Mobility Committee (MOBC) Meeting Transcript – 11/14/2024 Title: ATXN-1 (24hr) Channel: 1 - ATXN-1 Recorded On: 11/14/2024 6:00:00AM Original Air Date: 11/14/2024 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. [1:02:30 PM] We are meeting at city hall in council chambers in Austin, Texas on November the 14th, 2024. It is currently 1:02 P.M, and I would like to call to order this meeting of the mobility committee present on the dais or myself and committee member Vella and then joining us virtually is chair Ellis who's traveling for city business. Staff I think we have some public comment from speakers this afternoon. >> Yes we do. We'll start there. First person I'd like to call is Ryan Saunders. Thank you. >> Do I use this to or just cool. Hi. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Sorry. All right. That was a good entrance. [1:03:37 PM] right. That was a good entrance. That actually made me feel more comfortable. So I'm glad it happened. So my name is Ryan Saunders. I live in the east Cesar Chavez neighborhood, and over the last few months, I've been getting more involved in the neighborhood and working on some different initiatives. And so I just wanted to bring a few things to the attention of the committee, just put some ideas out there that I think could be helpful. So just the idea of Eid Cesar Chavez street like what its intentions would be and the vision from, you know, I'm on the neighborhood board and speaking to other business owners and what the vision could be. And then just the, the need for a different fee structure and setup for community events and grassroots events versus like large outside corporations like south by southwest formula one, like big people coming in. I think there's a little bit of a disconnect between the small scale, like grassroots, like being able to do neighborhood events, bring people together, and then the idea of parklets and then also an alley project that I'm working on with another [1:04:38 PM] that I'm working on with another neighborhood business. So I just I have a picture here, just this is a clement street farmer's market in San Francisco, and I'll move through these pictures quick. So I'm just mainly bringing these ideas and hoping to have a further conversation later. But just looking at east Cesar Chavez street, we have such a dense residential neighborhood surrounding the street that could be a small business, really strong commercial district. Right now there's just really high traffic, high speed, limited crosswalks, poor quality sidewalks. So really, I think the first step to start bringing more people and building more of a brand is to have a better mechanism for hosting community events in the neighborhood. And then the idea of parklets. I recently was trying to just do a parklet demonstration project I would like to put out there just hopefully within, internally, within the city, that there could be a more consolidated like approach to placemaking and a more direct contact and promotion from the city outward [1:05:41 PM] promotion from the city outward for individuals to be able to come in and do demonstration projects that could lead to more permanent projects that build the neighborhood stronger. This is just a sketch I did of an idea using a parklet to create some micro retail on the street. Since we really have a lot of vacant lots and abandoned buildings, and you can't do much for public. I mean private land. So this is a way to use public space to bring more vibrancy to the street in the short term. And this is another just sketch of in front of las cazuelas. Like the idea of doing one of those parklets semi-permanent. There they have a abandoned driveway there. I've started conversations with the owner and the property owner. This is just all ideas putting it out there. This would be, you know, flower shop, bakery, like little micro retail that could bring further traffic to the to the sidewalks. And then this is like shown an example of how you could do a really affordable parklet and how there's a lot of plans out there. So when I get to the [1:06:41 PM] there. So when I get to the place where I want to do a park in the city, I, I'm expecting to run into expectations of engineer drawings, etc. I'll just quickly scroll through so you can see. But I know I ran out of time. >> You are out of time, but I actually have some questions. Is it Saunders or Saunders? >> Saunders with the S? Yes, ma'am. >> Mr. Saunders, I actually am really excited to see you bring forward this, you know, sort of community level effort. You can imagine that these are all ideas that have you know, come across the dais in my six years on the dais and probably prior to. And so I just have a couple of suggestions or I want to ask if you've been in contact with some of the more appropriate city departments, like, have you been in touch with your council member? Council member Velasquez, whose district this is? >> So I have been in touch with different people within the city, and I am actually making some progress in some of these. I haven't had direct communication with council member Velasquez. >> I would absolutely encourage you to start there. He'll be your number one advocate in making, you know, forward [1:07:42 PM] making, you know, forward progression and, you know, getting that sort of direct contact with development services and economic development department who's over, you know, placemaking and those sorts of efforts and small scale micro retail. And then I also thought about development services. And so I just would highly encourage that. You get in touch with the with city departments, but start with your council member. I think he can help you cut a lot of red tape and really point you in the right direction in a lot of ways. And I love what you're talking about. I'm curious about your alley project. I started an alley project in my neighborhood. I'm a central east Austin, and we're full of alleys. And, you know, as a community, we've started to revitalize and restore some of the alleys in the community and activate them, frankly, for community level activities. So I'd like for you, if you're comfortable doing so, to get in touch with John Lawler right there at the end as our policy strategist for the district one office, I'd love for you to get in touch with him. So we can communicate with you further at a later date. Awesome. Did you have any questions? >> Sounds great. >> No thank you, chair Ellis, [1:08:42 PM] >> No thank you, chair Ellis, did you have any questions for Mr. Saunders? >> I did not, I just wanted to say that I've seen your email and would love to talk with you as well. We've got some great things, like block parties and living streets that we'll be talking about later today. And I think this is a phenomenal fit for some of the work that we've been doing. And I agree that council member Velasquez is a fantastic resource as well. >> Awesome. Thank you for your time today. Thank you. You did great. No need, no need to be nervous. Next speaker, please. >> Next we will have Maria Bustamante. I'll actually start. So change of plans. Eric Portillo will speak first, and then Maria will speak after him. >> Okay. I'm comfortable with that. Generally speaking, the mayor has rules about how many people approach the podium. Is that applicable for committees? [1:09:43 PM] that applicable for committees? I can't say that I know that rules there. I'm actually not sure since we don't know. Let's say it's applicable. It's not applicable. Please proceed. Thank you. >> Thank you, thank you for the opportunity to speak here today. Good afternoon. My name is Eric Portillo. I'm an organizer with unite here we are, the union that represents workers at concession companies inside the airport, as well as the Hilton airport. We appreciate the airport support for a living, a real living wage of $25 an hour for workers inside the airport who work for Delaware north. We are also supportive of the proposed lease extension for the prospera slash Hilton airport, a company that pays a living wage and respects the workers rights. We primarily we are primarily here today, however, to deliver the message that management at the Hyatt place Austin airport has a hotel on a fast track to a labor dispute. Here are the key facts workers at for concession [1:10:45 PM] facts workers at for concession companies at the airport and the hotel in front of the Hyatt place, the Hilton Austin airport are already union. All are subject to Austin's living wage ordinance. The Hyatt place has been the only nonunion holdout on airport land and does not pay workers a living wage, which is currently $20.80. On July 10th. Sorry, two. On July 10th, 2024, the union won an election on the bargaining representatives of the workers at the Hyatt place. We won 24 against eight. Prior to the election, a company supervisor drove the company van in front of an off property venue where the workers were holding a union meeting for shortly before the election was held, the company gave employees [1:11:47 PM] held, the company gave employees a raise. Five after the election, the company filed four objections to challenge the certification of the election. Results. The national relations board dismissed three of those objections. The fourth went to a hearing and the nlrb hearing officer recommended the objection be overruled, and the Roig and the recommendation effectively delaying union recognition. Six after the election was held, a few union supporters were given discipline for job performance issues that include two workers who had recently fired and those terminations are the subjects for more federal charges with the national relations board. Seven this may sound like the report I gave last time, and that's because it is. Workers are unjustly fired and the company refuses to recognize the [1:12:49 PM] company refuses to recognize the union. The company has filed the last. >> Thank you, sir, for your testimony. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Any questions? >> Not at this time. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Would you like to call the next speaker by name? >> I. >> Un aumento, por favor, this is Maria Bustamante. >> I could translate. >> Are you going to translate? >> Thank you. >> Yes. Okay. >> Buenas tardes. A todos MI nombre es Maria Bustamante. Empleada empleada del hotel Hyatt a fue Una de las organizadores principals dentro del hotel para la union. Yo estoy aqui a nombre de todos mis companeros de l'hotel para también hablar a nombre de ellos Y de todos Esta pasando dentro del hotel desde el Dia ganamos las elecciones el Dia de Julio, por favor, okay para Lucia. [1:13:50 PM] por favor, okay para Lucia. >> Hello. Good afternoon. My name is Maria Bustamante. I am a worker at the Hyatt place Austin airport. I am one of the main organizers inside of the hotel, and I am here in representation of my coworkers. >> Okay. Desde el Dia Diez de Julio. Okay. Ganamos las elecciones por Una gran mayoria desde entonces a la compania solamente a estado regresando todo el proceso para la certification. >> On July 10th, we won by a supermajority and the company since then has been making this a long process, tedious process for me and my coworkers. >> Nosotros creamos todo esto lo estan haciendo para de alguna Manera fastidiousness porque dentro del hotel es el ambiente. Es muy Fuerte para todos [1:14:53 PM] Es muy Fuerte para todos nosotros es Mucha prision Y lugo cu ellos estan haciendo con todo este retraso de tiempo. Es Cada uno veiamos renunciar no. >> Since we won the election, the company since then has made a very hostile environment inside the workplace and the reason we think they're doing this is that so we are intimidated. And one by one should be fired or let go. >> El Dia de hoy tenemos TREs personas puesto Su renuncia Y otros dos Han sido despedidas igual por represalias por Haber votado por la union. >> To this day, there is three. Three of my coworkers have resigned because of the same reason. The pressure that the company is putting on us. >> Okay, eso estoy aqui para qué nos escuchen Y hacer saberlo? [1:15:54 PM] nos escuchen Y hacer saberlo? Qué Esta pasando con los trabajadores dentro del hotel? >> I am here today to bring attention to this situation and hopefully we could get some help over at the Austin airport. >> What do you say? Mosque? Gracias para Su participacion. Do you have any questions? >> Are there other speakers on this topic? Okay, just a quick question. What's the status right now? Are we still just awaiting final? I. >> Yes. So the company has filed two objections to the decision of the nlrb. They made one last objection, which this would be the final. >> Okay. So the pending resolution of the objections, then there would be either, I guess, recognition or not of the bargaining unit, correct? >> Yes. So the first objection, the one the officer who was assigned to this case made a [1:16:57 PM] assigned to this case made a recommendation to the regional director of the nlrb. The company then made an objection saying that his decision was also not like an objection to his decision. And now the regional director also came out and said that his coworkers decision was the correct one in which the company also made an objection to the regional director's decision. >> Got it. So y'all are just in litigation right now over the bargaining unit recognition. Correct. Got it. Okay. Muchas gracias. Por venir los conozco de las ultimas veces de Su arte Y pues tienen nuestro apoyo in sus actividades muchas gracias. Gracias. >> Thank you so much. >> Appreciate it. And just I was just telling them thank you and that we appreciate them. We support them. >> Thank you. Do we have any other speakers. >> That was it for speakers. >> Thank you very much. We [1:17:57 PM] >> Thank you very much. We appreciate you. >> If I may, I just wanted to make if I may, I just have a quick I know Mr. Johnson wanted to get on the agenda, but I just wanted to we're going to have a, a, a proclamation coming up. This is related to transportation. With regard to the ten year anniversary of Austin's ban on texting and driving. And so I just wanted to make folks aware it was a big deal. Austin was one of the first, if not the first, city in Texas to implement the texting and driving ban. And so we're going to be celebrating that right before the next council meeting and invite folks to attend there. I mean, 3500 deaths nationally, three over 350,000 injuries nationally for texting and driving. It's a big deal. And I just wanted to make sure and highlight those efforts. >> Thank you very much. I sit on the campo board and that's one of the things we discussed. You know, how primarily our road accidents and fatalities are distracted driving? Yeah, far [1:18:58 PM] distracted driving? Yeah, far and beyond. Did you have any questions? Chair. All right. So moving right along. We are going to I'm going to announce the order of the items. We're going to take up items in the order of one, two, three, four, five, six and seven. And then number eight, keep it simple. So item number one we are going to address the minutes from the last mobility committee meeting. So let's go ahead and begin by approving the minutes for our previous mobility meeting on October 17th of 2024. >> Council member chair Ellis moves approval, seconded by committee member vela. >> All in favor? Aye. It looks like that's a unanimous passage of the minutes moved by chair Ellis and seconded by council member vela. Item number two is our calendar. We're going to shift to. Can you believe it? We're rounding out 2024. It's happening. So we're taking a look at 2025 and the calendar for mobility committee for [1:19:59 PM] for mobility committee for November or for 2025. Chair Ellis, would you like to make a motion for any proposed dates that will be changed after or before I read what's being proposed? >> I would thank you and thank you for chairing today for me. Since I'm out of town, it's a lot easier to do it in person. I know, so I appreciate your work on this. I move adoption of the calendar with some edits. One is to move the may meeting from may 20th 9th to may 15th. One is to move the October meeting from 1030 to 1016, adding a December meeting on December 4th. And then I wanted to add an asterisk into the August meeting to say that it is only going to be taking place if it is absolutely necessary, we will be just coming off of budget adoption. And so I wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything. If there were some really time sensitive issues to address, but otherwise [1:20:59 PM] issues to address, but otherwise we try to keep it at ten a year for our meeting schedule and think that that August 1st would only be, if absolutely necessary. And let's try to avoid it if at all possible. >> Thank you. I appreciate that, in which case the motion is to pass the calendar with the exceptions of the may 29th, 2025 date changing to five, 15, 25 and August 21st with an asterisk as an absolutely necessary meeting to take up items that may come up that require urgent attention. And the October 30th meeting being moved to October 16th and December's meeting being introduced and proposed for the 4th of December. Is there a second to the motion? Seconded by committee member vela. Without objection, can we vote on the proposed dates for mobility committee for 2025? All in favor? That's a unanimous vote for the proposed dates with the one, two, three, four changes that we've made by way [1:22:00 PM] changes that we've made by way of the motion brought to the committee by chair Ellis colleagues, do we have any questions? All right. Moving right along. We are at item number three. And that is our urban transportation committee update. We will hear from chair I believe. Oh yep. On chair somers's virtual. We're going to hear from chair somers. So please feel free to begin your update at will. Thank you for joining us. >> Absolutely. Thank you, council members, for having me today. Can you hear me? Okay. Great. Okay. So compared to usual, we met on Tuesday. So it's really fresh in my mind. This time around. So that's great. We did hear a presentation on the proposed changes to the parking ordinance. So this is something that's that's working its way through staff process parking [1:23:03 PM] through staff process parking and code amendments to 12 dash three and 12 dash five. So we heard some proposals that staff has worked up for those amendments based on recommendations from from council and much of it dealing with aligning what's in code to sort of our current direction on, on street parking fares, updating the fees for parking violations and things of lots of things. But a lot of it also dealing with some of the requested changes to parking and bike lanes, which of course we're really proud of this because this is something that utc has been working on for a number of years. And I think we were one of the first people to start talking about ways to discourage parking in our bike lanes, which is which is obviously a big safety violation. Safety problem for everybody in the city and figuring out ways to, you know, especially with commercial deliveries and different things to make the system work better for everyone. So we heard a [1:24:03 PM] for everyone. So we heard a presentation on that and we passed a recommendation as well. In light of the staff recommendations, I'll see if I can walk you through some of the be it resolved there. And this is already on our website. So the attested version, so you can check that out. But so we, we said that we really think that from a public safety perspective, you know, understanding any vehicle in the bike lane creates inherent safety risk for bicyclists. Thereby we think we should really limit exemptions to the situations where a motor vehicle needs to park in the bike lane for the safety of all road users, and limit the scope of those exemptions to ensure the widespread knowledge that parking in the bike lane is illegal, except in rare and bona fide emergencies. So we one thing that we wanted to say, there are some exemptions for government vehicles that can park in the bike lane for performing some type of repair or maintenance. We said we agree. [1:25:05 PM] or maintenance. We said we agree. Utc agrees that is okay, but we agree that if you're going to do that, you really should take the measures to formally shut down the bike lane, which are outlined in the city office and the standards and the transportation criteria manual. So this is, you know, something like putting out cones to alert people in advance that there's going to be a blockage in the lane, not just necessarily just parking there without taking that step to shut that down. We also actually recommended an expansion from staff language to expand that. Any emergency vehicle operating on emergency under emergency conditions may park in the bike lane. We also staff recommended an exemption for parking in the bike lane for temporary traffic control device devices. We recommend that be removed entirely and instead just follow the section eight of the transportation criteria manual, which is those temporary traffic controls. Just follow that versus creating a new a new, new wording. There we had a [1:26:08 PM] new, new wording. There we had a big discussion about vehicles temporarily stopped to collect solid waste recycling or yard debris. And I think staff we ended up not putting that into our recommendation. Any changes. But I think staff heard our remarks about some of the confusion or nuance around some of that language. What that means like a like a private trash collector, like sort of very intermittent, very, you know, very temporary type of blockages where someone may be picking up trash from a multi- family dumpster in west campus versus someone that, you know, fully parks their landscaping vehicle and the bike lane to pick up some debris and do a lot of other things for hours and hours, kind of making sure that that's really clear in the language. So we didn't actually include that in our rec, but we had a really good discussion. I think staff heard that from us pretty clearly in the recommendation. You'll also see that an inoperable vehicle should only park in the bike lane when there are not two or more general travel lanes, and the vehicles direction or the vehicle entered the bike lane [1:27:09 PM] vehicle entered the bike lane due to a crash and was unable to exit that was like, you know, a suggestion in the staff language that said, if a vehicle is rendered inoperable for a specific time frame, they could park in the bike lane to clear the lane. We're suggesting that should be avoided as well, if possible. If there's other options and then so we also suggested that says that the staff language says that parking the bike lane could be allowed for other authorized usage marked by regulatory signage, where parking is permissible, such as existing neighborhood and nonprofit agreements. We all agree that parking in the bike lane, I think is a safety issue, and utc's recommendation is that this would be altered to sort of sunset those types of agreements. We understand that some people are used to those, but like really that should be looking something that we're phasing out where there have been localized agreements to allow folks to park in the bike lane. And we suggested that the sunset provision be added to eliminate that exception [1:28:10 PM] eliminate that exception starting January 1st, 2028, allowing dpw the time to fix legacy bike lane issues. We also recommend that we alter the section 12 512 five dash 56 to allow for citations for parking violations to be sent via mail, mirroring existing statue statute in 12 one dash 63, which allows citations to be sent within with mail to the owners. Addresses. Record on the owner's address for their registered vehicle or shown on the motor vehicle. Registration for if an out of state agency as well. Finally, our last be it resolved, we recommend that we expand the commercial vehicle loading permit program and simplify the requirement to clearly indicate that it is the city of Austin's preference that commercial vehicles block general travel lanes, not bike lanes or sidewalks. When two or more general travel lanes on one direction are available. So [1:29:11 PM] direction are available. So simplifications could include allowing all motor vehicles to legally unload in a general travel lane. When two or more general travel lanes are present for 15 minutes without a permit, or simplifying or removing prohibited delivery time restrictions to ensure uniformity in the program citywide, there are some things where certain parts of the city have certain rules and others don't. This can create some confusion for delivery drivers and consider expanding beyond motor vehicles classified as commercial vehicles to allow gig economy workers to participate and possibly to lower fees for the program. So one thing that utc has heard from for example, people who deliver from favor or things like that, they are eligible to buy the commercial vehicle delivery permits. But for someone who's operating at that level, it may be pretty prohibitive for them to obtain that permit. So figuring out some ways for folks that may be doing delivery gig type delivery that they could access this program, which we think is a real benefit without it being too financially infeasible. [1:30:12 PM] too financially infeasible. Like, you know, obviously a big delivery corporation, a trucker could afford that permit, but somebody who's doing sort of a gig delivery, which a lot of things are moving in that direction, obviously may have more difficulty accessing that. So that's our recommendation. As I said, it's on our website. You can review that. And we also heard a presentation on the cost of motor vehicle crashes from transit forward. Some of their intern research, which was really interesting. And we also created a working group to provide a recommendation to the bond election advisory task force. So that was our meeting on Tuesday. >> Thank you very much. >> We really appreciate the presentation. Any questions colleagues. Awesome. Thank you for joining us today. >> Of course. Thank you. Thank you for your service. Absolutely. >> All right. And so now I do believe we're going to hear from assistant city manager Goode and transportation staff, if I'm not mistaken. Come on down. >> From your office Wu. [1:31:12 PM] >> From your office Wu. >> Hi. Thank you. I am not acm good. My name is Michelle marks. I am transportation officer with transportation public works. Thank you for having me today, commissioners. I'm here with members of my team who've been working hard on the our future 35 cap and stitch initiative. And we've been working not only internally within the city staff team, but with residents, with community members on a big milestone for the program that we want to share with you today. So if you will. Yeah, there we are. So I'm here today to provide the committee an overview of the our future 35 vision plan. This will be a bit of a kind of a foundational briefing in preparation for a [1:32:14 PM] briefing in preparation for a work session next week. Today we're here to provide you an overview of the intent of the vision plan. The key elements and content therein. And then next week at work session will be coming to have a discussion about our implementation options moving forward. So what is the vision plan? The key intent is really to document what we've been hearing from residents and community members over the past two ish years of our outreach in regard to austinites desired outcomes for the city's cap and stitch effort, and their priorities for how cap and stitch materializes, what types of amenities and community benefits it provides for our residents, and the vision plan really is intended to serve as a blueprint moving forward. As the city continues to implement cap and stitch over the next several [1:33:15 PM] and stitch over the next several years. This document is now public and live on our website. So with no further ado, I'll just walk you through some of the key content here. The cap, the vision plan, pardon me, does start by kind of articulating where caps and stitches are going to be possible in Austin, and those are the locations you're seeing on your map here in blue. We do also identify where the university of Texas is evaluating cap opportunities outside of the city's effort, and those will be kind of evaluated and funded and implemented in conjunction and in parallel with the city's effort. But as part of a separate process. So the vision plan does identify all of these locations on the map that you're seeing, where caps are possible for a total of just over 25 acres. Again, the vision plan does not provide kind of [1:34:16 PM] does not provide kind of recommendations for cost estimates or, you know, how we might implement these over time. That will be part of our discussion with you at work session next week. Additionally, we in the document do provide some clarity behind why you know, these locations are those where caps may be possible and not others. And the real driving factor for that no pun intended, is the requirement that txdot has provided us that we provide a minimum of 16.5ft of vertical clearance from the roadway surface of at any highway or on and off ramp locations to any kind of deck or related or pertinence above. So the locations on the map are those where we have confirmed with txdot that that clearance requirement could be met, and thus where caps could be [1:35:18 PM] thus where caps could be possible. The vision plan also clarifies what's possible for us on top of caps and the short answer to that is a wide array of open space features. Park like features as well as buildings in some, if not many locations. And in working with txdot and our financial analysts, we're really going to be limiting building opportunities on caps to about two stories max. And that's because any building height in addition to that, that is three stories or higher. It's just going to create additional structural load on those caps, which will result in additional costs to beef up those structures to hold them in a way that really doesn't pay for itself in cost benefit until we get substantially higher. So for that reason, we're going to limit buildings to two stories on city caps. So the additional content in the vision plan, you [1:36:26 PM] content in the vision plan, you know, I want to stress the degree to which it has been informed by the community engagement that the cap and stitch team has been working on with community members for the past two years. And then in an accelerated format over the past six months. So what you're seeing on screen, here are some of the responses that we've heard. These are aggregated responses. Responses in fact from community members via a whole series of in-person open houses as well as a citywide digital survey asking folks about the types of amenities and community benefits that residents and community members would like to see. On top of potential cap locations. So the table you're seeing here at the left of our screen is breaking those down. Those responses down by cap. You'll note kind of a remarkable degree of consistency from residents across the entire [1:37:27 PM] from residents across the entire geography here from holly all the way at the south end of the corridor, all the way up to airport boulevard, in the north end of the corridor, a lot of community interest in what I would classify as kind of recreation and nature type programing. So lawn space, natural gardening, pollinator gardens, for example, recreation and play activities, but then also a lot of strong preferences for kind of arts and culture type programing. So performance space, public art, for example, event space. So what you're going to see in the vision plan and in the concepts that we've vetted with community members is a, a reflection of this input that we've heard. And all of the caps concepts in the plan will include these elements. In addition to some, you know, [1:38:27 PM] addition to some, you know, foundational starter assumptions such as we will be providing trees, mature trees, and mature tree shade cover on all of our caps. We will be providing high quality pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure on all of our caps, so. Moving forward, taking that community input, we've heard and the kind of specific work we've been doing with some of our community members earlier in our process. The vision plan does provide an overarching vision statement for the entire cap and stitch program, as well as these six overarching goals and goal descriptor language. And the idea here is that as we move forward as a community with designing these caps, determining how they will operate and function in future, this really needs to be a checklist for us, and we really [1:39:28 PM] checklist for us, and we really need to be going back and checking our designs, checking our operational plan against all of these six goals and the vision statement to ensure that we're being true to what we're hearing from community members and then moving on to, you know what? I, what I kind of like to think of as the fun stuff. What do we as a community want to see happen on top of these cap opportunities? As I've mentioned, we've taken that input from two years of outreach and really distilled it into the different types of I think, character. That's possible on each of these distinct cap opportunities. And this is kind of in an acknowledgment that we're really for each of these looking at a different type of land use context, different desires from different neighborhoods, and stakeholders adjacent to these cap opportunities. And so we want to be responsive, responsive to the [1:40:30 PM] be responsive, responsive to the context of what's happening in the surrounding areas here. As we move forward with design. And as I mentioned, making sure we're pulling out what we've heard from community in terms of what they want to see in those designs moving forward. So in the vision plan, we are presenting what we would call preliminary concepts for each of our cap opportunities to provide a vision of what could happen on top as design moves forward and how those designs could reflect those vision and goals and that community feedback. So these are just some snippets to provide you an example of how the vision plan communicates that for each cap, what you're seeing here is just an excerpt for the cap between Cesar Chavez and fourth street. But again, we've provided this similar content for all of our cap opportunities. Cesar Chavez to fourth street is a great example [1:41:30 PM] fourth street is a great example to drill down in, because we have secured $105 million of federal funding to help implement this cap, and so we'll provide this as an example to you today. The idea here is that these conceptual elements that we're seeing in illustrative form here would become kind of the starting place, the foundational input that will begin the design, the detailed design process with and as I mentioned, that will definitely be happening for this cap. We also, for each of our cap opportunities have worked really closely with the txdot design and engineering team to provide some specificity, specificity and some details about cap extents, both in kind of the horizontal plane and the vertical plane. So providing some clarity for how what those elevations will work and how each of our cap opportunities will meet the surrounding urban context around it. And again, [1:42:31 PM] context around it. And again, just taking a closer look at some of you know, what really is a representation, a representative concept in the plan for Cesar Chavez. Again, you'll see similar illustrations for all of the caps, but providing some, you know, potential amenities that that meet the desired character. We've heard from community, the types of elements folks would like to see on Cesar Chavez, for example, the concept plan proposes kind of an an all ages recreation and play. Objective here. And this was developed not just in partnership with residents, but with stakeholders as well. We've been working closely with Waterloo conservancy, for example. Just knowing the development that they're moving forward at their palm park site to provide children's play areas. So really thinking about how we create [1:43:32 PM] thinking about how we create some kind of synergy with that adjacent program. So for example, where we might have, you know, playscapes at palm park, how do we complement that rather than compete with it and provide some adult and all ages recreation opportunities at the adjacent cap? So what you're seeing here are covered sports courts, for example, adventure play facilities that could include things like climbing rock walls and splash pads. The type of, I think bigger programmatic elements that may not fit or may be squeezed out of kind of the smaller palm park site. So the intent I want to be really clear, the intent of these concepts. I would not call these designs. These are again, just beginning concepts to move forward with. And the reason that we wanted to get to this [1:44:33 PM] that we wanted to get to this point with community, you may recall that last December, council approved funding for txdot in the amount of 15 some odd million dollars to move forward with 30% design and engineering for the cap structures, and will be discussing in December an additional funding agreement to move forward with 100% design for the caps and stitches that will move forward in the near term. But in order for the txdot design and engineering engineering team to move forward with that design, they need to have an understanding of the structural loading needs that the city has. And so we really wanted to get that feedback now from community members. How much building do we want to see here? How much tree cover approximately? Where could those building Zones be located. So what the city team has done is in a way translated this concept that we've developed with community into structural [1:45:33 PM] community into structural loading Zones that we are feeding to the txdot team to allow them to move forward. And our intent here is to provide as much future proofing, as much flexibility for the future design teams as possible. So these plans aren't intended to say that there will be a building exactly in this location. What you'll see if you kind of dig into our technical appendices, our larger envelopes of what we would call building Zones, where buildings could be located. In order to provide that flexibility. But all of these structural loading Zones will be designed to accommodate kind of the large shade, providing mature tree canopy that we're hearing is critical. And then, as I mentioned, we will be discussing at more length implementation and phasing options with you at work session next week. But the vision plan does articulate the [1:46:34 PM] vision plan does articulate the how caps and stitches could be phased over time, and so what you're seeing here is kind of a breakdown of what could really be five distinct phases. Phase one is going to be up for discussion next week as well. And this these are the roadway elements. What could be considered kind of the structural support elements. The columns, the footings, the retaining walls. For example the elements that have to be co-constructed with txdot freeway project and that are required in order to preserve the opportunity for horizontal decks at any future date. So we'll be discussing that funding commitment for that phase one next week. Phase two is looking ahead to again that horizontal deck structure. The cap itself. And that includes because Lang [1:47:34 PM] And that includes because Lang providing that cap deck is what effectively is creating a roadway tunnel here. Phase two would also include kind of tunnel related elements such as lighting or ventilation needs for the roadway beneath the cap. That funding stack, we have a few options to assemble funding for those deck structures starting in 2026. As late as 2032 and beyond to 2042. So a lot of options to kind of put funding together for phase two and phase that end and then phase three, four and five are looking at the amenities on top. Again, this is feasible according to the funding that we have available, but we do have the option to kind of fold in on cap amenities as those funding stacks become available. Looking ahead to kind of phase five, where we might even, you know, take a little bit more time if [1:48:34 PM] take a little bit more time if we need to or want to provide any kind of 1 or 2 story buildings that the community would like to see here. And then finally, the additional content that you'll see in the vision plan online at our future 35. Com are these technical items that we've been concurrently working through with the txdot team, making sure that the cap extents and elevations and the programing as well is serviceable is accessible, works in conjunction with the roadway plans that txdot is moving forward with. We've worked on grading details to talk about how the caps will abut the adjacent urban context, and even starting to look at concepts for how we extend utilities from the surrounding networks to this this space over the freeway. And then, as I mentioned, that [1:49:34 PM] then, as I mentioned, that structural loading report really being kind of a critical input for the txdot design team as they move forward with structural design. So with that briefing, I'll kind of leave you with the look ahead to next steps. As I mentioned, we'll be back next week to talk about options for how we phase and fund a program of this nature. Given some of the updated cost estimates that we'll share with you next week. And then in December is kind of the txdot milestone for council to determine which of these roadway elements we are going to be moving forward with as a city, as well as which elements we're going to move forward with design, full structural and engineering design. In the next year, we'll also be bringing you an item in regard to some of the recent funding, both grant and cip loan funding, that the project team has procured. So [1:50:35 PM] project team has procured. So with that, I will turn it over to you. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate the presentation. Do you have any questions? >> A couple, a very much appreciate the presentation and it's exciting to get to see the concept start to flesh out you know, we've talked about this for honestly I mean, since I think the first minute I got on the dais, it was a it was a topic of conversation. And it's, it's continues to be I guess. First, a comment, I mean, just thinking about the I think shade is critical. You know, we cannot just have kind of, you know, nothing there except the sun beating down on on everybody. That's not acceptable. And, you know, I saw like the covered sports courts, which is a great idea. And I just wanted to make the point that, you know, tall buildings to the east and to the west provide shade both in the [1:51:35 PM] west provide shade both in the morning and the afternoon and really will make the space much more functional and pleasant and not only that, but I mean, the tall buildings, really, and the kind of the plazas and the kind of, you know, things that go around those tall buildings really just kind of, to me, add to the general kind of social environment. Restaurants don't necessarily be on the cap, but they can be just outside the cap, you know, just on the other side of the road. So as we talk about the, you know, the caps, it's almost as important that we talk about what's going to go next to the caps, because, you know, obviously there's going to be very expensive. And if we're just going to be building again, 2 to 3 story buildings on the side of the cap, I don't know if that quite really justifies the investment. Whereas if we're going to have very tall buildings on the side of the cap, that that will really I think, contribute to the vitality, you know, the people that live there or work there or, you know, a hotel or whatever can use the cap. You know, it just I think it's not just about the caps, but I think it's really about kind of the [1:52:37 PM] it's really about kind of the area, like, what do we want the area to be. And but the vision that you all are laying out is really compelling. And the honestly my, my to see the unanimity from the public in terms of what they want to see coming back on the caps, that's really good too, because the community seems like pretty much on the same page in terms of the variation. Yeah, right. And that's a, that's a that, that's a really great to see. And any sense I mean I know we're going to have to make a decision on the on the support structures here. You know in December. But if you could just go through the timeline again, when are we talking about this project being done. Yeah. >> Happy to. So txdot will be constructing the structural elements on our behalf that they will be city funded but constructed kind of in conjunction with their freeway [1:53:37 PM] conjunction with their freeway project. So txdot will be breaking ground in approximately mid 26. They're scheduled for substantial completion in approximately 2032. So any cap and city funded cap features that we fold into their scope. We're looking at about a 2032 completion date at that time. Once their contractors demobilized, that's when the city could then come in and start to provide the amenities on top. >> So in in terms of I know we're looking at many different sources of funding, but and again, I know internally and publicly we've talked about a tiff or a tirz, you know, some kind of, you know, financing mechanism for the area surrounding that. So that would if we launched one again, let's say in January, just hypothetically, that's going to build up some funds. In other words, we have time to come up with the funds to build the amenities. Ultimately that that [1:54:38 PM] amenities. Ultimately that that that we're going to need. >> That is correct. We while the roadway elements funding is has to be committed more immediately, we have time to put together funding stack for the decks and the amenities on top that is correct. >> And the roadway elements, you know, once we have the load bearing structures in place, again, ideally we want to put the caps again. And I'm not an engineer. I'm not in construction or anything like that. My sense would be it makes common sense to kind of build everything at the same time. But we could for example, go back and add a cap at some. Or is that is that true? Is that what we could do, provided the roadway elements are funded and constructed, then yes, that effectively future proofs that location such that you could phase in a cap in future. Great. [1:55:38 PM] phase in a cap in future. Great. Because I mean, again, I think that Cesar Chavez cap I mean, we've already secured some funding from the federal government for that, not some funding, actually, a bunch of funding, $100 million or so worth of funding. And, you know, again, I think the use case for that is, is extremely, extremely strong. But again, imagining budget constraints, we could fund the base infrastructure and then what I don't want to do is I don't want to be in a situation where the city council of, you know, 2050 is looking back at this council and being like, why didn't you, you know, give us the opportunity that that's really more my top level concern. I know that txdot has not they will not pay for any of the you know other the infrastructure, the or the caps or the amenities is there. And again, I know that Houston has talked about this. El Paso has talked about this. Dallas has already has a cap and is building a second one, and I [1:56:41 PM] building a second one, and I think is going to do some more in terms of the legislature because, I mean, txdot obviously answers to the legislature, the legislature could potentially provide funding for txdot highway caps. Is that a conversation? Is there anything going on right now in terms of securing a rider or, you know, something like that to, to, to get the, you know, $250 million from the state to, you know, for to make grants toward highway caps or something like that. I mean, I hear the state is sitting on like $30 billion, you know. >> On this, we're looking at all funding sources. And the beauty of it is, as you decide in December to future proof, then we've got some time to put the moneys not even due in December. It's just we promise we're going to cut you a check. So then we have time to put funding sources together and all things are on the table for us. We're looking at, as you know, tirz, we're looking at philanthropy all the [1:57:41 PM] looking at philanthropy all the things that we can put together, future federal grants, state grants. It's all on the table for us as we move forward. So your decision again on December is just going to be what are we going to future proof and then continue to pursue funding for? >> Well, I very much appreciate that. And I know we've had some conversations around that. And it just when I think about it, this really should not be this should be a standard part of the way. Txdot builds highways, really. I mean, if we're going to build a highway, the cap helps prevent the noise pollution, prevent the light pollution, potentially limits even air, you know, particulate pollution. I just and I would like to legislatively even, you know, continue to push txdot, you know, and again we have time you know, there's a lot of and to the extent that we can, you know, shift this cost from the city to the state, where, in my opinion, it properly belongs, you know, the better for, for the city. And I think also so [1:58:42 PM] the city. And I think also so other areas can take advantage of this. Like I said, other cities want to do the same thing. And I think we really need to push the that's another I think the legislative direction is on the agenda too. So I might have an amendment coming. >> And just as a reminder too, from txdot perspective, they were supportive of our state infrastructure bank loan. So they have they agree with the partnership. I think the local txdot feels somewhat, you know, constrained with what they can do to help us. But they're they've been a great partner with us. >> And I agree. And I do want to emphasize that, I mean, we've met with them and we've worked with them and they want to help us build these caps, but they're just not going to pay for them, you know. But but they they have been talking to us and planning with us and all that. And I do appreciate it. Hopefully the legislature will will give them a little more direction. That's right. Show me the money. Come on Texas lynch. All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you for the presentation. Any questions? Chair I do thank you. >> And I appreciate chito line [1:59:42 PM] >> And I appreciate chito line of questioning because a lot of the things I was considering have have been discussed. And so I appreciate that conversation. What exact options are going to be in front of us in December? Is this going to be a moment where we figure out what the phasing is going to be? Is this going to be a moment where we figure out what the amenities are that we're selecting? A while back, we had more conversations around eliminating some of the stitches and whether we wanted to spend money on them. What exactly is going to be in front of us in December and what flexibility will be provided to council for input? >> Yes. Thank you. >> So the key question in December will be where does city council want to preserve the potential for phasing in caps at some point in the future? So which roadway elements will or will not move forward given the cost estimates and the funding restrictions that we have? >> Okay. And so that will include caps and amenities. [2:00:44 PM] include caps and amenities. >> No, it really is a funding commitment for just those phase one structural support elements only. But everywhere we do provide them, we can continue to pull funding together for decks and amenities. If there are locations that council decides not to provide. Roadway element funding, those cap opportunities are effectively closed moving forward. >> Okay, okay. That's helpful. And can you tell me about any other sorts of funding opportunities that are being considered like is private funding an option? We know UT has stepped up and said they want to be able to work on the caps that are near the UT campus. What other options do we have, especially through downtown areas where we may have folks who have philanthropic power and might be willing to come to the table to provide a community amenity on their own? >> Yes, council member will definitely be bringing some some more detail in regard to that question to you next week. We are working very closely with [2:01:45 PM] are working very closely with financial services to identify what the potential funding sources could be for something like this, and which phase of this work each of those funding sources might be most appropriate for. So yes, they will be as acm good just stated, every option is on the table and they will include funding sources like federal grants like partnerships with philanthropic agents in the community looking at public private partnerships. So they'll be bringing all of that information to you next week. I hesitate to get out in front of them just because I know they're still working on that. >> Okay, I really appreciate that information. And the other questions that you answered for chito. And I will say, I really like the idea of letting the community that is surrounding these caps have a lot of influence over what they want to [2:02:46 PM] influence over what they want to see there. So I do appreciate kind of that heat map of where do we want cultural center, where do we want public art, playgrounds, things of that nature? I think that's really great input and really want to make sure that we're putting something in place that the community will use and will love, and not just be dictating what we think should go there without their input. So I appreciate the work that's gone in on that end. >> Thank you chair, I appreciate it. I actually have a couple questions also. So I'm curious about the minimum 16.5ft requirement. What's the rationale there. >> You know I, I can't speak with absolute certainty for, for txdot in terms of what's driving that. >> I know freight clearance. >> It seems like kind of a random number. >> Yeah, I think it must have to do with fragrance. >> So. Okay. >> Thank you. The best I can answer that question. >> And then I wanted to know you made mention of the two stories, max buildings, and you know, [2:03:47 PM] max buildings, and you know, just thinking about highest yield, you know, best, highest use. I'm curious to know what kinds of buildings are we considering for those two story buildings? >> Yeah, that's a great question. So in the vision plan, we posit that those building opportunities could be an option to provide some of the community benefits that we heard folks want to see, like performance space, like arts venues, for example, like small business incubators or community services. They also provide a potential opportunity to help to generate revenue as leasable square footage or event space for the ongoing kind of operations and maintenance of those spaces, which we know we want to keep an eye on in the future. Absolutely. >> I agree, and then one of the last questions I have is about infrastructure. And so most especially as I'm looking at the [2:04:48 PM] especially as I'm looking at the 11th 12th street cap, continuous conversation we have is about sort of ancient infrastructure and the need to bury power lines. Most especially on 12th street. Just want to make certain that going into the construction here, that's a consideration that the power lines would be buried as a part of the new construction along the 12th street corridor itself. Not necessarily. Well, yeah, I'll take it. >> That's along the frontage road, is what you're thinking. >> Yeah. If that's an offer, then yeah, we'll take it. But yeah, just in any, any additional electrical or other infrastructure that would require wiring, just wanting to make certain that moving forward that's in alignment with the future facing redevelopment and restoration of the historic east 12th street corridor. >> Thank you for that input. We can certainly work with our partners about looking to look at opportunities for a betterment of that nature. >> I'd really appreciate that. And, you know, to your point, if you know, it could work in alignment with I mean, I'm not certain how familiar you are with 12th, you know, so 11th street went through this, you [2:05:49 PM] street went through this, you know, giant rehabilitation, restoration, renovation effort. And 12th is just sort of languished in the interim. And so now, you know, we have some really interesting opportunities moving forward for the redevelopment of the block. And so it would just make so much sense for me if you guys were in direct communication with the folks with whom we're in communication. And the neighborhood is in communication with the redevelopment of the block, we do have an interesting opportunity in that there's a singular entity that owns upwards of 75% of the real estate holdings, both commercial and residential, between navasota and airport on 12th street. And so I can just imagine that that would make the effort so much easier to be able to deal with a singular entity. And so if you guys aren't in communication with them already, I'd encourage for the that dialog to start. And John Lawler is here now and can help to facilitate introductions and communication with those folks. It just makes so much sense for me for all of that to happen concurrently. [2:06:50 PM] concurrently. >> I appreciate that I'll reach out and I'll also do a little research and dig into the driver of that 16.5ft from txdot for you. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. And then lastly, something I'd like to be bringing forward in consideration at the committee that I chair the housing and planning committee, my vice chair, alter, is going to be bringing forward an item around alternative and sustainable building materials, but an item that I'd like to bring forward for future considerations as well has to do with sustainable infrastructure. Green roofs, maximizing solar, those sorts of things. I just wanted to make sure these are considerations that are a part of the sustainability deliberation. >> Thank you. That's certainly a feature that we want to reflect as we move forward into design. So with that feedback, yes, we will absolutely develop the scope of work for those design consultants moving forward to make sure that that topic is addressed. [2:07:51 PM] addressed. >> I appreciate that very much. And then the last question is sort of along those lines you talked about structural building needs. I'm not sure exactly what you meant by that. >> I think that may be in reference to my discussion about the taller an on cap building is, the heavier it becomes, and the kind of a non-technical word here, but the beefier that cap and stitch. Very technically, yes, that cap and stitch design needs to be. So that just becomes the wider the columns get, the deeper the footings get, the thicker the deck gets, the more expensive it becomes for us to pay for that. >> Thank you for that clarity, I appreciate it. Did you have another question? >> I did just a quick my understanding again I don't I don't know this. I'm not sure if anybody outside UT does, but my understanding is that UT is going with stronger, deeper foundations that can hold larger buildings with the idea of essentially creating more campus around that. Again, I don't know [2:08:53 PM] around that. Again, I don't know what that cost looks like, but they're they're taking a look at that kind of stuff right now. And on the, you know, what the buildings would be used for Timothy brie from from my office. And I went up to Dallas six months ago. I can't even remember now. Yeah. And we visited klyde Warren park that has a restaurant right in the middle of the park with kind of outdoor seating. And again, talking about activating an area. You know, those are the kinds of things that really do activate an area and turn, you know, a visit to the park, a short visit to the park into an afternoon at the park. You know, it's just a really nice combination. So and again, they lease that space and that money goes right back into, you know, maintenance and upkeep and that kind of stuff like that. So there's a lot of possibilities. You know, as we look down the road. >> Yeah I agree. Thank you for that commentary. And I really appreciate the considerations around generating revenue. You know, the faster you know our projects can at least make an [2:09:54 PM] projects can at least make an effort toward sustaining themselves. The better. And oh, one more question from the chair. >> I do thank you. I see in the vision plan, there's discussion around an east Austin trail that looks like it connects the red line commuter rail all the way down to the trail down at lady bird lake. Can you talk about if that's still in the plan and how we can make sure that we've got input on that and help to make sure that that multimodal option is available? Moving forward? >> Yes. Thank you. Commissioner, happy to speak to that. And yes, that wasn't in the presentation today, but it is a very important component in the vision plan itself. The concept there is really a betterment to the txdot project itself. So where they are removing or I should say repositioning the frontage road along the east side of the downtown area to create more of that kind of boulevard treatment. They'll be moving that frontage road and [2:10:54 PM] moving that frontage road and providing a shared use path in its place. Txdot is looking at about plus or minus, you know, ten, 10 to 12ft, depending on what the physical opportunities or constraints are as it runs north south. The concept that the vision plan proposes is really kind of taking that kernel and turning it into a more robust, more kind of marquee piece of the city's trail infrastructure that our trail network. So widening it from around ten feet, going up to you know, as much as double the width to provide two way bicycle facilities and pedestrian facilities. So as wide as 2020 one feet, providing, you know, those shade covering trees as much as possible, linking on the south side to the trail network at lady bird lake and the butler trail following each of the caps as you move south to north. And [2:11:57 PM] as you move south to north. And then it becomes really this, this pedestrian bicycle piece of infrastructure that connects each of what could be separated cap opportunities. But really unifies them and provides a new kind of north south ped bike avenue that connects not just to butler trail, potentially even to the red line and Lance Armstrong bikeway at forth and on and on, all the way up to our northernmost cap cap area. So this would be a txdot betterment. And the city team is actively working with the txdot team to look at how much space can we get. You know, have available to us within the txdot right of way. We know where we do have funded caps. It's going to be a much easier lift because we have all of that land area on the cap to expand the width of that trail. But the other kind of, I think notion here is that we would, in its proposed name, reflect upon and pay homage to [2:12:59 PM] reflect upon and pay homage to the surface streets that existed east avenue before the freeway was constructed back in the 60s. So it's an interesting I think, just logistical bike ped opportunity, as well as just a cultural opportunity to acknowledge the history of our city. >> Thank you. I'm really excited about that opportunity. We just did a ribbon cutting for the southernmost phase of the violet crown trail that runs along mopac. And so I think these are really great multimodal investments. And I appreciate all the collaboration that can happen between txdot and the partners on on infrastructure like this, because they're very popular. You know, they're safer by and large for people to be traveling on. And I'm really excited that people can still have that option in in the midst of what is a highway expansion. >> Thank you. And thank you for that final explanation. It actually brought about another maybe not question so much as commentary around the history of our city. As you well know, it's [2:14:00 PM] our city. As you well know, it's not also pretty, and there's a lot of cultural consideration that should be had. And made and considered during the course of paying homage to east avenue, because the conversion from east avenue to I-35, you know, is a symbol for a lot of folks of exclusion and inequity and, frankly, structural racism and so my hope is that there's some real consideration around being thoughtful and approaching, you know, cultural homage and the recognition of where we came from. And there are so many expert facilitators and educators in town that can you know, just help make sure that we are as sensitive as possible to the above said subject matter. >> I really appreciate that comment. Thank you. Council member. >> You betcha. Thank you. I appreciate the presentation. >> Thank you. >> All right. So we are moving on to item number five. It is my understanding that I know staff is going to give us a presentation, but we have several speakers that are going to speak on item number five. If we can go ahead and call them up [2:15:00 PM] we can go ahead and call them up while you come up. Item number five is an update on the mopac south project from the central Texas regional mobility authority. >> The first speaker I have for this item is Miriam Schoenfeld. >> Okay. Thank you. Good afternoon, council members Miriam Schoenfeld speaking to here today on behalf of rethink I-35, ktma is proposing a major expansion of mopac, the proposal involves adding two additional toll lanes in each direction, in addition to general purpose lanes and auxiliary lanes. The study of alternatives that this project was based on was done 15 years ago, and the only two alternatives that are being looked at in this study are the major expansion I just alluded to, and the no build. We feel [2:16:01 PM] to, and the no build. We feel really strongly that it's important that the city and the community have an opportunity to make sure that an alternative is studied that aligns with our values and vision. Every time we expand a highway in the city, we are digging ourselves deeper into the very hole that we are trying desperately to claw ourselves out of with the rest of city policy. So, you know, if we are like, for example, we are allowing more dense development to happen in the city, and that's great. But the most immediate impact of a highway expansion like this is that it will result in low density, car dependent development. It is great that we're removing parking minimums, but if we're then inviting an additional 100,000 cars plus into the city every day, we are creating demand for parking. It's great that we're trying to eliminate our reliance on coal, but just the I-35 expansion is the [2:17:02 PM] the I-35 expansion is the emissions equivalent of a coal plant, and it's great that we're investing billions in transit. But the data shows that the more highway lane miles you have in a city, the less effective transit will be. If we keep investing in projects that pull us in opposite directions, we will not move forward and we may well move backwards. So we're really asking for the city to assure that there is an opportunity to look at an alternative that does provide a congestion free route for transit, but that does not involve a huge expansion of the highway, like what is being proposed. I want to end with some parting words from the Biden administration in addressing the rest of the world. That is panicking about the impacts on climate of a trump presidency. The Biden administration said, don't worry, you can count on the cities. So let's show the world that American cities are committed and dedicated to our [2:18:04 PM] committed and dedicated to our environmental goals, and that we will be investing in things that move us forward and not supporting things that take us backwards. Thank you very much. >> Appreciate it. Looks like you have a question for Miriam or in general for Miriam approaching the podium, I just want to say I saw that comment and I really took it to heart and I appreciated it. >> It was a really a compliment, you know, from the feds to say that there's a lot of good work going on below and it's not going to stop no matter what happens at the feds. So I appreciate you highlighting that. Yeah. Thank you very much. >> Staff, if you would like to go ahead and come forward and offer your presentation on item number five, the mopac south update, I actually have 202 more speakers for this item. >> No worries. >> Mr. Levinsky, I promise I did not mean to. >> So we have Bobby Levinsky next. Thank you. [2:19:12 PM] Thank you. >> Okay. And council member Ellis, I just had some papers. I'll get it to your office as well. My name is Bobby Levinsky. I am an attorney with save our springs alliance. Mopac needs upgrades. It doesn't need more lanes. I think council member Ellis would reach through that screen and slap me in the face. If I were to indicate that the no build solution is the ideal scenario. Mopac has bottlenecks that need to be addressed, and I appreciate the goal of making bus travel more convenient in southwest Austin. We don't need four lanes to make that happen. I have taken this process seriously since I've rejoined sos. I've participated in every public meeting at every working group meeting that has taken place on this project, because I knew it was coming back and I knew it was going to be a major concern. I it is from this perspective, being an informed and engaged stakeholder that I'm asking for help from the city of Austin. I have distributed a letter written by Travis county's legal counsel, which highlights concerns about the ongoing environmental review process. I don't think that we'd [2:20:13 PM] process. I don't think that we'd benefit from having a debate over the Nepa process right now, but I encourage you to read that legal concerns from Travis county that are coming from national experts in the Nepa litigation process, it's a firm out of DC. They know Nepa very well. More broadly, though, we need reconsideration of the project scope and potential alternatives. C-term initiated the mopac study in 2013. Since the initial scoping meeting over 11 years ago, hundreds of comments from Austin residents have expressed concerns about highway widening, I.e. Wider won't work as well as the desire to more finely improve mopac to address bottlenecks and mobility. In 2015, the c-term selected a preferred alternative to widen mopac, adding four more lanes to the to the highway, two on each side, with also auxiliary lanes that make it look like it's more wide than you would think. That was the last time there was serious consideration of alternatives other than this four lane expansion in a public facing [2:21:13 PM] expansion in a public facing manner. However, a decade of smart growth planning has has been significantly changed. Travis county and Austin's future. In 2020, Austin voters passed project connect, dedicating continuous taxpayer funding for a city wide transportation network aimed at reducing reliance on personal vehicles. The city of Austin has also embraced density within with urban cores and along transit corridors approved numerous plans to reduce sovs and set ambitious goals to achieve a 50% reduction in such trips by 2039. Since 2015, traffic patterns have changed. Computer commuter behaviors have changed, in part due to more comfort and hybrid workplace practices. You'll see that with the data that was revised that you're only getting a five minute savings in travel time, savings from these these new lanes, not to the remainder of the lanes, which will not see significant benefit. The city of Austin and city council has committed to a sustainable growth, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting multimodal transportation options. It is also committed to [2:22:14 PM] options. It is also committed to protecting Barton springs, which is an endangered species habitat with habitat within 1200 feet. Downflow of the proposed excavations, highway widening projects such as mopac south contradict those objectives and we are asking you for your help. Please work with us. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Levinsky. >> One more speaker. >> Our final speaker on this item is Victoria rose. >> Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Victoria rose and I live in district five on the edge. That's pretty close to where mopac is. I'm concerned about a planned expansion of mopac south, and I would ask that you work to push Carma to consider alternatives to the project that would protect the endangered species and sensitive Karst features near the proposed project, while also allowing for increased functionality and safety along mopac I get the traffic on mopac can be a [2:23:16 PM] traffic on mopac can be a struggle, but a solution doesn't have to come at the cost of protecting endangered species or our unique geology in the area. One of my favorite things about living in Austin is knowing that I share a home with the unique, golden cheeked warbler, Austin blind salamander, and Barton springs salamander. They're all really cute and fun to see out in the wild, but unfortunately, all of these species will be impacted in some way by the cma's planned expansion and ktma at this point hasn't even started the required section seven consultation with the fish and wildlife service to closely look at the impact to these species, and I was also concerned that on during an open house that was held on Tuesday, that was hosted by txdot and ktma, that there was no mention of the Austin blind salamander and the materials, that the open house also didn't have any details on how species would be [2:24:17 PM] details on how species would be protected throughout this process. Another great part of living in Austin is the unique Karst geology that gives us. I don't know, some of our coolest features the caves and sinkholes and springs. And at that same open house, there were no plans presented to identify and protect Karst features before or during construction, and such an oversight is really not great because I've heard that in past expansions and road projects around that mopac area, that they've hit a lot of caves and a lot of voids that have ended up polluting our water quality. So I am pretty frustrated that ktma is pushing through the current public comment phase over the holidays and without revisiting alternatives that could protect the environment and that they're pushing this through. After kind of a ten year pause. So I would ask that you please protect what is special about Austin and urge the ktma to go back to the [2:25:18 PM] the ktma to go back to the drawing board and come up with innovative solutions to fix what we have going on. >> Thank you very much. And hello to council member alter. She made a cameo. I don't know if you guys saw it. Do we have any other speakers? >> Not on this item? >> No, thank you very much. So now staff, if you wouldn't mind approaching the podium for your presentation for item number five. Hi, Mr. Mendoza. >> Good afternoon. Committee members. Richard Mendoza, director of transportation, public works. And I'm going to ask representatives of ktma to approach the podium and provide the update on their project. >> All right. Since there's two [2:26:21 PM] >> All right. Since there's two of us, we were going to share the table. I hope that's agreeable. >> Works for me. I don't know that I've ever seen a representative of ktma in chambers. So welcome. >> Thank you for having us. So I'm Charlotte Gilpin. I serve as part of the ktma gse team, and I'm serving as the corridor manager for this environmental study. >> And I'm Mike sexton. I'm director of engineering for the central Texas regional mobility authority. >> All right. So we'll get into it. We have an update on the project for you. I wanted to start with just general introduction and overview of the project to orient us. This again is the environmental study with terminus from Cesar Chavez down to slaughter lane. It's approximately eight miles. Our recent activity I guess. One other item I will add here was open house five at the end of 2022, which served as an update [2:27:21 PM] 2022, which served as an update and reintroduction of the project from the post-covid kind of activity. From there, we moved to a 2045 traffic update, which was posted in March of 2024, and then we hosted technical workgroups, which we'll touch on a little bit here from may to June of 2024. And our current activity, which is part of the reason that we're here today for an update, was we are now in an active open house comment period. We hosted we hosted an open house on Tuesday, just this past Tuesday from 5 to 8 P.M. At Austin high school. We had about 100 attendees and received 23 comments. That first evening. But what I really want to point out here is that the virtual open house is going to be open for approximately 48 days, as opposed to the 15 required days. So this will extend from November 12th to December 29th. And I've got [2:28:26 PM] December 29th. And I've got listed here three different ways that folks can submit official comments. First, if you go to the virtual open house, you'll find links to the comment forums. There's also the email and then of course by mail if you prefer that. All right. So just as much as we're going to talk about what is within the study, I wanted to touch on some, you know, high priority things that we've talked about from the community that are not currently within the study. Some of these examples are the bee caves intersection and the park and ride. So these are things that the rma has worked as regional partners for, for years to try to reach consensus and approach on on how to how to integrate these things. At this point, there hadn't been a regional consensus and so we have identified these as, you know, things that are not currently in the study, but really want to point out that the mobility authority continues to support these regional collaborations and welcomes these partnerships [2:29:27 PM] and welcomes these partnerships and betterments to address these these community issues, something we've often been asked about is the sh 45 connection between I-35 and fm 1626. In the public, that's often referred to as the sh 45 gap study. That is not part of our project. The mobility authority is not engaged in that project, and that project was not identified within the campo 25 2045 regional transportation plan or model. So it is also not part of our traffic foundation. A couple of things that we've been coordinating on are also an elevated bike ped crossing at Barton springs. So while we've been able to coordinate with the city of Austin and adjust location of that crossing to be better suited, we don't have the ability to implement that within the right of way at this time. And so we're looking at if that can be a future partnership with [2:30:27 PM] can be a future partnership with the city as well. I'll speak to shared use paths quite a bit throughout the rest of the presentation as well. But we have made efforts to create and fill in gaps within the sidewalk and shared use path network, but we've not been able to achieve a continuous 12 foot shared use path system. And then last, we often receive a lot of questions on design, construction funding. I want to reemphasize that we are in an environmental study phase. These are potential future phases that the rma is not currently engaged with and has no commitment to. As we move forward. So what you will find within open house six. Open house six is a presentation of the recommended build alternative for public comment. This is a continuation of public engagement and input to help shape the study. You're also going to find the detailed [2:31:28 PM] going to find the detailed evaluations for the all six of the build alternatives that have been identified for the corridor, as well as evaluation of the operational configurations, which are configurations and options on how to connect to downtown, which has been a big, big topic. And then, of course, all of our environmental, technical studies and reports to aid in the protection of the environment. So what I'll share here is stepping first into the public input and how that has helped shape the project to date. So, you know, we've all acknowledged this has been a project that's been going on for quite a while, but because of that, we have had opportunity for a lot of robust coordination with our partner agencies, including, of course, city of Austin. So I want to highlight a few of the things that have been added over time with public comment and suggestion. And these stakeholder coordinations. These include new direct connectors at [2:32:29 PM] include new direct connectors at us 290 bypass lanes at Barton skyway to loop 360. A bypass lane is just what helps us skip the traffic lights. There's a south to north u-turn at Barton skyway. We've added extended rather the auxiliary lane for the Texas turnaround at loop 360. So that relieves congestion at that intersection. We've reconfigured the bee cave and arm 22 southbound exit ramp to kind of shift that north for some safety a little bit. We've looked at adjusting ramps near William cannon to help with congestion there. We also have added third lanes of popular. One was southbound and northbound general purpose lanes near the William cannon drive. There are many additional Ada bike and ped crossings throughout the corridor. Widened shared use paths like we've spoken to, filling in the gaps on both sides of the corridor. [2:33:32 PM] on both sides of the corridor. And then, like I had mentioned, the Barton springs just placing placement of that crossing for better alignment there. All of these changes are in really in support of the shared values with the mobility authority and the community, which has the priority of protecting human and natural resources. We're always focused on safety and the environment there. This recommended build alternative carries with it no increased elevations over lady bird lake, no direct connector ramps to Cesar Chavez or near Austin high school. And we've maximized within the right of way, the pedestrian and cyclist routes. So in addition to stakeholder input that we gather through our open house opportunities, we also, as we're moving this project forward, hosted a series of technical work group meetings that were held this past summer. And those included many of the [2:34:32 PM] And those included many of the partner agencies that I've referenced, but also speak to a few city of Austin, Travis county, rollingwood Austin independent school district, save our springs, Barton springs, Edwards aquifer conservation district, safe streets, many, many advocacy groups, and we basically were able to create a forum where we were able to exchange and share information. So we presented on these topic meetings what our approach was to study and evaluate and understand these areas. These issues. We were able to share what our anticipated approach to those was, how we would go about studying it, and then solicit feedback from all of those experts within those agencies. And entities. So from these meetings, we had received 44 different considerations that were introduced. And of those were pleased to share that 70% [2:35:34 PM] were pleased to share that 70% of those we've been able to incorporate into the environmental study and the schematic moving forward, another 16% were partially incorporated. So as we move more into talking about what's what's in open house six and what we base our traffic analysis on, I wanted to take a step back because and reshare some of the information we shared in March with our 2045 update. We often receive questions on really what the traffic model is, what the forecast is, and it's been helpful to bring this forward to the public. So what is the traffic forecast and why do we need it? So starting with why do we need a traffic forecast. This is something that is required from the national environmental policy act or Nepa. And it is required that we follow the federal standards for our traffic analysis that are based on the regional transportation [2:36:34 PM] on the regional transportation model. That's created by our metropolitan planning organization here locally, that's campo, our capital area metropolitan planning organization. So this model that we use for campo, which is the 2045 model, which is the current model and plan, serves as the foundation for our air quality analysis, noise analysis and environmental justice. Cumulative indirect impact, technical reports. So understanding why we need it, what exactly is it? So campo through a collaborative again community based effort develops a regional transportation plan through consensus. Again with participating agencies. They help develop the population and employment demographics that really shape what that traffic model does, how it behaves, what's contained within the model, what projects are in the model? Our project team then takes campos macro level model, and we refine it a little more [2:37:35 PM] and we refine it a little more accurately for along the corridor itself. We do that by collaborating and understanding. You know, more detail of what is happening along the corridor and updating it. If there's, you know, smaller level projects that we're not within. Campos model, this forecast provides just a scenario that represents our best available estimates and travel times and project impacts. You know, we do recognize no model is 100% accurate, but it is a well it's a well informed scenario that serves as one data source in a robust environmental process here. So who reviews the methodology? Txdot serves so txdot Austin district and environmental division reviews these models and gives us concurrence to move forward and use them. So with that, I wanted to before we take a look at some of the evaluation numbers, I [2:38:37 PM] of the evaluation numbers, I wanted to take a look back for a moment here as well, like we did in our 2045 update in March. So in summary, like we just talked about, we're required to use campos regional transportation plan as a foundation for our work. And this does represent our best collective understanding of the region's growth. Many folks point back to the initial work that was shared and discussed based on the 2035 model. Some years back, and while there are variations between the 2035 and 2045, the outcomes, even though the numbers are different, the outcomes contain similar conclusions and indications of performance for the alternatives that that that we're evaluating. So what we have on this slide is a summary of the build alternatives, the reasonable build alternatives included transit only HOV and express lanes. I'll point out that we [2:39:38 PM] lanes. I'll point out that we did carry forward and those will be represented in the environmental assessment. The concept of doing general purpose lane improvements only, as well as strategies like travel system management, travel demand management. And while the rma continues to support efforts like travel demand management, each of those things by themselves was not enough to really address the full purpose in need. So here, you know, as has been referenced, this is showing a five minutes of travel savings for the general purpose lanes. It's also showing, you know, 14 minutes in the peak pm period for the express lanes. If we think about this in terms of what this means to somebody over a year, you know, if you travel to work every day like I do, you can look at be saving 40 hours a year. And that's not insignificant. I also want to emphasize, though, that travel [2:40:39 PM] emphasize, though, that travel time is just one of the many traffic metrics, as well as the environmental metrics that we use to evaluate an alternative. And I'll speak really primarily to this first one here of reliability. There's a huge benefit in what we call oftentimes either reliability or just the planning time. How much time do I have to plan before I can leave work to get my kids on time? And the express lanes is the most reliable option for benefits. All users on the roadway. So as mentioned, we look at many, many different evaluation criteria. We've talked about some of these travel time savings, reliability, congestion, dependability, dependability for transit routes, stakeholder input, environmental considerations. So all of these are combined within the environmental study. Focusing in on some of the environmental [2:41:40 PM] on some of the environmental items that we that we evaluate I won't read them all here to you. But you know air quality biological I will speak to that that at the open house we made reference to a handful of the endangered species that will be looked at. But of course, every endangered species identified within the corridor will be spoken to within the environmental assessment. And that will be available for public when it's complete. We also often receive questions on are we looking at cumulative and indirect impacts? Yes. That will be part of the environmental assessment. So I wanted to move then to the operational configurations again, what this refers to is just what the downtown connectivity is from the alternative lanes from the express lanes to get to first street, essentially to downtown [2:42:41 PM] street, essentially to downtown or to enter to mopac south. I'll speak more to this on the next slide. But really, what I want to point out is to see was the identified and presented recommended build alternative. But you'll see looking on here that it's not the best performing. That was actually alternative three. So moving into why tc. And a lot of this has to do with our other environmental impacts. The public support was just, you know, very vocal against elevated lanes as we're presented in options and direct connectors to Cesar Chavez near Austin high. So those are things that were present in the one a and two a and one B and two B alternatives. We also a lot of public comment for fewer impacts, no right of way takings reducing impacts within the park area. And option three required about four acres of parkland [2:43:43 PM] about four acres of parkland within zilker and over lady bird lake. So these are primary reasons. In addition to the traffic reasons for reliability, that tc was recommended. This is just a simplistic map to demonstrate what option two see looks like. So this is focused in for orientation to the downtown area. Barton skyway is on the left side of the screen. And then you can see there lady bird lake for orientation. The express lanes are in green roadway and bridge widenings are in blue and the elevated ramps that help folks exit and enter from the express lanes are there in yellow. So this option gives us a really safe alternative to have people exit the express lane and basically merge to the outside lane of the roadway, eliminating a lot of weaving and merging, which of course helps with operational efficiency for [2:44:43 PM] with operational efficiency for the roads. Just making the cars move better. But it's also an excellent thing for safety. Something else I wanted to point out is in the kind of upper right of the map on lake Austin boulevard, you may see another little blue loop there. That's what's referred to as the loop ramp from sixth street. And that helps just provide another option for folks who are traveling westbound on lake Austin boulevard. And wanting to enter mopac south southbound, rather than going through the intersection light. There. So I want to summarize with just some of the non-tolled improvements that are within the schematic that's presented in the virtual open house. It includes the loop ramp. I just talked about the sixth street and Cesar Chavez entrance ramp to southbound mopac. Other than that loop ramp addition and creating a two lane ramp. Once that merges, there are no changes to the exit ramp to Cesar Chavez and no changes [2:45:44 PM] to Cesar Chavez and no changes for how folks on Cesar Chavez would enter mopac. We've widened existing bridges over lady bird lake to five non-toll general purpose lanes in both directions. Again, that's not as many as were proposed within option three, but it's significant to help move traffic. We again added the non signalized u-turn at Barton skyway. There's bypass lanes repaving the general purpose lanes throughout the corridor, shifting the exit ramp southbound to bee cave a little bit north to allow for safety. Safer merging onto westbound bee cave. There's a ramp reversal that's north of 360 on the northbound frontage road, and that greatly helps reduce congestion on the north bound loop. 360 intersection. That's a huge benefit to regional traffic benefit to sh 70 and 360. By helping that traffic move better [2:46:45 PM] helping that traffic move better and then ramp operational improvements really throughout the corridor. But northbound on frontage roads at William cannon and of course, the mentioned increased pedestrian and cyclist opportunities. So this is just a quick cartoonish map really, of the bike and ped improvements that have been made on the corridor. I'd encourage you to take some time and look at the full schematic, but really, what we've done here and what we're going to continue to do to coordinate with city of Austin urban trails and public works department is really finalizing details of what these connections look like. But we do have our eye and are making quite a few connections throughout the corridor here. So overall project benefits. We've talked about the non-tolled improvements. We've talked about travel time and reliability benefits, the operational and safety improvements and efficiency, dependable route for transit. As with all our major [2:47:47 PM] transit. As with all our major projects and transit, busses are free within the express lanes. There's improved emergency response times. We've added Ada compliant bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and then the project also includes increased water quality measures above above standards. I'll talk a bit about next steps again, as we're in the middle of the virtual open house. Just plug again that that's open until December 29th and would encourage official comments post open house six. We will be reviewing comments and creating a open house summary report to share with the public. We'll be continuing to work on our draft environmental assessment, which means advancing all of the technical reports that were referenced and that will of course, include things like formal coordination with fish and wildlife. Once the draft environmental assessment [2:48:48 PM] draft environmental assessment is published, we will host a public hearing to gather comments on that draft environmental assessment and we do plan to publish that environmental assessment and have a public hearing with extended comment periods, just like we've done for all previous open houses. And then following the public hearing, there is a final round of modifications and edits to the ea before it's submitted for review. And consideration of an environmental decision. So that concludes our our project update. Of course, we're happy to take questions and thank you again for having us. And just want to keep directing folks back to the virtual open house. >> Awesome. Thank you so much for your presentation, chair. I just wanted to note the time. I know you like to run a tight ship and I would like to follow your lead. And so we're looking at 249 and we have two items to complete before we discuss future topics. Colleagues, are [2:49:49 PM] future topics. Colleagues, are there any questions for me? Chair Ellis I do thank you, chair, for the day. >> Will there be any right of way needed to be acquired for this project? Is that anticipated? >> There is no right of way identified. There are temporary construction easements identified. >> Okay, that's helpful. And I'm going to try to move through my notes. Pretty quickly. I know this is a very beefy topic, and we've been getting a lot of folks reaching out to us with questions and concerns about it. So I know that there's generally been some support for, you know, one more lane. I don't know that there's any support for two tolled lanes through this area. Can you talk a bit about that decision and how that came to be? Because it's more than what's on north mopac right now, right. >> The concept of having two express lanes and managed lanes rather than one. So remember express lanes are different than just a typical tolled lane. With [2:50:50 PM] just a typical tolled lane. With the managed system. There's not a there's not as many exits. And entrances. And that creates just operational management. So if you end up with one accident or a vehicle moving below the speed limit or a truck getting in there that shouldn't be in there and can't go the speed limit, it just creates a lot of operational issues. So two lanes performs better operationally and is frankly more safe. >> Okay. And is it determined that the however the lanes are decided that they definitely have to start all the way as far south as slaughter and some of the traffic projections that I've looked at, it looks like a lot of the traffic is coming from dripping springs. And so I'm curious if there's any leeway on exactly how and when to start those lanes. >> Well, our traffic modeling is showing that the lanes do add benefit for the south section of mopac. But of course, we're open to any public comment and [2:51:50 PM] to any public comment and discussing that. >> Okay, I've I'll have to have some more conversations on that to really understand those impacts. But I was just curious about how it was determined to start that far down, how far away are we from getting continuous shared use paths? I know this was a recommendation. The city had come out with a number of years ago. >> Yeah, unfortunately I can't answer that directly. Today. I don't have like a measurement of how many linear feet or how many gaps were shy of, but we can certainly pull that information together and bring it to our next staff meeting as we continue to coordinate with parks and active transportation. >> Okay, I appreciate that. And then as far as the environmental assessment is concerned, who determines whether it gets a finding of significant impact or no finding of significant impact? >> So because of how many technical topics are contained within an environmental [2:52:50 PM] within an environmental assessment, there's a whole panel of specialists within txdot environmental affairs, essentially, that help review this document. And it is txdot who has our Nepa delegation within within Texas that would then issue a environmental finding on the on the assessment report. Okay, okay. >> So it's txdot that does that. Yes. And I will just add I'm trying to move a bit quickly because of the timing here. But we've been fully supportive of transit supportive operations in this area. When the voters approved project connect, they did improve a metro rapid in oak hill and a park and ride somewhere in southwest Austin in addition to the one at pinnacle. I'm still going to keep fighting for that. It's something that was promised to the voters, and I think it's important that southwest Austin have connectivity to transit services. So I really want to talk more about that and how to make sure that we can include that type of operation. And then [2:53:51 PM] that type of operation. And then I will just end for time's sake on, you know, really hearing the concerns that the environmental and advocacy community has been bringing to our attention. You know, Travis county has taken a position on wanting to make sure we have the most robust assessment of the environment, whether that's an environmental impact statement or some other form, really trying to understand you know, with endangered species in this area, with cars, features that have been protected, that a lot of other organizations are working hard to, to enhance and make sure their protection moves forward into the future. I really want to make sure that we're doing everything we can not to further damage the environment. So I appreciate the presentation today, and I know there's been a lot of conversations with technical staff, but I really want to make sure that if we're doing something like this, that we are listening to the folks that have reached out to us and understanding the needs you know, it's no secret the folks [2:54:51 PM] know, it's no secret the folks that build highways aren't the housing planners. We've got to work together. We've got to understand how sprawl is affecting our environment. And nobody likes a long commute. I understand trying to solve that issue, but I think that these agencies need to do a better job and can do a better job of all working together, us included, on trying to make sure that we're minimizing impacts to the environment. So I appreciate you all being here today, and we'll be working on some of my comments. Moving forward as the public comment period stays open. >> Yeah, we 100% agree and hear both those points. Amanii is open to continuing to work on park and rides, even if it's a separate project from mopac south, and then speaking briefly to the environmental, that is what we hope to get out of. If we can get specifics, if there's any we've shared detailed information for what we're going to do, how we're going to approach it, and we're always open to listening to how to do it better. >> I appreciate that, and I'll flag I'd like to reach out to you on the back end and see if there's any more definitive [2:55:51 PM] there's any more definitive schematics we can see. I know there were some available at the open house, but I've been out of town since then and just trying to make sure there's a lot of transparency as these conversations move forward. But I'll reach out to you on the back end and we can work through some of that. Sounds good. Thank you. >> Thank you chair, for those questions and commentary. And thank you guys for your presentation. I don't think we have any further questions and we really appreciate your time here with us today. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> With that you all, we are going to move right on into. >> Living streets. >> Living streets. We're going to move right on into item number six. The living streets update. We're going to get an update from our living streets program staff and go ahead and present when you're ready. >> I, I actually have one speaker on this. Oh okay. If you can give us a second. Okay. Our speaker on this item is Adam Greenfield. Okay. [2:56:53 PM] Greenfield. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon, Mr. Greenfield. >> Council members, thanks very much. >> We're really excited about the living streets program. Still, as you know, we've been excited from the beginning, and this program is continuing to expand. We get a lot of comments from community members how excited they are about this. In fact, just yesterday I got a text message from a community member on the Wooton healthy street. Remember from the ribbon cutting earlier this year and she was gushing about the number of street parties they've started having on this healthy street? And she said people from all over Wooton and the neighborhood are coming in to hang out there. And in fact, there's a petition that's now running to try and expand that healthy street further into the neighborhood. So this is just absolutely music to our ears to hear this and hope that this is happening across Austin. And we're also hearing, you know, that residents are really keen to be moving beyond the [2:57:55 PM] to be moving beyond the construction equipment. And that's something that's really been flagged to us. We've got to get the construction equipment out of the street and get more durable. Context sensitive, esthetically pleasing equipment in there. And that's something we're hoping that council members will work with staff on to accelerate that, because we think that is kind of a time sensitive issue with the community. But so far we're just so excited, so appreciative of the impacts that this program is making. And also now that the block party program is under the living streets program, that's great news, too. I understand that the number of block parties that are happening this year is about 50% higher than last year, and I'm a block party organizer myself. We have one on the 7th of December. You're all invited. Everyone in the chambers. And it just these these events just make so much of a difference to people's lives throughout the year beyond those of events. So [2:58:55 PM] year beyond those of events. So thank you very much. We're very excited. >> Thank you very much for your enthusiastic commentary with the chair's blessings and the patience of our staff, we are going to postpone item number seven. My apologies. Item number six, in the interest of time, you know what? I took those out of order, didn't I? >> No, no, no, you got it. >> We did trauma prior to. No. Okay. We did mopac. Okay. Got it. Okay. So we're going to postpone item number six. The living. Are we postponing 6 or 7? Six. We're postponing item number six, the living streets update to the next mobility committee meeting, in which case we're going to roll right into item number seven, which is the central Texas region mobility update. Do we have any speakers on the item? >> You made a face that was the one we just did. I think we're moving into the ability report. >> Yeah. So I did take them out. I did seven and then went [2:59:56 PM] I did seven and then went backwards in which case. So what we're going to do now is talk about future items. Item number eight. This is where we identify items to discuss at future meetings and opportunities to highlight any items that we'd like for the committee to discuss. Chair, I'd like to start with you. >> Yeah. I just wanted to flag what we already have potentially Teed up. And that's going to be a discussion on the Austin core transit plan, micro mobility changes update as we talk about scooters and bikes and things like that. Mobility project development pathways in advance of a 2026 bond package. And now apparently living streets is going to be coming back. So we'll work with those and see what makes sense in that moment. And then we've got a running list as well behind that okay. >> Thank you. Any items for future consideration. No. >> There are no. >> And I don't have any either. I do appreciate the line of [3:00:56 PM] I do appreciate the line of questioning that you offered earlier as it pertained to trail connectivity. I heard a rumor a while back about trails connecting all the way from boggy to shoal, and I just, I have big dreams about seeing that level of connectivity, seeing the city truly connected from east to west and so moving forward, as I hear more murmurs, I'll be bringing those items to the chair for consideration. Love it. Anything else for us to consider? This afternoon? Does it appear so? In which case, at 301, the mobility committee is adjourned.