City Council Regular Meeting Transcript – 4/18/2024 Title: ATXN-1 (24hr) Channel: 1 - ATXN-1 Recorded On: 4/18/2024 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 4/18/2024 Transcript Generated by SnapStream ================================== Please note that the following transcript is for reference purposes and does not constitute the official record of actions taken during the meeting. For the official record of actions of the meeting, please refer to the Approved Minutes. [10:00:20 AM] good morning everybody. I'm going to call to order the meeting of the Boston city council. Excuse me. It is April 18th, 2024. It's 10:00 in the morning, we have a quorum of the city council present. We are meeting in the city council chambers, which is located there. Those are located in Austin city hall at 301 west second street in Austin, members, what I'm going to do is lay out the order of business for the day, and what we will do is we will first hear the consent agenda on the, items on the consent agenda. We will hear from consent agenda speakers, both virtual and in person. Each person will be allowed three minutes on each item for which they signed up. We will then hear non-consent speakers both virtual and in person. Item number 34 is the only item that is currently been pulled from the consent agenda, but non consent items also include items referred from council committees, which are items 56 and 57, items related to eminent [10:01:22 AM] and 57, items related to eminent domain. And that's item 58 today. And public hearing items which are items 60 through 64. When we take up the public hearings, we will open the public hearing. We will have the public hearing and we will then close the public hearing and take immediate action, I would like to clarify that anyone registered to speak on a public hearing item will be heard during that item. When that item is called up and not with the consent speakers, unless it just works best for your your schedule and your calendar. We're happy to accommodate that, but I would ask that you please let the city clerk's office know that so that if you're registered on a consent and a non consent item, we will be able to coordinate that and, and do that, in a way that accommodates the public speakers. At that time, if things allow and where we are, wherever we are in terms of timing, if it's 1030 or after, I will call to, I'll recess the [10:02:22 AM] will call to, I'll recess the city council meeting and call to order the ahppc meeting, the board of directors of that entity. Then we will when we finish that, we will come back to the council meeting. We have a 12:00 time certain. And that is public comment followed by live music. And then, of course, we have 2:00 is the time certain related to zoning and neighborhood planning, I'm going to read the changes and corrections into the record item number 72 should read a valid petition has been filed in opposition to this rezoning case . Item number 76. We should add as a sponsor to that item. Council member Allison alter, members, item 34. As I indicated , is the only consent item that has been pulled from the agenda, we will take that up as a pulled item. I because I'm sure you all have received the kind of [10:03:22 AM] have received the kind of contact that I've received with regard to this item and the discussion, the public discussion has occurred since Tuesday, when we had the, briefing on it. I'm going to recommend that what we do is we postpone this item so that there will be more opportunity for the public to, reach out to us. Because it's such a big deal, to the public. And we've been talking about it basically for two days. So when we get to that item, just be prepared. I just wanted to let everybody know about that before we, before we got started. All right. With that, we will now go to. Unless there's somebody wanting to pull something else from the consent agenda, we will go to the consent agenda, the way we will do that is we will hear from speakers. The we. Then we will, have a vote on the consent agenda. And what we will do is also take up, comment, by council members at the conclusion, conclusion of the [10:04:24 AM] conclusion, conclusion of the consent agenda. As I indicated, speakers will have three minutes on each item for which they have signed up, and I will turn to the city clerk to help us navigate, those speakers. >> Okay. First speaker is Tracy. Yes. >> Hang on one second. Yes, ma'am. >> You mentioned consent remarks after we vote or before we take the vote after we vote. >> The way we normally do it. I'm just trying to lay out the way we normally do it. Okay. >> I was wondering if perhaps we might be able to have consent remarks before we all indicate how we vote. >> Okay, that'd be different than what we've been doing in the past, but if that's your request, we'll do that. >> Thank you. I just appreciate input from my colleagues and want to make sure that I understand what's important to them before we vote. I think it would be better for the public to also understand that. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. >> First speaker oh, I'm sorry. Apparently I didn't read the boards and commissions actions. Hang on, I apologize. Let me read the boards and commissions actions on item number two, April 16th, 2024. It should read [10:05:26 AM] April 16th, 2024. It should read April 16th, 2024. Recommended by the resource management commission on a 7 to 1 vote with chair stone voting against commissioners curuguaty off the dais, commissioner scafiddi absent and one vacancy. It should also read April 15th, 2024 recommended by the electric utility commission on a 10 to 0 vote with one vacancy. Item number four, five and 17 should read April 17th, 2024 recommended by the water and wastewater commission on a 9 to 0 vote, with commissioners Navarro and tureta absent, items 28 and 32 should read April 10th, 2024. Recommended by the Austin airport advisory commission on a9002 vote, with commissioners Todd and Madole absent. Item 63 and 64 should read April 9th, 2024 staff recommendations approved by the planning commission on a 12 to 0 [10:06:27 AM] planning commission on a 12 to 0 vote. With commissioner Ramirez off the dais. I apologize for that omission. Thank you. And now let's go to speakers. >> First speaker is Tracy Whitt. >> Mayor and council, good morning. And Tracy, I lived in sweet hill neighborhood in the central east planning area for 23 years and followed land use issues since about 2007. Central to the interests in this area is the stagnation along east 12th street. Really a hijacking of the plan for urban renewal ushered in by African American business and community leaders. In 1999, the plan was about historic preservation and redevelopment of the street to deliver a mix of daily services provided by local businesses and existing and new buildings. In my opinion, lack of progress is largely attributable to the amalgamation of so much property by one holding company in the 15 plus years eureka has been acquiring property in the renewal area and as far east as airport boulevard. Neighborhoods have met with a succession of their lobbyists, who each in [10:07:27 AM] their lobbyists, who each in turn end up telling us, quote, no plans, no plans at this time, unquote. Then, in September 2019, eureka presented at an urban renewal board meeting its conceptual vision plan, dubbed east Austin framework for the entire street. It appeared to me to contain little substance, but the impression was an intent to supplant the community vision in the urban renewal plan and perhaps even the plan itself. Someday, a few months later, the central east contact team met with councilmember harper-madison to ask for her take on the status and relevance of eureka's plan. She said she had met with eureka many times, but yet we shouldn't worry about the eureka plan. She wasure it wasn't going anywhere. And now here it is cited in resolution 76 as a beacon for 78702 vision. It's laudable to formalize a list of historic and cultural assets that should survive 35 newest and most brutal assaults on east austo flourish and sustain the community. But if the plan ends up being an assault on all the existing neighborhood plans, the urban renewal plan and codes and codes of 702, it will confirm the [10:08:29 AM] of 702, it will confirm the warnings of those who seek so much pretense in the notion that this initiative is benign and intended to protect this area from development pressures. Nearly every meeting, this council amps up pressure and approves egregious entitlements via the pda tool all over east Austin, which allows opportunists to walk away with hundreds of feet of additional height, and the community with virtually no benefits. As item 67 today, that assault you could do something about immediately, if only you would. Councilmember harper-madison, you often note that your planning and voting for residents 30 years from now, someone else was supposed to plan for us. Respectfully. We did. The community did plan and work to sustain those plans for ourselves and those who come later. And god willing, many of us will be here to fill those new, new folks in on whether they and their plans matter. Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Daniel Pichette on item 77. >> Hi. I'm I asking you a [10:09:30 AM] >> Hi. I'm I asking you a council mayor. Mayor pro tem to enthusiastly vote yes for item 77. I uno the program we have in west campus has been one of our absolute shining stars. Successful programs in the city of Austin. It has created an enormous amount of affordable housing, a vast network of beautiful, really nice to use sidewalks with, with, you know, nice street lighting, trees, trees lining, trees lining all the streets, wide sidewalks, benches, it's really it's really a wonderful place. And it's made a tremendous difference for west campus. And and I think it's, you know, time to both look at can we improve on this, can we make it a bigger, you know, can we make it help more people and can we make it better? Can we identify the things that haven't [10:10:31 AM] identify the things that haven't gone well? And I think that, the item 77 is a really great start at looking into those questions. So thank you very much. >> Next speaker is Jenny Grayson speaking on item 76. >> Hello. My name is Grayson and I live in Mckinley heights neighborhood. I haven't prepared any comments because I feel like no matter how much time I spend preparing comments, it's not really heard at council. I definitely think 78702 needs some type of preservation act, and I'm, I'm wondering how this preservation will work in the face of all of the that has happened already within the city. And. 78702 how do we preserve with db 90? How do we preserve with home and home? Two I think this should have been the initial part of db 90. Home and home two the preservation of [10:11:31 AM] and home two the preservation of current homes and current neighbors residents versus allowing all the zoning, giving out entitlements and then thinking about preservation because there's really no way to roll those things back, so yes, I have a legitimate question for you of how will you all solve this without the developer's input and speaking and listening to the residents who actually live here. And that's a legitimate question. So I would like a response from my council person, Natasha harper- madison. Plenty of times I come to council and I ask questions, and answers are never given, and this is a real one. How are you going to do this? And who are you going to bring to the table? And how are you going to alert us? I do think there needs to be some preservation in 78702, but I think it's a little late. >> Okay. We're going to move on to the in-person speakers. The first in-person speaker is [10:12:32 AM] first in-person speaker is Monica Guzman, who registered for items four, 25, 30, 35, 36, 43, 48, 49, 50, 51, 75, 76, and 77, for a total of 39 minutes. >> Good morning, and trust me, I will not be speaking that long. But I do thank bill bunch and save our springs for what he did, because we do have our rights to speak three minutes on each item that we have to talk about. So good morning, I'm Monica Guzman, policy director at go Austin. Vamos, Austin. Today you are scheduled to approve item four, authorizing the city manager to apply for a swift loan to develop and implement Austin's water advanced metering infrastructure project. That sounds like a good thing to me. I don't know that much about it. Gabe's position is yes, we support it, and we also urge you to apply for a [10:13:34 AM] also urge you to apply for a swift loan to improve drainage, green infrastructure and other flood mitigation improvements mentioned in Garvey's call to excuse me action regarding local flooding and mitigation. Our call to action states, specifically flooding and other climate emergencies, are affecting more people than ever and disproportionately harming low income communities today. There are several ways we can take action to mitigate risk, save lives, and improve our health and quality of life. Info and whoops, that's that's not for y'all. That was info and sample letters below. Over $600 million in grant funding is available through the state flood plan, administered by the Texas water development board, and we're asking you to apply for that swift loan gabba gabba staff gabba community have been advocating for money to address those issues to address the flooding, especially in flood prone areas such as district two, to address issues that lot to lot flooding due to the over approval of over development. [10:14:34 AM] approval of over development. Basically we need you to step up, get that loan and protect people's lives. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Gus Pena, registered for items 835, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 45 for a total of 24 minutes. >> You stay the name again, please. >> I'm on my way. >> Gus Pena . >> Say that first one again, mayor. Okay. What items, items? >> 835. Okay. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40 [10:15:37 AM] >> 835. Okay. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40 and 45. >> Well, thank you very much. Mayor and council members, Gustavo Pena from the east side, east fifth street, the. We're very proud to have, been, in the in that area. Now, what I'm here for is, number one, irs special agent. Okay, I'll show you that. So there's no so there will be a stink between me and also some troublemakers over here, at the police officers. So, anyway, I'm going to leave it at that. I'm going to. I'm going to do something, interesting for y'all. Wake y'all up a little bit, all these items. Thank you very much. We appreciate it. I'm not going to speak to all that and 30 minutes or whatever. I just want to want to let you all know I appreciate you all very [10:16:38 AM] know I appreciate you all very much. Even though I'm tough on y'all. As soon as one one thing and then I want to leave when I need to talk to you. Please. I know you are busy, but I'm busy also, I'm running for another elected official position, our governor wanted me to be on his staff. Said ain't no way, ain't no way. But the issue is this ispthat these all these, items on the agenda are vy,y, very important. Very important. And I just wanted to. I'm going to leave it out. I got to go pick up my baby girl at six. She's six years old and slaughter. But, thank you all very much for the hard work that you all do. I know I'm tough on y'all. You know, when I need, to see you, it's because it's very catastrophic, and I need for you to set up a meeting with me and you. And I think you know what? What I'm looking for. But I just want to thank every one of y'all for the hard work you do. I've been doing this since 1968, and I appreciate the appreciation that when y'all clap for me and. [10:17:39 AM] that when y'all clap for me and. But we forgot to tell you that I've been doing this for 1969, 1968 when I left for the marine Corps. Thank you very much. Each and every one of y'all. For you, for what y'all do. I know you sometimes you're not with the family, but, be with the family because they grow up quick and they move out, you know? And I have to go, to pick up my baby girl every, every time at 3:00. So I need to go. So I just want to leave it at that, thank you for each and every one of y'all, be still. We still need some more help out there in the community. Please. Thank you very much, mayor, council member Jesus Garza, set up a meeting for. Thank you, sir. Thank you. >> Next speaker is bill bunch registered to speak on items 30, 36, 43, 51 and 76 for a total of 15 minutes. [10:18:41 AM] 15 minutes. >> Morning. Mayor. Council members, thank you for your service to Austin. Bill bunch with save our springs alliance. I will, start with number 30. The longhorn dam upgrades $22.8 million. Is just a point of clarification. There I hope you all insist that this get included in this project. It is a good project, it refers to widening and underpass, south of the dam. And I'm wondering if that's referring to the underpass that actually goes through the dam. That's a really narrow tunnel. It needs to be expanded for the pedestrian access that I think you're [10:19:41 AM] access that I think you're talking about, but what we really need to add to this project that would cost almost nothing is a portage access just below the dam to facilitate people who are canoeing, kayaking, on the lake who want to continue downriver or they're on the river and want to go upstream. T now, it's extremely hazardous and difficult because of the garbage and old construction debris to navigate the bank of the river just below the dam. So we need that connectivity for people enjoying the river between the lake and the dam. So I hope you'll address that. On number four, the water meter loan, $25 mill from the water development board. This is absolutely a good thing, but that's a lot of money for virtually zero backup. I'm telling you what's going on with this program. It references that this is an add on to an $80 million loan from 2016. For this [10:20:42 AM] million loan from 2016. For this , water metering program, where are we? Where did that money go? What's happening with that money , yes. We want meter reading be automatic. So we're not sending people out, and it references sort of gains and, you know, reducing traffic. People traveling around to measure it because it's now, electronic, and it talks about detecting leaks, but there's not a single word here in your resolution about water conservation. And you know, this meter automatic metering program needs to be pushing and informing people about their water use and how they can reduce it, and tellingthem when they're using too much , this should be a fundamental part of our water conservation planning. It's not. And in fact, what your water utility is doing is they've basically abandoned any meaningful commitment to water conservation. If you look at the five year plan that we're [10:21:44 AM] at the five year plan that we're required to update for the for the state of Texas that was presented to the water task force this week, it's calling for improving water conservation by, .007 per year. I mean, that's about as minimal of a goal as you can set without saying your goal is to do nothing. And this in the face of our worst water drought, potentially Wright upon us in the face of what your water utilities also not telling you about the future of our water availability in the highland Lakes being a fraction of what it's been computed to be for, for the past decades because of climate change and because what we've actually measured and seen the last 10 or 15 years, we should be going double time on conservation and instead we're [10:22:45 AM] conservation and instead we're backsliding, there's for the first time, literally since the 70s, our conservation gains, have plateaued. They've flattened out. Whereas before, for these decades, since the 70s or 80s, we've been our our, conservation gains have matched population growth. So our total water use has been roughly flat. And now it's not. It's now it's going back up for the first time ever. There's no excuse for that . An don't have the water to allow that to be. And this metering program should be part of that, number 51, the tree inventory of course, this is a great thing. It's called for tree inventory, tree planning. It calls for a comprehensive tree inventory. But if you read the resolution it says public tree inventory. Every place that it says public that needs to be [10:23:47 AM] it says public that needs to be either stricken or it needs to say public and private tree inventory, there's no way our tree inventory is comprehensive or even particularly that helpful or meaningful when you're not inventorying our private tree canopy on private land. And, that should be fundamental to this. And it should document right where we are right now before we start getting bulldozing our urban tree canopy on private land because of what you've already done with home phase one and what your comp proposing to do with home phase two, if we're going to really care about our tree canopy, we need to be serious. It does call for a maintenance plan. Also the maintenance plan needs to start tomorrow by documenting all the damage to the trees in our public parks that are done by [10:24:49 AM] public parks that are done by the mowers, we need to be cutting way back. On our mowing. It's wasteful gas. It's noisy, when you cut it too short, then everything dries out. We're grossly over motoring our our parkland and probably our other public lands. And if you walk in any park and look at the base of the trees, you see scars from the mowers on almost every tree that needs to stop tomorrow. So. So please address this. Make it a comprehensive plan and take immediate steps to for save and protect the trees. We have, let's see, mentioned the longhorn dam upgrades, repetitive loss resolution number 43 for flooding. I was really happy to see in there that it includes surveys and acknowledgment that we're having flooding of homes and other structures outside of designated flood Zones, and that this is [10:25:51 AM] flood Zones, and that this is happening on a localized lot to lot flooding, because we're paving more than we should be, and yet the mitigation that is called for is to flood proof the, the property that's being harmed by the flooding from the pavement, that's on surrounding properties. That's absolutely backwards, that's making the victim pay for abuse and lack of enforcement quite frankly, from the city state law prohibits a property from harming a downstream property from Overland flow. We need to be enforcing that. And holding the people who are causing the damage accountable. And that sh be featured, not completely left out where we're forcing the victims to pay for that lot to lot flooding. My [10:26:52 AM] that lot to lot flooding. My last topic I'll address is the resolution to initiate a comprehensive give. And you're calling it holistic planning for the entire area code of 78702. Right at the top, you list a bunch of organizations that are involved in this east Austin zip code, it's a real slap in the face to not name a poder and Garza in that list. I think the work they've done in the zip code is phenomenal. And, and I'm sure there's other neighborhood organizations that should be listed there, and then in, in and of course, everybody embraces comprehensive planning. But if you look at the seven, be it resolved statements, not a single of them is directing the city manager to include the people who live in seven eight, [10:27:54 AM] people who live in seven eight, 702, like conferring with them to develop these initial findings and recommend implementation. That's a that's a quote from the final, be it resolved, there's no direction here to actually include the community in developing this planning process. At the outset. That should be at the very top of the list, telling the city manager to go, you know, in his hidey hole and come out with something. And, next February is planning backwards and upside down. Ann, but it's indicative of the what happens with our planning processes. This is, you know, and the zilker park planning fiasco is, is bit a , there was public input, but then your staff totally disrespected and misread, presented the public input they [10:28:55 AM] presented the public input they were getting and tried to say that public input was supportive of their plan, when in fact, it was overwhelmingly against, almost everything in that plan and certainly everything that costs money and called for construction. So let's start being honest and decent and have some functional democracy at city hall. And let's kick off this seven, eight, 702 study Wright, by rewriting this resolution and putting it point blank that the city manager has to include the people who live there, not just in institutional investors from somewhere else who have money parked in. 78702, and the community groups, not just list them and say, oh, we're glad they're out there and they're still hanging on, but there's nothing saying you actually need to talk to those people. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Roy Whaley, [10:29:56 AM] >> Next speaker is Roy Whaley, registered on items 30, 49 and 51 for a total of nine minutes. >> Howdy, y'all. My name is Roy Whaley. I'm the conservation chair for the Austin regional group of the Sierra club, 37.4. That's the capacity in lake Travis today. That is our water. That is our water supply. That is our bank. If you had your budget, what you do ahead of you and a budget shortfall, what you do have and you look at this as our water savings and then look at our water budget, we're in trouble. So please factor water supply. And to every decision you make. Also factor in listening to the citizens. I know you're all busy. I know you have other things coming up and you need to be online and [10:30:56 AM] you need to be online and looking at those, but it feels kind of silly to stand up here and talk to two people and the people behind me. And I'm sure that the other speakers feel the same way, and I'm glad we've got a return to democracy. I hope we won't be here until two in the morning. Although I have been before, and I'm sorry that you won't be home in time for dinner, but you can call out as you have in the past. Let me address. If I could, item 30 and say thank you, Sierra club enthusiast supports this, not just for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, but also the plaza that is planned in the middle that will be a boon for everyone using the trail, but hopefully an economic boon for the area there. And so thank you, for that. And, and, [10:31:58 AM] thank you, for that. And, and, also thanks to former council member Greg Casar. Now congressman Greg Casar, for bringing 4.1 million in federal funds to help us finish that project. Let's see, 43, I just have qstions about this. I, I want to make sure that the as we move forward with home, that the increased, increased, impervious cover. And yes, I know it's supposed to stay the same, but it's not going to. And the potential, tree loss is factored in to what floods are going to look like in Austin and that we have flood, water retention Ann that can be used as pocket parks. That's for mental health also, just a little bit of green does children a whole lot of good. Let's see. Oh, boy. It's a [10:32:59 AM] good. Let's see. Oh, boy. It's a thrill not to have the buzzer going off on me already. Let's see. And then 51 on the I bill stole my thunder again. Yes. We need to have that be a comprehensive, tree survey so that we know what sort of tree loss we might be facing as we move forward with, with increased densification through home, I wish it was increased affordability, but it won't be. It's just going to be slightly less expensive. And with the addition of a the square footage for a third bedroom, that will make it even more expensive. The national association of realtors, has a study showing that the target for this, these this kind of housing, they're younger and they really don't want that third bedroom. They know that that is affordability, and they don't want the third [10:34:01 AM] and they don't want the third bedroom. And so that kind of flies in the face of the market. And with that, don't hit that buzzer yet, Mr. Mayor. I'm going to go sit down. Happy Earth day to everyone. Be sure to bring your umbrellas. >> The next speaker is jj Ramirez, speaking on item 34. I'm sorry, mayor, that item is pulled. Next speaker is Lorraine Atherton speaking on item 36. You will get three minutes. >> Good morning, mayor and council. I'm, Lorraine Atherton. I live in district five, item 36 would allow a project in plaza saltillo to pay a fee in lieu instead of providing on site [10:35:03 AM] instead of providing on site affordable housing, and they also want to, base the fee on fee in lieu on a bonus area. Only like the awful, awful pud formula. I'm, here in support of this. The housing department's recommendation against the fee in lieu. And I urge you to reject the fee in lieu. And also not get sucked back into the awful bonus area. Calculations. Stick with the very high standard that you've set for the plaza saltillo. Affordable housing on site. Thank you. >> Next speaker is felicity Maxwell, speaking on items 48, 51 and 77 for a total of nine [10:36:07 AM] 51 and 77 for a total of nine minutes. >> Good morning, mayor, mayor pro tem, mayor. Members of the council. My name is felicity Maxwell, d5 resident and or board member of Ora. I'm here primarily to speak on item 77 today, and I'm delighted to be here and speaking in favor of item 77 regarding the university neighborhood overlay, or uno. Last spring, Ora was proud to work alongside the UT Austin diadems in drafting a letter regarding student housing to their council member, zo qadri. In that letter, we highlighted several long standing issues with the uno policy that needed to be addressed, while also highlighting the desire for a more holistic housing solutions across the city. Since then, the city of Austin staff delivered a study specific housing survey. We received an in-depth report on the success and challenges of the overlay in west campus, and today we see the initiation of a broad set of reforms that are the first step since that letter last spring during that time, we've also heard from many, many [10:37:08 AM] we've also heard from many, many UT students about the challenges they face when coming to Austin looking for accommodation. Council member qadri has hosted several listening sessions and been joined by mayor Watson to ensure that this version of uno looks to the heart of the matter. How a cy can we best address the housing needs of current and future UT Austin undergrad and graduate student populations? I'm heartened that these same questions and need a dialog are now being considered. More broadly. How can we best serve the housing needs of students at saint Edwards, Houston, Tillotson and our numerous ACC campuses? Because we know that good student housing policies citywide allows young people to come to Austin to work and learn in Austin, and to stay in Austin, all of which contributes to the vibrancy of our city, both financially and culturally. Here's where I say thank you. As a housing advocate, I can definitively state our city is at the forefront of proactively planning and addressing for the accommodation needs of university students. The direction today for uno 3.0 continues that national leadership and in the near future, I look forward to [10:38:09 AM] future, I look forward to similar resolutions supporting local university students beyond west campus so that young people across Texas and around the world know that there is always a home waiting for them here in Austin. Special thanks to this hard working d9 staff, the advocacy of Dan Ryan, knell Isabel Webb Kerri and all of the members of the newly formed UT student tenants union. We're so luto have such passionate and dedicated citizens who care about getting uno right for current and future UT students. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Neva Fernandez, speaking on item 50 on deck is Christopher Paige. Speaking on item 76. You will get three minutes. >> Good morning, city council. Thank you so much for having me. My name is Nieva Fernandez. I'm the division director of victim services at the Travis county district attorney's office. I'm here to speak to you in support of continued funding for the collective sector sex crimes [10:39:11 AM] collective sector sex crimes response model. It's a mouthful, that initiative is a model for how law enforcement and community partners can work together to make significant changes in our community, I can't think of, honestly, another other group that has worked so collaboratively across all disciplines. It is well worth our budget. It's well worth our time, and we sure do hope that you will continue to support it. Thank you so much. >> Christopher Paige. Isabel Webb Kerri speaking on item 77. Ryan knell. Speaking on item 77 on deck, Joan Saldana [10:40:13 AM] on deck, Joan Saldana . >> Hello, mayor and council members. My name is Ryan knell. I work with both of the west campus student housing cooperatives. The college houses and the icc. Austin and I work with them on redevelopment strategies and policy issues, such as supporting item 77, the uno resolution. Student co-ops have existed in Austin since the 1940s. The first one, the guild, was built by hand by its members. The first ones that moved into it, and their 80 year history, they've seen many changes. The earliest co-ops housed members of the greatest generation, and then their kids from the counterculture generation. And then in the 70s and 80s, after some new hud programs and the national co-op [10:41:13 AM] programs and the national co-op bank, they were able to greatly expand that expansion. That stopped in the late 80s and 90s due to a savings and loan crisis. And then with the uno established in 2004, you begin to see co-op growth again and changes in the co-op community. When I lived in west campus, I started in 2007 and I got to see some of the effects of the earliest uno buildings and was extremely thankful for the new bodega just down the street. Additionally, the uno trust fund, which funds affordable housing in west campus, was able to support and restart the growth for co-ops in west campus . The trust fund has only been used for three different projects and its 20 year history. And all of those projects were for housing co-ops. So the co-ops are supportive of the uno resolution. We hope you all will vote for it, too. It will definitely make west campus a more livable place. That bodega was nice, but we still had to have a member drive to HEB or restaurant depot to buy food for [10:42:15 AM] restaurant depot to buy food for all of my 20 housemates, a local grocery store would help immensely as most students don't need or own cars. Additionally, the changes being proposed will lead to more funding into that trust fund as I work with the co-ops and we work together to figure out how to improve and expand the co-ops in west campus . So thank you very much. >> Isabel Webb, Carrie, speaking on item 77, you get three minutes. >> Good morning everyone, first of all, thank you so much for being here. And giving item 77 your consideration. So I am a student I think probably tell I live on 21st street, close enough to hear the co-op music as was just mentioned, experimental dj music. Most nights, but close enough to campus to know that it's about a ten minute walk or a five minute one run when I'm running a little late to class as the accent probably gives away. I am not from here, but I am [10:43:16 AM] not from here, but I am profoundly grateful to have found community in west campus. Sure, it's smelly, it's full of students and probably not the ideal conditions to raise a family, but to me, it is home and I am so grateful for the friends and the real chosen family I have found there. Living so close to campus has allowed me to do well in classes. It's allowed me to take on jobs and take part in extrriculars and again find those college friends and live that experience, which I would have never been able to access otherwise. As co-founder of the university tenants union, I've held many a town hall with people across west campus who have come to us with issues and told stories that show that west campus isn't all that it could be. There are low income students who live without windows or can't afford food because the nearest grocery store is, you know, you can't get there without a car. There are people who use wheelchairs and can't get across streets and have had to physically get out of their cars and drag [10:44:17 AM] of their cars and drag themselves because there are cracks in the pavement. I want more for students, and that's what this is. This resolution opens up possibilities and I thank everyone in district nine and all other collaborators for their support on this issue. Thank you. >> Joanne Saldana oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead and, state your name and you get three minute >> Hi, my name is Chris Paige. I don't have a lot to say today. I'm, president of the Homewood heights neighborhood association. Speaking in regard to item 76 about, the planning revisions for 78702, the resolution is kind of overly vague, and the ambiguity raises some concerns that I could lay the foundation for unwarranted deviation from defined planning and zoning practices in a way that excludes or otherwise adversely impacts constituents living in seven, eight, 702, I'm fully supportive of a lot of the [10:45:17 AM] fully supportive of a lot of the intent behind it, as you know, zo through a variety of things that I've set up here in past days, the problems that it seeks to address, at least on the surface, are very real, at a minimum, I'd like to offer these recommendations as line nine through 16 should include, people organizing in defense of Earth and her resources, also known as Pio des. It's been a critical resource for east Austin, particularly for 78702, the ordinance should call out additional factors that are hollowing out the communities, specifically speculation, short tum rentals, and discriminatory appraisal practices, lines 98 through 100. It's unclear if the redevelopment of blocks 16 and 18 support deviation from defined planning and zoning practices. The urban renewal plan was adopted in 1999, and the discussion of the redevelopment of these blocks has spanned nearly a decade. [10:46:19 AM] has spanned nearly a decade. It's also unclear what vision plan lines 105 through 108 is referring to. If it's this, that's that's a private document that was created, by a speculative holding company that's bought up a whole lot of property on 12th street. And I don't think that we should have private businesses writing our public policy exceeds their authority, and it usurps yours, last thing regarding, lines 112 through 119, the cap is obviously a welcome improvement over just an unmitigated expansion of I-35, but it also doesn't create a sea tide, something that would have influence over land use up to two miles away, so please, you know, take those things into consideration. Action for this resolution, if it hasn't already passed. I'm sorry I got here late today. And also, thank you for your time and thank you for caring about 78702. It needs it. [10:47:20 AM] caring about 78702. It needs it. >> Next speaker, John Saldana. If you've if your name has been called, please make your way to the podium. Next is Edwin Bautista. Philip Wylie. If your name has been called, please make your way. >> Please come to the microphone. >> You get three minutes. >> You don't have to sit down. You can use the one at the podium if you'd like. >> All right. Hello, council members. Good morning. My name is Edwin Bautista, and I'm a resident of district seven. As someone who has both lived and rigorously researched the dynamics of west campus as a former UT student and deeply integrated into this community through my advocacy, I find it necessary to address some overlooked aspects of the resolution. The university neighborhood overlay has undoubtedly shaped the landscape of west campus, bringing both growth and challenges. However, the issue of housing affordability still looms large, [10:48:20 AM] affordability still looms large, impacting students and residents alike. Student vacation, much like gentrification, transforms neighborhood needs, it can lead to a vibrant and dynamic community, but also contribute to displacement and social stratification. The story of west campus is not just one of housing development, it's also a narrative of community evolution and diversity, much like the historical context provided by wheatville wheatville, one of the first freedmen towns in Texas, represents a crucial chapter in Austin's history. The area's transformation from a vibrant African-American community to a student dominated neighborhood encapsulate encapsulates the broader themes of gentrification and displacement that we see today. The narrative of wheatville provides a poignant reminder of the risks associated with unchecked development and the importance of preserving cultural heritage within our public policy initiatives. The resolution, while aimed at enhancing the quality of life for students in west campus, sidesteps a critical dialog about these broader impacts. It focuses on structural and esthetic improvements without tackling the root causes of [10:49:20 AM] tackling the root causes of displacement and the affordable housing crisis. As a former dedicated member of the college student commission in 2021, I advocated for policy changes that reflected the needs of all students, especially those most vulnerable to market fluctuations. The current resolution while forward thinking in areas such as mobility and design improvements , requires a more robust framework for affordability that transcends conventional high density development models. Therefore, I urge the council to implement stronger measures to expand the available availability of income restricted housing units significantly commit to policies that prevent the commercial exploitation of student housing, and ensure that affordability is not sacrificed for profitability . We support housing cooperatives and other community based models. By addressing these issues, we can develop a more comprehensive strategy that not only improves the physical landscape, but also preserves the socio economic diversity and vibrancy of west campus. This approach will benefit not just [10:50:20 AM] approach will benefit not just current and future students, but all residents, and ensure that west campus remains a dynamic and inclusive community. Thank you for your time. >> Our next speaker is Philip Wiley on deck is Stephanie lane. >> Hang on, Mr. Wiley, will you make sure that. >> Screen. There you go. Good morning everybody. My name is Philip Wiley. I live in district nine. More precisely, downtown, less than a block from uno. I'm here to talk in support of item number 77. In enthusiastic support of item 77. Uno is the most successful tod in in the city of Austin. It's arguably the most successful tod in the state of Texas. We've, we have well over 10,000 people who used [10:51:23 AM] well over 10,000 people who used to have to get to work, which for them means school, but they used to have to get to work other ways than walking. And they're now able to walk and if the city wants to really take to heart the goal of 50 over 50 mode share by 2039, we need to be really bold. We need to be really thoughtful about where the opportunities are and take advantage of them when they present themselves, the planning commission in January voted, to they recommended to you all to remove the height restrictions. And in, inner west campus. And the vote was 10 to 0 with the motion maker not being able to make the meeting, I'm going to count that as 11 to 0. How many things can you get? 11 to 0 on in this city when it comes to [10:52:24 AM] in this city when it comes to zoning, part of the problem proposal is to expand, the borders for inner west campus. And I can tell you what happens in real estate is when you set a border and people know it's going to change, things start to change. There they speculate. We have we have areas in west west campus that could really use a facelift, they could provide much needed housing to, to more people, I'm really excited about this opportunity and in advance. Thank you all for your support. >> Stephanie Lang. >> Good morning. My name is Stephanie lane. I'm the executive director of icc. Austin, and I shamelessly wore our T shirt. So you can see our logo. Let it burn into your brain, we have a total of nine [10:53:25 AM] brain, we have a total of nine properties on west campus. Eight of them, which would be affected by, the resolution number 77. And there's a lot of reasons why we all know affordable housing is important for economic mobility, especially for marginalized and low income populations. But existentially, I just wanted to mention that one of the important parts of cooperative living housing is, reminds me of something that Alan graham mentions several times in his writings. He believes that one of the number one contributors to homelessness is the catastrophic loss of family and community. Cooperative living provides a family setting where 15 to 35 members of this house, they share the kitchen, they share the labor, the chores, taking care of the house, taking care of each other, conflict resolution, which is a huge missing component in united States western culture. We have to get back to, practicing communal living in supporting it [10:54:26 AM] communal living in supporting it . And with this resolution, we currently have 200 beds that we have in, west campus. This resolution will help us expand to 1500 beds. So from 200 to 1500 beds, 1,000% increase. This is going to allow us not only to address all of the important factors of affordable housing, but also continue to produce opportunities to teach young adults how to live in community and how to take care of themselves, their friends, and the people in their immediate community. So I'm all for it, it's I am a product of student housing, affordable student housing. I would not have been able to gain upward mobility from generational poverty without affordable housing through my college career. So it's something I'm very passionate about. And thank you, qadri, for making that a passion of yours. It's very personal and very important to me. Thank you. >> Mayor, that concludes all [10:55:26 AM] >> Mayor, that concludes all the, consent speakers. >> Thank you, madam clerk. Members. You heard just heard that concludes all the speakers that are signed up on the consent agenda. Let me ask the council if there are any members that wish to pull any other items from the consent agenda. Then I'll entertain them. I'll entertain a motion in a second on the consent agenda, I'll point out that item number 77, you have a version two of that item, so that would be the item that would be on the consent agenda would be item number 77. Version two. What I will do is entertain a motion and then we will go to comments. And then I will ask for abstentions recusals or no votes. So, is there a motion to adopt the consent agenda? The mayor pro tem seconded by council member Vella. We have a motion. So we will now go to comments, the first thing that we will do is I will, councilmember harper-madison, I have you, so I'll put you down. The first [10:56:29 AM] I'll put you down. The first thing I want to do is, tee up a video that, our congressman kassar has sent and ask us to play, with regard to the item that he brought, $4.1 million to us. And so, with that hit go mayor, manager, council members, it's congressman Greg kassar. >> And I want to start out by thanking each of you for your public service. I know so much of the work of serving our community is really hard and can be very challenging. But today you have something on your agenda that is so worth celebrating that I wanted to send you this message. The longhorn dam bridge, otherwise known as the wishbone bridge, that has been talked about so much by communities on the east side and all throughout the city of Austin. Ever since I was on the city council. This being on your agenda to finally go under construction is such an exciting announcement, and I want to congratulate each of you and the [10:57:30 AM] congratulate each of you and the staff for getting us this far. This wishbone shaped bridge is going to connect all different parts of our city from the south side to the north side with an amazing plaza right in the middle of the water. And it's really going to create the kind of public space that austinites deserve. And that people can truly enjoy. We know so many people work so many hours and work so hard to be able to afford the rising cost of living in Austin, but having an incredible public space where people can gather and cross and exercise and spend time together reminds us why it's worth living in Austin reminds us about our community, and can create the kind of iconic public space that generations to come will remember and be grateful to you for. So thank you so much for passing this item, and thank you to you all and to your staff, especially council member Velasquez and the mayor's office and the manager's office for working with me to deliver the $4 million grant directly through my office to help make sure that we can have the kind [10:58:30 AM] sure that we can have the kind of bridge in this location that the community can be thrilled about. Council member Pio Renteria when I was on the council, I'll never forget him saying, man, I'm so excited about the design for this bridge. Nobody will ever be able to forget being on this bridge. But man, I wonder if we're ever going to have the money to really build out the community vision. And I'm so proud of the work with the city of Austin alongside my office, alongside your staff, to make sure that we can actually have the one of a kind, iconic bridge that east Austin deserves, I know that's unusual, but because it's a member of congress that got usthat earmark for that, we thought that would be a nice way to do that and hear from him. And, as I'm anticipating that the vote's going to I. Before we were goio do that after the vote. But, I anticipate that vote's going to go okay, and so, that vote will be a resounding exclamation mark on our thanks [10:59:31 AM] exclamation mark on our thanks to the congressman for working to get that money, earmarked for this very, very important. And it will be an iconic bridge. So, thank you to congressman kassar. I'll now recognize mayor pro pool, then council member Kelly, then council member Velasquez. >> Thanks, mayor, you have an item. I think it's a fee waiver for mayfest. And there was a bit of a gap in the funding, and I wanted to add $500 to that. It's item 45, without objection, that will be added to the item. >> Thank you, council member qadri on item 77, I just wanted to say you had me at windows. And let's see, item 48. I do want to bring everyone's attention to item 48. It's an item that I'm bringing today, it's a resolution that the city manager to launch a passive building pilot program. Passive building uses innovative techniques to create more [11:00:31 AM] techniques to create more efficient and resilient buildings, things that reduce energy and reduce the impact on the environment. The Austin energy resource generation plan update is coming soon, and a key strategy within that plan is to reduce the need on demand or user side. These kind of building techniques, passive building techniques can help in that regard and if proven successful, this pilot could be expanded to improve building efficiency standards citywide. So we have a lot at stake. I want to offer a big thank you to my co sponsors, council members vela, Ellis, qadri and Ryan alter. I also want to give a shout out for Earth day. It's in its 54th year and happening this year. On Monday, April 22nd. I also want to make the public aware of an Earth day event happening on Saturday, April [11:01:32 AM] happening on Saturday, April 20th from noon to 5 P.M. At Houston Tillotson university. Hope to see you there. Thank you mayor. >> Thank you, mayor pro tem. I'll recognize council member Kelly, followed by counl member Velasquez, then councilmember Allison alter. >> Thank you, mayor, for the recognition. I wanted to thank councilwoman Allison alter for bringing forward item 50, which asks the city manager to prioritize unmet needs in the police department's sex crimes unit, several of us have had the opportunity to visit this division and their work is essential in a large city of ours, I'd also like to thankcouncil member qadri for the changes made in version two of item 77, specifically listing out the community engagement in the west campus area. I had a question about this, which I asked through the q&a. I'm just very pleased that you incorporated that into version two. As our city grows and we consider more dense housing policies, it's vital that we continue to engage with the community and partners to find compromise and understanding. And finally, it is whh a mix of gratitude and sadness that I [11:02:33 AM] gratitude and sadness that I announced the departure of Thomas McGregor, my chief of staff, over the past three and a half years, Mr. McGregor has been an indispensable asset to our team and an invaluable advocate for the community that we serve. His leadership, dedication and professionalism have been exemplary consistently guiding us through challenges and triumphs alike. Mr. Mcgregor'slity to navigate complexities, prioritize effectively, and foster positive relationships has been instrumental in district six achieving our shared goals and propelling our city forward. As Thomas moves on to new adventures, we're filled with appreciation for his unwavering commitment to public service and his genuine concern for the well-being of our constituents. His absence will be felt and we will miss his enthusiasm, creativity, and meticulous attention to detail in everything he undertakes. There will be a hole in district six, as today is his last day with us, and we will miss him. >> Thank you, thank you, thank you, Thomas, councilmember Velasquez, followed by councilmember Allison alter and [11:03:33 AM] councilmember Allison alter and then councilmember harper-madison, yes, colleagues, I wanted to apologize for absence, yesterday, the lord and my body reminded me that I am no longer 23 years old when I was at the gym, so I will be out the rest of the day, so apologies for that, I wanted to touch on item 36. Normally that item would give me pause, but having engaged, get engaged with personally and met with personally the neighborhood association and contact team the same groups that originally organized, organized and negotiated the community benefits around this, project. I want to respect the community's wishes to support the fee in lieu for central east , on this occasion, we have also worked with housing staff and been assured that these funds will be reinvested in the plaza within the same geographic location. Our office, our focus in my office remains, affordable housing. Thank you. >> Thank you. Council member, council member Alison alter, [11:04:35 AM] council member Alison alter, followed by council member harper-madison and then council member Ellis, before I make my remarks, I just want to confirm that I believe there was a version two for 76 as well I wanted there there was and I should have brought that up. >> So thank you for reminding me. Members, the version two on 76 is the version that we are voting on, on the motion for the on the consent agenda. >> Thank you, so first I would like to, register a no vote on item 36. I appreciate, council member Velasquez additional information, by voting no, I'm in alignment with the staff's recommendation to allow fee in lieu, in this case, for that one, overall, overall, if you take a look at this agenda, it's really a packed agenda with many, many great items that man of us have worked on over the years. There's increased funding for prime time and victory tutorial programs at aid and sti testing, eliminating windowless rooms. Our tree canopy. I want to highlight [11:05:35 AM] canopy. I want to highlight three items specifically, though. First, my resolution item 49 directs the city manager to pilot opportunities to reduce aquatic fees and increase pool access this summer. This builds off our experience last summer, when Pritchard extended the swim season and waived fees at certain pools during a heat wave. It's my hope that further exploration this summer will allow us to help our community survive the heat and make some policy decisions on pool fees during this upcoming budget cycle. I want to thank my co sponsors, council members, Ellis villlasquez and Ryan alter, as well as Pritchard staff. Additionally, item 50 builds on this body's long standing support for survivors of sexual assault and reaffirms our commitment to reforming our sexual assault response system. We've made really good progress in this area, but we still have a long road to go. Item 50 directs the city manager to prioritize funding for unmet needs at APD for this important work, and I want to thank Nava for speaking and testifying today from the county in support [11:06:35 AM] today from the county in support of this item. And I want to thank my co sponsors, council members villa Fuentes, Velasquez and Kelly, the women's commission, which passed a motion in support and the dozens of city and county staff and advocates who are participating in the collaborative collective sex crimes response model project. With this project, we have a real opportunity to go from failing our survivors to creating a national model of compassionate and effective response. Finally, I'm very excited about item eight and the partnership between raisin in the sun and the Austin civilian conservation corps. This project furthers our efforts to enhance workforce development in the community. When council approved my resolution back in 2020 during the pandemic to create the alc, my intention was that it fill needs for the city and for austinites who are facing significant economic challenges. This art project is in the spirit of that community collaboration, and you will see that it echoes the artwork that grew out of fdr's original civilian conservation corps. I look forward to seeing not just [11:07:36 AM] look forward to seeing not just what I expect will be beautiful and inspiring art pieces, but also the continuation of how these initiatives have been able to link folks to support services and educational opportunities, and provide a platform for our local artists to showcase their work. Thank you to the economic development department, alc leadership and the library for their collaboration on this important effort. Thank you, thank you, thank you. >> Council member alter. That will take us to council member harper-madison followed by council member Ellis and then council member qadri. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for the recognition. And to my colleagues for your patience and grace, with me working out of my office, I figured I'd keep my cold to myself, I am always pleased to see a collaboration between the city of Austin and aid. I echo everybody you know who has anything to say about the development of small humans, that investing in early child care and pre-k after school programing is exactly how wesupport our children, our families, and frankly, our [11:08:39 AM] families, and frankly, our workforce, I was touched by some of the work force conversations we've had over the last couple of weeks, and just recognizing how we're short and, you know, in the in an effort to overcome those shortages, being able to make sure that we support our workforce in every way possible, including child care and after school programing, I'm just really proud that we're able to do that. I'd also like to express my appreciation to council member alter and her office's initiative, to work on prioritizing more resources towards the city's sex crime response with item number 50. And if it's not too late, I'd like to be shown as a co-sponsor on that item number 50. >> Without objection. >> Without otion. Council hang on one second. Without objection, councilmember harper-madison will be shown as a co-sponsor of item number 50. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, I appreciate that, and then lastly , I would like to talk about, item number 76 regarding the comprehensive approach to the [11:09:39 AM] comprehensive approach to the planning, preservation and, and, really just recognizing, that we need to honor, frankly, the history of 78702. I personally and maybe selfishly, this is one of the areas that I grew up in the most as a transient kid in the city of Austin. So I'm just fortunate that I happen to be able to grow up and recognize that the 78702 area has deep historic roots, particularly within Austin's black and brown communities, so I'd like to, you know, first start by saying that I have a deep professional, but also a personal commitment. I'd like to just remind my constituents of the fact that I am a product of this community. Not only do I have the opportunity to represent it as a steward, this is my neighborhood, and this is where my family lives and my friends live and where I grew up. So my commitment is clear, crystal clear, I'd like to say that it is crucial that as we recognize [11:10:40 AM] is crucial that as we recognize and honor the history of this area, we need to recognize that preserving the landmarks, supporting cultural initiatives, and reconciling, frankly, the impacts of past injustices, that this part of town has experience, in our revised version two. Thank you for bringing that up, council member alter. And for recognizing that, Mr. Mayor and our revised version two, we took the opportunity to expand on furthering that we ensure that community outreach and engagement, expectations, our engagement, rather expectations for the initiative will be posted online today. And that's just in general and also in response to commentary from some of the speakers today, this resolution goes beyond preservation and upkeep, though it's about exploring new opportunities to utilize our assets to bring more attention and visibility to them. Just last month, east 11th street was named one of the top 30 streets [11:11:41 AM] named one of the top 30 streets in the world to visit right now. So the 78702 area is not just important to the people who live there now, it's universally cherished and a memorable place for all of Austin and our visitors. So thank you to my co-sponsors. And most importantly, I want to thank all of the city staff and community members who work every day to keep this area and these facilities alive. I really look forward to us pouring. You know, the maximum amount of care, concern and attention to this historic area and, and make certain that we all, as a community, recognize its importance. So thank you, Mr. Mayor and colleagues, for your, acknowledging me. >> Thank you. Council member, council member Ellis, followed by council member qadri, then council member Ryan alter. >> Thank you for the recognition. >> Mayor, I'd like to speak briefly about item number 30, which is the longhorn dam bridge. As part of the 2020 safe and active mobility bond, the wishbone bridge at longhorn dam includes key features that will [11:12:41 AM] includes key features that will enhance the safety and connectivity of the Ann and Roy butler hike and bike trail parkland to the east. This was one of the first projects that staff had identified as part of that voter approved bond. It was developed in concert with the community and will add a necessary connection for the north and south embankments of the trail on the east side, with the support of congressman Casar, as you saw earlier, we've received an additional $4 million in federal grant dollars . And I would also like to point out that congressman kassar, when he was on this dais, was an original co- sponsor of our mobility bond. So I know he cares a lot about this project as well. These major capital imprent projects can take many years to finalize the design and move through the appropriate environmental processes. When I sponsored the $460 million safe and active mobility bond in 2020, this was exactly the type of project that we hoped to build for the community. We aimed in that effort to gain funding for previously planned projects that were just waiting for the financial component to be to be able to break ground. So I'm [11:13:43 AM] able to break ground. So I'm very eager to see this bridge move into the construction phase and to see it become an iconic part of Austin. Thank you. >> Thank you. Councilmember. Councilmember qadri, followed by councilmember Ryan alter and then councilmember vela. >> Great, thank you, mayor Watson and the council for the opportunity to speak on item 77. You all have the yellow copy in front of you of version two, and it was also posted on the message board, last night, this resolution is to begin the university neighborhood overlay revision, I want to take some time to lay out this item for everyone, not only because we're planning to do a lot for the folks in west campus, but because we've made some minor changes since filing as a result of additional feedback, which is why we've gotten the version to in front of us today. As I cover this item, I just want to underline that this is just the resolution to kick off the process. So there will be additional time that we fully intend to use for future stakeholder engagement, including formal public comment through any relevant boards and commissions, item 77 is [11:14:44 AM] commissions, item 77 is incredibly important to thousands of district nine residents, not just students, because we believe to keep west campus as vibrant of a community as it is, we need to have everyone in mind, it initiates amendments to uno as W celebrate the 20th anniversary of it first being enacted back in 2004. A long while ago, I lived in west campus. I know it to be a great community, but there's a lot of ways that we can make it better, including the quality of life for those who call it home. Uno was previously amended in 2014 and 2019, and now we have had enough time and gathered enough data to continue to build off of successes. So as we work to update and streamline our density, bonus programs, it is an opportune time to alino with itod and project connect goals. But T resolution goes beyond just implementing those goals in west campus. So I want to give an overview of what we all uch on, the resolution comes following a case study released last month in response to council member Ryan alder [11:15:44 AM] to council member Ryan alder student housing resolution, confirming that uno has been the most effective density bonus program in the city, it also follows our efforts to several listening sessions and meetings with students, staff, advocates and other area stakeholders such as the university tenants union, the development community, business owners, affordable housing advocates, I think it was said previously, but I do want to thank once again, Isabel Webb, Kerri, Ryan knell and Dan keshet for all their work. And I also appreciate the ongoing buy in and cooperation from the university of Texas at Austin, and I look forward to a future partnership, because I believe and as an office, we believe, that uno will be most successful when we all come together both as a city and the university, the student center and improvements in the proposal focus on affordability, housing, justice, mobility and health and safety, with improvements such as further requirements for windows and bedrooms, examining expanding the boundaries of uno, expand Singh, amending height limits, exploring commercial options to promote healthy and accessible grocery options, and [11:16:48 AM] accessible grocery options, and working to end the west campus food desert. Fixing Ada compliance issues with sidewalks and ramps will further expanding sidewalks and areas where they are too small to safely handle the foot traffic that they get in peak times, and many more items we've heard, and we expect other minor changes to be requested and, with further engagement. Lastly, I wanted to R the changes that were made to get on the version two. That's in front of everyone today, which we included based on feedback received since filing, we clarified possible exceptions as needed for co-ops. We added exploration of pocket parks and green infrastructure improvements. And we clarified stakeholder engagement expectations to ensure that ideas from the community can be incorporated into a future ordinance, to wrap up, I just want to say I'm incredibly thankful for the support of my co-sponsors, councilmembers. Natasha. Harper-madison Jose Velasquez, Ryan alter I believe councilmember vela wants to be added as a co-sponsor, so I without objection, councilmember [11:17:49 AM] without objection, councilmember vela, will, including his objection. >> Yeah, council member vela will be shown as a co-sponsor. >> Great. Well, I appreciate that. Councilmember vela, and I also want to just acknowledge the kind words from mayor pro tem pool, councilmember Kelly and councilmember Allison alter, message board post, last night, and I also welcome anyone else who wants to join as a co-sponsor. As we, you know, support housing mobility, improve quality of life for the students at our flagship university, I think I went over three minutes, but, well, that's that's all I have to say. >> Thank you. Councilmember qadri. >> Councilmember qadri, I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor. >> Great. Thank you. >> That objection, councilmember Ellis will be shown as a co sponsor as well, that will take us to councilmember Ryan alter, followed by councilmember vela. >> Thank you very much. Mayor. I just wanted to make a few comments about item 51, it's related to doing a comprehensive tree survey for the city and this is really important because trees are a critical part of our infrastructure. Just like roads, pipes and the energy grid. And [11:18:49 AM] pipes and the energy grid. And just as we wouldn't operee our water utility without a pipe map, we need to have an understanding of our tree infrastructure to know where our needs are and where to focus our proactive maintenance, luckily, there are recent innovations like lidar and ai that allow us to do this quickly, reliably, and cheaply, throw through a tree survey like this and creation of a tree planting Eid maintenance plan. We can get ourselves one step closer to our Austin climate equity plan of 50% tree cover by 2050. So I want to thank all of my co-sponsors, city staff, and everyone who has helped with this item moving forward. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Councilmember. Councilmember vela, I just wanted to join the on 77 and just emphasize that report was excellent and had showed how successful the university [11:19:50 AM] successful the university neighborhood overlay has been. >> It is our most successful housing program, and I'm excited to see us moving forward with additional expansions of that program and not only is it successful in its core goal of adding housing and affordable housing in west campus, but but if you look at the number of trips it reduces, it has reduced traffic on I-35,t's reduced, carbon emissions. And it's just been such an excellent program, and I'm happy to see it continuing to move forward. Thank you mayor. Thank you. >> Councilmember. Members on item number 76, as we indicated earlier, there was a version two, but in the name of being, safe, I want to make sure because there's been some confusion about where you can find version two. But I would like to do is read into the record the changes that are in version two, so that we have that in the record and there's no lack of clarity about what [11:20:51 AM] no lack of clarity about what the motion is. And Eid the public is aware of this. So what I'm going to do is I'll read the page and the line number of the changes is on page three. There would be at line 59 the addition of plaza saltillo on page four. At line 83 it will say Hudspeth's corner comma. And then line 84 will say Overton house. On page eight, beginning at line 75, the city manager is directed to recommend an iterative community engagement and collaboration plan for continuing collaborative, considerate, community driven planning efforts of the initiative that would include partnership and feedback from existing neighborhood groups, community networks with a history of advocacy in the area, [11:21:51 AM] history of advocacy in the area, property owners and multifamily tenants. And then on page nine, beginning at line 82, the next bullet point individuals and groups with the clear and distinct goal of increasing diverse participation by those currently historically excluded or neglected by city code or processes ianning for the arsmall businesses and business groups and arts, cultural musicnd preservation efforts. On page nine. It will also have a further result resolution and in line 88, beginning at line 88, it will say these recommendations for engagement and collaboration should include delete the identification of a. And so it will read should include recommendations about combined existing advisory boards and strategies to coalesce their efforts in order to provide ongoing direction for holistic stewardship, activation and [11:22:52 AM] stewardship, activation and support of publicly held assets and initiatives within the greater 78702 area period and delete the delete the remaining sentence there that includes all of the changes in that version. And that's just that. As a matter of caution, to make sure we have a complete motion, is there any further discussion on the motion to adopt the consent agenda as read? With that, is there anyone wishing to abstain from voting on any items on the consent agenda? Anyone wishing to be shown recusing themselves from voting on an item on the consent agenda? Anyone wishing to be shown voting no. I have council member Allison alter on item 36. Is there anyone else wishing to be shown voting no? Councilmember harper-madison and council member Velasquez I was watching, but I just wanted to double check. Is there anything you want to abstain, recuse, or vote no on. With that being the [11:23:53 AM] vote no on. With that being the case, the consent agenda is adopted without objection, with cocicilmember Allison alter being shown voting no on item number 36. Good to have you, mayor. >> Mayor, before we move. >> Yes. >> Council member, before we move to afc, I just want to say that I appreciate, us being able to vote after the consent remarks. It allows us to hear from other folks. And I appreciate that. >> Good. >> Well, we'll just do that in the future. [11:29:57 AM] I will call back to order the meeting of the Austin city council at 11:30 A.M, members, what I want to do in trying to, manage the agenda, looking for looking forward to our 12:00 time. Certain is I'm going to, go a little bit out of order, but I'll try to give you advance notice. I'm going to go to items 56, 57 and 58. Now those are items referred from council committees. And as you know that makes them non consent items. So we I will first bring up item number 56 and ask is that is there anyone signed up on item 56. >> There are no speakers. >> There are no speakers on item number 56. This came from the public health committee. I will recognize the chair of the [11:30:59 AM] recognize the chair of the public health committee to make a motion. >> Thank you. I move that we approve a resolution recommending Alyssa may to the board of central health to fill the vacancy. >> The chair of the committee, council member Fuentes moves adoption of item number 56. It is seconded by council member qadri. Any discussion? Hearing none. Without objection. Item number 56 is adopted. Members that will take us to item number 57, that is also an item that came from the public health committee. But before I take a motion, let me ask, is there anyone signed up to speak on item number 57? >> There are no speakers on 57 members. >> There are no speakers on item number 57. I'll recognize the chair of the committee, council member Fuentes, for a motion. >> Thank you. This is a motion to approve the reappointment of Anwar. Sophie to the sober, sobering center board of directors. >> And she moved councilmember Fuentes moves. Approval is seconded by council member Vella. Discussion without objection. An item number 57 is approved. Members, we will now [11:32:01 AM] approved. Members, we will now go to item number 58. Item number 58 is a non consent item because it's an eminent domain item. Let me ask if there is anyone signed up to speak on 58. >> There are no speakers on 58 members. >> Item 58 has no speakers on it. So with respect to item number 58, which is a, it's a non consent condemnation item, the motion that I will accept is a motion to tffect that thecity council of Austin authorizes the use of the power of eminent domain to acquire the property set forth and described in the agenda for this current meeting for the public use that's described therein, the mayor pro tem moves adoption. It is seconded by council member Vella. Is there any discussion on item number 58? Without objection, item number 58 is adopted. Oh, council member Velazquez, let me ask, do you wish to be shown voting on that [11:33:02 AM] wish to be shown voting on that item? He is shown voting. I. Members. Let's now go to item number 60, that is a public hearing item, and it's one related to the one that the board of directors just unanimously approved at the ahppc meeting. So let's take up item number 60, and I will, without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 60, and I will turn to the city clerk. >> We have Rachel stone. Rachel, are you here? That is the only speaker. >> All right, I think she testified at the board of directors meeting. So with that being said, there are no public [11:34:03 AM] being said, there are no public no further, public communications with regard to item number 60, without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 60, and I'll entertain a motion to adopt item number 60. Councilmember vela moves adoption of item number 60. It is seconded by council member Ellis. Any discussion? Hearing none. Without objection. Item number 60 is adopted. Council members, let's go to item number 63. Which is conduct conducting another public hearing. Without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 63. And I will ask the city clerk if there's anyone signed up on item number 63. >> There are no speakers, registered members. >> There are no speakers signed up to speak on item number 63. So I'll without objection, we will close the public hearing on 63. The mayor pro tem moves adoption of item number 63. It's [11:35:04 AM] adoption of item number 63. It's seconded by council member Ellis. Any discussion without objection? Item number 63 is adopted. That will take us to item number 64, which is the conduct of another public hearing members. I will, without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 64. And I'll ask the city clerk to tell us about who signed up to speak, if any. >> There are no speakers members. >> There are any speakers on item number 64. So without objection, we will close the public hearing on 64. Council member Ryan alter moves adoption of item number 64. Is there a second? It is seconded by council member Ellis. Any discussion without objection. Item number 64 is adopted. Members. We're going to go to item number 62. And I without objection, we will open the [11:36:06 AM] objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 62. And I'll turn to the city clerk. >> We have a few speakers. First speaker is Jason Haskins on deck is Irby foster. Monica Guzman, please state your name. You G three minutes. >> Thank you. Good morning. My name is Jason Haskins. And I am an architect. As a registered architect, my primary professional obligation is to protect the public's health, safety and welfare in and around buildings. That is why we are a licensed profession. Building codes exist to create minimum standards of health, safety and welfare. They are necessary to provide consistency for emergency responders. They incorporate standards and testing that we can rely on. Verified best practices and assemblies and code protections are especially critical in those instances where market forces, conventional practice and greed motivate and incentivize unsafe or oppressive practices. We particularly need codes in cases where a severe power imbalance exists between those making decisions abouildings and [11:37:07 AM] decisions abouildings and those who are impacted by them. As with all safety standards, there is a constant push and pull between the perfect and the good, between burden and protection. And ultimately it is for the authority having jurisdiction. The city to strike that balance. After careful consideration and many drafts of potential code language, many discussions at the aia, the American institute of architects , locally, we think there can be no doubt that the proposed code language supports the health, safety and welfare of building occupants in the interest of the common good of our city. There is a wealth of research and experiencing experience outlining health benefits of daylight, particularly in regard to sleep cycles, circadian ythms and long time mental health. Where bedrooms have an outsized impact. I understand that those who think they know what's best for others discount the concerns of mental health and the value of students. But I can assure you, as someone trained in recognizing the impact of the built environment on human experience, as well as someone who struggles with with generalized anxiety disorder, including frequent suicidal [11:38:07 AM] including frequent suicidal ideation, access to view, and daylight within one's primary personal, personal space is fundamental to mental health. Essentially, this is a suicide prevention measure. As an affordable housing architect, I am already required to provide windows in all bedrooms. Tdca. The Texas department of housing and community affairs definition of a bedroom includes a window and hud goes further and requires windows and living rooms as well, which this code does not do now. The affordability impact statement for this item was a bit underwhelming and does not fulfill the smart housing ordinance requirements, and was provided late after the start of public input. But I agree that any development costs, any development cost impacts are to be disregarded in this instance, just as we cannot object to the cost implications of sprinkler systems or Ada compliance, this is providing a bare minimum occupancy standard already recognized by many state, federal, and even international jurisdictions. Thank you for supporting this effort and even accelerating it ahead of the [11:39:08 AM] accelerating it ahead of the 2024 code adoption cycle. Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Irby foster, followed by Monica Guzman, Gary babitz, Stuart Hirsch. Please state your name at the podium and you get three minutes. Gary babitz, district three. Thank you, mayor, I'm speaking, neutral on the item of windowless bedrooms, on this item, as with any item, there are good arguments, can be made in good faith on either side, when this item was introduced in September, I heard talk on the dais. Using the word coercion and suggesting that developers were coercing could or almost coercing people to live in a windowless bedroom, I just want to, to draw attention to that [11:40:14 AM] to, to draw attention to that and make clear that, in life, there are many decisions we have to make, and it can sometimes feel like we are being coerced, but true coercion often that is being forced to do something against your will under the threat of violence is pretty rare, there's a few areas in life where that actually happens, one would be parents to their children. Another would be violent criminals taking or lying, cheating and stealing from people. But by an order of magnitude, the largest nexus of coercion in the world is the government. In fact, the government is defined as the body with a monopoly on violence, a monopoly on coercion. So I have heard since 2013, I have heard on and on that language matters, that [11:41:16 AM] that language matters, that words matter. And I know that we live in a world that does need a government. We do need coercion sometimes. We don't live in some anarcho capitalist randian. Ronald coasian spacefaring cowboy paradise. I understand that the flag of Texas has not been planted on Mars, streamed live on X. At least not yet. But here in this universe, in this world, in this region of space and time, when we are drawing the lines between freedom and coercion, I think it's important that we understand, at the end of the day, who is coercing, who . Thank you. >> Stuart Hirsch oh, sorry. [11:42:18 AM] >> Stuart Hirsch oh, sorry. Monica Guzman. That's okay, I actually thought this was in my earlier time, but, my Monica Guzman, district four resident, strictly speaking, in that capacity, thank you for this particular item. While I never have been subjected to being in a room or even a home without a window, I can only try to imagine what that would do to a person. Their mental health lack of natural light certainly increase their electric bill with whatever lighting they would need to put in there. So thank you for thinking about that. And I'm not familiar with all the rules about building in terms of residential beyond that university area, but I hope that nobody thinks of or thought of building any kind of, residential structure, even something like a efficiency unit with no windows. I did once live in a very small efficiency. Me and my infant son, we had one [11:43:19 AM] and my infant son, we had one window. It wasn't very big at, and I wanted some light, so I made sure my bed was under it, but it didn't provide much light because of the direction it faced. So windows are good. The more window natural light, the less use of electricity and the better mental health. Thank you. >> How grateful I am mayor and council, to be here on the 24th anniversary of the adoption of smart housing, to talk about this code amendment. Normally I would show up and say this is the best practice. The international building code, but the staff got it right this time and saying it needs to be amended. And I say that because more than 50 years ago, I was a student living in a bedroom with no windows. The town was called Boston. We had rent control, and the way that the landlords got [11:44:20 AM] the way that the landlords got around the maximum rents was to cut the master bedroom by a third, put in French doors and keep any ventilation from reaching the fourth bedroom unit , and what was supposed to be a rent control three bedroom unit. The next year I lived in brookline, Massachusetts, and the landlord in that case took the attic space and created what were called dormers. But they had no windows, so the result was that the people who lived up there in the attic, were able to add to the rent that would not be allowed under rent contain Austin. Since 1977, windows have been an important part of our housing codes. We've recognized that they might supply light, ventilation. And in the case of fire, if the fire was racing across the door to our apartment unit, they would provide emergency egress for fire department rescue. Thank god in [11:45:20 AM] department rescue. Thank god in 2024, we have a code that requires all, apartment buildings with three or more units to be sprinklered. So I proudly come before you today to say the staff is right, that even though the stakeholder process should have had an affordability impact statement before it started, hopefully that will never happen again in this town because it was part of what mayor was when smart housing was adopted. Mayor Watson was mayor. Mr. Garza was the city manager. I know they have a long history on this, so I urge you to do what the current student bodies, in west campus, have asked you to do, which is approve the amendments recommended by the city staff. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> That concludes all the speakers, members. >> That concludes all the speakers that have signed up on item number 62. That being the case, without objection, we'll close the public hearing on item number 62, and I'll entertain a motion with regard to item [11:46:20 AM] motion with regard to item council member qadri moves adoption of item number 62. It's seconded by council member Ellis . Discussion. I'll recognize council member qadri, I'll make it really quick. I'm grateful for the city staff for expediting this request on behalf of the west campus student community. I also appreciate all the speakers who just came and spoke, I'm grateful for the UT student and faculty community, along with aia, who helped champion these changes every step of the way. Windowless bedrooms are a serious hazard to mental health and well-being, so I'm really excited that we're voting on this item today. >> Thank you. Council member. Further discussion without objection. Item number 62 is adopted. Thank you all, members, I'm going to take us back to item number 61, I'm trying to, as you can tell, I'm trying to, coordinate this this with the schedule, but I think we have 15 minutes or 12, 13 minutes. Let's go back to item number 61, and I will, without objection, we will open the public hearing on item [11:47:21 AM] open the public hearing on item number 61, and I'll turn to the city clerk. >> First speaker for item 61 is Richard suttle, followed by Connie temple. All on deck with Amy and stone. >> All right, if your name has been called on item number 61, please make your way to the front. >> Connie temple, Amy edestone John Lang. Ian Inglis. Miriam Smith. Merriman. Smith and Philip Wylie. That concludes all the speakers memb >> That was the rumor is it was happening out there, the reason I didn't go to that before I went to 62. I can do the math on that 61 followed by 62. Was that [11:48:25 AM] that 61 followed by 62. Was that it looked like there were more speakers on that item, but apparently something has changed in that regard. So with that being said, we will, without objection, close the public hearing on item number 61. And I recognize councilmember qadri. >> Great, I just want to add, I was going to say I appreciate the speakers, but no one's. >> Yeah. Hang on one second. Will you move to approve item number 61? Councilmember qadri moves approval of item 61. It's seconded by councilmember Ryan alter. Now discussion, I'll recognize councilmember qadri. Great >> I just want to add that after meeting with the neighbors of the project, we understand there's some concerns regarding pedestrian safety and traffic congestion with this project. So we're looking forward as an office of working with dpw on solutions for this area. And just downtown in general. >> Thank you. Councilmember. Is there any further discussion with regard to item number 61? In that case, without objection, councilmember Velasquez, I'd ask you if you're if you're there to, let us see you so you can [11:49:25 AM] to, let us see you so you can vote, if without objection, item number 61 is adopted. Thank you, members. That puts us, ten minutes away from our noon time. Certain. And the only other item we have, I worry, is longer than ten minutes and so that we can, people that have signed up for public comment on, at our noon time certain we will be our noon time. Certain. Without objection , the city council will be in recess until promptly at noon, without objection, we are in recess. It is 1149. We will reconvene at noon well. Good afternoon, everybody. [12:00:34 PM] well. Good afternoon, everybody. It's 12 noon. I will call back to order the meeting of the Austin city council on April 18th. We are still in council chambers at 301 west second street. Members, if I could, public if I could get your attention, we will begin. Thank you all. Appreciate you all being here, before we begin this public comment period, I want to mention a few, rules regarding behavior that could violate the council rules and are not permitted. You may not speak out of turn. You may not defame another person or use obscene language or use abusive language that is likely to, create a problem or incite a breach of the peace. You may not make threats of violence against any other person. You may not otherwise disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, such as speaking out of turn, which I've already indicated, or standing up and yelling or screaming. [12:01:34 PM] up and yelling or screaming. Comments, if you violate those rules, your time may be cut short and you may be removed from the council chambers. A couple of other things that we do in order to make sure that people, have a safe, meeting and have efficient access to hearing what people have to say. And to the council's deliberations. You can't sit or stand in the aisles or otherwise obstruct the exits or emergency exits. If you wish to display a sign, a flag or another object like that, you need to do that in the designated designateararea at the back of the council chambers and not in your seats, because one of the things that we try not to do is obstruct other people's view, in the council chambers and sometimes you may not think that you're doing that, but but in order to make sure that we don't, we try to enforce that rule, in addition to that, there can only be one person at the podium unless there's an interpretation or [12:02:34 PM] there's an interpretation or something of that nature or some special circumstance. So that we don't have a group at the podium. I don't anticipate any of those things will happen today, but I want to make sure that everybody's clear with regard to the rules. And with that, I will, look to the city clerk's office to call on our speakers as part of the public comment period. >> The first speaker is Sarah, Sarah, Bonnie, followed by zainab Hyder. >> Please proceed. >> I have slides, they're pulling them up. >> Hello, my name is Sarah. Bonnie and I'm here to bring attention to an organization. Many in this room, and especially on the dais, may be familiar with the anti-defamation league. For those unfamiliar, the anti- defamation league, or adl, has branded itself as a civil rights organization, championing itself as an advocate for justice and equality for the jewish community and other marginalized groups. Many human and civil rights organizations [12:03:34 PM] and civil rights organizations in Austin and around the country previously partnered with the adl, as does this council. However, as incredible as the adl sounds fromts mission and on the outside, it is important to note the growing fear and intimidation it has caused by aligning itself with right wing policies and activities. Next slide please. Instead of being the champion for justice and equality, it claims to be the adl has caused direct harm to and undermine the rights of black immigrant, queer, Muslim, Arab and the growing number of anti-zionist Jews as well as other marginalized communities in the U.S, all while claiming to advocate for them. Next slide please. At the tip of the iceberg is the hateful and racist CEO of adl, Jonathan Greenblatt, who recently compared the Palestinian keffiyeh to a swastika. The keffiyeh scarf, which you have seen many people in this room donning since October seventh, is a cultural symbol for the Arab world, but has come to represent palestine over time. For many Palestinians, the keffiyeh symbolizes their yearning for freedom, especially after the still growing death toll in gaza of over 40,000 civilians. For non-palestinians, it is a show of solidarity to compare this symbol of pride and freedom to a swastika is a slap in the face to survivors of the [12:04:36 PM] in the face to survivors of the holocaust and their descendants, especially those who recognize genocidal vitriol when it is taking place. Because they know all too well what it is like only to have a group claiming to represent them, call them anti-semitic. Furthermore, Jonathan Greenblatt has repeatedly attacked Muslim and jewish activists and student organizations, provoking doxing, attacks and islamophobic hate crimes. He has called Progressive jewish organizations like jewish voice for peace hate groups. Despite the increase in the anti-zionist jewish movement in the U.S. And around the world . What is more anti- semitic than that? Next slide, please. Despite claiming to be a Progressive and ally of leftist organizations, the adl was investigated in previous years for collecting confidential information on nearly 10,000 activists and at least 700 organizations. The adl has illegally infiltrated social justice and human rights organizations in at least seven cities, spied on the anti-apartheid movement of both South Africa and palestine in the 1980s, being given confidential police records from inside. How is this relevant? Well, the Austin chapter of adl partnered with Austin city council and the we all belong campaign. In July 2023, launched after a local synagogue was lit on fire in 2021, city manager assistant city manager Veronica Briseno [12:05:37 PM] city manager Veronica Briseno says we all belong as much more than a slogan. It is a bold and clear affirmation that the city is committed to ensuring that Austin remains a place where diversity is celebrated and hate is not tolerated again, all relevant and important initiatives in theory, however, despite its seemingly powerful language, it is clear that not all austinites do belong. The city has yet to be those same champions of justice. After the stabbing of zakaria Doha, a Palestinian Muslim student, or of the UT Muslim students that were accosted in a hate crime after leaving the masjid just a few weeks ago. Given adl's racist hry, it is clear that this type of campaign is only for certain types of Jews, not only for certain types of Jews, but also not for certain types of minorities. If you. Similarly we demand that. Austin. >> Thank you. Next speaker is zainab Haider, followed by Hannah Barakat. >> If your name has been called, please approach. If your name podium. >> Mayor. I'm sorry, our colleague would like to say a few. >> Yes, councilmember qadri, I was just going to clear [12:06:37 PM] was just going to clear something up that the speaker had mentioned. Our office had been in touch and I dropped all this water just now, our office had been in touch with nueces mosque, the Imam at nueces mosque, the islamic society of greater Austin, board members of the islamic society of greater Austin on the incident that happened around the UT area. It was by their request for our office and us as a whole, not to make a comment until the investigation is done with APD and the hate crimes task committee Orce. I forgot the exact name of it, but we're aware of it. I've been checking with APD daily if they had any updates on it, so. And I've. Yeah, thanks. >> That's correct. Thank you. Councilmember qadri. Please. >> You may begin. >> What zainab. >> Zainab. Can I start? Hello, council members, I spoke to you last on November 2nd and the first person to come and ask you for basic human compassion for [12:07:38 PM] for basic human compassion for the people of gaza at that time, the death toll was an unimaginable 8000 civilians. Today it is more than 34,000 civilians, Jews, Palestinian and countless other allies have been here at almost all of the city council sessions since November 2nd, asking for a cease fire resolution. The last few sessions have seen anti-peace austinites associated with hate organizations like the anti-defamation league finally showing up to speak. And what did they speak about? While we talked about the humanity crisis, they called us terrorists. While we spoke about the hate crimes, they doxed us while we spoke about orphans. They openly incited racist tropes against us, while Palestinians spoke about losing their family members, they misrepresented phrases like intifada and from the river to the sea as if they were inciting violence. They have tried to present themselves as the victims and it is appalling. I'm not going to let that go. So let'tatalk about it right now. On February 29th, a white woman from the adl, Courtney toretto, came here and shared that while she was talking on facetime, someone walked past her wearing a palestine flag on his shirt. And so she lowered her voice out [12:08:41 PM] And so she lowered her voice out of fear so he wouldn't hear her speak hebrew. This woman admitted to profiling and fearing an innocent person walking by her on the street, who made no indication of threat. I think we all know without needing to be there, what color that person's skin was. Despite an actual stabbing of a Palestinian man in Austin, we still must sympathize with white tears. How utterly exhausting. Let's talk about the images shared by a miss Maya at the last city council. Next slide please. Next slide. She shared two side by side images one of hamas militants in trucks and the other of UT students. My friends and young people who I am continuously inspired by sittin a truck leading a protest here in Austin. These two images only have a few things in common a truck, a Palestinian flag, and brown people. Next slide please. En this this image which shows two protests you are meant to feel threatened by the second picture with all of the Palestinian colors. Y you are meant to compare the innocent looking white ladies on the image on the left and scary brown bearded man on the image on the right. Miss mayaanted [12:09:43 PM] on the right. Miss mayaanted you to see this image and feel the fear that the media has indoctrinated you to feel. Muslims are scary, brown bearded men are so scary. Did we really allow this racist woman to come up here and call a bunch of 18 and 19 year old students at the university of Texas terrorists? Are you all just sat there? It is this very dehumanization that allows you to disregard the 14,000 Palestinian children that have been slaughtered. We do not have to go very far to find examples of the adl and the zionists being racist, because it's been right here in this chamber next slide. Some of these pictures, people also took pictures of us. One of them posted it to a Twitter page with many thousands of followers, and tried to dox one of our supporters identities in this tweet. Supplies hundreds of replies Mok her appearance. Misquote her words, threatened to ruin her life and find her. She is getting cyber bullied by people in this room. So while they pretend to feel unsafe, we are. Next speaker. >> Is Hannah Barakat. [12:10:44 PM] >> Is Hannah Barakat. >> Do you have the video Hannah Barakat? Great. Thank you. Can you start it over, please? >> Please begin. >> First of all, qadri. You're lying. I want to call you out on that because I know for a fact things that you seem to have said you're looking into, but you have not. City council, mayor, your silence is deafening. The last six months of begging you to find your humanity and having those pleas fall on deaf ears has led your community down a very dangerous path. You've sown division and hate, all while demanding polite politics in your presence during an act of genocide. Your silence has spoken volumes just look at the division in this room behind [12:11:46 PM] the division in this room behind me right now. Most Lim and Palestinian community members have been suffering, while an attention has been given to the zionists. On April 5th, near the Guadalupe and west 21st street, two UT students were physically and verbally assaulted by three young men in a confirmed hate crime. And yes, it is confirmed the Austin police department hate crime review board deemed this vicious crime a hate crime on Monday. I like that qadri left the room when I say that, it's very interesting. This is your police force. Take note. The three perpetrators targeted these students based on their appearance, religious affiliation. As one student was dressed in traditional Muslim cultural attire, having recently come from evening prayer at his local mosque. How would this community respond if this happened to Christians coming out of a church or jewish people coming out of a synagogue? Upon speaking in depth with the Muslim victim myself and seeing images of his injuries, I called you, mayor Watson to ask for a meeting with myself and these two students, for them to be heard and offered support and resources, and most importantly, [12:12:46 PM] resources, and most importantly, for the mayor to take a stand against the crimes in this city. After all these acts, islamic, islamophobic and anti-arab in nature must be addressed and strongly condemned. Everyone deserves equal protection. No, no. Remember, city council, you are required to protect civil rights as defined by the constitution. Protect all equally, ensuring public safety for all. In case you forgot, you've made no response, no statement, nothing. That very same day, a group of concerned citizens and myself emailed every single one of you council and mayor, inviting you to the cares press conference held here at city hall, scheduled for the following day. To address this hate crime. What was your response? Each and every one of you dead silence. It's shameful. You failed in yours on this, on this council to represent protect the people in your district and in your city. You are an elected body that is supposed to be our voices. I want you all to hear that you failed your silence is deafening. The cities, the city halls we belong, we all belong program has proven to be a farce [12:13:47 PM] program has proven to be a farce and suspect precisely because it's connected so closely with the anti- defamation league. It's established to placate your most marginalized citizens. The truth is, you don't care what happens to these members of society. You don't care what happens to us Arabs and muslims. You believe we are less worthy of protection and civil rights. You have failed these student victims and my community. Some examples. First, by ignoring calls and emails for a cease fire resolution to protect basic human rights. Two by ignoring the hate crime against Zachariah door in February and three by your time has expired. >> Thank you, thank you. >> Next. Next. Speaker is. Aktham dabbas. >> Good morning. Esteemed members of Austin city council. Fellow citizens. My name is aktham abbas and I'm a long time Austin resident here to address an urgent matter of local and [12:14:49 PM] an urgent matter of local and national significance. As a first generation immigrant and a proud longhorn, I come before you with gratitude for the privilege to call myself a Texan and the opportunities that this community has afforded me. But today, I don't feel proud to call myself a Texan. I feel ashamed and devted by the atrocities our policies have enabled in Garza and the undeniable misalignment between our community's most sacred values and our contributions to ongoing crimes against humanity. Ongoing. As we speak, I sacrificed a lot to pursue the American dream. But today, the American dream feels like a lie. Nearly two decades ago, this council exhibited remarkable foresight and moral clarity by passing a resolution urging president bush against the use of excessive military force in Iraq. As a reminder, 1 million people died in that invasion. Today, we face another urgent challenge that compels us to act and stop these perpetual cycles of violence. Why then, city [12:15:49 PM] of violence. Why then, city council members, have you not found the courage to uphold your responsibility and act after six entire months? Six entire months of seeing 15,000 children killed and 19,000 orphaned, even after 70 us cities have passed resolutions calling for a cease fire? Especially disillusioning is that Texas contributes almost 10% of $4 billion in annual military aid to Israel, while we have a crumbling infrastructure with insurmountable funding gaps back home. I address you today not only as a human being and descendant of family, marked by forced displacement and ethnic cleansing, but also as a civil engineer from the university of Texas who sees daily the overwhelming opportunity costs of funding forever wars on our ability to fund critical infrastructure right here at home. I would like to remind all in attendance that we are missing $15 billion for highways and roads, 4 billion for bridges, hundreds of which are structurally deficient and hold a public safety hazard, 2 [12:16:49 PM] a public safety hazard, 2 billion for flood risk mitigation. And the list goes on. Instead, we continue to funnel hundreds of millions of our hard earned tax dollars to sponsor what is unmistakable a genocide. I will repeat, unmistakably a genocide. With not only the indiscriminate but intentional killing of children, innocent civilians, journalists, health care workers and humanitarian volunteers on a scale not seen in global conflict since medieval times, please let that sink in. The urgency to act is paramount, and several city commissioners have already called for an immediate action to draft and adopt a cease fire resolution. The cost of inaction is measured in human lives, and every day we delay more lives are loshank you. Thank you. >> Zaki Sade. >> Zaki Sade. Ariella reuveni [12:17:51 PM] >> Zaki Sade. Ariella reuveni . >> Hello. City council. My name is Zaki Sade. I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, I think this issue is just, is really a matter of perspective. I think what we see is very different from what you guys see. And I think it's very important to highlight this perspective because from our from what we see, it's very, very painfully obvious, the terrorism that we perceive from Israel, we see expanding settlements. >> We've heard Benjamin Netanyahu talking about hamas is an excuse to expand apartheid. We see village massacres. Israel was literally caught directly funding isis.his is a fact. You can look it up. This bombing of Syria, Lebanon, there's a there's a quote, the Palestinian official saying the threat to [12:18:52 PM] official saying the threat to Israel is the Palestinian womb. Demographics has always been an issue for, colonial, colonial bodies, the us and Canada did this to the natives. Australia did it to aborigines, and Israel ended its forced sterilizations in 2013, there was a Garza resettlement meeting, 75% of journalists, in the year of 2023, were killed in palestine, not Ukraine, not North Korea, palestine. We hear that palestineejects deals, but we read the deals and realize they're not deals at all. This is just a narrative control by Israel. So to us this is very, very obvious. And I think to the entire world this is very, very obvious. And it's I think it's very important from your perspective as officials to acknowledge the importance that it has, because it brings into question not only intelligence and capabilities, but also your credibility as leaders. And I think if that's not internalized soon enough, then running for reelection is not exactly, a good idea. I mean, I hate to be [12:19:52 PM] good idea. I mean, I hate to be frank, but this really, really does bring into question your credibility. And if you think thattin is not going to just sit by, it is just going to sit by and allow you guys to get elected after you've been silent, then I think you're badly mistaken. I thought that there was something you guys were seeing that I'm not seeing. But the reality is you guys are not seeing something very painfully obvious, and it's a matter of credibility. Yeah, that's all I have to say. Thank you. >> Ariella reuveni . >> You may begin. >> I came across a poster the other day that made me feel uneasy in every way. It made me feel sick to my stomach to even comprehend as I tried to figure out what I need to do to defend [12:20:53 PM] out what I need to do to defend myself and my daughters. God forbid I meet this face to face or in a room full of people misusing the terme race. The poster read a message that was truly horrifying rape is resistance. Don't you find that terrifying? Walking the streets of this marvelous city are people that believe with no shame and no pity, that raping a girl is a legitimate, legitimate act of resistance. So now I'm left feeling like I need to keep my distance. But why? You see, we're in Austin, Texas, some 7000 miles away, and nothing we do and nothing we say will make any difference to the occurrence out there. As much as I'd love it to, to be honestly fair, by having the Austin city council pass a cease fire resolution, I assure you that will not be the solution. But I also assure you something a little bit deeper by caving into disrespectful, violent behavior, the plunge will be steeper. The result of yielding to pressure of bullying and violence will be like watching abuse. When responding with silence. And worse than that, it will be. It will set a [12:21:55 PM] that, it will be. It will set a precedent where from now on forward, it will be quite evident that citizens attempting to achieve what they desire will demonstrate aggressively and escalate higher. Is that how you wish your citizens to be wired? I stand here before you as a team player. I stand here before you as well a taxpayer. My identity and my space are part of my kingdom. What is happening in the city known for its freedom? This young generation sitting bendnd me have been poisoned. To believe that they need to remind me of suffering, of people they know nothing about. But if it's shown on tiktok, it's surely true. With no doubt, we should be. We should all hold the right to live with no fear. That is a belief I hold close and I hold dear. They scream zionist and colonizer and racist while roaming the streets, legitimizing rapists. This reality is painful and harsh. We must face it. We are witnessing a destruction of a generation who in the future are supposed to lead the nation, but instead are focusing on hate and [12:22:56 PM] are focusing on hate and segregation and white. You know, the time is now to repair the higher education, because in the city where spray painting swastikas is normal, it's clear that we have lost all conscious moral. So one more time and louder for the people in the back, we will noand here being under attack. The only way to end this is to bring them back. So if you truly want to help and if you truly care, support the surrender of terrorists and the release of the hostages, nothing else is fair. Mayor Robertson and honorable members of the council, I'll end with a choke throat and eyes glistening. I appreciate your time and thank you for listening. Chris abiad. Chris abiad. >> I am Chris abiad for Garza ceasefire. Mr. Mayor, I remember you came to UT school of nursing. Speaking of equity and [12:23:58 PM] nursing. Speaking of equity and justice, impressed I voted for you. Now I see that for you. Equity and justice are relative. Surely you council members are aggrieved about Israeli prisoners and privately about the gaza genocide. But feelings don't matter. What matters is the political price for speaking up. Those against a cease fire will call you anti-semites, saying criticizing Israel is a crime, that they have political clout, money for your elections and will flood you with letters, phone calls and not vote for you. So be it. We pro-palestinian Jews are organizing, joining coalitions and no more austinites want a cease fire. Next slide please. By the way, economic consequences of not supporting palestine Palestinians are 107 artists boycotting south by southwest. A cease fire is good for everyone. Prisoners are released. Humanitarian aid flows and a pause created for the hard work of equity and justice. Next slide please, and let me let us be clear about the antecedents to this debacle. Israel a settler colonial project espoused a land without people for a people without a land. But the land had people. Israeli [12:25:00 PM] the land had people. Israeli colonies squeezed indigenous Palestinians into smaller and smaller spaces. Next slide please. B'tselem, the largest Israeli human rights organization, calls it a regime of jewish supremacy from the Jordan river to the mediterranean sea. Apartheid. Next slide please. Israel is the only nation routinely rounding up children in the middle of the night, pulling them out of their homes, incarcerating them without due process. Next slide please. The Israeli committee against house demolitions has documented over 173,000 Palestinian homes destroyed, plus 70% in gaza, according to satellite images. Gaza has been under siege for 17 years. Nothing in, nothing out without Israeli permission. Israel has laws and regulations restricting every aspect of Palestinian life. Next slide. Please imagine being a Christian from Bethlehem, a descendant of those who walked and talked with Jesus and being denied a permit to celebrate Easter in Jerusalem, separate laws for separate people. South Africa calls it an apartheid worse than theirs, [12:26:01 PM] apartheid worse than theirs, funded by us. So would you be angry if you were a Palestinian? My Palestinian brother in law, who attends church every Sunday, asked me, why do you Americans hate us so much? All I could think of was, sorry, but some people are more equal than others. Christians talk about walking in the footsteps of Jesus. My challenge is I will fund you going and walking in Palestinian footsteps. Then come and explain how purchasing millions of dollars in Israeli bonds and sending taxpayer money to Israel furthers equity and justice. It doesn't. It simply gives a green light to apartheid and genocide. So if you don't want to call for a cease fire, I get it. Morally and ethically, you can't do it. The political price is too high. But here's what I say. We will see you at the ballot box. Tamar schectman. Following is anat inbar. >> It's very disappointing to see Americans supporting hamas [12:27:01 PM] see Americans supporting hamas and thinking that hamas is a cool thing. Hamas would torture them and massacred them. I got to know. >> It doesn't show the video. >> It's very disappointing to see Americans supporting hamas. Can we start over? It's very disappointing to see Americans supporting hamas and thinking that hamas is a cool thing. Hamas would torture them and massacred them. I got to move to America. >> Thank you, mayor and council members, for listening regarding regardless of your personal stance on the conflict, my name is anat inbar and my grandparents are holocaust survivors. I was born and raised in Israel. I grew up in the middle of suicide bombing on public busses, in restaurants, markets, terrorist stabbing in the streets, hopeful hateful violence led by hamas and his [12:28:02 PM] violence led by hamas and his supporters wishing to die as martyrs, as Shaheed, I have been living in Austin with my family for the past 20 years. Austin is my home. I'm standing here in front of you, feeling the terror from my childhood all over again, because I'm seeing violence here that can easily escalate. I'm seeing Austin evolve and change, and this is not for the better. The future of our children is in our hands. We want to surround them with love, not hate. What do you feed and nurture will grow? What values are we trying to feed in our community? Behind those people is only language is hate and violence. Standard children do not know. There's another way they emulate their parents and their friends and bring violence into the schools and claim this is the first amendment right. Our forefathers could not have imagined how quickly the value of freedom of speech will be. Freedom of hate speech. This is 2024. Austin, Texas. Our local jewish community has been repeatedly targeted over and over again the past two years, [12:29:02 PM] over again the past two years, including the arson as congregation Beth Israel multiply incidents of hateful graffiti on mopac downtown and anti-semitic incidents in school . My own children experience. We are scared. We want to keep Austin safe for everyone. There is no place for hate here, not in the school workplace, government or public spaces. This is not just about the cease fire. These protests are just the beginning. The very foundation of America is at stake. We can not remember, cannot forget the nine over 11 happened with only 19 Al Qaeda terrorists that followed the same agenda as hamas. The foundation of belief is not just anti-semitic. This is anti-american as well. The October 7th attacks can be the acl over here in Austin, Texas. We must keep peace in Austin by taking care of Austin and the jewish community. We need to nurture the principle that America is a melting pot where all people, regardless of race, religion, and gender, have the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Thank you. Aliya Jacobson is next. [12:30:05 PM] Aliya Jacobson is next. >> Ilya Jacobson. >> Please come forward. Members before the before the before the next speaker begins, I want to remind the council and the public you're out of order and you'll be asked to leave. Members. What we will do is at the end of the public comment period, we will be in recess and without objection, until 115, but but we will have the live music. Please begin. >> This is. Hello, I'm aliya Jacobson, jewish native of Austin. And this is my friend Noah amanii. She's 26. She's Israeli. She was kidnaped today. It's been 195 days, she's a personal friend. If you can go to the next slide, please, in the video, please. Are you supposed to open it right there? [12:31:05 PM] supposed to open it right there? This is her. Yeah >> My understanding, and I don't know this. This is one. But sometimes Instagram I know we're not able to go, but I sent him the video to open. >> Okay, so it shows Noah being, being kidnaped by hamas civilians, she was on the back of a motorcycle with her arms outstretched, screaming out, please don't kill me with avi natan, whom she is engaged to. They took them both to gaza. We have no idea if they are alive or or dead, at the end of the video, Noah's mom, who has stage four cancer, is crying out, please bring back my only daughter. It's her last wish to say goodbye, so I lived in Israel when I was 24. I served, teaching English as a second language. And, in underprivileged communities, that's where we met at a music festival, I heard of the nuba festival, which was a rey for [12:32:05 PM] festival, which was a rey for peace and knew that if I was in Israel at that time, I would have been at the festival and could be one of the hostages. Today, like Noah, I'm in contact with her best friend and her mother, liora, who have pretty much given up hope. Resolution supporters say they are a movement for peace, yet they are increasingly targeting the jewish community. A resolution for a ceasefire now would leave Noah and gaza for who knows how longam active at rallies supporting Israel here in Austin and to bring them home cries and events. I was told by a Palestinian supporter who is here today who yelled at all of us last week when I walked up to the to the Israeli block party that they knew who I was, the threats like that accomplish abtely nothing, she I am. The sugiura that I'm wearing now is was worn by the ancient israelites, the ancient judeans. And they said I'm appropriating, but it's actually was ours. First, if those on the other side claim to be seeking peace, we're actually they would want to be meeting to build bridges and to bring about the release of the hostages and the surrender of hamas, which could lead to a sustained cease fire. But the other side only wants to spew hate. They want you to deny in one mouth that hamas even did [12:33:06 PM] in one mouth that hamas even did the actions they did on October 7th, when hamas themselves took videos for the world to see, and then they say, oh, it was justified instead of terrifying. The Austin jewish community and claiming in their mouths the resistance of hamas was justified by the Palestinians, and those speaking about could work on doing interfaith gatherings. And we could learn on work, on teaching us about Eid we teach you about passover, and we could bring about peace in our neighborhood, which we have done inew York, and I've been involved in many times. Thank you all for your time, mayor. >> All the speakers have been called. All the speakers have been called. >> The council is in recess until 115. It this is a real treat for me. [12:43:26 PM] this is a real treat for me. Because I know this band. And in fact, when I was in the Texas senate, I used to sponsor events at the state capitol at different celebrations and different holidays that we wanted to call attention to. And members of this group and this group played at the state capitol in the rotunda. So I've gotten to know them and enjoy their music so very much. And it's conjunto Luz pinkys. And they've been performing conjunto music in Austin, Texas for over three decades, for those that don't know, conjunto is a Texas Mexican style dance music which features the button accordion and bajo sexto, according to their Facebook page, many international and regional music styles are represented in conjunto music, including the influence of the Spanish, German, Polish and Czech and American popular music, Mexican, Mexican norteno, ranchera Colombian cumbia was it's, schottische all sorts of [12:44:26 PM] schottische all sorts of different types of music. And of course, when you hear it, if you haven't been, if you haven't listened to conjunto, you will also hear country two. Step in there, ladies and gentlemen, I'll have a proclamation after we get to hear this great music. But I want to introduce to you conjunto los pinkys . De la sappi. >> All the love is on. Them. All the love me. Send us your brie. [12:45:26 PM] the love me. Send us your brie. >> Love. They are running. For sylnovia. Str. Yamo. Says y'all. Y'all more. So. But y'all be the . Sargent tovo. Luper they love me up. They love you up. Denise no longer love. [12:46:27 PM] no longer love. >> Stostad. >> Love you till love your Dion. >> Said. >> Give us some. Yes. Save us Christa. >> You. Don't love me. We love . [12:47:29 PM] . Them we. So love. Love me. Love your love. Love me. Into your river of. >> Your father. Let me. >> For the love is us. >> Love for the. For your. >> Love deserves your. Souls us. >> Your reason. Your is us. >> Oh, god. Oh, god. They love [12:48:32 PM] >> Oh, god. Oh, god. They love me. Us. Love me. Us de la la. Love. De Deegan de Dion. Love your Dion. Give us some. Yes and . Save us. Dress us. Yes la la. >> Me. Love. >> Great council members come up [12:50:02 PM] >> Great council members come up here with me, I want to. Can I borrow ymicrophone? Okay, I'm going to come over here. Council members, come over here. I want to be joined. I'm joined by council members chito vela and Vanessa Fuentes. And I want to make this proclamation to you all, 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 produced by legends like we've had today, our local favorites again, like we've had today, and newcomers alike. And whereas we are pleased to showcase and support our local artists. Now, therefore, I, Kirk Watson, mayor of the live music capital of the world and on behalf of the Austin city council, do hereby [12:51:03 PM] Austin city council, do hereby proclaim April 18th, 2024 as conjunto Luz pinkys day in Austin, Texas. Yeah. Thank you. Tell it. Tell us where we can hear you and keep up with you. >> Well, you can always find us on Instagram to follow where we're at. That's a good spot to find us, we're at sagebrush. Every 111 Saturday a month. We're in the afternoon. It's a free dance from to 6 P.M. We're going to be there on the 20th. This this coming Saturday. We're doing a benefit, a barbecue benefit for one of our band members families. So we would like you all to come out and support us. And it's a great time. Conjunto. Back to order. It's April 18, [1:16:42 PM] Back to order. It's April 18, 2024, 1:16 P.M. Members of the order that will go in is. We will go to item number 34. And once, once we complete item number 34. If 3 completed in a short period of time, we will recess until our 2:00 time certain. If it takes us into the 2:00 time certain, we'll take up 2:00, those that those items, at the completion of item number 34, because this is an item coming from staff, I'm going to call on, the manager and mister gray, to set up the item, and then we'll proceed. >> Yeah. David, just just go ahead. I think you've got. Y got the ball? >> Yes, sir. Thk you. Good afternoon, mayor and council. David gray, homeless strategy officer for the city of Austin. Our item that we're bringing before you today is in regards to extending our our time of operating the marshaling yard emergency shelter. I do just want to start off by saying big [1:17:45 PM] want to start off by saying big picture, our local homeless response system does not have enough beds to serve individuals who are experiencing homelessness. We are making progress in this regard. In fact, we now have more than 160 beds open at the new eighth street women's shelter. Our goal was to have 150 beds at that facility. However, the gap in emergency shelter beds in our community remains high, with more than permanent beds still needed. And that is why the marshaling yard is such a critical support. It provides critical assistance to hundreds of austinites every year who otherwise wouldn't have this level of support. Our bed utilization rate at marshaling yard remains high, the nightly average use is 95% of beds with the unused beds being reserved for other critical system needs, including respite care. Yesterday, for example, our outreach staff brought in an 80 year old woman inside the marshaling yard. Like many of our residents who are [1:18:45 PM] our residents who are chronically homeless and face a multitude of physical and behavioral health challenges. This 80 year old woman will now benefit from case management, access to three healthy meals a day, access to clean bathrooms, showers, laundry, a welcoming in support of community and resources that will help her secure housing. This is just one example of many cases at the marshaling yard, and exemplifies how we're working to provide critical, and in some instances, truly life saving measures to help our community. I also want to acknowledge that we are making the investments to improve the other parts of our homeless response system. We're addressing some of the upstream factors that lead to homelessness THR targeted prevention and diversion services. We're also addressing the lack of permanent supportive housing in our community through E implementation of new permanent supportive housing projects, as well as the soon to launch $1.5 million landlord incentive program. And we're working with our partners throughout the system to [1:19:48 PM] throughout the system to continue to address the lack of permanent shelter beds. But these investments take time to materialize, and that's why staff is coming to you today with this proposal for the eight month extension, so with that, Mr. Mayor, I'll yield my time back to you. >> Well, the question I've got is, it's my understanding. And we members, you've been provided a different draft. It's been labeled CM Ryan alter two on item number 34, and I would like for you to address that before we then open it up. Yes, sir. >> So this most recent motion from. >> Hang on a second, sir. No, people don't have it right. >> Get a copy, please. Make copies. >> In the meantime, would you like me to recite it? Please talk about. >> Talk about where? What it does and from from staff's [1:20:49 PM] does and from from staff's perspective. What staff is recommending. >> Sure. So staff recommends supporting this most recent motion from council member, Ryan alter. Councilmember alter, we thank you and your staff for working with us, to come to this compromise with this motion entails is authorizing us to extend the marshaling yard to thdate that we requested, which is that March 30th, 2025 date. And adding $500,000 in capacity, contract capacity for that, that is a deviation from the million dollars that we requested. The motion also directs the city manager to prioritize the use of these funds to contract for local case managers, with a focus on housing placements. We believe that working with local case managers will help us increase our positive exit rate and continue to help connect clients to vital housing resources in our community. And then the motion also directs the city manager and staff to provide a ramp down plan for the marshaling yard, as well as [1:21:49 PM] marshaling yard, as well as regular updates to the public health committee, including recommendations that would assist in serving our current shelter clients with housing resources. The ramp down plan should identify and will identify when intakes to the marshaling yard will cease, and estimated census counts over the period of the ramp down and the types of placements enumerated for the current clients at the marshaling yard. From staff's perspective, we feel like this motion is reasonable. We do believe that we'd be able to execute out our plans for the marshaling yard, under the terms of this motion. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Members, are there any you have something? >> And, mayor, council member, the only. And I think David's exactly right. He's spot on, and this will be a future discussion from a policy standpoint, there will be continue to be need for shelter beds. So when this these 300 cycle out of the system, we'll need to identify, construct and develop, additional beds so that when we, [1:22:51 PM] additional beds so that when we, when people experiencing homelessness, they can have a place to go, a place to have facilities where their health care can be provided for, they can have meals, so that's still a pending issue. We don't, but we didhave it resolved with the marshaling yard either. We knew that that was a future discussion item. And the mayor and council are going to have to we're going to have to present you some information so that you guys can debate that question and figure out what the best path forwardat that time. >> Thank you. Council. Any questions of staff before I recognize council member Reinhold? Yes, mayor pro tem, thanks for the presentation, what happens to the population that continues to exist in our community when we ramp down the marshaling yard? We need to have multiple layers and multiple entry points so that we can meet people where they are. Not everybody, frankly, wants to go into established H. They want a little bit of a different experience. They want a [1:23:53 PM] experience. They want a different situation for themselves, where they kind of T themselves organized. How are we meeting? Because we need to meet its it's the full spectrum and it sounds to me like we are losing a significant approach, which I always had a problem with in the housing first approach, because I felt like we were missing that segment that wasn't addressed by housing first. People who said no, what are we doing with this plan, with the ramp down for that segment? Sure. >> So, mayor pro tem, I'll do my best to answer that question, but please let me know if I don't quite get there. Under our current contract with endeavors, that current contract calls for us to close the marshaling yard by the end of July. If we are to continue with that course, we will have to stop intake at all the other shelters in our system. We will not be able to support any new clients, and that leaves people in our [1:24:55 PM] that leaves people in our community who are unsheltered, trying to survive in the streets and mind you, there are two camping bans in Austin that will require us to enforce those those encampments. And so we'd be enforcing without the opportunity to provide people with any measure of housing until the shelter beds eventually opened up or the other opportunities opened up under this proposal, it allows us to continue to provide entry through initiatives like heal. It allows us to continue to do our street medicine and our street outreach work, and it gives us that longer time horizon to make sure that the clients who are in our care today get positively exited and any other clients we bring in can also get positively exited. >> But that's what the initial proposal was, right? Wasn't that? And so how does this motion sheet change what the initial, staff recommendation was? >> That's the difference here, is that the initial staff recommendation would have allocated a million dollars. >> And this is arpa funds, and [1:25:55 PM] >> And this is arpa funds, and this is half of that. This is half of that. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And so is there a sense that the 500,000 isn't needed or how how did that number get reduced? We believe that 500,000 is probably the floor. >> But we could make that work with our contractor since we have until March to execute, this contract, we could find ways to absorb the costs over the course of the next year. >> All right. And so you are you are supportive of this amendment? Yes, ma'am. This motion and city manager, you have vetted this as well. I am I am concerned that we lose the ability to meet people in this space and have been hoping that we would have a replacement for the marshaling yard at at some at some point. >> And, and councilman, mayor pro tem, I think, given the extension, we realized that the marshaling yard was not a [1:26:56 PM] marshaling yard was not a permanent location. So we're going to need to identify sites, depending on what what what David and his staff determine we need. And then we'll need to develop a process by which we build or acquire to be able to help people who experience homelessness. In addition, I think one of the things that David has got as part of the program, when he took over as the strategy officer, is his staff is ramping up philanthropy because in a way, you're going to need private dollars to help us sort through this issue, given the fiscal cliff that we'll have with respect to arpa expiring at some point. But I think as a compromise, we're we're willing to make this work, we made a recommendation, right. And that recommendation ran into discussion. And so this is the as a result of that policy discussion is to get to this point, and ththink we can make [1:27:57 PM] point, and ththink we can make make this work. The main thing that I think David has indicated a minute ago is that we're not going to turn anyone out, we're going to not start ramping down sooner than we need to. It allows us enough time to do the plan that he's articulated. And I think going forward, we'll need to come back to council to have a fuller discussion of the issues of shelter, because in the end, there are some people in the community that don't that don't that seem to think that that's not a the best use of resources, but as I explained last Tuesday, is that if you treat this as a health system, you absolutely need all these components, because not every patient or not every person has the same need. And we have to sort through that. We have to develop the data system so that we can adequately serve the community, one person at a time. >> Mayor, I, came to the meeting today fully intending to vote for the staff recommendation on this item and was, a little concerned to see if there were [1:28:59 PM] concerned to see if there were some significant changes being proposed to it, particularly to shut it down without any real assurances that we would be able to fill that gap. >> And I, I agree, city manager, with your characterization of how we meet people at different places and one size does not fit all. And it it it requires a lot of inspiration and creativity and tenacity on the staff's part to keep at it, but if I understand what I'm hearing from David and from you city manager, about this, this motion and the compromise, then I mayor, I would I would support this motion. >> But I'm going to do is ask for a motion, so that we have a motion on the table. Then we have people that have signed up to speak on this item. So what I'm going to do is get a motion on on the floor, and then we will have people that are signed up to speak, speak, and so I'll recognize council member Ryan alter, are we looking for the [1:30:00 PM] alter, are we looking for the base motion here? Yeah. So I'll move to take up item 34. >> I'm sorry. Say that again. >> I moved to pass item 34. Take up item 34 and a second by council member villa with that, thank you, Mr. Gray. I'm going to turn to the city clerk for her to call on people that Ave signed up to speak on item number 34. >> First speaker is jj Ramirez, followed by Barry Jones and lily Hughes on deck. >> When your name when your name is called, if you'd please come down front so that you're be ready when, the previous speaker finishes, good morning council. My name is jj Ramirez. I'm an organizer at vocal Texas, and at vocal Texas. We believe housing is a human right, and I'm here today speaking neutral on this marshaling yard contract extension, we're coming up at the end of this current contract. And like you mentioned, it's, you know, it's three months away. There's no plan to house the people who are [1:31:02 PM] plan to house the people who are currently staying there, nor is there near enough shelter beds, as has been mentioned, to put those people in. If it comes close this summer. And, back in February, we testified at a public hearing committee about the number of concerns that we heard fromidents about the conditions at the marshaling yards. And I do want to acknowledge some of the positive changes that have happened, and we appreciate the sos office and leadership to like improving the food conditions. However, there are still some issues that are not being fully addressed, and we had organized people to come here today. But because of the pushback and the movement, they had to handle their own, so some of the leaders that you would have heard had not been able to make it, but like I want to emphasize that we need to listen to people who are experiencing homelessness and believe their their stories and believe what they're saying about the marshaling yard, their stories are true, and they're not here today. We're talking about extending it. Or what should happen or where they should go and how they're not here. Right. [1:32:03 PM] and how they're not here. Right. You're not reaching out to the people staying there. Right. The marshaling yard was funded from a proposal that promised a 70, a 70% success to housing, and that's how they solicited for this contract. But we learned that only 10% have been positively exited, but maybe it's doubled to 20, but that's still woefully short of the 70. And if we're going to extend this contract, you know, now's the time to put in implications that ensure that we get, we get closer to that original promise kicking this can further down the road like it's good, like it doesn't. We don't have a housing plan. Like extending it, putting people in like shelter is important. Nobody's saying that shelter is not important. But we've had this time to address this issue of temporary. This temporary Ness of it being temporary. And it hasn't happened yet. It's if we don't do anything today, it's closed in three months. Is homelessness a back burner issue? Right. We had we have almost a whole year [1:33:03 PM] had we have almost a whole year to think about these things to ensure an actual plan to house the people staying there, not a ramp down period we'll think about on the back end. These should have been talked about up front and centered. The stories of the people who are living and experiencing these programs, like we need real permanent plans for housing, not just temporary solutions that that could possibly put people back on the street. It has to be on the front burner. People's stories have to be on the front burner. Cannot be a secondary thought that would wait until the very last minute to then contemplate whether we should extend an already very temporary , very expensive program. Thank you. Thank you, Barry Jones, followed by lily Hughes, Jay Smith, if your name has been called, please approach the podium and state your name. >> Sorry. >> Hi, my name is lily Hughes. I'm the outreach team lead at Texas harm reduction alliance. [1:34:04 PM] Texas harm reduction alliance. I'm here and I have a neutral stance on this extension. What I want to say is I'm not anti shelter. There is a need F shelter though. This shelter is fraught with issues. There is no alternative but the street for our unhoused neighbors. Rather than working to address the systemic problems that are harming our unhoused neighbors, the city has chosen to invest millions of dollars into a shelter with no plan, no accountability, and no ability to provide services that keep people safe. We are asking for solutions that meet the needs of our community. We need a plan that will not put people back onto the street where they will experience relentless sweeps that do nothing but retraumatize our neighbors and further entrench them into the cycle of homelessness. We need to have a process where there is accountability for the shelter system and permanent supive housing in place for guests in the shelters. The voices of people experiencing homelessness in Austin need to be included in creating the solution. I implore you to make sure people are not exited into homelessness. We [1:35:04 PM] exited into homelessness. We must work to expand housing first options in this city to meet the needs of those exiting shelter. We continue to put money into systems that don't work. We need holistic care. We need to create housing that allows people to build community and empower people instead of coercing them into spaces that are incapable of meeting their needs. As you vote, I want you to imagine that you've been living outside in Austin, ignored by your neighbors, harassed by police, put into shelter that's not safe and denied your humanity. Imagine the trauma. Imagine the isolation and the pain of that experience. Do you want to continue to put people in this cycle, or are you ready to create humane solutions that help people, help us help our neighbors by putting or by creating accountability for the shelters housing available for all of our neighbors, and including the principles of harm reduction that will allow us to create community and empower the people that we love and work with and see. Having some of the most traumatic and difficult times of their lives. Thank you. [1:36:04 PM] times of their lives. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> J Smith, followed by Victoria Marshall. >> Hi. How you doing? I'm Jay Smith with Texas harm reduction alliance. We are talking about saving people's lives today. When the marshaling yard closes, must make sure they exit into permansupportive housing with life skills and access to medical assistance. If this does not happen, people will keep dying on a regular basis on the streets. There needs to be housing and shelter for the pepeople of Austin and at the same time, each and every shelter needs to be held accountable for everything that happens there, including overdoses, accidents and mistreatment of guests. That is why is it essential for harm reduction to be set in place at every shelter? Every staff member must be or have lived, [1:37:05 PM] member must be or have lived, experience and trained up on harm reduction. If the staff has no lived experience with overdose reversal, people will continue to die on a regular basis. Have you ever seen an overdose? I have more times than I'd like to count and it's scary . People freeze up and don't know what to do if they have no lived experience. I've seen it. Harm reduction has saved my life a dozen times, whether we like it or not. Homelessness and substance use go hand in hand. That is why harm reduction is essential inside the housing first initiative. We need to continue van eenoo care into permanent supportive housing to prevent deaths once people are housed. And I've lived harm reduction, my entire life, I know addiction, pain, and homelessness. I'm from Austin. 78702i know the people well and [1:38:06 PM] 78702i know the people well and what my community needs. Permanent supportive housing and harm reduction will save lives. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker is Victoria Marshall. Susie Beeson. Eli Cortez and Gus Pena. And that concludes the speakers. Thank you. >> Ma'am, members, that concludes all the speakers on it number 34, council member alter has a proposed amendment. What I'm going to do is recognize council member alter on the proposed amendment. We will vote on the proposed amendment. If it passes, we will go back to the main motion, and then I'll call for discussion on the main motion. We can have discussion on the amendment, of course, but then we'll have discussion on the main motion as well. Councilmember Ryan alter, you're recognized. [1:39:07 PM] you're recognized. >> Thank you very much. Mayor. I I think Mr. Gray, laid out pretty clearly what this amendment does. You know, I have struggled with this item for, for quite some time knowing where we were head with this in terms of, how we address this element of our entire system. And let me be very clear from the beginning, I am not opposed to shelter, to emergency shelter. It is a critical element of our our system. But we have to have an entire system that is addressing the needs of individuals as we just heard, from the beginning, all the way through housing. And we can't just invest in housing. It's we to the mayor pro tempore point, we have individuals who, for whatever reason, they so choose don't don't want that to be their, ultimate solution. And so [1:40:08 PM] their, ultimate solution. And so at looking at this, I am just trying to figure out how we can strike the right balance of, of making sure that individuals there and I went on Wednesday and I, I applaud the progress that has been made. You know, looking at, the menu of food now available, it is food that we would all want to eat. It's healthy, it's high quality, and it shows people are are there are few plates left over. And so we are moving in the right direction and having positive outcomes. And so what I want to see is how can we increase those. And that's why the focus on local case management I think will help with that, go exactly where, where you want to go. And so all that to say, I think this is the right move for right now. We it allows us to, preserve a, a piece of our very precious arpa dollars and figure out [1:41:11 PM] arpa dollars and figure out use those dollars might have to help within the system. And so I appreciate, David, your continued work with us, because I know it's been a slog the past little while. But, with that, I would like to offer amendment CM Ryan alter, number two, members, councilmember Ryan alter has, offered up an amendment that you have in front of you. >> It's seconded by councilmember qadri, discussion with regard to amendment. Yes. Councilmember Kelly. >> THA Y you. Mayor, when I thought about this item initially, I thought aboutll the people who are in our city unsheltered, and I thought about the stories behind their names and that they benefited greatly from the marshaling yard and its services to help solve our homelessness crisis. I believe we have to provide a wide array of options to best fit the needs of each person. And no two people are alike. The marshaling yard, while it was a temporary solution I believe is part of [1:42:13 PM] solution I believe is part of the larger puzzle to address this issue in Austin. Until we have more permanent solutions, the version two of this motion sheet is something I can support more than the original version. However, without an adequate plan in place to replace the marshaling yard, I still have pause over support. I will support this item, but I do know that the consequences of closing the marshaling yard are very real and very concerning. The homeless strategy office, from what I understand, will need to pause entry to all city owned shelters. If we were tololose the marshaling yard and non-city shelters are currently full, which means that unsheltered clients will have no recourse to cure their violations for two separate violations they could receive by being out on our streets with prop B and hb 1925. So I would very much like to see a solution or a replacement for the marshaling yard well before operations are ramped down. I will again support this new motion sheet, but the closing [1:43:14 PM] motion sheet, but the closing the reality is this the closing of the marshaling yard will have real effects on real people, and our city wants to support those individuals who are unsheltered to ensure that homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring. And so I hope that that solution comes sooner than later. Thank you for the discussion, mayor pro tem. >> Yeah, I just want to emphasize what my colleague, councilmember Kelly, just said we really need to have if we're going to close the marshaling yard, we have to have another piece to fit in that same function. And I would go further to say that if we don't find it, then we need to look at continuing at the marshaling yard. But I will support this here today. I think staff is really clear and fully committed to the efforts that we're putting forth. In fact, we are making the progress we're making city manager in large part because of the huge commitment that our staff bring to this difficult, topic every day. So thank you for working through, [1:44:18 PM] thank you for working through, the, the competing, policy positions. I'm more on the side of continuing the marshaling yard, but if we can find something that is even better to replace it, then I think we should go for that. But I would like to have the certainty that it will continue. I don't want to take away that particular layer of support that we do have at this point. Thanks >> Councilmember vela, thank you, mayor, I support the item, support the amendment, when we first opened the marshaling yard, there was kind of an open question as to is there enough demand? What is the demand for emergency shelter out there? And just the reality of it being full almost from the moment it opened, and 95, 97% capacity throughout these six months, average stay in about 100 days. [1:45:18 PM] average stay in about 100 days. There a little bit above 100 days. I mean, I think that answered the question pretty conclusively that there is a huge demand need really for emergency shelter out there, I'm well aware of the balance that we have to strike between, you know, money that goes to emergency shelter is not going to long terme. A shelter, but we alleviate a lot of very bad things when we have a congregate shelter where people are getting fed, where people are able to get, you know, health care and some case management, and air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, so again, this complex question, we are going to have to I mean, we've invested in the a street shelter. It looks like we there is that demand for, emergency shelter and we need an alternative. But I would support at this point keeping the marshaling yard open as long as we can. I would also note that based on conversations with, [1:46:19 PM] based on conversations with, staff, it is the most cost effective shelter that we have on a per person per night basis, so that really kind of helps me lean in favor of, of keeping it open as long as we can. My understanding is that it is going to be needed by the convention center at some point down the road, but, my, my first blush reaction would be, until we have a replacement, I do not want to force anybody out of even congregate shelter and, you know, back into the creeks and under the bridges. >> Thank you. Council member, councilmember Fuentes. >> Thank you.st and foremost, I certainly, appreciate the comments that have been made by our colleagues that the reality that we're in in our cities, that we have a local public camping ban and we have a statewide camping ban. So I'm really proud that our city moved quickly to establish this emergency shelter operations, to customer Bella's point, this emergency shelter operations has proved effective in meeting a [1:47:22 PM] proved effective in meeting a need that we have in our community and Pring emncy sheltering, certainly. I want to thank our advocates and our community members who brought to light some issues that we were experiencing at the marshaling yard and to the credit of our city manager and city staff, those were quickly addressed and we were able to visit the marshaling yard this week. And we got to see those changes that have been made, particularly with allowing pets on site, with the changes in the healthy food that are being offered and programing. So certainly the way that we approach our emergency shelters is one that I think, has has improved significantly and has value in our community, you know, seeing the individuals that are at the marshaling yard, particularly members who are in their 70s and 80s is heartbreaking and knowing that we are having more severe weather events there is a need for us to have emergency shelters in our in our community and to continue to invest in the shelter operations. Now, as policy makers, it's on us to ensure that we are providing proper oversight. And I think [1:48:24 PM] proper oversight. And I think the question that many of us had is, what is the plan for the ramp down when we decommission the shelter at the marshaling yard? What does that look like? So I appreciate councilmember Ryan alters amendment and including the prioritization of us utilizing the funds that are being asked of us to commit to as part of this item, prioritizing those dollars to go towards housing placements and coordination of services. I think that is key. You know what we heard from the briefings that we've received, what yields what helps us have positive outcomes for our community is that is the connection to housing. And so we have to continue to have those conversations of what does the investments in housing, either rapid rehousing or permanent supportive housing, what does that look like? And so you know, come budget time, colleagues, I hope that we have those conversations of what our investments are and where we need to scale and what our partners commitments in our homelessness ecosystem look like. And we will continue to ask for their increased support. So certainly more to come. But [1:49:25 PM] So certainly more to come. But with this item, I just want to thank councilmember Ryan alter for your work on this item, and just wanted to flag that updates will continue to come before us at the public health committee. Thank you. >> Thank you. Councilmember. Councilmember qadri. >> There you go, I just wanted to say thanks to David and his team for all the work that they've done and thoughtfulness from councilmember Ryan alter on the amendment, and I support it. It comes from a place of, making sure that we do right by the folks who need it the most. >> Thank you, Mr. Qadri. Councilmember Ellis. >> Thank you, mayor. I also look forward to supporting this item as as it's being amended, one of the conversations that has taken place over the past few years is for us to understand as a dais, exactly where we think the proportions of this housing conversation need to be, how much of it should be preventing people from falling into homelessness, how much is emergency shelter and then moving into the longer tum plans of voucher programs? Such as what caritas provides and other [1:50:27 PM] what caritas provides and other sorts of programing that help people, be able not to have to live on the streets. And so I'll support this today. I'm also leery of winding down any section of this program without understanding the division of the pipeline. How do we really get people back into housing? How do we make sure we've connected them with the social services, the job skills training, the paperwork and documentation to have their ideas, their ids with them as they as they move through this system. And so I think that's a conversation that will definitely be picking up very shortly as we are able to have a new manager joining us shortly. And so I'm interested in how this conversation can be furthered and how we can make sure we understand where we are in this exact moment and where we need to get in the next 5 or 10 years to make sure that our system is fully capable of handling all of the issues that we want it to be able to handle. >> Thank you, councilmember members. The vote is on the Ryan alter amendment to the main motion on item number 34. Is there any further discussion? [1:51:27 PM] there any further discussion? Without objection, the amendment is adopted, that will take us back to the main motion, which is a motion to adopt item number 34, as amended. Discussion on the item. Hearing none without objection. Item number 34, as amended, is adopted. Mr. Gray, let me just say on behalf I think you heard it in the council members comments, but I think you have a council that is very proud of the work you've been doing in this regard, everybody I think, recognized that it's difficult work that doesn't result in immediate results. And sometimes there are setbacks because of the nature of the work that you're doing. But I think the city manager, when he, in his wisdomcided to set up a specific strategy office, that was one step. That was that showed the good judgment. The other was putting you in that position and your [1:52:28 PM] you in that position and your deep caring, I think part of the care that you bringto it and part of the passion you bring to it, is that you also are careful about us looking at the entire continuum and how we address that entire continuum. And, I, I don't think I would get any objection from any member of this council or anybody that gets the opportunity to work with you when I say you're doing a good job, a great job, and we're proud of that job, and we encourage you to continue. Yes, just a kind of a fun, fun fact, David gray, like many people of my generation, is a fan of president Kennedy. And I asked him today to wear his president Kennedy apparel to help him through this, through this effort. So, David, thank you for your dedication to public service. It it is in the spirit of president Kennedy that you do it. >> Thank you. Sir. Members. I tried to talk long enough to take us to two, but I failed. Actually, it's so it's 153, [1:53:31 PM] Actually, it's so it's 153, we're going to stand down for, seven minutes. The last thing we have on our agenda is our 2:00 time. Certain, and so with that objection, we are in recess until 2:00. It is 1:53 P.M. Thanks, everybody all right, folks, it's 2:00, so [2:00:18 PM] all right, folks, it's 2:00, so I will call back to order the Austin city council meeting. It's 2 2:00 on April 18th, and we are still in the city council chambers, members. That takes us to a two hour. Takes us to our 2:00 time. Certain. And I'll cognize miss Hardin, thank you, mayor and council. I am joy harden with the planning department. You're sending. Agenda begins with item number 66, c-1 for 2023 0113. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 67 is c-1 for 2023 0129. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 68 is c-1 for 2024 0001. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 69 is c-1 for 2023 0126. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 70 is c-1 for 2024 0003. This item is G offered for consent on all three readings. Item 71 is c-1 [2:01:19 PM] three readings. Item 71 is c-1 for 2023 0138. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 72 is c-1 for 2023 0114. This item has a valid petition and will require nine votes for passage, there are a few people signed in to speak, and staff and commission recommended this request. And staff is offering this item for consent on all three readings. Item 73 is c-1 for H 2023 0145. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 74 this item is being offered as a neighborhood postponement request to your may 2nd council meeting. And moving on to the addendum, we have item number 80 c-1 for 2023 0133. This item is being offered for consent. Second and third readings. This concludes the reading of the zoning agenda. And of course this is at your discretion. Thank you. Council members. >> You've heard miss Hardin, does anybody have any questions? [2:02:19 PM] does anybody have any questions? The chair will entertain a motion to take these items up on consent. Item 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71. Or consent on all three readings as is 72. However it has a valid petition and we want to call that to your attention. Item number 74 would be a postponement to may 2nd. And item number 80 would be consent on second and third reading. I'm sorry, I did skip over 73. You're right. 73 is also consent on all three readings. Council member Ryan alter moves approval. It's seconded by council member qadri, I'll turn to the city clerk's office to call up any speakers on the consent agenda as it was read, Abigail Spurgeon. >> Hi. My name is Abigail spiridonov, I'm speaking on item number 69. >> Okay. >> I represent the spicewood [2:03:20 PM] >> I represent the spicewood green homeowners association, as well as some neighbors from Neely canyon and the business owners within 200ft of the proposed zoning. And who signed a petition against any changes to the conditional overlay to confirm we are not opposing the zoning change, but we are opposing any changes to impervious cover, height or size limitations, as we would argue that 32% impervious cover is too much. Now that the 12,000 square foot limit on the building is being considered to be removed. In an email between Amanda swore to councilwoman bets Greenberg, she had stated, quote, that the project could be built with the same amount of impervious, covered, that was preliminarily 22,200ft S, you know, as, as the previous zoning, but instead supporting and providing much needed residential, end quote, that stated amount would have [2:04:21 PM] that stated amount would have been about 12% impervious cover. So we are asking for the lower amount of impervious cover. We feel it's needed on such an environmentally sensitive site, and previously, this impervious cover limitation wouldn't have been as necessary because the building size limit wouave adequately restricted what could be built. Those summarize, I guess our comments in opposition. >> Thank you very much. >> Next speaker is Loraine Atherton. I'm speaking on item 72 and 74. For a total of six minutes. Hello, I'm Loraine Atherton, a long time member of the zilker neighborhood association zoning committee, on item 72 is the re rezoning of [2:05:23 PM] item 72 is the re rezoning of 1725 Toomey on the, butler shores. Section of the waterfront overlay. The, this property is already was two years ago rezoned to mf six yet the staff report that, staff reports justification for this request for an additional 15ft of height, describes it as rezoning this property to mf six. Would provide increased residential opportunities near significant public spaces and within walking distance of existing and planned transit corridors, as it's already zoned mf six two years ago, with an [2:06:24 PM] mf six two years ago, with an extra 15ft of height, 15ft more than any of the surrounding multifamily, and, that was to accommodate 215 housing units. The request today is for yet another 15ft of height to build 203 housing units. The staff report does point out that 203 is less than 215, yet it continues to say that this this, will increase residence opportunities, they are actually, asking for a, another floor of, penthouse luxury condos. The other significant [2:07:25 PM] condos. The other significant error in the staff report, concerns the, the access to transit, the site is not located within a quarter mile of, public transit stops or light rail, the, there is a, the straight shot along Toomey to south Lamar is actually 0.3 miles, and there is no bus stop there. There was one planned, but it's been removed from the south Lamar corridor plan. The walking distance to the southbound stop at Lamar and Barton springs road is 0.37 miles to the north [2:08:26 PM] is 0.37 miles to the north northbound Starbucks stop. It is 0.42 miles to the proposed used, but apparently now canceled. Southbound stop at Lamar and Riverside is 0.39 miles, and the one pathetic bus stop on this part of Barton springs road is also more than a quarter mile away. The distance to the Pfluger pedestrian bridge is more than 0.3 miles. As the crow flies, and actually 0.43 miles walking along the sidewalks. This this request for an extra 15ft of, penthouse house luxury condo does not expand the number of units and housing choice, it [2:09:26 PM] of units and housing choice, it does not support the imagine Austin and strategic housing blueprint. It simply adds another floor for penthouse luxury condos to a saturated market, while destroying 40 affordable rental apartments. The number of yeses in the imagine Austin matrix is actually four at most. It's not eight. The staff report doesn't even address the waterfront overlay, requirements, except to say that this tract is in the butler shores waterfront overlay . The purpose of the waterfront overlay is balancing uses. The main purpose is to balance uses, to promote the harmonious interaction and transition between urban development and the parkland and shoreline. It also must recognize the potential of the waterfront as an open space connector, form [2:10:28 PM] an open space connector, form shaper of urban development and focal point for lively, pedestrian oriented mixed uses. This addition of a penthouse that's above all of the other multifamily housing, with no affordability, nothing, it doesn't meet. It does not support the comprehensive plan, or the waterfront overlay. And, and the report also says that Toomey road has sufficient right of way to comply with the Austin strategic mobility. Thank thank you. Your time is up. >> Okay. >> Next speaker is bill bunch, registered for 72 and 74 for a total of six minutes. Jay Susan Haskins on item 74. You get [2:11:29 PM] Haskins on item 74. You get three minutes. And on deck is Monica Guzman for item 80. >> All right. Thank you. So this is addressing the, the zoning change for the affordable housing on southwest parkway, my name is Jason Haskins. I am an economically displaced former Austin resident, a Patton elementary alumnus, and an affordable housing architect with no professional connection to this project. So I am speaking on my own, I am here first to remind you of, without claiming to speak for the hundreds of voices who cannot be here today, the future residents of this project, precious and beloved real friends and real neighbors who deserve a place in our city no less than those who happen to be able to afford to live in an $800,000 house next door. These voices are excluded not only because they have no way of knowing that this discussion is even happening today, and will impact their lives far more fundamentally than any of those who are to speak against it, but also because the very situation that means they qualify for this housing deprives them of the luxury and privilege of being of [2:12:29 PM] luxury and privilege of being of those of us who can take the time to be here today, I'm speaking because of what was said at the planning commission meeting, the dehumanize and bigoted rhetoric we hear at planning, we heard at planning commission, at at every single affordable housing case, blindly repeats fears of multi-unit and affordable housing that are not only contradicted by overwhelming evidence, they are built on deep seated patterns of racism, classism, and selfishness that we must continually work to check in ourselves and in our regulations. To my fellow homeowners, I beg you to stop playing the victim. If you are really concerned with a negative impact of unscrupulous developers, as I very much am, please stop fighting access to housing options and instead join me in supporting the ones who are doing it right. I cannot vouch for the land owner here, and there are plenty of red flags that I don't know if I should trust, but I am here to vouch for dma for Diana and Jeanine and their team. They have a huge track record of doing this right, please join me in begging this council to do more to increase tenant rights and to do their job of [2:13:30 PM] and to do their job of enforcement against the bad actor landlords terrorizing our city, second, more generally, I'm here to say that the city must stop perpetuating the vile notion that we need to protect the supposedly tupposed superiority of single family homeowners and saving our sprawl. Restrictive covenants are one of the most powerful tools that have been used to enforce the socioeconomic and racial purity of our neighborhoods. It is no coincidence that as rulings against housing segregation came out, Austin responded not only with the 1928 plan, but with increasing minimum lot sizes and above all, the increased use of restrictive covenants with very few exceptions, restrictive, restrictive covenants enforce standards and lifestyles that are not in the interest of the wider community. They are intentional acts of sabotage of others property to protect the subjective interests of a privileged few. Restrins like this against multifamily are akin to salting the Earth. Please take every opportunity to dismantle this toxic poisoning of our common home by rooting out all restrictive covenants, public and private, every chance you get. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Monica Guzman, that concludes all the speakers. [2:14:33 PM] all the speakers. >> Thank you. Members. That concludes all the speakers on the consent agenda. Let me ask, is there any member that wishes to pull an item from the zoning consent agenda? We have a motion and a second. So I'll call for discussion. Councilmember vela. Okay, I misunderstood, I had you down. Want to speak on item number 80, but is number 80 is not on the consent agenda. >> It is on the consent agenda. Okay, then. I'm sorry, mayor, I would like to. That's what I thought. >> Please go ahead, thank you. And item 80 is, the half price books goodwill property there on the corner of, north Lamar and, Koenig, it's about a 14 acre property. It's, 14 acres of impervious cover right now, so any redevelopment of it that is going to implement modern water control goals will be of great benefit to the, downstream neighborhoods, to waller creek, [2:15:35 PM] neighborhoods, to waller creek, I wanted to thank the applicants. They've been meeting with the neighborhood. They ha a letter of support from the north loop neighborhood, we are excited about the project. Although in a little unusual situation. You know, normally the neighborhoods, traditionally, I should say, try to ratchet projects down, and have less height and less units. This is a situation where the neighborhood would love to see, a larger, more, signature type project on that property. And, it's been good speaking with applicants. They are well aware of our discussions at this council will be taking up soon enough, and they're going to take a look at those when the time comes. But, I just wanted to thank them to just highlight another property that will be significantly improved, and just say that I look forward to working with both my constituents and with the applicants on the on the [2:16:35 PM] applicants on the on the redevelopment of this very large property on north Lamar. Thank you. Great. >> Thank you. Council member. Any further discussion? Is there anyone wishing to be shown abstain. Excuse me, abstaining on the consent agenda? It was read anyone wishing to recuse themselves from a vote on any of the items on the consent agenda, anyone wishing to be shown voting no. In that case, without objection, on the consent agenda are zoning items as was read is adopted. We have and we do have nine votes on item number 72. So it is also, passed on all three readings, members that conclude all the business that we have to come before the Austin city council. It's this meeting, however, we're we're in a moment of transition. As we know, we have, a new city manager coming on. And what that means is that our interim city manager who [2:17:36 PM] our interim city manager who stepped in for this council, who, you know, 14 months ago or whatever it was, this is his last meeting, his last day is the third, but. And but he will, this is the last meeting that he'll participate in. And so I think it's only fitting and appropriate that we recognize, and a lot more is going to get said about his, his Garza and the good job he's done and the help that he's provided us, between now and the time that he actually, does leave the position. But here at this last meeting, I think it's appropriate for us to say in the biggest way we know how. Thank you for what you have done for, the city. Thank you for what you have done for this council and each one of us individually, you have you have been tremendous. And we're all very happy to have had this opportunity to serve with you. >> It's been my pleasure, and based upon the length of that [2:18:38 PM] based upon the length of that speech, we, at 218, now there'll be a there'll be a lot more said, but it's 218. And there being no further business to come before the office of city council at this regularly scheduled meeting. Without objection, we are adjourned. Thank you all