City Council Regular Meeting Transcript – 3/7/2024 Title: ATXN-1 (24hr) Channel: 1 - ATXN-1 Recorded On: 3/7/2024 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 3/7/2024 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. [10:00:15 AM] It's 10:00 in the morning on March 7th, 2024. I'll call to order the Austin city council for this regular meeting of the Austin city council, we have a quorum of the city council present. We are meeting in city council chambers, which is located in the city hall, which is 301 west second street in Austin, Texas, the order of the day will be that I will. I'm going to read changes and corrections in the record, we will go to our consent agenda, and we will have speakers on the consent agenda. I'll talk more about that in a minute. We will have. Sorry we'll vote on the consent agenda and have brief remarks from council. We will then hear one second. That was not on the agenda, but I think we've had. But I think we've handled it, we have one pulled item that's item number 33, and we will take that up immediately after the consent agenda. Then we will go to the Austin housing finance corporation. Non consent [10:01:16 AM] finance corporation. Non consent items, including the public hearings. Then at 12:00 we will have our public communication, our time certain for public communication followed by live music. And then we have a 2:00 time certain with regard to zoning the items and the changes and corrections to the agenda. Item number one is withdrawn. Item number one is withdrawn. Item number eight eight, we you should delete mwbe. WBE goals will be established if a change order is requested and it should be replaced with current mwbe. WBE participation to date is 100% mwbe and 0% WBE. Item number 19 is withdrawn and replaced by item number 35. Item number 21 add council member Paige Ellis as a sponsor. Item number 28 should read when public hearings are taken up, this item will be postponed to March 21st, 2024. Item number 29 [10:02:18 AM] March 21st, 2024. Item number 29 should read withdrawn and replaced by addendum item number 37. Those are all of the changes and corrections to be read into the record. With regard to public comment, a couple of things. We're going to take the consent items up, in just a second on non consent items, which are public hearings, and those are items 26 through 30 and items 36 and 37. We will close the public hearings and take immediate action once, once we've had the hearings. And I want to clarify for public comment purposes that anyone registered to speak on a public hearing item will be heard during that time, and not with the consent speakers, unless it's just more convenient for you. And that's what you would prefer to do. But you can only comment once, and if you're going to do that, I ask that you please let the city clerk's [10:03:20 AM] please let the city clerk's office know so that we can, accommodate your schedule. I also want to point out that during any comment period, please be aware that there is behavior that can violate the rules of the council meeting, and it will not be permitted. You can't speak out of turn. You may criticize a public official, but you cannot use personally derogatory or disparaging remarks. You may not defame another person or use obscene language. You may not use abusive language that is likely to incite a breach of the peace. You may not make threats of violence against any other person or otherwise disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, such as standing up and yelling out or screaming comments. Also note that any comments from a member of the public on a numbered agenda item must be relevant to that item in order to assure that all members of [10:04:21 AM] to assure that all members of the public have safe and efficient access and witness the council's deliberations. You may not sit or stand in the aisles or otherwise obstruct the exits or emergency exits. If you wish to display a sign, flag, prop or other object, you must do so in the designated area at the back of the council chambers and items must be no more than a 23 by 28 inch rectangle. You may not obstruct the view of other members of the public who are seated in the sitting area. You may not. There may not be demonstrations at the podium. So the speaker cannot be accompanied by another person unless there's a need for translation or something of that nature. If you violate these rules, the time will be cut short, or you may be removed from the council chambers for the remainder of the meeting. I don't anticipate any problems with that, but I always feel now the need to make sure we're clear on that. With that members, we will go. Not not [10:05:22 AM] members, we will go. Not not sure what that was, but again, not on the agenda, but we'll go right through it, we will go to the consent agenda. As I've indicated, the only item that has been pulled from the consent agenda at this point is item number 33. And I will look to the city clerk's office to help us navigate the process of speakers. >> First remote speaker is Celine Rendon on item six and 21. Speaker proceed . >> Please go to the. >> We'll move to the next speaker. Loretta Johnson on item 21. >> A good evening. Good morning. [10:06:24 AM] >> A good evening. Good morning. This is Loretta Johnson. I am a child care provider for 25 year. I am from district 20. District two. And I would like to suggest , that, can we benefit from a, can we benefit from early childhood education and development scholarship without a middleman with the funding that's coming through? And also, I would like to, express my, for the many grants that's coming through to help us with, insurance for home provider is that is very hard for us to get, even if we can get, ahead and actually come off a branch off of that is to help us with our insurance. For our medical insurance is hard. I don't have medical insurance because I can't afford medical insurance from being in home. Child care is very expensive. Even the [10:07:25 AM] is very expensive. Even the Obama is very expensive for us and also. So I would like to, talk about the, town hall meeting that we had was supposed to help home, hadn't heard anything back on that, even though some people, home providers do not have, homestead exemption because a lot of them is renting homes. So we want to know what can you do for them for as the tax exempt, for helping them with their taxes and also we're having a child, a child care parade of homes, all, April 20th from at eight starting at 8:00 in the morning. And we would like to invite you all to come in to check out the homes that we are having for this, this is for item 21 for, you all to see what we go through, how our homes are set up for as child care, for a high [10:08:26 AM] up for as child care, for a high quality child care. >> Thank you, thank you. And that is what I want to thank, councilmember Fuentes. >> Thank you. Just if I could ask the speaker to please email us the information for the child care tour of homes on April 20th, I would I would be interested in learning more about that effort. Thank you. >> Thank you. Council member. >> We will move to in person. We have Robert mace on items two and 37 with William bunch and Gus Pennock. >> If your name has been called, please come forward and pick up one of the seats at the front so that we will be able to hear from you for the record, Mr. Mayor, members of the council and staff, my name is Robert mace. >> I serve as vice chair for the Austin integrated water resource planning committee, more popularly known as the water forward task force, here in support for this item, as well as all the items related to water reuse on your agenda today, water reuse broadly is using treated wastewater, [10:09:28 AM] using treated wastewater, collecting rainwater, collecting condensate harvesting to help defer usage of our primary source of water, which is the Colorado river. It's a way for us to conserve our source supply and be much more efficient as we're going forward, 22,008 2016 Austin suffered a new drought of record, which decreased the reliability of the highland Lakes. In 2014, the council created this task force to develop a plan working with Austin water to meet Austin's needs going forward with the massive growth that we're experiencing, but also the ever present threat of drought and climate change. First plan was published in 2018, and the water reuse strategy and ordinances before you, are part of the recommendations from that water plan. We're currently working on revising that plan. This is an ongoing process with new information, new population [10:10:28 AM] information, new population numbers, with with the items before you, it'll save 16 million gallons per day by 2040. It'll save customers $10 million a year with additional savings in folks that sign up to use reclaimed water, that concludes my comments. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker is William bunch on items three and 18 with Gus Pena and Monica Guzman on deck. >> Good morning, council members. Thank you for your service to our community. I'm bill bunch, executive director and attorney for save our springs alliance here to urge you to vote no or postpone on item 18, which would seek a grant, $32 million grant to destroy the historic zilker park bridge. Demolish it and replace it with a much bigger, uglier highway bridge in our park, this proposal is based on a giant lie [10:11:30 AM] proposal is based on a giant lie from your staff and your your consultants. And I'm going to focus my comments on to Mr. Alter, since this is your district. And also you met with structural engineer Tom Kamm, who spelled out very clearly that the bridge we have is, structurally sound and can be taken care of for decades or even centuries, like they do with bridges from ancient Rome and all over the world, but you're moving forward and pushing this to destroy it and replace it, saying that it's cheaper to do that at a price of 30. And now we're talking about $40 million when we can take care of it for a few hundreds of thousands of dollars every few years, that's offensive to taxpayers. It's destroying our historic heritage for no reason. It's going to be a whole lot more harm to Barton creek. Massive construction delays and the sort of minimal, safety [10:12:33 AM] the sort of minimal, safety issues that are raised can be handled readily by a parallel bike and hike and bike bridge for a few million dollars a fraction of the cost, again, by either expanding the pedestrian bridge that we have already just downstream or building a separate one that would not in any way touch this historic bridge, this is emblematic of this council's total disregard for integrity in our staff and for the heritage of our city. >> Thank you, Mr. Bunch. >> Next, we have Gus Pena with Monica Guzman and Ileana Medrano on deck. Good morning, my name is Gustavo Pena. I am a native east austinite, 2327 east fifth street, United States marine Corps, Vietnam era veteran, mayor, I would like to thank you very much for the acknowledgment [10:13:35 AM] very much for the acknowledgment that you, you know, I cried like a baby, but I just wanted to let you know that I have been attending the city council, since 1960. 68, right after the tet offensive. So, I have I have, my library full of, the United States Marines at war. But anyway, number five authorized negotiation and execution of amendment number six to the agreement with communities for recovery, for housing focused support services, to extend the terms of the agreement for 18 months beginning April 1st. Et cetera. Et cetera. Thank you very much for doing that, because there's so much hurt out there. I see it every day. Can you help me? You see, the city council and I try as much as I can, I, I'm not able to speak like I used to. I have a baby girl. She's not a baby, but she's, seven years old. She comes first. So I want to thank you. And I know last [10:14:36 AM] to thank you. And I know last time I did get over the breach because my wife told me to stay, stay, stay. You know, don't don't be asking, like, you know, I said she's a 31 years of being married. But I want to thank you all very much. But just remember the tet offensive in 1968, and a lot of my friends from Johnston high school, the former Johnston high school, died in, in Vietnam. I went to Laos and Cambodia. I went over there for reasons that I'm not going to tell you. Well, I'm going to tell you just just, so the enemy would know what it feels like to be shot at. But anyway, thank you very much for the hard work you do. Natasha. I'm gonna call you Natasha. I love you. You owe me a hamburger. You know, and I just wanted to let you know. Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Pena . >> Next, we have mana Guzman. With time donated from Ileana Medrano and Brad Mozingo. Please raise your hand if you're in the audience. >> They're here. >> Thank you. [10:15:40 AM] >> Thank you. >> Good morning, mayor and council. I am Monica Guzman, policy director at Garza. Garza supports item six. We look forward to completion of a tenant study. We ask you to include displaced tenants from the old homestead apartments and other recent developments that have resulted in the unfortunate displacement, especially those who have yet a place to land. They're renting someone's room, or hopefully not. They're under a bridge somewhere or a park bench. We cannot let that happen. Item 36 is opposed. While the butler hike and bike trail is not in the zip codes, we're opposed because council approval is a potential for setting precedent for the use of concrete at any width instead of, or in place of natural crushed decomposed granite in parks throughout the city, which can lead to an increased risk for flooding. Loss of urban canopy, and increase in urban heat island effect, resulting in negative impact on public safety, environment and community health. Specifically, we need to protect the waterfront during a heavy rain, [10:16:40 AM] waterfront during a heavy rain, there would be rushing water coming off a concrete trail and into the lake, increasing the use of concrete increases and urban heat island effect. The more downtown experiences that effect, the greater the negative impact for other parts of the city, especially in areas like the rundberg area in district four and the rest of Austin's eastern crescent. Remember, people want a park, recreational trail, not a concrete transit corridor, the trail conservancy is not being transparent about what projects it has in the pipeline. It could result in boardwalks over the land to turn the trail into half recreational, half urban corridor that already exists in other parts of the city. Ttc already has the parks operations and maintenance agreement. A code amendment is overreach for their convenience and to get around the public process, plus their lack of transparency about projects in the pipeline. Oops, I already said that. Got it in there twice. Finally, a personal note in the summer of 2018, after medical procedure, I had [10:17:41 AM] after medical procedure, I had to take daily walks to facilitate the healing process. When time and transportation allowed, I walked on the butler hike and bike trail because it's easier on the body, on the joints. In addition, people with injuries face a more difficult recovery process when having to walk on concrete. Instead of a natural surface. And let's see here I have a photo to show you for this last part. >> Photo Garza submitted proposed edits on item 21. >> You should all have a copy of it before you. We understand the scope is about addressing the need for construction jobs and quality training through the proposed infrastructure academy. We appreciate council member Fuentes for her addition of those last few lines. Acknowledging the dependance on child care for such a program to be successful. But we want to remind you, in order for child care to be successful, there needs to be an investment in the early childhood system. Support is needed to ensure providers, [10:18:41 AM] is needed to ensure providers, including home based and parents, being part of the design process. In the past two years, Garza and the Garza community have advocated and continue to advocate for meaningful investment during the budget processes for fiscal year 2023 and 2024. The February 27, 2023 screening through the night and at the November 1st, 2023 ec town hall, where mayor Adler. Excuse me. My pardon. Mayor Watson, was a guest speaker. The realities of child care that is included as a wraparound service, specifically subsidy child care, is that there is nothing addressing the massive wait list. Bottom line there is no subsidized child care. None for over 4300 families at this time as of two days ago, let alone any additional subsidy demand created by the academy. It is because of council member Fuentes's leadership in championing childcare, as well [10:19:41 AM] championing childcare, as well as council member Alison alter, that we are reaching out to all of you, hoping that we can finally see the investment that is so critically needed for the early childhood system, for our ec providers and for the families that rely on them. As it says in the image, they are the workforce behind the workforce. Thank you. Thank you. >> We have Alexander stringer on item 13, 15 and 35 with Carlos Leon and Scott Johnson on deck. >> If your name has been called, please come forward and be prepared to speak, good morning, mayor and council, I'm here speaking out in support of item 13 and the need to give money to catholic charities because, believe it or not, mayor, my wife is a migrant. Okay? My wife, she's a migrant from Colombia. And I met her, on a dating site called onlyfans. And she actually is a really sad story, but she actually, she contracted syphilis going [10:20:42 AM] contracted syphilis going through the Darien gap, through Panama and Colombia and we can't consummate our marriage. And also we have to continue to give money and fund catholic charities because how else is my wife? How else is my wife Consuela going to get health care? Kirk. How how she won't. So please, you guys need to fund these programs and we need to also provide more funding to the ngos like unicef, oim, and the American red cross so that women like my wife can continue, walking across the border so that they can come and settle in Austin and, and provide company for people like me, you know. And look, I'm gonna close with this, okay? I was, I was last week, I was, I was laid off from my job at Google, all right? And I did important work. Okay you [10:21:42 AM] I did important work. Okay you know, I, I canceled people who spread disinformation about the vaccine. And I also made it a point to actively protect minor attracted persons on the internet. And now I got fired. And so I'm not even going to be able to live in Austin. My wife, she has syphilis. She's not gonna be able to get health care here. And we need to give more money to good organizations like catholic charities so that vulnerable people and vulnerable communities like myself, Kirk can afford basic necessities and human rights. Thank you. >> Carlos Leon with Scott Johnson and Luke Metzger on deck . >> Good morning again. Another excellent resolution on climate change. Thank you. Council member Ryan alter, I'm here to [10:22:42 AM] member Ryan alter, I'm here to give some context to this resolution. But first let me share something that will be helpful for you to understand my interest in this topic and why I am passionate about it. In 1996, I brought an idea to what was then the environmental department for the city of Austin and then met folks at Austin energy with an idea to try to reduce emissions from landscaping equipment. This letter here from a retired Austin energy employee who was the program manager for we care about our air, thanks me. As you can see in the highlighted area, for bringing the idea forward and scrapping in two sales event days, 500 mowers and selling 520 mowers. And I'm proud of that. And what I want to share is that when you have a program such as the one that's going on now with Austin energy, slide number two, please, I support it. However, the current plan that's going on now is one where people go to [10:23:45 AM] now is one where people go to Home Depot. There's no salesman that's taking them to the rack and showing them the electric mowers. And 75% of the mowers in those stores now are electric mowers. They're going in there. They almost always know what they want, and they're leaving. And Austin energy is giving them a rebate of $30 for Wright for walk behind lawn mowers and $15 for handheld equipment such as line trimmers and leaf blowers. So this program and I spoke to the person in Austin energy yesterday to tell her that I was going to talk about this issue, not to criticize the Austin energy for this, but to ask them and the management of Austin energy and the management of the city to consider stopping this program. Now after they've expanded over some months and years, about $50,000, and wait till this resolution happens and comes back with some ideas where we can put together something that's better than that. Thank you very much. >> Next, there's Luke Metzger on [10:24:47 AM] >> Next, there's Luke Metzger on item 20 with Kathy Mchorse and Karen Campbell on deck. >> Good morning. Council, mayor and council members Luke Metzger with environment Texas, gas power lawn equipment like lawn mowers, leaf blowers, weed whackers are notoriously polluting and noisy, they just using one for a piece for an hour is the equivalent of driving for hundreds of miles. And the thousands and thousands of this equipment around, Austin adds up to a ton of pollution. According to our research, the. In 2020, they added about 128 tons of fine particulate matter to our air. That's the equivalent of about 1.3 million cars, or as much as a small oil refinery. And of course, Austin is now set to be in nonattainment for new EPA standards for fine particulate matter. And so it's critical that we take action to reduce pollution from this, this source. And so we're strongly in support of the resolution. And you know, we know that electric [10:25:48 AM] you know, we know that electric equipment is available and competitive in terms of availability. The cost and the performance as the gas powered equipment. But we need to do more to encourage people to make that switch, particularly the commercial sector, which is the largest source of emissions and Eid in a special need of incentives and education to help them switch over to the clean electric equipment. So we strongly appreciate this, measure and hope you'll support it. Thank you. >> Cathy Mchorse on item 21 with Karen Campbell and Stacy Schmidt on deck. >> Mayor, council members and city manager. My name is Kathy Mchorse. I'm speaking in favor of item 21. Thank you for recognizing the essential role childcare will play for this academy to reach its full potential. I appreciate that you also recognize that the existing childcare system does not currently meet the demand for affordable, quality childcare in our community. There are more [10:26:50 AM] our community. There are more than 4300 children on the waiting list for child care subsidies and even if funding was available right now, the sector cannot hire sufficient staff at current wages to meet the needs. Childcare is a core component of the academy is essential to meet the increased demand for childcare so that parents will be able to participate in training and employment as implementation details are worked out. Please prioritize a dedicated strategy and funding for our childcare workforce pipeline as part of our economic infrastructure for this sector. Is the workforce behind the workforce? The recent tcrp report on childcare commissioned by the city, estimates that the region's child care workforce shortages result in being unable to serve an equivalent of more than 8000 children. Please prioritize sufficient funding for childcare supports so that the childcare workforce can earn a living wage, and they too can afford to live and work in Austin in order to meet the increased demand for key infrastructure workers, industries such as construction and planning should also incorporate strategies to build capacity in our childcare system [10:27:51 AM] capacity in our childcare system for nontraditional hour care, according to research by the urban institute, Travis county currently only has capacity to meet about 9% of the need for childcare in the early morning, evening and weekends, given staff shortages. Child care programs are currently cutting their hours, ensuring child care subsidies are sufficient to cover the cost of quality will be critical for childcare to meet the needs of parents in these key industries. It's exciting to live in a city where leaders recognize access to affordable childcare is essential to our economy. Thank you for your leadership on this. >> Thank you. >> Karen. Mick Campbell, item 21. >> Good morning. My name is Karen Campbell and I am an Austin district resident. I'm Austin resident in district eight, but I come here today as the Austin executive for aecom to speak in favor of item 21 to establish Austin's infrastructure academy. Aecom is one of the world's largest infrastructure firms, but more [10:28:51 AM] infrastructure firms, but more importantly, one of the largest architect engineering firms here in Austin. While we are a global company, we are most proud to be part of the fabric of the Austin community. At aecom, we believe infrastructure has the power to uplift communities and improve people's lives. And as a company and an industry, it is our obligation to cultivate the next generation of architects, engineers, urban planners, environmental scientists and data specialists. Investing in young people is an investment in the future, not only to provide this younger generation the opportunities to explore new, high paying and rewarding careers that allow them to stay in Austin. But this generation entering the workplace identified as the great disruptors, our first generational digital natives. And they have the drive to challenge traditional ways of working and build a better world. Educated and raised in an era of huge technological change, they see smart technology and internet connectivity as part of the fabric of daily life, and they [10:29:55 AM] fabric of daily life, and they have a greater concern regarding sustainability, resiliency, diversity and social social, cultural equity. They're looking for a career with a strong sense of duty and purpose and infrastructure, which delivers the promise of a better world can give them that. Yet, as suggested in studies by the world economic forum and others, engineering and stem driven industries aren't seen as the most open or accessible career choices for a lot of people. Typically, infrastructure tends to make headlines only when something goes wrong by promoting the positive economic, environmental, and social impacts of smart infrastructure through the infrastructure academy, we can change those existing views. >> Stacy Schmidt, item 21 with trey Salinas and Cheryl Cole on deck. >> Hello, mayor Watson council, Mr. Garza, I'm Stacy Schmidt with opportunity Austin, and I'm here today to represent our investors and our business community in support of the [10:30:55 AM] community in support of the infrastructure academy. We are the economic development organization aimed at job creating investment throughout the Austin region. As part of our efforts to drive economic growth and prosperity, not only around jobs and companies and businesses, but to drive the quality of life and the foundations that support this growth, which is infrastructure. And it's also the skilled workforce to fill the industry needs. That is critical. There's tens of millions, billions of investment of infrastructure projects that will improve the mobility of goods and people across this region, and it will require a special skill set that we will need to be able to train this workforce. We believe the infrastructure academy is a huge step forward addressing this need. While also providing good paying jobs to those in our community. We appreciate your continued collaboration with the business community, your city leadership and our community [10:31:56 AM] leadership and our community partners as we work together to make Austin the great place it is. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Trey Salinas, item 21 with Cheryl Cole and Melvin white on deck. >> Morning, mayor and council. My name is trey Salinas, and I'm the vice chair for local advocacy for the greater Austin chamber of commerce. Here to speak to you on item 21, requesting your support, this resolution is a key component to addressing the workforce needs of our growing city to meet the demand of important infrastructure projects across the region, Austin needs an additional 10,000 workers annually. And to upskill 4000 workers every year. The Austin infrastructure academy will bring the current services of workforce providers into the into the network at scale. All together, this will comprehensively develop a strong talent pipeline by offering recruitment, training, job placement and the essential wraparound services that promote [10:32:56 AM] wraparound services that promote access to the program. This training hub will keep funds inside of Austin and financially benefit local families. It is also. It will also ensure the success of a citywide expansion of projects, while also avoiding new taxes. Approving this resolution will make Austin stand out for effectively preparing for capital improvement projects and valuing the workforce behind construction, please respectfully ask that you support item 21. >> Thank you. Thank you, Cheryl Cole Cole, item 21 with Melvin white and Ryan Pollack on deck. >> Good morning, council and mayor. I'm here to congratulate you on your item number 21 and the fact that it is on the consent agenda. That didn't happen often. When I sit here, this is an item that is sorely needed in light of the expansion of the workforce in Austin, especially with the airport expansion. The project connect, [10:33:57 AM] expansion. The project connect, and the expansion of 35, there are many employers here who need to prepare employees, especially those underserved served. And I am also representing digital workforce academy, who you'll hear from next. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Representative Melvin white, item 21 with Ryan Pollack and Michelle Mejia on deck. Good morning. Mayor. Council members, city manager and staff. >> I just wanted to first of all, congratulate and thank the mayor for your vision on item 21, in support of it, as well as your co-sponsor as well. And I just wanted you. I represent digital workforce academy since 1999 is when we started and I wanted to just kind of give you an idea of the significance of what this particular item is. [10:34:59 AM] what this particular item is. This item allows equity. It allows creating an ecosystem that, say, public private partnership, that allows businesses, but more importantly, it allows the city to put their money where their mouth is. There talking the talk, and they're walking the walk and it's not that there's not training that's being done in this area, but in the facet in how you're putting this together. What it does is creates true pathways to careers for both, those who are well intended and those who are under skilled as well, Austin has been on a rising tide for well over ten years. This particular item will allow all ships to rise and tides to lift all ships, as well as boats, and I think that through the technology and through the construction trades, all the ecosystem it creates equity and it creates upward mobility for those individuals. [10:35:59 AM] mobility for those individuals. So don't take it lightly, there have been other cities that's done this, but this has only been on a few projects. But what you're doing is in totality, in bringing together the full scale of all the opportunities that exist in this whole ecosystem, because that's going to be the thing that's going to allow Austin to continue to have its citizens to be a part of the affordability and being able to live in this great city and want to thank you for your leadership. >> Thank you. >> Ryan Pollack, item 21. >> Morning, mayor and council, my name is Ryan Pollack. I'm a union journeyman electrician, 17 year austinite resident of district nine. I stand before you as a representative of ibew local 520 and the central Texas building trades council. We really appreciate all the hard work on the initiative behind this academy. Item 21 I'm here to ask for your support on that, it's been a very dire need for me as a worker, organizer for as [10:37:01 AM] me as a worker, organizer for as as somebody trying to attract, you know, workers with a lot of, potential to become electricians, become union electricians, getting our apprenticeship up. And I've had so much personal experience with seeing so many of these workers who who could be good electricians, who can't get the childcare they need to be in our program because we have, you know, they go to work and then after work they go to class, it's a lot to ask. And also we start our work very early in the morning. So we also have have shift needs that are different from, the average worker, we really appreciate being, being heard and looking at, at what's in this. We, we've had a lot of input in this process. We appreciate being at the table on that. We see that we've been heard and that our, our concerns and our input has been valued and implemented here. And so I ask that you all support this item, this is a historic [10:38:01 AM] item, this is a historic opportunity with all this federal investment. We need to take full advantage of that. And this is this is also an opportunity for all of Austin to share in that that incoming prosperity. Thanks, y'all. >> Thank you. >> Michelle Mejia on item 21 with Laura Olson and gisella Santos on deck. >> Your name has been called. Please come forward and be prepared to testify, good morning council, thank you. Everybody here for your service, my name is Michelle Mejia, and I'm the early childhood organizer with, go Austin. Vamos. Austin I am also a mother of two boys who keep me grounded and have shaped my purpose in advocating for early childhood work for the early childhood workforce and the families that they serve. I am glad to see child care referenced in item 21, but I am here to express caution and plead for interest and investment in early childhood education. You might think we are here out of place. That item 21 has nothing to do [10:39:03 AM] That item 21 has nothing to do what we're talking about, but I think that that type, type of frame of thinking has gotten us to the point where we have 4300 kiddos on a wait list, and that's a March 2024 number. When we think of new items and resolutions programs, and we choose to tap into resources and systems that we already know are not fulfilling the need, we must exercise caution. We've been talking with the mayor's office about a child care initiative since last March. A year to date. I think it's okay, mayor, if that's not going to happen. But it can the city or council explore other options that can elevate this crisis? We saw coming a mile away? What are alternatives that our council can explore, and how can we lean into the expertise of the child care workforce and advocates that have been doing the work, maintaining an already struggling workforce and the current economic infrastructure? Child care is critical. Infrastructure where will you invest in it? >> Thank you. [10:40:05 AM] >> Thank you. >> Oh, and did you get the little piggies? >> Laura Olsen on item 21 with gisella Sans and rob. Hell on deck. >> Only one person at the podium at a time. Thank you. >> Good morning, mayor Watson esteemed council members. My name is Laura Olson. I'm here today as a working mother, community organizer, former ec educator, success by six coordinator, and longtime child care and family advocate. I'm also organizing director at go Austin Houston. First, I want to thank you for your continued attention to the needs of child care workers and working families in our city. Thank you for including child care in item 21 proposed infrastructure academy resolution. We thank council member Fuentes for your amended child care language on line 99 of draft version two new impactful ideas like the proposed academy are exciting, [10:41:06 AM] proposed academy are exciting, but we urge you not to take the mention of child care lightly. Let's be real, our child care subsidy system is already stretched and strained. Our child care worker are already stretched and strained. Our working families are already stretched and strained. So we urge you to stretch. Stretch this proposal to relieve the strain and to provide the investment needed to ensure the child care supports for the proposed academy are developed without leaving behind any workers who are waiting for child care, nor forgetting the needs of child care providers themselves. Five years ago, I was a single working mama of five children living at foundation communities, stretching to hold it all together after rent. My next highest expense was child care. Mayor Watson, when you sat with child care provider panelists at our November early childhood town hall, you heard about the realities of sustaining child care without sufficient wages and support. You heard with from [10:42:09 AM] and support. You heard with from working parents about the challenge of finding and keeping affordable care. You proudly applauded Loretta Johnson service in her role as the work force behind the workforce force. We thank you for that. Now is the time to respond to those pleas for support. There are three things you can do to strengthen. >> I'm sorry, but your time to have two. >> We were just informed that miss Olsen had time donated. It was under item 36, but it was actually supposed to be 21. We're checking with Robert hale and Lorraine Atherton if they are in here. >> Okay, great. >> Are they present? They are. Thank you. You have four more minutes. Thank you, thank you. >> Now is the time to respond. There are three things you can do to strengthen the child care components of item 21 one. Amend the proposal with a directive for the city manager to enlist the know how of working parents and child care providers in the tactical planning for the academy, and include research of stakeholders working with the [10:43:11 AM] stakeholders working with the children's funding project to develop sustainable child care solutions. Two. Invest in children. Invest in those who care for them, who are currently among those earning the least in our expensive, booming city. As noted in the recent tcsp child care report commissioned by the city fund, a prevailing child care wage so providers can afford to live and work here. Start with a simple child care investment of 1.5 million in the fiscal year 2024 reconciliation budget three address the existing overwhelming need for affordable child care that our current child care system is unable to support. With over 4300 children on the waitlist for subsidies, the city manager must be directed to build accountability with workforce solutions and addressing the issues. Please lean into us. Lean into Loretta, Jamie, gisella, Tamatha, Colin and many more who are ready to advise on the specifics of how to fund child care and get it right. Mayor Watson, I was here for [10:44:12 AM] Mayor Watson, I was here for your first time around as mayor. I'm here now. I observed your effort and interest to show up and stand beside your child care workforce in November. I believed you when you spoke about value, priority, support and outcomes for child care. As things you are all in on. You yourself said that early childhood education is the key to undoing systemic racism, here is a great opportunity to take a courageous step and undoing historic inequities by investing in child care workers and families. Please do not move this proposal forward as it is currently written as a way to check the box on child care. >> No one is. >> Mayor Watson, we appreciate and remember what you shared about your child care initiative when you reflected on your first 100 days and how you spoke to this as a priority at the town hall. We appreciate and remember those of you on council who have championed child care. Speaking as a district eight resident, we will remember what each of you [10:45:12 AM] will remember what each of you do now for child care when we go to the polls next November. Amend item 21 invest in child care. Address accessible, affordable child care. Thank you for your time. >> For clarity purposes, I just want to thank you very much. But for clarity purposes, there's nothing in this that is anti child care. And it almost sounds like some people are pushing a statement that somehow this is anti child care. This is in in many ways one of the pillars that this council has done on other items related to child care. The council member Allison alter council member Fuentes council member Velasquez. Others have been involved in and the fact that the item speaks so specifically. And I worked with council member Fuentes on the language to make sure that there was even greater clarity with regard to child care. This is a [10:46:13 AM] regard to child care. This is a major step by this council to move in the direction of assuring that people that need child care so that they can fully participate in this economy, will have that opportunity. Design of many aspects of this will still need to be worked out. And that's and all of this will be taken into account. But nobody is backing away from any statement that they've made with regard to child care. To the contrary, this is living up to those statements. And when you say don't check the act like you're checking the box, or however you phrase that no one is, this is another step by this council. And I anticipate there will be more steps by the people sitting on this council with regard to that. So please, let's not turn this into a negative when so much positive, including in the area of child care is moving forward. Thank you for your time [10:47:14 AM] forward. Thank you for your time . >> Gisella sands on item 21 with Phil foden and Daniella silva on deck. >> Hola! Buenos dias a Cada uno de los qué se encuentran aqui? Me nombre es gisella Sanchez. Soy Una proveedora de cuidado infantil basada en casa. Es de trabajo. No, porque tenga mucho Pago monetario sino simplemente essentiellement lo hago porque ayuda a me comunidad ayuda a hacer comunidad. Si muchos de los estan aqui no me entienden Pero dos otras personas. Yo sé qué me Stan? Escuchar cuando eso es el motivo por el cual Yo me encuentro. El Dia de aqui agradecidos por da este mensaje. Porque los Ninos son el futuro de manana. Sus hijos. Sus nietos sus families. Todos esos Ninos los necesitan a nosotros Y nosotros. Estamos desempenado este trabajo como cualquier persona tiene un daycare. Una [10:48:17 AM] persona tiene un daycare. Una casa registrada lamentablemente a nosotros nadie no se escucha Y nosotros también necesitamos fondos nosotros también necesitamos algunas mini grande de emergencia porque LE digo estas estas Yo fui Parada de un barrio Y qué paso con eso. Mis Ninos se quedaron ese tiempo sin cuidado. Yo no tenia los recursos para poder. Ayer Y pagar un hospital por esa misma. Yo me Mario ahora estoy Yo aqui diciendo por favor. Nos toman en cuenta Yo les agradezco mucho este tiempo para poder exponer este les podria decir muchas cosas tengo aqui Una hoja donde Yo LE podria leer. Qué es lo van eenoo. Ustedes. Quizas quieren escuchar. Pero no lo VOY a hacer. Les estoy hablando de Corazon de lo Q. Yo siento de aqui de lo profundo. Porque les vuelvo a repetir los Ninos nos necesitan Y los Ninos son el futuro de manana. Espero Q mis palabras mas de alguno las Haya [10:49:18 AM] palabras mas de alguno las Haya escuchado Y la liga en el Corazon. Les agradezco mucho este tiempo. Qué me Han estado aqui escuchar todo O tan siquiera viendo. Muchas gracias. >> Phil foden, item 21 with Daniela silva and romeu Jane on deck, mayor Watson and members of the Austin city council. My name is Phil foden. I hope this microphone goes up high enough for all to come down a little bit, but Phil foden, with the Austin chapter of the associated general contractors we are a trade association of commercial builders working here in Austin and throughout central Texas. I like to say that we're actually a community of commercial builders working in Austin and throughout central Texas. We have a 275 company members employing roughly 10,000 people in the local construction industry. Here we have companies, large and small, general contractors, specialty contractors, suppliers and service providers. So this item 21, we are strongly in support of. I was honored to be part of the infrastructure and the infrastructure summit in October [10:50:19 AM] infrastructure summit in October and the meeting surrounding that, in the 20 years I've been here in the construction industry, there have been a lot of solid efforts with good intentions to help develop the construction workforce, I've participated in a lot of those. Our membership and our organization has participated in those, whether at the Austin school district with the construction technology center down at Crockett, we worked with occ tstc, Texas, technical Texas state technical college, goodwill and many others. And all of those efforts have had a lot of merit and helped move the ball a little bit further down the field. But what I really appreciate, and really I wanted to drill down on here today, is that this is the first time I've seen a real holistic, comprehensive approach being led by the highest level. That's what we've really, really needed to get us. Construction industry is just so fragmented in so many different ways. So we greatly appreciate the city council, helping to unite us, I draw the analogy of, you know, think of like a marching band or an [10:51:23 AM] like a marching band or an orchestra. You have all these instruments, all these people are making beautiful music and trying their best to create something for the greater good. But what they really need is a director to get them all on the same page, to get that marching band going in the same direction. And get everybody on the same page. And that's what's happening here with resolution 21. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Daniela silva on item 21 with ramir Jain and Roy Whaley on deck. >> Your name has been called. Please come forward. >> Good morning. Council and mayor, I just want to point out that my understanding from the last budget cycle is we're supposed to have interpreters on staff available for all council meetings. So I'm really disappointed that someone who came this morning to sign up wasn't able to have an interpreter accessible to them, and I really hope that's something you all look into, but on another note, I'm here in support of item 21. I'm here, on behalf of workers defense, my name is Daniella silva, district three. And we appreciate this [10:52:24 AM] three. And we appreciate this resolution being put forward as an effort to truly invest in people who literally make the city what it is without workers. None of the infrastructure we use on a day to day basis would exist. As a worker advocacy organization, we are concerned with ensuring that this academy is created with the needs of our workforce and providing the support they need to participate in something like this, including but not limited to child care, transportation, language access and cultural competence. As participants of this academy should graduate with not only the tools needed to have a fruitful, well-paying career in infrastructure development, but also with the tools needed to advocate for their own rights and choose projects to work on that follow. Worker friendly programs such as better builder. Since the resolution directs the city manager to maximize the city's ability to receive federal funding for workforce development, we'd like to see worker protections baked into the policy, as well as extensive partnership with unions, in order to make us as competitive [10:53:24 AM] order to make us as competitive as possible for those funds. We also find it imperative that community groups and unions be involved in developing the curriculum and training used in the academy, whether their involvement is in something like a working group or advisory council, workers and advocates with lived experience must have a meaningful seat at the table. Workers defense looks forward to working with all of you on this. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Members. I appreciate, miss silva pointing out the interpreter. We do have the capacity to have an interpreter. We don't always know someone is here. That doesn't. That needs an interpreter unless they let us know in advance. And I've asked the question about today, and, we were not told in advance, so we didn't have an interpreter. And I apologize for that. But there's not an interpreter here just in case, because many days we don't have someone that's asking for an interpreter, but so in in the future, if somebody wants an [10:54:25 AM] future, if somebody wants an interpreter or, you know, somebody that would benefit in talking to the council by having an interpreter, please let them know and we'll and work with the clerk's office, and we'll make sure an interpreter is present. And in fact, the way we typically do that, not typically the way we do it, is we add, we double the time so that we make sure that that person will have plenty of time working through an interpreter. But I appreciate your pointing that out. And we're we're attentive to that. Thank you. Mr. Whaley. I'm sorry to interrupt you, but the microphone is yours. >> Not at all. Those were important comments. Howdy y'all. My name is Roy Whaley. I'm the conservation chair for the local Sierra club chapter, and I'm wanting to speak today on item 22, which should be a slam dunk. I look at the don't mess it up. Well, I look at the co-sponsors here and, how can we go wrong with education about how people [10:55:30 AM] with education about how people can save money and water? And I do want to talk more about water forward later when that comes up . But water is one thing we can't manufacture, years ago when, I still refer to it as wwtp for, was on the agenda. I remember one group had the motto of, we want water. Well, everyone wants water, but we're not manufacturing water. So that means we have to take care of the water that we have. We have to educate our citizens on how they can take care of the water they have, and that we stop draining our water bank, which, by the way, lake Travis is at 38.2% full today. We're not the only straw in that in that lake. And so we have to look at that as our water budget and it's [10:56:30 AM] as our water budget and it's uncertain when we're going to be able to refill our reservoir. But it doesn't have to be uncertain on how we can educate our our public on what they can do. Thank you very much, premier Jane, on item 22. >> Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the Austin city council. Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Ramiro Jane, a high school student of Westwood high school and the founder of lawns go wild, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encourage sustainable landscaping practices in central Texas. Our mission at lawns go wild aligns closely with the principles outlined in item 22. In recent years, Austin has faced the consequences of extreme weather conditions, from severe drought to heat waves and forest fires. These events have depleted our city's lifeline, lake Travis, which is at a mere [10:57:30 AM] lake Travis, which is at a mere 38% capacity. This shows the need for immediate action. It is well documented that austinites use billions and millions of gallons of water annually for landscaping, with half of this vital resource being wasted due to inefficient irrigation methods. However, through the use of xeriscaping and native plants, we can significantly reduce the use our water usage. This will reduce the strain on lake Travis and our other local freshwater resources. After opening boots at the Texas farmers market, volunteering at the UT Austin wildflower center and just conversing with residents from every corner of the city, it has become evident that there is unequal distribution and awareness of the current native bed rebate across the different districts of Austin. This resolution, however, aims to change the unequitable approaches of this program by expanding the water [10:58:32 AM] program by expanding the water wise landscape rebate program and launching an an educational campaign. These steps are crucial for promoting the widespread adoption of water efficient landscaping, ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to contribute to our city's sustainability efforts by directing the city manager to create an educational campaign and by recommending revisions. We can therefore incentivize water efficient landscaping. Thank you. Thank Mckenzie Kelly Ryan. >> Thank you sir. Your time, your time has expired. I hate to I hate to cut you off as you start saying nice things about specific council members, but council member harper-madison, thank you. >> I just wanted to thank that young man for coming here today. I know it's not an easy thing to approach that podium, so I just wanted to say hats off to you for having the courage to do that today. It really is probably going to be the highlight of my day. I also really appreciate that you're on the forefront of how we're going to have to rethink how we apply [10:59:33 AM] to have to rethink how we apply the use of resource that, to the speaker's point before, we're not manufacturing water, so we have to use it wisely. I appreciate that you're on the forefront. A lot of folks don't know that, I, I've started a little flower company called eco chic floral. When I was 21 years old, and. But I was too early. Wright. You know, people, they want their their dollar is when they want them. They didn't recognize what, you know, the impact of floriculture is on the community. And I just now that I'm watching even floriculture evolve, recognizing that young people like you of Westwood warrior, are already thinking about it, I it makes me feel like we might be all right. So thank you. We appreciate your time. >> I thank, young man, I think council member harper-madison just, volunteered to write the note to get you out of class for this morning. Mayor. That's. Thank you, sir. >> Yes, if I may, I just want to say that Romero came all the way from Westwood, where he's going to be returning today, far northwest Austin, district six. [11:00:34 AM] northwest Austin, district six. Thank you so much for being here to give testimony. It's your first time in chambers, and we really appreciate you being here. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> That concludes all consent agenda speakers. >> Thank you very much, members. >> As you just heard, that concludes all the consent agenda speakers. Let me ask, is there anyone wishing to pull any of the consent agenda items, after the speakers, is there anyone wishing to be shown abstain, I'm going to get a motion. Is there a motion to adopt the consent agenda? As it was read, council member harper-madison seconded by council member Velasquez. Is there anyone wishing to be shown abstaining on the consent agenda as that's been read? Anyone wishing to shown recusing themselves from a vote on the consent agenda. Anyone wishing to be shown voting no on any item on the consent agenda. Members without objection, the consent agenda is adopted, I'll now recognize council member Ryan alter followed by councilmember Allison alter to speak on the consent agenda. >> Thank you very much, mayor. [11:01:35 AM] >> Thank you very much, mayor. And, you know, want to talk real briefly about item 20, which we heard from some of our speakers today? You know, when we think as a community about lawn mowers, leaf blowers, often time we think about them as just a nuisance that might wake us up on the weekend. But when it comes to our climate goals, gas powered equipment is far more toxic. As one of our speakers and told us using a gas leaf blower for just one hour pollutes as much, in our air as driving 1100 miles. That's driving from here to the grand canyon with all those emissions, staying right here at home. And in just one year, gas powered equipment spews that same amount of pollution as 234 million cars. Our air, our lungs can't take another year of this. And that's why I'm excited that we [11:02:37 AM] that's why I'm excited that we passed item 20 today to transition away from dirty lawn care equipment faster. This program will implement an expanded rebate to trade in gas powered lawn care equipment for a clean electric alternative, a cash for clunkers, if you will, but for lawn care equipment. And if done right, we can incentivize not only residential users, but commercial users who are running this equipment day in and day out. So I want to thank my co sponsors, council member Fuentes Velazquez Ellis and Allison alter, as well as all my colleagues for supporting this vital work. I also just want to say a quick note about the infrastructure academy item that you brought forward. Mayor, I think it's an incredible opportunity that you are, seizing and that we are launching on as a community. We need the work force, but we also, as you identified, have to get rid of those barriers to the workforce coming and contributing to our community, such as child care. And so I think that is going to be a huge asset to our community. And lastly, item 26, asking to get [11:03:37 AM] lastly, item 26, asking to get money for the Trevino park so that hopefully we can get started on phase one of that master plan. I think that will be a huge benefit to austinites, but especially those in proximity of Trevino park. It's an incredible opportunity for our community, and so I'm excited to see us moving forward on that. >> Thank you. Council member, chair recognizes council member Alison alter, followed by council member qadri and council member Kelly. >> Thank you. Mayor. I wanted to comment on a couple of items. First, I want to acknowledge item two, which is extending reclaimed water piping to the new county courthouse, and this is a value for both the city and the county. And, and we're going to be sharing these costs. And I want to thank and recognize commissioner Shea for her leadership on this and for, making the county be, a partner in our efforts to conserve our water, also want to say that I'm very excited about item 20 related to lawn care, electric station efforts and the item [11:04:39 AM] station efforts and the item related to water wise rebate incentives. So thank you to council member Ryan alter and council member Mckenzie Kelly for your leadership. And I'm pleased to co-sponsor those, I do want to talk a little bit about item 21. And first of all, I want to thank, thank you, mayor Watson, for bringing that forward and working closely with the workforce mobility industry sector partnership, to launch, this process, to design this workforce infrastructure academy. I'm very excited for this launch. It's been one of the things that, as we went through the process of making these investments that kept me up at night, where we were going to get the workforce for. And there's still a lot of work to be done, and I look forward to collaborating with you, mayor, on that. Thank you, I do want to thank the folks who came this morning to raise the voices of the workforce behind the workforce and to elevate the need for childcare, really appreciate you coming here. I do want to highlight two things. One, child care is listed number two on a list of six or more [11:05:41 AM] two on a list of six or more bullets. It's not an afterthought. It is. It is built into here. It is very, very important, for this effort to succeed. That being said, the infrastructure academy is not the only thing that we need to do if we want to strengthen our child care system. The investments, if you just extrapolate, are for public places, which is 2% to $1 billion on an annual basis, gives you about 20 million, I think, of money, and if you take 20% of those 4000 workers and you say they need child care and you cost that a $10,000, we're already at $8 million. And that's only one year. And the billion dollars doesn't recur every year. So if we're going to crack the nut for child care, we're going to need to do more than what may be just in this academy. Fortunately, we're in a community where we're recognizing much more clearly the need to invest in child [11:06:42 AM] the need to invest in child care, and we have people across government sectors who are working to find a solution. I'm hopeful that we're going to come together, hopefully with a county led initiative that is going to allow us to really up our game with child care. But I also want to point out that aid is, you know, investing in child care with the peace campus. ACC had part of their bond and child care, we already with this initiative, you know, have city council, we have atp, we have capmetro, we have workforce solutions. This is a challenge that we're recognizing and we're working towards, solutions. And mayor, look forward to collaborating with you on all of those things because we need all of these pieces. We're doing big audacious things with our infrastructure. We need the workforce. The workforce needs child care. Child care is a workforce, issue. So I look forward to this moving forward, and as we design it out, getting things right for the child care piece as well as all the other [11:07:43 AM] piece as well as all the other pieces. Thank you. >> Thank you, council member qadri followed by council member Kelly and then council member Velasquez. >> Yeah, I've already talked to councilmember Ryan about it, but I'd just like to be shown as a sponsor on his on his item without objection, councilmember qadri will be shown as a sponsor of that item. Council member Kelly, followed by council member Velasquez and then council member harper-madison. >> Thank you, mayor and members, first, I'd like to take a moment and extend my heartfelt congratulations to our dear friend and council point person here at city hall. Jj on his retirement. Jj is over here in the corner. Yeah he spent more than 20 years here at city hall, and he's been an invaluable asset to all of us throughout his tenure. He's shown kindness, understanding and responsiveness from our office and beyond. And his presence will be deeply missed. So we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Jj good luck. Thank you, today we addressed item 22, which entails directing the city manager to develop an educational initiative for Austin waters water wise [11:08:44 AM] Austin waters water wise landscape rebate program. Through this resolution, we ask the city manager to launch a public awareness campaign in multiple languages. Thank you. Council member harper-madison for that part of the resolution. It's always great when we collaborate, to make things better. The campaign aims to assist austinites in conserving water and reducing their water bills. I think it's a great companion for the water forward item that we also passed today. Inspiration from this item stemmed from a meeting with a remarkable high school student who we heard from earlier, Romeo Jane, who attends Westwood high school in my district. Romero is present in the chambers today, and we heard from him earlier. I also want to thank Austin water for working with me and my office at length in crafting this resolution, and to my co sponsors, council member Ryan alter, council member Alison alter, and council member Harper Natasha Madison. Finally, I'd like to close by highlighting something that's close to my heart that's happening in the community soon, rodeo Austin is marking its 86th anniversary this year, and festivities will be running March 8th through 23rd. Over the weekend, I had [11:09:44 AM] 23rd. Over the weekend, I had the privilege of judging the junior pitmaster contest. We had kids ages 8 to 12 and 13 to 17, giving me nine different pork chops to try. And let me tell you, those kids can cook. Holy moly. I also witnessed agricultural mechanics competition, where talented youngsters from all over central Texas showcased their welding and construction skills. They made things like chicken coops, trailers and barbecue pits from scratch. Way better than I could ever make. So they've been successful here in Austin. Rodeo Austin has for over 86 years, and they're definitely growing the next generation. I highly recommend supporting them if you can. And with that, mayor, I yield. >> Thank you. >> Council member. Council member Velasquez followed by council member harper-madison. >> Thank you. Mayor, colleagues, I'm very excited about item 21 and all the work that has gone into it. >> This item will lay the foundation for a transformational shift to investments in our workforce and complement how we view and move forward on affordability in [11:10:45 AM] forward on affordability in Austin, Austin has experienced remarkable growth. However, it's evident that our city was ill prepared to accommodate this expansion by not investing in our workforce. Austin has made Austin was made unaffordable to many, forcing long time residents out of their homes. This isn't a new story to anybody here or anybody on this dais. This one of a kind academy is representative of our city's booming growth and our commitment as a council to ensure that we are preparing our communities and families to grow alongside it, to be able to stay and live in the city that we all love. We are investing in careers, not just jobs. And I'll say that again, we're investing in careers, not just jobs. Yesterday, the mayor's office and I had the privilege of meeting with David Kincannon and his team at workers defense project, whose tireless advocacy serves as a beacon for workers rights in the construction industry. They offered insight, direction and help on this project. The meeting, the [11:11:46 AM] project. The meeting, the meeting and conversation underscored the vital role stakeholders have played and will continue to play in the shaping of this initiative. Because this is a worker centered enterprise, this program is a generational community investment for all, and we know that from this, for this program to work, it will require input from all corners of the city and will require prioritization of cultural competency at every level. With $25 billion earmarked for mobility and infrastructure and with major capital improvement projects, we have a great opportunity, but more importantly, a responsible city to our residents to shape the trajectory of our city's growth in a way that truly serves the needs of all. I want to thank the mayor for bringing me into in on this project for his vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment on this very important issue. Thank you to the mayor pro tem for her insights and direction, and to all of our collaborators who [11:12:47 AM] all of our collaborators who have been working on this vision for almost a year. This is just the beginning, but I am very excited about the direction we're headed. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Council member. Council member harper-madison followed by council member Fuentes. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll keep you brief, I would like to just briefly highlight some of the items from our consent agenda today. We take and are taking, another significant step forward in making our city's roads safer for and more efficient with the passage of item number 17 regarding several roadway projects along the eastern crescent of Austin in collaboration with txdot, by working closely with txdot and our transportation public works departments, we can address safety and accessibility concerns at critical intersections, including fm 969 Heflin lane and Springdale road. Anybody who's gone down mlk and seen that random intersection there at Heflin and Springdale, as well as us 183, and Maynard road, Springdale, I'll take the [11:13:50 AM] road, Springdale, I'll take the moment of personal privilege to say, as a person whose family has been thrice over affected by road safety issues, it is of the utmost importance to me that we pay attention to the things that we can actually help to prevent, and I think the construction and infrastructure for, addressing those concerns is, is very important. So I appreciate that we're taking that step. Additionally thank you, council member Kelly for highlighting the need for an educational campaign for Austin waters rebate programs and providing outreach to residents on ways that they can save water and money on their utility bills, you know, like I mentioned to the gentleman who came down from that Westwood warrior who came down from northwest Austin this morning, back in those days when I was working as a sustainable florist. I mean, everything you do is about water. And I really just started to pay attention to what it looks like. And then there were campaigns along the way, which hopefully, maybe I'll emulate one day. Grow food, not lawns. It was like, you know, [11:14:50 AM] lawns. It was like, you know, thinking about the application of potable water. To your point, councilmember vela, from the other day that thought of putting potable water on grass that does nothing but give you a hard time, if we codify ways, you know, to really encourage and basically, you know, support people's efforts to not do that, that's a culture shift. And so this is, you know, I think in large part a start of the conversation and really connecting people to those resources that exist already. So thank you for that, sustainability is a large priority in the district one office. I'm so excited to continue to work with my colleagues on our efforts to support our climate goals and, frankly, to encourage and support those cultural shifts that we need. Folks to really attain and maintain a sustainable way of life, so thank you, colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. >> Council member. Council member. Fuentes >> Thank you, colleagues, just wanted to take a moment to appreciate the mayor's leadership on item 21, establishing Singh Austin's infrastructure academy. It's [11:15:52 AM] infrastructure academy. It's such a milestone moment for our community. It's a visionary moment for our community, and it's one that is needed. You know, we are going through this mobility age and moving into this infrastructure age here in Austin and just recognizing the needs of our workforce. Mayor, your recognition of understanding that we need to invest in our workforce in such a manner, is incredible, and I appreciate the inclusion of early childhood and child care within this item. You've been a strong advocate and champion for child care, so I'm glad to see this item progress and move forward. And thank you. Councilmember Allison alter, for your work on on this issue as well. I'm pleased to be a co-sponsor of this item and just want to recognize your leadership. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. Councilmember vela. >> I just wanted to, ask to be a co-sponsor on both the council member, Ryan Walters, item 20, which I think is an excellent item and addresses a underappreciated issue. >> And on your item, mayor, item 21, again, very excited to see that move forward, critical need [11:16:53 AM] that move forward, critical need in our community, and I appreciate the effort in making sure that we have the workforce that we need for the many, particular municipal projects, not to mention, you know, so many other projects, that that we're going to see in the, in the coming decade. >> Thank you. >> Council member. Without objection, council member vela will be shown as a co-sponsor of item 20 and 21. Thank you for that, members. I'll wrap up the comments on the consent agenda by speaking just very briefly with regard to item 21, I've appreciated all the council members comments with regard to that item, and I've appreciated the council members support with regard to that item, I echo and highlight that this is a big deal, it's a it's as I've said, this is a seize the moment time in Austin. And I believe we are now seizing the moment and I think that's very important. I believe that we're already a national model with this, and I know workforce solutions of central Texas has already [11:17:54 AM] central Texas has already received a recognition and a national award for the work that's gone into it. Just up till now. But I believe we will we will set the playing field with this, with this item. So I want to say thank you to the council and to all of the co-sponsors. I also want to say thank you to the career creators that are out there and the career trainers that are already out there that are making such a difference in our community and have played a role with regard to the leadership that we brought together about a year ago, to try to start thinking about how we would get to this point, many of you are in the audience or have spoken, and I want to say thanks for that. Workforce solutions, central Texas, that is not something that every austinite knows about , but it plays a principal role in our community. Tamara Atkinson is here with us today, as the CEO of workforce solutions and has been integral [11:18:55 AM] solutions and has been integral to this. I also want to recognize civic solutions, for the role that it played in doing the studies behind what it is that we're now doing, and Stephen Pedigo and Laura Huffman are the principals in that. And the difference that they made with that, folks, this is another step to our vision as a council and as a team together to have a more complete Austin and a more affordable city. So I thank you for your vote on that. And I thank everybody that's participated, we have a lot of work to do, but this is going to be fun work that's going to make a difference. So with that, we will now move to the item number 33, which is the item that was pulled by council member Harper Madison, I will recognize council member Harper Madison, to lay out item number 33. >> Sometimes I'm so loud, I forget that I actually do need to use the microphone. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I appreciate you, recognizing me. So, if I [11:19:55 AM] you, recognizing me. So, if I may take a moment of personal privilege, there are a lot of folks who didn't have the opportunity to sign up to speak on this item, and I appreciate process. I just want to make sure to recognize that I appreciate the process and making exceptions in a process that's set, you know, and we need to unilaterally apply the process. And so I get it. But I do have some comments from them that I'd like to present, if I may. And if you would just tell me when that's appropriate. >> But I guess now I guess now would be appropriate. I'm not sure exactly what you're asking to do. >> I'm asking. I have some a statement. Well, let me lay it out and then I'll, you know, just sort of, I think by way of my comments, I'll speak to the importance of if you did, I think that'd be the way to do that. >> Okay. Speak to what comments they might have had. But yeah, but following the process I think is important. >> Yes, sir. And I appreciate that. So, we are today some folks are here from colony park neighborhood association, I [11:20:56 AM] neighborhood association, I didn't realize it today. I put on, eastside purple is what I call it today, because it was you know, recognizing me being a jaguar and colony park and lakeside colors being purple, but I see a lot of folks wearing purple today. I'm just gonna assume that y'all are here and passive support, the colony park folks are here today, and they were unable to sign up to speak, but a part of why they're here today on this item and why it's so important is that this is a significant, a really significant milestone in our collective effort towards creating sustainable and affordable communities while fostering equitable, community centered amenity centric development in our city as it grows. I am so excited! I'm having a hard time sitting still to pass our formal approval of the interlocal agreement between the city of Austin and Travis county for our region's first [11:21:57 AM] county for our region's first ever collaborative planning district, the northeast planning district. This agreement is more than just a legal document. It signifies a historic partnership between the city and Travis county. The agreement sets the tone for our long terme vision to enhance the quality of life for these communities by investing in affordable housing, incentivizing economic development opportunities, improving infrastructure, and strengthening our transportation and connectivity. These components represent the shared intentions of the city and the county, and I'd be remiss not to acknowledge I see commissioner Travillion joined us this afternoon. These components represent the shared intentions of the city and the county, and set a valuable precedent for future partnerships. However, this agreement is not simply an agreement between the city and the county. It also is a promise to the current and future residents for this area that they too, that they started, they built the table. So [11:22:58 AM] they built the table. So naturally they have a seat at it. And I want to make certain that that goes without question. The voices of our residents, their visions, their stories and their concerns have been and will continue to be the foundation of the northeast planning district every step of the way. This community should directly reflect the values and the cultures of its residents, and that is why this agreement also establishes a community advisory committee composed of city and county appointees. I cannot emphasize enough how critical the intricate collaboration between the city of Austin, Travis county and the community members has been and will continue to be moving forward, to be clear, this is not a unique idea in any way. Many community leaders have laid a precious foundation of work, hard work to get us here, several who are here with us this morning and joined us, including state rep Cheryl Cole was here, and who as mayor pro tem, by the way, for Austin, she helped to foster many of the [11:23:59 AM] helped to foster many of the critical conversations that we're having today. So just to remind folks, sometimes just because you don't see the ducks feet paddling furiously under the water, it does not mean the work is not getting done. It just means that city's municipal governments move at an extraordinarily slow pace. So I it looks like she's taking her leave, but I appreciate her for introducing these concepts. Oh, you're still here? Years ago. So I want to express also my gratitude for the honorable commissioner Jeff Travillion, for taking another chance on partnering with the city, for keeping his eye on the big and ultimate goal, the big picture, and challenging each of us to not wait for a community to gentrify before we start paying attention. We share that passion deeply and this interlocal agreement is the first of many steps in making this a stronger and stronger partnership that I'm so grateful that we have. I'll close by saying, as one of the fastest growing regions in the country, the Austin area is [11:25:00 AM] the country, the Austin area is under the spotlight. And this initiative, I believe, lays the groundwork for transformative change in northeast Austin and eastern Travis county. I am excited to continue this innovative and community centric approach to planning and implementation for our future, and I encourage us all to recognize the two things that I think, are we need to demystify for the general community. I think sometimes folks don't realize the county and the city, while they represent the same people, are not the same entities. They have completely separate staff rules, meeting engagements like it's separate. So us working together is critical because we do represent the same people. And then I'd also like to say, you know, from a regional perspective, you know, we were having a conversation the other day. I have folks who drive in from Harker heights, bastrop county, hays county, if our folks are moving outside of the city center because of lack of affordability in the city of Austin, it's two pronged. We have to make this city more [11:26:01 AM] have to make this city more affordable and more accessible. But we also need to be thinking regionally. So I just really appreciate that this gives us an opportunity to recognize that, you know, we say Austin, but I really appreciate that. The county pushed back on calling this the northeast. Austin plan because it's the northeastern district. It's not just Austin, it's the parts of town that are adjacent to Austin that don't get to engage in being a part of Austin. So thank you, county commissioner and your staff. I really appreciate y'all. Thank you mayor. >> Thank you. Council member. Out of as a courtesy, I'm going to call on commissioner Travillion and ask him to come to the microphone and briefly, speak. And welcome him to city council. >> Well, thank you, mayor, I, I noticed that you did say briefly, I did I you know, you know, I grew up in the Baptist [11:27:03 AM] know, I grew up in the Baptist church. Sometimes brief is by 6:00. I'm not. >> Yeah, yeah, I've known you a long time. And we have a rule that we'll have to get. Take a vote if you're still here at 10:00. >> Well, I'll tell you this, first thing I want to acknowledge today is that this is the anniversary of bloody Sunday at the Selma bridge at the Edmund Pettus bridge. >> And I said that to say often the changes that have been required in this, in this and all communities across the south has been purchased with blood. And it's important for us to recognize the significant long time, legitimate sacrifices of committee of community members over time to achieve an adequate quality of life for their parents, for their children, for their grandchildren, and I think the work that we do today is really important because we live in very challenging times. Times when it is significant and [11:28:05 AM] when it is significant and important for local community representatives to work together, because we're not getting help from all of the places that we should. And it's important for us to take our time and strategically plan what opportunities are going to be available for our communities, I am so pleased that we are working together because it is an acknowledgment of when our adults are arguing, our children are suffering. And so when we talk about what we must do in community, when we talk about how much better we are together, when we talk about the things that we have done only recently, that it is the work of this council and commissioners court and many community groups that gave 500,000 shots during covid into the eastern crescent would not have happened without this body. I think that there's so many other things that we can do if we just understand that, that we all have to work together as [11:29:07 AM] we all have to work together as a part of the fabric of community. So what we do is, is really significant today. And I just want to I want to point one thing out as as I go to my seat, you know what? I try to guide my action with is a passage from the book of Micah, and it says we should be just. We should love mercy, and we should walk humbly together before our god. And when we don't, we find that we have a lot of people who are Christians in name only because they don't serve the community that desperately needs their service. And what this commission, what this court is or what this council has shown us today is that when we show the power of love together for community working with grandmothers, working with mothers, working with children, when we show the power of love, it's only then that we overcome [11:30:07 AM] it's only then that we overcome the love of power that is that is damaging our politics today. It is important that we continue to work together to reason together, to walk together, because this is our community. It should be us. We should not look at each other as us or them. It's all of us. And when we work together in this way, when we have legitimate disagreement and we address them when we bring in the community to tell us what they need, rather than our telling them what they need, it sends a strong message that I hope we continue. We are working together on so many things, and I think the next thing that we will work together on is how we address the needs of our children. Zero through three, but also pre-k through 12. A safe place to be at 3:00. Help with your homework. A third meal and enrichment. That is the way we get kids from school to work [11:31:07 AM] we get kids from school to work and we take advantage of the investments that we've made to bring such important businesses into this community. When we work together and build together, we can achieve magical things. And as we learned on bloody Sunday, sometimes it starts with great difficulty, but great difficulty met with with compassion and courage can lead us to the place that we need to go as community. So thank you so much. Thank you and I look forward to working with you continuously. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate you being here and appreciate your your service, Mr. Mayor. >> Sorry I know we can't ask people to speak that aren't member members of our staff, but I would like to invite members of our staff to speak to what next steps look like, just so people know exactly what is transpiring today. >> Right. Somebody specific that you'd like to, you know, I could certainly offer some shout outs, [11:32:09 AM] certainly offer some shout outs, but, there's a native east austinite who's been working really hard on this, and, middle director Middleton Pratt, there's somebody here from the county, yeah. I'd love for them to be able to have an opportunity to one just speak to what they've been working so hard on. And, what next steps look like for what we accomplished today? Thank you. >> Please identify yourself for the record and speak to the council members request. >> Good morning, mayor, icm, Garza and council. My name is Tanisha Johnson. I am indeed a fifth generation east austinite. I am also a principal planner with the city's planning department, as well as the project lead for the northeast planning district, I am joined here and I will just ask my team members to stand up, this is the city's first district planning team. It's myself, romina tafazolli and mercy Okoye. I am also joined by Christy Moffatt, [11:33:11 AM] also joined by Christy Moffatt, planning director for the county's economic development and strategic investments within the planning and budget office, so we just wanted to provide additional context. We are excited to finally get started on planning for and with the northeast community on this planning effort, I also wanted to underscore that this joint planning effort is guided by Gares, or the government alliance for race and equity's equity framework, adopted by the county's planning and budget office. Some next steps for us, over the next few months, the city and county will establish a cross city and cross county working group that consists of city and county project leads, as well as subject matter experts and housing, economic development, social services and infrastructure, long range planning and others deemed necessary for this collaborative planning effort. We will also [11:34:12 AM] planning effort. We will also work to develop a work plan for and produce a summary report of existing initiatives, previous engagement, funding and upcoming implementation for any projects and initiatives in the planning area. We will also work to develop a work plan for the selection process of the northeast community advisory committee, which is an integral group to this planning effort and considered the third arm with the city, city and county and partnership Erp, and we will work with that. Cac the northeast cac, to co-create a community engagement plan. Lastly, we are appreciative of the efforts of Travis county, that they have dedicated to establishing this partnership and look forward to planning for a community where planning and public investment is long overdue. Thank you for your time . [11:35:13 AM] . >> Thank you. Okay. >> Anything else? >> Councilmember harper-madison, that's sufficient for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you all. >> Council member harper-madison moves adoption of item number 33. Is there a second second by councilmember bailar, discussion. Councilmember Fuentes, I'll recognize you. >> Thank you. Just wanted to take a moment to congratulate and recognize my colleagues leadership on this. Councilmember harper-madison, it's been tremendous to watch you lead on this issue. I know you've worked so hard behind the scenes day in and day out to ensure that we're able to get to this milestone moment of entering into an interlocal agreement with Travis county for the northeast planning district. I so appreciate meeting with members of your community. We did a tour a few months ago, and what I recognized then. What we all know is that our east side communities are bound together by similar issues and values. And so what I see what you all have laid out as a model for northeast. I believe is a model for southeast as well, and would love to see a similar effort dedicated to our valley [11:36:13 AM] dedicated to our valley community in southeast Austin and southeast Travis county. Thank you. Thank you, councilmember Fuentes. >> Councilmember vela, I just want to echo councilmember Fuentes comments and again, congratulate, councilmember harper-madison on this. I can't tell y'all. I mean, of all the things that are difficult to do, the when you involve two governmental bodies and try to navigate both, rules and regulations and the politics and the staff, that is a heavy lift, I know how much time she and her staff have spent on this. I know, the county as well. Commissioner Jeff Travillion have spent a lot of time on it. I just congratulations. It's a great, move. And I just applaud everyone for coming together. But in particular, councilmember harper-madison and her staff. >> Thank you. Council member. Members, the motion has been made, and it's been seconded, all those in favor say aye. Aye opposed? Say no. Motion carries unanimously. Congratulations councilmember harper-madison. And thank you, council. Thank you, commissioner Travillion. [11:37:14 AM] you, commissioner Travillion. Members that, without objection, we will recess the Austin city council at 11:37 A.M [11:38:16 AM] meeting today. You have one item on the agenda. This is an expansion of a existing contract with the housing authority of the city of Austin to provide our tenant based rental assistance program, these additional funds will ensure that individuals who are currently benefiting from this program can remain on the program through the end of the of the fiscal year. And I offer this on consent members that one item is offered on consent. >> Is there are there any questions of staff, board member harper-madison. And it's, moves approval of the item. It is seconded by board member Ryan alter, discussion on the item. Without objection, the item is adopted. Thank you sir. Without objection, we will adjourn the meeting of the Austin housing finance corporation at 1138. We are adjourned. I will now call back to order. I will now call back to order at 11:39 A.M. On Thursday, March 7th, the meeting of the Austin city council members. We're going to go to the non consent items, and those are the public hearing items. We [11:39:16 AM] are the public hearing items. We will start with item number 26, without objection we'll open the public hearing on item number 26. The public hearing is now open. And I'll recognize the city clerk's office to tell us about speakers. >> We have Roy Whaley on item 26. >> Mr. Whaley, are you still here? Do you do you do you really need to talk, that's the right answer. It's my understanding that he was the only person. Yes. >> That's correct. Members. >> If there's no one else, signed up to speak up on item number 26. Without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 26, and the chair will recognize someone for a motion. The, council member qadri moves approval of item number 26. It is seconded by council member Ryan alter. Is there discussion? Without objection? Item number 26 is adopted. That will take us to item number 27, without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number [11:40:19 AM] public hearing on item number 27. By the way, on item number 26, on the vote on item number 26, it was adopted without objection with with, council member harper-madison and, council member Ellis off the dais, item number 27, without objection, we've already opened the public hearing, and I'll recognize the city clerk's office for any people that signed up to speak, we have William bunch on item 27. Mr. Bunch, do you wish to speak? Thank you very much, sir, there being no other people to sign up that have signed up to speak on item number 27? Without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 27, and I'll recognize a council member for a motion. Council member qadri moves approval of item number 27. That motion is seconded by council member Ryan alter. Is there any discussion on item number 27? Hearing none without objection. Item number 27 is adopted. Members item number 28 is postponed to March 21st. Item number 29 has been [11:41:21 AM] 21st. Item number 29 has been withdrawn and replaced with item number 37. That will take us to item number 30. Without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 30 at the public hearing is open. I'll recognize the city clerk's office. >> We have no speakers on item 30. I'm sorry. >> Say that again. >> We have no speakers on item 30, members? There are no speakers on item number 30. Without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 30, and the chair will recognize someone for a motion to approve item number 30. Councilmember qadri moves approval. Councilmember Ryan alter, we both are on a roll, moves second to the motion on item number 30. Is there discussion on item 30? Hearing none. Without objection. Item number 30 is adopted with the council member harper-madison off the dais. Members that will take it. I want to skip item number 36. Just, to try to keep us on a schedule, and go to item number 37, without objection, then we will open the public [11:42:25 AM] then we will open the public hearing on item number 37. Members remember, item number 37 is replacing item number 29, which was withdrawn. Members. There's also two proposed amendments on item number 37 by council member vela. You have those as yellow sheets. I will call those up at the appropriate time. For now. Without objection, we open the public hearing on item number 37, and I will turn to, the city clerk's office. >> We have Roy Whaley on item 37 with Bobby levinski and Brian zamesnik on deck. >> Alright. If your name has been called, please come forward and take one of the seats at the front so that we may call on you in an efficient manner when it's your time to speak. Mr. Whaley, it's your time to speak. You did real good on that other one. I don't know why you're going on now. >> Howdy y'all. My name is Roy [11:43:26 AM] >> Howdy y'all. My name is Roy Whaley and I am the conservation for the Austin regional group of the Sierra club, and on item 37, hopefully this is also going to be another slam dunk again, 38.2, capacity in lake Travis right. Now that that is our, our water bank account. We're not the only ones that get to withdraw from that account. So we're we're we're in a joint account. Situation there. Now, the mayor Watson, many years ago, you, signed a deal to ensure that we would always have water with lcra. That's great. I could write you a check for. Oh, I don't know, $2,000 for anything you'd want to, but good luck cashing it. If I don't have that amount in my account. And that's what's happening with our water account, we have to find a way to stretch our water supply. [11:44:27 AM] way to stretch our water supply. If any of us could buy any item, say, for a dollar, and then get a rebate of $0.60, we'd all do it and we still get the item. That's what reuse is, is we should be looking into expanding our purple pipe system. We don't want to see this fall onto our affordable housing, families, those, those projects, you know, because it does add to the cost. But for those that can afford it, the commercial, the, multifamilies, we do need to do that. We do need to reuse that water, because water that we reuse is water that we have without it draining our legs. We can't count on floods. Being our solution. [11:45:30 AM] solution. >> Appreciate you being here anyway. Thank you, Bobby levinski Brian zapcic and will William bunch on deck, mister bunch, if you'd make your way forward. >> Thank you, mayor and council. Bobby levinski with save our springs alliance, wanted to thank the water utility staff for bringing these items forward, it's been a long time coming. These have already been passed before, so please pass them today and get them in effect, I do wish it applied to all developments, understand the desire and the concern around and, affordability impact. This really is about addressing affordability into the future, though, and in addressing affordability for, the tenants and the renters and the and the, the future owners of these properties that will benefit in the long run from having a more affordable water supply, the Waterford task force recently saw the, the study from the university of Texas that showed that we're going to hit that cap in somewhere around 2040 as, [11:46:32 AM] in somewhere around 2040 as, council member harper-madison you said earlier, we're not producing more water, we have a limited supply. And this, these provisions are the way that we can maximize the current supply that we have. I appreciate y'all being supportive of this, hopefully this can be approved with limited amendments, I really hope that, we don't lose the momentum that we've already tried to create for the last two decades on this. Thank you. Thank you. >> Howdy. >> Can you remind me on the time limit? Two minutes. Thank you. My name is Brian Sobczak, and I'm set for the mayor's height. >> What? That that's set for the mayor's height so it doesn't go well. >> Probably. >> Okay, my name is Brian Sobczak, and I'm the advocacy director at save Barton creek association, spca was founded in 1979. We have steadily expanded our mission area. We now work to protect streams and aquifers [11:47:32 AM] protect streams and aquifers throughout Austin and throughout the metro area and throughout central Texas, our primary focus has been on water quality, but we are also too strongly interested in water supply issues. And that's why we want to speak strongly in support of today's ordinance, just as a refresher for everyone, this is going to require very large, developments in the city to either hook up to the city's purple pipe system to use reclaimed water, or to install an on site wastewater reuse system, we again want to thank Austin for doing this because this is setting example not only in the city but outside in the city, not just with the policies that Austin passes, but with the buildings that it constructs. We want to point out that the city's, permitting and development center is as far as sba has been able to determine, the first building in our area that uses on site wastewater inside the building, not just outside, but inside the building. We hope that Austin includes on site wastewater [11:48:33 AM] includes on site wastewater reuse and more city buildings in the future. We will also want to express our very, very strong support for the water forward plan and the importance of continuing to implement all of its recommendations as they were made, as you know, the forecast for our long terme water supply is not always encouraging, I was in a presentation, a meeting, recently with representatives from lcra and Edwards aquifer authority, and they were giving some long range forecasts for their water resources. In the, 2050 to 2060 window, things could be okay. Or they might be pretty dire that is why we need to stick with water forward. And also, two spca would encourage the city to go beyond the water forward recommendations. Thank you sir. Thank you. >> That concludes all. Speakers on item 37. >> Thank you, members. That concludes all the speakers. Without objection, we will close the public hearing on item [11:49:34 AM] the public hearing on item number 37, councilmember Allison alter, you recognize, you indicated you wanted to go for it. >> I would move approval. >> Councilmember Allison alter moves approval of item number 37 and seconded by the mayor pro tem, we have a motion on the floor. I'm members. We have, as I indicated, two proposed amendments by council member Vella. The first amendment is labeled amendment one. CM vela. Definition of affordable units. Council member vela, you're recognized on proposed amendment number one. >> Thank you. Mayor. The first amendment just clarifies. We've been working with Austin water, with the housing department and with various nonprofit housing groups to more accurately define what what an affordable housing development is. And this just kind of clarifies the language. Again, it's been vetted across multiple folks, and everybody agrees that this is captures exactly what we want to capture, [11:50:35 AM] exactly what we want to capture, we were trying to this essentially exempts affordable housing developments from having to use the reclaimed water, having to do the purple pipe, I would rather figure out a way that the city could pay for the both the capital investment that's required in the, apartments and the extension of the pipe to the apartments were not quite there yet, my second amendment will will address that a little bit, but but this is just a better definition and cuts, affordable housing out of the purple pipe requirements. Great councilmember vela moves adoption of proposed vela. Amendment number one is seconded by council member Velazquez. Discussion on the proposed amendment. Without objection, councilmember vela, amendment number one is adopted. That will take us to amendment number two. [11:51:39 AM] take us to amendment number two. And it's a labeled amendment to CM vela six month study and additional direction. Councilmember vela, you're recognized on proposed amendment number two and Ken. >> Thank you. Mayor. The this one is, asking for reporting back from city staff regarding the cost of compliance on the projects, the estimated water savings, the participation and cost share and incentive programs, and then also looking broadly speaking, at the different types of housing developments, the cost to those housing developments of using the purple pipe and of plumbing their buildings for the purple pipe. Again, it's a great program and I want to echo, mister Levinsky's comments where, you know, costs are a relative things. You know, right now the costs are substantial and the water does not cost that much. That could change dramatically in 20 years, given [11:52:39 AM] dramatically in 20 years, given climate change, given many situations. Right now, I think our Lakes are at about a 40% level. And again, we're all hoping for spring showers to fill them up. But if we don't get those and we hit a summer like we had last year, you know, it could be a real bad situation. So, but regardless, we still do need to consider the impacts on housing costs, how we can potentially subsidize those costs in the future to, enhance the use of the reclaimed water and purple pipe. So, again, this would be just direction for staff to continue to move forward with that kind of information, to bring it back to council, and then we can adjust as needed down the road. >> Council member vela move approval of amendment number two. Is there a second second by, council member Ryan alter, mayor, we appreciate the six month window, any any further discussion on, vela amendment number two, hearing none without objection. Vela amendment number [11:53:40 AM] objection. Vela amendment number two is adopted. Members that takes us back to the main motion, which is to approve item number 37, as amended, discussion, mayor pro tem. >> Thanks so much, mayor. The reuse piece that we're moving forward today is, a critical and really timely component of our water forward plan. It's also a very long time in coming, and I am so very pleased to take this vote here today. It's been it's been years. I think we first started this work back in 2017. And that speaks to the complexities and the necessary expertise that goes into these conversations and the stakeholders involved and the city, the professional staff at the city's very diligent efforts to bring us to this point at this water forward piece, allows [11:54:43 AM] this water forward piece, allows our city not just to keep pace with growth and drought and climate change, but it allows us to stay a step ahead. It'll take significant rainfall to make a dent in the water deficit in the highland Lakes, which function as our water reservoirs and those water reservoirs ensure that we can live here and that our city flourishes. It's not enough to fill our reservoirs, though. We have to keep them full. I've been in this city long enough to have experienced that, long time droughts in the past, and we had a significant one in the 2000. So this isn't our first rodeo, and we know what it's like to be in the depths of a drought, which is why it is so important that we pass these amendments to water forward today with proposed code changes by Austin water addressing reclaimed water infrastructure and project [11:55:45 AM] infrastructure and project requirements, we are taking a giant leap toward a sustainable future. Every facet of our community and every drop of water. Mayor is now a key player in shaping the water supply of tomorrow. I thank everyone for all of their efforts to get us to this point. It is a really important day. Thank you mayor. >> Thank you. Mayor pro tem councilmember Allison alter, followed by councilmember Ryan alter and then councilmember qadri. >> Good morning. I just wanted to really briefly acknowledge, you know, today is purple pipe day. We have a lot of items, not just this one that we adopted today. It's also east side day. It's international women's day tomorrow, and international women's history month. And you know, so we're all here, you know, in purple today. And it is a historic vote to be moving forward, with these reclaimed water requirements. This is an investment in our future as a [11:56:45 AM] investment in our future as a city, I share the concern about the affordability, but I do want to point out that when we when we adopted the wildland urban interface code, there were lots of worries about what that would cost. And it has effectively ended up being even as I understand it, we didn't know that at the time that we adopted, but we were able to evolve and make the program work , and in that case, folks are able to get insurance where they weren't able to. I think we're going to see lots of things change over time where what we're doing with reclaimed water is going to make an enormous difference for the families and the business owners, who adopt it, I want to just thank the staff who've been involved. Our water forward, task force. This is a product of many, many conversations on the community coming together to try to get it right and we took some extra time already, and I think, I think the product is better for it. And I'm very excited to move forward and just want to thank [11:57:46 AM] forward and just want to thank everyone involved. >> Thank you. Councilmember councilmember Ryan alter, followed by councilmember qadri. >> Thank you very much, you know, we talk about Austin's explosive growth all the time, the statistic is we grow by over 100 people every day, but I have yet to find one of those people who brought water with them, you know, and while we can't make it rain, or make new water. >> Hello? >> Yeah. Now we're really loud. Yeah. >> I don't think anybody's signaling anything. >> I don't think so. So I'll just wrap it up by saying, you know, this ensures that we have the water for our future, our children's future, our city's future. And it's an exciting step that I'm excited that it's exciting step that we're taking today. And I appreciate Austin water's hard work on this. And now we just have to get that [11:58:47 AM] now we just have to get that pipe in the ground. So thank you very much. >> Thank you. Council member. Council member qadri. >> Yeah. Thanks, mayor. I'll make this as quick as possible, supportive of councilmember vela's amendments, I think it would be good to get an update provided at the water oversight committee meeting, and just have a joint meeting with the housing and planning committee to make sure that we can analyze the affordability and equity concerns. >> Mayor. Thank you, councilmember, mayor pro tem. >> And what I'd like to suggest, because it can be hard to add another meeting to our calendars, we might look at adding it to a work session and then that'll cover all of us. So city manager, thank you, mayor. >> Jim. >> Council member harper-madison thank you, Mr. Mayor. I was just going to say that I would absolutely support bringing that to the housing and planning committee. I think it would be appropriate. But to the mayor pro tem's point, if it's a more of a work session item, then I would I would support that also. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? Motion been made and seconded to approve item number 37, as amended. And without objection. Item number 37 is adopted. Thank you all very much. Thanks to [11:59:49 AM] you all very much. Thanks to staff. Members. It. Is 1159. And I thought I had done well. Just turned 12. I thought I had it planned just for 12:00 and it worked out. I it worked out just fine, members that will take us to our time certain of 12:00, which is public communication. And I will turn to the city clerk to help us with that. >> Our first speaker is Abe ageism with a Lonnie Muniz on deck. >> Thank you everyone. You all are busy. My name is Abe bajrami, I was born and raised in Garza, her name is Halima bajrami. She's my sister. She's seven years old. Halima died a few hours after her house was [12:00:53 PM] few hours after her house was bombed. Actually, it was her neighbor's house that was bombed. And in all frankness, I somewhat get relieved when I heard that she didn't make it because she wouldn't have dealt with the grief of losing her daughter, her daughter in law and eight grandchildren. Her son is currently paralyzed from the waist down. He was in shifa hospital and was forced to move to European hospital in rafah in in gaza. But honestly didn't come here to beg for your tears or get emotional. I'm sure you've seen enough and heard enough. And I try, in all honesty, to put myself in your shoes and say, why aren't they calling for a cease fire? Or maybe it's just divisive. Maybe it's too complicated and maybe it's just a bad political move. We have election campaigns [12:01:54 PM] We have election campaigns coming up, or maybe it's just, you know, we just get distracted with life. Bluebonnets are out there, we get busy schedule, we get, we kind plans and so on. So I'm not here to lecture. I'm here trying to understand. But I really ask you when you go home at the end of the day and you try to sleep, you put your head down on a pillow. Just think about it. When you go meditate in your yoga class, you go pray in your chapel or church. Just ask the lord and ask yourself if you've done enough for both civilians, both Israelis and Palestinians. I mean, what what would life mean if we don't fulfill our mission as a human beings, as members of the human family, of sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry and protecting the innocent? And someday you will be asked by the lord. You will be asked someday [12:02:57 PM] lord. You will be asked someday by your kids or grandchildren, what have you done? Seen all these videos and seen all these children getting injured and die . And someday we all will get old and we get to ponder on the list that we wish we have done. Please do not make not calling for a cease fire on this list. Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Lonnie Muniz with Colby Duhon on deck. Hi. >> My name is Lonnie Muniz. I am a resident of Austin, Texas. I'm here as not only a resident of Austin, Texas, but an indigenous person to these lands we call Austin, whose dad, grandma, great grandma. And going back over hundreds of years, family belonged to this land. And I'm here to remind you. Of our city's own history of genocide, [12:03:59 PM] city's own history of genocide, illegal occupation, forced removal, and settler colonial ism, much like we see happening in gaza, an illegal occupation that is 75 years and 150 days long now, and reflects that of our own history here with the violent and brutal, inhumane, unjust removal and killing of the indigenous peoples from their land, my ancestors land that we stand on today because of this documented history and our ability to reflect and move from an educated and informed place, today, we have the responsibility to do that in this moment as the bare minimum for Palestinians. By signing on to the cease fire resolution. As we stand here today, not only are more innocent civilians in gaza being killed by us funded bombs, and I quote an article headline published by CNN on February 28th. Israeli forces used indiscriminate fire over the course of one harrowing night, killing half a family sheltering in central gaza. See how a chance discovery sparked spark our investigation process [12:04:59 PM] spark our investigation process and uncovered a hidden atrocity? End quote. This is not only an atrocity. Atrocity it is disgusting, abhorrent and horrifying. Israel has been proven to use indiscriminate bombing, and for those of you who need a definition, indiscriminate means a failure to distinguish between civilian and military targets. The simple fact that austinites contribute nearly 14.8 million toward the total 3.8 billion annual federal allocation of military funding to Israel, immediately makes it a local responsibility issue. I say that to those who claim that this is not the responsibility or the work of local officials to spend time and energy on, because honestly, the fact that any human is suffering and there is a chance that we as a local government can stop that from happening immediately, makes it our work. So as you sit here on this dais upholding what you call democracy, each day that passes, we become warier and warier of all that of the system that you claim. Because we all know too well what genocide [12:06:02 PM] know too well what genocide looks like and sounds like, because the land we call Austin, Texas holds, that reminds us the violence and bloodshed that happened here and serves as a clear sign as to why we must do everything in our power to stop the genocide in gaza. It is not lost on me that issues you busy yourselves with day in and day out, that you prioritize and call local issues the work you pride yourselves with each day to make this city a better place. Are the lasting consequences of settler colonialism on stolen land. I'm here to remind you of not only your job, but also your humanity and the history of my people in this city. We see you, and let the truth be told was whether you support. Thank you. >> The next speaker is Colby Duhon with Nora Ahmadi on deck. >> Good afternoon council. My name is Colby Duhon. I'm a d1 resident, the state democratic executive committee member for our senate district, and one of the coauthors of the human rights coalition commission. >> Ceasefire resolution, a [12:07:03 PM] >> Ceasefire resolution, a resolution this council has ignored for nearly four months now. But I'm mainly here today in my capacity as a proud member of the Austin for palestine coalition. Indifference is a tool of the oppressor, and this council's collective passivity and indifference to one of the most visually documented genocides of our time has led me to be more ashamed of this dais than in any time in my decade plus in politics. Now, I want to address members that may have fears of electoral or donor backlash that after Tuesday's da election, should assure you that right wing donors and their right wing ideas will always be soundly rejected in challenges to Progressives in our city polls, both locally and nationally, have consistently shown that a majority of austinites, Americans and the vast majority of Democrats support our cause. A recent data for progress poll had support at 63% of the general public for a permanent cease fire, with that number sure to rise as Israel stacks children's bodies higher and higher with U.S. Support. I also wish to use this [12:08:04 PM] also wish to use this opportunity to again, publicly thank council members Fuentes, qadri and Velasquez for your support for a cease fire. But I would be remiss if I didn't urge all three of you today to take this as an opportunity to publicly urge your colleagues to come aboard as sponsors for our resolution, a resolution that six city boards and commissions have now passed, including most recently, the joint inclusion committee, composed of reps from all ten of our cities quality of life commissions. Each of your very own appointed commissioners are telling you overwhelmingly that your continued silence is unacceptable. Now, a lot of political folks have told me, don't burn any bridges over this if you want a political future. But unlike many members of this dais, I care more about my moral compass than my political future. So let me be clear, Natasha chito Ryan Mckenzie Leslie Paige, Allison and Kirk. Some of you are union siblings. Some of you I've long considered friends. I feel the weight of my own complicity in your silence because I've knocked thousands [12:09:04 PM] because I've knocked thousands of doors and directed organizations. I've led to donate tens of thousands of dollars collectively to your campaigns. If you cannot, at bare minimum, support a ceasefire to the slaughter of innocents, not only should you never call yourself a Progressive, not only should you never hold public office again, but you should resign now. If you find yourself wishing to be mad at me for this statement, if you find yourself wishing to be mad at me for this statement, I suggest finding a mirror, for it is not I who has lost their way. Ceasefire. Now >> Nor al-hammadi with Roy woody on deck. >> Mayor Kirk Watson. Council members. Mayor Watson, you stated that a ceasefire resolution has divided our community, but on October 8th, you expressed solidarity with Israel, condemning terrorist acts and emphasizing support, protection and the importance of humanity in our Austin family. However many now feel vulnerable. Is this not an Austin issue, considering your [12:10:05 PM] Austin issue, considering your prior statements, or is it dismissed because Palestinians are not given the same consideration? Do you acknowledge the plight of individuals like Aaron Bushnell, who, in an act of bravery, self-immolated in protest against complicity in this nation's genocide? Every day we are inundated with heart wrenching images and videos children, innocent souls, bloodied, bruised, burnt and discarded. We witnessed these children with worn eyes and pale bodies, crying out for parents and siblings who may never answer. As we navigate the tumultuous sea of emotions, attempting to compartmentalize these vivid scenes, we find solace in hugging our own siblings, partners, parents, and friends for the simple act of a phone call. Hearing a loved one's voice on the other end becomes a profound relief. Gratitude washes over us, thankful for being alive and for the safety of our dear ones. But how, dear leaders, do you manage to separate yourselves from these tragedies? Is there truly a barrier between us and the suffering of these families? How does your heart remain unbroken and what prevents it from compelling you to take meaningful action? If you cannot empathize with abused bodies [12:11:06 PM] empathize with abused bodies overseas, how about the Palestinian American zechariah daughter, who was brutally stabbed right here in Austin on February 4th? Does this not pierce through the barriers you may have erected, breaking your hearts as it did ours? One day our children will ask your children about the actions of their parents during the genocide of the Palestinian people. What legacy will you leave? Will they recount your response, dismissing it as a non-local issue, or will they witness your unwavering commitment to justice and humanity? Some among you have expressed sorrow for distant deaths, but claim it's not a local issue, claiming there are two sides. Can you not perceive the inherent cowardice in such a stance? Your children may 1st day look upon you with the same horror as those who witnessed the trail of tears? The Japanese internment camps, Hiroshima and the holocaust. And if by chance they forget my children and others in our community will be there to remind them that you chose inaction. I, too, was a child when our nation unleashed a revenge war on the middle East, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths in Iraq. It is not our right. It is it not [12:12:07 PM] is not our right. It is it not our right to demand that our local leaders listen to the voices of their community? Can we not implore you to say no to yet another revenge war waged in our name, a stain of shame on our collective souls? Let history remember that in the face of suffering we chose not to turn away, but instead we stood united, demanding justice and humanity from those in positions of power. Our ceasefire now. >> Roy woody with alexia Leclerc on deck, if I might. >> Just one second before you begin the rules of decorum in the council chambers don't allow for you to hold up signs in your seats because it may block somebody else from being able to see and participate. So if you have a sign that you're holding up, I would ask that you lower it. Sorry to interrupt you. Please take the microphone. >> Hello? Somebody, good afternoon. Council members, attendees and anyone watching online. My name is Roy woody, and today I stand before you to address the genocide continuing [12:13:08 PM] address the genocide continuing in gaza. It's time for us to confront the truth about our city's Progressive image. For 153 days, gaza has been under siege by Israel and almost 40,000 people there have been murdered by them. We cannot turn a blind eye any longer. We got to stop the cap and acknowledge the reality that our so-called Progressive city is really Progressive. Austin prides itself on being a Progressive bastion, but the fact that we are now amongst the we are not even amongst the 70 us cities that have passed a cease fire resolution is a clear indication that we have a long way to go. True progressivism means standing up for the oppressed, and there is no greater example of this than to accept the plight the Palestinians face daily. And in gaza and the west bank and do something about it. Vanessa, zo and Jose hold. You are on the right side of history, mayor Watson. It is deeply disappointing that you canceled a meeting with our Arab Palestinian Muslim family. That was that was unacceptable, especially after the attack of the community by a white, white supremacist. I also want to address chito Natasha, whom I consider friends. I am disheartened by your lack of [12:14:10 PM] disheartened by your lack of action on this issue. Chito your comment, pretending to support the resolution for applause and the dismissing of it as a non-local issue was really a let down. Natasha, you have shown compassion for those in need, but where is your voice when the children of gaza need it? Where's your as someone who is strongly anti-war and a lover of humanity and a father, the situation in gaza weighs heavily on me. While I get to take my son to basketball practice or help my daughter with algebra, the thoughts of the children of gaza are are constantly on my mind. Palestinians Palestinians have endured years of oppression, but the suffering they are currently enduring is beyond imagination. Israel's response has been terroristic in nature and extremely destructive , even blocking essentials like food and water. If you haven't seen the images, go to Instagram and search gaza day to day. It is something much worse than you'll see the day before. I think of afro Palestinian and lama jamus, the youngest reporter in gaza documenting the siege through the eyes of children who just want to go home to be with their parents, and who are mourning martyred [12:15:12 PM] and who are mourning martyred siblings. I think of sidra and Susannah Susana and the haunting image of sidra shredded, lifeless body hanging from a wall. The horror of this brought tears to my eyes. I think of rania Abu anza, who finally had twins after a decade of trying, only to lose them and their father to Israeli Israeli airstrikes while they slept. Her anguished cry why do they deprive me of the word mama? Who's going to call me mama now? I also think of Amos pulling loved ones from buildings, rubble, building rubble due to us backed Israeli bombs, while Israeli soldiers were make disparaging videos wearing women's underwear. Palestinian women's underwear. The siege is the worst in decades. In order to reclaim our Progressive identity, you must do the right thing and support the ceasefire resolution passed by the Austin human rights commission. Show that you stand in solidarity with the victims in gaza. That is, send a resounding message that we condemn the violence and seek a peaceful resolution to the humanitarian crisis. Thank you. >> Alexia Leclerc with Miranda basekamp on deck. >> Hi. Good afternoon. My [12:16:17 PM] >> Hi. Good afternoon. My colleague alexia Leclerc had an emergency and will not be here today. I am Miranda campos. All right. Sorry, so I am a graduate student in social work and public affairs at UT Austin, and I am currently researching the root causes and impacts of gentrification. Today, I would like to share critical information with you all about the impacts of gentrification. Gentrification happens when low income, working class people of color are pushed out of their communities in favor of wealthier and usually white people. It is an intentional process driven by the profit seeking market. We all know that gentrification is an issue here in Austin. However, most fail to recognize why and instead you, as our city council has promoted, have promoted policies that are framed as a solution, but in fact further exacerbate the issue. A current example is the home initiative. Gentrification occurs when there is a history of disinvestment in an area, followed by profit seeking reinvestment. East Austin has experienced historical neglect due to racism . The cost of land is lower in [12:17:19 PM] . The cost of land is lower in the eastern crescent, making it prime for developers to build luxury and market rate housing for more profit. This leads to the deregulation of housing market, including upzoning policies such as home. These up zoning policies destroy existing affordable housing, displace low income homeowners and renters, and spike up the property tax so much that east Austin residents who have lived in their homes for decades have to leave because they can no longer afford their property taxes. This slide just emphasizes that an increase in deregulation allows developers to increase their profits, which increases gentrification and displacement. Displacement is not just an issue here in Austin. It's happening everywhere. But research from all over the nation shows that up zoning and free market deregulation of housing is not a sustainable solution for communities, and it causes more harm than good. The people in industries who are invested in these upzoning policies aren't even from Texas. They include tech billionaires from San Francisco like Luke and Nicole Nosek, who claim to care about housing. But they own a [12:18:20 PM] about housing. But they own a $15.6 million home in west Texas. They are pushing for the home initiative because they will profit from the free market regulation, deregulation of housing policies that benefits developers. Mercatus, which is a right wing supply side think tank funded by the notorious Koch brothers, pour millions to support climate deniers and oppose climate policy and the majority of people who support these policies, quote unquote, Progressive groups like aura are not working class and are not from east Austin. The yimby movement, which is gaining traction nationwide, stands for yes in my backyard, focuses on increasing housing supply, particularly higher density infill housing as a solution to housing affordability. Nimbyism is mostly white middle class movement by with young professionals earning good salaries in the tech industry but face soaring housing costs. They are advocating for increase in housing, but they're not a grassroots initiative. It is not led by those impacted by housing initiatives. And in fact, it serves tech billionaires and investor backed developers to trickle down housing. >> And thank you, speaker. [12:19:20 PM] >> And thank you, speaker. >> Oh, no. On home. >> The next speaker is Becky Bullard with Elias seddon next. >> Your name has been called. Please come forward. >> Hi, my name is Becky Bullard and I consider many of you my friends, as someone who is new to trying to understand and the conflict between Israel and palestine, I often have felt unqualified to speak up. >> But then I thought about my experience over these past several years as an organizer, and I've been struggling in solidarity with several communities I don't personally belong to the trans community, people who have needed abortions, people who have experienced voter suppression and discrimination because of the color of their skin. In organizing, we learned that the people who are closest to the problems are closest to the solutions. So I don't need to try and become an expert in an experience that is not my own. I only need to listen to those who are closest to the problem and uplift the solutions that they themselves are calling for. I sit on the city of Austin's [12:20:21 PM] sit on the city of Austin's commission for women, and at last month's meeting I brought a recommendation in support of the human rights commission's recommendation on combating anti- semitism, islamophobia and anti-arab sentiments, and calls for a ceasefire. But first, I listened. I listened to the 12 women's organizations and one youth organization in gaza asking the international humanitarian community to support the urgent need for an immediate cease fire. I listened to the Palestinian and Israeli leaders in the land for all coalition working toward a plan for lasting peace. They said that because American tax dollars are buying the bombs that Israel has used to kill more than 12,000 children and orphaned 17,000 more, I must urge my government to stop providing weapons to Israel and to support an immediate cease fire. They say it is the first step toward peace. I listened to the story of nine year old yaya Hamad, a Palestinian boy who was orphaned when an Israeli bomb hit the home where he was sleeping. Rocks and rubble were on top of me. There was a hole I was breathing, breathing from and I put my hand out so people [12:21:23 PM] and I put my hand out so people could find me, he said. I have a nine year old at home. Last night, as I tucked her into bed, I told her that I was coming here today to talk to you all. I didn't tell her what I was coming to speak about, but I told her that I was scared and she said, is someone going to hurt you? No, I said, there just might be some people who are mad at me because they disagree with me. Well, she said, I know that whatever you are going there to say, you are doing it because you know it is what is right. And if anyone is mad at you, that is not your problem. That is their problem. And maybe they are mad because deep down they know you are right. There is a lot about the situation in gaza that I don't know, but I know for sure that I don't want my tax dollars paying for bombs that kill an orphan. Children same age as my baby. I want the hostages released. I want the killing to stop. And I am hearing from those closest to the problem that a cease fire is necessary to achieve those things. When I walked out of city hall after that women's commission meeting, I was shocked to see that all the [12:22:24 PM] shocked to see that all the folks who had come to testify were waiting for me. They hugged me and thanked me for bringing the recommendation. I was sort of embarrassed because I felt like I hadn't done anything Earth changing, but it had changed something for them. I urge you to pass a resolution in support of the human rights commission's recommendation for the austinites, for whom it will be Earth changing. >> Elias zaidan with Layla Debaca on deck. >> Please call the names again. >> Elias Zeidan with Layla dabaja on deck. >> Not here today. Okay. >> All the time I spent traveling around the world and traveling around this country, that for any given problem somewhere, someone probably has the answer. Or at least the beginning of an answer. [12:23:24 PM] beginning of an answer. >> And more often than not, it's actually happening in a city. >> It's happening with the mayor because you're all problem solvers. It's the wonderful thing. >> Politics is less of a of an issue at a, at a subnational level. >> Figuring out the answers to, to problems. That's job number one. The more we can connect people, including connecting you with us and connecting you with with, with colleagues around the world, the more I think we can sort of short circuit the process of finding an answer to a given problem. >> In Solem zo Halim shefqet bayari. >> They thought they were Palestinian. >> Alon, yotam and can lolirock. Do. >> This is what we see on our [12:24:45 PM] >> This is what we see on our screens every day. >> As you're watching, two things. >> Stop. >> The first is the unhinged, violent, and self victimizing zionists such as aipac. >> Some here, some right here in this chamber that suck the [12:25:45 PM] this chamber that suck the lifeblood from the us while committing genocide, an open faced genocide on an unprecedented scale. >> Zionists have to buy favor to let that fly. Palestinians do not ask yourselves why. The second thing is, every single one of you so-called liberals and Progressives, you're all pep's Progressive except palestine. >> Okay? >> You're stringing us along with three out of four to get this on an agenda. >> Do your duty and make your time is expired every drop of your time is expired. >> Members. That's all of the people that have signed up to speak for our public communication. Without objection, the city council is recessed until 110 110. City council is in recess. It is 12:26 P.M. [12:26:47 PM] 12:26 P.M. So this is a special treat today [12:45:09 PM] So this is a special treat today for rey. >> Okay, good. As I was saying, this is a special treat for me today, as we move into our live music section of the. The city council meeting, because we're going to hear from, mark kazanoff and the Texas horns and some people that have listened to me talk about when we moved to Austin, Texas, we moved to Austin in 1981, and people kept telling us, well, you'll never want to leave. You'll never want to leave. Golly, I gotta start over. No, I'm teasing, I'm teasing, I'm teasing. And one of the things that became real. True. I mean, we saw it in about three months about never wanting to leave was the music. And Cathy kazanoff, I'm kind of became a groupie of him. Well, I gotta I gotta say real quick, there was this weird guy that kept. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, yeah. No. Yeah >> You know, I don't really [12:46:11 PM] >> You know, I don't really remember that part, but that was. Yeah but he may be right. He may be right. But I remember hearing him, at Antone's, huts with Marcia ball and I mean, I. Yeah, that's right. Angela strehli I mean, it, I, I got to where I kind of followed him around and you're getting those of y'all that haven't heard his music. You're getting ready to hear how smart I was that I was following him around. See, I worked out I got that worked in there, didn't I? So so this is a special treat today. And let me just give you some background. Mark Cathy goes by Cass kazanoff is a jazz and blues saxophonist. He's an arranger and he's also a producer. Cass has been nominated for multiple awards in the category of horn instrumentals, including an Austin music award in 1988, a grammy award for Delbert Mcclinton live from Austin in 1989, and numerous blues music awards and a blues foundation award in 2016. Cass has joined the house band at Antone's in [12:47:12 PM] the house band at Antone's in 1982, where he played with classic blues greats. He continues to play with local Texas musicians including Jimmie Vaughan, Marcia ball, red young and Anson Funderburg. In 1997, Cass started a three piece horn section, the Texas horns, with Al Gomez and John mills. In 2015, the Texas horns released their first album, blues got a hold of me, and have since released two more, get here quick and everybody let's roll. The Texas horns have performed with celebrity bands such as Eric clapton, the Allman brothers and are featured at international festivals including the ottawa bluesfest, where they've been house band for over 15 years. I'm going to have a proclamation after we hear from them, but ladies and gentlemen, mark kazanoff and the Texas horns. Thank you . [12:48:22 PM] . Are you. >> We are the Texas horn. >> Coming to play your town. Got a song just for you. So come on, gather round. We gon play some blues. Let's all have some fun. We got nothing to lose. >> Let's all get it done. >> Everybody let's roll. Everybody let's roll. Everybody let's roll. Everybody let's roll . Put on your dancing shoes. Spin your troubles away. Kick that devil's head off. >> Everybody here to stay. >> Nothin but party time. Something to soothe your soul. [12:49:23 PM] Something to soothe your soul. But your love light shine. Everybody, let's get Goin. Roll everybody, let's roll. Everybody let's roll. Everybody let's roll . >> You remember what it's like. Rock and roll everywhere. Gonna make you feel all right. Music will take you there . [12:50:44 PM] . John mills . Al Coleman. >> You remember what it's like to hear rock and roll everywhere. Gonna make you feel all right. Music will take you down. Everybody, let's roll. Everybody let's roll. Everybody let's roll. Everybody let's roll . Everybody let's roll. [12:51:45 PM] . Everybody let's roll. Everybody let's roll. Everybody let's roll. Everybody let's roll . Yeah mark. >> Mark kazanoff and the Texas horns. Why don't y'all come up here? Come over here. By the way, he's aging better than I have, too. >> So we're both looking for our age. Well, yeah. [12:52:46 PM] age. Well, yeah. >> Boy, that's for true. All right, so it's really my pleasure to be able to issue this proclamation along with these council members that are joining me in the mayor pro tem. So the proclamation reads, be it known that whereas the city of Austin, Texas, is blessed with many creative musicians whose talent extends to virtually every musical genre, and whereas our music scene thrives because Austin audiences support good music, that's produced by legends, our local favorites and newcomers alike. And whereas we are pleased to showcase and support our local artists. Now therefore, I, Kirk Watson, mayor of the city of actually mayor of the live music capital of the world, the city of Austin do hereby proclaim March 7th, 2024 as mark kazanoff and the Texas horns day in Austin, Texas. And I do this on behalf of the entire city council. Thank you [12:53:47 PM] entire city council. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, mayor. Thank you so much. >> I appreciate you very much. Thank you. >> Tell us, tell us how we can hear you, where where we need to go and how we can follow you on social media. >> We will be on tour with Jimmie Vaughan, but that's taking us out of the state of Texas, where are you going, though? We're going west, young man. And, we'll be in California for ten dates or so. We'll be out for three weeks with Jimmie Vaughan. That's what the Texas horns. >> That's great. And then. And tell us about here, we will be at c-boy's on south congress with Jimmie Vaughan and Mike Flanagan and, that's Friday and Saturday, and then a week from Friday and Saturday. And I'm hearing that we're doing a live recording there for. Oh, that's great. So if you're there and you're screaming, you will be on the live. >> Well, yeah, that's a good place for all of us to be. Yeah. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> Where's the tip jar? Yeah. >> Where's the tip jar? Yeah thank you very much for all you've meant to, Austin. And [12:54:48 PM] you've meant to, Austin. And thank you to the Texas horns. God bless you all. Thank you so much. Thank you, thank you. Yeah. We're going to take a picture, just for people that are paying attention, the city council is in recess and will be in recess until 110. Thanks, everybody. Yeah. Hey ten on March 7th, and I will [1:10:08 PM] ten on March 7th, and I will call back to order the Austin city council members, what I anticipate we will do is we will take up item number 36, and then we have a 2:00 time certain with our zoning. So with that, I will call up item number 36, which is a public hearing. Without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 36. And I'll turn to the city clerk's office first. >> We have remotely Terry Adams on item 36. >> If the clerk's office calls your name with regard, please go ahead. We can hear you. I'm sorry. >> Okay. With regard to the code amendments recommended for the butler trail, I attended both the parks board and planning commission meetings where this was presented, and most people in Austin are not aware this is happening or what the implications are. There is simply not enough transparency in the way the nonprofit parks [1:11:10 PM] in the way the nonprofit parks partnership program is unfolding. I know this was not the intention when council approved this funding and operations model, because safeguards were put in place to monitor and audit these organizations. But the parks director is either cannot or will not carry out those duties and provide the needed oversight. So the public oversight component is failing. And it took an ethics complaint last year to get even the most basic financial records released from the trail conservancy. This is one reason why so much distrust and discord is being generated. Now. The public is denied information about the nonprofits in charge of our public parks. They have declined to disclose their major donors and what projects these donors have given money for. And this is not how a good community partner conducts business. It would not be acceptable for the parks department to have unacknowledged donors or plans, but the trail conservancy and watershed staffers have frankly [1:12:11 PM] watershed staffers have frankly failed to make this case. The code changes are only necessary for the future plans of the nonprofit partner. Watershed protections are not something the city should be flexible on because it's too important. So please take all measures to get transparency about this proposal and carefully consider the advisability of making an exception to the to take down the guardrails, because every exception becomes a precedent. Thank you. >> Holly reed, item 36. >> Mayor Watson and council members. My name is holly reed. I live in district ten and I serve on the parks and recreation board. I am opposed to this code amendment. The amendment was initiated by the trail conservancy, a private nonprofit organization that already has a council approved park operations and maintenance agreement with the parks department. There is no mention of a code amendment in this agreement, and it is not needed [1:13:11 PM] agreement, and it is not needed for the trail conservancy to maintain and restore the trail that is already permitted under the current code. Yet the trail conservancy has asked to exempt the butler trail from the environmental code, which limits hard surface trail in the critical water quality zone around lady bird lake. Why to expedite and facilitate the trail conservancy's fundraising efforts for their future plans on the trail listed in their safety and mobility study of 2021, has the council read this document? The plans include a raised concrete lane of undetermined width on the south side of the trail, extending from mopac to congress. The code amendment will allow unlimited length and width of concrete trail within the critical water quality zone. It gives no guidance to preserve the natural surface preferred by runners, walkers, bikers and pets. The butler hike and bike trail is one of Austin's oldest, most beloved trail assets. Lady bird Johnson, Roberta crenshaw and Mary Arnold helped create and preserve this natural park trail [1:14:12 PM] preserve this natural park trail for recreation and an escape from urban life, not as a concrete transportation corridor. Town like metropolitan park is federally protected parkland as a land and water conservation fund grant recipient, please vote against this code amendment or amend it to include guardrails that protect and preserve our trail and lady bird lake require restoration at a minimum ratio of 2 to 1. Recommended by the parks board and environmental commission. Limit the trail width to 20% 20ft for future projects. Require future improvements. Utilize the current existing soft surface material, and maintain the butler trail as a park trail, not an urban commuter trail. Thank you. >> Speaker. Your time has expired. Now we will start on in-person speakers. If I call your name, please move to the podium and state your name for the record before you begin. William bunch on deck. Robin rather, Gail Roth and Roy Whaley when your name is called, if [1:15:13 PM] when your name is called, if you'd please come forward and take a seat up front. >> Good afternoon, bill bunch, executive director, save our springs alliance. We're a wholeheartedly against this. I know each of you have received hundreds of emails, supporting our position. There's no need for this, it's extremely unfortunate that, that the conservancy would even ask, especially with that name, to be exempted from our critical water quality zone protection rules, that's not what environmental groups do, they should be, embrace Singh and going beyond those standards, not trying to throw them out the window into the trash can. You can't be an environmentalist. You can't say you care about the lake. You [1:16:13 PM] you care about the lake. You can't even say you care about the trail and support this. The vast majority of the users of the trail want the shade. They want the more natural feel, they want. They don't want a high speed bike e-bike, electric scooter path. That's a transportation project that they will be forced off the trail. And that's the direction we're going in. And this isn't just the trail conservancy, the reach of this is undefined and could apply to private development adjacent to the trail or the concessions that you all have now delegated to the trail conservancy that don't even come to the city council anymore. So you're and in effect, you're completely eliminating public oversight for these. If you go forward with this, it's really not appropriate. And it's a misleading thing to say. They can't repair the trail or take care of it without this, the code clearly allows that, restoration. Take place, if there's an event, and the track [1:17:14 PM] there's an event, and the track record here is horrible. Those giant slumps on the trail that go straight down into Barton creek. Those have been there for six years, and you still have watershed protection. Pard and the trail conservancy all pointing fingers at each other as to why that hasn't been repaired in six years. >> Hello, mayor and council city manager, congratulate us on your item 21 this morning. That infrastructure item is incredible. Congratulations for talking about water forward, thank you for having doctor Robert mace here. I want to say I'm going to make my comments under protest. There's someone missing here. Our chief environmental officer, Katie Cohen, is not in the room. She's not sick. She's not taking vacation. Can someone here ask her to stay home? That's wrong. She should be here. I don't think you should make this decision without her. Never the less today. And I want to try to be uplifting, I want to. I want to say these comments with love [1:18:16 PM] to say these comments with love and respect to each of you, but today you have a chance to make a totally free stand for climate. Some of the things you're contemplating are billion dollar decisions. This is free. All you have to do is hold the trail. Conservancy to the 2 to 1 mitigation and protect the wetlands in the watershed that we hold so dear, and that our very lives depend on. I just want to say, if the trail conservancy's business model depends on weakening our water quality protections, then something is wrong with their model. If the partnership agreement that the city has with ttc depends on polluting our water, then maybe it should be reevaluated and maybe it should be revoked. The watershed department has the hardest job in town with the possible exception of the police and ems. Protecting our water, protecting us from flood, keeping us safe, allowing us to have drinking water. That's their job. They shouldn't be muzzled. They shouldn't be compromised. They should be able to say what they [1:19:16 PM] should be able to say what they think based on science, the technical and legal issues without interference from the trail conservancy, any other nonprofit or or even y'all to politicize the watershed department here is unconscionable. And it's really unethical. And I beg you, I really beg you, council member pool, earlier today, you said every drop of water counts, and that's for sure. Please vote no or put the 2 to 1 mitigation. Thank you. Speaker >> I remind speakers to state your name before you begin. Thank you. >> Good afternoon. Mayor, council members, my name is Gail roady. I'm with rewild at my request to you today. Is that you adopt the suggested language that our group sent to you earlier this week. These suggestions are modest, even minimal safeguards. They will protect water quality, the riparian zone, and the natural character of the trail. As the [1:20:18 PM] character of the trail. As the lakefront is developed. If you choose not to include our suggestions, then I ask you to provide us with a straightforward explanation of why the city, why a conservancy would not accept, would not welcome these modest environmental protections. We have been offered only the need for flexibility and the need to streamline projects. Please give us a clear explanation in which environmental protection and transparent nc are not ignored, as currently written. These amendments apparently open a door to the trail conservancy today. They seem to open the same door to the trail conservancy five years from now, in whatever iteration they may be, they appear to open the same door to for profits to develop the lakefront with their needs, not the public needs in mind. This item is listed as an ordinance to amend city code [1:21:21 PM] ordinance to amend city code related to environmental protections on the butler trail. I suspect related to is standard language. However, what I'm asking you to do is I'm asking you for an ordinance to strengthen environmental protections, not just related to. Thank you very much. You. >> How do y'all Roy Whaley, Austin regional group of the Sierra club, Sierra club being the oldest environmental organization in America. And so that means the world, the environmental protections are our first concern. Our foremost concern. A lot of the concerns that Sierra club has had have been resolved, or at least we have to accept them. I'm not here to vilify anyone. I do want to thank my friends and rewild, [1:22:23 PM] to thank my friends and rewild, for all the hard work they've done. And I appreciate all the work that they've done, at the same time, the trail conservancy, there are a lot of good people there with good intent. The problem with that is that's today what's going to be we need guardrails on this. I'm not in favor of blank checks, so I don't think that this should be done. And then no more, public scrutiny to it. One of the main things the Sierra club wants is the 2 to 1 mitigation, as you take out one square foot of carbon sequestering material, you have to come back with a with two square feet. And that is important to all of us. Thank you very much for everyone on water forward. That was something that impacts all all austinites. This impacts all austinite. Also, with the carbon [1:23:24 PM] austinite. Also, with the carbon sequestration of the remediation. And I would hope that we would all agree on that. But I know I live in Austin, Texas, and there are aren't that many cases where we all agree on anything. But I hope you will put the environmental protections in there first. I appreciate those that have worked with us on this. I would hope that people would rally to thank you. Mr. Whaley, thank you very much. >> Next we have Tanya Payne on item 36 with Ashley fisher and Kevin Lanza on deck. If your name has been called, move to the podium. >> Hello, my name is Tanya Payne and I guess I'm wondering, what are we doing here? Why are we talking about lowering our standards for future building and the critical water quality zone? It's Texas, y'all. We're running out of water. You know, as you guys said earlier, there [1:24:25 PM] as you guys said earlier, there were not manufacturing anymore. And heck, the dogs can't even swim in town lake without dying. As far as I can tell, we're only talking about lowering our standards so that a well-heeled nonprofit, Doggett, who has $8 million in their bank account and whose CEO makes over $200,000 least she did before she resigned, which, if Google tells me Wright is more than the pa director, and most of you make can make a can streamline future projects, fundraising and offer budget surety. I'd never heard that word before, but apparently it's very important for fundraising. And if that isn't confusing enough, we're all here talking about a water. Sorry and. Yeah, sorry. And if that's not confusing enough, we're here talking about a water forward and purple pipe day on one hand and on the other hand, we're considering lowering water [1:25:26 PM] we're considering lowering water quality standards and the water quality the critical water quality zone with no reasonable guardrails. I really don't understand. Last week in boards and commissions, we heard a lot about what the trail conservancy and certain council wants, but we haven't heard the professional opinion of watershed independently. Would someone on the dais please ask for watersheds? Professional opinion regarding the amendments that they focus on water quality and protection independent of the wants of anyone on council or the trail conservancy? Thank you for your time. >> Good afternoon, mayor, mayor pro tem and council members. I'm Ashley fisher here on behalf of the trail conservancy. The trail conservancy is proud to be a partner of the city to protect, enhance and connect the Ann and Roy butler hike and bike trail for the benefit of all. We [1:26:26 PM] for the benefit of all. We support item 36 on your agenda today and asked for you to approve the item. As you know, these code amendments are in response to a resolution that city council passed last spring. They will help bring the current trail linemen and width into compliance with city code and allow the trail conservancy to continue with trail enhancements and improvements. What these code changes do is they put the current butler trail in alignment with city code, and they facilitate continued enhancement of the trail in line with the strategies outlined in the 2021 safety and mobility study. What these code changes do not do they do not allow universal widening or paving of the trail. They do not waive the public engagement or permitting process for all capital projects along the trail. Despite what you may have heard in emails and social media posts, there was no intention to pave the trail. There was also no plan to remove trees in fact, in 2023, the trail conservancy planted over 9400 new plants and saplings along the shoreline to the trail in order to protect riparian zone from natural and man made erosion. As you know, any [1:27:28 PM] erosion. As you know, any potential projects on the trail would include collaboration and approvals from city departments. We require a full normal permitting process, and any capital improvement projects would require a parkland improvement agreement that comes to council for approval. This is true now, and this will still be true after these code changes. Ttc is proud to be your partner to protect, enhance and connect the butler trail for the enjoyment of all. And we ask for your support on these proposed amendments to help us continue the work of our partnership. Hannah coffer, our interim CEO, and I will be here to answer any questions during your discussion if needed. Thank you. >> Hi. Good afternoon, mayor Tom Watson and council members Kevin Lanza here. I'm a professor at uthealth school of public health in Austin, and my research focuses on protecting the environment and improving human health. And those that is an and not an or, and doing so through a social equity lens in the face of climate change. I'm here to support item number 36 on the [1:28:28 PM] support item number 36 on the agenda today. The trail conservancy has worked tirelessly to provide what is a place that is accessible and safe to engage in physical activity, to connect with nature. And we both know independently those have a host of well-being and health benefits. But when they're together, there's a synergistic effect in terms of positive outcomes. And so we love this trail. We love the granite trail in the material. So do 5 million other users each year. We are not going to get rid of that granite trail material instead. And we are not paving over the trail. We're going to continue to have it as it is and do so with the environment in mind. Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Andy Austin, who had time donated by Mandy Thomas and Hannah coffer. Are they present? Okay, Mr. Austin has six minutes. >> Good morning. Afternoon. Actually, I thought it was going to be morning, my name is Andy Austin. Mayor Watson, mayor pro [1:29:30 PM] Austin. Mayor Watson, mayor pro tem pool and council members, I am the immediate past chair of the board of the trail conservancy, I am still on the board. And I was a federal judge in Austin for 21 years before I retired. I'm trying to keep my, my patience here, despite what you've heard, this is actually a really simple, straightforward code amendment. It arose in 2017. The need for this did because as part of a bigger effort unrelated to these issues, an amendment to city code was made that, among other things, had the effect of requiring that the butler trail be at least 50ft away from the shore of lady bird lake. It also had the effect of capping the maximum width of the trail at 12ft. Now, in. In 2017, the trail 85% of it was within 50ft of the lady bird lake, and probably at least 85% of it was much wider than 12ft. So what this code amendment does is, is [1:30:31 PM] this code amendment does is, is to fix this mistake, and to say that this 50 year old trail that, as we all seem to agree, is in the is the heart and soul of Austin. It's a trail that gets more visitors annually than the grand canyon does, that that trail does not have to be shrunk to 12ft, and that it doesn't have to be moved 50ft away from lady bird lake. So why all this confusion? Well, I don't know, but we've done everything we can to be straightforward about this. The only request we got from the groups who have been complaining to you today so far was an email that's up on the, the screen right now from miss pains husband and among other things, he asked in his email whether we would support paving this trail. You can see in the answer that our board chair said that we do not support changing the surface or the width of the trail. We said we don't want bikes speeding down. It that that scooters aren't allowed despite that, we have been inundated. Y'all have been [1:31:34 PM] inundated. Y'all have been inundated for two weeks with social media that says the trail conservancy is going to pave the trail. I've had to spend a lot of time talking to running groups who are upset about this, to try to disabuse them of this notion. There's no truth whatsoever to what you've been hearing. So these aren't mistakes. These aren't misunderstandings of our intention. These are not true statements that are being sent to the community. Next slide. We're being told that we want to have carte Blanche to do whatever we want on the trail. Next slide please. We're being told that we want to do everything we want to do without council oversight. Nothing in this ordinance gives us the right to widen the trail or to pave the trail. You can pass this today and we cannot go out and do a thing to that trail without coming back to y'all. So if in some hypothetical world we wanted to pave the trail, which is crazy, we don't. We'd have to [1:32:37 PM] is crazy, we don't. We'd have to come with a park improvement agreement as part of a capital project and get y'all's approval. This hysteria you're hearing is not existent, or it's based on a non-existent concern. Now we are proud, very proud to be a partner with the city of Austin in this mission. But for that partnership to be sustainable, it needs to be a two way partnership. We need your help to responding to the misinformation. We've had this last two weeks has taken a huge amount of our staffs time and of our board's time, and frankly, it's silly. I mean, it's embarrassing that I've had to have these conversations to say, no, we're not going to pave the trail, and it's a bit maddening, but it's taken a lot of our time and money. That's time and money we want to spend on the trail. That's our mission. That's what we want to do. And look, we welcome honest input on anything. Any change. Proposed to the butler trail from anyone in Austin. It's one of our most important assets, and it's [1:33:40 PM] important assets, and it's owned. And this is part of our mission. It's owned by every austinite. That's what the trail conservancy believes and always will. We do not have dominion over the trail and nor do we want it, but it's not sustainable for a small 501 c3 non profit organization who gets $0 from the city to have to deal with this kind of campaign on every single time we want to come before y'all and address some issue that needs to happen with regard to the trail. So how can you help us please signal with your vote here today that this kind of approach to making policy is not how we do things. Tell sos, tell rewild, tell these other folks that reasoned discussion with actual engagement with one another based on actual facts that are true, is how the city of Austin, the 10th largest city in this country, is going to make public policy. We ask you for your vote [1:34:42 PM] policy. We ask you for your vote on this amendment today. >> Next, we have Matt Harris. Mark, may, Stephan Faris, Lorraine Atherton and Monica Guzman. If your name has been called, please go to the podium and state your name before you begin. >> Good afternoon, mayor. Mayor pro tem council members, my name is Matt Harris, and I'm a member of the board of the trail conservancy and also on the executive committee. I am also the chief financial officer for Roy and Ann butler and their family, and I've been in that position for 26 years. It's in this latter capacity that I'm coming before you today. I know how important the trail is to Mrs. Butler and the collaborative vision that she and the mayor and Mrs. Johnson had when they founded the trail over 50 years ago. I worked closely with Mrs. Butler through the years on various trail issues, when the boardwalk [1:35:43 PM] issues, when the boardwalk expansion was proposed east of 35 to complete the loop, I passed on her comments to city staff and to the trail foundation at the time. And then I also encouraged her to make the financial donation that was necessary to complete the project. Mrs. Butler truly loves the trail, and she'd be here today if it weren't for her age. And she loves it, in part because this was one of the few projects that she and former mayor butler could work on together. And that's how this thing got started. That's how this granite is. Icon that we call it was created. The mayor, former mayor butler, used to say that the two greatest things that he accomplished when he was mayor, one was the trail. And the second one was mopac. And he also said, don't. Vision that was being ascribed to her, to Mrs. Butler, to lady [1:36:46 PM] to her, to Mrs. Butler, to lady bird Johnson, etc. Mr. Butler asked me to draft a letter, for him to read to his mother. And you have that letter before you? I wrote it, I drafted it up last night or the night before last, and he took it by the house and signed it. So, please, please read that letter. But you can see that does. She is in full support of this this code amendment. Thank you. >> Knowledge. And I request more time to rebut that. >> I'm not sure what you're referring to, but there was. >> There was an earlier a presenter that had an email from me that was sent in in confidence to miss Hemphill. That was shown here without my knowledge. And I request more time to rebut it. [1:37:46 PM] time to rebut it. >> I'm sorry the rules don't allow for you to have. You can rebut rebut it if you would like, if that's how you want to use the remainder of your time. Okay. >> Could you step slides up forward until the until the picture? Okay this is a picture of the lake that I took a yesterday. This is not a body of water that can handle looser water quality rules. Now as you look at that, I would like to respond to the, you know, earlier use of my email, which I think is unprofessional. There was a follow on email that I sent to miss Hemphill, which she chose not to respond to, in which I said, I understand it is not the intention of the trail conservancy to pave the existing butler trail. However, I'm curious for your understanding of the scope of the proposed amendments. My read is that a future bad actor could, in principle, argue that paving the trail would be code compliant with the proposed amendments, [1:38:47 PM] with the proposed amendments, correct? They could also point to the butler trail designation as an urban trail to further bolster their case. I would think that you are aware that urban trails are wide and paved. The issue, in my mind is what limits the scope of what a future bad actor could implement on the trail, and I see few limits. Can you help me understand how you see it? I appreciate your time on this, mark. No answer, no. No answer. Unprofessional I tried to work out stuff in confidence and this is the garbage. My email is out of context and did not show my follow on outrageous. >> Next we have felicity Maxwell , Brad Massingill, Robert Corbin, Ileana Medrano, Mike kennerty. If your name has been called, please move to the podium. State your name before you begin. >> Good afternoon. Mayor. Mayor [1:39:48 PM] >> Good afternoon. Mayor. Mayor pro tem council members felicity Maxwell d5 resident friends of zilker neighborhood member and longtime supporter of the trail conservancy, here to speak in support of the butler trail amendments. As a zilker resident, I have the joy of close access to one of our city's most loved amenities. The butler hike and bike trail for south austinites. It's a place of respite, a place to socialize and connect, but also a key piece of infrastructure allowing residents like myself to access downtown, east and west Austin without using my car. But as anyone who's been on the trail in a busy spring day knows, this much loved him needs our support. We are lucky to have the trail conservancy, who has worked tirelessly over the last two decades to upgrade and improve access to the trail, protecting its natural beauty and spurring much needed enhancements such as bathrooms and water fountains. The butler trail amendments before you all today allow them to continue that mission of good stewardship and ecological restoration, providing flexibility and allowing the conservancy to move forward with a new phase of much desired trail improvements. Sadly some groups have [1:40:49 PM] Sadly some groups have trafficked in misinformation, sowing unnecessary confusion about what these amendments permit and what the trail conservancy has planned to help alleviate congestion on the hike and bike trail. Ada compliance, restoration and expansion of national enhancements should not be controversial. Yet here we are, echoing the many other eloquent speakers I sincerely hope you will support. Item 36. The trail conservancy and its city of Austin partners, and allow our hike and bike trail to continue to flourish in the heart, in the heart of our city. Thank you. >> For your name if you have if your name has been called, come forward. Just identify yourself before you. >> Hi, I'm Brad Massengill with friends of mystery creek, I just had a quick, Ada note here, y'all's name plaques are so small. I mean, it's the city so broke we can't afford something that we can read from back there. I mean, I can just barely read it from here. >> Your time is running. [1:41:49 PM] >> Your time is running. >> I understand, I just it's important to us. Fair enough. Ada I'm just trying requirements. Lady bird lake or town lake, as we used to call it , is part of a larger watershed that the entire area is, that surrounds the town lake. The entire area is networked with the series of ephemeral streams, as well as larger creeks like Barton shoal and waller and ephemeral stream. Only flows during rain event, allowing trails to be made in this area without regard to these waterways as a mistake, there needs to be considerations made for these wet times. Only portions of the trail system we need standards to be exacting, yet flexible enough to recognize the dynamic nature of Austin's ephemeral streams and the need to leave wild bits for posterity. Parks and recreation doesn't need to forget about the parks part of that recreation is important, but not at the expense of our natural heritage. This ain't disneyland. This. [1:42:49 PM] This ain't disneyland. This. It's our natural heritage, and it's presently there to be enjoyed. Not specifying what types of trails require certain widths, materials and drainage features is a set up for situation where any trail in the system could be widened, paved, and cut off from its natural systems. This is not what Austin is all about. Thanks. My name is Robert Corbin, and after listening to different testimonies, I thought, well, maybe some group like, say, save our springs could have a check on the trail conservancy. And that way things couldn't get too far out of hand because my experience here in this city is that everything can get out of hand pretty quickly. So if Austin's major trails are going to be vision planned, then in a world suffering from severe nature deficit, a vision of nature should top the list. But presently, right here in [1:43:50 PM] presently, right here in environmental Austin, nature is under severe assault in every creek, every nature preserve, every park and every trail exactly as on butler trail, where while the trail conditions in some areas are certainly wanting, the main culprits of assaults are out of control. Malignant cancerous growth known as concessions. Every single one is bad as their planning is only one. Maximize profits and dam the lakeshore and dam the scenery. But my focus today is not on not them, but the right on the trail kind like commercial dog walkers or even worse than even them bikes. Yes bikes. I don't think everybody except bikers themselves have grown to hate them. Now that bikers have, I guess, won the battle to get their own special bike lanes on almost every major road, like those around lady bird lake. It is time to get them on their bike lanes and out of our parks and green belts. Sure, most bikers are polite and shout a warning on your left, on your left, on your left, which [1:44:50 PM] your left, on your left, which soon you as a pedestrian who supposedly has the right of way, really is just a polite way of saying move your butt, move your butt, move your butt. Some politeness, but definitely more polite than the ones weaving past you at excess speed while blasting amplified crappy music and leaving you in their dust cloud so you can eat their dust. Just watch one and you'll see the dust. I mean, and any study made, I believe, would find bikes responsible for an outsized role in trail erosion and degradation. But it gets worse because now we got. Thank you, Harley bikes. >> Thank you. >> Greetings, mayor. Mayor, pro tem council members. My name is Mike Canady. I'm district ten resident and, board member of the Barton springs conservancy and the friends of Barton springs pool. But I am not representing any of those groups today. I'm here to speak in my individual capacity as a longtime austinite and supporter of the nonprofit park nonprofits and a huge fan of the butler trail, I used to run on the trail in the 70s. I'm really old [1:45:51 PM] trail in the 70s. I'm really old . When I was in high school, we had soccer training there, I actually met lady bird Johnson on the trail, she was on a roll with her mom on the trail. I thought that was beautifully. It was before we renamed the lake, and I have more recently been doing some running on the trail and have been seeing how busy and bustling the trail is nowadays because of all these changes of time, I heartily endorse endorse the amendments that are being proposed to you. It will help keep the trail in alignment and width and compliance with the city code, and I think it will also help the trail conservancy to continue with their important trail improvements. I would commend them because over the years they have been a trustworthy and valuable partner for the city and caring for the trail. Just a couple of weeks ago, I saw them organizing a planting right down in front of Austin high. They put skin into the game. They helped make the trail better. As is often the case, there are agitators who are ginning up some concern about this proposal, making false and unsupported allegations. Somehow, the butler trail will be converted to a concrete bike commuter path. This is not true. This is not the Austin vision for the butler [1:46:52 PM] the Austin vision for the butler trail and is not the vision of the trail conservancy either. Approved by the environmental commission, the parks board and the trail. The planning commission with conditions. The proposed code amendments provide a pathway forward to allow improvements of the trail, while balancing the needs for water quality, protection and environmental function. Misinformation based fear mongering is a great way to build membership and generate donations, but it should not be a basis for public policy. I urge you to support the butler trail and also our valued and trusted nonprofit partners, helping maintain and improve the butler trail. And while I've got some time, I wanted to thank the council for the support of the Barton springs bathhouse project , especially council member Ryan alter and Paige Ellis, for coming and help us with that. Thank you. Thank you. >> Last speaker is Bobby Levinsky on item 36. >> Thank you, mayor and council. My name is Bobby Levinsky. I'm with the save our springs alliance. I'm here to bring some real information to the table here. So so in 2022, lady bird lake was designated as an [1:47:52 PM] lake was designated as an impaired waterway. That is a major concern. And this code section is in chapter 25 eight, our environmental code. We're not here to protect the trail. We're here to protect the water. I mean, that's what save our springs is here for. And that's why we are raising this to your attention. The riparian zone is incredibly, critically important for filtering pollutant and protecting the lake, keeping that natural filtration is why this code provision exists in the first place. If you want to make the current trail in conformance, all you have to do is pass something that says any trail built prior to X date. It shall be considered to be in conformance. You don't delete the code to make something in compliance with the code. That makes no sense. If I can go to the next slide, let's look at what the code actually says. A hard surface trail that does not cross the critical water quality zone may be located within the critical water quality zone. If [1:48:53 PM] critical water quality zone. If it is limited to 12ft in width with shoulders, unless the trail is designated in a council adopted plan, you have the authority to do this already. What is missing from this conversation is the public oversight. Retaining the public oversight for adopting a plan. That is what we're talking about with with with this Eid. There's a two ways they could get around this. They could do an environmental variance, which would give us the opportunity to respond to a specific project and address environmental concerns, appeal it potentially to the city council or you can bring it forward in a council adopted plan. This is deletes the code. That's the concern here. We will no longer have the ability to intervene if something goes wrong. And I want to just thank the trail conservancy and also point out that this code does not just apply to the trail conservancy time. >> Your time is expired. Your time has expired. [1:49:53 PM] time has expired. >> All speakers names have been called. That concludes speakers on item 36. >> Thank you. Members, you've heard that it concludes all of the speakers that have signed up on the public hearing on item number 36. Without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 36. I would like to proceed with a motion so that we have a motion for discussion on the table. >> Council member Ellis, I move approval, and if I get a second, I have a few comments. >> Council member Ellis moves approval of item number 36. It's seconded by the mayor pro tem, that'll take us to discussion, and I'll recognize, the maker of the motion, council member Ellis, thank you for the recognition. >> Mayor. Item 36 originated from a resolution that I sponsored in 2023. I had lengthier notes, but I feel like the speakers have majorly addressed some of the issues that I wanted to make sure were clear. As we as we take up this item today. But I do want to say we're very fortunate to live in a city where our parks, [1:50:53 PM] a city where our parks, nonprofits, partners routinely take it upon themselves to enhance our public space for everybody. They still have to go through the permitting process for their projects. Our parks and recreation department just simply cannot keep up with the demand on our parks by themselves. And a large number of us on the dais have prioritized this funding. Every year when we adopt our annual budget, many of us have had to bring amendments to make sure we are increasing the capacity of our parks and recreation staff. They're doing a fantastic job, but we need our nonprofit partners to step up to make sure that we can be the best that we can be. This is a preservation effort, making sure the trail is safe and accessible for everyone . I look forward to this code adjustment, allowing folks to get out in nature more often and enjoy more of our trails and I certainly appreciate the work of our board and commission members who have moved this item forward, as well as our city staff who have worked diligently with us throughout the year. I look forward to supporting this item today. >> Further discussion. In that case, hearing no further [1:51:56 PM] case, hearing no further discussion without objection. Item number 36 is adopted with council member Ryan alter, council member Alison alter, and council member Mackenzie Kelly off the dais. It will be adopted on all three readings. Thank you , that will take us now. No, it won't, I was going to say that'll take us to our 2:00 time. Certain, but. But you didn't. You should have read all your notes. We will be without objection. The city council is in recess until 2:00 pm. It is 152. Thank you. [1:59:33 PM] Thank you. >> We're going to start in one minute. Back to order. It's 2:00 pm Thursday, March 7th. Members were at our 2:00 time. Certain which is related to zoning. And I'll recognize miss Hardin on the zoning agenda for, joy Hardin with the planning department. >> Your zoning agenda begins with item 31 c-1 for 2023 0113. And this is being offered as a staff postponement request to your April 18th council meeting. [2:00:35 PM] your April 18th council meeting. Item 32 is c-1 for H 2023 0105, and this is being offered for consent on all three readings. Moving on to your, addendum items. Item 38 is c-1 for 2023 0048. This is being offered as an applicant. Indefinite postponement. And lastly, item 39 c-1 for 2023 0096, this item is being offered for consent first reading only and will be bringing this item back on your March 21st council meeting for second and third reading consideration. And we do have one speaker here to speak on this item. And then there'll be further discussions with that applicant and council and etc. But we'll hear from that speaker. And that concludes the reading of this agenda. >> Members. Any questions of miss Hardin? >> Is that your discretion? >> I'll, I will, accept a motion to adopt the consent agenda, and then we'll have the speaker. Item number 31 is a staff [2:01:35 PM] Item number 31 is a staff postponement of April 18th. Item number. Number 32, consent on all three readings, item number 38 and indefinite postponement and item number 39. First reading only for and bring it back on March 21st. Council member harper-madison moves approval and seconded by council member vela, let's call the first speaker. >> On item 39, we have ray Collins. >> Last Sunday night, I emailed the mayor the council members and their chiefs of staff a case history in our exhibits a and B, as you can see from, as you can see from the case history and exhibit a, the sunrise church members living in Southwood greatly influenced the contact team discussion, which occurred after our meeting with the applicant's representative last August. Second, and eventually [2:02:35 PM] August. Second, and eventually resulted in the sunrise memo. Our exhibit B, hence a large portion of exhibit a is an opportunity for the applicant to correct or, at minimum, mitigate negative externalities that saint David's hca healthcare are imposing in our microcosm. Bounded by Ben white south first stassney and minchak road. Though I'll add that these same negative externalities exist throughout the macrocosm that is Austin. As mentioned in the case history, to this date, the applicant has been unwilling to negotiate any of the items in exhibit a, neither of the ones intended to correct the release of people experiencing homelessness without referral to nearby respite care. Coordinating release with the sunrise navigation center, etc. Nor even the smallest to the largest of the remainder, which [2:03:38 PM] largest of the remainder, which I refer to as the smorgasbord, that is exhibit a, which the contact team produced. And lastly, I'll point out the contact team has chosen to take up the issues raised in this case history. I provided you because we were given the opportunity of this zoning case to publicize our situation, but the neighborhood as a whole is going to be carrying it forward over time. Thank you. >> Thank you sir. This members, this is on first reading only. So there will be additional contact and discussion between now and March. The March 21st reading, when we have the opportunity to take it up on second and third reading. Members, is there any discussion with regard to the consent agenda? Is there anyone wishing to be shown abstaining from voting on the consent agenda? Anyone wishing to be shown recusing themselves from a vote on any item on the consent agenda? Are there any no votes to be recorded on the consent agenda? Without objection, the [2:04:40 PM] agenda? Without objection, the consent agenda for zoning is adopted with councilmember Ryan alter and council member Allison alter off the dais members there being no further business to come before the Austin city council at this regular schedule meeting. Without objection, we are adjourned at 2:04 P.M. On Thursday, March 7th. Thank you