City Council Work Session Transcript – 9/19/2023 Title: ATXN-1 (24hr) Channel: 1 - ATXN-1 Recorded On: 9/19/2023 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 9/19/2023 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. [9:00:41 AM] It is September 19th, 2023. It's 9:00 we are meeting at the Austin city hall in the council chambers, which is located at 301 west second street. The order members that [9:01:43 AM] street. The order members that we will go in is what I laid out on the message board yesterday. And what we'll do is we will, as soon as I finish kind of laying this out, we will go into executive session when we come back, we will take up first those items that were pulled just for us to have a discussion on in anticipation of the Thursday council meeting, the order we will go in will be item 55 and then item 99, item 101, and then items 102 and 103 were pulled. But we will take those up together at that point. We will go into the briefing and we will have the four briefings at that. When that's done, I will adjourn. We will adjourn the meeting and the committee, the Austin energy oversight committee, that is chaired by council member pool, will convene. So members, the city council will now go into a [9:02:43 AM] council will now go into a closed session to take up one item pursuant to section 55107, one of the Texas government code . The city council will discuss legal issues related to item 99, which is reads approve a resolution directing the city manager to revise and implement certain policies relating related to training investigations and reporting by the office of police oversight. Provide updates to the public safety committee and creation of a public workgroup. Is there any objection to going into an executive session on the item announced? Hearing none. Without objection, the council will now go into executive session. It is 9:02 A.M. [9:58:48 AM] I'll call back to order the Austin city council for this work session. It is Tuesday, September 19th at 9:58 A.M. We are out of closed session. In closed session, we discussed legal issues related to item number 99 members in the public as I indicated, what we will do is we will go to items that have been pulled from council for discussion during this work session and then we will go to the briefings that have been posed. Ed item 55 was pulled. This relates to an ordinance relating to a joint public hearing between the city council and the planning commission. Ann for certain changes to the city code. I'll recognize staff on this item to lay it out and then we'll see what questions counsel has Tricia link with the law department. >> Mayor and council item 55, as the mayor said, would authorize a joint meeting. We know there is an exhibit a that will be attached and will be posted into backup either later today or tomorrow. Noted the exhibit a [9:59:48 AM] tomorrow. Noted the exhibit a will talk about the notice requirements which we would be recommending at a minimum, would be ten days of notice for publishing in the statesman, giving notice to the community registry, and then also to give mailed notice to every parcel within the city's zoning jurisdiction. >> Members. A couple of people have posted their positions on what we want to do with regard to as we make these as we make these proposals for changes to the land development code, how we want to make sure that we have the credibility as we go forward on these with significant, robust, complete, total notice, whatever is the right word. Councilmember alter you, Allison alter, you had pulled the item. I want to make sure you have an opportunity. Thank you so I appreciate my colleagues comments and the desire for as much notice as possible. [10:00:50 AM] possible. >> I think that's that's really important. Know I pulled it in part first because there was no to exhibit a so and I still, frankly would love to see that in writing to understand exactly what what we're what we're voting on. But I appreciate what you've given us so far. It doesn't sound like you're going to tell me any more than that, right now, so I'll wait for it in writing. But I was uncomfortable with not knowing what exhibit a is. So I appreciate that. And then there are some other pieces here, and I want to I want to clarify. There's nothing in what you just said with exhibit a that matches the intention that I read elsewhere that was expressed by colleagues that we'd be having this joint meeting. And then there would also be a planning commission meeting and then there would also be a council meeting. So how is that playing out with with this item to ensure that we are not just [10:01:52 AM] ensure that we are not just having a joint meeting and skipping all the other steps? >> Council member the first step in this process would be for council to vote on item 55 to authorize the meeting. If council does authorize the meeting, then the first thing that will happen from a meeting standpoint is we'll have the public hearing, which would be a joint public hearing with the city council and the planning commission. After that public hearing, hearing happens, the planning commission will take up the item at one of their meetings and they will make their recommendations to council and then at a subsequent meeting, council will vote on the amendments. >> Okay. Will there be additional notice. For any of those meetings? >> So the way we're thinking about approaching it is it's common practice when we have a code amendment or a zoning case where we do a dual notice. So we give notice that the planning commission and the council meetings and so in this instance, we would give notice of all three at one time. So we would have the joint hearing, the planning commission act day [10:02:53 AM] the planning commission act day and the council action date. Okay thank you. >> And but that is, is that is that delineated in exhibit a? >> Then that will be delineated in exhibit a? >> Okay. >> And then there are if you read the ordinance S, there are a sex there are parts of that that go beyond authorizing the joint public hearing. And I haven't had a chance to talk with you through this but there's waiving of the code section on amendment review and I wanted to understand what that meant. So we would be waiving amendment review as it's established in city code, because you will be following this different process, the joint meeting which our code does not have a process for. >> And so it's being waived for purposes of allowing for this joint public hearing to happen. And the notice that council directs as part of this action item. [10:03:54 AM] item. >> Okay. So that is a procedural change. Paige not a substantive change to the process of how amendments to the zoning code have. >> This would be for this joint meeting. So our recommendation at this point is to try this process out and see how it works for the council and for the planning commission and the community at and if council wants to continue doing that, we would actually come back with a full code amendment. But this is for this particular one here, right now with the that we'd be trying it out so that anticipated different question. >> But my original question was more the waiving of this amendment section is about waiving the process so that we can add this additional step. It's not about waiving the process of only the planning commission or council can initiate amendments, correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. And then I, I wanted to understand the scope of what will be notice out there. Were [10:04:56 AM] will be notice out there. Were we there have been lots of land development code amendments that have been initiated by this council pool and they're not all included in that Ann and we, as I understand, the impact of all of these things, they all work together. And so, for instance, compatibility is not list among the things that we're noticing for Shaw. So how are we determining what we're noticing for in this notice? >> So what we're proposing right now is to take a piece of the home initiative and then also council initiated changes to our occupancy limit over the summer and those tend to have kind of some they're connected to each other in the sense that we regulate the occupancy of each of the dwellings on a property and it is kind of a bite sized chunk that we could take. That's not so much for everyone to absorb and to kind of process, but it also gives us enough that we are utilizing the joint [10:05:57 AM] we are utilizing the joint meeting for a little bit more than just one thing, but there are things that I think go together and they can work together in the code. And so it would be the three units by Wright, the creating a three unit use and then our occupancy limits. I know council also initiated code amendments on tiny homes and rvs that may fit into this as well. If not, it will come back on us as not necessarily part of the joint meeting, but potentially in the same timeline. >> And so what about was lot size included? >> So what you're talking about or no, no. >> Right now, what we would be proposing is to allow three by Wright based on our current lot sizes and then this three unit use based on our current lot sizes. We actually will need to do home in two phases. So this will be the first phase of it. And then the second phase will be the lot sizes and those changes that go with changing lot size. [10:06:58 AM] lot size. >> Okay, I'm going to have to think about that. I am concerned that the challenge really comes when you combine. All these pieces together and I'm not sure that notice having people in one piece of it and leaving out another chunk that's happening is really fair. Notice of what is being contemplated and if we're and I'm fine, if we're not going to do the lot size that would be great. But I'm not sure that that's the intention. So I'm going to need to think about. >> So what we're recommending to you would not be to take up lot size, right now would be to stick to those three units by Wright and creating the use and then it will be next year before we can come back with lot size changes. Okay >> And what about compatibility ? What is the timing on that? Oh I believe it's February or March [10:07:59 AM] I believe it's February or March . Okay again, I'm going to need to do some thinking about that now that I have a better sense of the notice, because I think it's the combination of a lot of things that become problematic as opposed to individual pieces in and of themselves. So I'm going to want to think about that and I may or may not have any suggestion for Thursday once I see the actual exhibit, but I appreciate the clarification. Thank you. >> Thank you. Councilmember councilmember Kelly, thank you. >> And I just have a couple questions. Do we have a cost estimate for what the notification will be? We do not at this time. >> Do you know if you'll have 1 or 1 that's expected? >> Is that something you could maybe send in a memo to council just so we could be aware we will. Okay. Thank you. And then I noticed I just looked in the council meeting website, an exhibit a that you speak about, and that's in the draft ordinance is not on the website in backup. Do you know when that might be expected for us to [10:09:00 AM] might be expected for us to review? >> It will. I will send it to mayor and council today myself and then we will have it to the city clerk so that it can be posted. Okay. >> Thank you, councilmember pool . >> Mayor, I just wanted to give my appreciation to the staff for the really hard work that has gone into getting to this place . >> We've tried in the past to make some significant changes to the land development code, and it has essentially overrun the community in ways that they couldn't keep up with. What we were trying to do. This effort by taking things in chunks, bit by bit in a fairly measured cadence, is designed in order to make sure that we do not outstrip the public because they need to understand and the concepts that we're bringing forth and help us with wrestling them into the shape and the size that fits for Austin. Adding a joint hearing with the planning [10:10:02 AM] joint hearing with the planning commission is something that we've never done in my time on council and I can't remember when it was ever done by previous councils. Maybe it has been, but it's been a while now and I think it's a really good opportunity for us all to be sitting together for and listening to the public come in and talk to us. I like the fact that we are going to bring a group not not everything, but a group of similar type issues, Luz at the same time to make effective and efficient use of the cost cost both in time and money for the notification and it also gives a the public an opportunity to view things in context with one another as miss link had described. So I'm looking forward to seeing the dates. I know it's been kind of a heroic effort to kind of line it all up and have the calendar work. And again, just appreciate everybody's super efforts to get [10:11:04 AM] everybody's super efforts to get us to this point. Thank you, councilmember. >> All right. Yes. Councilmember Allison alter. So I haven't been part of the calendar conversations at all. >> So do you have the dates? Are those part of exhibit a? >> We would not have the dates. We are working with the clerk's office and we also need to work with the liaison for the planning commission to determine the correct date. >> Okay. So we're so at this point this week, we're just doing the process and then we're going to be figuring out the actual date right? >> So if the ordinance passes right, then we'll sit down with the clerk's office and the agenda office and the planning commission liaison and figure out what the right date is. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. The one thing that I might just say in in closing this out, because it is new and it's a the way this council has been approaching trying to address our housing needs is new . And we're making progress in that regard and is also when it comes to how things. Councilmember Allison alter [10:12:04 AM] Councilmember Allison alter makes a good point about how things do play with each other as as as different land development code changes might get made at. And from my perspective and I'll just say it because I think it it reflects what's what, where the council will go is that in as we consider notice going forward on any of these items that make these kinds of changes that we are going to at least my hope is that we seek robust, complete notice in a way where people feel like we have a credible process, that they're not being left out. And frankly, some of the criticism of what's happened in the past has been about notice and how we've approached that. We know where we've made errors, say we know where errors have been made. I'm not sure that we as appropriate there, but I know that errors have have we know where errors have been made. And we're looking to for ways to fix that. So thank you very much. We'll talk again I [10:13:05 AM] very much. We'll talk again I guess on Thursday. Item number 99 was pulled. It relates to a resolution directing the manager to revise and implement certain policies related to training, investigations and reporting by the police office of police oversight. This is the matter we went into executive session on councilmember Kelly pulled the item. I'll recognize councilmember Kelly on the item. Thank you and I appreciate the robust discussion that we had in executive session regarding this item. >> There are several legal concerns that we reviewed and I am thankful for the author to be amenable to coming forward with changes and I'll pass it over to him to talk. >> Councilmember qadri I'll recognize you. >> Great. Thanks, mayor, and thanks councilmember Kelly. You know, as it's been stated, had a really robust conversation in the executive session and we will be looking at bringing a version two. But I am I'm excited about bringing forward this item. I think it's an item that it's necessary to bring [10:14:06 AM] that it's necessary to bring forward. I think it's it it shows that we're trying to do things right. We're listening to our community Katy, and that when we say something that we'll do something, we actually do it . The previous council, not this council, are the ones who kind of punted this to the voters. And you know, said we wanted to hear from the voters and the voters made themselves heard loud and loud and clear. I think it was something 80, 80, 20 in terms of the vote for the police oversight act. So you know, this item that we're going to bring forward looks to implement things outside of a meet and confer and like I said, we are looking forward to bring a version to as soon as we can. Thank you, councilmember. >> Thank you, councilmember. Any other on item number 99 that will take us to item 101. That's related to a resolution that would direct further exploration of on-site affordable housing at 1215 red river street, which which is formally known as healthsouth. The item was pulled by two council members. I'll [10:15:08 AM] by two council members. I'll recognize council member Ryan alter, and then I'll recognize councilmember qadri. >> Thank you very much, mayor. Yes, I pulled this item following our discussion. We had at the housing and planning committee and I wanted to just take a couple minutes here to kind of look back at how we got here. And I think it's really important because it informs a lot of where I'm coming from on what I'm looking to do with this. I was thinking about last night only two council members, councilmember pool and councilmember Allison alter, were here when this whole process started back in March of 2017. Council then asked staff to evaluate the healthsouth building for its potential to provide affordable housing in the range of 60% mfi or below, as well as some market rate housing, which sounds very familiar to why we're here today. And when that ask was made of staff, they did a study [10:16:08 AM] made of staff, they did a study and they did a cost benefit analysis, a cost benefit analysis. And what they found was that at least twice as many units could likely be provided off site than subsidized ING on site. Subsequently, uli did a report showing that healthsouth was a good option for housing, for affordable housing, but thought that it would require some subsidy. A combination of tax credits plus additional city subsidies. So if it got 9% tax credits, it would still need $3 million from the city. And after all that, we could build about 100 units of affordable housing on site. Then in October of 2018, council initiated council initiated the solicitation to include a significant emphasis on multi bedroom housing for households who earn 60. Mfi and below and also with the option to maximize strategic housing [10:17:12 AM] to maximize strategic housing blueprints, blueprint goals through off site affordable housing options, preferably within one mile of downtown. So now, over a year later, in November of 2019, the rfp was issued and within that rfp we asked for a unique transaction structure to provide maximum value to the city, including affordable housing and at least some on site 60. Mfi units or below the city received four responses. And this is what I think is really important that guides some of our discussion today. Of those four responses, the aspen heights was the highest score. The second place finisher, the site Singh, specifically the high cost of construction, said that they could give 50 units on site and 50 units off site. The third place response was did exact what is being contemplated under [10:18:13 AM] what is being contemplated under for this item said separate the site, put a piece of it as a separate affordable housing development. What we think of as an hfc style deal. You know, four stories, pretty much exclusive affordable housing plus a separate tower that would be mixed use under that proposal . All we were going to get 80 units on site. We were going to have to utilize tax credits, which means taking tax credits from somewhere else in the city where there would have been affordable housing to do it. And we were going to have to spend some of our either bond dollars or road of funds to do that. And that was to get 80 units on site . We then said, okay, aspen heights, we like your proposal. You're proposing at that time, 116 affordable site units, both rental and ownership. And we engaged in the exclusive negotiating agreement. It took [10:19:14 AM] negotiating agreement. It took two years, but eventually we reached a master development agreement that was released to us January of this year. And then, of course, in June we were notified that the terms of the deal were financially and feasible, all because market markets had changed. But I think it's also important to note, even if we look at what was proposed in June when it was for 65 units on site of affordable housing plus an additional $15 million to spend on off site affordable housing, whether that was to plug gaps and get a couple hundred psa units or something else, we were still above what some of the responses were to us in the rfp years prior. Under our much worse market conditions. So then we all passed the resolution back in July to once again, like we [10:20:15 AM] in July to once again, like we did six years ago, say we want information on. And we said at least. 60% mfi units on site and within the palm district. And at that time I had a lot of concerns about I wanted us to be able to know what what were we trading, could we get potentially affordable housing off site and I was told that, well, we included at least in that July resolution. And so staff will look beyond what we've enumerated here. But then when we received our briefing to the committee, housing and planning committee in those notes or in the direction from council, it states that council asked us to provide affordable housing scenarios on site and within the palm district plan no beyond that, no. At least nothing off site. And so then when we received that analysis [10:21:18 AM] when we received that analysis and a lot of weight has been placed on the fact that 75% of respondents said they want affordable housing, of course they do. Everyone in this city wants affordable housing. But that that question Ann was not do you want some affordable housing on site and some off site may be more off site? It was just do you want affordable housing here? Well of course, if you if you want $1,000, you're going to say yes. But if I said, do you want $2,000 in a year, there might be a difference. Some people might say, I want it today. Some people might say, I want it later. Right? There's a nuance to this of just saying, do you want affordable housing? So that's that's where we are today. And that's why I thank you for letting me get here. But it has really I don't want us to just repeat what we did six years ago. Right that market has dramatically changed today than it was. And once again, we can go through a many years long process and say and arrive right [10:22:18 AM] process and say and arrive right back here under much worse conditions. So I think it's really important that that we have all the options that we understand if we want some affordable housing on site, what's the trade off? What are we giving up for that if we want to maximize affordable housing as a city, you know, we I had a meeting with Houston Tillotson about their student housing affordable or student affordable housing needs. They said we are we really need 100 units. Well if you could get out of this singular project some of the funding to build 100 units, which is well within a mile of healthsouth, you could potentially solve Houston, Tillotson's student affordable housing needs. So I do have a question for the city attorney because the posting language here states that it's to approve a resolution directing further [10:23:19 AM] a resolution directing further exploration of on site affordable housing at 1215 red river street and 606 east 12th street, formerly known as healthsouth. Would any amendment language discussing off site affordable housing options be permissible all under the posting language here. Councilmember to the extent that the posting language talks about site affordable housing and you want to talk about the cost of off site versus on site, I think that would probably be relevant. >> Happy to look at that a little bit more. >> So if we were to instruct staff to do way on site affordable housing or to do either an rfp or solicitation or just analysis of on site affordable housing and separately said, we also want you to do an analysis piece of if you just made this a maximum mixed use development, here's [10:24:20 AM] mixed use development, here's what you get all off site that would be acceptable. I think you're potentially the ifc is asking to look at on site housing and to the extent that you need to have a context for that, which also includes looking at the value of off site housing, I think that fits within the posting. >> Okay. >> Well, can I can I in other words, if we want to as part of the further exploration of on site affordable housing, be able to consider the values obtained or the qualities obtained for on site versus off site, it would be relevant to and be something we could bring forward. That's correct. That's correct. >> Okay. Well, I will be honest. I expected you to give me the exact opposite answer. That being said, that's why we ask questions and get answers. >> That's right. Yeah. >> That being said, we have been working just in case you had that exact answer on some language and so it's not ready yet. I will hopefully have it by [10:25:20 AM] yet. I will hopefully have it by the end of today. Just post on the message board, but it will very much be in that vein of allowing us to have all the information. So that we can make a policy decision of what maximize is this site for the city and then move forward, hopefully not six years from now , just doing something. Okay. >> Thank you. Councilmember qadri, do you want to say anything? And then I'll go to councilmember Kelly. Sure >> Thank you, mayor. I was going to say I was going to make a brief comment, but it probably won't be brief, but. >> Well, by definition, yeah. Yeah. In context. In context, it might be a little bit briefer than Ryan's, but we had sent out a message board post yesterday with our folder explanation, but I just wanted to highlight some, some points first. >> You know, myself and my office are committed to maximizing housing options downtown. My office is exploring ways to maximize housing units downtown for people to live and to generate revenue revenue for our tax base. You know, I believe our downtown should be a [10:26:20 AM] believe our downtown should be a downtown for everyone, a downtown that everyone can can live, live in. And truthfully, right now, I don't feel like that's what the Austin downtown is. I think you need a certain level of privilege to live in it, live in it, and I find that odd. And it's not who we should be. I live in downtown and I see the value in using the specific property at 12th and red river street for on site affordable housing and as much market housing units as possible. And being part of this new council focus on advanced housing for all and getting things done. I'm confident we can move forward toward an approach for the site that will accomplish our goals. Item 101 this week enables the city to further explore on site affordable housing in more detail for a portion or all of the site through a comparison of units yielded through one staff's proposal of an affordable property on portion of the site and to a hypothetical rfp of the entire site, including other community priorities identified by area [10:27:21 AM] priorities identified by area stakeholders. Depending on what we learn from the yield analysis , we will then have the opportunity to explore other priorities and possibly revenue generation options for affordable housing from all or a remainder of the site. This resolution does not close the door on exploring other options , and I bolded it in my talking points. So pretend you're seeing that as bolded does not close the door on exploring other options. It merely enables staff to provide more detail regarding on site affordable housing units. A key community and interest and goal in our plans to promote inclusivity, equitable development and affirmatively furthering fair housing. Once we have more information on affordable housing options on site, we can move toward a fuller vision to accomplish both on site affordability and a more market driven strategy on the rest of the site. We're also looking into when and how we can eventually authorize edc as lead on the development process for [10:28:21 AM] on the development process for all or the remainder of the property by q3 of 2024 at the earliest. So to close this is not a decision. This is an exploration of unit yield. This intention is to lead on what the community asks for, which is on site affordability and in no way are we shutting out, exploring other options, but rather prioritize Singh community request. There are many paths forward and we recognize that and we just want to ensure we are prioritizing this path of on site, workforce and affordable housing. And that's it. >> Great. Thank you. Council member. Council member Kelly then council member pool yeah, so I'll be real brief. >> I just wanted to let councilmember Ryan alter know that I support your amendment and I'm thankful for the discussion we had yesterday. I think the way that you laid out everything today was wonderful and it really brought the people in the community up to speed. I've already gotten messages from people about it, so thank you very much for that. And with that, I'm done. >> Thank you. Council member councilmember pool. [10:29:22 AM] councilmember pool. >> You know, poor healthsouth. We've been kicking this puppy around for probably too long. The goal initially and the through thread has been affordable housing downtown in this innovation district. So the people who do the work, the work force laborers, can actually live and walk to work. And if we once more say, oh, no, not here, not now, sometime later, then we will have pushed that road, that ball further down the road. And I admit to a little bit of exhaustion over this topic. We made a big point of pulling this project back into the city so the city would lead on it as opposed to trying to find a private developer to lead on it and give them subsidies and waivers. And the this and the that. Knowing that because the city would be in charge, we would be able to do it in an expedited way and hopefully a financially efficient way. And that means that we can have more [10:30:23 AM] that means that we can have more public benefits from this site. But the bottom line for me is affordable housing on this site. And so I really do hope that we are able to get some closure for councilmember qadri. I support what you put up on the message board. I thought it was a good explanation of your position and you've only been working in this in these fields for six, seven months. So I thought you got up to speed on a pretty complicated project really fast. And I would just commend all of our past work and efforts around healthsouth to everybody sits on the dais now that we can actually hopefully get something done there that includes housing, our workforce, folks. Wright Wright there. Thank you, mayor. Thank you. >> Councilmember councilmember harper-madison. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. It is with my great regret that healthsouth is no longer in district one and now is in district nine. But I really [10:31:24 AM] district nine. But I really appreciate the representation that's coming from the district nine council member. And I just want to point out, we have over 366,000 people that work in the hospitality industry down town. So as much as we can across accommodate them downtown Ann, where they can get to work easily, we I support that as much as possible. So I appreciate, generally speaking, considerations around off site affordable. I don't want to risk any opportunity to accommodate as many of our hospitality workers as possible downtown on . >> Thank you, councilmember. >> This one will be real short, I promise. I promise. I really do. Okay. I just. I feel like it's been really important as we have this conversation, we'll certainly have it again on Thursday that off site affordability doesn't mean that we're building units in bastrop [10:32:24 AM] we're building units in bastrop or Round Rock or Buda. If we build something half a mile away that's on the bus line where someone can take the bus to their job down town and we can do it for twice as many people as we can at the location where they might be able to walk. You know, I think a bike ride or a bus ride for more people to be able to live in the city where they work rather than an hour away by car. Is that type of discussion Ann we need to have. >> Great. Thank you. All right, council, we'll go to items. Oh, I'm sorry. Councilmember Allison alter. >> Thank you. So I know that in prior council direction that council member tovo in particular had championed a priority that many of us share, which is a desire to see how this space could become an asset for childcare and early childhood development. Some of that prior direction included the ask to create a space for an onsite, high quality, affordable [10:33:24 AM] onsite, high quality, affordable childcare or provide spaces for communal learning spaces, labs or other spaces. And I just wanted to check with the author if they would be amenable to adding language, including the childcare component in this item as well. >> Yeah, we would. >> Okay. >> If your if your office is going to bring something would would love to see it and support it. >> Great. Thank you. >> Anybody else on this item? Great. Thanks council. I'm going to call up items 102 and 103 together where they were both pulled. They both relate to the park district plan and they were both pulled by councilmember qadri. And I'll recognize councilmember qadri. >> Yeah. Our office pulled items one and two, one, two and three. I just want to quickly get into it. We'll be posting amendments to the message board later this afternoon regarding item one and two of the palm district plan initiated resolution. My staff has been working diligently with stakeholders and city staff to make sure we implement tools that preserve and incentivize [10:34:25 AM] that preserve and incentivize historical and cultural placemaking the district. And I guess a quick history lesson. Historically the area was a stronghold for our Mexican American community here in Austin, and unfortunately, much of that history has been displaced and we're committed to do right by this community. So the amendments adjust the timelines regarding the cultural district overlay the chapter 380 program and the location enhancement program. We're also working on providing direction to encourage community stakeholders to consider other naming options for the district that highlights both the history and the vision of the district. That's it. >> Yeah. Questions or comments? Councilmember Fuentes? Yes. >> Can I have staff, please join me at the front? I'd like to colleagues this palm district plan has been in the work for a number of years. And since we do have newer colleagues on the dais, that would be helpful for us to get briefed on the latest and then I'll have questions afterwards. [10:35:26 AM] afterwards. >> Good morning, mayor. Members of council, I'm Steve Greathouse. I'm a division manager with the city's housing or the city's planning department, rather. I'm here to give you a very brief overview of the palm district plan. This work really began in late 2019 and involved considerable engagement in 2021 and 2022 that culminated in presentation of a draft plan at a public hearing of the planning commission on November 15th, 2022. We previously did provide a fuller briefing on the draft plan at a work session council work session November 29th, 2022. But as council member Fuentes mentioned, many folks on the dais were not there. On November 29th of last year, planning commission approved the palm district plan with recommendations. On July 25th, after appointing a working group that conducted additional engagement focused primarily on red river venue owners and provided recommendations to planning commission. Next slide, please. So I guess I've got a clicker as well. The study area for this planning process extends roughly from 15th street to lady bird lake, Trinity and a line that kind of jogs along [10:36:28 AM] line that kind of jogs along Trinity street out to I-35 on the east side, this area of downtown is really an epicenter for a number of significant public investments that are anticipated over the years ahead . The palm district plan will provide guidance to the I-35 reconstruction and cap and stitch efforts. It will provide guidance to project connect and implementation within this portion of downtown Austin. It will provide guidance to the convention center reconstruction to Waterloo greenway, phases two and three to the palm school site, visioning that is being led by our partners at Travis county to existing red river cultural district, as well as potential implementation of a future Mexican American heritage corridor. It will provide guidance to future expansion of the Barrientos Mexican American cultural center. It will provide guidance to the Austin core transportation plan on the future of the Austin police department headquarters site. Healthsouth as was discussed earlier in this meeting, as well as providing guidance to future regulatory changes being led by [10:37:28 AM] regulatory changes being led by city departments as the vision of the palm district plan is really to provide a vibrant, historic hub of downtown where the past is honored. The culture culture is celebrated, and the future is shaped and the impetus for this planning really came out of a desire to take advantage of all of the transformative energy that is coming to the district and to ensure that cultural and historic identity of the district is amplified rather than continuing to be obliterated by the changes ahead . And then one final slide for this very brief briefing. On Thursday, a council will be holding a hearing on the palm district plan as an amendment to imagine Austin under item number 103. The backup for item 103 includes two versions of exhibit a version one would adopt the plan, including all planning commission recommended amendments. Version two of exhibit a would adopt the plan with planning commission recommendations as refined by staff to clarify language, [10:38:29 AM] staff to clarify language, remove redundancies and remove two recommendations. Staff recommends consideration of exhibit a version two on Thursday. In addition, council will be asked to consider approval of a companion resolution related to plan implementation under items number 1 or 2, and due to the schedule constraints of today's work session, I will go ahead and stop there, but happy to answer any questions. >> Councilmember Fuentes thank you. >> And so you know, colleagues, I do want to highlight this is a very important item for our consideration that has been years in the making, and I appreciate staff for being briefed, but this is what our work sessions are for there for us to have a conversation about the policies that are before us, especially when it's something as monumental as the palm district plan. As you all see, it covers a good portion of our downtown Ann district, including the Mexican American cultural corridor. So just so I'm clear for the community, the what is before us for to vote on and that is staff is recommending is exhibit a version two. [10:39:30 AM] exhibit a version two. >> That is correct. Okay >> Can you talk us through how does the palm district plan and the means for implementation action ensure the long term committed to the evolution of the red river cultural district that goes from 15th street to fourth street in this newly designed palm district area? >> Sure, there has been a lot of conversation over the last several months, particularly focused on kind of how the plan interacts with the red river cultural district. You will find many of the recommendations that are included in exhibit a that were forwarded by the planning commission working group relate to strengthening the language in the plan Ann in support of the red river cultural district, as well as much of the language in the companion resolution that will be considered on Thursday provides specific direction to city staff, primarily within the economic development department , but also within the planning department to undertake activities in the short term, providing sort of urgent, critical support to the red river cultural district in terms [10:40:32 AM] river cultural district in terms of regulation, actions and incentives, both. >> So we're all committed to ensuring the viability and sustainability of the red river cultural district. And as part of that council previously took action on creating the preservation overlay. And can you talk us through the timeline for when that will come back? >> I think there's discussion ongoing about a timeline that will be inserted into the resolution Ann but the conversations with economic development department staff, who I can also bring up to answer this question also if I screw it up, but will be to provide a regular every three month progress report on progress towards developing and applying that cultural overlay and to get it created and applied, particularly within the red river district as quickly as possible next year. >> So our economic development department is available. Yeah >> Donald Jackson and just to put a lens on this, colleagues, what I am concerned is that we have live music venues, music venues, the heart and soul of [10:41:34 AM] venues, the heart and soul of our city that are at risk of displace moment if we don't prioritize and get this overlay expedited and into implementation as quickly as possible. >> So can you please talk us through what work has been done? >> Good morning. Yes, Donald Jackson economic development department. We've actually been working on this for some time. This was triggered by some council resolutions last year, the same ones that led to the creative space definition changes that were voted on last week. But it also calls for a variety of regulatory incentive programs for creative spaces and live music venues, including specifically an overlay for the red river cultural district. So we have been working on this for some time. Our are definitely intending to get this in front of you all as fast as possible. The main issue we the main considerations would be trying to do that in a way that's integrated with the rest of [10:42:34 AM] integrated with the rest of these policies and programs like the location enhancement program , creating a general process for creative space overlays and having the red river cultural district be sort of the first pilot of that. And we just want to make sure we have enough time for community input on those on those programs. Our intent is to try and get this completed by spring of 2024, but we just want to make sure that we don't set expectations on realistically in case community input takes longer or there's revisions that need to be done. Thank you. >> Is my understanding, councilor qadri, that you intend to bring forward amendments to address these issues? >> That is correct. Okay >> All right. And then lastly, my question is around the Rainey street fund. So we know that there was a fund established with the development that was taking place in the Rainey street area a decade ago. There was supposed to be development fees that went into that fund to help with the preservation of our mexican-american community. Can you please tell us the status of that fund? >> Sure. So that the leadership in the conversations around that [10:43:36 AM] in the conversations around that fall under our financial services department and parks and recreation department that did provide a memo back to council in fall of 2022 outlining an engagement process . The parks and recreation department had undertaken to receive feedback and input on projects that should be that that funding should be used for , and we will need to follow up prior to Thursday to get additional information about sort of what the follow up since that that fall memo was provided. >> Can we please include that memo in the backup for this item? Sure and colleagues, my understanding is that 200,000 each year is supposed to go into that fund. So how much how much funds do we have? And I can't answer that question off the top of my head at today's meeting. >> We'll try to get an answer. >> I want to flag this for our Latino community. There was a fund established at we know that Rainey street was predominantly Mexican American community. Rainey street has certainly changed in the last decade. The fund was established for preservation projects for our Mexican American community, and the community wants to know what [10:44:37 AM] the community wants to know what happened with these funds, what have been done. And so I want to make sure that we have an answer for them. And if we can have that information by Thursday, that would be helpful. Absolutely and there was one other question. There was a minor authority report that was submitted as part of the plan. Can we also include that in the backup, please? >> Yeah, we can. And there is for folks that are sort of reviewing the materials right now, the palm district plan does have a speak up. Austin Paige speak up austin.org/palm district that has all of the backup reports that went into the planning process including the backup report. That was provided by Martha Koczera based on her focused engagement work with east Austin communities is available and that speak up Paige. But we will also make sure to get it included in backup. Thank you. Thank you. >> I believe council member Kelly was next. And by the way, I'm steering the ship now. The mayor has stepped off the dais. We need to get you like a captain's hat. [10:45:37 AM] captain's hat. >> We'll look into it. Thank you for the recognition, mayor pro tem. I do believe that this is very important as we have been working on it since 2019, which predicates my time on council. Also and so we have some really important decisions to make. Councilmember qadri I'm really looking forward to seeing your amendments. I'd like plenty of time to review them, so I'm eager to see what your what you're going for with the overlay in chapter 380 agreements and I do have questions related to council member Ryan alter's motion sheet that he just passed out. But I'll wait until he talks about that to bring them up. So thank you very much for the time. >> Any other questions or comments? Council member Ryan alter thank you very much. >> Yeah, I just handed out some items that we've been meeting with councilmember Cordray's office about. There's language in the palm district plan about , you know, we've looked at a lot of elements, but there are still a few things we want to look to in the future for. And so this is just an attempt to enumerate some of those things [10:46:38 AM] enumerate some of those things as we have future conversations about the palm district for items of consideration. Ann and I'm not going to read the whole thing you have in front of you, but I wanted to give it to you as an as advance as possible so that if you have any questions or concerns or recommendations, burns you could bring those our way. And I think here's the first one of those. Yeah >> Thank you again for that recognition. So here in your motion sheet, you moved to amend item 102, directing the city manager to begin a second phase of work on the east downtown vision plan, which includes in the first bullet point, there is plans for public safety infrastructure, which I definitely think is important, especially given the current situation with our police headquarters downtown not being great. I've been in that building when the I guess the plumbing's not working and the toilets back up and it's absolutely awful. I do not recommend, but I would like to know more from our public safety people about how that specific [10:47:38 AM] people about how that specific bullet point impacts past planning related to the moving of APD headquarters. So I'd be interested in in that in particular, because I know that there have been previous plans that have been laid out, but I don't know how it would be impacted by what you're bringing forward. >> Right. And this is really to integrate those discussions with any future discussions for the Palme district, whether it is APD headquarters or you look at the fire station, the ems station, and the conversations about relocating those to an area that is still very serviceable to downtown is it only gets harder by the day to find a spot for those to go. And so I think it's it behooves us to have those conversations as advanced as possible. But yeah, we can figure out how to make everything mesh right and perhaps that's something the city manager can speak to on Thursday just for clarity, because in in my humble little councilmember opinion, I do believe that when we are [10:48:39 AM] believe that when we are planning for more density in areas that are underserved by public safety, that it is very important to rope that into the plans so that we don't increase response times from other parts of town and pull resources from areas that were intended to have uses for them in the first place. >> So thank you very much for flagging that. Absolutely I'll read the rest of this as soon as I have some time and thank you for bringing it forward. You got it. >> By chance, are you prepared to speak to the public safety location conversations today, or should we just not that particular item? >> We did ask a similar question of financial services staff after the November 29th meeting and several actually several months ago now. And my understanding is that that plans were underway. But had not been sort of released in a format that we could share yet. But that may have changed. So we will make sure to follow up on that prior to Thursday's meeting. >> Sounds good. I appreciate that being flagged. >> Councilmember Fuentes. Yes I just had a quick comment and I wish I could take credit for this idea, but this came from the community that we're going through a convention center renovation that that might be an appropriate place for us to have [10:49:39 AM] appropriate place for us to have a renovated fire, ems and police station, or at least a fire ems station. >> So I wanted to put that out there for city staff to think about and to consider, since we will be rebuilding our convention center. That might be it might make sense to replace it. There >> We'll certainly look into that. Any other comments or questions on this particular item? I think that does it. >> Thank you. All right. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> My intent now is to move into the briefings in the order in which they're posted. So as we're getting ready to talk about the I-35 five cap and stitch project, I will just flag we have an item for fee waivers , the Turkey trot and circle C, there's not a whole lot of events that happen in the southern part of district date, but we are fulfilling the rest of our allocated budget for this fee waiver. And I think there's going to be about $772 left. If anyone has extra money they need to use before September 30th, I'll double check on that number. >> I'm more than happy to [10:50:39 AM] >> I'm more than happy to provide $300 to that. Okay >> Thank you. All right. >> Got 300. >> All right. >> We're now to 472 472. Anyone >> Whatever's left at the end of the day, we've got extra. So I'm happy to cover whatever she may be able to make it cheaper for me. I don't know. >> Okay. >> I appreciate that. I'll post to the message board and I'll let you all argue over who wants to help us out. Councilmember Allison alter, thank you for raising that. >> I wanted to I'm already contributing to your item so I wanted to add $500 to I think it's councilmember Velasquez's case fee waiver. If the clerk could note that, please. I forget what number it is, but thank you. >> All right. Any other comments before we move into briefings, I will kick it over to assistant city manager. Good mayor and council we have before, Richard. >> When Richard comes up, we [10:51:42 AM] >> When Richard comes up, we just want to lay some foundation for you have two items on your agenda for Thursday. One is to accept a grant that we've already gotten from usda on reconnecting communities. One then, is an authority to apply for another grant. This is an opportunity that's going to be very competitive. We've already heard that Dallas is going to apply for this same grant to do some caps extend klyde Warren in their community. Seattle is looking to do a cap on I-5, so it's going to be very competitive. So we have put together a proposal to submit that we think is the most competitive of all the caps we have. We can't submit for every cap project that we have on I-35 . And we think we have a good shot at this one. The one that Richard is going to explain to you today and the reason why is because on Thursday, we have an item to accept a grant from this same program, from dot, to continue the work on our cap and stitch program. So that's an indication to us that they support this program. So if we [10:52:42 AM] support this program. So if we submit a competitive grant to bring perhaps up to $100 million to this community, we were really encouraged to do that. So Richard's going to lay out why we think this particular cap is the most competitive and lay out that for us and appreciate that. So thank you, mayor and council, for your for your consideration . Richard okay. >> Thank you. Mr. Good. All right. Good morning. Mayor pro tem and council Richard Mendoza, interim director for transport and public works. And I've got a brief presentation that I'm going to go through with you this morning. Our team has been working on preparing an application for a federal reconnecting communities grant with the us department of transportation. And but first, I'm going to talk a little bit about the overall all txdot capex 35, because it's important to understand that the timing of that project and how that will allow us to move forward with this potential opportunity city. [10:53:44 AM] this potential opportunity city. So first slide. Okay. So next slide, all right. Thank you so Texas capital express project, of course, they received their record of decision in August of 23 will be lowering the main lanes to provide an opportunity for the city to deck over those lowered lanes with a series of caps and stitches. So constructing the caps could provide up to 30 acres of new urban real estate. Next slide. So for our audience out there, what our caps and stitches. So there's an important distinction here between a highway cap and a highway stitch. Essentially the illustration shown on your left reflect a cap. So it's a large deck. It's greater in length of 300ft, and it will accommodate new programing such as [10:54:44 AM] new programing such as structures and green space. Conversely a highway stitch is also a covering of a lowered highway. However, it is less than 300ft in length. The important distinction here are that caps require additional force. Air ventilation, life safety components, whereas stitches do not. Next next slide, please. So Texas overall capital express central project is extends from state highway 71 on the south to highway 290 on the north. It's important to understand the timing of how txdot plans to conduct this overall project. They plan to phase it out into three major sections, beginning with construction lettings in. 2024 to include Benoit de holly, the mlk bike, ped bridge reconstruction as well as needed [10:55:45 AM] reconstruction as well as needed drainage tunnels. Then following in 2025, work will begin on or the contra that will be let for fourth street rail bridge in the upper deck retrofit and then finally, in 2026, a bulk of the construction will be the downtown segment, holly to 15th, as well as university and capital plaza sections. So this timing is very important because obviously this construction will have to take place before any potential cap and stitch construction on top. Next slide. Okay so how does a potential cap and stitch program mesh with txdot schedule? So what I have identified on this slide are the previously state and letting schedules for segments of the Texas I-35 project with the corresponding potential cap and stitch locations that our teams have been involved working with tex dot as well as the community to identify the first [10:56:46 AM] to identify the first opportunity to actually is going to be made next year in 2024 with the lady bird lake segment, there's an opportunity to realize as a woodland avenue stitch, which then not until. 26 where the bulk of the central work begins, will be opportunity to incorporate additional cap and stitch locations. As these sections are primed. Leslie the downtown segment and you can see here listed and I'll have an illustration on the next slide that show these holly street stitch east. There's a Chavez to fourth street cap, additional caps all the way extending to 12th street stitch also university segment sometimes referred to as the northern segment 32nd street stitch, 38.5 street to 41st street, cap, as well as a 41st street to airport boulevard cap. And then finally on the northern end, the capital plaza segment following slide are an illustration of those [10:57:49 AM] are an illustration of those potential cap and stitch locations that we've been working with tex dot on preliminarily, the top illustration depicts the northern sections previously described the bottom illustration is the central segment, and then finally bottom right that is the woodland avenue potential expanded stitch location on. I think it's good to mention and some of you may have heard also that our partners at UT are also exploring cap and stitch locations with tex dot. So it bears noting that that this is the location approximately where they've been in those conversations. They've also been working with my team to ensure that we aren't doing anything that might conflict with each other's plans. So this section primarily is between east Dean Keeton street all the way down to 16th street. So for this funding opportunity, again, it's [10:58:52 AM] funding opportunity, again, it's a recap. Connecting communities and neighborhoods grant opportunity made possible by the federal infrastructure investment and jobs act of 2021. It provides large cap grant opportunities. This is a combination of two former programs that the us dot combine the reconnect neighborhoods as well as as the neighbor hood equity access programs. What that does is it makes more funding available to communities and eases the application process. However, this call for projects and funding opportunity, the deadline to submit applications is September 28th, 2023. That's why we're bringing this forward for your consideration on Thursday. So as Mr. Good stated, this this we expect this to be a highly competitive grant and it will be graded and ranked using this [10:59:53 AM] graded and ranked using this these primary criteria. The first the project should be within the disadvantaged census tracks as identified by the us dot justice40 initiative should enhance transit available quality. By the way, the illustration on the right is a depiction of those qualifying areas within the city of Austin. The lower shaded section is that section Cesar Chavez to seventh, the upper section is between east 11th and 12th. It should increase density and a mix of surrounding land uses as it should engage with community members in area stakeholders, improve bike and pedestrian access, mitigate displacement concerns and encourage public and private investments. So what we'll be bringing forward on Thursday is a recommendation. Ann. Next slide, please to submit an application for a cap segment extending from Cesar Chavez to fourth street. This [11:00:55 AM] Chavez to fourth street. This represents about 5.3 acres and we are proposing to seek $105 million of federal grant funding with a proposed city match of $45 million. We feel that the 105 million will be sufficient to build the required supporting structural elements for a cap project, as well as the life safety ventilation, mechanical systems. I previously noted, and that the 45 million will be able to provide ride the amenities on top, primarily landscape parking restrooms, some light concessions, if you will, for a wholesome project. We were advised by the build America bureau and our grant consultants that wholesome turnkey projects its submitted with this program would score higher than say, if we went in with an expanded [11:01:55 AM] we went in with an expanded section of just structural elements. And again, this match would not be needed unless we were successfully awarded, which we expect that announcement to be about next spring. Of 2024. So why? Cesar Chavez, the fourth street cap again, we looked at that expected grading and ranking criteria. We feel that this section checks the most boxes of that grading criteria. It's also we feel the most competitive in terms of a turnkey project and the largest bite of the apple to realize as much of the potential cap and stitch that will make be made available from the I-35 capex project. Preliminarily we estimate that the total response , possible cost participation for the city, if we were to [11:02:56 AM] for the city, if we were to realize all of the 30 acres of new urban land would be approximately 600 to $800 million. So while this we expect more grant opportunities after this, it's important that when they do come available, that we try and bite off as much of that as possible. We feel strongly that this project would be a strong candidate, be the best round peg for the round hole for this grant opportunity. So Cesar Chavez to fourth street cap opportunity. Again, the cap structural elements would be provided by the federal funding city match would provide this are depictions of what those like open space amenities and restrooms. Pavilions shade trees might look like and it also provides flexibility for additional enhancements of amenity based on what we hear from the community in the event that we do realize more funding, [11:03:58 AM] that we do realize more funding, perhaps philanthropy or public private partnerships. So that's the fourth street to Chavez street cap strategy. What about the remaining additional cap and stitch opportunities we've been in constant conversation and working with our partners at txdot. They've indicated to us, based on that lending schedule that I previously presented, that they would require a city of Austin payment by December of 2024 for our participation in our portion of the funding to sync up with their construction lending schedule to realize additional cap and stitch locations and right here is an estimate of what that cost would be. 600 million. It could go upwards of 800 million depending on what we build on top. And so obviously, that's a tremendous challenge for the city given [11:04:59 AM] challenge for the city given that amount of money by this timeline. But we continue to work with them on on future caps incorporated into the highway design. So we do not preclude our chance to realize these opportunities going forward and we'll continue to work with them on the potential funding sources . Well, on the funding, the timing of the financing, our department continues to work with our FSD finance services department, some of those strategies potentially could be future grants, philanthropy, public private partnerships, establishment or expansion of tiffs or tirz Zones, additional capital debt and then again, we've seen examples where other communities have been able to work with their local texdot districts on timing and costs for cap projects. And we will continue to do so with our local txdot district. So for Thursday , there's two actions that we'll [11:05:04 AM] , there's two actions that we'll be bringing forward. One is to consider this request and get authorization to submit an application for reconnecting communities grant and also to we were previously awarded a planning grant in the amount. Of $1.12 million a reconnecting communities pilot planning grant. And what that grant will do or what that action will do will authorize the city to receive the funds in an advanced funding agreement with the us. Dot and this will help ensure that the amenities that we build on top match the needs of the adjoining communities. It will also make future grant applications more competitive and we'll be able to collect more of the relevant data to build stronger applications going forward. And that concludes my presentation. Open questions. >> I appreciate the presentation and those are items 97 and 98 [11:06:04 AM] and those are items 97 and 98 for Thursday's meeting. Can you just very high level. I'll just take a moment before going to my colleagues. Can you tell us where the conversations are for maybe fourth street to seventh street or 11th and 12th street caps? Are those things that have yet to be sorted out as txdot moves forward and I'm thinking specifically, I don't think there's Paige numbers, but the map that talks about the disadvantaged communities right , concerns. And so you've got Cesar Chavez to fourth street, but then, you know, clearly there's other folks that can be served by those crossings. Can you tell me a little bit more about would we look at those next year or the year after? Certainly to be determined. >> And so the proposal being brought Thursday is the segment from Cesar Chavez to fourth street. And so what that what that includes is the costs that we feel we could reasonably we [11:07:07 AM] we feel we could reasonably we expect to be awarded with this program. We're going to be asking for $105 million of federal money if we were to include a larger segment of these caps within this application. Ann, we feel we'd be almost priced out for this program. There was a call for the reconnecting in neighborhoods last year, the largest award last year was $55 million to one project. And so working with our finance services department also on the amount of local match that we feel we could reasonably accom cd8 say through certificates of obligation and an expected award . We felt you know, we this was a strong applicant. I felt also to mention that this section also includes the only portion of the caps that create a whole land bridge so you don't have to [11:08:09 AM] land bridge so you don't have to step on asphalt to get from downtown to the east side. So additional locations all the way up through seventh street are are we expect more grant opportunities. Also, we're finalizing our financing strategic plan for that to get more funding. The 11th and 12th locations. Right. Right now. And while they do fit within the us dot's justice 40 initiative, we've been working with texdot on all for potential cap and stitch location options, but as of yet they've not validated the engineering. Singh confirmed the engineering viability of caps at those locations, but we do expect to continue to work with them and they have stated their amenable to work with us on those technical aspects as they proceed with the design. Okay. And we don't have cost estimates for that location that we would [11:09:09 AM] for that location that we would be able to include in this application. >> I see. And that's helpful because I know the smaller caps may have a different application process because they're not going to cost as much money. I just want to make sure we're not missing the boat with Texas timeline of installing the support beams in the conversation. Councilmember harper- madison, you had your hand up. >> I did, but I think my question may have been answered . I think you made reference to viability for 11th and 12th. And so just thinking since 12th street would literally from the east side of the highway to the west side of the highway, take you right into Waterloo. Greenway I'm just curious why that's a stitch and not a cap. >> Okay. The distinction there, councilmember, is it would be 300ft or less to cap. It would require the incorporation of the life safety, forced ventilation and what that would require is texdot to do more design in [11:10:10 AM] texdot to do more design in terms of they would have to go deeper to account for the height of that that mechanical and that would also affect their drainage design. So while they have not shut the door on that possibility, it is right now a challenging location. Ann but in my conversations with them, as they progress in design, they are amenable to revisiting those locations and potential cap locations. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. Yes ma'am. >> That's helpful. Councilmember Allison alter, thank you. >> And really hope that we succeed in securing this grant. I had a couple questions. So the current grant requires a city match of about 45 million. If I've got the number right. Where is that at coming from? >> Okay. >> The match requirement is actually a 20% minimum match that we, we recommend going 45 [11:11:11 AM] that we, we recommend going 45 million so that we could deliver for a more complete project and wholesome amenities on top. And my conversations with financial services department at the local match they determined that certificates of obligation Ann are an appropriate mechanism for providing the city local match for this grant application. So a new new bond debt. >> So do we have to vote on that? >> Not on cvos? No, ma'am. Or CEOs, cfos. Okay >> I might like to know a little bit more about that from legal on that and then you mentioned a $600 million estimate for the capping. And I was wondering if that includes the UT segment or only covers the city segments. That's only inclusive of the [11:12:12 AM] That's only inclusive of the city segments, not not the UT segment. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Councilmember Fuentes. And then Vila, do we have I know you mentioned the UT conversation is going on, but how far away are we are like, how far away are we from an actual commitment from the university of Texas to fund that cap? >> I do not have that information. Ann we have been primarily in coordination from a technical perspective to ensure wherever our two projects abut, we don't do anything that might conflict with the other design, the financing. I've not been part of that conversation with UT, but they would have to announce pretty soon here if the end of 2024 is our kind of deadline to get funding for caps , I would expect they would be subject to the same deadline as the city, just so that they could meet the textile lending [11:13:13 AM] could meet the textile lending schedule. They need to have the commitment early because they have to design for those elements. Now now, even though they don't expect construction Ann in 26 till 26. Thank you. >> Is there any cost difference to the city in terms of if we put the supports and then later add caps or in other words, would it be more expensive to kind of to phase it like that? Where where building the supports or texdot with our money is building the supports for the caps? Or would it be cheaper to do it at the same time? Any thoughts on that? >> Yes, there are examples around the country where they went in with just the support structures initially and then later came and put the lids. If you will. My experience is, you know, the longer you spread out [11:14:14 AM] know, the longer you spread out construction, the higher it cost . It takes. Scott has told us all along that they strongly prefer that they they do everything all at one time. There's less disruption Ann to the traveling public. They're already there excavating, building, constructing, you know, they can achieve, you know , savings, leveraging contractors. So so but in our conversations, they've not shut the door on that understanding that 600 million is a lot in the next 12 or 14 months. And so those conversations we continue to have, okay, I mean, I completely understand their point of view. >> And generally speaking, I think it would be much better to get it all done in one shot. Both from a cost perspective and from inconvenience to the public perspective, live with regard to the stitches. And I'll focus on the one proposed on 51st street [11:15:16 AM] the one proposed on 51st street for the moment. We've talked a lot about what the caps and the stitches are. At this point, the city would be required to pay for any stitches. Is that correct? Mr. Mendoza so texdot in their base project. >> Council member are including crossings they call them. They stop short of calling them stitches, but they call them enhanced crossings up to 70ft wide, 70ft wide outside of the pavement will get you a pretty nice amenity. Anything beyond that, up to 300ft. The city would be responsible for paying for an enhancement. So the stitch could be up to 300ft. However, text would still pay for the first 70ft of a 300 foot wide or whatever width that stitch is. >> And in terms of the caps, I think they kind of speak for themselves in terms of [11:16:16 AM] themselves in terms of usefulness. You know, we could potentially put buildings on them, large parks or at least like multi-acre parks, the stitches. And again, for my purposes, I'm going to stick with the 51st street example. You know, a street I know very well. I'm not sure what we get out of, you know, 200ft of stitch, let's say, just north of 51st street in terms of programing, in terms of folks kind of enjoying it. What what are we thinking about? Again before we start spending, you know, 10 million, $20 million or whatever that may be on that? I just when I think about it, I mean, 51st street is a street to be crossed. You know, either you're getting to the east side, you're getting to the west side. I just don't see somebody any kind of reading a book on the stitch, you know, above I-35 and watching the traffic by and I'm not sure I want to pay for that as a as a policy matter. Any thoughts from from you from the [11:17:18 AM] thoughts from from you from the department on that? >> So certainly, you know, when we when we explore the benefit from a mobility aspect of a stitch versus just the standard enhanced crossing that tex dot will provide, you know, we look at the network on either side of the highway and how we can best align the crossing of 35 with that. Many times we discover over that incorporating a stitch will improve that experience. Crossing and sometimes not. So it's really a case by case basis . So we, you know, in sure that we're gaining the best benefit. Of course, obviously more public space, more buffer of active mobility, bike pedestrians from the motor vehicle crossing an opportunity for additional shade structures. That sort of thing, just to look and feel all of [11:18:22 AM] just to look and feel all of that amenity. So it really depends technically by crossing, by crossing. >> And just to be clear, I'm completely supportive of the enhanced crossing. I think in terms of the wide sidewalk and a grade separated bicycle crossing that seems like an excellent idea. I think going beyond that to include, you know, let's say again, a quarter acre or something to that effect, just to the side of the enhanced crossing. Again I just I'm not sure what the value is in in that I haven't really heard a compelling argument to be made for it. And all things considered, I'd I'd rather buy more caps. I'd rather pay for more caps and less ditches than than Luz a cap or struggle to finance the project. Again, just wanted to share that with the dais. Just my kind of thoughts and perceptions on that. >> Yes, sir. I also failed to mention that that planning grant that will receive will help inform the look and feel of [11:19:23 AM] inform the look and feel of captain stitch because we'll hear from the community in terms of what value or benefit they would want to derive from a stitch enhancement and one final question in terms of the load bearing capacity city that where are we on, on, on understand ING what we can build on the caps. So at present and it's very early in design, they feel we can incorporate 2 to 4 story buildings. Anything beyond that, we would have to have additional conversations to ensure that the vertical structural elements would be able to support that at whichever location that we move forward with. >> And we have a consultant that's that's working with us on that. >> I do have a design consultant that can give us some very high level preliminary cost estimates . But, you know, understand that text is still very early in the design process. And so those will need to be refined as we get down the road. Thank you very much. You're welcome. [11:20:24 AM] very much. You're welcome. >> Appreciate that line of questioning. And now I need to find a book so I can hang out at 51st street and prove councilmember Vila wrong. Let's go over to council member Ryan alter. >> I just wanted to build off real quickly what councilman Vila ended. And I think there are some great opportunities, especially in those caps that are going to just be a block wide, whether it's fifth to sixth, six to seventh, where we could potentially take space that we are using downtown down, let's say it's the APD staging ground or something that is not doesn't need to go very high and put it on a cap and free up an area that has dirt underneath it where we could maximize that space and have a greater public benefit as a kind of trade, as it were. So I think it's really important for us to look at opportunities where we can utilize these spaces for low rise construction in in order to have a greater benefit, maybe [11:21:25 AM] have a greater benefit, maybe where that's freed up. Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Thanks. We have other questions. No other questions. I appreciate the comments and questions that my colleagues have presented. I think we're all very interested in, you know, exactly where the nickels and dimes come from and how we're going to make sure that if this highway is moving forward, that we're doing so in a way that helps protect our community, helps create better bike and ped infrastructure. The financing is obviously still, still a pretty big question. Ann I'll just flag that. I have concerns about the timing of it . I'm really worried that if for some reason we don't get this complete application approved, we could be in a really tight position where Texas is ready to move forward and you know, we're not quite ready there. I think that this is a great project and I know the staff has had some really great successes with federal grant applications lately. So I'm going to be [11:22:26 AM] lately. So I'm going to be optimistic that that those are going to work out. But I appreciate the questions that everyone's asking today because council councilmember Taylor's point, if we if there's one that doesn't need to be as wide and we can put more money in a place where we think more people are going to be crossing and spending time, I think that's something really important to be looking at. So so any final thoughts and questions before we move on? We're also going to be taking up discussions around this conversation at our next mobility committee meeting. So if folks want to jump in on that that aren't always a part of our mobility committee discussion, you're more than welcome and invited to come and participate. Likewise we'll put up a message board post also asking for questions ahead of time just so people can be prepared with the information they might need to present. And if you're not on the committee, I'm happy to read some of the questions as well. If folks are unable to attend. But if there's no further questions, we will move on to the next briefing. Thank you, director Mendoza. All right, let's go ahead and move into [11:23:30 AM] let's go ahead and move into discussion around the tree at Barton springs. I see director Mcnealy is here. >> Good morning. Kymberley Mcnealy, serving as the department director. And with me is Joshua Erickson, who is our environmental conservation coordinator at and also the individual who is the head of our forestry team within the department. So. Would you be able to bring up the presentation on on Barton springs, pool tree, please. A different. One >> Well, council members, we can get started without pretty [11:24:33 AM] get started without pretty pictures. >> I just for the background please know that this is a 46 inch diameter pecan tree that's leaned over the pool decks since the 1920s. It's estimated to be over 100 years old and it is a tree that has been called flow. So it's been affectionately named flow. And so there's some emotional attachment to this particular tree. It's the trunk is hollow. So 90% of the trunk at the base is concrete. And that was done back in the 1958, which is a practice that is no longer something that we would recommend or it's no longer done to trees and it is a steel structure. There's a steel structure that adds support and that was put in in the 1950s. And so you'll see that it hangs over. It's coming up. I swear to you, pretty soon you'll be able to see the tree. >> We can tell they I think they found the presentation. >> Yeah, I think they found it. Staff have monitored this tree. The structural integrity since for some time. And they continue [11:25:34 AM] for some time. And they continue to do that on a regular basis. And specifically, we do that because of its proximity to the individuals that are swimming in the swimming pool. And it's been a part of our our fabric. We recognize that. So there's nothing about this particular site situation that makes any of us feel good. Right we, too, as staff members, are attached to this tree. You can see that there's an there's the infected tree, which is flow. And then in anticipation of the fact that flow was not in the greatest of shape, the department before me planted and before Joshua plant a separate pecan tree in the event that flow wouldn't be able to make it so that there would continue to be shade and that there would continue to be honoring that the pecan tree in this particular space. Next slide, please. Thank you. The timeline here is just basically on July 6th is when we sent we [11:26:35 AM] on July 6th is when we sent we did some testing and we sent the testing to the lab at at A&M on August 15th. They let us know that this tree has a fungus called the brittle cinder fungus . I'll let Joshua, when he comes to talk to you, tell you how to say the scientific name on August 15th, pard contacted four separate independent arborist to help us understand what they thought might be interventions for this tree or whether or not they believe that the intervention were not possible and instead removal in in an attempt to make sure that we kept that space as safe as possible. On August 18th, we did add some additional ropes for support and we roped off part of the space to make sure that individuals who were swimming near the tree should it fall, would not be harmed. And we also don't allow access on the particular space underneath the tree that is a walkway. Yeah. Last week, Thursday, our friend [11:27:35 AM] Last week, Thursday, our friend in in Kareem Helmy, who is the city structural engineer from the capital delivery services quality management division and a team of individuals who are also engineers went and evaluated the tree. And in their assessment, although he is here to answer any questions and their assessment from an engineering perspective, they were unable to determine a valid path forward or a viable path forward for it to be to remain structurally sound in that space. But he's the expert and he's here to answer any of those questions. Next page, please. This is a little bit about the tree, the disease that the tree has it actively feeds on live tissue. It causes the tree to fall over without warning. And even though the canopy may look as though it's healthy, that's from the inside out. There is disease that is occurring. The presence of the fruiting body is a warning sign that that this is [11:28:38 AM] a warning sign that that this is making the tree more and more unstable. It can affect other trees. However our Joshua will let you know that that's not a major concern of Hawkins his. But but it is a possibility Katy there's no effective treatment for this particular disease. And the infection is on a portion of the trunk that is the most compromised, which is what gives us pause about the stability of this particular tree. Next slide , please. So there are some risks, and that's of the limb falling and collapsing without warning. You can see the barricades that I previously mentioned that are put up that do block access on that space. It's important to note that that is Ada access. And so therefore the Ada accessibility to the pool is now compromised. As you can see, those red rescue tubes that are in the water and those are to make sure that the area in front of the pool where the in front of the tree I'm sorry, where the limb could fall in the [11:29:38 AM] where the limb could fall in the pool. That's how we're keeping our lap swimmers away so that they can be as safe as possible when they're visiting the swimming pool. Next slide, please. This is the arborist report it. You can see that they talked about the overall risk. All four of those companies said that the conditions eminent danger. There's an extreme risk. It's high. It's a high risk. They don't need to read those all to you. You will see on the right hand side there, it talks about, well, what if you did? Are there any sort of mitigating opportunities? And even with removing the branches, one of those individuals assessed the fact that there was still a high risk. And it's important to note that the heritage tree care they revised their report because when they were taking a look at the risk, they didn't take a look specifically at the risk to the bypass and the bypass is a function of the swimming pool that water goes through and it is directly underneath that sidewalk. And so should that limb come down and hit the and do some damage to the bypass, [11:30:40 AM] do some damage to the bypass, then there's problems with the swimming pool's function. And so therefore, that particular tree company wasn't aware of that at the time. And so they did not assess that. And so that's why there's an asterisk next to low . Next page, please. So our forestry team, myself, our structural engineers, they agree that with the consulting arborist that the safety hazards are great and that removal is the option that we are recommending. And we know that this tree is beloved. And so we have already started on our web page, Paige, a opportunity for people to honor flow, share stories about flow, help us commemorate the memories and the emotion around flow and there's probably at least 70 entries at this particular point in time. And if we are moving forward or when we are moving forward, I'm a little tentative here on that, only because I know it's our recommendation. But I also understand and that council may or may not want to say something [11:31:40 AM] or may not want to say something about this, but pard will host an event to honor the tree prior to its removal and just to make sure that we're on the same page as hard as it is for me to say the parks and recreation department does recommend removal of flow with that, we're available for questions. >> Thank you. I appreciate this. Are there questions? Council member Kelly I just have a statement. >> Thank you for presentation today. Flow. I mean, what can I say? This tree is no doubt been a cherished part of our community for decades, bearing witness to countless memories and multiple generations of individuals who visited Barton springs pool. And I think as we reflect here on flows historical significance, we're reminded of that deep connection to our community Katy and what they have with that remarkable tree. It's been a witness silently to our joys, sorrows and the passage of time. I've heard countless stories from people about how much flow means to them, and I know the parks department has encouraged the [11:32:43 AM] department has encouraged the community to share their stories. Like you said in the email that's set up on your website is tree stories at Austin, texas.gov. And I think it's really important that the city honors the legacy of this iconic tree and what it's witnessed in our city over the years. Thank you. >> Thank you. I agree there's obviously a desire in the community to be able to commemorate and share their stories, depending on how this process moves forward. I've had a chance to look at all four of the analyzes that that you all had commissioned, and they're very similar, and it is very unfortunate to see what you know from one angle may look like an extremely beautiful tree that is providing people a lot of shade and cooling the area down. When you look at it from another angle, you see how much it is being propped up by filling materials and, you know, metal bars and beams and things like that. And so I would absolutely hate for some situation to happen where it ended up becoming so un structurally sound that somebody got hurt or it damaged the pool in some [11:33:43 AM] it damaged the pool in some other fashion. And so I know this has been a really hard process for a lot of people to understand and to look at. And I'm you know, I think everyone would save every single tree in the park if it was possible. But at a certain point, it it is reaching the end of its livable life and we can always commemorate it. And we should we should look at doing something to really showcase how special this tree has been for people and to make sure that we can still remember it and everything it's provided to our community over the last 100 years. But it's amazing to think that people, even as far back as the 50s before Barton springs was desegregated, were propping this tree up to try to help make sure that it was saved. So this has been a conversation that's been a long time in the works. One council member pool yeah, I want to emphasize everything that the mayor pro tem just said, and then I just wanted to ask, since we've got this eminent arborist with us here, what is the normal average lifespan? >> And then what's the high and the low on a pecan tree on a on [11:34:44 AM] the low on a pecan tree on a on a healthy pecan tree? >> Yeah. It's not uncommon for that to be in the range of 100 years or more ideal locations and in a protected location, it could be upwards of 2 or 300 years under ideal conditions. >> Luz and we can see where the conditions here weren't necessarily ideal and the tree has labored to accommodate the setting itself. And I mean, I, I can feel that and wish that tree and the way it's bent and falling over. So thank you for the for the good words. Mayor Patel, councilmember Vila, I hadn't thought about the bypass as in terms of if it does collapse, is there the potential for damage to the sidewalk? >> And, you know, the bypass caving in? >> That is what one of our concerns is. Yes. And I have Jodi J who is assistant director, who has pretty a lot [11:35:44 AM] director, who has pretty a lot of knowledge about the bypass. If you have a specific question about that. But that is one of the concerns that the department has. >> Well, again, I mean, just thinking through all the scenarios, because that tree has a concrete I mean, it's heavier than a normal tree would be. And if it were to collapse in that concrete is going to if miss J doesn't mind like elaborating on some of those because honestly, I hadn't thought about the damage to the sidewalk. I was thinking more about the safety of the of the swimmers and people around it. But but yeah if that if that bypass collapses, that sounds very expensive. >> Yeah. And just for the record, we do care about the people more than we care about the bypass. But it was a consideration. >> Hi, Jodi J assistant director of parks and recreation. For those who do not know what the bypass is, the bypass is runs the length of the pool and it is Barton creek is bypassed around the pool itself. Several years ago, the bypass floated and [11:36:44 AM] ago, the bypass floated and popped and we had to make a lot of repairs to the to the bypass. It is actually an anchored into a rock and there's concrete inside the bypass to keep it in place. The thought is, is that if the tree falls, there is a possibility that the bypass could rock as it wasn't engineered to hold the weight of a tree hitting on it. So I appreciate that. >> And I mean, that just kind of adds to the overall level of concern. And I'm sorry with, with regard to thinking the fungal info section and contagion, I know that there was a mention of that. It's it's not a great risk for contagion, but it just could you elaborate that or any thoughts on on just kind of leaving it there and what concerns that would bring? >> Sure. Unlike other other tree [11:37:46 AM] >> Sure. Unlike other other tree diseases like oak wilt, for example, or if you have an infection in one area that may spread outward from that location. Creekmur is not a disease that we typically see spread in that same fashion when we know that trees that are stressed are more susceptible to pesticides or to pests and disease flow is obviously, he stressed, there's a lot of wounds, there's a lot of cavities that are in that tree. It does not put on the amount of annual growth that you would expect of a of a healthier tree . The tree immediately behind that is in much better condition. It's healthy. It's putting on much more annual growth with the canopy is thicker of that tree and it's grown significantly faster. And so from that standpoint, I don't expect that to I don't expect this to spread to other trees because I don't see other trees that are in that same condition in in the immediate area. But with any disease, the longer that it's on site, the more risk [11:38:46 AM] that it's on site, the more risk there is for that to spread. I don't see an immediate concern, but every other place that we've seen kretzschmaria infect a tree removal is scheduled as quickly as feasible to limit that spread and to reduce that risk. >> So the longer it continues in its current state, the greater the potential for spread. >> Yes. To what degree? I can't really speak to that. But but by by the fact of it just being on site and having more tissue to continue feeding on and for that fungal fruiting body to continue to grow, I would say that the risk is still is higher. If it's there, great. >> And then with regard to the other pecan tree, that's just what is that north right of flow . How does the canopy shade because honestly, I mean, the loss of the shade from flow is probably what people will notice, obviously the tree itself. But it does cast a lot of shade. And I know a lot of [11:39:47 AM] of shade. And I know a lot of people tend to linger in that area precisely because of that. How is that other tree doing in terms of being able to kind of capture some of the shade in that in that kind of area right across from the diving board there, most of the canopy of flow is out over the pool and over the pool from the edge of the pool deck, out over the pool, everything else from the pool deck to the north is the tree behind it? >> Actually. And so some of the growth of the tree behind it has actually been Ann. It hasn't been able to fill in that area because the other canopy is there of flow. If that were no longer there, I would have every reason to believe that it would continue to fill in in that area and so I while it will have an impact on shade in that area, it's not going to be the same as if there was not that tree behind. Got it. Thank you very much. >> Further questions, comments. >> I think that does it. Thank you for the presentation. Thank you. The next item we will take up is going to be the land [11:40:48 AM] up is going to be the land management strategy and climate vulnerability analysis. This. Council sorry, still me. >> Kimberly Mcneely, parks and recreation director. I have with me my colleague Matt Micah, who will provide you this presentation. Matt is our environmental conservation program manager. His responsibilities are to do his best, the best job that he can to take care of the majority of our open space and our natural lands. And so I'll just hand it over to him and be here for questions. >> Good morning. It's good to be with you. Let's see if this there we go. So just a quick briefing this morning. First, I'd like to give a quick review of the 2019 wildfire preparedness audit as it relates to parks and recreation [11:41:48 AM] to parks and recreation department. Give you a briefing on what is called the recommended land management strategy and climate vulnerability analysis. That is the land management plan that we committed to produce. And we'll get into that a little later. And also to talk a bit about how we intend to utilize the resources that were appropriated recently in the fy 24 budget for this purpose. So in 2019, the office of the city auditor wrapped up an audit of Austin's wildfire preparedness. There were four major findings. One of the findings was particular to Austin parks and recreation. It found that pard had little capacity to manage land to mitigate wildfire risk on park land. Some of the recommendations were for pas to create a land management team and also to create land management plans with a priority in high risk properties. So that's what pard has done. We established a land management team. We also participated as a stakeholder in the creation of the climate equity plan and we [11:42:49 AM] the climate equity plan and we have engaged Eid stakeholders and hired a very, very highly qualified consulting team to work with staff to create the land management plan which will guide our work. It's a very technical ancl scientific base document. I would say. We call it a guiding document. It doesn't tell us exact what to do, where or when or how, but it it frames our approach. And so we'll talk more about implementation. The team that's been established, one position was reclassified internally to create the program manager. That's my position currently, we reclassified another position to create an environmental program coordinator for wildlife Austin and other functions like outreach communications, volunteer coordination, etcetera . Another position was created in environmental program coordinator position was created to lead up Bartz response to homelessness across the [11:43:50 AM] homelessness across the department. That position was placed in this team as well. We have two temporary positions under that one. The column on the left, the we were we received two new positions in fy 24 for this team that will be an environmental program coordinator and biologist senior that will focus primarily on implementation of strategies in the land management guiding documents. We envision needing two additional positions in the next, say, 3 to 5 years to continue filling out this team to get us scaled up and operational. We do envision needing additional positions beyond that 3 to 5 year time frame, but we just don't have details at that point at this point yet. We sort of need to run the program for a while and then reevaluate it in 3 to 5 years or so. The components of the documents broadly speaking, we have a site analysis which lays out our current state of [11:44:50 AM] lays out our current state of our lands and our current challenges. We conducted a climate vulnerability analysis. This is a very innovative type of analysis that we were able to accomplish. This lays out our future challenges as related to climate management goals are the specific vegetation types that science indicates are expected to be most resilient to climate drivers such as heat, drought, disease and ultimately wildfire really throughout the rest of this century. Rest Ann strategies is our toolbox of actions, strategies, techniques that we can use to improve resilience and reduce vulnerability and mitigate risk across the park system. And a monitoring direction. We're going to need to monitor progress so that we can manage adaptively the scope of the plan. It's not park system wide. About 25% of our park lands are developed or maintained actively. The remainder, about 75, is natural area in some form or fashion. So we engaged in a [11:45:50 AM] or fashion. So we engaged in a process, assess internally to identify the lands specific lands that are most conducive, live in economical and efficient for a systems level approach, it's a little over 10,000 acres. This doesn't necessarily limit our activities or what we intend to do, but it simply recognizes that some lands are more effective and efficient for this type of approach than others. A natural area. We should say, is just any area with sort of a natural character dominated typically by native plants and animals. As I mentioned, roughly three quarters of our park land is natural area in some park type. They provide critical ecosystem services, namely supporting human health and well-being. The community has been very clear in their desire to have access to healthy, open natural areas. To this point, the budget for restoration and management of parks natural [11:46:51 AM] management of parks natural areas has been fairly limited. As a result, management has not been able to happen at broad scales and our lands are degraded, which makes them more vulnerable to the climate drivers. Such a heat, drought, disease and wildfire. And that in turn presents certain risks to the community, to park users and to the lands themselves. So getting into some results. So first off, if we're going to manage land to mitigate risk, we first need to understand not only the risk itself, but also where our lands are located with respect to our most vulnerable populations. So simply the geography of our public lands in Austin over 85% of our lands that we've purchased or protected for various reasons, or west of I-35, most of those lands in the western part of Travis county and northern hays county are part of the balcones canyonlands preserve and water quality protection lands not, not surprisingly, almost all of the lands that have received [11:47:52 AM] the lands that have received some sort of ecological restoration Ann activity are also west of I-35. At the same time, our most socially vulnerable communities and this is this data comes from the CDC, social vulnerability index. Most of those vulnerable communities are located east of 3035. In terms of current state, about three quarters of our lands are are in sort of moderate to very poor ecological condition due to factors such as invasive species, loss of biodiversity and elevated wildlife fuel conditions. We call out ecological condition and we assess that because it it affects the likelihood of it affects ecosystem vulnerability , particularly to elevated widespread tree mortality and intense wildfire elevated probability of intense wildfire . Those areas are distributed [11:48:53 AM] . Those areas are distributed throughout the park system. Elevated climate vulnerability index. This is another output of some of our analyzes our also distributed throughout the park system but tend to be concentrated east of mopac in the future. Climate change, I would say, is already increasing the likelihood of widespread tree mortality and intense wildfire. For example, research indicates that the temperature condition that we saw during the 2011 wildfire season are projected to be closer to the average condition potentially as soon as 2040. So implementation, what does it look like? We have a whole host of strategies that we can use where appropriate given site conditions. Those strategies are relate to wildland fuel reduction, woodland or forest health improvement or management or restoration, grassland restoration and other strategies related to biodiversity or managing Karst areas or caves or endangered species habitat, or [11:49:55 AM] endangered species habitat, or improving habitat for species of greatest conservation need. And so we thought it might be illustrative just to show some photos of what some of this work looks like. So this is at the onion creek wildlife sanctuary. We've already been doing work over the last 3 to 4 years, given our resource availability. So this is a woodland health thinning with some pile burning associated pile burning is a strategy where where we're able to use it. It's a really good strategy for managing cut material and a cost effective way. Typically, we find that if we're doing a fuel reduction treatment or some sort of forest health improvement that involves cutting of brush or the cutting of the cutting work, typically Jackie is about 5 to 10% of the cost and the remainder is actually dealing with the cut material broad cast prescribed burning is a technique that's been used in the area throughout the in the area for the past 20 to 30 years. It's a it's a powerful tool. It's a really [11:50:55 PM] powerful tool. It's a really strong it provides a lot of benefits for improving ecosystem health and also reducing wildfire risk. I will say, however, that given our the urbanized context of Austin's parks, broad prescribed burning is going to have limited utility, although we will probably we will use it where where we're able and where it's appropriate, I should say. Pard staff engage with and partner with a collection of other agencies that all follow the highest standards for wildland fire operations as prescri burns are permitted by Austin fire department and implemented by this collection of agencies including Austin fire department . Another type of woodland or forest health treatment might be called a drip line treatment. This is where we would remove small competing brush within the drip lines of larger, more specimen trees. So the purpose is to improve the health of the larger tree as well as the resilience of the entire [11:51:56 PM] resilience of the entire woodland system. This is a shaded fuel break. This one is along. Mary Moore see right in Mary Moore. See Wright park on the right is untreated. On the left is treated. And the purpose of this is to reduce canopy fire and timber production production production adjacent to structures. Long term, as I've mentioned, our strategy is holistic restoration management of parkland, natural areas to mitigate risk, improve resilience and secure ecosystem services for Austin in perpetuity. We'll use this guiding document to help direct our work, but we'll also need to and are already engaging with community stakeholders to help develop site specific and implement site specific work plans. In terms of how we plan to scale up, we have a variety of strategies. We've already been doing some of this work, but we intend to scale up implementation of these strategies over time. I know there's a lot of detail we can [11:52:58 PM] there's a lot of detail we can go back and I'd be happy to answer any questions about this particular slide here. Just sort of simply illustrate that we've been doing work, but we'll be able to dramatically scale up in the next in the coming years. On Thursday. This item comes before council and we're requesting approval of the recommended climate vulnerability analysis and sorry, recommended management strategies and climate vulnerability analysis and that that's all my presentation. >> All right. Thank you. Councilmember Allison alter. >> Thank you, Matt. Appreciate the presentation and appreciate your work. I know that you've been living and breathing this for several years now, and I'm glad that we're finally a council for adopting this and that we were able to make some important investments, if not all the investments that we need to make in moving this forward during the budget. So thank you for that. This is extremely important work, colleagues. It came out of an audit that I [11:53:59 PM] came out of an audit that I asked for that was published in 2019. With respect to our wildfire risk, that's important to underscore the importance, but I do want to just comment that while this originated in observations that came out of our wildfire risk, this plan is for much more than just mitigating wildfire risk. It is really to make sure that we are managing our lands in ways that will allow them to serve our community as natural spaces for many years to come. This work, if we do it right, is going to allow us to mitigate risks of climate change. One of those risks is wildfire, but it is not the only one. It's also going to allow us to plant and make changes to the natural system that allow it to be more resilient. And I had a chance to kind of really read through the plan. And it was very [11:54:59 PM] plan. And it was very interesting to read it and think about all the resilience work we're doing for our community, the people in it, to think about how we do the same thing for our natural system. So I'm excited for this plan to really guide us moving forward in this in this work and so I do have a couple of questions that I want to make sure that that we cover here. So the extreme weather and climate crisis impacts our complex. They're multifaceted, Ed and the risks we are trying to mitigate our year round. They don't just come in the summer months when we have high risk of wildfire. So I wanted to ask if you could speak to how storm Mara impacted our parks and preserves and how adoption of this plan can help us with situations like the winter storm in the future. We had several million dollars worth of damage in our parks, many of which were the parks that were actively managed. But there also was damage elsewhere . So if you could speak to how having this plan and having the [11:56:00 PM] having this plan and having the staff to implement it would help us with those kinds of extreme weather as well. >> So right. Winter storm, Mara was a big deal. I think 2.5 million in parks alone is what the acute response was just to remove brush from develop parks and to reopen amenities. When I think about and there's some verbiage in the in the documents about this because we were Mara happened when we were you know, in the midst of writing the text for this documents. So I guess the way to conceptualize it is Mara is one of those anomalous, unpredictable events that entities can not really explicitly plan for. And so instead of thinking about and planning for ice storms or wind storms or whatever, we simply plan for unpredictable events [11:57:01 PM] plan for unpredictable events and so that that points us back to improving resiliency of our lands and also provide improving resilience and capacity of our organization. So some of the strategies I talked about are a lot of them are complex, they're difficult, they do involve some risk. Fire management involves some risk heavy equipment operation involves some risk. And so in order to be able to do that work effectively, economically and at scale safely, we have to build the organization that's capable of doing it. And once we have that sort of organization, Ann, then we should be able to respond to all types of anomalous, unpredictable events that climate change is going to bring, whether they're ice storms or who knows what else, I think. >> Thank you. And I'll come back to implementation in a couple of minutes. There were so the parks board supported the adoption of this plan, as did the environmental commission. Now the environmental commission [11:58:01 PM] the environmental commission recommended additional direction on four points inclusion of community groups. One developing work plans, incorporation of additional ways to improve soil health and increase ground. Hydration was the second, ensuring work plans include measurable monitoring efforts was the third, and then the fourth had to do with the use of herbicides. So I believe that part is already doing many of these or it's clear in the plan, if you read it, that those are in there. But would you support adding direct action? Just to reiterate the things that the environmental commission was concerned about when we adopt this on Thursday? >> Sure. So recommendation Zones one through three from the environmental commission are already in line with current practice recommended action four was sort of two parts. One recommended adding some consideration for caves and Karst areas in our land management and our integrated pest management plan. I think [11:59:04 PM] pest management plan. I think that's perfectly reasonable. All the other part of recommendation four had to do with only using herbicides for non-native invasive species. That could be a challenge because there are legitimate circumstance when we do need to remove a problematic resprouting native species and the only feasible option is herbicide. So for example, all poison ivy along trails. If we have aggressive resprouting species in an infrastructure such as in fences or in power lines or in grassland restoration, there are native species that are problematic, that that do need to be addressed and oftentime, the mechanical solutions are more problematic than the herbicide solution, such as at Mesquite, for example, the grassland restoration at commons, Ford metro park. So it, it my impression is that the intent is to ensure the responsible use of herbicide, but limiting herbicide to only non native species doesn't necessarily [12:00:05 PM] species doesn't necessarily ensure their responsible use. I would lean back on the part ipm plan, the city of Austin invasive species management plan and some other internal documents and licensing and training that we go through to ensure that our herbicides are used appropriately. >> Thank you. My office will work with you on direction that addresses the nuances for the fourth point colleagues, I'll be offering some direction along that line. And then I was struck in reading through the plan about how much of this work might benefit moving forward from another initiative we have, which is the UT city climate colab, which is going to allow us to do climate analyzes at a micro level in very targeted parts of the city. Are you already working with with that group in your work at this point ? >> I don't think I'm familiar with that particular initiative. >> Okay. So we will probably [12:01:05 PM] >> Okay. So we will probably make an introduction and also provide direction for that to be explored. It's a new initiative that we funded actually in the fiscal year 23 budget that's going to run through December 24th. And it's kind of like we're going to have our own city climatologists on call for our use and students at UT who will be engaging in research. And I think there was a lot of really interesting overlap in the way that you're approaching and the way that you need to think about things that might might be good . Part of that partnership. And then lastly, I wanted to see if we could speak a little bit more to the resources needed for the implementation of the plan. Obviously, we have resources for this year, but the analysis did say it was I think $200 per acre within the plan, which I take it if we have 10,000 acres, means about 2 million a year. We're not we're not there yet. So can you speak a little bit and I don't know if this is you, Matt, [12:02:07 PM] don't know if this is you, Matt, or miss Mcneely about city manager's plans for making sure that we have that plan during budget. We talked about a five year plan for implementing it. Can you speak to those details? >> So more than back of the napkin, but not fully full, fully fleshed out, we have an understand Singh of what year over year could be needed or should be needed. But as Matt has said, he would also like to execute the program to be able to understand how the program is operating, to know exactly what the resources would be needed in in the next two years, five years, etcetera, etcetera. Also, we have been spending time exploring opportunities for grant options, which could be a supplement to the general fund, or it could be in place of the general fund in order to take some of that burden. And we are actively exploring that right now. So I guess to answer the specifically to answer your question, it'll obviously be on our radar. It's an important component of the things that the [12:03:08 PM] component of the things that the parks and recreation department does and it will be looked at in its prioritization order as it relates to all the other important things that the parks and recreation department does. But we again, we have more than the back of the napkin. And so we have an idea. We just need to let the program play itself out so we can ask for a prioritize appropriately the resources that may be needed in the future. Thank you. >> So I'll also be including some direction on reporting and making sure that we're developing that plan and making sure that we're investing those resources to implement this plan, which took many years to create. It's very expansive. It is, you know, really trying to provide us a guide across 10,000 acres and how you handle it in different situations. So you can go in and plan much more informed for the particular place that we're looking at. But we have been very remiss, I think, in making investments in our public lands, in the management, so that they can be [12:04:08 PM] management, so that they can be resilient. And we need to not not just put this plan on the shelf. So city manager, I'm seeing the acm over here and Mr. Garza absence, you know, that's just something that's going to be a really high priority for me in my office to see that, that we continue that momentum moving, moving forward. So thank you. >> Further questions. Council member Fuentes thank you. >> And councilmember alter, I would love to also be connected with the UT team to learn more about that program. It's incredible that we're working with our university on climate resilience efforts. So the question I have is, you know, part of adopting the Austin climate equity plan was that we were centering equity in our efforts. And so with this land conservation land management plan know, you noted in your in your presentation that over 80, nearly 90% of all of our publicly owned land is west of 35. And yet the social [12:05:09 PM] 35. And yet the social vulnerability, vulnerability of our community and the communities who are most impacted, particularly with the heat island effect, are on the east side. So what what is the equity that is being taken as part of the implementation of the land management plan? And what more needs to be done in that effort. >> So just on a very simple level, and I'm sure Matt can add when we're making decision ins about all things, looking at all things and you're making decisions about where the resources are going to be, there is a social vulnerability analysis that helps us understand. And when we make that investment, it how does that how how does that investment impact individuals who are particularly vulnerable? And so I think that, again, we don't have a specific prescription of this land. This day, these kinds of intervention Zones. But we have a system and an analysis and matrixes that help us run through the different spaces that have to be [12:06:09 PM] different spaces that have to be managed so that we can do better decision making. That's not a very good way to say that, but we have better decision making so that we can take into consideration our most vulnerable populations to make sure that they are protected. And so with that being said, I'll let Matt explain. So for council members, please know that we are giving you the facts right on that. Right. And those are the facts to this day. It's not it's not something that we say that we want to continue. It's just something that this is what it looks like today. And so now that we know that, now that we know better, we can do better. And Matt can talk about how that that will be used. >> Sure. To that, I would just add in the I was part of the I was sat on the one of the advisory committees for development of the climate equity plan. That was a big honor. So I would first I would refer back to the plan itself, which just simply identifies creation of land management plans like this is an equity mechanism to begin with, simply [12:07:09 PM] mechanism to begin with, simply because of the underinvestment in our park system to date. So just by getting to this point, I think that's that's an important goal identified in the plan. To director Mcneely's comments, I would add. And so with respect to social vulnerability or some of the risk calculations we were able to do, I would refer back to what I sort of mentioned earlier. If we're going to manage land to mitigate risk, we need to know where the lands are located with respect to vulnerable communities. And so we were able to utilize the CDC social vulnerability index as an input into some of our risk calculations. It doesn't determine where we're going to work, but it's simply Ali puts it on the list and the long list of concern, considerations that need to be dealt with when planning actual work on the ground. So and lastly, I would say that when developing work plans, so the idea is unified management with communities, with stakeholders in parks. So we'll be able to sit down where [12:08:10 PM] we'll be able to sit down where we have community groups that are active, we'll be able to sit down with them over the hood of the truck or wherever and put together plans that we can all get on board with. We have our outreach coordinator that's one of his, you know, top of line directions is to engage with folks who want to be involved where we don't have groups involved. Then we'll have to put in the work to recruit them. I think there are folks out there who want to be involved but don't know how or don't know what they can. So we'll have to. >> I appreciate that. And I certainly recognize that we have 10,000 acres of land that we need to manage. And that's, you know, while the city has a lot to do to right for its wrongs and preserve Singh our west side communities, but leaving our east side communities to bear the brunt of development pressures. What I would like to see as we roll out this land conservation and management plan, an equal, if not greater, more aggressive approach in land acquisition so that we get [12:09:10 PM] acquisition so that we get public land on the east side as well. And so I just want to emphasize that for as we move forward as policy makers, that should be one of our top considerations as. Any other questions. >> Councilmember Allison alter thank you. >> Council member Fuentes. I would be very supportive of additional acquisitions focused on the east side. And I'll just point out that Travis county has a bond package right now that will be, I think it's $100 million on the east side for land acquisition of east side of Travis county. Anyway so that's one one step that we can take in supporting those measures. And when we return to a bond, I'm not sure if that will be in 24 or beyond. Certainly would be very supportive of additional acquisitions. I do want to point out that, you know, as the as the plan is written, there was an environmental vulnerability index and there's a social, [12:10:10 PM] index and there's a social, environmental, social vulnerability index. And then there's a combination of that where you really see and in that combination index, which I think is their climate vulnerability index, you really see emphasis on the east side properties and narrowing in even within the parks as to where the most vulnerable spots are. And if you look carefully at the west side, there's very specific small sections of large tracts that have the higher amount of the environmental liability where you might want to invest. And then in the east side there, they're very the way this analysis works, it makes it very plain how you need to make those investments. And it's got the data so that when they're going to make their choices, I think they have they have the analysis to guide them to address some of those inequities from the past as well. >> All right. [12:11:11 PM] >> All right. >> I think that does it for this topic. Thank you for the presentation. Excellent what I'll suggest I know we have one more briefing that we need to take up, so I may suggest we take that briefing up. I'll probably grab a lunch after we kick off the Austin energy oversight committee meeting. That council member pool will be leading. Let's say that's going to start at 1:00. Just so staff knows generally when to be available. If that works for you. Chair sounds good. And if other folks need to grab something and bring their their lunch out to snack on in the meantime, it'll help keep us moving through this day. So with that, let's bring up our last briefing and that's going to be an update regarding implementation of a working group's recommendations related to city's approach to handling of sexual assault cases. Welcome . Good afternoon. >> Council. My name is Hannah [12:12:16 PM] >> Council. My name is Hannah Sancho and I am a sexual assault survivor who reported my rape to the Austin police department back in 2006. Now it has been nearly five years since I stood in front of the city council and gave my very first public testimony. And it was that very same day that I signed on as the ninth plaintiff to the survivor class action lawsuit that was brought against the city of Austin and the Travis county district attorney's office for their mishandling of our sexual assault cases. And it was that very same week that an investigative report on the misuse and overuse of exceptional clearance was released, focusing in on Austin and jolting me to dig out the copy of my own sexual assault report, only to learn that my case to you had been exceptionally cleared. Now now, when I started out on the journey of advocating for change in the sexual assault arena, I had no idea what I was entering into. I had no idea that our [12:13:17 PM] into. I had no idea that our fight for justice and our fight for change through the survivor lawsuit was going to take four long years to come to a settlement agreement. I had no idea that the independent review by the police executive research forum that so many of us survivors and advocates testified in support of would be on its own three and one half year journey. And I had no idea or expectation that I would be here today sitting amongst a team of APD personnel, helping to shape a truly collaborative project that has become known as the collective sex crimes response model project. While I have become publicly known as a survivor of plaintiff and a relatively vocal advocate, what many have not known about me is that I have over 20 years of experience in the private sector focusing in on governance risk, compliance and large scale project management. So since January of this year and as a member, I have leaned into this [12:14:17 PM] member, I have leaned into this work as a project manager with the hope and goal that Austin survivors will see the improvements coming from the recommendations of the report and the survivor lawsuit. Settlement terms. Today we are here to share with you the project framework that has been established and the progress that has been made toward that goal. Now, the first couple of slides in our powerpoint highlight the timeline of events that have occurred leading up to this moment. And while my own personal story intersects with many of them, there are literally thousands of survivors in our community that have their very own stories with their very own intersecting points. The DNA lab closure of 2017, the withdrawal of APD from the Austin Travis county sexual assault resource and response team and the investing of report on exceptional clearance, both occurring in 2018. The survivor lawsuits that were filed, the federal class action in 2018 and [12:15:17 PM] federal class action in 2018 and the state class action in 2020. And finally, the per report that was released in November of 2022 based upon a comprehensive evaluation of sexual assaults that were reported to APD spanning an eight year period from 2012 to 2020. Now the project framework that has been created was designed with specific objectives in mind from the onset, we knew that we needed a model that would result in systemic and lasting change. We knew that we needed a collaborative approach that would strengthen the trust and transparency with survivors advocates and members of our community. We knew that we had a wealth of knowledge with subject matter experts right here in Austin, and it was imperative that we were incorporating them into this effort, aligning their expertise with the work at hand and ensuring that checks and balances were being established [12:16:18 PM] balances were being established right from the beginning. Now, the scope of work for this project is comprised from two key sources. There were 103 recommendations coming out of the per report and 16 terms of settlement derived from the survivor lawsuit that was approved by council in January of 2022. We have set up a workgroup model in which each of these 119 items of scope have been assigned to one of six different work groups and the work groups that have been established include project manager, client policy training, risk and investigation data and metrics and outreach and partnerships. Each work group is being led by two individuals one APD, co-chair and one non APD co-chair. And we have used the raci model to assist us in defining who is responsible, accountable, knell consulted and informed. It is ultimately APD [12:17:20 PM] informed. It is ultimately APD that is responsible and accountable for this work. While it is the extended community experts and advocates that are to be consulted Ed and stakeholders like yourself. The commission for women and the public safety commission that are to be informed as to the status and progress. >> Good afternoon. Council >> My name is Marcia Alonso. I am the Austin Travis county sarc coordinator. I am also the coordinator for the coalition against human trafficking for central Texas. Prior to coming to APD, I was an advocate. I have 2020 years experience doing advocacy. Also project management and working with different marginalized populations with me today we have chief chief Jeff Greenwalt . We have newly appointed chief Eric Fitzgerald, our victim [12:18:22 PM] Eric Fitzgerald, our victim services and wellness manager, Katrina Clark, command for Chris Vallejo and interim victim services, sexual assault supervisor Katie Herbers. Aside from having partnerships and support from APD, we centered around making our community partners the focus and crux of this work. And partners heal from sexual assault and advocacy. Legal advocacy. The district attorney's office, the team respectfully. These relationships allow us to incorporate best practices and build trust and having each one. APD and one non APD person allows us to have checks and balances, allows us to incorporate best practices and continue our work. Being survivor centered. >> Good afternoon, council. My [12:19:28 PM] >> Good afternoon, council. My name is Allison roper and I'm a business process consultant with the Austin police department. I'm going to talk a little bit about some of the accomplishments that we've had to date. So we do continue to make progress and demonstrate success for both outcome and process based issues to date, our focus has really been on establishing the crm project and laying the foundation for real change. As Marcy indicated, we have both APD and non APD partners at the table working across all elements of the project and we really do use the word partners because that's what we truly are. We are partners in this crucial work. So everybody has an equal spot at the table. Our model is unique in the level of collaboration is new to many of us, so we're feeling our way through this intense collaborative work has the ability to become a national best practice and we're taking it very seriously. We do plan to continue building on the project to reach our own goals here for the Austin community and to serve as an example to other communities for their own future [12:20:29 PM] communities for their own future implementation. Ann we're committed to consistent and transparent communication. Ann throughout the duration of this project and are providing quarterly updates with the commission for women, the public safety commission and a joint working group with them. Between the two, all of us at the table, both APD and non APD partners alike, recognize the importance of the work that we're doing creating long lasting change is not easy, but it's something to which we are committed. We're not simply focused on checking the boxes of the 119 items that certainly could be done, but that's not where real change is going to happen. We want to create systemic change, and in order to do that, we need to be able to strengthen relationships with all partners across the community. As Hannah mentioned earlier, we do have 119 recommend actions in settlement items that are part of our scope of work. And as of this month, you can see here on the slide, we have at least 49% of those items are either in progress or completed. This slide provides a [12:21:31 PM] completed. This slide provides a visual represent rotation of our work to date related to the scope. Each of the item of the scope, as Hannah mentioned, is assigned to a specific work group to assess and to implement each recommendation may vary. Each of the 119 will vary in their intensity from something simple and straightforward, such as purchasing tripods for interview rooms or to ones that are much more complex, such as the development and implementation of a public awareness campaign. The phrase not started. That's noted on this slide in gray in these bars is used as a project management tool. So I want to make that distinction. It's to indicate in the project management field to indicate that the collaborative work groups are the ones that have not yet addressed a particular recommendation or settlement term. That doesn't mean that APD has not done work in these areas. APD has actioned and improved services related to many of the recommendations that you see here. It's just that the project groups have not started their work on this and we are [12:22:31 PM] their work on this and we are taking a very deliberate process and slow process to make sure that everything is addressed in its in its entirety. As we take a look at the timeline summary, on the left hand side, it's important to note that while the per report was officially published in late 2022, work groups only began to work on the recommendations in the spring of 2023. So it's only been a few short months and we've accomplished a great deal and will continue to build upon that initial success. Greetings city council members and thank you for your attention to this important work. >> I'm lieutenant Christa Lou and I'm assigned to APD's sex crimes unit and domestic domestic violence unit. I have been with the department for 22 years. I want to extend my personal gratitude towards the entire sex crimes chain of command. Who are in attendance today for their support and [12:23:32 PM] today for their support and their guidance. I will speak to you about the issues and risks we have identified and the project's priorities and next steps among the issues that we've had to work through. Some were anticipated, while others became apparent to us once the work began. Those having to do with financial and budgetary processing happened because funds for project initiatives, including case review, a settlement audit, a public awareness campaign and victim surveys, had to be located among the city budgets and transferred to the APD. Press this time was spent in locating and accessing these funds, leaving insufficient time to conduct the consultation with project members that we had committed to meeting budget deadlines left us with little time to seek and achieve consensus in the planning stage, in the initiatives, planning that we have had time for. Project members worked with insufficient funds and they found misaligned among the budgeted amounts where the amount for one initiative [12:24:33 PM] the amount for one initiative seemed better aligned Ed and sufficient for one of the other initiatives. We now have the knowledge and perspective to deliver informed request for the amounts needed for these important and ongoing endeavors . This is a large project and it takes time to do the work correctly. We systemically and collaboratively. As mentioned, we have 44 members and the consensus that we've committed to takes time. A tremendous amount of work is happening on a voluntary basis by the project members and local agency partners, all of whom have primary duties for many, it's like having a second job and they Austin police department and the Austin community owe them our gratitude. We work hard to maintain a cadence of work that's reasonable. But all members have work families and responsibilities and we have to be careful not to burn out our project members as we anticipate we anticipated and have experienced project member turnover and the model structures and processes that we have implemented are designed to accommodate for this. Lastly, we [12:25:33 PM] accommodate for this. Lastly, we work hard to identify best practices and then we have to account for and adjust to the constraints and limitations from APD's staffing shortage. We will continue to inform and advise mayor and council of ways to improve staffing in enhancements and training and improvements to the APD website. Each of which will make APD sex crimes response more effective. Now I'd like to speak about the priorities and next steps in the next slide. Okay. Got it. >> The APD chiefs check in with commander Vallejo and I regularly for project updates. >> They expense extend to us their support and ask what we need. Chiefs Chacon and Henderson met with the project team members and communicated their support and they have given us the space to be able to do the work. However project members are telling us that they want to continue to see and hear from our chiefs. We are working hard to identify the best training for the department's [12:26:34 PM] training for the department's officers, detectives and supervisors. So that in our dealings and interactions with survivors, as we are trauma informed of these dynamics of sexual assault training module chief Henderson has required all patrol officers to complete Avery's dynamics of sexual assault training module by the end of this calendar year. And we will build on that training with guidance from the projects training workgroup. And we have tasked our project members with identifying the budget needs for initiatives, training personnel and equipment to position our sworn staff and victim services to be successful. Well, we just completed the first in a series of project updates to the commission for women and public safety commission and to the rest of our stakeholders. And these will continue. These will be the first in a series of project updates and we will continue to build trust, transparency and repair with our community. And among the projects, team members collectively, we have an understanding that process is just as important as the model we are working hard to create. [12:27:34 PM] we are working hard to create. Thank you. We're all of our team members are available for questions that any of you might have. Thank you for the presentation. >> Let's start with councilmember Allison alter. >> Thank you. I want to just first of all, thank the team for your work and the spirit with which you're approaching this collaboration. This has been a long process and we did get the per recommendations back in 22. And, you know, we're nine months in to the 23 and I'm glad to see that you are before us and that we are making progress. Yes I had to be very patient with this process and I was able to do that because for the first time I really felt like everyone was coming to the table with the right spirit of addressing the problems that we've experienced [12:28:34 PM] problems that we've experienced in our system that has left our survival vulnerable and their needs unmet and also left our officers, often without the resources that they needed. And so to be able to have the conversations that need to happen in order for us to fix the system that's larger than any of the people who are here working on it. We had to have this commitment to time, but also this willingness and this emotional, you know, maturity to say we have to invest in doing this the right way and that may take a little bit longer. So thank you for that. Also want to thank Hannah for helping to lead the project and for sharing your story. I think that was very powerful to start that way because it reminds us why we're doing this and that. There are, you know, individual lives that have been impacted in so many ways because of our system isn't [12:29:36 PM] ways because of our system isn't functioning. So I think that, you know, we're we are doing this work. The advocates and the survivors are holding us accountable. And we have a commitment to make real change. But that's going to take some time. I do want to start by asking, you know, if you can speak back to what you first see as the future need for resources and how council can support those investments. To summarize it briefly, we're coming upon a yearly process where we each unit in the department delivers unmet needs. >> So we've identified that vehicle through which to deliver exactly what you're asking us about. And they involve a list of funds that will need to maintain on the project management. That's been absolutely critical and to maintain that that pairing that we've spoken about with an APD [12:30:36 PM] we've spoken about with an APD member and a non APD member, the funds also for these initiatives that we feel are extremely important and also ways, creative ways to address our staffing issues that don't leave sex crimes unaffected. And we'll deliver those unmet needs. We ask, please for your support in those items and so those will be coming shortly in the following weeks. >> And just to add to that, as part of the project management cycle, you know, we really right now been focused on establishing the framework, getting the teams working. This next stage really is to do some maturing around identify Singh specific budgetary needs for each of the scope items as well as better expectations around timelines. And so both of those items are something that we hope to be able to articulate more definitively in our future. Updates were the teams are actively working on that now. We're just not in a position to be able to present the details at this point. >> So I would ask that when you are ready, because generally the internal unmet needs discussion Ann happens behind the scenes. [12:31:38 PM] Ann happens behind the scenes. But I really don't want that to be the case for this. Council needs to see that sooner. There may be investments that can be made earlier than October of 24. You know, there may be, you know, policy changes that have to happen that we can help accelerate. I know that in your plan you have quarterly meetings with commission on women. I think we should probably plan on a on a on a session with the public safety committee of council. I'm not sure what's the right month is because it needs to be the right month with your cadence. But I think that we do need to be made aware early and often of what the financial resource is or policy changes need to be for this while you're working. I don't want to add further frustration of, oh, we have to wait another nine months when we could have started on this if we had $50,000. But the right person didn't know that we needed we needed that to make that change. And so maybe we can talk a little bit about what kind of what what that looks [12:32:40 PM] kind of what what that looks like. Are there any other pending or outstanding issues that you want to make? Council aware of at this time? >> We think we've covered? >> Yeah. No, I mean, I think that's really it. It was really I know it's been a long wait to get to this stage to really provide an update after the, the years of history. And so I wanted to give you that thorough update, you know, with the hope and intention to set some context for members that haven't been here over the years, knowing that we anticipate additional budgetary requests coming coming in the future. >> Thank you. >> And I'm glad that you, lieutenant, that you mentioned the need for APD leadership. And I see chief Greenwalt back there . I'll be talking with chief Henderson, I think, next week and underscoring the importance of this work with her. But perhaps chief green Greenwalt, you can tell me how you you intend to support this effort. This works if we have support from the top. >> Thank you. Council member. I [12:33:40 PM] >> Thank you. Council member. I think the number one thing that we can do is be involved and know what they're going through on a day to day basis and ask them what they need and be there to support them, not only physically, but come through with whatever it is that they ask. If that means we have to go to council and ask for more money, it means we have to find them a physical space. We have to mend relationships, fix policies, get them new cars, get them a computer. We can't put any sort of box around what it is they're asking for. The folks behind me that are doing the hard work are amazing. We our support comes in the form of giving them what they need and then getting out of their way. Thank you. >> I will. One of the things I'll be asking chief Henderson is about meeting with the survivors. I was very disappointed to learn that chief Chacon did not follow through on an element of the settlement, which was for the chief to meet with the survivors. >> I do have an update on that. There were some legal constraints that I can't speak [12:34:41 PM] constraints that I can't speak to the exact details of that delayed that process. We do have a meeting on October 10th, which chief Chacon, chief Henderson and myself will all be a part of. Great. >> I'm glad to hear that. I know that's a separate from this presentation today, but and I'm not sure who this question is for, but we have an agenda item for $100,000 grant from the violence against women investigative project, which is going to allow us to hire five retired investigators with extensive violent crime investigation experience to assist the APD sex crimes unit. Is this something that we've done before and do we spend any money on this outside of the grant funding? >> Lang Katrina here. There's two. I have a high level understanding, but she's going to speak to the details way better than I can. Yeah and the violence against women. >> Grant is or not, is they're investigators. It's investigators. So I think. Do you have some information on that or do you, commander, so [12:35:41 PM] that or do you, commander, so sorry. >> There is there's two separate grants and there's the vawa and then there's also Wright, the state grant. And I can speak to that. So correct. It's $103,000. We're seeking and asking for your resolution to approve. It's the final step in money grant money from the state. And we're very excited about it. It's a sex crimes intervention project. We want to for one year with that funding, implement a program where we hope to reduce and mitigate alcohol knell facilitated rapes in Austin. And so we would accomplish that by identification of areas of town . We would do an education treatment component with the bars to educate them, what signs to look for and how simpler interventions might interrupt that that crime and that victimization. And we then also have another part that receives, in addition to the education of these restaurants, also law enforcement component and we are [12:36:42 PM] enforcement component and we are we're excited about the possibility of doing this work. We often are very frustrated in our work with sex crimes that it's reactionary. It's happened already. So we are very excited and ask for your support in a way that we might possibly reduce it before it ever happens . We would study this to find out if indeed what we think will be effective is truly effective , and we would stand prepared to create a product where we could share that with all law enforcement around the state to try to affect it statewide. And so we have more resources many times than they do the smaller communities. >> Thank you. I really appreciate that proactive approach. The reason I was asking is it seemed like it was a low dollar amount that could maybe make a big impact. And I was wondering if we were allocating additional dollars beyond the grant to rehiring some of the retired investigators to help the sex crimes unit. And if that was a strategy that we were exploring further than just for the for the grant, the specific grant that you asked about the project [12:37:42 PM] that you asked about the project that they're working on, he answered that question within that context. >> But we have, I think, three other grants that are going on Thursday. One is a voca grant extension where we hope to continue the work of the retired detectives and the investigative work that they do. And then two of our grants as well. Okay. So I guess it was the retired investigators. >> I was just trying to plant the seed of maybe we should be doing more of that and using some other APD money rather than paying overtime for other things that maybe we want to invest that in the sex crimes unit. And we can we can talk about that later. Sure. We'll prove that in the in the budget or in the agenda on Thursday. Just wanted to kind of flag that as something that's a good idea. We have two items that are related to this work. Items 47 and 48. So just could you very briefly speak to what those two are covering? One is related to the per report. One is related to the settlement. >> Yeah, 47 and 48 are two direct items of scope. Out of [12:38:44 PM] direct items of scope. Out of the 119 and one Ann is. A $100,000 contract for case review. So the intention that was set up over a year ago was to conduct annual case reviews on a recurring basis. And so this would be the first year coming out of that per report to start that case review exercise. The second item has to do with an incremental audit that was required as part of the survivor lawsuit. Settlement terms. And so that contract is up for approval as well. Thank you. >> And again, thank you to the team. And you know, we're all going to have to be a little bit patient as this rolls out, but we're also going to have to roll up our sleeves and help them invest. And I would ask chief Greenwalt that that you and the interim chief prioritize these issues as we're as we're looking at the unmet needs. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Council member. Do we have other questions or comments? I think that does it. Thank you so much for the presentation. We appreciate all [12:39:45 PM] presentation. We appreciate all the work you're doing. I believe that concludes our poll items and briefing and executive session for the work session today. I will adjourn the meeting at 12:40 P.M. And I think we have a break until 1:00 for our Austin energy utility oversight, chaired by council member pool. >> Look forward to seeing everybody at 1:00 and we should be able to complete our work with the oversight committee within about an hour period. Thanks. See you all at 1:00 well, it looks like it's 1:00.