City Council Regular Meeting Transcript – 12/14/2023 Title: ATXN-1 (24hr) Channel: 1 - ATXN-1 Recorded On: 12/14/2023 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 12/14/2023 Transcript Generated by SnapStream ================================== Please note that the following transcript is for reference purposes and does not constitute the official record of actions taken during the meeting. For the official record of actions of the meeting, please refer to the Approved Minutes. [10:00:16 AM] so we have a quorum of the council present. We are meeting at in the city council chambers, located at city hall at 301 west second street in Austin, Texas. Members. I'm going to start by reading changes and corrections into the record to get that on the record. And then what we'll do is we will go to, the every six month picking of seats for the next six months. We've been at it another six months. So just as I got used to where everybody's sitting, I think I'm not sure who anticipated that. I would never be able to keep up with everybody sitting, but here we go. We'll do that. And then I'll, read through the rest of the business of the day. Here are the changes and corrections for the record, in item number one on the date November 30th, 2024. That should be changed to read meeting of November 30th, 2023 and delete the words and [10:01:18 AM] 2023 and delete the words and special calls of December 7th, 2023 on item number 34. The phrase beginning 400 east Wansley drive, Austin, Texas. The zip code should be deleted and the replaced. With 78753 items 45 and 46 have been withdrawn on item 59 should read and I'll just read the whole thing just to make it clear. Authorized negotiation and execution of amendment number three to the agreement with Austin area urban league to operate the south bridge shelter program to add three months to the terms ending on delete January 1st, 2024, and replace it with December 31st, 2023 on item number 83. It should read. A valid petition has been filed in opposition to this zoning request. Council before we go further, as I indicated just [10:02:21 AM] further, as I indicated just ago, every six months council rotates its seats on the dais. Additionally, at the beginning of the year, we conducted this past year, we conducted the election of the mayor pro tem and the council elected current mayor pro tem Ellis, in in the capacity of mayor pro tem for the year. January 2023 to December 2023 and voted council member pool as mayor pro tem for the calendar year beginning January 2024 to January 2025. When we will elect a new mayor pro tem. At that point in time. So what we'll do is we'll now have the clerk who is, coming on the dais. She'll ask you to pull a number card. Please read the number you selected to the record so that the information is captured. The new sitting seating arrangements will be effective January 2024. To June 2024. In the chambers seat number one is on the west end of [10:03:21 AM] number one is on the west end of the dais near the clerk's desk, where council member qadri is seated. When we meet in boards and commissions room seat number one is on the west side of the room near the entrance of the room. Council member qadri, would you draw? >> I'm staying here. I'm one. Okay. Makes it easy for you. >> Yes. You know where you're going to be. Council member Velasquez I'm moving to eight eight. Councilman pool will become mayor pro tem, and we decided that we would have a permanent seat for the mayor pro tem, which is where, the mayor pro tem is currently seated, and that's where she will be. Council member Alison alter five. >> I'm staying where I am. >> There you go. >> Yeah. And I do have a question at the end. Okay. >> Mayor pro tem, I drew number two. All right, you'll be done there by councilmember qadri. Council member vela. 934. >> Lucky number six. [10:04:24 AM] >> Lucky number six. >> Number six. >> And council member Ryan alter is number seven. >> Very good. Thank you, councilmember Allison alter. You had a question? >> Yeah. I just wanted to express, first of all, my gratitude to the mayor pro tem Ellis for her service this year as mayor pro tem. Thank you, councilmember house. And then I wanted to just express that, I think it would be great if we went back to having our work sessions in the boards and commissions room. I think it's really difficult to have a conversation and collaborate. If we're only talking on the dais and we can't really face each other and have a conversation. So if there's not a, a public health reason for being in this chamber for work session or a presentation that requires a large number of people, I would just like to express that. I think it is a productive and constructive approach to have work session in the boards and commissions room and council meetings in the chambers. [10:05:25 AM] meetings in the chambers. >> Thank you. Council member members. The order of the business that will go today is now that we've completed that business is we're going to hear from the consent agenda speakers, both virtual and in person. We will then go to the consent vote. And at that point, we will also have brief comments from council members related to the consent agenda. We will then go to the non consent items, public hearing items. 78 and 79 will be brought up. Items referred from council committees , which is item 102 will be brought up. We will close those public hearings and we will take immediate action. The, speakers will be called at that point in time. However, if someone is signed up to speak for one of those, those non consent items and it's more convenient for them to speak during the consent agenda, will will will accommodate that if we can as, as the time allows us to, we will risk the regular meeting [10:06:26 AM] will risk the regular meeting and call the Austin housing finance corporation board of directors meeting to order. We will hear the speakers, if any. We will act and we will adjourn the corporation meeting at noon. We will hear noon public comment and have our live music. And then we will close out the agenda with the 2:00 time certain which are the zoning items? Members as we begin the day and before we go to the 10:00 speakers, I want to remind folks about the council chambers and decorum and the council chambers and how we deal with, speakers that want to address the council during any of the public comment period, whether that's consent agenda or otherwise. Please be aware that behavior that violates the rules of the council meeting won't be permitted. So people may not speak out of turn, may not. They may criticize a public official, but you may not use personally derogatory or disparaging remarks. X may not defame [10:07:26 AM] remarks. X may not defame another person. Use obscene language, use abusive language that is likely to incite a breach of the peace. Make threats of violence against any other person, or otherwise disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, such as yelling and screaming. Comments also note that comments from a member of the public on a numbered agenda item must be relevant to that item in order to ensure that all members of the public have safe and efficient access to witness the council's deliberations. You may not sit or stand in the aisles or otherwise obstruct the exits or emergency exits. If you wish to display a sign, flag or other object, you must do so in the designee area, which is in the back of the council chambers . You may not hold up signs in the seats so that you obstruct the view of any other member of the public who is seated in the [10:08:28 AM] the public who is seated in the sitting area. There may not be demonstrations at the podium in other words, the speaker cannot be accompanied by others at the podium that of course there will be exceptions. If somebody is holding a child or some situation of that. Like that, if you violate the rules, time may be cut short or you may be removed from council chambers for the remainder of this meeting. I don't anticipate any problem with that. But I want to make sure that everybody understands stands the rules as we go forward with that, we will go to our consent agenda and I will turn to the city clerk, to help us navigate that process. >> Okay. The first speaker is Ty Vicki speaking on item 71. >> Hi. I'm a homeowner in district five. Just speaking in support of item 71. I don't know if this was, I guess, part of the consent or not consent [10:09:28 AM] the consent or not consent agenda, but basically, I'm in support of item 71. I hope that you take action to make it, possible for the homeowners that own, that are trying to redevelop their land, really take advantage of the home initiative and that they have the resources to do so. Also speaking in support of 71, sorry, 72 and 101, I just really hope that I mean, it doesn't really need to be said. Obviously, any amount of affordable housing that can be constructed in anything that can ease that process is a, net positive. So I hope you, you all vote to approve that. And thank you. >> 71 is a pulled item. But as I indicated, if someone wishes to speak on that, even though it's been pulled. But item number 71 is the only one of the items that I have that has been pulled . >> Next speaker is Zenobia Joseph, speaking on four and 40. >> Thank you, mayor, council. [10:10:30 AM] >> Thank you, mayor, council. I'm Zenobia Joseph. Let me just preface mayor by saying specifically city government code chapter 551 .007 public testimony specifies a governmental body may not prohibit public criticism of the governmental body, including criticism of any act, omission, policy, procedure, or program or service. This subsection does not apply to public criticism that is otherwise prohibited by law. I would just ask you to put this item on the agenda so that we can better discuss how to make this process of remote speaking fair to all, especially with the donation of time as it relates specifically to your action item four, which is the 11 members for the project connect community advisory committee. I actually am in opposition to these items. This item, because of article 13 tax matters and dissolution Austin transit partnership as you are aware, is a section 500 and 1c3 antenna. Internal revenue code [10:11:31 AM] antenna. Internal revenue code specifies thatrillionegardless of any other provisions of these articles of incorporation. It specifies that the atp shall not direct any of its activities to attempting to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise. There are several members that you are nominating who actually testified in opposition to house bill 3899, which would actually violate your articles of incorporation. Specifically, Jay Crossley. And also, you had board members that did so as well. I would ask you to table this item and recognize that these individuals that you are nominating violate your articles of incorporation. And I have requested the irs to suspend or revoke atp 500 13c status as it relates specifically to the December 11th December 6th letter in your backup. And then I also am in opposition number 40, which is the Texas Rio grande legal aid, $900,000, because there is actually a fy 2022 audit from the Travis county commissioners [10:12:32 AM] the Travis county commissioners court. And they have actually not demonstrated an ability to disburse the funds. >> Thank you. Speaker. Your time has expired. Next speaker is Carmen Yanez speaking on 71. >> Hello, this is Carmen Yanez. Coming back to follow up around, some of these items that you all have mentioned, you would be introducing for a while. I'm glad that, the resolution is an updated and correct with some information from prior resolutions. Burns. Including those that we've been referencing. I am not aware yet of whether you all have placed an affordability requirement on this, but that, I think is very, very important. And without that , I don't think this should have displaced or affordability really anywhere in the whereases . This might make things cost less cost prohibitive for some people who have resources. I [10:13:33 AM] people who have resources. I think the replacement of down payment assistance, which didn't make any sense with hopefully some forgivable loan language is included again, that needs to have affordability requirements. But I also want to say I'm glad to see this getting looked at again so we can finally get it implemented. And in no way is this facilitated by the home initiative. And in no way does this absolve or immediately ameliorate the damage that has been done by the very, very problematic vote last Thursday. And I just want to make that absolutely clear, because I'm already seeing articles going out about tiny homes and all these wonderful things about ads and ads have been permitted on many single family lots. They are cost prohibitive. So I'm glad that we're looking at ways to make them less cost prohibitive to people who don't just have a whole bunch of capital or credit. Again, in no way does this absolve what has happened with the home initiative. And if it's going to have any impact on affordability or displacement, there needs to [10:14:34 AM] or displacement, there needs to be an affordability requirement tied to the incentives. Finally I hope that you all are taking into consideration the tax burden. I think it's problematic that uprooted is mentioned in the whereas around tax burden because as was pointed out to you all last week, homestead exemption is lost when you rent out an Adu except for the square footage under your property primary residence. So that is an increased tax burden. Massive. Thank you. >> Speaker. Your time has expired property. We're moving on to in-person. Speak ers. We've got bill bunch speaking on item 11 and 64. Alexander stranger registered to speak on 45 and 46 which have been withdrawn. Ofelia zapata, item 53. If your name has been called, please approach the podium. The remainder of the speakers. I'm [10:15:35 AM] remainder of the speakers. I'm sorry. Kai gray speaking on 72. All the other speakers are registered for item number 71, which has been pulled. If you would like to speak now, please approach the podium. Luis Acosta lugo Jane Ann, John Paul Haskins , Jeff Dickerson Ann Philip Maxwell and Janice Bookout. If you do not want to speak now, you can speak when the item is heard. >> Mr. Bunch, thank you. >> Mayor, council members, bill bunch, executive director, save our springs alliance. I'd like to again urge you to close down the tirz. On C home, as recommended by staff. So I want to support the staff on this. It's time to do that. And, I object to the reallocation of the money and the later item 64. I believe. That's not properly noticed. It's not telling people [10:16:36 AM] noticed. It's not telling people what you're going to do with that $12 million. It really should go through a normal budget process. And I'd like to use the remainder of my time very quickly on the Barton springs road bridge matter, since I won't be able to speak later on that. Certainly want to again urge you to send this to the boards and commissions historic landmark commission, environmental commission, parks board, before you take action. It makes no sense to wait and do that later as your staff is urging you after you've already told the staff to destroy and demolish our historic Barton springs road bridge and have the commissions then be left being told what to do, that's not how this advisory process works. It's the information you've been given is false. That bridge is in very good condition. The notice is legally deficient. It says nothing about it being a historic bridge. It says nothing about what the preliminary [10:17:36 AM] about what the preliminary engineering report is actually recommending, which is total demolition as I understand it, the report itself was never even published until late on Monday or no, late Tuesday. Actually no late Monday. It's 641 page PDF. There's no way anybody, including yourselves can consume that today. Please don't do this. It's the wrong thing. We need to be saving our historic bridges. Including this one. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Bunch. >> Sir, the items you've signed up to speak for have been withdrawn. Miss zapata, if you please, please go ahead and bring her up to the microphone. Okay. >> Good morning. Council mayor. Mr. Mayor, and, my name is Ofelia zapata. I am a community organizer with the Texas anti-poverty project. I'm here [10:18:36 AM] anti-poverty project. I'm here to speak on item number 53. The Smith employment program. I was one of the co-founders of the program over 25 years ago. It was created to reduce juvenile crime for our 1415 year Olds to have meaningful work experience working for the city and county. I am very grateful that it still is, that you are still investing in the program, an issue that has put a burden on the program is that now the city of Austin is requiring background checks on our 1415 year Olds. So therefore the city has not been able to place any students for 14 to 15 year Olds. And any city department. So I ask that you reconsider and remove that background check. By law, it is illegal to do background checks on our 1415 year Olds. There has not been any issue to mandate that change. And so I it is put a burden on our students not [10:19:39 AM] a burden on our students not being able to participate in any city department jobs at that age , and they can only work here because by law, they can't even work outside. So it was created again with the investment so that our students begin to understand the importance of their education by this work experience. So I hope that you will help make that change happen. I discovered that issue in 2015 when I was training youth at eastside memorial high school, and our students were not hired because they didn't have they couldn't get background check and checking with many attorneys at the local , state and national level. You can't do background checks on 1415 year Olds. So I ask you to please reconsider, remove that barrier so that the city can can invest in our youth and give them some meaningful experience. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Mayor. Yes, councilmember Fuentes, I want to thank trustee [10:20:40 AM] Fuentes, I want to thank trustee zapata for joining us today and for your comments. >> As you know, this is a program that I'm very proud to champion at the city level. And colleagues, I did ask a number of questions in the q&a back up through this program. Just last year, we had 633 students participate, and this is a partnership between the city and the county. I would like to ask staff if perhaps director Sturrup or acm hayden-howard or city manager, if you can get back to me on the concerns that trustee zapata raised around the background checks for 14 and 15 year Olds, that would be helpful. Yeah we heard miss zapata's concerns and we commit to reviewing that and thoroughly reviewing it and vetting it. >> And getting back to the mayor and council on that issue. >> Thank you. Thank you, thank you. Appreciate you being here again. Let me remind folks that if you have signs, the signs are supposed to be in the back of the room. If you're seated in these seats, you need to lower your signs. Please otherwise we'll have somebody ask you to move to the back, and I don't I really don't want to do that. I [10:21:42 AM] really don't want to do that. I want everybody to be able to participate as best they can. But if you have a sign up and I'm looking at somebody right now who is ignoring me, so we'll ask you to, to please move to the back of the room. Sir. Remind me your name. Yes. The two items that you've signed up to speak have been withdrawn. So you won't be recognized to speak . >> I still signed up to speak. It's my right to speak. And I have spoken. Well, you. >> I rules require that you speak on items that are specific on the agenda. >> Yesterday pulled the item when I signed up. It's almost like it was franchise speaking. >> Well, I'm sorry, I'm not going to argue with you. The items are not on the agenda and you have to sign up for specific items. >> If you don't want me to speak, you're literally disenfranchize me as a constituent, as I mean, I have look, I have a lawyer on standby. That's fine. I have no problem. >> I look forward to hearing from him. Thank you. [10:22:42 AM] from him. Thank you. >> Which items were pulled? >> I'm sorry. Yes, 45 and 46. >> Yeah. I signed up for it yesterday. I have the right to speak. Ridiculous no. You're disciplined. No. What? You can. You can drag me out of here. But I have every right to speak just as much as everybody else does under our rules. >> You sign up for specific items. Those items have been withdrawn. >> The item card. Because I didn't want me to speak. This is a legal I. I look forward to seeing you in court. All right. Sure. All right. Yeah. What did you just say it was about 45 minutes, 46 to, change the name of Barton springs. I wanted to change the name of Barton springs to the hunter Biden nature preserve to get rid of our racist legacy. Would you please see if disenfranchisement . That's what you're doing? >> We appreciate your being here for all the other speakers. >> If your name has been called and you wish to speak now, please approach the podium and state your name. >> Good morning, I'm Jason John Paul Haskins, former displaced Austin resident and affordable housing architect and advocate, [10:23:43 AM] housing architect and advocate, here to speak in favor of item 71, which I know has been pulled for later, but I have other obligations. Sure first, thank you for the efforts leading up to passing the first part of the home initiative last week. We know there are people ready to put that to good use. And thank you also for closing the potential loopholes that would have undone the intent. But we know that was just about legalizing options. And we know that there are still major obstacles to equitable access to those opportunity obstacles that go beyond zoning. And that we at the aia housing advocacy committee look forward to working with you to address in the next year. But item 71 represents a potential huge step in one of the most significant barriers equitable access to capital for low and moderate income households for repairs, preservation and expansion. There will need to be multiple options if this is going to work. Distrust of banks is more than justified as they persist in racist policies and behaviors and in the sin of usury, distrust of our city programs is justified given our history and our recent track record with affordable housing debacles, we need to explore multiple mechanisms and multiple options with multiple institutions [10:24:45 AM] with multiple institutions making them available, especially institutions with real track records of work, accountability and trust. In east Austin, we will be calling for the need to focus on long terme accountability and long terme affordability that also balances building equity. I think there are a lot of good opportunities and innovative financial models that we can implement, so I look forward to seeing where this exploration goes. Also, council member Poole's amendment points to an an important corollary equitable access to information on the dsd is a complete and utter failure. Dealing with professionals. Homeowners leave in tears routinely. Actually, I'm a professional. I leave in tears routinely. So having the idea of having folks who can shepherd processes through, to help these homeowners that I have seen suffer through the dsd processes is also hugely important. So we look forward to working with you in the next year to make home live up to its potential. Thank you. >> Thank you sir. >> That concludes all the, [10:25:46 AM] >> That concludes all the, speakers. Mayor >> Thank you. Members, we will now go to a vote on the consent agenda. But let me ask before we go to that vote, is there any other item on the consent agenda that a member would like to have pulled from the consent agenda? Is there any item that a member would like to be shown as abstaining from voting? Councilmember Allison alter I would like to be seen as abstaining on 74, please. >> And mayor, I'd like to be seen as abstaining from 40. >> All right. For the record, council member Allison will be shown as abstaining on item number 74. Councilmember Mckenzie Kelly will be shown as abstaining on item number 40. Are there any items a member would like to be shown as recusing themselves from voting on anyone wishing to be shown voting no. The chair intends to take this up as a matter of consent. A unanimous consent. Councilmember Allison alter I'd like to be shown voting no on 47. Council member Allison alter [10:26:47 AM] 47. Council member Allison alter will be shown voting no on item 47. Any other members wishing to be shown? Councilmember vela I'm sorry, I need to recuse on item 40. >> My wife works for Texas Rio grande legal aid. I filed a proper paperwork with the city clerk and, I will be, recusing on that item. >> Thank you. Sir all right. Any any other abstentions, recusals or. No votes? Yes. Councilmember Allison alter, I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor for item 100, which is council member vela's. >> Resolution to assist our employees who are dealing with immigration issues. And I'd like to be added as a co sponsor to item 68, which extends library access to the council member. Fuentes item. >> Thank you. Without objection. Council member Allison alter be shown as a co sponsor of item 100 and item 68. Are members. Is there any before I'll have remarks related to the consent agenda, but is there any further discussion before we go to a [10:27:48 AM] discussion before we go to a vote? Is there any objection to the adoption of the consent agenda other than what we've already, specifically identified ? Without objection, the consent agenda is adopted with council member Allison alter and being shown as abstaining on 74. Councilman Kelly being shown abstaining on item 40. Council member vela recusing himself on 40, and councilmember Allison alter being shown as voting no on item number 47, and council member Ryan alter off the dais. Members that will take us, to item number 71, and I'll recognize councilmember Velasquez. I'm sorry. We do want comments and that will actually work out beautifully because I apologize for that, folks. What we'll do is we'll have comments and then we'll go to the ahc board meeting, instead of item 71. We'll come back to that after the board meeting. And I do apologize. Councilmember [10:28:49 AM] do apologize. Councilmember Allison alter, you're recognized to speak briefly on the consent agenda as we voted. Thank you. >> First, I want to acknowledge the good work of our Austin economic development corporation together with our other staff on item nine as part of our cultural trust investments. This item will facilitate our investment in the Austin playhouse arts center project at 1717 east Anderson lane for capital construction of a new multi purpose two theater building and will secure long time tenancy for a long standing operating theater company that has been displaced many times in Austin. Also bring professional theater companies expertise to managing a new publicly accessible and affordable community arts facility which will serve as part of the Austin cultural trust. So congratulations on that. Very good work. I also want to acknowledge item 66, and celebrate the imminent approval of that item, which has authorized the city manager to apply for low interest loans from the Texas water development board's clean water state revolving fund for the [10:29:50 AM] revolving fund for the buttermilk creek water quality improvements project. These state funds allow us to access capital at a lower than market cost, which saves ratepayers money. We often criticize the state, so I want to make sure that we are applauding when they do something right as well. Item 47 is not a case where I'm going to applaud the state. This is, updates to a parkland dedication fees. I asked to be showing as voting no. This is a an item that relates to legislation that essentially took away our ability to provide easy access to parks across our city. This has been foisted on us by state legislature who are unaccountable to the people of Austin. This fee reduction will mean that parkland acquisition will be decimated. Projects like item 36, which is a purchase of parkland in district four and a park deficient area, are going to become that much harder. Because of the work of the state legislature to take over [10:30:52 AM] legislature to take over municipal control. So I'm not going to be able to support that . And I wanted to explain why I'm standing on item 74. I appreciate the work done by council member Kelly to bring this item forward. This is a vote on the candidates for the Williamson county, board. But I, I just don't feel casting an affirmative vote for their nomination when we have zero information about the candidates . >> Councilman. >> Thank you. Councilmember. Councilmember Kelly, you're recognized, followed by councilmember pool. Then councilmember qadri. >> Thank you, mayor and members, I'd like to highlight two items on this week's agenda that we just passed. First is item 51 to accept an appropriate grant funding from the U.S. Department of justice office of community oriented policing services for the city of Austin. Officer recruitment, retention, and workforce diversification project as as everyone in this city knows, we're dealing with historic vacancies of officers in our city needs. Officers now more than ever. This grant will [10:31:52 AM] more than ever. This grant will help our city navigate that crisis, and I'm thankful to support the item. Second, I'm happy to bring forward item 70, which directs the city manager to add enhanced drone regulations to our federal legislation agenda for the city as big as ours and with more large events coming to Austin, it is very important to be ahead of new technologies that impact the public safety of our residents and visitors. I'd like to thank my co sponsors, council member or I'm sorry, mayor pro tem Ellis, this is your last meeting as mayor pro tem. Council member Velasquez. And especially council member Ryan alter, whose team contributed to the resolution. I also want to thank APD's special events unit for bringing this issue to my attention and for looking out for us whether it's a marathon happening, acl or south by southwest. And I want to thank my colleagues who I worked with this week to incorporate multiple amendments into their items, including council member Fuentes, council member vela and council member Velasquez. With that, I yield back. >> Thank you. Councilmember councilmember pool. Council member qadri. Councilmember [10:32:53 AM] member qadri. Councilmember Fuentes and council member Harper Madison. >> Thanks, mayor. I have no comments. Thank you. >> Okay. Councilmember qadri sorry. >> I just want to quickly speak on item 61 and 64. For item 61, we had received a lot of feedback from the cherrywood neighborhood folks, and we want to make sure we explore making fuller, east west multimodal connection. That's 32nd street and I 35 instead of the turnaround being offered, I'd like to see that options explored in the design process. And it would be great to get feasibility on this back. By February when we revisit our priorities for I-35. Caption stitches. Additionally, I understand that txdot is phasing into construction south of holly street, and we're appreciative of the flexibility given to us when that when we might construct caps and stitches north of holly street. In our previous I-35 resolutions and comments, we brought up the need to explore a few other simple ped bike crossings that, Miller northwest greenway, mariposa [10:33:54 AM] northwest greenway, mariposa drive and saint Edwards drive. These simple ped bike connections would really improve east west connections across I-35 five. So I'd really like to see more about the feasibility of these connections and preliminary, prelim costs. By the time we revisit our priorities on caps and stitches, and I look forward to working with staff to see this through, since we've already provided this direction in previous resolutions. And then with item 64, I just want to quickly touch on that. When union pacific shuts its door, they see home. Tiff opens a window. While it's unfortunate we can't pursue the long planned bowie street underpass, it's exciting that we are able to use these funds to improve connections along the shoal creek trail. It bears repeating these improvements aren't just for one corner of downtown in the city. Home district is a major network of our urban trail network. The shoal creek trail, the butler trail, and the Lance Armstrong bikeway all cut, converge here. The staff recommendations, the staff recommended improvements [10:34:55 AM] staff recommended improvements will greatly improve mobility for people on bikes and scooters and foot, and also people in cars. So I just want to thank staff and to the advocates, including the shoal creek conservancy, for getting these projects funded and I can't wait to find opportunities to do more. >> Thank you. Thank you. Council member, council member. >> Fuentes and council member harper- madison. >> Thank you. Good morning colleagues. I'm super excited about item 68, which we just passed. This is all about eliminating barriers to our libraries. What we know is our libraries play such a key part in our communities. They are truly the heart of our communities. It's where our folks go to get access to books, information, Ann to digital materials where we have workforce development programs, where we have where we're able to bridge the digital divide. There's so many programs and key services that are offered at our libraries that we want to ensure that everyone in our area has access. And so I was really pleased to see the library commission issue this recommendation for us to remove the nonresident fee, which, believe it or not, is 120 bucks for people who live in the [10:35:55 AM] for people who live in the limited jurisdiction, who live in the etj portions of our city. And these are folks who work in Austin, who drive our streets, who go to our restaurants, who help contribute to what makes Austin Austin. They contribute to our economy and our culture and so we want to ensure that they also have access to our libraries. And so I want to thank my co-sponsors for their support on this item. Mayor pro tem Ellis, council member harper-madison Ann Velasquez Ryan alter, Allison alter, as well as thank you to councilmember Kelly and her team, as well as our library staff, our library commission, you know, today, I'm really proud that we're able to remove one more barrier to access. >> Thank you. Thank you. Council member, council member harper-madison followed by council member vela. >> I'd like to echo that applause from chambers. And this is a phenomenal consideration. And to your point about libraries being that that fixture in the community, I wholeheartedly agree. So thank you for your leadership. Thank you, mayor and council. I just wanted to highlight some of the [10:36:56 AM] wanted to highlight some of the items on our agenda, that the d1 team is excited about as we close out the year. Before I do that, though, I'd like to read into the record some direction for staff on item number six. Regarding the dac, the downtown Austin community court jurisdiction expansion. My office and I have already reviewed this direction with staff and legal and I believe that the entire dais will appreciate the direction. So staff is directed to return to city council in 60 days to report on the efficiency of the downtown Austin community court, citywide expansion and any suggested changes to the ordinance. And with that said, our office would also like to recognize the significance of the downtown Austin community court's expanded jurisdiction to include class C misdemeanors. This will allow more individuals who engage with the deck court services to benefit from on site case managers, which is really critical. Basic needs social service resources and community resource navigation services citywide. I'm looking forward to [10:37:58 AM] citywide. I'm looking forward to working with staff and with council colleagues as we develop a prioritization and phasing strategy for the I-35 cap and stitch elements. As Austin continues to grow and densify, we will have to have the stamina over the next decade and creativity to provide Austin with more accessible options for active transportation and lessen the congestion of cars on our roadways. I'm going to tell y'all a funny story this morning as we were on our way in, member of my staff and I, we looked over. We're crossing the overpass on 12th street to get into downtown. One of the things that we'd like to take into consideration as we are having the expansion conversation and caps and stitches, is I wholeheartedly support caps and stitches at 11th and 12th. And there were scooters parked right there on the overpass overlooking the bridge. And we just kind of scratched our heads and wondered where those people went and how they completed their journey. And it just got me really thinking about how [10:38:58 AM] me really thinking about how appropriate it it would be for those to be pedestrian access points and connection points between east and west, and east of I-35 and downtown Austin. So that said, lastly, I'd like to give a shout out to the economic development corporation, the Austin economic development corporation, edc and their effort for the Austin playhouse. I'll, echo the sentiments of council member alter, the arts center project. Our office is excited to continue to work with edc throughout this project, and we look forward to seeing the arts facility come to life and expanding gagement with the arts, especially with our northeast Austin community. So thank you again, staff. Thank you again, mayor and colleagues, for all of your work and getting some of these important items on the agenda before we move into the new year. I had wholeheartedly hoped to embark director truelove butts, but her eyes were already moist this morning during the press conference, so I'll leave her be and just leave that with with a big thank you. For myself and [10:40:00 AM] big thank you. For myself and other members of this body, we truly appreciate your contributions. Decades of contributions to our city and to city hall. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Council member. Councilmember Bella, I just wanted to highlight a couple of items on the agenda item 100 is an immigration item. >> The city has many employees, has a number of employees who have, different types of work permits, different types of statuses, which sometimes the federal government is not as efficient and as good as it should be in renewing work permits or renewing employment documents or different things like that. This item is designed to give our employees as much flexibility as possible. Whenever there are problems, and to potentially even facilitate, their long terme legal permanent residency in the United States. [10:41:00 AM] residency in the United States. I'm excited to pass it, and hopefully it will help a lot of, folks that have DACA and other similar temporary statuses. I also wanted to highlight item 36. We the city is buying, small, two lots in Windsor park to create a new pocket park in an area close to a minor in Rainey that, badly needs some recreational activities. It's going to be a while, I'm sure, before we actually get the park, but buying the land is an important, first step. And lastly, I want to echo, councilmember harper- madison comments about the downtown Austin community court. I'm very glad to see the jurisdiction expand citywide. This has been effective program. I also want to congratulate them on receiving a their selection by the U.S department of justice as one of only ten cities to be a criminal justice mental health learning site, meaning that other cities are going to come [10:42:01 AM] other cities are going to come and see how the downtown Austin community court operates. And we're also going to go to other cities and see how they're similar. Mental health diversion . Courts operate. It's been successful with regard to class C misdemeanors in the downtown area. It's being expanded to handle similar types of behavioral classy, misdemeanors citywide. And, I would like to potentially look at dealing with some of the class B and class a misdemeanors as well. Expanding its mission to help address some of the other, mental health related criminal justice issues that we find in downtown. So congratulations to the downtown Austin community court, and best wishes to them as they help us ensure the, the public safety. >> Thank you. Council member, member tirz. With that and the completion of the consent agenda , without objection, we will recess the meeting of the Austin city council at 10:42 A.M. [10:48:05 AM] I'll call back. Thank you. Sir, I will call back to order the meeting of the Austin city council, for its regular scheduled meeting. It is 10:48 A.M, and I will recognize council member Velasquez is on item number 71. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> So item 71 looks to develop funding that provides assistance to people with low and moderate incomes, develop communications and marketing to target people with low or moderate incomes, consider impacts to water and electric city based on increased housing density. Look at a grant to help build Singh 80 use to pay city fees for things like plumbing, electric lines, electrical lines, etc. And explore those who receive financial. Excuse me, explore [10:49:05 AM] financial. Excuse me, explore excluding those who receive financial assistance from being able, to operate a short tum rental to ensure that units built are providing long terme affordable housing. And I also have an amendment to that. >> Yes, yes. Members, the way we're going to proceed is he's laid out the ordinance or the proposal. What I'm going to do is, ask for speakers. I will tell you, we have two proposed amendments, so you might want to get those in front of you. One is a proposed amendment that's labeled most on sheet number one, version one for council member Jose Velasquez. And the second is a proposed amendment by council member pool. That's identified as as a motion sheet was simply, being from her. So I'll turn to the clerk and ask if there's anyone signed up to speak that is not already spoken on item number 71. >> There are a few speakers. Luis osta lugo, Jeff Dickerson, [10:50:07 AM] Luis osta lugo, Jeff Dickerson, felicity Maxwell, and Janice Bookout. If your name has been called, please approach the podium and state your name. Thank you. >> Good morning. Full city Maxwell d5 resident and or a board member. Thank you to council members of the eastern crescent for bringing item 71 as a much needed follow on to home. We are delighted to see the collaboration between districts one, two, three and four and the focus on us excessive access to affordable housing. As a housing advocate, I can personally attest to the byzantine rules and regulations in the various city of Austin housing programs. We sincerely hope that this resolution is a first step in both clarifying these various programs, as well as making them more accessible and easy to understand, and as well as an exciting start to potential new programs that will directly support the home initiative. As passed last week by city council. We urge your support of this item. Finally, we would like to take a moment to recognize the efforts of director Rosie truelove with her many years of service to the city and housing issues. [10:51:08 AM] city and housing issues. Specifically, your efforts are deeply appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay all the speakers have been called mayor. Thank you very much. Members, I will recognize council member Velasquez for a motion on item number 71. Thank you. >> Mayor, I need to amend this, motion. After speaking with staff, I want to amend my motion. >> Let's get a motion on the floor, and then we'll come. >> I'll come back to you. Councilmember Velasquez moves adoption of item number 71 is seconded by councilman pool. Council member Velasquez, you're recognized for a proposed amendment to item number 71. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. After speaking with staff, I want to amend my motion. One to replace January 18th to March. This will give staff more time to provide a comprehensive update about, past council resolutions. >> Members, you have have a, motion sheet that indicates version one. And I'm going to [10:52:09 AM] version one. And I'm going to read this into the record to make sure that we have it, complete, because there's the motion to amend that was just made by council member Velasquez . Differs from the motion that that was handed out. He moves to amend the revised resolution at line 57 to read, be it further resolved, the city manager's directed to come back to council by March 18th, 2020 for Shaw with updates on progress made on resolutions two, zero two, 11209. Dash 064. And 20200409. Dash 080 that were passed by previous councils and explore how they can be incorporated and or complement this latest direction. To explore financial tools. Do I have that right? Councilmember yes, sir. Is there a second to the motion to amend? Seconded by councilmember vela. Members discussion will be on the motion to amend as read into the record. Is there any discussion? Without objection, the motion to amend is adopted, [10:53:10 AM] the motion to amend is adopted, with council member Ryan alter being absent. I'll now recognize councilmember pool on a motion to amend item number 71, as amended. >> Thanks, mayor. My motion, is to direct the city manager to create and staff an ombudsman position to assist applicants with the program. For example, navigating the permitting process. >> Is there a second to the motion? Seconded by councilmember Fuentes, is there discussion on council member pool's motion to amend item number 71? Without objection? Item the motion to amend by councilman pool is adopted with council member Ryan alter being absent. Members that will take us back to the main motion, which is to adopt item number 71 as it has now been amended. Councilmember Velasquez. I'll recognize you to close. Councilmember Kelly has something she wants to say. >> If it's okay. >> Sure. Fast >> I just wanted to thank council member Velasquez for bringing this forward and for [10:54:10 AM] bringing this forward and for taking into consideration the amendments that I suggested. Related to community input and partnerships with nonprofits. I'm very appreciative that you incorporated those into a version two so that we could sail through this morning. Could I please be added as a co-sponsor to this resolution? >> Without objection. Council member Kelly will be shown as a co sponsor. I was going to say this after. Thank you. But but I'll also add indicate that councilmember Ryan alter indicated he wanted to be shown as a co sponsor and without objection, council member Ryan alter will also be shown as a co sponsor. Councilmember qadri I'll make it really quick. >> I'd also like to be a co-sponsor. So please and thank you. >> Objection. Council member qadri will be shown as a co-sponsor of item number 71. Councilmember Velasquez, I'll recognize you to close. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So I am, ending the year. How I started by continuing to push for affordable housing measures while working to prevent displacement. My very first item on this dais was to move more than two acres of city owned [10:55:10 AM] than two acres of city owned land into affordable housing. I am very proud of the work this dais has accomplished, and the sense of urgency we've moved to create more affordable make Austin more affordable for all. This is an ongoing effort and I will continue to advocating for collaborative and innovative solutions to Austin's affordability crisis because our city needs us as next steps in a series of measures. I'm working on to bring affordable and affordable housing and accessibility to Austin and address concerns from low to moderate income people. I'm bringing forward two items today. We passed the other one on on consent earlier. That work towards creating more equitable opportunities for all folks to continue living in their neighborhoods that they grew up in, to live where they work and to keep families together. Item 71 aims to offer financial support to lower and middle income people who want to build an additional housing unit on their property, while ensuring we create a process of working with our partners to engage and inform the community, with the [10:56:11 AM] inform the community, with the goal of reaching the people that need it most. And item 101 supports a deeply affordable housing project that will bring 156 new units on two acres of land at Chalmers courts by helping to remove construction roadblocks and delays. This will bring the total number of affordable units at Chalmers to 398. I have a special thank you to former, mayor pro tem tovo for her efforts and insights on this issue. I want to thank my sponsors and people that have been asked to be added as co sponsors, council members vela Fuentes, harper-madison, alter, a alter. I mean, I'm sorry, Ryan alter Kelly qadri and pool for their collaboration and support. And I would like to thank my team, Victoria hall and Lisette Melendez for all the, their work on this item. Thank you. >> Thank you. Members without objection. Item number 71, as amended, is adopted. With [10:57:12 AM] amended, is adopted. With councilmember Ryan alter being absent. Congratulations. Councilmember Velasquez. Members that will take us to the public hearing items, items 78 and 79. I believe earlier I mentioned item 102 is an item from council committee, but item 102 has been, postponed until January. So that will take us to, item 78 and 79, and I'll recognize the first bring up, item number 78 and ask staff to make a presentation on. >> Good morning. >> Council members Erica leek, planning department item 78 is to conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending city code title 25 to allow applicants to apply for amendments to stationary plans at any time. >> Thank you. Anybody have questions of staff without objection, we'll open the public hearing on item number 78, and [10:58:13 AM] hearing on item number 78, and I'll turn to the city clerk to, let us know if people have signed up to speak. >> We have speakers for 78, 79 and 102. >> Felicity Maxwell speaking on 78. Bill bunch on 79. Tom cam, 79, Brenda bellochio 79. Roy Whaley on 79. And Rachel Melendez on 102. If you're 102 has been postponed until January, so if you signed up on 102, there's not a need to talk about it right now because we're calling those that way. >> Without objection, I'll also open the public hearing on item number 79. Do we need to have a presentation from. Hang on. I apologize to you. Do we have a staff person? We don't need a presentation that presentation was made. Members at the work session on Tuesday. So, miss Maxwell, I apologize. While we [10:59:14 AM] Maxwell, I apologize. While we get our house in order, but we now have a public hearing opened on 78 and 79. >> Hi. Felicity Maxwell, a resident of d5 Harris resident. I'm here to speak in support of item 79. Related to the replacement of the Barton springs road bridge. First, I'd like to thank staff for the extensive work they've done on this project, as well as council members, including former council member Ann kitchen, who alongside mayor pro tem Ellis have worked for over ten years to move forward this critical safety project. The new pedestrian bike upgrades made possible by this replacement bridge are transformative and will have a huge impact on safe access to the jewel of our city, zilker park. In addition, for those of us who use ac Morton road every day, this bridge replacement will allow a much needed road realignment, allowing better flow of traffic and safety upgrades, and hopefully allow some Austin high students to actually arrive at school on time. Residents of Austin, widely supported the funding for Barton springs bridge, as part of the active mobility bond, and myself and numerous other zilker residents are eager to see this project move forward and receive full [11:00:15 AM] move forward and receive full bond funding in the future. Thank you again and particular thanks to mayor pro tem Ellis in this, her last meeting as mayor pro tem. We appreciate your tireless efforts to make zilker park and the surrounding areas the very best it can be for the city. >> Thank you. >> Okay, if your name has been called, please approach the podium. >> That concludes all the speakers. Mayor. >> Thank you. Madam clerk members, without objection, we will close the public hearing on items number 78 and 79. On item number 78, I'll entertain a motion to approve item number 78. Made by a motion to approve is made by the council member harper-madison, seconded by council member vela. Discussion on item number 78. Yes councilmember vela, I just want to thank staff is a very simple item. >> It just removes the time restriction, for when to file stationary plans. Again part of [11:01:16 AM] stationary plans. Again part of our ongoing effort to simplify and streamline the, the land development code whenever we can. Again appreciate their effort. >> Thank you. Council member. Any further discussion? Without objection. Item number 78 is adopted with councilmember Allison alter off the dais and council member Ryan alter absent. We'll go to item number 79. The public hearing has been closed. Chair, entertain mayor pro tem moves. Approval of item number 79. Is there a second to the motion? Seconded by council member vela. Discussion mayor pro tem I just wanted to say a few comments quickly. >> I know there's been some discussion about this over the past couple of months, and I appreciate staff's delay in working on this project for probably over ten years. At this point, at least. It's been on my radar for eight years. There's definitely some safety and mobility improvements that are needed. I appreciate everyone's perspective and trying to make sure that this bridge is not only visually appealing, but adds to the esthetic of zilker park, which we all know and love [11:02:16 AM] park, which we all know and love very much. But there are some very important mobility improvements that are needed. And right now, between our transportation and public works staff and vision zero program, there's some great mobility improvements on either end of this bridge, allowing for pedestrian bike connectivity and for the capmetro 30 route to be able to allow people to access the park safely. So I'm excited that this bridge is going to be a part of that conversation and that staff hopefully can move forward with the same level of care and understanding that they always have. Thank you, mayor pro tem. >> Further discussion. Without objection. Motion has been made and seconded to approve item number 79. Without objection, on item number 79 is approved Ed with councilmember Ryan alter being absent and councilmember Allison alter being off the dais. Members that concludes all of the items we have on our agenda until our noon time. Certain, which is for public comment, which will be then followed by live music and after [11:03:17 AM] followed by live music and after that we will have the 2:00 time certain with regard to zoning. So without objection, the Austin city council meeting is in recess until 12:00 noon. It is 11:03 A.M. Thanks everybody good afternoon everybody. I will [12:00:06 PM] good afternoon everybody. I will call back to order the regular meeting of the Austin city council. It is still December 14th, 2023, and we are meeting at 12:00 pm and have a quorum of council members present members? Earlier there was an item. It was council member Velasquez item. Item number 71. And I had received notice that council member Ryan alter wished to be shown as a sponsor of that. And I indicated that however you can't be absent and then be shown as a sponsor. So I wanted to correct that on the record that he is unable to be shown as a sponsor, even though he obviously was supportive of that item. Members that will take us to our 12:00 time certain, which is public communication, and I will turn to the city clerk, to help us navigate that Shaw. >> And the first speaker is Ahmad Ahmed. On deck is mansoor mala. [12:01:07 PM] mala. >> As you come forward, let me feel free to do whatever you were going to do. Let me remind everybody, of the instructions I indicated earlier with regard to, any public communication Ann. I'll try to remind folks if, if it gets violated in one way or another, but I'm anticipating we'll be able to have this sort of public comment without, being in a situation where the rules get violated. So thank you, sir, for being here. And it's all yours. >> Thank you. And I'll ask you to play my friend Russia's video. >> Mayor Watson and council members, I'm pleading for you to pass a resolution calling for a cease fire in the Middle East. My name is Rashida al-fayyumi. I'm proud. Austinite a first time mother to a five month old baby boy named Adam and the wife to my great husband, bahaa Khalil. I was born and raised in the gaza strip in palestine and experienced multiple wars throughout my life there. Although I still carry my trauma with me, I am grateful for the life I have built here. It is [12:02:08 PM] life I have built here. It is full of safety, warmth and love, but every day it becomes more and more difficult to go through life knowing that my family is suffering through the worst humanitarian crisis Garza has ever seen. Due to the recent war in gaza, my family has been displaced several times and were recently separated, losing complete contact from one another. My nieces and nephews are not only physically sick due to the contaminated drinking water, they are emotionally and physically exhausted from the horrors they have witnessed and they barely eating a single meal of that. My 70 year old mother is unable to find medication for her heart condition, which will become deadly for her in a few weeks time. A few days ago, my 12 year old nephew time and his friend were hit by shrapnel from an explosive while searching for food and water. The shrapnel is lodged in my nephew's skull and he is in need for surgery. One [12:03:08 PM] he is in need for surgery. One he cannot obtain at the remaining overcrowded hospitals due to a shortage of supplies and staff. His friend was left permanently blind after the shrapnel tore through his face. About a month ago, I lost my first cousin, zeina, along with 11 of her family members that consists of her husband, children, grandchildren and in-laws. They were all taken shelter at xana's house when they were all murdered in an Israeli airstrike. People were only able to get four bodies out from under the rubble, while the rest are still missing. My family and the people of gaza are not only living through the dangers of war, but they are also slowly starving to death, suffering crippling diseases from a lack of sanity, and do not have access to basic healthcare. This is an extreme humanitarian crisis. I implore the council to pass a cease fire resolution. Immediate plea to [12:04:09 PM] resolution. Immediate plea to pressure our politics in Washington, D.C. Before it is too late for my family and 2 million other innocent civilians . Thank you. >> I'll ask you to stand as I conclude here. >> There are thousands of other austinites, your constituents, who have similarly been affected by Israeli brutality. Council members Fuentes Velasquez and qadri, thank you so much for calling for a ceasefire. In your statement, this morning. I urge the other eight of you to join them before it's too late for families like Russia's. >> Thank you sir. Next speaker. Is mansoor Marla on deck is Layla debakey. Please, please come to the microphone. If your name has been called, please come to the microphone and begin . >> Hello. My name is doctor Munzer Marla, and I'm speaking [12:05:11 PM] Munzer Marla, and I'm speaking today on behalf of myself. I'm a neurologist who specializes in strokes and brain bleeds, and I have served this community for nine years. I come here today to ask the city council. Austin city council, to call for a ceasefire. The systemic attack on the hospitals and health care system in gaza is absolutely terrifying. The attack of hospitals should never be permissible, and we must allow much needed health care services to be provided to the innocent people of gaza. I have cared for patients of all types old, young, healthy, sick, and some ultimately. Have passed under my care. This happens to everybody who practices in medicine, but at least my patients had care. They they had a chance to get better. They had a place to go. This is not the case in gaza, where the hospitals are depleted of their resources and or ultimately shut down with the barrage of attacks. I was on the front line during the covid pandemic. My biggest concern was not having enough ppe in gaza, doctors are working with airstrikes in the hospital courtyard. Sometimes they and their entire families are [12:06:13 PM] their entire families are targeted. They're performing surgery without an idea, using their cell phone for lighting workers avoid the wind or windows so they aren't shot at by snipers. Premature babies were kept warm with blankets and towels because there is no power for their incubators. There is no fuel, no clean water, no antibiotics. So they clean wounds with chloride. This situation there is so catastrophic that doctors have to make impossible choices, ones that I can't fathom who gets treatment, who doesn't, who gets antibiotics, who doesn't, which wounds get treated, who gets pain medication? Whom to save and whom to let die in one instance, hospital staff were forced to abandon premature babies because they were unable to be evacuated, only to come back days later to see their decomposing bodies. I was incredibly saddened to hear that the most common terms used in gaza is WTXF wounded child. No surviving family, a firm that has not existed before this conflict. Sadly this is just the [12:07:13 PM] conflict. Sadly this is just the beginning of their health care disaster. With untreated wounds and unsanitary conditions, this will lead to widespread disease and infection and leave thousands of people with long time disability and pain. They don't have rehab centers or nursing homes to get better. The children don't even have family to help. Watch over them. I have had conversations with many of my colleagues here in Austin. People of different races, races, religions, genders and specialties. We all dedicated our lives to help others, as did our fellow health care workers in gaza. It saddens and terrifies me to see that what they are going through. I asked the city of Austin calls for a cease fire to show support, not just for the courageous health care workers in gaza, but for the doctors, physicians, nurses and technicians who serve the city of Austin. When our city council representatives call for a cease fire, this sends a message to the Austin health care community that the targeting of hospital infrastructure and health care workers is never acceptable. Thank you. Thank you. >> Layla debakey. On deck is [12:08:14 PM] >> Layla debakey. On deck is azra Siddiqui. >> Support calls for an immediate cease fire. I do not support calls for an immediate cease fire. In domine Alma. Schmalbach you do not support calls for an immediate cease fire. >> Allowing the killing of children. This is a war on children. We do not support calls for an immediate cease fire. >> Thank you everyone. [12:09:23 PM] >> Thank you everyone. >> My name is Layla dabek. I'm a Palestinian and an American. The video you just saw is where the us was the only nation to veto a cease fire resolution presented by the un, where 153 countries his agreed to it. Janet Yellen stated that the U.S. Can certainly afford wars on two fronts. This is not a war. This is a genocide. In under two months, over 20,000 civilians have been bombed and murdered, of which 77 zero 70% are women and children. This is unprecedented in all of the wars in history, in all of the genocide in history, the U.S. Offers our hard earned tax payer funds, our hard earned money to fund this so-called war. Instead of supporting our people here in [12:10:24 PM] of supporting our people here in the U.S. We choose to send our money to murder people in another place. We don't support our veterans. We don't support our housing needs. We have people on the streets and children that go to school hungry. This is a lose lose situation and it is not sustainable. Mayor Watson, on October 9th, you made this a local issue. You offered your support to Israel and that's absolutely fine. But you did not offer the same for the Palestinian community or the Palestinian people. The Arab community here feels very segregated and let down. And I'm sorry that this is happening because in Austin we are supposed to be Progressive and inclusive of. Millions of new ears and eyes are now coming to the israel-palestine discourse. Peace pool that care deeply about the sanctity of human life. People that are deeply [12:11:25 PM] life. People that are deeply disturbed by the unimaginable scale of this human suffering, people that are coming to understand how deeply toxic and insidious the them versus us is. Thank you. Please humanity. >> First, your time. >> Ceasefire now. >> Thank you. >> Asra Siddiqui on deck is Sarah. Bonnie. >> I am asra Siddiqui and I urge the Austin city council to pass a ceasefire resolution. While some may argue that this is a federal matter, I firmly believe that the local resolution can be crucial in pressuring the federal government to act. In the past 70 days, I've witnessed a devastating impact of war on innocent civilians in gaza. Both of my parents experienced the horrors of war, and their traumatic stories resonate with the images I see today. The heartbreaking scenes of families leaving their homes and children caught in the crossfire remind [12:12:25 PM] caught in the crossfire remind me of my own family's experiences during the partition of India in 1947, where close to 3 million people died. The image you see of the mother carrying her two sons and leaving her house behind with little hope of return, reminds me of my grandmother when she fled her house with only the clothes on her back, carrying my dad and uncle, who have similar ages as the boys in the picture, to make the long journey to Pakistan. Neither of my parents were able to go back to visit their childhood homes after the wars and left everything behind. My family's story is not an anomaly in south Asia. Our community, deeply scarred by the consequences of war, understands the profound and lasting effects of such conflicts. The wounds are passed down from generation to generation, emphasizing the importance of preventing the mass killing of civilians. As a mother, I can't help but cry every day as I witness the tragic fate of children in gaza. When someone opposes a cease fire, it says that the means justifies the end. It implies that the lives of Palestinian children matter less. This sentiment also suggests that the lives of my own daughters, who resemble the children of gaza, are somehow less valuable. While we rightfully acknowledge the [12:13:26 PM] we rightfully acknowledge the pain and trauma, the jewish community in the aftermath of October seventh, it is essential to recognize our community grief as well. Is our community not allowed to mourn when we see thousands of dead children? Those children did not kidnap the hostages, did not vote for hamas and our beautiful souls calling for a cease fire is not about taking sides, but acknowledging the suffering on both ends, ending the violence and working towards a lasting peace. My personal experience with loss became even more profound after my father's passing a little over a year ago . Reflecting on his peaceful departure, I realized the grace we had in mourning him. This starkly contrasts with the reality in gaza, where families face the unimaginable task of burying their dead amidst constant danger. In gaza, people bury their loved ones swiftly, often in mass graves, with no time for proper mourning. Some have to find the multiple body parts of their family members. Some are the lost last ones in their family burying all their family members wounded children, orphaned and without surviving family, endure immense suffering . It's a heartbreaking situation that demands urgent attention. During my darkest moments, I [12:14:28 PM] During my darkest moments, I find solace in imagining my father welcoming the innocent souls of gaza's children at the Gates of heaven with a look of understanding, because he too, was a child of war. But then I know my dad looks at those children with profound sadness because despite the wars, my dad got to live a life over 10,000 children of gaza didn't. In urging the Austin city council to pass a cease fire resolution, we are not only standing against the loss of innocent lives, but also advocating for empathy, understanding and a collective pursuit of lasting peace. Thank you. Thank you. >> Sarah bhawani. On deck is haitham el sabri. >> Hello, Austin city council members and mayor Watson. My name is Sarah bhawani and I was one of those granted three minutes to speak. However, none of the members of jewish voice for peace received time, so I will be speaking on behalf of jvp representative Elaine Cohen. Elaine, will you please stand? She says first, thank you to Sarah. Thank you to Sarah for [12:15:30 PM] Sarah. Thank you to Sarah for sharing her spot with me. One of the many lies in popular culture is that muslims and Jews are enemies and can't work together. Not true. She understood the importance of an anti zionist Jew to speak alongside her Muslim, Arab and Palestinian friends and co-organizers. I am here to say unequivocally the anti zionism is not anti-semitic . I am. Not not all Jews in Austin support the militaristic apartheid government in Israel. As you can see here by the photo of one of the many events where hundreds of Jews have protested the continued support of the us government to the Israeli military. Many Jews are horrified at the bombing of hospitals and schools they know that the targeting of a civilian population is a clear violation of international law. While there are many who have sought to focus on the loss of jewish lives at the hands of hamas, they ignore the over 75 years of occupation and displacement Palestinians have suffered from the Israeli military. This story did not begin on October seventh. We are here to protest the brutal response of the [12:16:30 PM] the brutal response of the Israeli state upon the civilian population of gaza and the passivity of the world in allowing this aggression to continue for over two months. While the U.S. Continues to put brakes on the pleas for ceasefire, there collaborator and the weapons industry make obscene profits over the destruction of gaza. When the U.S. Government gives millions and billions to Israel, never forget that that money is going right back to the U.S, into the pockets of those that make the planes tanks and bombs destroying gaza. One must ask why all our tax dollars are going to destruction in gaza. It is time to ask the uncomfortable questions of our elected officials. Why the war on Palestinians? Who benefits? What are the real reasons for allowing Israel's impunity? What will it take for this genocidal war to end? Cease fire now that is the end of Elaine's statement. And in the minute left I will add this again. My name is Sarah bhawani. I'm a licensed clinical social worker, and as a practicing mental health professional, I wish our government understood basic psychology and mental health and the ripple effect this genocide will have for generations to [12:17:31 PM] will have for generations to come. I'm convinced they do, but they choose to ignore it. Nearly 25,000 surviving children in gaza have lost one or both parents in the last two months. Let me repeat that nearly 25,000 children in gaza have lost one or both. Parents often right before their eyes. It is naive and ignorant to think this will not lead to a desire for resistance or revenge, and that the U.S. Directly supplying the weapons and confidence to the Israeli military will not come back to bite us. We can argue this is not a local issue all we want, but this impacts every single one of us from our tax dollars down to our future as a country. Many are too afraid to stand on the right side of history, but you all don't have to be. U.S. Cities that have passed cease fire resolutions include Atlanta, Georgia. Akron, Ohio. Wilmington Delaware. Please pass the cease fire resolution now. Thank you. >> Next speaker is haitham al-jabri. On deck is had natsheh. >> Good day. Esteemed council members. My name is haitham [12:18:33 PM] members. My name is haitham al-jabri. I am a Palestinian American small business owner who has proudly called Austin home for the past 15 years. I am speaking on behalf of myself regarding the human rights commission's recommendation for a cease fire resolution. As a Palestinian American, it pains me to see my people in gaza experiencing a genocide that is funded by our tax dollars and entire captive population of 2.3 million. The majority of whom are children, has been carpet bombed despite placed and deprived of the most basic life necessities for two months and counting, 78% of austinites want this to stop, and we are seeing a continuous rise in the calls for an immediate cease fire. Unfortunately this public sentiment is not reflected in our government, whether at the federal, state or city levels. Many Palestinian Americans, [12:19:34 PM] Many Palestinian Americans, myself included, feel that this inaction from the city leaves us vulnerable, subject to discriminate and harassment and is exemplified in a video that I shared. I don't know if they're able to play it. Is the video ready for might? Okay, I think there was a problem with it because it's a it shows it had obscenity in it. >> I'm sorry. It had obscenities in it. >> So it shows Israeli soldiers, being abusive towards Palestinian students at UT. >> And they cussed them out. That's why the video, I guess, is censored. As you can see, this is this is how the global becomes local. These Israelis feel empowered to bully Palestinians because they've noticed a double standard that is very hard to miss. This double standard results in [12:20:34 PM] double standard results in serious incidents locally, like people getting shot or stabbed or disrespected simply because they are of palestine descent or Arab looking, or hijabi wearing. When the teaching assistants get fired at UT because of offering mental support to affected students, it is a local issue when state employees are required to pledge that they will not boycott Israel. It is a local issue when so many of your constituents are affected. It is very much a local issue. I understand that there is a political price for any choice and there are powerful donors on the other side, but at the end of the day, the question is, will you take a courageous stand against genocide? Or do you prioritize the wishes of your bigger donors? My community expects you to do the right thing and as long as innocent children in gaza continue to suffer, we will continue speaking up for them. Thank you. Thank you, hatem Naji, following Daniella silva. [12:21:38 PM] Daniella silva. >> Mr. Mayor, council members. Good afternoon. My name is hatem. I'm a proud Palestinian American. Austinite. I reside in mayor pro-tem district eight. What you're seeing here in the monitor, it's without a voice. It is my wife. Cousins. They were surrounded by Israeli occupation forces tanks. Three of them are obgyn specialists, two of the doctors were killed. One of the doctors, doctor raed Mahdi, his wife and his seven children were murdered by Israeli occupation forces. The other doctor, Bassil Mahdi, was killed as well. Doctor Mahdi Mahdi, still in danger in gaza right now. Let me continue with my remarks. I'm here today to ask you for your support for cease fire. I ask you to honor the resolution from your own human rights commission, calling for a cease fire. I'm here to [12:22:39 PM] for a cease fire. I'm here to ask you to listen to the people of Austin who came out in the tens of thousands, and I did not see any of you on November 12th to rally and call for a cease fire. There were there were young people, all there, people, families, families with children, people from the Austin Arab community, people from Austin jewish community, people of color, peacefully asking our elected leaders to stand for cease fire. The people that day were speaking to you, begging you, our elected represent tentative to join other cities and other leaders calling for a cease fire, calling for a cease fire is a local issue. We expect our city council to listen to the voice of the voters and act accordingly. Carry out, carry out the will of the electorate and don't let your person [12:23:40 PM] and don't let your person preferences trump the voices of majority of austinites. You are Austin voices. Listen to the people of Austin. Listen to those who elected you to be their voice and support them in calling for a cease fire. These voices are those of our community members who will remember you in the next election cycle. Who will remember you in the next election cycle, and don't let them down. For the last four years, I have proudly called Austin home. My home. I've always been proud of our city and our community for being at the forefront front of communities that dare to take the initiative to promote equality and harmony while combating discrimination and hate of all kinds. Our our beloved city has always [12:24:43 PM] beloved city has always welcomed, welcomed everyone regardless of their race, economic styles, faith and lifestyle. I call you upon you to pass ceasefire resolution. >> Thank you sir. >> Daniella silva. On deck is Zaki Sade. >> Good afternoon, city council. My name is Daniella silva. I'm a resident of district three. Austin does not exist in a bubble or a vacuum. Austin policies do not exist in a bubble or a vacuum. You may think that what we are here for today is not a local issue, but local issues are interconnected with state, federal, and global issues. A state department article highlights the importance of local leaders engaging in international matters and in fact, are working to find ways to expand American municipalities capacity for international engagement. As a city, we have an economic [12:25:43 PM] city, we have an economic relationship with Amsterdam and a sister city in saltillo, Mexico. This month, Travis county commissioner Shea was at the un climate conference in dubai in 1998. The city of Austin signed a resolution urging congress to schedule a congressional vote on the us Puerto Rico political status act that would provide the people of Puerto Rico the opportunity to choose their future political status. In 2003, the city of Austin passed a resolution calling on the federal government to continue working through the un security council towards a diplomatic resolution that brings disarmament in Iraq. In 2021, the city of Austin urged congress to fully pass the various federal acts in order to reform our country's immigration system. There is precedent for you, council to write a resolution urging congress to act on federal and foreign affairs. All aforementioned items were clearly local issues, as is a cease fire resolution for all these reasons, but [12:26:44 PM] for all these reasons, but mainly because we, the people you represent, are telling you that it is. We may not be as well funded or as well resourced or as powerful as zionists, but where one austinite stands here today in support of a cease fire resolution, there are at least ten others who couldn't be here today but had to work or have kids, or have other life reasons that keep someone from being privileged enough to take the time on a Thursday morning to be here. But we are here and we are begging, imploring, demanding you do what's in your power as a local government to put pressure on our congress people to sign a cease fire by adopting our own un resolution, just like ten other cities in the U.S. Have done already. Every single minute we delay this action, Palestinians are dying by bombs, disease or starvation. Toddlers are sitting in horribly over crowded hospitals shaking with shock from having been pulled out from underneath rubble in tire. Bloodlines have been [12:27:46 PM] tire. Bloodlines have been erased from the face of the Earth. There is something you, Kirk Natasha Vanessa Jose chito Ryan Mackenzie Leslie Paige Allison zo. You can do and you must, if for no other reason but to know that you won't have to take this up with god when your time comes to leave this Earth. I pray you never have to experience death the way thousands of Palestinians have. Adopt a cease fire resolution. It is the very least you can do. Thank you Zack E Sade and on deck is Shanice brim. >> Welcome, sir. Hello >> My name is Zach Sade. I'm a proud austinite, born and raised. I went to Round Rock ISD in Leander ISD, graduated from vista ridge high school. My dad owned a marrakesh cafe and grill on ninth street back in the day. I really am a proud, proud to say I'm an austinite. I went to saint Elias orthodox church on [12:28:47 PM] saint Elias orthodox church on 11th street. They have the mediterranean festival every year. I'm not sure if you all have heard of it. I'm here because my community is hurting and that's honestly an understatement. For the first time ever, the city of Bethlehem will not celebrate Christmas. My family, my friends will not celebrate Christmas. The original nativity scene, the literal birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem, had rubble as a form of protest with a little baby Jesus. This to reach. To reach this point requires an extreme sense of desperation. The Christian community, as well as the jewish and Muslim community in palestine, is deeply, deeply impacted now, Yahoo and his government have truly just desecrated us, and it's clear in almost every way Netanyahu and his government are wrong and are in the wrong in almost every way. Narrative control, censorship, doxing. It's abundant and it's crushing. It's honestly agonizing from for [12:29:49 PM] honestly agonizing from for every single person here. I could probably speak for most of the Palestinians in this room. 75 years of narrative control. And now, finally, the truth came up for air. But it hasn't stopped. These big interests have doubled down on their extreme, suffocating suppression of information with Netanyahu's and its doubled down, even with Netanyahu's accelerated version of this taking over plan, he's really doing well on time. And I know I say that as a joke, but it's very extreme. It's nothing less than dystopian. And I refrain from using that word often. But this is this is very extreme. And this is nothing less than dystopian. It's not about terrorism. It never was. We don't just call it a genocide because of 6000 dead children. We call it a genocide. Also, because of the decades leading up to this point, today, this is not about Islam and pretending that Israel represents or stands for judaism as a whole is a despicable concept that. You using and abusing the terms [12:30:50 PM] using and abusing the terms anti-semite ism at the expense of the jewish people is honestly despicable. But. But I will not speak for that as a Christian. I won't speak on that. I will let the thousands of thousands of jewish people around the world, including the people in this room, to speak on that. But I'm not here to talk about the details. I'm here to tell you why this matters. Why does this matter? This matters because we're about to give Netanyahu and his government more money. This is not just a past thing. This is in the future. They're about to elongate this war, and we're about to give them an additional money, a lot more money. Despite. Everything I just said, these are our tax dollars funding, whatever agenda accelerated agenda that Netanyahu has planned. I just want to say, as Americans, we value life, liberty and property. Thank you. >> Shanice brim. Hello. I'm Shanice brim, and I'm a black [12:31:55 PM] Shanice brim, and I'm a black austinite standing in a long history of solidarity with palestine. >> I've been thinking throughout the events we've been seeing about the manufacturing of consent. As a black American person, I've witnessed repeatedly the lies told about my community. Our youth called super predators to justify the racial terror we live under and the plundering of our communities. I've been watching now for around two months homes on the west bank raided Palestinian children, blindfolds and led into abandoned buildings in the night by iaf soldiers. While my own government, who writes a blank check for this, of which $14,785,305 are estimated to come for from our tax dollars bin over backwards to smear Palestinians as violent people who deserve what's happening to them. And my local government does nothing. I have also been thinking, as a black person, about what it takes to be believed, just as Palestinian folks are doing. We have to whip out our phones and lay our trauma bare before the world in order for anything to be done. So I watched as the beautiful people of palestine find family members lifeless, under rubble, wail over their dead children. I watched as Palestinian [12:32:55 PM] watched as Palestinian Americans, like the students at UT, are threatened by an idf soldier calling them terrorists and saying, you can also film that next week while I'm in in Israel, killing Arabs, I am tired of watching brown people and black people dying endlessly harassed and endlessly brutalized, endlessly. And I'm tired of waiting. I'm tired of us having to sublimate ourselves in the hope that something will change. And then does it please get off for their killings and their brutality? I log on every day to the gazans I follow, letting us know that they are alive until they, like Rafael elyria aren't anymore and nothing on November 22nd, two UT Austin tos were removed from their position in the school of social work for offering mental health support to Palestinian and Arab and Muslim students who might be suffering from the conflict and nothing from the city council. We may not be in palestine, but many of us have had the thought that we will never forget this moment. For the rest of our lives. It is compounded this endless bearing witness to human suffering by the inaction of the people we elected to represent us. We all have a responsibility in this moment. Me, you, everyone in [12:33:56 PM] moment. Me, you, everyone in this room to do everything we can to stop this. If we don't, how can we believe what happens here to black and brown people will ever actually stop either. Especially as we fight to stop cop city in Atlanta. It is all the same, same suffering, and it has to stop all of it. And you can help. You can help add to the call. Cease fire now. Thank you, mayor. >> That concludes all the speakers council members, that concludes all of the speakers. >> Chair recognizes council member Fuentes. Thank you. >> Mayor. First, I want to thank everyone for joining us today for raising your voice. For everyone who's contacted our offices via phone, via email. We appreciate your comments. I wanted to state for a record the statement that I, along with my colleagues, council member Velasquez and council member qadri released earlier this morning. Whether it be Palestinians, Israelis and or [12:34:57 PM] Palestinians, Israelis and or austinites, innocent civilians deserve to live in peace. Our hearts break for all of those who are hurting. While a short time ceasefire and the release of some hostages was welcomed news, we must see the immediate release of all hostages and a permanent cease fire. For we need lasting peace in the region here in Austin. We will continue to fight against anti-semitism, islamophobia and all other forms of hate that make their way into our community. >> Thank you. Thank you. Council member. Council member. Qadri >> Great. >> Thank you. Mayor. I'll try to make this as as quick as I can, but I do want to take my time, expressing what I feel. You know, I was reflecting last night on on 20, 23. I can't believe it's almost over. Today's the last council meeting of the year. And, you know, I [12:35:58 PM] of the year. And, you know, I had a tremendous amount of pride for all the for all the great work that we've done, as a diocese. But there's so much heaviness that I see in our community, you know, I always tell folks I was the, the Muslim kid who went to a catholic school and learned how to swim at the jcc. And, and, you know, I remember growing up in new York after after nine, 11 and some of the first people who came up to me, you know, being at a, you know, a kid at a new school, and asking, what religion I was and that was the most terrifying question, in a post 911 world to, to be asked that at, and when I really quietly whispered that I was Muslim, you know, seeing a smile on those kids faces and, and them saying that, oh, I'm jewish and we're sister religions and the, you know, the heaviness that was the heaviness. That was in me kind of left, but I felt that same heaviness on on October 7th, when I saw the killings of so many innocent [12:36:58 PM] killings of so many innocent Israelis, the massacre of so many folks, 1400 people and the hostages that were taking place and the heaviness that I saw, from from our jewish community and those who are of Israeli descent, who live in Austin, who lost, loved ones and hearing their stories and taking time to sit down with them and hearing the pain that they suffered, is something that I, I think about daily. And then I also think about having to sit down with folks from our Palestinian community, from our Muslim community. You know, I'm, I'm the only Muslim on the dais, I'm the first Muslim on the dais. And with that comes a lot of and with that comes a lot of responsibility, to make sure not only do I represent my community well, but do right by, you know, Christian folks and jewish folks and any other person of any religion or not, religion. But hearing from folks in the [12:37:58 PM] hearing from folks in the Palestinian community and seeing the death tolls get as high as they have 20,000 people. Knell amount of kids who have died, you know, as someone who lost a father at a fairly young age, but my brother was five when my dad died, and seeing kids who are who are parentless, and hearing from a person who I've known since I was 12 years old who every time I call them, say, how is your family in gaza? 12 people are dead, 15 people are dead, 23 people are dead. And the last time I talked to them was 47. And I truthfully haven't had the courage to call them anymore, because I've run out of things to say. So I just want to recognize the pain of Muslim folks, of jewish folks, of Christian folks, of folks who don't believe in a god, but believe in humanity. I also want to acknowledge the work that we've done as a city. We have a we all belong campaign. That councilmember Allison alter has spearheaded. We have a hate crimes task force. But that being said, there's a lot more [12:38:59 PM] being said, there's a lot more we can and should do as a city. You know, I've heard from constituents that I'm sure a lot of my colleagues have, you know, I, I, I have a friend who's jewish in this community, and he's like, I don't feel safe wearing my star of David necklace. You know, I have friends who are who were a hijab , a head covering, and they don't feel safe wearing it. And some of them have reached out to me and said, I don't know if I want to wear it anymore. So. And that's just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the amount of islamophobia and anti-semitism, that is in our community. I mean, it was just a little bit over two years ago that, congregation Beth Israel, faced an arson attack. Folks in district nine. And like I said, I'm sure throughout the city who are of the jewish faith have constantly felt unwelcomed in the city, whether it be leaflets, anti-semitic leaflets, whether it be desecration of their places of worship, and that's a problem. And it's also a problem for our Muslim folks. Having their places of worship. I know this happened at lake [12:40:02 PM] I know this happened at lake Travis. A while back. That was it was, there was an arson at the mosque, and there have been, you know, we've heard from students at UT and folks all across, who are both Muslim and jewish, who have dealt with a lot of stuff. So us making sure that we properly combat hate is really important. And I think what we can do and should do is so much in terms of what we can do at the local level. So, that's all I had to say. >> Thank you. Council member members that concludes the 12:00 time. >> Certain public communication. We now will go to we're going to recess so that we can go to the music and then what we will do is come back at 2:00. So without objection, we are in recess until 2:00 pm. Thank you all. And thank you all for being here . Afternoon, where we get to hear [12:47:00 PM] Afternoon, where we get to hear good Austin music. And I'm pleased to welcome to the. Yes, welcome to the council chambers cha' keeta B. And I want to read this proclamation and afterwards we'll take some pictures. But we want to hear you. Okay. Instead of as much as I love the sound of my own voice, I'd rather hear you. Okay be it known that whereas the city of Austin, Texas, is blessed with many creative musicians whose talents extend to virtually every musical genre, whereas our music scene thrives because Austin audiences support good music, that's produced by legends, our local favorites and newcomers alike. And whereas we are pleased to showcase and support our local artists now, therefore , I, Kirk Watson, mayor of the city of Austin, Texas, the live music capital do hereby proclaim December 14th, 2023 as cha' keeta B day in Austin, Texas. Ladies and gentlemen, cha' keeta [12:48:04 PM] Ladies and gentlemen, cha' keeta B. >> Look me in my eyes and watch a goddess rise. They say the revolution won't be televised. Caps is killing all my people. Call it genocide. So it comes as no surprise. My city is being gentrified. This was a bullet proof plan. This wasn't improvised. The odds are stacked against us if we choose this. Not to unify. Cause together we can conquer. But we fail when we divide. But our biggest enemies are us. They look like you and I. If all we know is self loathe and all we know is self hate, then we become oppressors of ourselves. We kill our own race. But that's a slave mentality instilled in us to this day. But we can break the chains and free our minds and start a new day. It's opportunity for us to grow in our community without the unity. It's really pointless in my eyes. I read the slow progression didn't have no progression. We possess the power to be stronger if we'd only realized need to pick up on our slack. Need to leave our pride at home. How can we want equality if we don't love our own? I swear we set the trends and everyone just goes along. So if we choose to stand together, then our message will be strong. [12:49:04 PM] then our message will be strong. I'm speaking life to my people. I'm bringing light to my people. I enlighten my people. I'm slowly paving the way. I'm gonna fight for my people and do what's right for my people. I'm doing life for my people. Kill anything in our way. Yeah. Thank you. >> Amazing. Yes. Good job. Everyone. Alyssa in the middle. Congratulate us. Thank you, thank you. We appreciate you. I think we got the memo. Okay okay. >> Yeah. I didn't get the memo, so. >> Definitely missing. Yeah. I'm getting. Yeah. That's the party. >> Come over so we can hear it. I want to ask, how can we find out more about you? For example, where can we find you on social media? Where are you going to be playing? Where can we hear you? Yeah. >> Okay. Well, you can find me on basically every major [12:50:06 PM] on basically every major streaming music streaming platform. I'm at cha' keeta B. You can find me on any social media network at cha' keeta B as well. And I'm official south by southwest artist again for 2024. I don't have the details on where it'll be at and what day, but yes, you can catch me during south by southwest cha' keeta B ladies and gentlemen. >> We're proud of you. >> Thank you, thank you. >> Get my good side. >> No. >> This your family? >> It is. Y'all want to come up and get a photograph? >> Yeah. Let's come up and get a picture. Everybody. It's 2:00 pm on [2:00:07 PM] Everybody. It's 2:00 pm on December 14th, 2023. So we will now take up a call back to order the Austin city council, and we will now take up, our 2:00 time certain which is zoning and neighborhood plan amendments, involving public hearings and possible action. And I will recognize, our good staff. >> Thank you, mayor and council. Joy Hahn with the planning department. Your zoning agenda begins with item number 81, c-1 for 2023 0026. This is withdrawn. This item is withdrawn by the applicant and no action is required. Item 82 is npa. 2023 0030.01.8. This will be a discussion item. The related rezoning is item 83 c-1 for 2023 0007.8. Again Ken. This will be a discussion item. This item has a valid petition and will require nine votes to pass on all three readings. And we do have speakers in opposition to speak item 84 is npa 2022 [2:01:08 PM] speak item 84 is npa 2022 0017.01. This item is offered for consent first reading only. The related rezoning is item number 85 c-1 for 2022 0035. Again. Consent, first reading and staff will be for, bringing this item back to the January 18th, 2024 council meeting. And just to clarify, for item 85, the staff recommendation is intended to be 160ft by Wright, which we understand is only feasible by using the Florida area ratio density bonus program . The ordinance therefore provides an increase in height to 160ft by Wright on the subject parcel. And again, this is first reading only. And this item is coming. All these related items, 84 and 85 will be back on your January 18th, 2024 council meeting. Item 86 is c-1 for H 2023 0015. This item is offered for consent on all three [2:02:09 PM] offered for consent on all three readings. Item 87 is c8. One for 002063.10. This item is replaced by item number 104 on the addendum. Item 88 is the 814 2018 0122.01. This item is replaced by item number 105 on the addendum. Item 89 is c-1 for 2023 0097. This item is offered for consent on all three readings. Item 93 is c-1 for 2023 0075. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 91 is c-1 for 2023 0086. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 92 c-1 for 2023 0104, there's a staff postponement request to your January 18th, 2024 council meeting. Item 90. Item number 93 is c-1 for 2023 0058. This item is being offered for consent. Second and third readings. Item 94 is npa. 2023 0020.02. There's [2:03:12 PM] 94 is npa. 2023 0020.02. There's a neighborhood postponement request for your January 18th, 2024 council meeting. The related rezoning case is item number 95. C-1 for 2023 0034. Again, neighborhood postponement request to your January 18th, 2024 council meeting. Item nine. Item number 96 is npa 2023 0029.01. This item is being offered for consent first reading only. The related rezoning is item number 97 c-1 for 2023 0063. Again, this item is being offered for consent. First reading will be bringing these items back. Both 96 and 97 to the January 18th, 2024 council meeting and on item number 97. I just want to read into the, read into the record the motion sheet. The applicant has amended their rezoning request and staff is agreeable to the following modifications to the staff and land use [2:04:12 PM] to the staff and land use commission's recommended Ann. Remove the requested modification for a 50% reduction in parking minimums, and change the maximum impervious cover to 85, which is allowed by code and with that, this item is being offered for consent. First reading item number 98 is c1 477138. Asked there is an applicant postponement request to your January 18th, 2024 council meeting and then just moving on to the addendum items. You have item 104. C8 14002063.10. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 105 is c8 one four 2018 0122.01. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings and item 106 is c1 4002195. Rca this is an applicant postponement request to your January 18th council meeting, and this concludes the reading of the zoning agenda and as always, it is at your [2:05:13 PM] as always, it is at your discretion. Thank you. Members >> Any questions of staff, miss Hardin? All right. Members, what I'm going to do. To is, ask for a motion after I read, the basis of the motion so that we have a motion out there on the consent agenda. We'll, ask ask for any, speakers at that point in time. And then we'll vote on the consent agenda and go back to items 82 and 83. But the consent agenda, the motion the chair will accept will be to adopt the consent agenda, which is item 81, which has been withdrawn by the applicant. Item 84, your consent on first reading the related item is consent on first reading. Both items coming back on January 18th. Meeting item 86 is all three readings. Item 87 is replaced by item 104. In the addendum, item 88 is replaced by item 105. In the addendum. Item [2:06:13 PM] item 105. In the addendum. Item 89 consent on all three readings. Item 90. All three readings. Item 91. All three readings. Item 92 a staff postponement to January 18th, 2020 for item 93 on second and third readings. Item 94 and 95. Both are postponed to January 18th, 2020 for item 96. On first reading only and the related rezoning item is 97. On first reading only, both items coming back on January 18th, 2024 on item number 97. Keep in mind, members, that the motion will include the motion sheet that was read by miss harden, item number 98 is a postpone to January 18th, 2020 for item 104. All three readings. Item 105. All three readings. Item 106 a postpone to the January 18th, 2024 meeting. I'll entertain a motion. Motion is made by council member qadri to approve [2:07:14 PM] council member qadri to approve the consent agenda as read. It's seconded by the mayor. Pro tem members. Are there any is there anyone that wishes to be shown abstaining from voting on any item on the consent agenda as it was read, anyone wishing to be shown recused themselves on any of the items on the consent agenda. Anyone wishing to be shown voting no on any item on the consent agenda as it was read. Do we have anyone signed up to speak? >> Yes, mayor. Excuse me. Bill bunch on items 104 and 106. >> Mr. Bunch, if you're here, please come forward. >> That is all the consent speakers. Great. >> Thank you. Members. There's no one else signed up to speak on the consent agenda is read. Is there any discussion on the consent agenda? Without objection, the consent agenda is adopted with council member Ryan alter absent. That will take us back to items 82 and 83. Miss harden. Thank you. >> 82 again is case number npa [2:08:21 PM] >> 82 again is case number npa 2023 003001 qt located at 711 Eberhart and item 83 on your agenda is case number c1 for 2023 0007. Qt also located at 711 Eberhart. The neighborhood plan amendment request is from neighborhood node to mixed use activity hub corridor and the rezoning request is from lr ndnp neighborhood commercial neighborhood plan to grm U V C O ndnp, which is community commercial, mixed use vertical mixed use conditional overlay neighborhood plan. The proposed rezoning area is 1.65 acres and is currently developed with 27 multi family units. It is located approximately. 150ft west of the intersection of south first street and Eberhart lane, with its only access from Eberhart lane. This property is certified by smart housing and the applicant is planning to [2:09:21 PM] the applicant is planning to submit an affordable Ed unlocked application and proposes to build 180 unit multifamily rental development with the applicable affordability levels. Public transit is located within a quarter mile of the property, and there are two capital metro bus stops on south first street, as well as available bicycle lanes on Eberhart lane. Staff is recommending the applicant's request of grm, uv comp zoning for the subject property. Based on the following conditions. We're recommending the rezoning and the neighborhood plan amendment. And the following conditions apply the community commercial mixed use gr mu is appropriate due to its location just west of the intersection of south first street and Eberhart lane. The south south first street is designated as an imagined Austin corridor. Potential commercial uses would be available to serve residence of the proposed future development and surrounding area, as well as the wider community transit options such as two capital metro bus stops [2:10:23 PM] as two capital metro bus stops and bicycle lanes are available and there is, there are existing gr gr mu properties located directly to the north and the east, as well as gr movie property that is northeast east of the proposed development. So I'm available for questions. The applicant, Leah, will be presenting. We also have speakers in opposition. And after that we have me available in other staff from other departments. If their questions. >> Thank you, miss Arden. Anybody have any questions? All right, members, the way. We'll proceed on. This item is the applicant will have five minutes to make a presentation. Then I will ask a representative of those in opposition to make a presentation for five minutes. Then we will have, those in favor for will be allowed to speak at two minutes apiece and then those in opposition at two minutes apiece. Whoever is the five minute representative will have already spoken. And then we will allow for close before we take up the matter. So you have [2:11:24 PM] take up the matter. So you have five minutes to make your presentation. Ann. >> Thank you, mayor. >> I'm Leah Boggio here on behalf of the applicant. I will try to be efficient with your time here. Since miss harden has already described a lot of the site, this is the location that we're talking about just to orient everyone, southwest corner of Eberhart and south first. Just about one property off of the intersection just north of William cannon drive. And then if you zoom in just a little closer, you can see this is a 1.65 acre site. It currently has a legally non-conforming 27 unit apartment complex on it, circa 1972. It is nearing the end of its life cycle, and so we are looking toward redeveloping with, with a new multifamily project and with conforming zoning. As miss harden said, this is just off of high frequency transit corridor, an excellent location for transit. Here we have a zoning map. You can see the gr nearby, on both the north and the east sides. And you can also see the change to the future land use map to the side going to mixed use activity hub. Here is the list of uses that we've agreed [2:12:24 PM] list of uses that we've agreed to prohibit via the conditional overlay. There are no prohibited uses today with the zoning, but we have agreed to this sort of standard list. Of course, of things that people probably don't want to see on the site. To give you some details about the project, we're talking about a maximum of 180 unit project here. We are planning on affordability unlocked. So you can see here if we did the full 180 units, what the breakout would look like 36 units at 50% mfi, 54 units at 60, mfi and the other half at market in addition to this affordability that comes with affordability unlocked, we have worked through some protections for the tenants. This is going beyond what the tenant relocation ordinance would require. And we have a private, restrictive covenant that signed already by both parties that, puts all of these things into effect to make sure that those tenants that are there today, we've met with them as well and communicated with them multiple times, understand what's happening, what the timeline is and what they can expect at that time. So. There are a couple issues that have come up with the neighborhood. [2:13:25 PM] come up with the neighborhood. And so I just wanted to kind of give you an overview of those. One of them probably the biggest one we've heard a lot about has been drainage. So as I know, you all hear a lot drainage is generally is a site plan issue. It is not a zoning issue. However, given how much we've heard about it, we went ahead and did our zoning. I'm sorry, did our drainage analysis or did sort of the early phases of it. Now so that we could talk about it in an informed way? So this is the this is what the drainage looks like on the site today. You can see in the hatched area that that's the developable area on the site. So in addition to the showing where water is flowing right now, it is flowing across the site, as you can see from the north, kind of across the site, there is a drainage easement that's about 25ft wide on the southern property line. It is undersized. There is no detention on the site today because this property was developed in the 70s. Before those requirements were in place. So what we know from this is that when we get to site plan, we will have to submit this. Of course, we will have to detain the water that's flowing onto the site, and we will have to convey the water through the site, through probably a 50 foot [2:14:26 PM] site, through probably a 50 foot drainage easement on that southern property line. So that will be put in place obviously at site plan, but we it gave us and the neighborhood a little bit better idea of what we can expect. And then the sort of second part of what that easement provides is a is a bigger setback for the building, because of course, the building has to be set back from where that drainage easement will be. So we're talking about probably a 50 foot wide setback from the building from the southern property line, where the drainage would convey, and with that, I can answer any questions you have. As miss harden mentioned, staff is in support. We also were able to get planning commission support of this case. There were a few other questions about other things I'm happy to answer, but I wanted to at least address drainage. Thank you so much for this question. >> Thank you. Thank you, miss jojo, for speaking. One of the I have a series of questions, but one of them that the neighbors have expressed to me is, is the potential impacts of flooding in the area. And you talked about it briefly, but was there any other specifics that you want to [2:15:26 PM] other specifics that you want to add to about flooding? >> I mean, this area is not in the actual floodplain. And, you know, I'm not an engineer, so I can't really get into the details of it, but it's not in the floodplain. But there is water flowing through the site. So obviously code requires that all the water be detained and conveyed. And so we would have to do all of those things. I would say to you that what we have heard repeatedly from our consultant team is because there is no detention on the site today, while this project is not going to solve all of the problems in the area, it is certainly going to make them better because the water is currently flowing without any detention across our site. And after we redevelop it with this project, there will be detention on the site. So it will be an improvement from what's there today. Good to. >> And are you planning on including any buffers or fences to address the height and privacy concerns that the neighborhood has raised? >> We will have a fence, I believe a six foot fence, opaque fence is what's required, and that what we would is what we would do. We are also open to a vegetative buffer along that property line. We have to make sure we're careful about how that works with the drainage [2:16:27 PM] that works with the drainage easement. Obviously we don't want it to block any conveyance, but our team has told us that we can put a vegetative buffer in that easement area. >> And can you speak to the restrictive covenant with home base to ensure that there are protections and support for existing tenants? >> Absolutely. So we you know, we know that affordability unlocked provides excellent probably some of the best protections there are for the future tenants that will live there in the in the redeveloped project. But and we have tenant the tenant relocation ordinance, which provides notice, of course to people I think it's 120 days for multifamily project. But what we have found in talking to folks about a lot of zoning cases, and this one as well, is that there are additional things we can do to make people feel more comfortable and sort of ease the transition in for them. So I can kind of quickly talk you through that list. But, what we have put in that covenant, which I have a copy of here, if anyone would like to see, is, no leases will be broken. Moving allowance and administrative fees will be paid. There's a right to return to anybody who moves away and wants to come back into either an affordable or a market rate unit when it's redeveloped, gets first, first [2:17:29 PM] redeveloped, gets first, first shot at that, we have 180 day notice of demolition as opposed to 120. We have capped rent increases at 10% per year. For, for the next three years, we're expecting the demolition to probably be in 2025, summer of 2025, but we put a little buffer on that just to make sure in case things get delayed. We will be this is kind of one of my favorite ones, actually. We have found there are organizations that will come out and meet with the tenants if they would like to let them know about other affordable units, programs that are available. Things like that. So we will have those folks when, when we get to the point where we're you know, closer to demolition, we'll have those people come out and let people know what their options are and what kind of services are available. Sometimes people don't even realize what they have available to them. And then we will be issuing, of course, ability to break lease once the demo permit is filed without any repercussion. If someone finds a spot within six months of the demo, they can just go. And then full refund of security and pet deposits once the demo permit is filed and then, last three months of rent waived for anybody who's still in the in [2:18:29 PM] anybody who's still in the in the complex at that point before demolition actually occurs. >> Thank you. No further questions. >> Any further questions? All right. We'll hear from the representative in opposition. You'll have of an equal five minutes to state your case. And then we will go to those in favor and then those opposed. >> Good afternoon mayor council. My name is Ben Thompson. I'm the president of the armadillo park neighborhood association. I just want to be very upfront. You're aware there's a valid petition on this case. And to my knowledge, there is not one single neighbor who supports the proposal in front of you today. Despite our best efforts, the efforts of staff and the applicant, they're really, you know, there have been plenty of meetings, but there has been nothing presented to us that does anything to significantly assuage our concerns about this development moving forward. A lot of people have their own particular opinions about if that building needs to be preserved forever or if some [2:19:30 PM] preserved forever or if some redevelopment is appropriate. But most of us recognize the fact that this site can handle more than 27 units. The question is, is 180 units and five stories tall, and this particular location appropriate for this particular site? Just a little background on our neighborhood. It's a it's a small neighborhood. A small houses, people of modest means, retirees, young couples, people new to town, people who've lived their whole lives here. When I moved in, we had an HEB that we could walk to. Now, that's an auto parts store. It's the fourth auto parts store that we can walk to, which I hope the irony of which is not lost on anyone. Ann. We have existing affordable homes of every size and shape throughout the neighborhood. We have apartment complexes, two stories tall, three stories tall. We have new buildings that have come in without objection that have frankly improved, saved the lives of our community and the city at large. And we recognize [2:20:31 PM] city at large. And we recognize that some types of development are absolutely appropriate and needed. This is just not one of them. There's no shortage of undeveloped and underutilized used commercial sites and other sites near this one. That should be given priority when it comes to dense, dense residential development, but also mixed use development, which we were also lacking. This project sticks out in a few very unique and important ways. First of all, it's everybody's who lives nearby. As opinion that a five story building is not appropriate on this site. Despite its proximity to a transportation corridor south first street stassney William cannon this is not on those streets. It's back inside the neighborhood, and it has rows of single story small residences on two sides. Every one of those people is opposed to having this next to them, not something new next to them, but this next to [2:21:33 PM] next to them, but this next to them. The concerns about the height of the building are going to impact privacy. We've heard about six foot fences and vegetative buffers. That's a good start. But before anybody can get behind this in the neighborhood and actually support it and get excited about it, which they should have the opportunity to do, we need to have some of those details despite us being prior to site plan review. Actually we, presented in some, some amount of specific city that everybody can be comfortable that this is something that is going to improve all of our lives, not to mention airflow, sunlight, heat and noise. Noise, both of construction and just the risk of 27 people being replaced with 180 potentially related to the height is just again, the number of people in the existing infrastructures ability to handle this number of residents, given the current state of events here, I'm noticing I had a I had an exhibit I was hoping [2:22:34 PM] a I had an exhibit I was hoping could be put up already. Is that did we miss that? Sorry. Whatever so the this street, Eberhart lane, it's a cut through street during afternoon rush hour. It's a dangerous road to cross currently. Because you have southbound traffic on south first street runs into the various lights at William cannon. Everybody's in a rush to get home. They cut through Eberhart, which turns into cooper lane. It gets them over to William cannon faster, not blaming anybody who chooses to do that, except for the people who, frankly, drive way too fast down that road. We've been told we're not eligible for various traffic calming there. Another frustration not the applicant's problem, but an existing infrastructure deficiency that needs to be addressed by the city and by this council before we can come in saying, oh yeah, we can handle we can handle this, we want this, we want this in our neighborhood. Let's address the problems we have now [2:23:35 PM] address the problems we have now , either before approving these types of rezonings or in the course of the redevelopment process, including zoning and site plan review for this facility or this, this complex six 180 units, I think the idea is that not everyone will have cars. >> Thank you sir. >> I'll ask the clerk to please call those people that have signed up to speak in favor of this item. First. There are no speakers in favor. All right, then, please call those speakers in opposition and they will be given two minutes apiece. >> Twila, don Willis, Jackie Goodman and Janice Morgan, if your name has been called, please approach the podium and state your name. >> Hello. [2:24:39 PM] >> Hello. >> Hi. Come on. Forward and I'm Twila Willis, and I'm opposed to this project for all of the reasons that Ben has expressed what we're really hoping is. >> I'm sorry to interrupt you. >> Stop the clock or your name is called to speak. We're just we're we're supporting. Then we under our rules. We don't do that, so I apologize. >> They couldn't they didn't understand how to get a slot. >> Fair enough. I just we just don't. >> All the rules are changed. >> Well,. >> Okay. So anyway, we'll move on. >> We'll hear you. Okay. >> So anyway, what we would really like is the brakes to be put on this so that these concerns can be addressed before we say yay, we want a seven story building next to my 1000 square foot house that I worked my tail off to pay for. And so, the concerns of the traffic, the concern burns of the [2:25:41 PM] concern burns of the environmental things that will happen Ann, with the wind, the sun, all of that. And I'm just basically reiterating what Ben Thompson said, that that can we just hold up here and please take a look at how this is going to affect our neighborhood before it is approved? We know something's going to happen there. We just want it to be part of our community. Do I have more time in my two minutes? I don't know what else to say other than whoa, please. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate you being here and appreciate all of you being here . We just try to, do that as a matter of decorum. You'd called, Jackie. Goodman. Janice Morgan and one other. I think. >> Yeah, I, if you don't mind. Well >> Oh, I do, hang on, what is it you need to do, pass along a message from, miss Goodman? >> She she sent us a or at least sent me a long email this morning. >> Okay, well, she's she's kind of. >> She's fallen ill, and that was just all I've known her a [2:26:41 PM] was just all I've known her a long time. >> That's the only reason I appreciate that. >> Thank you. Could you call the names again? >> Sure. Twila. Dawn Willis, Janice Morgan. Jackie Goodman, and Ben Thompson, which have all spoken. >> All right. Thank you very much, Mr. Thompson. You'll have two minutes to close, and then we'll go to the applicant for two minutes to close. >> He was hoping to be here today, but she felt she's sick. So, anyway, I'm going to just pick up kind of where I left off the final. The biggest issue is the flooding. We're very, very appreciative of the work that the applicant has put in to identify the need for this drainage easement. But we also feel that that there's a bigger question here that needs to be addressed by the city. Yes. We're outside of the floodplain. People in that blue area. I had [2:27:41 PM] People in that blue area. I had the map that, I was hoping to show you that that miss bojo put up showing the number of houses that are projected to be underwater during flood events currently, this has nothing to do with anything. The applicant has done, but we need to fix this problem before we continue to permit new development in this area. So my real closing during one of the meetings, someone pointed out that, I was I made some point. I don't even remember what it exactly was. But the response was, yeah, you're making good points there, but, you know, that same issue exists all over the city. You're not this isn't a unique situation. My response, if I remember correctly, was actually, well, this is a little bit different. I think we were talking about the traffic on Eberhart, the speeding that that issue is not unique to our neighborhood, but it doesn't apply to every zoning case and every traffic study. It's a it's a very problematic thing. And so the response was was something, [2:28:43 PM] the response was was something, you know, I didn't get the response I wanted, but an acknowledged that, hey, you are making a point here and we're sorry that the city is not in a position to address that. But it got me thinking something else that makes this case different when we talk about zoning, when we talk about the process of notification of public involvement of neighbor, not just neighborhoods, but people, residents getting what they need from this process. Some get what they need and others don't. We're in a neighborhood that has not been getting what we need from this process. >> Thank you very much. >> You'll have two minutes to close. >> Thank you. I'll be quick. I just want to say that, you know, this project is not only going to provide much needed housing in a very transit, supportive location. A five minute walk from frequent bus service that exists there today. But I also want to point out that as Mr. Thompson said, the drainage is [2:29:46 PM] Thompson said, the drainage is their biggest concern and this will actually help that situation. Ann it will not solve the entire area's drainage issues. But it is it is going to make things a bit better. And I would and I would summarize or end by saying that Austin cannot wait for transit supportive housing. I think we need it today. Thank you. >> Thank you. Members without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 82. I will entertain a motion with regard to item 82 and 83 members on item number 83. We have a valid petition. And let me for purposes of clarity, for the public, what a valid petition does is it creates a right. So that what it does is that that right allows for the changing of the number of votes required to pass a rezoning ordinance, and it changes it from six votes, which is a simple majority, to nine votes, is a valid petition exists when the city receives written protest from 20% or more of the landowner who owned the [2:30:48 PM] landowner who owned the property, being rezoned or owned property within 200ft of a property being rezoned. And if city council approves a rezoning case by nine vote, the property is rezoned. If the council only approves a rezoning case by six votes, 6 to 9, less than but less than nine, you got to have at least six to pass it anyway. But at least six votes, but less than nine votes. The rezoning case must come back to council for additional action. With that explanation, I'll entertain a motion council member Fuentes moves approval of items 82 and 83. Is there a second? Second by council member Vella? Discussion. Councilman Fuentes. >> Councilman alter, did you have questions on. >> But it's your district. Please go ahead. >> Colleagues, I wanted to. Well, first, I want to thank our district two community for being here today and for expressing your concerns on this [2:31:49 PM] your concerns on this development. Certainly. I know that there is a larger issue at play here, and that is ensuring that the infrastructure is built out in our community as our city continues to grow. What we know about this development is that it will move us closer to our strategic housing goals, which colleagues, as a reminder, is for us to build 60,000 affordable housing units. And with this project, it is an affordability unlocked project which will get us 36 units at 50% mfi and 54 units at 60. Mfi this program affordability unlock also requires a bedroom mix, so we're ensuring that these are not just studios or one bedroom units, that we are also ensuring that we are accommodating families and one thing that was really important to me was to ensure that we are honoring our tenant relocation ordinance, which the applicant has spoken to, how they are going to exceed the tenant relocation ordinance to ensure that for the individuals who are there currently, that they have a right to return and that there are appropriate accommodations [2:32:51 PM] are appropriate accommodations being made. My office organized several meetings with our neighbors, with city staff and the applicant to go over their concerns. The overarching concern that we heard today was that we need to make infrastructure improvements in the area, in particular, improvements to existing traffic and flooding infrastructure. Although though this single development did not trigger a traffic impact analysis because it will not generate enough trips that would trigger the traffic impact analysis, there is more development coming to the area, which will ultimately have an impact on traffic and safety in the neighborhood. These are. I want to list out some of the improvements that are in the works to be made in the area. Over the coming year. We will expect to see actually wrapped up by the end of this year. And that's starting with the resurfacing of the of the road. We're going to see new pedestrian crossings, bike lanes and stops will be coming to Eberhart lane, Eberhardt and cooper lane are also on the list to receive traffic calming treatments, but to be clear [2:33:51 PM] treatments, but to be clear there, right now, the community is suffering from localized flooding, as was mentioned earlier and as the applicant has shared, there is improvements that will be made to the drainage infrastructure in the area and staff is also working on a stream restoration project along turtle creek. So although there are some projects in the works to improve, the infrastructure there continues to be a larger need. There is a desire among residents to develop a more holistic planning approach to the development, in the area of which I fully support, and I want to say for the record that these issues are bigger than any single land development case. We have heard from station from our neighbors about the scope of the zoning decisions and the level of detail available at the time of zoning versus later in the site planning process. I understand that our planning staff is taking a hard look at these processes as and as a result of a recent audit of development services, and for me, you know, it is important that as we have [2:34:51 PM] it is important that as we have developers and applicants come before council on a zoning case and particularly on a zoning case, my district it is my expectation that the developer and their applicant will be working with our neighbors to actively address concerns that are raised during the rezoning process. That is the process we have currently. I do think we as a city need to be doing a lot more on planning. We've made significant strides on planning, but the expectation is there and I know throughout this process concerns burns that were addressed. And thank you to the applicant for doing the flood study so that we were able to have that information on the front end. But overall, we need to improve our city processes. So I will continue to work with city staff with ways we can work on these issues, on improvements moving forward, colleagues, I will be supporting this rezoning case today. >> Thank you. Council member, councilmember Allison alter. >> Thank thank you. I had a question for staff. Miss Hardin, maybe or whoever the appropriate person. I just wanted to understand if this had been [2:35:52 PM] understand if this had been there had been a neighborhood request for postponement before for this item . Yeah. >> No. >> There has not. This is the first time this has appeared on the council agenda. There were a few postponement, but no, there were four. I don't know if they're all by the neighborhood or they're postponements at commission but not at council. >> Okay, but we don't. We're not aware of those were by the neighborhood commission. >> Postpone. Okay. So. It appears they were staff postponed. Butts. Okay. >> Thank you. So I want to, you know, first acknowledge the very [2:36:53 PM] know, first acknowledge the very hard work that my colleague, councilmember Fuentes, has put into this particular, zoning case. And I, I think this is development on a corridor for, likely in an appropriate place. I am, however, uncomfortable with a valid petition moving forward on all three readings. I would be comfortable supporting. First reading. So I'll be abstaining on this motion. I do think that the multiple reading process is one that we've moved a little bit away from, recently. And I think it is, important to allow the neighbors to have of some of those conversations with the developers. I'm unable to say at this point, if they've had those or not, and my colleague would know better. But I'm going to be abstaining on the third three reading motion today. >> Thank you. Any further discussion? The motion is to approve items. 82 and 83. All those in favor say raise your [2:37:59 PM] those in favor say raise your hand. Oh I'm sorry, councilmember Bella, do you want to say something? >> I'm sorry. Very briefly. >> I just wanted to, credit both the council member Fuentes and the applicant for the tenant protections that they've rolled in. Those are very important. We do not want to be displacing people, especially from older, apartments like this. And I very much appreciate the kind of graduated schedule. The other incentives, the deposit, those kinds of things. We've seen that, more and more. And I appreciate it. And, always, look favorably upon those elements. And again, I just wanted to half, half of the units being affordable. Again, it's just such a critical gain for the city. We really can't give in our our housing affordability situation. We just can't pass up the opportunity to get affordable, housing into our community as quickly as possible. So so I just wanted to say that. Thank you very much. [2:39:02 PM] say that. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Council member. All those in favor, raise your hand. All opposed. And one abstention. Ten members of the, motion passes on a vote of. Nine to 0 to 1 abstention, with one abstention. And which is councilmember Allison alter and council member Ryan alter being absent. So the motion passes on all three readings. Members, there's being well before I do that, I want to say something real quickly and then recognize a couple people. First of all, this is the last meeting of the city council for, for this year. Some weeks it feels like it's been a fast year, and some weeks not so much. But it's been a it's been a fast year. And I want to say thank you to all of the council for the work that we've done together. I was when I sat here, the first time, this, this at the beginning of the year, we [2:40:05 PM] the beginning of the year, we talked about, operating as a team and I think overall, we've really done that. And I'm deeply appreciative of, of the council and that your work as a team. I also want to say a special thanks to our staff. You know, this this year, started out a little rocky, let's say. But the, the, the city manager and the professional staff of the, of the city manager's office has been outstanding. And we deeply appreciate that help. And then I want to say a special thank you to, mayor pro tem Ellis. This will be her last meeting as mayor pro tem. She, it's been. I really have appreciated you, being there and being helpful. So I want to say thanks. And I want to do that publicly. I look forward to working with, council member pool when she becomes mayor. Pro tem pool, at the beginning of the of the new year . With that being said, I'll recognize the mayor pro tem. >> Thank you. Mayor. [2:41:06 PM] >> Thank you. Mayor. >> So today is the last meeting of the year, and my last as mayor pro tem. It's been an honor to serve all of you in this capacity in 2023. We've had three new council members, one new council baby and a council service dog. Franck we even have a new mayor who, believe it or not, isn't that new to being the mayor? And during my visits with delegations coming to Austin, I was fortunate to get to participate in a workshop with our new sister city of Chiang Mai, Thailand to exchange ideas around mobility, public safety and education. I met middle schoolers from oita, Japan, whose favorite foods were French fries and Tex-Mex. I agree with them. We had delegations from jalisco, Monterrey and nuevo Leon, Mexico about technology and workforce housing, as well as Copenhagen to talk about large scale event planning and the Irish consulate to discuss soccer. I know we'll be in good hands moving forward as Leslie pool and her team take the reigns of the mayor pro tem [2:42:07 PM] reigns of the mayor pro tem role. So thank you for the opportunity to step into this position, and I look forward to supporting Leslie as she makes it her own. >> Thank you, mayor pro tem. Councilmember qadri god, it's so hard to go after the mayor pro tem. >> But I will do my best. >> That's why I talk first. >> Yeah. >> Well, I want to just thank, a all the city staff folks that keep the lights on in this building. Miss Cafaro was feeding us. Yeah, I think that was probably the most exciting thing when I joined the dais. That there's someone in the back who gets Al the meals for us, and does. So does this, so kindly by us and all our staff. I want to thank the clerk, city tech. Just just everyone, manager's office. Mayor Ferraro was, running a very efficient meeting and keeping us on track. And all my colleagues, it's sad to see mayor pro tem not being mayor pro tem Ellis anymore. But excited to have, councilmember pool become mayor pro tem pool. But with all these. Thanks, I did want to take some time to, say goodbye to some. Well, one [2:43:07 PM] say goodbye to some. Well, one person, the most snazzy dresser, in the hall, Caleb Pritchard, who's had four years as, council member. Harper-madison. Staff and was with us for all of one year. Is going to the planning department. So he's not going too far away. But he won't be, gracing us with his presence, in the city council side. So just really thankful for Caleb's work , this past year. Thankful for all, you know, staff and the d9 office. But, sad to see Caleb go , but I know he'll do great things, and I'm sure we'll see him riding his bike with his tie and glasses and his his his uniform of sorts all the time. >> Thank you. Council member. Well, with that, members, that is all we have on the agenda for this meeting today. We wish everybody happy holidays. We'll see you in 2024. We look forward to a productive and great year next year. And with that objection, the city council of Austin, Texas, is adjourned from its regularly scheduled meeting [2:44:08 PM] its regularly scheduled meeting of December 14th. It's 2:44 P.M. Thanks, everybody.