City Council Regular Meeting Transcript – 10/9/2025 Title: ATXN-1 (24hr) Channel: 1 - ATXN-1 Recorded On: 10/9/2025 6:00:00AM Original Air Date: 10/9/2025 Transcript Generated by SnapStream ================================== Please note that the following transcript is for reference purposes and does not constitute the official record of actions taken during the meeting. For the official record of actions of the meeting, please refer to the Approved Minutes. [10:00:33 AM] All right, we have a quorum. It's 10:00 in the morning. Thursday, October 9th, 2025. I'll call the meeting of the Austin city council to order. We are. We have a quorum present. We are meeting in the city council chambers at city hall, which is located at 301 west second street in Austin, Texas. Let me run through what we're going to do today and so that people will be able to prepare themselves for the day shortly. I'll read changes and corrections into the record, and then we will go to our consent agenda. The only item that I know that has been pulled from the consent agenda is item number 17. I don't have any other items that have been anybody has indicated has been pulled from the consent agenda. So we will hear from the speakers on the consent agenda. On all items except item number 17. When we complete the consent agenda, we will then go to item number. We'll hear comments from council members, [10:01:35 AM] comments from council members, have discussion and will vote on the consent agenda. Then we will go to item number 17. The only hitch in that, for those that are paying attention to item number 17, is if we're close to noon and we want to we have a 12:00 time certain, which is our public communication, we will get we will do that 12:00 time certain very close to the the noon time frame. And if we're very close to that, otherwise we may take up another item to go ahead and get to the time certain. Because item 17 has a number of people that have signed up to speak, we will do the 12:00 time certain it is anticipated, although again, this might change, but it is anticipated that what we will do is we will have the public communication that ends at around 1230 to 1235 usually. And at that point we will recess for our live music and we will come back at 1 to 110 again, depending upon where we are on the agenda members. We don't have an Austin housing finance corporation board of directors [10:02:35 AM] corporation board of directors meeting today, so we will for those that are used to that, we will not be bringing that up. And then of course, around 2:00, again, depending upon where we are in the agenda, we will have our time certain related to zoning. Are there any questions about where we are on the agenda? Okay. With that being said, let me read changes and corrections into the record. Item number 52 has been withdrawn. Item number 52 has been withdrawn. With that, we will go to our consent agenda. And I will turn to the city clerk to ask that you begin calling names for those of you all that are in the audience that are even remotely. But if you're in the audience and you want to speak to us, what we're going to do is we're going to go in in order of the agenda items one, two, three. And I hope you can stay with me through those. And then what we'll do is we will call she will call out 3 to 5 names at a time. When your name is called, please come forward. That helps [10:03:38 AM] please come forward. That helps us manage because we're able to see who you know who might be wanting to speak. You're welcome to go ahead and take a seat at one of these in one of these chairs. And then when we call your name or when you speak, please state your name for the record. So with that, I'll turn to the city clerk. >> Thank you, mayor, for item three, Monica Guzman. Following that, Zenobia Joseph, item four Alexander stringer. Item six. Zenobia Joseph. Item seven I think Monica is waving. Monica, you signed up for item 14 as well. Waving that. Okay. Item 15 Jennifer Robichaux Zenobia Joseph Lauren Pena. >> Welcome. Please state your [10:04:41 AM] >> Welcome. Please state your name for the record. >> Good morning, I'm Jen Robichaux. I'm speaking on item 15 today, which proposes amending the contract with el samaritano episcopal mission for the I belong in Austin program. This amendment would add 4 million and extend the term by two months. That's $2 million a month. While I want austinites to be able to stay in their homes, I am deeply concerned that after massive investments in rental assistance, we are still pouring more money into a temporary fix. The program has distributed millions, preventing evictions for hundreds of households. In 2023, 388 evictions were prevented, with $1.7 million in aid. That comes out to $4,381 per eviction. The average rent for three bedroom house in Austin is $2,800 a month. At face value, these numbers don't add up. Why does it cost so much? To prevent a single eviction? I am also concerned that Austin [10:05:42 AM] am also concerned that Austin tax dollars are going to permanent residents. Applicants applications for aid through el Buen samaritano are often processed in partnership with legal aid providers like Texas, Rio grande, legal aid Texas Rio grande legal aid does not have citizen requirements for most of their legal aid programs. Our Austin taxpayers unknowingly providing housing to undocumented immigrants after millions spent problems persist, with 8000 applications last year and ongoing needs, continued funding seems like a band-aid on Austin's affordability crisis. And by not addressing root causes like high costs of living and rising taxes, I urge the council to provide to prioritize preventative measures over endless subsidies. Thank you. >> Item 16 Jennifer Robicheaux Zenobia Joseph. >> Good morning. I'm Jen [10:06:53 AM] >> Good morning. I'm Jen Robicheaux speaking on item 16, the ratification of an emergency agreement with family endeavors for operating the Austin resource center for the homeless in the eighth street shelter. I urge you to amend this contract from a 12 month term to a short term, month to month extension. While I appreciate the need for continuity after ending the urban alchemy contract, committing $8 million over a full year without competitive bidding locks us into more of the same. At a time when our homelessness crisis demands innovation. The last major competitive request for proposals for operating core shelters, like the arch, was an issue since before 2022, when the city transitioned from front steps to urban alchemy through direct negotiation, not an open process. Since then, we've seen requests for proposals for supportive services and prevention programs, but not for the frontline shelter operations that form the backbone of our response. This favors incumbents over fresh ideas, even as public perception and [10:07:54 AM] even as public perception and the data show our strategies aren't working. Thank you. >> Monica. Item three. >> Yes. Thank you. I changed my mind. Sorry. Get my talking points up real quick. I'm going to read as much as I can of Garcia's position on prop Q, and basically we're proposing an if then set of demands to council. If prop Q passes, we expect council to clearly identify and prioritize fiscal year 26 budget amendments for the programs and services promised, including the family stabilization grant, continued immigration supports, and legal and mental health services equity division, office of equity and inclusion investments. If prop Q fails, our city manager and council must make equitable fiscal 26 budget amendments that fund critical priorities and invest our dollars in basic services and existing investments. The excuse me this November, Austin voters will be asked whether our council should be allowed [10:08:56 AM] our council should be allowed to raise our property tax rate by $0.05 per $100. Valuation, basic services and much needed programs included in the budget will require this additional revenue. The impact of increased taxes will be felt heavily by Austin homeowners, renters, and business owners with limited resources. We are dismayed that irresponsible, unaccountable local spending decisions by this and the previous council have contributed to this deficit. In addition, the federal cuts, state restrictions and overall revenue decline from the decrease in population and land value over the past two years. All of these have contributed to this situation. Some of the most costly include the most expensive police contract in Austin's history, which did not add a single additional officer, nor did it require any changes or metrics related to hiring or retention of officers. Unnecessary demolition of the former convention center, a 30 year old green building with public art that was destroyed and plans to spend nearly 6 billion in the coming decades on a downtown building instead of our parks, venues and cultural arts, I-35 captain [10:09:58 AM] cultural arts, I-35 captain stitch support infrastructure city dollars spent for preparation of a downtown cap, which is still unguaranteed and doesn't serve the majority of Austin's residential population. I'll submit the rest by email. Thank you. >> Monica. You signed up for it. 18 would you like to speak on that item? >> No, that was just thank you for always putting it out there early enough for us to keep track of. Thank you. >> Item number 20, Colette pierce Burnett. Doctor. Nan Mcraven, bill Stotesbury, Paul. Trahan. Stacy. Stacy Schmidt, and Jennifer Robichaux. >> Good morning. My name is Colette pierce Burnett. I serve as the CEO of Waterloo greenway conservancy. I'm here today to strongly support renaming a street adjacent to Waterloo park as pike powers plaza in honor of pike powers, a man whose vision, leadership, and quiet determination greatly [10:10:59 AM] quiet determination greatly contributed to shaping the Austin that we know today. Our city's reputation as a place where ideas flourish is largely due to pike power's foresight and his steady leadership. Pike knew that cities don't become great by chance. He believed in collaboration between business and government, innovation and education, public purpose and private commitment. Those principles are the same ones that guide our efforts at Waterloo greenway conservancy, bringing people together to create something bigger than any of us. Renaming the street would be more than a signpost. It would inspire everyone who walks or bikes through that area to remember that our progress as a city is rooted in shared purpose, and that visionary leadership, combined with civic generosity, is essential for building great cities. It places his name in a place where children play, families gather, and the community comes together exactly the kind of civic vitality vitality that pike worked so hard to foster. I urge you to approve this renaming to pike powers plaza as a well-deserved honor and a [10:12:00 AM] as a well-deserved honor and a lasting tribute to a man who truly helped make Austin what it is today a city of possibility, connection, magic, and heart. Thank you. >> Thank you. Doctor Mcraven. >> Yes. Good morning. I'm Nan Mcraven, and I serve on the board of trustees for the Austin community college. I'm honored today to speak in support of naming the stretch of road at 15th street near Waterloo park, the pike powers plaza, a tribute to a man whose vision and leadership helped shape Austin's identity as a city of innovation and collaboration. I met pike about 40 years ago when I was a vice president at the greater Austin chamber of commerce. Pike led the effort to revitalize our downtown, which at the time was in need of a lot of love and attention. Pike and Neil Kosiorek were responsible for convincing Austin citizens to vote for a convention center. Hard to believe when we're now building a new one, that there would be any pushback in supporting a convention center [10:13:01 AM] supporting a convention center with the rest of the chamber. I got to work with pike as we changed Austin from a sleepy college town to a dynamic center of technology and innovation. Other speakers I know will talk about his work to bring MCC, sematech, Samsung three M and expand T.I. And motorola, but this did truly set the trajectory to create a diversified economy for our city. As Austin changed and grew, we needed more qualified workers, engineers, technicians, people in the building trades, etc. I think we know that we still need those things today. Pike encouraged me to run for the ACC board of trustees to help create that workforce, and here I am, 26 years later. Pike was a people magnet. His ability to bring people together was legendary government leaders, business executives, community leaders, universities and colleges. [10:14:02 AM] universities and colleges. Pike's impact on Austin was profound. From his time as a state legislator from Beaumont and then working with governor Marc white, and every governor after that until he passed away in the last few moments of. >> I'm afraid the last few moments are there. >> So thank you. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> Whoever wants to go next. >> Mayor. Council Stacey Schmidt, representing opportunity. Austin, I hope you've received our email earlier this week, but I wanted to be here today to to express our full support and renaming old road river street to pike powers plaza. This designation will serve as a meaningful and lasting tribute to a visionary whose influence helped shape our economic foundation and rooted this innovative spirit in the whole entire Austin region. Today. He was not just a leader, he was a mentor. He was a catalyst for [10:15:02 AM] was a catalyst for transformation. He brought together government leaders, academia, industry leaders to really help turn Austin from a university town to now a world known technology leader. Being able to rename this public place is an honor and a tribute, and ensures his legacy will be woven into the fabric of this city. As we helped move this forward, and he was an integral part of building this city. As a founding board member of opportunity Austin, his influence continues to ripple through the businesses that call Austin home. The foresight, the jobs that we are creating from his foresight and the innovative spirit that we still celebrate today in our awards and the culture that we have created around entrepreneurs and startups. Personally, I will say, I remember when I moved to Austin many, many years ago and got to know pike powers. He encouraged me to go [10:16:03 AM] powers. He encouraged me to go out and stand for my values and to help build a city that I love. I will always hold him very dear to my heart. Thank you for honoring such a great man. >> Thank you. Why don't we go here and we'll go down the way, please? >> My name is Paul Trahan. I'm partner in charge of Norton rose Fulbright, Austin office. I will speak to Owen pike as a lawyer. After graduating from Lamar university, pike graduated from the university school of law in 1965. Pike began his legal career in Beaumont, Texas, with the firm that came to be known at the time as strong, pipkin, Nelson, parker, and powers. Pike would distinguished himself as a trial lawyer of. Pike would later serve in the Texas house of representatives, representing Jefferson county from 1972 to 1979. During his tenure with the legislature. [10:17:03 AM] tenure with the legislature. Always the leader, pike served in the in the Texas constitutional convention of 1974, he and others were making a run at overhauling the Texas constitution of 1876. Although not immediately successful, several of the reforms have since been adopted by amendment, including amendments providing for greater autonomy to local governments. As a lawyer, pike served as president and chairman of the board of the Texas young lawyers association. He served as chief of staff to governor Marc white. He led countless initiatives at the American bar association, including service on the aba's standing committee on the federal judiciary. Personal. To me, pike served as the founder and head of Fulbright and Jaworski Austin office. He opened the office in 1978 and served as its partner in charge until 2004. He grew the office to over 80 lawyers at the firm. Pike didn't just establish a [10:18:04 AM] Pike didn't just establish a culture of excellence, but one of decency, respect and fun. On behalf of Norton rose Fulbright, and I know lawyers around this city and state, we enthusiastically support item 20. Thank you. >> Thank you. Mr. Berry. >> I'm bill stokesberry. It's my pleasure to be here and offer my strong, strong support for naming this area as pike powers plaza. I will be very brief. I won't repeat what everyone else said because they've touched very well on the contributions that pike made to this community in the area. I'd like to just say that in addition to his economic achievements, pike was a very generous mentor. He was a connector and he was a friend to many. And you've already heard one person say how pike affected individual life. Another person say how pike started them on a pathway that they're still on 26 years later. I can say that I'm one of those people who, 40 years later, [10:19:04 AM] people who, 40 years later, wouldn't be sitting here today doing what I'm doing if it wasn't for pike powers and the impact he had on my life. Naming this plaza after pike is a particularly fitting tribute, sitting as it does on space owned by the city of Austin and central health and adjacent to the university of Texas at Austin and the state capitol. All of those were institutions that benefited by and were a part of pike's agenda for this community. And as a leader whose values, warmth and vision helped shape Austin's success while always keeping people at the center of progress. I really urge the council to preserve pike's legacy for future generations by naming this space in his memory. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you both. Yes, sir. >> Good morning, mayor and council. I'm actually speaking about item six regarding our. Well, because I was. >> You're not. You're out of order. >> Well, I was told to speak earlier and they told me I could speak. The lady literally told me I could speak. >> I'm telling. I'm overruling [10:20:05 AM] >> I'm telling. I'm overruling that you're not allowed to speak on item 20. You're allowed to speak on item 20, but you're not allowed to speak. So we'll go to the next speaker and you're not going to be allowed to speak in that way. We'll call you back later. >> Well, what can I speak then? >> We will call you back later. But you're not going to disrupt this discussion the way you typically do by talking out of order. >> But I'm not disrupting anything. I'm like recently on housing, and I just want to advocate for prop Q because I'd want to be your neighbor. >> You're out. You're out of order, and I'm asking you to leave. >> All right. >> So in a way, you got what you're after, which is the attention. So go ahead. >> Good morning again I'm Jen Robichaud speaking on item 20, the proposed renaming of a portion of red river street to pike powers plaza. Well, as we've heard, honoring pike powers for his role in Austin's tech boom is a wonderful gesture. It's simply not necessary action for the city to take right now. It's a frivolous expense $500 for new signs plus staff time and [10:21:05 AM] signs plus staff time and resources to gather feedback and implement changes. I'm sure it seems like a drop in the bucket when you have a $6.3 billion budget, but mind you, you've told taxpayers that you can't make your ends meet and you're asking us to approve higher property tax in November's election. That proposed increase, which could add about $300 annually to the average homeowner's bill, is needed because you're spending exceeds current revenue. When families are struggling with rising costs, we can't afford symbolic luxuries. When we can't make rent for the month, we don't buy new furniture. This nice to have item diverts focus from real priorities. I urge you to be more thoughtful about how you use your influence and spending. Austin residents are tired of seeing our government resources wasted, especially while we're being asked to pay more. Please just keep our resources on essentials. Thank you. >> Item 22 Carlos Leon 23 Dana debeauvoir. [10:22:10 AM] debeauvoir. >> Zo Huy Carlos Leon. First and foremost, gracias a dios for letting me tell you what library commission knows upon which you should act. September 8th, 2025. City auditor referred my allegations of wrongdoing against APL interim director Hannah Terrell to city manager Broadnax. APL management then told me I was right and that APL was addressing Terrell's wrongs. However, city clerk has not posted an APL notice of proposed rule change for 30 days of public comment. Which city codes one, two, four, and five require before APL can adopt revised rules to comply with your superseding rules for public use of city properties that Terrell has openly disobeyed for more than a year. Like former director weeks [10:23:11 AM] Like former director weeks before her recall that December 31st, 2024, APL told us it's criminal trespass notification policy had been recently reviewed, updated and is awaiting sign off for finalization. Thus, Terrell is still allegedly delaying and doing nothing, mocking your authority and rules as well as the law to hold Terrell Broadnax and city attorney Thomas accountable to do what should have been done more than two years ago. I've requested all communication among APL city manager and city auditor. Re allegation 1251. Expect me to provide you that public information to monitor apls compliance or continue defiance because APL and city manager appear to be dragging their feet. Responding to my pr based on yesterday's email, put Terrell and Broadnax feet to [10:24:14 AM] Terrell and Broadnax feet to the fire by directing Broadnax to start a new APL director search asap. >> Thank you sir miss debeauvoir. >> Good morning. Mayor Watson. Mayor pro tem Vanessa Fuentes, council members, city clerk and fellow austinites. My name is Dana debeauvoir, retired Travis county clerk and fan of the retired of the live music scene in Austin, Texas. Thank you to council members Vanessa Fuentes, Marc duchen, Paige Ellis, and Ryan alter for sponsoring our request today to name the city's new park at 7506 shady wood drive, guitar land. We've contacted folks in the neighborhoods, friends, music supporters, businesses, and numerous musicians and music students to hear their opinions and gather their support for [10:25:15 AM] and gather their support for this idea. We are proud to advise you that we have heard overwhelming approval for the park name, guitar land, and so far not one discouraging word. Guitar land will be a neighborhood park, not a music venue. And we look forward to your vote of approval today. We'd also like to ask council to support some ideas for the design of the new park. For instance, we recommend a metal archway across the entrance to the park that says guitar land with motifs of guitars on the sign, as well as a brick walkway inside in the shape of a guitar, with bricks engraved with the names of all of your favorite musicians. The airport has colorful guitars at the baggage carousels, and the paramount theater has its walk of stars embedded at the entrance of the theater. Austin [10:26:15 AM] entrance of the theater. Austin has a storied precedent for celebrating its vibrant music scene. We respectfully asked to work with city to develop a plan and a budget for the design for guitar land park. Again, thank you. >> Thank you, miss David. >> Also on item 23, I have van Wilkes. Van, are you here? >> Yes he is. >> You have time donated by Richard nowruz. Richard, are you here? Okay, great. You have four minutes and then Jennifer Robichaux. >> Good morning, mayor Watson and council members. Thank you for hearing us. My name is van Wilkes. I lived at this property, 7506 shady wood drive, for 23 years. Taught countless lessons to so many people from 5 to 75 years old, including mayor Watson's son. Boy, was he good. >> Yeah. >> I hope he got a real job, though. >> I don't really get you everywhere. >> I know. Well, you gotta try. Over the years, many well-known players from all over the world visited and made music there, [10:27:16 AM] visited and made music there, including zz top's Billy gibbons and Christopher cross, Tommy Shannon from Stevie ray Vaughan band actually taught bass lessons there. I've been a working musician in Houston since 1970, surviving all the fads, playing the armadillo. Sadly, aqua fest gone and so many iconic places now long gone that define Austin to people all over the world, to this very day. One of my proudest moments was on November 2nd, 1997, in council chambers, when then mayor Watson and he's back proclaimed van Wilkes day in Austin as a musical ambassador for playing our Texas blues rock in Moscow, Madrid and Paris. To me, that honor legitimized that being a musician was okay and the recognition for doing it. What I love was inspirational to continue to spread the feeling. But the legacy, which is what we're here for today, can live on with your approval as a students, the countless shows on the field and swimming pool, and the gatherings that brought so many people together, guitar land represented everything. Austin stands for creativity, community, and the love of [10:28:18 AM] community, and the love of music. It's really important that you understand we do not want this to be a live music place, but instead a meadow of reflection and a peaceful refuge to inspire all who come. That guitar land will continue to connect people through music, as it did for decades. So I'm here today to ask you to consider, to perpetuate this unique musical legacy that is so Austin, by naming your new park, guitar land, neighborhood park, or something thereof. My beautiful cottage, studio and house have been bulldozed, but the Dittmer bridge bats still fly over at dusk, the coyotes still singing howl along boggy creek, and the red tailed hawks still patrol the skies over the thank you for your time, your dedication to Austin's musical legacy, naming of guitar land neighborhood park. You will be keeping Austin's unique creative spirit alive for generations to come. Thank you. >> Thank you sir. >> Good morning. I am Jen Robichaud speaking on item 23. The proposed renaming of a park to guitar land neighborhood [10:29:18 AM] to guitar land neighborhood park. This is an unnecessary and frivolous expense. At a time when the city says that our $6.3 billion budget can't cover our expenses, you are asking taxpayers to approve a property tax rate, increase spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to trick voters, to raising their cost of living. While you continue to prioritize unnecessary and frivolous expenses like renaming a park or updating a logo that we didn't ask for, either. The agenda doesn't even disclose the full fiscal impact doesn't include costs for updating the signage, documentation, or marketing materials. Without transparency on these expenses, how can we justify this? The lack of clarity raises further concerns. Will this be a one time change or are we setting a precedent for ongoing, costly renamings of this park and others? This is a misuse of government funds when our priorities should be on essential services, not vanity projects. Taxpayers would like to see you exercise [10:30:19 AM] would like to see you exercise some restraint as you allocate our tax dollars and our government resources, especially when you're asking us to allocate more of our hard earned resources to you. Thank you. >> Moving on to item 24, I do have one remote speaker, Adam Lovato. Following Adam. I do have Carlos Leon, Chris Paige, Jennifer Robichaux, and Monica Guzman. >> Hello? Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Great. Hello, council. My name is Adam Allevato and I live in district one. I'm calling in to support item 24, which directs the city manager to minimize barriers to installing coffee shops and cafes and residential areas. I also want to draw attention to a similar existing proposal, which I think council should consider adopting or combining with item 24. First, my support of item 24. I'll just say the best neighborhoods in Austin, like Hyde park and crestview, [10:31:19 AM] like Hyde park and crestview, are great, in part because they have local establishments like Antonelli's cheese shop and little deli. These locations act as third places, provide important meeting spots, offer unique services, and they build neighborhood character. They also reduce traffic and pollution and save residents time and the cost of gasoline. And as a resident living east of 183, there are no places like this that I can get to without crossing a highway. Or at least there weren't until saint Elmo's brewery opened near 183 and 290. This is basically an all day cafe. They have food trucks and coffee and I can bike to it. And as someone who currently car shopping, I'm reminded for how many people having businesses nearby is not just convenient, it's essential. I and many other community members I've spoken to are in support of item 24, even if it means more traffic and less available parking on our streets, and I encourage council members to approve the resolution. Now, I'll note that neither Antonelli's nor little deli are coffee shops, and I just want to also highlight an existing proposal, which is called a recommendation to allow some commercial uses in residential Zones. This was referred to council via the zoning and [10:32:20 AM] council via the zoning and planning commission in December of 24. Lonnie stern is the main driving force behind this proposal, and it's already been through community input and has a broader scope of uses such as food sales, pet services and medical offices. So I respectfully ask that council consider this proposal in conjunction with the item 24. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Good morning. I'm Jen Robichaud speaking on item 24. The resolution to analyze barriers to coffee shops, cafes and coffee trucks in our residential neighborhoods. This is profoundly out of touch amid our budget crisis. While you tell the taxpayers that you don't have enough revenue to cover your expenses, asking us to cut our own coffee budgets to afford your tax increases, you are considering asking six city departments, from planning to economic development, with a multi-month study on coffee access. No fiscal notice attached. But we all know that staff time isn't free. These are the same overworked teams handling housing crises, [10:33:20 AM] handling housing crises, homelessness and infrastructure backlogs. And if history is any guide, consultants will follow. When budgets tighten at home, we brew our own coffee instead of splurging at the corner cafe. This resolution sends the wrong signal that Austin city council will prioritize luxuries over fiscal responsibility, eroding trust. Just as you're asking us for more tax dollars, I urge you to table this until you've controlled your expenses and proven that you are good stewards of our dollars. Thank you. >> Good morning. I'm Monica Guzman, policy director at Austin. Vamos. Austin. When we read the draft resolution stating, quote, to analyze ways to minimize barriers to and encourage accessibility of coffee shops, cafes and coffee trucks in residential areas of the city, unquote, as well as initiating ldc amendments as needed to execute the resolution. We wondered, for whom is it intended? Where is the opportunity for community input, especially vulnerable [10:34:22 AM] input, especially vulnerable communities and just ad lib? Here is the first speaker mentioned, one of the commission's. Not everybody keeps track of those. They keep track of your agenda because you have the final say. So while not every neighborhood has a coffee shop or cafe, there's unquestionably no shortage of coffee shops or trucks in Austin. Those who cannot afford the coffee truck shop and cafe prices will still brew at home, and those who can are also probably able to pay for various transportation options. Rentable bike or scooter, bus on demand, or their own vehicle to get their brew for the staff, and time it can take for this resolution to be executed. Instead, invest their time and expertise in more important goals, specifically protect, preserve, and produce existing noaa naturally occurring affordable housing and properties at risk of being db 91 way to ensure this happens is to also focus on an equity anti-displacement [10:35:23 AM] on an equity anti-displacement overlay in Austin's eastern crescent and other vulnerable communities to prevent displacement, as well as ensure low income. Working class residents are part of a process. Processes for community development. Thank you. >> Sorry, Carlos Leon. First and foremost, gracias a dios for letting me speak to item 24. Per backup, city manager's analysis should include transportation and public works to improve safety and access for neighbors and patrons to coffee businesses, though capmetro should be included, capmetro did not follow its own rules or the law, allowing senior director of public safety and emergency management Daryl jamail to issue me a fraudulent, unwarranted six month suspension to retaliate against my whistleblowing jamail's alleged crimes. And they're upside down. Unmerited consequences are serious. Not only are bus drivers not transporting me, but capmetro [10:36:23 AM] transporting me, but capmetro police have warned and threatened me of criminal trespass for lawfully exercising my legal right to ride capmetro, meaning jamail's wrongs are punishing my rights. Jamail did not issue the suspension in accordance with capmetro policy, because I did not commit requisite code of conduct violations representing a direct threat to health or safety. Jamail also skipped the warn step in the inform, warn, remove protocol, issuing a notice of suspension without first sending the prerequisite notice of intent to suspend to deny me due process. Violating constitutional law because the policy says before suspension may take place, capmetro will attempt to notify the individual in writing of its intent to suspend, and suspensions will be issued only in accordance with this policy. [10:37:25 AM] in accordance with this policy. Capmetro employees are following jamail's false orders, implementing a false suspension to deny me service and threaten false arrest. Right these wrongs now and turn this right side up. Thanks. >> Leon mayor. All speakers for consent agenda have been called. >> Thank you very much members. As you just heard, all the speakers on the consent agenda have been called and had their opportunity to speak. Let me ask, is there any other item on the consent agenda someone would like to pull? Okay, then I will entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. The mayor pro tem moves approval. It is seconded by council member Laine. Approve the consent agenda as read. Is there anyone? Well, let's go. First of all to discussion. Is there anyone that wishes to be heard on the consent agenda? Councilmember Laine, I'll recognize you. And then the mayor pro tem followed by councilmember alter. >> Thank you. I'd like to take a moment to speak about number [10:38:26 AM] a moment to speak about number 24, which is the resolution minimizing barriers to coffee shops and residential areas. As you all have frequently heard me speak about district six. And I think that what we experienced in district six is very similar to other outlying areas of the city, certainly parts of it. I just want to highlight that there actually is a shortage of places for community members to meet each other for a variety of things that are walkable or bikable. Definitely a shortage of that in district six, and there are a shortage of these spaces in general as well, even with a car in some cases. And so post pandemic, we have a much higher rate of people working from home, sometimes wanting to get out of their home, sometimes wanting to meet someone for a meeting. We also need community gathering spaces, particularly walkable and bikeable ones, in order to strengthen those community bonds that make our life good in this city. And so for that reason, I want to voice my my strong support for the exploration of the [10:39:28 AM] the exploration of the possibility of having coffee shops in residential areas where it's not currently permitted. It is absolutely, in my view, an appropriate use of our staff's time to look at the zoning and use implications of that. And I, I, as someone who also represents a district, as most of our city, also includes very large numbers of families. I want kids also to be able to grow up and walk and bike and meet their friends and have Independence and all of these things, and I think we all want that. And I'll just note that not every city has access, and not every part of the city has access to bike share or scooters or busses or sidewalks, even on major commercial thoroughfares. So this is a way to leverage private resources to bring those things to our city. Without the city spending as much money to do it. And I'll say, currently in district six, we have a lot of businesses that open their [10:40:29 AM] businesses that open their spaces for public meetings, even at disruption to their business, because we have trouble finding places to do those things. So by looking at something that's new and innovative, we actually have the ability to see if private industry can bring a community gathering place suitable for that neighborhood that can really bring us together. Just like I heard mention of little deli, which was lovely back when I was in that central area. As we look around some of the most desirable areas of our city, that is something that is included in them. Do we need to be thoughtful as we do it? Yes, but I'd like to voice my strong support. I'm not sure if I've already been added as a co-sponsor, but if not, please do. Thank you. >> Without objection, councilmember Laine will be shown as a co-sponsor of the item. Mayor pro tem, followed by councilmember alterman and councilmember Ellis. >> Thank you. Colleagues, I want to highlight item 23, which is renaming a future district two park to guitar land neighborhood park. And thank you to the testimony that was provided today. This item originated from our community. And a special shout out to Dana [10:41:30 AM] And a special shout out to Dana debeauvoir, who is a lead advocate in this renaming, and organize a petition and got constituents signing on in support of this renaming. And I think it's a beautiful way for the city to not only transform this land into guitar land, but to also pay tribute to our musicians and to our live music scene and the culture that is Austin. And so I just want to appreciate your support on this item and thank our constituents and community members for their support. >> Thank you. Thank you. Mayor pro tem, councilmember followed by councilmember Ellis. >> Thank you so much. And I was going to make a few comments about item 24. I could hardly do better than what my colleague, councilmember Elaine has mentioned, but this item really is about more than coffee shops. It's about community. It's about getting out of our cars and having space that people can enjoy, whether it is that morning cup of coffee or have somewhere where they can walk with their kids. It's, I think, a little ironic that a non-coffee [10:42:32 AM] ironic that a non-coffee drinker myself would be the one who brings this forward. But, you know, more and more, we need these kinds of social spaces, parks, libraries and yes, neighborhood cafes or food trucks. Unfortunately, our car centric design has has disincentivized these types of walkable communities. Our comprehensive plan imagines an Austin that is compact and connected with active neighborhood centers, and a 5050 split between driving and walking or biking. And that's what we're trying to advance here today. You know, building more complete, walkable communities. And so I just want to take a moment to thank my co-sponsors, councilmember Velasquez Ellis, vela. Now, councilmember Laine, and especially Chris Weatherford on my staff, who has really worked closely with the planning department on this to move it forward. So with that, thank. >> You, councilmember, [10:43:33 AM] >> You, councilmember, councilmember Ellis, followed by councilmember vela. >> Thank you. I can't miss my opportunity. As someone who is a coffee drinker, to talk about how excited I am to have more of these closer to residential neighborhoods. I think there's a lot of benefit that can be acquired by having more of these spaces. I represent a district that has a lot of single family residential neighborhoods, and a lot of folks do have to, you know, get in their car, leave the driveway, go outside the neighborhood to go run errands, and then go all the way back. And you end up missing those opportunities to happenstance. Check in with your neighbors. Just the idea of taking your dog for a walk and being able to say hello to someone that you haven't reached out to in a while. And I've also found over the years, you know, through some of our more catastrophic winter storms, that these are places that a lot of folks are either connecting to make sure that they're taking care of their neighbors, drop off supplies, just have some place where folks are not having to drive in dangerous conditions, to be able to get some of the things that they need. And so I think this is a very creative way of trying to build our [10:44:34 AM] way of trying to build our communities back together in a time where too many community members find themselves divided and separated from, from their other neighbors. And so I think this is not only a great place to be able to stop and get a cup of coffee, but hopefully to be able to blend back together communities and make sure that they're resilient in the future. >> Thank you. Councilmember. Councilmember vela. >> Thank you, mayor. I councilmember, I did not know that about you. That honestly makes me think differently about this item as a as a very, very committed coffee drinker who's managed to go from kind of a 24 seven coffee drinker to just morning coffee drinker, I'm a big fan of the item, support the item. And but honestly, it's not about coffee. It's about community. It's about a place where people can go in the neighborhood without having to drive four miles to the nearest major intersection. And I see this reflected a lot, honestly, in the push for mixed [10:45:35 AM] honestly, in the push for mixed use. You know, where where when we see a development coming into the neighborhood, oftentimes one of the first things the the neighbors, the residents around there will say is, well, what do we get? Meaning do we get a nail salon? Do we get a coffee shop? Do we get a little restaurant? You know, that's what. And I think that really helps people be more positive on some of these. So I appreciate the item and full support of it. Thank you for bringing it. >> Thank you, councilmember members. Those are all the people that have indicated they wish to speak on the consent agenda. I will say just quickly on item number 20, I can't I can't say it any better than the folks that provided their testimony about pike powers, but the the giant role that pike powers played in Austin and not just in the in what he did in terms of technology and MCC and those kinds of things. But the number one thing that jumped out at me as I was [10:46:36 AM] jumped out at me as I was listening to those folks is the mentorship. I was one of the people that was fortunate to have pike as someone, that there was a time when I qualified to be president of the Texas young lawyers association, and pike had been president of the young lawyers association before, and that's where he and I first got to know each other. And the mentorship led me to tease him by calling him uncle pike during that period of time. And I called him that all the way through the rest of our lives together. And so this is this is fitting and proper that the city honors him in this way. So I'm looking forward to that. So with that, members, I will ask if there's anyone that wishes to abstain from voting on one of the items on the consent agenda. Is there anyone wishing to recuse themselves from voting on any item on the consent agenda? Anyone wishing to be shown voting no, on any item on the consent agenda in that case? Without objection, [10:47:37 AM] that case? Without objection, the consent agenda is adopted with council member Siegel absent. Thanks everybody, and thank you all for coming down and being part of the testimony this morning. Members that will take us to item number 17, which is the item that was pulled. Councilmember Velazquez, I'll recognize you first on the item. >> Is this comments. >> For well, actually I'm going to go ahead and go to speakers. But but I wanted to make sure if somebody wanted. >> To oh we can go to speakers okay. >> Very good. Please. Let's go to the speakers. Members. What will members of the public what we will do is we we'll have the clerk call out the names of the people that have signed up to speak on this item, just like we did with the consent agenda. She will call three, 4 or 5 at a time. Please go ahead and make your way forward. We will do this until right at noon. We will hear public testimony on item 17 until right at noon. At noon we will break. Around noon we will break to go to our time [10:48:38 AM] we will break to go to our time certain. And as I indicated, we will probably recess at 1230 to 1235 and come back at 110 or so to continue. I don't anticipate we'll be finished with the public testimony on item 17 by noon, but I just want to make sure everybody's familiar with the way we'll approach that. So with that, I'll turn to you. >> Thank you. Mayor, we do have several speakers, so I'll start there. Jessica Mayer, item 17. >> Hi. Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Can you hear me? Yes. >> Yes we can. >> Thank you. I have lived off audubon place next to the proposed navigation center since 2007. We found out about this possible purchase about a month ago. I've attended two of the online meetings with the zo, and I've written a letter to each of you on the council. Though I believe I speak for everyone when I say we want [10:49:39 AM] everyone when I say we want solutions in regards to helping affected folks get back on their feet, I don't feel that the zo has adequately answered our neighborhood concerns even when asked directly. In the last three years, we have seen a rise in public drug use, loitering, panhandling, crime and murder. Our neighbor Ian put together a comprehensive press release with all the murders within two miles in the last few years, and it's extensive. We are concerned that we don't know which organization would run the center, and if we would have recourse if the situation is exacerbated because of it. We we have children in the neighborhood who attend Travis heights elementary school and high school, and we're concerned even more for their safety. We were not told where the other sites under consideration are located, but if this is truly the best and only solution the city could find, we would like assurances before any vote passes that the city is willing to invest in all of the constituents, like instituting a local police hub [10:50:40 AM] instituting a local police hub on east oltorf and an extension of the ban on panhandling from downtown. I read the statement from mayor Watson yesterday and do not agree that a vote to postpone kicks the can down the road. This can was just dropped on us and we have not had adequate time to respond or enough explanation as to why. This is the only site that will work. Please either vote no or to postpone the vote until these issues can be addressed. Thank you. >> Lynn Williams. Lynn, are you there? Nicole? Friday. Nicole, are you there? Audra Rodriguez. Audra. [10:51:44 AM] Audra. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes we can. >> Okay. Good morning. My name is Audra Rodriguez, and I am a native Latina austinite and a longtime resident of the old storefront parker area near heritage oaks park. I am writing to provide you a unique and critical perspective regarding the proposed navigation center location. I myself was once an at risk youth in this community. My journey involved attending Travis high school, dropping out my senior year, and falling into a life that included substance abuse and crime. At 17, I became pregnant. My path towards stability began 15 years ago when I enrolled in American youth works program, catching the bus at the very corner of parker and oltorf. Today, I'm 34 years old, and I am fortunate enough to have successfully transitioned away from that difficult chapter. My daughter is now a high school student, and I observe with profound concern that the streets I once roamed are demonstrably less safe for her [10:52:45 AM] demonstrably less safe for her generation. The reason I provide this background is to highlight a crucial and often overlooked point. If I, a youth struggling with profound challenges, face significant risks here. 15 years ago, before any such center was proposed, what is the heightened risk that this facility will bring to the students currently attending nearby schools? I am deeply concerned that this proposal will only compound the existing vulnerabilities of an already at risk community. While operation, operational hours and internal security are important, the community level impact occurs when the center closes, patrons will be released into the surrounding residential areas, increasing the concentration of individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction, and the immediate vicinity of bus stops, parks and walking routes to children's use to communicate to and from school. Proceeding with the purchase of this specific location will intensify a public safety concerns that are already [10:53:45 AM] concerns that are already straining the neighborhood. I implore you to consider the tangible consequences for our youth. I ask you. >> Thank you. Thank you very. >> Much that you hold the safety. >> Haydn denim. >> Thank you, mayor and council members. My name is Hayden denim. Thank you for the opportunity to express my support for moving the navigation center to the proposed new location at oltorf, I-35, and specifically supporting the new, larger location because it will better serve the neighbor neighbors experiencing homelessness. The facility allows more clients to be served more safely and more efficiently. Plus, it will provide space for expanded programing and on site support services. Structured programs help to move clients into permanent or transitional housing quickly and on site. Clinicians, substance use counselors, and primary care connections will dramatically [10:54:46 AM] connections will dramatically reduce public health risks for these individuals. Dallas, San Antonio and Houston have shown that low barrier navigation centers with strong operations, reduce neighborhood impacts, while more importantly, improving client outcomes. After all is said and done, that is the main goal here improving their success rate. And I believe having the current location right directly across the street from an elementary is not acceptable. And I think we all agree that I ask for each of your support in approving this relocation. Thank you for your time and understanding. >> Diane Quinones. >> Hi there. My name is Diane and I just want to thank you all for taking this opportunity to hear us. But I want to express my strong support for the navigation center at I-35 [10:55:47 AM] the navigation center at I-35 and oltorf. It's a location that truly meets the goals and standards this city has set for helping our neighbors experiencing homelessness. This site simply makes sense. It's close to essential resources and services that are already part of Austin's homeless response network. Being located near a major transit corridor means clients can reach medical care, job assistance and other programs more easily, helping them take real steps forward towards stability and housing. It's also important to note that this location is not next to a neighborhood school. It sits across from I-35 from Travis high school, providing a safe and appropriate level of separation while still maintaining accessibility. The building itself is larger and far better suited for this purpose than the current sunrise location. It will allow everyone to receive services indoors rather than waiting outside, which improves both client dignity and community safety. This is a well thought out, evidence based decision by [10:56:47 AM] out, evidence based decision by the homeless strategy office. This site checks all the boxes access, safety, transit, connectivity and proper infrastructure. I urge urge the council to support this location and move the project forward. This is our chance to make a compassionate, practical choice, one that works for the entire community and gives people experiencing homelessness a real opportunity to rebuild their lives. Thank you all so much for taking the time to hear us. >> Emily Jablon. >> You may need to call the name again. >> Good morning everyone. >> Okay. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> Yes we can. >> Hello. >> We can hear you. Okay. Sorry. >> Hello. Hello. Thank you so much for allowing us to speak today. I also oppose the relocation of the navigation center for homeless. I am concerned that it is too close [10:57:48 AM] concerned that it is too close to schools such as Travis heights high school. And we have young children living in the area. Also, I have already seen encampments in bloom creek, which is a popular hiking spot for families, and I don't feel safe walking there alone because I am concerned about predators. And I do believe that we need a location that can service these people, and my suggestion is to have it be more located closer to businesses. So that there's there's less proximity. I also encourage the city to look at ways to reduce recidivism. So if there are ways that are science backed to help treat the trauma that a lot of these experienced, these individuals [10:58:49 AM] experienced, these individuals have experienced in childhood, including abuse and neglect, that I would encourage the city to adopt those avenues and to invest in science backed treatment, such as emdr, to help treat the root cause of the behavior that leads to to homelessness. Thank you so much for hearing me today, and I wish you a good rest of your day. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Nicole. Friday. >> Hi, council members, as president of the greenbriar east altorf community, whose neighbors would share a fence with the homeless writing center, I'm here today to strongly oppose the acquisition of the property on I-35 frontage. This site is dangerously close to schools within walking distance for hundreds of children who travel daily on foot or by bike over the I-35 overpass. Families in [10:59:49 AM] the I-35 overpass. Families in our neighborhood already live with the reality of rising crime in the area, and placing a riding center here would intensify those risks. Parents should not have to choose between letting their children walk to school and fearing for their safety. We know that other, more appropriate locations were investigated, such as the industrial area off of Ben white, a site that is not near schools or single family homes. This remains a better option and should be prioritized. I also want to directly address the mayor's office most recent statement to our neighborhood mayor Watson's office suggested that no location will ever be perfect, and that postponement is simply kicking the can down the road. With all due respect, it has been a month and in speaking with council members zo and Velasquez, they agree that they have not had enough time to understand the true impact of what acquiring this property would due to the surrounding neighborhood. It's been entirely too rushed. Our neighborhood is not asking for perfection. We're asking for basic safety and common sense, dismissing these concerns as inevitable impacts is unacceptable. If we know there [11:00:50 AM] unacceptable. If we know there are safer and more suitable sites, it is irresponsible to push forward with the I-35 frontage location simply to avoid a difficult conversation. Let me be perfectly clear we are not against helping the unhoused individuals. We are against a decision that sacrifices the safety, security and peace of mind of our current residents, especially our children. There are better, safer locations in Austin that do not put neighborhoods and safety schools directly in harm's way. And I urge you to reject the property acquisition and instead pursue a solution that balances compassion with responsibility to the families that you represent. Thank you. >> Rob Mueller, rob Miller. >> Hello, this is reverend rob Mueller. I'm the pastor of missions for shepherd of the hills presbyterian church, and I thank you for this opportunity to speak in favor of item 17, the proposed plan to purchase a property at oltorf and I-35 for the housing navigation center. Our [11:01:51 AM] navigation center. Our congregation has a very long commitment to serving the sisters and brothers who are without homes. We participate in the oak hill alliance of churches, which does three shelters in the winter. We support street youth ministry and we do two mobile loaves and fishes runs every single, every single month. And that accounts for approximately $275,500 in service to a population that we would rather not have to serve this way, we'd prefer for all of these folks to not have to be served because they were living in homes. So I would like to affirm that location, the location that's been selected seems to be a very good choice, because it's in the middle of the area that is most at risk for people becoming homeless because of eviction. And if we can avoid those folks getting homeless, becoming homeless in the first place, that will save an enormous amount of money for Austin area residents and for [11:02:51 AM] Austin area residents and for the city budget. The location provides adequate space for indoor servicing of individuals. As others have mentioned, it provides ample neighbor input and access to provide critique as the implementation occurs through both the advisory board and the community liaison that are anticipated to be put in place. The plan provides important safeguards to keep the surrounding community from experiencing problematic overflow like area patrols and transport to ensure that people return to the point of origin by vans, and it provides landscape and architectural features that will reduce the visibility of things that are unsightly. This plan also importantly, gives the city a powerful voice in the manner in which these services are provided, and will enable services to be. >> Thank you. >> Alina Sanchez. >> Good morning, mayor Watson and city council members. My name is Elena Sanchez and I'm [11:03:52 AM] name is Elena Sanchez and I'm speaking in support of item 17. Here's what we all agree on. None of us want people living on our streets. Not conservatives, not liberals, and certainly not those experiencing homelessness. We all want safety, security and dignity. The question is, are we willing to invest in solutions that actually work? I lived for years near sunrise navigation center, and I'm moving to east Austin, near the proposed location. I've seen real solutions work. Let me tell you about Jose. She and her two teenage daughters were sleeping in their car after moving back to Austin to care for her aging mother, she endured cold nights and cramped quarters, haunted by the crushing fear that she was failing her girls. But she didn't know where to turn. When Jose connected with sunrise's wayfinder rehousing program, everything changed with navigation, support and financial assistance, Jose and her daughters moved into their [11:04:54 AM] her daughters moved into their own home. Today, her daughters are back in school. That's what housing navigation does. It connects people to solutions. Or consider rashawn released from jail with no money, no id, no way to contact family. He was camping in the woods, completely isolated. Sunrise's mobile outreach team found him. They listened. They learned. He had family in San Antonio who missed him. By 5 P.M. That same day, they provided food, a bus pass and a greyhound ticket home. Rashawn made it to his brother's house for dinner. That's what navigation does. It meets people where they are and helps them take the next step. These aren't feel good stories. They're proof that navigation centers work. The data backs this up at south bridge shelter, just doors away from the proposed site. Calls for police service have declined steadily [11:05:54 AM] service have declined steadily over four years. Professional management and wraparound services don't just help individuals strengthen neighborhoods. >> Thank you, Bridget Rafferty. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Thank you. I'm here not just as a concerned citizen, but as a mother and a neighbor and a witness to the unraveling of a once thriving neighborhood. Over the past two years, our neighborhood has begun to fall apart. The city made a decision to move encampments out of downtown without a plan. And where did they go? To neighborhoods like mine. Then the south bridge shelter opened in our neighborhood, and while it began with a police presence, that presence has vanished in its place. We need the open drug use, loitering and rising crime. I've driven past people smoking crack in broad daylight while taking my children to school. I find it interesting to hear all of your support for the item 24 when we do have a local coffee shop in our neighborhood, but it is no longer safe to walk to. Now the city wants to place a homeless [11:06:54 AM] city wants to place a homeless navigation center in the same area, an area already overwhelmed. We've seen what happens when these facilities are placed without proper planning or support. They don't solve the problem. They shift it. They destabilize, they isolate, they segregate, and they do so at the expense of the very communities they claim to help. You've cited public transit as a reason for this location. Did you know it takes 45 minutes and two bus transfers to get here? From downtown, one route passes directly in front of Travis early college high school. Another requires an over half mile walk past the park. The closest bus stop is 4.4 miles away, walking past restaurants and businesses. This is not accessible and it puts both the unhoused and our children at risk. I ask you all, would you accept this in your own backyard? Would you allow your neighborhood to become the city solutions to everyone else's problems? This isn't about policy. It's about people and about families. You represent the conscience of the city. I ask you to see what we see, to feel what we feel, and to understand that we are not going against solutions. We are [11:07:55 AM] going against solutions. We are against solutions that come at the cost of communities safety, dignity and future. Lay the vote. Find a better location with planned solution because we deserve better. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> David Peterson. >> Hi. Good morning. My name is Mr. Peterson. I've lived in the area since 1994. Crime safety has become significantly worse in the last ten years. By opening this center, you guys are going to be adding fuel to the fire. You haven't put out the fire of the safety concerns here in this area. Some examples I'll paint a little picture. I can't go to the convenience store without carrying a firearm with me, because I get heckled or harassed at 7-eleven or the shell by homeless individuals. A year ago, I was shot at heritage oak park by a homeless individual living in the park. This is significant concerns to me and my family. My daughter, Layla currently attends Travis high school. We can't allow her [11:08:55 AM] high school. We can't allow her to walk there because there's drug dealers at parker and oltorf. There's homeless individuals hustling her everywhere she goes. She walks to school. I can't even let her get on the bus to go visit her friends, because she again has to reside at the bus stop at parker and oltorf. You guys are presenting fuel to the fire. By opening this center, I reject the property acquisition and I hope you do too, because we need big, bigger insight on what's going on with the safety concerns in this area. There's already there's already a bunch of crime, a bunch of crime already happening in this area. And you're going to bring in more homeless people to this potential area. I myself have lived through this for multiple years. As I said, I was shot, I've been harassed. I can't go to the store without carrying a firearm. Once again, the safety concerns in this area has significantly increased and we wish that you do not vote on this property acquisition until further research is done. That's all I have. [11:09:56 AM] That's all I have. >> George Bryson. >> Yeah. Good morning, mayor and city council. I am here to speak in support of item 17. I'm George Bryson. I previously lived a few years, about a mile from the sunrise navigation center on manchaca and Ben white. And at the end of this month, I'm moving one mile away right into the backyard of this proposed site on I-35. First of all, citizenship means shared responsibility. When those committed to doing the work standing up for homeless navigation center to help our most vulnerable neighbors, our role as citizens is to support them, just as we support first responders and those who protect our city. Secondly, the economic case is pretty clear. Studies have shown that housing navigation programs save taxpayers between 15,000 to $30,000 per person per year through reduced emergency response, policing and hospital [11:10:56 AM] response, policing and hospital costs. Finally, no one is being asked to sacrifice directly, only to allow progress. No neighbor is being asked to take one in or bear new burden. Will you benefit from others who are ready to step up and do that work for us? Imagine if, in the parable of the good samaritan, someone had stepped in to stop him to say helping that injured man might be inconvenient or uncomfortable, we'd recognize that as a failure of conscience. Let's not make that mistake here. Let's allow those who are committed to doing this work the opportunity to do it, and to lift our entire community. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Lynn Williams. >> Hi. Can you hear me? Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you for that. I'm sorry. My name is Lynn Williams, and I serve as the executive director of homemade Austin, a nonprofit dedicated to creating housing and [11:11:57 AM] to creating housing and supportive opportunities for shelter and people experiencing homeless across central Texas. So today, I'm here to voice strong support for item 17 funding to propose homeless navigation center on holt-rabb. Every week. Our partners tell us the same story families, veterans, and individuals ready to take the next step towards stability. Yet they can't find a clear path. Entry path for services system is complex, fragmented, and for someone in crisis, it can feel impossible to navigate. This new navigation center would change all that. It would serve as a front door, a centralized, compassionate hub where outreach teams, housing providers, case managers connect people to help that they need. We've seen the power of this model through our own work and shelter service providers, where there's a coordinated entry point, people move forward from tents to transitional housing, from temporary beds to permanent supportive homes, faster and far better outcomes than when they don't have a navigation [11:12:57 AM] they don't have a navigation service. These services provide the ability for quickly to quickly disrupt someone's descent into homelessness or to revert short term homelessness, preventing future trauma and cost to the system. Homemade Austin stands ready to collaborate with the city and our nonprofit partners to ensure this center's success. Together, we can make homelessness rare, brief and non- recurring. Thank you for your leadership and your continued commitment to solutions that build not just housing, but hope and human dignity. >> That is all the remote speakers I have in the queue. So I'm going to transition to in-person speakers. Matthew Ewing, Andy Brower, Malcolm Yates, Patricia Henry, Ian dill if your name has been called, please come down and have a seat and then just be sure to state your name into the record. >> Good morning. Thank you. I'm Matthew Ewing and I live at 1135 Gillespie place in Travis [11:13:59 AM] 1135 Gillespie place in Travis heights. I'm here to formally oppose agenda item number 17. I first moved to Austin in 1996, and since 2008, I've lived in seven, eight, seven, oh four where my wife and I are raising our family. And over that time I've seen Austin through a lot of growth and many cycles of policy change that have shaped this city. And one thing that I don't want to see changed is our tradition of making decisions that are measured, deliberate, and grounded in community trust. That's why I'm here today, because this decision does not meet that standard. I support the need for real long term solutions, and I agree that Austin needs a well-run, city operated navigation center. But urgency cannot substitute for due diligence and a rushed purchase without a clear plan doesn't accelerate solutions. It risks setting them back through mismanagement, public mistrust and future litigation. And a sound process is what gives hard decisions legitimacy. The homeless strategy office has said that this is still in the [11:15:00 AM] said that this is still in the early stages, yet the city is moving ahead with buying the property before a scope of services is defined, before an operator is identified and vetted, and before any meaningful community outreach and community agreement has taken place. If this were truly early, we wouldn't already be voting to spend more than $4.3 million in taxpayer funds on a property whose purpose and plan remain undefined. This proposal effectively relocates an existing navigation center, which is the current site that's faced serious management issues and even state litigation. The city and zo have said that this new center will be different because it is city owned, and that the city will select and oversee a future operator. But that assurance is not backed by evidence. I acknowledge the professionalism of this staff and the difficult work they do every day, but they have not proven through the recent termination of the contract with urban alchemy that they are in a position to support the plan. So just quickly, good neighbor agreement, please. A public safety plan. Thank you. [11:16:02 AM] public safety plan. Thank you. Please. And a vetted operator selected. >> Through the transparent process. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Please welcome. To me. Yes. Hi. I'm for the record. >> I will. Okay. I'm Patricia Ornelas Henry. I live in the neighborhood directly behind the proposed site. My family has been there since 1967. I went to Travis heights. Linda Fulmore and Travis high. Mayor Watson, I'd like to address a few items in your council forum post from yesterday recommending not to postpone this item. You said, in part, that you believe people are putting the needs of our constituents first to better serve the needs of Austin when it comes to our homeless population. How about putting the safety needs of our school aged children, businesses and neighborhoods first? We are your constituents and we are [11:17:02 AM] your constituents and we are already overwhelmed by vagrants, panhandlers, and people who are obviously under the influence in this area and as just going to get worse by rushing this decision that clearly hasn't been thought out. You said that you firmly believe that you can run a nerve center that considers the logistical and safety concerns of the neighborhood, firmly believing that you can do something and actually being able to do so are two very different things. Also, the real concerns of our neighborhood, our neighborhood, have not been addressed yet. They are not even being heard or acknowledged. Why? Because there hasn't been enough time to have our voices heard. You said kicking the can down the road doesn't really make a hard decision any easier. No location will ever be perfect. Seriously, mayor, kicking the can down the road. We have a saying here in Texas. You may [11:18:04 AM] saying here in Texas. You may have heard it that saying is don't mess with Texas, which means we pick up that. Can we dispose of it properly in an environmentally friendly way? We're not asking for perfection. >> Thank you ma'am. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate you being here. Why don't you go next and then we'll come to you, sir. >> Good morning. I'm Andy Brower. I'm with central presbyterian church, and I operate the neighbors program. I'm also representing the homeless advocacy project. We support item 17. I want to agree with what mayor Watson said yesterday. We have been kicking this can down the road for year after year after year, because it's always we want them to help. We just don't want want to. We don't want it near us. And I'm speaking out for the thousands of people who are homeless in Austin that need more resources but aren't as organized to come out and speak up about it today, I want to I want people to remember also that 25% of our homeless people are families. This this [11:19:05 AM] people are families. This this effort would help serve more families in the area, not make things worse for them. I want to help get kids off the street, however, however we can. There are 1800 homeless children in aid. I know that there are concerns. I know there are fears. I want to say that I think some of them are fear of the unknown, and some of them are fear about optics. There is an assumption that people who are homeless are dangerous, and the statistics show that they are more likely to have a crime committed against them, rather than be committing a crime themselves. In fact, the murders that were mentioned earlier, I'm guessing those were not committed by someone that was homeless. So I don't want rhetoric out there and and misunderstanding about our neighbors. I trust our homeless strategy officer. They do excellent work. They've done the hard work. They've held the hearings, they have listened. We've had much opportunity. And they said, this is the best place. And I trust them. I trust that they will do right [11:20:06 AM] trust that they will do right by the community. I know they will have security. I know they will do all they can to keep everybody safe, because when we stand up and support our neighbors, then everybody in our community will win. So instead of thinking about attracting people to this neighborhood, let's think about we're going to attract people, help them and help them reintegrate to be productive members of our society that can have stable lives. Thank you very much. >> Yes, sir. You'll go. >> And then you. >> My name is Malcolm Yates. I'm the chair of the east Riverside oltorf combined contact team. The Hera contact team voted to oppose the location of the proposed homeless navigation center, because the city has not yet convinced the residents of the east Riverside area that the city will do a better job of maintaining public order in the neighborhood surrounding this location than they have in the neighborhood surrounding the current sunrise location. I am also here today to speak not only for the Iraq contact team, but to speak for area residents [11:21:09 AM] but to speak for area residents who might be afraid to come here today to speak. You will hear from many parents of Travis heights elementary school students, but you will not hear from many parents of elementary school students. Linda is actually much closer to the proposed navigation center than Travis heights elementary school. It is on the same side of I-35, and the school is adjacent to the Mabel Davis park, which has a long history of homeless camps. To understand why the parents of Linda might be afraid to speak, look at the demographics of Linda school and the and the area that it serves. Almost 80% of Linda elementary and Travis heights students are hispanic. The Linda and Travis serve the apartment complexes along Burton, royal crest, and willow creek. This area has the highest percentage of foreign born student residents in Austin. The students of Travis [11:22:11 AM] Austin. The students of Travis and Linda will have the highest probability of encounters with mentally ill clients of the navigation center, but their parents might be afraid to report incidents. Please have some consideration for the most vulnerable children in Austin by reconsidering the location of this navigation center. Thank you. >> Thank you. Please. >> My name is Ian Dilley, and my wife and I own a home in greenbriar, east oltorf neighborhood. Our neighbors backyards border the proposed homeless crisis and navigation center. We've lived in this neighborhood since 2012. We have two kids that attend our local schools, lively middle school and Travis heights elementary. Over the last two years, there have been 13 murders within a mile of our house that I'm aware of in an abandoned home a block and a half from our house, a young woman was raped and strangled to death by a person police believed to be a serial killer. The killer has not been caught [11:23:12 AM] The killer has not been caught about three blocks from our house at Burt and oltorf, an 18 year old was arrested for executing a 20 year old with a bullet to the head because he snitched near that same spot for kids aged 15 to 17 were charged with shooting and killing a reporter for infowars. The teens were stealing his car and he tried to stop them. Just a block from our house, a man was gunned down in broad daylight. My neighbor witnessed the murder on his way to the convenience store and testified at the trial that community safety meetings. Austin police officers have described our neighborhood as an open air drug market. People injecting themselves with drugs are a constant presence on our streets. These drug addicts are preyed upon by violent criminals. We see young women trafficked in our neighborhood. Our neighbors have been victims of assaults, home invasions, theft and much more. Last week, in the middle of the night, my neighbor had two bullets come in called, please come forward. We'll start with you, sir. If you don't mind, [11:24:19 AM] you, sir. If you don't mind, please. >> Good morning, mayor and council members. My name is Dale Herron. I'm here to express my strong support for the proposed homeless navigation center at I-35 and oltorf. I attended the community engagement sessions hosted by the homeless strategy office, and heard directly from director David gray about the thoughtful, data driven process behind the site recommendation. I did not hear anything in those meetings that would be a showstopper for this location. We need to face the facts and not the fears. This site meets every key criterion the city identified. It's centrally located along a major transit corridor close to hospitals, mental health care and workforce services, and separated from schools and neighborhoods by the interstate. The current location has outgrown its space and sits across from Joslin elementary and a block away from Joslin park. We've learned valuable lessons at this location that we can apply. The can is being kicked down the road to today. This is where we're asking you to have the leadership to make this decision and vote for this location. Some fear the [11:25:19 AM] location. Some fear the navigation center could increase crime, but data show the opposite. When the people have access to shelter, case management, public services, strong on site management, adequate staffing and nearby advisory group will ensure accountability and success. You want this to work? Zo wants it to work. The city of Austin wants it to work. We will make it work. Austin has spent years searching for this site and it meets every need. And this one does just that. If we can't make this location work, we can't make any location work. We're always going to have opposition. You need to face the fears and go with facts. I respectfully ask that you vote for this location today on item 17. Thank you. >> Thank you. Please. >> Hi, my name is Mina holson. I am in support of the new navigation center. You're going to hear there is no good place for navigation center. Every community will tell you they don't want one because it's too close to schools and parks. It creates a burden on the homeowners and it will increase [11:26:19 AM] homeowners and it will increase crime and take away feelings of personal security. But this is why we need them, and this is why we need them all over the city. Our city has seen a record increase in homelessness since I've been here, in part due to the lack of services other Texas counties provide, economic declines that are only getting worse and diminishing help from state and federal authorities. Only with the work done by navigation centers can we begin to find remedies for homelessness and work to restore community security. Without navigation centers, our communities are far less safe. The location at oltorf and I-35 is an ideal location for the first of what I hope will be multiple navigation centers around austin-travis county. It's large, it can serve clients indoors, has multiple options for creating privacy, and preventing spill into the surrounding community. It's not embedded within a single family home community, and and the highway separates it from the [11:27:19 AM] highway separates it from the high school. It's just a short distance from the south bridge shelter, which has been serving our community for years and for from what I understand has decreased the amount of crime in the area. I hope this council will approve the location for the new navigation center. For too long, the city has relied on nonprofits, churches and volunteers to solve the ever growing problem in Austin. Now it is time for action. We must do something. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yes, ma'am. >> My name is Camila Knapp, and I'm here to speak in favor of the proposed housing navigation center. >> Ma'am, I hate to interrupt you, but you're so soft spoken. Please, please put that microphone a little closer to your. >> Sorry, sorry. My name is Camila Knapp, and I'm here to speak in favor of the housing navigation center. I started volunteering with faith based organizations ten years ago to address the needs of our unhoused neighbors. On my routes with mobile loaves and fishes, I have met many homeless individuals and families who have spent months [11:28:21 AM] families who have spent months or years trying to access services for help. I have also spoken to the unhoused in my neighborhood, asking how I can help. Loss of a job, domestic violence, and no access to mental health care or substance use. Recovery resources have prevented people from being able to get off the streets. Volunteering on Thursdays at central presbyterian on eighth and brazos, I've gotten to know many people facing the same struggles. Engaging in these conversations has made me realize that homelessness is not just a statistic, it's a human experience behind every person. Living without shelter is a failure of systems. The ancillary supports the center will offer are essential to our unhoused neighbors access to physical and behavioral health care, connections to substance use, recovery resources, and referrals to workforce development programs. Though my life is very different from the people I have served, I have never felt unsafe or threatened [11:29:22 AM] never felt unsafe or threatened by the unhoused community. They need our help and compassion. Please vote yes on item 17. So our neighbors and fellow austinites can get the services they need. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yes, ma'am. We'll go to you and then we'll come back to the other end of the table. Thank you. >> My name is Lynn Margolis. I live at timber ridge, a condo and townhouse community bordered by royal hill drive, parker Laine and timber ridge road, just steps from the southbridge shelter and proposed navigation center. Except for a wooden fence separating us from the casulo hotel encampment, we have no protection from the daily parade of people passing through our property on foot. Bicycles and scooters coming from the shelter or camps at Mabel Davis park, casulo and elsewhere. We have constant car unit and mailbox, break-ins and thefts, squatters, people banging on our doors at all hours, costly vandalism. My new neighbor who works at the nonprofit yellow bike providing bicycles to people in unhoused [11:30:23 AM] bicycles to people in unhoused situations, had three personal bikes stolen from her garage, one of which she found at the shelter. I have to reroute packages because I can't risk home delivery. Walking in Mabel Davis feels unsafe, and I won't even drive through the intersection of parker Laine and oltorf because it's too scary. I definitely could not walk to my community coffee shop. Do you know what it's like to have to clean human feces off your doorstep? Or find syringes, or people sleeping at the bus stop 20ft from your door, or stealing electricity and water from your building and know it's useless to call police because by the time they show up, if they show up because they're unstaffed, no one will be there. And even if they are caught, nothing will happen. We know crime is up. Since southbridge arrived, it's cost us thousands in damages. But the homeless strategy office has manipulated statistics and messaging to make it seem as if crime has gone down since southbridge opened. They won't tell us what metrics they've used. Some of their tightly scripted talking points are downright insulting, and their promises for better [11:31:25 AM] and their promises for better managed oversight ring hollow. We believe in the need for this center, but we are already overburdened with the fallout from having to shelter in encampments in our community. We are begging city council to delay this decision until there is a concrete implementation plan that protects the community, as well as serving the need. >> Thank you, thank you. Ma'am. >> We'll go to you next. We'll go to you next. And if you don't mind. >> Okay. >> Hi, my name is Erica and I'm a retired teacher taught at Texas school for the deaf in the high school there, and then at hcc for almost 30 years. I love young people, and I'm lucky enough to live right down the street from Travis high school. As a retired teacher, I don't miss grading papers, but I sure do miss those kids. And I'm lucky to get to talk to these kids. I hang out in the church courtyard. I walk my dog through there and she's super cute. So the kids always want to visit a little bit and pet her and stuff. And I've been [11:32:26 AM] her and stuff. And I've been talking to them lately about the navigation center, and they don't know anything about it. I think it's important to engage those kids because they're not across the freeway. This is a very pedestrian area. Those kids live on the east side, just across from I-35, and they cross over every day to come to school. I do think we need crossing guards there, by the way, because these kids are walking over that freeway every single day back and forth. I watched the teen moms drop their babies off at the daycare that's there at the church. These kids are all in that area, and they live exactly where you're talking about putting this navigation center. We do need a navigation center. I think this is really important and I'm excited about it. Let's not put it next to a school again. We've seen what happened with sunrise. The city has not been able to protect the neighborhood from what happens when a navigation center goes on. What goes on around the [11:33:27 AM] on. What goes on around the navigation centers. So let's let's set this up for success and find a spot. Hold off on this and find a really good spot that's not close to a school. And I think if you talk to the kids you would agree with that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Please. >> Yes Brandon Wilson, it's a bad day in Austin. It's a really sad day in Austin when somebody like myself has to take off work and come to speak to you today. Who am I? I'm a husband. I'm a father of a ten week old son. We are residents of Austin. The last 15 years we've lived on the corner of Burleson and oltorf. For the last six. We pay our taxes. We contribute to the city. When I was flagged down two weeks ago on my walk with my dog and my child by a Fox News news reporter telling me there was going to be a homeless navigation center in our neighborhood. I was immediately activated. See, I've been around these facilities before in all my places. I've lived in Austin. None of them have worked. They're full of fraud, waste and abuse. And that is the same thing David gray found [11:34:28 AM] the same thing David gray found when he audited these facilities. And that's why he's changing it. I've been on the news three times in the last two weeks, and I don't understand why there was not enough alerting of this happening in our neighborhood. I've attended the community outreach meetings. I've talked with the chief of police. I've talked with APD officers that respond in my area. No one, I repeat, no one wants this in our neighborhood. Let's put it in your backyard, in your neighborhood, next to your house. You see, in the last five years, I've picked up needles in my backyard that homeless throw over my fence. My son will soon be playing in that backyard. I've woken up to homeless sleeping in our backyard that my wife had found when we wake up in the morning when the police came, I said, what can I do? They said, make sure the bullet is not in his back. The 7-eleven in oltorf at parker is the hardest drug corner in Austin. I've seen horrible, horrific, utterly tragic things take place there. Two year old children have been led around by their parents that are drug addicted and are barely able to stand up. If I, in my private job, yielded as [11:35:29 AM] in my private job, yielded as few results and spent as much money as you, I would be fired. But you all get to keep making these decisions. If you're on the side of sensible, thought out solutions, vote no to 17. If you actually care about addressing the root issues, vote no to 17. If you are tired of wasting taxpayers money, vote no to item 17 if you actually. >> Thank you sir. >> Continuing on. >> No no no no no no. No no. >> Everybody stay in order. >> Gonzalo Sanchez, Santo barato Cameron. Crowe. Crowe. Morgan. Miranda. Sanchez. Matt. Stolhanske. Kim Mccorkle. >> Why don't you start and we'll go this direction. >> Be happy to. My name is Cameron Crowe. Appreciate the opportunity to speak today. I'm [11:36:31 AM] opportunity to speak today. I'm a third generation austinite. My sons are the fourth. My family has a long history of community service, advocating for environment, helping the homeless. My dad is a leader in the recovery community here. I live less than quarter of a mile from the existing or sorry from the proposed site, and my younger son attends a school about a quarter mile from the sunrise site, and my older son attends a school about half a mile from the proposed site. So multiple times a day I commute to and from making the school drop offs. I am smack dab in the lived experience of both the existing center and the proposed center. What's very clear, no matter what goes on inside the boundary of the center, the old one or the magical new one that you're going to create, the externalities are unmitigated. They are not successfully mitigated. There's extreme examples of crime in the existing area. And there's a crisis of crime, as you've [11:37:33 AM] crisis of crime, as you've heard from many of the neighbors in the proposed area. Nobody on this guest list is is saying no services. We don't want to try to figure out the navigation center model. We're saying it's not in an appropriate location. Vote no on this. It is not the right location. You are moving from an residential area across the street from a school to another, adjacent to a residential area, and across the street from the school. Yes, it's a 15 Laine freeway directly connected to that school by the primary east west corridor of all of south Austin. Everybody knows there's hundreds of high school kids that walk across that corridor. Your ingress and egress of public transportation for the navigation center sits directly on top of the ingress and egress for the high school students. Ridiculous. >> Thank you sir. Sir. >> Why don't you go next and we'll just go down this row? Thank you. [11:38:36 AM] Thank you. >> My name is Matt stolhanske and I'm a resident of district three, a proud child of Austin. What a great moment to be able to speak to you all and hear from you all. I've had the great privilege over the last couple of weeks, literally a week and a half since I personally found out about the proposed location, site location to go and talk to thousands of austinites, I started a petition that now has nearly a thousand signatures of local people who are very concerned about the situation. The overwhelming voice, at least on the east side, is we had no idea this was coming. Why hasn't anyone talked to us? Why doesn't anyone care about us? And I also understand as a as a resident who lives nearby, some of the other stories within the first week of buying my home right nearby this facility, my mom was stabbed in the back by a homeless person who we ended up actually trying to help save that person's life. This community is a compassionate, caring community. We keep hearing over and over again today the arguments in favor of a navigation center, and we agree. None of us [11:39:37 AM] and we agree. None of us disagree. We believe these services are essential. What we're pushing back against is the fact that this is so entirely rushed. You show disrespect to the members of this community by not listening to us, by not gathering real input. I also am here today as a former member of the Harvard Kennedy school faculty on economics and poverty. This is the paper that the homeless strategy office handed out, telling us why they think this is the right location. If one of my students handed this in, they would get an F, perhaps an F minus, for how poorly researched for the fact that they gave themselves gold stars for this location. For every one of the six pitiful criteria that they laid out, they did not consider impacts on local vulnerable communities. They did not consider impacts on lgbt youth. They did not consider the fact that we have one of the most immigrant rich communities in this city, and we are asking you to consider a chart that looks more like this, where we actually consider key econometrics. We don't have the data. They keep saying this is a well-researched, data driven process and it is not. >> Thank you. Please. [11:40:39 AM] >> Thank you. Please. >> Thank you, mayor Watson. >> My name is Gonzalo Sanchez. I'm a homeowner, father of two kids that go to Travis heights elementary and a business owner. Today, I want to talk to you about this so-called community engagement that we've talked about. And I was happy to hear how excited you are about community when we talk about coffee shops. But today, I think the topic is much more important than that. We heard from your words, mayor, that your top priority is to restore trust. And we heard from the zo office and many of the council members that they are open to feedback. What this feels is that these decisions were made long before any community was able to engage with you. And I'm here to share with you and members of this community what some of that feedback has been, or what the engagement has been. The ssrc, which is the the neighborhood community on the west side of 35, from the lake all the way to 290 has come out and say that they are opposed to this plan until we have a reliable plan on the east side [11:41:40 AM] reliable plan on the east side of 35, we had the gentleman from Iraq saying that they have come and they have opposed this. You all have seen about a thousand members from our community signed a petition opposing this. The Travis heights elementary school pta has come and said they are opposed to this. And I believe that in the past maybe week, all of you collectively have gone about 4000 emails from members, not just from the people that live there, but from all over Austin saying that they are opposed to this. Until there's a reliable plan, there's no plan in all the community engagement that we've been talking about has been a facade to try and push a decision that seems to have been made and seems to be supported and pushed by you. Mr. Mayor, I appreciate the time to let me speak, and I urge you to represent us, the very same people that voted you to have those seats today to protect us and our children. Thank you. >> Thank you. And. >> I believe everybody. [11:42:43 AM] >> I believe everybody. >> In this room. >> At one point needed. >> A hand up. We needed somebody. >> To give us that hand, to get us a step, to get that push, to get us what I need. What we need. >> I'm sorry. Could you state your name, please? >> Oh. >> I was getting there. >> Sorry. That was my. Impact statement. Right. So my name is Kim Mccorkle, and I'm the outreach director with homemade Austin. And I also. Represent hap, the homeless advocacy project. So the other statistic. >> Which may even be bigger, is that across the. >> Us. 50% of us. >> Are one paycheck away from being homeless. So this is a real problem. >> So we work. >> With over 30 service providers. >> In Austin, and we see the need. >> Greatly every. >> Single day. The need of just, you know, mental health, male service, the. >> Very basics. >> That we take for granted. >> At the Charlie center. I was there a couple of weeks. >> Ago. >> And there was a gentleman. He was all dressed. >> Up nice, dressed, and. >> He. >> Had. >> Lost his job and through other circumstances he was living out. [11:43:43 AM] living out. >> Of. >> His car. But he got up. >> Every single day. He dressed. >> He washed and bathed if he could. >> And he. Came to get whatever. >> Resources he could from the Charlie center. When you're homeless, you don't have mail. So where are you going? Where are you going to get it? >> So the navigation center is. >> Provide us that. And they need those basic services that we take for granted every single day. So mayor and council members, we look. >> To you to. Vote for 17. >> To help people that. Just need that extra hand, that extra step to give them the basic. Needs to have their life. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yes, ma'am. >> My name is Morgan Miranda Sanchez. My children Santee, seven, Paloma, four, attend Travis heights elementary. We live, walk and learn less than one mile from the proposed navigation center, council member Ryan alter said earlier this week in the news that people are projecting their worst nightmares here. And you're absolutely right. And here is mine with a cautionary tale. My nightmare began when I read the 44 page lawsuit [11:44:45 AM] read the 44 page lawsuit against sunrise. I sobbed reading the sworn accounts from Joslin elementary children traumatized by sunrise, clients entering their campus during school hours, rocks thrown through their school windows, and 50 lethal doses of fentanyl found by APD at the park next door in their playground. Then, a ten year old boy was struck by a used hypodermic needle. His grandmother contacted us and confirmed that he was denied HIV treatment because he weighs 67 pounds. The fda requires a minimum of 77 pounds for all preventive treatments, according to CDC growth charts. Children do not typically reach that weight until ages 11 to 12. That's when they matriculate from elementary school to middle school, which means nearly every elementary school student is medically ineligible for treatment. If this happens again, my two children included the sos Owen, removed from schools and parks shared [11:45:47 AM] schools and parks shared criteria, ignores this reality, omitting two thirds of the 6700 students that are within one mile of the proposed site, including two elementary schools. That's more than 4000 children left out of the safety equation. When I brought this to zo director David gray on the record multiple times digitally, electronically, his most recent response was thank you for the additional information. That additional information represents 4000 children's lives. This is reckless, and I'm not a lawyer, but it sounds like gross negligence and reckless endangerment. >> Thank you. >> Thank you all. >> The next four speakers asked to be called an order, so I'm going to call them in that order. Barry Jones, J.J. Ramirez, Laura Ann Martinez, and Mel leblanc. If you all are here, please. Oh, I see them making their way down. >> Hello, council members, my [11:46:59 AM] >> Hello, council members, my name is Barry Jones. I'm a leader at vocal Texas. I'm a constituent of district two, and I'm here today to support the expansion of homeless navigation centers, including this proposed location. I want to say that during my ten years of homelessness, I used the navigation center almost daily. I went there, I stood in line for hours at a time, cheek by jowl with other homeless people. And amazingly, amazingly, I was not shot during that time. I was not knifed. I was not raped. I was unarmed. Why is my experience so different from the homeowners? I use the homeless navigation center in Austin to eat my meals. I applied for housing with my case manager. I used it to see get medical services, use the phone to call my pharmacy to [11:48:00 AM] phone to call my pharmacy to get my meds, call my doctors. I got clothes there and I even want a tent at the Christmas rifle, which I badly needed at the time. And that's a lot of basic needs met. Even the little things that are really, really important. I would not have had access to these things if without the navigation center, there's not a lot of places that you can go that are one stop shop for services, and those are so badly needed because of transportation barriers in the community. There's been times where I was waiting somewhere after a long bus ride just for a shower, and I had to choose between getting clean or eating food that day. It's important to have multiple services at one spot. Going to the center helped me meet needs at a time when I was not able to do that for myself. It also helped me feel less alone and it can be easy and very isolating to think you're the only person experiencing a situation like this. >> Thank you. [11:49:01 AM] >> Thank you. >> Sir, thank you for your time. >> Good morning council. My name is J.J. Ramirez. I'm an organizer at vocal Texas. I'll be reading Laura Ann's testimony because she had a doctor's appointment today. Hello. My name is Laura, and I'm a leader of vocal Texas, a constituent of district two. She votes, by the way. She is here to express her support for the expansion of the homeless navigation center. When she was homeless, the center provided her basic needs like showers, clothing and food. She knew that if she went there, she would be guaranteed a meal and food for that day and later every day. She is certain, without that help that she would not have eaten most days. She also wants to point out that not every homeless resident goes there. Even after getting her apartment. I didn't have enough money. She didn't have enough money for groceries, basic necessities to survive, and that it was really helpful for her to be able to go back there and and continue to get until she was able to be sustainable. Perhaps one of the biggest things that came out of her time at the navigation centers is that they helped her find her apartment. It was not easy due to her obstacles, such as bad credit from falling into [11:50:02 AM] as bad credit from falling into homelessness and getting denied for not meeting those standards. On top of that, not everywhere else accepts housing vouchers. So before the navigation center, she would make hundreds of calls to see where they would accept the voucher, only to get nowhere. They would have taken her. It would have taken herculean effort to do her own research and eventually find qualifying apartments on her own. Having a caseworker on site really helped streamline things for her. She knows that there's a lot of opposition in this room, but as someone that has had direct experience with these services, she's asking to be brave and vote yes. Anyway, I know that on the dais that you see the needs of our community, and I'm hoping that you'll vote yes to address that today. Homeless people will be in your neighborhood, whether the center exists or not. But the difference in supporting it is that their needs will be met if the center gets developed. And the most important part? Thanks for your time. And then lastly on my end there is like like there's a lot of anti-homeless rhetoric. Like somebody got murdered doesn't mean it was a homeless person. [11:51:03 AM] mean it was a homeless person. And if you're on the side of the person who wants the cops to shoot him in the back, that's crazy. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Good morning. Council. My name is Mel leblanc. I'm a resident of district one, and I'm here today with vocal Texas to express my support for the expansion of homeless network centers. Homeless navigation centers, including this proposed location. Homeless navigation centers offer not only vital services such as meals, showers, medication, but also the first step to getting housing. These centers aim to mitigate harm and help people navigate homelessness in our city. We need that. Along with right size housing policy, we know that the city has been working really hard to mitigate harms of homelessness and reduce the number of folks on the streets, and we need you to keep going. Not in my backyard. Backlash is troubling at any moment, but it is especially dangerous in our political climate. Our homeless neighbors are being criminalized, arrested and thrown in jails, and we need to reject that by putting resources into the community. I keep hearing people asking, would you want this by your house? And as a homeowner, as someone with a family, the answer is yes. So if we can get on that Natasha [11:52:05 AM] if we can get on that Natasha harper-madison, I'd like it. In my neighborhood too. I have compassion for the folks in my neighborhood living outside, and I want everyone to have the things that they need to survive, and I'm cool with it being next to me. I want everyone in this room to answer a few questions in your head. If you came here today to oppose this navigation center, did you wake up housed in an apartment or a house? Did you get here in your car? Did you get to take a shower and get ready in your own bathroom? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, the chances are you have your basic needs met and there is 6000 people, including families and children. Since we're really concerned with that in our city that do not. Our homeless neighbors are not dangerous murderers or predators. They are our friends, our family and community members deserving of basic needs and basic needs met and homes. I have to believe that everyone in this room wants to end homelessness, and the only way to do that is to expand services and put resources into centers like these. And I want to see more centers and more [11:53:06 AM] to see more centers and more money going into housing and heavily investing into housing first solutions. So thank you. And please vote yes on this expansion. >> Thank you. >> Michael Ybarra, Katherine Stinson, James Marie Allen. >> Why don't we stop there? And that'll get us to we'll be at noon. And that way we don't call somebody up and and don't hear from them. And just for the record, what I indicated we will do is we'll go to our 12:00 time certain, and then we'll return, and we'll continue with this item. Please. Thank you. >> I'm Michael Ibarra, I'm a resident of district nine, and I'm. Not here to oppose. >> Navigation services. >> Under the right. Circumstances that I could. If I could trust them. >> I might not even. >> Be opposed. >> To this one. >> But I'm here to ask you to. Delay this specific real estate [11:54:06 AM] Delay this specific real estate purchase today until. There's a binding, community. Informed plan to. >> Present to prevent. >> Another sunrise. We all know what's happening around sunrise. >> Right now, and I think we can all agree it's been absolutely. >> Catastrophic for the neighborhood. We keep on hearing that. >> This time. >> Will be different because of. And here I'm quoting the mayor because of different standards, rules and oversight. But we don't know what that actually means. Nobody will tell us. If you look at the ice 35 site, you'll see that it shares all of sunrise's worst features. It's when it's within 1000ft of schools. It literally backs onto residential yards where kids play. It's right next to greenbelts and parks, and it's in an area where APD, capmetro, aid and local residents have already said that they're struggling to manage the effects of an itinerant population. And so, of course, we can expect to see the same results unless the purchase is paired with a plan. So I would ask you all to hit the brakes on this. Consult with police, [11:55:07 AM] on this. Consult with police, consult with transit, consult with teachers, parents and neighbors, and then draft a comprehensive plan that can be presented and proposed alongside the property purchase. Without that, we're going to see the exact same crime, the same drugs, the same expensive litigation. So I'd ask you respectfully, to delay this purchase and don't force it through by buying first and asking questions later. Thank you. >> Please go ahead. >> Good afternoon, mayor and. >> City. >> Council members. >> My name is Katherine Stinson. I'm a working mother of two young children, and I'm a resident of Travis. >> Heights community. >> Today, I'm here to speak on item 17 and ask you to vote no for a better, safer Austin. Right now, the city has identified three potential sites, one of which is being voted on today for 4.3 million. What's missing from the presentation are many city owned sites, two specifically that already meet stronger, safer criteria for this type of [11:56:07 AM] safer criteria for this type of facility, including the massive tracker Laine campus and the Tokyo electron buildings that the city purchased for over 60 million in recent months. These properties align with proven models like the Esperanza community, which succeeds because it's not placed within a residential neighborhood or near schools. It's thoughtful location, prevents increased crime and community disruption, showing that location is the foundation for both safety and program success. We may not know the perfect site yet, but we absolutely know what makes a bad one. The city has always had jurisdiction over the surrounding areas around sunrise, yet it was unable to manage the chaos that came from that establishment. Now, the city plans to move the I-30, move sunrise to the I-35 location under the guise that this time it will be different. But the Austin police department currently has 300 unfilled positions. It is understaffed, and it struggles to meet the current existing demands, with an average response time of 45 minutes. And yet, the city wants to [11:57:07 AM] And yet, the city wants to repeat the same mistakes that made sunrise such a vulnerable and unsafe location in the first place. Near schools, parks, residential neighborhoods and busy streets. This proposed site is just three miles from a high school and 0.8 miles from an elementary school, which will only worsen those problems in the area that is already strained with safety concerns and limited enforcement. Lisa Davis cares. She wants to provide a plan, but she has no resources and is unable to enforce. I'm asking you to vote no until the city fully evaluates the properties that already owns. Austin deserves better, and it starts with better planning. >> Thank you ma'am. Please. >> Good afternoon. Mayor and council members. >> My name is Jasmine Marie. >> Allen and. >> I currently intern. >> At central. >> Presbyterian church. I am a mother, a former educator and youth development coordinator, so I understand some of the concerns that I'm hearing. But [11:58:07 AM] concerns that I'm hearing. But I'm here to speak for item 17 because it seems to not be a homelessness person causing these violent acts. It is something else which is a safety issue, not a homeless support issue. So I say and challenge you all to get to know a homeless person before assuming that the homeless are going to cause more chaos and and safe neighbor hood for your children. And I also encourage you all to read Matthew's 25. Thank you. >> Thank you. Members, as I indicated, what we're going to do is begin our 12:00 time certain and for the members of the public, just so that I can explain that again, that's that [11:59:08 AM] explain that again, that's that will take about 30 minutes for people to have the public communication that we do during the 12:00 time, certain we will then recess at that point for our live music, and we will return at 110 and take this item up again at 110. So, members, it's now noon. It's 12:00. So we will move to our 12:00 time certain, and I will turn to the district clerk to help us navigate that. What I would ask that you do is if you know your names on the list you signed up, please go ahead and make your way forward. So we'll have the opportunity to know you're here and call on you in order. So with that, I'll turn to the clerk. >> Thank you. Mayor, the first speaker is remote, but we do not see them in the queue yet, so I will go straight to in person. Aaron germanio, Warren Crossley, Michelle macalpine and Morgan Moran de Sanchez. >> Hey, folks. Hey, everybody. [12:00:25 PM] >> Hey, folks. Hey, everybody. Can I get an order in the chambers? If you're here in the chambers and you're not speaking into a microphone, we need you to try to take your conversations outside because we're we're continuing with our business. So with that, I will now ask you to call the names again so that we can go to be heard. They can be heard and we can listen to them. >> Yes. Mayor Aaron Jaramillo, Warren Crossley, Michelle Mcalpine and Morgan Miranda Sanchez. Ma'am, you can go ahead and start. Just state your name before you go. Anything? Either one. Yes. >> Okay. My name is Morgan Miranda Sanchez, 5560, 64, 81, 115 and 101. That's about $500 million, or half $1 billion [12:01:26 PM] million, or half $1 billion that the city has spent in homelessness management in the last six years. Over the same time horizon, what results have we seen from those investments? In 2019, we counted 22,255 homeless individuals to today, 3238, which is both a historical high as well as a 44% increase in the population in just 2023 to 2025, when we saw the largest budget increase for homelessness initiatives, we've actually seen that that rate of increase 36% in the homeless population. Logically, we should be seeing an inverse relationship between investments and homeless outcomes. Instead, we are seeing a direct relationship. More money, more homelessness. The responsible body for homelessness management, the funds and the outcomes is the homeless strategy office and a key tenant of their states [12:02:27 PM] key tenant of their states produce a measurable reduction in the prevalence of homelessness. Investments must reduce overall homeless count. In Austin, they put a $101 million budget plan together that I've reviewed personally. And here's what I saw for this coming year. Many line items comprise the $101 million total, but not a single one with a project with a projected reduction target or a timeline to meet those. There's an add on $23 million not included in the $101 million figure for permanent supportive housing. To me, that reads like a total of 124 million. Now there is an item called navigation center relocation completely tbd, not included in the $101 million budget. We're seeing incremental decisions in consent agenda to approve 4.4 million for an acquisition, [12:03:27 PM] million for an acquisition, still a tbd figure for capital investments of that property. Still a tbd figure for the operational costs for the new navigation center and zero mention or tbd figure on any plans or programs to mitigate the risks outside the four walls. To address safety concerns in the community. Now the numbers looking more like $130 million, with a lot of tbd slush fund on top. Not to mention this $101 million already needs $50 million of funding that is not yet voted on via the prop Q election later this month. None of these numbers add up to me. I don't know how they add up to anybody within zo or this council or this community, and we need to have better oversight and deliver on the metrics against these investments. >> Please go ahead. [12:04:28 PM] >> Please go ahead. >> I'm Michelle Mcalpine. I live at in the. Wisper valley. I'm representing the residents of the wisper valley pad, who would like to make you aware of two ongoing problems that we are having our community in the hopes that addressing those problems will stave off potential disastrous issues in the new habitat for humanity development that's going to break ground and wisper valley. At the end of this month, you may have seen some of the bad press that wisper valley has had recently about the high repair costs related to our geothermal systems and our hvac. It's well deserved in our opinion. Wisper valley is a geothermal community. It's developed by taurus investment holdings, with the first homes have been built in 2017, taurus formed a another company called ecosmart to maintain the geothermal system. The hvac systems across our community. The air coils and compressors start to experience chronic failures around age three years, [12:05:29 PM] failures around age three years, and some homes experiencing two, 3 or 4 failures within five years. Failed coils can be dangerous in the summer, they have left residents without air conditioning for up to two weeks at a time. This can endanger our infants, our elderly and our disabled residents. These failures are also very expensive, and even though the parts are replaced under warranties, homeowners bear the cost of over $1,000 each time in labor costs. We recently, as homeowners, did a survey to try to understand this problem. It appears that it is related to the age of our homes. Although there is a ten year warranty on our systems, 50% of the hvac units experience these failures at in four years, and after that there is a 70% failure rate. Ecosmart has previously studied the problem and found no answers. They suggested that it could be related to homeowner neglect or builder errors. You I had handouts. I think that you probably have. Those [12:06:30 PM] you probably have. Those handouts should show you that the rates are similar across builders and similar age homes. I don't have a clicker for the for the presentation. Our second problem in Worcester valley is related to the fact that our homes were built on expansive soils. Thank you. Let me. I'm not sure how this works. Can you see they're related to the to the age of the home and they are similar across builders. So the soils in our in our area heave and create costly repairs. Soil stabilization techniques have been often just basically ineffective. So we are left with damaged foundation, shattered pipes, cracked windows, exterior doors that don't close, and decks that are falling away from the house, doors that swing open unexpectedly, and other repairs. [12:07:31 PM] unexpectedly, and other repairs. The need to tunnel for repairs is endemic in our community. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> The last three speakers I have, Weston Roddenberry, William Pollack, and zainab Haider. >> If your name has been called, please come forward and grab a seat. >> Good afternoon, mayor Watson and council members. >> My name is Weston Roddenberry. I live. >> In wisper valley, Austin's model net zero neighborhood. I'm also an architect who specializes in sustainable design. So I came. >> To the. >> Project believing. >> In its premise. Unfortunately, that promise has broken down. Literally beneath our homes, our community shared geothermal Luper or geogrid is failing at an alarming rate. >> Recent resident surveys show. 73% of. >> Homes 5. >> To 7 years old have already suffered at least one evaporator coil failure. Many have endured 2 or 3 each. Repair costs homeowners over $1,000 in labor and refrigerant expenses that fall outside of the manufacturer's partial warranty. These aren't isolated maintenance issues. They're [12:08:32 PM] maintenance issues. They're systemic design and manufacturing failure tied to intertext coils and ecosmart geothermal network installed by the developer taurus investment holdings. Families are going without air conditioning for weeks and Texas Summers, risking the health of infants, elders and disabled residents. At the same time, homes across multiple phases are cracking and shifting due to ineffective soil stabilization. Residents are paying tens of thousands, some even over 100,000, in repairs that insurance will not cover. These problems stem from choices made during site preparation and foundation engineering, not homeowner neglect. Next week, habitat for humanity is scheduled to break ground on dozens of homes within the same pyd. These are hardworking families entering long term mortgages and systems we already know to be failing. Without intervention. We risk placing low income homeowners to into avoidable financial and safety crisis. Our request to the city is to pause the habitat permits temporarily, until taurus investment holdings and ecosmart provide verified engineering evidence that the geogrid failures have [12:09:34 PM] that the geogrid failures have been resolved. Adopt and enforce international plumbing code provisions that built on for building on expansive soils to prevent further foundation damage. Direct staff to audit the wisper valley pyd for compliance with its original sustainability and infrastructure commitments, including independent inspection of the geothermal network, and hold the developer financially responsible for system repairs covering both parts and labor until the root cause is corrected. Wisper valley was meant to showcase Austin's leadership and sustainable living. Today, it's a cautionary tale of what happens when green buildings outpace accountability. We're asking you to restore trust by ensuring that the neighborhoods are the city's first geothermal neighborhood becomes a success story, not a warning label. Thank you for your time and for standing with the residents who still believe Austin can do sustainability, right. >> Thank you very much. Yes, sir. >> Yes, William Pollock, district one, also from wisper valley, to recap what my fellow residents have. >> Said. >> We as residents have attended several developer organized meetings to discuss. [12:10:34 PM] organized meetings to discuss. Starting in 2021, the alarming rate of the ground source, heat pump cooling and heating systems in homes that are less than ten years old. At each meeting, we were told independent studies would be done to attempt to determine the causes. We feel that these meetings were more just a placatory to placate us, as opposed to determining the root cause of the issues. Some possible reasons that they've given for failures have been residents burning candles in their homes, pet dander, which is, we believe, ridiculous to say the least. We feel the. Pardon me, I've gotten lost here. Secondly, we strongly urge you to pay to pause any future building permits in west Valley, including the habitat for humanity homes that are scheduled for construction until factual and verifiable tests result in ground source heat pump design. That will not. That will solve the current system failure rates. We also [12:11:35 PM] system failure rates. We also urge you to consider adopting the standard, the international plumbing code standards, that will address the issue of moving soil in our in our subdivision. Thank you for your time. >> Appreciate your being here. >> Mayor. All Noone registered speakers have been called. >> I thought that was the case. Please. Yeah, that's why I asked people to come forward so I'll know that they're here. >> For the first time. >> In my. >> Last two years. >> Of coming to. >> Speak. >> At city council. >> I. >> Can say thank you. >> Today for the six. >> City council. >> Members who spoke. >> Up for. The safety of the global mud. Flotilla and the. Austin veteran on board. >> This was one. >> Of the most. >> Common sense things. >> Someone could do. And yet there were still a number. >> Of. >> You who did not. Why was Austin. Veteran Greg stoker on his way. >> With 497. People from around. >> The world to deliver aid to gaza? Because Israel has killed. >> A. [12:12:36 PM] >> A. >> Documented 69,000 people, which. >> Includes 1200. >> Entire families. >> Extended family, clan bloodlines who. >> Have now ceased. >> To exist. >> On their. >> Civil registries. That's 3% of the pre-war population of gaza. >> Among the. Dead are at least 20,000. >> Children. >> 169,000 people have been injured, many. With life. >> Altering injuries. >> There is little to no anesthesia. >> In gaza. >> So c-sections and most. >> Surgeries are taking. >> Place without pain relief. The lancet, one of. >> The most. >> Respectable institutions in the world, estimates that the real death toll, including those who have died from disease, lack of care, starvation and secondary effects of. Israel's blockade is actually 400,000 people, includes 300 journalists, 1722. >> Doctors and. >> Health care workers, 35 hospitals destroyed and 28 prominent physicians. Some of the top in their fields currently still held in Israeli detentions. Two Palestinian doctors have just died from torture, according to the ipc. [12:13:36 PM] torture, according to the ipc. Famine is currently occurring in gaza and nearly one child in four suffers from severe acute malnutrition and 1 in 5 babies are being born prematurely or underweight. On October 8th, 2023, Murray Watson had no problem saying my heart breaks for the people of Israel. I stand with Israel. But mayor Watson has been quiet in the two years since on what Israel has been doing to the gaza strip. The un commission has now declared it officially a genocide. They have confirmed that there is a man made famine. So why does mayor Watson's heart not break for the people of palestine? So I will say again what I said in November 2023, when I came here the first time. Mayor Watson cares about white lives and he does not care about Palestinian lives. Mayor Watson is a racist. Thank you. >> Ma'am, could you please just state your name for the record? >> Yes, my name is Dana Heather. >> Thank you mayor. That concludes our speakers. >> Members. That concludes all the speakers have signed up on [12:14:36 PM] the speakers have signed up on our 12:00 time certain agenda. We have been council member Siegel, if you would, can you turn on your camera? Okay. What I was going to do is there he is. Thank you. For council member Siegel is now present. For the record, I want to show that he's present. Council member Siegel has indicated that he would like to be shown voting in favor of the consent agenda that was adopted, otherwise unanimously by the council. It will not change the outcome of the vote. I would move the council member Siegel be shown voting in favor of the consent agenda, seconded by councilmember vela. Is there any objection? Without objection, council member Siegel will be shown voting in favor of the consent agenda. Members, we are going to recess until. Because I said 110 multiple times this morning, we're just going to say until 110, even though we're finishing a little earlier than I had indicated we might, we'll recess until 110, we will have live music, and then we'll come [12:15:37 PM] live music, and then we'll come back at 110 and we will take up item resume taking up item 17 at that point in time. Thank you all very much. Without objection, we are receiving. Our city council is recessed at 12:16 P.M. Until 1:10 P.M. >> All right. Good afternoon, [12:29:18 PM] >> All right. Good afternoon, Austin, Texas I am council member Jose Velasquez, proudly representing district three, and I have the distinction of introducing one of our fellow district three ers. Benito brajkovich graduated in 2009 from berklee college of music in Boston with a degree in piano performance. Since then, he's been a staple in Austin blues, in the Austin blues and jazz scene as a pianist, a singer, and a band leader. His band, soul wagon has performed in central Texas and throughout the south and southwest for 15 years, providing a distinct voice to American roots music, specializing in everything from classic jazz and hard bop to originals and covers of blues, funk, and New Orleans music. >> Greco. >> I'm your piano. [12:30:45 PM] >> I'm your piano. >> Man, baby. >> This song just for you. Well, I'm your piano man, baby. Oh please. Song just for you. Cause I've got 88 keys I've got 88 reasons to. Well, I ain't much for words. For talking smooth. Well, I ain't good looking, baby. But I can groove. Groove with me, baby. We'll get this old town on its feet. I can make you scream up high. [12:31:50 PM] can make you scream up high. When I rumble down low with his left hand. Boogie woogie, you know you want some more. Cause I'm your piano man, baby. And I'll play this song just for you. Cause I've got 88 keys I've got 88 reasons to. Well, I [12:34:33 PM] Well, I ain't much for words. Or talking smooth. Well, I ain't good looking, baby. But I can groove. Come on, groove with me, baby. We'll get this old town on its feet. I can make you scream up high. When I rumble down the cause. The left hand boogie woogie. You know you want some more. Cause I'm your piano man, baby. Play a song just for you. And. I've got 88 keys I've got 88 reasons to. >> Wu. [12:35:42 PM] >> Wu. >> Thank you very much. >> All right, y'all, give him another round of applause for that. Appreciate y'all. >> Appreciate y'all. The boys in the band. The boys in the band y'all. >> Be it known that whereas the city of Austin, Texas is blessed with many creative musicians whose talent extends to virtually every musical genre, and whereas our music scene thrives because Austin audiences support good music produced by legends, our local favorites and newcomers alike. And whereas we are pleased to showcase and support our local artists. Now, therefore, I, council member Jose Velasquez, on behalf of the mayor and the entire dais, do hereby proclaim October 9th, 2025 as Ben brajkovich day in Austin, Texas. >> Thank you so much. We are honored. I am honored Benito brajkovich here and speaking on behalf of my guys who it would [12:36:44 PM] behalf of my guys who it would not be possible without Tom on the drums, Tom reigns, Doug on the guitar, Doug Anthony on the bass, the great Billy Satterwhite, and we are soul wagon, y'all check us out. Around town you can view our upcoming shows at our website at soul wagon. Com soul wagon com. It's all there y'all. Thank you. And thank you so much to the city of Austin for having us. One of the best sounding rooms in town. Oh, sure. Thank you. Thanks so much. Oh, that was good. >> Yeah. To order the Austin city [1:09:42 PM] To order the Austin city council at 1:10 P.M. On Thursday, October 9th. We have a quorum of the city council present. We are still at Austin city hall in the city council chambers. We were discussing item 17 when we went to the noon time certain and then had the brief recess. So we will go back to item number 17, and I will turn to the city clerk to help us with that process. >> Thank you mayor. Continuing on with 17 Elizabeth levy, Gabrielle libretti, lily Hughes, Valerie Romney's Robbie Reynolds, Ted Janik. >> Very good. And just like these folks did. Exactly right. When your name is called, if you'll please come forward and take a seat, we'll be ready to hear from you. And, ma'am, we'll start with you. Over to my right, to the far left and go this direction. So we'll start with you and just statevigation centers, just not ones without fully complete plans or costs. That's why I'm speaking here today against [1:10:44 PM] speaking here today against item 17 location. My husband and I bought our home in district nine to raise our family. We don't feel safe anymore. People sleep in our alley, break into our cars, drugs at the community pool. We've supported every tax increase we believe you are acting on in our best interests. But it feels like you broke our trust. The zo has told the statement this was a relocation and then it wasn't. But fox News says today it also isn't, but that it could be operated by sunrise. So what is true? Zo promised 15% in youth funding but then walked it back. What is true? Harris old told residents they couldn't postpone this vote. That was false. What is truth? Echo data says 64% of Austin's homelessness are single men. Yet we're told this is for youth and families. I'm just a bit confused by what is truth and what is not. Nine of you, nine of 11 of you voted yes on nearly every homelessness item, often publicly admitting some concerns, which is great, but I ask for this. What specific [1:11:44 PM] ask for this. What specific services or concerns do you have that the center will provide? What's the safety plan? Did you know that the second leading cause of homeless death in Austin are by vehicular accidents? It's an anomaly in the rest of the country. Imagine that the next time you ride your motorcycle, Mr. Mayor, will you ride to this extremely high traffic area? And you also said no location will ever be perfect. I agree with you, but some are better and safer and our city already owns them. We do not feel that we need to spend $4 million yet again for another property. Districts three and I already have reportedly had some of the highest crime in the city. Over 2000 crimes have occurred within 2000ft of this location, according to Austin police data crime viewer. Can we plan together first? >> Yes, sir. >> Hi. Good morning. Thank you. My name is Robbie Reynolds and I'm a native austinite and I live in in south Austin. And I'm asking you to say no or postpone the purchase of 2401 [1:12:45 PM] postpone the purchase of 2401 south I-35. And the reason being, until there's a clear and comprehensive plan, not just for the operations inside the walls, but for the site selection and managing the spillover effects on the community outside of them. Right now, Austin homeless homeless strategy isn't solving the problem. It's moving it from one neighborhood to another. The city points to a decrease in newly homeless individuals, but echo shows the homeless has risen over 36% from approximately 2400 to 3200. That's after spending nearly $300 million. We're spending more. Yet the outcomes are not improving. The the homeless strategy office says that the site will be different, yet in the exact same meeting, they're also asking for emergency funding to replace a failed operator. There's still no proven track record or operating model for success. We've seen this before. The sunrise center was placed near [1:13:46 PM] sunrise center was placed near schools, parks and dense residential dense residential neighborhoods, and the area saw crime, vandalism, and drug activity increase. The city may not have managed this area this site, but it did manage the surrounding area and that area suffered significantly. Now that we're being asked to spend $4.4 million to move that same model with the same red flags and no plan for how this will be any different and no plan for mitigating the effects on the surrounding community. Even the police chief said that her department is short 300 officers and cannot support any additional officers in the area. As residents of of Austin, we want to be part of real solutions, but the city is losing our trust because money keeps being spent without results. >> Thank you sir. Please. >> Good afternoon. My name is Ted janicek. I'm here today to express my support for the new navigation center proposed for [1:14:47 PM] navigation center proposed for the facility, located at oltorf and I-35. I want to recognize and commend the homeless strategy office for the thorough process they have followed in selecting this site. I've attended several community engagement meetings and each time have walked away impressed with their thoroughness and professionalism. The the zo evaluated multiple sites across Austin using easily understandable criteria. Proximity to public transportation. Access to essential services. Separation from schools and daycares, and overall safety for both clients and the surrounding neighborhood. Homelessness doesn't go away by ignoring it or simply pushing it from one neighborhood to another. When done correctly and with city oversight, an essential component that is currently missing a navigation center will hopefully reduce unsheltered homelessness and improve safety for the entire community. For those of us who reside in the western trails neighborhood, we have been [1:15:47 PM] neighborhood, we have been waiting for the city to take action such as this for far too long. I urge the council to approve acquisition of this site and direct the zo to continue to address community concerns in the operational agreements to be developed in the weeks ahead. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hello, my name is Gabrielle libretti. I'm a resident of district four, a social worker and the capacity building manager at Texas harm reduction alliance. I've been working with Austin's and house community since 2018, and in the past about seven and a half years now, I've seen staff at navigation centers, specifically sunrise navigation center, perform miracles. All the barriers people face on the streets, sunrise knows them well. That's why they have food, mail, showers, medical care, id help and more. They can navigate for mental health support, addiction recovery and housing in a system that can feel scattered and often broken. They have helped our neighbors overcome every hurdle to find [1:16:48 PM] overcome every hurdle to find their way home. The new location for sunrise is a much better location, and I also want to urge people to consider that safety concerns are concerns for our entire community, and homeless people are a part of that community not opposed to it. And I think that people here today describing people experiencing homelessness have almost depicted them as monsters trying to hurt children, like lurking around the corner. And in fact, this is not true. People who I know who have experienced the most violence in our city, the most robberies, the most attacks, these are all particularly vulnerable people because these are people who are actively experiencing homelessness on the streets. No door to lock, no place to find safety. And because of that, we need to support these people, especially our vulnerable women, children and families on the street, which do make up a large portion of people experiencing homelessness. The few places that help people find grace, camaraderie and safety are not the ones we need to attack. And people [1:17:50 PM] to attack. And people experiencing homelessness should not be your enemy. There are people, your neighbors and mine, and they deserve safety and help. A new space and a new navigation center will help ensure that our community, our neighbors, get the help that they both need and deserve. >> My name is lily Hughes and I am here to speak in support of the new navigation center location. I am an outreach worker, a social worker, a former neighbor of the new proposed location, and a member of district five. One of my staff members is housed and has a full time job, thanks to the work of sunrise. I am always inspired by his experience and the work he has done to keep learning and moving forward. He wouldn't be here without the hand that sunrise has offered. His success story isn't isolated. Sunrise and other navigation centers have helped hundreds of people, and several clients I have worked with closely get connected to housing. The staff at sunrise work hard to provide compassionate and holistic care [1:18:50 PM] compassionate and holistic care that our unhoused neighbors need not to just survive, but to thrive. The best evidence based practice we have for solving homelessness is housing, and it takes a navigation center like sunrise to make that solution possible. Housing reduces crime. Ending poverty reduces crime, increased criminalization and ostracization of people increases crime. And I want to be clear, the rhetoric that our unhoused neighbors are criminals is not only dangerous, but it is not rooted in facts or data. That being said, I do believe it is essential to recognize and make space for the fears and concerns of the neighborhood, while also naming the needs of everyone in our community, including our unhoused neighbors. The new building, I believe, will address a lot of these concerns. The structure of the building allows people to wait inside, which is what a lot of the news and media reports are saying people have issues with in the current location. The new location is across a major interstate highway. Unlike the neighborhood street that separated the church from the nearby school, and it is large enough for people accessing [1:19:51 PM] enough for people accessing services to wait inside. This time around, I hope we can all work together to focus on making the individual clients that access services successful, while continuing to build cohesive relationships with the surrounding neighborhood. We all want community safety, and we all will find ways, if we work together to continue to create it. >> Thank you. >> Continuing on, Peter Perrotta, Scott Lipton, Casey Powell, David Peterson, Julia S, Alan fisher. Yes, if your name isn't called, please come on down. >> Please, sir. If you in the middle, if you want to go ahead [1:20:53 PM] middle, if you want to go ahead and start. Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Thanks. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor. And members of city council. I'm here in opposition to item 17. This is not a decision as it has been framed about having a navigation center or not having a navigation center, and it should not be framed that way. This decision bypasses meaningful community input and continues a steamroll and other steamrolling of an already overburdened, low income neighborhood with no real political power. This isn't engagement. It's a predetermined outcome presented as inevitable. This approval isn't about whether this is the right place. It's about authorizing a $4 million purchase made without any public input. Homelessness is a citywide crisis, but the justification of bringing resources to where the people are creates a self-fulfilling cycle. It is a fact that services attract vulnerable populations and criminals that prey on vulnerable populations. No one is saying that the homeless people are the criminals, but criminals do like to prey on vulnerable [1:21:54 PM] like to prey on vulnerable people. While wealthier neighborhoods around central Austin contribute nothing. Clustering every new facility in lower income neighborhoods perpetuates long standing inequities, keeping certain neighborhoods depressed and further eroding the stability of one of the last affordable neighborhoods in central Austin. Real, courageous leadership means sharing this burden citywide, even in areas with wealth and political power. It's interesting that none of the speakers speaking in favor of this actually live in district three. All of the district three residents are against this. We've seen safety drop since southbridge opened. The truth of your call statistics dropping are actually about people like me, who once called all the time and stopped calling because nothing changes or no one responds. My daughter was threatened at her bus stop and can no longer walk there or wait there alone. Imagine if that was your child. There has been an open air drug market operating at parker and oltorf since southbridge opened. [1:22:54 PM] since southbridge opened. Imagine if you had to see that every day on your commute. >> Thank you sir. >> Sir, can you state your name? Would you mind. >> Stating your name for the record? >> Oh. I'm sorry. My name is Scott Lipton. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon. I'm Alan fisher here to oppose this purchase. I don't think this item should be on the agenda at all without a use plan for the property. I appreciate the need for homeless services, but the city has ignored neighborhood concerns about this site. With so many questions unanswered, we expect this center would create or relocate more problems than it would solve. The dangers that the sunrise navigation center brought to the south manchaca neighborhood are well documented in lawsuit and crime data. The homeless population is not one thing. It is good, law abiding folks who need some help, but also it is mentally unstable people, addicted people, formerly incarcerated individuals and sex offenders all in higher numbers than in the housed population. And that is why a center like this does not belong near homes and schools. There are homes just across the [1:23:55 PM] There are homes just across the fence, as you've heard, a school within 1000ft, a five minute walk, hundreds of school kids walking by the property next door each day riding the same busses homeless clients will ride. There are safer options. One we understand was considered on Woodbury drive is in a warehouse district much further from homes and schools still central near Benoit and congress near populations in need. A five minute walk from the south congress transit center. Why not there? The zo doesn't want to add a fence in front, or the parking lot shape isn't ideal because a wooded lot nearby would be inviting for homeless camp. We don't feel any of that is more important than the safety of our kids. Schools, homes, and parks, and our neighborhood already has plenty of issues, as you've heard, not currently being addressed, so let's not compound them. In closing, I just ask why we would buy a $4 million building without a plan. Why prioritize an option fee over child safety? Why relocate a problematic center in an all likelihood, a legal battle? Let's slow down and please do this right. Please vote no on [1:24:56 PM] this right. Please vote no on this item. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Hello. Mayor Watson and council members. My name is Julia Sowa. I live three miles from the proposed navigation center site. I speak today not out of opposition to helping vulnerable people facing homelessness, but out of grave concern that this proposal, as presented, is deeply flawed and poses real risk to our community. I've read mayor Watson's statement posted yesterday on linkedin, and I appreciate his optimism that a city owned and operated navigation center will be different from the sunrise navigation center. I understand the intention more oversight, stricter standards, and better accountability. But respectfully, none of those none of those assurances have been presented in writing, made enforceable or open to public scrutiny. The city is asking you to approve millions of taxpayer dollars for a property purchase before any of those promised safeguards are operational, details are defined. We're being asked to trust that they'll be there, but the public hasn't seen the actual plan that spells out how. And while I respect the mayor's [1:25:56 PM] And while I respect the mayor's belief that no site will ever be perfect, we must distinguish between imperfect and unsafe. The site sits within a walking distance of schools, parks and homes and sits directly off of an already high incident corridor at oltorf and I-35. These are not abstract worries. They are lived experiences of our neighborhood. Like others here, I have many that I can recount instances of attempted break ins and trespassing. This is happening now before the navigation center even opens, concentrating additional high needs individuals in this area without a clear operational and security plan is not compassionate. It is negligent. Before any purchase is approved, council must require one independent third party conducted safety and impact assessments focused on proximity to schools and residential neighborhoods. Two a detailed operating plan and three legally binding community protections, including buffer Zones, increase enforcement and transparency. Mayor Watson wrote that we cannot get get in the way of progress. I agree, but a proposal that endangers neighborhoods, children and existing residents is not true progress. Council members, please vote to postpone this [1:26:57 PM] please vote to postpone this vote until protections are real, written and publicly reviewed, or simply vote no. That is not obstruction. That is responsible governance. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Susan Armstrong fisher, deepak surana, Mary Miller. John Feagans, Gary cusper. >> Please go ahead. Thank you. >> Good afternoon. Council mayor. My name is Susan Armstrong fisher and I do oppose this purchase. I also live three miles away from this site. And to be clear what the speakers have said before me, the issue is not whether we support homeless supporting the homeless population. We chose to live in central Austin. We know that there's issues with homelessness and crime and all that. We wanted to give our children and ourselves a robust [1:27:57 PM] children and ourselves a robust view of the city. I've lived here for 30 years, and I continue to think positively of the city, but when it feels like there's a rush, when it feels like we're not being heard and there's not a plan, then that's where we're concerned. We were notified one month and five days ago, and actually we weren't notified it was in the news, but we weren't notified by the city. We were notified by our schools, which isn't where we should be getting our city wide news, community meetings were at the request of the neighborhoods, not the other way around. And we just want to say, if this is going to be done, let's do it. Let's have it done well instead of fast. You've heard about there's no written plan. Obviously, this is a very polarizing topic and we all feel very passionate. So let's do it as a community so that we can support you. And we can all feel that the right decision has been made. There's already a lawsuit in place because there's not community support, and we fear that the same might [1:28:58 PM] and we fear that the same might happen again. In the end, the cost will be lower if we plan it right. Instead of rushing to move this forward. So we just ask for a written plan to get us all on the same page. And the best alternative? Remembering that we are taxpaying residents as well, and deserve just as much deference as the homeless clientele. Let's do this as a community. Please vote no, or at the least to postpone so we can have a real community dialog. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yes, sir. >> Honorable, honorable members of the council. My name is John fagins. I'm a united methodist pastor and I live in district nine, in a neighborhood zoned to the Travis high school. And my family moved here in January. For the previous 12 years, I led a hispanic church in the west side of San Antonio, Texas that was very close to the haven for hope project, a a homeless response center in San Antonio. I want to commend the council for taking steps to better serve the unhoused and hold up the haven for hope as a [1:30:00 PM] hold up the haven for hope as a model of a successful approach. I speak against the action today at the oltorf location because I worry the site is too small and too close to an at risk student population. A lot of the speeches here today have been by advocates and neighbors frustrated with collateral effects of exceeding capacity, but also by people that sincerely and legitimately care for the unhoused population. So if it's too small, where we're going to where the city is proposing to buy, then the similar effects of sunrise could manifest themselves over there. Because that's happening, because the need exceeds capacity. That student population at Travis high school is a 95% nonwhite student population, 80% economically disadvantaged. And this is going to put if it overflows and it's not the capacity exceeds. There's going to be a lot of interaction between those commuting students and the clients of the new proposed navigation center. Both the unhoused and at risk students deserve a [1:31:01 PM] students deserve a comprehensive and well-planned approach in partnership with nonprofits, medical institutions and mental health institutions, Austin has the mind and the means and heart to match or surpass what San Antonio is done. I pray that if you can beat us on tacos, you can beat us on this to do well and plan something amazing, study the haven for hope. Thank you very much and god bless. >> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. Please. >> Hi, my name is deepak surana. I live four miles less than a ten minute walk from the proposed shelter I'm against. I'm opposed to 17. I've lived in Austin for 20 years. I did my mba here. I worked in an executive in a multiple tech companies employing hundreds of people, including people who used to be homeless. Like, I care about this, and I've lived in the neighborhood for like ten years, and this is my first time speaking here. And I'm doing it because I deeply care about Austin and our community. [1:32:02 PM] about Austin and our community. I work from home. I see the area every day through my window. I live just catty corner from Travis high school, and I see all the parents picking up the kids. I see kids walking to and from school, crossing over oltorf. Many go to the Starbucks and the 7-eleven and they just hang out and increasing the homeless population in that area by having the shelter in this very densely populated area, to me is just not thoughtful. You know, to me, it's going to increase the presence of the homeless individuals there where our kids walk, play and hang out. And this isn't theoretical like I see it, our neighbors see it. All the people that are speaking here are literally my neighbors. And I think this is this is a tough pill to swallow. What we're asking for here is just a written plan, some meaningful community input, and a proper impact study. And let's just delay or kind of abandon this purchase, but at least delay it. Let's just get a plan together and get more community feedback [1:33:02 PM] and get more community feedback and and then proceed. We need solutions, but they just need to be responsibly planned and safely located. You know, I love the city. I built my career here. I've literally lived here longer than I've lived anywhere else in my life. I don't plan on moving. I probably should participate in like, local government more. And you know, to me, let's just be thoughtful around this. And so please vote no. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I have a remote caller I'm going to call right now, will Hiatt. >> Okay. >> Okay. Hello, mayor Watson council. We have house homeless org. I'm president of the house homeless org, and we are advocating for the relocation of the homeless navigation center. Because of the critical nature of that center. It is it is a priority to get it. And no [1:34:03 PM] is a priority to get it. And no matter where it goes, it's it's necessary. Highly necessary. I commend the person that suggested that we read Matthew 25 in this consideration and do the best we can to to get that best location. Right now we know that heads that are sharp and experienced have picked this location. We back pastor Marc and the zo and David gray, and they have thought this thing through. So it seems like the best strategy forward at this time. And we back that. It could be that other developments take place and it's moved later, but right now it's an emergency setting and a critical, critical location decision to be made. So we ask that the council prayerfully consider this decision and make the right decision and get this place now for the betterment of the whole community and for our most vulnerable citizens in [1:35:04 PM] most vulnerable citizens in this in this community of Austin, Austin's beacon of light. And this problem is not going away. It is critical. We've been working the floods for months now, and there's a new face to homelessness, too. So this this problem will increase. We need to get in front of it. And this is the next move to make. We just want to support and thank the council for what they've done for affordable housing and other solutions, and to turn this into a transformative setting where people that can work will, and those that get a disability check can afford to have a place to live based on that check. And we just praise, praise the lord because he's working through us. >> Thank you. Time has expired. Back to in person. Jennifer Robicheaux Ed Miller, ard ardalan, Russell court, Steve Mccleary. [1:36:07 PM] Mccleary. >> Has been called. Please come forward. Why don't you go ahead and start since you were first? >> Sure. Good afternoon. My name is Russell. Cordy and I live in Travis heights with my wife and children. I want to make it clear that I'm opposed to the city's acquisition of the property, but also that I support the city's efforts to address homelessness. And I agree that with many of the speakers in support of the issue today, that navigation centers are an effective way for the city to provide support for those who need it most. But the question before us today is not whether to support addressing issues related to homelessness or the efficacy of navigation centers. The question is whether to rush into the purchase of this specific property without engaging in good faith with the surrounding community. To acknowledge the challenges and negative externalities we know will come from this height, and make commitments related to [1:37:08 PM] make commitments related to keeping community, neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and parks unharmed. From this impact, the mayor made a public statement in support of the acquisition of the property yesterday. In his statement, several claims were made. Hard decisions must still be made. Kicking the can down the road doesn't really make the hard decision easier. I trust the zo staff. No location will ever be perfect. These statements are unfortunately a continuation of the zo strategy of making empty statements that ignore serious concerns and obvious truths. The site will come with negative externalities without a clear plan. Neighborhoods, parks, schools and businesses closest to the site will be impacted. And frankly, these statements are insulting to those looking for substantive engagement on this process. I agree that hard decisions must be made, but they require more than just trust or hope. Approving a purchase today without appropriate planning and commitment is the can kick. It shifts the risk from today's agenda to tomorrow's [1:38:09 PM] agenda to tomorrow's neighborhoods. Once the site is owned, the leverage to demand concrete safeguards drops and the burden of problems falls on the adjacent blocks. When the mayor says we have to trust the zo, I want to share that trust. But trust is earned through written public commitments before we purchase the property, not after. >> Thank you. >> Sir. >> Why don't. >> We go, sir? >> Why don't you go next and then we'll go to you, sir. >> All right. Sir. >> Just state your name for the record, please. Yeah. >> My name is Steve Mccleary. I live in district nine and just a short distance away from elementary from Travis elementary. And most of what I have, most of my thoughts have already been said. I don't think anyone is opposed. Everyone supports doing something for the homeless. Of course. I don't think there's any dispute, though, that there's been serious problems around sunrise as it has existed, and I don't think that anyone there's been any real [1:39:12 PM] anyone there's been any real progress made in dealing with those problems, those crime and so forth. The I think that to simply move those problems across town is irresponsible, and it's unconscionable. And my objection, and I'm not prepared to say that this is a bad site for it. There hasn't been enough study to really determine that. Current sunrise serves 300 people a day. 250 I'm not sure this site is big enough to handle all that, but mainly my objection to doing it today is there's no comprehensive plan. There's been very little thought done about the public safety issues. It's not right to move these problems across town and put them in a different neighborhood. That's already having some problems. And so I don't if they're public safety issues need to be addressed, there needs to be a real plan. Jesus come up with a couple of [1:40:15 PM] Jesus come up with a couple of suggestions and neighborhood agreement, whatever that is. And something and boots on the ground, some additional staff which is not there. And the that may or may not come about, but that's just a plan to have a plan. So I'm my position is that we that this should be delayed at this time in order to address the public safety issues and see if it's going to work here. >> Thank you sir. Yes, sir. >> Good afternoon. On the dais, I'm Ed Miller. I'm a long time Austin resident living in district two, working in district three for more than 30 years. I'm executive officer of the Iraq group. I do community outreach because I've worked in the east Riverside community [1:41:15 PM] the east Riverside community for the 30 years I've been here, beginning as a professor at ACC Riverside, leading a reentry program for ex-offenders, coming back to the community. Many of them were homeless. Some were creative enough to learn how to live on a city bus overnight, others at the golf course across from the campus so they could be there on time each morning. Let me be clear at the beginning I am in favor of homeless services questions, not whether to serve. The question is where to serve. We have already seen what happens when you draw 2 or 300 potentially drug addled, mentally debilitated people together at a location in the midst of schools and homes to provide services. The proposal [1:42:19 PM] provide services. The proposal here is to simply move it from one residential neighborhood with schools to another. We've already seen what that does. If you move the problem from one location to a similar location, nothing changes. We suggest that you follow the mayor's advice. There is no perfect location, but there are better. >> Thank you sir. >> Mayor. All speakers for item 17 have been called. >> Thank you. >> May I please speak? I signed up you. >> If you signed up to speak. >> Is that Jennifer Robichaud? >> Yes it is. >> Yes, I did call you. >> All right, so we're still on the item. So you can speak on this item. Thank you very much. >> I apologize for being late from recess. I was picking up my kid from school. I am Jen [1:43:21 PM] my kid from school. I am Jen Robichaud, and I'm speaking in opposition to the new homeless navigation center purchase. At this time, I think it's been really wisely noted that the homeless are vulnerable. And from what we've heard from residents in this neighborhood there, this really is not a safe place for people who are already struggling with issues like drug abuse and otherwise just being incredibly vulnerable to the crime that's in the area. I've also observed that there has been a glaring disregard of meaningful public input through this process. The request for input appear more for show than for function. For instance, the town hall meeting where hundreds showed up in the council members did not. This represents an avoidance of facing the feedback, and I've heard of listening sessions that blocked controversial questions and closed door follow ups that were held at inconvenient times and places, and that excluded interested community members. Moreover, we have community safety concerns that have remained unaddressed. [1:44:22 PM] that have remained unaddressed. We've heard rumors that the sunrise center, which has been plagued with reports of loitering, violence, theft and litter near Jocelyn elementary, would close due to these issues. But there is no clearness. There's no clarity on the truth of this matter, and we're not really sure where this is going. What we do know is that the sunrise community church has active city contracts totaling over $2 million, including noncompetitive awards, and they even donated $5,000 to the campaign to raise our taxes on residents. And this looks like a conflict of interest. All the while, the city is pushing ahead with this new site without carefully considering the community feedback. It's near Mabel Davis park, big Stacy pool and public schools residents. Community members want to know what will prevent encampments from overrunning our pool. This is our year round free pool that many of us enjoy using. What is going to prevent them from overrunning our parks and busses? >> Thank you miss. [1:45:22 PM] >> Thank you miss. >> Thank you. Appreciate you being here. >> That's all. >> Speakers members. That concludes all the speakers that have signed up to speak on item number 17. I'll recognize council member duchen who pulled item number 17 from the consent agenda. >> Thank you. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to postpone this item for 30 days. >> Members. You've heard a motion by council member duchen. Is there a second? Is there a second? Is there a second? There being no second? The motion fails. I will entertain a motion with regard to item number 17. And then we will have discussion on item number 17. Councilmember alter moves approval of item number 17. Is there a second by council member Ellis. Now if you want to be recognized, I will recognize council member qadri. I just saw him leaning forward. Councilmember qadri. [1:46:24 PM] Councilmember qadri. Councilmember Velasquez I told you I was going recognize you and I apologize. Councilmember Velasquez and councilmember qadri. >> Colleagues today. I'm going to be voting no on item 17. I'm voting no, not because I oppose the mission, not because I oppose the resources. And it sure as hell is not because I'm turning my back on our unhoused neighbors or my faith that commands me to serve those most in need. I'm voting no because I've had I've. I have personally not had enough time with this item. I'm voting no to the process and to the pace, and I'm voting no because I have not had sufficient time to dispel the rampant information surrounding this issue. With that said, should this item pass today, I'll I'll be the first one to roll up my sleeves. I'll be the first one to work alongside zo alongside my colleagues alongside district three, to ensure that the entire community, both housed and unhoused, are at the table shaping this process. Should that should this pass, this is going to be a citywide lift, [1:47:25 PM] going to be a citywide lift, and I will be calling on each of you, my colleagues, to help me carry, to help carry the weight with compassion, conviction and all necessary resources. Excuse me. And just to touch on something that there's a theme that's been going on here as we move forward. We cannot lose the humanity of this issue. We cannot lose the humanity of a mother, of a, of a lender student in the old neighborhood, a mother who is housing insecure and could benefit from these resources. We can't lose the humanity of the neighbor in greenbriar, who welcomes the effort, but simply asks that we address crime and safeguard safeguard those already vulnerable. And we cannot lose the humanity at the center of all this, and that is that we are helping human beings, austinites and neighbors find shelter, find stability, and avoid the tragedy of homelessness. Because when we act out of that place, when we [1:48:26 PM] act out of that place, when we act out of that humanity, there are no sides. There are no winners or losers. It's a city coming together to take care of its own. Thank you. >> Thank you, councilmember. Councilmember qadri. >> Councilmember alter. >> Thank you. Mayor. This is the first navigation center the city has brought forward during my time on the council, and I want to start off by recognizing the work that director gray and zo, their persistence has rebuilt coordination and accountability across our homelessness response system, and it's making a measurable difference. The ending community homelessness coalition's 2025 state of the system report shows that for the first time in five years, fewer people in Austin are becoming homeless. That progress isn't accidental. It's a result of data driven, compassionate work led by zo and our nonprofit partners. That's why this that's why this vote is so difficult. I'm voting no today. Not because I oppose creating a navigation center, but because I believe we need stronger community engagement, clearer operations planning, and a timeline that ensures a project succeeds. We have to get this right. The first time. This year's budget [1:49:27 PM] first time. This year's budget reflects that shared commitment. $925,000 for 12 new outreach positions, $2.6 million for additional ems units, and $2.5 million to expand mental health crisis response. We also launched the Austin first pilot, the first of its kind in the nation, bringing teams together for high acuity emergency calls. These investments show what's possible when we act together and with care. This navigation center represents another step connecting people to services faster and shortening the time they spend on the street. I think about a 22 year old former foster youth who slept outside of city hall for nearly a year before we could get him help. A center like this could have changed that outcome, and as a new father, I carry that with me. We have too much at stake not to act, but also too much at stake not to get this right. We can have honest, difficult conversations without hostility because we all share the same goal getting people off the streets and into housing. Thank you. >> Councilmember. Followed by councilmember duchen. >> Thank you very much. I just wanted to take a quick moment [1:50:28 PM] wanted to take a quick moment to thank everyone who came out today, both for and against. I know how deeply difficult this issue is. I know how deeply personal it is when you're talking about your home, your neighborhood, your kids. There are few things as personal that we deal with. And so I, I completely understand the passion that we've seen here today. And I appreciate you not just being here today, but throughout the process. I know there have been a number of community meetings that I know many of you have attended. Taken time out of your day to do that. And so I just want to recognize all all the work that y'all have done to get here. And I want to, you know, both tell my, my colleague who said he's going to roll up his sleeves, I will stand right next to you and help with that work because this is important citywide work, and it's something we all need to do. As as councilmember qadri just mentioned, you know, we we have [1:51:29 PM] mentioned, you know, we we have been investing on a holistic plan, and we have seen the results of that. You know, under your leadership, mayor and mayor pro tem, as the chair of the public health committee, we have seen incredible results and there are many things we need to do. This is one piece of the overall plan, and it is, as identified, something that we need in in other areas of the city. Not one place should have all the services for everyone who needs it. And that is what zo has identified, and this is the first step in that process. But we are going to to take the lessons we have learned in the past many years and get this right. And I'm committed to work with my colleagues so that that happens. And I just want to take a last moment. I know. Councilmember zo qadri. Councilmember Velasquez, you two have made yourself incredibly available attending a number of these [1:52:29 PM] attending a number of these listening sessions and just want to commend your work on this, because I know how hard it's been and you have been the model of how you you get in into community and speak with everybody who has concerns. Even at the end of the day, if it not everyone agrees on an issue, that's tough. Being making yourself available, I think is very important. So I just appreciate the work you all have done. >> Thank you. Councilmember. Councilmember duchen. >> Thank you. Mayor. I'd hoped to give this a little bit more time to bake, based on a lot of community outreach that we had got, I think probably well over 400 emails as of today, amongst other conversations. And a lot of that's because I feel like my office at least, is about two weeks to try and make sense of a lot of details for what's ultimately going to be probably a very critical piece of our homeless solution, but also a critical impact on a neighborhood. And when I think about those details, I'm still [1:53:31 PM] about those details, I'm still confused to some extent about the nature of this navigation center, whether it's a housing navigation center, whether it's going to have ancillary and support services, what's going to happen to the original sunrise location based on the decisions that are made here, and what sort of public safety and transit solutions do we not need to identify or perhaps even implement as part of this? And I just worry that if I'm unclear on this, then I worry the average citizen, especially the impacted folks, may be more confused than I am. And so when I stepped through some of the things that have been shared with us over the last two weeks, I want to obviously commend zo for the state of homelessness navigation center document they share with us and the work they put into that. And yet, even in there, there are things that I struggled to make sense of. Some of them you've heard from today, from testimony, but a lot of what I would call [1:54:32 PM] lot of what I would call imprecision, things like whether they are, you know, criteria, whether they're close or far or yes or no or too costly or acceptable, I would expect going forward that we could figure out a way to quantify some of those things so that myself and others better understand how we make guidelines for making smart decisions for these kind of critical locations. We also reached out to APD to try and get some crime data. We got that finally at the end of yesterday, and I'm happy to share that with my colleagues and others. But it's just been a process just to try and get informed on this. That leads me to be cautious about what we're doing here, especially in light of the communication. And then the last two things I'll just add very quickly are I think we've heard some complaints today, some some questions about the the process. And again, I want to commend both my colleagues and zo for acting very quickly, having a lot of [1:55:33 PM] very quickly, having a lot of community engagement over the last couple of weeks. But I still sense there's additional demand there. And I also sense that if again, like where I'm at, questions are unanswered and perhaps security or other plans aren't in place yet, those are things that I would hope that we could work through to try and achieve in the coming weeks. Read an interesting substack article the other day from a former democratic congressman and us army secretary who basically said, it's not economical and it's not political crises that we're facing, but it's a crisis of trust. And so my hope is that and my hope to to to buy more time or to continue to work the issues with the community would be to figure out how do we how do we build on that trust? You know, regardless of what other feelings in the project, regardless of how this ultimately plays out. You know, I'd like to see us, the city hall, consistently work with communities on not just this issue, but a lot of other [1:56:33 PM] issue, but a lot of other issues in a way that cultivate, excuse me, cultivates trust going forward. And then finally, you know, my other concern was just the scope of this. You're buying a, you know, if I have to buy a $4.5 million home in two weeks, I'd try and figure out some of the things that I'm confused about. And right now I'm not in that place. So all to say, I've got some reservations about this. I'm grateful. I've got a lot of colleagues that I think may be far better informed than I am, but that was where a lot of my hesitation was coming from. And with that, probably intend to join my colleagues, council members qadri and Velasquez and not supporting this right now. >> Thank you, thank you. >> Council members. >> There being no further discussion, I'll call for the vote on the item. All those in favor of approving item number 17, please raise your hand. All those opposed, raise your hand. [1:57:39 PM] those opposed, raise your hand. Members there being eight votes in favor and three votes in opposition, those being duchen, Velasquez and qadri. The motion carries. Thank you very much and thank you all for being here. We appreciate all of the input, and we will work very hard to make sure that this lives up to the the appropriate standards members that will take us to item number 27. Item number 27 is a public hearing. Without objection, we will open the public hearing on item number 27. There being no objection, the public hearing is now open. I will turn to the city clerk. >> There are no speakers for this item. >> Members. There are no speakers to speak on. Item number 27. So without objection, we will close the public hearing on item number 27. The public hearing is now closed. The chair will entertain a motion with regard to item number 27. Councilmember qadri [1:58:41 PM] number 27. Councilmember qadri moves approval of item number 27. It is seconded by council member Velasquez. Any discussion on item number 27, without objection, item number 27 is adopted with councilmember Siegel temporarily off the dais. Item number 27 is adopted. Members. That takes us to our 2:00 time certain. And it is 2:00. I'll recognize miss harden. >> Thank you, mayor and council I'm joy harden with Austin planning zoning and neighborhood plan. Amendment agenda begins with item number 28 c14h 2025 0059. This is offered for consent on all three readings. Item 29 is c14h 2025 0066. This item is offered [1:59:44 PM] 2025 0066. This item is offered as a staff postponement to October 23rd. Council meeting. Item 30 is F 2025 0008.01. This item is offered as a neighborhood postponement to your October 23rd council meeting. The rezoning is item number 31. C14 2025 0049. Again, this item is offered as a neighborhood postponement to your October 23rd council meeting. Item number 32 is npa 2023 0005.01. This item is offered as a neighborhood postponement to your November 20th council meeting. The related rezoning is item number 33. C14 2024 0015. Again, this item is offered as a neighborhood postponement to your November 20th council meeting. Item 34 is npa 20 2022 0010.02. This is offered for consent on all three readings. The rezoning is item number 35. C14 2025 0036. Again, this item is offered for consent on all [2:00:46 PM] is offered for consent on all three readings. Item 36 is npa 2024 0016.04. This item is offered for consent on all three readings. The rezoning is item number 37. C14 2025 0004. Again, this item is offered for consent on all three readings. Item 38 is npa 2024 0019.01. This item is offered for consent on all three readings and the rezoning is item number 39. C14 2024 0121. This item is offered for consent on all three readings. Item number 40 is c14 2025 0029. This item is offered as an applicant. Postponement to October 23rd council meeting. Item 41 is c1484022 rca. This item is offered as a applicant. Postponement as an applicant. Postponement to your November 6th council meeting. Item 42 is c14 2025 0075. This item is offered for consent on all [2:01:49 PM] offered for consent on all three readings. Item 43 is c14 2025 0071. This item is offered for consent on all three readings. Item 44 c14 2025 0032. This item is offered for consent on all three readings, and I would like to note on this item there was a neighborhood postponement request to October 23rd council meeting for this item and items 47 and 48 on this agenda as neighborhood wanted to ensure that all these items, which is 44, 47 and 48, appeared on the same council agenda. All the items are now on the same agenda. So again, we are offering these items for consent on all three readings. And I'll also note that council member Laine and her office have definitely spent some time speaking with the neighborhood. So again, 444 consent on all three readings. Item 45 is c14 2025 0054. This item is offered for consent on all three readings. Item 46 is c14 2025 0055. This item is offered for [2:02:51 PM] 0055. This item is offered for consent on all three readings. Item 47 is c14 2025 0060. This item is offered for consent on all three readings with the following motion which reads. Seven. Amend part two a of the draft ordinance to remove residential treatment from the list of prohibited uses of track one, and again this is offered for consent on all three readings. The related restrictive covenant termination is 48 c14 2008 0224. Asked. This item is offered for consent. And just to note again, there was the neighborhood one request for 4748, which I just read into the record along with the egger's test case, which was 44, but staff is offering 47 for consent, all three with a motion sheet and 48 for consent. Item 49 c14 2025 0061. This item is offered for consent on all three readings with the following motion, which reads amend the caption [2:03:52 PM] which reads amend the caption and part one of the draft ordinance to include a conditional overlay co combining district at a new part two and part three as follows and renumber the remaining sections and accordingly. Part two. The property within the boundaries of the conditional overlay combining district established by this ordinance is subject to the following conditions. The maximum height of a building or structure on the property shall not exceed 45ft. Part three. Except as specifically restricted under this ordinance, the property may be developed and used in accordance with the regulations established for the multifamily residence. High density mf five based district and other applicable requirements of city code. So again, with the added co of 45ft in height, staff is offering this item for consent on all three readings. Item 50 c14 2020 50068. This item is offered for consent on all [2:04:53 PM] offered for consent on all three readings and item 51 c14 2025 0057. This item is offered as an applicant. Postponement to your October 23rd council meeting. This concludes the reading of the zoning and neighborhood plan amendment portion of your agenda. And as always, this is at your discretion. >> Thank you. Members. Any questions of miss harden? Okay. In that case, what I'm going to do without objection is I'll read the consent agenda, seek a motion on the consent agenda and get a second, and then we will turn for public comment on that. Item number 28 is on all three readings. 29 is a postponement to October 23rd, as is 30 and 31, 32 and 33 are postponed until November 20th. Items 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 would be on all three readings. Item 40 would be a postponement to October 23rd 41 a [2:05:53 PM] to October 23rd 41 a postponement to November 6th, 42, 43 and 42 and 43 on all three readings, 44 on all three readings, with the caveat and what was read into the record by miss harden, 45 and 46 would be on all three readings, 47 on all three readings, again with what miss harden read into the record, 48 would be on consent, 49 on all three readings, again with what was read into the record, including the co on the height cap 50, all three readings and 51 postponement to October 23rd. Is there a motion motion made by councilmember vela? Is there a second second by councilmember Velasquez? I'll turn to the clerk to help us with speakers. >> Thank you, mayor, for item 28, Megan king. Namor. Item. Speaking on the merits of the postponement for item 30, Chris Paige and Kenneth Wallace. >> If your name has been called, [2:06:57 PM] >> If your name has been called, please come forward. Please go ahead. >> Good afternoon, council members. My name is Megan king. Anymore, I'm the policy and outreach planner for preservation Austin, and I'm here today to express our support for item 28 to designate the Whitehall cooperative building at 2500 nueces as the city of Austin landmark. The Whitehall co-op has provided affordable housing in the west campus neighborhood since 1949. Established as a women's residence for UT Austin students, Whitehall began occupying the 1896 queen Anne style residence at 2500 nueces in 1955. In 1956, when black students were first admitted to UT, Whitehall was one of the only university co-ops that racially integrated. In 1960, when the opportunity to purchase the building arose for of Whitehall's female residents purchased the building for $25,000. The co-op became a coed residence for students and non-students alike in 1971. Over the decades, the home's appearance has evolved, reflecting the co-op spirit of [2:07:57 PM] reflecting the co-op spirit of communal involvement and individual creativity, all while maintaining its original Victorian character. As development pressures continue to intensify and the cost of living increases, Whitehall co-op remains one of the very last affordable housing options in west campus. Preservation Austin is proud to support Whitehall co-op in their pursuit of historic designation, so it may continue its historic mission of providing affordable housing to the people of Austin. Thank you for your consideration and your service to the city. >> Thank you. >> On speaking on the merits of the postponement for 31, I have Chris Paige and Kenneth Wallace. Item 34 Zenobia Joseph. Item 38 Charles de court and item 39 Charles de court. Mayor. That's all. Speakers for the zoning consent. >> Thank you members. That concludes all the speakers on the consent items for the zoning. We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? [2:08:58 PM] second. Is there any discussion? Councilmember Laine. >> Thank you. I did want to comment on items 44, 47 and 48. We have been working alongside the communities of cottages at lake creek and acres west to reach agreements that reflect and address the neighborhood's concerns. After extensive meetings with the applicant and these neighborhoods, we've arrived at several mutually beneficial outcomes that allow these items to move forward on consent for all three readings at once, I'm pleased to say. I do want to note that for item number 48, while the restrictive covenant is being removed, the applicant has agreed to provide a vegetative buffer within the existing setback. Although this condition is not included in the ordinance, I'm just noting it. For the record, for item 44, we've reached several similar agreements regarding the potential installation of a standard residential fence on lot 20 and other site improvements, such as sidewalks. The applicant has also expressed a willingness to explore design options that reduce the number of driveways, driveways and help minimize traffic impacts. I want to thank the applicant and [2:09:58 PM] thank the applicant and neighborhood representation neighborhood representatives for collaborating so effectively, so that we can move this move forward more quickly in order, and and arrive at a conclusion that that meets everyone's needs. With respect to number 49, which is a rezoning from interim residential, rural residential to multifamily five with a conditional overlay. This is also in district six, and I want to thank all those that we worked with to arrive at an outcome that differs a little bit from what came to us to begin with. And so we have a higher density of multifamily five and a height limited at 45ft, which still allows quite a number of units to go in without being out of place with the surrounding development. So for that as well, I'll be voting in favor of passing it on consent with all three readings. Thank you. >> Thank you councilmember. Any other discussion on the consent agenda as it was read, there being no further discussion [2:10:59 PM] being no further discussion without objection, the consent. Well, let me ask, does anybody wish. Yeah, I caught myself, councilmember, I caught myself. Tell me which ones you're abstaining from. >> Thank you. Mayor. Abstaining on 36 to 39. >> Is anyone wishing to be shown voting no on any items? Anyone wishing to recuse themselves? In that case? Without objection, the consent agenda for our 2:00 time certain zoning is adopted, with councilmember duchen being shown abstaining on items 36 and 39 and councilmember Siegel being off the dais. Council councilmember I harper-madison I have you voting in favor, is that correct? Thank you very much, members. That concludes all of the items that are on the regular scheduled agenda for this council meeting of October 9th. Without objection, we will adjourn the council meeting. Without objection. We are adjourned at 2:12 P.M. Thank you everybody.