Feb 09, 2023 City Council Meetings

THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

FIRST SPEAKERS, UH, FRANCIS SPEAKING ON ITEM 40.

HOLD ON, MS. AYA, GO AHEAD.

UH, YES, UH, MY NAME IS FRANCIS AYA.

I'M A LONG-TERM RESIDENT OF THE SPRINGS.

I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 40 WITH SOME, UM, FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS AND CITY DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING TIRELESSLY TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS BEING IMPACTED THROUGHOUT THE WINTER STORM.

THIS PAST WEEKEND, I MEAN, THIS PAST WEEK, FAMILIES WERE BEING DENIED AT THE SHELTERS BECAUSE OF THE SPACE WAS ONLY FOR UNHOUSED PEOPLE, AND THAT IS INHUMANE.

I KNOW THAT TURNING FAMILIES AWAY WAS NOT THE PLAN AND THAT IT WAS NOT THE DIRECTION GIVEN, BUT IT HAPPENED.

IT HAPPENED IN 2021, AND IT HAPPENED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THIS YEAR, IT'S A YEAR OF LEARNING AND TAKING ACTION THIS WINTER STORM, WE AND YOU LEARNED THAT IF A BUILDING DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO HOST THE DIFFERENT POPULATION, THEN WE HAVE TO FIND ONE THAT DOES.

DUB SPRINGS RECREATION CENTER HAS ONLY ONE GYM TO HOST

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EVERYONE.

MENDEZ MIDDLE SCHOOL HAS TWO GYMS TO HOLD, UNHOUSED AND HOUSE FAMILIES.

UM, PLEASE ANALYZE THE SPACE AND THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE AND MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.

I WOULD LIKE TO, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ADD TO THE RESOLUTION.

A WHEREAS, UH, EXTREME WEATHER HAS IMPACTED MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH IN FAMILIES THAT WERE TURNED AWAY FROM SHELTERS IN AN INHUMANE WAY AND LET IT BE RESOLVED.

THAT BUILDING FOR SHE BUILDING FOR SHELTER WILL BE CAREFULLY SELECTED TO HOST ALL POPULATIONS AND ALL RESPONDERS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM TO TAKE SOME KIND OF DISASTROUS SPIRITUAL CARE RESPONSE TRAINING TO LEARN HOW TO RESPOND IN A KIND, HUMANE WAY.

AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, TO PUT IN PLACE A PLAN, CAN ASSESS YEARS TO COME AND BE BETTER PREPARED FOR TO RESPOND IN OUR POPULATION.

THANK YOU, MAYOR PROTO.

UH, JUST WANTED TO QUICKLY GIVE MY THANKS TO MS. COYA FOR HER TESTIMONY TODAY AND TO ALSO SHARE THAT WE WILL, THE AUSTIN ENERGY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE WILL BE MEETING LATER THIS MONTH, AND WE'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDO A AFTER ACTION ASSESSMENT WHERE WE CAN FURTHER DISCUSS THE USE OF THE DOVE SPRINGS REC CENTER DURING THE WINTER STORM.

NEXT SPEAKER IS KATIE NARANJO, ON ITEM SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

HI, THIS IS KATIE NARANJO.

I AM, UH, SPEAKING IN CAPACITY AS CHAIR OF THE TRAVIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

UM, OUR ORGANIZATION HAS ENDORSED THE POLICE, UH, OVERSIGHT ACT, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO, UH, JOIN MANY COMMUNITY LEADERS AND THE VOTERS OF TRAVIS COUNTY IN SUPPORTING THIS ITEM.

TODAY PARTICULARLY, WE BELIEVE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS WHO HAVE POPULARLY ELECTED EVERYONE ON THE DIAS MUST BE HEARD AND MUST BE ADDRESSED IN A MAY ELECTION, WHICH IS WHAT THE NEXT STEP IN THAT PROCESS IS.

ANY EFFORTS TO NOT, UH, TAKE THE WILL OF THE VOTERS INTO ACCOUNT IS A DISSERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

UH, CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

UH, OUR FUNDAMENTAL COMMUNITY VALUES.

UH, WE LIKE TO JOKE THAT IN AUSTIN WE MAY NOT ALWAYS GET THE RESULT WE WANT, SO WE DO LIKE A GOOD PROCESS.

SO THIS PROCESS OF A SHORT TERM CONTRACT WILL ALLOW VOTERS TO EXPRESS THEIR, UH, GUIDANCE TO COUNSEL AND, AND IN OUR COMMUNITY AS TO HOW THEY WANT OUR COMMUNITY POLICING TO OCCUR, WHICH IS WITH CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT.

I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS MEASURE, AS DOES THE ENTIRE TRAVIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY, WHICH UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED THIS, UH, THIS MEASURE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT SPEAKER IS BOB HENDRICKS SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING US SPEAK.

I'M BOB HENDRICKS, CHAIR OF THE AUSTIN SIERRA CLUB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND CHAIR OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE STATE SIERRA CLUB, THE LONE DARK CHAPTER, THE SIERRA CLUB.

IN ADDITION TO BEING THE LARGEST ORGANIZATION WORKING TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT, ADVOCATE FOR AN ENVIRONMENT OF SOCIAL JUSTICE, IN LINE WITH THESE PRINCIPLES, I ADD MY VOICE TO THE MANY OTHERS TO URGE YOU TO PASS RESOLUTION 80, WHICH RECOMMENDS A ONE YEAR INSTEAD OF ONE YEAR POLICE CONTRACT.

THIS WILL ALLOW AUSTIN CITIZENS TO PROVIDE INPUT ON POLICE OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY VIA THE VOTE ON THE MAY 6TH ELECTION.

WE'LL TRY TO GET THAT CALLER BACK ON THE LINE.

NEXT SPEAKER IS, UH, CASSIE SODER SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

MORNING.

UH, MY NAME IS GRIN.

I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 80.

UH, CITY MANAGER SPENCER CRONK NEEDS TO STOP PUSHING FOR A LONG-TERM POLICE CONTRACT BECAUSE IT WON'T ALLOW FOR THE PUBLIC TO VOTE ON THE POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT IN MAY.

THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE HAS ALSO REPORTED ON THE PERSONAL TIES BETWEEN CITY MANAGER CRONK AND THE TREASURER OF THE AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION'S POLITICAL ACTION COM.

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UH, THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JEN BRAK SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

YES, GOOD MORNING.

THE, IT APPEARS THE CALLS ARE DROPPING.

UH, LET ME TRY ANOTHER SPEAKER.

SHANE JOHNSON SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

HI, CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN GO AHEAD.

GREAT, THANK YOU.

UM, HEY Y'ALL.

SHANE JOHNSON AND PRONOUNS, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN AS, AND ALSO SPEAK FOR MY, UH, PARENTS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT SEVEN SINCE OH NINE.

UM, IN SUPPORT OF ITEM NUMBER 80, UM, FIRST OF ALL, THE EGREGIOUS POLICE CONTACT THAT SPENCER CRONK, UH, HAS, UH, AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATION OF AND WOULD, UM, CERTAINLY SUPPORT AND BRING FORWARD.

UM, IT'S WHAT INSTITUTIONAL RACISM LOOKS LIKE IN 2023.

IT'S WHAT WHITE SUPREMACY CULTURE LOOKS LIKE IN 2023.

IT, UH, NOT PRODUCED AN OVERSIGHT, INDEPENDENCE AND FACT CHECKING.

WE'RE GONNA TRY TO GET THAT CALLER BACK ON THE LINE.

UH, NEXT SPEAKER IS GUMBO V SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

HEY, GOOD MORNING.

COULD, COULD WE DO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS UNTIL THE PHONE SYSTEM GETS FIXED? LET'S CHECK WITH THE CLERKS.

DO YOU NEED A MOMENT? YES, WE CAN DO THAT.

I'M GONNA MOVE OVER TO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS FOR NOW.

UM, THE FIRST SPEAKER, IF YOU CAN MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN, IS ONE SECOND BEFORE WE, UM, DO IN-PERSON, UM, JUST DUE TO THE LARGE VOLUME OF SPEAKERS, WHEN WE CALL A SPEAKER THAT IS HERE IN PERSON, WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE NEXT TWO SPEAKERS TO BE ON DECK.

SO WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME CALLED AS BEING ON DECK, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO ONE OF THE TWO FRONT, UM, CHAIRS THAT HAVE A RESERVED SIGN.

UM, AND THIS WAY IT'LL ALLOW US FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION BETWEEN SPEAKERS.

THANK YOU, MYRNA.

OKAY, FIRST SPEAKER IS DANIEL RONAN SPEAKING ON ITEM FIVE AND SIX.

UM, AND AFTER DANIEL RONAN IS BELINDA BOONE SPEAKING ON ITEM EIGHT AND 81.

AND CHASE WRIGHT, IF YOU CAN MAKE YOUR WAY UP.

IF YOU'VE BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP TO THE DIAS.

UM, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

UH, MR. MAYOR CITY, UM, CITY COUNSELORS.

I, UM, AM DANIEL RONAN.

I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLOWER HILL FOUNDATION, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR OUR HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT.

WE'RE RECEIVING OVER $215,000 FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE GARAGE ON OUR PROPERTY.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED FOR THIS GRANT, AND I JUST WANTED TO COME AND THANK YOU.

CAUSE I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES YOU GET FOLKS HERE WHO, UM, ARE UPSET, BUT I JUST REALLY WANT TO EXPRESS MY THANKS.

THE FLOWER HILL FOUNDATION IS A HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM IN OLD WEST AUSTIN.

UH, HISTORIC 1877 VICTORIAN ITALIAN AID HOME, WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF A FIVE YEAR TRANSITION INTO A FULL ON HISTORIC SITE WITH MIXED USES.

SO I'LL BE BACK HERE A LOT MORE TRYING TO, UH, TALK MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND ALSO SPEAK TO THE VISION OF THIS PROPERTY IN TELLING THE BROADER STORY OF THE HISTORIC SMOOTH FAMILY, UH, A FAMILY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO LIVED IN THE HOUSE FOR 136 YEARS, CONTINUOUSLY FROM 1877 TO, UH, 2013.

AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, ALSO ELEVATING THE STORY OF EMANCIPATED AFRICAN AMERICAN LABORERS THAT WORKED AT THE SITE, THE STORIES OF JENNY MOORE, WILLIS MAXWELL, AND HOWARD WHITE, UH, TO SERVE AS THE CONNECTIVE TISSUE.

I BELIEVE OUR ORGANIZATION CAN STAND TO TELL THE STORIES OF, UH, AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESENCE, PARTICULARLY IN WEST AUSTIN SINCE BEFORE THE 1928 RELOCATION PLAN, UH, FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

BUT, UH, REALLY JUST WANT TO COME HERE AND DOCUMENT THE GREAT EFFECTS OF THE HOT TAXES, UM, THAT, UH, ARE HELPING RESTORE, PRESERVE, REHABILITATE HISTORIC RESOURCES HERE IN AUSTIN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT SPEAKER IS BELINDA BOONE, FOLLOWED BY CHASE WRIGHT AND GUS PENA.

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UH, CHASE WRIGHT, FOLLOWED BY GUS PENA AND THEN KWANI THOMAS.

COME ON UP.

MR. .

OUR STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONS.

MY NAME IS GUSTAVO PENA.

I AM A NATIVE EAST AUSTINITE AT 2327 EAST FIFTH STREET.

FORMER SPECIAL AGENT WITH THE IRS, AND I HAVE MY BADGE ID HERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE AT SCAMS. I WANT TO JUST SAY THIS, UH, UH, CITY MANAGER, I'M STAYING, UH, WE'RE STAYING WITH OUR HOUSE, UH, UH, AT MY SON'S HOUSE UNTIL WE GET OUR HOUSE FROM THE VA.

BIG OLD TREE TRUNK.

OKAY? WE SLEEP RIGHT THERE.

WE COULD HAVE BEEN SQUASHED.

I'M TALKING ABOUT A BIG OLD TALL, UH, TREE.

BIG OLD TRUNK, MORE FATTER THAN I AM.

THE ISSUE IS THIS, IS THAT SOMEBODY DROPPED THE BALL.

IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.

MY, MY WIFE WAS YELLING, HELP ME, HELP ME CUZ THE BRANCHES WERE HEARING, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, HITTING US ON, ON, ON OUR HOUSE, ON MY SON'S HOUSE.

WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED.

OKAY? DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING? DO YOU FEEL FOR US? I WANT A VER VERBATIM, UH, UH, I WANNA HEAR YOUR VOICE AND YOU'RE NOT GONNA SAY RIGHT OR YOU'RE WRONG, YOU'RE DISRESPECTFUL.

THE ISSUE IS THIS IS, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTING ME TO SPEAK FOR THEM.

NOW, AS FAR AS, UH, AP D IS CONCERNED, I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AT A P D I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THEM BECAUSE IF THERE ARE SOME BAD COPS, IT FALLS BACK ON THEM.

I LOVE MY A P D AND THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

THE ISSUE IS THIS IS, IT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED AS FAR AS THE TREE TRUNKS ARE CONCERNED.

WHY DID IT TAKE A LONG TIME TO GET THE ELECTRICITY BACK ON? I WENT OVER THERE AND, AND FOX SEVEN KNOWS ABOUT IT.

HE KNOWS ABOUT IT.

HE, HE, HE SAW, HE HAD THE TRUCKS OVER THERE.

YOU FAILED US, YOU DROPPED THE BALL.

AND IT'S NOT FUNNY.

YOU COULD HAVE PEOPLE KILLED OUT THERE.

KIDS.

ALL I WANT TO DO IS JUST HAVE A SAFETY, UH, MEASURE OVER HERE AND MORE RESPECT.

NEXT SPEAKER IS KWAN G THOMAS, SPEAKING ON ITEM 26, FOLLOWED BY ALEXANDER STR STRINGER AND JACOB HENSON.

UH, THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY AND GIVING PEOPLE THE OP THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR A CONTINUED, UH, RELAY OF, OF THE SORT OF THINGS THAT, THAT PEOPLE GO THROUGH, UH, TO, TO BE CONSIDERED IN THIS DEPTH OF MEETING.

UM, ONE OF THE THINGS I'M SPEAKING FROM IS 2000 TO 4,500 YEARS OF WISDOM.

IF I CAN JUST READ YOU SOMETHING REAL QUICK, BECAUSE OUR STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATION IN OUR GOVERNMENT COMES FROM THIS SORT OF WISDOM AND OUR FOREFATHERS OVER THE MIDST OF TIME.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS, IS DISSEMINATED IN, IN THIS DEPTH OF WISDOM IS OUR LEGAL CONFIGURATION.

AND, AND WHEN WE HAVE A HEIGHTENED IN CONSIDERATION OF THE SORT OF WISDOM THAT WE OPERATE IN, IN AS A PEOPLE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S CONTINUALLY HAPPENING IS WE'RE ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF OUR LEGAL CONS, OF OUR LEGAL CONSTRUCTION.

AND, AND WE'RE PREVENTATIVE IN, IN THE RIGHTS OF, OF, OF, WE'RE, WE'RE ADVANCING THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE AND WE'RE PREVENTATIVE OF THINGS THAT ARE CONTRADICTION TO OUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

COMMUNICATIVELY, I WANNA READ SOMETHING TO YOU REAL QUICK.

IT SAYS, UM, AND, AND, AND THIS IS, AND THIS IS FROM A PROVERB.

IT SAYS, COUNCIL IS MIND SOUND WISDOM.

IT SAYS BY ME, PRINCESS REIGN.

AND RULERS DECREE WAS JUST SO, THIS, THIS IS A WISE PRINCIPLE THAT'S IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR LEGAL CONFIGURATION OVER THE, OVER THE COURSE OF TIME, AND I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE AWARE OF IT, BUT WE'VE BEEN THE MOST LIBERATED NATION AMONGST THE AGES FOR, FOR THE, FOR THE EXPRESSION OF OVER ALMOST 460 TO 470 YEARS.

AND THAT'S FOR THAT, THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE SORT OF WISDOM THAT'S CONTAINED IN THIS BOOK.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS AS WELL IS WHEN WE'RE NOT IN THE APPROPRIATE DISSEMINATION OF OUR, OF, OF OUR LEGAL STRUCTURE, WE'RE NOT ACTING IN THE OBJECTIVE, IN THE OBJECTIVES OF OUR TEXAS PENAL CODE, WHICH IS TO BE PRE PREVENTATIVE OF ANYTHING THAT'S A CONTRADICTION TO OUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND

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BUT WHAT'S BEEN TAKING PLACE IS, IS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THERE'S BEEN A, THERE'S BEEN A DISCIPLINE.

YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.

OKAY? BUT WHAT I WHAT I NEED YOU TO CONSIDER IS ROMANS ONE AND, AND THE 18TH FIRST THROUGH THE LAST OF THAT CHAPTER, BECAUSE IT'S A RESPIRATORY PRINCIPLE OF PEOPLE TO AN ANIMALISM THAT I'VE SEEN IN THIS CULTURE.

AND WHEN THERE'S AN ANIMALISM THAT'S PROGRESSIVE IN PEOPLE IN THE RESPIRATORY, THANK YOU, SIR.

SIR, CAN YOU FINISH YOUR, THAT'S BEING SOMETHING THAT WE, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER IN THE HEIGHTENING OF OUR LEGAL CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

UH, NEXT SPEAKER IS A ALEXANDER STRINGER SPEAKING ON ITEM 39 AND 81, FOLLOWED BY JACOB HENSON.

GOOD MORNING MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 39 AND 81 BECAUSE THERE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED.

YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THIS.

MY MOTHER TOLD ME TO DRESS FOR THE JOB THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE, AND THAT IS WHY I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO BE THE CEO OF AUSTIN ENERGY.

WE NEED LEADERS WHO ARE ALIGNED WITH OUR PRIORITIES, AND RIGHT NOW OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE NEED TO GET TO NET ZERO BY 22 BY 2030.

AND HONESTLY, IF WE ARE EVER GONNA ACHIEVE THESE GOALS, YOU SHOULDN'T EVEN BE USING POWER AT ALL.

OKAY, LISTEN, JUST LAST MONTH, I DESTROYED THE GAS STOVE THAT I OWNED IN A FIRE THAT I STARTED BECAUSE I AM FIRMLY COMMITTED TO SAVING THE PLANET JUST LIKE YOU AND I WILL SHOW THAT SAME COMMITMENT AS THE C E O OF AUSTIN ENERGY.

I HAVE PRONOUNS IN MY TWITTER BIO.

I ALSO HAVE UKRAINIAN FLAGS IN MY TWITTER BIO.

AND DUE TO MY EXTENSIVE QUALIFICATIONS AND THE FACT THAT MY PRIORITIES ALIGN SO MUCH WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN, AS WELL AS WHAT I THOUGHT WERE PASSED, UM, ADMINISTRATIONS AND AUSTIN ENERGY, I WOULD LIKE A SALARY BETWEEN 350,000 TO $500,000 A YEAR SO THAT I COULD SUPPORT MY LIFESTYLE, FUND MY COCAINE HABIT, AND CARE FOR MY WIFE WHO HAS STAGE FIVE TESTICULAR CANCER.

I ALSO TOOK A 23 IN ME TEST AND FOUND OUT THAT I AM 3% BLACK.

SO NOT HIRING ME WOULD BE A LITERAL ACT OF VIOLENCE ANYWAY.

IF I COULD GET A RECOMMENDATION TO BE THE CEO OF AUSTIN ENERGY, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

OBVIOUSLY, I'M THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON FOR THE JOB HERE IN THIS ROOM.

UM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

NEXT SPEAKER IS JACOB HENSON SPEAKING ON ITEM 40.

AND THEN MAYOR, PRETEND WE'RE GONNA ATTEMPT TO MOVE BACK TO THE REMOTE SPEAKERS.

THEY ARE ACTUALLY ON THEIR WAY.

THEY'RE NOT.

THEN WE'RE GONNA, I'M GOING TO CALL UP CASSIE SOLDER SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

CASSIE, GO AHEAD.

I'M NOT SURE IF YOU CAN HEAR ME.

YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.

UM, GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS CASSIE SATER AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF ITEM AD.

CITY MANAGER.

COR CENTER COMPANY NEEDS TO STOP PUSHING FOR A LONG-TERM POLICE CONTRACT BECAUSE IT WON'T ALLOW FOR THE PUBLIC TO VOTE ON THE POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT IN MAY.

UM, THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE HAS ALSO REPORTED ON THE PERSONAL TIES BETWEEN CITY MANAGER CRONK AND THE TREASURER OF THE AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION'S POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, WHICH MAKES CITY MANAGERS CRONK PUSH FOR A LONG TERM POLICE CONTRACT.

EVEN MORE CONCERNING, UM, THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN FAR TOO MANY FAILURES IN COMMUNICATION AND ADMINISTRATION FROM CITY MANAGER CRONK DURING RECENT AND PAST WEATHER RELATED ENERGY CRISES.

AND HE, IT'S HIGH TIME THAT HE WAS REPLACED.

SPENCER CRONK MUST BE FIRED AND HIS REPLACEMENT NEEDS TO BE WILLING TO STAND UP TO THE POLICE, SUPPORT REAL WORKERS, AND ENSURE THAT OUR PUBLIC ENERGY SYSTEM WORKS FOR ALL RESIDENTS.

NEXT SPEAKER IS JEN RAMOS SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

YES, GOOD MORNING.

MEMBERS OF THE AUSTIN CITY, THIS JEN RAMOS.

I'M THE CHAIR, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST, STATE DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEWOMAN, SENATE DISTRICT 21, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, A CONSTITUENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELAZQUEZ IN DISTRICT THREE.

TODAY, I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT IN ITEM 80.

THE UNFORTUNATE REALITY IS THAT EVERY NIGHT IN AUSTIN, FAMILIES WORRY THAT THEIR BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN WON'T COME HOME ALIVE.

THAT IS THE UNFORTUNATE NATURE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING, NOT ONLY IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, BUT THE REALITY AROUND

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THE COUNTRY.

A LONG-TERM POLICE CONTRACT IS NOT THE SOLUTION WE NEED.

THE WILL OF THE VOTERS IS TO REALLY ADDRESS THE SITUATION, WHICH IS WHY I, ALONG WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE TRAVIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY, WORKERS OF INFECTION FUND AND INVISIBLE AUSTIN, BELIEVE THAT POLICE MISCONDUCT AND BRUTALITY IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT REQUIRES MORE OVERSIGHT.

AND I THINK THAT A SHORTER TERM CONTRACT IS GONNA BE ABLE TO HELP THIS.

LET NEED BE CLEAR AS WELL.

I DO NOT SUPPORT THE R ALTRA AMENDMENT, AND I THINK THAT VOTERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THE OVERSIGHT SYSTEM BECAUSE EVERY CITIZEN DESERVES TO FEEL SAFE, AND THAT INCLUDES MAKING SURE THAT WE PROVIDE THE PROPER OVERSIGHT FOR OUR POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

A FOUR YEAR DEAL IS NOT THE SOLUTION, AND AS WE'VE MENTIONED BEFORE IN PREVIOUS TESTIMONY, THERE ARE ALREADY VERY CLEAR TIES WITH CITY MANAGER CRONK AND THE AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION.

SO PLEASE SUPPORT A SHORT TERM CONTRACT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NEXT SPEAKER IS REBECCA WEBBER SPEAKING ON ITEM 80, MS. WEBBER.

WE WILL TRY HER AGAIN.

NEXT SPEAKER IS SARAH INES CALK SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

HELLO, I'M SORRY, RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO.

I'D LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT.

ITEM 80.

I'VE BEEN CONCERNED WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S PERFORMANCE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

HIS PUSHED FOR A LONG-TERM POLICE CONTRACT IN KEEPING WITH HIS DMI DISMISSAL OF THE PUBLIC KAISER POLICE REFORM DURING THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT, UH, VOTE IN MAY.

UM, AT THE VENTURE I WENT WITHOUT WATER SEVERAL TIMES FOR DAYS AT A TIME.

AS A HOMEOWNER, I'VE GONE WITHOUT WATER OR ELECTRICITY SEVERAL TIMES, AND IN EITHER CASE, I'VE NEVER HAD A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT WAS GOING ON OR HOW TO BEST AS ASSESS MY OPTIONS.

THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE CITY MANAGER DOES TO EARN HIS SALARY, BUT IT APPARENTLY DOES NOT INVOLVE BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO CITY RESIDENTS, HEATING THE COUNCIL'S CONCERNS OR MAKING SURE THE THINGS WE PAY FOR ARE RUNNING THE CITY IS DUE FOR ANY MANAGER REPLACEMENT NEEDS TO BE WILLING TO STAND UP TO THE POLICE SUPPORT WORKERS AND RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT PUBLIC UTILITIES WORK NOW, AND ALSO IN THE FACE, FACE OF GROWING CLIMATE.

NEXT SPEAKER IS PAUL ROBBINS SPEAKING ON ITEM 81.

GOOD MORNING COUNSEL.

CAN, CAN YOU HEAR ME? WE CAN.

MR. ROBBINS.

THANK YOU, COUNSEL.

I'VE BEEN AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST AND CONSUMER ADVOCATE IN AUSTIN SINCE 1977.

I FULLY SUPPORT THE REQUEST FOR AN AUDIT OF TREE TRIMMING, UH, OF THE TREE TRIMMING PROGRAM AND OTHER ISSUES CONTRIBUTING TO THE POWER OUTAGE.

THIS IS ITEM 81.

I HAVE TWO MAIN POINTS I WANT TO ADD TO THE SUPPORT.

FIRST, CONSIDER EXPANDING THIS AUDIT TO LOOK AT OTHER ISSUES.

IN ABOUT 2003, THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A PILOT PROGRAM TO RETROFIT OVERHEAD POWER LINES UNDERGROUND.

TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE MONEY THAT WAS BUDGETED WAS NEVER SPENT.

IF SUCH A PROGRAM HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED, IT WOULD'VE MITIGATED THE PROBLEMS THAT OCCURRED.

I HAVE A FRIEND WHOSE ENTIRE STREET IS ABOUT TO BE EXCAVATED FOR WATER SYSTEM UPGRADES.

INSTALLING UNDERGROUND LINES IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS WOULD PROBABLY REDUCE COSTS, UH, FOR, UH, UNDERGROUND RETROFITS AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

MY SECOND POINT IS THAT IF YOU THINK AUSTIN ENERGY IS UNPOPULAR NOW, WAIT UNTIL THEIR RATE INCREASE GOES INTO EFFECT NEXT MONTH.

THE RATE STRUCTURE PUNISHES THE POOR PUNISHES SPECIFIC COUNCIL DISTRICTS AND PUNISHES PEOPLE WHO CAN SERVE ENERGY.

CHANGING THIS UNFAIR RATE STRUCTURE IS COMPLETELY WITHIN THE COUNCIL'S PURVIEW, IS TIMELY AND SHOULD BE ON THE TABLE.

NEXT SPEAKER IS GUMBO V SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN GO AHEAD.

PERFECT.

GOOD MORNING, COUNSEL.

MAYOR WATSON, I AM GUMBO.

I AM A MEMBER OF AUSTIN DSA IN AFSCME 1624, ALSO A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE.

UH, IT'S NICE TO BE CALLING A NEW COUNCIL COHORT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

I HAVEN'T CALLED SINCE LAST FALL, SO HELLO.

THEN I HEARD THIS MORNING THAT MR. CRONK MAY HAVE REACHED A FOUR YEAR DEAL WITH THE POLICE ASSOCIATION IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO THIS ESTEEMED BODY'S WISHES, WHICH, UH, TO ME PRESENTS A SHADY DEAL MADE MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT BY A SHADY ORGANIZATION.

UM, I HAD SOME THINGS WRITTEN DOWN ABOUT ITEM 80 TO SAY, BUT

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AND THAT'S NOT ACCOUNTABILITY.

SO I EMPLOY YOU TO PASS ITEM 80 FOR A ONE YEAR COP CONTRACT AND LET THE WORLD OF PEOPLE BE HEARD ON THE REAL AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT IN MAY.

AND, UH, WHILE WE'RE AT IT, SINCE WE GOT TWO MINUTES INSTEAD OF ONE MINUTE, LIKE LAST 12, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GO ON TO ITEM 40 AND DISCUSS THAT THE SHELTER PLAN FOR EXTREME WEATHER, BOTH EXTREME COLD AND EXTREME HEAT, HAS NEVER BEEN CONSISTENT.

AND AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS ULTIMATELY A FAILURE OF CHRONIC'S LEADERSHIP.

UH, IT MAKES NO SENSE THAT YOU WOULD REQUIRE UNHOUSED PEOPLE TO GO TO A VERY CENTRALIZED LOCATION TO THEN BE TAKEN TO SHELTERS.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT YOU OPEN SHELTERS AT VARY IN DEGREES OF TEMPERATURE AND SEEM TO HAVE NO CONSISTENT PLAN.

UM, I COME FROM A PLACE THAT IS RACKED WITH NATURAL HAZARDS ALL THE TIME, AND NOT HAVING A PLAN IN PLACE IS PROBABLY THE MOST DANGEROUS THING YOU COULD DO FOR A COMMUNITY.

SO PLEASE ACTUALLY DO SOME WORK ON IMPROVING THOSE DISASTER PLANS AND INCLUDE THE RESILIENCY OFFICE.

AND I YIELD MY TIME.

NEXT SPEAKER IS SHANE JOHNSON SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

HI, CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN GO AHEAD.

GREAT, THANK YOU.

HI, Y'ALL AGAIN.

SHANE JOHNSON AND PRONOUNS DISTRICT SEVEN RESIDENT.

ALSO SPEAKING FROM MY PARENTS IN DISTRICT SEVEN IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 80.

UM, WE NEED TO STOP ANY POTENTIAL FOR YOUR CONTRACT RIGHT NOW, UH, AS IF IT'S THE OFF COMPLETE OVERSIGHT ACT, UH, THAT WILL BE VOTED ON IN MAY.

AND WHICH MANY, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE FORMER MAYOR, UH, PROMISED OR, UH, POTENTIALLY MISLED US THAT THEY, THERE WOULD BE NO CONTRACT NEGOTIATED BEFORE OR APPROVED BEFORE, UH, THE MAY ELECTION UNDER SPENCER CROWN'S DIRECTION THAT ONLY HAVE WE HAD A DISASTROUS, UH, RELIEF RESPONSE OR, OR LACK OF, OR, YOU KNOW, ANY SEEMINGLY SIGNIFICANT RELIEF, UH, PLANNED WELL.

UM, BUT WE ALSO HAVE AS A SPEAKER REPORT THAT THE SHADY DEAL NEGOTIATED THAT GIVES TOO MUCH FUNDING AND RESOURCES TO THE POLICE AND WOULD LEGALLY PROHIBIT ANY REAL ACCOUNTABILITY OR OVERSIGHT.

WELL, UH, HE HAS SHOWN TIME AND AGAIN, UH, TO NOT LEAD ON ON THE PRIORITIES AND NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.

UH, THE THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT THAT HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED AND MADE AND THEY WANT YOU TO VOTE ON, UH, DOES NOT PROVIDE AN OVERSIGHT SYSTEM WITH INDEPENDENCE AND FACT CHECKING.

THE CIVILIAN, UH, REVIEW PANEL NEEDS DOES NOT RETURN THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT.

AUTHORITIES LOCK IN THAT DISASTROUS ARBITRATION DECISION.

UH, WHILE IT DOES CREATE NEW WAYS IN WHICH THE POLICE ASSOCIATION CAN LATER ABUSE THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS TO ATTACK THE POLICE OVER THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT FOR TRYING TO DO ITS JOB, UM, AND ACTUALLY, UH, HOLD OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR ARMS OF BRUTALITY THEY COMMIT.

THIS IS WHAT INSTITUTIONAL RACISM LOOKS LIKE IN 2023.

THIS IS WHAT WHITE SUPREMACY CULTURE LOOKS LIKE IN 2023, AND PARTICULARLY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE MEMBERS.

I, UH, AND I THINK, UH, WHO VOTED, UH, LAST YEAR IN FAVOR OF THE AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READER REINSTATEMENT.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SMALL BUT IMPORTANT FIRST STEP TO UNDOING THE INSTITUTIONAL RACISM OF APPROVING THAT PROGRAM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

AND PLEASE, UH, SUPPORT ITEM EIGHT, PASS ITEM 80 AND FIRE SPENCER CRONK.

NEXT SPEAKER IS REBECCA WEBBER SPEAKING ON ITEM 80.

GOOD MORNING, IT'S REBECCA.

CAN YOU WE CAN HEAR YOU.

GOOD MORNING, REBECCA.

YOU CAN HEAR ME.

ASSOCIATION IS OUT HERE BEGGING FOR A LIVING WAGE, A ONE YEAR CONTRACT, WHICH THE MANAGER SAYS, WILL DEVASTATE.

SO, UM, I'M REBECCA WEBBER.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE WITH MY PARTNER AND OUR TWO KIDDOS.

I ALSO HAVE A SOLO LAW PRACTICE HERE IN AUSTIN, FOCUSED ON HELPING VICTIMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT MISCONDUCT.

AND I SERVED ON THE AUSTIN CITIZEN REVIEW PANEL FOR MANY YEARS, AND I WAS ALSO A LONGTIME PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER.

UM, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR TRUSTING ME WITH THAT APPOINTMENT FOR SO LONG.

I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO PASS ITEM 80.

I WATCHED THE MANAGER'S COMMENTS THIS MORNING AND Y'ALL, IT, I JUST CAN'T, WITH THE MISREPRESENTATION AND THE DOUBLE SPEAK, HERE'S MY MAIN TAKEAWAY.

THE MANAGER'S EXPLOITATION OF OUR AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY EMS MEDICS IS EVEN MORE SHOCKING NOW WHEN YOU COMPARE IT TO THIS RUSHED AND REALLY EXPENSIVE DEAL HE'S PROPOSING TO GIVE AWAY TO THE POLICE.

EMS

[00:35:01]

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE EMS ASSOCIATION LAST YEAR, AND OUR MEDICS DIDN'T SPEND $300,000 TO TROLL OUR COMMUNITY WITH A FRAUDULENT PETITION CAMPAIGN LEADING TO THIS, A THIRD CONFUSING MAY VOTE WHERE WE HAVE TWO PARTICIPANTS CALLED THE SAME THING.

SO THE POLICE ASSOCIATION COULD BE ASHAMED.

I'M, I'M LIKE, NIT ROMNEY UP HERE TALKING TO GEORGE SANTOS.

SHAME ON YOU.

SERIOUSLY, MANAGER CRONK, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO ALIGN YOURSELF WITH THESE TACTICS.

Y'ALL HAVE PROVEN THAT YOU ARE NOT TRUSTWORTHY.

I I'M REALLY EMBARRASSED THAT YOU WOULD STAND UP IN FRONT OF US AND LIE TO US THAT THE CITY HAS ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT IT HAS TRUE CITIZEN OVERSIGHT.

SO I JUST ASKED THE COUNCIL TO PASS ITEM 80 AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

NEXT SPEAKER IS SANDRA MENJIVAR SADIS SPEAKING ON ITEM 81.

HI.

HI, GOOD MORNING.

A HOOD RESIDENT AND DISTRICT BAR AS WELL AS A BOARD MEMBER IN THE WOUND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR FOR THIS AUDIT.

IN 2021, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO BE IMPACTED BY THE ROLLING BLACKOUTS AND ONE OF THE LAST TO BE RESTORED.

THIS YEAR, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BEGAN TO LOSE POWER LAST WEDNESDAY, AND MOST RESIDENTS DID NOT GET POWER RESTORED UNTIL TUESDAY OF THIS WEEK.

AS OF TODAY, WE STILL HAVE SEVERAL RESIDENTS WITHOUT POWER.

SINCE THE OUTAGE BEGAN, AUSTIN ENERGY HAS GIVEN US CONTRADICTORY INFORMATION ON WHY PEOPLE COULD NOT BE RESTORED.

WE'VE HAD TO REPEATEDLY CALL BACK AUSTIN ENERGY TO GET BACK ON THE OUTAGE MAP.

AS WE WERE EITHER IGNORED WHEN WE FIRST CALLED OR OUTAGES WERE REMOVED, WE WERE ADDED BACK TO THE MAP.

THE OUTAGE INFORMATION WAS INCORRECTLY SHOWING THE OUTAGES AS NEW INSTEAD OF WHEN THEY REALLY OCCURRED.

WHILE I SUPPORT THE REVIEW, I DO HAVE THE REVIEW IN DETAIL CAUSE SECTION ON WHY EACH NEIGHBORHOOD AND ZIP CODE WERE IMPACTED, HOW LONG THEY WERE WITHOUT POWER, AND FOR THE CITY AUDITOR TO DO AN ANALYSIS ON THE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE WITHOUT POWER THE LONGEST.

SAYING THAT THESE ARE HISTORIC AND UNPRECEDENTED EVENTS IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE NEGLIGENCE.

NEGLIGENCE BEING SHOWN BY THE CITY AUDITOR, SORRY, THE CITY MANAGER, AUSTIN ENERGY, AND THE AUSTIN ENERGY GENERAL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NEXT SPEAKER IS KAREN FLANIGAN SPEAKING ON ITEM 81.

HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN GO AHEAD.

AUDIT AUSTIN ENERGY.

WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

200 PLUS HOMES IN ANGUS VALLEY IN DISTRICT SIX WERE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY.

FOR SEVEN DAYS, THEY LOST FOOD IN REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS.

THEY PAID FOR HOTELS, NOT JUST TO STAY WARM.

NO ONE NEIGHBOR HAS A CATHETER THAT NEEDS DAILY CARE.

HE NEEDED HOT WATER.

THEY PAID FOR MEALS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T PREPARE THEM IN THEIR HOMES.

AUSTIN ENERGY KNOWS WHO HAS AND WHO DIDN'T HAVE ELECTRICITY.

I KNOW THERE'S NOT A POLICY ON HOW TO REIMBURSE THEM.

SO WHAT I WANT YOU TO DO IS MAKE ONE UP.

SEND A CHECK TO EVERY ADDRESS WHO IS WITHOUT POWER, STARTING AT DAY THREE AND PAY $150 A DAY TO HELP THEM RECOVER THEIR EXPENSES.

WHERE WILL THE MONEY COME FROM? WELL, IN AUGUST, YOU FOUND $395,000 TO GIVE YOURSELF A RAISE CITY COUNCIL THAT WOULD HELP 790 RESIDENTS RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S MONEY OUT THERE, YOU NEED TO FIND IT.

SEND EVERYONE A CHECK AND THEY CAN CHOOSE TO USE IT.

AND YES, WE NEED AUDITS IN THIS CITY.

AND LET'S START WITH AUSTIN ENERGY.

HI, GOOD MORNING, WILLIAM NELSON.

NEXT SPEAKER IS WILLIAM NELSON SPEAKING ON ITEM 81.

AND, UH, NO, I'M NOT RELATED IN ANY WAY TO WILLIE.

UM, I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT EIGHT, AND I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING TO ME TODAY.

I'M AN ENGINEER AND, UH, SPENT MOST OF MY CAREER IN OIL AND GAS, WHERE I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY OF LARGE OIL AND GAS PROJECTS, UH, HERE IN ABROAD, BUT ALSO FOR THEIR RELIABLE OPERATIONS.

UH, LATER I FORMED A CONSULTING COMPANY AND FOCUSED ALMOST ENTIRELY ON RISK MANAGEMENT, WHICH IS WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TODAY.

AFTER NUMEROUS SUBPAR AND DOWNRIGHT POOR OUTCOMES, WE RELUCTANTLY LEARNED THE IMPORTANCE OF AUDITS, WHICH I'M RECOMMENDING TODAY, AND RISK MANAGEMENT.

AND I SAY RELUCTANTLY BECAUSE WE ALL THOUGHT WE WERE DOING A GREAT JOB, AS I'M SURE AUSTIN ENERGY DID UNTIL WE WERE TESTED AND CAME UP SHORT.

UH, I I PROPOSED DETAILED POST APPRAISALS OR AUDITS.

UM,

[00:40:01]

WE FOUND OUT THAT EVEN IN, EVEN IN GREAT PROJECTS, GREAT OPERATIONS, THAT WE THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT.

ONCE WE DID AN AUDIT, WE ALMOST ALWAYS FOUND NEW WAYS TO DO IT BETTER, TO DO IT SAFER, NEW TECHNOLOGIES, NEW PROCESS AND PROCEDURES.

CLEARLY, AUSTIN ENERGY'S RESPONSE TO LAST WEEK'S ICE STORM WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND, UH, WE EXPECT THEM TO DO THE BETTER.

I THINK WITH AN AUDIT THAT CAN HAPPEN ONCE, WE'LL, AT SOMETHING SIMPLE CALLED ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS, UH, IT'S EASY TO SAY, WELL, WE NEED TO TRIM BACK TREES MORE.

WE NEED TO DO THIS AND THAT.

BUT THROUGH ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS, YOU REALLY DIG BELOW THE SURFACE TO UNDERSTAND THINGS THAT AREN'T ALWAYS READILY AVAILABLE.

MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, UH, LACK OF PREPARATION, POOR RESPONSE TIME, HOW DECISIONS WERE MADE AND, AND THEREFORE YOU GET THE ROOT CAUSE OF NOT ONLY WHAT WENT WRONG, BUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED GOING FORWARD.

THE SECOND THING IS GOING FORWARD TO REALLY DO A AND MAYBE THIS HAS BEEN DONE, YOU KNOW, STARTING WITH ER ERCOT GOING BACK TWO YEARS IN THE 21, UH, SNOW, BUT TO DO A COMPREHENSIVE RISK ANALYSIS OF THE ENTIRE VALUE CHAIN.

THIS THIS INCLUDES TIRE GENERATION, TIRE TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, AND, AND REALLY GETTING EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH THE EXTREME WEATHER RESPONSE IN THE SAME ROOM TO PAINSTAKINGLY GO THROUGH ALL THE RISKS TO EVERYTHING.

UH, ONE THING THAT I WAS ALWAYS, UH, MY BOSS WOULD ALWAYS ASK IS, HOW CAN I BE SURE? HOW CAN I BE SURE? AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE, THE PUBLIC AND THE CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO BE ASKING.

AUSTIN ENERGY GOING FORWARD, THANK YOU, SPEAKER, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.

THAT INEVITABLY WILL COME, IS WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER? THANK YOU.

NEXT SPEAKER IS DESHAUN REEDY SPEAKING ON ITEM 81? YES, THANK YOU.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN GO AHEAD.

UH, THANK YOU MAYOR COUNCIL.

UM, I ACTUALLY, I HAD ITEMS TO 80 AND 81.

UM, FIRSTLY, UM, UH, I OWNED, I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT 81, UM, FOR, UM, THE SIMPLEST REASON THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, TRANSPARENCY IS THE BEST FORM OF SUPPORT, UH, BEST FORM OF TRUST FOR ANY ARC FOR ITS PEOPLE WHO, WHOM IT'S SERVING.

SO I REQUEST, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHY WE ARE EVEN HAVING A CONVERSATION OF WHY, UM, THERE'S A RESISTANCE TO A SIMPLE AUDIT.

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.

SO DEFINITELY THAT.

UM, AND I OPPOSE 80 AS AGENDA ITEM 80 BECAUSE I SOMEHOW FEEL THAT IT'S, IT'S, IT'S MORE LIKE A DETENTION TO A KID WHO HAS MISBEHAVED AND NOT A TRUE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.

UH, WE NEED TO THINK DEEPER, UH, AND, UH, PROBABLY JUST DEMOTIVATING THE POLICE FORCE BY JUST MAKING THEM GO TO, UH, ONE YEAR CONTRACT IS NOT GONNA PRO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

RATHER, I WOULD MAYBE HAVE MORE CLAUSES OR MORE CONDITIONS, INCLUDING THEIR FOUR YEAR CONTRACT, MIGHT HAVE THEM, UH, ON THE EDGE AND WORKING MORE, UH, YOU KNOW, CAUTIOUSLY.

BUT YEAH, JUST REDUCING THE CONTRACT, I FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT, NOT, NOT A, BECAUSE WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A PLAN B ON WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT.

SO, YEAH, THAT, THOSE ARE MY 2 CENTS.

THANK YOU FOR THE TIME AND OPPORTUNITY MAYOR PROTO.

THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE REMOTE SPEAKERS FOR NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.

SOLUTIONS AND RESOURCES TO THE PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T HAVE 'EM THE MOST.

THERE WERE A FEW THAT I CALLED THAT WEREN'T HERE WHEN I CALLED THEM, SO I'M GONNA START WITH THEM.

UM, CHASE WRIGHT, UH, REGISTERED TO SPEAK ON ITEM 40, FOLLOWED BY JACOB HENSON AND TOBY NUNLEY, IF YOU CAN MAKE YOUR WAY UP.

GOOD MORNING, COUNSEL.

UH, MY NAME IS CHASE WRIGHT.

I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR HUNGARY HILL FOUNDATION, UH, WHERE WE HAVE A HOLISTIC WORKFORCE PROGRAM WHO SERVE OUR UNHOUSED RESIDENTS.

I'M ACTUALLY HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE LOGISTIC FAILURE, UH, THAT WE EXPERIENCED LAST WEEK.

UH, DURING OUR CRISIS, UH, WE HAD ALL THE KEY PLAYERS AT THE TABLE, UH, AND YET WE STILL FAIL TO MAKE ACCURATE DECISIONS, UH, WHICH FAILED IN RESULTS OF LOSS OF LIFE.

UH, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNHOUSED, I WOULD LIKE TO START THINKING ABOUT THEM AS BEING LIVED AND EXPERIENCED HUMAN BEINGS AND NOT OBJECTS.

UH, I WITNESSED INDIVIDUALS BEING PUT OUTTA SHELTERS, UH, AND IT WAS STILL 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE, AND WE HAD TO MAKE SO MANY PHONE CALLS JUST TO GET THEM BACK IN THE BUILDING.

UH, THEY WERE OUTSIDE WAITING ON NO ONE.

WHY? BECAUSE CAPTAIN METRO ALSO FELT THEM, UH, IN TRANSPORTATIONS BECAUSE WE WERE UNAWARE THAT THERE WOULD BE ICE ON THE ROADS.

UH, I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT WE WAS PREPARING FOR.

UH, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, DAN MAYS, UH, EAST AUSTINSON RESIDENT LOST HIS LIFE BECAUSE OF THESE FAILURES.

NOW, I DON'T WANNA SPEAK ABOUT, UH, DIVISION.

I WANNA TALK ABOUT UNITY AND SOLUTIONS.

I WANNA TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN HAVE THE CORRECT PEOPLE ALL IN THE SAME ROOM AT THE SAME TIME TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS SO THAT WE DON'T RESULT IN A LOSS OF LIFE.

UM, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL.

UH, WE DID SEE DISTRICT ONE, DISTRICT THREE, DISTRICT SIX, ALL THESE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS OUT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THESE CRISIS, TRYING TO PRO PROVIDE

[00:45:01]

UH, AND AS A COMMUNITY, WE APPRECIATE YOU GUYS, UH, ESPECIALLY DISTRICT ONE AND THEIR STAFF.

THEY REACHED OUT DAY IN DAY TO SEE, UH, WHAT WE COULD USE OUT IN HUNGARY HILL TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS.

UM, WE PREPARED THE CITY OF AUSTIN, PUT MONEY AND FUNDING BEHIND A CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM THAT WORKS.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE THE LIVED EXPERIENCE IN THE INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVE THESE FUNDS FOR US TO MAKE ACCURATE DECISIONS AND HAVE LOGISTICS SUCCESS WHEN SOMEONE IN LIFE IS ON THE LINE.

SO, MOVING FORWARD, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK, I KNOW WE GOT A LOT OF AHEAD OF US THIS YEAR, COUNCIL, UH, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT WE ALL BE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

I LIKE TO ASK THAT WE THINK ABOUT THESE INDIVIDUALS AS HUMANS.

I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT WE MAKE DECISIONS KNOWING, UH, THAT HUMAN LIFE IS AT RISK.

UH, WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THANK YOU JACOB PENSON, FOLLOWED BY TOBY NUNLEY AND AJA GOIN.

GOOD MORNING COUNSEL.

I'M JACOB PENSON.

I'M ONE OF THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE INCLEMENT WEATHER WORK GROUP, A PART OF THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.

I'M SPEAKING BEFORE YOU TODAY BECAUSE DURING WINTER STORM MARA, WE EXPERIENCED A SERIES OF FAILURES ON THE PART OF THE CITY AND JUST EVERYONE WE HAVE, WE DON'T HAVE A PROPER INCLEMENT WEATHER STRATEGY.

AND AS A PERSON LIVED EXPERTISE, THIS IPA, THIS IMPACTS ME AND MOST OF MY UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS GREATLY.

WITHOUT AN ACTUAL STRATEGY TO RESPOND FOR, TO OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, I JUST, I, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE DON'T HAVE A STRATEGY.

WE'RE HERE TO HELP.

WE'RE HERE TO ADVISE.

PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP.

NEXT SPEAKER IS TOBY NUNLEY, FOLLOWED BY AJA GUIN, FOLLOWED BY FRAN TATTOO.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT.

I'M NOT SEEING ANYONE.

NEXT SPEAKERS, ALLIE ROBERTS, FOLLOWED BY J PAULO CONNOLLY, FOLLOWED BY RACHEL SCHULER.

GOOD, GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS ALLIE, AND I WORK AT A HOTLINE THAT SERVES PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THIS, THIS SERVICE PUBLICLY LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, AND TODAY IT'S THE SECOND HIGHEST VOLUME SE PROVIDER OF HOMELESS SERVICES IN TRAVIS COUNTY.

AS WE KNOW, COLD WEATHER SHELTER IS AVAILABLE TO ADULTS AND THEIR PETS.

I'M HERE TODAY TO INFORM YOU THAT FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN ARE CATEGORICALLY EXCLUDED AND DENIED ACCESS TO THIS LIFESAVING RESOURCE EVERY NIGHT, INCLUDING DURING WINTER WEATHER, KIDS SLEEP IN CARS OR OTHER PLACES, NOT MEANT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.

AND DURING EVERY ACTIVATION, THERE ARE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WHO DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A HOTEL OR A PLACE TO CRASH FOR THE NIGHT.

THIS IS A FACT THAT SOME FIND HARD TO BELIEVE AND PERHAPS DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE BECAUSE IT IS SAD, BUT IT IS TRUE.

AND MY TEAM HAS STORIES AND EXTENSIVE DATA TO SUPPORT THE CLAIM I'M MAKING TO YOU.

NOW, HERE ARE SOME NUMBERS.

AS OF YESTERDAY, MY TEAM HAS PROVIDED A HOUSING INTERVENTION OR COORDINATED HOUSING ASSESSMENT TO 319 FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS.

MOST OF THEM SINGLE MOMS, THIS EQUALS 978 INDIVIDUAL HUMAN BEINGS, 559 OF THEM CHILDREN.

THESE NUMBERS, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT THEY COME FROM ONE SMALL PROGRAM WITH THESE NUMBERS SHOULD BE ALARMING, ESPECIALLY BE CONSIDERING THAT THEY COME FROM ONE SMALL PROGRAM WITHIN ONE SMALL, BUT GROWING AGENCY.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT ALL OR EVEN MOST HOMELESS FAMILIES WOULD NEED OR WANT COLD WEATHER SHELTER DURING ACTIVATIONS, BUT I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT MANY DO BECAUSE THEY CALL THE HOTLINE AND THEY TELL US.

SO NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO FIGHT TO SURVIVE IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS.

THAT IS WHY WE HAVE INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER.

THERE SHOULD BE A CLEAR PROCESS FOR FAMILIES THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS AND BARRIERS.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW.

THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TIM? YES, IF I MAY, I JUST, I WANNA THANK ALLIE FOR WORKING WITH ME ON THE EXTREME WEATHER, UM, RESOLUTION.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT SHE FOLLOW UP WITH ME ABOUT WHAT SHE TALKED ABOUT.

I KNOW I CONNECTED HER WITH THE HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE, AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE GOING.

SAYING THE MANAGER'S PRESS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING AND HIS ACTIONS OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS SHOW HOW CLEARLY MISALIGNED HIS PRIORITIES ARE AT A TIME WHEN, YOU KNOW, SO MANY ASPECTS OF OUR CITY SEEM CLEARLY BROKEN OR DYSFUNCTIONAL.

NEXT SPEAKERS, J PAUL CONNOLLY, SPEAKING ON ITEM 40, FOLLOWED BY SASHA ROSE AND TOM FRIEDLEY.

PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP.

GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL, UM, FIRST TIME THIS YEAR.

UM, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ITEMS, BUT I WILL START BY

[00:50:01]

YOU KNOW, THE MANAGER HAS PLENTY OF TIME TO UNDERMINE POLICE OVERSIGHT AND UNDERMINE THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND UNDERMINE THE RIGHTS OF AUSTIN'S VOTERS.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ONE OF THE ASPECTS IN WHICH OUR CITY'S RESPONSE CONTINUES TO BE DYSFUNCTIONAL, AND THAT IS OUR RESPONSE TO COLD WEATHER.

UM, I'M IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 40, ALTHOUGH ITEM 40 REALLY ONLY GETS THE BALL MOVING.

UM, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL FOR AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE WROTE A LETTER TO THIS, UM, UH, CITY COUNCIL LAST YEAR IN JULY.

UM, AND IN IT WE OUTLINED SOME CLEAR PRIORITIES AROUND THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING NEEDED FOR COLD WEATHER SHELTER RESPONSE.

THAT FUNDING HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY SUPPLIED.

WE OUTLINED WHAT THAT COLD WEATHER SHELTER RESPONSE NEEDS TO LOOK LIKE, AND WE HAVE STILL NOT GOTTEN THERE.

WE'VE TAKEN SOME MEANINGFUL STEPS, BUT WE HAVEN'T GONE FAR ENOUGH.

SO I, IN STRONG SUPPORT OF ITEM 40, UM, AND, UH, IN CONDUCTING A PROCESS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO ACTUALLY HAVE A SUCCESSFUL COLD WEATHER SHELTER RESPONSE, UM, FOR OUR IN-HOUSE NEIGHBORS, IT'S CRUCIAL THAT THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, UM, THAT THE COAL WEATHER SHELTER WORK GROUP THAT YOU HEARD FROM BE INVOLVED IN HELPING TO DESIGN AND LEAD THIS PROCESS ALONG WITH EMS, CITY STAFF AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS FROM OTHER AREAS.

UM, I I WANNA POINT OUT THAT, UM, OUR, OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS WERE LEFT IN EXTREMELY PRECARIOUS SITUATION, AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED WITH BETTER PLANNING.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED WITH BETTER, UM, INVESTMENT, BETTER BUDGET ALLOCATIONS, AND WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

SO, YOU KNOW, I WON'T GET INTO THE DETAILS OF SOME OF THE HORROR STORIES THAT I'VE HEARD, UM, BUT, YOU KNOW, I, I CARRY THOSE WITH ME AND I CARRY THOSE WITH ME, EVEN AS I SEE THAT OUR MANAGER'S PRIORITIES RIGHT NOW ARE TOWARDS UNDERMINING THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND NOT INVESTING IN, IN IMPROVING OUR SHELTER SYSTEM.

SASHA ROSE, SPEAKING ON ITEM 40, FOLLOWED BY TOM FRIEDLEY AND MONICA GUZMAN.

MY NAME IS SASHA ROSE.

SHE HER PRONOUNS.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN MUTUAL AID.

AS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, DURING SNOW COP APOCALYPSE, WE AND, UH, MANY ORGANIZATIONS COLLABORATED TOGETHER TO TAKE PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND PUT THEM INTO HOTEL ROOMS, 450 PEOPLE TO BE EXACT.

AND WE ARE NOT ABLE TO CONTINUE DOING THAT.

THE SHELTER SYSTEM RIGHT NOW IS INADEQUATE.

IT'S INACCESSIBLE TO SO MANY PEOPLE.

AND WHAT I SEE MOSTLY HERE IS THAT THERE'S A DISCONNECT FROM THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE SITTING BEHIND THE DESK MAKING DECISIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCING THE IMPACT OF THOSE DECISIONS.

THE SHELTER SYSTEMS ARE INACCESSIBLE AND THEY DO NOT CONSIDER FAMILIES.

I I, I READ RECENTLY THAT SOMEONE DENIED THAT, THAT FAMILIES WERE BEING TURNED AWAY FROM FAMILY FROM THE SHELTERS.

THAT'S, THAT'S NOT TRUE.

UM, I KNOW DIRECTLY THAT THEY WERE BEING TURNED AWAY FROM THE SHELTERS, THAT THEY SHOWED UP AT SHELTERS, THAT THEY WERE TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO GO TO THE ONE, ONE, UH, ONE INTAKE CENTER, AND THAT THEY WERE THEN TOLD, THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PLAN WAS FOR THEM.

SO FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE COMING INTO WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

THERE ARE CHILDREN WHO ARE FAMILIES WHO ARE LIVING ON THE STREETS WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

I REALLY WANT TO ENCOURAGE CITY COUNCIL.

I'VE WORKED WITH, UH, SOME OF THE, YOU ALREADY IN GETTING OUT THERE.

YOUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY IS PART OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

AND I HAVEN'T SEEN Y'ALL OUT THERE, I HAVEN'T SEEN MANY OF YOU AS BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

SO JOIN US, JOIN THE OUTREACH PROVIDERS AND, UH, AS WELL AS JOIN THE, I'M ALSO THE CO-CHAIR FOR ECHO.

UH, WE HAVE AN INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER GROUP AND WE ARE DOING THIS WORK.

PEOPLE THERE GET, UH, CONSULTANT FEES WHO ARE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCING THE OUTCOME OF THESE DECISIONS.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME TO THESE MEETINGS.

THEY'RE OPEN.

THAT WAY YOU CAN MAKE A DECISION BASED ON WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

AND SPENCER CRONK, I HEARD YOU SAY MY, THE MY ORGANIZATION YESTERDAY.

YOU NAMED OUR ORGANIZATION THAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING WITH US.

I HAVE YET TO SEE YOU AT ANY MEETINGS.

I'VE NEVER RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM YOU.

UM, I, I, YEAH, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S, IF THIS IS REALLY WHAT YOU WANNA DO, I WOULD SAY THAT YOU ARE FALLING SHORT OF SHOWING UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

AUSTIN MUTUALLY CANNOT CONTINUE TO FILL IN YOUR SH FILL IN THE WAKE OF WHAT THESE, THIS CITY IS CONTINUING TO FAIL ON.

WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.

WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE FOLKS WHO ACTUALLY HAVE THE EXPERIENCE.

NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US IS SOMETHING I CONTINUALLY HEAR.

AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT ALSO NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

TOM FRIEDLEY, UH, SPEAKING ON ITEM 40 CALLED BY MA'AM TWO MINUTE TIMER.

MONICA GUZMAN AND THEN JESSICA COHEN.

I'VE SENT ALL OF YOU THE THE MASS EMAIL.

I'M TOM FRIEDLEY, RADIO ZEITGEIST.

YOU'RE STOPPED FOR THE ART OF CRITICAL THOUGHT IN AN AGE OF TWO MIN INFORMATION ON SPOTIFY.

UM, I'VE SENT THANK, FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WINNING YOUR CHAIR.

ALL RIGHT? I WANT TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND, BUT IT COULD BE YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE, RIGHT? I'M A MEDIA GUY.

UH, WITHIN A YEAR, YOU WON'T, YOU WON'T REMEMBER NAMES LIKE JOE ROGAN OR ALEX JONES.

UM,

[00:55:02]

BUT GO, GO ON YOUTUBE IF IT'S, IF YOU DON'T FIND IT, IT'S NOT A HYPERLINK.

IT'S CALLED DR.

DON BECK.

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE.

THE PARADIGM IS CALLED SPIRAL DYNAMICS.

DON GOT TO BE A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE IN RADIO THAT HE'S DONE WITH ME.

I'VE REACHED OUT TO HIS DAUGHTER, CHERIE, THAT KEEPS DADDY'S WORK ALIVE.

HE BROUGHT TOGETHER SOUTH AFRICA WITH A BIO PSYCHOSOCIAL SYSTEM THEORY THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT.

CLAIRE GRAVES WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF ABRAHAM MASLOW, A NAME YOU MIGHT REMEMBER.

THEY EVIDENTLY HAD ARGUED FOR YEARS.

DON TAUGHT ME ON WHO HAD THE BETTER MODEL.

YOU KNOW HOW MEN ARE? NO, I'M SMARTER THAN YOU.

RIGHT? BUT CLAIRE WAS A SINGULAR GENIUS.

AND, UM, WE ARE ALL LITERALLY PERFECT INTERVIEW.

UH, THE QUICK AND DIRTY IS WITH 50 SECONDS LEFT.

WE LEARNED TO MASTER A CERTAIN LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY AS HUMANS, BUT HUMAN NATURE, YOU GUYS, IS EMERGENT.

THE NEXT EMERGENT LEVEL SOLVES THE PROBLEMS THE PRIOR LEVELS HAVE CREATED.

IT'S THE SCIENCE OF MIMETICS.

WE CAN FIX STUFF HERE.

I'M TOM FRIEDLEY, THE COMPANY IS DHARMA DOG PRODUCTIONS, LLC, PENDING MULTIMEDIA ADVOCACY.

AND, UH, LET'S FIX AUSTIN.

I LOVE THIS TOWN.

IT'S A BIG PART OF MY IMPENDING SUCCESS, AND I WANNA LOVE YOU GUYS BACK BY, UM, FIXING STUFF AND DOING, UH, DON BECK AND HIS, UH, FAMILY, UH, LEGACY HONOR.

ARE ALL RESIDENTIAL CASES? WHY DON'T WE EVER SEE ANYTHING FROM THE EAST SIDE? AND I WAS TOLD IT'S PROBABLY THE COST.

OH, WHAT, UH, RADIOS TO PROTON MAIL.COM.

NEXT SPEAKER IS MONICA GUZMAN, SPEAKING ON ITEMS 40 74, 75 AND 80, FOLLOWED BY JESSICA COHEN AND CHIVAS WATSON.

GOOD MORNING, MARION COUNSEL.

I'M MONICA GUZMAN, POLICY DIRECTOR AT GO, AUSTIN VAO.

AUSTIN GAVA SUPPORTS AND URGES COUNSEL TO PASS ITEM 40 REGARDING THE OPERATION OF CITY SHELTERS DURING EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, INCLUDING WINTER STORM U, AND THE RECENT ICE STORM.

WHILE WE RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR SHELTERS ACROSS THE CITY, THERE'RE NEEDED NOT JUST FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, BUT ALSO FOR THOSE WHO MUST LEAVE THEIR HOMES IN SEARCH OF EXTENDED SHELTERING WITH ACCESS TO CRITICAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING MULTILINGUAL COMMUNICATION, ONLINE AND OFF ELECTRICITY, CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE FOOD AND WATER, AND A PLACE TO SLEEP.

WE HOPE THIS MOVES US CLOSER TO OPERATIONALIZING RESILIENCE HUBS AS ORIGINALLY INTENDED AND PROMISED TO THE COMMUNITY.

GAVA POSES ITEM 74 AND 75 REGARDING THE IMPOSTER AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT, WHICH LACKED TRANSPARENCY WHEN PETITIONED FOR SIGNATURES AND LACKS THE TEETH NEEDED FOR CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT.

AND ENFORCEABILITY GAVA SUPPORTS ITEM 80.

WE ENDORSE THE ORIGINAL A P O A PUT FORTH BY THE EQUITY PACK COALITION.

WE ENDORSE THE RIGHT OF VOTERS TO SEE THIS BALLOT MEASURING ENACTED IN 2023 IF IT PASSES.

A SHORT-TERM CONTRACT HAS BEEN A LONG-STANDING REQUEST TO STOP NEGOTIATING A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT THAT WILL PREEMPT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS AND DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO BRING A ONE YEAR DEAL.

INSTEAD, A SHORT-TERM CONTRACT RESPECTS THE RIGHTS OF THE VOTERS.

ITEM 80 WILL ALLOW VOTERS TO VOTE ON AN OVERSIGHT SYSTEM THEY SUPPORT AND THEN ALLOW THE CITY TO IMPLEMENT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS IN A FUTURE LONG-TERM CONTRACT.

BECAUSE THE CITY MANAGER SEEMS INTENT ON BRINGING A FOUR YEAR DEAL THAT WILL PREEMPT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS, WE DO NOT SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER'S AMENDMENT, WHICH MIGHT INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATE THAT PROCESS.

GAVA LIKE DOVE SPRINGS, PROUD BOER GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP UNDOING WHITE SUPREMACY.

AUSTIN AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS BELIEVE THAT POLICE MISCONDUCT AND BRUTALITY IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, THAT STRONGER CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY ARE IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE ROBUST AND STABLE.

ANOTHER LONG-TERM CONTRACT BEFORE THE VOTE LEAVES THE CITY'S OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.

AT THE MERCY OF THE AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION, OUR CIVIL RIGHTS SHOULDN'T BE NEGOTIABLE.

AND IN THE FEW SECONDS I HAVE LEFT, I SPEAK AS A D FOUR RESIDENT.

THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER VELA FOR TAKING THE LEAD ON ITEM 80, THE OTHER SUPPORTING COUNCIL MEMBERS AS WELL.

AND TO QUOTE MAYOR WATSON, THANK YOU, SPEAKER, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.

COUNSEL IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE SUPPORT THE PEOPLE PROTECT OUR RIGHT TO VOTE.

THANK YOU, JESSICA COHEN SPEAKING ON ITEM 41, FOLLOWED BY CHIVAS WATSON AND BEN SABBE.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS JESSICA COHEN.

I AM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

I'M TALKING TO YOU TODAY ABOUT ITEM 41, THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APPLICANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

WE OFTEN TALK, UH, AS A CITY ABOUT THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND FOR MAKING SURE THAT HOUSING, UH, THAT IS ALREADY AFFORDABLE, CONTINUES TO REMAIN AFFORDABLE.

I'M KIND OF PROUD TODAY TO SAY THAT I THINK WE'RE ADDING ANOTHER TOOL TO THE TOOLBOX.

IN 2018, I WAS APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

AFTER THAT FIRST YEAR, I NOTICED THAT THE ONLY CASES WE WERE HEARING WERE LA ZONING, UH, DOCK CASES AND COMMERCIAL.

AND I ASKED, YOU KNOW, WHAT, WHERE

[01:00:01]

AND THAT GOT MANY OF THE BOARD MEMBERS ASKING, HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO BEFORE THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT? IT TURNS OUT IT'S A THOUSAND DOLLARS ALMOST GIVE OR TAKE.

AND GOD FORBID YOU MAKE A MISTAKE AND SCREW UP YOUR POSTING LANGUAGE AND HAVE TO UNNOTICED.

AND THAT'S ANOTHER 500.

AND THAT'S NOT A REAL REACHABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN AUSTIN.

THIS APPLICANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WILL FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES OF THE AUSTIN ENERGY CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

FOR HOMESTEADERS WHO HAVE LIVED AT THEIR PROPERTY FOR MORE THAN YEAR AND NEED A CERTAIN INCOME REQUIREMENT, IT WILL MAKE THEM AVE OR WILL MAKE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO COVER THE FEES NECESSARY TO CO FOR THE COST OF SERVICE FOR THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

UM, I WANNA SAY THANKS REAL QUICK TO YASMIN SMITH, WHO WAS ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS IN THE WORKING GROUP WHEN WE FIRST STARTED WORKING ON THIS RESOLUTION.

UH, JUST A REALLY STRONG ADVOCATE, LOUD VOICE REMINDING EVERYONE THAT THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND CITY HALL IS NOT JUST FOR THE WEALTHY.

AND I THINK THIS PROGRAM IS GOING TO CHANGE THAT.

SO THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE MEETING.

MAY NEXT SPEAKER IS, MAY I PUT HIM? YES, GO AHEAD.

I, I JUST WANTED TO SAY A THANK YOU TO, UH, JESSICA FOR BRINGING THE ITEM, UH, TO OUR ATTENTION FOR PUSHING, UH, FOR IT TO, UH, MY, UH, MY, MY COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING IT AND FOR BRINGING IT.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT OUR, UH, OUR SYSTEM IS SO COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE TO NAVIGATE, BUT I DO THINK THAT IT'S AN IMPORTANT STEP IN, IN ALLOWING PEOPLE TO DO JUST THAT REGULAR PEOPLE.

NEXT SPEAKERS, CHIVAS WATSON, FOLLOWED BY BEN SU DEBE AND THEN FRAN TA, WHICH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE OF CITY OFFICIAL IS ENSURING THAT CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES ARE NOT BEING VIOLATED.

WHO IS UPHOLDING THE OATH OF OFFICE? I'M SHEVA WATSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DIRECT SERVICE AGENCY WORKING GROUP FIVE 12.

LAST WEEK I WORKED 147 HOURS TO ENSURE THAT LIVES WERE SAVED.

SPENCER, DID YOU DO THE SAME IN YOUR 40? HOW ABOUT YOU, NATASHA? YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES WERE AS INEFFECTIVE AS YOUR TENURE HERE ON THE DIAS.

I COMPLETELY DISAGREE THAT ALL OF THE KEY PLAYERS WERE INVOLVED IN THE CWS ACTIVATION, UH, TABLE.

I AND SOME OTHERS WERE NOWHERE TO BE INVOLVED.

WE COULDN'T BE EVERYWHERE, YET WE STILL FIND FOUND NINE PEOPLE DEAD.

I WONDERED AS WE TOOK ACTION TO GET BODIES MOVED, DID ANYBODY HERE CONSIDER THAT THE AUSTIN AREA URBAN LEAGUE, BUT THE URBAN LEAGUE ANYWHERE? NEVER.

NEVER.

I'VE BEEN BLACK ALL MY LIFE.

NOTHING.

NEVER HAS RESPONDED TO RELIEF OR INCLEMENT WEATHER.

DISTRICT ONE WITH SO FULL OF FOLKS WHO JUST DON'T TRUST IN ANYTHING THAT Y'ALL DO THAT THIS WEEK.

THEY'RE NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT IT.

I'VE SPOKEN OF THE SLAVE PATROL THAT AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS FOR A DECADE HERE.

SO HOW ABOUT THIS? DO OFFICERS TAKE AN OATH TO PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES? THEY SURE DO, BUT EACH OF YOU DO AS WELL.

ALL PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO WILL BE THE PUBLIC SERVANT.

WE NEED.

AFTER A DECADE OF APPEALING TO THIS PROCESS, I'M ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTED IN SEEING THE CORRUPTION, FRAUD, AND ABUSE INVOLVING CITY RESOURCES AND FUNDING.

WE ALREADY ABSOLUTELY READY TO FILE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWSUITS ON EACH OF YOU.

EACH OF YOU, ESPECIALLY YOU, SPENCER, EITHER CHANGE YOUR WAYS AND UPHOLD THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS IN AUSTIN, OR EXPERIENCE A CITIZEN'S ARREST AND GO TO TRAVIS COUNTY JAIL.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED AND THAT IS NOT A THREAT.

I HAVE WAITED FOR YOU FOR YEARS TO BE ON THE SIDE OF THE PEOPLE.

I WILL NOT PLAY GAMES ANYMORE.

WE WILL TRACK THE ABUSE, THE CORRUPTION, AND THE FRAUD WE DESERVE FOR THIS DIAS TO BE EFFECTIVE, NOT POLITICALLY CHARGED.

NINE BODIES LAST WEEK.

SPENCER NINE.

NINE BODIES, KIRK NINE.

NINE BODIES NATASHA TWO, WERE IN YOUR DISTRICT.

NEXT SPEAKER.

I DON'T NEED THANKS.

I DON'T NEED ANY SALUTATIONS.

HEAR ARE MY WORDS.

READ THE RE.

NEXT CONSTITUTIONAL NEXT SPEAKER IS BEN SU DUBBY, FOLLOWED BY FRAN TATU, FOLLOWED BY AJAK MAYOR.

MAYOR PROTE, COUNCIL MEMBERS, GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS BEN SUBBY, AND I'M THE PRESIDENT OF AFSCME 1624.

I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 79 AS YOU'RE VOTING TO EXTEND THE DECLARATION OF, UH, THE LOCAL STATE OF DISASTER,

[01:05:01]

WHICH RIGHTFULLY, UH, MENTIONS IMMINENT THREAT TO INJURY AND LOSS OF LIFE.

I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE WORKERS AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN, THE PEOPLE WHO WERE OUT THERE ON THE GROUND ASSISTING, DOING WHAT THEY NEEDED TO DO TO HELP OUR CITY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME PRIOR TO THE STORM PREPARATION ALL THROUGHOUT.

AND NOW, AS THE CLEANUP CONTINUES, THE WORKERS CONTINUE TO HELP OUR CITY RETURN TO A SENSE OF NORMALCY.

PUBLIC SERVICE IS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE, AND JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK ALL THOSE WORKERS HERE AT THE CITY OF BOSTON.

THANK YOU TO THE WORKERS, FRAN TATTOOS SPEAKING ON ITEM 40, FOLLOWED BY AJA GUTEN, FOLLOWED BY CHRISTINA RE.

YEAH, GOOD MORNING, FRAN TATU, DISTRICT FIVE, UH, COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION THIS MORNING.

COUNSEL.

UH, AS SOMEONE WHO WAS BOOTS ON THE GROUND LAST WEEK, I CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT AUSTIN IS ILL-EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH, UM, MAJOR DISASTER.

I'VE BEEN, I'VE LIVED THROUGH THREE DISASTERS IN MY LIFE.

UM, I HAVE, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE HERO LINEMAN, ALL THE WORKERS AND ALL THE AMAZING VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED KEEP THIS AFLOAT LAST WEEK.

UM, I HAVE SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS.

UH, WE WERE OUT SCOUTING TUESDAY NIGHT, UH, AFTER THE BUSES SHUT DOWN.

UH, THE ROADS WERE PASSABLE AND WE WERE COMING UPON PEOPLE WHO HAD NO PHONES SHIVERING, WHO I DIDN'T THINK WE COULD TAKE TO OUR LITTLE POP-UP SHELTER.

I DIDN'T THINK I HAD THE RESOURCES.

SO THREE 11 WORKED, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST MORE STAFFING FOR THREE 11 TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET THROUGH, AND THEN IT WAS AN HOUR BEFORE THEY CALLED BACK TO CONFIRM THEY WERE PICKING UP THIS GENTLEMAN.

UH, OF COURSE, MORE STAFFING FOR YOUR SHELTERS AND WHY NOT HAVE POP-UP SHELTERS ALL THROUGH TOWN, MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, UH, NOT JUST FOR OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY, UH, WHO I REGULARLY DO STREET OUTREACH OUTREACH WITH, BUT FOR FAMILIES, UH, IN, IN TO POINT THE, THE FOUR MOTHERS WHO WERE TURNED AWAY FROM SHELTERS, WHICH I UNDERSTAND WAS A MISTAKE, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE A CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR FAMILY SHELTERS.

I HOUSE COUPLES WHO DID NOT WANT TO BE SEPARATED, BUT WHO OTHERWISE WOULD'VE SUFFERED HYPOTHERMIA.

UH, MANY OF THE FOLKS THAT WE HOUSE AT OUR POP-UP SHELTERS SAY THE DIFFERENCE FOR THEM COMING TO STAY WITH US IS THE PERSONAL TOUCH.

AND NOT HAVING TO PACK UP AND LEAVE IN THE MORNING AND COME BACK.

WHY NOT CREATE A COMMUNITY? WHY NOT USE THAT TIME TO DO SOME COORDINATED ASSESSMENT? UH, GET TO KNOW PEOPLE, LISTEN TO THEIR STORIES.

YOU'LL, YOU'LL, YOU'LL, YOU'LL, YOUR HEARTS WILL OPEN.

I, I PROMISE YOU.

LASTLY, FOR A MAJOR DISASTER, UH, HOPEFULLY THE CONJUNCTION CENTER HAS GENERATORS.

I THINK THAT THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED TO FOR A PLACE OF SHELTER THAT COULD BE DIVIDED AND BROKEN UP INTO DIFFERENT AREAS.

BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH, UH, FOR YOUR TIME AND GIVING A SHOUT OUT TO, UM, ITEM 80 AS WELL.

NEXT SPEAKER IS AJA GUTEN, FOLLOWED BY CHRISTINA RE AND CLINTON RE.

IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP TO THE FRONT.

AND, AND EVEN FATAL, UH, TO PEOPLE, AS WE ALL KNOW RIGHT NOW, BASED ON THE CODE OR THE RESPONSE.

HI, MY NAME IS AJA .

UM, I AM A HOTLINE ASSESSOR FOR THE SUNRISE NAVIGATION CENTER.

AND IN MY EXPERIENCE IN THE LAST SIX TO SEVEN MONTHS, WE'VE GROWN SO MUCH IN OUR TEAM, IN OUR ORGANIZATION IN ADDRESSING THE HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.

UM, IN MY TIME OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND SOCIAL WORK, UM, THERE'S BEEN A FEW TIMES WHEN IN THE BEGINNING WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE VERY EMOTIONAL.

UM, IT'S VERY HARD WORK TO DO AS A SERVANT.

BUT IN MY TIME ON THE HOTLINE, I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A LACK OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN GENERAL, AND ESPECIALLY IN RESPONSE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.

I HAD A CALL THE OTHER DAY WITH SOMEONE.

IT WAS A COUPLE.

UM, THEY WERE BOTH BELOW THE AGE OF 30 AND THEY HAD A ONE MONTH OLD CHILD, AND THEY WERE SLEEPING IN THEIR CAR.

UM, IT WAS DURING FREEZING WEATHER.

THIS BABY HAD NO RESOURCES.

UH, THEY HAD NOTHING AVAILABLE TO THEM.

UH, HE'D RECENTLY LOST HIS JOB, JUST A SPLIT OF A SECOND OF TWO WEEKS DIFFERENCE, AND THEM BEING EVICTED FROM THEIR PLACE AND HAVING NOWHERE ELSE TO GO DURING THIS INCLEMENT WEATHER.

IT IS MY DUTY AS A SERVANT TO EACH INDIVIDUAL FAMILY AND COMMUNITY TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE LACK OF RESOURCES, UH, DURING THOSE TIMES AND JUST IN GENERAL, WE HAVE SEEN IMPROVEMENTS.

THE RESOLUTIONS ARE THERE, BUT THEY DON'T HIT NEARLY ENOUGH PLACES, AND THERE'S NOT NEARLY ENOUGH ACTION FROM THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE MOST POWER, UM, TO INFLUENCE THIS SYSTEM.

EACH OF THESE ISSUES CAN BE ADDRESSED IN DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT YOU HAVE TO PULL FROM PEOPLE, FROM YOUR, THE COMMUNITY, THE HOMELESS RESPONSE TEAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS, PROGRAMS. THEY HAVE KNOWLEDGE THAT IS WAY MORE IN DEPTH AND WAY GREATER THAN MANY, UH, PEOPLE WHO HERE WOULD EVER UNDERSTAND.

UM, EVERY DAY WE ENCOUNTER THESE ISSUES, EVERY DAY WE ENCOUNTER THESE PROBLEMS, UM, AND HAVING THIS KNOWLEDGE AND HAVING IT IT FALL ON DEAF EARS WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL

[01:10:01]

UM, I DON'T HAVE MUCH ELSE TO SAY OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT IF YOU DON'T TUG ON EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WHO IS GIVING YOU THIS INFORMATION, IT WOULD ABSOLUTELY PROVE TO BE, UM, A DOWNFALL FOR THIS COUNCIL AND FOR THE CITY.

NEXT SPEAKER IS CHRISTINA RE FOLLOWED BY CLINTON RE, FOLLOWED BY KATHY MITCHELL.

PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP.

DO I JUST START TALKING? I'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE.

YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

HI, MY NAME'S CHRISTINA RE UM, I'M NOT SURE IF EVERYONE KNOWS THIS, BUT WE'RE AT THE SAME STAFFING LEVELS IN AUSTIN THAT WE WERE AT 1997 WITH A SIZE TOWN THAT'S EXPANDED SEVERAL TIMES LARGER.

UM, WE'RE LOSING 150 OFFICERS A YEAR, AND WE'RE ONLY REPLACING THEM WITH 150.

AND THAT'S, IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT, WE REALLY NEED TO STOP THE BLEED.

UM, IF SPENCER CROC'S RELATIONSHIP WITH APA IS A PROBLEM, THEN WOULDN'T IT BE A PROBLEM IF, UH, SOMEONE WITH OPPOSING VIEWS HAD RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE ON THE COUNCIL? WHEN I DROVE UP HERE, I SAW, UH, CHEETO, VELA AND ZOE HIGH FIVING, HUGGING AND FIST BUMPING.

CHRIS HARRIS.

CHRIS HARRIS, WHO IS ASSOCIATED WITH, UH, AUSTIN JESSICA COALITION AND EQUITY ACTION.

CHRIS HARRIS, WHO HAS LOUDLY AND PROUDLY WORKED AGAINST A P D, UH, SINCE 2020.

CHRIS HARRIS, WHO HAS ALSO PUBLICLY STATED THAT HE'D LIKE NOTHING MORE TO SEE THAN A, NOTHING MORE THAN TO SEE A P D ABOLISHED PUBLICLY ON TWITTER.

UM, I'M ALSO GONNA SPEAK ON 81.

I'M FOR THIS, I'M FOR AN AUDIT.

WE SHOULD HAVE HAD AN AUDIT AFTER THE STORM.

21, LIKE THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

UH, IT SHOULD BE A THIRD PARTY AUDIT IT, BUT AT MINIMUM IT SHOULD BE IN AN IN AN HOUSE AUDIT.

EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN IN OFFICE SINCE 21 NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, EXCEPT IF YOU'VE BEEN PUSHING AN AUDIT LIKE MACKENZIE KELLY HAS.

YOU GUYS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CITY, YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR PEOPLE'S LIVES.

WE VOTE FOR YOU GUYS TO TAKE CARE OF US.

YOU'RE NOT THERE JUST FOR SHOW.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

NEXT SPEAKER IS CLINTON RE, FOLLOWED BY KATHY MITCHELL, FOLLOWED BY RENEE TEAL.

UH, GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.

UM, I KNOW A LOT OF CALLS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING UP HERE POINTING THE BLAME AT, UH, CITY MANAGER SPENCER CRONK AND HIS CONNECTIONS WITH APA.

UM, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT SHADY CONNECTIONS.

I MEAN, WE HAVE THE GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP, THE TEXAS ORGANIZATION PROJECT, AND THE UNITED WE DREAM NETWORK.

THESE THREE ORGANIZATIONS, THEY RECRUIT YOUNG INDIVIDUALS TO BE PROGRESSIVE ACTIVISTS THAT ACTIVELY PROMOTE TO DEFUND AUSTIN PD, UH, ICE AND, UM, THE, UH, SORRY, REDUCE THE PRISONS.

AND THESE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE REF, UH, WORKERS' DEFENSE PROJECT, WHICH JOSE GARZA IS IN CHARGE OF.

HE'S A EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

NOW, JOSE GARZA RECEIVED MOST OF HIS FUNDING FROM THE OPEN SOCIETY, WHICH IS RUN BY GEORGE SOROS, WHO ALSO DONATES TO THE WORKERS' DEFENSE PROJECT.

HE ALSO D UH, DONATES $500,000 TO THE EQUITY ACTION OVER $1 MILLION TO THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION, AND HE DUMPED $500,000 IN AGAINST PROPOSITION B, WHERE MAJORITY OF YOU UP HERE STOOD BEHIND THAT TO NOT INCREASE THE POLICE STAFFING.

SO WHO DO YOU WORK FOR? DO YOU WORK FOR US OR DO YOU WORK FOR GEORGE SOROS? BECAUSE HE'S THE ONE THAT'S DUMPING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THE CITY AND YOU GUYS FOLD TO EVERYTHING THAT HE WANTS? SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE REAL CORRUPTION.

STOP TAKING MONEY FROM OUTSIDE FUNDING AND LISTEN TO ACTUALLY YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS THAT YOU GUYS ARE ACTING LIKE ACTIVISTS INSTEAD OF RUNNING THE CITY SMOOTHLY AND RESPONSIBLY AND GOING ON TRIPS USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO GO TO HOLLAND ON A BIKE RIDE.

COME ON, IT'S RIDICULOUS.

KATHY MITCHELL, FOLLOWED BY RENEE TEAL.

I'M KATHY MITCHELL WITH EQUITY ACTION, AND I'M VERY PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH CHRIS HARRIS, WHO IS ON OUR BOARD.

AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT, AND I'VE, I'VE BROUGHT UP ONE OF OUR COALITION PARTNERS FOR, AND I'M GONNA SHARE MY TIME.

YASMIN SMITH, VICE PRESIDENT AUSTIN AREA URBAN LEAGUE, UM, AND WE'RE HERE TO ENDORSE THE AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT, UM, IN THE RIGHT OF THE VOTERS TO SEE THE BALLOT MEASURE ENACTED IN 2023 WHEN IT PASSES A SHORT TERM CONTRACT, RESPECTS THE WILL OF THE VOTERS WHILE PROVIDING CIVILITY.

THE AUSTIN AREA URBAN LEAGUE, LIKE THE NAACP AUSTIN, AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION AND MEASURE BELIEVE THAT MIS POLICE MISCONDUCT AND BRUTALITY IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, AND THAT STRONGER CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY ARE IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE, UH,

[01:15:01]

ROBUST AND STABLE.

ITEM 80 AS OPPO AS PROPOSED WILL ALLOW VOTERS TO VOTE ON A OVERSIGHT SYSTEM THEY SUPPORT AND THEN ALLOW THE CITY TO IMPLEMENT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS IN A FUTURE LONG-TERM CONTRACT.

IT IS YOUR JOB TO DO WHAT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS NOT TO BYPASS IT WITH A LONG-TERM CONTRACT.

I THINK THAT, UM, MANY OF THE, THE FOLKS WHO'VE SPOKEN ALREADY HAVE SPOKEN TO THE MAIN ISSUE THAT I WANTED TO POINT OUT, WHICH IS THAT THIS THING THAT WAS BROUGHT TO YOU LATE LAST NIGHT, AND YOU PROBABLY HAVEN'T EVEN REALLY SEEN YET, UH, ISN'T THE KIND OF NEGOTIATION THAT APPEARS TO THAT HAPPENS IN OTHER CONTEXTS.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT THAT YOU ALL DID FOR EMS LAST YEAR, UH, WAS A BARGAINING.

THIS AS SOMEBODY WHO SAT THROUGH THE MEETING ALL THE WAY TO THE END LAST NIGHT, LOOKED A LOT LIKE COLLUSION.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS IN HERE THAT BOTH SIDES AGREE ON THAT ARE NOT GOOD, AND WE'LL HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO DIG INTO IT MORE, BUT WE HOPE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT BECAUSE IF YOU AGREE TO MOVE TO A ONE YEAR DEAL AND YOU LAUNCH A NEGOTIATION TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, NOW WE CAN HAVE AN ELECTION.

THE WILL OF THE VOTERS CAN BE HEARD, AND THE TENT POLLS OF A REAL OVERSIGHT SYSTEM WILL BE IN PLACE FOR THE NEXT LONG TERM CONTRACT NEGOTIATION.

SO WE REALLY HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, TODAY IS THE DAY TO MAKE THAT PIVOT.

AND WHILE WE'RE HERE, ITEM 41, EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE ABLE TO GO AND FORWARD THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND ALSO ITEM 40.

WHILE WE ARE PARTNERS OF THE CITY AND THE COMMUNITY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH IN AND OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM UNTIL OUR PEOPLE GET THE EXCELLENT SERVICE THAT THEY DESERVE.

NEXT SPEAKER IS RENEE THIEL.

AND THEN MAYOR, PRETEND I'M GONNA JUMP BACK TO THE TWO, UH, REMOTE SPEAKERS.

THAT I'M WAITING.

THANK YOU, RENEE TEAL.

THEN I'M GOING TO CALL ON DEBORAH LIVER SPEAKING ON ITEM 81.

HI, UH, MY NAME IS DEBBIE DEBRA LIEBERT, AND I HAVE, MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN RESIDENT OF AUSTIN FOR 25 YEARS, 18 OF WHICH WE SPENT UP IN THE 78 7 26 ZIP CODE UNDER PETER NOLES.

UM, DURING THAT TIME, WE HAD MAYBE AN OCCASIONAL ROLLING BLACKOUT AS WE HAVE MOVED TO THE CAT MOUNTAIN VILLAS AREA, THE LA THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AT LEAST 12 OUTAGES, UM, ANYWHERE FROM A DAY TO MOST RECENTLY, FOUR DAYS OUT OF ELECTRICITY IN THE 2021 STORM FURY.

WE WERE OUT FOR, UH, SEVEN DAYS, NEARLY FREEZING TO DEATH IN OUR HOME.

SINCE WE ARE, WE'RE UNABLE TO GET OUT, UM, I AM VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF ITEM 81.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE HEARD OF CORRUPTION, MISMANAGEMENT, IRRESPONSIBILITY, UM, ACROSS THE BOARD, LOTS OF SERVICES WE EXPECT AND DEMAND BASIC SERVICE, WHICH IS ELECTRICITY.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT, WHERE THIS MONEY IS GOING, WHY WE ARE EXPERIENCING THESE OUTAGES.

UM, WHAT WE'RE PAYING IN TAXES.

THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON THERE.

THERE IS AMPLE FUNDS THERE, BUT THESE FUNDS ARE BEING MISMANAGED.

SO I REALLY HOPE THAT 81 IS CONSIDERED AND PASSED.

I NOTICED THAT AUSTIN WATER WAS RECENTLY AUDITED, AND THOSE RESULTS CAME BACK IN JANUARY, AND WE HAVE NOT HEARD THOSE RESULTS, BUT I HAD TO DO SOME DIGGING.

THEY HAD FIVE FAILURES AND THEY WERE AUDITED.

UM, THE NUMBER OF FAILURES THAT HAVE HAPPENED WITH AUSTIN ENERGY NEED TO BE AUDITED, AND WE NEED, AS, AS CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS, WE ARE OWED AND DESERVED AN EXPLANATION AND TRANSPARENCY FROM OUR CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR.

NEXT SPEAKER IS ANOVIA JOSEPH, UH, REGISTERED TO SPEAK ON ITEM 29, 31, 39 AND 43 MAYOR PRO.

TIM, THIS IS ANNO.

JOSEPH, MAY I ASK YOU A QUESTION? GO AHEAD.

CAN THE CLERK SHOW ME AS BEING FOUR ITEM 40? I'M SORRY, I DID NOT HEAR YOUR QUESTION.

I WANTED TO ASK IF YOU COULD ALLOW THE CLERK TO SHOW ME AS BEING SUPPORTIVE OF ITEM 40.

THAT'S THE WINTER, THE SHELTERS FOR THE CITY.

YES, WE CAN SHOW THAT.

[01:20:01]

WE CAN SHOW THAT.

THANK YOU, MAYOR AND MEMBERS.

I'M ZNO JOSEPH.

UM, MY COMMENTS ARE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO ITEM 29.

I WANNA THANK MYRNA RIOS FOR CLARIFYING THAT THE LAW DEPARTMENT, UH, PUT THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

I JUST WANTED TO ASK THE LAW DEPARTMENT AND COUNSEL TO CONSIDER ADDING C AS IT RELATES TO SECTION FOUR DASH 14 DASH 1 0 5 AND HAVE A RETROACTIVE DEFLECTIVE FILING AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALIGN WITH THE SUPREME COURT ORDERS THAT WERE, UH, EXECUTED THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

WHEN A TENANT WHO FACES EVICTION GOES BEFORE THE JUSTICE COURT AND HAS A DEFECTIVE FILING, WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SUPREME COURT LANGUAGE, THAT SCARLET LETTER E STAYS ON THAT PERSON'S RECORD.

AND SO I DID SEND YOU SOME LANGUAGE AND HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER AMENDING, UH, THE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE IT AS IT RELATES TO ITEM 34.

THAT'S JUST YOUR NEUTRAL ITEM THAT'S ON THE AGENDA FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

I DID SEND ANN MARVIN, THE ATTORNEY, A REQUEST TO HAVE THE CAPITOL METRO BOARD APPOINTMENT REPOSTED.

AS YOU'RE AWARE, THAT IS ACTUALLY GOVERNED BY TRANSPORTATION CODE CHAPTER 4 51, NOT THE CITY CHARTER.

AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO THE COMMISSION.

IN GENERAL, I WOULD ASK YOU TO PLEASE ALLOW THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION TO POST THEIR CODE BACKUP MATERIALS AND AUDIO.

I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PUT IN OPEN RECORD REQUESTS FOR THAT INFORMATION INTO, UH, CITY MANAGER.

I JUST WANNA SAY, UM, HE KICKED THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AS IT RELATES TO THE BLACK EMBASSY AS OPPOSED TO ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN.

SO IT'S DISHEARTENING TO HEAR ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS THAT DIED.

CAPITAL METRO'S BUS SERVICE WAS SUSPENDED, AND K U T ANNOUNCED THAT REPEATEDLY YOU HAVE A $600,000 KVI CONTRACT.

AND WE HEAR ABOUT THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AT NAUSEUM, BUT YOU'VE NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT THE COLD WEATHER OR THE BUSES BEING SUSPENDED.

I WOULD ASK YOU TO DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER JOB IN COORDINATING.

AND I THANK YOU MADAM, UH, MAYOR , UH, FOR, ALLOW ME TO MAKE MY COMMENTS.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL GLADLY ANSWER THEM AT THIS TIME.

NEXT SPEAKERS DOES NOT APPEAR THERE ARE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

APOLOGIES.

NEXT SPEAKERS.

FRANK NUER SPEAKING ON ITEM 80, AUDI.

UH, MY NAME'S FRANK.

I AM OF COURSE A MEMBER OF, UH, RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE, UH, LOUD AND PROUD, AND I AM A MEMBER OF DSA.

I'M CALLING BECAUSE I AM IN SPORT OF ITEM 80.

UH, WE GAVE A P D A RAISE LAST YEAR, AND THEY TURNED AROUND.

THEY DIDN'T STOP THEIR WORK STOPPAGE.

INSTEAD, THEY TURNED AROUND AND USED THAT MONEY TO LIE TO US AND DECEIVE THE VOTERS.

UH, A P O A WILL BE VOTED ON IN MAY, UM, WHICH IS WHY THEY'RE TRYING TO PUT THROUGH THIS FOUR YEAR CONTRACT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT THAT ONE YEAR CONTRACT AT THE VERY LEAST, SO WE CAN ACTUALLY LET VOTERS DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR THE A P O.

UH, AND TO THAT END, SPENCER CRONK CONTINUES TO PUSH FOR THAT AS WELL, WHICH IS WHY HE'S GOTTA GO.

AND ALSO, WE NEED TO HEAR FROM OUR CITY WHEN THERE'S NATURAL DISASTERS, UH, THAT IS, THAT'S CITY MANAGEMENT 1 0 1.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION, AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY.

BYE.

UH, MAY I PRETEND THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE REMOTE SPEAKERS? UM, WE ARE NOW JUMPING BACK INTO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.

I CALLED RENEE TEAL JUST IN CASE THEY'RE HERE.

UM, NEXT UP IS ANNA DRE'S, FOLLOWED BY CHAZ MOORE, FOLLOWED BY PAUL QUINCY.

IF YOU CAN PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP TO THE FRONT IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

80, ALLOWS FOR RESPECTS THE WILL OF THE VOTERS WHILE PROVIDING STABILITY.

MY NAME IS ANNA CECILIA RODRIGUEZ DRES, I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.

I'M HERE IN MY INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 80.

I'M HERE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT POLICE MISCONDUCT AND BRUTALITY IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THAT STRONGER CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY ARE IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE ROBUST AND STABLE.

I'M HERE JUST AS I WAS IN SEPTEMBER WHEN I URGED YOU TO PASS THE AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT, BECAUSE I BELIEVE FIERCELY THAT OUR ABILITY TO DEVELOP INDEPENDENT POLICE OVERSIGHT MUST BE DECOUPLED FROM THE NEGOTIATION OF A POLICE CONTRACT.

OTHERWISE, WE'RE LITERALLY GAMBLING WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

I ENDORSE THE AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT AND THE RIGHT OF THE VOTERS TO SEE THIS BALLOT MEASURE ENACTED IN 2023 IF IT PASSES.

AND A SHORT TERM CONTRACT, LIKE ITEM

[01:25:01]

I LOVE MY COMMUNITY, BUT AUSTIN IS BREAKING MY HEART.

I AM SO SADDENED AND CONFUSED WHY THE CITY WOULD NEGOTIATE ON A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT THAT WOULD CLEARLY CIRCUMVENT WHAT FOLKS FEAR, WHAT THE AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION FEARS WILL BE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IN MAY.

WHY WOULD WE NEGOTIATE WITH AN ASSOCIATION THAT HAS INVESTED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN A FRAUDULENT PETITION? THIS IS A FACT, AND MANY OF YOU HAVE SPOKEN OUT ABOUT THAT.

AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE I'LL BE ORGANIZING IN MY COMMUNITY AHEAD OF THE MAY ELECTION IN SUPPORT OF AN OVERSIGHT SYSTEM WITH INDEPENDENCE AND FACT FINDING AUTHORITY THAT CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT NEEDS TO FUNCTION.

I WILL ALSO AND BEYOND THE MAY ELECTION, BE WORKING TO FIGHT FOR A CITY WHERE THE LIGHTS STAY ON, WHERE PEOPLE DON'T DIE WHEN WE HAVE STORMS, AND TO IMPROVE THESE SYSTEMS, UM, THAT SUPPORT THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

CHAZ MOORE, FOLLOWED BY PAUL QUINCY, FOLLOWED BY SAM KRS.

CHAZ MOORE.

PAUL QUINCY, SAM KRS.

NEXT STEP IS TOM DOWNING, FOLLOWED BY AJ SKA.

MY NAME IS SAM KIRSCH.

I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE AND AN ORGANIZER WITH DISTRICT FIVE FOR BLACK LIVES.

UH, FIRST I JUST WANNA SAY, UM, AS A JEW, I DID NOT APPRECIATE THE ANTI-SEMITIC DOG WHISTLES WE HEARD EARLIER.

UM, I WAS ALSO SHOT JUST BELOW MY EYE WITH A BEAN BACKGROUND IN 2020 BY A P D, AND I'M STILL DEALING WITH A BUNCH OF EYE ISSUES IN NERVE PAIN.

BUT TODAY I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 80.

THE CITY MUST NOT AGREE TO A FOUR YEAR POLICE CONTRACT BEFORE THE WILL OF THE VOTERS HAS BEEN HEARD.

I HELPED GATHER SIGNATURES FOR EQUITY ACTIONS, POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT LAST SUMMER, AND THE CONVERSATIONS I HAD WITH AUSTIN VOTERS WAS CLEAR.

THE POLICE NEED TO HAVE ROBUST, THOROUGH, AND SUBSTANTIAL OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

THIS DOES NOT EXIST WHEN THEY'RE BEING USED AS BARGAINING CHIPS FOR HIGHER WAGES AND BENEFITS CAUSING A P D TO BANKRUPT THE TAXPAYERS.

OUR CIVIL RIGHTS MUST NOT BE NEGOTIATED.

WE ALSO SUPPORT CALLS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF, OF SPENCER K CRONK AS CITY MANAGER.

IT IS DEEPLY CONCERNING THAT SPENCER CRONK CLOSE PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO THE TREASURER OF THE APS FRONT GROUP VPA.

BUT K CROC'S TERMINATION IS LONG OVERDUE, THE COMPLETE MISMANAGEMENT AND INCREDIBLY POOR COMMUNICATION OF YET ANOTHER WEATHER INDUCED ENERGY CRISIS P FALLS PLAINLY ON SPENCER CRONK.

CRITICALLY, THOUGH AUSTIN MUST NOT END UP WITH A CRONK 2.0, A VIABLE REASONABLE REPLACEMENT, MUST FOLLOW THE WILL OF THE CITY COUNCIL, MUST BE WILLING TO STAND UP TO THE POLICE WHEN NECESSARY, SUPPORT OUR PARAMEDICS AND OTHER STRUGGLING CITY WORKERS, AND MANAGE THE CITY OF AUSTIN WITH RACIAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC EQUITY AS A THROUGH LINE IN MANAGING THE CITY'S AFFAIRS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TOM.

TOM DOWNING, FOLLOWED BY AJ SKA, FOLLOWED BY CRAIG NAZER.

PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP.

SHOULD DECIDE AT THE BALLOT BOX WHAT KIND OF OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT THEY WANT.

I'M TOM DOWNING, MEMBER OF DISTRICT FIVE, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF ITEM 80 FOR A ONE YEAR CONTRACT TO ALLOW VOTERS TO DECIDE WHAT KIND OF O P O THEY WANT.

I'M HERE IN MY CAPACITY AS CO-CHAIR OF THE RACIAL JUSTICE TASK FORCE OF UNIVERSITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

OUR GROUP IS CONCERNED ABOUT POLICE MISCONDUCT DIRECTED AT BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE.

WE SUPPORTED THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT CREATED BY THE CITY CONTRACT WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION IN 2018.

HOWEVER, IN DECEMBER OF 2021, THE APA BROUGHT A CONTRACT GRIEVANCE AGAINST THE OPO, STRIPPING IT OF MOST OF ITS POWERS.

BECAUSE OF THIS, OUR GROUP HAS BEEN ATTENDING THE CURRENT APA CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS FOR MONTHS.

CITY NEGOTIATORS HAVE APPEARED TO WORK TO STRENGTHEN THE OPO, BUT THE APA HAS FORCED CONCESSIONS AT EVERY TURN.

FRUSTRATED.

WE JOINED THE COALITION TO PUT THE AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT ON THE MAY BALLOT.

YESTERDAY, THE CITY REACHED A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT, WHICH WOULD LEAVE THE O P O STILL WEAKENED AND PREVENT ANY ORDINANCE FROM GOING INTO EFFECT FOR FOUR MORE YEARS.

SINCE THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT EXISTS TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN, WE BELIEVE THE PEOPLE

[01:30:01]

WE ASK THAT THE CITY COUNCIL VOTE TO APPROVE ONLY A SHORT-TERM POLICE CONTRACT UNTIL THE VOTERS DECIDE.

NEXT SPEAKER IS AJ SKA, FOLLOWED BY CRAIG NAZER, FOLLOWED BY JESS RODRIGUEZ.

ROBERTSON.

HI, MY NAME'S AJ JU RASKA.

MY PRONOUNS ARE SHE, THEY, AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN IN THE RIVER OAKS NEIGHBORHOOD, AND AS A PRECINCT CHAIR WITH THE TRAVIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I SUPPORTED MY ORGANIZATION'S ENDORSEMENT OF THE AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT AND THE RIGHT OF THE VOTERS TO SEE THIS BALLOT MEASURE ENACTED IN 2023 IF IT PASSES A SHORT-TERM CONTRACT, RESPECTS THE WILL OF THE VOTERS WHILE PROVIDING STABILITY.

AS WE'VE HEARD FROM OTHERS, MY ORGANIZATION LIKE AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS, LIBERAL AUSTIN DEMOCRATS, AND GROUND GAME, TEXAS, AMONG OTHERS, BELIEVES THAT POLICE MIXED MISCONDUCT AND BRUTALITY IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, AND THAT STRONGER CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TRANSPARENCY ARE IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE ROBUST AND STABLE.

ITEM 80 IS PROPOSED BY VELA FUENTES, CADRE, AND VELASQUEZ WILL ALLOW VOTERS TO VOTE ON THE OVERSIGHT SYSTEM THEY SUPPORT AND THEN ALLOW THE CITY TO IMPLEMENT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS IN A FUTURE LONG-TERM CONTRACT.

I ATTENDED THE CITIZEN'S POLICE ACADEMY AND HEARD AT THE TIME THAT POLICE WANT GOOD POLICING AND NOT SO-CALLED BAD APPLES.

UM, AGAIN AND AGAIN, THEY SAID THIS TO ME, THAT MEANS POLICE THEMSELVES SHOULD WANT ACCOUNTABILITY AND SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID OF A ONE ONE YEAR CONTRACT THAT WOULD ALLOW THIS GREATER OVERSIGHT TO BE PUT INTO PLACE.

UM, ANOTHER LONG-TERM CONTRACT, AS WE'VE HEARD, LEAVES THE CITY AT THE MERCY OF THE POLICE ASSOCIATION AND NOT AT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

I HOPE YOU WILL SUPPORT, UH, ITEM 80, ESPECIALLY MY COUNCIL MEMBER, LESLIE POOL.

THANK YOU, CRAIG NAZER, FOLLOWED BY JUST RODRIGUEZ ROBERTSON, FOLLOWED BY MICHAEL SIEGEL.

HELLO, MY NAME IS CRAIG NAZER, AND, UH, WE, WE HAVE BEEN CURSED TO LIVE IN INTERESTING TIMES.

UH, I AM ALL, I'M THE CHAIR OF THE AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS, AND LAST FRIDAY WE HAD A MEETING WHERE WE HAD OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR PROPOSITION A COMING UP IN MAY AND TO OPPOSE PROPOSITION B.

SINCE THAT TIME, A LOT OF THINGS HAS HA HAVE HAPPENED, AND IN ORDER FOR US TO GET TO VOTE ON THAT, I'M ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT ITEM 80, UH, BECAUSE OF ALL THE THINGS PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT.

AND PLUS, I PERSONALLY HERE, I DON'T HAVE MUCH INTERACTION WITH THE POLICE.

UH, WHAT I'VE HAD, MOSTLY IT'S BEEN GOOD, BUT I HAVE TO JUST SAY TWICE.

I HAVE SEEN OVERTLY RACIST ACTIONS BY THE POLICE OF AUSTIN.

I WATCH WHAT HAPPENED TO TYRE NICHOLS.

THAT COULD HAPPEN IN AUSTIN.

I DON'T WANNA SEE THAT HAPPEN IN AUSTIN.

THIS IS A GREAT CITY, AND I THINK IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENED TO AUSTIN, YOU'D SEE A LANDSLIDE IN THIS, IN THIS BUILDING.

SO IN ORDER TO DO THIS, WE NEED CIVIL OVERSIGHT OF THE POLICE.

WE NEED THIS.

AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE IN A WAY TOO.

IF YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THAT ATLANTA ENVIRONMENTALIST WHO GOT SHOT BY THE POLICE AND KILLED, AND THERE WERE NO CAMERAS.

SO WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN THERE? WE JUST, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

YOU NEED TO DEAL WITH IT ALSO ABOUT WINTER STORM URI.

UH, I THINK, UH, UH, GOING INTO IT AND SEEING WHAT HAPPENED IS GOOD.

NOT WINTER STORM AREA, MARA.

I THINK THAT'S GOOD.

BUT THE THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT WAS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE THAT WAS MADE WORSE BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND WHAT TAKES THE CO2 OUTTA THE AREA IS OUR TREES, AUSTIN TREES.

SO WE HAVE TO TAKE BETTER CARE OF OUR TREES.

I THINK THAT'S VERY CLEAR.

NEXT SPEAKER IS JESS RODRIGUEZ ROBERTSON SPEAKING ON ITEM 80, FOLLOWED BY MICHAEL SIEGEL, FOLLOWED BY ROY WHALEY.

THE A P O A BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER TRUSTED HIS JUDGMENT OR HIS ABILITY TO OPERATE IN OUR COLLECTIVE BEST INTEREST.

MY NAME IS JOSH RODRIGUEZ ROBERTSON.

I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN, AND I'M SPEAKING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 80.

UM, I'M A CAMPAIGN ORGANIZER AND I'VE LOGGED HUNDREDS OF HOURS TALKING TO AUSTIN RESIDENTS ABOUT A HOST OF ISSUES.

SO I'D LIKE TO OFFER THIS REPORT FROM THE FIELD, PARTICULARLY FROM MY TIME COLLECTING SIGNATURES FOR EQUITY ACTIONS.

AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT.

UNLIKE OTHER POLICE OVERSIGHT ACTS, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT, THE ONE PUT FORWARD BY EQUITY ACTION WAS WORKED ON BY DOZENS OF LOCAL ORGANIZERS, PASSIONATE ABOUT JUSTICE AND TRANSPARENCY, AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT WHAT WE WERE WORKING ON, ENABLING US TO HAVE DEEP CONVERSATIONS WITH RESIDENTS.

UM, I CAN TELL YOU THAT FROM THESE CONVERSATIONS, CONFIDENCE IN SPENCER CRONK IS ABYSMALLY LOW, EVEN PREDATING THE ROOM, MOST RECENT DISASTER, I WAS SURPRISED THAT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ASKED BY NAME, WHAT ROLE CITY MANAGER SPENCER CRONK WOULD PLAY IN

[01:35:01]

INEVITABLY, WE WOULD BEGIN TALKING ABOUT THE WINTER STORMS, THE CITY'S FAILED RESPONSE, WHICH IS NO DOUBT HOW MANY PEOPLE BECAME FAMILIAR WITH THE NAME SPENCER CRONK.

OTHER CANVASERS ON THIS PROJECT HAD THE SAME REPEATED INTERACTION.

UM, IF PASSED, OR EXCUSE ME, CITY MANAGER SPENCER CRONK IS PUSHING FOR THIS LONG-TERM CONTRACT AHEAD OF THE OVERSIGHT ACT VOTE IN MAY, IT WOULD ESSENTIALLY NULLIFY THE VOTE.

AND IF PASSED, I WOULD WANT THE EQUITY ACTION AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT TO BE ENACTED AS ITS SWIFTLY AND EFFECTIVELY AS IT READ TO THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO SIGNED AND READ, SIGNED, AND ENDORSED IT.

UM, IT IS AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO FIND A NEW CITY MANAGER WHO IS WILLING TO STAND UP TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHO IS WILLING TO LET CITIZENS ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES AND TO ENSURE THAT OUR PUBLIC ENERGY WORKS FOR US ALL.

NEXT IS MICHAEL SIEGEL, FOLLOWED BY ROY WHALEY, FOLLOWED BY ANGEL CAROL.

GOOD MORNING, UH, MAYOR PROTE MAYOR AND COUNSEL, UH, MICHAEL SIEGEL, RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN AND POLITICAL DIRECTOR OF GROUND GAME TEXAS.

AND I'M HERE IN MY, UH, ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY, UH, GROUND GAME.

TEXAS HAS ENDORSED THE AWESOME POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT.

I WAS, UH, HONORED TO BE A PART OF THE DRAFTING PROCESS FOR THAT ORDINANCE, AND WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THIS GETS TO THE VOTERS.

AND SO WE SUPPORT ITEM 80 AND THE, THE PUSH FOR A ONE YEAR CONTRACT SPONSORED BY COUNCILMAN VELA SO THAT THE AUSTIN VOTERS CAN HAVE A CHANCE TO CONSIDER THE IMPORTANT REFORMS IN THE A P O A, LIKE WHETHER TO ALLOW FOR SECRECY IN POLICE MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES THAT THE EQUITY ACTION A P O A ADDRESSES, AND THAT THE POLICE UNION A P O A DOES NOT ADDRESS.

YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, AUSTIN IS DEALING WITH THE UNFORTUNATE AND TRAGIC INJUSTICE OF ALICE GONZALEZ, WHO WAS KILLED BY AUSTIN POLICE.

AND THE INVESTIGATION OF THAT KILLING IS NOW SEALED BECAUSE THE CHIEF RULED THAT THERE WAS NO POLICY VIOLATION.

SO WHAT'S CLEAR IS THAT THE STATUS QUO DOES NOT ALLOW FOR EFFECTIVE CIVILIAN REVIEW OF THE AUSTIN POLICE AND POLICE MISCONDUCT.

AND IF THE COMMUNITY SPONSORED A P O A PASSES THIS FALL, AND THE THE POLICE SPONSORED A P O A FAILS, AS I PREDICT WILL OCCUR, THEN WE'LL BE RECEIVING A POWERFUL MESSAGE FROM AUSTIN VOTERS THAT WE WANT REAL POLICE OVERSIGHT.

AND THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT MOMENT FOR THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR.

UH, YOU NEED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF OUR CITY.

UH, WE NEED TO RECON, REGAIN CONTROL OF CITY GOVERNMENT AND RESTORE CONFIDENCE.

AND SO JUST AS, UH, WE NEED TO TAKE STRONG ACTION TO PROTECT OUR ELECTRIC SUPPLY AND TAKE STRONG ACTIONS AS A CITY TO BECOME CLIMATE RESILIENT, WE ALSO NEED TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY FROM THE SCOURGE OF POLICE ABUSE AND TAKE STRONG ACTION, DIPLOMAT, TRUE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT.

AND SO THAT'S WHY GROUND GAME TEXAS SUPPORTS THE EQUITY ACTION A P O A.

WE ASK YOU TO NOT PREEMPT THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY WHO WANT, AND PLEASE PERFORM.

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION FOR A ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

NEXT SPEAKER IS ROY WHALEY, FOLLOWED BY ANGEL CAROL, FOLLOWED BY KEVIN WELCH.

I DON'T SEE HIM.

ANGEL CAROL, IF YOU'RE HERE, COME ON UP.

IF NOT, KEVIN WELCH AFTER KEVIN WELCH.

JJ RAMIREZ.

HI.

IN THE ISSUES THAT WE CARE ABOUT AT E F F AUSTIN ABOUT MAKING SURE THERE ARE TRANSPARENCY AROUND POWERFUL TECHNOLOGIES THAT OUR POLICE HAVE ACCESS TO.

SO MY NAME IS ANGEL CAROL.

I'M A DISTRICT EIGHT RESIDENT, AND I'M ALSO REPRESENTING MEASURE A RESEARCH ORGANIZATION LED BY BLACK WOMEN.

WE WORK ALONGSIDE POWERFUL BLACK, BROWN, AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACROSS AUSTIN.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM ALSO CANNOT BE HERE TODAY, SO I SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF.

WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT POLICE MISCONDUCT AND BRUTALITY IS A GRAVE ISSUE, AND WITHOUT EFFECTIVE EVIDENCE-BASED MEASURES IN PLACE, UM, THE USE THE, THESE ISSUES THAT OUR COMMUNITY ARE FACING WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE TRUST THAT WE HAVE IN THE POLICE IN ORDER TO ENSURE GREATER PROTECTION FOR CITIZENS.

WE SUPPORT DIRECT INVOLVEMENT OF THE BO OF THE VOTERS IN THIS PROCESS IN DECIDING HOW BEST TO MANAGE THIS ISSUE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

CITY COUNCIL ALSO HAS THE OBLIGATION TO OBEY THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AND ALLOW THEM TO VOTE ON EFFECTIVE MEASURES.

THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.

KEVIN WELCH, FOLLOWED BY JJ RAMIREZ, FOLLOWED BY MAXWELL MILLS.

UH, GOOD DAY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS KEVIN WELCH.

I'M THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD AT EF F AUSTIN, A LOCAL DIGITAL CIVIL LIBERTIES ADVOCACY GROUPS.

HOWEVER, YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER ME FROM THE DISCUSSIONS AROUND AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS LAST YEAR.

UM, IN FACT, I HOPE ALL OF YOU WILL JOIN THE LEADERSHIP SHOWN BY COUNCIL MEMBERS VELA, FUENTES AND MADISON IN NOT REAUTHORIZING THAT WHEN THAT COMES UP THIS SEPTEMBER.

UM, I'M HERE BECAUSE EF F AUSTIN IS ONE OF THE CO-SIGNERS ON THE AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT.

STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE FOR ITEM 80 FOR THE SHORT ONE YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION.

UM, OVERSIGHT IS KEY

[01:40:01]

IN PARTICULAR, THE POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT, SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED AS GREATER TRANSPARENCY AROUND POLICE BODY CAMERAS.

THIS WAS INITIALLY A REMARKABLE TOOL THAT ALLOWED FOR A LOT OF RACIAL JUSTICE IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE WOULD NOT KNOW ABOUT INCIDENTS LIKE MICHAEL BROWN, ERIC GARNER, ET CETERA, WITHOUT CITIZENS FILMING POLICE MISCONDUCT.

POLICE BODY CAMS ARE A WAY OF TRYING TO ENSURE THIS ACCOUNTABILITY IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE, BUT WE NEED OVERSIGHT AROUND IT.

THERE ARE MANY NATIONAL REPORTS THAT POLICE HAVE TRIED TO ABUSE THIS SYSTEM.

NOT ONLY TRYING TO USE COPYRIGHT FLAGS ON YOUTUBE TO GET CITIZEN VIDEO OF THEM TAKEN DOWN, BUT WE ALSO HAVE ISSUES AROUND ACTUALLY TRYING TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF INTIMIDATION OF WITNESSES WITH THE POLICE BODY CAMERAS THAT MAKES IT WHERE IT BECOMES ITS OWN TOOL OF SURVEILLANCE.

THIS IS PRECISELY THE SORT OF OVERSIGHT THE A P O A NEEDS TO ADDRESS.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE FOCUS ON, WE'RE NOT CRITICIZING INDIVIDUALS, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE SYSTEMS EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT IMPUGNING THE WORK OF ANY PARTICULAR OFFICER.

A CIVIL ENGINEER'S WORK IS NOT BEING IMPUGNED WHEN WE DO A SAFETY STUDY ON A BRIDGE.

I, AS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER, AM NOT BEING IMPUGNED WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS THERE'S A BUG IN MY CODE.

IT'S NOT MY FAULT.

THERE'S A BUG IN MY CODE.

THERE'S ALWAYS GONNA BE BUGS IN MY CODE, BUT I DO BECOME RESPONSIBLE WHEN I DON'T WORK TO MINIMIZE THOSE BUGS.

LISTEN TO MY COWORKERS AND QA TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN EQUITABLE, FAIR PROCESS FOR EVERYONE.

I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON ITEM 80.

NEXT SPEAKER IS JJ RAMIREZ, FOLLOWED BY MAXWELL MILLS, FOLLOWED BY CHRIS HARRIS.

HI, MY NAME IS JJ RAMIREZ.

I'M AN ORGANIZER AT THE TEXAS HARM REDUCTION ALLIANCE.

UM, WE, UH, WE PROVIDE LIFESAVING, UM, UH, SERVICES FOR DRUG USERS AND, UH, THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY ON THE EAST SIDE.

AND WE'RE, UH, IN FAVOR OF LINE ITEM 80 AND 40.

I DIDN'T GET TO SIGN.

UM, SPENCER CRONK IS TRYING TO SUBVERT DEMOCRACY BY PUTTING IN A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT WITHOUT HEARING THE VOTERS' OPINIONS THIS COMING MAY.

AND WE DON'T, WE DO NOT.

UM, WE ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT.

OUR MEMBERS, OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE THE ONES WHO GET HARASSED, WHO GET, UH, MESSED WITH THE MOST.

AND NOT HAVING ACQUI, UH, ADEQUATE, UH, OVERSIGHT IS NOT NOT ACCEPTABLE.

UM, FURTHERMORE, FOR LI UH, LINE ITEM 40, UM, WE URGE THE COUNCIL TO INVITE, UH, LIKE, LIKE THE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE ME, WHO ARE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

OUR MEMBERS ARE OUR, UH, OUR PARTICIPANTS TO COME.

AND WHEN YOU SPEAK WITH THESE COLD WEATHER SHELTERS, TO HEAR WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING, NOT FROM NECESSARILY ADVOCATES OR STAFFING OR THE SECURITY WHO, UH, QUITE, UH, FRANKLY TREATED PEOPLE POORLY AND AND WITHOUT KINDNESS.

AND SO THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY FOR TODAY.

AND WE URGE YOU TO, TO, UH, PESH FOR, UH, LINE ITEM 80 AND 40.

NEXT SPEAKERS, MAXWELL MILLS, FOLLOWED BY CHRIS HARRIS, FOLLOWED BY CYNTHIA SIMMONS.

OOH, HEY EVERYONE.

UH, I'M MAXWELL MILLS.

I'M FROM DISTRICT NINE.

UH, I'VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE, BUT, UH, THIS ONE'S GONNA BE EASY BECAUSE, UH, YOU KNOW, THE POLICE ARE DOING A BAD JOB.

UH, EVERYONE I KNOW WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

YOU KNOW, THE RESPONSE TIMES ARE ABOMINABLE.

YOU KNOW, UH, YOU KNOW, COMPLAINTS ABOUND AND THEY SAY IT'S DUE TO A LACK OF RESOURCES, BUT THEY SPENT ENORMOUS NUMBERS OF RESOURCES ON THEIR FRAUDULENT PETITION TRYING TO UNDERMINE OUR DEMOCRACY.

SO THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM.

WE GOTTA TREAT THEM CORRECTLY, RIGHT? THERE ARE UNDERPERFORMING EMPLOYEES AND THEY NEED TO BE ON A PERFORMANCE PLAN.

ONE YEAR CONTRACTS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, NEW LEADERSHIP, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? OVERSIGHT.

HOLD ON.

I GOT MORE THINGS TO SAY.

GIVING THEM A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS FRAUDULENT PETITION, FIASCO WOULD SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE, RIGHT? WHEN PEOPLE DO THAT KIND OF THING, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME KIND OF CONSEQUENCES, WHICH MEANS THE DEAL HAS TO GET WORSE, NOT BETTER, RIGHT? THEY'RE PUSHING FOR THIS TO AVOID ACCOUNTABILITY, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE ARMED WING OF THE GOVERNMENT TO THE PEOPLE IS LIKE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

UH, SO YEAH, THE BEST WAY FOR THEM TO EARN THE KIND OF TRUST IT WOULD TAKE TO GET A LONG-TERM POSITION IS, OR A LONG-TERM CONTRACT, RATHER, IS TO ACTUALLY DO THEIR JOBS CORRECTLY.

UM, YEAH.

SO BOOM, THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

RELEASED A MEMO ON MONDAY SAYING THAT HIS GOAL FOR THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT WAS TO INCORPORATE THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT INTO THE FOUR YEAR DEAL.

BOOM.

CHRIS HARRIS, FOLLOWED BY CYNTHIA SIMMONS, FOLLOWED BY SENECA SAVOY.

GOOD AFTERNOON, OR MORNING, I SHOULD SAY.

UH, COUNCIL, UH, CITY MANAGER, MAYOR RO, TIM.

MAYOR, UH, MY NAME IS CHRIS HARRIS.

I'M, UM, UH, WITH AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION.

UM, AND ONE, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 80.

UM, THE CITY MANAGER

[01:45:01]

UH, I AM HERE TO SAY AS, UM, ONE OF THE PEOPLE BE, UH, THAT'S SUPPORTING, UH, AND BEHIND THE AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT, UM, THAT IT DOES NOT DO THAT.

, UH, A COUPLE OF LOW LIGHTS, I WILL SAY IS THAT, UM, IT RESTRICTS COMPLAINTS TO VICTIMS, UH, AND EXPRESSLY EXCLUDES WITNESSES FROM FILING COMPLAINTS.

UM, THIS RISK, MANY COMPLAINTS BEING THROWN OUT AND NEVER BEING INVESTIGATED BASED ON A TECHNICALITY AND NOT THE ACTUAL POLICE CONDUCT IN QUESTION.

IT, UM, EXCLUDES POLICE OFFICERS FROM PUTTING IN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS.

UM, SO IT CREATES A WHOLE DIFFERENT PROCESS FOR COMPLAINTS NOW DEEMED INTERNAL VERSUS THOSE AS EXTERNAL INTERNAL AFFAIRS WILL NOW HAVE TO SEEK TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF EACH COMPLAINT, TO PROCESS THEM ACCORDINGLY AND ENSURE AN OFFICER DIDN'T FILE AN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT THAT THREATENS THE ANONYMITY OF EVERY COMPLAINANT, OKAY? AND LIKELY REDUCES THE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS THAT GET FILED BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL FEAR RETRIBUTION.

UM, IT ALSO IS PREVENTS THE OFFICER POLICE OVERSIGHT FROM REVIEWING, INVESTIGATING, AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ON ALL COMPLAINTS MADE BY OFFICERS OR OTHERWISE DEEMED INTERNAL.

AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC CAN EVEN BE MADE INTERNAL IF POLICY VIOLATIONS ARE FOUND AFTER WHAT'S CALLED INTAKE.

EVEN THOUGH THIS, THIS TERM IS UNDEFINED IN THE CONTRACT, I THINK BEYOND THESE SORT OF HIGH LEVEL, UH, ISSUES WITH THIS DEAL, UH, AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS, UM, THIS COUNCIL CALLED FOR AN ELECTION, UH, IN SEPTEMBER.

AND, UM, THE CONTRACT, THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT THAT'S BEEN AGREED TO, DOESN'T DO ANY OF THE THINGS THAT THE, THE THING ON THE BALLOT WILL DO.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU ALL TO RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS AND ENSURE THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO VOTE ON WHAT THAT ELECTION, UH, WITH FIDELITY TO ITS OUTCOME.

THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.

CYNTHIA SIMMONS, FOLLOWED BY SENECA SAVOY, FOLLOWED BY DAVID JOHNSON.

HELLO, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS CYNTHIA SIMONS AND I REPRESENT MYSELF AND ALSO THE TEXAS CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND EQUITY, WHICH IS A POLICY ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 20 YEARS, AND WE DO STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL POLICY.

MY ORGANIZATION ENDORSED THE AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT AND THE RIGHT OF THE VOTERS TO SEE THIS BALLOT MEASURE ENACTED IN 2023 IF IT PASSES A SHORT-TERM CONTRACT, WILL RES, WILL RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS WHILE PROVIDING STABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY SOMETHING THAT WE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

UM, CHRIS HARRIS DID A PHENOMENAL JOB OF LAYING OUT WHAT THIS WILL EXACTLY DO.

SO I'M GONNA GO IN MY INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND SAY, AS A BLACK WOMAN, A BLACK SINGLE WOMAN, I HAVE THE HIGHEST CATEGORICALLY RATE TO BE LIKELIHOOD TO BE INCARCERATED, TO BE ARRESTED AND INCARCERATED.

I NEED YOU TO PASS THIS FOR MY SAFETY.

I AM THE MOTHER OF A BLACK SON, AND I TIRELESSLY WORRY ABOUT IF MY SON IS GOING TO MAKE IT HOME AT NIGHT BECAUSE HIS SKIN HAS BEEN WEAPONIZED AND THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND IF SOMETHING, GOD FORBID, SHOULD HAPPEN TO MY SON, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK JUSTICE, AND THIS WILL ENSURE THAT.

SO ON BEHALF OF THE BLACK WOMEN, ON BEHALF OF THE BLACK MOTHERS, I'M ASKING YOU TO PASS THIS TO WILL YOUR POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS HAPPENS, BECAUSE OUR LIVES LITERALLY DEPEND ON IT.

NEXT SPEAKER, SENECA SAVOY, FOLLOWED BY DAVID JOHNSON, FOLLOWED BY CLEO.

UH, PATRICE.

HELLO.

HI, UH, I'M SENECA.

UH, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR, UH, FORMER COMMISSIONER, UH, FOR THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT.

UH, AND, UH, SOMEBODY WHO SPENT A LOT OF HOURS, UH, TALKING TO FOLKS, UH, ABOUT THE AUSTIN POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT.

UH, I THINK THE, THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE HERE IS THE PRIMACY OF CIVILIAN CONTROL OF POLICE, RIGHT? UM, PART OF THE WHOLE REASON THAT WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO HAVE THIS LARGE ARMED FORCE IN OUR SOCIETY IS THE IDEA THAT THEY ARE SUBSERVIENT TO AND CONTROLLED BY A GOVERNMENT THAT IS ITSELF SUBSERVIENT AND CONTROLLED BY THE PEOPLE WHO, YOU KNOW, RESIDE IN IT.

UH, AND THAT'S THE SERVE PART OF PROTECT AND SERVE.

AND FUNDAMENTALLY FAILING TO PASS.

ITEM 80 TODAY WOULD MEAN THAT WE FAIL HALF OF THAT, RIGHT? UH, IN ORDER FOR THERE TO BE CIVILIAN CONTROL OF POLICE, IT HAS TO MATTER WHAT Y'ALL SAY, RIGHT? UM, AND Y'ALL PUT UP A, AN ELECTION LAST YEAR.

UM, THIS ITEM WAS KNOWN TO BE UP WELL BEFORE THIS WAS AGREED TO, YOU KNOW, EARLIER YESTERDAY.

UH, AND THE INTENTIONS PUT FORWARD BY THIS COUNCIL ARE NOT SUBSTANTIALLY PUT IN PLACE IN THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US, RIGHT? IT FAILS IT IN MANY REGARDS.

FUNDAMENTALLY, WE HAVE ONE SIDE THAT HAS NOT ACTED

[01:50:01]

IN GOOD FAITH.

THAT, AND I, I KNOW THAT'S A HEAVY CHARGE, BUT IT STICKS.

WE HAVE AN ORGANIZATION THAT SPENT A LITTLE BIT SHY OF $300,000 SPECIFICALLY TO UNDERMINE AN ELEMENT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, RIGHT? KNOWING THAT THIS ELECTION IS COMING UP.

AND IN THAT TIME, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THIS DEMOCRATICALLY RUN ORGANIZATION THAT DECIDED TO BE WHISTLEBLOWERS WAS ZERO, RIGHT? NOT A SINGLE PERSON CAME FORWARD TO THIS BODY OR TO THE PRESS FROM AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION AND SAID, THIS THING IS HAPPENING AND IT'S SHADY.

NOT A SINGLE PERSON FILED A RESOLUTION TO SAY, HEY, LET'S STOP FUNDING THIS ORGANIZATION TO SPECIFICALLY DEFRAUD AUSTIN VOTERS.

RIGHT? IT'S RELATIVELY EASY TO DO.

THIS IS HOW UNIONS WORK.

YOU GET LIKE FIVE TO 10 PEOPLE, YOU CAN GET A RESOLUTION, ADD A MU AT A BODY OF YOUR UNION LOCAL, THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN, RIGHT? SO WE HAVE NEAR UNANIMOUS SUPPORT OF DEFRAUDING THE PEOPLE, AND THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW THAT TO GO THROUGH.

DAVID JOHNSON, FOLLOWED BY CLEO PATRICE, FOLLOWED BY, UH, SUSAN'S PATARO.

MY NAME IS CLEO PATRICE.

I AM A LATINA, A DEMOCRAT, AND THE CO-FOUNDER OF SAVE AUSTIN.

NOW MAYOR WATSON, I APPRECIATE YOUR PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF THE DIRE POSITION OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS IN, IN THAT IT MUST AND MUST BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.

THAT IS WHY A CITY AND AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION AGREED FOUR YEAR CONTRACT MUST BE PASSED FOR RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, FINALLY, FINALLY, STABILITY FOR OUR DEPARTMENT AND FOR OUR CITY.

I HEAR MANY OF YOU SPEAK ABOUT YOUR CONCERN OF OFFICER RESPONSE TIMES INCREASING MURDER RATE AND 256 POLICE STAFFING CRISIS.

BUT WORDS RING HOLLOW WITHOUT SERIOUS ACTION TO STOP THE BLEEDING OF OFFICERS EVERY MONTH.

OUR OFFICERS DO NOT WANT A ONE YEAR CONTRACT THAT IS UNPRECEDENTED AND NOT HOW AN OFFICER CAN REASONABLY PLAN THEIR FUTURES WITH OUR CITY.

THAT IS NOT STABILITY.

WE HAVE 34 OFFICERS THAT HAVE RETIRED OR ANNOUNCED THEIR RETIREMENT SINCE JANUARY OF THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE THREE 30 AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE LEAVING TO D P S, MOST, MOST OF THEM YOUNG AND NEWLY TRAINED.

ON MARCH 31ST, ANOTHER 80 OFFICERS ARE EXPECTED TO RETIRE.

AND WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE NUMBERS OF THE AMOUNT WHO WILL LEAVE IF A ONE YEAR CONTRACT PASSES OR IF NO CONTRACT IS PASSED.

MUST I REMIND YOU ALL IN DECEMBER, 2017, OVER 33 OFFICERS LEFT AFTER COUNSEL REJECTED THAT CONTRACT.

AN EXAMPLE OF THE DIRE SITUATION OF OUR DEPARTMENT IS IN THE DETECTIVES ASSIGNED TO ORGANIZE CRIME AND VIOLENT CRIMES ARE BEING SENT BACK TO WORK PATROL EVEN AS THEY ARE OVERRUN WITH CASES.

CAN YOU IMAGINE HAVING A FAMILY MEMBER MURDERED AND THE PERSON WORKING THE CASE IS ASSIGNED BACK TO PATROL FOR A PERIOD OF TIME? HOW IS THAT JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS? HOW IS THAT STABILITY AND SAFETY FOR OUR CITY? I GUARANTEE YOU THE AVERAGE AUSTINITE IS NOT DRIVEN BY IDEOLOGICAL RADICAL IDEAS.

THEY WANT OUR CITY TO HAVE RUNNING POWER, SAFE DRINKING WATER, SAFE, WALKABLE STREETS, AND A FULLY STAFFED DEPARTMENT AT RISK COMMUNITIES HAVE SUFFERED GREATLY TOO.

TO OUR CITY'S FAILINGS.

72% OF THE MURDERED VICTIMS IN AUSTIN WERE BLACK AND BROWN.

MY COMMUNITY, THANK YOU.

WHEN BLACK AND BROWN ONLY MAKE UP 42% OF THE POPULATION.

NEXT UP, SUSAN PATARO, FOLLOWED BY DANIEL ABRAMSON, FOLLOWED BY LINDA MCCALL, SUSAN SPEARO AND I LIVE IN, IN DISTRICT EIGHT.

A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK HAVE ALREADY BEEN SAID, AND SO I WANNA JUST FOCUS ON SORT OF SOME NEW THINGS.

UH, ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, FIRST I WANNA SAY I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT 81 IN CASE I RUN OUT OF TIME.

UM, AND, AND EVERYONE'S KIND OF SPOKEN TO THAT.

LET'S LOOK AT OVERSIGHT.

WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT FOR OVERSIGHT, LET ME READ THIS TO YOU AND SEE IF YOU THINK THIS IS INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT.

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMISSION, AN APPLICANT MUST ATTEST THAT THEY'RE INDEPENDENT AND UNCONNECTED TO ANY MEMBER OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING POLICE OFFICERS.

THEY'VE NEVER BEEN EMPLOYED OR CONTRACTED BY A POLICE DEPARTMENT OR ASSOCIATION, AND THEY HAVE NOT HELD EMPLOYMENT IN A POLICE DEPARTMENT OR POLICE ASSOCIATION AT ANY TIME.

ANOTHER WORD, YOU CAN ONLY BE ON THIS COMMITTEE IF YOU KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT POLICING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AS A START.

THEN IT GOES ON TO SAY NO OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS MAY BE INSTITUTED BY AMENDMENT.

SO IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU ARE A CONVICTED FELON, YOU CAN BE ON THIS COMMITTEE.

BUT IF YOU ARE TRAINED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, I'M AN ACCOUNTANT AND MY PROFESSION

[01:55:01]

IS OVERSIGHT ORIENTED.

YOU KNOW, YOU GET FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PREPARED AND THEN YOU GET AN AUDIT FIRM COMING IN.

THE AUDIT FIRM COMING IN ARE QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANTS.

THERE'S NOT A RULE SAYING, WE DON'T WANT ANY ACCOUNTANTS LOOKING AT THESE STATEMENTS.

UH, WE ONLY WANT PEOPLE WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ACCOUNTING AND HAVE NEVER BEEN TRAINED.

THIS IS NOT OVERSIGHT.

THIS IS HOW TO DETERMINE TO HAVE NO LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS COMMUNITY.

IF YOU LOOK AT RESULTS WHEN YOU CUT 150, NOT ALL OF YOU, 150 OFFICERS IN 2019, THE, THE SEVEN YEARS BEFORE THAT, THE HOMICIDES RAN BETWEEN UH, 22 AND 25 A YEAR.

THE VERY NEXT YEAR AFTER DOING THIS, THERE WERE 48 PEOPLE KILLED.

THIS ISN'T TOUGH.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAD.

THE NEXT YEAR IN 21, THERE WERE 89 PEOPLE MURDERED IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, 71 THE NEXT YEAR AND SEVEN TO DATE, THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL OF THE PEOPLE KILLED ON THE ROAD BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OFFICERS TO PATROL.

SO I ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THE POPULATION AS A WHOLE.

THANK YOU SPEAKER.

YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS DANIEL ABRAMSON, FOLLOWED BY LINDA MCCALL, FOLLOWED BY SHARON BLYTHE.

IF YOU'RE HERE, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP AFTER SHARON BLYTHE IS AMY SA SALY, FOLLOWED BY RICHARD SMITH AND NATALIE X. GOOD MORNING COUNSEL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY.

MY NAME IS SHARON BLYTHE.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT SIX, FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN.

WE HAVE A HAD A DEVASTATING ICE STORM LAST WEEK.

A LOT OF OUR NEIGHBORS WERE OUT WITHOUT POWER FOR DAYS.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COULD BE POSSIBLY HAPPEN CUZ I USED TO LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, LOTS OF SNOW AND ICE.

WE NEVER HAD A POWER OUTAGE.

THIS IS MISMANAGEMENT WITH THE CITY, STARTING WITH THE CITY MANAGER ON DOWN THROUGH AUSTIN ENERGY.

AND I HOPE THAT YOU PASS ITEM 81 TO HAVE AN AUDIT OF AUSTIN ENERGY AND FIND OUT WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON OVER THERE AS FAR AS OUR PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES.

NEXT SPEAKERS, AMY SILI, FOLLOWED BY RICHARD SMITH AND NATALIE AX.

IS ANYONE ELSE HERE? GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS NATALIE AX.

I AM A LONGTIME AUSTIN RESIDENT.

I CURRENTLY RESIDE IN THE HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT NINE.

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE WITHOUT POWER FOR SIX DAYS AS A RESULT OF THE LATEST AUSTIN ENERGY POWER OUTAGE.

AS A RESULT, WE LOST EASILY A THOUSAND DOLLARS OR WORTH OF FOOD INCURRED, NOT IN SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSES FOR EMERGENCY LIGHTING, HOUSING, ET CETERA.

UH, THE FEBRUARY, 2021, WINTER STORMS AFTER ACTION REPORT OUTLINED AREAS FOR FOLLOW UP.

WE GOT THE MECHANISM FOR STARTING UP FOR TEXT ALERTS AND COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS, UH, AND AN OUTAGE MAP, WHICH I'M NOT SURE SHOULD NECESSARILY BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SEE AREAS WHERE HOMES DON'T HAVE POWER, PEOPLE HAVE PROBABLY MOVED OUT AND DON'T HAVE WORKING ALARM SYSTEMS. JUST A THOUGHT.

UH, THE NEXT ITEM ON THE LIST WAS VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.

WHAT HAPPENED, I'VE, EVERYTHING I'VE HEARD UP TO THIS POINT IS FINGER POINTING.

WE DON'T HAVE MANPOWER, WE DON'T HAVE A BUDGET.

UH, HOMEOWNERS WON'T LET US.

THE LAST TIME I HAD A DISAGREEMENT WITH THE CITY, I DON'T REMEMBER THEM BACKING DOWN AND GOING, OH, OKAY, WE WON'T.

THE CITY OWNS OUR ELECTRIC AND WATER UTILITIES.

THE LINES WHERE ONE BEGINS AND THE OTHER ENDS ARE MURKY.

AT BEST, IF THE CITY WANTS TO BE IN THE UTILITY BUSINESS, IT NEEDS TO BE A COMPLETELY SOLE AND SEPARATE OPERATION, NOT A SUSH SLUSH FUND.

FOR PROJECTS THAT COUNCIL COMES UP WITH, I BELIEVE THAT THE CITY IS OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN WITH A COMPLETE LINE ITEM AUDIT AUDIT OF THE AUSTIN ENERGY.

COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY MANAGER.

MAYOR PRO TIM.

MY NAME IS RICHARD SMITH.

I'M AN ATTORNEY.

I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF AUSTIN'S BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

I OPPOSE THE RESOLUTION OF AGENDA ITEM 80.

I'VE ATTENDED SEVERAL OF THE POLICE AND CITY CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND WAS PRESENT YESTERDAY.

THE

[02:00:01]

PARTIES HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY FOR A YEAR TOWARD A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT, WHICH THEY'VE NOW REACHED AS RECENTLY AS YESTERDAY.

SESSIONED CITY'S ATTORNEY SAID, AND I QUOTE, WE REALLY WANT A NEED A FOUR YEAR AGREEMENT.

PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AND A SIGNIFICANT ASPECT OF THEM OVER THE LAST YEAR HAVE BEEN POLICE OVERSIGHT.

THIS IS AN AGREEMENT THAT'S BEEN REACHED AS A RESULT OF SERIOUS HARD WORK AS AN ATTORNEY.

I CAN ONLY VIEW AGENDA ITEM 80 AS A LATE STAGE NEGOTIATION STUNT AS AN ATTEMPT TO DERAIL THE PARTY'S AGREEMENT, THEIR HARD WORK.

AND I CAN ASSURE YOU IF ITEM 80 IS PASSED BOTH PARTIES, THE CITY AND THE POLICE WILL BE IN A WORSE POSITION AND IT WILL END UP COSTING THE CITY SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY.

I WANNA SPEAK BRIEFLY ON ITEM 81.

I SUPPORT THE AUDIT OF ITEM 81 AS AN ATTORNEY.

I CAN LOOK AT THE SITUATION AS SIMPLY A BREACH OF CONTRACT BY THE CITY.

PEOPLE PAY TAXES, THEY EXPECT CONSISTENT POWER.

THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN THAT POWER AND THEY'VE BEEN DAMAGED BY IT, INCLUDING FINANCIAL DAMAGES TO BUSINESSES AND FOLKS THAT WORK AT HOME.

AN AUDIT OF AUSTIN ENERGY WILL HELP RESOLVE THAT.

MAY I PRETEND THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS MORNING? ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME AND SHARED YOUR, YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US THIS MORNING.

THE WORK WE HAVE AHEAD OF US, IT IS RIGHT NOW 12:09 PM I SUGGEST WE TAKE UP THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION SINCE THAT IS DUE TO START AT NOON AND WE ARE ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEHIND AT THIS POINT.

AND THEN FOLLOWING THAT, WE WOULD TAKE UP THE CONSENT AGENDA AND DO, UM, BRIEF COMMENTS OR ANY ABSTENTIONS OR RECUSALS OR ANY OF THOSE NOTES THAT PEOPLE WANNA SHARE AS SOON AS WE'RE DONE WITH PUBLIC COMMUNICATION COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE NOTE.

YOU GUYS ALL HAVE, UH, AN EMAIL FROM A CONSTITUENT MIRIAM CONNOR.

UM, APPARENTLY SHE DIDN'T GET CALLED, BUT SHE WANTED TO SPEAK THIS MORNING, BUT SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T RECEIVE A PHONE CALL FROM OUR CLERK'S OFFICE, BUT SHE DID EMAIL HER TESTIMONY.

I'LL SUGGEST THE CLERKS REACH OUT TO, TO THEM AND PLEASE LOOK TO YOUR INBOX FOR THOSE COMMENTS.

APPRECIATE THAT.

SO CLERKS, PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.

SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET'S TAKE UP PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.

AFTER THAT, WE WILL DO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

WE DO HAVE MUSIC THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE HEARING AFTER WE TAKE UP THE CONSENT AGENDA, A BRIEF LUNCH BREAK, AND THEN AT 2:00 PM WE'LL COME BACK AND BRIEFLY TAKE UP THE A H F C AGENDA AND THEN MOVE INTO THE ZONING CONSENT SPEAKERS.

SO THAT IS GENERALLY THE RUN OF SHOW.

AS A REMINDER, WE DO HAVE POLL ITEMS NUMBER 11 40 41, 74, 75, 76, 80, AND 81.

AND MY PLAN IS TO TAKE THOSE UP LATER IN THE DAY.

UM, I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF AMENDMENTS ALSO BEING PROPOSED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF HOURS, AND SO PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE AMENDMENTS COMING, SEND THEM TO THE AGENDA OFFICE AND POST TO THE MESSAGE BOARD SO THAT WE CAN DO A PROPER EVALUATION OF ALL THE AMENDMENTS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS TODAY.

THANK YOU MAYOR PERAM.

OUR FIRST SPEAKER FOR OUR NEW PUBLIC COMMUNICATION IS SANDRA MUELLER.

HI, GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I'M SANDRA MUELLER AND I LIVE IN D ONE.

I WANTED TO WELCOME THE NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CONGRATULATE THOSE WHO HAVE REELECTED.

UM, I HOPE YOU'LL ALL PUT AUSTIN FIRST IN YOUR DECISIONS AND REALLY LISTEN CAREFULLY TO CITIZENS.

THEY KNOW THINGS.

IT'S BEEN GREAT LISTENING TO THEM TODAY AND ALL, ALL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS, BUT I'M HERE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THE TEMPORARY LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH AUSTIN PETS ALIVE, ALSO KNOWN AS APA.

SO THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN EXTENDED MULTIPLE TIMES, TOTALING SEVEN YEARS NOW, AND IT'S UP FOR RENEWAL AGAIN THIS MONTH.

APA HAS BEEN USING THE 70 YEAR OLD TOWN LAKE ANIMAL CENTER FOR FREE FOR OVER 10 YEARS IN EXCHANGE FOR TAKING 12% OR 3000 ANIMALS, WHICHEVER IS GREATER FROM AAC ON A PROMISE TO REBUILD.

NOW, APA IS TRYING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS IT TAKES FROM AAC TO A MERE 5%.

A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND.

APA BRINGS INTO AUSTIN ABOUT FIVE TO 8,000 ANIMALS PER YEAR.

APA WAS INITIALLY GIVEN 210 KENNELS, BUT IN 2018, THEY STARTED USING AN ADDITIONAL 60 KENNELS WITHOUT

[02:05:01]

A REVISION TO THEIR INTAKE FROM AAC.

TOWN LAKE FAILED INSPECTIONS, IT FLOODS, HAS NO HVAC LOSES POWER, INCLUDING LAST WEEK HAS EXPOSED REBAR, CRUMBLING CEMENT, AND A BIRD POOP PROBLEM.

THE LICENSE AGREEMENT USED TO LIMIT APAS INTAKE TO ONLY AUSTIN AND THE FIVE SURROUNDING COUNTIES, BUT NOW THEY'RE PERMITTED TO TAKE ANIMALS FROM ANYWHERE YOU SEE.

IF APA DOESN'T GET WHAT THEY WANT, THEY GO TO MISS POOL WHO PUSHES A RESOLUTION ON THE CITY LIKE 20 21 11 0 4 DASH 0 38.

MEANWHILE, YOUR CITY SHELTER, YOUR OWN CITY SHELTER IS STRUGGLING WITH CAPACITY.

THERE'S A MONTH LONG WAIT TO SURRENDER PETS AND THREE 11 TELLS GOOD SAMARITANS TO LEAVE FOUND ANIMALS ON THE STREETS.

NOW YOU'VE GOT A LOOSE DOG PROBLEM.

THE CITY'S COUNCIL'S, COUNCIL'S JOB IS TO KEEP IT CITIZENS SAFE, BUT YOU MUST ALSO HAVE EMPATHY FOR AUSTIN'S CITIZENS, PEOPLE WHO ARE SURRENDERING THEIR PETS DUE THE HARDSHIPS THAT YOU ARE OFFERING.

FAMILIAR WITH WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, HOUSING, COST OF LIVING, HOMELESSNESS, ALLOWING AK BRING THOUSAND OF ANIMAL ARMS DIRECTLY DISPLACES AND CAUSES COMPETITION FOR THE HOME.

NEXT SPEAKERS, GEORGES THERE, UH, CALLING TODAY TO URGE THE CITY COUNCIL AND OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO TAKE AN INCREMENTAL STEP TOWARDS OUR CLIMATE MODE SHARING AND VISION ZERO GOALS BY CONVERTING ONE OF THE GENERAL PURPOSE LANES ALONG RIVERSIDE FROM 35 TO CONGRESS AVENUE INTO A DEDICATED BUS LANE.

THIS FALLS IN THOSE DISTRICT D NINE, UH, BUT I'M, WHAT I'M PROPOSING WILL ALSO BRING BENEFITS AND, AND TRANSIT EQUITY TO THE PEOPLE OF D THREE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF JOSE VELAZQUEZ FOLLOWING A STRING OF GRM CASUALTIES AND LIVES RUINED DUE TO SPEEDING VEHICLES CAREENING DOWN THE HILL FROM I 35.

A T D IS INSTALLING GUARDRAILS TO PROTECT PEDESTRIANS ALONG RIVERSIDE, BUT WE KNOW THAT PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS ROUTINELY CROSS THE ROAD, TRAVEL ALONG THE COURT ORDER ATTACK WITH THE HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL AND THE BUSINESS OF LONG RIVERSIDE.

SO NO NUMBER OF GUARDRAILS WILL PREVENT LIFE-THREATENING COLLISIONS DUE TO SPEEDING AND NEGLIGENCE.

IN FACT, THESE RAILS MAY EVEN GIVE DESIGN CUES TO DRIVERS THAT RIVERSIDE IS A HIGHWAY.

WHAT HAS HELPED DURING THIS TIME IS THAT WHILE IN STARTING INSTALLING THE GUARDRAILS, RIVERSIDE HAS BEEN REDUCED TO A SINGLE GENERAL LANE OF TRAFFIC FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

THIS IS TEMPORARILY MADE A MEANINGFUL DIS DIFFERENCE WITH SLOWER AND SAFER DRIVING HABITS.

WHILE CONSTRUCTION CONES ARE UP, YOU CAN SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

IT'S SAFER FOR ALL USERS FROM CARS TO CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS.

SO I URGE YOU TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY WHILE LANE IS ALREADY CLOSED, TO CONVERT IT TO A BUS ONLY LANE.

WE KNOW WE CAN MOVE MORE PEOPLE BY BUS THAN BY SINGLE OCCUPANCY VEHICLES UP TO FIVE TIMES AS MANY DURING PEAK TIMES WHEN TRAVELING ON A DEDICATED BUS LANE.

WE KNOW THAT ROUTE'S 20 AND SEVEN RUNNING THROUGH THIS AREA ALREADY RECEIVED SOME OF THE HIGHEST RIDERSHIP ON THE CAT METRO NETWORK.

SO LET'S SUPERCHARGE THAT AND MAKE ME EVEN MORE COMPETITIVE WITH A BUS LANE CONVERSION AND ENHANCED FREQUENCY CAR TRAFFIC HAS HAS ALREADY ADJUSTED THEIR DRIVING HABITS DURING GUARDRAIL CONSTRICTION.

SO LET'S ACT AND MAKE THESE CHANGES PERMANENT.

THERE ARE DEDICATED BUS LANES EAST OF 35 ON RIVERSIDE AND DOWNTOWN ON LAVA AND GL FLOAT.

CONNECT THE DOTS.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE IS A, THIS IS A FUTURE BLUE LINE CORRIDOR AND RIDERSHIP DOESN'T JUST MANIFEST THAT THIN AIR AND THAT THE BETTER CAT METRO'S RIDERSHIP THE BETTER OUR CHANCES AT COMPETITIVE FEDERAL GRANT, WE NEED TO BUILD UP THE NETWORK AND CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE CAT METRO'S PRODUCT TO MAKE IT EASIER AND MORE CONVENIENT TO DRIVING SOLO.

THERE ARE INCREMENTAL STEPS WE CAN TAKE TO HELP US REACH OUR CLIMATE, TRANSPORTATION, AND PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS.

THIS IS WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

WE HAVE A GOAL OF A 50 50 MODE SPLIT OUTLINES IN AWESOME STRATEGIC MOBILITY PLAN BY 2039.

WE'RE NOT GONNA GET THERE BY WAITING.

WHILE AN INEXPENSIVE CHANGE CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

IN THE MEANTIME, LET'S GET THIS DONE.

WE'RE NOW GOING TO SWITCH TO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.

WE'RE GONNA START WITH MANUEL JIMENEZ, FOLLOWED BY ANIN SING, FOLLOWED BY ETHAN SMITH.

HELLO MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

MY NAME IS MANUEL JIMENEZ.

I'M MILITARY VETERAN SERVANT ON THE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION, UH, APPOINTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RENTERIA.

HOWEVER, I'M HERE ON MY OWN BEHALF.

ON JANUARY 15TH, 2020, THE VETERANS COMMISSION PASSED A RECOMMENDATION TO CREATE AN OFFICE OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.

ON DECEMBER 9TH, 2021, COUNCIL ADOPTED A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO IDENTIFY COST FUNDING SOURCES AND STEPS ASSOCIATED

[02:10:01]

WITH ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.

A RETURN TO COUNCIL WITH A REPORT BEFORE APRIL, 2022.

ON JULY 1ST, 2022, A MEMORANDUM WAS SENT FROM THE HR DIRECTOR, THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIRECTOR TO THE COUNCIL.

THROUGH THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, IT STATES THAT HUMAN RESOURCES RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERNAL VETERANS RELATED SERVICES AND THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXTERNAL VETERANS PROGRAMMING.

THE MEMORANDUM RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL PROVIDE FUNDING FOR VETERANS POSITION WITHIN THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS.

THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION IN DECEMBER OF 2021 REQUESTED A REPORT IDENTIFYING COST AND STEPS ASSOCIATED WITH ESTABLISHING A VETERAN'S OFFICE.

INSTEAD, HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT AND OFFICE CIVIL RIGHTS ATTEMPTED TO JUSTIFY THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE ON VETERANS RELATED MATTERS, HUMAN RESOURCE AND OFFICE.

CIVIL RIGHTS DID NOT PROVIDE STEPS FOR CREATING A VETERAN'S OFFICE.

HOWEVER, THEY RECOMMENDED KEEPING THE NEW POSITION UNDER THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS.

THIS IS NOT THE DIRECTION THAT COUNCIL GAVE.

THE CITY MANAGER HUMAN RE RESOURCES HAS A VETERAN'S CONSULTANT POSITION LISTED AS WORKING ON INTERNAL VETERANS RELATED PROGRAMS. THE COMMISSION HAS RE REQUESTED SINCE 2021 FOR HUMAN RESOURCES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON INTERNAL PROGRAMS. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED TO DO SO.

WHEN OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS TOOK OVER STAFF SUPPORT FOR THE VETERANS COMMISSION, THEY RECEIVED A VETERAN'S ADMINISTRATOR POSITION FOR FROM HUMAN RESOURCES.

THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS RECLASSIFIED THIS POSITION INTO AN OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS POSITION.

THEY ENDED UP BEING VACANT FOR TWO YEARS.

THE VETERAN'S COMMISSION PASSED ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION ON AUGUST 5TH, 2022 BEFORE THE COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING REQUESTING THE CREATION OF A VETERAN'S OFFICE.

THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS DID NOT PROVIDE THE RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2022.

WELL BEYOND COUNCIL'S APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET, THE VETERAN'S PROGRAMS ARE FRAGMENTED REPORTING TO TWO SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS.

I BELIEVE THAT THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT AND OFFICE CIVIL RIGHTS HAVE PLACED BARRIERS ON THE WORK THE COMMISSION HAS TAKEN.

TWO VETERANS POSITIONS ARE CURRENTLY FUNDED.

I ASK YOU TO PASS A RESOLUTION TO COMBINE THESE POSITION UNDER A VETERAN'S OFFICE.

PROVIDERS AND I HAVE BEEN REQUESTING THEM TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE ACCESS TO THE THING AND THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED AS YET, BUT THE CONTRACT AND THE THINGS THAT, THE MONEY THAT YOU PROVIDED THE CITY OF AUSTIN PROVIDED WAS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE IT IN THE FIRST PLACE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE, I CAN GO ON THE LITANY OF ALL ISSUES.

NEXT SPEAKERS, AN SING FOLLOWED BY ETHAN SMITH, FOLLOWED BY RUTH MOON SINGH.

UH, HELLO, MY NAME IS ANIL SINGH AND THANK YOU.

UH, HELLO.

MY NAME IS ANIL SINGH AND, AND THANK YOU PRO MAYOR.

UM, MS. PAGE ELLIS AND COUNCILWOMAN, MS. ALLISON TER AND MY COUNCILWOMAN DISTRICT TO MS. VANESSA FINS.

AND UH, I KNOW SHE'S BEEN ALWAYS ENCOURAGING ME TO COME IN AND SPEAK AND SAY MY POINT OF VIEW, SO I WANTED TO SPEAK TO THEM.

SO I WANNA SPEAK ON THIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB AND THEY'VE GOT THIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THEY DO.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING TO BE CONGRESS UPON IT.

HOWEVER, I'VE COME HERE TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE DEFICIENCIES OR CONCERNS THAT I HAVE.

I RESIDE IN AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND I RESIDE IN AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SOUTH AUSTIN AND THAT IS RUN BY DMA HOUSING OR DMA ASSOCIATES.

AND THE WAY THEY, THEY RUN IT AND THE WAY IT IS, IS PRETTY CHARITABLE AND UM, I'VE SEEN SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ESPECIALLY THOSE RUN BY FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES AND THEY'RE RUN VERY WELL.

SO I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT TO YOU NOT SPECIFICALLY MY CONCERNS OR THINGS THAT I HAVE IS THAT TODAY YOU HAVE SIGNED UP, UM, SEVERAL MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS AND YOU SIGN UP AND IN THAT CONTRACTS AND THAT ARE DRAWN UP BY MS. ROSIE TRULA, THE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO THAT'S FINE DOING, BUT ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THEY PROMISED THAT THE DEVELOPER PROMISES FOR THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT YOU PROVIDE THEM TO DEVELOP THE HOUSING, THEY DON'T DO IT.

FOR INSTANCE, IN THIS HOUSING, THE NIGHTING GALA AT GOODNIGHT RANGE PER I'M STAYING, THEY SAID THAT'LL BE A NON-SMOKING AREA.

IF NOT THAT THEY WILL FOLLOW FAIR HOUSING.

IT IS NOT, THEY DON'T FOLLOW FAIR HOUSING.

AYE MS. ROSIE TRUER PROMISED A WHOLE LOT OF STUFF, NOT ONLY FAIR HOUSING, IT'LL BE ADA, IT'LL CONFORM TO AMERICAN FOR DISABILITY ACT.

IT'LL CONFIRM NOT ONLY TO AMERICAN WITH DISABILITY ACT, BUT ALSO TO THE GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE TO AMERICANS THAT ARE DISABLED.

I'M DISABLED FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

MY HEALTHCARE

[02:15:01]

I CAN GO ON AND TELL YOU AND HIGHLIGHT IT.

I JUST GOT THREE MINUTES.

BUT THE POINT IS THAT WHEN YOU'RE PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, YOU'RE PROVIDING IT TO ACCESS TO SAFE, QUALITY, ACCESSIBLE, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND THAT IS NOT TRUE.

AND THAT IS NOT WHAT WE GOT.

UH, WE DO NOT HAVE EITHER ONE.

WE SHOULD HAVE IS A RIGHT TO ORGANIZE A RIGHT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE CLARITY THE RESIDENTS IN THIS SPECIFIC HOUSING WERE, ARE EXTREMELY TROUBLED.

AND IN JANUARY, THEY HAD APPROACHED ME LAST YEAR, 2022.

THANK YOU MR. SING.

YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO FINISH YOUR SENTENCE? YES.

CLOSE OUT YOUR THOUGHT.

YES, MA'AM.

THEY HAD ASKED ME TO ORGANIZE AND WE TRIED TO ORGANIZE AND WE HAD CONTACTED BAA AND T RLA AND I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THOSE NEGATIVE POINTS ABOUT THAT.

BUT WE ARE NOT A, THE MANAGEMENT HARASS AND EVERY ONE OF US WHO ORGANIZED AND THE MAIN, ONE OF THE TWO OF THE THREE LEADERS HAVE ALREADY LEFT THE APARTMENT AND NOW THINK, UNDERSTAND THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FILING A LEASE, UH, LAWSUIT.

I HAVE BEEN HARASS.

AND ALSO THANK YOU.

WE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE.

SO MANY OF THESE THINGS ARE JUST NOT AVAILABLE.

WE, WE APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS.

DID YOU SAY YOU WERE IN D TWO? YES.

THANK AHEAD.

THANK YOU MR. SINGH.

I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT I HAVE, UM, SOPHIA MORALES WITH MY TEAM HERE IN THE CHAMBERS AND SHE'S GONNA CO CONNECT WITH YOU HERE SHORTLY.

THANK YOU FOR TESTIFYING.

NEXT SPEAKERS.

ETHAN SMITH, FOLLOWED BY RUTH MOONY VAREK.

HELLO NEWS CITY COUNCIL.

UM, YEAH, SO, UM, I WANTED TO SING Y'ALL A SONG TODAY.

UM, FOR THE NEW PEOPLE.

I KIND OF COME HERE EVERY THREE TIMES, LIKE EVERY SIX WEEKS.

AND I SPEAK ABOUT SOME ISSUE.

I HAVE A LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL.

UH, I SPOKE AT THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE YESTERDAY, UH, STATE SENATE, AND IT WAS ABOUT THE BEST PITCH I'VE EVER DONE.

IT'S RIGHT AT THE END OF THE PART TWO.

UM, AND IT PLAYS INTO, THERE'S LIKE SOME NOISE GOING ON IT LIKE PLAYS INTO, UM, TO THE OTHER HALF OF IT IS LIKE, UM, TRYING TO GET UT TO BUILD SOME HOUSING AND HOW TO DO THAT.

AND I HAVE A SPECIFIC MODEL THAT'S BASED OFF MY THESIS RESEARCH.

I WORK ON MY THESIS FOR A COUPLE YEARS AND I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH STAKEHOLDER GROUPS FOR, UH, A YEAR AND NINE MONTHS NOW SINCE I FINISHED THAT, UH, IN THE CHRONICLE THIS WEEK PASSED, UM, STUDENT LEGISLATION FIVE TIMES.

ANYWAYS, HERE'S A SONG.

UH, TRY AND KEEP IT LIGHT.

THIS SONG'S CALLED I'M NOT A LOBBYIST.

WELL, I'M NOT A LOBBYIST, I'M JUST A REGULAR GUY.

NO ONE'S PAYING ME TO BE HERE.

AND I KIND OF WONDER WHY I GOT A MILLION DOLLARS SMILE AND I CAN THROW BACK A BEER.

I CAN READ YOUR FACE AND WITH MY MAGIC POWERS, I CAN TELL IF YOU HUNT HERE, I'M ACTUALLY FROM AUSTIN.

I LIVE RIGHT DOWN THAT HILL.

I'LL MAKE YOU A DEAL.

YOU CAN SLEEP THERE TOO.

IF YOU CARRY MY BILL.

I GOT MY UNDERGRAD EDUCATION FROM THE SCHOOL ON UP THE STREET.

THEY DESPERATELY NEED MONEY TO FUND THEIR FOOTBALL TEAM.

WELL, I'M NOT LOBBYIST, I JUST SNUCK IN THE CHRISTMAS PARTY, RUBBING ELBOWS WITH THE STAFFERS, DRINKING EGGNOG AND BACARDI.

I AIN'T BEEN LOSING ANY SLEEP FROM MY GOOD TIMING DOOR TO DOOR.

COULD SOMEONE POINT ME TO THE HOT TUB FROM CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR? WELL, I'M NOT LOBBYIST, BUT THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW AGAIN SINGING IN A MICROPHONE TILL YOUR VOICE GOES WRONG.

SO WE'LL CUT IT OFF RIGHT HERE, BUT BEFORE THIS GAVELS TO AN IN YOU, MAKE SURE AND PASS MY BILL AND I'LL CALL YOU MY FRIEND

[02:20:03]

THANK Y'ALL.

SO KEEP A LOOKOUT, UM, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE GONNA DO ANYTHING WITH UT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

UM, I AM THE EXPERT ON THIS AND I'D LOVE TO BE IN THAT CONVERSATION.

NEXT SPEAKERS, RUTH MOONING, FOLLOWED BY PAT BAZ, FOLLOWED BY EMMANUEL LIMO.

GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE MAYOR WATSON CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I'M RUTH, MOTHER OF RAJAN MENINGA WHO ARE KILLED BY THE AUSTIN POLICE ON NOVEMBER 15TH, 2022.

MY HUSBAND CARVIN AND I HAVE THREE SONS, MARK, JOHANN AND RAJA.

I ACTUALLY HAD RA SEVEN YEARS AFTER MY SECOND CHILD.

IT WAS NOT EASY TO HAVE THIS BABY ENTER THE WORLD.

AND WHEN WE GOT THIS BOY, WE KNEW WE WERE BLESSED WITH A SPECIAL GIFT.

THE PAPERS HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED HIM AS A PROMISING TECH ENTREPRENEUR, GENEROUS PHILANTHROPIST, LOVING FRIEND TO THE HOMELESS, PASSIONATE SOCCER PLAYER AND FAN, AND A RESTAURANT GROWING FOODIE TO HIS .

THAT MEANS MOM AND DAD IN SINESE.

HE WAS SIMPLY THE BEST.

HE WAS THOUGHTFUL, GENEROUS, KIND, AND FUNNY TO HIS BROTHERS, MARK AND JOHAN.

RAJAN WAS THEIR MOST TRUSTED FRIEND.

RAGIN WAS DOING GREAT THINGS AND THEY WILL CONTINUE, BUT NOTHING, NOTHING WILL REPLACE HIS PRESENCE HERE.

I TAKE COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT I WILL SPEND ETERNITY WITH HIM, WITH JESUS.

I CHALLENGE ALL OF YOU TO WATCH THE VIDEO OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT, THE BODY CAMERA VIDEO, THE RING SECURITY FOOTAGE AND THE 9 1 1 AUDIO TO GET CLARITY TO THIS TRAGEDY.

RAJA HAD NO CHANCE.

I'M VERY FORTUNATE THAT OUR FAMILY HAS THE RESOURCES TO PURSUE JUSTICE FOR RAJA, BUT I'M NOT HERE JUST FOR HIM.

I'M HERE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE UNJUSTLY LOST THEIR LIVES AT THE HANDS OF ONE AUSTIN POLICE.

HOW DO WE CHANGE THE CULTURE OF SHOOTING FIRST INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON DEESCALATION, WE MUST CONSIDER THIS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND ACT WITH THE SAME FERVOR WE DID FOR THE C O V D VIRUS RESPONSE.

WHAT I ASK OF YOU SPECIFICALLY IS THIS ONE, THE POLICE COMPLETE THE INVESTIGATION OF RAJA'S SHOOTING.

IT HAS ALMOST, IT'S ALMOST THREE MONTHS.

DON'T DRAG THIS ON.

WE ARE HURTING AS YOU NEGOTIATE THE NEW POLICE CONTRACT.

THAT'S NUMBER TWO, HOLD OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE WITH CONSEQUENCES OF BREAKING PROTOCOL AND PROCEDURES.

THREE, CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF POLICE CONDUCT.

LASTLY, INCREASED FUNDING FOR BETTER TRAINING, RECRUITMENT AND SUPPORT.

WE NEED TO STOP TRAGEDIES LIKE THIS FROM HAPPENING IN THIS GREAT CITY.

IT NEEDS TO STOP AND IT STARTS WITH ALL OF YOU TODAY.

WEEK I LOST POWER FOR TWO DAYS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SHARING WITH US TODAY.

NEXT SPEAKERS, PAT VAREK, FOLLOWED BY EMMANUEL MANUEL, FOLLOWED BY ANGELA GARZA, MAYOR WATSON MAYOR PROS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS PAT BREES AND I AM A 30 YEAR SEVEN YEAR RESIDENT OF AUSTIN.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE.

I USED TO BE IN THE DISTRICT NINE, BUT I GOT MOVED.

UM, I WAS APPOINTED TO THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION IN 1992.

BY THEN COUNCIL MEMBER AND LATER MAYOR GUS GARCIA.

I SERVED AS A, AN ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBER FOR 16 YEARS AND LAST

[02:25:01]

MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL OF THOSE WHO SUFFERED FAR MORE THAN I DID LAST WEEK.

ALTHOUGH I AM NO LONGER A MEMBER OF THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION, I AM CURRENTLY ON THE RECENTLY CREATED SPAY NEUTER WORKING GROUP.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.

COUNCIL MEMBER AL ALTER.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY AND COUNCIL MEMBER VELA FOR APPOINTING THE FOUR COMMISSION ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION.

MEMBERS WHO CURRENTLY SERVE ON THE SPAY NEUTER WORKING GROUP.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE FOUR PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT SPAY NEUTER WORKING TOGETHER AND THEY WILL BE, UH, VOTING ON THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING ON MONDAY NIGHT.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT YET APPOINTED ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBERS, I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING.

ONE THAT ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBERS BE EITHER AUSTIN OR TRAVIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, OR AT LEAST WORK IN TRAVIS COUNTY THERE, THAT YOU ALSO CONSIDER IN MAKING YOUR APPOINTMENTS TO ADD TO THE COMMISSION MEMBERS WHO SUPPORT AND CARE ABOUT SPAY NEUTER AS WELL AS OTHER PREVENTIVE SERVICES THAT WILL HELP, UM, IMPROVE ANIMAL SERVICES BY ADDRESSING PET OVERPOPULATION, SHELTER OVERCROWDING AND THE LACK OF SERVICES TO RESIDENTS OF CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT IN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO, BUT CERTAINLY BEFORE CITY, THE CITY MANAGER SUBMITS THE NEXT BUDGET.

YOU CONSIDER A PUBLIC HEARING ON ANIMAL SERVICES THAT INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPACT THAT THE NOVEMBER 4TH, 2021 RESOLUTION ON ANIMAL SERVICES HAD ON ANIMAL SERVICES IN PARTICULAR.

PLEASE LOOK AT THE NOVEMBER 4TH RESOLUTION CHANGE THAT ALLOWS AUSTIN PETS ALIVE TO BRING ANIMALS IN FROM OUTSIDE THE FIVE COUNTY AREA THAT WAS IN THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT.

THIS HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON THE AUSTIN ANIMAL SHELTER, ON THE SHELTER STAFF, ON HOW OVERWHELMED THEY ARE.

AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO BE ABLE TO HEAR ABOUT THAT.

I ALSO ASK YOU TO, UM, LOOK AT THE FACT THAT AUSTIN PETS ALIVE HAD THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS THEY MUST TAKE FROM ANIMAL SERVICES REDUCED AND THE IMPACT THAT THAT HAS ON THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN.

I DON'T HAVE PROBLEM WITH SERVING OTHER COUNTIES AND OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE WHEN WE HAVE THE SERVICES AND THE, AND THE SPACE TO DO SO.

AND FINALLY, THANK YOU MAYOR WATSON FOR COMING BACK.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

NEXT SPEAKERS IMMANUEL MANUEL, FOLLOWED BY ANGELA GARZA, FOLLOWED BY KAIRA MATOS.

GOOD MORNING, UH, MAYOR WATSON.

YOU MAY NEED TO PULL THAT MICROPHONE A LITTLE.

OH, I FORGOT.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

UH, GOOD MORNING TO YOU ALL.

I'M HERE.

UH, AS A WAY OF INTRODUCTION AND INVITE.

I AM EMMANUEL LIMU JR.

I SERVE AS A PASTOR OF FRIENDLY WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.

UH, THROUGH A VERY LONG JOURNEY, DIFFICULT JOURNEY, A VERY, UH, HARD PROCESS DEALING WITH THE CITY.

WE HAVE FOUND A PLACE THAT WE COULD CALL HOME.

AND SO I'M HERE TODAY, UH, NOT ONLY BY INTRODUCTION BUT BY INVITE.

WE ARE IN DISTRICT TWO.

SO COUNCILWOMAN EZ, WE ARE CERTAINLY INVITING YOU AND ALL OF COUNCILWOMAN TO BE WITH US TO CELEBRATE AS WE ENTER OUR NEW PLACE.

WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO IT THIS MONTH, BUT BECAUSE OF THE WINTER STORM AND CONSTRUCTION, WE HAD TO DELAY IT TILL MARCH.

WHY AM I COMING FACE-TO-FACE? WELL, WE WILL SEND LETTERS, WE WILL CORRESPOND BY EMAIL, BUT THOSE THINGS GO INTO TRASH.

THEY GO TO FILE 13, FACE-TO-FACE, FACE.

YOU HAVE TO RESPOND SOME SORT OF WAY.

SO WE'RE INVITING YOU TO COME.

WE WILL BE WORKING WITH YOU, UH, AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

THIS IS NOT MY FIRST TIME, UH, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH SOME OF YOU.

WE'VE MET BEFORE.

I'VE BEEN IN THE BACK JUST WATCHING AND LISTENING, BUT I'M GONNA BE MORE UPFRONT SO I WILL BE BACK TO REMIND YOU, UM, FOR SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON.

WE WANNA REACH OUT, WE WANNA WORK WITH YOU TO KIND OF CURVE SOME OF THESE THINGS, ESPECIALLY IN OUR AREA.

I'LL SAY THIS AND THEN I'M DONE.

WHERE WE ARE, WHERE OUR CHURCH IS, WE HAVE COPS THAT PARK ON OUR PARKING LOT.

I'VE GONE TO MEET WITH THEM, I'VE SHARED WITH THEM.

WE ARE HAPPY FOR YOU TO DO THAT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT IF WE CAN MAKE THAT CONTACT AND HAVE THAT KIND OF FELLOWSHIP, IT WILL POSSIBLY CURB A LOT OF THINGS.

THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME

[02:30:01]

AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY.

MR. MANUEL, I JUST ALSO WANTED TO UH, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH YOU AND GET YOUR CONTACT INFO.

SOPHIA WITH MY TEAM IS IN THE CHAMBER, SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE THAT CONNECTION.

THANK YOU FOR TESTIFYING YOU.

WHERE THE RESOURCES THAT YOU DO HAVE GO.

NEXT SPEAKERS, ANGELA GARZO AND FOLLOWED BY KYRA MATOS.

HELLO ALL OF YOU.

I MISS Y'ALL.

LOVE Y'ALL.

SO THANKFUL FOR Y'ALL.

UM, FIRST OF ALL, I WANNA SAY I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SAY THANK YOU.

WE HAD 11 FAMILY MEMBERS DIE OF COVID AND WE WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN WITH US THROUGHOUT THAT CRAZINESS THAT WE WALKED THROUGH AND LOST PEOPLE THAT WE LOVE SO MUCH.

UM, TO THOSE LOSSES IN THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE BEEN WITH US ON DIAS, INCLUDING OUR INCREDIBLE MANAGER WHO HAS HUGGED US THROUGH IT AND HAS GOTTEN US THROUGH ALL THAT WITH THAT STRENGTH.

AND I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SAY THANK YOU .

WE HAD TO RECOVER FROM THAT.

BUT NOW I'M SAYING THANK YOU.

THE SECOND THING I WANNA SAY IS THAT, UM, I CAN'T BE OUT THERE TO GIVE OUT BOXES LIKE A LOT OF YOU CUZ NOW I HAVE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AFTER AN INJURY AND I AM DOING GREAT WITH THE TREATMENT NOW.

UM, BUT I DID GET TO WORK WITH UM, EAST MK COMBINED CONTACT TEAM AND WE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING CUZ WE'RE DOERS AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE SUPER VOLUNTEERS, WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING RIGHT.

WE REACHED OUT TO SOME COMPANIES IN AUSTIN, TEXAS AND WE FOUND OUT THEY HAVE GENERATORS AT THEIR STORES.

WE WERE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE SOME PRICES DOWN WITH SOME OF THESE FOLKS AND MANAGERS WE GOT ON THE PHONE BEFORE WORK.

IN FACT, I'M COMING STRAIGHT FROM WORK TO CAM HERE TO SPEAK.

AND WE, WE GOT TO THINKING THAT SOME OF US COULD BECOME HOST HOMES TO WHOLE GENERATORS AND IF OUR ELECTRICITY DOESN'T GO OUT, WE CAN GET 'EM OUT TO OTHER HOMES THAT MIGHT NEED 'EM AND THAT WAY THEY CAN KEEP THEIR ELECTRICITY GOING ON.

AGAIN, BECAUSE WE'RE SOLUTION DRIVEN, THIS WAS A SOLUTION THAT CAME UP ON US AND IF WE HAVE YOUR PERMISSION, WE CAN MAYBE SUBMIT A PROPOSAL, MAYBE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT AS AN EMERGENCY AND THAT MAYBE THESE ENCRYPTED NUMBERS CAN BE, UM, UM, PLACED IN PEOPLE'S HOMES WHERE WE CAN OFFER THEM TO OTHER HOMES AT THAT POINT TO USE 'EM AT THAT POINT.

UM, THE OTHER THING THAT WE WANNA STATE IS THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS RESPECT.

WHEN LETTERS GO OUT TO THE, THE COMMUNITY THAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND, UM, INCLUDING LIKE A 25 LETTER THAT GOES OUT IN COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY IN SPANISH, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS THAT WE HAVE A TOWN HALL TO UNDERSTAND IT AND HOW WE CAN PARTNER IN IT.

CAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE IT CAN BE POSITIVE, BUT BECAUSE WE DON'T UNDERSTAND IT, WE NEED TO REALLY HAVE THOSE TOWN HALLS TO BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND HAVE THE ENVIRONMENT TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS.

UM, SO IN THE FUTURE WE'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN GET A LITTLE BIT BETTER RELATIONSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP OF OF UNDERSTANDING THAT.

AND I DO NEED TO PUT THIS ON PUBLIC ACCOUNT AS WELL.

UH, WE'VE GIVEN NO ONE PERMISSION IN OUR CITY TO RECORD US OR, UM, LISTEN TO OUR CAUSE OR ANYTHING WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION OR WITHOUT US IN PRIVACY.

I JUST NEED TO PO POST THAT OUT THERE SO THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT HERE AS WELL.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REALLY WANTED TO EXPRESS TODAY WAS OUR GRATITUDE DURING COVID AS ONE OF THE PEOPLE.

THEY LOST SO MANY FAMILY MEMBERS TO COVID.

I JUST LOVE Y'ALL FOR BEING THERE AND YOU GOT US THROUGH.

I WANT Y'ALL TO BE PROUD OF THAT.

I LOVE Y'ALL OKAY OUT HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

THE LAST SPEAKERS, UH, KAIRA MATOS.

GOOD AFTERNOON COUNSEL.

UM, MY NAME IS KAIRA MATOS AND I'M HERE TO INTRODUCE Y'ALL, UM, ESPECIALLY THE PARKS BOARD, ALTHOUGH Y'ALL WILL HAVE TO GET THE MESSAGE TO COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER, UM, TO OUR GROUP, AMIGO DEPAR, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ WILL NEED NO INTRODUCTION AS HE IS AN AMIGO AND I BELIEVE IS WORKING WITH OUR CHAIR, FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER RO ALVAREZ, UM, TO GET SOME MORE RESOURCES FOR THE PARK, WHICH WE APPRECIATE.

UM, FOR THE REST OF Y'ALL AMIGO, THE PARK IS KIND OF LIKE THE PEACE PARK CONSERVANCY BUT WITH A LOT LESS MONEY.

UM, AND UH, BUT WHAT WE LACK FOR IN FUNDS WE MAKE UP FOR IN PASSION.

AND SO WE'RE A GROUP OF ABOUT 76 NEIGHBORS WHO ARE WORKING TO, UM, BRING PROGRAMMING TO THE PARK TREE PRESERVATION CLEANUPS, UM, AND JUST OVERALL CELEBRATING THE HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD PARK THAT WE HAVE.

UM, BUT WHAT I WANTED TO TALK TO Y'ALL ABOUT IS HOW WE CAN'T REALLY KEEP UP WITH WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO FOR THE PARK WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY.

UM, LAST YEAR WHEN THE PARKS DEPARTMENT AND WHEN THE CITY OVERALL WAS HAVING STAFFING SHORTAGES, WHICH I'M FAMILIAR WITH AS A BUSINESS OWNER, HAVING TO DECIDE

[02:35:01]

UM, THE GRASS IN OUR PARKS ON THE EAST SIDE WAS GETTING TO BE THREE, FOUR FEET TALL.

YOU COULDN'T PLAY BASEBALL IN THE FIELDS.

BASEBALL IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US ON THE EAST SIDE BY THE WAY.

UM, AND YET DURING THAT TIME YOU GO OVER TO THE PARKS IN WEST AUSTIN AND THE ALL THE PARK, ALL THE GRASS IS MOWED, EVERYTHING IS MAINTAINED AND YOU KNOW, ALL EVERY COUNCIL MEETING THERE ARE AGENDA ITEMS ABOUT, UM, INCREASING HOUSING DENSITY.

AND THE EAST SIDE HAS EMBRACED THIS IDEA OF HOUSING DENSITY.

WE'VE REALLY TAKEN ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CITY.

UM, YET WEST AUSTIN WHERE UM, I'LL NOTE THAT EMBRACEMENT HAS NOT HAPPENED NOT EMBRACING, UM, DENSE HOUSING AND EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OWN GIANT BACKYARD WITH, WITH TENNIS COURTS AND THEIR OWN PLAYGROUNDS FOR THEIR KIDS.

I'M SORRY, I MEAN PICKLEBALL COURTS, NOBODY PLAYS TENNIS ANYMORE.

UM, YOU KNOW, THEIR PARKS ARE ALL BEING MOWED AND I JUST THINK THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS SO MUCH ON AFFORDABLE DENSE HOUSING, THOSE RESEARCHERS SHOULD PROBABLY BE COMING TO THE NEIGHBORS THAT OR TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE PEOPLE NOW LIVING IN HOUSES WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN RECREATION SPACE AND WHERE KIDS NEED SAFE GREEN SPACE TO RUN AROUND AFTER SCHOOL AND ON THE WEEKENDS.

UM, AND SO WE HOPE THAT IN THIS NEXT YEAR WE CAN HAVE SOME OF THOSE RESOURCES COMING TO OUR PARKS.

UM, ANOTHER THING IS JUST OVERALL SAFETY.

SO LIKE I SAID, BASEBALL IS IMPORTANT TO US AND UM, SO SOME OF THE BIG PROGRAMMING PREPPING PROGRAMMING THAT WE HAVE.

OH, OKAY.

WELL THANKS Y'ALL HAVE A GOOD DAY.

MAYOR, PRETEND THAT CONCLUDES ALL SPEAKERS.

ALL RIGHT, THANKS FOR EVERYONE COMING TO SPEAK TO US, WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

UM, IT IS NOW 1244.

[Consent Agenda (Part 2 of 2)]

I'LL SUGGEST THAT WE GO AHEAD AND DO OUR CONSENT VOTE AND KEEP OUR REMARKS VERY BRIEF.

UM, JUST A REMINDER, WE HAVE PULLED ITEMS 11 40, 41, 74, 75, 76, 80, AND 81.

WE ARE, WE HAVE NOT NEEDED TO DO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR OUR REGULAR AGENDA TODAY, JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS THAT.

UM, WE DO HAVE THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING THAT MAYOR WATSON AND, UM, COUNCIL MEMBERS ALTER VELA AND FUENTEZ HAD CALLED AND WE'RE GONNA DO THAT AT THE VERY END OF THE DAY.

AS FAR AS OUR REGULAR AGENDA GOES SO FAR WE ARE NOT, UM, EXPECTING TO DO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

SO WE'LL DO THE CONSENT AGENDA, VOTE, WE'LL DO SOME BRIEF REMARKS, THEN WE WILL BREAK FOR LUNCH AND MUSIC AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK ABOUT 2:00 PM TO DO THE A H F C AGENDA.

TAKE OUR CONSENT ZONING SPEAKERS.

I BELIEVE WE'LL BE ABLE TO HANDLE UM, ANYTHING THAT'S PULLED OFF ZONING CONSENT AS WELL RIGHT AFTER THAT.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA MOVE INTO THOSE PULLED ITEMS, INCLUDING ITEMS 45 AND 46, WHICH INCLUDE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SO THOSE ARE NOT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

SO I BELIEVE THAT LAYS OUT WHAT OUR SCHEDULE WILL BE LIKE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

UM, ARE THERE ANY REMARKS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE WE TAKE THAT VOTE? LET'S START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TIM.

UH, I'D LIKE THE CLERK TO REFLECT AN AB EXTENSION FROM ITEM 32, PLEASE.

AND THEN I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT AND HIGHLIGHT ITEM NUMBER 22 ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA TODAY RELATED TO AN APPLICATION BY AUSTIN LINDHURST DMMA HOUSING L L C.

IT'S FOR A 9% LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR A NEW CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT THAT'LL BE KNOWN AS FOREST NORTH APARTMENTS.

UM, STAFF RECOMMENDED THAT COUNCIL SUPPORT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE IT'S LOCATED WITHIN HALF A MILE OF AN IMAGINE AUSTIN CENTER AND THE CITY HAS MORE THAN TWICE THE STATE AVERAGE OF UNITS PER CAPITA SUPPORTED BY HOUSING TAX CREDITS, WHICH IS REALLY, REALLY A GOOD THING.

UM, THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL BE LOCATED AT OR NEAR 13 4 24 LINDHURST STREET IN 78,729 IN DISTRICT SIX.

UM, THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 85 UNITS, 79 OF WHICH WILL BE AFFORDABLE AT 80% OF THE AUSTIN MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME AND BELOW.

IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT PROJECT FOR THAT PART OF THE COMMUNITY IN DISTRICT SIX THAT LACKS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT THE ITEM COLLEAGUES, I'M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR DISCUSSIONS LATER TODAY RELATED TO MY ITEMS NUMBER 40 AND 80.

THANK YOU MAYOR PROTE.

STORM, PEOPLE ARE REALLY SUFFERING, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT WE'RE PUTTING SOME, SOME TIME AND SOME FOCUS TO HEALTH, UM, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH.

LET'S GO WITH COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON NEXT AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER POOL AFTER.

OKAY, I HAVE FOUR ITEMS I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THREE AND 4 32 19 AND 21 ITEMS THREE AND FOUR, IT'S THE CULTURAL ARTS AND LIVE MUSIC FUNDS.

UM, I'LL KEEP IT BRIEF, IT'S OBVIOUS WE'RE THE CAPITAL CITY.

UM, WE'RE THE 11TH LARGEST CITY IN THE NATION.

WE CALL OURSELVES THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

THIS IS IMPORTANT.

UM, ITEM NUMBER 32 OUT, YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

I MADE NOTE OF THIS DURING THE COURSE OF OUR WORK SESSION ON TUESDAY.

UM, RIGHT NOW MORE THAN EVER AFTER THE PANDEMIC, AFTER THE

[02:40:01]

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO US DOING MORE AND SPENDING MORE TIME TALKING TO PEOPLE ABOUT SOBRIETY AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

I WANT US TO TALK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE UNCOMFORTABLE THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING WITH.

SO I APPRECIATE THIS ONE AS WELL.

UM, ITEMS NUMBER 19 AND 21 LOYOLA LANE, JOHNNY MORRIS AND ROSEWOOD COURTS.

I'M SUPER EXCITED TO SUPPORT, UH, REALLY LONG-TERM TO YOUR POINT QUALITY, HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UM, AND DISTRICT ONE THAT'S ON THIS WEEK'S AGENDA.

SO TWO PROJECTS I'M PARTICULARLY PROUD OF INCLUDE ITEM NUMBER 19, WHICH WILL FUND THE CREATION OF 200 BRAND NEW AFFORDABLE UNITS AT LOYOLA LANE AND JOHNNY MORRIS ROAD.

UM, AND THEN ITEM NUMBER 21, WHICH IS ANOTHER PART OF THE CITY'S CONTINUED, UM, INVESTMENT IN REDEVELOPMENT OF ROSEWOOD COURTS.

UH, FOR YOU, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS HOUSED THE COUNTRY'S VERY FIRST INCOME RESTRICTED HOUSING PROJECT, IT'S ROSEWOOD COURTS.

UM, AND SO IT IS FINALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME GETTING A RENOVATION.

UM, AND SO BOTH OF THOSE ARE GONNA SUSTAIN AND CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THE EAST SIDE.

I'M SUPER HOPEFUL THAT SOME OF MY NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY WILL NOT FACE THE PRESSURES OF DISPLACEMENT, UM, THAT SO MANY OTHERS ALREADY HAVE AND WILL CUZ WE KNOW IT'S INEVITABLE.

MY HOPE IS THAT WE TAKE THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO REALLY TO YALE'S POINT TODAY PLAN.

UM, BUT WE HAVE TO DO MORE.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE THAN JUST CREATING OR SUSTAINING AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THE EAST SIDE.

SO TO MY COLLEAGUES, THE CITY STAFF, I'D LIKE TO AGAIN POINT OUT, UM, THAT THE RECENT HOUSING WORKS ANNUAL REPORT CLEARLY ILLUSTRATES THE NEED FOR MORE HOUSING IN OTHER PARTS OF TOWN.

UM, BUT DISTRICT ONE IS ALWAYS NUMBER ONE IN PRODUCING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SO WE HAVE TO SPREAD THE LOVE.

I CONTINUE TO VERY IMPATIENTLY WAIT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR HIGHEST OPPORTUNITY NEIGHBORHOODS.

IN MY SECOND TERM, I ABSOLUTELY PLAN TO WELCOME COLLABORATION WITH EACH OF MY COLLEAGUES AND FOLKS WHO ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN SIENNA SPREAD THE LOVE AROUND THE CITY.

I THINK DIVERSE COMMUNITIES ARE IMPORTANT TO US ALL.

UM, UNTIL THEN, THANK YOU TO CITY STAFF AND TO THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO HAVE MADE THESE CURRENT INVESTMENTS POSSIBLE.

I I APPRECIATE YOU, UH, REMINDING US TO KEEP IT SHORT.

WE HAD LINED UP COUNCIL MEMBER POOL TO SPEAK NEXT AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTEZ WILL BE AFTER.

THANKS MAYOR PROAM.

UM, I WANTED TO SPEAK TO ITEM 46, WHICH IS ON THE CONSENT CONSENTED AGENDA.

AND I'M 46 IS NOT ON CONSENT.

46 IS NOT ON CONSENT.

NO, THAT'S A PUBLIC HEARING, RIGHT? OH, IT'S IN BLACK, NOT RED, RIGHT? RIGHT.

OKAY, I WILL PASS.

THAT'S WHAT I HERE.

HAPPY TO PASS .

THANK YOU COLLEAGUES.

I ORIGINALLY PULLED ITEM 11, BUT I'D LIKE TO PUT IT BACK ON CONSENT.

I PULLED IT CAUSE I WANTED, HAD SOME QUESTIONS FOR STAFF REGARDING THE USE OF THE DATA FROM THE SOFTWARE AS IT RELATES TO THE LICENSE PLATE READERS.

UM, CUSTOMER KELLY, YOU KNOW, YOU BROUGHT FORWARD AN ITEM LAST YEAR THAT OUTLINED SOME SAFEGUARDS AND SO I WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THIS ITEM, HOW IT RELATED AND I GOT A RESPONSE RESPONSE BACK FROM STAFF THAT I WOULD LIKE TO READ INTO THE RECORD.

UM, AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT SHARE LICENSE PLATE READER DATA WITH LEXUS NEXUS.

THE INFORMATION SHARED WITH LEXUS NEXUS IS PUSHED FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM LICENSE PLATE READER DATA IS STORED IN A SEPARATE DATA SYSTEM AND IS NOT LINKED TO THE DEPARTMENT'S RECORD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? VERY NICE.

CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEMS ONE THROUGH 43 11 IS BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

40 AND 41 ARE STILL PULLED.

THEN WE ALSO HAVE 74 THROUGH 81, EXCEPT PULLED ITEMS ARE 74, 75, 76, 80 AND 81.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON? I'M SORRY, MAYOR, DID YOU HAVE YOUR, DID YOU WANT I'M HAPPY TO MOVE.

I'M, I'M HAPPY TO ACT LIKE I'M HERE.

WE WISH YOU WERE, WE HOPE YOU'RE FEELING BETTER.

I'M BETTER.

AND REST ATTACK IS MY ALLOW TO PAY THE WHEELS TRADE.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

UM, WITHOUT ANY OBJECTION.

THE CONSENT AGENDA IS HEREBY ADOPTED WITH THE EXCEPTIONS FOR ANY RECUSALS, ABSTENTIONS OR VOTING NO THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY LISTED.

AND WITH THAT CONSENT AGENDA IS ADOPTED, WE WILL NOW TAKE A BREAK FOR MUSIC AND LUNCH AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE BACK OUT HERE AT 2:00 PM TO DO THE A H F C AND THE ZONING SPEAKERS.

THANK YOU ALL.

[02:45:04]

JUST LIKE WILLIE NELSON AND BILL LEE HIT INTERNATIONAL

[Live Music Darkbird]

SUCCESS AS THE VOCALIST ON THE MASSIVE HIT GET SHAKY WITH THE LATE DJ IAN CAREY.

WHILE THE TRACK AND A FEW OTHERS WERE FINANCIALLY SIGNIFICANT TO THE EX-WIFE AND WAITRESS, KELLY WAS READY TO EXPLORE ANOTHER PATH THAT WAS MORE PERSONALLY EXPRESSIVE.

AFTER A TRAGIC HOUSE FIRE IN NEW YORK CITY, BRIAN COLE OPTED FOR A FRESH START.

AS HIS BELONGINGS SMOLDERED IN THE WINTER SNOW, HE DECIDED TO PACK UP WHAT WAS LEFT AND HEAD SOUTH IN SEARCH OF WARMER DAYS.

AND BETTER LUCK, IRONICALLY, WHILE MOST GO TO LA OR NEW YORK CITY TO MAKE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE.

BRIAN AND KELLY FOUND EACH OTHER ON THE MUSICIAN PAGE ON CRAIGSLIST IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.

WHILE THEY HAD HOPED TO LEAVE THEIR PAST BEHIND, INEVITABLY THE HEARTBREAKS FOUND A PLACE THEY CALL HOME IN DARK BIRD AND THEIR WEBSITES ARE DARK BIRD BAND.COM AND AVAILABLE ON FACEBOOK AT DARK BIRD BAND AND INSTAGRAM.

I CAME IN WITH THE SUN AND TIME IS NOT SO HA HAVE YOUR FUN.

YOU KNOW, I'M CLUMSY.

CAN'T TELL THINK I CRACK.

I WANT TO BE HERE.

I WANT TO BE SO HARD TONIGHT I TO BE HERE.

I I AM LYING UPSIDE DOWN.

WON'T YOU TURN ME TINY AROUND? NO, I WON'T TRY TO STAY.

LET'S DO HARD TO WRESTLE WITH ME THING I'M SLIDING NO TIME NOW AND IT MUST GO EVERYTHING.

THERE'S NO TIME.

AND NOW GO COMES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT PERFORMANCE.

I'M DEFINITELY GONNA COME SEE YOU IF YOU HAVE YOUR NEXT CONCERT SCHEDULED, IS THERE A PLACE WE CAN TRACK YOU DOWN? WE DO NOT.

WE EXPECT TO BE LOADED UP, UH, FOR SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST AS WE ALWAYS ARE, BUT, UH, THAT SCHEDULE'S NOT FINALIZED, SO YOU JUST HAVE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE IN THE MEANTIME.

READ THE PROCLAMATION FOR TODAY.

UM, WORKING ON A VIDEO AND JUST RIGHT AFTER THIS WE'RE GOING BACK TO DO SOME MORE WRITING, SO THAT'S FANTASTIC.

WE'RE ING OUR AUSTIN DAY .

WELL, YOU HEARD IT SO ALL OF OUR VENUES OUT THERE, YOU GOTTA MAKE SURE YOU YOU DON'T SLEEP ON THIS ONE.

I WILL NOW

[02:50:01]

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, I THEREFORE PAGE ELLIS MAYOR PRO TEM ON BEHALF OF MAYOR KIRK WATSON, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 9TH, 2023 AS DARK BIRD DAY.

ABSOLUTELY.

PERFORMERS STYLE.

I'M SURE INVITED TO THE NO MORE NERVE PLUG.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH APPRECIATE.

WE ARE NOW GOING TO TAKE UP THE AUSTIN HOUSING AND FINANCE MEETING.

OH, THANK.

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE GONNA READ IT.

I WAS LIKE, OH YEAH, WE HAVE QUORUM.

THAT'S GREAT.

I AM MAYOR PRO TEM.

PAGE ELLIS.

IT IS 2:02 PM AND WE ARE GOING TO RECONVENE THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING HERE ON FEBRUARY 9TH, 2023.

[10:30 AM - Austin Housing and Finance Corporation Meeting]

SO I WILL RECESS THE MEETING, OPEN UP THE AUSTIN HOUSING AND FINANCE CORPORATION MEETING.

DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS? NO, WE DO NOT.

WE DO NOT.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JAMIE MAY, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FOR THE HOUSING AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT, UH, FOR YOUR, UH, AUSTIN HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION BOARD MEETING THIS AFTERNOON.

YOU HAVE FOUR ITEMS ON YOUR AGENDA.

UH, THE FIRST IS A, UH, SISTER ITEM TO AGEN ITEM AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 25 ON YOUR COUNCIL AGENDA.

THIS IS A, UH, CLEANUP ITEM FOR, UH, UH, TITLE, UM, ITEMS NUMBER TWO AND THREE ARE BOTH PUBLIC HEARINGS.

UH, SO THEY WERE, THEY'RE NOT OF ELIGIBLE FOR CONSENT.

AND ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS ELIGIBLE FOR CONSENT.

BUT WE WOULD ASK THAT THAT IS ACTUALLY TAKEN UP AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

SO OUR FIRST MOTION NEEDS TO BE FOR ITEMS NUMBER ONE THROUGH THREE.

THE PUBLIC HEARINGS MUST BE HELD, UM, AS OPPOSED TO HAVING THEM ON CONSENT.

SO ONLY THE FIRST CAN BE ON CONSENT.

SO I NEED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

YES, MA'AM.

AND WE HAVE NO SPEAKERS.

, CAN I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ? YES, MA'AM.

WE'RE MAKING OUR WAY THROUGH AND NOW I ALL FOLLOW ALL FOUR ON CONSENT.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FOUR ITEMS ON A HFC MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

UM, ANY OPPOSITION? NO OPPOSITION THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED.

WE HAVE MAYOR WATSON JOINING US REMOTE.

WE HAVE DIRECTOR KELLY FUENTEZ, CADRE ELLIS POOL, VELA VELAZQUEZ AND RYAN ALTAR.

ON THE DIAS ABSENT ARE, UM, DIRECTORS ALISON AL ALTER AND NATASHA HARPER.

MADISON, THANK YOU.

AND I THINK THAT'S ALL OUR BUSINESS.

OH, DO YOU VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THE A H F C AGENDA? OKAY.

SO NOTED.

GO AHEAD AND MOVE INTO OUR ZONING SPEAKERS.

WE WILL NOW ADJOURN THAT MEETING AND REOPEN THE REGULAR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

LET'S

[2:00 PM - Zoning and Neighborhood Plan Amendments (Public Hearings and Possible Action)]

[02:55:04]

WELCOME.

YEAH, WELCOME.

THANK YOU MAYOR PROTE.

MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS JOY HARDEN WITH THE HOUSING AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND I WILL JUST HIGHLIGHT YOUR POSTPONED ITEMS, UM, NOTING THAT IF PEOPLE ARE SIGNED TO SPEAK, THEY'LL ONLY BE SPEAKING ON THE MERITS OF PO THE POSTPONEMENT.

AND THESE ARE CONSENT POSTPONEMENTS THAT I'LL HIGHLIGHT BEFORE, UM, YOU, UH, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS.

SO ITEM NUMBER 54 AND 55, THAT'S SECOND ALPHA AND THAT'S A STAFF POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR MARCH 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEMS NUMBER 59 AND 60 IS BERKMAN RESIDENTIAL, AND THAT'S A APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR FEBRUARY 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

NUMBER 6 66 IS 1 2 1 21 NORTH IH 35.

THAT'S APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR FEBRUARY 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM NUMBER 67 IS 500 V F W AND THAT'S APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR FEBRUARY 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

AND LASTLY, 68 AND 69.

THOSE IS THE BRO BRODY ITEMS AND THAT'S A APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR MARCH 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

LET'S GO TO OUR SPEAKERS.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME REMOTE AND SOME IN PERSON.

AND JUST A REMINDER, IF YOU ARE SPEAKING ON AN ITEM THAT IS BEING POSTPONED, PLEASE ONLY SPEAK TO THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT.

FIRST SPEAKER IS SARAH CAMPBELL SPEAKING ON ITEMS 52 AND 53.

HELLO.

HELLO? HELLO.

YES, MS. CAMPBELL, GO AHEAD.

I CAN'T HEAR.

OH, OKAY.

UM, DID, DID I JUST HEAR THAT THE THREE ARE, ARE REQUESTED TO BE POSTPONED 52 AND 53? WERE NOT ITEMS THAT WERE LISTED AS BEING POSTPONED.

YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND SPEAK.

REQUEST THROUGH THE GUISE OF A HISTORICAL DESIGNATION.

UM, UM, COUNSEL, UH, MAYOR, COUNSEL, UH, MY NAME IS SARAH CAMPBELL.

I'M A, UH, WAS A PLANNER WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR 20 YEARS, AND NOW I'M THE, UH, UM, CHAIR OF THE PLANT HOOD SOUTH, UH, SOUTH RIVER CITY CITIZENS.

AND I AM, I'M SPEAKING ON, I AM 52 AND 53.

THIS SONY CASE IS LOCATED WITHIN OUR BOUNDARIES.

UM, WE HAVE, WE SPOKE TO THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

WE, UM, HAVE WRITTEN LETTERS TO THE NEW COUNCIL ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

BASICALLY, UM, WE HAVE TRIED TO, THE PROJECT HAS LOCATED VERY CLOSE TO THE HEADWATERS OF BLOOD CREEK AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD OVER 25 TO 30 YEARS HAS WORKED TO CREATE A LARGE GREEN AREA AROUND THE HEADWATERS OF THE CREEK BY WORKING WITH A I S D AND WALMART.

AND, UM, WE WANTED THIS APPLICANT TO STEP BACK FROM THE CREEK AND, UM, THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY'LL BUILD A CODE PERIOD.

UM, I AM, I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S ANY WAY THAT THE COUNCIL CAN ADD TO THE ORDINANCE THAT THIS PROJECT, WHEN IT, WHENEVER IT BECOMES A PROJECT, UM, CANNOT PAY ITS PARKLAND DEDICATION, FEES BY FEE AND LUBE, BUT WE'LL HAVE TO DEDICATE AND ALONG THE CREEK.

NEXT SPEAKER IS JULIE OLIVER SPEAKING ON ITEM 70.

UH, GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS JUDY OLIVER AND I AM HERE TODAY TO ASK THAT YOU NOT PROVIDE HISTORIC DESIGNATION FOR, WHICH IS AGENDA ITEM 70 70.

YOU KNOW, AFTER REELING FROM THE EFFECTS OF LAST WEEK'S STORM WHEN OUR CITY HADN'T PRIORITIZED MANAGEMENT THAT RESULTED IN MORE THAN A HUNDRED THOUSAND HOMES LOSING POWER, I THINK IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT MUCH MORE IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS WE NEED TO MAKE AS A CITY AND A COMMUNITY.

AND AT A TIME WITH PRESTON, OUR DEMOCRACY IS AT ITS LOW LOWEST.

THIS MOVE, WHICH IS REALLY A PROPERTY TAX ABA, UM, IT REALLY SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE.

AND THAT MESSAGE WOULD BE THAT THE PEOPLE WE ELECT ARE ONLY IN IT TO REWARD REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS AND THEIR FRIENDS.

THIS WILL READ AS JUST ANOTHER PLOY TO PROVIDE THE WEALTHY, THE POWERFUL, THE WELL-CONNECTED TO A PROPERTY TAX BREAK IN PERPETUITY.

SO RICH CAN FIGURE OUT THEIR OWN WAY TO GET OUT OF PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE, THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAXES, AND OUR CITY NEEDS THESE REVENUE INVESTMENTS FOR HOUSING, AFFORDABILITY, ROADS, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND OUR FUTURE.

SO I ASKED YOU AGAIN TODAY TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND DENY THE ABATEMENT

[03:00:01]

NEXT SPEAKER IS KENDA DANIEL SPEAKING ON ITEM 70.

MS. DANIEL, GO AHEAD.

HELLO? YES, GO AHEAD.

UM, OH, OKAY.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU COULD HEAR ME.

UM, YES, MY HUSBAND AND I, UH, WE'VE, OKAY.

WE LIVED IN THE BUILDING FOR OVER THREE YEARS, UH, AND OF COURSE WE, WE SPECIFICALLY LED HISTORIC CHARM, UH, AND LOCATION OF PROXIMITY TO THE CAPITOL AND OTHER STATE BUILDINGS AND OTHER HISTORICAL LANDMARKS IS UNIQUE TO THE CITY.

WHAT DREW US TO THE WEST GATE WAS MORE THAN ITS QUIET AND MODEST CONDOMINIUM UNITS.

THEY ARE NOT LUXURY CONDO AS INDICATES BEFORE.

IT IS AN, UH, HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE THAT SPOKE TO US FORMER US PRESIDENTS, GOVERNORS, ACADEMICS, AND OTHER DIGNITARIES HAVE EMBRACED ITS HOLLOWS.

THE FORMER LOCATION OF THE HEADLINERS CLUB ENTERING THE BUILDING TAKES VISITORS BACK TO THE MID-CENTURY MODERN ERA.

IN 2010, THE WESTGATE WAS ADDED TO THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF HISTORIC PLACES, AND IN 2012 IT WAS DESIGNATED AS A RECORDED TEXAS HISTORIC LANDMARK GRANTING OUR APPLICATION TO HAVE IT TREATED, RECORDED THE SAME WAY BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON, SHOULD, SHOULD, UH, SHOULD HAPPEN.

UH, LASTLY, AS A REAL ESTATE BROKER, I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE FEW HISTORICAL CONDO BUILDINGS THE CITY HAS, THE WESTGATE IS CERTAINLY THE SERVANT, IF NOT MORE SO THOSE BUILDINGS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND RECOGNIZED NATION AND OUR CITY.

NEXT SPEAKER IS CHERYL THOMPSON SPEAKING ON ITEMS 72 AND 73.

HELLO.

I'M, UM, SPEAKING ON THE, UM, AGENDA ITEM 73 AND 74.

I APOLOGIZE IF DOES IT, BUT IT'S THE CAMERON ROAD 76 0 1 AND I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TRAFFIC AND WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEVELOPER, UM, UM, DOES THE, A FULL TRAFFIC ASSESSMENT THAT AREA HAS, UM, IN INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE SHOULD BE, UH, UH, DATA THAT IS PUT FORTH BY THE CITY.

I DO BELIEVE IT'S FROM 2015 TO 2019.

AND IT'S ACTUALLY HIGHLIGHTS THE CONCERNS OF THE, UM, BODILY INJURIES ALONG THAT, UH, CORRIDOR RIGHT THERE, PARTICULARLY DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE 76 0 1 AND RIGHT DOWN THE STREET, LIKE LESS THAN, UM, 50 YARDS AWAY AT THE INTERSECTION OF CAMERON AND 180 3.

THAT BEING SAID, UM, TO PUT, UM, WE JUST REALLY WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER IS BEING DEVELOPED THERE IS VERY, UH, WE ARE VERY AWARE OF THE TRAFFIC AND THE FACT THAT THAT IS A HAZARD.

UM, THE OTHER THING THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IS THAT THE DEVELOPER, UM, IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE ABLE TO DO WITH THESE IN LIEU, UM, UM, TAKING CARE OF WHATEVER, UM, THE CITY IS NORMALLY ASKED, UM, THE DEVELOPERS TO DO.

WE WANT THAT TO TAKE PLACE.

UM, OTHER THAN THAT, THE BIGGEST CONCERN, AGAIN, IS SAFETY.

UM, THAT IS A HIGH CRASH ZONE IDENTIFIED BY THE CITY.

AND SO CONSEQUENTLY IT'S HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY, UM, THERE WOULD BE EVEN IN CONSIDERATION OF PUTTING ADDITIONAL, UH, TRAFFIC AND PEOPLE COMING AIRED OUT RIGHT THERE ON THAT CURVE.

UH, IT JUST SEEMS THAT THAT'S GOING TO EXACERBATE AN ALREADY CHALLENGING, UH, SAFETY SITUATION.

OKAY, SO I'M GONNA KEEP ON CALLING NAMES BRAD HOSKINS, IF YOU'RE HERE.

UM, MAYOR PERIM, THAT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE, UM, REMOTE SPEAKERS.

SO WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON OVER TO IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.

UM, THE NEXT FIVE SPEAKERS, JUST A REMINDER, YOU CAN ONLY SPEAK ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT.

I'VE GOT ANN ANDRE BISK, INGRID MORTON, JEAN WILKINS, STEVEN ENGLANDER, AND WILL GOAT GODWIN.

IF YOU'RE HERE, MAKE YOUR WAY UP, BUT YOU CAN ONLY SPEAK ON THE MERITS OF THE POSTPONEMENT.

OTHERWISE, I'LL CONTINUE ON.

ANGIE BICKLEY SIGNED, UH, SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 52, FOLLOWED BY LINDA KLOWSKI AND PETER SKIDMORE.

IF ANYONE IS HERE, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP.

[03:05:22]

ITEM 62, FOLLOWED BY DANIELLE SKIDMORE AND THEN MELISSA SKIDMORE.

WOULD YOU LIKE US TO JUST, IF YOUR NAME'S CALLED, GO AHEAD AND GO COURT.

HI, UH, I'M BRAD HOSKINS, THE, UH, PROPERTY OWNER AT 7 0 5 BROWNLEY CIRCLE.

UM, WE'RE LOOKING TO, UM, ADD A LIVING SPACE THERE, UM, SO THAT I CAN MOVE THERE WITH MY FAMILY.

UM, WE HAVE PARTICULAR NEEDS TO CREATE A, UH, FULLY ACCESSIBLE LIVING SPACE, UM, AND, UM, ARE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO DO THAT.

UM, DARE TO SAY THAT OUR, OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AND THEY, UH, VOICE THAT SUPPORT AT THE, UM, ZONING AND PLANNING MEETING.

UM, AT ISSUE WAS JUST THE CHANGING OF ZONING.

UM, WE'VE NOT FOUND A WAY TO, UM, BUILD WHAT WE ARE, UH, LOOKING TO DO WITHOUT A CHANGE OF ZONING.

AND THAT'S, UH, REALLY WHY WE'VE, UH, UM, BEEN TRYING TO CHANGE THE ZONING TO, UH, FROM AN SF THREE TO AN MF THREE TO SUPPORT THAT.

THANKS, DANIELLE SKIDMORE, MELISSA SKIDMORE THAN, UH, RIKA KEEPERS.

IF YOU'RE HERE, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP.

HI, UM, MY NAME'S MELISSA SKIDMORE AND UM, BRAD IS MY PARTNER AND WE ARE TRYING TO MOVE BACK TO OUR OLD NEIGHBORHOOD IN CLARKSVILLE BY CREATING A SECOND STORY ACCESSIBLE UNIT WITH AN ELEVATOR SO THAT PETER CAN BE WITH US DOWNTOWN.

UH, ISSUE IS THAT, UM, OUR LAW IS CURRENTLY ZONED AS AN SF THREE LOT AND IS BEING USED AS A DUPLEX.

AND DESPITE THE BEST EFFORTS OF EVERYONE THAT'S BEEN INVOLVED SO FAR, NO ONE CAN FIND A WAY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO BUILD THIS THREE THIRD UNIT AS A SECOND STORY ON THE STRUCTURE WITHOUT SWITCHING TO AN MF ZONING.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE DOING.

UM, STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED IT.

IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

WE SPENT AN HOUR TALKING ABOUT IT IN PLANNING COMMISSION.

AND SO HERE WE ARE ASKING ONE MORE TIME SO THAT WE CAN GO FORWARD.

UM, WE'RE, WE'VE BEEN VERY TRANSPARENT WITH OUR NEIGHBORS ABOUT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE AND WE'VE BEEN VERY FLEXIBLE WITH TRYING TO ACHIEVE IT IN A WAY THAT WOULD BE THE LEAST DISRUPTIVE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

UM, BUT APPARENTLY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A CODE THAT WILL ALLOW FOR A THIRD UNIT TO BE BUILT, WE HAVE TO SWITCH IT TO AN MF ZONING.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE ASKING FOR TODAY.

NEXT SPEAKER IS, UH, RIKA KEEPERS, FOLLOWED BY MONICA GUZMAN.

AND THEN BRIAN EVANS.

JUST ONE BRIEF MOMENT.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON HAD HER HAND RAISED MS. KIDMORE, I'D LIKE VERY MUCH FOR US TO FOLLOW UP WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE EXAMPLES.

I HAPPEN TO KNOW.

PEACE, GIDDY.

SO I KNOW HE'S OUT HERE ROLLING RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE EXAMPLES WHERE THE LETTER OF THE LAW OR THE SPIRIT OF THE CODE COME ON.

SO I, I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW UP AND LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

UM, I APPRECIATE, I DO WANNA SAY THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS YOUR EFFORTS AND MAKING IMPROVEMENTS.

GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COUNCIL.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

I WILL NOT BELABOR THE MOMENT THE THE SUBJECT BECAUSE I THINK YOU'VE HEARD, UH, FROM THE OWNERS, UM, BRAD AND MELISSA SKIDMORE.

UH, MY NAME IS RICKA KEEPERS.

I AM REPRESENTING, UM, THE APPLICANT, REPRESENTING THE OWNERS FOR THE REZONE, AND TO JUST, MELISSA TALKED TO YOU ABOUT ALL OF THE DISCUSSION, PLANNING AND ZONING YOU HAD.

UM, AND IT'S TRUE, WE DID TRY AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MOVE THIS AHEAD WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE REZONING PROCESS.

HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AND ALL OF THE CONSTRAINTS, WE JUST, WE HAD A HARD TIME FINDING A RESOLUTION, UM, TO AVOID GOING THROUGH THIS REZONING PROCESS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE DID, WE DID SPEAK WITH STAFF.

ONE OF THE DISCUSSIONS WAS ABOUT THE, UM, THAT AFFIDAVIT THAT'S USED FOR, UM, IT'S, IT'S AN ACCESSORY TO A PRIMARY UNIT, SO IT'S NOT APPLICABLE IN THIS CASE, UM, SINCE THE, THE EXISTING CURRENT CONFIGURATION IS A DUPLEX.

BUT WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO AT LEAST HAVE AN AFFIDAVIT SO THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO, WE COULD AVOID THIS ENTIRE PROCESS.

THE AFFIDAVIT SAYS YOU CAN HAVE AN ACCESSORY UNIT, UM, IF YOU HAVE A SENIOR, SENIOR, IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE LIVING WITH YOU THAT IS A RELATIVE SENIOR CARE OR SPECIAL NEEDS.

UM, THAT WAS REALLY THE ONLY KIND OF WAY AROUND THIS.

[03:10:01]

UM, WHERE IT COMES TO ADUS AND IT COMES TO, UM, THE CODE CABINET AND THINGS THAT ARE, ARE HAPPENING.

I'M ALSO WORKING WITH OLI TO HELP KIND OF CREATE BETTER CHANGE.

UM, BUT FOR THIS PARTICULAR FAMILY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE KIND OF STUCK.

UM, THIS IS WHERE WE ARE AND THEY'RE, WE'RE HAVING TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS SO THAT THIS FAMILY CAN LIVE TOGETHER AND THE BEST WAY THEY, THEY NEED TO.

SO WE REQUEST THIS, UM, AND AS MELISSA SAID, WE DID, WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE OHANA WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, UM, TRYING TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS THAT WOULD WORK.

UM, BUT HERE WE ARE, SO, UH, APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THAT WE'RE HERE FOR, TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE OR CONCERNS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

AND MAY GO AHEAD, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, BRIEFLY, UH, HOW MUCH DID ALL THIS COST? YOU KNOW, I MEAN, MORE OR LESS, I MEAN, TRYING TO, TO GET THE, THE REZONING I'M SORRY.

ARE YOU, I'M SORRY.

HOW MUCH DID THE, THE, THE REZONING, YOU KNOW, AND, AND IN TERMS OF, I MEAN, I'M SURE MULTIPLE PROFESSIONALS HAVE SPENT, YOU KNOW, QUITE A BIT OF TIME, YOU KNOW, WORKING ON IT AND SO ON.

SO I MEAN, JUST GENERAL ESTIMATE, I MEAN, HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TRY AND REZONE A PROPERTY FROM TWO UNITS TO THREE UNITS IN, IN THIS KIND OF SITUATION? HONESTLY, IT'S AROUND 15 TO $20,000 CUZ THE CITY APPLICATION FEE IS AROUND 10,000.

WOW.

WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YES, SIR.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

YEAH, I'LL JUST, I'LL JUST MAKE A QUICK COMMENT.

UM, YOU KNOW, ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, I, I GOT TO KNOW, KNOW PETER AND, AND DANIELLE, UH, YOU KNOW, I, THE AMOUNT OF LOVE THAT IS BEING SHOWN TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, RIGHT? YOU KNOW, IT WAS, I THINK IT WAS SAID EARLIER, BUT MELISSA FOLKS JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO LIVE TOGETHER.

UH, YOU KNOW, THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GET REZONING JUST TO ADD ONE MORE UNIT TO THEIR DUPLEX.

UH, SO I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS COMING HERE FOR THE ADVOCACY, UH, AND FOR THE LOVE THAT Y'ALL, YOU KNOW, THROUGH, THROUGH THIS FIGHT, YOU KNOW, FOR, FOR PETER.

I THINK THOSE ARE ALL THE QUESTIONS FOR NOW, BUT UH, STAY WITH US IN CASE THERE ARE MORE LATER ON.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MARION COUNSEL.

NEXT SPEAKERS, MONIKA GUZMAN, FOLLOWED BY BRIAN EVANS, FOLLOWED BY MARK KENDRICK.

I'M MONICA GUSMAN, POLICY DIRECTOR OF GAVA GO AUSTIN, VAMOS AUSTIN.

UH, GAVA SUPPORTS THE NORTH AUSTIN CIVIC ASSOCIATION NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN CONTACT TEAM, AND THEIR OPPOSITION TO ITEM 63 AND 64 AT THOUSAND 810 NEWMONT ROAD.

NOW, WE SUBMITTED A FULL STATEMENT BY EMAIL THIS MORNING.

MORNING.

I DON'T SEE IT IN THE BACKUP, SO I'M JUST GONNA READ YOU SOME KEY POINTS SINCE I HAVE A TIME LIMIT.

SIMPLY GRANTING INCREASED ENTITLEMENTS TO PROPERTY OWNERS WITH NO PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT INCREASES, SPECULATION AND RAISES THE COST OF LIVING AND WORKING FOR AUSTIN'S HOUSEHOLD AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

UH, NOW WHILE NOT GOOD, THE CONTACT TEAM SUPPORTS INCREASED DENSITY ON MAJOR CORRIDORS AND ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNITS IN THE AREA.

THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION IS ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET AND THERE HAS BEEN NO REQUEST TO ZONE FOR ADDITIONAL HOUSING.

NOW, HAVE ANY DEVELOPMENT PLANS BEEN PROPOSED AT ALL TO JUSTIFY THE CHANGE? AND FINALLY, EQUITABLE COMMUNITY PLANNING IS ACHIEVED THROUGH MUCH MORE THAN GRANTING ZONING CHANGES, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DISPLACEMENT.

CONSIDER THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S NEEDS INFRASTRUCTURE PATTERNS OF DISPLACEMENT AND IMPACTS OF NEW LAND USE.

WE NEED OUR COUNCIL TO NEGOTIATE BETTER DEALS WITH GREATER COMMUNITY BENEFIT IN EXCHANGE FOR INCREASED DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL AND LAND VALUE.

PLEASE DENY THE PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE AND, UH, FUTURE LAND USE MAP CHANGE.

A COPY OF THE APPLICATION WITH CHECK MARKS BY ALL REQUIREMENTS, THERE ARE NO CRITERIA UNMET.

NEXT SPEAKER IS BRIAN EVANS, FOLLOWED BY MARK KENDRICK AND THEN WILLIAM BARRY.

THANK YOU COUNSEL.

IN 2010, WESTGATE RECEIVED NATIONAL REG RECOGNITION AS A HISTORIC BUILDING WHEN WE WERE ADDED TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

IN 2012, WESTGATE RECEIVED NATIONAL OR RECEIVED RECOGNITION FROM THE STATE WHEN IT BECAME A RECORDED TEXAS HISTORICAL LANDMARK.

AFTER RECEIVING BOTH NATIONAL AND STATEWIDE RECOGNITION FOR OUR HISTORICAL VALUE, WE ASSUME THE CITY WOULD GLADLY JOIN US IN CELEBRATING AND RECOGNIZING THIS HISTORIC STRUCTURE IN OUR HOMETOWN.

THE CITY HAS HAD A PROGRAM IN PLACE SINCE THE 1970S TO PRESERVE HISTORIC STRUCTURES JUST LIKE THIS ONE.

AS A NATIVE AUSTIN KNIGHT, I'M GLAD THIS PROGRAM EXISTS.

WESTGATE HAS COMPLIED WITH ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM AND SURPASSES THE REQUIREMENTS WHEN ONE HISTORICAL DESIGNATION IS NEEDED.

WE HAVE TWO WHEN ONE HISTORICAL CRITERIA IS NEEDED.

WE HAVE SEVERAL COUPLED THAT WITH A METICULOUS HISTORICAL RESTORATIONS, AND I WOULD ARGUE THAT YOU HAVE ONE OF THE MOST QUALIFIED APPLICANTS HERE TODAY.

I HAVE SENT TO THE COUNCIL

[03:15:01]

I'VE CONFIRMED THIS WITH CITY STAFF AND WITH CITY LEGAL.

SO THE CITY HAS PUT FORTH A HISTORIC PROGRAM TO WHICH YOU HAVE AN APPLICANT THAT IS 100% IN COMPLIANCE.

AND SEEKING THIS OUT, I'D NOW LIKE TO READ SOMETHING FROM THE APPLICATION.

THE FOLLOWING CITY HISTORIC LANDMARK CRITERIA OR CONSIDERED WHEN REVIEWING A CITY HISTORIC LANDMARK APPLICATION IS MY HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL JUDGE THE APPLICATION BASED ON THE PUBLISHED CRITERIA SET FORTH BY THE PROGRAM, AND NOT ALLOW BIASED OR PERSONAL INFLUENCES TO JUDGE OUR APPLICATION.

JUDGING OUR APPLICATION FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT SETS A HORRIBLE PRECEDENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN SIMPLY PICK AND CHOOSE THEIR FAVORITES, IGNORING ANY WHO DO NOT FIT THEIR PRECONCEIVED IDEAS OF WHAT CRITERIA THEY BELIEVE SHOULD BE MET.

NEVERMIND THAT AN APPLICANT CAN ONLY USE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN HERE AND HAS NO MEANS TO ADJUST TO THE DESIRES OF WHAT SOMEONE FEELS ON A PARTICULAR DAY.

WESTGATE IS MORE THAN A HUNDRED PERCENT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PROGRAM, AND FOR THAT REASON ALONE, WE ASK FOR YOUR VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO, I'D LIKE US TO BE PROUD THAT THIS PROGRAM EXISTS TO PROTECT HISTORIC SITES.

AND LET US THANK THE VISIONARIES THAT CAME BEFORE US THAT PUT THIS INTO PLACE.

LET US ALL JOIN IN TOGETHER IN RECOGNIZING THIS AMAZING SITE.

NOT JUST OUR MOST SYMPATHETIC APPLICANTS.

NEXT SPEAKER IS MARK KENDRICK, FOLLOWED BY LINDA KLOWSKI AND THEN WILLIAM BERRY AND MARIE WILTZ.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME A BRIEF, UM, SOME BRIEFER REMARKS.

AND WELCOME BACK, MAYOR WATSON.

MY NAME IS MARK KENDRICK.

I MOVED INTO THE WESTGATE TOWER IN 2006 AS A 29 YEAR OLD.

UM, I'VE LIVED THERE AS AN OWNER OCCUPANT FOR 18 YEARS.

SIX YEARS AGO I JOINED THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE, UM, FOR THE BUILDING.

A BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT THE BUILDING THAT'S OFTEN OVERLOOKED IS THAT CHARLES GRANGER WAS THE LOCAL ARCHITECT FOR THE BUILDING.

UH, CHARLES GRANGER'S SON TOM GRANGER WENT ON TO MARY BETH BUTLER, ROY AND ANNE BUTLER'S, UM, SON, DAUGHTER.

AND, UM, JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT CUZ THAT'S OFTEN OVERLOOKED, REALLY, A COLLEGE COURSE COULD BE TAUGHT IN THE TIES TO THIS BUILDING TO THE CITY.

THERE ARE JUST SO MANY WAYS THAT THIS BUILDING TIES INTO THE, THE FABRIC OF THIS CITY.

UM, AND SINCE WE ALL AGREE THAT THE CRITERIA HAS BEEN MET FOR THE PROGRAM, AND WE ALL SEEM TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROGRAM ITSELF SHOULD EXIST, I EXPECT YOUR VOTE IN FAVOR AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

LINDA KENI, FOLLOWED BY WILLIAM BERRY AND MARIE WILTZ.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M LINDA CANGELOSI.

I LIVE AT 6 0 6 OAKLAND AVENUE.

A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE SUBJECT PROPERTY OF, UH, ITEM 62.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THESE APPARENTLY ARE ALL MIXED UP .

UM, I WANT MORE NEIGHBORS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HAVE BRAD AND MELISSA AND DANIELLE AND PETER BE MY NEIGHBORS.

UM, BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED AT PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH DID PASS THIS UNANIMOUSLY, UH, WHICH CONCERNS ME A BIT, WHICH IS THE OPPONENTS OF THIS REZONING CAME AND SAID, OH, WE REALLY LIKE THESE FOLKS.

WE REALLY, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE VERY SYMPATHETIC.

THEY'RE DESIRABLE TO HAVE AS NEIGHBORS, AND WE WANT TO DO THIS, BUT WE DON'T WANT THE ZONING CHANGE.

WHAT CONCERNS ME AND APPARENTLY, UH, AN AN ARTICLE IN AXIOS AND ELSEWHERE IS THAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ZONING IS WRONG.

UH, I MEAN THAT IT WON'T WORK AND THEY NEED THE REZONING AND THEY ABSOLUTELY, IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT.

YOU CANNOT ADD A THIRD UNIT TO A DUPLEX PROPERTY TO AN SF PROPERTY, AS MUCH AS EVERYONE TRIED TO FIND SOME KIND OF WORKAROUND.

MY POINT IS THIS, IF YOU DON'T HAVE SUCH A SYMPATHETIC, UH, APPLICANT, UH, OR SAY WE WANT THESE PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WHAT IF THESE PEOPLE ARE, YOU REALLY DON'T WANT 'EM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE THEY, I DON'T KNOW, BREED CHIHUAHUAS OR SOMETHING THAT YOU DON'T LIKE, THAT YOU DON'T FIND THE WORKAROUND FOR THEM.

IT SHOULDN'T NEED A WORKAROUND, IS MY POINT.

WE, YOU GOT LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 1 0 1, WHICH IS YOU CAN'T ADD A THIRD UNIT TO A SF PROPERTY CANNOT.

THAT'S RIDICULOUS IN MY OPINION.

BUT IT'S WHAT WE'VE GOT.

WE NEED A NEW CODE.

IN THE MEANTIME, THESE FOLKS NEED A, UH, A, A ZONING CHANGE, MF THREE, UH, AT LEAST TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.

AND, UM, THERE ARE OTHER CONSEQUENCES, BUT PLEASE DO WHAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION DID AND APPROVE THIS UNANIMOUSLY AND SHOW THAT, UM, YOU'RE GONNA MOVE THIS FORWARD.

AND THEN INSTEAD OF DOING THESE ONE AT A TIME, UH, MAYBE WE COULD HAVE, UH, A FIX FOR EVERYBODY,

[03:20:01]

NEXT SPEAKERS, WILLIAM BARRY, AND THE LAST SPEAKER IS MARIE WILTZ.

GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS WILLIAM BERRY.

I'M AN OWNER AT WESTGATE TOWER.

I STRONGLY SUPPORT HISTORIC ZONING AS A WESTGATE MEETS THE OUTLINE CRITERIA SET FORTH BY THE CITY.

ANY DISCUSSION OTHER THAN THE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE MEET IN ANY DISCUSSION THAT DELAYS IN APPROVAL FOR HISTORIC ZONING SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT THAT THE CITY CAN IGNORE POLICY AND RULE BY OPINION.

THE WESTGATE MEETS HISTORIC CRITERIA AND HAS ALREADY BEEN RECOGNIZED AT THE NATIONAL AND STATE LEVEL.

NEITHER THE PUBLIC OR THE CITY HAS PROVIDED ANY CREDIBLE RESPONSE FOR ANY CRITERIA THAT THE WESTGATE DOES NOT MEET.

THEREFORE, I ASK THAT THE CITY COUNCIL TAKES A FACTUAL BASED APPROACH AND APPROVES HISTORIC ZONING.

LAST SPEAKER IS MARIE WILTZ.

THANK YOU FOR HEARING US OUT TODAY.

I GREW UP IN TEXAS AND THE MAIN REASON THAT I OPTED TO LIVE IN THE HISTORIC WESTGATE IS PRECISELY BECAUSE OF THAT, BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE WALKING THROUGH THE BUILDING, YOU CAN HEAR, YOU CAN FEEL TEXAS HISTORY IN THE, IN ITS WALLS.

HAVING GROWN UP IN TEXAS AND SEEING SO MUCH CHANGE IN AUSTIN'S SKYLINE, I APPRECIATE THE BUILDING'S HISTORIC ROOTS EVEN MORE.

AUSTIN AND TEXAS HAVE SO MUCH CHARACTER, MUCH OF IT, WHICH IS QUICKLY GETTING DEMOLISHED OR REPLACED BY INFLUENCES OF THE COASTAL STATES AND MODERNIZATION.

THE WESTGATE IS A REAL GEM OF OLD AUSTIN THAT HOLDS SO MUCH HISTORY AND IT BECOMES EVEN MORE SPECIAL AS THE HIS, AS THE CITY EVOLVES.

UNLIKE EVERYTHING NEW, YOU CAN'T JUST REPLICATE A HISTORIC BUILDING.

AND QUITE FRANKLY, IT'S, IT'S SAD TO SEE AUSTIN'S HISTORY.

AUSTIN'S HISTORY AND ROOTS ERASED WHEN OLDER BUILDINGS HAVE TO BE TAKEN DOWN.

WE NEED TO PRESERVE THE WESTGATE SO THAT ALL OF AUSTIN CAN ENJOY THIS MID-CENTURY MODERN STRUCTURE AND LEARN ABOUT ITS HISTORY.

I ASK THAT THE COMMISSION APPROVE OUR APPLICATION BASED ON THE MERITS OF OUR BUILDING AND ALL THE CRITERIA THAT WE MEET SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO PRESERVE AND TREASURE A PIECE OF AUSTIN HISTORY.

KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD AND WE CAN ALL CONTINUE TO CALL IT HOME.

MAY I PRETEND THAT CONCLUDES ALL SPEAKERS? THANK YOU.

THAT CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC HEARING PORTIONS OF THIS JOY.

WILL YOU GO THROUGH THE CONSENT OR DISCUSSION AND POSTPONEMENT ITEMS ONE MORE TIME? YES, ABSOLUTELY.

AGAIN, JOY HARDEN WITH THE HOUSE AGAIN PLANNING DEPARTMENT.

YOUR ZONING AGENDA BEGINS WITH ITEM NUMBER 52 IN PA 20 22 0 0 2 2 0.01.

THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

AGAIN, THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 54 IS IN PA 20 22 0 0 0 5 0.02.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED AS A STAFF POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR MARCH 23RD COUNCIL MEETING THE RELATED REZON AGAINST ITEM NUMBER 55 C1 14 20 22 0 114.

AGAIN, THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED AS A STAFF POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR MARCH 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM NUMBER 56 IS C 1 14 20 22 0 116.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM, UH, 57 IS MPA 20 22 0 0 1 6 0.03.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT.

FIRST READING ONLY.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT.

FIRST READING ONLY.

ITEM 59 IS EPA 20 22 0 0 2 3 0.03.

THERE'S AN APPLICANT POSTPONE REQUEST TO YOUR FEBRUARY 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

AGAIN, THERE'S A APPLICANT POSTPONE REQUEST TO YOUR FEBRUARY 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM 61 IS C 1 4 20 22 0 1 41.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 62 IS C 1 14 20 22 0 0 84.

UM, THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

UM, YOU HEARD FROM ALL THE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM, BUT I DO HAVE TO NOTE THIS ITEM HAS A VALID PETITION, SO IT WOULD REQUIRE NINE VOTES IF YOU PASS THIS ON ALL THREE READINGS, WHICH IS WHAT'S BEING OFFERED BY STAFF.

ITEM NUMBER 63 IS NPA 20 22 0 0 0 7 0.01.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL

[03:25:01]

THREE READINGS.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

ITEM 65 14 20 22 0 1 47.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT ON ALL THREE READINGS.

UH, ITEM 66 IS C 1 14 20 22 0 1 43.

THERE'S AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT REQUEST TO YOUR FEBRUARY 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM 67 IS C 1 14 20 22 0 0 49.

AGAIN, THERE'S AN APPLICANT POSTPONE REQUEST TO YOUR FEBRUARY 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM 68 IS C ONE FOUR R 8,133 RCA.

THERE'S AN APPLICANT POSTPONEMENT TO YOUR MARCH 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

THIS IS YOUR BRODY ITEM.

THIS IS ITEM 69 C 8 14, 20 21 0 0 99.

AGAIN, APPLICANT POSTPONE REQUEST TO YOUR MARCH 23RD COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM NUMBER 70 IS C ONE 40 H 20 22 0 0 73.

THIS WILL BE A DISCUSSION ITEM.

ITEM 71 IS NPA 20 22 0 0 1, 0 0.03.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT.

SECOND AND THIRD READING.

ITEM 72 IS NPA 20 22 0 0 2 9 0.01.

THIS ITEM IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT, SECOND AND THIRD READINGS.

ITEM 73 C 14 20 22 0 94.

THIS ITEM'S BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT, SECOND AND THIRD READINGS.

AND THAT CONCLUDES THE READING OF YOUR ZONING AGENDA.

WHICH ONE NUMBER OKAY, FOR 61? UM, I MIGHT HAVE MISSPOKE, SO LET ME JUST MAKE SURE I READ THAT CORRECTLY.

ITEM 61 IS C 14.

UM, YES, I DID MISSPEAK.

ITEM 61 IS C 1 4 20 22 0 1, 41.

THIS, IT IS BEING OFFERED FOR CONSENT FIRST READING ONLY.

AND THAT CONCLUDES THE READING.

GREGORY AGREE.

SO YOU LISTED 70 AS BEING A DISCUSSION ITEM.

DO WE WISH TO PULL THAT ONE OFF? CONSENT? YES.

ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS WISH TO PULL OFF? CONSENT.

I WOULD SUGGEST LET'S MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 70 JUST SO WE CAN CLEAN UP WITH THE ZONING INFORMATION AND LET STAFF GET, GET BACK TO THEIR WORK.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, UM, IF THERE IS NO OPPOSITION, WE WILL PASS THE CONSENT VOTE UNANIMOUSLY, AND

[70. C14H-2022-0073 - 1122 Colorado Street - Westgate Tower - Approve third reading of an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 by rezoning property locally known as 1122 Colorado Street (Lady Bird Lake Watershed). Applicant’s request: To rezone from central business district (CBD) combining district zoning to central business district-historic landmark (CBD-H) combining district zoning. First Reading: Approved central business district-historic landmark (CBD-H) combining district zoning on December 1, 2022, Vote 11-0. Second Reading: Approved central business district-historic landmark (CBD-H) combining district zoning on December 8, 2022, Vote 11-0. Owner: Westgate Condominium Association. Applicant: Brian Evans. City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Housing & Planning Department, 512-974-2727.]

THANK YOU MAYOR PATIM.

UM, AGAIN, JOY HARDEN HOUSING AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT.

THIS IS ITEM NUMBER 70, C1 14 H 20 22 0 0 73.

AND THIS IS AN OWNER INITIATE A HISTORIC ZONING CASE LOCATED 1122 COLORADO STREET.

AND THIS IS YOUR, UH, THIS IS THE THIRD AND FINAL READING, I KNOW THAT YOU HEARD FROM THE SPEAKERS.

SO I WILL JUST HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS AND THEN I'LL TURN IT OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE WHO WANTED TO DISCUSS THIS ITEM AND, AND MOVE FORWARD THERE.

BUT JUST TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS, STAFF AND THE HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

THE BUILDING QUALIFIES FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION UNDER THE CRITERIA FOR ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS, AS WELL AS FOR ITS INDIVIDUAL LISTING IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

THE WESTGATE IS AN EX EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF NEW FORMALIST STYLE.

IT IS THE ONLY BUILDING IN AUSTIN DESIGNED BY INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ARCHITECT EDWARD DUR STONE.

AND IT IS SIGNIFICANT AS AN EARLY MODEL OF MIXED USE BUILDING IN AUSTIN, WHICH HAS SHAPED OUR CITY'S DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS.

THOUGH THE PLANNING COMMISSION AGREED THAT THE BUILDING BACK THE CRITERIA OF LANDMARK DESIGNATION, IT DENIED THE HISTORIC ZONING ON A VOTE OF SIX IN FAVOR, THREE OPPOSED, AND TWO EXTENSIONS COMMISSIONERS CONVEYED THAT THEY DID NOT OPPOSE THE ZONING CHANGE ITSELF, BUT THE POTENTIAL TAX AND EXEMPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THIS BUILDING'S CONDOMINIUM OWNERS.

I HAVE CALLAN CONTRERAS HERE WHO IS THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER, IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.

AND OF COURSE, LIKE I SAID, YOU'VE HEARD FROM THE SPEAKER, SO I WILL TURN THIS OVER TO THE COUNCIL MEMBER AND, UH, YOU CAN GO FROM THERE.

WHEN IT COMES TO MULTI-UNIT, UH, RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES DOWNTOWN.

COOL.

WELL, I, UH, I APPRECIATE THAT JOY.

UH, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY, UH, BOTH IN PERSON AND, AND VIRTUALLY, YOU KNOW, YOUR, YOUR VOICE IS SO VERY IMPORTANT TO CITY.

UH, I ALSO WANTED TO THANK TCAD FOR ALL THE HELP THEY PROVIDED MY OFFICE, UH, AS WE LOOKED INTO THIS CASE.

UH, YOU KNOW, MY CONCERNS ARE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE, THE EQUITY IMPACTS, UH, OF THE TAX EXEMPTIONS, UH, TO THE CITY, UH, TO AUSTIN, I S D TO TRAVIS COUNTY, UH, AND TO TRAVIS COUNTY.

UH, CENTRAL HEALTH, UH, HISTORIC ZONING, UH, UNFORTUNATELY, UH, IS TIED TO A TAX EXEMPTION FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED

[03:30:01]

UH, I THINK WE MUST WEIGH THE FISCAL AND EQUITY IMPLICATIONS OF THE, OF THE TAX EXEMPTION.

UH, STAFF WILL BE BRINGING A DRAFT OF THE EQUITY-BASED, UH, HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN TO COUNSEL, UH, IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS.

UH, AND I, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO, TO, TO SEEING THAT.

UH, AND I'LL BE WORKING WITH STAFF, UH, AND STAKEHOLDERS TO ENSURE TAX EXEMPTIONS ARE REVIEWED DURING THE EQUITY, UH, BASED HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN AND RETURN WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENSURE OUR TAX EXEMPTION AND ABATEMENT PROGRAMS ARE EQUITABLE, UH, AND IN LINE WITH OTHER MEASURES TO ADVANCE RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY OUTCOMES IN THE CITY.

UH, I WANNA MAKE SURE A I S D, TRAVIS COUNTY AND TRAVIS COUNTY HEALTH ARE PART OF THE PROCESS AND HAVE A SAY IN THIS PROGRAM.

UM, SO, UH, I JUST WANT TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY, HEAR FROM ANY OTHER COLLEAGUES ON THIS ITEM.

UH, BUT IF NO ONE HAS ANYTHING, TWO-WAY IN, UH, I'M READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A, WITH A VOTE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION THAT YOU INTEND? AND, AND IF THERE'S A SECOND, WE'LL TAKE A VOTE.

UH, I MOTION TO DENY HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION MOTION'S BEEN MADE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON, ON THE TOPIC? IT DOES NOT APPEAR.

SO, UH, LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR OF DENIAL OF THE HISTORIC ZONING.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

ALL VOTING, NO ON DENIAL.

OH, AND THE MAYOR VOTED YES.

SO SEVEN YESES AND ALL VOTING NAY ON DENYING THE MOTION.

KELLY POOL? UM, I'M VOTING YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY ABSTENTIONS.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOL VOTES? YES, THAT'S EIGHT IN FAVOR, VOTES AGAINST COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR.

COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, HOW DID YOU VOTE? I VOTED YES.

SHE VOTED YES.

SO THAT'S NINE VOTES.

AND TWO VOTES? NO.

THE MOTION TO DENY PASSES.

AND THAT WILL CONCLUDE OUR ZONING CASES FOR THE DAY.

LET ME LAY OUT WHAT I HAVE PLANNED IF THERE'S NO OBJECTIONS.

THE REMAINING ITEMS WE HAVE NOW ARE GOING TO BE THE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ITEMS 45 AND 46.

I KNOW THAT 47 WAS ALSO POSTED AS A PUBLIC HEARING, BUT WAS MENTIONED TO BE POSTPONED.

I JUST WANT TO CLARIFICATION FROM LEGAL, DO WE NEED TO OFFICIALLY MOVE TO POSTPONE 47, OR IS THAT INCLUDED? I WOULD GO AHEAD AND DO OFFICIALLY.

SO WE WILL DISCUSS THE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR 45, 46 AND 47, AND THEN I AIM TO TAKE UP THE BALLOT ITEMS. 40, UH, 74, 75, 76.

AND THEN WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE IS A BRIEF RECESS, JUST SO WE CAN, ESPECIALLY ME, GO OVER ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS FOR THE REMAINING ITEMS, WHICH INCLUDE 40, 41, 81, AND 80.

AND SO IF Y'ALL WILL, UM, GIVE ME THAT BENEFIT OF HAVING A CHANCE TO ORGANIZE MY PAPERWORK AND MAKE SURE I KNOW ALL THE AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED SO THAT WE CAN MOVE THROUGH THOSE LAST FOUR ITEMS. IT'LL TAKE ME JUST MAYBE ABOUT A 20 OR 30 MINUTE RECESS TO GET THROUGH THOSE.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WOULD YOU MIND REPEATING THE ORDER AGAIN? 45.

SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE GONNA TAKE UP 45, 46 47, THE PUBLIC HEARINGS.

ITEM NUMBER 45 IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

THEN I SUGGEST WE, WE MOVE TO THE BALLOT ITEMS 74, 75, 76.

AND THEN A BRIEF RECESS FOR THE MAYOR PRO TEM TO GET HER PAPERWORK IN ORDER AND MAKE SURE WE CAN MOVE THROUGH THE REMAINING PULLED ITEMS EFFECTIVELY.

SO AFTER ABOUT A HALF HOUR BREAK, LET'S TAKE UP 41, THEN 81, THEN 40, AND THEN 80.

AND THAT SHOULD CONCLUDE THE REGULAR MEETING ITEMS. ONCE WE GET THROUGH THOSE, ONCE WE ADJOURN THAT MEETING, WE WILL, UM, CONVENE THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING THAT IS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

SO I THINK THE INTENT AT THAT POINT IS TO TAKE THE, THAT ITEM UP AT THE VERY END OF THE DAY SO THAT STAFF CAN GO ON ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS.

THE INTENT IS THAT THERE WON'T BE PUBLIC COMMENTS AFTERWARDS, SINCE WE'RE ONLY POSTED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

SO I WILL BE COMING OUT INDEPENDENTLY TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING.

SO ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON EXACTLY WHAT THE EXPECTATIONS ARE FOR ORDER OF THE DAY? OKAY.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO 45, 46 AND 47.

[45. Conduct a public hearing related to an application by Austin Leased Housing Associates VI, Limited Partnership, or an affiliated entity, for housing tax credits for rehabilitation of a multi-family housing development to be financed through the private activity bond program and to be known as Woodway Square, located at or near 1700 Teri Road, Austin, Texas 78744, within the City, and consider a resolution related to the proposed development, the application, and the allocation of housing tax credits and private activity bonds.]

LET'S GO AHEAD AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

DO I NEED STAFF TO SPEAK TO IT OR NO? JUST OPEN.

JUST OPEN IT.

THESE SPEAKERS.

ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS FOR ITEM NUMBER 45 PUBLIC HEARING? THERE ARE NOT SEEING NONE.

THE NEXT ITEM IS GOING TO BE ITEM NUMBER 46, AND IT IS ABOUT THE NORTH BURNETT GATEWAY REGULATING PLAN.

UH, THAT PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED AND THAT ITEM HAS BEEN HEREBY TAKEN UP.

[46. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 to amend the North Burnet/Gateway Regulating Plan to modify the Gateway and Midway Zones, within the Transit Oriented Development Subdistrict, to increase the maximum floor-to-area ratio and building height when using a development bonus.]

[03:35:01]

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO TAKE UP THAT PUBLIC HEARING MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER POOL? DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA.

DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS YOU WANTED TO MAKE? I KNOW YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT ITEM EARLIER IN THE DAY.

I DID.

UM, DO WE HAVE, DID YOU WANNA HEAR FROM SPEAKERS FIRST, IF THERE ARE ANY FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING? DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON 46? WE DO NOT.

WE MEETING SPEAKERS.

MAY I PER TIME, CAN I JUST ASK A QUESTION? YES.

UM, YOU MADE A MOTION TO CONSIDER THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ARE WE TAKING A MOTION TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE? IT WOULD BE PERTINENT TO THE POSTING LANGUAGE, SO IT WOULD BE CONDUCTING THE PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERING THE ORDINANCE.

THANK YOU FOR CLARIFICATION.

SO, UM, THE MOTION THAT I'LL MAKE WILL BE TO APPROVE THIS ITEM.

AND AFTER HAVING CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING, UM, JUST HAD A COUPLE OF THINGS TO SAY.

I'M REALLY HAPPY TO MOVE THESE AMENDMENTS TO THE NORTH BURNETT GATEWAY REGULATING PLAN.

TODAY, THE RESPONSIVE TO THE ENERGETIC GROWTH IN THIS AREA OF MY DISTRICT.

LAST YEAR, I BROUGHT AN INITIATIVE TO PERFORM A COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE FOR THE NORTH NORTH BURNETT GATEWAY PLAN SO THAT IT ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE VISION AS OUR SECOND DOWNTOWN.

THIS AREA IS PRIMARILY IN DISTRICT SEVEN, BUT A PORTION OF IT DOES FALL WITHIN DISTRICT FOUR.

I WANT TO SIGNAL TO OUR STAFF THAT WE DO STILL EMBRACE THE VISION AND THE GREATER ENTITLEMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED TO FULFILL IT.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING COMPREHENSIVE, UH, TO SEEING THE, TO SEEING THE COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE COME BEFORE US THIS SPRING, AND TO RESPONDING TO THE ENTHUSIASM FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AREA.

THANK YOU MARY PROAM.

ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON IT? COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, UH, I SHARE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER BULL'S SENTIMENTS.

UH, THE CHANGES THAT WE SEE IN THAT AREA AROUND AUSTIN FC STADIUM AROUND THE DOMAIN, UH, ON NORTH OF BERNETT ARE, UH, REMARKABLE AND EXCITING.

AND, UH, I, I, UH, WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THIS ITEM TO, UH, CONTINUE IN THAT DIRECTION.

COUNCIL MEMBER AL ALTER.

ALISON AL ALTER.

I'VE BEEN, UH, PLEASED TO CO-SPONSOR A LOT OF THE WORK, UM, THAT COUNCIL MEMBER POOLS DONE TO ADVOCATE FOR, UM, ADDITIONAL DENSITY IN THIS AREA THAT'S OUR SECOND DOWNTOWN.

AND, AND I WANTED TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, HER HARD WORK AND THE WORK OF HER STAFF TO, UM, DILIGENTLY BE PURSUING THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE THERE, UM, IN A, IN A TIMELY FASHION.

IT'S ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE, THROUGH THIS KIND OF AREA FOCUS, BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH A LOT.

ALL IN FAVOR OF SUPPORTING ITEM 46 AND CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IT APPEARS TO BE UNANIMOUS ON THE DIAS.

MAYOR WATSON, ARE YOU SUPPORTING THE YES.

CADRES OFF.

AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE IS OFF THE DIAS FOR THE RECORD.

SO ITEM 46 IS NOW HANDLED.

DO WE NEED TO GO BACK ON ITEM 45 AND READ PASS THE RESOLUTION? OKAY.

SO WE HAVE OPENED AND CLOSED THAT PUBLIC HEARING LATER IN THE POSTING LANGUAGE, IT SAYS, AND CONSIDER A RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.

AND SO WE'LL NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING THAT MOTION AS WELL.

SO, ALL IN FAVOR OF THE PUBLIC HEARING BEING CONDUCTED AND THE RESOLUTION BEING CONSIDERED, SAY AYE.

AYE.

MAYOR WATSON IS ALSO IN AGREEMENT WITH US AND COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE IS OFF THE DIAS.

45 AND 46 ARE DONE.

ITEM

[47. Conduct a public hearing and consider second and third readings of an ordinance regarding a site-specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as required to address development related to the proposed Brodie Oaks PUD, C814-2021-0099, and located within the Barton Springs Zone. Related to Items #68 and #69.]

NUMBER 47.

UM, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER, I KNOW YOU HAD MENTIONED THIS IS THE ITEM ABOUT, UM, RELATED TO THE BRODY OAKS PUD PUBLIC HEARING, AND I KNOW YOU HAD POSTED ABOUT THE POSTPONEMENTS ON THE PROJECT.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO? YEAH.

NOTHING NEW TO ADD OTHER THAN THEY'RE JUST STILL WORKING ON THE LANGUAGE WITH CITY LEGAL STAFF, SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE SOMETHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE.

WE GET THE ORDINANCE LANGUAGE RIGHT AND JUST NEED A LITTLE MORE TIME.

AND THAT IS POSTPONED.

IS IT ALSO UNTIL MARCH 23RD? THAT'S CORRECT.

DO I HAVE A SECOND FOR THE POSTPONEMENT? COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON MAKES THE MOTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? RAISE YOUR HAND.

MOVE TO THE BALLOT ITEMS. WE HAVE ITEMS 74, 75, AND 76.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE OFF THE DIAS, ARE YOU IN SUPPORT OF, UM, POSTPONING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR BRODY OAKS POD TILL MARCH 23RD? PERFECT.

THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

SO THOSE THREE ITEMS ARE NOW TAKEN UP, AND I

[74. Approve an ordinance ordering a special municipal election to be held on May 6, 2023, to submit to the voters a second proposed citizen-initiated ordinance, certified sufficient on January 31, 2023, to enact an “Austin Police Oversight Act” that will strengthen the oversight of Austin police and encourage accountability for officer misconduct; providing for the conduct of the special election; authorizing the City Clerk to enter into joint election agreements with other local political subdivisions as may be necessary for the orderly conduct of the election; and declaring and emergency.]

WILL SUGGEST WE NOW

[03:40:01]

GIVE ME A SECOND TO FIND MY SCRIPT.

MAYOR WATSON, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU.

THANK YOU, MAYOR PRO TIM.

MEMBERS, UH, AS, AS YOU KNOW, THESE ARE THE BALLOT ITEMS RELATED TO, UH, THE MAY BALLOT.

UM, AND I'LL FOR THE PUBLIC, I'LL, I'LL LAY THIS OUT, BUT I WANNA START BY MOVING THAT WE ADOPT ITEM NUMBER 74, UM, FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW WHAT ITEM NUMBER 74 WOULD DO IS IT WOULD PUT ON THE BALLOT A SECOND, UH, A SECOND PROPOSITION RELATED TO AND, AND, AND SIMILAR PROPOSITION TO THE ONE THAT'S ALREADY BEEN PLACED ON THE BALLOT RELATING TO, UH, POLICE OVERSIGHT.

I WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL THAT THE WAY OUR CHARTER WORKS IS IT SAYS THAT IF A, IF A GROUP OF PEOPLE GET A REQUISITE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES, AND THEN THEY TAKE THOSE SIGNATURES TO THE CITY CLERK, AND THE CITY CLERK CERTIFIES THAT THEY ARE VALID SIGNATURES OF, OF, OF LOST NIGHTS AND VOTERS, AND THEY'VE PROPERLY, THE, THE PETITION HAS NOW PROPERLY MET A, A, THE THRESHOLD, THEN CLERK WILL CERTIFY THAT PETITION PURSUANT TO OUR CHARTER.

THEN THE COUNCIL ONLY HAS TWO CHOICES, AND THOSE CHOICES ARE FIRST, UH, OR ONE OF THE CHOICES IS IT THE COUNCIL CAN ADOPT THAT ORDINANCE THAT HAS NOW BEEN CERTIFIED BY, BY PETITION OR THE PETITION HAS BEEN CERTIFIED.

SO THE COUNCIL COULD JUST TAKE A VOTE AND ADOPT WHATEVER THE ORDINANCE IS.

SECOND THING THE COUNCIL CAN DO, AND ONLY THE SECOND THING THE COUNCIL CAN DO IS PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.

SO THE COUNCIL MUST ACT, BUT IT ONLY HAS TWO CHOICES.

PASS THE ORDINANCE OR PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.

THAT'S THE, THAT'S THE CASE.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T, IF THE COUNCIL WERE, DIDN'T LIKE IT WOULD NORMALLY, WOULD, WOULD OTHERWISE VOTE DOWN THAT ORDINANCE, UH, DOESN'T AGREE WITH IT, UH, MAY EVEN WANT TO CAMPAIGN AGAINST IT.

THE COUNCIL ONLY HAS TWO CHOICES.

AND, AND IN FACT, MANY PEOPLE MIGHT FEEL STRONGLY NEGATIVE ABOUT, UH, A PROPOSITION, BUT THERE'S NO NO CHOICE.

SO IN THIS CASE, UH, I AM MOVING THAT WE ADOPT ITEM NUMBER 74 AND PLACE THAT PROPOSITION ON THE BALLOT, UH, FACED WITH ONLY THOSE TWO CHOICES.

BEFORE WE ADOPT THAT ORDINANCE MEMBERS, WE NEED TO INSERT, WE NEED TO INSERT BALLOT LANGUAGE INTO THE ORDINANCE.

THE LAW DEPARTMENT PREPARED BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR US, AND IT'S IN THE BACKUP FOR ITEM NUMBER 74.

SO, AS PART OF THE MOTION, AS I MOVE TO ADOPT ITEM NUMBER 74, I MOVE THAT WE INSERT THE FOLLOWING BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR PROPOSITION B.

IT WILL SAY, SHALL THE VOTERS OF AUSTIN ADOPT ADOPT AN INITIATED ORDINANCE? AND THEN IT WILL ADD CIRCULATED BY VOTERS FOR OVERSIGHT AND POLITICAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

THAT'S THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION THAT CIRCULATED THE PETITION.

SO ADOPT AN INITIATED ORDINANCE CIRCULATED BY VOTERS FOR OVERSIGHT AND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

THAT, AND THEN GOES ON TO THE REST OF THE BALLOT.

THAT LANGUAGE IS THE, THE LANGUAGE OF THE BALLOT IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE CAPTION ON THE CITIZEN INITIATED PETITION WITH THE ADDITION OF THE NAME OF THE PARTY CIRCULATING THE PETITION.

VOTERS FOR OVERSIGHT AND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY, WE'RE ADDING THE NAME OF THE CIRCULATOR INTO THE BALLOT LANGUAGE BECAUSE THERE'S ALREADY A PROPOSITION A ON THE MAY 6TH, 2023 BALLOT OR ELECTION.

AND IT ALSO PERTAINS TO CIVILIAN POLICE OVERSIGHT.

THE BELIEF IS THAT ADDING THE CIRCULATOR NAMES HERE NAME HERE ON PROPOSITION B, AND ALSO ON PROPOSITION A, WHICH WE'LL GET TO IN JUST A MINUTE, PROVIDES CLARITY FOR THE VOTERS, OR AT LEAST MORE CLARITY.

THE ADDED LANGUAGE WILL PROVIDE SOME CERTAINTY AND DEFINITENESS TO EACH PROPOSITION AND ENSURE THAT THE VOTERS ARE NOT MISLED.

SO WITH THAT, UH, MAYOR PRO TIM,

[03:45:01]

I'M THE MOVE THAT WE ADOPT ITEM NUMBER 74 WITH THE BALLOT LANGUAGE.

THAT IS THE CAPTION WITH THE ADI ADDED LANGUAGE OF CIRCULATED BY VOTERS FOR OVERSIGHT AND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY, CERTAINTY, INDEFINITENESS TO EACH PROPOSITION, AND TO ENSURE THAT THE VOTERS ARE NOT MISLED.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LAYING THAT OUT.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND ON THE MOTION? COUNCIL MEMBER VELA SECONDS.

THAT MOTION? ARE THERE ANY REMARKS THAT FOLKS WANTED TO IDENTIFY BEFORE WE MOVED FORWARD? I JUST HAVE A QUESTION.

COUNCIL MEMBER FOR THE MAYOR, AND I WAS WONDERING, FOR THE PUBLIC, IS YOUR MOTION POSTED ANYWHERE PUBLICLY FOR REVIEW? IT WAS POSTED IN THE BACKUP.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

AND TO BE CLEAR, I CAN, UM, REREAD THE LANGUAGE JUST FOR, UH, BEING DUPLICATIVE.

UH, SHALL THE VOTERS OF AUSTIN ADOPT AN INITIATED ORDINANCE CIRCULATED BY VOTERS FOR OVERSIGHT AND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT WILL STRENGTHEN THE CITY'S SYSTEM OF INDEPENDENT AND TRANSPARENT CIVILIAN POLICE OVERSIGHT? JUST TO HAVE THAT READ ONE MORE TIME INTO THE RECORD.

I, I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A, UM, INTERESTING TOPIC THAT SOME FOLKS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR QUITE A WHILE.

UM, AS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS HAD MENTIONED EARLIER TODAY, UM, THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRANSPARENCY EXACTLY IN, YOU KNOW, WHO WAS BEHIND THE PETITION.

UM, I THINK WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE PETITION ITSELF, I THINK TRANSPARENCY IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALL STRIVE FOR.

UM, SO I REALLY HOPE MOVING FORWARD THAT THERE IS TRANSPARENCY IN, YOU KNOW, WHO IS SUPPORTING BALLOT MEASURES.

SO I THINK THAT HAVING THE CIRCULATORS OF THE PETITION IS EXTREMELY HELPFUL.

UM, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS OUT THERE THAT FEEL MISLED, BUT I THINK THE MAYOR SPOKE, SPOKE CORRECTLY, UM, TO IDENTIFY THAT OUR OPTIONS ARE EITHER TO, UH, ADOPT IT OUTRIGHT OR TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT WITH THE VOTERS.

AND SO SOME OF US FEEL LIKE WE'RE LEFT, AT LEAST I FEEL LIKE I'M LEFT IN A REALLY TOUGH POSITION.

BUT IF THERE'S NO MORE REMARKS, LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE VOTE FOR ITEM 74 WITH THE LANGUAGE AS THE MAYOR HAS READ ALL IN SUPPORT.

IT'S, IT'S UNANIMOUS.

ALL RIGHT, SO PROPOSITION B IS GOING TO BE SENT TO THE VOTERS.

[75. Approve an ordinance to enact an “Austin Police Oversight Act” that will strengthen the oversight of Austin Police and encourage accountability for officer misconduct.]

ITEM 75 WOULD HAVE BEEN ADOPTING THE PETITION LANGUAGE OUTRIGHT.

SO SINCE IT IS NOW GOING TO THE VOTERS, UH, ITEM NUMBER 5 75 IS WITHDRAWN.

AND

[76. Approve an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 20220915-087 ordering a May 6, 2023 special municipal election, to amend the ballot language; and declaring an emergency.]

THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 76.

MAYOR, DID YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THIS ONE AS WELL? YES.

THANK YOU, MAYOR PROAM MEMBERS, UM, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, UH, WE WOULD GET TO ITEM NUMBER 76 OR PROPOSITION A.

SO ITEM NUMBER 76 IS AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD AMEND THE BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR PROPOSITION A, WHICH AS YOU KNOW, IS ON THE MAY 6TH, 2023 ELECTION BALLOT.

LIKE I SAY, AS I MENTIONED JUST A SECOND AGO, WE WANT TO INSERT THE NAME OF THE CIRCULATOR INTO THE BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR PROPOSITION A, JUST AS WE DID FOR PROPOSITION B, SO THAT THE VOTERS HAVE CLARITY ABOUT WHICH ITEM IS WHICH.

SO, UM, MAYOR PROTE, I MOVE TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE TO ADD THE NAME OF THE CIRCULATOR TO THE BALLOT LANGUAGE AS FOLLOWS, SHALL THE VOTERS OF AUSTIN ADOPT AN INITIATED ORDINANCE CIRCULATED BY EQUITY ACTION THAT WILL DETER POLICE MISCONDUCT AND BRUTALITY BY STRENGTHENING THE CITY'S SYSTEM OF INDEPENDENT AND TRANSPARENT CIVILIAN POLICE OVERSIGHT? AGAIN, THAT IS FROM THE CAPTION AND ADDING THE NAME, UH, OF THE, THE CIRCULATOR EQUITY ACTION.

AND AGAIN, WE WOULD BE DOING THAT TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY AND SOME DEFINITENESS TO THESE TWO PROPOSITIONS SO THAT WE, UH, ENSURE THAT THE VOTERS AREN'T MISLED.

I, I MOVE, UH, I MAKE, I MOVE, UH, ADOPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 76 WITH THAT LANGUAGE.

THANK YOU, MAYOR, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTEZ SECONDS THAT, ANY COMMENTS BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? AND IT IS UNANIMOUS ON THE DIAS WITH ALL PRESENT.

AS MENTIONED BEFORE, I'M REQUESTING A BRIEF RECESS SO I CAN GET MY AMENDMENTS FOR 41, 81 40 AND 80 SORTED OUT.

UM, I WOULD SAY THREE 30 IS PROBABLY A GREAT TIME FOR US TO AIM TO COME BACK OUT TO ADDRESS OUR FINAL FOUR PIECES OF AGENDA ITEMS TODAY.

AND THEN AFTER WE FINISH THAT BUSINESS, WE WILL ADJOURN AND THEN CALL THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING ADJO.

MAY I CONFIRM? YES.

UM, I WAS JUST WONDERING IF

[03:50:01]

BEFORE WE ADJOURN, WE COULD CONFIRM THAT WE HAD THE RIGHT AMENDMENTS SINCE THERE'S BEEN SO MANY, JUST TO KNOW WHO HAS AN AMENDMENT THAT WE CAN LOOK FOR AT LEAST.

UM, BECAUSE THERE'VE BEEN SO MANY, I AM TOTALLY OPEN TO THAT.

I HAVE A LOT OF PAPERS, SO I DON'T KNOW IF I'M EVEN THE BEST PERSON TO TRY TO LEAD THAT DISCUSSION AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

SO I, I HAVE, I, I HAVE THE ONES THAT I HAVE IN FRONT OF ME THAT'S, I CAN READ THOSE OUT IF THAT'S HELPFUL, AND THEN WE CAN SEE IF WHAT WE'RE MISSING.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND START THERE.

OKAY, SOUNDS GREAT.

SO ON ITEM 40, I HAVE AN AMENDMENT FROM MYSELF.

UM, THIS IS THE COLD WEATHER SHELTER ITEM.

I HAVE ONE FROM FUENTES AND I HAVE ONE FROM CADRE.

UM, I BELIEVE THERE'S ONE FROM VELASQUEZ THAT I DON'T HAVE IN FRONT OF ME, UM, THAT I'LL NEED TO GET.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY OTHER ONES.

THERE IS, AND I BELIEVE THERE'S A VERSION TWO OF COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ'S AMENDMENT ON ITEM 40.

AND REAL QUICK, UM, WHILE WE DID START WITH COLD WEATHER SHELTER AS THE INTENTION ON THIS I F C, IT DEVELOPED INTO EXTREME WEATHER TO COVER ALL WEATHER TYPES.

SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

SO THE VELAZQUEZ'S VERSION TWO, HAS THAT BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO US ELECTRONICALLY? COUNCIL MEMBER OF VELAZQUEZ, DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR, UH, VERSION TWO AMENDMENT FOR 40 HAS, HAS THAT BEEN DISTRIBUTED BY THE AGENDA OFFICE OR ON THE MESSAGE BOARD? I BELIEVE SO.

AND THEN FOR, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE ORDER YOU'RE TAKING THEM UP, BUT IT'S THE ORDER I HAVE MY MOTION SHEETS IN RIGHT NOW.

UM, ITEM 41, I HAVE A KELLY MOTION SHEET NUMBER THREE AND A KELLY AMENDMENT TWO AND A KELLY AMENDMENT ONE.

CAN YOU READ THOSE AGAIN? THEY'RE JUST, UH, THREE MOTION SHEETS FROM KELLY ONE THROUGH THREE, AND I BELIEVE BACKING UP TO ITEM NUMBER 40, I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER HAD ALREADY PROPOSED ONE EARLIER.

IS THAT ONE STILL ON THE TABLE? YES.

OH, I HAVE.

YEAH, NO, IT, IT'S IN THE BACKUP MATERIALS.

IT'S NOT A SEPARATE MOTION SHEET.

SO LET'S GET THE SURE.

SO THAT'S WHAT I HAD FOR, UM, 41.

AND THEN, UM, I DON'T HAVE MY 80 ONES ORGANIZED, SO I'M NOT NOTTO .

UM, BUT I THINK THERE'S JUST A MOTION.

WELL, I THINK THERE'S MOTIONS FROM, UM, MAYOR WATSON AND FROM COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE MORE THAN THAT, FOR 80.

AND FOR FOR 80 ON THE CONTRACT, I THINK THAT YOU'RE NOT OFFERING YOURS ANYMORE.

SO COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER'S NOT OFFERING HIS ANYMORE.

SO THERE WERE MOTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY AND FROM MAYOR WATSON.

WERE THERE ANY OTHER MOTIONS FOR 80? OKAY.

UM, AND THEN FOR, UM, 81, I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER VERSION TWO.

AND WHICH, IF I COULD ON 80, HOW MANY, I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT.

I DON'T HAVE, I DON'T HAVE THOSE CLEARLY PRINTED OUT.

THERE WAS ONE FROM MAYOR WATSON WITH RESPECT TO FINANCES, AND I BELIEVE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HAD SEVERAL OF THOSE, BUT I DON'T HAVE A PACKET.

I THINK THOSE WERE ON THE LONG SIDE, SO I'D BE OKAY LOOKING AT THOSE ELECTRONICALLY MYSELF.

I DUNNO ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE.

WELL, I THINK WE CAN ALL PRINT THEM OUT.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I KNEW THAT I HAD THE RIGHT ONES THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.

SO ON ITEM 80, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HAS AT LEAST ONE FIVE COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HAS FIVE ON ITEM 80.

AND MAYOR WATSON HAS ONE.

AND THAT'S IT.

I HAVE SEEN MAYOR WATSON'S.

JUST SEND IT TO LEGAL AND IT'S BEING FORMED AND, AND WE'LL PUBLISH THAT.

MAYOR WATSON, DID YOU WANNA SPEAK AT THE MOMENT? NO, I WAS JUST GONNA SAY I, THAT, THOSE THAT ARE, THAT WERE PAYING ATTENTION TO, UH, AMENDMENTS, I ORIGINALLY HAD AN AMENDMENT TO COUNCILMAN'S MAIN MOTION, BUT I BELIEVE HE'S GOING TO OFFER AS PART OF HIS MAIN MOTION THAT AMENDMENT.

I DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER AMENDMENT THAT I WOULD BE BE, UM, PUTTING INTO THAT.

I BELIEVE THAT'S THE WAY WE WERE GOING TO DO THAT.

THAT'S, UH, CORRECT.

UH, MAYOR PROIN, UH, AND MAYOR, WE'RE JUST FINALIZING THAT, THAT LAST AMENDMENT HERE, BUT WE SHOULD HAVE IT MOMENTARILY.

BUT THE, UH, THE PAY AND BENEFITS, UM, AMENDMENT THAT, UH, THE MAYOR OFFERED, I'VE INCORPORATED INTO VERSION TWO, AND THEN WE'RE JUST, WE HAVE A, ANOTHER LANGUAGE CHANGE THAT'S GONNA INTENTIONALLY JUST INCORPORATE THE EVENTS OF THE LAST 24 HOURS.

AND WHEN WILL THE REST OF US SAY THAT? MOMENTARILY.

I MEAN, WE'RE JUST, WE

[03:55:01]

THE, THE VERSION TWO IS ALREADY, I BELIEVE, UH, IT'S ALREADY ON THE MESSAGE BOARD.

AND THEN THE LAST AMENDMENT IS JUST A CHANGE TO THE WAREHOUSES.

UH, BUT IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, INCORPORATING KIND OF THE, LIKE I SAID, THE EVENTS OF THE, OF THE LAST DAY.

SO TO WRAP THAT UP, ITEM NUMBER 40 HAS AMENDMENTS FROM ALISON AL ALTER, VANESSA FUENTEZ, ZO CADRE, JOSE VELAZQUEZ'S, VERSION TWO, AND RYAN AL ALTER ITEM 41 HAS THREE AMENDMENTS FROM COUNCIL NUMBER KELLY ITEM 80 HAS FIVE AMENDMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY AND SOME REWORKING OF LANGUAGE BETWEEN COUNCIL MEMBER AVELA AND MAYOR WATSON'S WORK.

AND ITEM 81 HAS A RYAN ALTA AMENDMENT VERSION TWO.

DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT? ANY, ANY OTHER AMENDMENTS OUT THERE? ANY OTHERS Y'ALL ARE STILL WORKING ON? THAT MIGHT COME OUR WAY.

OKAY, GOOD.

I THINK THIS HALF HOUR BREAK'S GONNA BE REALLY PRODUCTIVE.

UM, LET'S COME BACK HERE AT THREE 30 TO TAKE UP THE LAST FOUR ITEMS ON THIS REGULAR AGENDA.

THANKS, Y'ALL.

WAITING TO GET STARTED AGAIN.

WE ARE STILL ORGANIZING OUR PAPERS, BUT I WILL SAY MY INTENT IS TO TAKE UP ITEM 81 AUSTIN ENERGY FIRST ITEM 41, THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ITEM.

NEXT ITEM 40, THE EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER ITEM IS AFTER THAT.

AND THEN ITEM NUMBER 80 ABOUT THE POLICE CONTRACT AT THE VERY END.

SO WE'LL WAIT JUST ANOTHER MINUTE TO GET EVERYONE SITUATED.

ARE WE, OH, WE LOST ONE.

OH, THERE HE IS.

TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER 81, THE ITEM.

ARE WE READY TO GO? I THINK WE'RE READY TO GO.

LET'S

[81. Approve a resolution directing the City Auditor to conduct a comprehensive audit of the Austin Energy Vegetation Plan and Austin Energy’s response to the February 2023 winter storm event.]

IT WAS AN I F C FROM COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY ON AUSTIN ENERGY.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION? AND IF IT GETS A SECOND, UM, WE'LL THE LET YOU SPEAK.

UM, I'D LIKE TO MOVE PASSAGE OF ITEM 81.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? THERE HAS TO BE A SECOND, AND THEN WE CAN TAKE UP AMENDMENTS.

RYAN, AL ALTER IS SECONDING IT.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND UNVEIL YOUR, YOUR I F C AND THEN I KNOW THAT COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER DOES HAVE AN AMENDMENT? YES.

UM, COLLEAGUES, OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE FRUSTRATED AND WE'RE FRUSTRATED.

UM, CONSTITUENTS HAVE BEEN DEMANDING THAT WE TAKE SOME FORM OF ACTION NOW AND NOT LATER RELATED TO AUSTIN ENERGY.

UM, THIS IS WHY I FEEL THIS IMPORTANT ITEM, UM, SHOULD BE TAKEN UP TODAY.

I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ACTIONABLE STEPS TODAY THAT WE CAN TAKE TO ANSWER THE CALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

THIS VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AUDIT OF AUSTIN ENERGY IS ONE WAY TO DO THAT.

IT'S A FIRST STEP TO HELP AUSTIN ENERGY ENSURE THAT THEIR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN IS UP TO PAR ACCORDING TO THE RESOLUTION THAT I BROUGHT FORWARD TODAY, THE AUDIT OF AUSTIN ENERGY AND THE REVIEW SHOULD CONSIDER, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS, THE ADEQUACY OF THE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN, INCLUDING THE IDENTIFICATION OF AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT, THE EXECUTION OF THE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN, INCLUDING THE FREQUENCY AND QUALITY OF INSPECTIONS, PRUNING AND REMOVAL ACTIVITIES, THE COORDINATION EFFORTS OF AUSTIN ENERGY WITH OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS DURING THE RECENT WINTER STORM, THE IDENTIFICATION OF BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE RECENT WINTER STORM AND OTHER EVENTS.

AND CURRENTLY IS WRITTEN TO REVIEW THEIR OPERATIONAL PRACTICES AS THEY RELATE TO THE 2023 MAJOR VENTIL STORM EVENT.

UM, I'D LIKE TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBERS, RYAN AL ALTER, COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ, COUNCIL MEMBER BELLA.

AND I WANT TO THANK THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO'VE CALLED AND EMAILED MY OFFICE AND NONE OF OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS THIS WEEK TO SUPPORT THE ITEM.

AND I'M THANKFUL TO BRING IT FORWARD TODAY FOR, UM, A DISCUSSION.

I THINK AT THIS POINT WE'LL MOVE TO AMENDMENTS.

IS THERE AN AMENDMENT TO THE RESOLUTION? BRIAN AL ALTER.

DO YOU MAKE THAT MOTION? I DO.

THAT'S GREAT.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND FOR HIS AMENDMENT VERSION TWO, ALISON AL ALTER WILL SECOND THAT.

WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND SPEAK TO YOUR AMENDMENT.

PLAN, HOW IT'S BEEN IMPLEMENTED.

AND, AND THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, FOR BRINGING THIS.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK AND A HALF AND, AND SOME FRUSTRATIONS.

AND, AND SO ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS THAT I KNOW WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT IS AROUND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.

AND SO I THINK THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT BODY TAKE A LOOK AT OUR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

[04:00:01]

AND I THINK, UH, THIS, WHAT YOU'LL SEE IN THIS AMENDMENT IS IT LIMITS THE SCOPE OF THE AUDIT.

JUST TO THAT QUESTION, UH, I THINK THE BROADER QUESTION ABOUT AUSTIN ENERGY, UH, WE WILL GET SOME INFORMATION IN THE AFTER ACTION REPORT, AND I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO WAIT FOR THAT TO LOOK, UH, BEYOND THE VEGETATION QUESTION.

BUT, BUT TO REALLY HAVE AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PARTICULAR QUESTION AND HAVE THE PUBLIC BE ABLE TO, UH, HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT WE ARE GONNA GET AN ANSWER ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WHETHER OR NOT WE NEED CHANGES OR WHATNOT.

I I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, AUDITS ARE NOT PUNISHMENT.

THEY ARE AN ANSWER TO A QUESTION, AND THIS IS A QUESTION THAT HAS BEEN POSED, AND I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR US TO TAKE FURTHER, UH, STEPS THAT ALLOW THAT QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT THIS AMENDMENT DOES.

IT LIMITS IT TO THE VEGETATION QUESTION AND, AND HOPE YOU CAN ALL SUPPORT IT.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I SEE COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, UM, I LIKE THAT YOU, UM, THOUGHTFULLY PUT TOGETHER THE AMENDMENT, BUT I'M NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT IT BASED ON THE FEEDBACK FROM MY CONSTITUENTS AND THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY, UM, WHO WANT TO DIVE DEEPER INTO THIS.

UM, SO I WOULD LIKE TO PUT IT UP FOR A VOTE, BUT I LIKE THAT YOU MENTIONED AUDITS ARE NOT PUNISHMENT.

THIS IS SIMPLY MEANT TO BE A SUPPORTIVE WAY THAT WE CAN HELP AUSTIN ENERGY, UM, DIVE INTO THE DETAILS AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS MOVING FORWARD SO THAT, AGAIN, IT'S NOT PUNISHMENT, IT'S TO IMPROVE UPON THE SYSTEM THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

AND I'M ESPECIALLY CONCERNED RELATED TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT FOR THE, UM, THE, THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER AND WILDFIRE POTENTIAL EFFECTS.

UM, SO THANK YOU.

FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THE APPROPRIATE SCOPE OF THIS PARTICULAR WORK.

UM, I AM EAGER TO GET STARTED WITH THE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PORTION IN PARTICULAR THAT DOES NOT PRECLUDE THAT OTHER, UM, OTHER ISSUES MAY NOT BE ADDRESSED ALONG THE WAY.

I KNOW THERE'S CUSTOMARILY AN ACTIVE AFTER ACTION REPORT, UM, WHICH MAY PROVIDE SOME MORE DETAILS MOVING FORWARD.

AND OF COURSE, ANY OF THE, UM, OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES HAVE THE ABILITY TO, TO DO MORE WORK ON THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC IN THE FUTURE.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, MAYOR, PRETEND.

I ESPECIALLY WANNA THANK YOU FOR FRAMING IT IN, IN THAT WAY.

I THINK WE NEED THE ANSWERS QUICKLY, AND I THINK WE WILL GET ANSWERS MORE QUICKLY OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, INCLUDING AT THE AUSTIN ENERGY UTILITY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING.

AND THERE'S ALSO THE AUSTIN WATER UTILITY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT'S ALSO LOOKING AT, UM, ITS AFTER ACTION FROM PREVIOUS, UH, CRISES THAT WE'VE DEALT WITH AS A COMMUNITY.

SO I DON'T WANNA SLOW ANYTHING DOWN.

SO, UM, I APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTERS, UH, NARROWING THE, THE SCOPE OF THIS.

I CAN, LIKE YOU MAYOR PRO TEM, SUPPORT THAT PIECE OF IT.

UH, AND ONLY IF IT DOES NOT SLOW DOWN THE REVIEWS THAT THIS DIOCESE IS OTHERWISE INTENDING TO UNDER TO UNDERTAKE FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

BRIAN AL ALTER, I JUST WANNA MAKE ONE LAST COMMENT.

I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T POINT OUT, UH, ALL THE WORK THAT MY COLLEAGUE ALISON AL ALTER HAS DONE ON VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AND AS, AS THE CHAIR OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

UH, I KNOW WE WILL BE IN GOOD HANDS WITH THIS AUDIT AS AS IT COMES FORWARD AND, AND WE GET TO ROLL IT OUT.

THAT'S APPRECIATED.

ANY MORE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? AND THEN WE'LL TAKE THE VOTE.

OH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER, GO AHEAD.

ACTUALLY, I WANNA SPEAK AFTER WE VOTE ON RIGHTS AMENDMENT ON THE AMENDMENT, OR ON THE FULL ITEM ON THE AMENDMENT.

SORRY, EVERYBODY EXCEPT MACKENZIE.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE A VOTE ON RYAN AL ALTER'S AMENDMENT TO ITEM NUMBER 81.

ALL IN FAVOR APPEARS TO BE UNANIMOUS ALL.

KELLY, YOU ARE VOTING NO ON THE AMENDMENT CORRECT? I'M VOTING NO ON THE AMENDMENT.

ON THE AMENDMENT.

THANK YOU, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER.

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT BEYOND WHAT WE HAD ALREADY BEEN DOING, WHICH WE HAD INITIATED IN 2019.

UM, YOU KNOW, YES, UH, I THINK IT WAS TUESDAY.

UM, WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE RECENT EVENTS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I MENTIONED WAS THAT MULTIPLE THINGS CAN BE TRUE AT ONCE.

UM, AND I THINK HERE AGAIN, WE HAVE A ICE HURRICANE THAT WE HAD THAT KNOCKED DOWN A WHOLE LOT OF TREES, UM, THAT WAS DAMAGED.

UM, OUR SYSTEM.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT NEEDS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE RELIABILITY OF OUR UTILITY AND FOR OUR WILDFIRE MITIGATION, WE STILL AT THIS POINT DO NOT KNOW WHETHER ADDITIONAL

[04:05:01]

UM, WHEN I STARTED LOOKING INTO RELIABILITY IN 2018 AND 2019, WE CHANGED, UM, THOSE POLICIES AND WE HAVE DONE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT ON OUR LOW RELIABILITY HIGH WILDFIRE CIRCUITS, UM, PARTICULARLY IN WEST AUSTIN, WHERE MANY OF THOSE LIE, UM, THAT WORK DID MATTER.

BUT WHAT WE DON'T KNOW IS IF THE REMAINING CIRCUITS, BECAUSE WE DID PRIORITIZE WHETHER THAT MATTERED, WOULD HAVE MADE A MARGINAL DIFFERENCE IN THE OUTCOME THAT WE SAW.

SO I'M ALL FOR TAKING THIS LOOK, UM, AND APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY INITIATING IT AND COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER'S AMENDMENT.

UM, BUT I THINK WE, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S GONNA GET TO THE CORE OF WHAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND.

I THINK WE NEED TO GET A LITTLE BIT MORE DISTANCE TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW, YOU KNOW, WHICH PIECES ARE GONNA BE MOST CRUCIAL AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MAXIMIZING OUR ABILITY, UM, TO MINIMIZE THE RISK FROM THESE CLIMATE EFFORTS.

UM, SO WE HAVE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN VEGETATION MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE INCREASED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK.

IT'S NOT DONE YET.

UM, THERE'S MORE TO BE DONE.

UM, SO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, BUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, UM, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD JUST UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MAY NOT BE THE THING THAT IS THE SMOKING GUN OF WHAT, OF WHAT HAPPENED, THOUGH.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR UTILITY, UM, AND THE SAFETY OF OUR CITY.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

I JUST, I ALSO WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK COUNCIL MEMBER AL ALTER FOR ALL HER HISTORIC WORK ON VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PRIOR TO THIS.

UM, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT GO INTO THE WORK THAT WE DO HERE ON COUNCIL, AND SOMETIMES WE BUILD UPON THE, THE PREVIOUS WORK SO THAT WE CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

SO I JUST WANNA EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE.

I THINK IT'S TIME TO TAKE A VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL ITEM AS AMENDED.

ITEM NUMBER 81, INCLUDING RYAN AL ALTER'S AMENDMENT.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE ITEM COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.

ALL RIGHT, THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

ITEM 81 PASSES MAYOR PROTE.

YES, MA'AM.

WHILE WE'RE ON THE, THE ISSUE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, UM, I JUST WANNA FLAG FOR FOLKS THAT, UH, AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING IN OUR MORNING MEETING NEXT WEEK.

UM, WE HAD PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE, UM, SORT OF AN AUDIT COMMITTEE, UM, LOOK BACK AT THE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AUDIT AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION.

UM, SO WE'LL BE LOOKING BACK AT, UM, SOME OF THOSE STATEMENTS THAT WERE PART OF THE ORIGINAL AUDIT FROM URI AND, AND HOW FAR WE'VE GOTTEN.

UM, SO THAT WILL BE IN THE MORNING AND THAT IN THE AFTERNOON IN A JOINT, UM, COMMITTEE MEETING BETWEEN AUDIT AND FINANCE AND AUSTIN WATER, WE WILL BE, UM, HEARING THE IMPLEMENTATION PLANS FOR AUSTIN WATER BASED ON THE EXTERNAL REVIEW THAT WE DID, UM, LAST YEAR AFTER THE WATER BOIL.

UM, THERE WILL BE LESSONS THAT OVERLAP THERE, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO KEEPING POWER ON AT OUR WATER STATION SUBSTATIONS.

UM, SO, UM, JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE THAT THOSE THINGS ARE ALREADY SCHEDULED TO HAPPEN NEXT WEEK.

APPRECIATE THOSE COMMENTS.

TO 58 TO READ AS FOLLOWS.

YEAH, AND JUST TO AMPLIFY WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER JUST SAID, UM, WE WILL BE, UM, GETTING INFORMATION FROM AUSTIN ENERGY ABOUT THEIR WORK, UM, WITH THIS LATEST DISASTER AND, UH, UPDATES FROM OUR STAFF, UH, DIGGING INTO SOME OF THE STATEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERED IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.

AND I SHARE MY COLLEAGUES' CONCERN ABOUT PRESERVING OUR URBAN CANOPY.

IT'S ESSENTIAL FOR, UM, ENVIRONMENTAL PURPOSES, UH, THAT IT REMAINS HEALTHY, UM, AND PART OF THAT HEALTH IS STEERING CLEAR OF OUR TRANSMISSION AND, AND ELECTRICAL LINES.

SO I THINK, I THINK WE CAN DO BOTH THINGS AND, UM, I THINK WE CAN DO IT AT A, AT A GOOD CLIP AND, UM, IMPROVE OUR RESILIENCE, THE SUSTAINABLE RESILIENCE OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT.

THANK YOU ALL.

THERE ARE NO FURTHER COMMENTS.

WE SHOULD TAKE

[41. Approve a resolution creating an economic development grant program, to fund the Board of Adjustment Applicant Assistance Program (BAAP) to assist qualifying residential homestead applicants to pay for City fees assessed for an application for a residential zoning variance or special exception variance.]

UP ITEM NUMBER 41.

NEXT.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE RESOLUTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON ON PROCESSES WITH THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO PASS THE ITEM? UM, WELL, YES I WOULD.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I'D LIKE TO, UH, MOTION THAT WE TAKE UP THE ITEM AS IS MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON.

SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTEZ.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY? YES.

UM, I HAVE SEVERAL AMENDMENTS I'D LIKE TO BRING FORWARD ON THIS ITEM.

THE FIRST ONE I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IS TO MOVE TO AMEND LINES 56

[04:10:01]

UM, COUNCIL DIRECTS THE CITY MANAGER TO BRING THE PROPOSED PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, STRIKE THE WORD, AND COSTS AND FUNDING SOURCES, AND THEN ADD AND OVERALL FISCAL IMPACT TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S ANNUAL BUDGET TO COUNSEL FOR ITS CONSIDERATION BY APRIL 10TH, 2023.

IS THERE A SECOND TO THE PASSAGE OF THE AMENDMENT C? CAN I, THIS DOES NOT APPEAR.

THERE'S A SECOND.

OH, I HAVE A QUESTION.

I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS IF THE CITY MANAGER IS SUPPOSED TO BRING TO US THE COSTS VERSUS BRINGING US THE COSTS.

HOW ARE COSTS DIFFERENT THAN FISCAL IMPACT IS REALLY MY QUESTION.

IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE, I GUESS I'LL ALLOW IT WITHOUT A SECOND THAT, OH, THAT'S NOT ALLOWED.

OH, THEN I WON'T EVEN, SORRY.

I STILL LEARN THE RULES.

THAT'S OKAY.

PROCEDURALLY, WE SHOULD HAVE A SECOND, UH, TO EVEN BE ABLE TO DEBATE TO BRING THE MOTION.

AND SO IF THERE'S NO SECOND, UM, WE COULD GET ANSWERS TO THAT QUESTION OFFLINE.

MAYOR PROAM, I WOULD LIKE TO INDICATE THAT, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON DID SAY ON THE COUNCIL MESSAGE BOARD THAT SHE WAS OKAY WITH THIS, THIS FIRST AMENDMENT.

, BUT THERE WAS NO SECOND.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, DID YOU HAVE OTHER AMENDMENTS THAT YOU WANTED TO PROPOSE FOR THIS ITEM? I DO.

MY SECOND ONE IS TO MOVE TO AMEND 54 TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING.

I, UM, WHICH IS A D P S O A ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, J, PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS BENEFITS PROGRAM, K, ALL LINE OF DUTY DEATH ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, OR, AND THEN TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING, CLERICAL CORRECTION, JUST ADDING L TO THE APPLICANT'S HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS LESS THAN 200% OF THE INCOME POVERTY LEVEL.

IS THERE A SECOND FOR THIS AMENDMENT? IT DOES NOT APPEAR.

THERE'S A SECOND ON THIS ONE EITHER.

I HAVE ONE MORE MOTION SHEET I'D LIKE TO BRING FORWARD, AND THAT IS TO MOVE TO AMEND LINES 56 TO 58 TO READ AS FOLLOWS, COUNCIL DIRECTS THE CITY MANAGER TO BRING THE PROPOSED PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND COST AND FUNDING SOURCES TO COUNSEL FOR ITS CONSIDERATION BY STRIKING THE WORD APRIL TO AUGUST 10TH, 2023.

IS THERE A SECOND ON THE AMENDMENT? THIS ALSO APPEARS NOT TO HAVE A SECOND.

WE APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM'S WORK ON THIS AND YOUR CREATIVE THINKING.

WE DO APPRECIATE THE THOUGHT, THOUGHT PROCESS.

UH, YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON AL ALTER.

I JUST WANTED TO ASK IF I COULD BE ADDED AS A CO-SPONSORED, UH, HARPER MADISONS, UH, HERPER MEDICINE'S, UM, PROPOSAL HERE.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT HER AND HER TEAM DID TO MOVE FORWARD.

UM, THIS, THIS REQUEST THAT WE HAD THAT WAS WORKED ON WITH THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, UM, WITH HER STAFF, UM, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE MOVE THIS FORWARD.

AND I APPRECIATE YOU PICKING IT UP AND MOVING IT OVER THE FINISH LINE.

IT, IT IS GONNA BE IMPORTANT FOR, FOR MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR, FOR LEADING ON THAT.

NAT CO-SPONSORSHIP APPEARS TO BE ACCEPTED.

UH, SAME HERE, BUT I'LL, I'LL BE VOTING FOR IT SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO ADD ME AS A CO-SPONSOR, BUT THANK YOU FOR THE WORK.

ARE WE READY TO VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER 41? ALL IN FAVOR? THIS APPEARS TO BE UNANIMOUS.

UNANIMOUS ON THE DIAS.

WILL BRING US TO ITEM NUMBER 40, THE EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER OPTION.

ITEM 41 IS ADDRESSED.

THAT

[40. Approve a resolution related to the operation of City shelters during extreme weather events]

UM, I WILL OPEN IT UP TO THE LEAD SPONSOR, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, TO MAKE A MOTION.

AND IF THERE'S A SECOND, I KNOW THERE'S SOME AMENDMENTS, UM, THAT NEED TO BE MADE OR NEED TO BE OFFERED.

I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE PASSAGE OF ITEM NUMBER 40.

IS THERE A SECOND COUNCIL MEMBER OF ALASKA SECONDS THAT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK TO IT? ABSOLUTELY.

UM, TODAY I'M BRINGING AN ITEM TO ADDRESS A NEED FOR EXTREME WEATHER SHELTERS AS THEY RELATE TO SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, EXTREME WEATHER SHELTERS ARE CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE TO NATURAL DISASTERS AND EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS.

SHELTERS PROVIDE SAFE AND SECURE PLACES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO TAKE REFUGE FROM HARSH CONDITIONS, INCLUDING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY RAIN, AND EXTREME TEMPERATURES.

IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO EXTREME WEATHER SHELTERS, WE CAN HELP PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND REDUCE THE IMPACT OF NATURAL DISASTERS ON VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

ITEM 40 SPECIFICALLY LOOKS TO EXPAND THE HOURS OF OPERATIONS AND RESOURCES AND LOOKS INTO OTHER DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN MAKE THESE SHELTERS MORE ACCESSIBLE AND REDUCE

[04:15:01]

BARRIERS TO ENTRY.

I SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME TALKING WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO CRAFT THIS RESOLUTION, AND I APPRECIATE THE INPUT FROM EVERYONE I SPOKE TO, TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE AND THE NEED TO BRING THIS FORWARD.

I HAVE A HUGE THANK YOU LIST THAT I WON'T READ FOR FEAR OF LEAVING PEOPLE OUT, BUT I REALLY WANNA THANK EVERYONE WHO HELPED WORK WITH ME TO GET THIS WHERE IS TODAY.

AND I ALSO WANNA THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING IT AND, UM, THE ABILITY TO BRING IT FORWARD.

AND I ALSO WANNA THANK, UM, THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE WRITTEN AMENDMENTS TO HELP, UM, PROVIDE THOUGHTFUL ADDITIONS TO THE ITEM.

I KNOW THERE'S A FEW AMENDMENTS.

UM, I WANNA OFFER COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER THE COURTESY.

I KNOW WE DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE THIS UP IN WORK SESSION, AND YOU WERE THE ONE WHO HAD PULLED IT FOR DISCUSSION.

SO WANNA GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

I, UH, AM I ALLOWED TO SPEAK ON MY AMENDMENTS? I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE WE'RE, I'M DOING THE RIGHT THING.

I WOULD SAY JUST MAKE THE MOTION AND SAY I MOVE MY AMENDMENT AND IF THERE'S A SECOND I MOVE, UH, MY AMENDMENT TO ITEM 40.

IS IT SECONDED? COUNCIL MEMBER OF VELASQUE SECOND IT.

WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND LAY IT OUT.

SO, SO THIS AMENDMENT, UH, WOULD ADD OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONDUCTING COORDINATED ASSESSMENT FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

I JUST THINK THIS IS, WE DON'T WANNA MISS ANY OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO OUR COORDINATED ASSESSMENT AND, AND BE ABLE TO, UH, REACH OUT AND, AND GET SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT NEED IT.

AND SO, UH, I, WE SPOKE WITH THE HOMELESS STRATEGY DIVISION TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS WOULDN'T IN ANY WAY, UM, BE DUPLICATIVE OR, OR HAVE OTHER ISSUES.

THEY WELCOME IT, SO I MOVE ADOPTION.

WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT ON THE TABLE.

IT HAS BEEN SECONDED.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? IT DOES NOT APPEAR, SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT.

ALL IN FAVOR? APPEARS TO BE UNANIMOUS.

MAYOR WATSON, ARE YOU JUST VOTING YES OR DID YOU WANNA SPEAK VOTING? YES.

ALRIGHT.

I'M VOTING YES.

OKAY, PERFECT.

THAT ONE IS HEREBY INCLUDED.

UM, I BELIEVE THE NEXT PERSON TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT WAS COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER.

DID YOU WANT TO MOVE ADOPTION OF YOUR AMENDMENT? YEAH, I'LL MOVE ADOPTION OF MY AMENDMENT.

UM, WHICH ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ODD AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, UM, ACCEPTED A AUDIT ON EMERGENCY SHELTERS FOR DANGEROUS TEMPERATURES IN DECEMBER.

AND THAT INCLUDED RECOMMENDATIONS AND IT, UH, PROVIDES DIRECTION TO CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT THE DIRECT THE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH WHICH STAFF HAD ALREADY CONFERRED.

I APOLOGIZE I DIDN'T ASK FOR A SECOND BEFORE YOU LAID IT OUT.

SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.

ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION ON THIS AMENDMENT? IT APPEARS THERE ARE NONE.

ALL IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING COUNCIL MEMBER ALTERS AMENDMENT TO ITEM 40.

IT IS UNANIMOUS ON THE DIAS.

THE NEXT ONE I'M TRYING TO GO IN CHRONOLOGICAL.

YES, SIR.

MAYOR, FROM MY YOU, UM, WHEN YOU ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS OF THESE VOTES, YOU'RE ALWAYS SAYING IT'S UNANIMOUS ON THE DIAS.

AND WHILE I WOULD LOVE TO BE ON THE DIAS , I'M NOT.

AND SO, UH, I DON'T WANNA BE LEFT OUT OF THE VOTE.

I I WILL AMEND IT TO ON THE DIAS OR VIRTUALLY PRESENT.

APPRECIATE THAT.

DO NOT WANNA EXCLUDE YOU, .

THE NEXT ONE, I BELIEVE THAT WAS POSTED IS COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE? YES, I MOVE TO ADD MY AMENDMENT.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? COUNCIL MEMBER, ALLISON ALTER.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LAY OUT YOUR AMENDMENT? YEAH.

SO, UM, WE'RE OFFERING THIS AMENDMENT BECAUSE, UH, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PUTTING A FOCUS ON EQUITY, SAFETY, AND COMPASSION WHEN WE'RE HAVING THESE, UM, EXTREME, UH, WEATHER INCIDENCES.

AND THAT WE'RE REMOVING THE BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GET, UH, REGISTERED SO THAT WE MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE IN THAT, UH, FOLKS HAVE AN EASIER TIME ABOUT IT.

AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS YOUR VERSION TWO, CORRECT? CORRECT.

ARE THERE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ'S AMENDMENT? ALL IN FAVOR.

IT IS UNANIMOUS ON THE DIAS AND THE VIRTUAL DIAS THAT ONE'S ADOPTED.

THAT LEADS US TO COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTEZ, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE YOUR AMENDMENT? YES, I MOVE MY AMENDMENT TO ITEM NUMBER 40.

SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

CONSTANTLY SEEN AND HEARD, BOTH IN THE TESTIMONY PROVIDED TODAY BY AUSTIN KNIGHTS AND ALSO FROM FELLOW COLLEAGUES, AMENDMENTS THAT REGISTRATION CONTINUES TO BE A BARRIER FOR FOLKS.

COUNCIL COBY, UM, COLLEAGUES, MY AMENDMENT DOES FOUR THINGS, UH, THAT I THINK THAT ARE VERY ALIGNED INTO WHAT WE EXPERIENCED THIS WINTER STORM, AND BACK IN DECEMBER WHEN WE HAD THE WINTER FREEZE.

UM, THIS IS REALLY ABOUT ENSURING THAT WE HAVE A COORDINATED EFFORT TO RESPOND.

UM, WE HAVE

[04:20:01]

I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR FOLKS TO GET DOWNTOWN TO REGISTER ONLY THEN TO BE BUSED OUT TO DIFFERENT SHELTERS.

UM, I HAVE SEEN OTHER CITIES HANDLE IT DIFFERENTLY.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE HANDLING IT DIFFERENTLY, AND I THINK OUR REGISTRATION CONTINUES TO POSE AS A BARRIER FOR OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.

UH, SO WITH THIS AMENDMENT, IT DOES SEEK TO EXPAND OPTIONS FOR REGISTRATION, KNOWING THAT IT IS A BARRIER, AND TAKING A LOOK AT WHAT OTHER WAY SHOULD WE BE HANDLING OUR INTAKE.

IT ALSO EXTENDS THE LENGTH OF TIME ON THE PAUSE OF, OF, OF CAMP SWEEPS, AND IT ASKS FOR A EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE DEL VALLEY AREA.

DEL VALLEY HAS GROWN TREMENDOUSLY IN THE LAST 10 TO 15 YEARS, AND ACTUALLY RECENTLY IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, UM, A LOT OF PEOPLE, WHEN YOU THINK DEL VALLEY, YOU THINK IT'S A RURAL PART OF THE COUNTY.

AND IF THAT'S NOT THE CASE, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF GROWTH IN THE AREA.

AND SO WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE WE'RE ESTABLISHING SHELTERS, IT'S NOT AN EASY FIX TO BE ABLE TO GET ON A CAT METRO BUS ROUTE TO THE SHELTER.

THERE'S JUST NOT A LOT OF TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS.

AND THEN THE FOURTH THING THAT THIS DOES IS ALSO, UH, IN COMMUNICATION WITH FOLKS THAT TESTIFIED EARLIER, UM, THE NEED FOR FAMILY SHELTERS.

I HAVE HEARD CUSTOMER RUBELLA AND I WERE AT A COMMUNITY MEETING LAST NIGHT WHERE WE HEARD DIRECTLY FROM RESIDENTS WHO TOLD US THEY WERE TURNED AWAY FROM ONE OF OUR SHELTERS THAT WERE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND THAT'S SIMPLY NOT OKAY.

IF WE HAVE FOLKS AND WE HAVE FAMILIES WHO NEED A PLACE TO STAY FOR THE NIGHT BECAUSE IT'S FREEZING AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO, WE SHOULD HAVE A PLACE OPEN FOR THEM.

SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW ARE WE PROVIDING FAMILY SHELTERS, UH, IN THIS CITY, AT THE VERY LEAST, HAVE ONE FAMILY SHELTER.

UH, SO AGAIN, MY AMENDMENT DOES FOUR THINGS.

IT TAKES A LOOK AT THE REGISTRATION PROCESS, EXTENDS THE LENGTH OF TIME ON PAUSING THE, THE CAMP SWEEPS.

IT LOOKS AT ESTABLISHING A SHELTER IN DOLL VALLEY AND LOOKED AT FAMILY SHELTERING.

THANK YOU FOR LAYING OUT THE AMENDMENT.

DO WE HAVE, UM, I SEE COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HAS HER HAND UP.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY, GO AHEAD.

I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU INCORPORATED THE FAMILY SHELTERING INTO THIS.

UM, I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND THEY HAD IDENTIFIED THAT AS A NEED.

AND SO I'M GLAD THAT YOUR COVERS THAT.

UM, THIS, I'M JUST GLAD THAT WE'RE COMING TOGETHER AS A DAIS AND WE'RE REALLY WORKING ON THESE ISSUES TOGETHER AND PUTTING FORWARD VERY THOUGHTFUL AMENDMENTS TO THEM SO THAT THEY'RE A WHOLE FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY AND, AND IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL THING TO SEE.

SO, THANK YOU.

FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE A VOTE ON COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTEZ AMENDMENT.

ALL IN FAVOR? WAIT, WE'RE PAUSING.

I SEE DEBORAH THOMAS .

JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, VELAZQUEZ AND COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTEZ, UM, BOTH AMENDED THE THIRD, UM, BULLET IN THE FIRST, WHEREAS, AND THE IN THE FIRST RES, UH, RESOLVE AND I, I ACTUALLY CAN'T PUT THEM IN IN EXACTLY THE WAY THEY ARE.

SO, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER OF VELAZQUEZ IS SAYS, AN OVERALL SHELTER REGISTRATION OPERATIONS.

I DO NOTE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER GUES AMENDMENT COVERS THAT.

SO PERHAPS I COULD GET PERMISSION TO JUST USE COUNCIL MEMBER GUES LANGUAGE AND, OKAY.

YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THAT? SO, COUNCIL MEMBER VELASQUEZ'S VERSION TWO SHEET.

IT WILL BE, THE FIRST BULLET POINT IS NOT GOING TO BE INCLUDED BECAUSE COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTEZ SHEET WILL PICK THAT, THE LANGUAGE.

NOW LET'S VOTE TO ADOPT THAT AMENDMENT.

ALL IN FAVOR? IT IS UNANIMOUS BOTH ON THE DIAS AND VIRTUAL DIAS.

THAT ONE PASSES.

THE LAST AMENDMENT I HAVE IS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE PASSAGE? YEAH, I'D LIKE TO MOVE PASSAGE.

THE AMENDMENT.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES.

GO AHEAD AND SPEAK TO YOUR AMENDMENT.

WELL, I WANT TO THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY FOR ALL HER WORK ON THIS MATTER.

UH, I WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW CO-SPONSORS, UH, ON THIS, AND I WANNA THANK EVERYONE WHO'S BROUGHT FORTH AN AMENDMENT.

UM, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO BE AHEAD OF, OF SITUATIONS AND WHAT I CAN TELL FROM, FROM THIS DIOCESE IS THAT WE, WE WANT TO DO RIGHT BY THOSE, UH, THAT WE, THAT WE SERVE.

UH, AND IT'S, IT'S BEEN A LONG PROCESS, UH, TO GET THIS, UH, THIS ITEM ON, BUT I'M, I'M SO THANKFUL THAT, UH, THAT'S WE'RE HERE.

UM, WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH, UH, THE, THE, THE AMENDMENT IS, UH, WE'RE DEFINING A MEANINGFUL PROCESS, UH, STAKEHOLDERS, UM, YOU KNOW, TO ME, DOESN'T, DOESN'T GO.

IT'S TOO VAGUE.

UM, AND IT COULD MEAN

[04:25:01]

EVERYONE.

AND WHAT THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL THAT, THAT IS MENTIONED IN THIS AMENDMENT, UH, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S A FO IT'S A GROUP OF, OF PAID EXPERTS, UH, WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES, UH, AROUND HOMELESSNESS THAT WILL HELP GUIDE AND, AND INFORM THE PROCESS.

SO, UM, I MOVE TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION FOR ITEM 40 AS FOLLOWS.

AMEND THE FIRST TO RESOLVE TO READ, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, INCLUDING THE COLD WEATHER SHELTER WORK GROUP UNDER THE ATX LEADERSHIP COUNCIL AND CITY DEPARTMENTS DIRECTLY ENGAGED WITH UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING THE HOMELESS STRATEGY DIVISION AND AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY EMS REGARDING EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND SHELTER ACTIVATION CRITERIA AND PROCESSES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS.

UM, AND THEN I WOULD, I'D LIKE TO ALSO AMEND THE SECOND RESOLVE TO READ, UH, THE CITY MANAGER WILL REPORT TO THE COUNCIL BY JUNE 15TH, 2023 ON ONE RECOMMENDATIONS TO EXPAND THE CITY'S WEATHER SHELTERING PLAN TO INCLUDE ALL EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS.

AND TWO, THE FEEDBACK AND SUGGESTIONS FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ATX LEADERSHIP COUNCIL FOR AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY CONTIN CONTINUUM OF CARE AND ALIGNMENT, UH, WITH THE WRITTEN STANDARDS OF COLD WEATHER SHELTER DEVELOPED BY THE COLD WEATHER SHELTER WORK GROUP TO ADDRESS, UH, ACTIVATION, REGISTRATION, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THE CITY'S RESPONSE TO SHELTERING DURING EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS.

ARE THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE'S AMENDMENT? COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTEZ, I'M SORRY.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

I, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO AMEND, UM, THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEMBER'S AMENDMENT TO READ AS FOLLOWS, UM, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, INCLUDING THE COLD WEATHER SHELTER WORK GROUP, UM, AND THEN STRIKE UNDER THE ATX LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.

AND THEN, THEN JUST SAY STAKEHOLDERS AND THOSE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE AND CITY DEPARTMENTS DIRECTLY ENGAGED WITH UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING THE HOMELESS STRATEGY DIVISION AND AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY EMS. AND THEN AMEND THE SECOND RESOLVE TO READ, UM, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE STRIKING ATX LEADERSHIP COUNCIL AND KEEPING STAKEHOLDERS AND THOSE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE FOR AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE WRITTEN STANDARDS FOR COLD WEATHER SHELTER DEVELOPED BY THE COLD WEATHER SHELTER WORK GROUP.

OKAY, THAT'S BEEN MOVED.

UM, I'LL ASK FOR A SECOND, BUT I ALSO SEE DEBORAH THOMAS HERE, SO IS THERE A SECOND FOR COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY'S AMENDMENT? SEEING, SEEING NO SECOND, WE'RE BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE'S ORIGINAL AMENDMENT.

SORRY.

DO YOU NEED TO SPEAK WITH US, DEBORAH THOMAS? THANK YOU.

I JUST WANNA NOTE THAT, UM, SINCE BOTH COUNCIL MEMBER CADRES AND COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES IS, UH, MOTIONS AMEND THE SAME LANGUAGE IN THE FIRST RESOLVE, I WILL HAVE TO TAKE SOME LIBERTY TO, UM, MAKE THEM WORK.

AND THEY WON'T LOOK EXACTLY THE WAY THE MOTIONS READ IS THE, BUT I'LL, I'LL USE BOTH LANGUAGES, BUT THEY WON'T LOOK THE WAY THE MOTIONS READ.

SEEMS LIKE THOSE SPONSORS ARE COMFORTABLE WITH YOU TAKING YOUR BEST EDITING SKILLS TO IT.

YEAH, DON'T, DON'T, DO YOU MIND? YEAH.

UH, THE ONLY THING I I JUST WANNA HIGHLIGHT IS JUST THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTIONING, UH, THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.

IT'S A, IT'S A HUD MANDATED BOARD FOR OUR C D IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A KEY STAKEHOLDER IN THE, IN THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.

AND THE HOMELESS HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE.

UH, THE STRATEGY OFFICE HAS A CHAIR IN THAT LEADERSHIP COUNCIL THAT'S DIANE GRAY, UH, WHO'S A VOTING MEMBER.

UH, AND IT'S JUST A VERY NATURAL BODY TO INCLUDE IN A RESOLUTION LIKE THIS.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS AMENDMENT.

WE WILL NEED TO VOTE TO ADOPT IT, BUT I SEE COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HAS HER HAND UP.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK JUST, JUST AS A FINAL THOUGHT? THE REASON THAT I HAD BROUGHT FORWARD MY AMENDMENT WAS NOT TO, UM, SHOW DIFFERENCE TO THE WORK THAT THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL DOES.

I UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DO, BUT MY, MY RATIONALE WAS THAT THERE ARE OTHER GROUPS THAT ALSO DO GREAT AND WONDERFUL THINGS, AND I WANTED TO ENSURE THAT WE WERE NOT EXCLUDING SPECIFIC GROUPS FROM THIS PROCESS.

I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS ON THAT.

I KNOW THERE'S TIMES WHERE WE'VE HAD AMENDMENTS ON THE DIOCESE AND WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW EXPLICITLY TO NAME SOME OF OUR, UM, FOLKS WHO WANNA ADVOCATE OR PROVIDE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND HOW GENERAL AND HOW SPECIFIC TO BE.

SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE AS A DIAS SHOULD THINK ABOUT AND TRY TO FIND SOME SORT OF STANDARD MOVING FORWARD SO THAT MORE VOICES CAN BE INCLUDED.

UM, LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE A VOTE ON COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE'S AMENDMENT.

ALL IN FAVOR? I SEE MOST OF US ON THE DIAS.

I DO NOT SEE KIRK WATSON ON THE VIRTUAL DIAS.

ANYONE OPPOSED? OKAY.

HE IS VOTING.

ANYONE OPPOSED? COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY IS OPPOSED TO INCLUDING THIS AMENDMENT.

SO THAT BRINGS US BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER 40 AS

[04:30:01]

AMENDED.

WE HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN A MOTION AND A SECOND, EXCUSE ME.

COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER IS OFF THE DIAS.

SO REFLECT THAT IN THE RECORD FOR THAT LAST VOTE.

UH, WE ARE NOW TO ITEM 40 AS AMENDED IN ITS ENTIRETY.

IT HAS ALREADY BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

SO WITHOUT FURTHER DEBATE, LET'S VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR.

THIS IS ON THE OVERALL, THE OVERALL AS AMENDED.

I SEE MAYOR WATSON IS VOTING.

EVERYONE ON THE DIAS IS VOTING YES.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER IS OFF THE DIAS AT THE MOMENT.

I JUST WANTED TO, I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO SAY THIS.

ALSO WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO COUNCILOR KELLY FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD, AND ALSO WANTED GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO A NEW MEMBER OF MY TEAM, AMELIA CASA, WHO HELPED WORK ON THIS, UH, AMENDMENT LANGUAGE THAT I BROUGHT FORWARD.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALL

[80. Approve a resolution concerning bargaining for a meet and confer labor contract with the Austin Police Association.]

IF I'M KEEPING TRACK OF MY NUMBERS CORRECTLY, I BELIEVE THAT TAKES US TO ITEM NUMBER 80, WHICH IS OUR LAST ITEM.

REMEMBER, WE, AS WE FINISH THIS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, WE WILL ADJOURN THE MEETING AND OPEN THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ENTIRELY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

AND I WILL COME OUT TO ADJOURN THAT MEETING AFTERWARD, BUT THERE WILL NOT BE ANY PUBLIC DISCUSSION.

SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET'S TAKE UP OUR LAST ITEM OF THIS MEETING.

NUMBER 80.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELA? DO WE HAVE A SECOND? COUNCIL MEMBER? VELASQUEZ'S SECONDED.

DO WE HAVE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS? COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, I WOULD LIKE TO, UM, MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THIS ITEM UNTIL I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO READ THE CONTRACT THAT WAS JUST, UM, NEGOTIATED WITH THE CITY MANAGER.

LET ME, I APPRECIATE THAT.

I REALIZE AS A MATTER OF FORM, I DID NOT LET THE SPONSOR UNVEIL IT, SO LET ME LET HIM HAVE THE FIRST MOMENT TO UNVEIL HIS RESOLUTION, AND I WILL CERTAINLY RECOGNIZE YOU FOR THAT.

A CONTRACT IN PLACE OR NOT A CONTRACT IN PLACE.

UH, UH, MAYOR PRO TEM, UH, JUST HAVE A, SOME BRIEF, UH, COMMENTS AND THOUGHTS THAT I WANTED TO, UH, TO, UH, SPEAK TO FROM THE, THE DI I AM, UH, EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LATE NIGHT PRESS RELEASE REGARDING A FOUR YEAR POLICE CONTRACT AND EARLY MORNING PRESS CONFERENCE, WHICH SEEMED CLEARLY DESIGNED TO UNDERMINE AN ITEM MY COLLEAGUES AND I HAVE BROUGHT FORWARD TODAY.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO INTERFERE WITH THE POLICYMAKING PROCESS LIKE THIS.

FOR MONTHS, COUNCIL HAS GIVEN THE CITY MANAGER DIRECTION TO PURSUE A ONE YEAR CONTRACT TO ALLOW THE MAY BALLOT PETITIONS TO BE CONSIDERED AND VOTED ON BY THE PUBLIC.

THE CITY MANAGER'S LAST MINUTE SCRAMBLE SEEMS EXPLICITLY MOTIVATED BY HIS KNOWLEDGE THAT COUNSEL WAS COALESCING AROUND THIS ITEM BEFORE US TODAY.

LAST YEAR, I VOTED TO PLACE THE A P O A ITEM ON THE BALLOT INSTEAD OF ADOPTING IT OUTRIGHT, BECAUSE I BELIEVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND WANT THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN TO BE ABLE TO, TO EXPRESS THEIR WILL REGARDING A CRITICAL ISSUE FOR OUR CITY.

THAT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT VOTE FOR ME BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY GOALS IN THE A P O A, BUT I ALSO FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT PETITIONS SHOULD GO TO THE VOTERS.

MY POSITION TODAY REFLECTS THAT SAME BELIEF.

WE SHOULD NOT TAKE STEPS TO UNDERMINE THE WILL OF THE VOTERS BEFORE THEY HAVE EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO VOTE.

CITY MANAGER YOUR ACTIONS OVER THE LAST 24 HOURS TRYING TO RAM A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT THROUGH COUNSEL WHEN IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THERE ARE THE VOTES TO PASS.

IT ONLY SERVE TO INFLAME THE SITUATION AND RISK FURTHER DETERIORATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY.

THESE ACTIONS HAVE CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY FAITH IN YOUR LEADERSHIP OF THE CITY.

I DO BELIEVE IT IS TIME FOR A NEW CITY MANAGER TO OUR A P D OFFICERS.

I RESPECT YOU.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A HARD JOB, AND I KNOW YOU NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND RESOURCES.

I KNOW THAT OUR OFFICERS WILL LOSE WELL-EARNED PAY AND BENEFITS IF WE GO OUT OF CONTRACT, AND I DO NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.

THAT IS WHY I BROUGHT THE ONE-YEAR TERM, THE ONE-YEAR ITEM TO PRESERVE YOUR RIGHTS AS THE NEGOTIATORS WORKED TOWARD, UH, AN AGREEMENT.

IF THE A P O A PETITION PASSES IN MAY, THERE WILL BE SOME TOUGH BARGAINING DOWN THE ROAD, BUT I THINK WE CAN COME TO A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT RESPECTS THE WILL OF THE VOTERS WHILE REWARDING OUR OFFICERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS.

AND, UM, I DO MOVE PASSAGE OF THE ITEM MAYOR CITY S I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY ARE VERY CLEAR ABOUT HOW WE HAVE PROCEEDED REGARDING THIS NEGOTIATION.

IT HAS BEEN A YEAR LONG PROCESS, AND THESE DATES OF THE NEGOTIATION HAVE BEEN VERY PUBLIC.

UH, AND WE KNEW THAT THE CONTRACT, ALTHOUGH IT EXPIRED ON SEPTEMBER 30TH LAST YEAR, THERE WAS A SIX MONTH EXTENSION.

OFFICERS ARE MAKING DECISIONS AROUND WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THEIR FUTURE, AND WE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAD THE CHANCE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS WITH

[04:35:01]

SO FOR MANY WEEKS NOW, WE'VE HAD THESE DATES LINED UP.

WE HAVE BEEN BRIEFING COUNSEL BOTH IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND IN THE PUBLIC AROUND THESE NEGOTIATIONS.

THESE NEGOTIATIONS ARE PUBLIC.

THE PUBLIC HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO BOTH STAFF, TO THE DEPARTMENT AND TO COUNCIL AS THEY PROCEED.

I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBER MADE, BUT I STAND BY THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE USED AND WHERE WE HAVE NOW, UH, GOTTEN TO THIS AGREEMENT.

AND I'M VERY PROUD THAT WE ARRIVED HERE BECAUSE IT'S GONNA BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY.

I ALSO WANT TO NOTE THAT WE'LL HAVE A CONVERSATION IN A MINUTE ABOUT THE FISCAL IMPACT OF THIS PROPOSAL.

IT IS FOUR TIMES WHAT WE HAVE IN THE CURRENT FOUR YEAR PROPOSAL.

SO IF THIS, AND IF THIS, UM, IF C IF, IF THIS RESOLUTION PASSES AS IS, IT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT FISCAL IMPACT THAT WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE SOME SERIOUS DECISIONS AROUND WHAT SERVICES WE WILL WANT TO HAVE IN THE FUTURE.

WE KNOW WE WANT TO PAY OUR OFFICERS WELL, I AGREE AND THAT'S WHY WE ARRIVED AT THE CONCLUSION THAT WE DID.

BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING THINGS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY AND THAT WE HAVE A FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE OUR CITY IN THE BEST, UH, SHAPE FOR THE FUTURE.

I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HAD BEEN ADDRESSED EARLIER.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE YOUR MOTION AGAIN? YES, I WOULD.

PLEASE.

UM, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THIS ITEM UNTIL THE COUNCIL MEETING ON THE 23RD.

IS THERE A SECOND TO COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY'S MOTION? MAY I SPEAK TO THEM? MOTION WE WITHOUT A SECOND? I DUNNO THAT WE CAN MAKE COMMENTS.

THAT'S THE PROCESS I FOLLOWED PREVIOUSLY.

THEN ONCE YOU'VE DECIDED WHETHER THERE'S A SECOND, I MAY I SPEAK? YES.

AND THEN WE CAN, YOU WILL DEFINITELY HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK.

UM, SO HOW DO WE WANNA HANDLE, I KNOW THAT COUNCIL MEMBER VELO WAS WORKING ON SOME LANGUAGE AMENDMENTS.

IT'S PERTINENT TO HER COMMENT.

SO IF WE DON'T HAVE A, IF WE DON'T HAVE A SECOND, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.

ARE, IS ANYONE OPPOSED TO COUNCIL MEMBER AL ALTER BEING ABLE TO SPEAK IN THIS MOMENT? TO BE FAIR, GO AHEAD.

UM, SO I DO WANNA DISCUSS THIS ITEM TODAY.

AND IF WE MOVE TO POSTPONE RIGHT NOW, WE, WE AREN'T ABLE TO DO THAT.

I MIGHT BE OPEN TO POSTPONING THIS AFTER WE HAVE SOME MORE CONVERSATION.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF, LOT OF UNKNOWNS.

UM, BUT I SEE A LOT OF VALUE IN US REVIEWING THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT AND HAVING SOME CONVERSATION TODAY.

UM, SO I MAY BE VERY OPEN TO THAT MOTION A LITTLE BIT LATER ON.

I JUST THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION AND IF WE MOVED IT, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION AT THIS POINT.

I, I APPRECIATE THOSE COMMENTS.

UM, SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE THAT HAS BEEN SECONDED.

THE AMENDMENTS I'M AWARE OF.

I KNOW MAYOR WATSON HAD OFFERED AN AMENDMENT AND I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HAS SOME AMENDMENTS.

MAYOR WATSON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO, I'M A LITTLE UNFAMILIAR IF YOUR VERSION IS A SEPARATE AMENDMENT OR OF THE VERSION.

I'LL TRY TO EXPLAIN WHERE I THINK WE ARE.

FINANCIALLY AND, AND BENEFITS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE TO SATISFY THE, THE LACK OF DESIRE BY SOME TO HAVE A ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

UM, YEAH, BUT HOPEFULLY I'LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

ORIGINALLY I HAD A, AN AMENDMENT THAT WAS AN EFFORT TO PUT VERY SPECIFIC ITEMS SO THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE AS A COUNCIL TO REVEAL HOW MUCH, UH, WE DID, UH, RESPECT THE OFFICERS AND THE GOAL OF TRYING TO BE, UH, APPROPRIATELY STAFFED.

SO THAT, AND KNOWING THAT WE HAVE OFFICERS THAT DO FACE RETIREMENT AND THAT WE'RE FACING THIS, THIS DEADLINE, BEING ABLE TO, UM, ALLOW FOR A RECOGNITION AND, AND, AND DIRECTION THAT WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHERE WE STAND IN TERMS OF OUR SUPPORT.

AND THAT WAS THE KEY PART.

THAT'S A KEY PART OF THAT, UM, THAT WAS REVEALED TO ME ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR AGO.

AND I GET THAT THERE, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN BUSY AND IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT TO MAYBE GET THE FISCAL NOTE, BUT IT WAS JUST REVEALED TO ME THE LEVEL OF THE FISCAL NOTE THAT IS ON THIS.

UM, THAT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT.

ALTHOUGH, UH, ONE OF THE GOALS OF THOSE VISIONS WAS A RECOGNITION THAT A ONE YEAR CONTRACT MAY NOT BE WHAT PEOPLE WANT.

SO THERE MAY BE A NEED TO ADDRESS THAT IN OTHER WAYS, INCLUDING

[04:40:02]

IT WAS SO, SO THERE WAS SOME THOUGHT PROCESS TO THAT.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, I WANNA BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT IS IN THAT, THAT, UH, THOSE PROVISIONS IN, IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES.

THERE'S, IT SPEAKS TO ONE PLACE.

IT IT SPEAKS TO DIRECTION FOR THE MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT WITH THOSE SPECIFIC TERMS TO THE EXTENT THAT THAT IS POSSIBLE.

UH, OBVIOUSLY THERE WILL BE INSTANCES WHERE DISCRETION WILL HAVE TO BE SHOWN ABOUT WHERE SOMETHING IS ACTUALLY POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE IMPACT AND THE COST.

THE SECOND, AND I, AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE CLEAR THAT THAT, UH, IT, THAT'S THEIR, FOR THAT REASON.

AND, AND SO THAT THERE IS THAT DISCRETION IF SOMETHING IS NOT FEASIBLE CAUSE OF THE EXPENSE.

THE SECOND THING THAT IS IN THERE INDICATES THAT IF THERE IS AGREEMENT AS TO DIFFERENT PAY LEVELS, AND IN OTHER WORDS, IF THERE'S AN AGREEMENT AS TO DIFFERENT PAY, THEN WHAT IS SET OUT IN THE SPECIFICS OF THAT, THE SPECIFICS OF THAT NOW MOTION, MAIN MOTION BY, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, THEN THAT MEETS THE TERMS OF THE RESOLUTION.

LET'S, AGAIN, GIVING DISCRETION SO THAT IF THERE IS, UH, A NEED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, IT IS AGREED TO AND IT'S NOT A VIOLATION OF THE MOTION THAT MAY BE PASSED BY THE COUNCIL.

SO I, I WANT TO TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE BOTH CLEAR AND THAT IS PART OF THE MAIN MOTION.

ORIGINALLY THAT WAS GOING TO BE AN AMENDMENT COUNCIL MEMBER VELA MADE THAT PART OF THE MAIN MOTION.

AND SO IT'S, THAT IS ALREADY ON, UH, ON THE, THE DIAS.

THAT BEING SAID, I WANT TO, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE AGAIN THE PURPOSE OF IT.

AND THAT IS TO, TO MAKE CLEAR HOW MUCH WE VALUE THE NEED TO HAVE APPROPRIATELY STAFFED POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THOSE POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARE ALREADY THERE.

MY AMENDMENT I OFFER, UM, RELATES TO WHAT WE, THE, WHAT WE HEARD LAST NIGHT LATE AND ALSO, UH, ADDRESSES TO SOME DEGREE THE DISCUSSION THAT WE, WE'VE HAD ALREADY ABOUT WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS.

UM, IT IS ALREADY BEEN SAID.

WE HAD, WE GOT NOTICE LATE LAST NIGHT OF A, UH, AN AGREEMENT IN, IN, IN PRINCIPLE, I GUESS FOR A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE A P A.

AND THAT CREATED SOME CHAOS AND SOME CONFUSION FOR BOTH THE COMMUNITY AND, AND, AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS BECAUSE IT CAME, YOU KNOW, AS, AS HAD BEEN POINTED OUT, LESS THAN 13 HOURS BEFORE WE WERE GOING TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION.

UM, AND WE KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT THE CONTRACT EXPIRING AT THE END OF MARCH.

I BELIEVE WE NEED TO GET THINGS RIGHT IN TER IN, IN, IN, IN TERMS OF LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE OFFICERS.

AND I BELIEVE WE CAN HAVE THE KIND OF SYSTEM FOR POLICING THAT WE WANT TO HAVE THAT IS ALSO FULLY STAFFED AND APPROPRIATELY STAFFED.

I DON'T THINK THAT HAS TO BE A BINARY CHOICE.

SO WHILE MY ORIGINAL AMENDMENT WAS TO DEAL WITH CONTRACTUAL TERMS TO RECOGNIZE AND RETAIN POLICE OFFICERS, THIS AMENDMENT IMPORTANTLY RECOGNIZES OUR DUTIES AS, AS MEMBERS OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED FOUR YEAR CONTRACT TO ASSESS ITS MERITS ON BEHALF OF AUSTINITES.

AND ADDITIONALLY, IT RECOGNIZES THAT THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO NEED TIME TO REVIEW THE PROPOSAL AS WELL AS MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN TO US.

BUT IT RECOGNIZES THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF NOT WANTING TO LOSE TIME ON A PROPOSED ONE YEAR CONTRACT, IF THAT'S THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL.

BUT IT GIVES, AND WITH THE LOOMING DEADLINES WE HAVE, WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE TIME ON THAT.

BUT WE WON'T RECOGNIZE THE OBLIGATION TO REVIEW THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

AND THIS AMENDMENT DOES THOSE TWO THINGS.

I WILL MOVE ADOPTION.

IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE AUTHOR OF THE MAIN MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER VILLA.

AND THE FINAL FORM, JUST TO CLARIFY CAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF VERSIONS, UH, FLOATING AROUND WOULD BE THE MAYOR WATSON'S SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT TO VELA AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE THAT INCORPORATES ALL OF THE CHANGES IN THE, UH, DOCUMENT THAT, UH, THE MAYOR HAS, UH, PROPOSED AND INCORPORATES ESSENTIALLY THE, THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF, OF MY MAIN MOTION.

IT IS, UH, ACCEPTABLE.

AND,

[04:45:01]

UH, I HAVE TO HAVE ONE ADDITIONAL VERY SMALL, UH, TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.

UH, MY STAFF IN REVIEWING THE, UH, CONTRACT, UH, NOTICED THAT THE, UH, ASIAN LANGUAGES, THE STIPEND FOR THE MULTILINGUAL EMPLOYEES, UH, OMITTED CERTAIN, UH, LANGUAGES.

AND I JUST WANTED TO, I, I'M NOT SURE IF WE HAVE A A A, A PAPER, UH, AMENDMENT OR A DIGITAL COPY, UH, BUT I JUST WANTED TO ADD, UH, FOR THE RECORD, HOLD ON JUST A SECOND.

I, IN, UH, LINE 74, I JUST WANTED TO INSERT HINDI SLASH URDU MANDARIN TAIWANESE BURMESE NEPALESE INTO THE LIST OF ASIAN LANGUAGES FOR WHICH OFFICERS ARE, UH, ELIGIBLE FOR THE BILINGUAL, UH, STIPEND.

UH, THESE ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST, UH, ASIAN LANGUAGE NEEDS IN AUSTIN, ACCORDING TO THE ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY IN THE ASIAN AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH STU, UH, STUDY.

AND SO I JUST WANTED TO, UM, A MOTION FROM THE DIAS TO ADD THOSE LANGUAGES TO THE, UH, UH, STIPEND ELIGIBLE LANGUAGES.

DO YOU WANNA SECOND THAT? UM, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE TAKEN A VOTE ON THE PRIOR AMENDMENT AND YEAH, WE, WE'VE NOT HAVE A LOT OF QUESTION.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WE'VE QUESTIONS.

GOT IT.

WE'RE GETTING A LITTLE MUDDY HERE.

SO WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER VELAS MOTION THAT HE HAS MADE AND IT'S BEEN SECONDED.

THE MAYOR THEN SPOKE TO HIS SUBSTITUTE MOTION, MADE MOTION.

ARE THOSE COMPLETELY I MADE SUB GO AHEAD.

YES, I MADE A, I MADE A, A MOTION.

IT HAS NOT BEEN SECONDED AND WE WOULD NEED TO VOTE ON THAT.

WHO SECONDED YOUR MOTION? UH, UH, SECOND HAS NOT BEEN SECONDED.

COUNCIL MEMBER AVELA IS NOW SECONDING THE MOTION.

IS THE MOTION WHAT THE BASE DOCUMENT IS AT THIS POINT? WELL, NO, WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION HERE.

LIKE THIS IS A REALLY BIG DECISION.

THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

SO I KNOW I HAVE A TON OF QUESTIONS THAT I'D LIKE TO ASK STAFF AND THE ADVOCATES AND YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT A DECISION WE SHOULD BE MAKING LIGHTLY.

IT'S 40% OF OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET HERE.

SO, UM, WHENEVER THE TIME IS APPROPRIATE BEFORE WE START TRYING TO GO THROUGH TOO MANY AMENDMENTS.

SO DO YOU THINK WE HAVE TO PAUSE AND HAVE SOME MORE DISCUSSION AND HEAR FROM OUR STAFF? YES.

AND THAT WAS MY INTENT.

I AM ONLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT MOTION IS ON THE TABLE.

I KNOW WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT A LOT OF DETAILS THAT ARE INCLUDE INCLUDED IN BOTH, PLEASE.

I WAS, I WAS, THAT WAS NOT DIRECTED AT YOU.

I APOLOGI I, I WELCOME YOUR ADVICE.

I KNOW YOU WERE RUNNING THESE MEETINGS AS MAYOR PROTE SHORTLY, AND, AND IF I MAY, THE, THE MOST RECENT PASSED OUT VERSION TITLED MAYOR WATSON SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT TO VELA AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE IS THE, UH, THE DOCUMENT THAT'S ON IN FRONT OF THE DIOCESE RIGHT NOW.

SO LET'S SAY WE'RE WORKING ON THIS ONE AS SPELLED OUT BY MAYOR WATSON AND SECONDED BY CHIEF VELA AT THIS POINT.

LET'S OPEN IT UP FOR DISCUSSION, CUZ I KNOW THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER AMENDMENTS, BUT IF WE START PILING THEM ALL ON BEFORE WE HAVE THE DISCUSSION, IT'S JUST GONNA MAKE IT EVEN MORE CONFUSING.

SO DOES ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT ON THE MAYOR WATSON'S SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT TO VELA AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE? WHO'S GONNA KICK US OFF? RYAN AL ALTER.

I AM WONDERING IF WE CAN JUST GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DOCUMENT THAT WAS SENT OUT RELATED TO THE COST THAT HAS SOME COLUMNS IN IT THAT DON'T QUITE ADD UP ACROSS THE ROSE AND I, I WANT TO JUST UNDERSTAND WHAT THE TRUE FISCAL IMPACTS ARE AND THIS, THIS DOCUMENT, I'M JUST, I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW ITS SUPPOSED TO READ, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A ED VINO QUESTION OR IT APPEARS SO.

ANA, THIS IS NOT A PROPOSAL FROM THE CITY.

WELCOME.

THANK YOU MAYOR COUNSEL, ED VINO, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

I'LL DO MY BEST TO RESPOND TO YOUR QUESTIONS.

SO I'M, I'M LOOKING AT THE SPREADSHEET THAT WAS SENT OUT AS THE POLICE ESTIMATED CONTRACT COST.

IT HAS THE TWO YEARS IN IT, BUT THEN YEAR THREE AND FOUR BLANK, IS THIS THE COST OF THIS AMENDMENT? UM, POTENTIALLY.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S, THERE'S A LOT OF

[04:50:01]

THIS IS AN ANALYSIS OF WHAT THE ITEM BEFORE COUNCIL COULD COST DEPENDING UPON HOW COST OF LIVING INDICES ARE, UM, UM, INTERPRETED.

THERE'S MORE THAN ONE COST OF LIVING INDEX OUT THERE FROM MORE THAN ONE US GOVERNMENT, UM, UM, BUREAU.

SO THERE'S MULTIPLE INDICES OF INFLATION, BUT THIS IS ONE POTENTIAL INDEX.

UH, THE, THE ANALYSIS WE DID WAS BASED UPON THE TEXAS AREA ALL URBAN CONSUMERS CPI AS OF DECEMBER OF 2022, THAT WAS 6.7%.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE USED AS AN ESTIMATE FOR THE WAGE INCREASE.

THE MAYOR'S MOTION SPEAKS TO, UM, USING EXPECTED INFLATION.

A LOT OF ECONOMISTS ARE EXPECTING INFLATION TO BE LOWER IN THE UPCOMING YEAR.

SO THERE IS SOME ANALYSIS WE WOULD HAVE TO DO.

I JUST WANNA BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT A PROPOSAL WE'VE PUT ON THE TABLE TO THE ASSOCIATION, BUT THIS IS OUR, UM, ANALYSIS THAT WE WANTED TO PUT TOGETHER, UM, AS THE POTENTIAL COST OF OF, OF TRYING TO GET TO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITHIN THESE TERMS. AND, AND SINCE IT IS A ONE YEAR CONTRACT, I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE HAVE MULTIPLE YEARS HERE.

THIS IS THE TEMPLATE WE HAVE SET UP.

SO WE'VE BEEN AT THIS FOR A YEAR AND ALL THE PROPOSALS WE'VE SEEN FROM THE ASSOCIATION, ALL THE PROPOSALS THAT THE CITY HAVE PUT ON THE TABLE, THEY'VE ALL BEEN DONE OVER FOUR YEARS.

AND YOU CAN SEE OTHER VERSIONS OF THIS WITH THE PROPOSALS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE.

SO THIS IS THE TEMPLATE THAT WE HAVE BEEN USING THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS IS COST OUT THESE PROPOSALS.

IF I COULD, UM, SPEAK TO THAT CUZ WE'VE BEEN PLAYING WITH THE CHARTS.

UM, YEAR ONE DOESN'T START UNTIL APRIL.

SO IT'S PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

YEAR TWO IS THE OTHER HALF OF THE YEAR THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT IN THERE.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE WHOLE THING IN YEAR THREE AND YOU HAVE THE WHOLE THING IN YEAR FOUR.

AND THEN WHEN YOU ADD THEM ALL UP, YOU GET THE COLUMN 'EM ON THE RIGHT, BUT THEY DON'T SHOW ALL OF THE OTHER PIECES.

THEY'RE JUST SHOWING WHEN NEW MONEY HAS TO BE ADDED TO THE BUDGET IN THE COLUMNS.

AND THEN THE FINAL COLUMN HAS, UM, THE TOTAL, AND THERE'S AN UNDERLYING AS THERE'S AN UNDERLYING ASSUMPTION HERE THAT IF WE WERE TO DO A, A ONE YEAR DEAL EFFECTIVE APRIL 1ST, 2023 FOR A 6.7% WAGE INCREASE, WE WOULDN'T TAKE IT AWAY IN THE NEXT CONTRACT NEGOTIATION.

WE'VE NEVER NEGOTIATED THAT WAY.

SO THERE'S AN ASSUMPTION THAT A 6.7% INCREASE WOULD CONTINUE, UM, THERE COULD BE OTHER INCREASES NEGOTIATED AS PART OF A FUTURE LONGER TERM CONTRACT.

BUT THE ASSUMPTION IN THIS ANALYSIS IS THAT THE ADDITIONAL STEP, UH, THE 6.7 OR WHATEVER THE WAGE INCREASE WAS THAT THEY WOULD CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE.

AND SO AS COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON ALTER MENTIONED, THE 6.7 IS SIX MONTHS OF COST IN THE FIRST YEAR.

ANNUALIZING THAT INTO THE SECOND YEAR IS ANOTHER 6.7.

THAT'S, THAT'S NEW MONEY.

AND THEN SO THE, THE ANNUAL COST REALLY BECOMES THE SUM OF THOSE TWO, WHICH IS 13.4 MILLION THREE YEARS AT 13.4 MILLION, ONE YEAR AT 6.7 MILLION GETS YOU ACCUMULATIVE COST OF 47 MILLION.

GOT IT.

THAT'S, THAT WAS PRO TIM.

MAYOR, WHY DON'T YOU JUMP IN? YEAH, THANK YOU.

I I I APOLOGIZE FOR INTERRUPTING.

BUT MR. VINO, UH, THE 6.7% THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THAT DOESN'T APPEAR IN THE MOTION, RIGHT? THAT THAT'S A NUMBER Y'ALL HAVE COME UP WITH? NO, SIR.

THE MOTION JUST SPEAKS TO, UM, UM, NEGOTIATING FOR A ONE YEAR CONTRACT THAT'S REFLECTIVE OF, OF EXPECTED COST OF LIVING INCREASES.

UH, THE 6.7% AGAIN IS THE DECEMBER, 2022, ALL URBAN CONSUMERS TEXAS REGION C P I, AS OF DECEMBER OF 2022.

SO IT WAS JUST THE NUMBER THAT, AND YOU, AND AS YOU INDICATED JUST A MINUTE AGO, THERE'S THE, THE, THE WAY IT'S WORDED WOULD ALLOW FOR YOU TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT EXPECTATIONS REGARDING INFLATION AND THEREFORE THE CPI THAT MIGHT BE AT A LOWER RATE.

YES, SIR.

SO, UH, THE OTHER THING IS THAT IN NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT, IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT ONE COULD NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT AND SAY, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE AND THAT INITIAL CIRCUMSTANCE IS WE WANT SOMETHING FOR JUST ONE YEAR.

SO THAT YOU WOULD NEGOTIATE SOMETHING FOR JUST ONE YEAR THAT MIGHT, MIGHT, UH, HAVE A BONUS OR MIGHT HAVE A HIGHER NUMBER OR MIGHT HAVE A SWEETENER OR INCENTIVE THAT WOULD THEN NOT BECOME PART, IT WOULD BECOME, YOU WOULD NEGOTIATE A DIFFERENT FACTOR OR A DIFFERENT TERM IF YOU WERE NEGOTIATING A LONGER TERM CONTRACT, UH, AT THE END OF THAT ONE YEAR TERM, YOU COULD DO THAT.

RIGHT? I'M NOT FOLLOWING THE QUESTION.

YEAH, I MEAN, WHAT YOU, YOU CAN, YOU CAN ENTER INTO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT AND THEN YOU CAN ENTER INTO A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT AFTER THAT.

AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE BOUND WHEN YOU GO INTO A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT WITH WHATEVER WAS IN THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

IN FACT, YOU MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT TO SWEETEN IT SO THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE A ONE YEAR

[04:55:01]

CONTRACT.

I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT YOU'RE, WE'RE NOT BOUND TO, YOU KNOW, WE COULD NEGOTIATE FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IN A LONG-TERM CONTRACT.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE CITY IS WE'VE NOT IN THE PAST, IN ANY OF OUR CONTRACT WITH ANY OF OUR ASSOCIATIONS NEGOTIATED BACKWARDS AND SAY THE THE 4% INCREASE HE GOT LAST CONTRACT, IT'S, IT'S NOW WE'RE BACK TO ZERO AND WE'RE NEGOTIATING FROM NEW, WE COULD DO THAT.

JUST, THAT'S NOT BEEN OUR STANDARD PRACTICE.

AND, AND, AND WHEN, WHEN WE ASK OUR COST ESTIMATES ON THIS AS PART OF A FISCAL UH, ANALYSIS, UH, WE DIDN'T ASK FOR WHAT, WHAT, WHAT YOU JUST DID, WHAT WE ASKED FOR IS WHAT WOULD 1% COST, WHAT WOULD 2% COST? THAT SORT OF THING.

IS THAT CORRECT? UH, I DIDN'T SEE THAT REQUEST.

BRO, WHAT I MIGHT SUGGEST WHILE WE HAVE YOU UP HERE IS THAT IF WE ARE ON SIMILAR LINES OF QUESTIONING ON THE SAME TOPIC THAT WE TRY TO MAKE THE MOST OF STAYING ON THOSE TOPICS, INSTEAD OF STICKING WITH ONE PERSON AND GOING THROUGH A LIST OF QUESTIONS, DOES ANYONE MIND IF WE OPEN IT UP ON JUST SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT, UM, THE FINANCIAL MODEL THAT WAS PRESENTED? SOUNDS GOOD.

UM, OKAY, I SEE.

LET'S GO COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTEZ.

HOW MANY OFFICERS, UM, ARE Y'ALL CALCULATING FOR? UH, I BELIEVE IT'S AROUND 1,850, GIVE OR TAKE A FEW 1,850 AUTHORIZED POSITIONS.

AND SO WHEN WE COST IT OUT, WE COST IT OUT FOR ALL OF THEM.

COOL.

MR. VANNI NOTE, THE 6.7% SEEMS, I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU GOT IT FROM THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, BUT A 6.7% HAVE WE, WE EVER HAD AN INCREASE THAT HIGH WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY CONTRACTS IN, IN YOUR EXPERIENCE? UM, YOU KNOW, SO THE RECENT CONTRACT, THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DID MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BASE PAY SCALE.

IT WASN'T AN ACROSS THE BOARD INCREASE, BUT THERE WERE MANY, UM, ASSOCIATION MEMBERS THAT RECEIVED A BASE PAY INCREASE MORE THAN 6.7% IN THE ONE YEAR DEAL WE JUST DID WITH, WITH EMS. BUT AGAIN, IT WAS DIFFERENT.

IT WAS THE WHOLE PAY SCALE WITH ALL THE STEPS AND UH, MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THAT.

BUT, UM, I THINK, I THINK WE HAD TO GO BACK AND LOOK, I THINK THE MAJORITY OF OF PARAMEDICS RECEIVED MORE THAN A 6.7% INCREASE IN THAT LAST CONTRACT.

AND IS THERE, IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET A FINANCIAL MODEL THAT HAS A DIFFERENT, UM, INDEX, NOT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX USED? YEAH, YEAH.

THERE, THERE'S, WE COULD CERTAINLY UPDATE THESE NUMBERS TO REFLECT OTHER INDICES.

ONE, ONE IN INDEX, CAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT IS THE, UH, PERSON PERSONAL CONSUMPTION INDEX IS DEVELOPED BY THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THAT'S A BETTER INDICATOR OF INFLATION FROM A PERSONAL CONSUMER, YOU KNOW, PERSPECTIVE.

AND I THINK THAT WAS 5% AS OF OF DECEMBER, 2022.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF, UH, DIFFERENT INDICES WE COULD USE, COULD LOOK AT.

BUT YOU KNOW, I DO THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON ONE THAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IS THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE WENT WITH THROUGH THIS ANALYSIS.

I HAVE A QUESTION AND THEN I'LL KICK IT BACK OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBER AL ALTER.

UM, HOW WOULD THE FINANCIAL PROPOSALS THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO US IMPACT THE BUDGETS GIVEN THAT WE CANNOT LET THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET GO LOWER YEAR OVER YEAR? HOW DOES THAT WORK WITH NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE, THE NEW STATE LEDGE LAW THAT SAYS, YOU KNOW, ONCE YOU INCREASE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGETS, YOU CAN'T LET THEM GO DOWN ANYMORE? YEAH.

THAT IS WHAT THE, THE LAW SAYS.

SO ANY, YOU KNOW, SO IF YOUR POINT IS THAT THAT IDEA OF MAYBE LOOKING TO REMOVE AND INCREASE ONCE IT'S BEEN NEGOTIATED FOR, WE WOULD HAVE TO ANALYZE THAT.

IT'S, IT'S A GOOD POINT THAT WITH A, IF IT WERE A 6.7% INCREASE IN THIS NEXT CONTRACT, OUR ABILITY TO GO BACK TO SAY, WELL THAT WAS JUST A ONE YEAR DEAL, WE WANT TO GO BACK TO KIND OF A, A STARTING POINT THAT PROBABLY WOULD BE PROHIBITED UNDER THE NEW STATE LAW OR YOU CAN'T HAVE YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET GO DOWN.

SO YOU CAN SLOW DOWN THE PERCENTAGE OF INCREASES LIKE THE RAISES YEAR OVER YEAR, BUT YOU CAN'T HAVE THE WHOLE, YOU COULD, YOU COULD HAVE ZERO EVERY YEAR.

IT JUST CAN'T GO DOWN.

AND THEN, UM, I THINK MY NEXT QUESTION IS NOT NECESSARILY FOR ED VAN NINO.

LET'S GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY.

WHAT IS THE COST ESTIMATE FOR THE FOUR YEAR CUMULATIVE PROPOSED CONTRACT? UM, THAT CUMULATIVE OVER FOUR YEARS WITH A TOTAL OF 14% PAY INCREASES SPREAD OUT OVER THE FOUR YEARS WAS 64.7 MILLION.

IF WE WERE GIVING THEM THE 6.7% YEAH, IT'S NOT JUST FOR, WE WOULDN'T TAKE IT AWAY.

SO WE HAVE A ALMOST $3 MILLION DIFFERENCE FOR ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

UM, AND IF I UNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT WE HAVE NEVER SAID WE'RE GONNA GIVE YOU A RAISE OF WHETHER IT WAS 3% THIS YEAR, BUT THEN THE NEXT YEAR WHEN WE GO TO BARGAIN, WE AREN'T TAKING THAT 3% AWAY.

AND THAT'S HOW YOU'VE CALCULATED IT, IS THAT

[05:00:01]

IT'S NOT JUST FOR BASE WAGES, STEP INCREASES, ALL THE SPECIALTY PAYS.

WE'VE NEVER, FOR MY KNOWLEDGE, AND WE HAVE LABOR RELATIONS STAFF HERE, COULD SPEAK TO, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WE'VE NEVER GONE INTO THE BEGINNING OF A NEGOTIATION SAYING WHAT WE NEGOTIATED LAST CONTRACT IS NOW ALL GONE AND WE'RE GONNA START FROM SCRATCH.

WE BUILD OFF THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT.

I DO THINK THE PROPOSAL HAS A, A REMOVAL OF A STIPEND BECAUSE EVERYONE WILL BE TRAINED IN THAT AND SO YOU DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA STIPEND.

SO THAT MIGHT BE AN EXCEPTION TO THAT, BUT OKAY.

SO, UM, IF YOU START FROM THE LANGUAGE FROM, FROM THIS CONTRACT, WE'RE ALREADY ALMOST A $3 MILLION DIFFERENCE.

WE HAVE NO OVERSIGHT PROVISIONS GUARANTEED IN THIS APPROACH, BUT WE'LL COME BACK TO OVERSIGHT.

UM, BUT THEN PRESUMABLY IN YEAR TWO, THREE AND FOUR OR WHAT WOULD BE YEARS TWO, THREE, AND FOUR, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO THE BARGAINING TABLE ASKING THEM TO MAKE MAJOR CONCESSIONS FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON OVERSIGHT.

YOU'D HAVE TO BE GIVING THEM SOMETHING.

SO THIS IS COSTING ALMOST 3 MILLION MORE BEFORE WE EVEN GO TO BARGAIN FOR THIS LONGER TERM CONTRACT, CORRECT? THAT IS, THAT IS CORRECT UNDER AND THE WAY WE STRUCTURE THIS ANALYSIS AND, AND JUST REALLY QUICK IF PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED BY THAT, UH, WHERE THESE PAY INCREASES OCCUR IN THE FOUR YEARS IS A HUGE IMPACT ON THE CUMULATIVE COST.

A A A 4% INCREASE IN THE LAST YEAR IS MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE CUMULATIVELY THAN A FOUR YEAR, 4% INCREASE IN THAT FIRST YEAR WHERE YOU PAY IT FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

SO IT'S PUTTING THE BIGGER PAY INCREASE IN THE FIRST YEAR, THAT ESCALATES THE COST A LOT.

AND CAN YOU TELL US, UM, THE CHART I HAVE FOR THE PROPOSED CONTRACT IS A LITTLE BIT OUTDATED.

IS THERE A WAY FOR YOU TO TELL US WHAT THAT ONE ALREADY INCLUDES? YEAH, I'M NOT SURE THE ONE YOU'RE LOOKING AT, BUT I DO HAVE THE COSTING SHEET FOR THE, THE, THE ONE THAT IS PROPOSED IS ON THE TABLE.

MINE IS JUST BEFORE SOME CHANGES THAT WERE MADE OVER THE LAST COUPLE DAYS.

SO I HAVE, OR ACTUALLY MINE'S FROM DECEMBER 1ST, SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT OUTDATED AND IT WAS, I HAVE THAT WE COULD SHARE THAT 61 MILLION INSTEAD OF THE 60.

YEAH, 64.7.

WE COULD SHARE IT WITH THE FULL DIAS, UH, IF THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

AND I, I HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.

WELL, SO WHAT WAS THE PERCENTAGE THAT THEY WOULD'VE GOTTEN, UM, THIS YEAR GIVING THE OVERSIGHT THAT WE DID WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IN THAT PROCESS? THE, THE FOUR YEAR PROPOSAL WAS 4% IN 23, 2 AND A HALF PERCENT IN 24.

THREE AND A HALF PERCENT IN 25 AND 4% IN 26.

AND SO IF WE WERE TO TAKE THIS PROPOSAL, IT DOESN'T HAVE HAVE ANY OF THOSE PERCENTAGE INCREASES? UM, IN YEAR TWO, THREE OR FOUR? THE, THE PROPOSAL, THE, THE ONE YEAR, THE, THE ONE THAT, I'M SORRY.

THE ONE THAT THE COSTING YEAH, THAT MAIL, THE COSTING OPTION WE AS THAT WE DID WAS 6.7% IN THE FIRST YEAR, FOLLOWED BY ZERO, THE REMAINING THREE YEARS.

UM, OKAY.

SO I DO HAVE SOME CONTINUED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FINANCES, BUT THEY KIND OF RELATE TO OVERSIGHT WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT.

WE ARE STUCK IN A FRAMEWORK WHERE, UM, YOU'RE PROVIDING A LOT OF THE FINANCIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE OVERSIGHT AND EVEN IF THE P O A PASSES, WE CAN'T DO A LARGE NUMBER OF THE ELEMENTS THAT ARE IN IT WITHOUT BARGAINING, UM, TO MOVE AWAY FROM 1 43.

UM, SO AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, MAYOR PUTAN, OTHERS MAY HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FINANCES.

I'D LIKE TO RETURN TO THE OVERSIGHT AND US TO THINK ABOUT THAT RELATIONSHIP.

LET'S TURN IT OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, AND THEN COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY WILL BE AFTER.

OF THE VACANCY SAVINGS TO BE A REFLECTION OF THE FACT THAT NOT ALL OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE VACANT OR FILLED.

YOU'VE MENTIONED THAT CURRENTLY WE'RE BUDGETED FOR, YOU SAID ABOUT 1800, UH, POLICE OFFICERS.

UM, IT'S, I COULD LOOK IT UP REALLY QUICK.

IT'S LIKE, IT'S LIKE 1850 AUTHORIZED STRENGTH.

OF COURSE WE CURRENTLY HAVE, UH, SEVERAL HUNDRED VACANCIES.

I BELIEVE THAT WAS MY NEXT QUESTION IS THAT I, I I BELIEVE WE HAVE ABOUT 200 VACANCIES OR SO, UH, IN, IN THAT RANGE.

SO I THINK AN ACTIVE FORCE IS AROUND 1500 AND CHANGE OR SO.

DOES THAT SOUND CORRECT? IT DOES SOUND CORRECT THAT IT'S 200 AND SOME VACANCIES, SO MAYBE 1650, 1600 ISH ACTIVE.

AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE BUDGET AS IF WE HAVE THE AMOUNT OF AUTHORIZED OFFICERS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT THEN AT THE END OF THE BUDGET CYCLE, IF FOR EXAMPLE WE HAD 10% LESS THAN BUDGETED, THEN THAT MONEY GOES BACK INTO THE, UH, GENERAL FUND FOR, FOR USE IN FUTURE YEARS.

IS THAT CORRECT? YES.

WITH MAYBE JUST ONE AMENDMENT TO THAT IS SO WE'LL BUDGET, UM, FOR THE WAGES, WE'LL BUDGET AS IF ALL THOSE POSITIONS ARE, ARE AUTHORIZED.

THAT'S A, THAT'S A POSITIVE NUMBER, RIGHT? THE, THE, THE WAGES FOR 1,850 OFFICERS, LET'S CALL IT MM-HMM.

, WE WILL ALSO BUDGET A NEGATIVE DOLLAR AMOUNT IN THE SAME BUDGET.

WE'LL BUDGET, YOU KNOW, NEGATIVE X MILLION DOLLARS, UM, TO BE A, A, A REFLECTION

[05:05:01]

SOME OF THEM ARE VACANT, SO WE'LL BUDGET A VACANCY SAVINGS AMOUNT.

UM, THAT VACANCY SAVINGS AMOUNT ISN'T AN ABSOLUTE CAUSE.

IT ALSO IS DEPENDENT UPON, WELL, WHEN A DEPARTMENT HAS VACANCIES, WHAT DO THEY DO? AND SO IN THE CASE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT EMS, WHEN THEY HAVE VACANCIES, THEY'RE, THEIR, THEIR OVERTIME TENDS TO GO UP.

THEY HAVE SHIFTS THEY HAVE TO COVER, THEY HAVE TO BE OUT THERE 24 7.

SO WHEN THEY HAVE MORE VACANCIES, THEY END UP SPENDING A LOT OF THAT SAVINGS TO RUN OVERTIME TO TO, TO COVER ALL THE, THE SHIFTS.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, AND ALL THAT CALCULUS OF OF HOW MUCH DO THE WAGES COST, HOW MANY FILLED POSITIONS DO WE HAVE? UM, BECAUSE OF THE VACANCY LEVELS, HOW MUCH OVERTIME IS THE DEPARTMENT GOING TO NEED TO RUN? WE TRY TO DIAL THAT IN AS CLOSE AS WE CAN AND, AND WE GET IT PRETTY CLOSE.

UH, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S A 450 GIVE OR TAKE MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET, AND IN A TYPICAL YEAR THEY MIGHT END THE YEAR WITH FOUR OR $5 MILLION.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT SAY THAT'S NOT THAT CLOSE.

WELL, THAT'S LIKE WITH LIKE 1%, YOU KNOW, ON A, ON A, UH, 450 MILLION BUDGET, IF YOU CAN END THE YEAR WITH ABOUT FOUR OR 5 MILLION LEFT, YOU'RE PRETTY MUCH SPENDING 99% OF YOUR BUDGET AND YOU HAVE 1% LEFT, YOU'RE, YOU'RE KIND OF WATCHING THAT FINAL PAYROLL AND HOPING THAT EVERYTHING PLAYS OUT SO THAT YOU DON'T GO OVER BUDGET.

SO, UM, AND THAT'S TRUE OF ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS.

ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS, YOU KNOW, COME IN, YOU KNOW, TYPICALLY AROUND 99 OR 98% OF THEIR, OF THEIR BUDGET EXPENDED IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

NO DIFFERENT.

AND, AND AGAIN, THAT GOES INTO ALL THAT CALCULATIONS OF VACANCY SAVINGS AND OVERTIME AND, AND HOW WE, HOW WE BUDGET ALL THAT.

, I, I, I, UH, APPRECIATE THAT.

AND IN TERMS OF THE, UH, STATE LAW GOVERNING THE KIND OF STATUS QUO, AT THE VERY LEAST FOR, UH, THE, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT LOOKS AT THE BIG PICTURE.

IN OTHER WORDS, IT IT, IT WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, UH, I KNOW WE'VE MOVED FUNCTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OUT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IN OTHER WORDS, UNDER THE STATE LAW THAT IS PERMISSIBLE AS LONG AS THE OVERALL NUMBER DOES NOT GO DOWN AGAIN.

IS IS THAT CORRECT OR IS THERE, AM I MISUNDERSTANDING THE NO, I, AS LONG AS THE OVERALL BUDGET FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T GO DOWN, THEN WE'RE NOT IN VIOLATION OF THAT LAW.

ALTHOUGH I WOULD SAY THAT IT'S OPEN TO INTERPRETATION AND WE NEED TO, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT MAYBE TAKING SOMETHING OUT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT OTHERS WOULD VIEW AS A POLICE FUNCTION AND JUST BECAUSE WE SEPARATE THEM BUDGETARILY, WILL THE STATE AGENCY THAT WATCHES THIS VIEW THAT AS STILL ALL PART OF THE POLICE TO BUDGET OR WILL THEY VIEW IT AS TWO DIFFERENT BUDGETS? SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE CAREFUL ABOUT DOING THAT, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, WE HAVE MOVED FORENSIC SCIENCES OUT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET AND SET IT UP AS A STANDALONE CIVILIAN DEPARTMENT.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT, UM, WITHOUT TRIGGERING THAT LAW.

CUZ THERE WAS OTHER COST INCREASES THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD, HAD, HAD OCCURRED THAT HERE.

AND IF MY MEMORY SERVES THAT WE JUST DID THAT.

UH, THIS, UH, LAST, UH, BUDGET CYCLE OR WAS THAT TWO BUDGET CYCLES? I THINK IT WAS THIS LAST BUDGET CYCLE, YES.

I THINK WE WERE EFFECTIVELY OPERATING THAT WAY THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE FROM AN OPERATIONAL STANDPOINT, BUT THE BUDGET WAS STILL PART OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THIS LAST BUDGET.

WE MOVED THE MONEY OUT.

THANK YOU MR. PANINO.

COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY WAS GONNA BE NEXT.

AND THEN I SEE COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER.

AFTER THAT.

UM, SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A $3 MILLION DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT WAS PROPOSED IN THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT AND THEN WHAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US WITH THIS ITEM.

IS THAT CORRECT? YES.

SO THAT GIVES ME INCREDIBLE PAUSE.

UM, I REMEMBER BACK WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PROP A WITH INCREASING RIGHT THING BY NOT DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE AND FULLY UNDERSTANDING BOTH ITEMS. AND SO I JUST WANTED TO TO SAY THAT OUT LOUD AND MAKE THAT PRETTY CLEAR.

UM, I THINK THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION FOR ANY OF US UP HERE TO MAKE AND I WANNA BE ABLE TO FULLY UNDERSTAND BOTH OF THE OPTIONS BEFORE US.

COULD WE TAKE A BRIEF CHECK ON A T X N? I HEARD IT WENT DOWN AND IT CAME BACK.

CAN WE JUST DOUBLE CHECK AND MAKE SURE? UH, WE'RE GOOD? WE'RE GOOD? OKAY.

LET'S GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

I HAVE A FEW, I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.

UM, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FIVE AND THEN THE 6.7%? OH, THAT I, THAT I JUST KIND OF VERBALIZED? YES.

YEAH, THERE, THERE'S, UH, I THINK THE, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT COST OF LIVING INCREASES, YOU TALK ABOUT INFLATION.

I THINK WHAT GO JUMPS TO THE PEOPLE MIND IS THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.

PRICE INDEX FOR, FOR URBAN CONSUMERS CUZ WE'RE AN URBAN AREA OBVIOUSLY.

REPORTED OUT OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

THERE'S A LOT OF VARIATIONS OF THAT INDEX.

UM, WE USE THE ALL URBAN AREA

[05:10:01]

AND FOR THE TEXAS REGION, THAT'S THE 6.7% A ANOTHER INDEX, UH, THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT.

A LOT OF ECONOMISTS LOOK AT AS, AS A BETTER INDICATOR OF INFLATION CUZ IT'S A BROADER BASKET OF GOODS COMPARED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.

IT COVERS MORE GOODS THAT ARE USED BY US CONSUMERS.

UM, IT'S, IT'S, THAT SERIES IS TRACKED BY THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, IT'S CALLED THE PCE OR THE PERSONAL CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE INDEX.

AND, AND THAT DATA SERIES HAD A 5%, UH, UH, INCREASE DECEMBER OF 2022 OVER THE DECEMBER OF 2021.

THAT WAS A 5% INCREASE.

SO THAT'S JUST ANOTHER INDEX WE COULD LOOK AT FOR INFLATION.

AND, AND THERE'S OTHERS.

UM, THE, THE, THE RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU, THE MAYOR'S MOTION BEFORE YOU DID NOT SPECIFY, UH, SPECIFICALLY HOW THAT WAS TO BE CALCULATED.

UM, SO WHAT'S THE, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN COST BETWEEN FIVE AND 6.7% OVERALL DIFFERENCE? UM, YOU KNOW, EACH PERCENT FOR THE, FOR, YOU KNOW, HATE TO DO BACK OF THE NAPKIN MATHIAN.

I REALLY CAN'T, I CAN TELL YOU LIKE EACH PERCENTAGE INCREASE, UM, IS ABOUT 2 MILLION A YEAR.

SO 1% INCREASE FOR POLICE IS ABOUT A $2 MILLION COST.

UM, AND THEN FOR THE, FOR THE 20 YEAR STEP, WHY DID Y'ALL LAND ON 7%? OH, THAT'S WHAT THE CURRENT STEP IS, AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE NEGOTIATED AT THE TABLE UNDER THIS RESOLUTION.

AGAIN, THIS IS NOT A PROPOSAL THAT WE'VE PUT IN FRONT OF APA, BUT UM, IF YOU LOOK AT THE CURRENT STEP PLAN, THE FIRST TWO STEPS ARE ABOVE, UH, 7%.

I THINK THEY'RE LIKE MAYBE 12 AND 10%, AND THEN THE NEXT FOUR STEPS ARE ALL AT 7%.

AND SO WE JUST ASSUME THAT, YOU KNOW, UH, IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A FIFTH STEP AND THE FOUR STEPS LEADING UP TO THAT ARE ALL AT SEVEN MM-HMM.

, UM, THAT SEVEN TENDS TO BE THE TREND, BUT THE, BUT THAT'S, THAT'S WHERE THAT SEVEN CAME FROM.

LAST QUESTION.

UH, DID Y'ALL PROJECT COST OF SICK LEAVE PAYMENTS, UM, CH CHARGES AND ASSOCIATION BUSINESS LEAVE IN THE FOUR YEAR DEAL? AND IF SO, WHAT ARE THOSE, WHAT ARE THOSE ESTIMATES? UM, NO, NO, THEY'RE NOT, THEY WEREN'T PART OF THE FOUR YEAR DEAL.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER YOU'RE NEXT.

UM, IN THE DRAFT FOUR YEAR PROPOSAL, UM, THERE'S A STEP CHANGE AT YEAR 20, NOT YEAR 23 AS PROPOSED BY MAYOR WATSON.

THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

IT'S THE OTHER WAY AROUND, SORRY.

YES, YOU'RE CORRECT.

SO THE, IN THE PROPOSED FOUR YEAR, THERE'S A STEP CHANGE AT YEAR 23.

AND IN MAYOR WATSON'S IT'S YEAR 20 AND PART OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH THE STIPENDS AND THE DIFFERENTIALS IN A CONTRACT IS PROVIDE HUMANIZATION AND SOLVE CERTAIN PROBLEMS OR CHALLENGES WE'RE HAVING.

CORRECT.

SO CAN YOU SPEAK TO WHY THE FOUR YEAR HAS A YEAR 23? WHY THAT WAS THE CHOICE? UM, I, I MIGHT DEFER THAT TO SARAH.

SHE WAS EN ENGAGED IN THAT.

AND THEN MY FOLLOW UP WILL BE TO MAYOR WATSON AS TO WHY THEY CHOSE YEAR 20, YEAR 20.

UH, SARAH GRIFFIN, INTERIM LIBERAL RELATIONS OFFICER.

THE REASON WE WENT INSTEAD OF YEAR 20 TO YEAR 23 IS BECAUSE THE OFFICERS WHO ARE, HAVE BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR THAT TIME PERIOD, ROUGHLY ARE ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE AT YEAR 20.

SO IF YOU GIVE THEM A STEP INCREASE AT YEAR 20, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO GO AHEAD AND RETIRE.

OUR GOAL IS RETENTION.

SO WE WERE TRYING TO DO IT AT STEP 23 SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE AT YEAR 20 WOULD STAY ON FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS BECAUSE THE, IT'S THE THREE YEAR PERIOD OF TIME, UH, THAT YOU'RE LAST PAID THAT THE RETIREMENT AMOUNT IS BASED UPON.

UM, MAYOR WATSON, COULD YOU TELL US WHY YOU CHOSE YEAR 20? UM, YEAH.

THE, THE REASON WAS THAT WE, IN, IN VISITING WITH PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE THE, THE BASIC WAY OF DOING THAT 20 WAS, WAS THE NUMBER THAT THAT CAME UP.

IT WAS NOT, UM, IT WAS NOT SPECIFICALLY MEANT TO CREATE AN INCENTIVE.

IT WAS MEANT TO CREATE A BASE FROM WHICH THEY COULD OPERATE.

BY THE WAY THAT, THAT IT'S IN THE, FROM THE LAST VERSION OF THE, UH, CONTRACT PROPOSALS THAT WE HAD SEEN, UH, I THINK AS RECENTLY AS LAST WEEK, BUT I DON'T REMEMBER WHEN THAT WAS.

UM, SO SOMEBODY MIGHT CLARIFY THAT FOR ME, BUT IT WAS, MY MEMORY WAS THEN AND WE CHECKED, WE CHECKED AND IT, THAT THAT WAS THE, THE ANSWER.

UM, I FOUND MY COPY FOR, FOR, UM, THE PROPOSED FOUR YEAR FOR THE, FOR THE, FOR THE MONEY.

AND THEN FOR THE,

[05:15:01]

SO THAT HAS A 4% IN THE, STARTING IN APRIL OF 20 23, 2 AND A HALF PERCENT STARTING IN JANUARY OF 24.

THREE AND A HALF PERCENT IN JANUARY OF 25, 4% IN JANUARY OF 2026, CORRECT? YES.

SO BY THE LOGIC OF DOING A ONE YEAR, THAT STARTS WITH 6.7%.

ANY PERCENTAGES WE WOULD HAVE IN ANY OF THOSE OTHER THREE YEARS WOULD ADD TO THE CONTRACT.

AND THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS THAT ACTUALLY ADD SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS.

UM, THE, THE, THE AMOUNTS THAT ARE FOR THE STIPENDS ARE NOT USUALLY THAT HUGE.

UM, BUT WHEN YOU START DOING PERCENTAGES ON ALL WAGES, IS THAT WHERE YOU SEE, UM, SIGNIFICANT BUMPS TO THE AMOUNTS AS THEY TOTAL UP SO WELL, SO, SO THEY HAVE A COSTED OUT BOAT, SO THEY CARRY THE STIP, LIKE THE FTO STIPEND FOR EXAMPLE.

AND, AND I'LL LET AND READDRESS THIS, BUT THEY ALL ARE CARRIED ACROSS AND, AND, AND HAVE THE CUMULATIVE FOUR YEAR WHEN IT'S THE HEAVY AMOUNT SUCH AS THE BASE WAGES, OF COURSE THAT'S GONNA BE A MORE HEAVILY WEIGHED BECAUSE IT STARTS MORE HEAVILY.

UM, BUT SOME OF THESE ARE, YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, THE FDO STIPEND IN YEAR ONE IS 80,400 AND SOME ODD DOLLARS.

IT INCREASES EACH YEAR BECAUSE IT BUILDS UPON AND COMPOUNDS OVER THE FOUR YEARS.

LET, LET ME MAYBE POSE MY QUESTION SLIGHTLY DIFFERENTLY.

UM, SO IN THE PROPOSED CONTRACT, THE 4% MEANS THAT YOU HAVE A 28 MILLION CUMULATIVE EFFECT FROM THE 4%.

THEN YOU ADD THE, FOR THE TWO AND A HALF PERCENT THAT YOU GET IN YEAR TWO, THEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 14.3 MILLION.

SO THE THING THAT WE'RE LEAVING OUT OF THIS CONTRACT IS THE THING THAT COSTS THE MOST, WHICH IS ANY PERCENTAGE INCREASES.

SO THAT THE POTENTIAL COSTS WHEN WE GO TO NEGOTIATE, UM, UNLESS WE ALREADY HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF OVERSIGHT IN THIS ONE YEAR CONTRACT, WHICH WE'LL TALK ABOUT OVERSIGHT IN A MINUTE, MEANS THAT THE THINGS THAT WE WOULD BE BARGAINING FOR, THE THINGS THAT ARE GONNA COST US THE MOST.

SO WE'RE ALREADY STARTING AT $3 MILLION MORE EXPENSIVE WITHOUT ACTUALLY HAVING COVERED YEAR TWO, THREE, OR FOUR, WHAT WE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE THEM.

SO, AND WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANYTHING IN OVERSIGHT BEYOND WHAT WE HAVE EXISTING.

SO THERE ARE SOME THINGS, THERE'S SOME REAL CONSEQUENCES HERE AND TRADE OFFS, UM, FROM A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE, WHICH IS MONEY THAT WE COULD INVEST IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION, IT'S MONEY THAT WE COULD, UM, INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

IT IS MONEY THAT WILL BE ADDED TO THE POLICE BUDGET, UM, FOR THEIR, UM, BOTTOM LINE AS WELL.

I'VE GOT A QUICK QUESTION.

UM, IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER BY COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, BUT HOW DOES THIS AFFECT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A, AN EMS CONTRACT THAT IS ONE YEAR.

UM, THE FIRE ASSOCIATION IS ALSO IN ARBITRATION.

HOW DO THESE BUDGETS ALL PLAY WITH EACH OTHER? HOW DOES THAT MEAN THAT OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY ENTITIES WILL ALSO BE DUE THOSE TYPES OF RAISES THE NEXT TIME THEY'RE UP FOR THEIR CONTRACT RENEWALS? SO, I'M HAPPY TO ADDRESS THIS UNLESS YOU WANTED MR. VINNO TO ADDRESS IT.

HE'S, I CAN TELL YOU, HAPPY FOR YOU TOO, FROM A BARGAINING STANDPOINT, WE ARE NOT BOUND TO GIVE THE SAME RAISES, BUT BASICALLY WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS BE ABLE TO DIFFERENTIATE WHY WE'RE NOT DOING SO, BECAUSE IT DOES SET SOME FORM OF A BASELINE.

UM, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WITH EMS AND POLICE, THERE ARE MUCH LARGER STAFFING CRISES AT THIS TIME THAN THERE ARE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

SO WE DO HAVE SOME WIGGLE ROOM, BUT IT'S NOT WITHOUT ITS CONSEQUENCES.

AND I KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHEN I'M JUST THINKING OF, YOU KNOW, OUR GENERAL FUND AND HOW, HOW MUCH WE NEED EACH DOLLAR TO STRETCH TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER PARKS, MAINTENANCE AND ACCESS TO LIBRARIES AND TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF, YOU KNOW, OUR, OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS THAT, UM, MAY BE MAKING UP A LOT OF DIFFERENCE IN TRYING TO GAIN A LOT MORE GROUND JUST BECAUSE OF HISTORIC BUDGET NUMBERS.

AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING I'M BALANCING HERE IS, UM, WHAT THOSE PERCENTAGES LOOK LIKE AND HOW, WHAT THE DOMINO EFFECT IS.

WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS FOR SURE.

AND LET ME INTRODUCE, THIS IS L DENTON WITH DENTON NAVARRO, RICHARD BEEK, AND, UH, HE IS OUR OUTSIDE COUNCIL ON OUR LABOR NEGOTIATIONS AND CLEARLY HAS SOMETHING TO SAY ON THIS ISSUE.

, WELCOME.

THANKS FOR JOINING.

A PRACTICAL CONSIDERATION.

UM, I'VE MET SOME OF YOU AND, UH, APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR YOUR DECISION MAKING.

I JUST WANTED, UH, MAYOR PROTI ON YOUR QUESTION IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE I'VE BEEN DOING THIS A VERY, VERY LONG TIME FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND HONORED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

UM, THE REASON THAT THE CITY, I BELIEVE DOES THESE CONTRACTS IN THE SAME CYCLE.

I MEAN, WE SET IT UP DELIBERATELY TO WHERE THEY'RE ALL AT THE SAME TIME SO THAT WE DON'T END UP IN THAT DOMINO EFFECT WHAT SAW DYNAMIC TO WHERE WE'RE HAVING TO CATCH UP WITH THE LAST CONTRACT THAT WE DID.

SO THAT IS THE EFFORT, THAT'S

[05:20:01]

THERE'S A DIFFERENT STATUTORY STANDARD FOR HOW YOU PAY FIREFIGHTERS BECAUSE THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING STATUTE SETS THAT STANDARD.

IT DOESN'T APPLY TO THE OTHER TWO, BUT IT HAS A PRACTICAL IMPACT.

I SAW SOME HANDS OVER HERE TO MY LEFT COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTEZ.

I JUST WANTED SOME CLARITY ON THE COMMENT THAT COUNCIL MEMBER ALISON ALTRA MENTIONED, UM, IS BY APPROVING OR GOING NEGOTIATING A ONE YEAR CONTRACT, WOULD THAT PAY INCREASE PER THE FINANCIAL MODEL? I DO, ALTHOUGH I DO STILL QUESTION WHY THE FINANCIAL MODEL WAS, UM, BASED ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WHEN THAT WAS NOT IN, UH, MAYOR WATSON'S AMENDMENT.

UH, THE HOW DOES THAT AFFECT THE STATE LAW WHERE WE CANNOT DECREASE FUNDING MOVING FORWARD? LIKE HOW WOULD THIS ONE YEAR, CAUSE I THOUGHT THIS ONE YEAR CONTRACT WOULD BE MORE OF A, LIKE BONUS SITUATION.

SO I WANNA UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF, OF IT A LITTLE BETTER.

WOULD THWART THAT IT'S THERE IS TRYING TO GET TO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT IS AN ATTEMPT TO CREATE A BALANCE BETWEEN CITIZEN INTEREST, THE CHARTER'S PROVISION, ALLOWING THOSE CITIZENS RIGHTS TO BE RECOGNIZED AND AT THE SAME TIME AVOIDING MASS RETIREMENTS, UH, BUILDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THE WAY WE WANT.

AND I WOULD DEFER TO MR. VAN KNOW OR OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT ON THAT.

UH, I DO APOLOGIZE, I JUST SENT Y'ALL AN EMAIL WITH THE, UH, COSTING ANALYSIS FOR THE FOUR YEAR PROPOSAL.

I JUST WAS BACK CONFERRING TO MAKE SURE I WAS SENDING YOU THE RIGHT, UH, VERSION OF, OF MANY, MANY VERSIONS OF THESE SHEETS.

UH, SO COULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT, REPEAT YOUR QUESTION? SO THE, I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, FOR THE POTENTIAL ONE YEAR CONTRACT, THE FINANCIAL MODEL THAT YOU PROVIDED US, UH, FOR THE COST ESTIMATE, HOW DOES THAT TIE IN WITH THE STATE LAW THAT DICTATES THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO, ONCE WE SET A BUDGET FOR OUR DEPARTMENT, THAT WE CANNOT DECREASE IT MOVING FORWARD? SO HOW WOULD THIS ONE, A POTENTIAL ONE YEAR FALL, FALL INTO THAT? UM, WHATEVER THE, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT ADDED TO, WE'D BE ADDING, UH, 9.6 MILLION TO THE BUDGET THIS FISCAL YEAR TO COVER THAT CONTRACT FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

UM, THAT WOULD TAKE ROUGHLY, OKAY, THE 450 MILLION BUDGET WOULD GO UP TO 459.6 AND NEXT YEAR WE COULDN'T GO BELOW THAT.

SO YOU WOULD WRITE OFF THE BAT ADD THE 9 MILLION YES.

VERSUS USING VACANCY, ADDITIONAL VACANCY SAVINGS OR OTHER INTERDEPARTMENTAL FUNDING TO MAKE UP THAT DIFFERENTIAL? YEAH, WE, WE, WE PUT A PLACEHOLDER, A FUNDING PLACEHOLDER IN THE, WHAT WE CALL THE NON-DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET, CUZ WE WERE STILL IN NEGOTIATION WITH THREE ASSOCIATIONS.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THAT MONEY WAS GONNA LAND.

SO WE'VE RESERVED IT AND OUR NON-DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET AND THEN HIS COUNCIL APPROVES CONTRACTS, WE'LL MOVE IT TO THE DEPARTMENT.

WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FUND NINE POINT, UH, 6 MILLION OUT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S, UM, BUDGET THIS FISCAL YEAR.

CUZ AS I MENTIONED, I THINK TO COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, THE WAY WE BUDGET FOR VACANCIES IS WE DO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE VACANCIES.

WE BUDGET A NEGATIVE DOLLAR AMOUNT TO REMOVE THOSE FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET.

AND THEN, UM, THE DEPARTMENT'S ALSO RUNNING A LOT MORE OVERTIME THAN THEY TYPICALLY WOULD BECAUSE OF THE HIGH NUMBER OF VACANCIES CURRENTLY.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF THEY HAVE TO EX, UM, ABSORB, QUOTE UNQUOTE ABSORB 9.6 MILLION, I WOULD HIGHLY ANTICIPATE THEY WOULD GO OVER BUDGET.

UM, SO WE'D NEED NEED TO COME TO COUNCIL TO GET THE APPROPRIATION AUTHORITY FOR THE, FOR THE FUNDING.

BUT THEY, BUT THE, THERE'S STILL THE OPTION OF ABSORBING IT FOR THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS OR SIX MONTHS TILL THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

UM, I'M NOT SURE THAT THERE'S THE OPTION.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S POSSIBLE.

BUT, UM, OKAY.

I THINK THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

MAYOR PRO TIM? YES, MAYOR, GO AHEAD.

YES, I MIGHT JUST, UM, FOLLOW UP AS I'VE LISTENED TO SOME OF THE QUESTIONS.

I, I THINK IT'S IMP FIRST OF ALL, AS I LISTENED TO THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOUSE, 6.7 JUST WAS CHOSEN TO BE UTILIZED, UM, HOW, YOU KNOW, FIVE COULD ALSO WORK, WHICH THERE WAS A, YOU KNOW, ADMITTING THAT 5% MIGHT WORK INSTEAD OF 6.7.

LET, LET'S SHIFT THE QUESTION TO SOME DEGREE AND, AND MR MAN, YOU KNOW, I, I'M NOT SURE YOU'RE THE RIGHT PERSON TO ASK THE QUESTION, BUT MAYBE IT'S THE CITY MANAGER THAT IF THE GOAL, IF, IF PEOPLE LIKE MEMBERS OF A CITY COUNCIL WHO ARE RESPONSIVE TO THE PUBLIC, IF WE HAVE AT LEAST AS ONE OF OUR GOALS, DO NOT THWART THE PETITION PROCESS THAT IS IN OUR CHARTER TO TRY TO HONOR A PROCESS THAT IS IN OUR CHARTER THAT LETS THE CITIZENS HAVE A DIRECT VOICE.

AND IF A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT, BY DEFINITION

[05:25:01]

THE QUESTION, I THINK BECOMES, TO SOME DEGREE, BOTH, BOTH ARE OBVIOUSLY GOING TO MAYBE HAVE SOME FLAWS IN THEM, UH, DEPENDING UPON YOUR POINT OF VIEW.

BUT HOW IS IT THAT THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT ALSO MEETS THE NEED OF ALLOWING THE PUBLIC TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR CHARTER? AND THAT'S WHAT THE GOAL, THE GOAL WAS HERE WITH NOT MUCH EFFORT, I THINK TO NOW FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE THAT WORK INSTEAD TO TRY TO MAKE IT WHERE WE, THE COUNCIL HAS LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO SUPPORT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT MAN MANAGER.

HOW DOES THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT DO THAT? HOW, HOW DOES THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT ACHIEVE THAT GOAL? UH, THE THANK YOU MAYOR, CUZ I, I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT AS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR MANY MONTHS NOW, SINCE THE ORIGINAL PETITION WAS PUT IN, IN PLACE AND, AND, AND, UH, NOW AS PART OF THE MAY ELECTION, THESE ARE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE TRYING TO WAIT BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN IN PRINCIPLE, UH, TAKEN WHAT WAS THE, THE GOALS IN THAT INITIAL EQUITY ACTION PETITION AS PART OF OUR BASE PROPOSAL.

AND SO WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THOSE ELEMENTS WERE PART OF WHAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING BACK TO COUNCIL AS PART OF A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

YOU KNOW, UH, ONE OF MY MANY OBLIGATIONS A CITY MANAGER IS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE SAME RESIDENTS WHO WOULD BE VOTING ON THIS REFERENDUM.

UM, AND SO MOVING FORWARD ON THIS FOUR YEAR CONTRACT GIVES US THE ASSURANCE THAT OUR SAFETY OF THOSE RESIDENTS CAN BE INTACT.

UH, MYSELF AND THE CHIEF, WE HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT OUR STAFFING LEVELS WOULD BE COMPROMISED IF THAT ONE YEAR CONTRACT IS PURSUED.

AND SO I KNOW THAT THIS IS A, A HARD PLACE TO BE PUT IN, BUT THE RESULTS OF WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THROUGH THESE NEGOTIATIONS OF GETTING AS MUCH OVERSIGHT AS, AS LEGALLY POSSIBLE AS PART OF THESE AGREEMENTS AND, AND, AND WHAT WE PUT FORWARD, UH, OVER THE LAST, UH, 24 HOURS, UH, WE, WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED THAT.

AND SO, UH, BUT, BUT THAT'S, BUT THAT'S NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTION OF HOW DO YOU NOT WORK THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

I GET THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS YOU WANNA REPLACE YOUR POINT OF VIEW WITH THE WILL OF THE VOTERS AND YOU THINK YOU'VE, YOU'VE ACHIEVED THAT AND DONE A GOOD JOB.

AND BY THE WAY, YOU MIGHT HAVE, YOU MIGHT HAVE DONE, UH, DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB ON THAT.

BUT MY QUESTION IS MORE SPECIFIC AS WE TRY TO, AS, AS THE MERIT COUNCIL, TRY TO BALANCE NOT ONLY PROTECTING BECAUSE, AND, AND I I KNOW YOU DIDN'T MEAN TO IMPLY THAT ANYBODY ON THE COUNCIL DIDN'T WANT TO PROTECT THOSE VOTERS, UH, WHEN YOU SAID THAT THAT'S WHAT YOUR GOAL WAS.

BUT NOT ONLY PROTECT THOSE VOTERS FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT, BUT ALSO PROTECT THOSE VOTERS FROM A RIGHT TO HAVE, UH, FROM, FROM PROTECT THEIR, THEIR RIGHTS TO UTILIZE THE CHARTER FOR A PETITION PROCESS.

AND I AGREE WITH YOU, MR. MANAGER, IT IS A HARD THING TO THREAD AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT YOU'RE SEEING PROPOSALS BEING PROVIDED TO TRY TO ACHIEVE THAT.

THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TIM.

THE, JUST ONE THING I I WOULD ADD, I MEAN, I DO THINK, UH, WHEN THESE, UH, ITEMS GO BEFORE THE VOTERS, UH, MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS AN AWARENESS OF WHAT COULD AND COULD NOT HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF VOTING THESE EITHER UP OR DOWN.

AND SO IF ONE OF THESE PASSES, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VOTERS ARE VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THAT COULD RESULT IN.

I MEAN, WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF CONVERSATIONS WITH THIS DIOCESE AROUND THE LEGALITY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.

AND SO WE WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE, AND WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE, THAT THE COMMUNITY AND THE COUNCIL, UH, ARE VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT ACTUALLY WOULD BE ENACTED, UH, IF THESE PROPOSITIONS, UH, UH, ARE PASSED.

THAT'S PART PART OF MAKING A THOUGHTFUL DETERMINATION AND ONE OF THE REASONS THAT, UM, THE AMENDMENT THAT I ACTUALLY OFFERED TALKS IN TERMS OF ALLOWING FOR THAT SORT OF CONSIDERATION, INCLUDING CONSIDERATION OF THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT, NOT NOT REJECTING THE IDEA THAT WE'RE GOING TO

[05:30:01]

CONSIDER AND, AND, AND TRY TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT LOOKING AT THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

MAYOR PRO TIM, I'M SORRY.

IT'S ALL RIGHT.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

UM, I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS A, A QUESTION FOR THE CITY MANAGER IF THIS IS A BETTER QUESTION FOR, FOR ED.

UH, BUT, YOU KNOW, COPS GOT A RAISE THIS PASTURE AND, AND WE HADN'T RAISED THE POLICE BUDGET.

SO WHY ARE WE, WHY ARE WE LOOKING TO THAT NOW? YOU SAID COPS GOT A RAISE.

UH, SORRY.

IT, IT'S, UH, IT SAID, UH, COPS HAD GOTTEN RAISED IN, UH, IN THE PAST.

WE HADN'T RAISED THE POLICE BUDGET.

SO WHY ARE WE LOOKING TO DO IT NOW? I GUESS I'M, I'M CONFUSED.

WHEN WE'VE HAD PAY INCREASES FOR POLICE OFFICERS IN THE PAST, WE HAVE INCREASED THE BUDGET.

LET ME, LET ME, I MIGHT BE MISSING THE QUESTION.

I APOLOGIZE.

UH, LET ME, LEMME REPHRASE IT AND THEN I'LL, I'LL GET BACK TO YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER.

UM, SO I THINK THAT WE ALL SHARE THE GOAL OF HAVING STRONG OVERSIGHT AND RETAINING AND RECRUITING OUR OFFICERS.

AND THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE BEFORE US IS HOW DO WE DO THAT AND HOW DO WE DO THAT AND RESPECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS? AND, UM, AS I LOOK AT THE PROCESS, THE VOTERS CAN VOTE ON THE FIRST INITIATIVE AND THEN NOTHING HAPPENS.

AND THERE'S NO OVERSIGHT UNLESS WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH APA.

AND SO TO ME, IF, AND I HAVEN'T ASSESSED THE FOUR YEAR, WHICH IS WHY I WOULD LIKE TIME TO BE ABLE TO THINK ABOUT THE FOUR YEAR AND SEE IF IT MEETS, UM, MY REQUIREMENTS FOR STRONG OVERSIGHT.

CAUSE I'M NOT GONNA SUPPORT A CONTRACT THAT DOESN'T, BUT IF I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT, IT'S GONNA COST ME LESS THAN A ONE YEAR CONTRACT AND I CAN SIGN THAT AND DELIVER ABOUT AS STRONG A OVERSIGHT CONTRACT AS MY VOTERS COULD HOPE FOR.

TO ME, I'M, I'M BEING MORE RESPECTFUL OF THEIR VOTE THAN IF I LET THEM VOTE AND THEN I CAN'T DO ANY OF IT CUZ I CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT THEM.

AND WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS, UM, IN EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS.

UM, AND, AND I JUST, TO ME IT'S JUST NOT RESPECTFUL TO TELL THEM THEY HAVE A VOTE AND PRETEND LIKE THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T.

UM, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE OUR TEAM UP TO TALK TO US ABOUT THE OVERSIGHT IF IT'S APPROPRIATE.

NOW, MAYOR PRO TEM, UM, ARE, IS THERE ANYONE OPPOSED TO MOVING INTO THE OVERSIGHT QUESTIONS? I THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

UM, SO MAYBE OUR TEAM CAN DESCRIBE TO US WHAT WAS ACHIEVED, UM, YOU KNOW, IN THE FINAL PROPOSAL AND WHY YOU THINK THIS MEETS THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY AND TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU CAN SHARE THINGS THAT WERE SHARED WITH US PREVIOUSLY, UM, THAT ARE NOW ABLE TO BE SHARED SINCE ITS FINAL.

UM, PLEASE, PLEASE DO SO, UM, SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW YOU THINK YOU'VE ACHIEVED THE GOAL OF TRYING TO GUESS CLOSE TO IMPLEMENTING WHAT'S IN THAT ORDINANCE AS WE CAN WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF STATE LAW.

AND WITHIN THE PETITION IT'S BASICALLY AN ALL OR NOTHING PROPOSITION.

, UM, WE WILL TRY.

SO FIRST OF ALL, WE DID START THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS PRIOR TO THE PETITION BEING FILED AND AT THAT TIME WE WERE STARTING TO ATTEMPT WITH A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

ONCE THE PETITION WAS FILED, WE REASSESSED OUR SITUATION AND LOOKED AT WHAT WE THOUGHT COULD COME THROUGH WITH THE PETITION.

I BELIEVE IT WAS INITIALLY INTENDED TO BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, WHICH WOULD'VE BEEN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SCENARIO THAN WE ARE IN NOW.

SO AS WE ASSESS THE PETITION AND ALL THE DIFFERENT PROVISIONS WITHIN THE PETITION, UM, ONE OF THE PROVISIONS WITHIN THE PETITION IS THAT ANY CONTRACT IN EFFECT AT THE TIME THE PETITION PASSES WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGH THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT.

SO, YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH A ONE YEAR CONTRACT, THAT WOULD BE FOR THE ONE YEAR, FOR A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT, THAT WOULD BE FOR THE FOUR YEAR.

SO WE AT THE TIME AND AND TO THIS DATE DID NOT SEE THAT AT ALL AS THWARTING THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

WE CONSIDERED THAT MAYBE A POSTPONEMENT AS TO WHEN WHATEVER IS VOTED IN OR NOT VOTED IN WOULD TAKE EFFECT.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, BECAUSE MANY OF THE THINGS WITHIN THE PETITION CAN ONLY VARY FROM CHAPTER 1 43 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE THROUGH A MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT AND NOT THROUGH THE VOTE OF THE VOTERS, NOT THROUGH A VOTE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, BUT ONLY THROUGH A MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT, THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS WITHIN THAT AGREEMENT THAT COULDN'T BE ACCOMPLISHED ABSENT EITHER A PRIOR AGREEMENT OR ABSENT APA AGREEING TO WHAT'S IN THE PETITION.

SO WE LOOKED AT THE LANGUAGE OF THE PETITION, WE WORKED WITH OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT WE WEREN'T WAY OFF BASE.

[05:35:01]

SO EITHER APA WOULD AGREE TO EVERY SINGLE THING WITHIN THAT PETITION, WHICH FULFILLS THAT PETITION AND THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED BY THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT THAT, THAT THAT WAS TRUE OR CITY COUNCIL COULD NOT PASS THAT AGREEMENT.

SO WE LOOKED AT THE PETITION AND WE, UH, ABSOLUTELY A HUNDRED PERCENT BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOME PORTIONS OF THAT PETITION THAT APA WOULD NOT AGREE TO.

SO OUR BEST ANALYSIS OF THAT AND OUR BEST ANALYSIS OF NOT THWARTING THE WILL OF THE VOTERS WAS TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE AS CLOSE TO WE COULD NEGOTIATE IN A CONTRACT THAT WAS IN EFFECT AT THE TIME THAT THE PETITION WAS VOTED UPON AND PRESUMING IT PASSES, WHICH NONE OF US KNOW WHETHER WILL, BUT WITH THAT PRESUMPTION, UM, TRYING TO GET ATTAIN AS CLOSE TO WHAT WAS WITHIN THAT AS WE COULD GET A P A TO AGREE TO.

SO THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

SO THE DETAILS OF THAT WOULD BE THAT WE HAVE, AND KEEPING IN MIND WE HAD UNDER THE CURRENT CONTRACT A VERY GOOD OVERSIGHT PROVISION, BUT WE DID HAVE AN ARBITRATION AWARD THAT TOOK AWAY A LOT OF WHAT WE THOUGHT WE HAD ACCOMPLISHED IN THE LAST NEGOTIATION SESSION.

AND WHAT THAT HAD TO DO WITH A LOT HAD TO DO WITH THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION, THE ABILITY TO, FOR THE OPIO TO WATCH BODY CAM VIDEOS TO GATHER EVIDENCE PRIOR TO THE ACTUAL INVESTIGATION THAT INTERNAL AFFAIRS WOULD DO.

SO WE TRIED TO KIND OF CORRECT ALL OF THAT LANGUAGE, TAKE IT BACK.

AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE LOOKED AT THE LANGUAGE WITHIN THE PETITION, WHICH ACTUALLY HAD, UH, THE OPO BEING ABLE TO INVESTIGATE.

SO WHAT WE HAVE ATTAINED IS THAT WE HAVE THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT BEING ABLE TO INVESTIGATE, FULLY INVESTIGATE HAVING UNFETTERED ACCESS TO ALL OF THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS MATERIALS, TO BODY CAM VIDEOS, TO ALL OF THE EVIDENCE FOR BOTH THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND THE INVESTIGATION AS A WHOLE.

WE PUT IT WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTS OF THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS PROCESS AND HAVE THEM HAND IN HAND FOR THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION AFTER SOMETHING HAS BEEN INITIALLY CLASSIFIED.

BUT THEY STILL HAVE THE ABILITY ON THEIR OWN TO DO THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION WITH FULL ACCESS TO THE BODY CAM VIDEOS.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE TAKEN O P O OUT OF THE CONTRACT AS WE HAVE BEEN DIRECTED ANY NUMBER OF TIMES TO DO BY THE CITY COUNCIL, BY THE MANAGER.

AND THE WAY TO TAKE O P O OUT OF THE CONTRACT IS YOU TAKE AS MUCH OF IT AS YOU CAN OUT OF THE CONTRACT THAT LEGALLY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AGREED TO BY THE APA, MEANING ANYTHING, NOT 1 43.

SO WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS WE'VE LEFT VERY FEW THINGS WITHIN THE CONTRACT IN RELATION TO OPO.

WE HAVE DONE KIND OF WHAT WE CALL AN AUTHORITIES AND A LIMITATION SECTIONS.

SO THE AUTHORITY THAT WE HAVE GIVEN OPO WOULD BE, UH, WHAT IS VARYING FROM 1 43.

AND THE LIMITATIONS IS WHAT WE BELIEVE WE HAD TO GIVE APA IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO AGREE TO IT BECAUSE WITHOUT THEIR AGREEMENT, THERE IS NO CONTRACT AND NONE OF IT CAN BE EFFECTIVE.

DID YOU WANNA JUMP IN? NO.

AND PART OF THE UNDERSTANDING OF THAT IS THE ARBITRATION AWARD, WHICH WAS A REAL BLOW TO THIS CITY'S COMMITMENT TO POLICE OVERSIGHT, TOOK OUR OWN CONTRACT AND SAID, YOU AGREED TO THESE LIMITATIONS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO.

AND SO YOU'RE STUCK WITH THEM AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE TAKING THEM OUT.

THAT WAS A CLEAR COUNSEL DIRECTION.

GET THOSE THINGS THAT LIMIT THE MANAGER'S AUTHORITY TO CREATE A TO POLICE OVERSIGHT THROUGH THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT, TO SUPERVISE THAT, TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN HOW THE CHIEF RUNS HIS RAILROAD THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY'S EXPECTATIONS ARE BEING ACCOMPLISHED.

THAT'S WHY THE COUNCIL TOLD US TO TAKE THEM OUT.

THAT'S WHY WE INSISTED AT THE TABLE THAT WE WERE GONNA TAKE THEM OUT.

WE STARTED THIS BARGAINING PROCESS, WHICH HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

AND WE STARTED WITH THE NEGOTIATORS HERE, THOUGHT I WAS OUT OF MY MIND WHEN I SAID, WE WANT YOU TO AGREE THAT THERE IS NO G FILE.

THERE IS NO 1 49, UH, 1 43 0 89 G FILE ANYMORE.

JUST LIKE THERE'S NOT ONE FOR THE TRAVIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOESN'T EXIST.

THERE IS NO SUCH STATUTE A DEPUTY THAT ENGAGES IN CONDUCT THAT YOUR AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS ENGAGE IN.

THAT'S A PUBLIC RECORD.

IT'S NOT A PUBLIC RECORD HERE.

THAT'S BY STATE LAW.

THE VOTERS CAN'T CHANGE IT.

THAT PETITION, IF IT PASSES IN MAY, IT CAN'T CHANGE THAT ONLY A CONTRACT WITH THE APA IN THE CITY AND CHANGE THAT.

SO WE PROPOSED TO GET RID OF IT ALL TOGETHER.

WELL GUESS WHAT? IT WAS DEAD ON ARRIVAL.

SO THEN WE TOOK A STEP BACK AND WE HAVE CONTINUED THAT PROCESS TO WHERE WE HAVE GOTTEN EVERYTHING WE THINK WE NEED TO MAKE IT WORK IN AN OPTIMAL FASHION.

CAN YOU PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL, UM, PARTICULARLY ON THE OPOS ABILITY TO INVESTIGATE AND YES, I WILL.

AND I

[05:40:01]

DON'T GO SOME ITEMS BECAUSE I WANNA, IF IF WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, OTHER PEOPLE MAY HAVE QUESTIONS AS WELL, BUT SOME POINT I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE ADVOCATES AND WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE.

BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE HAD A BASELINE DESCRIBED OF, OF WHAT, OF MORE SPECIFICS.

THE, THE, THE CORE PIECE OF WHAT WE HAD TO HAVE FOR OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT THAT WE LOST IN THE ARBITRATION AWARD WAS THE ABILITY FOR PERSONNEL THAT ARE COMPETENT INVESTIGATORS TO BE THERE ASKING QUESTIONS WITH INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

SOMEBODY THAT IS NOT A MEMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOMEBODY THAT'S NOT WEARING A BADGE, SOMEBODY THAT'S NOT A MEMBER OF WHATEVER YOU BELIEVE ABOUT THE POLICE FRATERNITY IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

IF YOU DON'T TRUST POLICE OFFICERS TO INVESTIGATE POLICE OFFICERS, YOU HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE ASKING THE QUESTIONS.

AND IF YOU HAVE FAMILIARIZED YOURSELF WITH OR KNOW ABOUT DOJ PATTERN AND PRACTICE INVESTIGATIONS OF DEPARTMENTS ALL AROUND THE UNITED STATES, THAT'S ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THEY DO.

THEY GO BACK AND AUDIT ALL OF THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATIONS THAT A DEPARTMENT HAS DONE TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.

CUZ YOU'RE NOT GONNA FIND OUT ABOUT POLICE MISCONDUCT IF YOU DON'T ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.

UM, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE NEGOTIATED FOR OVER AND OVER AND OVER WEEK AFTER WEEK, MONTH AFTER MONTH, WE WERE TOLD BY THE ASSOCIATION NEGOTIATORS ACROSS THE TABLE.

WE ARE NOT EVER GOING TO DO THAT IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

MEMBER TIM, IN THE LAST YEAH, MY MAYOR PROAM.

I HAVE A, UH, AN INQUIRY.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS, MAYOR.

YES, MAYOR.

AND, AND I APOLOGIZE, IT'S BECAUSE I I I THINK THIS IS A GOOD DISCUSSION, BUT, UH, MY PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY WOULD BE WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE POSTED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FOUR YEAR PROPOSAL OR INSTEAD ARE POSTED TO TALK ABOUT THE, UM, THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE TABLE.

THE ITEM THAT YOU'RE POSTED TO DISCUSS IS THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT, THE ITEM FROM COUNSEL.

UM, I THINK THE DISCUSSION OBVIOUSLY IS ABOUT THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT IN RELATION TO THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

SO YOU'RE ONLY POSTED TO TAKE I ACTION ON THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

SO WHAT YOU'RE, YOU'RE, YOU'RE ARGUING THAT WE CAN GET OFF ONTO THE FOUR YEAR TERMS OF A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT AS OPPOSED TO TERMS OF THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

I THINK THAT YOU HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPARING THE TWO, AND I BELIEVE THAT PROBABLY IS WITHIN THE POSTING, BUT AGAIN, YOU'RE POSTED ONLY TO TAKE ACTION ON THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT AND THAT'S REALLY THE, THE BASIS OF MOST OF THIS DISCUSSION AND PROBABLY SHOULD BE.

I THINK WE MAY HAVE BEEN MID-SENTENCE.

DID YOU FINISH YOUR THOUGHT? UM, WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, I THINK IT WAS, UH, WE CROSSED THAT HURDLE, UH, THAT THE PERSONNEL FROM THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT WOULD BE ABLE TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF AND WITH THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS PROCESS.

UH, AND THE OTHER PETITION REQUIREMENT THAT WAS THE CORNERSTONE OF THIS WAS UNFETTERED ACCESS TO ALL INFORMATION IN THE FILE BY THE OPO.

AND SO THAT'S WHERE WE GOT, THAT WAS OUR OBJECTIVE AND I THINK THAT ANSWERED THAT QUESTION.

THAT OVERSIGHT MODEL? AND THAT'S PROBABLY, AND I DON'T ALSO UNDERSTAND WHAT DIRECTION WE'RE GIVING TO STAFF WITH THIS WHEN THEY'RE MID FINALIZING THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

THAT'S HELPFUL.

UM, DO YOU HAVE, I WANNA DO A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF HOW MUCH DISCUSSION IS AHEAD OF US IN LIGHT OF HITTING THE FIVE 30 MARK AND KNOWING FOLKS MAY JUST WANNA KNOW HOW MUCH MORE TIME TO TO BE AVAILABLE HERE.

UM, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER ALLISON AL ALTER, DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS THAN I DID SEE COUNCIL MEMBER VELAS HAND GO UP? AND I WOULD LIKE TO CROWDSOURCE IF THERE'S ANY OTHER SPECIFIC, UM, THEMES OR TOPICS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED YET THAT PEOPLE STILL WANNA SPEAK ABOUT.

ALISON ALTER, DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? UM, AND I DO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, PART OF THE ARGUMENT FOR THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT, WHICH IS THE CHOICE BEFORE US, IS THAT THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT DOES CERTAIN THINGS.

UM, AND I WOULD LIKE, IF THERE'S MORE THAT THE STAFF WANNA TELL US, I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THEM.

BUT I'D ALSO LIKE TO GIVE THE ADVOCATES AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE CONCERNS BECAUSE I CAN'T MAKE A VOTE THAT I WANNA GO TO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT THAT WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE GIVING UP AND WHETHER OR NOT IT ACTUALLY PROVIDES THE OVERSIGHT THAT THE VOTERS ARE, ARE WANTING.

UM, YOU KNOW, AND I KNOW FAIR ABOUT ABOUT THE PROCESS CAUSE I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING IT AND BEEN HAVING STAFF AT THE MEETINGS, BUT I DON'T THINK YOU CAN DO A FAIR ASSESSMENT TO SAY THAT YOU WANNA GO TO A ONE YEAR UNLESS YOU HAVE SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GIVING, WE'RE POTENTIALLY GIVING UP.

SO I WOULD SAY THERE'S THAT, AND THEN I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT OVERSIGHT WE GET WITH THIS PROPOSAL.

UM, WE'RE PAYING MORE MONEY, WE JUST ESTABLISHED THAT.

BUT WHAT IS THE OVERSIGHT MODEL IN HERE THAT WE'RE EXPECTING, UM, TO GET, UM, FROM THAT? SO WE'RE PAYING MORE MONEY.

WHAT, WHAT IS

[05:45:01]

I, I JUST, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THOSE THINGS.

SO I'M GONNA, BEFORE I CAN VOTE, I'M GONNA NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS.

I I UNDERSTAND EVERYONE CARES ABOUT THE OVERSIGHT.

THEY CARE ABOUT OUR OFFICERS AND THEY CARE ABOUT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

UM, BUT THIS IS NOT A MINOR SET OF DECISIONS BEFORE US.

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU, AND I KNOW IN A PERFECT WORLD, IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE BOTH OF THEM EXACTLY SIDE BY SIDE TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AND IS NOT INCLUDED.

I THINK WE ALL WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THE VOTERS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO, TO GO TO THE BALLOT BOX AND LET US KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY, WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THE BALLOT INITIATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED.

AND A LOT OF US HAVE JUST GOTTEN SOME OF THE DETAILS OF, OF WHAT IS IN THE AGREEMENT QUITE RECENTLY AND HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VET WHAT IS, WHAT HAS BEEN INCLUDED AND WHAT ISN'T AND WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS WE MIGHT COME UP WITH ALONG THE WAY.

I WILL, I WILL CALL ON COUNCIL MEMBER VELA NOW.

UH, THANK YOU, UH, UH, MAYOR PROTE AND I APPRECIATE THE MAYOR.

TO YOUR POINT ABOUT THAT, WE HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN WHAT'S IN THESE, UH, THE MAYOR'S AMENDMENT GIVING US A TIME TO MAKE THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION OF WHAT'S BEFORE US.

UH, I, I APPRECIATE THAT AND, UH, I VALUE THAT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DIGGING INTO THESE DETAILS, WHICH, LIKE I SAID, ARE FRESH.

I MEAN, THIS WAS NINE O'CLOCK, 10 O'CLOCK LAST NIGHT THAT IT CAME OUT, AND SO VERY FEW OF US, UH, I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE ADVOCATES HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO DO KIND OF A SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON AND I ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, TO HEARING, UH, THEIR OPINION, UH, UH, ON THE CONTRACTS.

BUT, UH, MR. DENSON, YOU MENTIONED THE, THE, THE TRAVIS COUNTY SHERIFFS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHO, UH, WORK UNDER THE, UM, DO NOT HAVE THE FILE PROTECTIONS OF, UH, UH, CHAPTER, UH, 1 43.

IS THAT THE CASE? THAT'S CORRECT.

SO IN OTHER WORDS, A TRAVIS COUNTY SHERIFF WHO IS COMPLAINED UPON THROUGH WHATEVER SYSTEM THEY HAVE, UH, AND LET'S SAY THAT IS INVESTIGATED AND FOUND TO BE WITHOUT MERIT, THAT, YOU KNOW, COMPLAINT IS FOUND TO BE WITHOUT MERIT, UH, IS THAT FULLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? IS THAT THAT COMPLAINT AND THE INVESTIGATION RESOLUTION FULLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? THERE ARE LIMITATIONS, UH, AS I THINK YOU'RE AWARE, UNDER THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, I MEAN THE OP OPEN TEXAS OPEN RECORDS ACT, UM, BUT SUBJECT TO THOSE, UH, LIMITATIONS ON CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS THAT ARE STILL PENDING.

BUT OTHER THAN THOSE RULES THAT APPLY OTHERWISE, THEY ARE PUBLIC PERSONNEL RECORDS.

IN OTHER WORDS, A TRAVIS COUNTY SHERIFF, SOMEONE REQUESTS A PERSONNEL FILE, WE'RE NOT GONNA RELEASE THEIR PRIVATE MEDICAL INFORMATION AND WE'RE NOT GONNA RELEASE THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

WE'RE NOT GONNA RELEASE THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER OR SOME OTHER, YOU KNOW, IMPORTANT KIND OF PRIVATE AND PERSONAL DETAILS LIKE THAT.

BUT, UH, UH, AND MY UNDERSTANDING, UH, IS THAT VIRTUALLY EV EVERY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN, UH, THE STATE, UH, IS UNDER THOSE RULES WHERE THEY HAVE NO PRIVACY PROTECTIONS AS PART OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT.

UH, IS THAT CORRECT? I ACTUALLY MADE THAT EXACT POINT AND I ACTUALLY PUT HARRIS COUNTY BADGE ON THE WALL, ON THE POWERPOINT AND TRAVIS COUNTY AND BEXAR COUNTY CUZ WE NEGOTIATED THE BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S CONTRACT AND THIS PUBLIC INFORMATION MM-HMM.

, WE PROPOSED THAT WE CAN'T GET IT WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT.

TO, UH, DISCLOSURE TO THE PUBLIC.

AND AND I DO UNDERSTAND THAT, THAT, UH, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN JUST UNILATERALLY IMPOSE ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THEY ARE PROTECTED BY THAT CHAPTER 1 43.

BUT, UH, ANOTHER POLICE AGENCY THAT I'M FAMILIAR WITH IS, UH, THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

UH, AND I KNOW WE WERE TALKING OFF THE DAY, SO I, I WORKED FOR THE, UH, ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND OPEN RECORDS DIVISION FOR, FOR A MINUTE.

UH, AND THE D PS OFFICERS ARE IN A SIMILAR POSITION TO THE SHERIFF'S.

UH, IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT AS WELL.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY DPS OFFICERS THERE ARE? I I MEAN, I ASKED THIS WITHOUT HAVING ANY IDEA OF THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

UH, IT, IT'S A LARGE DEPARTMENT, AND MY FIRST THOUGHT WOULD BE, IT MIGHT BE THE LARGEST IN THE STATE.

UM, BUT I, I PRESSED THIS POINT BECAUSE, UM, THERE'S THIS IDEA THAT THERE'S NO WAY THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD AGREE TO WORK UNDER THOSE KINDS OF CIRCUMSTANCES, WORK UNDER THAT KIND OF, YOU KNOW, ENVIRONMENT WHEN THE REALITY IS THAT THERE ARE, EVERY SINGLE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TRAVIS COUNTY, BASTROP COUNTY DPS, THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS, IF NOT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS STATE WHO WORK WITH COMPLETELY OPEN FILES.

AND THERE ANY COMPLAINT IS SUBJECT TO, UH, UH,

[05:50:01]

SO I JUST WANNA KIND OF, YOU KNOW, MAKE THAT POINT BECAUSE THERE IS THIS COMPELLING IDEA THAT, OH, THAT JUST WOULD NEVER FLY.

OR THERE, THERE'S SOME, IT'S NOT, BUT IT'S A REALITY QUITE POSSIBLY FOR THE MAJORITY OF, OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

AND I KNOW I I ASKED YOU THE OTHER DAY IN A, IN A DIFFERENT SETTING, UM, I BELIEVE IS THAT THE CITY OF DALLAS THAT, UH, IS ALSO, THEY'RE ALSO A CIVIL SERVICE, UH, CITY, CITY OF DALLAS IS A CHARTER CIVIL SERVICE CITY, AND THEY'RE NOT UNDER CHAPTER 1 43 AND EL PASO IS THE SAME, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE MANY SIMILARITIES, THEY DO NOT HAVE THIS PROVISION.

SO AGAIN, WE HAVE TWO MAJOR URBAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS, UH, WHO DO NOT HAVE THAT, UH, CHAPTER 1 43 G UH, NOT TO LOSE EVERYBODY WITH THE, THE, THE CITATIONS AND STUFF, BUT YOU KNOW, THE, THE, THE PRIVACY PROTECTIONS.

SO, A AGAIN, I I, YOU KNOW, THERE'S THIS IDEA, I THINK THAT THE, UH, A P O A, UH, THAT, UH, IS GONNA BE ON THE BALLOT IS ASKING FOR THIS KIND OF SKY HIGH LEVEL OF, UH, YOU KNOW, UNREALISTIC WHEN I JUST DON'T SEE THAT AS THE REALITY.

UH, AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE, THE, THE OFFICERS THAT HAVE THE 1 43 G PROTECTIONS VALUE THE 1 43 G PROTECTIONS.

I HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

BUT THE REALITY IS THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OFFICERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS WHO WORK, UH, IN EXCELLENT DEPARTMENTS AND WELL-RUN DEPARTMENTS AND WHO WORK WITHOUT, YOU KNOW, ANY SERIOUS PROBLEM, UH, UH, WITHOUT THOSE, UM, UH, PROTECTIONS.

UM, THE OTHER MAJOR ISSUE, A AGAIN, FOCUSING ON THE CHAPTER 1 43 ISSUES IS THE, UH, 365 DAYS, UH, FOR, UH, UH, THE INVESTIGATION.

I MEAN, AND, AND AGAIN, ACTUALLY, LET ME JUST KIND OF ASK A MORE OPEN QUESTION.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE A P O A, UH, WITH REGARD TO THE CHAPTER 1 43? YOU KNOW, WHERE THE, THE ITEMS THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR THAT WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO NEGOTIATE WITH, WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT? SO, WELL, ON THE 365, WE HAVE BARGAINED THE 365 MM-HMM.

, IT'S A TOUCH MODIFIED FROM WHAT IS IN THE PETITION, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE THE AGREEMENT AND PRINCIPLE UPON MM-HMM.

AND, UH, BUT THE CURRENT, UH, CHAPTER 1 43 PROVIDES FOR 180 DAY LIMIT, UH, CORRECT FOR, UH, AND THAT'S A, A HARD LIMIT IN THE SENSE THAT AFTER 180 DAYS, IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER.

UH, YOU KNOW, WHAT, YOU DID YOUR IMMUNE FROM DISCIPLINE, THE YES AND NO.

THE 180 DAYS IS A HARD LIMIT UNLESS THE MISCONDUCT RELATES TO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

THE STATUTE HAS TWO PARTS.

IF THE MISCONDUCT RELATES TO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, THEN YOU CAN HAVE AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FROM DISCOVERY, UH, TO PROCEED WITH THAT ISSUE.

EITHER THE LAST BARGAINING CYCLE OR THE TIME BEFORE LAST.

WE ADDED INTO THE CONTRACT HERE A DISCOVERY RULE THAT CONTEMPLATES DISCOVERY AT THE ASSISTANT CHIEF LEVEL.

THAT GOES BACK TO A PRIOR CASE THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN AUSTIN, SO THAT WE DON'T WANT DISCOVERY AT THE SERGEANT LEVEL OR THE LIEUTENANT LEVEL TO WHERE THE CITY STUCK WITH SOMETHING THAT THE CHIEF NEVER KNEW ABOUT.

SO MM-HMM.

, WE SOLVED THAT PROBLEM.

WE HAD A BETTER RAILROAD, IF YOU WILL, IN THE CONTRACT BEFORE, UNDER THE STATUTE.

IT'S 180 DAYS OR 180 DAYS FROM DISCOVERY, UH, UNLESS CRIMINAL CHARGES ARE ACTUALLY PENDING AGAINST THE OFFICER, IN WHICH EVENT YOU CAN SEND A LETTER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND PUT IT ON HOLD FOR A TIME PERIOD.

SO THAT'S WHAT THE STATUTE IS.

WE NEGOTIATED HERE, AND LITERALLY JUST IN THE LAST TWO DAYS, OBTAINED A RESPONSE FAVORABLE TO THE 365 DAY PROPOSAL THAT WE HAD ON THE TABLE.

UH, AND, UH, ARE OTHER PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, UH, OR FOR THAT MATTER, HONESTLY, EVEN PRIVATE EMPLOYEES, ARE THERE SIMILAR PROTECTIONS FOR OTHER EMPLOYEES IN TERMS OF A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON THEIR KIND OF PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT? I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY STATUTE, I'D DEFER TO ANNE ABOUT THAT FOR YOUR CITY WORKFORCE AT LARGE.

BUT GENERALLY IT'S YOUR PERSONNEL POLICIES AND YOU CONTROL THOSE CRITERIA.

AND CITY ATTORNEY, WOULD YOU HAVE ANY COMMENT ON THAT? NO, I THINK THAT'S CORRECT.

THERE'S NOT A STATUTE, THERE'S A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR ALL KINDS OF THINGS, YOU KNOW, FOR TWO YEARS FOR LOTS OF DIFFERENT, BUT NOT IN THIS CONTEXT.

AND, AND THAT'S AGAIN, YOU KNOW, MY UNDERSTANDING, UH, IT'S VERY UNUSUAL TO HAVE SOME KIND OF LIMITATION ON MISCONDUCT, BECAUSE I MEAN, BY ITS VERY NATURE, MISCONDUCT IS HIDDEN.

YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T GO AND KIND OF, YOU KNOW, WAVE YOUR MISCONDUCT AROUND AND, AND BRAG ABOUT IT.

I MEAN, TYPICALLY YOU'RE TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, SNEAK YOUR, UM, MISCONDUCT THROUGH.

SO MY IDEA WOULD BE THAT THE, THE VERY IDEA OF A KIND OF A LIMITATION, ESPECIALLY SUCH A SHORT LIMITATION AS A 180 DAY LIMIT ON, YOU KNOW, THE INVESTIGATION OF MISCONDUCT IS JUST, UH, UH, REALLY KIND OF PROBLEMATIC AT ITS, UH,

[05:55:01]

AT ITS, UH, CORE.

UM, AND I WOULD ALSO JUST, AGAIN, I I DID A LOT OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE WORK AND, YOU KNOW, THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR A, A CLASS C MISDEMEANOR, THE, THE MOST MINOR CRIMINAL OFFENSE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, I'M TALKING ABOUT LIKE A DISORDERLY CONDUCT, YOU'RE PLAYING YOUR MUSIC TOO LOUD TYPE CRIMINAL OFFENSE IS TWO YEARS.

UH, AND I'VE SEEN, UH, CRIMINAL CASES FILED, YOU KNOW, LIKE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE LIKE, THAT WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, LIKE YOU AND, AND, AND AGAIN.

SO IN CONTEXT, I JUST DON'T THINK, AGAIN, I'M, THE, THE POINT THAT I'M TRYING TO MAKE IS THAT THE A P O A PROVISIONS ARE NOT SOME RADICAL CONCEPT THAT IS JUST COMPLETELY OUT OF LINE WITH, YOU KNOW, THE IDEAS OF, OF THE, YOU KNOW, BASIC EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS OR, YOU KNOW, BASIC WORK CONDITIONS.

ON THE CONTRARY, THEY SEEM TO BE REALLY SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, OVERSIGHT AND, AND, UH, UH, ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES.

AND I THINK TO THAT POINT, IF, IF I COULD, UM, ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN BARGAINING, WHAT IS IN THE PETITION IS THAT WHAT WASN'T PUT IN THE PETITION AS A REPEAL OF 1 43 MM-HMM.

, IT WAS VERY SPECIFIC CARVE OUTS.

AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE AROUND INSTEAD OF GETTING RID OF ALL OF THESE CONSTRAINTS ABOUT WHICH YOU'RE TALKING, IT'S MINOR CARVE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A MATURE 20 YEAR CONTRACT, AND WE'RE BARGAINING FROM WHERE WE STAND TODAY, NOT FROM NOTHING.

SO IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THROUGH TRYING TO ATTAIN WHAT'S IN THE PETITION, WHICH WHS ITS WAY THROUGH PORTIONS OF 1 43 THAT IT DOESN'T LIKE AND LEAVES OTHER PORTIONS, AND, YOU KNOW, IT MAKES IT EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT.

SO IT'S NOT QUITE AS BLACK AND WHITE AS, AS IT SOUNDS WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CITY OF DALLAS OR, OR THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES OR, YOU KNOW, IT, IT JUST IS A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT THAN, I THINK IT'S, IT SOUNDS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND, AND I COMPLETELY APPRECIATE THAT.

UH, I, I THINK SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, WE ARE IN OUR ENVIRONMENT AND IN OUR HABIT AND, AND WE THINK LIKE, OH, THAT'S JUST A, YOU KNOW, RIDICULOUS WAY TO DO SOMETHING.

AND THEN YOU FIND OUT LIKE, OH, THAT'S HOW THE NEXT COUNTY DOES IT, YOU KNOW, AND, AND, YOU KNOW, AND SO, BUT WE GET INTO KIND OF, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THIS IS HOW, THIS IS HOW WE DO IT.

THIS IS HOW WE'VE DONE IT FOR 25 YEARS, YOU KNOW, AND THOSE HABITS, I UNDERSTAND THEY'RE VERY HARD TO BREAK.

UM, YOU KNOW, BUT THAT SAID, UM, I, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRY TO REALLY MOVE THE BALL ON, AND AGAIN, I SAY THIS WITHOUT ANY, I HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

I, I, AGAIN, RESPECT Y'ALL AND, AND, AND YOU'RE, I, UH, I KNOW Y'ALL ARE, ARE, ARE TOUGH NEGOTIATORS, UM, YOU KNOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE DO HAVE TO SHAKE THINGS UP AND WE DO HAVE TO MAKE THAT LIKE BIG NEXT STEP TO GET TO WHERE WE WANT TO GO.

AND THAT'S WHERE I SEE THE A P O A GOING.

I MEAN, LIKE I SAY, WHEN I THINK ABOUT, AND OTHER THAN THOSE TWO, THE 365 AND THE, AND THE OPEN FILES, ARE THERE ANY OTHER 1 43, UH, PROVISIONS THAT THE APO A IS TOUCHING? UM, OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD OF THE BIG LISTS THAT THEY HAD, YOU KNOW, THAT WE WERE TRYING TO ATTAIN, UM, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE KIND OF THE BIG ONES.

ANOTHER ONE THAT YOU MIGHT HEAR TALKED ABOUT QUITE A BIT IS ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS.

AND ALTHOUGH WE HAVE IT CRAFTED DIFFERENTLY THAN, THAN THE PETITION, UM, WHAT WE HAVE IS OPO BEING ABLE TO TAKE ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS FROM POLICE OFFICERS WITHOUT TRYING TO HAVE TO OBTAIN THEIR IDENTITY OR REPORT IT BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT.

O A THAT ARE, UM, MUST BE NEGOTIATED AND AGREED TO BY THE, UH, UH, THE AUSTIN, UH, POLICE ASSOCIATION.

SO, SO WE DO HAVE THAT AS IS CURRENT PRACTICE MM-HMM.

AND, AND SO, SO THAT O P O CAN TAKE ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS FROM ANYBODY, INCLUDING POLICE OFFICERS AND HAS NO DUTY TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE POLICE OFFICERS.

THE DEPARTMENT ON THE OTHER HAND, AS YOU KNOW, HAS A RULE THAT REQUIRES OFFICERS TO REPORT MISCONDUCT BY THEIR COLLEAGUES, AND THEY HAVE EXTENSIVE TRAINING MATERIALS AND DECADES OF HISTORY IN TRYING TO DEVELOP THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO BE A SELF-POLICING ORGANIZATION.

THE CHIEF WANTS THAT TO CONTINUE.

SO THOSE TWO INTERESTS ARE ACTUALLY COMPETING WITH EACH OTHER.

UH, BEST PRACTICE POLICING INSISTS THAT POLICE OFFICERS DO THAT BECAUSE THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT POLICE MISCONDUCT THAN ANYBODY ELSE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THAT THE OPO CAN TAKE ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS FROM ANYBODY, INCLUDING POLICE OFFICERS, AND THEY GO FORWARD MM-HMM.

AND THE, UH, BUT THAT THE ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS IS NOT COVERED IN CHAPTER 1 43, OR IS IT COVERED IN 1 43? IT, IT IS, THERE'S A DEFINITION IN 1 43 THAT ALLOWS ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS, BUT ONLY AS REPORTED TO A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT.

SO UNLIKE THE REST OF 1 43, WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR SOMEONE OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT, BUT WHO'S STILL A CITY EMPLOYEE FOR ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS, IS VERY SPECIFIC TO SOMEONE WHO'S AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT.

SO BECAUSE WE'RE PULLING THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT OUT OF THE DEPARTMENT, THEN WE HAVE TO GET AGREEMENT WITH THE POLICE ASSOCIATION THAT THEY WOULD ALLOW ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS TO A NON-DEPARTMENTAL AGENCY.

SO, SO THOSE ARE ESSENTIALLY THE THREE ELEMENTS OF THE A P

[06:00:01]

WELL, THERE THERE'S MORE.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE, THE PETITION, IT'S BASED UPON A PREMISE THAT THE G FILE CAN BE REMOVED ABSENT APA APPROVAL.

AND A MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT.

SO KIND OF THE WHOLE PETITION FALLS BACK ON THAT PREMISE.

SO EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE NOT STATED IN THE PETITION, AS, YOU KNOW, VARIANCES TO 1 43, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS SUCH AS THE CITIZEN REVIEW PANEL, FOR EXAMPLE, WHICH WE HAVE BACK IN THE CONTRACT, BECAUSE ABSENT AT BEING IN THE CONTRACT, WE DO NOT BELIEVE THEY COULD GET ACCESS TO THE G FILE BECAUSE FALLING BACK ON 1 43, THE CITY MANAGER'S AUTHORITY WOULD GO TO O P O, BUT NOT TO THE REVIEW PANEL.

SO ABSENT AT BEING IN THE CONTRACT, WE DON'T BELIEVE IT COULD BE ATTAINED.

GOT IT.

BUT THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT, UH, AND, AND I KNOW THAT, THAT Y'ALL SENT THAT, UH, UH, ORDINANCE AROUND AND, AND WE DID, UH, TAKE A LOOK AT IT, THAT'S COMPLETELY WITHIN OUR AUTHORITY TO CREATE, UH, AS PART OF THE CITY MANAGER'S INHERENT AUTHORITY TO, YOU KNOW, REVIEW AND DISCIPLINE.

ANY EMPLOYEE, WHETHER IT'S A, A FIREFIGHTER OR A, A POLICE OFFICER OR A CITY AUDITOR OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, IT IT IS WITHIN THE CITY MANAGER'S AUTHORITY FOR AN EMPLOYEE AND, AND OF THE OVERSIGHT, BUT NOT FOR THE PANEL IS THE DIFFERENTIATION.

THE CITIZEN'S REVIEW PANEL CORRECT.

WOULD HAVE TO BE.

UH, SO IN OTHER WORDS, THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT, PULLING IT OUT OF, UH, WHICH IS, UH, AND AGAIN, UH, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THE A P O A REQUIRES US TO PULL THAT OUT OF THE CONTRACT AND ESTABLISH IT AS AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF, OF, OF THE CITY.

IS IS THAT, IS THAT CORRECT THERE? WELL, I, I DON'T WANNA INTERPRET EXACTLY WHAT, BUT SURE.

BUT THE THEORY IS TO GET O P O OUT OF THE CONTRACT MM-HMM.

, AND OUR THEORY IS TO GET O P O OUT OF THE CONTRACT.

, THERE ARE SOME LEGAL HURDLES THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE IN THE CONTRACT STILL MM-HMM.

BECAUSE THERE'RE 1 43 THAT THE PETITION DOESN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO.

SO THOSE ARE STILL IN THERE.

WE'RE DOWN TO ABOUT A PAGE AND A HALF MM-HMM.

OF EXCEPTIONS WITHIN THE CONTRACT THAT, THAT WE HAVE AGREED TO IN PRINCIPLE.

AND, AND I APPRECIATE THAT AND, AND I'LL, AND MY QUESTIONING AND JUST END WITH THIS ONE COMMENT, AGAIN, I THINK THERE'S THIS FEAR, UH, WHICH, UH, FROM MY POINT OF VIEW IS UNWARRANTED, THAT WE'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO GET A CONTRACT WI, UH, YOU KNOW, UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND I, I, I'VE JUST GOTTA SAY, I MEAN, JUST HAVING KIND OF BEEN AROUND POLITICS AND, YOU KNOW, BARGAINING AND WHATNOT FOR, YOU KNOW, TOO LONG, UH, I, I, YOU KNOW, I WOULD'VE NEVER THOUGHT, I MEAN, THINKING ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS THAT, YOU KNOW, ROE V WADE WOULD BE OVERTURNED OR THAT THE, YOU KNOW, VOTING, I JUST THINK ABOUT THERE'S POLITICAL EVENTS AND CHANGES THAT, YOU KNOW, ARE COMPLETELY OUTSIDE OF THE KIND OF COMMON WISDOM THAT ARE, ARE REALITY TODAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE LOOK BACK AND SAY FIVE YEARS AGO, OH, THAT COULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED, AND HERE WE ARE, AND IT HAPPENED.

SO I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THINKING ABOUT WHAT IS OR ISN'T POSSIBLE, PARTICULARLY IN THE CONTEXT.

I KNOW WE WERE TALKING ABOUT MONEY EARLIER, BUT YOU KNOW, SINCE I CAME ON THE COUNCIL OFFICE WAS SWORN IN FEBRUARY 7TH, I THINK WE'VE WRITTEN ABOUT 20 MILLION IN, UH, POLICE SETTLEMENTS OVER THIS LAST YEAR.

SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE AND PUT THAT, YOU KNOW, THESE KIND OF, OH, WITH 4% OR 5% OR 6%, UH, AND THE 2 MILLION A YEAR OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, UH, I THINK TODAY WE ACTUALLY SETTLED A HANDFUL OF, UH, CASES AND, AND, AND, AND PREYED OUT ANOTHER, YOU KNOW, THREE OR 4 MILLION.

SO I JUST WANNA PUT THAT ON THE LEDGER IN TERMS OF WHAT ARE THE COSTS THAT WE'RE BEARING AND WHAT IS POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT WORTH? WE HAVE JUST PAID OUT 20 MILLION IN A SINGLE YEAR, AND WE HAVE MULTIPLE LAWSUITS PENDING.

WE HEARD THE ABSOLUTELY HEARTBREAKING TESTIMONY EARLIER OF A MOTHER THAT HAD LOST HER SON.

AND I BET YOU A LAWSUIT IS COMING FROM, UH, FROM THEIR FAMILY AS WELL.

WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE THAT JUST SURVIVED A MOTION TO DISMISS IN, UH, FEDERAL COURT.

YOU KNOW, SO I, I, AGAIN, I, I COME BACK TO, WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE COSTS INVOLVED, I THINK WE HAVE TO FACTOR IN THE COSTS OF ALL THE LAWSUITS THAT WE ARE PAYING OUT.

AND MIND YOU, THE HUMAN ELEMENT, I MEAN THE, THE PEOPLE THAT THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, HAVE BEEN HURT, THAT HAVE, YOU KNOW, SUFFERED.

SO, UH, AGAIN, AND I KNOW THAT, THAT THIS CONTRACT, WHATEVER WE FIGURE OUT, THAT'S NOT GONNA END EVERYTHING, BUT JUST IMPOSING BEST PRACTICES AND TRYING TO HAVE A, UH, A POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT IS AS GOOD AS IT CAN POSSIBLY BE, PARTICULARLY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WAY THEY INTERACT WITH PEOPLE, OF TONING DOWN THAT TYPE OF, OF, OF VIOLENCE AND, AND TONING DOWN THAT TYPE OF RESPONSE.

THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT VALUE TO ME.

AND, AND, AND AGAIN, THAT'S WHY I WANT TO, TO, TO PASS THIS AND, AND SEE WHERE WE ARE AND, AND, AND LET THE VOTERS EXPRESS THEIR WILL.

[06:05:01]

I SEE COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER HAS HER HANDS UP.

WE, WE SHOULD DO A JUST QUICK TIME CHECK.

I KNOW SOME, SOME OF THE STAFF IS ALSO TRYING TO MANAGE THEIR SCHEDULE.

WE HAVE ANOTHER SPECIAL CALLED MEETING TO GET THROUGH THIS EVENING AS WELL.

UM, SO HOW MANY MORE QUESTIONS DO WE THINK WE'LL HAVE? AND THEN I WANNA FLAG THERE WE'RE STILL AMENDMENTS PROPOSED, WE HAVE NOT MENTIONED YET.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER HAS QUESTIONS.

UM, FIRST OF ALL, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, I, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, I AGREE WITH YOU THAT OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES OVERSIGHT.

AND IN AN IDEAL WORLD, WE WOULD HAVE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THE A P A IS ASKING.

UM, THE REALITY IS THAT WE HAVE TO NEGOTIATE FROM 1 43, UM, AND THAT IS NOT WITHIN OUR CONTROL WITHOUT A CONTRACT.

UM, SO IN COMMON SENSE, WE SHOULD HAVE THIS OVERSIGHT, BUT WE HAVE TO OPERATE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK.

WE CAN PUSH THE FRAMEWORK, UM, BUT THE QUESTION IS NOT, YOU KNOW, A CHOICE OF 1 43 OR WHATEVER WE WANT.

THAT'S NOT EXACTLY WHAT WE GET TO CHOOSE.

UM, HERE.

UM, I DO HAVE A QUESTION.

SO WE TALKED ABOUT THE ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS, THE G FILE, THE 365, AND, AND THE C R P.

IS THERE ANOTHER CITY IN TEXAS THAT HAS 1 43 THAT WOULD HAVE A BETTER OVERSIGHT SYSTEM THAN WE WOULD WITH THE PROPOSED FOUR YEAR CONTRACT? MR. DENTON? GO FOR IT.

THERE IS NOT ONE, UM, FORT WORTH HAS A ENT, UM, OVERSIGHT PROCESS THAT THEY DEVELOPED BY ORDINANCE.

UM, AND FROM WHAT I KNOW, AND IT'S FAIRLY LIMITED, UM, IT'S REALLY NOT VERY ROBUST.

UM, I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHY.

UM, BUT FROM THE TIME WE STARTED THIS A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, UH, MAYOR WATSON, I THINK WAS ON THE COUNCIL WHEN THE P U F G STARTED THIS PROCESS.

UH, AUSTIN HAS BEEN AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, UH, COMPARED TO ALL THE OTHERS.

I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE HOUSTON SYSTEM.

I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE MODIFIED SAN ANTONIO SYSTEM.

EL PASO HAS A LIMITED SYSTEM.

AUSTIN CLEARLY HAS THE BEST.

THIS WILL BE THE ONLY ONE IN THE STATE WHERE NON-POLICE OFFICERS ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN A STAFF ROLE IN INVESTIGATING POLICE MISCONDUCT.

UM, AND DO THE SHERIFFS HAVE THE PROTECTION OF 1 43? THEY DO NOT.

UM, I WILL JUST SAY THAT I CANNOT SUPPORT, UM, THIS IF C IFFC AT THIS POINT WITHOUT HAVING HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

UM, YOU KNOW, IF, IF FOLKS DON'T HAVE THE DESIRE TO HEAR FROM THE ADVOCATES, I HAD WANTED TO HEAR FROM THE ADVOCATES TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT IF PEOPLE DON'T WANNA TAKE THE TIME TO DO THAT, THEN THEN I WON'T, I WON'T ASK THAT.

UM, THE OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO, TO SAY IN RESPONSE TO COUNCIL MEMBER VELA IS ABSOLUTELY, WE ARE PAYING AN ARM AND A LEG OUT FOR, UM, FOR THESE CASES, AND WE SHOULDN'T BE SEEING THESE CASES IN THE FIRST PLACE AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SPEND THAT MONEY.

AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE, UM, CONSEQUENCES, BUT OVERSIGHT AND THE CONTRACT IS NOT THE ONLY WAY THAT WE STOP THAT.

UM, AND THERE ARE OTHER ACTIONS THAT WE CAN DO TO TRAIN OUR OFFICERS EFFECTIVELY.

UM, IN THE COMING WEEKS, I'M GONNA BE WORKING WITH CHIEF JACON ON HOPEFULLY IMPLEMENTING VARIOUS TRAININGS, INCLUDING MANDATORY INTEGRATING COMMUNICATIONS ASSESSMENT AND TACTICS TRAINING FOR ALL OFFICERS.

THAT'S ICAT, INCLUDING THE SUPERVISORS ON UP.

THIS IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR DEESCALATION TRAINING, BUT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT EVERY ONE OF OUR OFFICERS AND EVERY ONE OF OUR SUPERVISORS IS ALREADY DOING.

UM, MANDATORY ACTIVE BYSTANDER SHIP FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING, WHICH WAS ALREADY IN THE WORKS, BUT I DON'T KNOW, HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED.

ALSO, LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL STAFFING INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE WORK FOR THE ACADEMY SO THAT THE ACADEMY CAN FUNCTION WELL AND ACTUALLY, UM, TRAIN AND, AND, AND, UM, LIVE UP TO WHAT WE'VE LOOKED, LOOKED FOR.

UM, AND THEN FINALLY, UM, THE, THE CONTRACT THAT'S THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT INCLUDES A LOT OF REALLY INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR PROMOTIONS, UM, THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED TO THAT ARE GONNA ALLOW US TO HAVE THE BEST OFFICERS IN THESE SUPERVISING ROLES AND TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION A LOT OF OTHER THINGS.

BUT IT ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO INVEST IN SOME ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING AS PEOPLE PROMOTE.

UM, WHICH I THINK IS ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THE APA AND WE WOULD ALL AGREE ON.

UM, I'VE SHARED THIS, UM, WITH THE TEAM AND SHARED IT WITH SOME ASSISTANT CHIEFS, AND IT'S BEEN SHARED WITH CHIEF CHACON.

AND I'M HOPING THAT WE WILL HAVE, UM, SOME THING THAT WE CAN ANNOUNCE, UM, WITH RESPECT TO THAT OR THAT CHIEF CHACON CAN ANNOUNCE BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO ACHIEVE THE DEESCALATION, WHICH NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

AND APPS, YOU KNOW, WE CAN HAVE ALL THE OVERSIGHT IN THE WORLD, BUT IF WE DON'T TRAIN THEM TO, TO DEESCALATE AND DON'T, DON'T, UM, YOU KNOW, JUST EMPHASIZE THIS THROUGHOUT, WE WON'T GET THE RESULTS THAT WE WANT.

UM, SO I THINK IT'S A, IT'S A, IT'S A, IT'S A FULL-TIME THING.

UM, YOU KNOW, I'M SENSING FROM THE DIAS THAT THERE'S NOT THE WILL TO CONTINUE DISCUSSING THIS.

[06:10:01]

UM, I DON'T WANNA FORECLOSE THE OPPORTUNITY OF A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT.

UM, I LOOK FORWARD TO REVIEWING THE CONTRACT MORE CLOSELY NEXT WEEK, AND I HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL TOO.

UM, BUT I DO HAVE TO SAY I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE WATSON AMENDMENT LEAVES THAT OPTION OPEN.

AND IF SOMEBODY CAN EXPLAIN HOW IT HOW IT DOES THAT, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER, I JUST WANNA MAKE ONE QUICK COMMENT BEFORE WE VOTE.

AND THAT IS LOOKING AHEAD, THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING THIS KIND OF MONEY, AND I THINK WE DO NEED TO BE ATTRACTING AND RETAINING AND, AND SO I'M NOT SAYING IT'S RIGHT OR WRONG, BUT WHEN WE DO GET TO OUR NEXT NEGOTIATION WITH EMS, I WANT FOR US TO INVEST THIS LEVEL OF, OF RESOURCE INTO AN AGENCY THAT IS AN DEPARTMENT THAT IS TERRIBLY UNDER-RESOURCED AND, AND DON'T WANT THIS ACTION TODAY FOR US TO COME BACK IN HOWEVER MANY MONTHS AND SAY, WELL, WE, WE SPENT IT ALL.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT MONEY LEFT.

AND SO I'M JUST FORESHADOWING AHEAD BECAUSE EVERYTHING'S CONNECTED IN THE BUDGET.

AND IF I COULD, UM, MAYOR PROTIME, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER EL ALTER, CUZ I DO THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE EYES WIDE OPEN ABOUT WHAT THAT FISCAL IMPACT, UH, WOULD BE.

UH, AND SO I KNOW THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT JUST THE FORECAST THAT WE'RE GONNA BE, UH, PUSHING OUT IN TERMS OF THE, I THINK IT'S APRIL, UH, FROM OUR, FROM OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

UH, BUT THE, THE LONGER, UM, THE, THE MORE THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT WE'RE NEGOTIATING A FAIR DEAL AND THAT WE'RE LOOKING ACROSS ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, ALL OF THE ASSOCIATIONS THAT'S GONNA ALLOW US TO REALLY PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS AND, AND EXPECTS.

AND SO I THINK IT'S, IT'S CRITICAL THAT AS YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT THIS DECISION, THAT THAT'S PART OF THE, THE CALCULATION AS WELL.

I'VE GOT A COUPLE THOUGHTS AS WELL, BUT I ALSO WANTED TO FLAG, UM, THERE'S A COUPLE OTHER AMENDMENTS, UM, THAT HAVE NOT BEEN MOVED YET.

AND SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T GET TOO EAGER ABOUT, UM, GETTING TO THE FINISH LINE WITHOUT MAKING SURE THOSE ARE ADDRESSED.

MAY I PART TIME? I JUST WANNA FLAG, I STILL DO NEED AN ANSWER ABOUT AT SOME POINT PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO YOUR COMMENTS, BUT I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I DO NEED AN ANSWER OF HOW MA MAYOR WATSON'S PROPOSAL GETS US TO SEE, LIKE, HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT AND HOW IT'S WRITTEN.

AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO KNOW A QUESTION I ASKED EARLIER, I THINK FOR COUNCIL MEMBER VELA OF WHAT THE OVERSIGHT EXPECTATION IS, BUT I JUST WANTED TO, TO PLANT THAT BEFORE WE VOTE.

AND I, I DID THINK, UM, MR. VINO, DID YOU HAVE ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION? I THINK IT WAS ABOUT THE EMS BUDGETS WAS THERE, UM, ANY MORE FINE-TUNED DATA THAT YOU WANTED TO SHARE? SO I THINK IT WAS IN, IN RESPONSE TO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, UM, I WAS PROVIDED SOME ADDITIONAL DATA IN REGARD.

YOUR QUESTION WAS ABOUT HAVE WE NEGOTIATED SOMETHING IN THE, IN THE MAGNITUDE OF 6.7%? THAT'S RIGHT.

ANNUAL INCREASE.

UM, AND SO, UH, WITH EMS, I HAVE MORE INFORMATION NOW WITH E M S, THE PAY, THE PAY INCREASES RANGE BETWEEN FOUR AND 13%.

UM, THERE WAS FOR, FOR FILLED POSITIONS, NOT INCLUDING VACANCIES.

IF YOU INCLUDE VACANT POSITIONS, IT, IT CHANGES EVERYTHING.

BUT FOR THE FILLED EMPLOYEES, WE HAD 48% RECEIVED A 4% INCREASE, 14% RECEIVED A 6% INCREASE, 9% RECEIVED A 7% INCREASE, 10% RECEIVED AN 8% INCREASE, 12% AND 11% INCREASE, AND 8% A 13% INCREASE.

SO IT WAS REALLY ALL OVER THE MAP.

UM, I STUCK THAT INTO A SPREADSHEET.

THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF ALL THOSE INCREASES WAS SIX AND A 5%.

SO IT'S ON AVERAGE PRETTY, PRETTY CLOSE TO THE 6.7, UM, ANALYSIS THAT WE DID.

BUT, UH, TO BE CLEAR THOUGH, WE DID HAVE SOME PARAMEDICS STARTING AT $19 VERSUS, SO IT WAS A HIGHER PERCENTAGE BECAUSE THEY HAD A LOWER WAGE TO BEGIN WITH.

UM, SHORT, YEAH.

WAS THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE FROM WHATEVER THEIR WAGE WAS.

THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

AND APOLOGIES FOR BACKTRACKING.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE, UH, WE WERE ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT.

UM, DID I HEAR THAT THE MAYOR HAD HIS HAND UP? IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO ASK OR ADDRESS? WELL, SURE.

I WANT TO ANSWER A QUESTION.

UM, OKAY.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTRA HAS ASKED THE QUESTION.

FIRST OF ALL, THERE'S NOTHING IN, CAUSE THE WAY IT'S WORDED, THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS THAT PRECLUDES A VOTE ON A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

UM, IF,

[06:15:01]

IF I LOOK FORWARD TO ACTUALLY SEEING THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT IN SOME DETAIL IN BEING ABLE TO READ IT, UH, SINCE WE GOT IT SO LATE LAST NIGHT, AND I, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IT'S ABOUT A HUNDRED PAGES.

UM, PE SOME OF US WILL WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT IN, IN A, IN A VERY SPECIFIC WAY.

UM, AND NOT JUST BACK AND FORTH LIKE THIS, BUT THERE'S NOTHING, ONCE WE'VE HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY, UH, LOOK AT THAT.

THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS THAT PRECLUDES THAT ACTION.

THE SECOND THING IS THAT WHAT THE AMENDMENT DOES IS IT PURPOSEFULLY SAYS THAT WE AS COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE GOING TO APPROACH THIS IN A THOUGHTFUL WAY.

AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT AND THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS NEED TO LOOK AT THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

SO, UM, LIKE I SAID, THERE'S NO, THERE'S NOTHING THAT BLOCKS THIS.

AND IN FACT, IT'S HIGHLIGHTED BY THE AMENDMENT THAT, UM, UH, WHAT WE'RE GOING DO, WE'RE GONNA HAVE, WE'RE GONNA HAVE, WE'RE DIRECTING STAFF AND, AND THE CITY MANAGER TO GO FORWARD AND LOOK AT GETTING US TO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

BUT, BUT THAT MAY CREATE CHOICES BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING THAT PRECLUDES GOING WITH A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

SO I WANNA, I WANNA BE CLEAR ON THE RECORD ABOUT THAT, CUZ I THINK THAT THAT IS AN IMPORTANT POINT.

THE NEXT TIME THE COUNCIL IS TOGETHER IS FEBRUARY THE 23RD.

AND YOU YES, MA'AM.

YOU ARE, YOU ARE ASKING THE, THE, THE STAFF TO GO AND NEGOTIATE TO TRY AND NEGOTIATE A ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE NOT APPROVING A ONE YEAR CONTRACT, YOU'RE ASKING THEM TO GO AND NEGOTIATE FOR A ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

SO IF THAT'S POSSIBLE, IF THEY MEETING OF THE MINES, THEN THEY WOULD BRING THAT BACK ON FEBRUARY THE 23RD AND BRING BACK THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT, WHICH HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED IN ALREADY.

SO YOU WOULD HAVE TWO ITEMS ON THE COUNCIL FOR THE NEXT TIME IF IN FACT, THE PARTIES ARE ABLE TO MEET THEIR MINDS ABOUT THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

AM I UNDERSTANDING THAT? I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE FACING AND, AND UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE FACING.

I, I'VE, I HAVE, UM, BEEN UPSET AND EXPRESSED MY, UH, FEELINGS ABOUT THE FACT THAT FOR WHATEVER REASON, INTENTIONAL OR NOT, WE ARE NOW FACED WITH A DEADLINE THAT, UH, OF THE 23RD, WHEN THE 26TH IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATE.

SO YES, I THINK, I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

AND THE HOPE IS THAT, UH, WE WILL HAVE THAT, TH THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, BUT NOTHING IS PRECLUDED WITH REGARD TO, UM, FOUR YEAR MAYOR PATAM, CAN WE JUST ASK OUR LABOR RELATIONS, UH, STAFF TO DESCRIBE THE PRACTICALITIES OF THAT? I APPRECIATE THAT.

CAUSE I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A FEW FOLKS THAT HAVE MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, A DESIRE TO AT LEAST BE ABLE TO WEIGH BOTH OF THEM COMPARATIVELY TO EACH OTHER.

AND I THINK THERE'S A LITTLE UN UNCLEARNESS ON IF THAT WOULD HAPPEN, IF WE ARE SUPPORTING THIS OR IF WE ARE SCRAPPING A DOCUMENT WE HAVEN'T REALLY REVIEWED YET IN LIEU OF SOME, UH, YOU KNOW, IN, IN GETTING A DIFFERENT DOCUMENT FOR ONE YEAR AHEAD OF US.

BE NEGOTIATING A ONE YEAR CONTRACT, WHICH WOULD TAKE THAT ENTIRE TIME TO EITHER GET A NO OR A YES.

I APPRECIATE THE ABILITY TO ADDRESS THAT, CUZ I'M CONFUSED.

UM, WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE WITH APA.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE ARE CONTINUING TO NEGOTIATE THE FINAL TERMS OF THAT AGREEMENT, BUT THAT WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE IN ALL OF THE CONCEPTS AND WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO THE FINAL LANGUAGE ON IT, BUT WE STILL HAVE TO MEET WITH THEM TO COME TO THAT FINAL AGREEMENT THAT WE WOULD THEN TAKE THE TIME TO GO THROUGH WITH EACH CITY COUNCIL MEMBER INDIVIDUALLY, ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS, MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING THAT'S IN IT.

WE SPECIFICALLY SET THIS TIMEFRAME AND DON'T SEE THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS A SHORT TIMEFRAME.

THIS IS VERY, VERY NORMAL WITHIN THE LABOR NEGOTIATIONS WORLD.

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS.

WE HAVE A MARCH 31ST END DATE TO THE CONTRACT.

I PERSONALLY DID THE RESEARCH TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DAYS OFFICERS WOULD HAVE TO TURN IN THEIR RESIGNATIONS.

THAT WASN'T SOMETHING ANY COUNCIL MEMBER ASKED ME TO DO.

WE SET OUR DEADLINES BASED UPON THAT SO THAT WE WOULD'VE THE COURTESY TO THE OFFICERS TO STILL HAVE TIME AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL VOTE, WHICH WE ANTICIPATED.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY HOW WE SET OUR SCHEDULE.

WE ARE NOT RUSHING ANYBODY.

WE ARE NOT ALL OF A SUDDEN COMING TO AN AGREEMENT BECAUSE SOMEBODY PUT A ONE YEAR CONTRACT ON THE TABLE.

THIS HAS BEEN OUR SCHEDULE, OUR SCHEDULE HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED.

I HAVE TALKED TO YOU ABOUT WHAT OUR SCHEDULE IS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO ALL OF YOU AND MOST OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY.

SO I DON'T QUITE KNOW WHERE THAT CONCEPT IS COMING FROM.

BUT JUST SO THAT I CAN BE CLEAR, IF THIS WERE TO BE PASSED, WE ST WE, WE EITHER WOULD

[06:20:01]

I THINK IT WOULD BE EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT, BUT I DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL, BUT WE STILL HAVEN'T FINISHED THE FOUR YEARS.

SO TO COMPARE THE TWO AND HAVE US NEGOTIATING THEM AT THE SAME TIME, I'M A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED ON THE DIRECTION WHICH WE WOULD BE RECEIVING.

I'M HAPPY TO TAKE DIRECTION AND I'M NOT TRYING TO USURP THE COUNCIL'S AUTHORITY.

I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT DIRECTION WOULD EXACTLY BE.

I THINK YOU JUST MADE IT MORE CONFUSING FOR US.

, WELCOME TO MY WORLD.

, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, AND THEN FUENTEZ, SORRY.

SHUT OUR HAND UP PLEASE.

UM, AND PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT GOING BACK TO WHAT OUR CITY ATTORNEY SAID, HAVING THE TWO CONTRACTS BEFORE US AT THE 23RD ASSUMES THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS TEAM CAN REACH A ONE YEAR AGREEMENT BY THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.

IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.

IF YOU PASS THE, THE IFC TONIGHT, YOU'RE ASKING THE TEAM TO GO AND NEGOTIATE A ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

AND BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT THE CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRES ON MARCH THE 26TH, WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS ON THE 23RD.

THAT JUST SEEMS VERY DIFFICULT AND NOT SUPER PRACTICAL TO ME, GIVEN THE SHORT TIMELINE.

CONTINUE THE OVERSIGHT THAT WE HAVE AND PAY MORE MONEY FOR IT? THE PROPOSAL IS TO MAINTAIN THAT A MINIMUM, THE CURRENT LEVEL OF OVERSIGHT.

COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES, BUT THANK YOU CAPTAIN MOORE KELLY, BECAUSE I THINK THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR WHAT THIS RESOLUTION IS SEEKING TO DO, WHICH IS DIRECTING A ONE YEAR CONTRACT FOR US FOR A ONE YEAR CONTRACT AGREEMENT TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL.

SO THEN, AND LET ME REMIND FOLKS, WE HAVE TWO BALLOT, UH, PO UH, PROPOSITIONS COMING UP FOR AUSTINITES TO CONSIDER IN MAY.

AND SO THE INTENTION BEHIND THE ONE YEAR SO IS SO THAT WE DON'T CIRCUMVENT OR UNDERMINE THE WILL OF OUR VOTERS.

SO LEAVING A PATHWAY FOR A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT TO COME BACK TO US AND ASKING OUR, OUR NEGOTIATING TEAM TO ALSO NEGOTIATE A ONE YEAR CONTRACT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR US TO HAVE THAT COME BACK.

I MEAN, THEN AT WHAT, THEN WHY EVEN GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS FOR ONE YEAR? ALL RIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER AVELA.

AND THEN I JUST WANNA REMIND FOLKS IT'S SIX 13 AND WE STILL HAVE A COUPLE OF AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN MOVED YET.

I, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT, I MEAN, CONCEPTUALLY THE CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD IS THAT THIS WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY A PLACEHOLDER STATUS QUO CONTRACT.

SO I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO GO BACK AND, YOU KNOW, RENEGOTIATE THE IDEA WOULD BE THAT THIS IS A PLACEHOLDER THAT'S ESSENTIALLY GONNA KEEP THE SAME KIND OF, YOU KNOW, TERMS AND CONDITIONS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY UNDER FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME SO WE CAN ALLOW THE VOTE TO HAPPEN.

I'M NOT ASKING FOR EVERYBODY TO GO OUT AND, YOU KNOW, REWRITE THE WHOLE THING AND DO IT AGAIN OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

AGAIN, IF THERE'S, IF THERE'S ELEMENTS THAT ARE ALREADY AGREED ON ON THE NEW CONTRACT, ROLL 'EM INTO THE, YOU KNOW, INTO THE ONE YEAR.

AGAIN, I KNOW OBVIOUSLY THE AMOUNT IS GONNA HAVE TO BE, UH, UH, NEGOTIATED, BUT IT WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY A STATUS QUO CONTRACT TO GET US THROUGH THE MAY ELECTIONS AND THEN WE CAN REASSESS WHERE WE ARE.

I'M GONNA BACK UP CUZ I HAD SOME COMMENTS I WAS GONNA READ A LITTLE, A LITTLE WHILE AGO.

UM, I THINK THIS IS, UM, REALLY TRICKY AND I KNOW WE'RE NOT COMPLETELY DONE WITH SOME OF THE OTHER MOTIONS THAT MIGHT BE MADE HERE.

UM, YOU KNOW, I WAS, I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO SUPPORT ADOPTING THE PETITION OUTRIGHT WHEN IT CAME TO US.

I KNOW THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF US STRUGGLED WITH, YOU KNOW, WHETHER, WHETHER TO ADOPT IT OUTRIGHT, WHETHER TO PUT IT TO THE VOTERS.

UM, I ALSO THINK THAT VOTER APPROVAL ON BALLOT MEASURES IS IT'S, IT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT WHERE THE WILL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS LIES.

AND SO I REALLY, UM, SUPPORT AND, AND HOPE THAT VOTERS WILL COME MAKE THEIR VOICE HEARD.

UM, IN MAY WHEN THESE, WHEN THESE HAPPEN.

I'VE ALSO BEEN REALLY VOCAL ABOUT, UM, BEING OPEN TO SUPPORTING A ONE YEAR TERM.

AND SO, UM, I CERTAINLY HAVEN'T DECIDED EXACTLY WHAT THE, THE RIGHT AMOUNT IS BECAUSE I THINK THAT BALANCE OF THE FISCAL IMPACT AND THE OVERSIGHT IS SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY, UM, IMPORTANT TO ME.

AND I WANNA MAKE SURE I KNOW WHAT I'M GETTING OUT OF EACH OF THE DEALS.

AND SO I AM A BIT CONCERNED ABOUT THE, THE FISCAL IMPACTS OF, OF ONE OF THE PROPO ACTUALLY BOTH OF THE PROPOSALS THAT WOULD BE ON THE TABLE AND WANNA MAKE SURE THAT I'M UNDERSTANDING ALL THE DETAILS, GIVEN THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW AND ASK QUESTIONS OF THE LONGER PROPOSAL THAT'S CURRENTLY ON THE TABLE.

SO IF I COULD TRY TO ENCOURAGE US TO MAKE ANY LAST QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE MOTIONS WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT IF THEY'RE GONNA BE MOVED OR SECONDED, UM, AND HOW TO TALK ABOUT THOSE.

AND WE STILL DO HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION THAT WE NEED TO GET THROUGH TONIGHT AFTER WE FINISH THIS MEETING.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER.

UM, I JUST WOULD LIKE CLARIFICATION.

I MEAN, IS THE PROPOSAL TO DO THE,

[06:25:01]

IF OVERSIGHT CAN BE IMPROVED, THEN THAT'S FINE, BUT TO NOT REDUCE THE LEVEL OF OVERSIGHT.

I, I REMAIN BY, I REMAIN CONFUSED BY THE DIRECTION THAT'S BEING OFFERED.

UM, SOUNDS LIKE WE'VE EXHAUSTED AT LEAST SOME OF THE QUESTIONS.

UH, THERE WERE SOME MOTIONS HANDED OUT EARLIER.

UM, I AM GOING TO BE WITHDRAWING SEVERAL OF MY MOTIONS, BUT, UM, THE FIRST ONE I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE IS MOTION SHEET NUMBER FOUR, WHICH YOU ALL HAVE A COPY OF.

IT IS TO AMEND THE LINES ONE, UM, EXCUSE ME, I MOVE TO AMEND LINE SEVEN THROUGH EIGHT TO READ AS FOLLOWS, WHEREAS THE HARDWORKING ADD THE WORD DEDICATED COMMUNITY SERVING AND THEN CONTINUE WITH OFFICERS OF AP D DESERVE CERTAINTY WITH REGARD TO THEIR PAY BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION.

AND SO THAT IS MOTION SHEET NUMBER FOUR.

I HAVE THAT AS MOTION SHEET NUMBER THREE.

YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT'S POSSIBLE.

I I HAVE DIFFERENT COPIES HERE.

I APOLOGIZE.

OKAY, COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HAS MOVED WHAT I BELIEVE IS MOTION SHEET THREE WITH THE VERBIAGE THAT SHE HAS IDENTIFIED.

IS THERE A SECOND TO THE MOTION SHE'S MADE? SEEING NONE, THAT ONE WILL NOT BE ADDED IN.

ARE THERE OTHER MOTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MOVE? I HAVE TWO MORE HERE.

I MOVE TO AMEND LINES 17 TO 18 TO READ AS FOLLOWS, UM, WHICH SAYS, WHEREAS SOME, AND IT STRIKES THE WORD B UM, RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN HAVE VOICED THEIR ADVOCACY AND THEN IT STRIKES REPEATEDLY AND ADAMANTLY ADVOCATED AND JUST SAYS FOR INCREASED POLICE OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY.

UM, ACTUALLY I WAS JUST TOLD BY MY STAFF THAT THE MAYOR MAY HAVE INDICATED A SECOND FOR THE FIRST MOTION I MADE.

IS THAT ACCURATE? LET'S CHECK.

I WOULD'VE TAKEN THAT MOTION.

I'M SORRY, WHAT WAS THAT? I WOULD'VE SECONDED THAT MOTION, BUT I WOULDN'T RECOGNIZE SO THAT, SO MY FIRST MOTION WAS SECONDED BY THE MAYOR, BUT HE WASN'T RECOGNIZED.

OH, OKAY.

WELL WE COULD, WE COULD BACKTRACK.

CAN WE, COULD WE DO THAT PLEASE? AND WE COULD, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT SECONDED TO ADD THAT.

SO I'M GOING TO REMAKE THE MOTION FROM MOTION SHEET THREE TO AMEND LINE SEVEN THROUGH EIGHT TO READ AS FOLLOWS, WHEREAS THE HARDWORKING AND THEN AD DEDICATED AND COMMUNITY SERVING OFFICERS OF A AP D DESERVE CERTAINTY WITH REGARD TO THEIR PAY BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION MOTION'S BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.

ANY DISCUSSION? LET'S TAKE A VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR OF INCLUDING THE LANGUAGE KELLY ELLIS, BOTH ALTERS AND THE MAYOR.

I BELIEVE THAT IS ONLY FIVE.

THANK MOTION DOES NOT PASS.

SO MY SECOND MOTION IS I MOVE TO AMEND LINE 17 TO 18 TO READ AS FOLLOWS, WHEREAS, UM, SOME STRIKING THE WORD THE RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN HAVE ADD VOICED THEIR ADVOCACY AND THEN STRIKE REPEATEDLY AND ADAMANTLY ADVOCATED FOR INCREASED POLICE OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY MOTION'S BEEN MADE.

IS THERE A SECOND? I DO NOT SEE A SECOND.

AND MY LAST MOTION SHEET IS NUMBER SIX.

I MOVE TO AMEND THE LIONS NINE THROUGH 12 TO READ AS FOLLOWS, WHEREAS REGISTERED VOTERS OF AUSTIN STRIKE RESIDENTS WILL AND THEN STRIKE POTENTIALLY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON TWO DIFFERENT PETITIONS IN A MAY, 2023 REFERENDUM REGARDING POLICE OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY, WHICH COULD HAVE IMPORTANT STAFFING IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION.

AND IS THERE A SECOND TO THIS MOTION? SEEING NONE, IT WILL NOT BE ADDED.

I BELIEVE THAT BRINGS US TO THE MAIN MOTION CITY MANAGER.

JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY.

I MEAN, STAFF STILL NEEDS THE DIRECTION AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT THIS, UH, VOTE AND ACTION MIGHT TAKE.

UH, AS, AS FAR AS WE KNOW AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS CLEAR WITH THE COUNSEL, WE WILL NOT BE NEGOTIATING ANYMORE FOR A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

WE WILL THEN MOVE TO NEGOTIATING FOR A ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

AND SO THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS RESOLUTION THAT I'M READING AND WE CAN HAVE OUR ATTORNEYS, UH, WEIGH IN THAT WOULD SAY CONTINUE NEGOTIATING A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

WE WOULD THEN PIVOT TO NOW WORKING ON A ONE YEAR CONTRACT BASED ON THIS

[06:30:01]

ACTION.

IS THAT CLEAR? I SEE SOME NODS.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, BUT I'M, I'M REMEMBERING WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER VELA SAID JUST A LITTLE BIT AGO THAT THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THAT WORK THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE AND YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL TIMES TO GET US THROUGH MAY FOR THE VOTE OF THE PUBLIC.

COULD, COULD YOU READDRESS THAT? SO THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT HAS ALREADY BEEN NEGOTIATED AND IS ON THE TABLE.

IF NOT, THEN WHAT WAS THE PRESS RELEASE FOR AND WHAT WAS THE PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT? IT WAS A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT AND SO WE'RE STILL NEGOTIATING, UH, THE DETAILS OF THAT AND WE CAN, I DUNNO IF THERE'S LEGAL LANGUAGE, WELL, AGAIN, THEN I WOULD COME BACK TO THEN WHY, IF WE'RE STILL NEGOTIATING, THEN WHY WAS THE PRESS RELEASE SENT OUT LAST NIGHT AND WHY WAS THE PRESS CONFERENCE SET FOR THIS MORNING? BECAUSE WE HAD A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT TO CREATE CONFUSION, I THINK ON THAT NOTE.

INDIVIDUALLY THAT THIS CUTS IT OFF SOMEHOW WHEN IN FACT WE'VE SAID TIME AND AGAIN, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE JUST VOTED ON AND THAT'S NOT WHAT THE MOTION WAS INTENDED TO DO EVEN AS I LAID OUT THE MOTION.

I WAS JUST GONNA ADD A COUNCIL THAT WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE WE ARE SO CLOSE TO HAVING THIS AGREEMENT FINALIZED AND I THINK THE ASSOCIATION MAY HAVE EVEN SAID THIS IN, IN PUBLIC THAT THEY WANTED TO SEE HOW THE COUNCIL MIGHT REACT TO WHERE WE WERE AT.

AND SO, UH, BY THE ACTION TODAY, THE DECISION IF, IF THIS PASSES THEN THE DECISION IS TO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH A FOUR YEAR AGREEMENT AND TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A ONE YEAR AGREEMENT.

ANY QUESTIONS? THAT BRINGS US BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION.

IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

I THINK IT IS TIME TO TAKE A VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR OF ITEM NUMBER 80 AS PRESENTED AND AMENDED.

FUENTES CADRE POOL, BELLA VELAZQUEZ, BRIAN AL ALTER AND MAYOR WATSON.

ALL OPPOSED ALISON AL ALTER MCKENZIE KELLY? I I DIDN'T, I'M JUST, I JUST WANNA CLARIFY THAT I'M INTERPRETING THAT YOU JUST GAVE DIRECTION THAT TO NOT CONTINUE NEGOTIATING THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

SO I WAS GONNA ABSTAIN IF YOU WERE SAYING FINISH OFF THE FOUR YEAR AND BRING US BACK BOTH, BUT IF, IF THE DIRECTION IS NOT TO DO THE FOUR YEAR, I CAN'T SUPPORT IT AND I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN BECAUSE I'M UNCLEAR ON THE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF WHAT THIS DOES.

I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO BE ABLE TO WEIGH THEM BOTH SIDE BY SIDE AND MAKE THE BEST CHOICE.

CUZ I WOULD SUPPORT A ONE YEAR.

I WANNA MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING THE BEST OVERSIGHT WE CAN AND I REALLY HOPE THE VOTERS, UM, HAVE A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON THIS AS WELL.

UM, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, WERE YOU SUPPORTING? SHE'S VOTING YES.

SO COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY IS NO ALLISON AL ALTER.

ARE YOU A NO, IF THAT INTERPRETATION THAT THE FOUR YEARS OFF THEN I'M A NO, I THINK THERE'S DISCREPANCY AND I I WILL ABSTAIN JUST BECAUSE OF NOT UNDERSTANDING THIS PROCESS.

LET ME JUST TO, AS I WAS CLARIFYING BEFORE THAT WE WOULD BE MOVING FROM NEGOTIATING A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT TO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT BECAUSE WE ARE SO CLOSE.

AN ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE TO FINISH OFF THE NEGOTIATION OF THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT AND THEN WE WOULD, WE POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE A COMPARISON SIDE BY SIDE, BUT SINCE THAT IS NOT COMPLETED, UM, THEN WE WOULD, WE WOULD WANT TO, UM, MY STRONG PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IS TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT IN PLACE AND WE WOULD, WE HAVE, WE HAVE CURRENTLY, UH, TIME TO DO THAT TOMORROW AND WE COULD FINISH THOSE NEGOTIATIONS, HAVE THAT FOR COUNCIL TO REVIEW.

AND AT THAT POINT IN TIME YOU COULD SAY, IS THIS GOOD ENOUGH OR DO YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A ONE YEAR CONTRACT AT THAT TIME? BUT WE, WE HAVE TIME DO THAT.

WE'RE NOT IN A RUSH TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE HAVING THOSE SIDE BY SIZE.

BUT THE ACTION TODAY WOULD PIVOT FROM THE FOUR YEAR NEGOTIATIONS TO FINALIZE THAT TO A ONE YEAR NEGOTIATION MAYOR PRO TIM? YES, MAYOR.

IT'S BEEN SAID MULTIPLE TIMES THAT IN FACT THE AMENDMENT THAT HAS HAS JUST BEEN VOTED ON WRITTEN SO THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECOGNITION AND A HIGHLIGHTING DESIRE TO SEE A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT IF IN FACT FOUR YEAR CONTRACT IS SO CLOSE THAT IT WOULD TAKE A DAY OR TWO AS WAS JUST INDICATED BY THE MANAGER.

I, THAT THERE'S NOTHING IN THERE THAT PRECLUDES THAT.

AND IN FACT, IT IS HIGHLIGHTED AND THE COUNCIL HAS INDICATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SIDE BY SIDE.

THE, THE MANAGER AND HIS TEAM OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS SO THAT WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

UM, AND, AND IT IT'S BEING INTERPRETED

[06:35:02]

WELL, I THINK, UM, THANK YOU MAYOR.

UH, IF YOU'RE REFERRING TO THE WHEREAS'S ON THE, FOR FIRST PAGE AROUND REVIEWING THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT, THAT IS SIMPLY CONTEXT, THAT'S NOT PART OF THE BE IT RESOLVED.

AND SO WE WOULD NEED TO MOVE THAT SECTION TO ALLOW US TO STILL HAVE THAT NEGOTIATION OF A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

UM, SO WE WOULD, WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT ADJUSTMENT IF, IF THAT WAS YOUR GOAL.

AND, AND WHAT IF, WELL, CITY ATTORNEY I, CUZ I'VE GOT A QUESTION ABOUT THAT, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE SOME CLARIFICATION ON WHAT DOES THIS DO TO THE FOUR YEAR DISCUSSIONS.

SO IF WE CAN GO BACK TO THE QUESTION, I MEAN THE, THE RESOLUTION THAT, THAT YOU ALL JUST VOTED ON HAS THE INDICATION THAT YOUR GOAL WOULD BE TO HAVE A PROPOSED FOUR YEAR CONTRACT TO ASSESS FOR THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN.

SO I THINK THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING IS FOR THE MANAGER AND HIS TEAM TO CONTINUE TO FINALIZE THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT AND TO PUT IT ON FOR THE COUNCIL TO VOTE ON FOR THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.

AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, TO CON TO, TO NOW PIVOT, IN ADDITION TO DOING THAT WORK, TO PIVOT TO TRYING TO GET A ONE YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION, WHICH WE WOULD ALSO PUT ON FOR THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S GONNA BE EASY TO DO.

I JUST, THAT'S MY, THAT'S WHAT I HEAR YOU ASKING THE MANAGER TO DO, TO BOTH CONTINUE AND CLOSE UP THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT, WHICH IS CLOSE, AND THEN ALSO TRY AND NEGOTIATE A ONE YEAR CONTRACT SO THAT YOU CAN COMPARE THE TWO, TWO WEEKS FROM NOW.

UH, YES.

UNLESS, UNLESS, AND WE CAN FIND OUT PRETTY QUICKLY MEMBERS, I, MY INCLINATION IS, UH, TO PROVIDE GREATER CLARITY, MY INCLINATION WOULD BE TO MOVE TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE BY WHICH, UM, WE, THE, THE RESOLUTION WAS JUST PASSED AND I WOULD THEN OFFER AN AMENDMENT, AND THE AMENDMENT WOULD BE TO TAKE THE WHEREAS CLAUSE THAT TALKS ABOUT THE DUTY CITY COUNCIL TO REVIEW THE PRO PROPOSED FOUR YEAR CONTRACT TO ASSESS HIS MERITS WOULD BE MADE A RESOLUTION CLAUSE WHERE IT WOULD SAY IT WOULD HAVE THAT AS THE DUTY OF THE COUNCIL AND IT WOULD, IT WOULD INSTRUCT THE MANAGER'S OFFICE, IT WOULD INSTRUCT, UH, THE MANAGER'S OFFICE TO BRING BACK AT THE NEXT CALL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL THE PROPOSED FOUR YEAR CONTRACT IF THAT IS ACCEPTABLE IN TERMS OF DIRECTION, UH, AIR TIM, I MOVE TO RECONSIDER BY THE VOTE, THE VOTE BY WHICH THE, THE, UM, RESOLUTION WAS JUST PASSED.

YOUR MOTION TO RECONSIDER HAS BEEN SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POOL WITH THE AMENDMENT AS LAID OUT BY MAYOR WATSON.

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? NATASHA? IT'S A VERY QUICK QUESTION.

I'M JUST ASKING SPECIFICALLY WHICH LANGUAGE IS GOING IN THE VA RESOLVE SECTION? YEAH, WHAT I, WHAT I WANT TO DO? YES.

IF THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER IS ASKED COUNCIL MEMBER, I WILL THEN OFFER, UH, A NEW MOTION.

YES, PLEASE.

THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER PASS.

OH, WE HAVE TO TAKE A VOTE ON RECONSIDERING THE VOTE.

OKAY, LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE ON RECONSIDERING THE VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR, IT IS UNANIMOUS BOTH ON THE REGULAR DIAS AND THE VIRTUAL DIAS.

GO AHEAD MAYOR MEMBERS, IF I CAN, UH, DIRECT YOU TO THE WHEREAS CLAUSE THAT SAYS, WHEREAS IT IS THE DUTY OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED FOUR YEAR CONTRACT TO ASSESS ITS MERITS ON BEHALF OF AUSTINITES, INCLUDING TO ENSURE THAT IT DOES NOT UNDERMINE THE GUARANTEED RIGHTS OF AUSTINITES TO PETITION THEIR GOVERNMENT.

I WOULD ADD THE VERY END

[06:40:01]

FOR THE FUR BEFORE THE BE FURTHER RESOLVED THE CITY, THE, THE RIGHT NOW IT HAS A BE FURTHER RESOLVED THE BEGIN THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO BRING ANY AGREED UPON MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT, WHICH COMPLIES WITH THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL AS SOON AS AN AGREEMENT IS REACHED IN NEGOTIATIONS AND APPROVED BY THE APA MEMBERSHIP.

AFTER THAT, I WOULD ADD, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO BRING THE PROPOSED FOUR YEAR CO THE PROPOSED FOUR YEAR, UH, CONTRACT TO THE COUNCIL FOR REVIEW AND POTENTIAL APPROVAL.

AS, AS AT THE NEXT MEETING, NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.

MAY, YES.

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO RECESS AND TAKE A BREAK? I REALLY WOULD LIKE A, UH, TO CONSIDER THIS MATTER.

WE CAN, I'M WORRIED IT'S GONNA SET US BACK QUITE A BIT WHEN WE'RE VERY, VERY CLOSE TO GETTING THIS IRONED OUT.

WELL, OKAY THEN I, UM, WELL, IF THE, THE I C AUTHOR CAN SPEAK TO HIS, TO THIS AMENDMENT.

SO, AND, AND I'M GONNA SPEAK A BIT FOR THE, FOR THE MAYOR HERE, AND AGAIN, PLEASE JUMP IN.

MAYOR, IF, IF I'M, I THOUGHT A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT WAS ALREADY ON THE TABLE.

THAT WAS WHAT THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT.

UH, THE ORIGINAL MOTION, THE ORIGINAL ITEM FROM COUNCIL DID NOT CONTEMPLATE A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

IT WAS JUST A CLEAR SHIFT TO LIKE, NO, LET'S GET A ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

THE TIME IS GETTING LATE, LET'S NOT GET STUCK ON THIS.

LET'S NOT LET ANYBODY GO OUT OF CONTRACT.

THEN THERE WAS A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT THAT APPEARED AND THERE'S A LINK TO IT.

THERE'S THE WORDS AND, UH, SO AGAIN, I'M, I'M JUST CONFUSED AS TO WHAT IS MISSING FROM A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT THAT IS NOT ALREADY ON THE TABLE.

AND, AND, AND AGAIN, THAT'S WHERE I'M, I'M, I'M JUST, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE KIND OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE THESE LAST LITTLE PIECES THAT ARE SUPPOSEDLY NEED TO, EVERYBODY JUST CAME UP HERE AND SPOKE IN GREAT DETAIL ABOUT THE COSTS, ABOUT THE OVERSIGHT PROVISIONS, ABOUT THE STIPENDS AND THE STEPS AND ALL THESE THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND NOW WE'RE BEING TOLD THAT NO, ACTUALLY THERE'S STILL ROOM, THERE'S STILL THINGS TO NEGOTIATE.

SO AGAIN, I WOULD, I I I WILL ACCEPT THE AMENDMENT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, BUT I DON'T REALLY SEE HOW IT REALLY CHANGES ANYTHING.

WHAT I WANT STAFF TO DO IS GO OUT AND GET US A ONE YEAR CONTRACT THAT THEN WE CAN WEIGH AGAIN.

ORIGINALLY IT WAS JUST A, A, A, A STRAIGHT CHANGE OF DIRECTION WITH THE EVENTS OF THE LAST 24 HOURS.

NOW IT KIND OF HAS TO, WE, WE, WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE TO WEIGH, WHICH IS FINE, BUT THE DIRECTION IS TO GO OUT AND NEGOTIATE A ONE YEAR CONTRACT THAT KEEPS OUR OFFICERS ON THE FORCE UNDER CONTRACT WITH THEIR PAY AND BENEFITS AND RESPECTS THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

UH, I I WISH I COULD, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THERE IS LEFT TO NEGOTIATE.

HONESTLY.

IT, IT'S, IT'S VERY CONFUSING.

AND AGAIN, I CAN'T GET AWAY FROM THE IDEA THAT THIS WAS MADE INTENTIONALLY DIFFICULT AND CONFUSING.

COUNCIL MEMBER POOL MAYOR, I WAS LOOKING AT THE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVES, UH, TOWARD THE END.

AND I WAS LOOKING AT LINE 1 95, WHICH IS ON PAGE 10 OF 10, AND I WONDERED IF WE MIGHT JUST INSERT A PHRASE, UH, THE PHRASE IS ANY AGREED UPON FOR YOUR CONTRACT? AND, AND THAT WOULD BE INSERTED RIGHT AFTER THE PHRASE, THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO BRING ANY AGREED UPON FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

AND, AND THEN CONTINUING WHAT WITH WHAT IS HERE NOW, ANY AGREED UPON MEET AND CONFER AGREEMENT, WHICH COMPLIES WITH THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COUNCIL AND SO FORTH.

SO IT ESSENTIALLY JUST INSERTS AND, AND THIS WORDING MAY NOT BE ELEGANT ENOUGH, BUT IT INSERTS THE FACT THAT WE WANT TO SEE THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT SHOULD IT CONTINUE TO BE, UH, AGREED UPON MEET AND CONFER AS WELL AS THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT, WHICH SEEMS TO BE WHAT, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO HERE.

I APPRECIATE THAT CLARITY, UH, CITY ATTORNEY.

WELL, THANK YOU.

I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, I THINK THAT THE MAYOR ACTUALLY LAID IT OUT QUITE NICELY, UM, WHEN HE, AT LINE ONE 90 BETWEEN 1 97

[06:45:01]

AND 1 98.

SO JUST AFTER WHAT YOU READ, COUNCIL MEMBER POOL, I BELIEVE THE MAYOR SAID IT WOULD BE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS DIRECTED TO BRING THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT TO THE COUNCIL FOR REVIEW AND POTENTIAL APPROVAL AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.

SO IT'S DOING TWO DIFFERENT THINGS AT THE SAME TIME.

THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

AND I THINK IT WAS SORT OF GETTING LOST IN ALL THE OTHER CONVERSATION, BUT, UM, THANK YOU.

AND I WITHDRAW THAT, THAT ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE THAT I WAS WORKING ON AND LO AND MAY HAVE SOME SUGGESTION.

WELL, JUST AS A MATTER OF PROCESS, I THINK IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT WE NOT HAVE A RESOLUTION THAT REQUIRES US TO BRING TWO OPTIONS TO THIS COUNCIL, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE APA FIRST.

RIGHT? I WAS CONCERNED WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT TALKED ABOUT PREVIOUSLY BEING RATIFIED BY THE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP.

I CAN'T GO GET TWO CONTRACTS RATIFIED BY THE APA AND THEN BRING THEM TO THIS BODY TO PICK.

AND SO WE HAD RECOMMENDED, AND WE HAD BARGAINED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT WE WOULD BRING THESE TWO, THIS BODY FIRST, WHATEVER ITS DECISION WAS, THEY WOULD THEN TAKE IT TO THEIR MEMBERS FOR RATIFICATION.

SO BELIEVE WHAT MR. DENTON IS ASKING IS THAT ON LINE 1 97, THE THE SENTENCE THE LAST OF THE SENTENCE SAYS, AND APPROVED BY THE APA MEMBERSHIP, THAT YOU WOULD TAKE THAT OUT SO THAT THE COUNCIL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FIRST AND THEN APA WILL VOTE.

THAT, THAT MAKES MORE SENSE TO ME.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, AND THEN CADRE.

TO, UM, THE ISSUES WITH THE FAMILIES WE WORK DIRECTLY IN AND THE HARM THAT THEY'VE SUFFERED, UM, IS, UM, IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

I'D LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A MOMENT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE INTO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER'S POINT EARLIER.

I THINK THIS IS THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO HEAR FROM THE ADVOCATES, UM, BECAUSE THIS ISN'T A CONVERSATION WE'VE HAD WITH THEM YET.

I, I WAS ASKING CAN CAN WE SPEAK TO, I WAS ASKING, I, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROCEDURE WOULD BE, BUT I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO HEAR FROM, UM, EITHER KATHY MITCHELL OR CHRIS HARRIS OR CHAZ.

I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S STILL, I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE THAT REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY AS ADVOCATES.

YOU ARE ABLE TO MAKE THAT REQUEST.

UM, I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE OF YOU WANTS TO COME UP, BUT IF ONE OR BOTH OF YOU COULD COME UP AND TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT YOU BELIEVE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE YOU ARE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, NATASHA.

REALLY, UM, VERY MUCH APPRECIATE, UM, YOU BRINGING US UP.

UM, I THINK THAT , UM, OUR, OUR READ, OUR INITIAL READ ON THE CONTRACT THAT'S PROPOSED, UH, YOU, YOU ALL HAVE SEEN, UH, OUR ANALYSIS, UM, OFF OF THE RED LINE.

UM, IT IS, UM, I, I WOULD HOPE THAT IT'S NOT DONE BECAUSE IT IS VERY SLOPPY, UH, IN MANY WAYS THAT LEAVES THE CITY OPEN TO THE SAME SORT OF GRIEVANCES THAT LED TO THE DECEMBER, 2021 ARBITRATION DECISION THAT CRIPPLED OUR OVERSIGHT SYSTEM.

UH, THAT SAID, IT'S, UM, WHAT IS FINISHED IS ALSO, UM, VERY POOR.

UH, I COULDN'T DIS I COULDN'T DISAGREE MORE, UH, WITH THE LABOR RELATIONS FOLKS AS IT RELATES TO, UM, WHAT'S BEEN ACHIEVED IN THIS AND, AND, AND, AND WHETHER IT IN ANY WAY MIRRORS, UH, THE, THE INITIATIVE THAT, UH, IS ON THE BALLOT, UH, BEFORE YOU IN MAY.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK OUR, OUR HOPE, UM, OBVIOUSLY FIRST AND FOREMOST IS TO HEAR FROM THE VOTERS AGAIN.

YOU ALL CALLED THIS, THIS, THIS ELECTION.

AND SO IT IS, UM, YOU KNOW, I I THINK IN MANY WAYS, YOUR DUTY TO, TO ENSURE THAT THE WILLARD OF VOTERS IS HEARD.

AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT OUR BALLOT MEASURE, UH, I I I EXPECT TO HEAR YOU OPPOSE IT PUBLICLY, UH, AS THE ELECTION COMES ALONG.

UH, BUT TO KILL IT THIS WAY, UH, BY PUTTING FORWARD SOMETHING THAT PREEMPTS THE WILL OF THE VOTERS AFTER YOU PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, UM, IS, UM, IS WRONG.

UH, JUST, JUST STRAIGHT UP.

UM, AND, AND UNFORTUNATELY, I, I THINK THE AMENDMENT THAT'S CURRENTLY BEING PROPOSED IS GOING TO, TO TEE UP A, AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, UM, UM, MEETING THAT, THAT HONESTLY WE'D HOPE TO AVOID, UH, A REPEAT OF DECEMBER OF 2017, UH, WHEN THIS COMMUNITY CAME IN LARGE NUMBERS TO OPPOSE A, A PREVIOUS BAD DEAL THAT THIS CONTRACT, UH, THAT THIS, THAT THIS COUNCIL VOTED DOWN.

UH, AND SO, UM, WE, WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE VOTERS, UH, THAT'S OUR GOAL.

UH, THE ONE YEAR DEAL, UH, IN OUR MIND WAS THE EASIEST PATH TO, TO GET TO THAT GOAL, UH, TO ALLOW, UH, THE, THE GOALS THAT YOU ALL HAVE AS IT RELATES TO, TO OFFICER RETENTION AND THINGS OF THAT SORT TO BE MET WHILE ALSO ALLOWING THE WILL OF THE VOTERS TO BE HEARD.

UM, AND BY HAVING AN A VOTE FIRST ON A FOUR YEAR DEAL AGAIN, WHICH OUR INITIAL READ OF IS THAT IT IS VERY POOR ON THE ISSUES THAT WE CARE ABOUT, THAT, THAT ARE RELATED DIRECTLY

[06:50:01]

AND, AND I, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I I I I I, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO, TO, UM, TO, TO RECONSIDER THIS CURRENTLY A PROPOSED AMENDMENT AND TO MOVE FORWARD INSTEAD WITH, UM, SIMPLY PROVIDING DIRECTION TO PURSUE A ONE YEAR DEAL AGAIN SO THAT, UM, UM, WE CAN HEAR FROM THE VOTERS AND YOU ALL MEET YOUR GOALS AS IT RELATES TO OFFICER RETENTION AND STABILITY.

UM, AND WITH THAT, IF KATHY, IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL THINGS.

YEAH, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT CERTAIN MEMBERS OF STAFF AT THE CITY DON'T LIKE OUR OWN OUR OWN PROPOSAL, AND WE ARE READY TO HAVE THAT DEBATE.

THAT IS THE APPROPRIATE DEBATE FOR A BALLOT MEASURE CAMPAIGN.

YOU NOW HAVE PUT A SECOND BALLOT MEASURE IN FRONT OF THE VOTERS.

IT WILL BE HARD TO TELL FROM THE BALLOT LANGUAGE, BUT THEY WILL ACTUALLY HAVE A CLEAR CHOICE.

AND SO ALL OF THESE ISSUES, ALL THESE AREAS OF CONCERN ABOUT OUR BALLOT MEASURE ARE GOING TO BE DISCUSSED.

AND WE HAVE ANSWERS, I PROMISE YOU, FOR ALL OF IT.

YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT, YOU'VE HEARD MANY THINGS THIS EVENING THAT WE DISAGREE WITH, AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEND THE TIME TONIGHT TO GO THROUGH THAT, BECAUSE THAT IS WHY WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CAMPAIGN FOR A BALLOT MEASURE, AND WE'RE GONNA EDUCATE EVERYBODY AND THEY'RE GONNA EDUCATE US, AND THAT'S JUST HOW THAT GOES.

SO WE ARE ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR TONIGHT.

MS. MITCHELL IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE THING THAT YOU PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT TO DO.

CAN I ASK YOU SPECIFICALLY TO OFFER SOME CLARITY? SURE.

MR. HARRIS SAID THIS TEES UP A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION WE WERE HOPING TO AVOID.

I'M NOT ENTIRELY CERTAIN WHAT THAT MEANS.

CAN YOU CLARIFY THAT FOR ME? YEAH.

UM, BASICALLY THE CITY IS THROWING OUT THIS IDEA THAT THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE TO THIS FOUR YEAR CON FOUR YEAR CONTRACT IS EITHER IMPASSE OR PERMANENTLY GOING OFF CONTRACT.

LIKE YOU'RE BEING GIVEN A PICTURE OF EXTREMES AND THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT, THE NEGOTIATION OVER A ONE YEAR CONTRACT ALLOWS FOR A MODERATE APPROACH.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE SAYING THAT WE NEED BIG CHANGES TO CH TO, UM, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELAS POINT.

UH, WE'RE ASKING FOR SOMETHING TO BE HANDLED FAIRLY QUICKLY AT THIS POINT.

WE WISH THAT THIS PIVOT HAD HAPPENED EARLIER.

WE'VE BEEN HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS FOR A LONG TIME.

THIS WOULD'VE BEEN APPROPRIATE EARLIER, BUT HERE WE ARE.

SO WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR A COMPLICATED NEW ARRANGEMENT OF THE PARTS.

WE'RE ASKING FOR SOMETHING THAT BUYS THE CITY A STABLE PERIOD OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT FOR ALL OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS WITH KNOWN BENEFITS AND A AND A PAY INCREASE THAT IS NEGOTIATED.

THE NUMBERS YOU'VE HEARD TONIGHT, WERE NOT NEGOTIATED.

UH, AND THAT CARRIES US THROUGH THE ELECTION.

AND THEN AFTER THE ELECTION, WE START A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE NEW CONTRACT ON A DIF FROM A DIFFERENT PLACE.

THAT'S IT.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE.

YEAH, THIS IS A GENERAL STATEMENT.

UM, FOR, FOR, FOR THE MAYOR PRO TE UM, I I WOULD LIKE TO RECESS.

I THINK THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DECISION.

I THINK THE DECISION WE MAKE NOW, WHETHER ON MAYOR WATSON'S AMENDMENT, UM, OR THE IF C ITSELF, UH, THE AFTERSHOCKS WILL BE, UM, YOU KNOW, THEY'LL, THEY'LL GO ON FOR, FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

UH, AND I, I WOULD HATE TO MAKE A VOTE AND, AND RUSH TO VOTE WITHOUT PROPERLY THINKING AND TAKING OUT THAT TIME.

I'M NOT ASKING FOR AN HOUR, BUT IF WE COULD, IF WE COULD RECESS UNTIL SEVEN 30, I UNDERSTAND THAT.

I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF STAFF IS HERE, I UNDERSTAND REPORTERS ARE HERE.

I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WISH THEY COULD GO HOME, BUT THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING FOR, FOR THE CITY.

I WOULD JUST HATE TO RUSH IT.

LETS TIME, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO DOING A 45 MINUTE RECESS? HEARING NONE, WE'LL BE BACK AT SEVEN 30.

I THINK WE HAVE A FULL DI IT IS 7 39 AND WE ARE BACK IN CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL.

UM, WE ARE STILL ON ITEM NUMBER 80, I BELIEVE IT IS OUR LAST ITEM OF THE DAY.

ITEM NUMBER 80.

UM, MAYOR WATSON, OUR RECOGNITION.

UH, MAYOR PROTE, THANK YOU FOR THE RECESS.

UM, I MOVE TO WITHDRAW MY MOTION TO RECONSIDER.

I'LL SECOND THAT.

[06:55:01]

COUNCIL MEMBER POOL SECONDS.

THAT, SO WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US? THERE'S NO OBJECTION.

I, I WOULD LIKE TO BE RECOGNI TO THE, UH, WITHDRAWAL OF THAT MOTION.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE ANOTHER MOTION.

OKAY, GO AHEAD.

UH, I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE ADOPT THE RESOLUTION THAT THE COUNCIL HAD PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED PRIOR TO THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER.

WE'VE GOT THAT MOTION BACK ON THE TABLES THERE.

A SECOND TO THE MOTION.

COUNCIL MEMBER VELA SECOND SET.

ARE WE READY TO TAKE A VOTE? I SEE COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY HAS HER HAND OUT.

UM, COULD WE PLEASE BE REMINDED OF, OF WHAT THAT ENTAILS SO THAT THE PUBLIC WHO HAS BEEN FOLLOWING ALONG CAN, CAN UNDERSTAND IT.

AND THEN I HAVE ONE MORE FOLLOW UP QUESTION THAT'S GONNA BE HARD FOR ME TO RECOUNT AT THIS POINT.

UM, I KNOW THAT WE ARE WORKING ON ITEM NUMBER 80, MAYOR WATSON'S SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT TO VELA AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE.

UM, I KNOW THAT THERE WERE SOME PROPOSED AMENDMENTS THAT WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL, UM, AND I KNOW WE WERE WORKING ON SOME OF THE LANGUAGE AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE NOT, UM, MOVING FORWARD WITH AMENDING THAT LANGUAGE AT THIS POINT.

, WE'RE BACK TO THE, SO BACK TO THE REGULAR BASE MOTION, WHICH FOR ITEM 80, WHICH AGAIN, WILL STAFF WILL INTERPRET THAT AS WAS THE DISCUSSION ON THE DIAS AS NOT MOVING FORWARD WITH A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT AND NOW PIVOTING TO THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT DISCUSSION.

SO REJECTING THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

SO MY FOLLOW UP QUESTION IS THAT WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE APA ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS.

IT'S NOT IN THERE ON, WE'RE NOT REJECTING.

UM, COULD I, BUT WE'RE NOT NEGOTIATING ANYMORE? WELL, WE HAVE.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO, I, I'D LIKE TO CALL UP APA JUST TO GET THEIR THOUGHTS ON, ON THIS.

COULD I, OKAY, HOLD ON.

THERE'S FOUR PEOPLE TALKING.

I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY WITH THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, THE CITY MANAGER JUST SAYS WE ARE REJECTING THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING.

CAN, CAN WE CLARIFY THAT PLEASE, FOR THE CITY MANAGER? NO, NO, MA'AM.

I'VE SAID THAT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN NOW, THAT THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS MOTION DOES.

AND HE, HE, HE SEEKS TO INTERPRET IT THAT WAY, BUT I'VE SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THAT'S NOT WHAT IT DOES.

AND IF HE IS AS CLOSE AS HE SAYS HE IS WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO, BUT, BUT HE, HE, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE IT ANY CLEARER THAT, UM, THIS, THERE IS DIRECTION TO GET TO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT, BUT, UH, HE AS A PROFESSIONAL SHOULD, SHOULD BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT HE CAN GET MORE THAN ONE OF THOSE THINGS DONE WITHOUT, UM, IMMEDIATELY SAYING THAT HE'S, HE'S INTERPRETING IT IN A WAY THAT HAS BEEN, HE'S BEEN TOLD DIFFERENTLY.

AND I JUST WANT TO WEIGH IN AND SAY EXPLICITLY, I, I DO NOT SEE THIS AS REJECTING THE FOUR YEAR CONTRACT EITHER, MAYOR PROTON.

SO I JUST WANNA GIVE PR THE, THE PRACTICAL REALITY AND, AND MAYBE OUR LABOR RELATIONS FOLKS CAN JUST, IF, IF THIS WERE TO MOVE FORWARD, WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN FOR SAY, TOMORROW? AND THEN, UH, HOW WE WOULD APPROACH, UH, NEGOTIATING THE ONE YEAR CONTRACT.

AND IF THERE'S CLARIFICATION OR QUESTIONS THAT WE NEED TO GET ANSWERED, UH, NOW WOULD BE THE TIME TO DO THAT BEFORE ANY VOTES HAPPEN.

YEAR CONTRACT AND TO BRING IT BACK AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING, IT ALSO ADDRESSES THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WANTS TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED FOUR YEAR CONTRACT TO ASSESS ITS MERITS ON BEHALF OF AUSTINITES, INCLUDING TO ENSURE THAT IT DOES NOT UNDERMINE THE GUARANTEED RIGHTS OF AUSTINITES TO PETITION THEIR GOVERNMENT.

UM, SO HONESTLY, I WOULD SEEK THE OPINION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY AS TO HOW THE ACTUAL LANGUAGE READS INSTEAD OF TAKING VERBAL DIRECTION.

AND, AND SO I WOULD REALLY ASK ANN MORGAN, MAYBE NOT RIGHT NOW, BUT MAYBE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME WHAT THE ACTUAL WRITTEN DIRECTION IS, BECAUSE THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO.

UM, IF THE WRITTEN DIRECTION IS TO WORK ON BOTH AT THE SAME TIME, THAT'S ONE THING.

IF IT LITERALLY DIRECTS US TO WORK ON A ONE YEAR, THEN WE CANNOT, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, UNDER THE STATE STATUTE BARGAINING GOOD FAITH.

I MEAN, FOR TWO CONTRACTS WE HAVE TO, TO BE BARGAINING ON SOMETHING THAT WE BELIEVE THE CITY COUNCIL WILL APPROVE.

AND SO IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL WILL APPROVE AND DON'T HAVE DIRECTION TO WHAT WE BELIEVE THEY WILL APPROVE, WE DON'T HAVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU WILL APPROVE, BUT WE HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE BRING YOU, YOU'LL APPROVE.

I I MEAN, I, I HAVE TO HAVE DIRECTION FROM THE MANAGER THROUGH THE CITY COUNCIL AS TO WHAT DIRECTION WE'RE GOING, BUT I, I WOULD DEFER TO ANN MORGAN ON THAT CITY MANAGER OR CITY ATTORNEY IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY.

WELL, I, I THINK WE'RE, WE'RE BACK TO THE QUESTION THAT WE, WE RAISED BEFORE.

SO I BELIEVE THAT THE RESOLUTION INDICATES THAT THE MANAGER AND HIS TEAM, OR TO GO FORWARD AND TO ATTEMPT TO NEGOTIATE A ONE

[07:00:01]

SO TO THE EXTENT THAT WE HAVE A TENTATIVE CLOSE TO AGREEMENT, I, I THINK THAT, THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED THAT TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THEM TO REVIEW, I THINK THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THAT BALANCE.

I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF FOLKS THAT SAID WE WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO REVIEW THE FOUR YEAR AND HAVE THE ONE YEAR.

WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT TALKING POINTS WITHIN EACH ONE.

WE KNOW THERE'S GONNA BE DIFFERENT ITEMS TO ADDRESS WITHIN EACH ONE, BECAUSE THAT'S THE BALANCE OF A ONE YEAR VERSUS A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.

UM, DO YOU HAVE MORE YOU WANNA SAY, I SEE MR. DENTON HAS STEPPED UP AS WELL SINCE WE'RE BACK TO THE EARLIER VERSION.

I THINK WE CONFRONT ONCE AGAIN, THE QUESTION ABOUT PRIOR APA RATIFICATION, IF THAT LANGUAGE IS BACK, IS OUR DIRECTION TO BRING A ONE YEAR AGREEMENT AFTER THEY RATIFY.

IT MAY ADDRESS THAT THAT IS, UH, ONLINE 1 97 OF THE BASE MOTION THAT'S HERE.

AND WHAT WE HAD DONE, AND I THINK EVERYBODY APPROVED A MINUTE AGO, WAS TO JUST TAKE OUT THE LANGUAGE AND APPROVED BY THE APA MEMBERSHIP SO THAT COUNCIL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FIRST ON THAT.

AND I KNOW THERE ARE MAYBE SOME QUESTIONS, BUT I HAD RECOGNIZED COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, AND I THINK NO, YOU'RE, YOU'RE FINE.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T SKIP OVER HER.

RIGHT? UM, I, I WILL ALSO SAY THIS.

UM, WE'VE HEARD FROM THE ADVOCATES TONIGHT AND I'D LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM THE APA REGARDING THEIR THOUGHTS ON THIS AND, UM, IF APPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO COME DOWN AND JUST TALK TO US FOR A MOMENT AS A BODY SO THAT WE UNDERSTAND THEIR PERSPECTIVE JUST FOR A COUPLE MINUTES THAT IS WITHIN YOUR RIGHT TO REQUEST THEM TO COME SPEAK.

GOOD EVENING.

THOMAS VIAL.

I'M DETECTIVE WITH THE APA OR AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, PRESIDENT OF THE APA.

UM, I'D LIKE TO START BY VERY PUBLICLY THANKING, UH, MY NEGOTIATION TEAM FOR THE ONE YEAR OF WORK.

UM, I WILL REMIND, UM, EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM IF YOU GO TO OUR CURRENT CONTRACT THAT'S BEEN ON THE BOOK SINCE 2018.

THERE'S CONTRACT LANGUAGE IN THERE THAT TALKED ABOUT STARTING THIS NEGOTIATION PROCESS IN OCTOBER, UH, TWO OCTOBERS AGO.

UM, SO WE DIDN'T RUN INTO THESE PROBLEMS. UM, MANAGER, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM, UH, AS WELL FOR DOING THE WORK NEEDED TO GET TO THE MIDDLE.

UM, I WILL, I WILL TELL YOU GUYS AND GALS, WE ARE PROBABLY FIVE HOURS WORTH OF WORK AT THE, AT THE TABLE AND IN CAUCUSES WITH OUR TEAMS OF GETTING NOT ONLY THIS BODY, BUT MY 1,525 ISH COPS THAT ARE LEFT HERE, UM, A RED LINE VERSION FOR FOLKS TO START DIGESTING.

UM, WHEN WE GOT A TA LAST NIGHT, I SENT A MESSAGE TO OUR MEMBERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW I DID THAT.

UM, BECAUSE I RECOGNIZE THAT PEOPLE HAVE VERY, VERY SERIOUS LIFE ALTERING DECISIONS THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE.

AND THOSE MEMBERS ARE PUTTING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TRUST IN ME AS THE PRESIDENT AND IN OUR TEAM.

UM, THAT BEING SAID, I I DON'T ENVY THE POSITION THAT SOME OF YOU FOLKS HAVE HAVE, UH, THAT YOU ARE IN.

UM, I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE TO MAKE VERY TOUGH DECISIONS, UH, THAT COME WITH Y'ALL'S, WITH Y'ALL'S ROLE.

UM, I, I WILL BE AS CRYSTAL CLEAR AS I CAN BE, THE APA IS NOT GOING TO NEGOTIATE AGAINST OURSELVES AND GO NEGOTIATE A ONE YEAR DEAL AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE'RE GONNA GO FINISH NEGOTIATING A FOUR YEAR DEAL.

WE'VE SPENT A YEAR, A YEAR NEGOTIATING A FOUR YEAR DEAL.

WE'VE COME TO A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT.

THERE'S MINOR TWEAKS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE.

AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE MY TEAM TO THE TABLE TOMORROW AND SAY, HEY, LET'S FIX THIS FOUR YEAR DEAL, AND THEN AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE GONNA GO AND GIVE YOU OPTION B AND GO GIVE YOU A ONE YEAR DEAL.

IF THE FOUR YEAR DEAL'S NO GOOD, VOTE IT DOWN AND WE'LL HAVE A CONVERSATION ON OUR SIDE OF THE TABLE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT IT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR MEMBERS AND THE ASSOCIATION TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT A FOUR YEAR DEAL.

I RECOGNIZE I'M NOT ASKING Y'ALL TO MAKE THAT DECISION TONIGHT, RIGHT? I, I GET, I WOULD HOPE, I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU, YOU WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO DIGEST THAT INFORMATION,

[07:05:01]

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR PROPOSALS, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR PROPOSALS THAT IS PRESENTED IN A, WE, WE POST EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR MEETINGS TO ABIDE BY OPEN RE OR OPEN, UH, OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

WE DON'T HAVE TO, BUT WE DO.

UM, RIGHT? AND IT'S NOT ANYTHING THAT THE APA HAS EVER OBJECTED TO.

UM, WE TREAT ALL OF OUR WORK PRODUCT ONCE IT'S POSTED PUBLICLY AS, AS OPEN RECORDABLE, RIGHT? UM, EARLIER THIS WEEK, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL PROBABLY 30 MINUTES AFTER I MADE A PRESENTATION FROM A COUNCIL OFFICE STAFFER ASKING FOR A COPY OF THOSE, AND I PROMPTLY SEND 'EM OVER.

UM, I'LL TELL YOU, I'M FRUSTRATED, UM, AS A ALMOST 17 AND A HALF YEAR EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY THAT AFTER A YEAR OF DOING THIS WORK, WE, WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND FLOW OF INFORMATION.

I'VE OFFERED MULTIPLE OFFICES TO SEND THEM ARTICLES.

THIS, THIS ISN'T, AND IT SHOULDN'T BE A SECRET.

THERE'S NOTHING SECRETIVE ABOUT THIS PROCESS.

I, I I CANNOT BE MORE CLEAR THAT IF, IF WE NEED TO GO DO A ONE YEAR DEAL, CAUSE THAT'S WHAT Y'ALL WANT, IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION THAT YOU GIVE THE CITY, THEN THAT'S THE RIGHT DIRECTION YOU'RE GONNA GIVE THE CITY MANAGER LIKE IT IS WHAT IT IS.

BUT I'M NOT GONNA GO WORK ON A ONE YEAR DEAL UNTIL WE RESOLVE THIS FOUR YEAR DEAL.

Y DON'T WANT IT.

TELL US YOU DON'T WANT IT.

AND I RECOGNIZE THAT WE'VE GOT A, WE'VE GOT A HELL OF A, OF A TIMELINE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO WORK UNDER.

I'VE GOT FOLKS THAT ARE EITHER GOING TO JUST FLAT OUT RETIRE.

I'VE GOT FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO BUY FORD AND RETIRE, AND SOME OF THOSE FOLKS, IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO CERTAIN FINANCIAL THINGS, IF THEY CHOOSE, SO NEED TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS IN TWO WEEKS.

MY MY FEAR IS THAT WE'RE GONNA KICK THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD A COUPLE WEEKS AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE GONNA ELECT TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE TO DO.

UM, I AM NOT GONNA ASK YOU TO MAKE ONE DECISION OR ANOTHER.

UM, I'M NOT GONNA TRY TO INFLUENCE THE DIRECTION THAT YOU GIVE THE MANAGER.

THAT'S NOT MY ROLE.

IT'S NOT MY JOB.

UM, SINCE I TOOK OVER AT THE END OF AUGUST, I'VE TOLD LOTS AND LOTS OF PEOPLE, I'M NOT KEN CASSIDY, WE HAVE VERY, VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS ON THINGS.

I'M NOT GONNA GET INVOLVED IN CERTAIN ASPECTS OF CITY GOVERNMENT THAT I DON'T THINK IS A LABOR ISSUE.

UM, NOT ASKING YOU TO DO ONE, NOT ASKING YOU TO DO THE OTHER.

I'M SIMPLY TELLING YOU, I'M NOT GONNA GO TO THE TABLE TOMORROW OR NEXT WEEK AT THE, AT THE MEETINGS THAT ARE CURRENTLY POSTED AND WORK ON A FOUR YEAR DEAL AND ALSO WORK ON A ONE YEAR DEAL.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE FOUR YEAR DEAL, EDUCATE YOURSELF ON IT.

CALL A SPECIAL MEETING, WHATEVER Y'ALL HAVE TO DO, VOTE IT DOWN, GIVE DIRECTION TO GO.

TELL US GO MEET YOU AT THE TABLE FOR FOR ONE YEAR DEAL.

WE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.

DID YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS? UM, I DID NOT, BUT OVER OUR, OUR RECESS, IT, UH, IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT MY STATEMENT ABOUT THE 3 MILLION WAS NOT BROADCAST ON AT XN.

SO I'D LIKE TO JUST SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME.

SO COLLEAGUES, IF YOU'LL JUST INDULGE ME, I'LL TAKE TWO MINUTES OF YOUR TIME EARLIER THIS EVENING.

UM, IT WAS TALKED ABOUT THE COST IMPLICATIONS WITH THE, AT THE DIFFERENCE.

UM, AND I'M REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE VOTING ON THIS ITEM TODAY, UM, WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE AGREED, UM, PROPOSED CONTRACT.

AND I DON'T LIKE NOT COMPLETING COMPLETELY VETTING OPTIONS.

UM, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I'D BE DOING RIGHT BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BY NOT FIRST DOING DUE DILIGENCE ON COMPARING THE TWO ITEMS, UM, IN MORE DETAIL.

IT AND UNDERSTAND THE CONTRACT THAT THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR SO LONG.

ARE THERE OTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS AT THIS POINT? I THINK WE'RE AT A SPACE OF RECONSIDERING THE EARLIER VOTE THAT WE HAD ALREADY TAKEN ON THE RECORD.

ALISON ALTER, UM, I'M, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S IN ORDER TO MAKE A MOTION, BUT, UM, I WOULD JUST THROW OUT THERE, IT WOULD BE AN OPTION POTENTIALLY TO POSTPONE THE VOTE ON THIS UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO FINISH THE CONTRACT TOMORROW.

WE WOULD HAVE A FEW DAYS TO LOOK AT IT AND THEN WE COULD PROVIDE DIRECTION ON WEDNESDAY.

WE HAVE A AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING THAT IS SCHEDULED AT, AT NINE 30 ON WEDNESDAY.

AND THAT WOULD, UM, ALLOW US TO, TO UM, TAKE THIS A LITTLE BIT SLOWER, UM, BUT STILL BE RESPONSIVE AND, AND ABLE TO TURN THINGS AROUND.

UM, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS SET UP IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT IS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE COUNCIL TO VOTE BEFORE APA VOTES.

UM, AND THAT WOULD GIVE US THAT OPPORTUNITY, UM, TO READ THROUGH

[07:10:01]

AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S AN ORDER OR IF THERE WOULD BE A SECOND OR, OR SUPPORT, UM, IF IT WERE.

UM, BUT JUST WANT TO THROW OUT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT CONSTRAINED BY MAKING THIS FULLY THIS DECISION FULLY, UM, TONIGHT.

I'M LOOKING OVER AT COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY, SHE'S GONNA SECOND THAT.

I KNOW SHE HAD MADE THAT MOTION AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS DISCUSSION.

UM, IT IS, IT'S SOMETHING THAT I WOULD CONSIDER AS WELL POSTPONING THIS, UM, SIMPLY BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S STILL A LOT OF DISCONNECT BETWEEN SOME PARTIES THINKING WE'RE SQUASHING THE FOUR YEAR, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVEN'T SEEN A FULLY EDITED COPY THAT WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW AND OTHER FOLKS WANTING TO HAVE TWO THINGS ON THE TABLE.

AND WE CLEARLY HAVE A, A POLICE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT WHO'S SAYING THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO MANEUVER AT THIS TIME.

UM, SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO POSTPONE THE ITEM.

ANY DISCUSSION OR SHOULD WE TAKE THE VOTES? TAKE THE VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR OF POSTPONEMENT FOUR OF US.

WE'VE GOT RYAN ALTER, ALLISON ALTER, MACKENZIE, KELLY PAGE, ELLIS, I, MAYOR WATSON.

DID YOU HAVE YOUR HAND UP OR YOU JUST YES.

SO THAT'S FIVE VOTES TO POSTPONE.

THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

I'LL GO AHEAD AND POSTPONE.

OKAY, THAT IS SIX.

LESLIE POOLE IS JOINING THE YAYS.

UM, AND WITH THAT, THE MOTION CARRIES AND THIS ITEM WILL BE POSTPONED.

IT'S CLEAR THERE'S STILL SOME MORE CONVERSATIONS TO BE HAD.

WHEN DO Y'ALL, WHEN DO YOU WANNA POSTPONE IT TO YOU MADE THE MOTION.

UM, I WAS OFFERING UP OUR AUDIT AND FINANCE MEETING ON WEDNESDAY AT NINE 30 WHEN AT LEAST FIVE OF US HAVE TO BE THERE.

WE CAN DO IT EARLIER.

WE CAN, THE, THE ONLY ISSUE IS THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE UP THE WATER ITEM AT ONE 30.

UM, BUT I WOULD JUST SAY WE CAN, I, THAT'S AN OPTION.

OR IF PEOPLE WANNA TRY AND SCHEDULE IT ON TUESDAY, I'M FINE WITH THAT TOO.

I JUST KNOW THAT THAT'S A TIME WHEN FIVE OF US HAVE TO BE THERE.

UM, AND MAYBE THAT GIVES PEOPLE A LITTLE MORE TIME TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY OR CITY MANAGER.

DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THOSE PARTICULAR DATES? I SEE THE BENEFIT OF PICKING A COMMITTEE DATE THAT IS ALREADY, UH, PUBLICLY POSTED, BUT SOME FOLKS MAY HAVE TUESDAY AVAILABLE SINCE I KNOW WE WERE HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT A RETREAT.

HOW SHOULD I POSTPONE THIS? LET'S GO WITH WEDNESDAY.

WEDNESDAY, YEAH.

LET'S SAY WEDNESDAY MORNING AT AUDIT AND FINANCE TO GO AHEAD AND POST THAT.

THAT'LL GIVE THE, THE STAFF ENOUGH TIME TO POST THE LANGUAGE.

I'M JUST, I'M GETTING SOME FEEDBACK FROM STAFF THAT THEY MIGHT NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME.

UH, JUST WANT TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN.

SO IF I MIGHT, UM, IF COUNSEL WANTS A FULLY CLEAN COPY, IF WE FINISH IT TOMORROW, IF WE GET IT POSTED, I AM PRESUMING THAT MEANS NO ONE IS GONNA WANT TO GO THROUGH THE CONTRACT WITH US PERSONALLY BECAUSE THAT WOULD NOT GIVE US TIME TO DO THAT.

NOW IF COM IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE READING IT AND FEELING THAT YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, PICK UP A PHONE AND JUST GET A QUICK ANSWER AS OPPOSED TO US WALKING YOU THROUGH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PORTIONS OF IT, THAT'S ONE THING.

BUT I HAD COMMITTED TO YOU THAT I WOULD BE FREE TO SIT DOWN WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND GO THROUGH THE PROVISIONS OF IT SO THAT YOU COULD UNDERSTAND IT.

THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN IF YOU DO IT AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY.

SO I JUST LEAVE YOU WITH THAT THOUGHT.

IT'S UP TO YOU WHEN YOU MEET, BUT IT, IT WOULD BE A MUCH ABBREVIATED TIME WITH US RYAN AL ALTER.

WOULD WE HAVE THE OPTION TO DIVIDE INTO THREE GROUPS AND THAT WAY SHE COULD PRESENT TO IT SAVES A LOT OF TIME AND, AND INSTEAD OF 11 MEETINGS, THREE MEETINGS, SURE.

I'M SEEING NODDING IN THE AUDIENCE.

SO WE COULD WOULD THAT SARAH WOULD DO THEM IN SMALL SUBSECTIONS.

MAYOR ASHI MAKES YOUR WAY TO THE MIC.

CAN YOU REMIND US THE VOTE? CAN YOU, FOR THE RECORD, WHO VOTED TO POSTPONE? WHO WERE THE EYES ON THAT? I DIDN'T CATCH IT.

IT WAS COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY ELLIS POOL, BOTH ALTERS AND WATSON.

SO I, I'M HAPPY TO MEET WITH PEOPLE IN THREE GROUPS, IF THAT WAS THE QUESTION? I THINK SO.