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to call that. I got to let you talk. So huh? Yeah. >> So here's the thing. >> We're going to have the public hearing, but because there is a motion to postpone Ann, the only the testimony that you provide should be to the merits of whether we should postpone Ann or not. That's the motion in front of us. Not to the merits of the substance of whatever the case is. Does that make sense? Yes. All right. So with that, we have a motion and
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with that, we have a motion and a second on the table. All I've not called the question yet, so I'll now call on the city clerk to recognize speakers to speak only on the merits of whether we should postpone this today. >> Okay, Jeff, trigger are on deck. Are George Wilcox and Greg porter. >> Yes. In the interest of everybody, I think I can cover. Well you need to come to the microphone and tell us who you are. >> And yeah, I'm Jeff trigger. >> I'm the chairman of the board of directors of green pastures, and I'm president of la Costa hospitality group. And the 15 or so people behind me are staff that have been here all day and profession knell architects that we're paying to do the project here. Let me reorganize my notes, if you will bear with me for two seconds and I'll
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for two seconds and I'll speaking just to the postponement, because it is extremely painful for us to do that. Our partners and operations team strongly Ann that you reject this, postpone men proposal. The facts in the case will not change. We applied for an extension to the city approved site development plan and nine months ago the appellant has had all that time to prepare for today Shea they've had that time to strategize, seek advice from anyone they wished and
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anyone they wished and communicate with, anyone whom with whom they wanted to influence mainly you all. And of course I saw the appellant come up afterwards to lobby in between and so on. One would assume that they would have fully prepared Eid and brought their best game to the planning commission hearing more than seven weeks ago. So when they first learned of the commission's unanimous ruling in our favor, the their attorney was there and even spoke on their behalf. Meanwhile on our side, other than your rejection of the appellants appeal, the I can go quickly, but I would like to finish this out of time. >> But let me let me offer you something, because we with the change know it flustered and changed your notes the way I've been trying to do this is allow up to two people all to donate times for a total of six
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times for a total of six minutes. They have to be present. But if you have two people that have signed, yeah, everybody raise your hand back there, man. There people don't even know you. Trigger they're now raising their hand. Okay. That minute 30 was so compelling. There if they've signed up to speak, state your name. If you will verify it with the clerk's office and there will be two people that I just need. >> Two people just need two of you just say your name out loud . >> So, mayor, four minutes. Now you have four minutes. Okay. Meanwhile, other than your rejection of the appellant's appeal, the only major step for us to complete before beginning construction on is the approval of the construction loan, which is fully contained. Count on us having a site development permit extended. We have of consummated building permit that the city has approved just waiting for it to be picked up. I have a an air
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to be picked up. I have a an air contract with a builder that's built two other historic hotels . Well, actually one historic and one ground up with us. That contractor is here today and has been here this morning to testify. They're ready to go. They can pick up the building permit. The bank is I should have a contingent loan approval around the corner. And the hotel business is a cyclical business. We know the industry. I don't need to get into that. And you all know you can't get a room in the city during south by, but you can get it any time in January. Green pastures makes a lot of its money during the wedding season. We're an event venue with a delay, particularly the delay that's been asked for , which again, we've seems interesting given all the time they've had, including just the last seven weeks. We're going to miss the whole wedding season
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miss the whole wedding season for green pastures and great, we'll get to open up in July. Anybody look at the occupancy tax dollars driven in July and August in this city straight down the toilet. That's what you're doing to me. We've paid our fees. We sorry, that's in the merits of the case. But. The delay is very inexpensive of our carrying costs continue to accumulate. But the focus on our business is compromised. All of our key managers here and partners have. I've respectfully everything's important, but a delay when nothing is going to change, I'll give an extra five minutes for them to plead their case to you all, which is all they want to do. So when you hear the merits there, there's unanimous decision that's going to make this very straightforward. The delay that was on voted on and it is very painful to us. And I think everything else is going to be
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everything else is going to be me arguing for our why it is that we need to continue doing what we're doing. It's very painful to us. They've had plenty of time. We've got the commission that you appointed people to vote unanimously. I got a bank, I got construction people. I've got investors, I've got employees, I've got everything set to motion. And basically we're going to be sitting on our hands with this delay to what impact it is. I'm all for being fair to the appellant. I don't know what they're going to accomplish in that time. That could not have been accomplished before. Shaw and at this point, it's a matter of fairness to us. I respectfully ask for you to reject this postponement. It serves no purpose and it's very, very painful to us. It doesn't cost them anything. And it in my opinion, it won't move the needle because it's a very simple question that's being asked of you. Did we make a good faith effort to build under the plans that you all approved
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plans that you all approved within the time and when you hear some basic facts, you're going to say there's simply no question the same that the commission did. I'll give you back the couple of minutes. Maybe I've got left. Mayor, thank you very much. >> You're getting back seven seconds, but that's all right. Thank you very much. I tease you, but I know it's very serious and I appreciate it. Just I've known you a long time. Appreciate you. >> Next speaker is Elizabeth Winkler. >> Hi. My name is Elizabeth Winkler. Thank you so much for allowing the community and your constituents to participate in the Democrat process. I would like to speak to us having seven weeks to contest this within those seven weeks, we've actually filed a freedom of information act. We've started to gather all of the information, emails from people from the city back and forth. Et cetera. We've discovered some
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cetera. We've discovered some things that are pretty notable and that we want to dig into a little bit more. Some of that include maybe some misrepresentation of information that has been happening during that time. We've also been trying to meet with city council members, with Mr. Velasquez, who unfortunately, I think had some reasons for not being able to meet when we had our scheduled meeting. So we have been actually trying to move this along, gather some information, work with the city and we just haven't gotten there just yet. We have a bunch of information that we want to dig into a little bit more. And therefore, we think that it is only fair for us, the residents of Bouldin creek, to be able to have a little bit more time to figure this out. So yeah, I yield the rest of my time to molina, who
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rest of my time to molina, who has a statement that's already prepared. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker is, is milena bolshakov. Hello >> Thank you for allowing me to speak here. My name is milena boytchev and thank you for listening to us and our request for postponement. Postponement of the public hearing concerning our appeal against the second extension of a site plan. We are talking about postponing this public hearing for four weeks and Eid. I think what the developer forgot to mention is that he has been having a site plan approved site plan for the last more than five years, five and a half years, he had approved site plan and now we are talking about four weeks. Why we want to postpone it is during the public hearing in
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during the public hearing in front of the planning commission , the city planner said that they fulfill a criteria, a fact based criteria about the developer having built a infrastructure in a subsequent email exchange between the city planner and us, the city planner admitted that this is not the truth and the city planner was misled by the developer. No infrastructure has ever been built, no building has ever been built. But but the developer stated in front of the public planning commission, and this is our recorded that he has built infrastructure. So we would like to people to look at these emails and to make up their minds. So we need a little bit more time to talk to you and to our city councilor, miss Mr. Velasquez. We have filed a public information request requesting all the email exchange between the developer, Swint development services
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Swint development services department and the developer. We discovered very concerning motion as our emails being forwarded without any comment from a senior city planner to the developer all the time. There is also coaching happening, changing information , aligning that we would like also to bring to the publicity. My third point is okay, thank you so much. Thank you for being here. >> Now next speaker is Chris anisic. >> No. You have to be. So I have one second. >> Sorry, Jorge George Wilcox and Greg porter speaking on the merits of the postponement as well as Kathie steel jack means please make your way to the podium and state your name.
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podium and state your name. >> Good afternoon. Honorable mayor council people. Thank you for your service. My name is George Wilcox. I'm an architect . Worked on the green pastures project I've been involved with it since 2015. Once we started the renovation of mayonnaise and the phase one work over there, I would argue again for our not accepting this postponement, basically due to the economic hardship that you all be placing on our client. Miss boychick brought up one of the points of our argument about infrastructure being installed on the property. I can walk anybody there right now today and show you $150,000 of infrastructure that was put in place to serve this hotel that we are proposing. So it feels like a spurious delay claim to
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like a spurious delay claim to me. And I don't know if my opinion means much to you all, but it it it feels is disingenuous and thank you for your time. Thank you. >> If your name has been called, please make your way to the podium and state your name. Ava lugo Courtney hickey. Diane Tran. Laura shire. Ethan Holmes . Rebecca Ballinger. >> Hello, mayor. Council members my name is Gregory porter. I'm a partner on this project and I was actually the one who led the first phase of this. And so I think the reason why this postponement doesn't make sense is because we've been working with the neighborhood for a long time on this. It's been a long, long go. So I want to state that the Bouldin creek neighborhood association does not oppose this project, that the city staff is 100% unanimous approval of it. And it's not just that we have already qualified for good faith metric that is a requirement for the permission of the extension
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the permission of the extension of the site plan. But what we came to do today was make it very explicit that we have qualified for a second and so it would make sense and we'd be grateful for the opportunity to share those details with you. There should have been more than enough time for the discovery we've been able to present this information to the city, and there's really no reason to postpone. So we'd ask for you to kindly consider not postponing and allowing us to present today. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Please state your name at the podium. >> Hi, my name is Kathy Steele, co‐founder of Lucas hospitality . I don't know if there's anything that I can add to whatever has already been said. We're ready to present. I feel like the opposition has had more than enough time to prepare, and I think it's reasonable to consider moving forward. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon. My name is
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>> Good afternoon. My name is jack means I'm with Jordan foster construction, the general contractor for the project. Our company started working with the ownership group and design team in July of 2019, and through that process course with covid, the supply chain issues, inflation issues respectively, caused the delays to the bid process. As with all of those encountered, ownership has been diligent and overcoming these by pre purchasing the electrical gear and equipment package. In April and an approximate value of $140,000 due to an estimated 70 a week lead time. We also, as he said, had have a negotiated contract. If this extends it would most definitely increase pricing from subcontractors and potentially ourselves. Thank you. >> Thank you. Mayor. >> I've called all of the names on the list. Please state your name. >> Good afternoon. My name is Ethan Holmes. I'm the executive chef for Madison green pressures. I just wanted to say
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pressures. I just wanted to say that we hope we have the opportunity to speak on this. We did invite the Bouldin creek neighborhood association to come to Maddie's on may 31st for appetizers and drinks to discuss the project in depth. We reached out to 47 households. Only 19 people actually showed up. So we would like the opportunity to move forward with the conversation on the approval that we've already received from the planning commission and give us the opportunity to talk about why we want to proceed and not postpone this. Thank you. Thank you. >> Those are all the people that have signed up to speak on this item. >> I'll recognize councilmember Velasquez on his motion to close . >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yeah. I'm move for postponement. >> The motion is to postpone the item 102 to October 19th. Is there any? And it's been seconded. Is there a with that objection, we'll close the
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objection, we'll close the public hearing on item number 102. And now we have the motion in front of us is there any discussion, is there any objection to the post, to the to the motion hearing? None the motion is adopted with councilmember harper‐madison, councilmember Allison alter and council member pool off the dais . Item number 102 is postponed to October 19th. Thank you all. >> Mayor. Mayor pro tem Ellis is not present. >> I thought that was her on. >> We need to be able to see her. >> I'm sorry. You're right. And of course, for those that don't know, mayor pro tem Ellis is having to take care of a matter and so she's off the dais. So she will also be shown as off the dais on on this side on item 102, that will take us now to our zoning matters Ann. And I will recognize miss harden to
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will recognize miss harden to make a presentation to council. >> Thank you, mayor. Mayor council. I'm joy harden with the planning department. Your zoning agenda begins with item number 107. In 2022 0005.01. This item is being offered for consent. First reading only. The related rezoning is item 108 c1 for 2022 0107. Again this item is being offered for consent. First reading only council member Velasquez has requested a first reading to facilitate conversations between the applicant and neighborhood, so staff will be bringing this item back for second and third reading at your October 19th council meeting. So with that, we're offering those items for consent. First reading only item 109 is c1 for 2023 0012. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings were able to get the final ordinance. So we are able to offer this for all three
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offer this for all three readings. The related item to 109 is item 110 c1 for 2023 0001. And again, this item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 111 is c1 for 2020 201 for zero. There's a neighborhood postponement request to your September 21st council meeting. Item 112 is c1 for 2023 002 to this item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 113 is c1 for 2022 017 for there is a neighborhood postponement request to your October 5th council meeting for the related case to item 113 is item 114 at c1 for 2023 0036. And again there's a neighborhood postponement request to your October 5th council meeting. Item 115 is c1 for H 2023 007 for this item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 116 is. 2022 0026.01. This will be a discussion item. The related
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discussion item. The related rezoning is 117 c1 for 2022 0166. Again this will be a discussion item. Item 118 is a 2023 0024.01. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 119 is a c1 for 2023 0073. This is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 120 a c1 for 2023 0067. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. I just want to note on this item, I just spoke with an opposition speaker who is here but was unable to sign in. Her comments are in backup, but she would like to speak and I know that's up to your discretion. On the notice, I think was a bit confusing to her. So I just wanted I told Mrs. March that I would mention that to the dais is this item 120 and that's item 120. Yes. Mayor thank you. I don't. 121 to see c1 for 2023 0015 this item is being offered
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0015 this item is being offered for consent on all three readings. There is a speaker here in opposition to this case . This case was. But I just want to mention that this case was supported by staff and the planning commission, and it is allowing for 550ft of an indoor only auto sales use. And again, we're offering that for consent on all three readings. I don't 122 is NBA 2022 00230.02. This is being offered for consent on all three readings as the related rezoning is item 123 Singh one for 2023 0003. Again this item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 124 is npa 2023 0018.01. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 125 is c1 for 2023 0017. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 126 is NPR 2023 0022.01. This is being offered for
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This is being offered for consent on all three readings. The related rezoning is item 127 c1 for 2023 0025. The sign is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 128 is c1 for 2022 0090. There is a neighborhood postponement request to your October 19th council meeting item 129 is c1 for 2022 0172. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings and council. You did receive an email from the neighborhood association in opposition. This is a rezoning request that allows for the site to participate in the density bonus program. It provides open space, affordable housing that's outlined in your east Riverside corridor plan. And this site is adjacent to the hub and near the proposed rail stop. This was supported by staff and the planning commission. So again, this is being offered for consent on all three readings, but I believe you do have a opposition speaker here. Item 130 2c1 for 2023 0055. This is being offered for consent. All three readings and I believe
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three readings and I believe there is one opposition speaker here. This is for footprint rezoning for one for alcohol sales. And this concludes the reading of the zoning agenda. And as always, this is at your discretion. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. Members, you have any questions of staff ? All right, members, you've heard the consent agenda that has been read in your packet. There are two items that are are pulled from the consent agenda. Those are items 116 and 117 for discussion without objection, we will open the public hearing on the consent. All the items on the consent agenda as they were read by miss harden. Without objection, the public hearings are now open. We will hear from the public that has signed up on those items on the consent agenda. >> Okay. The first speaker is Malcolm Yates. For item 2129. My name is Malcolm Yates.
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name is Malcolm Yates. >> I am the chair of the east Riverside oltorf combined contact team. I'm speaking on item 129. Case number C 14 2022 0172. The Iraq contact team voted to oppose this case because it sets a precedent to ignore the basic concept of the east Riverside corridor master plan by expanding the radius of the transportation hub, by ignoring the design specifications of the transportation hub, city council will convey to the citizens of Austin the message that the years they spent working on neighborhood plans and corridor plans have been wasted. The Austin neighborhood council also approved a resolution opposing the expansion of the corridor transportation hubs for the same reason. Please respect the irc
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reason. Please respect the irc master plan and the citizens who worked for years to create it by denying the request to expand the transportation hub boundary . Thank you. Thank you. >> I'm going to move to in‐person speakers. Is Lorraine . Atherton speaking on 113 and 114. William bunch. Speaking on 113, 114 and 121. 113 and 114. >> The consent agenda is for postponement. So the discussion would be on the merits of the postponement only. And then on 120 and then of course 121 yes, yes. >> Thank you, mayor Watson bill bunch votes for a resident of district five support. The.
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district five support. The. Extension on 113 114 thank you for that. On 121 I just want to raise a concern and objection to the zoning change that would accommodate a truck and automobile dealership on the banks of lady bird lake next to congress avenue. I recognize that this is as it was reported anyway, indoor only, but I think that's really about the worst place in the city that you could contemplate having an automobile dealership. I don't see anybody showing up there that's not driving to be there. I don't know what they're going to do with inventory. I'd love to hear about that. But my guess is they want the inventory to be across the across congress in the underground parking garage at the statesman pud. That's not really an underground parking garage. Paige and which the previous council under mayor Adler voted to have us taxpayers
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Adler voted to have us taxpayers pay to build it for them. It just seems like a completely inappropriate late use for this property. Thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you, mister bunch. That concludes all the speakers members. No other speakers have signed up to speak on the items that are on the consent agenda. With that objection, we will close the public hearing on the items in the consent agenda as read. I'll entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda as read motion made by council member Ryan alter, seconded by council member Kelly. Discussion on councilmember vela. >> I just wanted to highlight that one item in particular. I guess two items items 122 and 123 which are going to kick off the redevelopment of really an entire city block there between 51st and 52nd. Cameron and
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51st and 52nd. Cameron and Lancaster. It's a great project. It's going to bring a lot of activity and amenities to an area that has been underdeveloped and a blight to a certain extent for quite some time. And I'm excited to see that right there at the edge of district four and district nine actually. And it will provide, I think, great benefit to the folks in Windsor park, highland Mueller and many other neighborhoods surrounding the area. So I just wanted to comment on that. And then also excited about the 124 and 125. There's going to be some construction there right across the street from the highland park. I want to call it the highland park park. And we're working on that. We really want to get an easement. It's a it's a nice little park. The city is putting a lot of money to a remodel. That park. But access to the park is very, very
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to the park is very, very limited. There's only one entrance on saint John side. There's a lot of people that are in the crestview kind of Todd area there that have to walk a long way to get into the park. This development is right across the street from the park, but we're hoping that potentially some of the parkland dedication fees that they'll be paying can go into creating an easement right there on Guadalupe. So folks have better access to the park. And I just wanted to highlight that we've been working with the applicant to try and get that done. And with the parks department. But again, just happy to see both of these district four cases moving forward. >> All right. Thank you, council member. Any other discussion on members? Is there any one who wishes to be shown abstain Singh on the consent agenda motion anyone wishing to be shown recusing themselves? Is anyone wishing to be shown voting no on one of the consent agenda items ? All right. With that objection, the consent agenda is approved with council member harper‐madison. Council member
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harper‐madison. Council member Allison alter, councilmember pool and the mayor pro tem off the dais. That will take us to the two pool zoning items. Items 116 and 117 and I will recognize miss Hardin. Thank you. >> This is item number 116 on your agenda. 2022 00260.01 located at 82268226 and a half. 82308238. And 8240. Georgian drive. And the request is from neighborhood commercial to mixed use land use. Item 117 on your agenda is case number c1 for c1 for 2022 0166. Also located at 82268226 and a half 82308238 and 8240. Georgia and drive the property is a 0.75 acre site compose of four lots that front onto Georgia and drive that are
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onto Georgia and drive that are currently being utilized for a construction sales and service basis. Use the applicant is requesting cs mu comp zoning to bring the existing non‐conforming use which is a foundation repair business on the property into conformance with the use regulations and the land development code. The construction sales and services use is first permitted in cs, the general commercial district zoning. The applicant has offered to prohibit the following incompatible commercial uses on the property through a proposed co, and those uses are automotive rental. Automotive repair services. Automotive sales, automotive, washing of any type. Bale bond services, service station, vehicle storage, custom manufacturing and limited warehousing distribution. The staff recommended np zoning because the property takes access to Georgian drive, which is a level two collector roadway . It does not meet the intent of the cs district and is not located on an on or at an
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located on an on or at an intersection of major roadways. The proposed sale district will provide limited commercial and office uses to serve the residents of the surrounding residential neighborhood. Staff supports the addition of the combining district to the existing zoning as this property is adjacent to residential uses. Zoning to the north and to the east. And on July 25th, the planning commission Ann approved the applicant's request for kzmu comp zoning with an additional condition Ann to make the construction, sales and services as a conditional use on the property. The idea of allowing this as through the cfp, the conditional use permit process. Yes, the idea was to ensure that the planning commission would see the site to make sure that it was compatible with the area so the applicant does not support the staff's recommendation of Lemieux or the planning commission's recommendation of making this construction. Ann sales and services use a conditional use and the applicant is here to
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and the applicant is here to answer any questions about their request. If needed. >> Is there anyone that's been that has signed up to speak on this item? >> No. Mayor. >> No speaker so this is just between staff and the applicant? Yes all right, then. What I'd ask is that the applicant come forward and make a brief presentation because we're not doing this in the normal sense, if you don't mind, I'll ask you to make a three minute presentation and then we'll open it up for questions and try to get a motion on the floor. >> Absolutely. Thank you. Council members Victoria Hassey with thrower design on behalf of the landowner, we wait till the presentation comes up. This is a site outlined in blue. This is comprised of three tracks that are along Georgian drive, close to the intersection with Powell lane. You can see that the project, the site backs up to a
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project, the site backs up to a big swath of what's identified as commercial future land use map for this. This map next slide. And this is the rezoning or zoning map here. You can see there is multifamily alley to the north. There's the chs zoning to the west and single family to the east. Next slide, as joy was saying, the use on the site today is a construction sales and service use. More specifically, it's foundation repair. Foundation repair is for this particular client. There's no foundation repair happening here. This is just a site where he stores his equipment that he uses to go repair foundations throughout the city. So this is not necessarily a nuisance use in that it's creating a lot of noise or anything like that. But it is a use that he would like to continue to operate here. And this rezoning would allow him to do that. There is a we'll advance to the next slide. This is the site aerial of the site
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is the site aerial of the site compared comparing 2017 on the left to the site after our client purchased the property. And you can see since he's purchased it, he's actually done quite a bit to clean up the site . Before there was an air conditioning repair business located at this site and he's since taken ownership and has done quite a bit to clean it up. Next slide this is the front of the site. Next slide. This is a picture of Georgian drive showing that there's bicycle lanes and then there's parking within the up against the curb. So the parking is not a bicycle lane and parking are separate. Next slide. And this is just the matrix, the use matrix in the land development code. You can see that currently zoning is what applies to the property today. And the salmon colored and yellow is the construction, sales and service use. It is not permitted until you get to see us, which is why we've request and see us. Next slide. This is a site plan that was approved in 2017 and we are in the process
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2017 and we are in the process of modifying the site plan to address the neighborhood's concerns about razor wire and there is the mf multifamily zoning and development to the north. That's shaded in Orange on this site plan. And right now there's a chain link fence that separates the two property Luz. And so zo per the neighborhood's request, we have agreed to amend the site plan to include that there's going to be a solid privacy fence along that property line and then again, removal of the razor wire with those elements. We feel like that addresses the major concerns. And so we are asking that construction, sales and service use be permitted outright because we're addressing the uses or the concerns through a site plan. Correction. Do you have any questions, if you have any questions, thank you. >> Members without objection, we'll open the public hearing on items 116 and 117. The city clerk has informed me that there
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clerk has informed me that there is no one signed up to speak on items 116 and 117 so without objection, we will close the public hearings on item 116 and 117 I'll recognize councilmember vela. >> Thank you, mayor. I would move to and I may need staff's help on this. The letters jumble a bit in those but she read them very slowly. >> I want to I don't think that a conditional use permit is in order. >> I mean, this is an existing use that has been going on nonconforming but an existing use. I don't see kind of the point of going through the conditional use permit process. S I'm fine with giving them the commercial services. I just wanted to, to clarify something though. The the two things actually. So the mu would mean that down the road as the section of north Lamar develops that property would be entitled and eligible for a mixed use
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and eligible for a mixed use development where there could be kind of that commercial residential type development that's correct. >> Okay. >> And then with the razor wire around it, once given the ordinance that we passed, the fencing ordinance that we passed a few months ago, once the razor wire is removed, can it be put back? >> No, I do not believe so. >> Okay. With that caveat, then I would. And again, I would recommend passage of is it the kzmu comp? >> Yes. And so that could just be. Yes you're exactly correct. The kzmu comp, but that would be the applicants request because planning commission had the similar letter. So we'd say just for clarity, you'd want the applicant to request for 117, which would be kzmu comp because they do have some conditions as well. But it would not be the cp.
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cp. >> Got it then. Motion to pass the applicants request and but just to clarify, also today we're just passing on first reading. >> Well, yes, that'd be your motion. >> Yes. Yes. First reading, then motion. >> First reading. Applicants request will get that razor wire down down the road and then take another look at the item and then I think you would just do 116 the applicant request as well. >> Yes. >> And let me add that to my motion. 116 per applicant's request as well. >> Members. The motion by council member Vella is to approve items 116 and 117 as the applicant's request on first reading only. Is there a second to the motion? Seconded by council member Ryan alter? Is there any discussion without objection, items 116 and 117 are approved as the applicant's request based on first reading only off the dias as council member harper‐madison council member Allison alter, council member pool and the mayor pro tem member tirz. I believe that
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tem member tirz. I believe that covers all of the items that we have on our agenda without a I'm sorry, council member alter if you've bet that we're going to finish it to 3:00 and you delay this until after three, I just wanted to wish everyone who celebrates tomorrow is rosh hashanah. >> That's a great so Shana Tova to you all. Who will be celebrating. >> Excellent. Well done. And it is 3:00. Yes. I'm sorry. You guys are all betting on betting against me here. All right. Count council member Kelly and then council member Fuentes. I just wanted to wish frank on the second floor a very happy birthday from all of us on the city council. Yeah, yeah. >> Happy birthday, frank. Happy birthday, frank. That you do for us, councilmember Fuentes. >> Yes. >> This. >> There was an item on our agenda today that was postponed to next week. It is the palm district plan, and I wanted to flag for the city manager. If we
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flag for the city manager. If we could have a briefing on that on Tuesday's work session. And if a briefing is not if staff's not able to do a briefing, then I will pull it for conversation Ann and we'll ask staff to respond to some questions. Thank you. >> Let me follow up with staff and see what we can do. >> Thank you. Thank you. Anything else? Council members with that objection, the council, the Austin city council is adjourned. It is 3:01 P.M. Thank you all.