City Council Regular Meeting Transcript – 10/10/2024 Title: ATXN-1 (24hr) Channel: 1 - ATXN-1 Recorded On: 10/10/2024 6:00:00AM Original Air Date: 10/10/2024 Transcript Generated by SnapStream ================================== Please note that the following transcript is for reference purposes and does not constitute the official record of actions taken during the meeting. For the official record of actions of the meeting, please refer to the Approved Minutes. [10:01:00 AM] Good morning everybody. I'll call to order the Austin city council meeting. It's October 10th, 2024, and it's 10:01 A.M. We are meeting in the Austin city council chamber, which is located at Austin city hall, 301 west second street in Austin, Texas. And we have a quorum of the Austin city council present. Members. What I'm going to do is start off by reading changes and corrections into the record for Thursday, October 10th, 2020 fourth. And then I'll walk through the order of the day on items 36 and 39. It should read. When public hearings are taken up, these items will be postponed to October 24th, 2024. Item number 61 should read a valid petition has been filed in opposition to this item on the Austin housing finance corporation agenda. Item number 002 should read postponed to the December 12th, 2024 afc agenda on boards and commissions actions, item number eight, October 9th, 2024 was [10:02:00 AM] October 9th, 2024 was recommended by the water and wastewater commission on an 8 to 0 vote with commissioners Maxwell, Gaines and Musgrove absent and one vacancy. Members. We have one item pulled off the agenda and that is item number three, pulled by council member Kelly. The order of the day that we will go in is we will begin with the consent agenda, which will be the item number three will be pulled off of that. We will go from that. We will hear from speakers on the consent agenda. We will then take a vote on the consent agenda. After brief remarks and discussions by the council with regard to that agenda, we will, as near to the time certain of 1030 as we can take up the Austin housing finance corporation board of directors meetings. We will then take up the pulled item. We will then go to non consent items, which are items from council committees and public hearings. And then around noon, of course, we will as close to noon as we can do it. We will have the time [10:03:00 AM] can do it. We will have the time certain public communication. We will recess briefly for live music during that period of time. And then, of course, we have our 2:00 time certain for speakers. We will hear both virtual and in person for the meeting. What we will do is we will have both virtual and in person. Speakers be heard on each item they register to speak on. We will call the item up and have people speak on that item, and then go to the next item. So with that, we will begin the order of the day and that starts with the consent agenda. Speakers and I will turn to the city clerk and ask her to please help us through that process. >> Sure. Our first speaker is Bobbie Lewinsky and bill bunch on item number two. If your name has been called, please make your way to the podium and state your name for the record. >> Mr. Lewinsky, Mr. Bunch, Mr. Lewinsky, oh, there's Mr. Bunch. [10:04:05 AM] Lewinsky, oh, there's Mr. Bunch. Please come forward. >> Good morning. Mayor. Council members, thank you for your service to our community. I'm bill bunch, executive director of save our springs alliance. We are opposed to this service extension request in the Barton springs watershed for extending city's water utilities. It's been the policy of this city for decades to limit very strictly the extension of water and sewer into the watershed that facilitates more dense growth. And this is we see that here. This is a fairly small tract. We grant that. And so and it's our understanding it's not requiring any expansion or big expenditure of infrastructure to serve it. But nevertheless on balance we [10:05:05 AM] But nevertheless on balance we ask that you adhere to the city's decades long policy of limiting infrastructure expansion here. >> Thank you. Mayor. Council. Bobbie Lewinsky, silver springs I'm going to speak on items two and three together, because essentially it's the same issue. So I think that as Mr. Bunch to three minutes. That's fine. I'm trying to respect your time. So I think that, you know, the major policy is how are we using our utilities to incentivize growth, especially in areas where they're not compliant with environmental regulations or within the city's full purpose jurisdiction? That's going to be an issue that keeps popping up with the release of the properties from the etj. And so I think that we just need to have a broader policy conversation around this issue. With regard to two, I think it's very simple. They're not in the etj they have an option or [10:06:06 AM] etj they have an option or they're not they're not in the city limits. They have an option to annex. That's actually a requirement as part of the application process to annex. So why are we not bringing these annexations along with these considerations as part of the application process. So you guys could consider, you know, the annexation as well as part of that same package? And with regard to three, I think the issue is over sizing in the area. And what does it mean for the properties around it. So that property itself, I understand, is within the full purpose jurisdiction. But what does it mean for the area around the site? How are we incentivizing that growth through these utilities? And that's I think the major issue, it's going to come up with another another property that's I know I've talked to a lot of your offices about down with hays commons. It's a major concern. We need to get ahead of this. So that way we're not continuing to use our utilities to fuel sprawl over environmentally sensitive areas. Thank you, Mr. Levinsky. >> Item number three has been pulled, so it's going to be brought back up later. You're not. You're wasting your time. >> I'll waive I spoke. Thank you. >> Okay, we'll go on to item [10:07:07 AM] >> Okay, we'll go on to item number five. Next speaker is Jeremy Hendrix. Chris zaffirini, if your name has been called, please make your way to the podium and state your name for the record. >> I guess I'm going to jump. Jeremy. My name is Chris servini. I'm the vice chancellor of community and government affairs for your Austin community college district. Mr. Mayor, members of the council, thank you for having me here today. On behalf of ACC, the ACC district and our chancellor, I'm here today to thank the mayor and council for their leadership on this critical issue of the infrastructure, academy and infrastructure workforce development here in central Texas. This measure is an important step in meeting the needs of our community as it grows to become a city of global significance. In fact, we already are a city of global significance. Austin community college district is excited to [10:08:07 AM] college district is excited to partner and collaborate with the city with workforce solutions, and with our region's broad spectrum of training providers to meet the burgeoning infrastructure needs of our community, while also putting our friends and neighbors on a path towards family, sustaining wages and sustaining careers. As planning continues around the development of our southeast Travis county campus, we are poised to continue and deepen our collaboration with the city and with our constellation of partners. So thank you for your thought, partnership and for your leadership on this issue. >> Thank you. >> Jeremy Hendricks, Monica Guzman, for item number five. I'm sorry. Chris servini and Monica Guzman. >> Good morning, mayor and council, I'm Monica Guzman, [10:09:09 AM] council, I'm Monica Guzman, policy director for Garza lugo Austin vamos. Austin. You know, we thank you for this contract that is pending with workforce solutions for the infrastructure academy especially. You know, since I reached out to economic development department about how much of the funding is going specifically for child care, the child care subsidy. And we were pleased to hear that they are trying to maximize the funding going to that, that you all recognize the need for assistance. So we definitely support. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Moving on to item 16, felicity Maxwell. On deck is Zenobia Joseph for item number 18. >> Good morning. Mayor, mayor pro tem council members felicity Maxwell, district five and or board member regarding item 16, we are pleased to see the updated request from the planning department and support the revisions offered in the 926 [10:10:10 AM] the revisions offered in the 926 memo to council. We strongly support the long range planning efforts of our planning department and particularly when they are closely aligned with the current council priorities. We're excited to see planning efforts around the east river east Riverside corridor plan and regulations. Updates to the downtown Austin plan, and further work on the equitable transit oriented development planning, all of which are noted as new contracts in the above 90. The 926 memo. We appreciate the planning department's responsiveness to community concerns regarding these contracts and look forward to working with them, along with other stakeholders as they move these long range plans forward. Thank you, Zenobia Joseph, for 16 and 17. >> I'm sorry, 17 and 18. Moving on to remote speakers for item 20 is Jody lane. >> Jody Lang. >> Jody, please unmute. [10:11:11 AM] >> Jody, please unmute. >> Good morning. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Thank you. My name is Jody lane and I'm the executive director for the nonprofit. Fruitful comments. I want to say in representing our team and our community that this planning process for this plan was amazing. 4000 community members sharing their opinions is exceptional in our city. I've been involved with many master plans with the land development code re-write code. Next, I've been on those consultant teams and this was one of the smartest, most intelligent plans planning efforts I've ever seen. Our food plan represents the possibility of planning for an Austin where our food is grown locally and thriving, and communities grow food. Elementary school students that can afford locally grown school lunches and eat them every day. [10:12:13 AM] lunches and eat them every day. We need to have jobs for future generations, and this is the way to do it. Our city needs to be thinking ahead of climate change and emergencies. This food plan is essential. Other cities have them right now or they are engaged in making them smart, inclusive and making them work. And it's really time for Austin to catch up. We need this food plan adopted, funded, and implemented. I know I've only got two minutes, so I'm just going to speak now on what fruitful commons individually does until I get cut off. But you know that that's where we are. We stand with this food plan and we want to see it adopted and funded and implemented. Our work is focusing on organizations and community members who want to grow their own food, whether it's community gardens, food, forests, aquaponics, you name it. For decades, Austin has been all of the many citizens in Austin have been growing food [10:13:13 AM] Austin have been growing food and wanting to be in the soil together, and they have an appetite for that kind of locally grown food. And to have their own food sovereignty. But we have a huge gap right now in our city. We've got 50 to 70 community gardens just on public land alone, and our capacity is horrible for our city. We've got one staff member that is in charge of 50 to 70 community gardens, whereas in Madison, Portland, that has a similar number of community gardens. They have 3 to 5 full time staff and they have budget to work with. We are hard at working hard at green workforce. We're growing a budding green workforce right now where we are paying staff to make sure that communities have food, especially in historically disinvested neighborhoods. We pay community leaders to grow that food. We also pay stipends to everyday neighbors to come [10:14:15 AM] to everyday neighbors to come out and be part of the food planning process, so that we start to implement. >> Thank you. Speaker. Your time has expired. Next speaker is Marva Overton speaking on item item 20. >> Yes. Good morning, mayor Watson city council members. >> We'll try, miss Overton in a second. Next speaker is Andy Smith for item 20. >> Hello? Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Great. Yeah. So my name is Andy Smith, and I'm a board member of the Austin Travis county food policy board. And I'm excited to speak to you [10:15:16 AM] I'm excited to speak to you today to voice my support for resolution 20 and urge you to adopt the Austin Travis county food plan. This plan is not a document. It's really a roadmap to a more equitable, sustainable and resilient future for our community. This plan is a product of thousands of community members, collective wisdom and effort, and it really represents the voice of Austin and Travis county, crafted by those who intimately understand how food impacts every facet of our society. Importantly, I'm really excited that this plan addresses a spectrum of critical issues, including combating issues of access to nutritious food, boosting local food production in our area, preserving vital agricultural lands, ensuring fair livelihoods for food system workers, and enhancing our community's emergency preparedness in relationship to food. And I'm particularly proud of how this plan centers the experiences and needs of our city's most vulnerable community members. It really is a blueprint for rectifying land and long [10:16:18 AM] rectifying land and long standing structural injustices in our food system. By adopting this plan, Austin has the opportunity to become a beacon for other cities grappling with unsustainable and inequitable food systems, and we can set a standard for innovative, community centered and led food policy. This plan recognizes that food is not an isolated issue. It's intricately connected to public health, economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and social equity. So by addressing our food system, we're addressing the very fabric of our community's well-being. A vote to adopt this plan is an acknowledgment that we have the power and the responsibility in our city to create a food system that nourishes our residents, supports our local economy, and protects our environment. Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of this plan. >> Next speaker is Nathan Allen, speaking on item number 20. >> Hi. Can you hear me? Yes. >> Thank you so much. Hello. [10:17:21 AM] >> Thank you so much. Hello. Council members and mayor. I appreciate your time today. Please also thank your team members and staff for their work towards this. I've had the opportunity to speak to many of your policy members who were focused on the food plan. My name is Robert Nathan Allen. Many of you know me as rna. I've come before you many times before to talk about food, and I'm here again today as a community advisory committee member for the food plan. As someone who has been working on this for the last two years with many community members, leaders as well as city and county team members, I am thrilled to have this in front of you all. You all have have provided some great feedback and our cac members have taken that into account and amended the original draft appropriately. We're thrilled that we have a consensus decision from our cac members, which is an incredibly difficult thing to do in today's time to have a group of people who have a consensus decision that something is good for the [10:18:21 AM] that something is good for the community, and to the points that were brought up before by other speakers. This has the input of thousands of members of our community. It has thousands of hours of time from community members that have gone into it. It's robust. It is long lasting. This will be the framework that we can use for decades to come for our city. I'm thrilled as a parent that what this could mean for my children and their food system as they're growing up in Austin. And I'm thrilled as someone who will be growing old in Austin, that this will help ensure that I have access to safe, clean food. So I encourage you all to vote yes, to adopt the plan enthusiastically. And I see the rest of my time. Thank you. >> Next speaker is Zenobia Joseph speaking on item number 17. >> Thank you mayor council, I'm [10:19:56 AM] >> Thank you mayor council, I'm Zenobia Joseph. >> Let me just preface with viewpoint discrimination. Mayor. My comments are in the context of title VI of the civil rights act of 1964, as they always are, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin. I want you to recognize that I don't appreciate having to come down to council when I have other things to do, but I cannot actually trust that the city clerk will unmute me when I'm at home. So I want you to know I was on hold. I was listening to the music, listening to the meeting, and was not actually allowed to speak at the last meeting. As it relates to this contract for urban alchemy. I'm just really not sure about these change orders, mayor. So I'm just going to read into the record specifically. There's change orders, specifically section 252.048, which is before you specifies if changes are being made that you can in fact do that. But if you look at D, it says the original contract price may not be increased under this [10:20:57 AM] may not be increased under this section by more than 25%. And so I'm not quite sure what is actually happening with the urban alchemy contract. There's a lack of transparency. It's up to $20 million. It was over $1 million when it started, and so the staff has pretty much unilaterally given you an item that exceeds the 25% threshold. And I would ask you to recognize that the Texas comptroller's office actually has a criminal investigations department. And they look at fraud, waste, and abuse. That email is before you. It's Cid at cpa. Dot texas.gov fraud is trying to get something of value through willful misrepresentation. That's the government accountability office definition from 2017. And so I just want to remind you that when you were here on September 26th, 2020, for item 50, gave the city manager more authority to approve contracts, but yet it said for the past ten years that all the items that have come before you from from the staff, [10:21:57 AM] before you from from the staff, none of them have been rejected. And so I would just ask you to recognize the specific language here. There's also language in 271. This is a pattern. Mayor, I want you to remember the African American youth harvest foundation contract from Austin public health. It is germane to give you an example that was $2.445 million. That exceeds the 25% threshold as well. And so I would ask you to recognize that specifically, African Americans are over six times more likely than their white counterparts to be homeless. And yet you have done nothing to improve our access to services. I want you to recognize that even though the relocation information is in the backup, specifically, you are focusing on the downtown Austin area. There are homeless people, blacks in particular in northeast Austin with no resources. And even though you have the relocation information on the website, that language does not tell people that if they are being displaced by no fault of their own, that they can be reimbursed. And so I [10:22:57 AM] can be reimbursed. And so I would ask you to recognize that if you have any questions, I'll gladly answer them at this time. Thank you. >> You're welcome, miss Joseph, you're up for item number 18. Three minutes. >> Oh, this is $880,000. This is specifically. I'll just read it into the record because the public. It's a little difficult to follow a number. And not knowing what the context is, it authorizes the execution of a professional services agreement with focused advocacy, LLC. It's $880,000, and specifically, it's to provide federal agency and legislative representation in counseling, consulting services. And mayor, to me, this sounds like this is just you're going to have them speak before the legislature on items that will have a specific focus from council. Specifically, I just want to remind you that you cannot use public funds for [10:23:58 AM] cannot use public funds for propaganda, and you cannot have it for these lobbyists. And this appears to be a lobbying contract. And so if you would like to clarify, that would be helpful. But my opposition is specifically because much of what you're doing now is to try to get the federal funds for project connect, whether it's housing, whether it's transportation. And so when you go before the legislature, as you did this last legislative session, specifically, you had a bent you were for project connect, but many of the taxpayers were not. And I just want you to remember that if these people are actually representing the city, they need to take a neutral position, you know, and I know to mayor, from the legislature that when government employees testify, they testify neutrally. But here is an $880,000 contract that you're asking them to take a position on. So it seems to be a conflict of interest here. I want you to recognize that we all pay taxes. The people who are homeless, the people who actually are working, and that [10:24:58 AM] actually are working, and that these people who are actually going to take this contract will have a bent. That means they're going to be biased. And I just want to remind you that title six actually prohibits the bias as well. And so I don't I don't actually agree with this contract. And I want you to remember that language is in the federal statute as well. And so you may clarify if I misread what this is for, then you can let me know if you have any questions. I'll gladly answer them at this time and yield any time I have back. >> Thank you very much, miss Joseph. >> You're welcome. >> Moving back to in-person speakers for item number 20, Monica Guzman, Tiffany Washington, joy chevalier, Christopher Reyes, Diego de Verde, Jeremy gadsden, Alyssa Hammond, Cara hanakoa, and Ali Tharpe. If your name has been called, please make your way to [10:25:59 AM] called, please make your way to the podium and state your name for the record. >> Good morning, mayor and council. I'm Monica Guzman, policy director at Garza lugo Austin Atmos Austin. We support item 20 thanks to the office of sustainability, organizational stakeholders and community members who put in the hours for drafting the Austin Travis county food plan. Thank you, council, for your pending adoption of the Austin Travis county food plan. We want to highlight the importance of implementing goal six on page 23 of the draft plan. Goal six emphasizes community engagement and empowerment, which are crucial for fostering a sustainable food system. In addition, item 20 directly relates to the community owned food retail initiative, providing a vital avenue for our community to access healthy, local food options. Implementing these goals will also support the current work that god is leading around. The resilience hubs and the community owned food retail initiative. These efforts are essential for building a more resilient and equitable food system in our [10:27:00 AM] equitable food system in our economy. We also support item 26, especially line 54 of the draft resolution recognizing the community's role in creating the food plan. This be it further resolved, further supports initiatives that enhance our local food economy. Thank you for your commitment to improving our community's food system. We're excited to see these initiatives come to life and look forward to their positive impact on our community. Thank you. >> If your name's been called, please feel free to come to the microphone. >> Hello. Good morning. Council mayor. Mr. Watson, how are you doing? Good. Hello, Mr. Broadnax, my name is Tiffany Washington. I'm your local farmer as I like to let everybody know when I come here. I do own the only black owned urban farm in the city of Austin, Texas. And I'm here to talk about the food plan today. It has been painstaking for me to be a part of this food plan, because when we keep saying equitable and just, I never see any black farmers be a [10:28:02 AM] never see any black farmers be a part of it. And when I say black farmers, I mean those farmers that actually own land or are leasing land that work here, not farm workers or farmers that work for a white farm, I think that it is very important that as we move forward with this new food plan, that we do allow black farmers to have a stake in our community when it's time to grow, we are unable to produce for ourselves. I call that nutrition oppression, because when black people can't grow, they don't know. And what we don't know is that we are disconnected from our food and our food system. So I hope that this new food plan is going to be just and fair for not only people of color and disadvantaged and marginalized communities, but also for those local brown and black producers and growers who do not have a stake in the economic advancement of agriculture in the city of Austin, Texas. And I'll continue to come down here and knock down doors until somebody says, hey, y'all, go get that black girl some money so she can grow some food. Because the city of Austin said [10:29:03 AM] Because the city of Austin said that black agriculture built this city. Thank you. Oh, and I just want to give a shout out to my grandmother, the late, great miss Dorothy turner. I'm here on behalf of the black citizens task force, and I'll continue to come back down here just like she did. Thank y'all. >> Thank you. >> Good morning. Good morning. My name is Jeremy gadsden, and I am a resident of district eight in the oak hill area. I'm here to express my support for agenda item 20, the adoption of the Austin Travis county food plan in September of 2023, I had the opportunity to be a part of the food production issue area group of this food planning process. As a community member, I attended several workshops and formed special bonds with farmers sustainable food experts, policy educators, and community members. We worked to develop the draft goals and [10:30:05 AM] develop the draft goals and strategies for the food plan and further refine them based on community food feedback. Collaborating with brilliant and empathetic individuals as we work to build a sovereign and resilient local food system was invigorating. I've never had the chance to do work like this ever before. This experience motivated me to pivot my life and career from corporate marketing to pursuing a master of sustainable food systems at Arizona state university, where I am a United States department of agriculture nextgen scholar, and I'm loving every moment of learning and can already see how valuable these initiatives are. Like our food plan on a national and global scale. The austin-travis county food plan is a significant milestone that is shifting the food narrative. As I continue my sustainable food systems journey, I am 100% committed to being an advocate [10:31:07 AM] committed to being an advocate and ensuring our city and county's food plan will flourish. I believe it will challenge us community members in a great way to think deeply about our role in our local food system, and how we can make a positive impact, big or small, while also inspiring others to do the same. Gratitude. Thank you. >> Good morning council, and thank you. My name is ally Tharp and I'm a resident of district two. I serve as the nutrition and wellness manager at the rbg senior housing complex, and I'm also a co founder and volunteer leader of the festival beach food forest festival. Beach food forest is edible and medicinal landscaping on public parkland that was approved by city council back in 2014 and then again in 2022 to expand from two [10:32:09 AM] again in 2022 to expand from two thirds of an acre to three total acres. So thank you very much for working with us to pilot growing food systems on public lands here in the city of Austin. It's been truly inspiring to be a part of that project. As a volunteer over the last nine years, and I can say we've been studying the impact of the food forest on the community of Austin, particularly with max Neves model of fundamental human needs. And the food forest meets every single fundamental human need in some way, by engaging the community in being close to the Earth, close to the land. So you were a part of making that possible. And I just want to say thank you. I was a participant in the food plan, just as a community circle attendee and a survey respondent. I have deep respect for the work that's been done. It's a very, very high quality plan that I urge you to adopt today and also to fund in in that resolution. Item 25 as [10:33:09 AM] in that resolution. Item 25 as well. I also want to invite you to come out to the tripling of the food forest, the celebration of the first trees going in the ground. October 19th, 2 to 6 P.M. Council member Velasquez will be speaking. >> Thank you so much, but it's good to be there. >> It's a free, free community event, so I hope everyone listening might consider putting on your calendar to come to the food forest on October 19th. 2 to 6 P.M. And will be, you know, really marking the occasion of passing this food plan together by planting some new trees in a public park in Austin. So thank you. Also speaking as a food pantry manager at the senior center for rbj, there's so this plan is so comprehensive and it's so important and it's really going to meet the needs of people of all ages and all demographics here in the city of Austin. So let's get this passed. Let's get it funded. Let's go to work. Thank you. Thank you. >> Good morning. Council members [10:34:14 AM] >> Good morning. Council members and mayor. I'm Kara hanaoka, the executive director of good work Austin and a former restaurant industry worker. For the past 14 years, I've dedicated myself to improving our local food system, working in the nonprofit sector, and having previously served on the Austin Travis food county food policy board in my time, I've witnessed a sea change in the urgency and awareness to strengthen our food system, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge the passion and effort that's gone into the creation of the food plan. Today, I represent good work Austin, a nonprofit coalition of hundreds of local businesses committed to supporting our workers and fostering a healthier food and beverage community. Our food and beverage community is not just vital to our city's identity. It is an essential for a sustainable, resilient and equitable food system. We stand at a critical crossroads in Austin. Our 65,000 food workers are the backbone of our economy, yet they face long hours, strenuous conditions and an average wage of just over $15 [10:35:14 AM] an average wage of just over $15 an hour. Alarmingly, these many of these workers also experience food insecurity themselves. Nearly half of survey of those surveyed reported facing hunger at some point. The food plan offers strategies to ensure livable wages, fair labor practices and support for those facing food insecurity. The plan also addresses our community's resilience in the face of emergencies, whether they be pandemics or weather events that are becoming far too common. Good work Austin has provided thousands of meals during disasters, mobilizing local restaurants to meet urgent needs. But there is much more that needs to be done. We must create a system that values our environment and our neighbors, while encouraging innovation and economic growth. This plan has been shaped by community involvement from the start, with input from a dedicated community advisory committee and thorough consideration of feedback from stakeholders. Many efforts have been made to ensure it reflects the needs and desires of our [10:36:16 AM] the needs and desires of our community. I urge you to vote enthusiastically in favor of adoption of the food plan. I also encourage you to support any efforts today that enhance resources and support for the implementation of this plan, both now and in the future. The food plan represents years of hard work and collaboration, marking the journey towards a more equitable food system. You have the opportunity today to lead us towards a brighter future for our community. Thank you. Thank you. >> Good morning mayor and city council. My name is Alisa Hammond and I'm a member of the community at advisory, the community advisory committee. Excuse me for the food plan. And I also participated in all the issue area groups, went to as many of these as I could. My own background is working in sustainable food systems in the private sector, but I was amazed and I learned so much through every step of this process over [10:37:16 AM] every step of this process over the past two years, working on the food plan, I have never seen a project that is so grounded in community engagement. So much intentionality about the way we worked. So I just like to talk about this and using some food metaphors. So number one is this issue of inviting everyone to the table. When we worked in these issue area groups, I met social workers, composters, farmers, chefs, and most of all, people who are working directly with people who are impacted negatively by the food system and people that have a deep commitment to address hunger in our community and also within the cac. We worked with this consensus decision making that was transformative for me. Also, we it's where you are forced to listen to one another to create respect and trust and really be open to change. It's rare to be able to participate in a situation like this. Secondly, I'd like to say everything's on [10:38:17 AM] I'd like to say everything's on the menu at this table. It's a very holistic framework that's been used to think about how we can improve our food system from farm to fork to compost. It's especially relevant now with climate change. We woke up on the news to see what the next climate disaster is right now, bearing down on Florida. We know that we are having more disasters. Come more quickly and more intensely. So I'm excited about this plan for its focus on resilience and the solutions we have. For example, from farm, where we conserve farmland, promote regenerative agriculture that creates a climate solution, and we have that throughout the food plan. And finally, I'd like to talk about the enthusiasm and passion of the people that participated in this process, whether it was just at a community gathering at a library, or at an issue area group. There [10:39:19 AM] or at an issue area group. There is passion and enthusiasm to continue participating. This is a unique opportunity for us to really all work together and work on something where every day, at least three times a day, we have the opportunity to create, change. So with that I would say amen. Let's eat. Yeah. >> To continue your pattern, I'm hungry for more. >> Well, after all of that, I'm not sure you need to hear from me today. Let's do it. >> All right. Many of you guys know me. I'm joy chevalier. I have the honor of being the chair of the austin-travis county food policy board. And you've heard from many folks today about the extent of the community engagement. The two years of work, the years that went in before that, before we had the opportunity to create the food plan. And I am here to basically ask you guys to give your full support. But I understand you're on it's on the [10:40:20 AM] understand you're on it's on the consent agenda, which is amazing. So just very quickly, as you know, this is a historic partnership between Austin and Travis county. And it's been driven by the community leaders and community input to make our local and regional food system more resilient, more sustainable, more equitable, and more just. This plan is a foundation for ensuring that everyone has the right to good, clean, nutritious food and an agricultural system in support of that across Austin Travis county area. And that our region grows and prosperity, economic activity as we build something that we haven't had, which is an actual food and agricultural infrastructure conversation to support our expanding population. This plan has been crafted with community involvement from the start. As you've already heard, with a consensus along every step of the way. Even after the final draft was made available to the public, concerns from internal and external stakeholders were addressed to ensure that this plan is supported by and benefits the overwhelming joy of the community. Literally thousands [10:41:21 AM] community. Literally thousands and thousands of hours, community member and volunteer hours have gone into this plan and provide input, providing feedback that was incorporated. While the final plan does not. Sorry, the final plan doesn't have everything for everyone. It does mark a major milestone for building a more equitable and just food system in central Texas with the intentional language and guidelines included being codified into our actual city and county's history, inspiring other cities and counties to do this work as well. The food plan outlines many ways to make our community more resilient in the face of singular emergencies like pandemic and ice storms, as well as long term warming, warming, and extreme weather emergencies. And that includes in the plan discussions about procurement and the value of procurement and marshaling the forces that already exist within the city and within our community. So that's it. I'm here to advocate for a bunch of folks for your agreement and support of this food plan. Thank you all so, so much for all of the work and [10:42:21 AM] much for all of the work and consideration. Also like to give a quick shout out to our friends at the office of sustainability who keep us on track and really help the community be engaged in this process. Thank you so much you guys. Thank you. >> Christopher Reyes, Diego de Verde okay, we'll move on to item number 21. We have Elise Ferreira and Evelin Garcia, who is using interpretation services. Please state your name. >> Good morning. My name is Elise Ferreira. And good morning, council members and mayor Watson. I am the mother of two children who were forensically interviewed at the center for child protection, both in 2020 and 2022. I am here to plead with you for strong, transparent oversight of the APD regarding the grant acceptance and allocation for the $500,000 from the U.S. Department of justice for the Austin [10:43:22 AM] justice for the Austin collective for sex crimes response project. If the money is given, but not followed by demanding accountability, then the half $1 million might as well be thrown in the trash. As you know, in 2019, the audit of APD sex crimes department was a direct result of negligent and harmful practices regarding the evidence processing and storage, among many other things, on numerous occasions, previous chief Chacon set before you claiming that APD was improving these broken systems and claiming that the processes were being made more transparent, I find his statements to have been lip service in 2023. In January, I subpoenaed the forensic interviews of both of my children, only to be told by the Austin police department detective Brandon Pio, that the videos could not be found. His supervisor, Scott Donovan, gave me the runaround in phone call after phone call and email after email, when I attempted to push back. Then on two different occasions, I fed via direct FedEx to chief Chacon using direct signature, so I know he [10:44:24 AM] direct signature, so I know he received it two packages 30 pages long, each detailing the failures of his subordinates and my concern for the children who were potential other victims whose victims whose evidence was not locatable because of the Austin police department failures. And twice I received no response. The Austin police department uses vital software to record its forensic videos on the website by Gadhafi, who is the maker of the software. It says this evidence integrity was secure, tracking time, stamping permission management, grant access permissions to keep sensitive data safe. Rest easy knowing your evidence cannot be lost or used without your authorization. Many victims further are possibly harmed by this kind of lack of accountability. Madam chief, if you are listening, where are the videos of my children? Please, if you are voting to allocate this money, if you do not demand oversight of what happens to the [10:45:26 AM] oversight of what happens to the money and those two men, chief. I mean, detective Brandon Pio and sergeant Scott Donovan are still working. The money can go in the trash. Thank you. So much for your time. I appreciate it very much. >> Thank you. >> Evelin Garcia will get six minutes. >> Buenos dias. My name is Evelyn Garcia. Good morning. Mayor. My name is Evelyn Garcia. I'm asking permission to read the statement in Spanish for the resident because she has vision problems. So I'm going to use the method of site translation in Spanish. And interpret at the same time, please. Okay. Thank you. Buenos dias. Hola, senora. Garcia, vengo a hablar del punto numero uno para MI. Petition acerca de los residentes de la urbanizacion San Jorge court in el catorce, 23 Coronado hills drive, Austin, Texas, $78,000. Donde vivimos personas de salud [10:46:27 AM] Donde vivimos personas de salud Y personas de la tercera edad. Good morning. My name is miss Garcia. I come here to listen to my petition about the residents of Saint George court apartment complex located in 1443 Coronado hills drive, Austin, Texas, 78752 where we live disabled people and people of seniors and citizens. We Jackie somos victims de abuso tanto psicologico como fisico. Hemos tocado Puertas a las personas correspondientes Y no hemos obtenido ninguna respuesta. We have been victims of a psychological and physical abuse, and we have touched many doors and many other places, and we haven't obtained a response. La policia desafortunadamente no hace nada somos TREs mujeres fisicamente Y Vermont por un resident. Qué es apoyado por la mano de la misma propiedad? The police, unfortunately, has done anything for us. We are. We have been attacked physically and verbally by a resident. And this [10:47:28 AM] verbally by a resident. And this resident has been supported by the manager of the apartment complex, Selig Pio ayuda, a safe place Y desafortunadamente dicen como no esto es zo Tu Pareja no te podemos ayudar. We ask for help at the organization safe place. But they said because it's not my husband or my domestic partner. Unfortunately they cannot help me. But Una restricciones igual si no es Tu Pareja Ni Tu esposo no te lo podemos Dar for a restriction order is the same. If it's not your husband or your domestic partner, we cannot give it to you. La policia. A pesar de Tener pruebas de los ataques no lo estan Ella LE manager Esta hablando con la policia Y no estan. The police, despite of having the evidence of the attacks, has not arrested this resident and the manager is always talking to the police and he never gets arrested. Al marcar nueva desafortunadamente no Esta funcionando Bien para el sistema para obtener un interpreter. A veces es terrible [10:48:28 AM] interpreter. A veces es terrible en Una emergencia se tardan demasiado. For example, when I call 911. Unfortunately, the system to request an interpreter sometimes takes longer and is not good for us. And in an emergency they take a long time. El monitor para las quejas de la policia es igual uno tiene Ken Tener conocimientos para enviar un Correo electronic. Y ademas, enviar los en inglés Y si no es de Esta Forma, no se puede Tener Una de los policias hacen mal Su trabajo and if we use the system of the police oversight is the same because you have to have knowledge to send an email. And if you don't know English, this is the only way you can submit a complaint about the police when they're doing their jobs. La mayoria de las personas estamos pasando por Una situacion de estrés Y abuso Yo no soy de acuerdo de dinero a los policias. Cuando Esta trabajando muy mal, the majority of the people in this complex were going through a very stressful situation of abuse and am not agreeing that they give more money to the police when they're [10:49:29 AM] money to the police when they're not doing their job very well. El detective supuestamente dice casulo hay un detective en todo Austin habla espanol. Y esto es algo logico. Jake Austin tiene un porcentaje elevado de hispanos. The detective that visited the complex. It says that he's the only detective that is bilingual in Austin. And this is something illogical because the amount of hispanic people that is in the city. So I don't believe that there is only one bilingual police. Atmos atacados con ofensa de racismo no son llamado mojadas Ken regresemos a méxico porque no hablamos inglés Y estamos en américa. We have been victims of many offenses, like racist statements. They have called us or mojados. They have colors like why don't you speak English if you live in America or go back to Mexico? Esperamos la ayuda de algunos de ustedes para solucionar este problema. MI pregunta es donde cuidamos las victims de violencia O a donde vamos? My hope is that you help us with this problem, because [10:50:31 AM] us with this problem, because where are the victims of violence in this problem? Who's going to help us? Somos personas Ken somos de las ciudades de nueve ochenta Y siete. Somos TREs. We are three senior ladies. We are big that we are victims. Here we are 87, 80 and 89. So la unica persona venir hoy porque las otras personas no pudieron venir. I'm the only one that comes today because the other one couldn't come LE manager me amenazado con sacalm del apartamento si sigo haciendo estas denuncias. The manager has threatened me to take me out of the apartment on renewing my lease. If I continue doing this, this fighting for my rights. Muchas gracias por Su attention. Thank you. Muchas gracias. >> Por qué nos pueden ayudar? >> Thank you. And I hope you can help us. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. La ayuda a Su Lugar. >> We will now move to item number 23. Zenobia Joseph registered remotely. She has not [10:51:34 AM] registered remotely. She has not called in, but she was here earlier. Is she still here? >> Miss Joseph, are you still here? Miss Joseph? >> Okay, we'll move to item 26. Nathan Allen. >> Hello. I am speaking for the amendment by council member Fuentes. And with multiple cosigners from other council members. Just state that is the cac. There are many members that are excited about seeing this work move forward. And the recommended additions here will only provide more tailwind to the work and more moving. We're very excited to start the work. >> Thank you, thank you, thank you. >> Next speaker is Andy Smith. [10:52:34 AM] >> Next speaker is Andy Smith. >> Hello. Yeah, just wanting to speak in support and encourage your support of resolution 26, directing the city manager to collaborate with partners in implementing the austin-travis county food plan that was discussed earlier. As you've heard already, this food plan is not just another proposal, but it's really a visionary roadmap born out of extensive community engagement designed to transform our local food system into one that serves every resident equitably and sustainably and it really represents countless hours of analysis and stakeholder consultation and strategic planning by members of our community that are involved in countless aspects of this system. It provides a comprehensive diagnosis of the current food system's challenges as well as outlines actionable strategies to create a resilient and inclusive food ecosystem. [10:53:36 AM] and inclusive food ecosystem. While the success for this plan hinges on collaboration across various sectors, the city of Austin must step up and assume a pivotal leadership role in encouraging implementation of this plan. So I ask that you empower our city staff with the resources and mandate to implement this plan and invest in healthier citizens, a more robust local economy, and a more sustainable future here in our city and in Travis county. This is really an opportunity to take bold action, and I urge you to vote in favor of this resolution and take a decisive step forward in creating a healthy food system. Thanks for your consideration and your commitment to our community's well-being. I see you the rest of my time. >> In person, speakers on item 26 are Tiffany Washington, Larry Franklin, Diego de Verde, Elijah Anderson, faith Franco, Alyssa Hammond, bill bunch, and Ellie [10:54:41 AM] Hammond, bill bunch, and Ellie Tharp. If your name has been called, please make your way to the podium and state your name for the record. >> Hey y'all, I'm back. My name is Tiffany Washington. I'm your local farmer. I like to reiterate that because I think people don't really get the point when I say I'm your local farmer. That's literally what I mean. I am looking for the black farmers in Austin, Texas. We just heard all these people talk about the food plan, who's growing the food and where are we going to grow the food? They just told me on spectrum news that we were losing 17 acres of farmland, a day. So where where am I supposed to farm? I farm on the corner of main road and rocky, one of the one of the most crime ridden corners in our community. And not only is it crime ridden, but we lack access to local foods. So when we keep talking about doing the food plan and having access to all of this stuff, I still have to find [10:55:41 AM] this stuff, I still have to find out who's growing it and where are we going to grow it at. So I would like to ask again. I'm not going to ask. I'm going to demand that we get some funding for our food plan so that the agriculturalists, the ones that actually grow the food, are able to live. We're able to take care of our kids. I got four kids. I got a husband. I'm growing food for the city. The people passed out on the street, on crack, underneath the bus stop, across the street from my house. And I can never get no support and proper services to make none of this stuff happen. But I keep hearing y'all say equitable and just and fair. Can we please find some fairness for the black agriculturalists in the communities, the ones that y'all said built the city of Austin at what point is anybody going to say yes? We need to focus on our growers because we can't have no food plan without producers, food producers. The lady just said it's 70 community gardens and only one person manages [10:56:43 AM] and only one person manages them. That don't even make no sense to me. So where is all of our food coming from? I'm just so sick and tired of coming down here and having to say the same thing over and over again. Can we please pay the black farmers in the community? The black and brown ones? I say the black ones, because the city said they was going to give us some type of resource to help save our lives. And I would like to have an agricultural complex on about 20 acres, so we can teach the black kids how to grow food, how to build, and how to live a just and equitable life in Austin, Texas. Bye y'all. >> Hello, my name is faith chonko and I'm a resident of district nine. I'm also a lifelong resident of Austin. I'm here to express my support for this resolution and ask for your support for a critical issue. Our city has to address collectively. As I watched the news this week, I can't help but be moved by the incredible storm [10:57:44 AM] be moved by the incredible storm that's making its way or has made its way to Florida's coast. I become emotional as I watched the career meteorologist break down while observing the sheer magnitude of its force, and I sit in genuine awe with genuine fear as another tells me, it's reaching the mathematical limit of what should be possible. These storms are becoming possible because of cultural shifts and policy decisions that create the conditions that make them possible. Everything that's been done and everything that we do from this point has a ripple effect for better or for worse. Food is a really big part of what we do, and here in Austin, we mostly eat food. It's celebrated, and it's on nearly every list of reasons to travel to Austin. And while that's something to be proud of, we can't claim that pride for ourselves because we're dependent on the rest of the world to provide us that food. They we're dependent on everyone else to serve our tourists, to [10:58:46 AM] else to serve our tourists, to serve each other, and to serve our families. As it stands right now, we simply wouldn't exist without other states and other countries providing us that food. Right now, something as simple as a truck breaking down or a highway flooding can disrupt our community's ability to meet our most basic need. A friend of mine shared a story with me about winter storm uri uri, where he was waiting in line at HEB, hoping to get some eggs for his family, and he noticed in the line there were people openly carrying firearms as if they were prepared to fight for the last dozen. This is just a small example of how fragile our current food system is, and the desperation it causes in people, and how easily that can go awry. By implementing the proposed food plan in a real and meaningful, meaningfully supported way, we not only have the opportunity to become more self-reliant and to proactively prepare our community for its more are intensifying weather events. We [10:59:47 AM] intensifying weather events. We also have the opportunity to turn our community's ripple into a beneficial wave for ourselves and for our global neighbors, who are the ones growing our food. This food plan lays out clear and actionable strategies that nourish our people, nourish our economy, and nourish our futures. If we have dedicated support from the city behind it last fall and earlier, this year, I sat across from dozens of community members who committed to showing up over and over voluntarily, taking time out of their day to think critically about how to craft a strategic and feasible plan. The dedication to the goals of this plan are not isolated to those rooms already over 300 community members. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Ali Tharpe. Once again, and I really appreciate this amendment. Specifically because it's so [11:00:47 AM] Specifically because it's so focused on getting it done, actually getting the funding we need, getting the staffing and the collaborations between stakeholders that we need to implement the food plan. That is so incredibly important. I'll just say again, this food plan, as was said by other people testifying today, was so comprehensive in bringing together stakeholders having a true, community led, community driven process, so that's commendable. Austin has done a tremendous job with this food plan. And let's not stop there. Let's make sure that we implement it and that we get the funding we need to fully do that at scale. And especially I've been working on climate issues for the past ten years for my whole adult professional life. And a third of the solutions identified to climate change in Paul Hawkins drawdown, which is one of our national kind of roadmaps for what to do about climate change. A third of the solutions in that book are about food systems. So this is incredibly linked, incredibly important when it comes to those climate issues, but also to a basic human life and what it [11:01:47 AM] basic human life and what it means to have a thriving city, a thriving community here in Austin. So definitely please also pass this piece of the food plan agenda today, because what it signals is that you're committed to not just have a good plan, but to implement a good plan. Thank you. >> First, I just want to start off with saying thank you, god. Following my name is Larry Franklin. Boards and commissions. Food policy boards and commissions. Joint sustainability co-chair of the Austin Travis county food plan. And finally, and most important to me, I'm the founder and executive director of black lives matters. The nonprofit. I'm in support of this resolution. I'm in support of this resolution because collectively, what you see is the food plan. What you see is so many people that poured into a plan Wright but what good is a plan without an implementation strategy? And that's what we [11:02:48 AM] strategy? And that's what we lack. We lack an implementation strategy. And the only way that we can serve our people, because these people live in each and every one of your communities, and these people struggle to make sure that your community members have food on their plate, access to local healthy food, and many other things. And so I believe that it's in our best interest to make sure that these people have the resources that's needed to implement a successful food plan. Thank you all. So much. And once again, these people. >> All right, Alisa Hammond, again with the community advisory committee on the food plan. I'm just going to leave you with one number that is for me, the reason we need to act today to pass this resolution. 16.8 acres of farmland are lost every day in our agricultural region. We just don't have time to waste. As we talk about food plan implementation, 16.8 acres [11:03:50 AM] plan implementation, 16.8 acres lost every day. Thank you very much. >> Back to item number 23. Zenobia Joseph is now here. >> Thank you. Mayor. Council. I'm Zenobia Joseph. Item 23 is specifically the cadet class. And you're looking at housing and other options. My opposition is not to the police. It is specifically the direction of council to narrowly focus on the cadets and other options. This is the Mackenzie Kelly item and two altars. And Velasquez and Allison altar was here on March 4th, 2021. Item 67 when there was a black apology for the intentional discrimination of [11:04:50 AM] intentional discrimination of council. And so I would ask you to do more for black people before you leave the dais. Specifically, I want you to recognize that the pro housing grant application for the city of Austin is due on the 15th of October, and there is an opportunity pro stands for pathways to removing obstacles to housing $7 million. Amanii Demayo presented this Tuesday at the community development commission. It is germane, mayor, because I want you to recognize that there are opportunities to do things for black people. You just heard from farmer Tiffany, who told you specifically about the people sleeping at the bus stops. Yesterday I was actually at Austin community college north ridge. Black man, no shoes. Went into the woods. Black woman all her bags sitting. I asked her if she wanted bananas. Black man sitting looking out into the hallway. I want you to recognize that when I tell you that African Americans are six times [11:05:50 AM] African Americans are six times more likely than their white counterparts to be homeless, the July 1st, 2022 echo report. It is real. You are looking at me. I want you to understand that the options that you are looking at for cadets apply to black people too. You have basically erased us. You have left us languishing on the benches. But there is an opportunity. Mayor, this pro housing application has absolutely nothing to curtail eviction or homelessness. But that is the priority for hud. So I want you to go back to Mandy Demayo and ask her to do something for African Americans. I want you to recognize that what she put in that plan is for Ryan drive, 6909 Ryan drive, which is crestview station. That isn't even in the priority for the phase one of project connect. That's the additional funding that you may get in the future. But yet that is what the $7 million is being asked for. I want you to remember that the light rail will end. It will [11:06:52 AM] light rail will end. It will terminate at Hyde park, which was developed exclusively for white people from 1889 to 1924 by colonel Monroe Shipe. We are excluded. We are excluded at plaza saltillo. We are excluded. I want you to remember October 17th, 2019, when council rezone 1308 units, students, low income residents. Yes, there are opportunities for black people and low income individuals as well. This council has demonstrated its commitment to segregation. If you have any questions, I'll gladly answer them at this time. Thank you. >> Item number 29, Aileen Mcguinness. >> Hello? Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> I am. My name is Eileen Mcguinness. District nine. I'm speaking in support of city leap because I've witnessed firsthand how even a small shift in how we use our city streets can have a [11:07:53 AM] use our city streets can have a profound effect on the life of a child. Back in the pandemic, my then five year old learned to ride a bike on a pilot healthy street. That healthy street took us safely from our park deficient neighborhood to a green space in an adjacent one. Now nine years old, my son rides his bike to and from school daily and he has inspired the whole family to get around more often by bike. Now, there are many reasons for moving forward with city leap and many populations who would benefit. But I want to call your attention to children because too often we don't think of them when making infrastructure decisions from a car dominant lens. Non-drivers like kids don't factor in. But when cars become just one part of the ecosystem, we can better see that Austin's roads belong to our children too. Whether they're biking or riding in carpools or busses, their safety matters. Traffic fatalities are the second leading cause of death in U.S. Children. Children living near major roadways are also at a greater risk of developing respiratory illnesses, like asthma and an experiencing more severe symptoms. I'm speaking today not [11:08:53 AM] symptoms. I'm speaking today not only as the mom of a bike loving young austinite, but as the founder of local nonprofit the parents climate community. In that capacity, it's become abundantly clear to me that car dependance is jeopardizing our kids climate future, transforming our city's infrastructure to make space for active and alternative transportation is a crucial part of our responsibility to the next generation. A former mayor of bogota once asked what it would be like if we designed our cities with kids in mind. What if we saw our cities through their eyes, their experiences of them? It's a question that points to other, more hopeful reasons for why city elite matters by investing in safer streets and more family friendly bike infrastructure, we can cultivate our kids well-being, their sense of community, their growing Independence and most important of all, their joy. Thank you. >> Robert bowler. >> Hello, council. [11:09:54 AM] >> Hello, council. >> Let me know if you cannot hear me. My name is Robert bowler. I'm a homeowner in district four. Watson chito. I'm here speaking in favor of the city leap proposal. Sometimes I come up in front of y'all as a cyclist, but we have many different lives. And I own a car. And so I'm asking you as a driver today to implement, well, to do this study and then carry out the city leap plan. If you look at the roads that will be affected by city leap, they are some of the frankly ugliest and most stressful city owned roads to drive on. I just drove on 45th street today and around that curve at Duval, it's I almost got killed by someone. It's just a regular occurrence because there's no turn lane and it's just real. So this is obviously a win for moving people around the city, equity for their climate, but also giving the Barton creek or Barton springs road study. We now know that doing this plan [11:10:54 AM] now know that doing this plan will basically not affect travel times, which seems wild, but that is what the numbers are telling us. So please take this seriously. And I'm really excited to see what the study reveals and Fugitt Sargent appreciate y'all. >> Moving to in-person speakers on item 29, Adam Greenfield, Clara Williams, and felicity Maxwell. >> Good morning, mayor and council Adam Greenfield here with safe streets Austin. Also to speak in support of agenda 29. The city staff study this is a really amazing moment. This this would not have been possible before to get to this, to get this far where a council would put something forward like this, that's so visionary, so bold and so necessary for this city. Our arterial roadways right now are not meeting [11:11:56 AM] right now are not meeting austinites needs. They're not they're not safe enough. They're not clean enough. They're not sustainable enough. And they don't attract enough people to support our local businesses. In one fell swoop, city leap would do that. It will address the road safety crisis. It would clean our air. It would make our arterial roadways much more pleasant and support the local economy. We've seen that road lane conversions work and they work every single time. Barton springs road has been transformed by this treatment. The road lane conversion over the longhorn dam took four months to pay for itself in terms of comprehensive crash cost savings to society. Imagine seeing that on a city wide scale. This is an extremely exciting moment in a video released this week from the former council member Chris Riley, who passed away recently, he said city leap will be the kind of legacy that you, the [11:12:58 AM] kind of legacy that you, the council, will be very happy to leave behind because it will have huge positive impacts for generations to come. And I think council member Riley was speaking to what this council clearly is, which is a generational historic council that has made generational changes in housing, land use, food and transportation. So we're really excited about this. Thank you so much. >> Good morning. Mayor, mayor pro tem council members felicity Maxwell, district five resident or a board member speaking in support of item 29. Our community received some excellent news yesterday regarding project connect and perhaps even more exciting was the announcement of a proposed pedestrianization of part of congress avenue. And now, with today's discussion of city leave study, we're seeing further proof of this council's leadership on both housing and transit issues. We know that the city of Austin has over $1 billion in planned infrastructure projects, and [11:13:58 AM] infrastructure projects, and many have noted concerns regarding traffic and congestion that will result the city. Leap offers our community a path forward to maximizing existing transit, existing infrastructure, promoting non-car transportation that maximizes throughput. As we begin work on I-35, project connect, and the Austin airport with service improvements to capmetro expansion of our electric bike network through metro bike and commitment to additional sidewalks and bikeways through our bonds. City leap is a natural extension of our current and planned mobility investments, and will allow us to more efficiently move austinites to the city as we undertake this massive transformation. Particular thanks to safe streets Austin, our urban transportation committee, and of course, council member Ellis and the district street office for bringing the city leap forward proposal to council. We look forward to working with the transportation and public works office as the study moves forward, and are excited to see Austin's roadways repurposed to better serve the needs of our changing city. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good morning, mayor and [11:15:00 AM] >> Good morning, mayor and council members. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to speak with you all today. My name is Clara Williams. I'm a junior at Mccallum high school. I'm here today in support of the city's plan to convert lanes on major Austin roads to bus and bike lanes. I wanted to share why this is important to kids and teenagers like me, kids and teens who don't drive yet and rely on public transportation and bikes. More than most adults growing up near downtown, I've used my bike to run errands and go to friends houses. Having more bike lanes would make it a lot easier for kids like me to get around safely on our bikes. Safety is a real concern. I know that thousands of bicyclists are injured and killed every year on U.S. Roads. I actually saw a body on the road after a fatal accident last may. This was really scary to me, and it's something I won't forget. Teens and young adults have the highest rates of bicycle related injuries treated in emergency departments. Having more protected bike lanes would help prevent these types of accidents from happening. During middle school and part of high school, I had to use the city bus to come home because there weren't school busses that came to my neighborhood from my school. [11:16:02 AM] neighborhood from my school. Part of the reason this with this part of the problem with this was that I got home really late and the busses were almost never on time. I know this is an issue with a lot of my fellow classmates. City leaders plan to likely improve the efficiency of busses and make them more reliable. Having dedicated bus lanes and better bike lanes on Austin's arterials would benefit our city in so many ways. I respectfully ask for your support on the city plan. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> Item number 68, Zenobia Joseph. >> Miss Joseph, miss Joseph, please go to the next speaker. >> Item number 70, Katy Naranjo and bill bunch. >> Katy Naranjo. Katy. Naranjo. Mr. Bunch, would you please come forward? Yeah. I'm here. >> Thank you. Bill bunch. [11:17:21 AM] >> Thank you. Bill bunch. Speaking on 70 on the waller creek design plan. I'm not. I guess I'm speaking on this. I do hope that you all take and direct staff and the community to take a second look at what we're doing along waller creek. It's tagged for excessive development, excessive spending of limited tax dollars. This resolution specifically refers to the tirz. And we've put a whole ton of money into paving a lot of this little bit of nature in downtown. And you're looking at and what's on the books today, as we sit from previous councils. And I don't believe this council has ever really looked at this issue. And taking [11:18:22 AM] looked at this issue. And taking a second look. But you've got I believe, well over $100 million still of further construction to build, essentially a replica or variance of the New York City high line, a very derivative, totally unnecessary. You know, the high line was reclaiming a historic structure and repurposing it. It wasn't building an aerial walkway from scratch as new construction so that people don't ever have to touch the Earth and be connected to nature. It's wildly inappropriate. And please revisit the whole thing. The money, the construction, the pavement and what the priority for what we haven't already paved over in our waller creek parks really should be. Thank [11:19:22 AM] parks really should be. Thank you. >> Thank you, mayor and council. My name is Katy Naranjo. I am actually a board member on the nonprofit that helps to run the public private partnership with Waterloo greenway and so, while I wildly disagree with the most recent characterization by Mr. Bunch, I do welcome you to come and walk the chain of beautiful parks that go from 15th street all the way to town lake, also known as lady bird lake, but most importantly to reemphasize and thank council member qadri for bringing this item up. And also council member alter and his staff who have been on numerous walkthroughs with us as we are trying to complete this project. My role on the board of Waterloo greenway is to help raise the $100 million in public and private funds to meet the city's vast investment in this area. That's that's desperately needed. But most importantly, [11:20:25 AM] needed. But most importantly, this is a resolution to make another resolution, hopefully in about ten months and to study more things that we've already studied. Essentially, we are needing setbacks put in place to protect the green space along the creek to allow for the green infrastructure that we've been putting in, whether it be the parks themselves, whether it be the plants and the trees, the heritage oaks that we have planted along the way, as well as protecting the bike trails, the pedestrian bridges. Et cetera. And we do not have those setbacks right now. We should have had them back in 2011. We are now going to study again for another ten months. But my hope is, is that this council takes the brave stance of putting community interest and green space first, and that the public's investment in this is important enough to not delay for another ten years. We thank you for your investment. We thank you for your partnership, and we thank you for bringing this issue forward, and we look [11:21:25 AM] this issue forward, and we look forward to working with each of you down on Waterloo greenway to see the refuge palm school, the palm park, Waterloo park, as well as the confluence is a beautiful area that will help bridge, especially in an area that was previously very dangerous and unsafe. Bridge the gap between downtown Austin and I-35 that has been forgotten for many years. So thank you for your efforts and please, urgency is needed in action once we get these studies. Please take those studies to heart and act. We look forward to your action and partnering with you going forward. Thank you. Thank you to item 71, Craig nazer. >> Hello, Austin city council and I just want to say I really think this is a great item. I've been a musician all my life, so [11:22:26 AM] been a musician all my life, so my ears have done a lot of listening to a lot of different sounds. And what I'm being overwhelmed with now. My neighborhood is the sound of machinery. Just this past week, I had two huge stumps drilled out. I had a tree cut down, the lawnmowers come in the morning, leaf blowers don't even get me started. And all these are two cycle engines that are producing huge amounts of pollution and CO2. Also, I have a neighbor who seems to run a air compressor at odd times, and then we have air conditioning units that get old and get very loud. So I think this is a very important, but there's something even more subtle than this. Recently, to improve my house, I got a good deal on triple pane windows, and what I found out with triple pane windows is they're even better than double pane windows with cutting out all these sounds. So then you close all your windows. Well, there's a sound that becomes missing, and it's the sound of nature. It's a [11:23:28 AM] it's the sound of nature. It's a sound of nature that used to be everywhere and is now disappearing. And if it's covered with the sound of motors, you don't hear it. And this is important because we don't know what we're missing. And then it's gone. So I really support this. Thank you very much. Mayor Luz, all these years. >> Speaker, thank you very much, madam clerk members, as you just heard, that concludes all of the speakers. What I will do is first take a motion on the consent agenda before I do that, I want to recognize councilmember Fuentes, because item number five, she has a an aspect to that, that when I take the consent agenda motion, I would like for her comment and her motion to be a part of that consent agenda. So we can just move that through. So, councilmember Fuentes, I [11:24:29 AM] councilmember Fuentes, I recognize you first. >> Sure. >> This is a motion to item number five. As part of the scope of this contract, the city manager is directed to ensure the participation of the aviation department as a leading partner in the design of the infrastructure academy that was created to support transformative infrastructure investments with family supporting jobs and sustainable careers, and to ensure that the academy is connecting local people to the most in-demand positions at the airport. As directed in a previously passed resolution. >> Thank you for that. So when I when I have the motion in the second on the consent agenda, that will be included in the consent agenda motion, councilmember Allison alter, you move that councilmember Allison alter moves adoption of the consent agenda, seconded by councilmember. Excuse me. Velasquez. Okay. You you're recognized. Councilmember. Thank you. >> Mayor. I just wanted to make a point of clarification. >> There's late backup for item 22. The board and commission nominations, and I wanted to make sure that was included in the consent agenda because I have an appointee to the Asian [11:25:30 AM] have an appointee to the Asian American quality of life advisory commission that I would like to make sure. >> Yes, I read that in and I read that into the record in the beginning. So thank you. Yeah, thanks for calling that out. And good to make it a part of the record a second time. So people do know that. So thank you for that. All right members, there's been a motion and a second on the consent agenda. And now I'll recognize speakers. The first one I'll recognize is council member Ryan alter followed by council member Kelly. Then councilmember vela. >> Thank you very much. >> I just wanted to highlight an item we brought around the sound study. You know, we had the chance to have this discussion a little while ago about what we are seeing kind of interfere with quality of life in Austin, particularly as it relates to mechanical noise that is reaching various residences. And so what we're going to do is kick off a study today so that we can see if our sound ordinances are in line, not only with what other peer cities are doing, but to make sure we're [11:26:31 AM] doing, but to make sure we're protecting the quality of life for the residents throughout Austin. So I really appreciate my co-sponsors on this. And just look forward to being able to come back and address this issue that we've heard about from the public. >> Thank you. Councilmember. Councilmember Kelly, followed by councilmember vela, then councilmember qadri. >> Thank you, mayor. Colleagues. Today marks a significant milestone in my journey as a council member representing district six. With the passage of item 23, I'm proud to announce it's the 41st policy. I've had the honor of advancing since I started representing my district. This item specifically directs the city manager to conduct a feasibility study on providing housing options for our public safety cadets, expanding on the groundwork laid by our former interim city manager for police cadets to include fire and ems cadets, this initiative has been a focus of mine for much of my term, and I'm deeply thankful for the collaborative efforts that have brought us to this point. We ask [11:27:31 AM] brought us to this point. We ask our public safety cadets to often uproot their lives, and sometimes their families, to come to Austin for some of the best training in the nation, all while facing the challenges of our ongoing affordability crisis. It's my hope that through this study, we will be presented with actionable options to make it easier for cadets to live here while serving our community. I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the associations representing our police, fire, and ems departments, as well as the Austin apartment association and the Austin board of realtors for their unwavering support in getting this across the finish line. Today here at our meeting, as noted in the Austin police department's letter, this program could alleviate some of the financial pressures cadets face while relocating to Austin, allowing them to settle in and focus on their training. The Austin firefighter association echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the challenges that cadets face due to low pay and pension reductions. Upon graduation. The apartment association also highlighted the [11:28:32 AM] association also highlighted the potential for public private partnerships to help provide affordable housing options through their upcoming partner and safety alliance program, and the Austin board of realtors stressed the importance of addressing the undersupply of housing for public safety workers. I'm also deeply appreciative of my co-sponsors Allison alter, Ryan alter, and Jose Velasquez, and to my colleagues all sitting up here today for their commitment to making Austin a place where our public safety personnel can thrive. Together, this council is working to ensure that those who protect and serve the community have the support they need to call Austin home. Thank you, thank you. >> Council member. Council member vela, followed by council member qadri and then council member Fuentes. >> Thank you mayor. I would like to be added as a co-sponsor to the city leap item by council member Paige Ellis. That's a really excellent item and I'm looking forward to it. You know, we've seen these changes happen on a lot of different streets. They've been great changes facilitating pedestrian and bicycle activity, slowing vehicles down, making the [11:29:33 AM] vehicles down, making the streets safer for everyone. And ultimately we're not going to be able to tackle our affordability or climate change challenges unless we move away from the single vehicle with a one person in it driving everywhere all the time. We've got to shift to alternative modes of mobility, and with that, a great item. >> And without objection, council member vela will be shown as a co-sponsor of the item. >> Okay. And then I also just wanted to I'm a co-sponsor on the item, but council member Ryan alter's item with regard to the sound ordinance, again, we are making a lot of changes to our zoning codes. Our city is going to look and feel differently. We do have to be very sensitive to the concerns of residents and make sure that we are keeping a peaceful kind of quiet atmosphere and anything that we can do to block the noises of, you know, the plumbing and mechanical and ac and all that kind of stuff. We need to go ahead and build that [11:30:34 AM] need to go ahead and build that into our code. I think that's a great item and I'm proud to be a co- sponsor on it. Thank you mayor. >> Thank you, councilmember. Councilmember qadri, followed by councilmember Fuentes and then council member Velazquez. >> Thank you. Mayor. >> I want to first touch on item 28, which was a voter registration item. Hopefully folks in this chamber and who are watching are registered to vote. If you haven't already. It's too late, so hopefully you'll. Yeah, yeah, sorry, but hopefully we'll see you next time. >> Yeah, that's good news there. Councilmember qadri. >> Yeah, but but I just want to thank move Texas for inspiring us to create this item after they came forward to partner with our office for national voter registration day. And I'd also like to thank my co- sponsors, councilmember Fuentes vela and Allison alter. Civic participation is a foundational value of our city, and this resolution lays the groundwork for greater civic participation and involvement in Austin. I look forward to working with the dais and staff when this analysis comes back to pass. The final items that we need to execute on these goals. And then I'd also like to speak [11:31:35 AM] And then I'd also like to speak on item number 70, and I want to thank everyone who came and spoke on it. And I also want to thank the Waterloo greenway conservancy, red river cultural district for their advocacy for their advocacy on this item. I want to thank city staff. I also want to thank councilman Ryan and her staff for doing all the great tirz with us on the site visits that we did, and would encourage everyone to come on down with the d9 team next time we go or just to go in general to Waterloo greenway. The item aims to inform council of our options to most effectively and efficiently implement the city's vision for waller creek. The city has a long term vision of a world class linear park and trail system along waller creek, and the guiding principles have always been open space, pedestrian and bikeway connections, and promoting development activity and increased investment along the creek and throughout the area. As we need to make sure we balance all three of these guiding principles as we move forward. The next segment of construction for waller creek is especially challenging to [11:32:36 AM] especially challenging to complete. It goes along our beloved red river cultural district, which we know faces many constraints and challenges themselves. And. But I'm honored to be and excited to be a member of the diocese at a time when we're we're getting to implement a lot of really great things. And this next segment of this generational project, which is Waterloo greenway. And I'm excited to see the completion of the vision for the entire park district area. I know it won't be easy, but I'm hopeful that we can learn from past development negotiations along waller creek to streamline and simplify the process for all parties. And I just want to thank once again, my colleagues on this item, councilmember Bella Ryan alter and mayor pro tem pool. >> Thank you. Council member, council member Fuentes, followed by council member Velasquez. And then council member Ellis. >> Thank you. Colleagues, I want to thank you for your support of the austin-travis county food plan. This has been an effort that's been going on in our community for a number of years, so I'm thrilled that we are poised to adopt this historic [11:33:37 AM] poised to adopt this historic food plan. We know that everyone in Austin deserves access to affordable, healthy food. Unfortunately, many of our food deserts are along the eastern crescent, and so I know by adopting this plan, we are taking a significant step towards addressing food insecurity. For 15% of Travis county residents are food insecure. But more importantly, we're also setting into motion an implementation direction. That's the item that I brought forward along with the support of my co- sponsors, council member harper-madison, councilmember Allison alter, councilmember josé Velasquez, and councilmember qadri. Thank you for your support. And you know, we have so many plans at the city of Austin, a lot of plans. But what's going to be really important is that we fund our plan. So with the item that we brought forward, it really sets into motion as a priority for the next budget cycle that we are funding the necessary investments to accelerate and advance this food plan, as well as ensure it's a part of the conversation of our bond advisory task force so that it's [11:34:37 AM] advisory task force so that it's included in the next bond package. So with that, I want to share my gratitude. Also, a special shout out to Amelia Casas on my team for her work on this. And again, thank you to all the advocates who participated as part of the community engagement process. We really appreciate your input and feedback. >> Thank you. Councilmember. Councilmember Velasquez, followed by councilmember Ellis and then councilmember Allison alter. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I want to be the second, Jose added to item number 29. The other holt-rabb to it. >> So and I want to thank without objection, the second Jose will be added and I just wanted to thank councilmember Ellis for bringing this. >> It's really exciting and visionary for our city. I wanted to thank council member Ryan alter for letting us work on item number 71. He's not paying attention right now, but it's all good for letting us work with him on item number 71. As we grow as the other said, as we grow as a city, we need to remain cognizant of how noise pollution is affecting our [11:35:37 AM] pollution is affecting our neighbors and neighborhoods. Let's see. I had two more here. Item number 25. I wanted to thank my co-sponsors. We are honoring or we honored a legend, Manuel cowboy Donley, with a tribute at park Zaragoza. Thank you all so much to councilmember qadri. The mayor, councilmember alter, and councilmember Paige Ellis for co-sponsoring that with us. Item number 27. It we're reimbursing fees for a transformative youth justice program that is being done by judge Denise Hernandez. This is imperative in ensuring that our youth do not end up in the criminal justice system, and that we are finding alternative ways for them to, well, to just not end up in the criminal justice system. And last but not least, I wanted to agree with the mayor that anytime I am talking at an event, it is going to be a great one. So the tree, the tree planting event at the [11:36:38 AM] the tree planting event at the at the oh my god, of course I'm going to lose it though. >> So far you're doing great. >> Yes, the community gardens in east Austin, the food forest in in east Austin. Please come out on October 19th. Not not to hear me. Absolutely not to hear me, but just to come out and celebrate the tree planting ceremony. Thank you. >> That's great. Thank you. Council member, council member Ellis, followed by councilmember Allison alter. >> Thank you. Mayor, I'm very excited about item number 29. The city leap program. I'm excited to be kicking off this planning study because I think that as our city grows and we are doing a much better job of supporting our multimodal shift goals, we have seen that we can have safer infrastructure and cleaner air and water quality by implementing these methods. There are a lot of people that are trying to get creative with their commutes, whether they are to work or the grocery store or church or wherever they're taking their kids. People are trying new methods, and I'm really excited to be able to support that. Thank you to safe [11:37:39 AM] support that. Thank you to safe streets and aura for being supportive of this item today. But the person who called out the Barton springs vision zero pilot program, it has been very successful. It has made sure that people can get from point a to point B a much safer. And it hasn't been slowing down cars. So I think it's really fantastic way of using our public space creatively and making sure that people can be safe as they go about their day. So I appreciate this item being kicked off today and I also would like to ask to be added as a co-sponsor to item number 70. I believe it is. That is the waller creek study. I think that's a really creative conversation about utilizing public space, making it warm and welcoming to all, and being able to accommodate the growth that is happening in the region. We want people to be downtown. We want them to be compact and connected and have complete communities. And I think this is going to be a great program. And the folks that have been doing work on waller creek have been very mindful of the environment and all of the needs in the surrounding area. So I'd love to be added as a co-sponsor. >> Without objection, council [11:38:40 AM] >> Without objection, council member Ellis will be shown as a co-sponsor of that item. Thank you. Council member, councilmember Allison alter. >> Thank you. There's a lot of great items on this agenda. >> The waller creek item, the noise item, city leap. I want to speak to three items in particular that have been engaged with in one way or another. >> The first is I'm pleased to bring forward item 24. This is an ordinance that dedicates as parkland several city owned sites in district one, district three and ten that are currently managed by the watershed protection department. While these properties are already city owned, parkland dedication is an important step so that we can allow parks related dollars to be used to make improvements to these sites. After this action, the parks department would be able to, with the community, plan their next steps regarding how these properties can be improved and open to public use. My office has been working with the neighbors in district ten regarding the charing cross site for quite some time, so we're very excited to be taking this step today. I want to thank my co-sponsors, Natasha harper-madison, council member Velasquez, and council [11:39:41 AM] member Velasquez, and council member Ryan alter, and the watershed protection department and pard for their efforts to improve park access. Item 21 accepts $500,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of justice that will support and improve APD's response to allegations of domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault through providing tailored training for APD officers. This funding will help us advance the collective sex crime response model, and there are many steps that we have and will continue to take as a city to improve our response. But training is a really, really important piece of that, so I'm glad that we're getting this assistance from the federal government and able to deploy this. Finally, I want to speak to the food plan. I'm really, really excited that we have our final version of the food plan before us today. I was proud to co-sponsor the original resolution that initiated this work, and this plan is truly the culmination of two years of excellent work by our city staff, Austin Travis county food policy [11:40:43 AM] Austin Travis county food policy board, the community advisory committee, community based food organizations, central Texas food bank, and every austinite who contributed their voice and perspective during the community engagement process. I believe that this process is a model example of what an inclusive, intentional, and meaningful community participation process can look like, and it does provide a template for our future planning processes. I also want to take a moment and highlight that I think this process is also a model for our collaboration and our partnership with Travis county, and I want to extend my thanks to Edwin Marti and his team in the sustainability office for their stellar work. In response to a resolution that was brought by former mayor pro tem Cathy tovo, which initiated this plan. I also want to acknowledge the work of my staff member, Ashley Richardson, who worked on this plan starting when she was in council member tovo office and then continued to do so in my office. From my point of view, I just want to highlight one of the pieces of this plan that I [11:41:43 AM] the pieces of this plan that I think is particularly urgent, and that is the land acquisition piece that is to fund land acquisition for the purposes of regenerative regenerative agriculture or food processing. These are investments that can fortify our community's food production and supply, especially during times of crisis when we may not be able to import our food the way we normally do. And we saw this writ large during the pandemic. As we grow, development is threatening our nearby farmlands, and the time is now for us to make investments to preserve this land in perpetuity. And activate it for the benefit of our community. I wish I could say that today we were, you know, making those investments, and I wish I could say that the $50 million in comes that we put aside in the budget would pay for that, but we still need to come up with those solutions. And I want to, you know, challenge this council and the city manager that we move forward with budget, that we make these investments, that we design this into our bonds if we need to. I do know that if we work at this, we can figure it out and we can, you know, just [11:42:45 AM] out and we can, you know, just really, really emphasize that it's important for us to buy and control the land that we can so that we can model our values and ensure the implementation of this plan. I know that this plan is going to advance our net zero waste goals, address hunger in our community, and make Austin more resilient and prepared during times of disaster. It does need to be funded, it does need to be implemented. And that's why I'm proud to be a co-sponsor of a council member Fuentes resolution today, which I think will set us on a path forward to actually implement this resolution and this plan. Thank you. >> Thank you, councilmember members. We're going to go to a vote on this item. I want to say thank you to the council. Thank you to the manager and staff with regard to item number five, which is the infrastructure academy, which is becoming a national model and we continue to move forward on. And I just want to call attention to that [11:43:47 AM] want to call attention to that and to council member Fuentes's involvement and urging that the airport continue to be a part of that, because it's such a key reason that we kicked off the infrastructure academy to begin with. So I want to say thank you to her for that. With that being said, is there anyone wishing to abstain from any item on the consent agenda? Yes, mayor. >> I'd like to abstain from item number 18. Thank you. >> Thank you. And is there anyone wishing to be shown recusing themselves from a vote on any item on the consent agenda? Is there anyone wishing to be shown voting no on any item on the consent agenda? That being the case, without objection, the consent agenda is adopted with council member Kelly being shown abstaining on item number 18 and council member Harper harper-madison being absent members. Without objection, we will recess the Austin city council meeting at 11:44 A.M. I will now call back. I will now call back to order the meeting of the Austin city council at 11:48 A.M. Members, we're going to go to the non consent items. Items 30 and 31. I will recognize [11:48:55 AM] 30 and 31. I will recognize council member Alison alter on item number 30. This is these are both items from council committees. And she is chair of the audit and finance committee. And I'll recognize her for a motion on item number 30. >> So I move approval of item 30, which is adopting the city of Austin employees retirement system and city of Austin's funding policy. >> There's a motion to approve. Is there a second second by council member Ryan alter? I will check with the clerk. Is there anyone signed up to speak on item number 30? >> No speakers. >> There are no speakers on item number 30. Is there any discussion without objection, item number 30 is approved with council member harper-madison being absent. Item number 31 also is from a council committee. Audit and finance committee. I recognize council member Alison alter. >> I move approval of a resolution appointing Margaret Shaw to the Austin convention enterprise board members. >> You have heard the motion is seconded by the mayor pro tem. Is there is there any discussion? Is there anyone signed up to speak on the item? It's my understanding there is [11:50:00 AM] It's my understanding there is not no speakers. All right. I'll recognize council member Fuentes to speak on the item. Item number 31. >> Thank you. Colleagues, just wanted to highlight that I will be bringing forward an item for council consideration that moves forward, a process on how to appoint community representatives to the ace board. I think this is a conversation we've had a couple of times before, so just wanted to flag that I'm supporting today's item and appointing appointing Margaret Shaw to the ace board. But we'll be bringing forward a future item. >> Thank you. Council member council member, Ryan alter, I want to thank council member Fuentes for bringing forth that item. >> And I think that is going to come into play here, potentially soon with Lee Crawford, who is was a great city employee but is now retired. >> I think we got we hear that he's retired a few retired. Yeah. He's he can show up again any. >> Yeah. >> And so when we look to fill that seat, I do think it will be really important to look to the community as potentially filling [11:51:01 AM] community as potentially filling that seat, since we're doing the opposite here, taking a community seat and filling it with a city representative. So I appreciate the work and look forward to a future conversation. Great. >> Thank you. Council member, any further discussion on item- number 31? Members it's been moved and seconded that we approve item number 31. Without objection. Item number 31 is adopted with council member harper-madison being absent. Members, we will now go to some of the public hearings so that we'll be able to move those as well. For those paying attention, item number three was pulled by council member Kelly. But I'm trying to move some of the items that I know we can get moved before our 12:00 time certain. And we can start our 12:00 time certain at it's time certain. So that's the reason I'm going in the order that I'm going item number 34 members. Without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 34. The public hearing is open on item number 34. And I'll turn to the city clerk. Is there [11:52:04 AM] turn to the city clerk. Is there anyone signed up to speak on item number 34? No. >> Mayor, no speakers members? >> There are no speakers on item number 34. So without objection, we will close the public hearing on that item. The public hearing is closed on item number 34. The chair will entertain a motion. The motion is made by council member vela and seconded by council member Ryan alter. Is there discussion with regard to item number 34? Council member Ryan alter? >> I do have a motion sheet for this. If it now is the time appropriate. >> Yes you do, I apologize. I should have recognized you for that. And you are recognized on your your this members. You have a motion sheet that's indicated our alter motion sheet number one for item number 34. And it will be a motion to amend. And I'll recognize him on a motion to amend. And once I'm sorry, ma'am, I was mistaken. >> Speaking on that, I would just say that they've indicated [11:53:05 AM] just say that they've indicated that that we did not have it. >> Anyone signed up to speak? Would you check with the clerk while we're working on this part of it? Yeah, I said I'd say the last provided. Well, if you'll if you'll talk to that young lady right there, we'll see if we can't get things figured out. Okay. Talk with her and I'll do this business and then we'll come back to you. Thank you. Council member alter, you're recognized on a motion to amend the main motion on item number 34. >> Thank you very much. This was the motion that we submitted the other day in the backup. This is a reporting similar to what we did with the chapter 380 programs for the city to report back on the utilization of this program. Just so we can see if we did get the calibration right, how it's working. I also, as part of this, I'm having staff continue the conversation with our development community to make sure that as this rolls out, you know, sometimes there are things that we don't think [11:54:05 AM] are things that we don't think about. And so we want to continue that conversation and make sure that we are implementing this as effectively as possible. So it will come back to us with that other report, just so we can see how we are doing in terms of incentivizing creative space throughout the community. >> Thank you. Councilmember Ryan alter moves to amend the main motion on item number 34. Members. Is there a second second by council member? Qadri is there any discussion on the motion to amend there being no discussion on the motion to amend? Without objection, the motion to amend is adopted and that's going to take us back to the main motion before I call on you, can I figure out what. Councilmember qadri, you're recognized. >> Great. We'll quickly make some comments on item 34 and really appreciate councilmember Ryan alter and his his motion that he just brought forward. I just want to thank staff for [11:55:06 AM] just want to thank staff for their efforts on this. The program around item 34 has the potential to help preserve and grow many of our cultural districts in d9 throughout the city, but I just want to acknowledge that we still have a lot of work to do to get these types of development incentives to apply for the red river cultural district. We greatly appreciate the return of the downtown density bonus update to achieve that. And I'd just be I just want to say just be supportive of any resources to speed up that process to get the downtown density bonus back, a little sooner. Thank you. >> Thank you. Councilmember. Any further discussion with regard to this item? Members? There's apparently was confusion that someone had signed up to speak at the work session on this item. And so as we work our way through some of the changes in the way we're allowing public communication, I worry that there will be some confusion like that, but I think we have that worked out for this item today. That being said, is there any further discussion on item [11:56:06 AM] any further discussion on item number 34? The motion has been made to approve item number 34, as amended, without further discussion and there being no further discussion and without objection, item number 34, as amended, is approved. Members that will take us to item number 37. Without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 37. The public hearing is now open, and I'll recognize the city clerk to tell us whether we have anybody signed up to speak. >> No speakers. >> Mayor, there are no speakers to sign on item number 37. So without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 37. The public hearing is closed, and I'll entertain a motion on item number 37. A motion is made by council member qadri to approve item number 37. Is there a second? It is seconded by council member Kelly. Is there any discussion? Without objection? Item number 37 is adopted. Members that will take us to item number 38. Without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 38 [11:57:08 AM] public hearing on item number 38 of the public hearing is now open. Madam clerk, do you have anybody signed up to speak? >> No. Speakers. >> Mayor, there are no speakers on item number 38. So without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 38. The public hearing is now closed. I'll entertain a motion with regard to item number 38. The mayor pro tem moves. Approval of item number 38 is seconded by council member Alison alter. Is there any discussion on item number 38? Without objection, item number 38 is adopted on on for our record. For our record on item number 34. Item number 37, and item number 38, all of those were approved without objection with council member harper-madison being absent. Members. What I'm going to do is ask that we stand in recess until 12:00, when we will start [11:58:09 AM] until 12:00, when we will start our public communication at that time, certain without objection, the city council of Austin, Texas, is in recess until 12:00. It is 1158. Members. I'll call back to order [12:01:25 PM] Members. I'll call back to order the Austin city council. It's October 10th. Can I get everybody's attention, please? Can I get everyone's attention? Please? Thank you very much. I'll call back to order the Austin city council at 12:01 P.M. It is October 10th, 2024, and we are meeting in the city council chambers. This will take us to our 12:00 time. Certain what I would ask is, as we begin this process, you you know where your names are on the list of people to speak. So be prepared to step up and speak. The clerk will call the names. She will call a number of names at one time. If you'll make your way to the front so that you'll be prepared to speak, we would greatly appreciate that. Members. What my intention is to do is we will go through this time certain item that typically takes us to 1230. 1235 at that point in time, we will recess [12:02:25 PM] point in time, we will recess when this time certain is over, we will recess. We will have our live music period. We will recess until 1:10 P.M. And I'm just kind of giving the public and everybody notice at that point when we come back, we will take up item number three, which was a pulled item. With that being said, I will now turn to our city clerk to take us through the 12:00 time. Certain. >> Thank you mayor. First speaker is Lisa said, followed by Carol Silverberg and Jonathan Ziemba. >> Hello, my name is Lisa said, and I want to thank you, mayor Watson and our honorable city council, for allowing me to have this opportunity to share some of my thoughts. I am a proud American, a proud American Jew, and a zionist who began her residency in Austin in 1970 as a student of UT. Last week felt like an emotional hurricane for [12:03:27 PM] like an emotional hurricane for most Jews of the world, as we welcomed the jewish new year of 5785, almost 6000 years of our peoplehood existing in this world, and we mark the one year of the barbaric terrorist attack in Israel on October 7th. We were drawn to the many similarities of the nova music festival and Austin's own acl. Similar but terribly different outcomes that weighed very heavily on myself and our entire community. I have sat in this room almost every Thursday since this resolution was brought to the city council, where I have heard words and arguments that have only brought more division within our community and allowed more hurt to be shared by all. This past year has also brought an unbelievable rise in anti-semitism. A 140% 8873 nationally assault against Jews up 45%, vandalism of jewish property 69%, an increase of [12:04:30 PM] property 69%, an increase of 140% across the board, which is more than three years combined, all since October 7th. This resolution will not bring a cease fire in the Middle East to continue this conversation in this room will only bring more division to our community and possibly more anti-semitism. It is time our city council moved forward to help us all heal, to build bridges of trust. It starts with honesty as to what destroyed the peace on October 7th. It is hamas, hamas who is to blame for every civilian death. And I weep for every innocent life taken in Israel and gaza. Hamas is the enemy of peace to Israel and the enemy of the Palestinian people in gaza. And it's time for us in this room to say to hamas, enough is enough. You've been elected to govern and lead this city. And no vote in this hall will bring [12:05:31 PM] no vote in this hall will bring a cease fire. Instead, let's allow you to continue to promote peace and build bridges of trust so we can move forward together and show there is no place for hate in this room. Hamas lives only as long as there is hate. Let's stop giving fuel to the fire. Let's stand up and say enough is enough. Let us call out the true villain who perpetrated these deaths and casualties, and that is hamas. Together, let us put all the hate we feel growing around us into a very strong pot. Seal it and bury it forever. Enough is enough. Thank you. >> Hi. Thank you, mayor and council members. I appreciate the opportunity to be here to speak today. My name is Carol Silverberg. Together, you all. And also I want to thank. Thank [12:06:36 PM] And also I want to thank. Thank you for having us here. But also the security. The police officers are here in uniform that have created a safe space for us. I'm grateful to them. Together, you are the thin line between civility and incivility for us, insanity and insanity. Israel is the only jewish nation, and it's near and dear to my heart. I knew nothing about Israel until my late 30s, when I took it upon myself to learn more. I read a lot, I talked to a lot of people, and I traveled a lot to learn more about this tiny country. I'm in awe of the modern Israel and all it has accomplished in 76 years. And the people who live there. It's interesting to me, one of the things that I do is I track Israeli innovation in its global impact and listening to some of the local issues we have the farmer who talked about the loss of land for agriculture. Israel has a lot of innovation about vertical farming because it too has a limited amount of land. So [12:07:37 PM] has a limited amount of land. So Israel is so much more to me than this conflict, and I'm happy to be to be an advocate for Israel. My husband and I have been here 30 years. We have raised four children here. We have done a lot in the community. My husband is a physician with Texas fertility and they've had over 25,000 babies. Born in Austin. And so we contribute to the tax base. We've done a lot to raise our four kids who are contributing to the community, and we're proud to be in Austin. We're proud to be in the great state of Texas. I've been coming to these forums for quite some time, and I think the only thing I have to add to what's been said is it's time to move on. I'd like to frame my argument and or my point in the slogan, think globally and act locally. The business of the Austin city council, which was on display earlier today. It was really, actually interesting to me. It's to do the local work and I'm in awe of the work that you do and [12:08:40 PM] awe of the work that you do and your orientation. I don't think the Middle East is really in your jurisdiction globally. I'm assuming that everybody in this room wants peace in the middle East. And so many ways, I think we have so much more in common with each other. We're all austinites. We all care about the Middle East. We maybe see it differently. We may be more focused on one population than the other, but I think if we could get this conversation to the next level from just free expression to actually dialog, that can lead us to mutual understanding and ultimately respect, we may actually be able to contribute something to the situation. Thank you. Thank you. >> Carly rabinovitch, Antonio Cortez Duran, Sandra Hoffman, Lucia Abdul Amara, please come [12:09:41 PM] Lucia Abdul Amara, please come forward. Jamie Sigler. >> Just state your name for the record, please. >> Gotcha. My name is Jonathan zemba, former teacher, educator and poet. I was trying to see how I wanted to speak to you all, and poetry seemed like the best method. They say the safest place for a child is within the four walls of a school. We hear no, we struggle with the problems of keeping schools safe, but why do we look away when 85% of schools have been damaged or destroyed? Henry job was a toddler. The age of some of our kids, nieces or nephews forced out of her mother's arms, her son set by idf arms, the children of palestine dream like Israeli kids do. Do they dream of planes or is it just nightmares and main flesh of flames? They say that media maintains democracy. Hassan [12:10:43 PM] maintains democracy. Hassan Hamad was 19 years young. He resisted barbed wire with a mic and a camera live streamed his own death with social media. He was wise beyond his years, but he never saw beyond the cages, the edges of his cage. They say that those dust battered bodies were human shields. They say that the hospital staff was stockpiling missiles. If only the scalpel they had could cut through. The misinformation could cut through the veil placed over our eyes. If only the stethoscope can make others feel the pain of bodies that do not look like our own or maybe the children of gaza should have voted better. Maybe they should have accepted being second class citizens to zionists who see them as animals. They say that black and white scarf makes them see red. Maybe the river is the Mississippi because the west bank looks like redlining. It's a past that we in Austin have [12:11:43 PM] a past that we in Austin have struggled with. We see it with 35, yet we overcame Jim crow. But maybe the tree on the Lebanese flag should represent an olive branch, but not a future settlement. Maybe we should think twice before we dismiss resistance as terrorism. And I say this with deep seriousness. But as the Jews in the Warsaw uprising were called terrorists by their oppressors for resisting subjugation, maybe never again meant never again for all of us. Maybe none of us in this room have a right to exist. But god willing, we do. And god willing, we don't wipe each other out of existence. Maybe they say our budgets to serve as moral documents, that in this city we will spend more on infrastructure, on schools and peace than bombing the Middle East. And with the crumbs of humanitarian aid. Maybe the children of gaza and Lebanon do survive. Maybe we as a body can say apartheid never has a right [12:12:44 PM] say apartheid never has a right to self-defense. Maybe our beacon of light should not cast a dark and deadly shadow democracy. The Middle East should not be ruled by one man. I'm a child of donici. Thank you. Very. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. Please let the next speaker speak. >> Thank you. Mayor Watson and members of city council. My name is Kali Rabinovich and I am an Austin resident. I'm here today to consider the discussion in city council of the proposed cease fire resolution, and encourage you to continue to keep such a resolution off the agenda. We have seen this happening in other cities across the country, and it has fueled animosity rather than lead to anything positive. As we have seen just today, city council attends to important business regarding the matters of our great city, of which we are all motivated to make a safe and [12:13:45 PM] motivated to make a safe and welcoming for all residents as possible. We have unfortunately seen crime rates in our city rise over the past years, and it is in our best interest to focus on such matters, not to mention homelessness, transportation issues and our economic deficit, to name a few. Members of the jewish community are part of the fabric of our city. I don't know one person in the jewish community who isn't also involved in other organizations, schools, charities, to name a few examples. It is not reasonable that because of an ongoing conflict in the middle East, that our citizens, members of our community or any austinite should have their security threatened or feel that they do. I'm going to take a moment to repeat that, because really, the crux of what I'm saying today is this one sentence. It is not remotely reasonable that due to a conflict in the Middle East, that Austin residents of any faith, religion or creed should feel discriminated against or threatening the threatening of their personal security. We have all have the right to the same [12:14:46 PM] all have the right to the same civil liberties. It is the mandate of city council to ensure that we do and to protect the constituents it represents. City council does not have jurisdiction over international conflicts. I thank you for not using the precious time and resources needed to tend to our city on matters that are not in our jurisdiction. It saddens me to think that for the past year, if an Austin resident should want to come to city hall to speak about an easement, for example, or a community pool or a bus route, that it would likely be difficult to secure a spot here because we are having to use the time on a conflict outside of our jurisdiction. It simply doesn't make sense. As we stand here today, just over a year after the atrocities of October 7th, 2023, we continue to be deeply affected. We so appreciate the support of our community and city council, and we thank you for your moral clarity. It is time to move forward together and focus our energies on Austin, our great city. Thank you. >> Before the next speaker [12:15:53 PM] >> Before the next speaker begins, one of the rules of the chambers is that you can't have things that block the sight of other people. Flags are small, but when you wave a flag in someone's face, sitting behind you, you're not acting in an appropriate manner. So I would ask you not to do that because that was an intentional act to be aggressive. And that is not why you're here. Yes, sir. >> My name is Antonio Tony Cortez, and I'm an attorney. >> And, sir, you can laugh about it, but a lot of us are not here laughing about the comments that people are making. Regardless of how you feel, whether we should become part of this and pass some sort of resolution, you are welcome any time. But you are not to act in an aggressive manner to people sitting behind you. >> My name is Antonio Cortez. [12:16:53 PM] >> My name is Antonio Cortez. Tony for short and leading up to today, I kept having a hard time getting my thoughts together. Because there just aren't any words to describe what we've been seeing happening in gaza for the last year. The kind of atrocities that are funded with our tax dollars, while most Americans can't even afford rent, can barely afford rent. Homelessness continues to rise. People can't afford health care. Infrastructure is falling apart. And just Austin alone. We send over $14 million to Israel just so they can turn around and commit crimes against humanity with our money, instead of making our lives better not just in gaza, but in the west bank and now Lebanon. And by funding their crimes, we're also emboldening and encouraging racist and hateful rhetoric and anti-arab Muslim and Palestinian violence. In February of this year, in Austin alone, a Palestinian man was stabbed [12:17:55 PM] Palestinian man was stabbed while wearing a keffiyeh in a small town in Texas. A child was almost drowned by a woman who said she wanted to help Israel finish the job. Whether it's funding bombs or executing innocent men like Marcel Williams, our taxes are constantly going towards ending lives instead of saving them. In cities across the country and around the world, millions of people have made it very clear that we want an end to the genocide and an end to the occupation. Yet one year later, we're still here. And now, as I'm speaking, there are people that will write this off as anti-semitic, even though jewish leaders and communities around the world have condemned Israel's actions not just since October 7th, but since 1948. In the first nakba. The nakba never ended. By the way, it's still going on. This is an issue of humanity, not hatred or animosity towards the jewish community. This is an issue of believing that everyone deserves the right to security and safety, not just based on the color of your pigment. Thank [12:18:56 PM] color of your pigment. Thank you. >> Thank you. Please begin. >> Thank you, mayor Watson. And members of the city council for having me today and for all your hard work in ensuring the city is reflective of its constituents. Since a cease fire resolution would not be reflective of me. I'm here to talk about why and ask that you keep it off the agenda. >> Would you please state your name? >> For the record, my name is Sandra Hoffman. My partner and I moved here six years ago. We city shopped in Austin, was at the top of our list in all categories food, culture, weather, diversity and inclusivity. Why does inclusivity matter to me? My family is jewish. Not every place is safe for Jews. I am the daughter of Iranian and Iraqi jewish refugees, Jews who are no longer welcome there. My family fled. So when we saw that at that time, Texas was rated the [12:19:57 PM] that time, Texas was rated the least anti-semitic state, it meant something to me. So where are we now? We are in the middle of the highest jewish holidays, a time when my family feels most connected to our peoplehood and values. It's these values which drew us to Austin, and I'm working hard to model for my kids, and I wanted to share two with you today. The first is community. This month is a heightened time for volunteer work, charity and connection in judaism. We aim to make the world a better place. We call it tikkun olam and through the jewish community and working on south congress, I've partnered with many local nonprofits and have experienced firsthand how caring and giving austinites are to each other. And the second value, and this one has been a really hard one for me recently. It's to have hope. I'm a peacemaker by nature, a friendly neighbor. I teach my kids to lead with understanding and empathy. I have always had hope that other parents are doing the same with their kids, and that we will see peace inclusive of everyone. For six years I've [12:20:57 PM] everyone. For six years I've looked to city council to model these values of community building, bridges and hope for everyone. A ceasefire resolution would be the antithesis of this. We all want peace and a ceasefire does not mean peace for all. I can go on, but it is not an Austin issue. What is an Austin issue is that security at my kids school increases as ceasefire rhetoric increases. How do I explain to them why security with guns has to be present to keep them safe? Why should I have to weigh my options some days, whether it is even safe enough to take them to school, I am asking you to please keep the ceasefire off the agenda and focus on local work that will change our community to get and bring our community together and not divide us. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> Please state your name for [12:22:06 PM] >> Please state your name for the record. >> Hello. My name is Louis Abu Amara. Last time I was here, speeches were given that denied the existence of Palestinian people and described palestine as an ideology. So let's talk about ideology. Zionism. Its founder, theodor herzl, said in his diaries. As early as in 1895. The following. Buckle up. We must expropriate gently the private property on the state assigned to us. We shall try to spread the penniless population across the border by procurement, employment to its forest and transit countries, while denying its employment in our country. The property owners will come over to our side. Both the process of expropriation and the removal of the poor must be carried out discreetly and circumspectly. Let the owners of the immovable property believe [12:23:08 PM] the immovable property believe that they are cheating us, selling us things for more than they are worth. But we are not going to sell them anything back. It is common nowadays to hear zionists say that the idea of palestine nation state was coined in the 60s, or even as late as the 80s. However, Israel's second prime minister, Moshe sharett, had something to say about this, though in a racist undertone. As early as in 1914. We have forgotten that we have not come to an empty land to inherit it, but we have come to conquer a country from people inhabiting it that governs it by the virtue of its language. And get this savage culture. The first Israeli prime minister, David ben-gurion, said of the Arab protest to the Balfour declaration in 1917 and I quote the success of the Arabs in organizing the closure of shops shows that we are dealing with a national movement, he went on saying in 1931, the Arab community in palestine is an organic, inseparable part of the [12:24:08 PM] organic, inseparable part of the landscape. It is embedded in the country. So let's put the rest the that there are no indigenous people living there for hundreds of years. Stop gaslighting. After 1936, ben- gurion's real intentions became apparent in his rhetoric and that continued until the dawn of the nakba in 1947. He says. Every response to our dealing, a hard blow to the Arabs with many casualties, is a blessing. This will increase the Arabs fear for external help, for the Arabs will be ineffective. And then, after the ethnic cleansing of 750,000 people from palestine in October 1948, he concluded the Arabs of the land of Israel had have only one function left to them to run away. Finally, I'll leave you with one of Rashid khalidi quotes, the author of the hundred year war in palestine the surest way to eradicate people's right to their land is to deny their historical connection to it. Viva palestine! Jamie Sigler, Michael Luxenberg, [12:25:14 PM] Jamie Sigler, Michael Luxenberg, and Valerie Mikulecky. >> Wu. >> Please come forward. >> My name is Jamie. >> Please punch the button there to turn it on. >> My name is Jamie. >> You need you need to turn the microphone. Oh, okay. >> My name is Jamie Sigler. I don't have time for niceties and greetings. At this moment, people are being blown apart by U.S. Supplied Israeli bombs. People, not numbers, not collateral damage, not targets, not terrorists. People like saqr Al Masri, a young boy who loved taking pictures with his family. One year ago today, he and his [12:26:14 PM] One year ago today, he and his father went to collect drinking water and never made it home. Israel killed him and others in the al-shati camp massacre in gaza and Reem Mahmoud Abu Diya, a woman whose biggest fear was not death but being remembered as a number she wanted the world to know. Quote. The dreams that I had. Tell them that a few months ago I had Lasik surgery and began to see gaza with my own two eyes. Tell them that I want to buy a camera to capture the beauty of gaza and hajj hamas. Jacir, who was remembered by his son Ahmad as the light of my eyes and was murdered by an Israeli airstrike while he was fasting and sand, a baby boy who died of hypothermia on January second, 2024 due to displacement by Israel and sidra. Ayman Matar, a baby girl who four days later died from Israeli smoke, gas and smoke bombs, which caused extreme inflammation of her lungs and [12:27:16 PM] inflammation of her lungs and thousands and thousands and thousands more people. Look at your child. This is a child in gaza or Lebanon. This child will be torn apart by 2,000 pound bombs while they sleep tonight, you, their mother, will mourn your child forever. You have three more and they're all dead. Headless, armless, only a foot left of their tiny body. That's all you have left of your family. You'll nearly die of sepsis due to the injuries you sustained. No child deserves this. No innocent civilian, no person. Bless all the children. Bless the Earth. Curses on Israel, curses on America. Glory to the martyrs. Free palestine. Please. All names have been called Murray. >> Folks, if I could ask you to come to order. [12:28:18 PM] come to order. >> I wasn't able to hear you all the speakers have been called. Great. Thank you, council member Vanessa Fuentes. I'll recognize you. >> Thank you. I wanted to offer a statement. >> She said she had called the names. Did you not come forward? Michael Luxenberg, Michael. Michael Luxembourg might have been. >> Yeah, yeah. >> I'm sorry if Michael Luxembourg and Valerie Michalski. Michael Michalski. Thank you. Sorry. Mispronouncing my. >> Yeah. >> I'm on. Right. Okay. Great. You are. >> Why don't you stand at the microphone? >> That's a great idea. >> Yeah. >> We're good here too. Great. Yes. Hello. Council mayor. Thank you for having me. I'm Michael Luxembourg. I'm a district four resident, and I'm a practicing jewish man. I do my holiday rituals. I know the halakha. I participate in rosh hashanah services last week, and I'll be back for Kol nidre this week. And in the spirit of yom kippur, I ask all of us to look within and think about the moral elements of our political choices. I studied rabbinic [12:29:18 PM] choices. I studied rabbinic literature with Jacob neusner and other scholars of our time, Middle Eastern history. I've led torah service. I've led services. I've led torah studies, taught hebrew school for my jewish life. I've come to one conclusion zionism has nothing to do with jewish safety. And saying so is not anti- semitic. Rabbi akiva, rabbi akiva says the most important part of the entire torah is the moment when Abraham opens his tents to his neighbors. That means for one of our people's greatest scholars, the core of judaism is unconditionally hospitality and care for those around us. The act of the state of Israel are in flagrant opposition to the moral clarity of the religion I love, and by which I define my life and my politics. Expanding the conflict into Lebanon is not unconditional hospitality, a religion that claims that every life is a universe, cannot be leveraged to justify the mass murder of children in gaza. I know that I know that some folks in here are going to disagree with me, but holding the moral and ethical injunctions of the torah second to a national project, in my eyes, undercuts and underserves the beauty and [12:30:18 PM] and underserves the beauty and power of our traditions. It doesn't make Jews and Israel safer to escalate and promote a regional war that puts them in the crossfire of ballistic exchange with Iran. It doesn't make American Jews safer to conflate pro-palestinian acts with anti-semitic action. When the American right is increasingly violent and increasingly targeting Jews, it cheapens the lessons of our holy books. It puts jewish lives in danger, not just by conflating all of us with a rogue state and its dedication to war and death, but by ignoring real and material anti-semitism all around us. It wasn't a Palestinian activist who said hitler was a gift from god. That was pastor John Hagee, who spoke at a stand with Israel rally. It wasn't a Palestinian activist who opened fire on the tree of life synagogue. It wasn't a Palestinian activist who stabbed blaze Bernstein to death. It wasn't Palestinian activists who marched through charlottesville chanting, Jews will not replace us. And if we want to stick to Austin, our newest local billionaire, Elon Musk, uses his massive platform to promote the same anti-semitic conspiracies that hitler did. The atomwaffen, a neo-nazi organization, has been murdering Jews in America for years, is located an hour south of here, and no one in this room has talked about jewish safety, has said a thing about that. They mentioned the [12:31:20 PM] about that. They mentioned the hostages and deals for release for them have been on the offer for most of the year, but they keep getting derailed, derailed by the Israeli government. Well, more and more hostages die under Israeli bombardment. We want to see the hostages freed. We also want to see the Palestinian political prisoners freed because all humans deserve freedom and safety. The freedom of Palestinian people is not at odds with jewish safety. The conflict didn't start on October 7th. On October sixth, 2023 was the deadliest year for Palestinian children on record. Marches for peace and freedom in gaza were met with sniper rounds to frame resistance to that violence. As antisemitic is repulsive to me. To leverage our religion, one that is founded on peace and justice to justify this violence is the worst sort of self-serving nonsense. >> Good afternoon. My name is [12:32:20 PM] >> Good afternoon. My name is Valerie Mikulecky, and I'm with the Austin for palestine coalition. Hassan shabbat, a journalist in north gaza, which is under unprecedented aggression since the start of the genocide. As I speak, said yesterday, the Palestinian identity has always scared them. The Palestinian resilience has always intimidated the zionist occupiers, which poses a challenge to the apartheid and to the colonial Israel. Israeli occupation. Remember, their struggle is against our existence in our land, our mere existence will always be the strongest form of resistance, and we will always resist. I asked the city clerk to provide you all with a 799 page document. There are 34,344 names in this document. This document contains the name of every man, woman, and child that has been murdered by the Israeli occupation from October 2023 through August 2024. The first [12:33:22 PM] through August 2024. The first 17 pages are infants shay under one under the age of one. They're infants. These are only the names of the martyrs that have been identified and registered by the gaza health ministry, which has collapsed as a result of the ongoing genocide in gaza. At the hands of Israel, an apartheid terrorist ethno state, and the United States, a white supremacist imperialist state. The real number is devastatingly higher. The last 15 pages of that document are the names of people who are older than the state of Israel itself, the Austin for palestine coalition and our friends have been coming here trying to appeal to your morality for a year. We are not going anywhere. We have dedicated our lives to [12:34:22 PM] We have dedicated our lives to Palestinian liberation. We have sacrificed everything we have for the heroes of palestine. We live for the martyrs of palestine. Our community, full of immense love for each other and an unwavering allegiance to palestine. Can you please stand up? Show them your beautiful flags and your keffiyehs and your tired, hopeful hearts. We stand together for a righteous and just cause. Let's go the people united will never be defeated. The people united will never be defeated. From the river to the sea palestine will be free forever. >> To the sea palestine will be free. >> City council members, that concludes our 12:00 public [12:35:24 PM] concludes our 12:00 public comment period. We are in recess until 1:10 P.M. It is 1235. >> Will I see? Blue day. All of them gone. Today we have namigata and from [12:44:03 PM] Today we have namigata and from the vibrant musical landscape of Austin, Texas, emerges this fearless band that's reshaping the boundaries of sound and rebelling against musical norms. Namigata is rooted in Latin American traditions, and it rejects eurocentric labels transcending the confines of outdated words or terms like world music. Instead, they carve a unique space for authentic expressions, Rainey signifying ancestral elements into their very high energy, mesmerizing and mystic sound. As Colombian musicians in the usa, namigata channels the migrant experience and latinx diaspora, transforming the challenges Latin America endures into a profound artistic expression through their music, led by the fearless and passionate Victor Andre Cruz, known as el gambito. Did I say that right? Gambito right. I must admit. Tell me what that means. [12:45:05 PM] what that means. >> It's a term in the countryside in Colombia for, like, the kid. Oh. >> The kid. Gambito. It's good to learn a new word. Namigata is a power trio where each member contributes unique strengths, sets out of Valencia, innova and Fabian Rincon. Don Fabio bring their strong, potent and powerful rhythm to infuse vitality into the music. Their second full length album, voces, which means voices, was produced by Juan el mono Alvarez and grammy award winner Beto Martinez. It's a transcendent expression of Colombian heritage. Namigata received nominations at the 20 22, 23 and 24 Austin music awards, solidifying their standing in the vibrant Austin music scene. Their participation in the Austin city limits music festival in 2023, and levitation festival in both 2022 and 2023. Further showcased their artistic evolution. It's a great honor [12:46:07 PM] evolution. It's a great honor and pleasure for me to introduce ladies and gentlemen namigata. O grito de tiro Al cielo. >> Una llamada Una vela. Yo LE doy a los Q se fueron hoy para para quisha Clara. Frenemy. El lengua no tengo ardiendo por qué me escucha encanta. Tu eres MI Amor. El rey por el mar de MI canto. Llévame por el mar de MI canto. Lleva la hora Y por el [12:47:08 PM] canto. Lleva la hora Y por el mar de la Guerra Y me amanii. Wu . De Tu mano lleva me lo $2 Y la. Con Tu Cara frente Al sol con suenos. Finger me mano llévame. Lo dos passos quedaron con Tu Cara friend Al sol con los suenos. Figure. Caminos encore los pasos [12:48:18 PM] Caminos encore los pasos demostrar. Ann se hace el viaje. Caminando por la Vida. Enamorado. Una noche de la Luna Y alumbra. Se Camino de Monterrey. Woah woah woah woah woah. Murakami con Tu mano Dia me lo paso. Query. Mon cuchara Rainey Elton con tus suenos. Micah con la mano gaya. Me paso quedaron. Punto Cada Dia. Elton con sus suenos. Finales. That's great. Namigata. Yeah. [12:49:45 PM] That's great. Namigata. Yeah. >> So why don't you all come over? I'll come to you. Okay. I'm going to meet those Microsoft. >> Yeah yeah, yeah. Alright, y'all come over here with me. Don't hold back. Good. It's my pleasure to make a proclamation today for this great man. And we all got to hear it. And it's wonderful. >> 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, our local favorites and newcomers alike. And whereas we are pleased to showcase and support our local artists. Now, therefore, I, Kirk Watson, mayor of the live music capital of the world, Austin, [12:50:47 PM] capital of the world, Austin, Texas, do hereby proclaim October 10th, 2024 as demigod. >> Today in Austin, Texas. Thank you very Lucia. >> Now tell us how we can follow you. >> Tell us on social media how we can follow you where we might hear you. Give us a give us a rundown. >> Yeah, we're on all the platforms. Namigata. That's M E M E G a T a. We're on Instagram. Spotify. Namigata. Com. You can just Google our name and you'll find a lot of places where you can hear our music, watch our videos. And in fact, tonight we're playing at Antone's for acl nights. Doors at seven. So hopefully we'll see you there. Thank you so much, gentlemen. Yamagata. Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. I'll [1:15:00 PM] Good afternoon, everybody. I'll call back to order the Austin city council. It's 115 on October 10th, 2024. And members, as indicated before we went into recess, we would start with item number three. I'm going to pull up, ask that we pull up item number three. This item was pulled from the consent agenda by council member Kelly. Council member Kelly, I'll recognize you. Thank you. >> Number three, thank you very much for the recognition. I believe we have our our Austin water utility director here. I just have some some questions. Thank you very much. And thank you for your response to the questions that I had late yesterday evening. And I appreciate that. I've heard broad concerns from our community members that by approving the service extension and reimbursement, the city could be enabling or incentivizing the development in lost creek to potentially not comply with our environmental regulations and sustainability goals. And I think that comes [1:16:00 PM] goals. And I think that comes from the recent de-annexation from lost creek. Could you talk us through how they would still be required to follow those? >> Sure. Good afternoon. Mayor. Mayor pro tem council. I'm Shea Ralls roalson. I'm the director of Austin water. The residents of lost creek are retail customers of Austin water. Even after the annexation and this property where this this development is happening and where this elevated tank will be constructed is in the city's full purpose jurisdiction and subject to all city codes and requirements. In addition, they haven't approved site plan that was complete prior to bidding this project. >> Thank you. And could you talk more about the elevated tank and why that is going into that development there in the area? >> So the development on the Marshall tract would require about 70,000 gallons of elevated storage. That's, that's not sufficient to build a whole [1:17:00 PM] sufficient to build a whole elevated tank for. But this area lacks the same level of, of resiliency and redundancy that we have in other parts of our distribution system. And so oversizing this tank to 750,000 gallons will bring that area up to our standards for resiliency, for the water distribution system in this area, that, again, our retail customers of Austin water. >> And one final question. All of the environmental concerns that would have been addressed throughout this process came back. And the save our springs ordinance would apply to this area. Is that correct? >> This this tract is in the city's full purpose jurisdiction. So all of the codes and ordinances apply. >> And I just sorry. One more follow up. Sure. Just because they are annexed does not mean that they are not Austin water customers. They will still be customers of Austin water, and we will still have gone through all the regular processes in order to ensure that this was a viable project that met those standards. Correct. [1:18:01 PM] standards. Correct. >> That that's right. This this area is all retail customers of Austin water, and they pay Austin water's full rates and fees. Perfect. >> That's all I have, mayor. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Council member Ellis. >> I appreciate getting the chance to talk about this. These. This is in my district. It's in southwest Austin. So before there was conversation about what exactly should be built on the east Marshall tract, there was a conversation about water resiliency, making sure that firefighters can put out fires. Lost creek is a neighborhood that does not have a lot of ingress and egress. So if people had to evacuate, there's not a lot of options for people to be able to get to safety. Like you said, these are customers that are going to continue to be on Austin water regardless of etj and, you know, annex part of the city or not. So I really appreciate your thoroughness and talking with me. And my staff on this issue. This is in the full purpose city limits. These are city of Austin people on Austin water. And they are building into the project more water resiliency for wildfire risk and water pressurization. So I you know, [1:19:02 PM] pressurization. So I you know, appreciate that y'all have had to come back because costs are increasing over the years. But this is just something that we have to do to keep people safe in that neighborhood. >> Thank you. Council member. Thank you very much. Thank you director. We appreciate that. I'll turn to the city clerk. We have people that have signed up to speak on item number three. >> For item number three, we have Roy Whaley, Craig Naser, bill bunch and Bobby lavinsky, who yielded his time previously. >> Yes. Mr. Whaley, if you'd please make your way to the microphone. >> You're doing it now, sir. My name is Roy Whaley. I am the conservation chair for the Austin regional group of the Sierra club, and I appreciate that this has been pulled for discussion. I appreciate the that. Well council member Kelly wants to get to the bottom of this. I'd love it to have more questions like that from the dais. I understand that this is [1:20:02 PM] dais. I understand that this is already a done deal for milestone, but milestone is also asking for an scr to Hayes commons, which is a much more environmentally sensitive area than this is. And it's not to say that it's not an environmentally sensitive area. And the over size of the delivery incentivizes more development. But they are also asking for the same thing at Hayes commons, which is on top of a very environmentally sensitive area, as sensitive as Jeremiah ventures, which is now part of our water quality and open space and I believe that that Hayes commons should be also, little bear creek splits that little bear feeds into bear creek and onion creek. Those are major recharge areas. There. There are unknown number of [1:21:05 PM] There are unknown number of recharge features on Hayes commons. And yet they're saying they will comply with S.O.S. Except for the impervious cover. Well, that's not complying with sos. I will comply with all traffic laws except for one. I want to run red lights and go 55 miles an hour through a school zone. I'm not complying with the law. They are saying they want to do that. Do it if that's what they're going to do, fine. But it would be much better for us to find room in our budget and our bonds, which I think we need bonds and a bond election soon. Council member alter and both council member alters. But we need to as we look at this, we need to look at what milestone is doing in other areas. They say they have to have the Hayes [1:22:07 PM] say they have to have the Hayes commons area to be profitable. That's not true. We're dealing with them all over the place and I have nothing against milestone except for their building in the wrong areas. And so I ask you to reject this, and I particularly ask you to reject any service extension request to the Hayes common area. And till milestone, stop bullying us like they did at the environmental commission by saying, well, if you don't let us do it, we'll just do it anyway. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Hello, Craig nazer, conservation chair at the lone star chapter of the Sierra club. If you build it, they will come. If you build it, they will come. Now I was around in 1990 when the whole city fought for non degradation on the Barton [1:23:10 PM] degradation on the Barton springs watershed. And we're still fighting. I was at the same environmental commission meeting that Roy was and we essentially had a guy just like they said at the 1990 all night meeting. I got your kid, I'll give them back and I'll cut off a foot. But if you don't accept that, I'll cut off a leg and then you can have them back. I mean, that's what they say. And I couldn't believe it. You're making that argument to the city of Austin that you know, we're going to get this whether you like it or not. Well, how do you stop this? Well, one way that this can be stopped is for the city council to say we're not going to extend these things out to you if you won't play by the rules we have. Now, I know the state makes it harder, and I know that it being in the environmental situation, you just got to get used to, we're never win, but sometimes we can [1:24:11 PM] never win, but sometimes we can make things a little less worse, I guess. But I just, you know, I'll tell you there are some unforeseen consequences of this. They built the water treatment plant for. They put this huge pipe under the black canyon preserve, and it came into north Austin. And then in 2019, I tried to find information about this. I couldn't find it. The water was open on my street, the water hydrants dumping thousands of gallons of water out into the street. And I tried to find out what was happening, and I found out it was happening all over north Austin. It was because the pipes were oversize. The pipes were losing ammonia. The, you know, the chloramines in it that keep it pure. And because they were sitting in the pipe too long because people weren't using enough of it, so they had to dump it to bring the more water, and they dumped millions of gallons of water just because it was oversize. And we weren't [1:25:12 PM] it was oversize. And we weren't using enough through the big pipes. But by the time I could find much information out that they'd fixed it, we fixed it. Okay, so there's unforeseen consequences for over sizing things, and there's unforeseen consequences for saying you have infrastructure that you really don't want. The development out there. So I ask you to please think about this before you commit yourself to this. I might go down a path we don't want to go down. Thank you very much. >> Mr. Butts, are you speaking? >> Yes. >> She's called your name. Good afternoon. Bill bonds, executive director of save our springs alliance. Thank you, council member Kelly, for asking some important questions. I hope that you and your colleagues will ask a few more, because the backup on this is incredibly limited, and we're not getting the full [1:26:12 PM] and we're not getting the full picture here. This was initially approved as I understand it, back in 21. It slipped through and we didn't catch it. There. Back to you today asking to more than double the price of from $5.5 million to over $11 million. 11.5 million. That's more than 100% increase. The backup suggests that it's just it's still the exact same project, but that's a question that should be asked. Are we still doing the exact same thing before? And the 100% increase is just increased costs since the pandemic, which is what suggested the next thing in the background. It says this is consistent with our plan to serve this area well. Imagine Austin comprehensive plan does not envision any major new construction or development in this area. That would need service. And what we're talking about here is both adding a 16 inch water line where there was and connects to an eight inch [1:27:15 PM] and connects to an eight inch line for comparison. Here, eight inch will carry about 1600 gallons per minute. A 16 inch will carry 8000 gallons per minute. So we're talking about more than quadrupling the capacity here. And that's before you get to the storage tank. You add storage. And now you can pump all day long. And it seems to me this we're talking about capacity. That's orders of magnitude bigger than needed to serve 49 homes on, you know, 36 acres or whatever it is. So what is that larger plan that they're talking about that has nothing to do with the Austin comprehensive plan. And that would require such huge increases. It seems to me that just the storage tank and keeping it 88in. So you're filling it up at night when nobody's using water would give way more than is needed for this 49 acres and ample for fire control issues. At the same time as we're doing this. And I've [1:28:18 PM] as we're doing this. And I've raised this before, somehow at the convention center, the price tag only went up from 1.3 billion to 1.6 billion, a 25% increase. Well construction's construction. So how is that increase? Only 25%. And then on these big these water utility projects, it's 100%. Somebody is not shooting straight here. Which one is it. Is it the convention center not telling us the truth about the cost of the convention center? Or is it the water utility not paying attention and saying, wait, you know? Yeah, construction costs have gone up, but not 100%. Please. So you have both planning and fiscal and environmental issues to answer here, please. Do you? >> And I forgot to mention you don't get to do that, Mr. Whaley. >> It's good. Good to hear from you. Thank you. >> You're done. >> Yeah. I'm sorry, Mr. Whaley. Thank you. It's really great to see you and hear from you. I want to seek a motion and get a [1:29:20 PM] want to seek a motion and get a motion so that we have. >> Those are all the people who signed up to speak, is that correct? >> Yes, mayor. >> That concludes with that. I will entertain a motion with regard to item number three, motions made by council member Ellis to approve item number three. It is seconded by council member Kelly. Council member Ryan alter. I'll recognize you for discussion. >> Appreciate it. And actually, I apologize I didn't ask this of director roalson when she was here. I just have a couple follow up questions. So my first question is I guess if you could first just address the question that was raised, this is anything changed about the scope of this project from when it was originally proposed to now? >> No, the scope is the same as what it was originally proposed, and the 16 inch main was that that was always what was stated to be needed in order to service 49 homes. [1:30:23 PM] 49 homes. >> There's no the 16 inch main will is the transmission main between the pump station and the new elevated storage tank, and the elevated storage tank will serve the whole area, not just the 49 homes. And that was going to be one of my I'm less familiar with this area as it relates to I know lost creek recently underwent some dis annexation. Is this adjacent to that area? Do you know it? >> It is adjacent to the area, but that that whole all of that area are retail customers of Austin water. >> And so if we by if we pay this amount, it will go into Austin water rates assembly and that will be socialized, including those residents who just decided to just annex themselves. That's correct. Okay. And there is there's the eight inch main that exists. It looks like for most of it. And then there's this almost 90 degree turn to go to the pump [1:31:24 PM] degree turn to go to the pump station. That is, there's no pipe that exists there presently. Is that correct? >> I believe yes, that's correct. Okay. >> So if you're going okay, that that answers that question, if this area decided to dis annex as well. Would they let's just say we didn't approve it today and they just annexed tomorrow. Obviously that's impossible. But for argument's sake, if they then wanted to do this, would they still need to come to us for approval? Would they do it through a mud? How would they go about these, this, this property is in the city's full purpose jurisdiction. >> So this is a little bit outside of my wheelhouse. But I don't think they can dis annex. >> Okay. It's not in the etj if you're referring to right, right. >> Previous bill that that is key distinction. Okay, I appreciate that. That's just I wanted to get better clarity on [1:32:25 PM] wanted to get better clarity on what exactly is happening. And you provided that. So thank you very much. >> Thank you. Further discussion. >> Council member Kelley I just I want to thank council member Ellis's office for your hard work in the background on this. I want to thank Austin water for coming today and our our speakers who spoke on the item. I really appreciate the clarity that you brought to me and my team when I asked those questions, and for just being here so that we could publicly discuss it today. >> Thank you, thank you, thank you. Further discussion. Council member Ellis and I just wanted to make sure to add a little bit of context. >> These are all single family homes. Lost creek is a relatively low density, all single family home style of neighborhood. This was a vacant tract and so what is being constructed here is just in line with what already exists in the neighborhood. It's actually probably the only opportunity to provide better water service for the fire risk that I mentioned earlier and generalized water pressure in the neighborhood. So it's all in context. They're not trying to, you know, build some something out of context with that neighborhood. It's just a [1:33:26 PM] that neighborhood. It's just a matter of this is the opportunity to make sure the water infrastructure is there. We just have to make sure that it's built. >> Thank you, thank you. >> There being no further discussion, all those in favor of the motion and there being no objection to the motion on item number three, item number three is adopted with council member harper-madison being absent. Members that will take us to item number 33. Without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 33, and the public hearing is now open. And I'll look to the city clerk to call people that have signed up to speak on item 33. >> Mayor, the one speaker we had was a remote speaker, Sarah Johnson, and she has not called it. >> All right. Thank you, members. There being no no one to speak on item number 33 at the public hearing. Without objection, we will close close the public hearing. And that is now closed. I will recognize someone for a motion on item number 33. Is there a motion? Is there a motion? Item number 33 [1:34:28 PM] there a motion? Item number 33 fails before failure to have a motion on the item. Members that will now take us to item number 35. Without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 35. I'm sorry, may I make a comment about 33, please? >> Sure. Okay. Thank you. So I did have a conversation with miss Johnson about this item while we were briefly in recess, and we created a plan moving forward together to address her concerns that were brought forward by item number 33. To do so in a way that is constituent services related. I actually grew up in that neighborhood. I lived on piney point pine ridge and tree line drive, and we will work to address her concerns and that of those in the community without moving forward on this item. >> Thank you. Thank you. Council member. All right, without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 35. The public hearing is now [1:35:28 PM] 35. The public hearing is now open on item 35. Madam clerk, will you walk us through people that have signed up to speak on item 35 at the public hearing speakers Gretchen Otto Enriquez signs Lynn Boswell, Jessica Kircher, Nicole holt. >> If your name has been called, please approach the podium and state your name for the record. >> Good afternoon. >> My name is Gretchen Otto and I am a parent of a child at lively middle school. We live near the school and near torchy's, and I'm here to ask you to oppose this alcohol beverage waiver. I'm also here on behalf of many other parents who are unable to come to council meetings due to full time jobs and childcare. Lively students regularly hang out at torchy's. It's a safe, affordable family friendly place. Right now. There are other places nearby where folks can purchase alcohol, but I'm asking you to keep additional [1:36:29 PM] asking you to keep additional alcohol sales away from the school and away from torchy's. It's a uniquely positioned to be especially impactful to the students at lively, because they have outdoor seating and an outdoor bar that is literally in the direct line of sight of students who are out on the fields at recess or engaging in after school activities outside. I do not believe that torchy's qualifies for a waiver, given the list of possible exemptions in the city ordinance. They are a very profitable corporation owned by a private equity firm. Now they have operated this location for ten years without selling alcohol. I believe that allowing alcohol sales here would cause harm to our community. They previously applied for this waiver twice before and both times they withdrew the application because they knew they did not have the support they needed from city council, the Austin independent school district opposes this waiver. The lively ptsa opposes this waiver. The south river city citizens neighborhood [1:37:30 PM] city citizens neighborhood association opposes this waiver. The Bouldin creek neighborhood association opposes this waiver. I love torchy's, but that's not a reason to grant them a waiver to sell alcohol. We can't give them a special treatment because their queso is good. We need to oppose these waivers consistently to avoid setting a precedent for future waivers. So I'm asking you to please support our school and our neighborhood. I know a lot of people just think of south congress as being a place for tourists to go and have a good time, but this is our neighborhood. This is where our home is. This is where our school is. This is where our kids walk around this ordinance exists for a good reason, and the applicant has not shown that they qualify for an exemption. Let's keep our kids safe and keep the places they go. Family friendly. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon mayor, city council. My name is Henry sines. I'm a leader with central Texas interfaith. Central Texas interfaith has opposed torchy's two previous applications for [1:38:33 PM] two previous applications for the waiver of Austin municipal code section 494, which restricts the sale of alcohol by a business located within 300ft of the church. Public school, private school, or a public hospital and our position remains the same. We are opposed. We continue to oppose granting torchy's tacos a waiver to sell alcohol at its south congress location. Less than 300ft from lively, a middle school, torchy's was fully, fully aware of when they purchased the property on congress of the Austin municipal code and that it would not allow the installation of a margarita bar outside the proximity of the school. However, soon after opening, they applied to the city for a waiver, betting that there would be no community opposition. When central Texas [1:39:35 PM] opposition. When central Texas interfaith organized strong community opposition, torchy's withdrew their application. They reapplied in 2022 and were again turned back. Now they're back for a third time and you know it's a popular hangout with the students. I went to a school there when it was full more many years ago. So granting torchy's this waiver is clearly not in the best interest of the interests of the community, nor is torchy's suffering undue hardship. It continues to thrive as a restaurant. The only interest served by adding alcohol is to increase its profits. How many times does a community have to fight this attempt to increase torchy's tacos? Huge profits? We urge the city council to act in the best interests of the children and the community, and deny torchy's [1:40:36 PM] the community, and deny torchy's request, just as a side, I do eat their I like their food, but there are other places to drink. Thank you, thank you, miss Boswell. >> If you'll come forward, appreciate your being here. >> I appreciate you having us. Yeah. Thank you. Good afternoon, mayor, and council. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Lynn Boswell. I'm speaking also on agenda 35. The request by torchy's for a waiver of the rule that prevents the sale of alcoholic beverages within 300ft of a school. I serve as an Austin ISD trustee, but I'm speaking today as an individual. And the site I seek the waiver for is on south congress, across from lively middle school. When you're outside on the fields at lively, you see torchy's, and when you're outside on the patio at torchy's, you have a full view of the lively campus and all that goes on there. Both Austin ISD and the lively ptsa opposed this waiver when it was before the council, before before it was withdrawn. We continued to oppose it. Now, along with the neighborhood associations in the [1:41:37 PM] neighborhood associations in the area, as earlier speakers have said, torchy's chose to occupy this site knowing this local rule was in place. It's a role our community has chosen for many reasons to help limit children's access to alcohol, to keep children who walk or bike or walk to and from school safer. And because it's common sense that separating bars from schools is good policy, this waiver attaches to the property, not the tenant. A vote to approve this waiver is potentially a vote to have a bar across the street from this school. Forever lively was built on south congress in 1911. It serves almost a thousand students, and when the school day ends at 350, students are lucky to have a great mix of activities. Begin every afternoon. You have clubs and athletics and performances. You have social events. You have community events for families, for students tutoring. The campus is active long after that last bell. Ring. Ring is active on the weekends, so when alcohol sales are picking up, the campus [1:42:37 PM] sales are picking up, the campus remains a very active place. This is not about torchy's. I love its place in our community. I love its role and support for Austin ISD schools. But this is about a rule our community has chosen saying that we choose not to have alcohol sales in a small area around each of our neighborhood schools. It's about a choice that torchy's made to move into that building, knowing that rule was in place. It's about an effort to seek special treatment that has now lasted ten years, and it's about our community's continued advocacy to follow a very smart policy that our community has wisely chosen, that a small separation between neighborhood schools and places that sell alcohol is the right thing to do. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good morning, mayor Watson and city council members, thank you for the opportunity to speak today. >> My name is Nicole holt and I am the CEO of Texans for safe and drug free youth. The state's leading nonprofit using population level, evidence based prevention strategies. I'm also [1:43:39 PM] prevention strategies. I'm also a resident of the Southwood neighborhood in district five and my office near lively. I wish to express my opposition to the torchy's tacos torchy's tacos waiver request item number 35. I've worked in prevention and as a professional in this field for more than 20 years. My area of expertise is in evidence based public health policy that prevents underage alcohol use. My organization is nationally regarded for our knowledge on this issue. The best practice for this matter is to have a consistently upheld policy that says our community will have alcohol free Zones near campuses. The 300 foot distance from a school is a critical public health and safety measure designed to minimize youth exposure to environments where alcohol is available. It is a practice that puts the health and well-being of our kids before business interests. This policy is about public health principles and not the businesses themselves. Research consistently shows proximity to alcohol outlets increases the likelihood of underage drinking and alcohol related harms, including alcohol related [1:44:40 PM] including alcohol related violence and impaired driving. Another issue is high alcohol outlet density, which results in less desired community outcomes, including truancy. Our city has had a more than 200% increase in alcohol outlet density since 2014, when torchy's first applied for its waiver. The 300 foot distance between alcohol outlets and schools help ensure we keep our kids safe as our city experiences growth. Once we start allowing waivers, it becomes increasingly difficult to say no to bad actors that may request one. In Texas, the average age youth start drinking is in middle school. Nearly a quarter of Texans students already say it's very easy to get alcohol research shows that young people take the path of least resistance to obtain alcohol. Studies also indicate youth who begin drinking in their teens are more likely to have a problem with alcohol later in life. Our decisions regarding protecting our kids from alcohol use should not be based on how we perceive or feel [1:45:41 PM] based on how we perceive or feel about the environment as adults. Instead, our protections must meet youth where they are and focus on safeguarding those most at risk. Using public health best practices. My opposition to this waiver is not about the business itself or the belief that they are a bad actor. My opposition to the waiver is rooted in what I know for more than 20 years of experience in the field of alcohol policy and youth substance use prevention, buffer Zones prohibiting alcohol around schools make a difference for the kids and for public health and safety. So I hope that you'll vote no on this waiver. I also provided you, via email a sign on letter from both former and current aisd trustees and community members as well, which was sent earlier last night or this morning. Thank you. Thank you. >> Good afternoon. >> Jessica Kircher, vice president of legal with torchy's [1:46:43 PM] president of legal with torchy's tacos. >> The support for the granting of the waiver was included in our original application, including reference to the half dozen establishments that currently give away or sell alcohol within 300ft of the school, as well as a letter of support from the Phoenix house, a youth substance abuse program that we have supported for years. I will be utilizing my time to specifically address some of the points of the opposition that were both raised today, as well as in some letter submissions filed prior to today. The legal and physical landscape have changed dramatically in the last ten years. Granting the waiver request now is the only way to achieve the goals submitted by the opposition to this waiver. If not granted, a waiver, torchy's will have to explore other alternatives. A likely alternative is torchy's becoming a bring your own beverage establishment. As such, there would be virtually no restrictions on hours, alcohol could be consumed on the property, thus defeating the safety concerns of the opposition, which are otherwise [1:47:43 PM] opposition, which are otherwise addressed by appropriate restrictions outlined in our request today. Nearby establishments. Unlike ten years ago with a liquor license, may readily sell beer, wine and liquor to go with few restrictions to go alcohol significantly facilitates the provision of alcohol at a byob establishment. The cost of commercial rent on south congress has skyrocketed in the past ten years, resulting in many iconic retail stores, restaurants and music venues to permanently close. These locations are later being reopened by high end fashion brands. National chain restaurants or torn down to make way for other construction and development. When torchy's moved into the south, congress location, we renovated an iconic Austin building, preserving the location for the future that cannot be said for future tenants. Current revenue streams sufficient to support the rental rates of ten years ago, while providing visitors, the local community and students an affordable eatery option. Today [1:48:43 PM] affordable eatery option. Today will not sustain the future expense of operating on south congress. All restaurants in Austin and everywhere in the United States are now burdened with evaluating whether or not a lease extension can or should be exercised based on the business and revenue generated by torchy's will have to undergo this exercise for its south congress location when the lease comes up for renewal. When that time comes, if torchy's cannot justify the expense to operate the location will have to be closed. This is the unfortunate decision torchy's had to make. Just within the last few weeks. Related to our second brick and mortar location over on Guadalupe street. So sad to say that here in two weeks our location will have to shut down because of the very issues we have facing us for our south congress location. For those that may not be familiar, the restrictions that we've proposed do protect student safety. Thank you. >> That concludes all the [1:49:47 PM] >> That concludes all the speakers. >> Those are all the speakers that have signed up at the public hearing on item number 35. Without objection, we'll close the public hearing. And the public hearing is now closed. We're. We're asking a question, but I want to ask about your threat. So why don't you come forward? So you threatened to either close or to turn it into the wild, wild west of byob? >> No threat, sir. >> Oh, sure. You said it with a smile. Well, that's that's a good thing. Tell me how the law, how you interpret the law that allows you to get around the waiver by opening a byob establishment. >> So the service restrictions do not exist for byob establishment right next door to us birds barbershop. They give away alcohol every day, so the same students that come and [1:50:48 PM] same students that come and enjoy our food after school. If they go to birds barbershop right now to get a haircut, there's alcohol being handed out and you suggest that's because it's a byob. >> That's not a byob in that instance, that is one. >> Yes. Sorry, I apologize. >> That's different than turning it into a byob establishment. >> So we have also considered the possibility and will continue to consider the possibility of giving away alcohol. Similarly to having a byob establishment. The restrictions related to selling alcohol do not apply to giving it away. >> So your answer to not being able to afford to be on congress is either to sell alcohol or give it away for free. >> It is one of the alternatives that we have to consider as we look for options to increase revenue. >> I'm not maybe I'm not. I need to know more about retail, but if I can't afford to be someplace because I'm not selling enough food, how does it help me to give away alcohol? >> The tourist population, as [1:51:52 PM] >> The tourist population, as well as the local population that comes down to south congress. >> You incentivize them to come eat your tacos. Correct. Do you have an answer? Okay. Thank you ma'am. Do we call it? Lopez. Miss Lopez, could you come forward? So I heard the threat. Tell me how that works out in the law. >> Erika Lopez, assistant city attorney. It it looks like a zohaib. Is. I think I need a little bit more time. Sorry. >> Okay, but let me let me ask a question of the city attorney if we want. It sounds to me like there may be a loophole that we have. We have an ordinance that says we don't want to sell, we [1:52:52 PM] says we don't want to sell, we don't want to sell alcohol within a certain distance from a school. But the way to get around that, if you if you don't want to play by the rules, is you create a byob establishment. And if you or if you don't want to play by the rules, what you do is you just give away free alcohol, which really flies in the face of an ordinance that is trying to create a variance near a school. And I got to tell you, I didn't feel nearly as bad about this until it was good to have a public hearing on this, frankly. So we get to see what torchy's is really about. >> If I may, just one of the reasons why the concept of giving away alcohol is not one that we would like to lean into. And to be very clear, we want to sell alcohol in compliance with city and state regulations that is our strong preference. >> Asking for a variance of city regulations, correct? Correct. >> With with restrictions. When you give away alcohol there, you are required to give it away to [1:53:54 PM] are required to give it away to anybody of age who comes in. And so there is far less opportunity to control that situation. And a lot of hotels have found that to be a problem with their happy hour giveaways. So we have explored that just the same way. We're considering all other options available to us. >> Okay, you all act like you got something you want to say. >> Trish link with the law department. Our city code provisions about byob do not apply to a restaurant. And then. So if there's not city code and they're not regulated by tab, then they will be unregulated and they will follow. They will have the exception that you're or loophole as you are concerned about. >> Okay. >> Well we may need to look at that. Yes, councilmember. >> I was just going to suggest that, I mean, it's absolutely tragic that we found ourselves with a loophole, but we want to avoid people taking advantage of that, especially to protect our children. And so I would be interested in closing that [1:54:55 PM] interested in closing that loophole. >> All right. >> Further discussion. Yes. >> Councilmember vela, just a quick question. >> Both my kids went to pool more than likely magnolia cafe sells beer and wine and magnolia cafe is right across. And I'm working from memory. I haven't been to the magnolia cafe on south congress in a long time. >> Council is now going to have a discussion. We're not going to turn it into a free for all. You answer the question. Well, we have people to do that. Thank you. >> And again, I'm working from memory here. But how would they be allowed to sell beer and wine when torchy's is not? >> So they would have had a license before or council would have granted a waiver. >> So they may have been grandfathered in as a as a predecessor to the city ordinance? >> No, it's actually the state that that city ordinance piece, but that we were allowed to [1:55:55 PM] but that we were allowed to adopt under state law. >> And just out of curiosity, do you know when that law was passed? >> It has been quite some time. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Thank you, thank you. >> Further questions of staff. All right. Council, we've closed the public hearing on item number 35. The chair will entertain a motion. The motion that I will ask for, at least at first, is a motion to deny the request for a waiver of the distance requirement. Is there a motion? Motion made by the mayor pro tem is there a second second by council member Fuentes? Is there further discussion? Hearing none without objection, the motion to deny the request for a waiver of the distance requirement is approved. So it is because of the negative in there. I want to be clear, which means we are denying the waiver with council member Ryan alter off the dais and council member harper-madison absent. Thank you all for being here. Members. Going to try to. There's no way I'll talk this low even with [1:56:56 PM] I'll talk this low even with this draw item number 36 has been postponed. Item number 36, the public hearing is postponed. Item number 39, which is a zoning item. But I just want to mention it now is also postponed to October 24th. That is a public hearing by the way, that is related to item number 6564. And item number 64 is also going to be postponed to October 24th. Members. We can't call up the next item on our agenda until 2:00, so without objection, we are in recess until 2:00 pm. It is 1:57 P.M. The city council is recessed. Good afternoon everybody. I'm [2:01:19 PM] Good afternoon everybody. I'm going to call back to order the Austin city council. It's 10:01 P.M. On October 10th, 2020. For purposes of the record, earlier, I indicated that item number 36 was being postponed. That is accurate. It is being postponed until the October 24th meeting. It is being postponed to the October 24th meeting, and I want to state that in the record members, this takes us to our 2:00 time certain zoning and neighborhood planning, and I will recognize miss harden to do her stuff. >> Sorry, mayor and council, I'm joy harden with the planning department. >> Your zoning agenda begins with item number 40. Npa 2022 0005.01. This item is being offered as an applicant. Postponement to your November 21st council meeting. The related rezoning is item 41 c1 four 2022 0107. Again, applicant [2:02:19 PM] four 2022 0107. Again, applicant requested postponement to your November 21st council meeting. Item 42 is npa 2023 0002.02. This item is being offered as an applicant. Postponement to your November 7th council meeting. The related rezoning is item 43 c1 for 2023 0153. Again, applicant postponement request to your November 7th council meeting. Item 44 c14050151. Asked. This item is being offered as an applicant requested postponement to your October 24th council meeting. Item 45 is c1 for 2023 0048. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 46 is c1 for 2024 0091. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings, and this is with the zoning and planning commission's recommendation. Just to be clear, item 47 is c1 for 2024 0101. This item is being offered for consent on all three [2:03:20 PM] for consent on all three readings. Item 48 is c1 485149.700.02. This item is being offered as an applicant. Postponement to your November seventh council meeting. Item 49 is npa 2022 0017.01. This item is being offered as an applicant requested postponement to your November 7th council meeting. The related rezoning is item number 50 c1 for 2022 0035. Again, applicant postponement to your November 7th council meeting. Item 51 is c1 for 2023 0135. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 52 is npa 2023 0002.01. This item is being offered as a joint postponement from the applicant and the neighborhood to your November 21st council meeting. The related rezoning item 53 c1 for 2024 0010. Again, joint postponement request from the neighborhood and applicant to your November 21st council [2:04:21 PM] your November 21st council meeting and item 54, which is also related to items 52 and 53, is case number c1 four 2024 0017. Again, joint postponement request from the applicant and neighborhood to your November 21st council meeting. Item 55 is npa 2023 0010.02. This item is being offered for consent. Second and third readings. The related rezoning is item 56 c1 for 2024 0027. Again, this item is being offered as for consent, second and third readings. Item 57 is c1 for 2024 0066. This item is being offered for consent on all three readings. Item 58 is c1 for 2024 0081. This item is being offered as a staff postponement to your October 24th council meeting. Item 59 is c1 for 2024 0075. This item is being offered as an applicant postponement request to your October 24th council [2:05:23 PM] to your October 24th council meeting. Item 60 c1 for 2023 0110. This item is being offered as an applicant. Postponement request to your October 24th council meeting. Item 61 is c1 for 2024 0080. This item is being offered as an applicant. Indefinite postponement request item 62 is c1 for 2024 0095. This item is being offered as a neighborhood postponement request to your November 7th council meeting. Item 63 is c1 for 2023 0131. This is being offered as an applicant requested postponement to your November 21st council meeting. Item 60 481 for 2024 c81 for 2014 0083.01. This is being offered as a staff requested. Postponement to your October 24th council meeting. Item 65 is npa 2022 0020.01. This is being offered for consent. Second reading only. Item 66 is the related rezoning case and that's [2:06:25 PM] related rezoning case and that's item c1 for 20 2022 0062. Again, this item is being offered for consent second reading only and staff will be bringing these items back. Both 65 and 66 at your November 7th council meeting for third reading consideration. Item 67 c81 for 2023 0027 and this item is being offered as a staff postponement request to your October 24th council meeting. And this concludes the reading of your zoning and npa agenda. And of course, this is at your discretion. Thank you. >> Members, are there any questions of miss Hardin council member Alison alter? >> Could you just say again what 61 was item 61? >> Item item 61 is being offered as an applicant. Indefinite postponement. Thank you. >> Other questions or of miss Hardin? Yes. Council member Vila. >> Miss Hardin, on item 59. This was the item from last time that we discussed where there was a [2:07:29 PM] we discussed where there was a request for a commercial waiver, a total. But but there had been discussions around that about kind of refiguring that where are we on that case? >> Yes we are. We need a survey to complete the ordinance and the applicant will have that survey to us very soon. And so then we'll be able to complete the ordinance. And that's why it's postponed to our next meeting. We need that information from the applicant to complete the ordinance. >> I just want to make sure. Thank you. >> Any further questions? All right. Members, what we'll do is I'll get a motion on the table and then we will go to speakers. The consent agenda will be item 40, postponement to November 21st. 41. Postponement to November 21st, 42. Postponement to November 7th 43. Postponement to November seventh 44. Postponement to ten, 24, 45, 46 and 47 on all three readings 48 [2:08:29 PM] and 47 on all three readings 48 a postponement to November seventh, 49 and 50. Postponement to November 7th 51. All three readings 52 5354. Postponement to November 21st, 55 and 56 on second and third reading, 57 on all three readings 58, 59 and 60. A postponement to October 24th, 61. An indefinite postponement 62. A postponement to November 21st. 63. A postponement to November 21st. 64. A postponement to October 24th 65 and related 66 would be be on the consent agenda as second reading only, and staff intends to bring them back on November 7th and item number 67. A postponement to October 24th. Is there a motion I'm sorry, did I mess it up? [2:09:31 PM] I mess it up? >> Item 62 we have neighborhood postponement to November 7th. I think you read something I had. >> I took the note right November 7th with that change. That would be the consent agenda as I read it. Council member qadri moves adoption of the consent agenda. Is there a second? Seconded by council member Vila, I'll now turn to the city clerk. For people that have signed up to speak on these items for item number 40, Monica Guzman, Brad Massingill and Christopher Paige speaking on the merits of the postponement. If you're here, please come forward. >> Excuse. Witness okay, we're on item number 40. >> Okay. We're going to. We'll [2:10:32 PM] >> Okay. We're going to. We'll just go in the numerical order. >> And this one is up for postponement. Postponement. Okay. Hi, y'all. Hey, I just I'm glad y'all are moving these up in the future. I think the timelines been real short on all of these. This location. I don't know if y'all are familiar with it, but just so people at home realize what we're talking about, it's the 400. Vargas and lynch lane. It's in the country club creek and Colorado river watershed and just right on that street is the montopolis friendship community center and the mariposa family learning center. So those are all impacted potentially by this project. And thanks for moving things down the road. >> If your name's been called, please go ahead and come on down front so that you can be ready to testify. When people finish. [2:11:32 PM] to testify. When people finish. >> I support postponement on any case related to db 90, and I support anything that gives the community a better footing to get a better outcome. I wish more cases had been postponed to have that shared improved outcome. I think it's a travesty of process that we're where we are right now. >> Thank you. >> On to item 41, Monica Guzman registered remotely and she is not present. Brad Massingill Christopher Paige to speak on the merits of the postponement. >> I don't have much to add except thanks for moving this down the road and do this for other db 90 cases until we can work out the mechanics of this, [2:12:35 PM] work out the mechanics of this, because the neighborhoods are are don't even know these things are happening until it's too late. >> Thank you sir. >> Item number 45 Christopher Paige. >> You wish to testify? Okay. He indicates he's not wishing to testify on item 45. >> Thank you. Mayor, item number 53, Christopher Paige, on the merits of the postponement. >> You wish to testify, Mr. Paige? He doesn't wish to testify. >> Item number 55. Ian Wilson. He is remote. One second. >> Hello? >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Sorry, I was planning to attend in person today, but I tested positive for covid, so I'm glad I have to be remote. [2:13:36 PM] I'm glad I have to be remote. >> Glad you're testifying, but glad you're not here. Yes, yes. >> District three. Here I am representing the neighbor. The holly neighborhood associations board. We took a survey of our members. We sent you all the results and the strongest message message we got was one. We want the commercial on the ground floor. And two, improvements to the rights of right of way and streetscape are really important to the community. More than half of the respondents opposed the building. This tall, some of them very strongly. There's also frustration about having to make the choice between height and affordability. Regarding commercial on the ground floor, this is a core part of db 90. City staff recommended that the this case not be granted a waiver, but planning commission overruled them. We request that this not be the case. The community overwhelmingly is in favor of ground floor commercial regarding the right of way and streetscape. One of the asks is really straightforward. The frontage of this site, both on [2:14:37 PM] frontage of this site, both on Chavez and on second, has amongst the fewest trees in the area and the community really wants trees. We're happy to provide examples of what we think would be successful. The second ask is a bit broader and especially on the heels of case 29 earlier today. We think that this project being successful will require improvements to the right of way along Chavez. I know that's kind of a nebulous ask, but the roadway as it exists today is not suitable for significantly additional traffic volumes. It's not been updated in a long time. It sucks for everyone. There's car traffic that can back up for blocks, narrow sidewalks, no dedicated bike lanes, no bus lanes. It doesn't work well for anyone. There is concern that by adding additional folks and users of the roadway through this project, that the negatives of Chavez will spill over into the surrounding areas. Those streets are currently used as safer and [2:15:37 PM] are currently used as safer and quieter alternatives to Chavez for getting around, especially when you're not in a car. And we're really hoping they remain that way to reiterate one, please don't go with the waiver of the ground floor commercial requirement. And two, anything you all can do to make sure that this works well for the neighborhood, especially about the right of way and streetscape, will be significantly appreciated. >> Thank you. Thank you and get well. >> Mr. Wilson. You also registered on item 56. You get three minutes. >> Cool. Okay. Only slight additions from my previous comments are that the other things that are going on today seem like what we're asking for is very much in the direction of what you all are working towards. Item 29 does not, I think, from a map I was looking at online seem to address Chavez directly, but that's something that I think would really go a long way in easing neighborhood concerns about negative impacts. Also, item 71 is a particular interest. That's the noise one. [2:16:40 PM] interest. That's the noise one. Thank you all for considering this and moving forward here. We're watching really closely what goes on with this. A few blocks west of this proposed location, 1515 Chavez is currently working or our neighbors down in the Cesar Chavez contact team came and presented to you about this. And we are aware that there's some not positive things outcomes going on there when it comes to noise pollution. And then the last note I would say, is anything that we can do as a community to provide feedback about how to make this process better and hear from the community. We're happy to share that. It's really hard to communicate to people what a 90 foot tall building looks like. It's really hard to communicate a lot of these things to the layman that we all are. So anything that you all can do or require for these rezoning cases to commit to what something will look like will make it a lot easier to say yes or no. As a community to whether this will [2:17:41 PM] community to whether this will work well. So yeah, thank you. >> Thank you, Christopher Paige, for item 56. Please call or see if there's someone else while he's making his way down the front. >> Those are all the speakers for 56. >> We'll wait for him. >> Appreciate your time. Was it the intent of any city council members to have this particular zoning category not apply conditional overlays as it applies to all other zoning categories? If that was your intent, please raise your hand. >> And that's you know, that's not the way this operates. If you want to give comment on this, please give comment and [2:18:41 PM] this, please give comment and make your arguments for or against I'm against. >> Okay, good. Because the policy is uncalibrated and it's non-uniform with the application of the policy in all other zoning categories. And so I am curious if it is the intent of anyone on this dais to tie your own hands and create an anomalous application of conditional overlays. >> You've asked your question and you know, that's not the way this operates. Mr. Paige and I appreciate your being here. You've indicated how you feel about it, and you've indicated why you feel the way you do. So thank you for that. >> I'm using my time, and if anyone would like to raise their hand, I'd love to see anyone. >> But I will say to you is, even though it's not probably going to satisfy you, but then I'm not sure that that that will happen. Is that one of the reasons you're seeing postponements and questions about this is because of whether or not this works in the way it [2:19:42 PM] or not this works in the way it ought to work. When you can't do certain things like conditional overlays. You've been here. I think, when I've actually asked specific questions about that. >> And I look forward to the answers on that. After that's resolved and after the community has been given real footing, only then should you consider any change even remotely close to this. And frankly, I think this particular zoning category is completely uncalibrated for the areas in which it is applying. And I would also ask for you to define criteria where this particular category is appropriate, what roads, what communities, what levels of affordability and what are the effects in terms of displacement and actual affordability for the local communities? I look forward to those answers. Thank you. And that will be the last comment I have for today. So you can forfeit all my other ones. >> So you're waiving your right to speak on other items? Yes, [2:20:43 PM] to speak on other items? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> On item 58. Sorry, no speakers 60 Jim walker, Brad Massengill, Christopher. Sorry. He yielded his time. All speaking on the merits of the postpoement. >> Hello, council. >> Thanks for the time. My name is Jim walker. I'm the chair of the cherrywood neighborhood association. I want to thank Jonathan Tomko for his patience over the last year working with us and the applicant on this. I know it's postponed to the 24th. We support that. That gives us a little bit more time, gives the applicant a little bit more time for our main issue. I did sign up for this before the postponement was confirmed. So I just wanted to let you know where we're at with this. We've been talking actively with the applicant for the last year. They've been responsive. We've been able to have good meetings, good dialog. There's three main buckets of our concern with this project where it is. One is [2:21:45 PM] project where it is. One is tenant protections of the existing residents in the Alma apartments, 74 units of naturally occurring affordability. We've been working with Basta on getting some tenant protections there that's working quite well. We've been working with the developer on design issues, so easements for red line parkway, some height constraints on some portions of it. Those have been working pretty well. The main sticking point and why we wouldn't have been able to support this case if it had been before you. Today is future affordability. We do not believe the intent of db 90 was to have a net loss in affordable units in a given area. We have been asking for at least one for one replacement of the 74 units that are being demolished for this project, db 90 would only require about half of that to come back into the new project. We understand that your policy, like the chapter four dash 18 policy, doesn't apply here to db 90, but the principle of putting [2:22:47 PM] 90, but the principle of putting affordability first, of having a net add to these things, I think, is where we're at. We think the postponement will have. Hopefully this two weeks will give the applicant some time to work with some of the other partners in town to come up with a solution. I think that's it. Unless there's any questions, chair. It's been an active shaper of development in our neighborhood. We believe in density in this particular corner of the neighborhood, on three and a half street transit corridor. So we look forward to a resolution on this that we can support in a couple weeks, unless there's any questions. >> Thank you, Mr. Walker. >> All right. >> On to 61, Monica Guzman, Brad Massengill, Carol olowan, all speaking on the merits of the postponement. >> Mr. Massengill, you want to come forward? >> I signed up for that last one, too. So I'll just combine these because it's really short [2:23:48 PM] these because it's really short on item 60. I just I'm in support of the neighborhood just so the folks at home know that it's at 1230 east 38th street. The cherry wood neighborhood. It's a pretty well loved neighborhood in the in the boggy creek watershed. And thanks for postponing that again. I'm again against these db 90. I think like Chris was saying, they're not really designed to fit their their projects. Looking for a place to be the same with the item 61 at Dillard circle. It's in the Tannehill and waller creek watershed. And it's really close to waller creek. So that's something to consider. And again, thanks for postponing all these and working with the neighborhoods. >> Mr. Massengale, you're also registered for 63. Merritt's on the postponement. [2:24:49 PM] the postponement. >> Right. It's the Bradshaw today. >> And just so this there's no watershed listed on this one. It's over on the 2600 block of east fifth street. And it's a working class neighborhood. And it's pretty much on the cresting wave of gentrification. It's just right there where old meets new. And again, thanks for postponing. >> Item number 65, gene Adams, Brad Massengill, speaking on the merits of the postponement. >> Carol Nolan for 61. >> Did she call your name previously? Yes she did okay again. If she calls your name, please come forward. So we know you're here to testify. Sorry. Please go ahead. All right, Carol Owen. >> But I am withdrawing my request for public comment. >> Okay, sir, if you could come forward. Good afternoon, Mr. [2:25:50 PM] forward. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor. >> City council, I'm here to speak on item 65 and 66. I'd like to thank you for putting this to a second reading only and a third reading to November 7th. I believe it will give us ample time to work with the applicant and work through some issues that are ongoing there. So I just want to say thank you for your opportunity. >> Thank you for being here. >> Thank you. Brad Massengill, item 65. >> And Mario Cantu would be here if he could. Him and gene been working on this for a long time. Hopefully the applicant is going to get their act together because they've really been giving them the runaround for a while. On pinning anything down. So I appreciate y'all giving them the time. And if the applicant continues to not play ball, I wish y'all would have second thoughts about the whole thing. So. [2:26:51 PM] thing. So. >> Item number 66, gene Adams and Brad Massengill. I'll waive that for you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Both of them are, for the record, are waiving their ability to comment. >> Item number 67 on the merits of the postponement is bill bunch. >> I didn't hear this one was being postponed. >> It is being postponed until October 24th. It's a staff postponement. >> Okay. I'll pass. >> Mr. Bunch waived his right to speak on item number 67. >> All the speakers for zoning have been called. >> Thank you. Members, we have a motion and a second. Let me ask if there's on the consent agenda as it was read. Let me ask if there's anyone wishing to abstain from a vote on any items on the consent agenda. It's my understanding that council member Kelly, you wish to be shown abstaining on two items. Can you remind me which they [2:27:52 PM] Can you remind me which they are? >> Yes, sir. And I have comments when it's appropriate, but 45 and 56 so please say that again. 45 and 56 you will be shown abstaining on items 45 and 56. >> Is there anyone wishing to recuse themselves from a vote on any item on the consent agenda? Is there anyone wishing to be shown voting no on any item that's on the consent agenda? With that being said, I'll turn to discussion and I'll recognize you. >> Councilmember Kelly. Thank you, mayor. >> I certainly appreciate the work of all involved in the creation of db 90. However, my office and I have received a substantial amount of feedback and concern from neighbors all across the city as a result of the recent uptick in applications for db 90. It's my view that while it is well intentioned and may work in some circumstances, db 90 in its current form is too blunt of an instrument to strike an appropriate balance between providing density and affordability without causing undue disruption and impact to neighboring residents. While I [2:28:53 PM] neighboring residents. While I have supported some of these early db 90 cases in good faith, I will be abstaining from future db 90 cases until there is a possible alternative option in place that will be less intensive and less disruptive of neighborhoods, while still offering the incentive to produce density and affordability in the right places. Until that policy becomes available to the development community and to neighbors. I would like to be shown abstaining from the two items I indicated earlier. Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you. Any further discussion? That being the case and there being no discussion, no further discussion, though the and without objection, the consent agenda and the motion is adopted with council member Kelly being shown abstaining on items 45 and 56. Council member Ryan alter off the dais, and council member harper-madison absent members. That concludes all of the business to come before the Austin city council at this regularly scheduled meeting of the Austin city council on October 10th. Without [2:29:54 PM] council on October 10th. Without objection, the city council of Austin, Texas, is adjourned at 2:30 P.M.