City Council Regular Meeting Transcript – 1/18/2024 Title: ATXN-1 (24hr) Channel: 1 - ATXN-1 Recorded On: 1/18/202 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 1/18/2024 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. [10:01:26 AM] >> Well good morning everybody. I will call to order the Austin city council for a regular meeting of the city council. It's 10:01 A.M. It is Thursday, January 18th. We are meeting in the city council chambers at city hall, which is 301 west second street in Austin, Texas, and we have a quorum of the Austin city council present. Following is the order of the meeting for today. We will hear from consent speakers, both virtual and in person. We will then go to a consent vote with brief comments from council members. We will hear then from non-consent speakers, both virtual and in person. And we'll take up the non consent items, for those that are paying attention to this items that are referred from council committees , those are items 53 and 54. They are on the non consent agenda by our rules. Eminent domain items and public hearing items 57 and 58. The eminent [10:02:27 AM] items 57 and 58. The eminent domain item is 55. We will close the public hearings and take immediate action on those items. I'll clarify that anyone that wishes to be speak and is registered to speak on a public hearing item or a non consent item may be heard and will be called at the non consent item or the public hearing item unless you want to be heard during the consent speakers, it's up to you for convenience purposes, but I ask that you get with the city clerk so that the city clerk knows what it is that you're doing, and we can call you a appropriately as soon as we have finished with that, or at 1030 gets here, whichever is sooner, we will recess the regular meeting and call to order the meeting of the Austin housing finance corporation. We'll hear speakers, if any. We'll act and will adjourn that corporation meeting. And go back to the city council meeting until we, finish with whatever agenda we have prior to our noon [10:03:28 AM] agenda we have prior to our noon time. Certain public comment. We will then have a, our our live music. And then at 2:00, we will convene the, zoning items at that time, certain I'm going to now read changes and corrections into the record. We have, one change in correction, and that is with regard to boards and commission recommendations. Item five, six and 16. It should read January 17th, 2024 recommended by the water and wastewater commission on an 8 to 0 vote with three absences as right now we have no items that are pulled off the consent agenda for. We're working on item number 30 so that I have clarity about what we're doing with regard to item number 30. And, what I would also say on item number 46, that item is a resolution directing the city manager to [10:04:30 AM] directing the city manager to bring back a, an ordinance by February 1st. And anything Singh that the city manager is going to be recommending will come back for the council to vote on it in that proposed ordinance on the first, there will not be an implementation. It will come back for a vote. I just wanted to make sure that was clear. So first group of speakers will have will be on the consent agenda. Each speaker will have two minutes. We will then go to the consent agenda for a vote with brief comments from members. And let's now go to the speakers and I'll look to the city clerk's office to help us with that. >> Thank you. Mayor. The first remote speaker is bill bunch, speaking on five 14, 2728 2937, 49, seven and eight. >> Yes. Hello, bill bunch here with save our springs alliance. Just wanted to, very quickly speak against the Mckenzie, $2 [10:05:33 AM] speak against the Mckenzie, $2 million spending. They've been exposed as, not the kind of consulting firm anybody who cares about consulting sort of interest or integrity in their work, should be doing business with. And I would hope that would include, the city of Austin. And then I wanted to speak on the historic preservation funds, just as a point of interest and request that, the biggest item I see in that list is, is for the Barton springs bathhouse, which they're now calling a rehabilitation Ann rather than a restoration Ann. There's still some, you know, this was supposed to be a 2 or $3 million project. And now I think we're at 20 million and counting. And there's been no real explanation for all of that. What we do know is that they're the plans include [10:06:35 AM] they're the plans include removing an Ada ramp for, you know, access and shutting down the current, main access, which zo gate on the front that is served by that ramp? I doubt that anybody in the Ada community is aware of this. It certainly hadn't been disclosed. Used. And I don't know why in the world we would ever go backwards on Ada access to the pool. All of the regular swimmers, the lifeguard, the staff are completely opposed to shutting down, that main front gate access and instead forcing everybody to go through the bathhouse, through a building that they're not wanting to go into and where there's a blind, blind view for staff. >> So, please, let's thank Mr. Butts before we go forward. [10:07:35 AM] Butts before we go forward. >> Thank you. So for those that just heard the those chimes, during the break, the holiday break, we, made some changes in our technology, including, the speaker system. So the microphones, how the council can let me know that they want to be recognized. And apparently we now have chimes. We will all decide later on whether or not any of this is an improvement, but we're sure happy to be here. So thank you. >> Next speaker is Monica Guzman on item 30 and 46. >> Good morning, mayor and council. I'm Monica Guzman. Policy director at Garza lugo Austin vamos. Austin Garza has a question about item 30. Does this item give the planning director more discretion to determine what constitutes as quote unquote, reasonably. Priced housing units, or is it [10:08:35 AM] Priced housing units, or is it city still subscribing to traditional income limits? As for item 46, Doggett advocates for equity in all decisions made impacting the vulnerable communities. Since this proposal is not equitable and will not result in an equitable city, Garza is opposed, available funds need to be directed to address the greatest threats to our community safety, public health, healthy foods, parks, services and programing, tenant relocation assistance and home based early childhood education and development. These and more are detailed in city of Austin budget recommendations for fiscal year 2024 and the community investment budget. Thank you. Zenobia Joseph on item 44, 14, 27, 28 and 29. >> Thank you. Mayor council. I'm [10:09:35 AM] >> Thank you. Mayor council. I'm Zenobia Joseph. My comments are specifically related to item 44. I am opposed to the committee assignments specifically for capital metro. As you are aware, transportation code. 451.5021 specifies two members, one must be and 1st may be an elected official. So what I want you to recognize is that there is no one on the board that's transit dependent, and you have an opportunity to appoint someone who is. However, you have unilaterally decided to keep chito villa and Leslie pool on the board, and neither one of them have done anything to close the mid-block stops in their districts at chinatown and walnut creek, which is also the metropolitan park and I want you to recognize that people have died in these areas. And so they are not serving our community. I want you to recognize as well as it relates specifically to item 41. I'm neutral. That's the $1 [10:10:36 AM] 41. I'm neutral. That's the $1 million for CDC grants for Austin public health. And as it relates specifically to item seven and eight, the historic preservation fund, $31.7 million, that process was not fair. As you're aware. I did file a complaint against Melissa Alvarado because one of the things that was exclusionary was the fact that you could not actually submit creative writing or other arts projects, and it relied on the east Austin survey volume three, which didn't even have the Hamilton house, which is one of the oldest streets in that area. And so it was exclusionary, and it favored individuals who are white, predominantly Lee. And lastly, as it relates to item 19, I just want you to recognize that the Austin alliance group, that $450,000 leadership training is really just personality traits. And so not sure why we as taxpayers need to spend $450,000 for you to figure out if you're type a or some other personality . That's a waste of government [10:11:36 AM] . That's a waste of government funds. And lastly, the 31 item, 31 is the $118 million for Austin housing finance corporation. >> Thank you. Your time has expired. >> If that's the beep to stop, thank you. I'll answer any questions. >> Mayor, that concludes our% remote speaker. So I'm just gonna switch over to in person, the first in person speakers we have, Scott Johnson, John Ireland, and Kathy Mitchell. If you're here, name called, please come down to the front and speak your name into the podium. Scott Johnson is speaking on 14, 27, 28 and 29. >> Good morning, mayor and council members. My name is Scott Johnson. I'm a citizen and I'm the creator of the city of Austin homeless student assistance fund. As some of you know, when I looked at that just yesterday, I was wondering aloud whether or not what the city through the mayor's office and the city manager's office had reached out for aid and other ISD's in a conversation I had just prior to the meeting with the staff of the mayor's office, I learned that that conversation [10:12:36 AM] I learned that that conversation can be now, and it can be ongoing. Any type of changes that happen, particularly when it relates to student homelessness, they they should be consulted and asked this is broader than student homelessness, but as some of you know, through this fund on the utility bill, my effort was to broaden the conversation. While most students are not wandering around on their own looking for resources and all they are with family, and there's aid helped in the 2022, 2023 school year, 935 students. So it is an issue that hasn't emerged quite as large as I'd hoped. But there's a 1500 approximately or more in the Austin energy service area that are considered homeless or youth, and that are that are homeless. So I hope going forward, your office, the mayor and other offices that collaborate on this will engage [10:13:37 AM] collaborate on this will engage the ISD to the maximum extent possible. They're on the front line of student homelessness, so please do that. And other issues such as the home initiative and other ones that impact tax bases, impact students and impact the community. If we're not collaborating with the school districts, we need to. I don't have personal information to know whether or not when the home initiative was put together, that you did make a concerted effort to reach out for the superintendent and others within aid and the other ISD. Thank you. >> Thank you sir. >> John Ireland, Kathy Mitchell. Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak, and thank you all for your service. >> I just wanted to speak specifically about the Mckenzie proposal. It's pretty well documented. The Mckenzie is far and away the most expensive consulting firm in the world, charging anywhere from 20 to 25% [10:14:38 AM] charging anywhere from 20 to 25% more than their competitors. Equally adept at coming up with a reports pwc. Accenture KPMG. So at the first I would I would certainly hope you would go out for a more competitive bid. Second, Mckenzie's already done hundreds of reports on homelessness, including for Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Columbus, Ohio, Los Angeles. All these reports are publicly available, as well as many, many other studies. They're all the same 30,000 foot views of what's going on in the city. What are the causes of homelessness. And they all make all the same recommendations, create more short terme, long terme housing, coordinate programs that are already existing, create larger umbrella programs, enlisting business to help using under utilized properties things of this thing nature. So it's basically all the same rehash. So I would urge the city council to reconsider whether they want to spend $2 million to get just basically the same information from Mckenzie, which is already higher priced. It seems like, you could hire a homeless czar [10:15:39 AM] you could hire a homeless czar for $200,000 a year for ten years and get the same, if not more, than you're going to get out of paying Mckenzie for a report that they've already published several times already. So thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Cathy Mitchell and then Chris Harris. Hi my Cathy Mitchell, on behalf of equity action. >> So nice to see you all again. I've been out of town for quite some time and glad to be back. I'm going to start with the Mckenzie item, because this week the county commissioners court politely declined the city's offer to fund a portion of the proposed Mckenzie study. I would expect, as it continues to grapple with its own budget, budget issues that integral care may also so decline even without the cooperation and support of our regional partners, it seems impossible that any of the objectives laid before you for this contract can actually be [10:16:40 AM] this contract can actually be met. Until then, I believe this should be shelved and conversations launched with those same partners that might produce a project about which everyone agrees. Staff notes in the backup that the city will ultimately only pay for the study for the city's portion of the services, and the partners will pay for the rest. But staff is asking you to vote now to approve the full amount of $2 million, with no provision that I could find to back out of it. In the absence of those partners . As it appears this project will launch with or without them . But that makes no sense, because the proposed goal here is to assess strategic alignment among the partners. The terms align or alignment appears five times in the objectives and scope. Add to that coordination. Collaboration and synergy and you pretty much understand the entire document. Staff estimates that a review of just city contracts and services by Mckenzie will cost $1 million, and the total for the partners is another million. I honestly [10:17:41 AM] is another million. I honestly don't think Mckenzie takes a deep breath for $1 million. I I and equity action support external reviews. We have consistent supported Kroll's work and that has cost a pretty penny. The scope of this project as written is greater, and I do not believe the city will get much for $1 million, except a rehashing of work already done on this topic by staff and other consultants. >> Thank you, miss Mitchell. I only have one sentence, ma'am. Your time is expired, but thank you. >> Good morning. My name is Chris Harris. I live in district nine. I'm here on behalf of the Austin justice coalition. And I'm, I will say, firstly, thank you, mayor, for your public commitment, that the items in item 46 will be brought back for an additional vote. It is incumbent on this council, that [10:18:43 AM] incumbent on this council, that full clarity around the costs of the proposed items in item 46, are known, particularly given that there is supposed to be a mid-year budget reconciling process happening soon. And without full clarity of the costs of these items, both known to you as well as to this community, it will be impossible for us to fully participate in that process and ensure that those things that were pushed from August to March, whether or not they can be funded and to what extent. And obviously there are a lot of good projects that were left shelved in August. That deserve to be, to be looked at yet again. And again. We won't be able to do that without a full understanding of all the costs associated with item 46. So thank you for that. As it relates to the Mckenzie item, I joined all the speakers in opposition to this item. There are no partners for this item. The scope of work is all about working with partners who do not [10:19:43 AM] working with partners who do not exist. Mckenzie cannot be trusted and is way expensive. And these arpa dollars are so, so, so, so scarce. And crucial. And we have a good understanding that. Well, Mckenzie is going to say, is to fund, council member vela's item from August around additional tenant stabilization. They're going to say fund zo qadri item from August about more, wraparound services for permanent supportive housing projects. This is what these arpa dollars should be going for. Not a not a corrupt consulting firm providing a report that they've written ten times that will not include any regional partners. Thank you. Thank you. >> Speaking on item 46, Michelle Diaz, Whitney knight and Alicia Castillo, if your name isn't called, please come down to the podium and then state your name into the record. [10:20:43 AM] into the record. >> If your name has been called, please come to the microphone. >> Good morning. >> My name is Alicia Castillo. I live in district three, not district one. Sorry about that. And I'm here representing the Texas civil rights project today. Over the summer, you all saw over 100, Austin residents come and talk about, the community investment budget, which has been a coalition that, I've been part of for the past few years where, community partners from all across the city. And we were growing, doing those, numbers of coalition members all the time. Come to the table and say, hey, here's what we want to see in our cities. These are folks from the parks department. These are folks who care about early childhood education. These are folks who care about non-congregate, shelter Wright all, all kinds of different folks. And they, offered to you all your oes kind of a sheet of our priorities as the community and so, after, you [10:21:44 AM] community and so, after, you know, the summer. Conway sessions around the budget, there were, millions and millions of dollars from our priorities that remain unfunded in the city's budget. And so, as we come here during this mid-year cycle, we're, concerned and I'm concerned about prioritizing something that I see as a failed tactic, offering more money to incentivize officers to come back to the table. Over those other items. And some of those items are things like community led crisis response, something that as a justice policy analyst, I really believe in and really value and believe the city should be funding more, and prioritizing, early childhood education, emergency assistance for low income residents, non-congregate shelter, pregnancy and infant care support. Just those are just a few of those items. And so, I'm really grateful that there will be a discussion on what the actual dollar amounts look like in the next couple of weeks. And, plan on to come [10:22:45 AM] weeks. And, plan on to come share with you all then. Thank you. >> Thank you, Michelle Diaz. >> Whitney. Night. Thank you, mayor Watson and council for bringing this important item today. >> I'm Whitney night. I'm a business owner, downtown tenant attorney, chair of the board of the downtown Austin alliance, and mother of two young children. I support item 46 because for Austin to continue to be a safe place and the best place to live, work and play, we must be able to feel safe. I've lived in Austin most of my life and I've seen Austin transform over the past decade. In 2011, we had so many cops on the street. We had an entire unit dedicated to jaywalking on congress. I won't go into details about how I know that today the situation could not be more different, as we're currently facing a large shortage of police officers and have a higher than normal attrition rate. I go weeks sometimes without ever seeing a police car or an officer in uniform. APD has had to backfill patrol vacancies by reassigning officers from essential [10:23:46 AM] officers from essential investigative and specialized units to work patrol shifts, and by assigning officers to work overtime. However even with these interim measures in place, patrol shifts citywide remain understaffed, and I see this on a daily basis in my role as a business business owner downtown . Our firm's office assistant and runner was attacked on his way to the post office just last summer. It makes it very difficult to employ people in these positions when they don't feel safe outside the office doors. During the past year, I haven't felt safe in this city. Whether it's walking from meeting to meeting to a local restaurant for dinner, biking on the Johnson creek trail with my family, or taking my daughter to the paramount theater for summer camp every day for two weeks, where we had some very scary run ins on congress vandalism causing significant damage at local business goes completely unpunished. It was not always like this. While many communities are facing similar staffing issues, we must have plans to address it. The city APD and the community are coming together to market Austin and recruit new officers, but without guaranteed wages and [10:24:46 AM] without guaranteed wages and benefits for all of these efforts will be for naught. We also need for the Austin police association to come to the table with the city to work on a long terme agreement every month that goes by without a contract, a contract every month that goes by without a contract, places a greater strain on our public safety system. I urge you to support 46. >> Thank you. >> Michelle Diaz. >> Mayor Watson, city council members, thank you for allowing me this time to speak. My name is Mary Michelle Diaz. I work for royal blue grocery and I'm here to speak on behalf of the 100 employees that work in work on the front lines in our stores every day, we support item 46 to initiate the process of extending the temporary agreement with APD, while a more permanent contract is crafted, APD and its success as an agency are vital to the safety and the security of our city. Like many other businesses, our stores literally would not be able to exist without the care and responsiveness that the APD officers in downtown have shown [10:25:47 AM] officers in downtown have shown us over the past 17 years. As we all know, being a police officer today is different than it used to be. It is time for the Austin community to come together and support our officers, and we believe thatupport starts at the top with city leadership. This isn't just about pay and benefits, it's about the entire Austin community supporting the pelele who keep us safe and are doing what is arguably the hardest job in public safety the care, respect and support that you show the department by ensuring the equitable contract is in place will go a long way in APD's ability to hire, retain great people. One of our biggest challenges today, your leadership on this subject is also key in the building, community and building community of support throughout the city. For APD, this is something that is sadly lacking and it's time for a change. Mayor you and the council have an important opportunity in front of you. This is a chance to change the narrative in our city on how we view our police department. We [10:26:48 AM] view our police department. We can reject the politics and divisiveness that have been injected into policing across the country, so we can all get back to doing what we love being austinites. Thank you. >> Thank you mayor. >> That concludes all the speakers for consent. >> Thank you very much. Members that concludes all of the speakers. So we will now go to the consent agenda. Item, the one change that I need to read in the record is on item number 30. Item number 30. If the consent agenda passes, that will be postponed until February 1st. The motion on the consent agenda will be to postpone item number 30 to February first. I will, I'll ask now, is there any item on the consent agenda that any member wishes to withdraw? All right. With that, I'll entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council member, are you making a motion? >> No, I just the terminology we use confuse me for a second. I [10:27:49 AM] use confuse me for a second. I would love to hear, from the city manager on 14. In light of the county's, vote, how he how he plans to proceed. I don't know if you want to pull it from consent or talk about it now. >> I'll be happy to let me, if you don't mind. Can we get a motion and a second and then do that? Sure no. Okay. Motion is made by the mayor pro tem and second by council member harper-madison to approve the consent agenda. As read manager, would you please address councilmember Allison alter question? >> Council member. This morning I asked, my staff to begin to set up meetings with the commissioners court. So we begin to visit with them as soon as their calendar permits. And my calendar permits. Second is I know that our that Susana Carbajal will be chairing a meeting or working on a meeting. I certainly chairing it on the 22nd, which is Monday. All the partners are coming. They've said they're coming. We'll work through the issues that they're concerned about. And as we work through that, I'm confident that we'll be able to get the county. The county was given authorization to negotiate. They [10:28:50 AM] authorization to negotiate. They just didn't get the authority to execute. It will work through their specific issues. We'll work through the specific issues of any specific issues that central health may have. And we've been we've been told that that integral care is on board. They wanted to make sure that we split up how they would pay for it. We were fine with that, and we've worked through that already. But as we the meeting on Monday will give us a little bit more in terms of their, issue. And then when I sit down and visit with the commissioners court themselves, individual commissioners, I think I'll get additional insight. I'm confident that we'll be able to get them there. >> Thank you. Manager, could you just clarify, in adopting, negotiating execute today, we're not agreeing that we're spending 2 million. If they don't come forward with their share of the funds, correct. >> We that that's that's the intent. And if that if it were out that the partners didn't want to do this, we would adjust the contract so that we would be paying for our shared. Okay, which is the million dollar. >> So we would still be going forward with the contract for the million dollars, even if we don't want to. I mean, this [10:29:50 AM] don't want to. I mean, this seems like a little hypothetical because I'm hoping that we'll collaborate. I'm just trying to understand what we're agreeing. We won't. >> The authorization that you give us today is to proceed. I'm confident that we will. If we get jammed up, we'll come back to council and say, this is where we're at, and we'll get further direction if that's necessary. >> Thank you. And I'm hopeful that all the partners understand the importance of us working together on homelessness and that these conversations are, are perhaps part of making us be more collaborative. And we have to work through them. >> And I think one of the things that, I guess is one of the issues that I guess was, that I realization on my part, I have not visited with the members of the commissioners court individually since being here for now, almost a year. I'm going to I've committed to be able to do that at least as often as we can, to be able to work through issues. Some of these, concerns that they've expressed that are history, history that I wasn't part of history, that the staff that we have now aren't part of it, nor was the council. So we'll have [10:30:50 AM] was the council. So we'll have to sort through that. But I but I want to say to the, to the, to the council, it's our intent to make sure that when we enter into this collaborative, we're not trying to run the table with our own lens. It is that each partner has to be part of this work team as we work through it in the end, that coordination is critical on this issue of homelessness. And I think I've said before, the city has taken a lead role and has not, availed itself of these important partners that can help us sort through all the different issues that they're involved in, as well as us. And that's our intent. And I think we can get them there. >> Thank you. I appreciate the clarification. The work that you're doing to create this collaboration that's very much needed. >> Members. Yes. Thank you, manager. And thank you, councilmember alter, for the question. With that, let me ask if there's any member of the council that wishes, wishes to be shown abstaining on any item on the consent agenda. Councilmember Allison alter, for 44, I'd like to be shown [10:31:50 AM] 44, I'd like to be shown abstaining on the appointment of Ryan Johnson to the planning commission. >> I want to be clear that I have no concerns withhis overall merit and talent, and his appointment may be in alignment with our charter requirements, which legally prohibits more than four members of our planning commission being directly or indirectly connected with real estate and land development. However I remain concerned about whether we are all in agreement as to which of our current appointees meet this definition and whether we are currently exceeding or even close to exceeding the charter limit. So out of an abundance of caution, I will be abstaining from that appointment. >> Thank you, councilmember. Anyone else wish to council member harper-madison. >> Thank you mayor. I'd like to be shown abstaining on items number 14, 18, 27, 28 and 29. >> Councilmember harper-madison will be shown abstaining on 14, 27, 28 and 29. >> Councilmember qadri thank you, mayor. >> I'd also like to be shown as abstaining O items 14, 27, 28, 29. [10:32:51 AM] 29. >> Councilmember qadri will be shown absining on 14, 27, 28, and 29. Any other abstentions? Anyone wishing to be shown recusing themselves from revote on any of the consent agenda. Anyone wishing to be shown voting no. All right. The motion has been made and seconded to adopt the consent agenda as it's read with item number 30. For clarity purposes being postponed to February 1st, Ann. Without objection on the consent agenda is adopted, with councilmember Allison alter being shown abstaining on item 44 and council members Harper, Madison and qadri being shown abstaining. On 14, 27, 28, and 29. Thank you council. We will now go. I'll tell you what. Without objection, we will recess the meeting of the Austin city council. It is 10:33 A.M. On Thursday, January 18th. I will now call to order the meeting of the board of directors of the Austin housing finance corporation. Motion at. [10:33:52 AM] finance corporation. Motion at. And I will recognize staff for a presentation. >> Good morning, Mr. President. >> I'm sorry. Hang on, hang on. You're exactly right. And I've got so the break. Of course I screwed this up all the time last year too. But I'm going to blame the break. Before we do that, I'm going to recess the meeting of the Austin housing finance corporation without objection, at 1034, which now makes that the shortest meeting we ever had of the Austin housing finance corporation. And I will call back to order the meeting of the Austin city council, and I will recognize, council members to speak on consent agenda items that we just adopted. And I apologize. Council, we will blame the holiday break, but we know better. Councilmember Allison alter, I'll recognize you first. >> Thank you. So, colleagues, today we took the final step to fully implement proposition two from last November. Item 31 provides a property tax [10:34:54 AM] provides a property tax abatement to child care centers that serve our most vulnerable children. Austin is now the first municipality in Texas taking action, demonstrating a commitment to children, families and the essential child care sector. This action will provide some relief to child care centers, whose businesses operate, as know at very thin margins with and they're facing very much higher costs for their rent and their mortgages. Unlike many other businesses, child care centers cannot afford to pass their costs onto their customers. Our Austin families, who are already struggling to make ends meet this is a really exciting moment for us to provide some financial relief to certain child care providers, but this is by no means a silver bullet. As I remarked last November, more traditional investment is needed and I and a few other colleagues will have some exciting news to share with you on that front in the near future. As a reminder, the resolution from last year also directed the interim city manager to identify similar relief options for our home [10:35:54 AM] relief options for our home based providers. They are not eligible for this property tax relief under the state legislation, and they are a very key part of our child care ecosystem. That work is still on track to be back, in may to us, this is a very important step as we seek to stabilize this sector with equity and cultural competence in mind. I look forward city manager, to reviewing those recommendations and to continue to work with you all on assisting the children, caregivers and child care workers in Austin. Finally, I want to give a shout out and thank Austin's own representative, James Talarico, senator west and other members of the state legislature who, together with groups like children at risk and many others , created this opportunity for us to provide this relief. Thank you. Thank you, council member. >> I'll now recognize council member Kelly, then council member Ryan alter, council member Fuentes, and then council member harper-madison. >> Thank you, mayor and members. >> I would like to highlight two items I authored and brought forward today that passed unanimously on our consent agenda. [10:36:55 AM] agenda. >> But before I do that, I'd like to thank everyone who attended and my staff for supporting our efforts. This morning, proclaiming January as national mentoring month and human trafficking awareness month. Those are critical issues and they are in our community. And it is very important to ensure that we continue to keep the community safe. The first item I'd like to highlight was item 45, which approves a resolution directing the city manager to explore and make recommendations regarding additional funding sources to increase the Austin police department's victim services emergency assistance budget for safety resources for domestic violence survivors. I want to thank my co sponsors, council member Alison alter, council member Jose Velasquez and council member chito vela for your support on that item. The second item is an item I've done every year since my time began. Item 48, which approves a fee waiver or reimbursement of specific fees for the Texas peace officers memorial procession, which will be held on April 28th, 2024. I want to invite my colleagues to attend with me this year, as I've done every year since I was elected. [10:37:55 AM] every year since I was elected. Please reach out to my office for details and thank you very much to my co sponsors, mayor Kirk Watson, council member Alison alter and council member Jose Velasquez for your support as part of the homeless initiatives on this agenda, I want to highlight that we are allocating funding for authorizing, negotiation and execution of the contract for the comprehensive review of homeless strategies, I sponsored a special request audit that was limited in scope in 2021. Related to homeless spending, and I continue to believe that we can make improvements in that space. I'm very thankful for the work that staff did on this to bring it before us today, and I'm looking forward to the results of the study of homeless resources to find gaps and areas improvement where we can make the most significant positive impact in our unhoused community. I've expressed this sentiment previously and I want to reiterate it now. The individuals most adversely affected by the inefficient allocation of funds are those who receive the services. I hope that this items approval will give council the ability to explore ways to improve the space. And finally, I'd like to [10:38:56 AM] space. And finally, I'd like to talk about the police pay and benefits item 46 that will come back to council for final approval in February. I want to emphasize that getting to a new contract is essential, and once this ordinance comes back, comes back, it is an opportunity for us to support officers in critical ways, and we can support them in ways that don't require a contract, like showing them that they're valued. I've spoken to officers and several of them, including in my conversations with the police association, have informed me that one time bonuses don't provide the stability the officers need. And I'd like to suggest potentially exploring using those funds for a long time program to help the department. And I want to note that that I want the city and the police association to work towards a contract, but we cannot and we shouldn't use a lack of a contract to avoid addressing the department's needs. And with that, mayor, I yield back. >> Thank you, councilmember councilmember Ryan alter, then councilmember Fuentes and harper-madison, thank you very much. >> Mayor. I just want to extend my gratitude to councilmember [10:39:57 AM] my gratitude to councilmember Kelly for item 45. And I, you know, really supporting survivors of domestic violence every austinite deserves to feel safe in this city. And it's crucial that we do everything we can to ensure continued security for survivors. And that's why I was glad we included $250,000 within the Austin police department budget to assist with victim services and local nonprofits with digital delivery of domestic violence services. Back in the budget, back in August and it's my hope that we can soon implement that this item as well as council member Kelly's item to build on the great work that victim services does. So thank you very much, councilmember Kelly. >> Thank you. Council member alter council member. Fuentes, then council member harper-madison. >> Thank you. Thanks. I'm excited. I got to use our new digital technology here. Good morning everyone. Ann. Happy first council meeting of 2024. I'm really excited that part of today's consent agenda, which we just approved, include us [10:40:59 AM] just approved, include us becoming the first city in Texas to adopt and codify the ordinance that will allow for 100% city property tax exemption for childcare centers here in Austin. So that's important work. I want to highlight and give credit to my colleague here, councilmember Allison alter, for her leadership and spearheading this, this action that we were able to quickly put into motion. And the reason why this matters is that we know and we're serious about addressing affordability in Austin. And part of that is ensuring that every family has access to high quality, affordable child care throughout the city. And so we've taken a number of actions in recent years, including updating our zoning regulations as well as dedicating $11 million as part of our American rescue act federal relief dollars to help. But there is a cliff that's about to happen. And so it's important that we all take action not only here locally, but at the state and federal level to ensure that all families have that access. And so while we're the first city in Texas to adopt this property tax [10:42:01 AM] Texas to adopt this property tax exemption, I can't imagine that will be the only one. And so I sharing with with our community, I'm thrilled that this will provide some sort of relief to working families. And I'm excited to continue to put other strategies, other initiatives into motion, and I want to thank all the partners who are involved in this effort. >> Thank you. Council member. Council member harper- madison. >> Thank you, mayor, I appreciate it. I am, really happy about being able to highlight the great work that we do by way of the consent agenda. So I'm happy that this first 2024 meeting, some of the things that I get to say are things that, are community needs, like being able to recognize that climate reality is, is everybody's concern and should be. And from an equity perspective, there are a lot of communities who get left out of the conversation. And so I am happy that we get to look forward to capacity based incentives for pathways at Chalmers court. It will expand accessibility of solar energy [10:43:04 AM] accessibility of solar energy among one of these communities that's been historically excluded from the benefits of, alternative energy sources. So happy about being able to, start that conversation. I think it's an important one. I'm also excited about several projects that are happening in d1. So rosewood park, Bethany cemetery, pioneer farms, a lot of folks don't realize that district one goes that far out, but, district one includes all the way up north to palmer. So pioneer farms, Houston, Tillotson university and others will receive dollars from our historic preservation fund grant . So this investment in these projects really provides us with opportunities to showcase and celebrate the history and culture of the east side of Austin, Texas. And connects east side austinites with our visitors. Additionally and lastly, I want to thank city staff for all your all your tireless work to make sure that [10:44:06 AM] tireless work to make sure that we can adopt child care, property tax exemptions, by the state legislature promptly, as we continue to find ways to make child care more accessible and more affordable across the city. Being that and I think somebody might have said it already, I don't know if, who it was, but I will just say it bears repeating, child care is one of the most expensive things that austinites have to pay for, so I really appreciate any opportunity we get to offer that support as a body. Thank you. >> Thank you. Council member, council member. Vela I actually I just wanted to give a shout out to the Austin achieve, students, seniors, I believe, studying government and, and politics. >> If you all want to raise your hand and, just identify yourselves. Just wanted to welcome them to the chambers and , and, enjoy your time at city hall. Look forward to chatting with y'all a little bit later. >> Welcome. >>Hahank you. Council member Bailey, those are all the members that wish to speak on [10:45:08 AM] members that wish to speak on the consent agenda without objection, we will adjourn the I mean, recess. The Austin city council meeting. It's 1045. I will [10:48:10 AM] Thursday, January 18th. I will now call back to order the, meeting of the Austin city council, and we will go to non consent items, items from council committees, members. Those are items 53 and 54. Item 53 is related to item number 36, which was passed on the consent agenda. So item number 53 does not now need to be brought back up because we passed item number 36 previously. That will take us to item number 54, which is also a which is a reappointment. And I'll recognize council member Fuentes, to make a motion sincethat came from the public health committee, and she serves as chair. >> I move the recommendation council member Fuentes moves the recommendation, and it is seconded by council member Allison alter on item number 54. >> Is there any discussion or is it without objection, item number 54 is adopted members that will now take us to item [10:49:12 AM] that will now take us to item number 55, which is an item related to eminent domain proceedings. And with respect to item, let me first ask if there's anyone signed up to speak on item number 55. >> Did you say 45? >> Mayor 55 no, I only have 57. No mayor. >> Okay. Thank you. Members, with respect to item number 55, that's a non consent condemnation item. The motion that the chair will entertain is to the effect that the city council of Austin authorizes the use of the power of eminent domain to acquire the property set forth and described in the agenda for the current meeting. For the public use described in in that agenda item, mayor pro tem moves that we adopt item 55. As I have read and the motion is there a second seconded by [10:50:14 AM] there a second seconded by council member Ellis, is there any discussion without objection? Item number 55 is adopted. Members that will take us to item 57 and 58 with our which are public hearings and possible actions. Without objection, I will open the public hearing on item number 57 and item number 58 and ask staff to come forward. Yes, sir. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Mayor pro tem and council members. I'm Kevin Shunk. I'm the city's floodplain administrator from the watershed protection department. I have a brief presentation about the variance request. If you if you'd like to hear that, or we can. It's whatever you'd like to do. >> Let me let me ask a question first. >> Is there any, item anyone signed up to speak at the public hearings on item 57 or 58? Yes mayor. >> I have one speaker for 57. >> Okay, then why don't you make a short presentation and then we'll call that speaker. Okay. >> Thanks. This is a floodplain variance request at 1121e Burt [10:51:15 AM] variance request at 1121e Burt avenue, which is in the Tannehill branch watershed. There's a brief view of the area. We have Springdale and airport intersection down on the on the lower left hand corner. And the property highlighted in red. You can see that there's a very large, expansive floodplain in this area. It it's an area of sheet flow. So it's not necessarily very deep water. Not necessarily very water that's flowing very fast. Nonetheless it is in the 100 year floodplain . There's a closer look at the property itself and the proposed house with the detached garage, that there requesting to be built there. The entire lot as you can see here. From the previous slide, is entirely in the 100 year floodplain. As I mentioned before, the lots in the 100 year floodplain for the city of Boston and floodplain, as well as a FEMA floodplain and [10:52:15 AM] as well as a FEMA floodplain and FEMA Zones. This area, they call it an a zone. They put aepth of one foot on it. That's an ar O of sheet flow. It's not an area, like I said, very deep water, but it is an area that it's very expansive in this area of town that's very flat. That's why the floodplain is very large . The original house was built on this lot in 1963, and then more than 20 years ago, that house burned down and was demolished. And the house that has been vacant since then and is currently vacant today. The development proposes to build a single family dwelling unit that's about 2400ft S, with a detached garage of about. 484ft S in their design plans that exist today, they are proposing to construct the lowest floor of the building. 2.2ft above the 100 year floodplain, which is [10:53:16 AM] 100 year floodplain, which is above the minimum required by our regulations. And I'll get into that in a minute. In addition, they're building the house on pier and beams, which allows flood water, flood water to flow underneath the house itself. So it's just a very brief discussion about city of Boston floodplain regulations compared to FEMA floodplain regulations. And I wanted to touch on for regulations that we have that do apply to this property. The first is has to do with flood heights and the impact that the development may have on flood heights. And for the city of Boston regulations, development cannot cause additional flooding on another property. That means zero increase in the height of the flood levels on the property or near the property, as opposed to in the for FEMA flood building regulations. There are some areas where development can cause up to a one foot increase in flood levels, very different from what we have here in the city of Boston. The next required floodplain regulation, [10:54:17 AM] required floodplain regulation, it has to do with freeboard, which is the height that the lowest floor of the building is built above a predetermined level in this case, the 100 year floodplain. Here, the city of Boston, the freeboard requirement is a minimum of two feet above the 100 year floodplain. For FEMA, their requirement is that buildings be built zero feet above or at the floodplain elevation itself. The next regulation is called the safe access regulation, and that is just for the city of Boston. It's not a FEMA regulation at all. And basically what that regulation states is you have to be able to walk fromhe building to the right of way, all at an elevation that's at least one foot above the 100 year floodplain. And. That's to protect egress and ingress of the building at, at at a at the time that it may be flooding and then the last regulation is, is the need, the requirement to dedicate a drainage easement. And for the city of Boston [10:55:18 AM] And for the city of Boston regulations the required is a dedicated drainage easement to the limits of the 100 year floodplain. FEMA does not have that rule as far as their minimum standard floodplain regulations, so. So with those regulations in mind and with the proposed development in mind, there are several, criteria or variances that they are requesting because they cannot meet. There are regulations. And the key one of those regulations is the safe access regulation. And that's again being able to walk from the building to the right of way, all at an elevation Ann. That's a minimum of one foot above the 100 year floodplain. Since the whole lot, as well as the right of way, has for that matter, the whole neighborhood is in the 100 year floodplain. It's impossible for this lot to satisfy that rule, and we have to come to city council to request a variance from that rule. It cannot be this. In this case, it cannot be waived in administratively. The building does encroach on the 100 year floodplain. So that's just really a basic, variance request to add on to the safe access variance. And then for [10:56:21 AM] access variance. And then for the 100 for the drainage easement requirement, the request for the variance is not to not to not allow the drainage easement easement at all, but it's to accept save and accept the house and the garage set detached garage from the from the easement itself. The rest of the lot will be in a drainage drainage easement. Summary of the findings of this case that have been that are detailed in the backup documents that we submitted. The development itself does not cause adverse flooding on other properties. It does not increase flood heights for other properties at all. However, as I discussed, there's no safe access from this building to the to a to a right of way. That's one foot above the 100 yea floodplain. The proposed finish floors actually exceed the requirements that they need to build here in Austin. In Austin, it's two feet. There proposing to go 2.2ft above the 100 year floodplain. So that's ways we tell people a lot that the higher the building the more [10:57:23 AM] higher the building the more safe the building is. From flood from flood risk. So that's a that's an important, that's an important design element that they've incorporated with our design and the hardship condition for this property does exist. Insomuch as the entire lot as well as the right of way is on the 100 year floodplain. So there's there is not a way for them to meet the safe access requirement due to the flood risk in this area being relatively low. It's sheet flow. It's relative. Not it's relatively not deep. And not it's not flowing very fast. And the fact that they are exceeding some of the requirements with their design staff is recommending approval of this variance. >> Thank you sir. >> You're very welcome sir. >> Any questions members. >> You have any questions based on that presentation. Thank you. We appreciate that. And I'll now ask the city clerk if you will call the person. I think you said person that signed up to speak. >> Yes. Luke Pham, item 57. [10:58:23 AM] >> Yes. Luke Pham, item 57. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Good morning everyone. My name is Luke Pham. I'm the other property owner at eighth avenue, along with Jason Rodriguez, listed here on the item. When we first purchased the property, we did not know that at least 14 went into effect four months prior. We did know that it was in a floodplain. However, with all the redevelopment just within our immediate neighbors, we didn't think too much about building a new home. Over the last couple of years, we worked closely with Austin watershed and floodplain management to make sure we design a structure that exceeds the minimum requirements by the city, including building on pier and beam. We ask that you all agree with the watershed department's recommendation and approve this variance so that we are able to build our dream home. Thank you. >> Thank you sir. Members. We have no one else that signed up to speak on this item number 50, in the public hearing on item 57. We've opened it on both [10:59:24 AM] 57. We've opened it on both 5758, but without objection, then I will close the. You want me to read you before I close the public hearing? Good. Well, let me close. I'll close the public hearing without objection , we'll close the public hearing on item number 57, and I'll recognize council member Ellis. >> Thank you. I'm still getting used to the new buttons. Me too. I really appreciate the speaker coming to make a few comments today. I'm going to support this item, but I just want to issue a couple of words of wisdom we have had another person who built a home in this exact same neighborhood come to us a few years ago, but they didn't build the substrate correctly and they were not able to get their certificate of occupancy. So I just wanted to take the opportunity to say, make sure that when you say 2.2ft above that floodplain, that you're really making sure you're building that foundation correctly. And I hope that we don't have any issues with certificate of occupancy later on down the road. >> Thank you for that. Do you have a motion to approve item number 57? Move to approve. Council member Ellis moves to [11:00:24 AM] Council member Ellis moves to approve. Item number 57 is seconded by the mayor pro tem. Is there any further discussion? Without objection. Item number 57 is adopted on item number 58. Is there anyone signed up to speak? No. >> Mayor. >> Members. There's no one signed up to speak on item number 58. Soithout objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 58. The chair will entertain a motion to approve item number 58. The chair recognizes council member Harper Madison is moving for approval of item number 58. It is seconded by council member vela. Is there any discussion on item 58? Without objection, item number 58 is adopted members. That takes us, to our time. Certain of noon, which is, our our public comment period.ee have no other business to come before the city council until that time. Certain of noon. So without objection, we will be in recess until, 12:00 noon, when we will take public comment. It is 1101. The Austin city council is in recess until 12:00 [11:01:24 AM] council is in recess until 12:00 noon. Good afternoon everybody. It's [12:00:24 PM] Good afternoon everybody. It's 12:00 noon and I will call back to order the Austin city council at this regular scheduled meeting of the Austin city council on Thursday, January 18th. We are at our time certain for public comment session. And before we start the public communication, I'm going to say a few things, but I know we have a council member that needs to leave the dais. So I'm going to recognize council member vela. He wanted to say something. >> Thank you. Mayor. Please excuse my absence during, public comment. I'm hosting some high school students, for lunch today, and I'll be spending it with them. I just wanted to say I have great admiration for the speakers and advocates for, ceasefire. I personally support a cease fire and have signed on to the local progress. And I've. I've signed on to the local progress letter calling for a ceasefire in gaza. I've made my views known to my congressional rep and am glad both representative Doggett and representative kassar support the ceasefire. However I do not [12:01:25 PM] the ceasefire. However I do not want this council to become embroiled in foreign policy matters as these are far beyond our purview as a local government and we have too many critical local issues that demand our attention. I just wanted to mention that before I step off the dais again, I appreciate so much that so many people come again and again after so many meetings. It's it's really an impressive display of advocacy. And strength. And you have my utmost respect and admiration. Thank you. >> Council member. But before we start, the public comment period I want to make, I've said this before, and I just. I'll do it again. As we begin these these, sessions, each time, please be aware that there's behavior that can violate the rules of the council meeting, and we can't permit that. So you can't speak out of turn or you can't criticize a public official, but you may not use you can criticize. Yeah, maybe that was wishful thinking. You may criticize a public official, but [12:02:25 PM] criticize a public official, but you can't use personally derogatory or disparaging remarks. You can't defame another person. You can't use obscene language or use abusive language that is likely to incite a breach of the peace. You can't make threats of violence against another person or otherwise disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, such as screaming comments. Also note that comments from a member of the public on a on any of if you are speaking on an agenda item, it has to be related to that. But this is general public communication in order to ensure that everybody can fully participate in this process and have access to the process, and also witness the council's consideration and deliberations. You you may not sit or stand in the aisles or otherwise of the exits or emergency exits, as is being done right now. And I appreciate that. If you wish to display a sign or a flag or a banner or some other object, you [12:03:25 PM] banner or some other object, you need to do so in the designated area at the back of the council chambers. You we ask that you not do it in the seats because generally that will obstruct the view of other members of the public who are seated in the sitting area and we ask that you not do it at all, because we don't want to get into a debate about whether you're actually obstructing views. We're going to assume it does. And that's why we have the space in the back. You may not have demonstrations at the podium. The speaker cannot be accompanied by others unless there's a special circumstance for that. So we just ask the speakers to come forward, violation of those rules. You can we can have time cut short, or someone can be asked to leave. Leave the council chambers. I don't anticipate anything like that happening today, but I do feel we ought to always be aware of what the rules are. So with that, we will begin our general public communication. And I will ask the city clerk's office to [12:04:26 PM] the city clerk's office to navigate that process. Thank you. >> Mayor. We don't have anyone signed up remotely, so I'll go right into in person with torah cook for followed by arwa debakey. If your name is called, please come down to the podium. >> Good afternoon. Council members. You and I are alike. Our salaries have been paid by the taxpayers of Austin. For me, it was 25 to 40 years ago W I was a city planner. Our employee orientation was themed. We serve Austin, strive to serve Austin is whatreasure most about those years at a higher level, you serve all of Austin. On October 9th, you made a public statement supporting the safety of the jewish community. You expressed empathy for loved ones in Israel. You made the issue of [12:05:28 PM] in Israel. You made the issue of Israel and palestine a local one and immediately served one group within our community. But you have not served the Palestinian Ann community. There their personal safety is also at risk. What do you need in order to feel empathy for their safety and their loved ones in gaza, Palestinians and their allies have been asking you to stand for an immediate ceasefire, which will save all lives. You have not recognized that over 60% of Americans favor a ceasefire. The support in Austin is likely close to that, that Jews like myself are calling for ceasefire. We feel that Jews are not safe and Israel will not be safe unless Palestinians are equally safe. We do not hold [12:06:28 PM] equally safe. We do not hold jewish lives over and above Palestinian lives. We do not support 100 days of hell bent revenge on the people of gaza. On October 9th, you responded to the emotional needs of people you identify with that happens, but it is not your job to be partizan Ann your job is to serve everyone. If you do not know the Palestinian community, welcome them to your offices when they approach you, make it your business to understand their viewpoints and to expand your definition of who is included in the Austin community . I want to recognize and thank council members Vanessa Fuentes, Jose Velasquez, and zo qadri themselves members of minority communities, for their support [12:07:30 PM] communities, for their support of a cease fire resolution. And I ask the rest of you, what do you need to serve your Palestinian neighbors and feel empathy for their loved ones when will Palestinians be included ie Austin community that you serve? Here is my budget. >> Arwa, to Becky, followed by Zach Schlossberg. >> Arra debakey, please come forward. >> Okay. Hello. My name is Eduardo Beckett, and I'm a very concerned Palestinian American. Thank you to council member Fuentes qadri and Velasquez for supporting the cease fir ceasefire resolution. We're all here again together. People of all colors, creeds, religions and nationalities to ask you to [12:08:31 PM] and nationalities to ask you to support the cease fire resolution. Because Austin should be on the right side of history and this affects all of us locally. As many of you celebrated Christmas with your friends and families. Christmas in Bethlehem, the holy land was canceled. Instead of New York fireworks, there were new year bombs dropped on Palestinian civilians by the Israeli occupation force. Bombs funded by our tax dollars, your tax dollars, all of our tax dollars. Some of you sit comfortably complicit funding and supporting the genocide of a nation with our tax dollars for 140 days of illegal war crimes and murder of more than 31,497 innocent civilians, 64,783 with horrific, life altering injuries, 40% are children. We're not just numbers . Take a moment and try to comprehend how it feels to be a citizen of a nation, which is the United States that is [12:09:32 PM] the United States that is blatantly supporting and funding the complete elimination of your friends and family while simultaneously ignoring its people's needs, all with your hard earned dollars. Explain to us how this is not a local issue. When Biden and other officials have $3.8 billion budget for war annually, 100 million Ju from Texas, but Texan children go to school hungry veterans are struggling. Our homeless population has exponentially grown. It is a local issue when arms companies here in Texas are massively profiting from funding genocide and Texas has invested in Israeli bonds since 1994. It's estimated to take 20 billion to end homelessness here in the us. How our money is spent is a local issue, and your voters needs are a local issues. How our government explain to us how our government does not have a but again for free health, clear or student loan forgiveness, but can provide all these basic needs to another nation. Peaceful religions should not be twisted in to aid the genocide of any people. And [12:10:35 PM] the genocide of any people. And how does calling for peace ever harm anyone? Your duty is to represent us all your duties to help fund our communities here in Austin, not somewhere else and not a genocide. Again thank you to council member Fuentes, qadri and Velasquez for supporting the ceasefire resolution and thank you for representing your constituents and making Austin proud. >> Thank you. >> Zach Schlossberg, followed by Mira vedros. >> Hello, council members, my name is Zach. I work here in Austin. I live in district four and I'm here to ask for this council to adopt a cease fire resolution resolution as recommended by the Austin human rights commission and as many other Progressive cities have, from Oakland to Detroit and Providence, Rhode Island. I've been pleased to see this council adopt Progressive measures this turn. Why not this one? Where [12:11:35 PM] turn. Why not this one? Where does the hesitation come from? My council member, Mr. Vela, just expressed trepidation about wading into a global issue. But this is a local issue because your constituents are here telling you that it is so why the hesitation? I would it help you to know that there are so many Jews like me here in Austin who resist the contention that critique of Israel is anti-semitic, and for whom in fact critique of the actions of Israel in gaza is inextricable from their judaism. At its deepest root, I am compelled here today, not in spite of my judaism, but because of it, as I was taught, like so many of my jewish peers, to recognize when a population has been singled out by the state for dispossession and slaughter, and to speak before it is too, too late. Although surely, as we stand here today, more than 100 days into Israel's slaughter of gaza, with over 24,000 dead, we [12:12:35 PM] gaza, with over 24,000 dead, we are well on our way to too late. But I stand here to urge you to hear our jewish voices, which are strong and many, and will not go away, and who will be here with you when the council passes a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to the daily slaughter, thank you for your time. Thank you. Mira vedra is followed by Sophia sappi zo. >> Please forgive me. >> I will talk fast. Good morning, Mr. Mayor and council members. My name is mayor ratnasimha avraham sura or mayor of vedros. I use they them pronouns. I'm a member of afscme's 1624 Austin dsa and Austin jewish voice for peace. And I am an anti zionist Jew. I took personal time to speak today to you today because I understand you weren't thoroughly convinced by the voices of our Palestinian community, and you wanted jewish perspectives on the cease fire resolution. This is a difficult topic for me to broach because I am an adult convert to judaism. Much like Ruth, I sought spiritual community outside of [12:13:36 PM] spiritual community outside of the faith tradition. I was raised in the solace and rigor of the jewish tradition, and the intimacy of this path would bring between me and a very close friend, and the religious adherence to tikkun olam, or the healing of the world, a phrase I'd always felt and never had words for. As Naomi confronted Ruth on the road to Bethlehem, I was confronted by many hard truths on my road to jewishness. First, the racist, hate fueled firebombing of congregation Beth Israel in October of 2021 and second, from late 2021 onwards, the violent and illegal evictions in the Palestinian neighborhood of sheikh jarrah in east Jerusalem by Israeli forces. On the one hand, I had to reckon with how I would relate to a religion and a people that has long lived in fear of persecution and how my own inherent privilege as an inheritor of whiteness might affect that. On the other hand, I had to decide how I could square the circle of joining a culture actively invested in the displacement and ethnic cleansing of a whole people. And as the conadiction I may never truly resolve, but I am a Jew. I have fought with racist ice. I have broken up meetings of the so-called white nation. I have worked to actively undo the racism inscribed upon me since [12:14:36 PM] racism inscribed upon me since birth, and the racialized society in the United States. And I am a Jew. I have studied and discussed and studied and discussed and gone to the mikvah and been told again and again that our tradition, at least in reform judaism, teaches us never to discriminate between convert and matrilineal Jew. I am a Jew, but I am not a zionist, and I will never be one, as I am not safer because of an ethno state. Half a world away. I am not safer because of genocide and ethnic cleansing in a land that is not mine and not safer. When my federal tax dollars go to free education and health care in Israel, will I rot in debt and my health care is tied to my employer that there are many. Who would have you believe that my anti-zionism makes me an anti-semite, and I can sympathize with the generational trauma of the holocaust and must constantly reckon with my lack thereof. But zionism and the project of Israel are older than the shoah and masquerade behind claims of protecting Jews to deflect from the very real horrors they perpetuate in occupied palestine. Does it then make me anti-semitic to oppose genocide? Whenever I roll these contradictions around in my mind, I think of the old German Jews without land. And that was [12:15:37 PM] Jews without land. And that was not a negative description, but a positive one. We have no land of our own, and so all the Earth is our land in common, our loyalty and our heart are with the land in which we reside. And I have no land of my own. So I work to improve the health and well-being of my community here in Austin. To those who would say to give up on this fight, or I don't know what I'm talking about, or maybe even I'm not a real Jew, I turn to Ruth for inspiration and I say, do not urge me to leave you to turn back and not follow you for wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your god, my god, please agendize this resolution. Thank you. Thank you. >> Hello, my name is Sophia and I am a jewish and Mexican organizer with jewish voice for peace. I am calling on the city council members to pass a ceasefire resolution immediately. I am here today to voice my deepest solidarity and [12:16:38 PM] voice my deepest solidarity and love for the Palestinian people, because I see myself in them. I see all people struggling against genocide, against settler colonialism and ethnic cleansing as my kin. My judaism compels me to fight for the freedom of all people because I know that my struggle against the dangerous ideology of white supremacy is complete, linked with that of Palestinians. If you want Palestinians and Jews like me to be safer, you would sign this cease fire resolution. If you want us to be safer, you would actually address the dangerous white supremacists who are both anti-semitic and islamophobic. You would defund the Austin police department, who have been photographed fist bumping the. That arsons my childhood synagogue. That's real anti-semitism, not criticism of zionism and the state of Israel. If you want us to be safer, you would give free housing and reparations to the black and Latino communities being priced out of the city and targeted by APD and ice, using Israeli surveillance technologies from [12:17:40 PM] surveillance technologies from companies such as Google, Amazon , Bae systems, Dell, IBM and HP enterprise. Companies that are right here in our city. These companies test out their technologies on Palestinians, profit from their genocide, and sell it right back to dps ice and the Austin fusion center in order to surveil our communities and to keep migrants detained at the border in the freezing cold. IBM staying true to its evil history as the tech backbone for the holocaust, has now repurposed itself as the central database and computer system provider for Israel's population, immigration and borders authority, storing data that has now been used to carpet bomb gaza in an algorithmic, predetermined way in order to maximize destruction and casualties in 2023, Austin's Dell technologies one the largest server contract in Israel with the Israeli ministry of defense. This contract was funded by us foreign aid. In other words, with our tax [12:18:41 PM] other words, with our tax dollars. So to those of you who think this isn't a local issue, think again. This technology is funded by our tax dollars. It's developed right here in Austin and then weaponized against our communities. >> We say enough, we say never again in our name, against anyone. >> Ceasefire now free palestine. >> Thank you. George shay followed by Abigail Malik. >> Good afternoon. My name is George sayah and I live in Travis county, district 20. As at the beginning of January, over 24,000 palestin have been killed. Over 70% of gaza homes have been destroyed. Over 90% of the population has been displaced, and 53,000 tons of explosives dropped. That is three times more than the Hiroshima nuclear bomb. Let that [12:19:42 PM] Hiroshima nuclear bomb. Let that sink in. Over 500,000 people are at risk right now of losing their lives due to curable diseases. The Netanyahu government is using genocide and displaced agent to facilitate ethnic cleansing, Israeli forces told the media. They established safe zone in al-mawasi area. They want to push 2.3 million people in an area that is 5.4mi S, as which translates to two square feet per person. That means there's no space to sleep, no area to for roads, walkways and cooking medicine. Hospitals or even a place for the injured to lay down to get treated. They also recently bombed that area, killing 12 children that is barbaric. There is not a safe zone. That is a way to annihilate a population in a massive way via either bomb dropping or diseases that that, ladies and gentlemen, is ethnically Singh. I come to you [12:20:42 PM] ethnically Singh. I come to you today as a Palestinian Christian born and raised in Bethlehem, and I am not a human animal. I am here with a message of love to both Palestinians and Israelis of all religions and backgrounds. Growing up in Bethlehem, I went to a French jesuit private school. I was beaten and shot at by the Israeli forces while in class. At the age of 12, my friend was sniped at in the head. At the age of 14, my younger brother was shot in the back three times. At the age of ten, while playing the in the playground. My father was beaten because he didn't speak hebrew. I can go on, but as much as it was hard for me, it is nothing compared to that experience of the kids of gaza. I don't hold grudges or seek any sympathy. I seek peace and for both nations, as that is the only way both people can live in peace and enjoy life [12:21:43 PM] live in peace and enjoy life without fear. Israel is committing war crimes and genocide. As a friend, the us must protect Israel not by sending them more weapons, but by telling them to immediately cease fire and stop the occupation. Why? Because giving them more money and weapons would encourage the bully to commit further violence and to incite more crimes to which you become complicit. The $56 million that Austin is contributing to, the $14.3 billion that's earmarked to go to Israel to support this war, can do so much good right here, right here at home for our own people. >> I hope that we can. >> Thank you, sir, to call for cease fire. >> Thank you. Abigail Malek, followed by Roseanne Youssef. >> Good afternoon. My name is Abigail Malek. I live in district one and I'm proudly voted for Natasha harper-madison. I'm a UT graduate, a therapist at a small [12:22:44 PM] graduate, a therapist at a small business owner, and most importantly, I am a jewish mother. I am also the descendant of survivors of the holocaust in Germany and the pogroms in Russia. I have been devastated every day watching this genocide unfold in gaza. The use of white phosphorus, which is banned by international law for the bombings of hospitals, refugee camps and crowded urban areas, and the restrictionfood and aid into gaza are all horrifying war crimes. And for me, as a descendant of holocaust survivors, it is absolutely unbearable knowing that my tax dollars are funding this genocide in gaza, 85% of the popular action have been forced from their homes and into overcrowded makeshift camps. Severe overcrowding is leading to outbreaks of preventable diseases and infection made worse by the collapsed medical [12:23:45 PM] worse by the collapsed medical system. Due to the restrictions of aid trucks into gaza, there is only enough food and water for each person to receive 25% of what the united nations considers daily basic needs. I keep thinking about Anne frank, the young girl whose diary we all read in school, who whose family hid in an attic for over two years before they were caught and sent to a concentration camp. Do you remember reading the diary of Anne frank? Do you remember how she died? Anne frank and her sister Margot, both teenagers, didn't die in the gas chambers. They both died of typhus and easily treatable disease that was contracted due to overcrowded conditions and lack of medical care. If we can learn about Anne frank in school as a warning to never repeat that history, we must act now to save lives in gaza. As a jewish mother, I have to show my daughter that I will do anything [12:24:48 PM] daughter that I will do anything in my power to stop genocide and war crimes. As a taxpayer, as a descendant of holocaust survivors, I will not stop talking about the genocide in gaza. I will not stop organizing about it, educating about it, and I will not stop coming to city council meetings. We must pass a cease fire resolution as 35 other U.S. Cities have already done. We must join the growing chorus of voices saying never again, never again. For anyone. Thank you. Roseanne Yousef, followed by Gabriella Zeidan. >> Good afternoon, city council. I'm going to start with a video for my testimony. And [12:25:52 PM] And >> Shabani shalom. Alejo. Jabor whom? >> Natasha. Million. Wahab academy. Ramona. >> Eliyahu. Luz. Hana. Walla hacia la schiera. Walla walla. Aisha. >> I believe it should be very [12:26:52 PM] >> I believe it should be very simple for everyone in this room to agree that stripping men, women and children of their clothes and burning their undergarments in an act of dehumanization constitutes sexual violence and not self-defense. As Israeli occupation forces and officials would have you believe and as horrific as that testimony was, the plight of women in gaza takes on a more tragic and catastrophic dimension. Israel's draconian, draconian siege and indiscriminate bombing means that hundreds of thousands of women are displaced in unsanitary conditions, with little to no access to clean water or even sanitary products. You can imagine. Then, the very unpleasant, as well as medically dangerous predicaments of menstruating as you try to survive a genocide. This, in addition to the harrowing conditions thousands of pregnant Palestinian women are suffering through or miscarriage rates have increased 300% and women are undergoing c-section surgeries and deliveries with no anesthesia and in many cases, not even a hospital setting. Leading to both mothers and infants dying shortly after delivery. This, in addition to Israel's purposeful use of starvation, per human rights watch, which has led to pregnant [12:27:53 PM] watch, which has led to pregnant mothers being severely malnourished and their developing fetuses going through intrauterine starvation, according to pediatric neurologist Omar Abdul mannan, all of which are reasons south Africa argued in their international court of justice case, which I'm sure you're all aware of, that Israel is committing crimes that would fall under the fourth category of genocidal acts. In article 2d of the genocide convention, which is reproductive violence and imposing measures intended to prevent births within a group and council members. Given that the us became a party to the international convention on the prevention of genocide in 1988, in a bill that was actually sponsored by Biden himself, it is the duty of every city and every state and every locality to make sure the us is compliant with the genocide convention and not complicit in genocide, as the Biden administration currently is. In summary, council members, you have a choice to either support international humanitarian law or stay silent during one of the most horrific modern day genocides of our time. Thank you . Gabriella Zeidan, followed by [12:28:54 PM] . Gabriella Zeidan, followed by Elaine Cohen. Council members. >> My name is Gabriella zidane. I'm the member of the human rights commission for district one, more than two months ago, I coauthored a resolution that recommended that Austin city council call for humanitarian ceasefire in gaza and release of hostages held by hamas. Since then, 30 cities across America, including Oakland, San Francisco , Atlanta, Albany and saint Louis have already called for a cease fire and a release of hostages. And it's only right for Austin to join this movement . There is such little understanding of the complexity of the demographics of the Middle East. Many think that if Islam versus judaism, but I am an American citizen. I am Lebanese Christian. People who look like me are dead, are dying in gaza because they are Arab. I stand devastated that the council remains silent as the response of hamas brutal assault against Israel has developed [12:29:55 PM] against Israel has developed into a cruel, indiscriminate war against Palestinian civilians in gaza. Some council members have said that this is not a local issue, but in saying that you dismiss us, it is disingenuous. It ignores the pain and traumas of austinites whose families reside in gaza and the occupied territories in Israel and Lebanon, and Yemen and other countries in the region. Local issue are not. There is a clear, morally correct action to take here the history of this conflict is one that we are familiar with, the infliction of trauma and others in the name of one's own trauma and history. It is also about the disposition by the powerful of the land of the weak, the segregation, the use of the military, violence on civilians, repressive incarceration and disregard to human rights. And even though history repeats itself, and even when we talk about the quality of life and change, why do we say all these things? And Austin city council remains silent. We keep hearing that there are two sides, but if you take time to look closer, one side promotes [12:30:56 PM] look closer, one side promotes an unfolding genocide. And they even South Africa, courageous stood up against at the international court of justice. Another promotes the right of human life, liberty, freedom and peace. Because you have not collectively come together, it is no wonder that our community feels as though they have been disenfranchized and dismissed by this council, that our voices are lesser, that our deaths and our livelihoods are lesser. But despite that, we are here showing up becausewe know that we have a right to be he. . And Robert, and having this debate with you, we ask you to stand aside in this movement with us, where your children, my children, can ask us, what did we do in this R? Do you want to remain silent or do you want to say that you stood up and fought for peace, for unity and overall the humanity that humanity does not die within our silence? Once again, when the youth asked us what did we do? I know what I will say. What will you do as my representatives? What will you say? Thank you. Elaine Cohen. >> It's going, it's going. [12:32:05 PM] >> It's going, it's going. >> My name is Elaine Cohen. I'm here today to disrupt your thinking about what kind of Jew. And Austin believes in a ceasefire for palestine and the urgent end need to end the brutal Israeli assault on gaza. It is not because I have forgotten the holocaust. It is precisely because I grew up on a street where a number of my neighbors were survived, was my parents bought their house in evanston, Illinois, from Polish jewish brothers who survived buchenwald. Their arms still bore the tattoos with which they were branded, and Mrs. Ann never left her home alone. In fact, she hardly ever left her home unless with her husband brother in law, or eventually, when her [12:33:06 PM] in law, or eventually, when her teenage children could drive in the house next to them lived a jewish family from Vienna. Eddie's father was hidden behind a door when the entered and killed his entire family, except for him. But just as I know these stories, I also listen to the stories of tibetans living in exile in India in the usa, and settler colonial massacres. How many lakotas were killed? How many guamanians were killed in Guatemala? With the help of us military advisors? Was Rwanda , Cambodia, Serbia, now gaza. There is a fiction created in the wake of the very real holocaust that the show of the holocaust was somehow unique in human history. And now Israel wants a victim of European anti- semitism. Haam replicates that racism on the Palestinians, whose land they want. How can that be when Jews say never [12:34:07 PM] that be when Jews say never again? It is not only never again, for us, but for all of humanity. Please do not tell me that Austin city council denies that Palestinians are a part of humanity. Finally, I do not think Israel's relentless attack on gaza is purely for settler colonial design. What of the enormous profits being made by the weapons manufactured tirz the makers of tanks and helicopters and drones? The city council needs to decide if they want to be known as being on the side of the voracious war profiteers, or on the side of the wounded and hungry Palestinians in gaza. To deny austinites joining other Americans in a call for cease fire is to ally with killers, with the greedy, the vegans, the ones who never met a war they didn't love, which side are you on? Which side are you on? Thank [12:35:09 PM] on? Which side are you on? Thank you, mayor. >> Mayor. That concludes general communication. Members that concludes the 12:00 time. >> Certain public communication. Thank you all for being here with, we the next item on our agenda is the 2:00 time certain related to zoning and neighborhood planning. So without objection, we will recess until 2:00 time certain. However, everyone is welcome to stay for the live music presentation that will have once that's set up. But the. Without objection, the city council stands in recess until 2:00. It's Thursday, January 18th at 12:36 P.M. Thank you all . [12:50:16 PM] . Get a chance to introduce you to Paul buddha mills. And his band here today. Paul began playing music in junior high school. Just like five, six years ago. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sorry. Yeah. He moved to Austin, upon graduation from high school, and he's worked as a full time musician from 1983 until now. He's been the backbone of many important Austin bands, among others. And I love listening to these bands because these are some great bands from over the years. He played with piney bone, Chris Duarte, papa Mali, the Texan Dames, the imperial crown, harmonizers, and miss Lavelle white. He currently is the drummer for the L men, funky foot, the Matthew Robinson band and bird leg, and the tight fit blues band. Papa Mali really liked Paul's childhood nickname, which was, was and is buddha, and so now Paul is known as buddha in the Austin music [12:51:16 PM] buddha in the Austin music community. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you Paul buddha mills and his band. >> This is funky foot. One, two, one two, three. >> Dogs in the car. Neighbors got the cat got a full tank of [12:52:18 PM] got the cat got a full tank of gas with the luggage on the rack. So much for the coffee. The coolest jam packed. Ain't stopping for nothing unless we get a flat. >> Daddy's got the wheel. >> Mama's got the map. Knowing just roll like that. Heading down the highway. >> Feeling mighty fine. Ain't in no hurry I have plenty of time down to Louisiana just to visit. >> The folks will be. The time is up. And let the good time. Oh, daddy. Got the wheel. >> Mama got the map. Lord, we just go like that. We going to have a party. >> Hey, yeah, we going to have some fun going to have a real good time. >> Still be dancing when the sun comes up. Pack up the car. We gotta hit the road. Road load up [12:53:18 PM] gotta hit the road. Road load up on django. >> We got to get back home. Heading back to Austin. We gotta get back where we're feeling a thing. That's just a fact. Dad daddy's got the wheel. Mama's got the map. Roig just roll like that. Tell me, Robinson . [12:54:24 PM] . We've got to have a party. >> Yeah, yeah, we gonna have some fun. >> Gonna have a real good time. Haam still be dancing when the sun comes up. >> Pack up your car. Gotta hit the road. Gotta in the jungle. >> We got to get back home. Heading back to Austin. We've gotta get back where we're making it. We're tonight's just a fact. Daddy got the wheels. Mama got the back road. We just rolled like that. Daddy got the wheels. Mama's got the map. Roll with your roll. Like that. Daddy done got the wheels. Mama got the map. Go go. >> Yeah. What yeah. What you say . [12:55:24 PM] . >> Hey, big. Cause we roll like that. Lord, lord won't you help me? >> Lord, we just roll like that. >> Why don't you all introduce yourselves? And then I'm gonna. I've got a proclamation. Okay read. >> My name is John Garvey from Austin, Texas. >> I'm Michael cross from Austin, Texas. >> Tommy Robinson, Austin, Texas . >> There you go. All right. >> Paul Buda mills. There you are. >> Let me read this proclamation . Be it known that whereas the city of Austin, Texas, is blessed with many creative musicians whose talents extend to virtually every musical genre, and whereas our music scene thrives because Austin audiences support good music produced by legends, our local favorites and newcomers alike, and whereas we are pleased to showcase and support our local [12:56:25 PM] showcase and support our local artists, now, therefore, I, Kirk Watson, mayor of the live music capital of the world, do hereby proclaim January 8th, 18th, 2024 as Paul el buddha mills day in Austin, Texas. Thank you. Thank you, mayor. >> All right. Appreciate that. I'll call the Austin city [1:59:30 PM] I'll call the Austin city council back to order for this regular meeting. It's 2:00 pm Thursday, January 18th. We have a quorum present and we will take up our 2:00 time certain which are zoning and neighborhood plan amendments, and I'll recognize miss Hardin. >> Thank you, mayor and council. >> Joy Hartman with the planning department and just a note before I begin reading the agenda, there are some formatting errors on this agenda. So just please bear with me. As I read through and I'm happy to repeat any, no errors or clarify any questions because the neighborhood plan amendments aren't always listed in tandem with the rezoning cases. As they typically are. So. Your zoning agenda begins with item number 59 c-1 for 2022 0090. This item is being offered as a joint postponement request by the neighborhood and applicant to your February 29th council meeting. Cba. 2022 0005.01. This item is being offered as an [2:00:30 PM] item is being offered as an applicant postponement request to your February 29th council meeting. The related rezoning is item 61 c-1 for 2022 0107. Again, applicant postponement request to your February 29th council meeting. Moving on to item 62, which is c-1 for 2023 0032 and item 63 is c-1 for 2022 0100. These tracks are adjacent to each other and both are being offered for consent on all three readings. But please note there is a valid petition, so nine votes would be required on all three readings. And just some for some background on this, this the request is for sf6. The staff recommendation is sf6 co and the conditional overlay would limit the density to seven units per acre, which would mirror the sfp sf three regulations. A rezoning case on Albert road with the same staff recommendation. Conditional overlay was approved by this council on August 31st, 2023. [2:01:31 PM] council on August 31st, 2023. However, the zep recommendation is for sf6 co and as you know, it's the zoning and planning recommendation that moves forward. And there will be two access points that are permitted here. So again, we are offering this case, with the two access points. And of course with the the zoning and planning recommendation on consent on all three readings. And we do have oppositional speakers here for this, item 64 c-1. For 2023 0104. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 65 is npa 2023 0020.02. This item is being offered as an applicant. Indefinite postponement of the related rezoning is item 66 c-1 for 2023 0034. Again, this item is being offered as an applicant . Indefinite postponement item 67 is c-1. For 77138 rct. This item is being offered as an [2:02:32 PM] item is being offered as an applicant. Postponement to your February 1st council meeting. Item 68 is c-1 for 002195. Rca formerly known as c-1 for zero zero 2195 rct. This item is being offered as an applicant postponement to your February 1st council meeting item 69 is npa 2023 0029.01. This item is being offered for consent. Second reading only. The related rezoning is item 70 c-1 for 2023 0063. Again this item is being offered for consent second reading only and will return with these items. They'll be placed on your February 1st council agenda for third reading consideration. Item 71 is c-1 for 2023 0113. This item is being offered as an applicant postponement request to your March 7th council meeting. Item 72 is c-1 for 2023 0072. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings, and I have a motion sheet which [2:03:34 PM] and I have a motion sheet which reads part 61.611 of the draft ordinance is amended to read as follows. Number one four feet from the south side and with that motion sheet, read into the record. I can offer this for consent on all three readings, on which then that was item 72. Item 73 Singh 14h 2023 0137. This item is being offered for discussion. First reading and Contreras, our historic preservation officer, will present this item. It does have owner opposition Ann. To this. So non-votes would be required on third reading. It is only ready for first reading today. Item 74 is c-1 for 2023 0116. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 75 is c-1 for 2023 0089. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 76 is npa. 2022 0017.01. This item is being offered as an [2:04:37 PM] This item is being offered as an applicant. Indefinite postponement. The related rezoning is item 77 c-1 for 2022 0035. Again, this is an applicant indefinite postponement request. Item 78 is npa 2023 0015.01. This item is being offered for consent first reading only. The related rezoning is item 79 c-1 for 2023 0087. Again this is being offered for consent. First reading only, and these items will be placed on your February 1st agenda for consideration of second and third readings for both 78 and 79. Moving on to item number 80 c-1 for 2023 0040. This time is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 81 is c-1 for 2023 0125. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 82 is c-1 for 2023 0108. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings and there is a related [2:05:37 PM] readings and there is a related neighborhood plan associated with this rezoning, and we'll get to it later. It's item number 90. I just want to read that into the record. Item 83 is c-1 for 2023 0107. This item is being offered for consent on first reading only. There is a motion sheet that has been handed out for this item. So, so, you have that in front of you this item also has a neighbor plan amendment, which we'll get to later, which is item number 92 on this agenda. And just to note, the staff recommendation was lmu. The applicant has submitted their request. Again. The motion sheet is in front of you. So with, so we're moving forward with the Pichette recommendation of gr with the motion sheet on first reading. Item 80. So that was 83. So item 84 is c-1 for 2023 01001. This item is being offered for consenton all three readings. With a motion sheet [2:06:38 PM] readings. With a motion sheet which reads part four d2 of the draft ordinance is amended to read as follows. Number two, the maximum height of the building or structure is 120ft, plus additional height allowed by section 25, two, five, 31, which is the height limit except in part four, E two of the draft ordinance is amended to read as follows. Number two, the maximum height of the building or structure is 100ft, plus additional height allowed by section 25, two five, 31. Height limit exceptions and then part four G of the draft ordinance is amended to read as follows G. Section 20 565 31 off street loading facility required is modified to allow maneuvering within public right of way off Pressler street. And with that item 84 is offered for consent on all three readings. Item 85 is c-1 for 2023 0096. There's an applicant postponement request to your February 15th council meeting. Item 86 is c-1 for 2023 0046. There's a neighborhood [2:07:39 PM] 0046. There's a neighborhood postponement request to your February first council meeting. Item 87 is c-1 for 2023 0044. There is a neighborhood postponement request to your February 1st council meeting, and this does have a related npa, which is item number 89. Item 88 is c-1. For 2023 0043. There's a neighborhood postponement request to your February 1st council meeting. And this again has a neighborhood postponement. A neighbor plan amendment, which is item 91, item 89 is npa. 2023 0020.03. Again this is a neighborhood postponement request to your February 1st meeting. And this was related to the zoning case that I read into the record, which was 87. Number 90 is npa 2023 0015.02. This was related to the rezoning item of 80 number 82. And this is ready for consent at all three readings. Item 91 is npa 2023 [2:08:39 PM] readings. Item 91 is npa 2023 0020.01. Again this was related to the rezoning of 88. And there is a neighborhood postponement request to your February first council meeting. Item 92 is npa 2023 0023.02. This is ready for consent on first reading only and was the related to the rezoning of 83, which you had a motion sheet for and 93 is c-1 for 2023 0005. And this is a staff postponement request to your February 15th council meeting. And that includes the reading of the agenda. Well I think so. >> 62 and 63 is sf6 only. No co. >> Oh, oh, I'm not okay. The, I want to make sure I don't think, I think on just for clarity, 62 and 63 the zap recommendation is [2:09:40 PM] and 63 the zap recommendation is S of six with no co. That's what I thought I read, but apparently I may not have. And that is the recommendation that is moving forward. Sf6 period. And that concludes the reading of the agenda. Of course it's a Hera discretion. >> Thank you. Anybody have any questions of staff? Yes. Councilmember Allison alter. >> So for 62 and 63, the sf6 with no co was not the staff recommendation correct? >> The commission's recommendation, but it is the zoning and planning commission's recommendation. Sf6. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Councilmember I tested out my hand raised there. Yeah, I just heard you. Yeah, I heard I heard you trying to do. I think I'm going to try this. Try this? Yeah you know, I wonder if this will work. That's right. Yeah. >> It's the, non-digital. >> I didn't even look at it. I just heard you. So go. [2:10:41 PM] just heard you. So go. >> I just wanted to ask on 65 and 66. Is that indefinite postponement? Because they were going for vmu and that is now have our. >> That is correct challenges. >> All right. Well I asked that question just to highlight the need that I think we need to address this sooner rather than later because we're going to have more of these cases where people were planning on doing something and now are stuck in limbo. >> So that is correct. >> Councilmember councilmember vela just want to jump on that Ryan alter bandwagon too. >> We've got a project, in d4, on the corner of, I believe, 51st and Cameron right there. That I think they had vmu two. That's also put the pause. So my preference would be also to resolve that uncertainty sooner than later. So these projects can go ahead and move forward and can start writing the city big property tax checks. >> All right. Any other questions of staff or comments? All right I'm going to call for a motion. But I want to read through this. What the motion would be. And so item number that this is for the consent [2:11:42 PM] that this is for the consent agenda. The motion will be to adopt the consent agenda as it's read. Item 59, postpone to February 29th, 60 and 61 as related items postponed to February 29th, 62 and 63 are related, but they would be consent on all three readings. And there's a valid petition. 64 is consent on all three readings, 65 and 66 are related, postponed indefinitely, 67 consent. On first reading, 638 postponed to February first 69 consent on second reading. It's related item is 70. Consent on second reading 71. A postponement to March seventh 72. Consent on all three readings. Item 74 for all three readings 75. All three readings 76 and 77 are related. Postponed indefinitely 78. The consent on first reading 79. Consent on first reading 80. All 381. All 382. All three. And it's related to item 90, which is the related [2:12:43 PM] to item 90, which is the related neighborhood plan amendment 83, first reading only. It's also related to 92. And we'll get to that. 84 is consent on all three readings with the motion that was read into the record by staff, 85 postponed to February 15th. By the way, on, item number 83, you have a motion sheet in front of you. And that is consent. On first reading, utilizing the motion sheet that's in front of you 85 postponed to February 15th, 86th February. Postponed to February first 87. Postponed to February first with this related item 89, which is the neighborhood plan amendment postponed as well 88 postponed to February 1st. Related item item 91, which is the npa postponed as well, to February 1st, 89 postponed to February 1st, 90 consent on all three readings and that's related to item 8291 postponed to February 1st. Related to item 8892. Consent on first reading only. Related to item 83 and 93. [2:13:45 PM] only. Related to item 83 and 93. Postpone to February 15th. Chair . >> Mayor. >> Just I just want to make sure 67 is. I'm not quite sure. I just want to make sure for the record, it is a postponement to February 1st, 67. >> Huh. >> You're going quickly. I'm not quite sure I did not. >> You're correct. I had that as a consent on one. Only one reading and in 68 was postponed on February to February 1st. But yes, in 67 and 68. >> Got it. >> I'm sorry. So members, 67 would be a postponement to February first. I'll entertain a motion. Mayor pro tem mayor pro tem. I have a question. Okay. Do you do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? Council member qadri seconded by council member Ellis. And now discussion on mayor pro tem on, red bird lane items. Are you on? Yeah >> All these new buttons. I know [2:14:46 PM] >> All these new buttons. I know I did manage to raise my hand and now it's down. Okay. Item 65 and 60. I just need to understand. And the indefinite postponement. Because it was listed as discussed on. So where are we staff with that? >> My understanding from the applicant. And, they have a representative here, but my understanding is they applied for the V thinking they would have nine 80ft in height. >> Okay. >> Because of the courts, we no longer have that option. So they want to indefinitely postpone until I think. >> And this is for the vmu two designation okay. Correct. >> And so they would like oh I'm sorry I'm sorry. >> And the vmu two designate allows for affordable priced units and requires affordable. >> If you built the 90ft. Yes. >> And I just wanted to punctuate that particular piece of information. It's, I don't think anybody on the dais here [2:15:47 PM] think anybody on the dais here is happy about the fact that the vmu two ordinance was mooted because it is slowing down and potentially stopping, us being able to see more, affordability in our housing stock. So here's hoping that we can move quickly. Staff, on getting the vmu two language. Represented. And we can, mayor, get that back on track back. And then we will be able to act on zoning cases like red bird, red bird lane. Is that is that the expectation? >> Yes, councilmember. >> That's great. Thank you, miss. >> Oh, mayor pro tem, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, mayor pro tem and council members, we are committed to bringing forward a recommendation to you sooner than later, we'll be following up with you soon. >> Yeah, I, I, I look forward to that. Thank you, thank you, thank you. >> Members, are there any items that a council member would like [2:16:49 PM] that a council member would like to pull? We have a motion and a second that would like to pull from the consent agenda. As it was read. Yes council member Fuentes is item 73 pulled for discussion. Item 73 is pulled for discussion. Is not on the consent agenda. All right. Do we have speakers signed up to speak on the consent agenda? >> Yes, mayor. >> Please call those speakers. >> Speaking on the merits of postponement for item 65 is bill Bunge. >> Yes. Good afternoon, bill bonta. Save our springs alliance . We definitely support the postponement and in support of that would just encourage the staff and the council to look further at the flooding and drainage problems here. This site, and given its setting in the neighborhood and the drainage issues there, it's not appropriate for any kind of zoning that would allow 90 or 95% impervious cover. So I appreciate that there's time now to look at that. [2:17:52 PM] to look at that. >> Thank you. >> That was the only remote speaker we had. >> So I'll move to in person on item 62 and 63, Jeff Dickerson, followed by Brad Massingill. >> If your name has been called, please come to the front. >> Okay. Speaking on the merits of postponement for 64 and six, I'm sorry, 65 and 66, I have Andrea Mccartney, Joe riddle, Roy Whaley, Virginia palmer. >> If you're here, please come on forward and state your name. >> If your name has been called, please come forward. And these items are items that are on the consent agenda to be postponed so you can speak to the merits of the postponement at. >> Sorry, I'm Brad Massengill, but that last list of names you all listed off were people that were going to speak to the issue. Another issue on this. So that's why this postponement [2:18:53 PM] that's why this postponement happened since the postponement happened. Our neighbors are not here. Basically fair enough. >> Just letting you all know that that happened standing you all up. >> We're just. >> We none of us feel slighted. >> Item 69 and 78 Zenobia Joseph . On the merits of postponement for item 93. Do we? Poteet. And then I do have someone signed up for 73. I don't know if they want to speak now or wait for discussion. >> Let's wait till we get to 73. Then >> Mayor. That's all I have. >> Thank you very much. Members. We have a, motion and a second to approve the consent agenda as read. Is there anyone wishing to abstain from any of the items on the consent agenda? Anyone wishing to be showing themselves as recusing themselves from the consent agenda? Anyone voting no on the consent agenda? [2:19:53 PM] on the consent agenda? >> Councilmember Allison alter, I'd like to be seen voting no on 62 and 63. >> Please. >> Mayor, my apologies. It's the clerk. We do have one more speaker. >> Okay, Karen Fernandez on 62 to 63. >> My apologies. >> I'm sorry. I was a little confused. >> No problem. >> My name is Karen Fernandez, and I'm the president of the Matthews lane neighborhood association on, Jeff Dickerson was supposed to be here not for consent, but he's in opposition. Let me just clarify that we agree with city. I'm sorry for because Jeff Dickerson was our vice president. >> That part I just want to make sure we all know which one you're speaking on. >> I'm sorry, 62 and 63. Since we're hearing them together. Thank you very much. We just wanted to discuss the fact that we are in agreement with city staff recommendation that there be a conditional overlay. We were told by our council member that he was not supporting that conditional overlay limiting units. We had a whole presentation on why this is not [2:20:54 PM] presentation on why this is not appropriate for this location. On our roads are about a lane and a half. We don't have the correct drainage, the correct water infrastructure, and most of all, the demon lot does not actually have access to a road because the road does not go all the way down to that lot. So on top of that, I just wanted to make another comment that I've been with the neighborhood association for quite some time and different volunteer positions. I became president while Ann kitchen was still in office, and kind of learned the ropes that we never passed. An ordinance on all three readings on the first time when there is two. Actually, there's a valid petition for both of these lots as we're hearing them together. We would use this time to come back to the table with the developer and try to find a compromise. And I really appreciated that. I feel that this is the second time I believe it was Allison alter that the last time we had a case on Albert, same thing that staff had recommended a conditional overlay and you all decided to pull it. You said you were not comfortable with voting all [2:21:56 PM] comfortable with voting all three readings when we have a valid petition. So the neighborhood's feeling very defeated at this point, we don't feel like we're having the same representation. And for the sake of your constituents, longtime neighbors and taxpayers, we would ask that you not pass this on all three readings and give us some time to address all the issues that we've stated. Thank you. Thank you. >> That's all the speakers. Now, mayor. >> Okay. >> Members, the, consent agenda has been read. I want to ask again if there's anyone wishing to be shown voting no on any of the items on the consent agenda, I have councilmember Allison alter on 62 and 63. That being the case, any further discussion ? Hearing none. Without objection, the consent agenda is approved as read item 62 and 63. Pass on a vote of 10 to 1 with councilmember alter being shown voting no. So they pass on all three readings that will take us [2:22:58 PM] three readings that will take us to item number 73. >> Thank you, mayor, mayor pro tem and council members Carl Contreras of the planning department at item 73, is an owner opposed request for historic zoning initiated by the landmark commission. Upon their review of a demolition application. >> Ma'am, can I interrupt you and ask you to put the microphone a little closer or have them turn up the microphone a little bit? >> All right, how about now? >> That's better. Thank you. >> I'm taller than I thought. I was. This item is posted for first reading only. As the planning commission recommended historic zoning for a portion of the building. Only and not the entire parcel. If the item passes, we will request a survey from the owner to define the extent of the historic zoning in the draft ordinance at your second and third reading, staff and the property owner are here for questions. Thank you. >> Members, you have any questions of staff? Is there anyone signed up to speak on item number 73? [2:24:00 PM] item number 73? >> Yes, mayor. I have one. Juan Ramon Rubio. >> Good afternoon. Council. My name is Juan Ramon Rubio. I'm a board member of preservation Austin, as well as, D two appointee on the historic landmark commission. I just wanted to urge you all to consider this vote to rezone for historic zoning. I just wanted to note as well, that we also have community support and a unanimous decision from the landmarks commission. And actually, this time, the planning commission voted to approve this as well. This neighborhood was once, determined to be hazardous due to a 1934 redlining map. Obviously, most of us know the history of that which regarded black and brown neighborhoods as slums and preventing people from maintaining and building on these lots. So this is a chance for us to start that new equitable chapter of preservation. Ann. There's a lot of plans that the city has done that says preservation and preserving historic resources. And for Singh diverse communities is important to this city. If you partner that with [2:25:02 PM] city. If you partner that with the recently passed home initiative, you know, the owner can still make some money. We can still save a historic house, have additional housing units for people, which we all know housing is a problem here in the city. We heard I was here during that home initiative. Comments we heard a lot of angry citizens that were concerned about displacement and I think this is part of that concern as well. We've been tearing down these houses and demolishing neighborhoods. New people are coming in and not having any regard for historic structures, nor the community at all. The mayor's anti-displacement task force, as well, recommended that you all should use more historic districts to keep people in their neighborhoods, to keep people. And communities intact. So I consider you all to urge this. I understand it's local opposition. We don't take that lightly, but there's tools that this body has when it's a public benefit. And I hope that you all can see that. So thank you for listening. Appreciate it. Thank you. >> All right. Members that's all signed up to speak. [2:26:02 PM] signed up to speak. >> Yes, mayor. >> Okay. So, we're on item number 73. I'll entertain a motion to approve item number 73. Councilmember Velasquez moves approval. It's seconded by councilmember Fuentes. Discussion on. Is there any discussion on. Without objection. Item number 73 is approved. Moved council member Ellis. >> Mayor. I'd like to be shown voting no. >> Okay. >> Then item number 73 passes on a vote of 10 to 1 on first reading. Only. There being no further business to come before the Austin city council at this regularly scheduled meeting of the Austin city council. All without objection, we will be adjourned. It is 2:27 P.M. Thursday, January 18th. Thanks, everybody.