[Call to Order]
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UH, TODAY IS THURSDAY, JULY 30TH, 2020.
THIS IS A AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
IT'S BEING, UH, YOU KNOW, THE MOVE THAT VIRTUALLY, UH,
[Consent Agenda ]
CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS COLLEAGUES WE HAVE.UH, ITEM NUMBER FIVE IS POSTPONED UNTIL AUGUST 27 OF 2020.
UH, THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER EIGHT WILL BE OPENED, BUT THEN CONTINUED UNTIL AUGUST 27TH, 2020.
UH, WE HAVE SOME, UH, ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
TODAY'S CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEMS ONE THROUGH FIVE AND 78 AND 71, UM, ITEMS ONE, TWO AND THREE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
CAN'T BE HEARD UNTIL AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARINGS, UH, WHICH ARE 14, 15 AND 16.
WE HAVE LAID BACK UP AND ITEMS FIVE, EIGHT, 14, 16, 1830, 34 37 63 AND 69.
I, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL HAVE SEEN THE MESSAGE BOARD POSTS.
UH, WE HAVE, UH, UH, HUNDREDS OF SPEAKERS TO SPEAK TODAY.
I WAS GOING TO GO OVER THE OUTLINE YESTERDAY BEFORE I KIND OF GO OUT KIND OF THE DAY.
UM, YEAH, I JUST, THERE WAS ONE ITEM THAT I THOUGHT WAS POSTPONE THAT I WANTED TO CHECK, SO I COULD MAKE SURE THAT I DO MY ADDITIONAL HOMEWORK.
IF IT'S NOT POSTPONE, THAT WAS ITEM 10 ON CENTRAL HEALTH.
I SHOW ITEM 10 BEING POSTPONED OR AUGUST 27.
IS THAT CORRECT? I DON'T KNOW.
I BELIEVE SOMEBODY JUST GIVE ME A MINUTE TO CONFIRM THINGS.
IF IT'S NOT INTERRUPTED, IF IT'S NOT COME BACK AND LET US KNOW.
UM, SO COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE TONS OF SPEAKERS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TODAY.
UM, IF WE, UH, 10 HOURS OF SPEAKERS, UM, SO, UH, EVERY SPEAKER TODAY IS GOING TO GET ONE MINUTE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK.
WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE NON ZONING SPEAKERS.
UH, BEGINNING THIS MORNING, I WILL CALL THE ZONING SPEAKERS THIS AFTERNOON.
WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS BY, UM, OUR GROUPS.
UM, THERE'S ONE ITEM THAT WE HAVE TO ACT ON.
UH, SO THAT POSTING, WE PUT IN THE NEWSPAPER TODAY BY TWO O'CLOCK THAT'S ITEM, NUMBER 17.
SO WE HAVE TAKEN ALL OF THE SPEAKERS AND SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 70, AND WE HAVE PUT THEM IN THE FIRST BATCH.
SO ALL THOSE SPEAKERS WILL SPEAK WHEN WE'RE DONE WITH THE FIRST BATCH, HOPEFULLY BEFORE LUNCH TWO HOURS, THEN WE WILL CONSIDER AND VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER 70.
SO THEN THAT CAN BE, UH, POSTED, UH, AT, UH, NOON AFTER THE FIRST BATCH.
AND AFTER THAT VOTE, YOU WANT TO TAKE A BREAK FOR LUNCH, WE'LL COME BACK AND DO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, HAVE ONE, OUR WILL COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND THEN WE WILL HEAR THE ZONING SPEAKERS, UM, THAT WILL NOT INCLUDE THE APPLICANTS THEMSELVES, UH, WHO WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH THEIR CASE WHEN THEIR CASE GETS CALLED UP.
UH, AND THEN, UH, UH, WE THEN HAVE ANOTHER BATCH OF SPEAKERS, UH, ON THE, UH, INITIAL ITEMS, NON ZONING FIGURES FROM THREE TO FIVE, WHEN YOUR DINNER FROM FIVE TO SIX, AND THEN THAT WILL CONTINUE WITH OTHER SPEAKERS FROM SIX TO EIGHT, THEN FROM EIGHT TO 10, IF WE HAVE GAPS BECAUSE OF THE BATCHES AS WE HAVE BEFORE, WE'RE GOING TO CONSIDER THE ZONING ITEMS IN THOSE GAPS, BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE FINISHED ALL OF OUR ZONINGS SPEAKERS ARE AS OF THREE O'CLOCK SO WE CAN FILL IN THE GAPS.
WE CAN ALSO FILL IN THE, UH, UH, PUBLIC HEARING ISSUE.
WE'RE GOING TO START FILL IN, UH, QUICKLY, BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, OR JUST ONE SPEAKER SIGN UP ON THE ALCOHOL, OUR QUESTION, UH, THAT WE, UH, THAT WE HAD, UH, AND, UH, THERE WAS ONE OTHER ONE THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER THAT I'LL REMIND YOU OUT, BUT WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS WE CAN DO WITH THE GAPS.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THE CONSENT ITEMS UNTIL AFTER ALL THE SPEAKERS HAVE SPOKEN,
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BECAUSE PEOPLE SIGNED UP OBVIOUSLY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS. SO WHEN WE ARE DONE WITH THE LAST BATCH, THEN WE CAN THEN CONSIDER AND VOTE ON THE BALANCE OF ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA.HOPEFULLY AT THAT POINT, WE'LL HAVE THE CASES.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? IT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE POSTING.
ALRIGHT, THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED ON THE FIRST BATCH OF SPEAKERS THAT WERE HORRIBLE SPEAKERS TO SPEAK THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 70.
UH, WE HAVE THE SERVICE, I THINK THAT IS HELPING US AGAIN WITH, UH, WITH THIS PROCESS.
SO FOR THE PUBLIC, WE HAVE THE CLERK HELPING THE FACILITY THROUGH THIS COURT.
YOU READY? IF THE CLERK IS SPEAKING, WE CAN HEAR MAYOR CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME VERY FAINT.
SORRY FOR ALL OF THE SPEAKERS CURRENTLY IN QUEUE, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY PLEASE PRESS ZERO.
HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? HELLO? YES.
UM, MY NAME IS MICHAEL FOSTER AND I LIVE IN SOUTH AUSTIN.
UH, I'M OPPOSED TO PROPERTY TAX INCREASES WERE ALREADY HIT BY, UH, UH, THE, UH, COVID-19 VIRUS, THE ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN, SO ON, AND, UH, ANY PROPERTY TAX INCREASE WE CAN AVOID, WE NEED TO DO THAT.
IT WOULD BE MUCH BETTER IF WE SIMPLY OPEN OUR BUSINESSES AND GET OUR ECONOMY ROLLING AGAIN, AND THAT WOULD PROVIDE MONEY FOR THE CITY TO OPERATE AND ALSO FOR THE CITIZENS TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES AND, UH, DO THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO, SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL, ET CETERA.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET AND I WANT TO, UM, EVERYONE TO CONSIDER THE ROLE OF POLICING AND, UM, BE ABLE TO RE RE-IMAGINE WHAT PROTECTION OF THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE.
AND I THINK IT'S TIME TO OUTLINE A PLAN FOR ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL JUSTICE.
THAT INCLUDES GREATER INVESTMENTS IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES BASED ON PRIORITIES THAT ARE DEVELOPED BY BLACK COMMUNITIES.
EVERYONE'S AWARE OF THE HISTORY OF POLICE, WHY THEY STARTED AND HOW, HOW THEY, HOW THEY CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND HOW THEY POLICING IS NOT FOLLOWING ANY TYPE OF BRADY DOCTRINE, UM, AND TRAINING ANTI-BIASED TRAINING IMPLICIT, EXPLICIT.
IT'S NOT ALL TRAINED POLICE BEHAVIOR.
ERIC NELSON, IF YOU'RE ON MUTE, PLEASE UNMUTE.
UH, HI, UH, I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR COSAR BUDGET AMENDMENTS ONE, TWO, AND THREE TO DIVERT MONEY FROM POLICE INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UH, PUBLIC SUPPORT SYSTEMS. AND I ALSO SUPPORT ITEM ONE SEVEN ONE ONE SEVEN TO TRANSFORM THE EMPTY HOME DEPOT AND THE GENTRIFYING ST.
JOHN'S NEIGHBORHOOD AND TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PARKS.
AND THE MODERN CONCEPT OF POLICING WAS INVENTED BY THE BRITISH ONLY SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO TO MICROMANAGE AND SUPPRESS THE PEOPLE THEY COLONIZED AND EXPLOITED.
THE MODERN POLICE STATE AND PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX WERE DESIGNED FROM THE GROUND UP TO BE ENGINES OF ECONOMIC, RACIAL VIOLENCE, AND DOMINATION.
THEY DO THIS BY CRIMINALIZING KILLING AND INCARCERATING
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VICTIMS OF ECONOMIC DISPOSSESSION, INEQUALITY, AND AUSTERITY.THIS CYCLE OF POLICE VIOLENCE AND POPULAR UPRISING WILL NOT END UNTIL ALL ONE, ALL 400 MILLION IS REDIRECTED INTO PUBLIC CARE FOR THE BLACK BROWN AND WORKING CLASS PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.
THEY CAMPAIGN OF RACIST, TERRORISM, AND VIOLENCE, SUPPRESSION WAGE BY THE POLICE WILL NOT END UNTIL THEY ARE COMPLETELY ABOLISHED.
AND THAT MUST BE THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
HI, MY NAME IS STEPHANIE
I AM CALLING TO URGE AND REJECT ANY BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT DOES NOT DEFEND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50% AND DIVERT THOSE FUNDS TO REAL SOLUTIONS LIKE THE RIGHTS FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING LEADERS AND OTHER JEWISH CITIES ARE MODELING WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO LISTEN TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND TAKE BOLD STEPS TOWARD REAL SAFETY FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES.
AND IT'S TIME THAT YOU DO THE SAME.
UH, WE USED STEEL AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL WITH SPORT FUNDING, AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, BY AT LEAST
HELLO, MY NAME IS BENNETT BURKE, COME AND READ THE DISTRICT NINE.
AND I'M CALLING TODAY AS A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN DSA TO IMPLORE YOU ALL TO REDUCE THE BUDGET OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50%, REDIRECT THAT FUNDING INTO OTHER SERVICES LIKE PUBLIC HEALTH, WHICH IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.
AND HOUSING FOR THE MANY UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
APD HAS BEEN A MALEVOLENT FORCE, BRUTALIZING, BLACK PEOPLE AND OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR.
I MEAN, NEED TO HAVE FUNDS TAKEN AWAY WITH THE EVENTUAL INTENT TO ABOLISH AND CREATE A WORLD WHERE POLICING ISN'T SEEN AS NECESSARY, BUT ALSO LIKE TO COMMEND COUNCIL MEMBER COSAR FOR HIS THREE RECENT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET AND NOTE MY SUPPORT OF THOSE.
HELLO CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR ADLER.
UH, MY NAME IS GREGORY BALADEZ.
I'M A BLACK MAN LIVING IN DISTRICT FOUR.
UH, I UNDERSTAND THE EASIER CHOICE, UH, TO DO WHAT'S COMFORTABLE.
HOWEVER, THIS ISN'T THE TIME FOR THAT.
THIS IS THE TIME FOR EACH OF YOU TO STAND UP AND BE THE COMMUNITY LEADERS YOU WERE ELECTED TO BE.
I SAID EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL UNTIL AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS MOVED TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL INDEED BE A SHORT TERM SOLUTION IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND DISMANTLING THE SYSTEMIC AND INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM THAT PLAGUES THIS CITY AND OUR NATION.
I'M NOT WILLING TO GIVE UP ON THIS CITY.
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE ABLE TO CALL HOME.
I JUST ASK THAT EACH OF YOU DO THE WORK TO MAKE IT SAFER FOR US, DR.
SAID WHEN WE ARE ALL COMPLICIT, BUT SORRY, WE ARE ALL COMPLICIT.
WHEN WE TOLERATE INJUSTICE, I ASK, WILL YOU BE COMPLICIT AS REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LEWIS SAID IN AN ESSAY PEN JUST BEFORE HIS DEATH.
NOW IT IS YOUR TURN TO LET FREEDOM RING.
UM, I'M CALLING ABOUT THE POLICE BUDGET.
UM, ALSO THE FASTEST GROWING METRO AREA IN THE COUNTRY FROM 2010 TO 2019.
SO OUR POPULATION IS INCREASING.
WE HAVE OFFICERS RETIRING AT A GREATER RATE THAN BEFORE WE HAD 58 OFFICERS THAT HAVE RETIRED SO FAR.
THIS YEAR DELAYING MORE THAN ONE ACADEMY IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE SAFETY OF THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN.
WE NEED MORE DETECTIVES FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND HOMICIDE DUE TO THE INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME.
NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO TAKE AWAY POSITIONS ON THE BOMB SQUAD OR FOCUS ON DEMOLISHING APD HEADQUARTERS.
PLEASE MAKE CHANGES TO THE ACADEMY.
SO IT'S A PRIORITY AND WE CAN CONTINUE TO TRAIN OFFICERS AND MAKE OUR CITY SAFE.
MY NAME IS LAUREN BURNS AND I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M CALLING TODAY TO ADD MY VOICE TO THOSE WHO SATISFIED WITH THE CITY.
MANAGER'S PROPOSED BUDGET ON THE COUNCIL MESSAGE BOARD.
I SEEN MANY PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AND SOLUTIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO RESTRUCTURE AND REALLOCATE FUNDING FROM APD TOWARDS MORE EFFICIENT AND EQUITABLE SOLUTIONS.
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EFFORT TO LIFT THE BUDGET UP TO BE THE MORAL DOCUMENT.WE NEED TWO PROGRAMS THAT I FIND PARTICULARLY URGENT ARE EMS AND THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN THE FACE OF COVID EMS HAS TAKEN ON ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF HUMANITARIAN AID AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
IN ADDITION TO WORKING THE FRONT LINES OF A PANDEMIC, ADDITIONAL HIRING COULD QUICKLY FACILITATE THESE SERVICES BY CONVERTING EXISTING PART-TIME AMBULANCES INTO FULL TIME AMBULANCES.
WE'RE ALSO SEEING INCREASED DOMESTIC AND GUN VIOLENCE DUE TO THE STRAIN OF THE PANDEMIC.
I AGREE WITH CJA FOUNDER, AMBER GOODWIN, THAT WE'LL PAY FOR THIS VIOLENCE EITHER ON THE FRONT END WITH PREVENTATIVE MEASURES OR ON THE BACK END AND JUDICIAL EXPENSES AND TRAGEDY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
I AM CALLING IN TO SAY THAT THE BUDGET, UH, PROPOSED BY, UH, THE CITY MANAGER SHOULD BE REJECTED.
UM, THE, IT DOES NOT DEFUND APDS ON THE SCALE OF AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION AND UNTIL THE PROPOSED BUDGET DOES, I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS APPROPRIATE TO PASS.
UM, I DO APPRECIATE THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN DOING WORK TO, UM, TO REALLOCATE FIND, ACTUALLY FIND THE WAYS TO REALLOCATE THE MONEY.
AND I SEE YOU AND I HOPE TO SUPPORT YOU IN THE FUTURE.
THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT, WHO HAVE NOT REALLY INTERACTED ON THIS ISSUE WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
I SEE YOU AS WELL, AND I WILL WORK TO HAVE YOU VOTED OUT.
UM, AND GOODBYE, MICHELLE EDWARDS.
MY NAME IS MICHELLE
MY MOM AND A SOCIOLOGIST AND A RESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE AND ALLERGIES ASIDE.
I REALLY LIKE LIVING IN AUSTIN, BUT I KNOW THAT MY EXPERIENCE IS HERE AS A WHITE WOMAN WITH MY OWN HOME AND WITH A JOB WITH BENEFITS DURING COVID.
I KNOW MY EXPERIENCES ARE NOT SHARED BY ALL AND THE PRIVILEGES EVEN ALLOW ME THE TIME TO BE ON THIS TYPE OF PHONE CALL DUE TO SYSTEMIC RACISM AND CLASSISM, LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE SAME AUSTIN I HAVE, INCLUDING IN THEIR, UM, EXPERIENCES WITH THE POLICE AND THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH GENTRIFICATION LIKE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO IN TOPLESS AND SUPPORTIVE THE DEMANDS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED.
I'M ASKING YOU TODAY TO DEFUND APD BY 50%, I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENTS.
I'VE SEEN ALREADY BY COUNCIL MEMBER CASAR, AND I ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO JUST MOVE DEPARTMENTS AROUND OR MAKE THE POLICE DO THE EXACT SAME WORDS, WORK LIKE JUST LESS MONEY, BUT INSTEAD INVEST OUR COMMUNITY'S MONEY ON REAL POLLUTION.
LIKE THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND INCOME HOUSING, REBECCA JOHNSTON.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 10 CALLING TO OPPOSE THE BUDGET AND ITS PROPOSED FORUM, AND THEN SUPPORTIVE REALLOCATION OF AT LEAST 50% OF THE PD BUDGET INTO PUBLIC SERVICES THAT WILL MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.
AND I STRONGLY SUPPORT ALL COUNCILMAN CASAREZ AMENDMENTS THAT WILL HELP US REACH THAT GOAL.
I THINK THAT AJC AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE REALLY MADE YOUR JOB MUCH EASIER IF I PROVIDE PROVIDING EVIDENCE AS TO WHY THIS WOULD IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THAT EVIDENCE AVAILABLE TO YOU.
SO I'LL JUST SPEAK PERSONALLY.
AND I THINK THE EASIEST WAY THAT I CAN MAKE CLEAR HOW BROKEN I FEEL APD IS RIGHT NOW IS THAT IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF EMERGENCY, I PERSONALLY DON'T FEEL LIKE I CAN CALL THE POLICE.
AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE THAT BECAUSE I'VE SEEN HOW THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS POLICE FORCE INTRODUCING HARM INTO A SITUATION IS HIGH.
AND MOREOVER, THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS POLICE FORCE PROTECTING EACH ARM IS LOW.
AND I THINK THAT OUR COMMUNITY GOT A TRAGIC LESSON IN THAT REALITY THIS WEEK WITH THE MURDER OF FOSTER WHO'S KILLER ATD RELEASED BACK ONTO THE STREET AND WITH THE VIDEO OF THE MURDER OF MIKE RAMOS, WHO TO MY EYES ESSENTIALLY HUNTED DOWN AND INSTITUTED BY A MAN WHO IS IN THAT.
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEMAND BETTER THAN THAT FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES.
MY COUNCIL MEMBER IS KATHY TOVO REGARDING THE BUDGET.
MY TOP PRIORITY IS REAL PUBLIC SAFETY.
I'M DEMANDING THAT WE DIVEST AT LEAST $100 MILLION FROM APD AND REALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND INITIATIVE THAT CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE AT ADDRESSING THE NONVIOLENT AND NON CRIMINAL MATTERS THAT OUR POLICE HAVE SPENT THE BULK OF THEIR TIME ADDRESSING TO GET THERE.
I URGE CITY COUNCIL TO BEGIN BY ADOPTING COUNCILMEMBER KOSSAR'S THREE AMENDMENT PROPOSALS TO FREE UP $40 MILLION.
NAMELY REMOVING INTERNAL AFFAIRS FROM APD AS POLICE.
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SHOULDN'T BE THE ONE TO INVESTIGATE THEIR OWN MISCONDUCT, REMOVING FORENSICS FROM APD TO BE PERFORMED BY INDEPENDENT SCIENTISTS AND REALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THIS YEAR'S, UH, COMING YEARS, CADET CLASSES TOWARD PREVENTATIVE PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS THAT ARE NON-MILITARY HUMANS SIMPLY CANNOT BE EFFECTIVE AT DOING THE OVERLY BROAD RANGE OF WORK WE'VE EXPECTED OUR POLICE TO DO FOR US.POLICE ERROR AND MISCONDUCT WILL NOT END UNTIL WE STOPPED SENDING POLICE INTO SITUATIONS WHERE THE LAST THING PEOPLE NEED IS A RESPONDER WITH A GUN IN COMBAT TRAINING.
WE NEED TO BE ALLOWING AND CREATING THE CONDITIONS THAT GIVE RISE TO SAFETY AND WELLNESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY OUR MOST MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, NOT THROWING MILLIONS INTO THE BLACK HOLE OF POST-TALK CRIME RESPONSE AND OUR YIELD BY TIME, ELIZA EPSTEIN, ELIZA EPSTEIN, WHITE RESIDENT DISTRICT ONE APD RELEASED THE TAPE OF MY GRANDMA'S MURDER THIS WEEK.
IT BEGAN WITH A NINE 11 CALL AJC COMMISSIONED RESEARCH FOUND THAT 0.6% OF CALLS BETWEEN JUNE 19, JUNE, 2019 AND JUNE, 2020 WERE RELATED TO VIOLENT CRIME.
40% OF CALLS WERE CATEGORIZED AS QUOTE RESPONSIVE, MEANING PEOPLE CALLING NINE 11 TO REPORT THINGS THAT SEEM OUT OF THE ORDINARY.
THESE CALLS ARE MOTIVATED AT BEST BY SAFETY AND IT MOST COMMON BY FEAR THE RESPOND CALL FROM MY GRANDMA'S NOT MOTIVATED BY VIOLENT CRIME, BUT IT ENDED IN MURDER STRUCTURES MUCH CHANGED BECAUSE OUR PROPOSAL TO REALLOCATE RESOURCES ARE GOOD, BUT THEY MUST INCLUDE RESTRUCTURING.
POLICE NEED TO BE ENTIRELY REMOVED FROM ANY ROLE IN QUOTE PROGRAMMING THAT PREVENTS VIOLENCE AND HARM COUNCIL MEMBER FLANAGAN'S SUGGESTION TO DECONSTRUCT APD HEADQUARTERS COULD BE GOOD, SHOULD PROVIDE REPARATION, BUT ALSO COULD SERVE TO REMOVE A TIMELINE OR SITE PER PROTEST AND SHIELD POLICE FROM THE SPOTLIGHT RISE FUNDS, EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH, LOW INCOME HOUSING, DEFUNDING CAMERON BERRY COOL OF DISTRICT EIGHT.
AND I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE A VIRTUAL ROOM HERE OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED PEOPLE.
IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE BY YOUR SIDE AND HAVE A VOICE IN CRAFTING THIS BUDGET.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE MADE IT THROUGH SEVEN MONTHS FROM A REALLY SCARY EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED BY WHAT'S GOING ON.
AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE ALL HUMANS.
OUR INSTINCT IS TO CLING TO WHAT WE KNOW AND PLAY IT SAFE, BUT THIS MONUMENTAL SHIFT IN THE SOCIAL CONTRACT AND WHAT WE KNOW TO BE TRUE AT A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL IS ASKING US TO STEP INTO SOMETHING 2020 IS BRINGING US NEW INFORMATION AND ILLUMINATING WHAT WE'VE HISTORICALLY PASSED OVER.
NOW, GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO PIVOT NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME BIGGER THAN OUR FEARS AND TRY SOMETHING RADICALLY DIFFERENT ON THE ROAD, LESS TRAVELED.
AND AT THIS MOMENT WITH THESE BRILLIANT MINDS, WE CAN MAKE HISTORY BY CREATING A BUDGET LIKE THE CITY'S NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
AND THE GREAT THING IS WE GET TO MAKE MISTAKES, BUT ONLY IF WE KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
AND SO THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING YOU TO DO HERE TODAY.
COUNSEL SUPPORT POOL, AND KOSSAR'S IDEAS FOR ATD.
THANK YOU, ANGEL S GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.
I'M A GENERAL MANAGER AT TITLEMAX.
UH, MY OFFICE IS LOCATED IN NORTH LAMARA, WHICH IS IN THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
KOSSAR'S DISTRICT HERE IN AUSTIN.
UM, I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO SPEAK TO YOU, UM, TO VOTE NO ON ITEM FOUR, WHICH IS THAT CSO ORDINANCE THAT SEVERELY RESTRICTS SHORT TERM LENDING, UH, PASSENGERS ORDINANCE WILL HURT ALL OF OUR UNDER, UM, UNDER UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND THEIR ABILITY TO HAVE ONE MORE PLACE TO TURN TO WHEN THEY DESPERATELY NEED IT.
UH, IN MY SIX YEARS THAT I'VE WORKED HERE IN THIS COMPANY, I'VE MET PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT ARE IN REAL NEED.
UM, AND I'VE COUNTLESS STORIES OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE REAL NEEDS.
UM, THESE PEOPLE COME INTO MY OFFICE LOOKING TO HELP THEIR CHILD, UM, PAY FOR TUITION, UM, TO BUY BOOKS, MAYBE, UM, UNEXPECTED MEDICAL BILLS.
THEY'RE TRYING TO AVOID EVICTION.
THIS ARE REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL STORIES, AND I'M CONCERNED THAT IF YOU DO NOT VOTE NO ON THIS ITEM, THAT THEY WILL NOT HAVE JASMINE HARRISON.
MY NAME IS JASMINE AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.
I'M HERE AGAIN THIS WEEK TO REJECT KROENKE'S INSULTING BUDGET PROPOSAL.
I DEMAND THAT ALL THREE OF COUNCIL MEMBER CASAREZ BUDGET, BUDGET AMENDMENTS ARE ADOPTED AND THAT THE COUNCIL CONTINUE TO REDISTRIBUTE MONEY FROM APD BUDGET TO BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES IN AUSTIN UNTIL THE DEMAND FOR AT LEAST A 50% CUT FROM APD FUNDING ARE MET.
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I WOULD LIKE TO NOW DIRECTLY ADDRESS MY FELLOW WHITE FOLKS ON THE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR ADLER AND SPENCER CRONK.BLACK BROWN, INDIGENOUS IMMIGRANT HOUSELESS AND QUEER COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN TERRORIZED DAILY BY THE POLICE FOR DECADES AS BOTH THE CREATORS AND BENEFICIARIES OF THIS RACIST SYSTEM.
IT IS OUR DUTY TO LISTEN TO THE CITIZENS OF COLOR AND THE BLACK LED ORGANIZATIONS IN AUSTIN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ABUSE AND PRESENTED US WITH SOLUTIONS AND TAKE ACTION TO MAKE REAL SYSTEMIC CHANGE.
DON'T SAY BLACK LIVES MATTER UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO INVEST REAL MONEY INTO DISMANTLING OUR RACIST INSTITUTIONS AND INTO PROTECTING MADDY BRAT.
MY NAME IS MADDIE BRATT AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
I'M CALLING THIS MORNING TO URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON ANY BUDGET THAT FUNDS APD LESS THAN A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS AND TO ADOPT, UH, HIS OURS THREE AMENDMENT APD LEADERSHIP.
DOESN'T COOPERATE WITH THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT.
THE TATUM REPORT SHOWCASE THE CULTURE OF RACISM, SEXISM, AND HOMOPHOBIA WITHIN APDS LEADERSHIP AND NO CHANGES HAVE COME FROM IT.
EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE TRIED SO FAR, ISN'T WORKING ABD REFUSES TO COOPERATE.
SO IT'S TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
PLEASE VOTE NO ON ANY BUDGET THAT FUNDS APD LESS THAN A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
AND IF CRONK WON'T DO IT, FIRE HIM, ADOPTED CAR SIZE, THOSE THREE AMENDMENTS.
UM, I'M A MEMBER OF DISTRICT SEVEN AND I'M CALLING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 17.
UM, I'M ALSO DEMANDING THAT THE POLICE BUDGET BE, UM, REDUCED BY A HUNDRED MILLION AND REALLOCATED TO OTHER SERVICES.
UM, I'D LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS NOT ABOUT LIKE RETRIBUTION AGAINST THE POLICE OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.
THIS IS ABOUT TRYING TO GET AT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM AND HELP OUR COMMUNITIES THRIVE.
UM, I'D LIKE TO COMMEND, UH, COUNCILMAN COSAR.
I APOLOGIZE IF I PRONOUNCED THAT WRONG FOR HIS, UM, FOR HIS THREE AMENDMENTS AND I HIGHLY SUPPORT THEM AND I URGE YOU TO ADOPT THOSE AMENDMENTS.
UM, WE THAT'S ABOUT $40 MILLION.
YOU STILL NEED ABOUT 60 MILLION MORE.
AND UM, THANK YOU GUYS FOR LISTENING.
UH, HAVE A GOOD REST OF YOUR DAY.
I LIVE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND DISTRICT FOUR.
I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD.
I'M THE FOOD POLICY BOARD PACK A FOOD AND EQUITY RECOMMENDATION IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, WHICH WAS A BUDGET REQUEST TO ALLOCATE SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR ACHIEVING EQUITABLE STRUCTURES AND RACIALLY EQUITABLE OUTCOMES BY INVESTING ABOUT $250,000 TO THE BUILDING OF THE REGIONAL FOOD POLICY PLANNING PROCESS.
WE ALSO WANT TO ESTABLISH AN EQUITY, TOOLKIT AND SCREENING TOOL FOR THE EVALUATION OF FOOD ACCESS WORK.
WHEN YOU ALL EAT LUNCH TODAY, DURING YOUR BREAK, PLEASE CONSIDER THOSE WHO DO NOT GROW THEIR FOODS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FEED THEIR FAMILY CAN NOT DISTRIBUTE FOOD OR GOODS DUE TO COVID-19 AND OR CAN NOT SELL THEIR PREPARED FOOD TO FEED OUR COMMUNITY AND THEIR OWN FAMILIES.
WE CAN REALLOCATE FUNDS TO THINGS THAT MATTER TO PEOPLE WHO WILL IMPROVE HEALTH AND MAKE LIFE BETTER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, ZACH.
MY NAME IS ZACH AND I'M CALLING FROM DISTRICT NINE TO DEMAND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL REJECT ANY BUDGET THAT DOESN'T DEFEND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50% AND MOVE THAT MONEY TOWARDS SERVICES OF COMMUNITY CARE, LIKE PUBLIC HEALTH AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I APPLAUD COUNCIL MEMBER KOSSAR'S AMENDMENTS HAS STEPS TOWARD A MUCH VASTER REDISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES.
IT'S EASY TO FORGET THAT EACH OF US AS A PERSON AND A CITIZEN OF AUSTIN WHO'S DISTANCED FROM POWER IS GREATER THAN YOURS, BUT WHOSE NEEDS AND DESIRES TO BE SAFE AND CARED FOR ARE NO LESS IMPORTANT JUST BECAUSE WE ARE ON THIS END OF THE PHONE.
THAT'S WHY YOU HEAR US URGENTLY AND OVERWHELMINGLY ASKING FOR A CITY BUDGET AND THE CITY THAT'S DEEPLY OVERINVESTED IN HARM AND SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER INVESTED IN CARE TO USE INCREDIBLE MOMENT TO REIMAGINE ITSELF AS A PLACE WHERE THE POLICE DON'T RECEIVE MORE MONEY THAN EVERY SOCIAL SERVICE COMBINED.
HI, MY NAME IS PAT
[00:30:01]
I SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER KOSSAR'S AMENDMENTS, AND I ALSO SUPPORT CUTS TO APD BUDGET THAT WOULD TRANSFER MONEY TO OTHER AREAS AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY BUDGET.HOWEVER, I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO SUGGEST AN EXACT AMOUNT.
I REQUEST THAT YOU ANALYZE DOG CALLS TO THREE, ONE, ONE, AND DIVIDE EQUITY MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT EQUALIZED SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN DISTRICT ONE, TWO, THREE, AND FOUR.
THE DISTRICTS WITH THE MOST MOOSE DOG CALL.
I ALSO REQUEST THAT THE ANIMAL SHELTER CHARGE DIFFERENTIATED FEES FOR ANIMALS LEAVE ON A SHELTER WHEN THEY ARE PACKED VERSUS WHEN THEY'RE STERILIZED.
AND THEN THAT YOU USE THESE FUNDS FROM THE SEA THAT ARE CHARGED TO FUND NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS TO DISTRIBUTE VOUCHERS TO LOW INCOME PET OWNERS FOR SPANGLER SERVICES AND PREVENTION SERVICES FOR ALL THIS, FOR ALL THE SPEAKERS ON THE LINE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT PRESS ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
UM, UH, MY NAME IS GRACE HANSON AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE CALLING IN TO SPEAK ON THE CITY BUDGET, MANAGE A CROHN'S FOR POST BUDGET IS AN INSULT TO EVERYONE IN AUSTIN.
WHO'S BEEN ADVOCATING FOR POLICE REFORM FOR YEARS.
IT'S AN INSULT TO THE PEOPLE HAVE ASKED THEM THAT YOU'RE SPECIFIC THERE.
I ARGUE TO REJECT ANY BUDGET THAT DOES NOT CUT APD FUNDS BY AT LEAST 50%.
AND I ALSO SUPPORT THE THREE BUDGET AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THOSE ARE A STUDY BY AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION IF 900 CALLS FROM THE LAST 18 MONTHS, SHOW THAT LESS THAN 1% OF NINE 11 CALLS DURING THIS TIME WERE FOR VIOLENT CRIME.
ANY ARGUMENT THAT WE NEED, THE CURRENT LEVELS OF POLICE FUNDING TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME IS ABSOLUTELY BASIS AUTHOR AND ACTIVIST LEADER IN RUSSIA.
SO IS THAT ACTIVISM IS LIKE SCIENCE FICTION.
YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DREAM BEYOND EXISTING SYSTEMS AND IMAGINE A BETTER FUTURE.
DID HE COUNSEL YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO JUST THAT RIGHT NOW? IMAGINE WHAT THE CITY COULD DO WITH 50% OF THE POLICE BUDGET.
HI, MY NAME IS BRANDON KEATON.
UM, I AM A JOURNALIST WHO IS A TAX BY AUSTIN PD.
UH, DURING THAT FIRST WEEKEND OF PROTESTS, UM, I WAS A DIRECT WITNESS TO GARRETT FOSTER'S MURDER.
UM, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT APD DID NOT STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING.
UM, AND THE POINT OF POLICE IS NOT TO STOP VIOLENT CRIME.
NOW IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE WITH GUNS GOING INTO SITUATIONS WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE WITHOUT GUNS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
YOU GUYS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY AND START TO DISMANTLE THE POLICE STATE.
WE HAVE FASCISM HAPPENING IN PORTLAND.
PEOPLE ARE BEING PUT INTO UNMARKED VANS, REFUSE ANY BUDGET THAT DOES NOT CUSS CUT APDS BUDGET BY AT LEAST HALF.
WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD AS A SOCIETY AND WE CAN DO THINGS BETTER.
WE HAVE TO INVEST IN THINGS THAT STOP CRIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS.
CRIME HAPPENS WHENEVER PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
OKAY, JESSE, PENDEGRASS JESSE.
PENDEGRASS FROM DISTRICT SEVEN MEMBER OF AUSTIN DSA.
THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY COUNCIL ARE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENTS THAT REMOVE INTERNAL AFFAIRS, FORENSIC, AND OTHER OFFICES FROM FUNCTIONS AND FUNCTIONS FROM APD TO REMOVE THEIR CONTROL OVER THE TOOLS THAT CAN HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR HARMING PEOPLE.
HOWEVER, WE NEED TO REDUCE THE OVERALL FOOTPRINT FOOTPRINT OF POLICING IN THIS CITY AND REDIRECT FUNDING TO THINGS LIKE THE RISE FUND, THE EMS AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY ALTERNATIVES, SPLITTING THE DEPARTMENT INTO MICROSERVICES THAT AREN'T EXPLICITLY CALLED APD.
AND THEN CLAIMING THAT THAT FUNDING IS BEING CUT FROM POLICING.
DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH BY ITSELF.
CONTINUE THE HARD WORK TO CUT MONEY SENT TO THE POLICE, REDISTRIBUTE MORE MONEY TO UNARM PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS IN PARTICULAR SUSPEND ALL FUTURE CADET CLASSES INDEFINITELY SO THAT WE CAN REMOVE THE FOOTPRINT OF ARMED PUNITIVE POLICE AND MOVE TO EVENTUAL ABOLITION OF THIS RACIST INSTITUTION.
YOU CAN PURCHASE THAT DEPARTMENT, STEVEN FOX.
[00:35:02]
HI, MY NAME'S STEVEN FOX.UM, YOU KNOW, HEARING, UH, ALL THE EVIDENCE THAT BLOATED POLICE BUDGETS DOES NOT IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
UM, AND THE APD SPECIFICALLY SPENDS AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF TIME ON THINGS OTHER THAN PUBLIC SAFETY.
UH, AND THAT, UH, IF APD IS UNWILLING TO SUBJECT THEMSELVES TO ANY SORT OF SCRUTINY, WHETHER FOR REPEATEDLY KILLING CITIZENS OR FOR THEIR CULTURE OF RACISM, THAT GOES TO THE TOP OR FOR LAUNCHING CHEMICAL WEAPONS OF PROTESTERS.
UM, JUST TO THINK ABOUT THIS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WAY, IMAGINE THAT YOUR ELON MUSK PLANNING TO BUILD A NEW FACTORY HERE IN TRAVIS COUNTY, AND YOU'RE LOOKING HIRE A SECURITY TEAM INTERVIEW APD FOR THE JOB.
AND YOU HAVE JUST A FEW QUESTIONS FIRST THAT SAYS THAT THEY'RE NOT TO BE HELD IN ANY WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING THE EMPLOYEES.
WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S A PRETTY DANGEROUS JOB AND IT'LL PROBABLY ONLY BE A FEW A YEAR.
OKAY, WELL, WE'RE COMMITTED TO RACIAL JUSTICE.
HOW'S YOUR RECORD ON THAT? WELL, WE REFUSE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND HAVE CREATED A CULTURE OF FEAR, SUCH THAT NONE OF OUR SECURITY GUARDS WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS EITHER THAT'S TROUBLING.
WE DO CPD BUDGET BY AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION IN ANY ACCRUED BUDGET.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ANNA STEWART, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
I'M A FORMER EDUCATOR MOTHER AND MEMBER OF THE JUST ONE IN THE LAST WEEK, SINCE THE FIRST BUDGET HEARING DEREK FOSTER SPILLED IN THE STREET OR PEACEFULLY PROTESTING FOR BLACK LIBERATION, MAY HE REST IN POWER? THE RESPONSE FROM APD WAS TO LET THE KILLER GO HOME AFTER BEING INTERVIEWED AT THE POLICE STATION, WHEN APD SHOOTS AN UNARMED BROWN MAN WITH HIS HANDS UP, THAT SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY WHEN APD QUIETLY INTERVIEWS AND THEN RELEASES AN ARMED WHITE MAN WAS MURDERED SOMEONE AND ENDANGER THE LIVES OF MANY OTHERS IN FRONT OF COUNTLESS WITNESSES THAT SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE WAKE OF THESE EVENTS, CHIEF MANLEY AND KEN CASSIDY CHOSE STATEMENTS TO SEND AS MESSAGES TO THE COMMUNITY.
CHIEF MANLEY RESPONDED TO GARRETT.
FOSTER'S MURDER WAS A SHAMELESS ADVERTISEMENTS FOR APD.
KEN CASSIDY TWEETED THAT GERRIT FOSTER WAS LOOKING FOR CONFRONTATION AND FOUND IT.
THIS IS NOT JUST A CALLOUS BE SENSITIVE REMARK.
THIS IS DANGEROUS RHETORIC THAT ECHOES TRUMP'S CALLS FOR RIGHT WING HATE CRIME VIOLENCE.
BEFORE TWITTER APOLOGY DOES NOT UNDO THE SANDWICH BAR AND BE BY 50% ZACHARY TENT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
MY NAME IS ZACH KENT, MEN AND WOMEN DISTRICT NINE.
I'M CALLING TODAY TO ONCE AGAIN, ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO REJECT ANY BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT DOES NOT CUT AT LEAST 100 MILLION FROM THE APD TO REINVEST THOSE FUNDS IN THE CIRCLE OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT WILL ACTUALLY MAKE OUR CITY SAFER, MORE LIVABLE AND MORE JUST SPECIFICALLY, I AM ASKING COUNCILPERSON TOVO MAYOR ADLER AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THE AMENDMENTS ALREADY PROPOSED THE COUNCIL MEMBERS CAUSE AND POOL, AND TO SPONSOR ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD MOVE FUNDS AWAY FROM THE APD AND INVEST.
INSTEAD IN COMMUNITY LED VIOLENCE, INTERVENTION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM, STABLE LONGTERM, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.
FINALLY, WE NEED TO CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASYNCHRONOUS AND PARTICIPATORY BUDGET PROCESSES.
ALSO CHIEF MANLEY MUST RESIGN.
I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR KIT, RAGE LEADERSHIP.
I WANT TO ECHO MY SUPPORT FOR THE COZAAR AMENDMENT.
I'D LIKE TO SEE A DEFUNDING OF APD BY AT LEAST 50%.
I BELIEVE MANLY SHOULD BE FIRED, ESPECIALLY FOR HIS BEHAVIOR AROUND THE MURDER OF GARRETT FOSTER, BUT I'M ALSO HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF INVESTMENT IN LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM.
IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY ON JUNE 12TH BY THE AUSTIN TRAVIS FOOD CAT POLICY BOARD COVID-19 HAS REVEALED A WOEFULLY UNDER RESOURCED AND UNDEVELOPED LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM.
IN TERMS OF PLANNING, RESILIENCE AND COORDINATION.
I WOULD KNOW I'VE BEEN IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY FOR OVER 25 YEARS RECOMMENDATION, ATC FPV 2002 ZERO ZERO SIX ONE TWO DASH FOUR CVI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021.
WE'RE ASKING YOU TO ALLOCATE FOR MINIMUM OF TWO FULL TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS.
SO WE'LL WORK DIRECTLY IN THE FOOD SYSTEM AND FUNDING THE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM PLANNING PROCESS AND EQUITY TOOLKIT, AND SCREENING TOOL TO EVALUATE FOOD ACCESS WORK SPECIFIED IN THE FUNDING FOR FOOD EQUITY RECOMMENDATION TESTING MADE BY THE TWO POLICY BOARD.
I URGE YOU TO TAKE ACTION ALLOCATE CITY FUNDS TO STRENGTHEN OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AUSTIN TO BE A LEADER ON URBAN FOOD POLICY.
[00:40:01]
PLEASE SEND ME YOUR MORNING.THIS IS TOM SMITH OR SMITTY, AND I WILL BE SPEAKING TO YOU ON ITEM 69 AFTER TWO O'CLOCK.
MY NAME IS EMMA BARKER AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT FIVE.
I SUPPORT THE CUTS AND REORGANIZATION IDEAS LAID OUT BY POOL COZAAR AND FLANAGAN AND ASK TO PUT THOSE IDEAS ON A TRACK TO IMPLEMENTATION A BUDGET IS A REFLECTION OF A CITY'S VALUES.
AND THROUGH LAST WEEK SESSION THAT THE WE FUND TOOLS, THE DIRECT CALLS AND EMAILS AND TODAY'S SESSION.
OFTEN CITIZENS ARE SAYING LOUD AND CLEAR THAT OUR VALUES ARE NOT REFLECTED IN A BUDGET THAT SPENDS A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS MORE ON POLICE THAN IT DOES ON EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, HOUSING LIBRARIES, PARKS, AND PUBLIC HEALTH COMBINED AS CITY MANAGER, CROCS PROPOSED 2021 BUDGET.
DOES YOU HAVE ONLY TWO OPTIONS REJECT TO ANY BUDGET THAT DOES NOT DEFUND THE APD BY AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS AND REINVEST THAT MONEY IN PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS OR BE VOTED OUT OF OFFICE.
NEXT TIME YOU ARE UP FOR REELECTION BY THE CONSTITUENTS WHOSE TRUST YOU'VE BETRAYED.
I URGE YOU TO TAKE THE FIRST OPTION.
IF HE CAN GIVE US A FEW MINUTES.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS THAI HONKY.
I'M TALKING TO BECKY AND I'M CALLING TO SUPPORT, UH, REMOVING 100 BILLION FROM THE POLICE BUDGET, ELLIE AND STARTING WITH, UH, QATAR AND PAUL'S AMENDMENTS.
UH, ONE AREA MONEY COULD GO TO HIS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT WORK ALONGSIDE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
BUT FOR EXAMPLE, WE CAN MIMIC MIAMI'S MENTAL HEALTH COURT, WHICH, UH, REDUCED RECIDIVISM DOWN TO 25% SAVED THE COUNTY 12 MILLION PER YEAR LOWERED THE JAIL POPULATION BY 38%.
UH, WE CAN ALSO SEND MONEY TO THE MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION DOCKET.
UM, IT'S LIKE THIS THING IN OUR COUNTY, I WORKED AT SOMEWHAT CREATING A SIMILAR PROGRAM IN OUR CITY'S COURTS.
IT CAN ALSO GO TO CRISIS RESPITE CENTERS, M COD AND OTHER SERVICES.
THE POINT IS THAT WHEN SERVICES ARE ADEQUATELY FUNDED, THEY PUT MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE ON THE PATH TO FULFILLING LIVES.
AND THEY SAY THE CITY MONEY, THE ALTERNATIVE AS MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE BEING UNABLE TO ACCESS TREATMENT, HAVING CRISES RESULTING IN DANGEROUS ENCOUNTERS WITH POLICE OR OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THEY GET JAILED AND THEY GET MORE COMPETENT.
THEN THEY CYCLE THROUGH THE STREETS AND BOOM, THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WE NEED SERVICES TO BREAK THE CYCLE MORE COPS THAN PEOPLE.
CAN WE JUST GIVE THEM A REASON OF SECURITY WHILE LEARNING OR WE'RE SENDING OUR PROBLEMS? THANK YOU.
UM, MY NAME'S EDINA AND I AM HERE TO ALSO SUPPORT THE, UH, ITEM NUMBER 17 OF MOVING MORE MONEY AWAY FROM APDS BUDGET.
I RECOGNIZE IT SPENT THERE CRACKS MOVE FOR, UM, TAKING 20 MILLION AWAY.
IT'S ALREADY MORE THAN WE'VE EVER DONE IN THE PAST.
AND SO I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, BUT I THINK AS YOU'VE HEARD FROM EVERYONE ON THE CALL TODAY THAT YOU ARE PEOPLE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THAT IS ENOUGH.
UM, ME PERSONALLY, I'VE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN LOCAL POLITICS.
THE REASON BEING THAT, YOU KNOW, MY HEART HURTS EVERY TIME I HEAR AND HAVE TO SEE MORE INFORMATION OUT THERE IN THE, IN OUR COUNTRY ABOUT THE VIOLENCE THAT IS HAPPENING AND HOW PEOPLE ARE DISPROPORTIONALLY AFFECTED BY SYSTEMIC RACISM.
UM, I URGE YOU ALL, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY TO, I KNOW YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH EVERY DAY ON THINGS AROUND THE BUDGET, BUT DO YOUR RESEARCH TOO ON JUST HOW SYSTEMIC RACISM AFFECTS PEOPLE IN AMERICA, READ BOOKS LIKE WHITE FRAGILITY OR SO YOU WANT TO TALK RACE.
AND I THINK I JUST CAN'T EXPRESS ENOUGH HOW MUCH IT FEELS LIKE NOW IS THE MOMENT TO REALLY IMPACT.
AND I THINK THE BUDGET IS ONE OF THE FIRST ACTIONS.
WE HAVE TO REALLY DO SOMETHING THAT WILL, UM, CHANGE THE COURSE OF SYSTEMIC RACISM.
AND I KNOW APD ISN'T THE, ALWAYS THE ENEMY, BUT I DO THINK THAT THEY UPHOLD THIS LONG STANDING TRADITION OF HAVING POLICE A POLICE SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR EVERYONE.
[00:45:01]
MY NAME IS
I AM THE DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR TITLEMAX.
I HAVE WORKED WITH TITLEMAX FOR EIGHT YEARS.
I'M ABLE TO PULL BACK FROM MY FAMILY AND I CAN HONESTLY TELL YOU THAT I LOVE WHAT I DO BECAUSE WE HELP PEOPLE.
WE CAN LEAD WITH A CUSTOMER WHO OWNS A FOOD TRUCK, UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC YOU FELL DOWN AND HE WAS STRUGGLING TO KEEP YOU SEEING AS OFTEN, THANKS TO ALL HE WAS ABLE TO PAY HIS EMPLOYEES, PAY THE BILLS AND GET THE BUSINESS OPEN.
PLEASE FLIP US AND ME AND THE CUSTOMERS I SERVE IN BOTH KNOW ONLY FOUR MINUTES.
AND IT'LL KEEP HELPING PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
SENECA, SENECA, SAVOY, PLEASE.
MY NAME IS ANNIE KOOL AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE AND OFTEN I'M CALLING TO SPEAK ON ITEM 17, THE BUDGET FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR, LIKE MANY CALLERS, I BELIEVE THE OVER $400 MILLION ALLOCATED TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A DANGEROUS USE OF FUNDS.
APD HAS BEEN GIVEN MANY CHANCES TO REFORM THEIR RACIST PRACTICES AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
UNITED HAS PROPOSED REAL SOLUTIONS THAT COULD CHANGE AUSTIN FOLLOWING THEIR PLAN TO CUT APDS BUDGET AND MOVE MONEY TO PROGRAMS THROUGH EQUITY OFFICE, PUBLIC HEALTH HOUSING AND QUARTERLY FUND IS THE ONLY JUST SOLUTION FOR AUSTIN'S BUDGET.
I'M ENCOURAGED BY THE PROPOSALS THIS WEEK FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS, GREG CASAR, AND LESLIE POOLS.
THE CUTS PROPOSED BY THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD MAKE IMPORTANT CHANGES.
HOWEVER, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THIS IS A STARTING PLACE AS CITIZENS AND VOTERS.
WE ARE WATCHING THE AMENDMENTS YOU PROPOSE, AND THE VOTES THAT YOU PASSED, LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS CALLING FOR A MORE JUST BUDGET BOND, AN EQUITY OFFICE HOURS, HOUSING AND RELEASE SENTENCE FOR A POPULATION DEEPLY AFFECTED BY COVID.
THIS IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY TO AUSTIN.
THIS IS CAROL GUTHRIE WITH ASMI LOCALLY 1624.
AND I'M SPEAKING ON THE BUDGET ITEM 17, UH, CONCERNING THE CIVIL RIGHTS DEPARTMENT.
THIS IS A NEW DEPARTMENT THAT YELLER TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER.
WE DO NOT WANT THIS DEPARTMENT TO ANSWER TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT BECAUSE ALL OF THE BEST PRACTICES SHOW THAT IF YOU CREATE A CIVIL RIGHTS DEPARTMENT, IT ANSWERS TO CITY MANAGER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, EMPLOYEES AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN NEED A PLACE TO GO WHERE THEY CAN BE HEARD WHEN THEY ARE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST HARASSED AND RETALIATED AGAINST.
SO WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL INCLUDE CITY EMPLOYEES IN BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THE CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE AND THAT YOU WILL NOT KEEP IT ANSWERING TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT.
EMPLOYEES DO NOT WANT TO SUE YOU.
THEY WANT TO BE HEARD AND WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE PLACE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.
AND WE WOULD LIKE YOUR SUPPORT ON THAT.
ALSO KEEP IN MIND, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CIVILIAN WORKERS WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT IN MANY, MANY DIFFERENT AREAS.
SO BEING VERY CAREFUL WHEN YOU START CUTTING SPECIFIC PROGRAMS, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE BILLION WORKERS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.
I DON'T THINK YOU'RE ABLE TO HEAR ME BEFORE.
I'M A RESIDENTIAL FOR DISTRICT FOUR.
UM, I'M CALLING YOU TODAY TO WHOLEHEARTEDLY WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT.
UM, THE AMENDMENTS IS PUT FORWARD, UM, BY COUNSEL, A WOMAN PULL ON COUNSELING CAUSE OUR, UM, COUNSEL PULLS, UH, AMENDMENTS, UH, WHILE I THINK UNFINISHED, UH, DO POINTS IN THE DIRECTION OF WHAT AJC HAS BEEN TRYING TO ACHIEVE.
AND I THINK THAT'S A GREAT BASELINE FOR THE BUDGET.
UH, I THINK CLASS WEEK, I SAID THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE WILLING TO DIE FOR THESE CHANGES, RIGHT? WE RISKED THEIR LIVES.
AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOMEBODY HAS AND THAT AS SOON AS THEY DID THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR POLICE UNION, WENT ON NATIONAL TELEVISION AND ESSENTIALLY TOLD THE ENTIRE COUNTRY THAT HE GOT WHAT HE DESERVED.
AND THAT IS NOT A COINCIDENCE.
[00:50:01]
THAT IS A REPRESENTATIVE.SOMEONE WHO WAS ELECTED BY OUR POLICE UNION, WHO EXPRESSES OVER AND OVER THE DESIRE FOR IMPUNITY WHO HID RACISM AT THE TOP OF THE DEPARTMENT FROM INVESTIGATIONS.
THIS IS THE CULTURE THAT WE HAVE INTRODUCED A NEW CADET CLASS.
WE WILL REPRODUCE IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, 100 MILLION AT THE BASELINE.
I BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE DOING THE HARD WORK THAT CAN PUT YOU ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY.
UM, I WAS GOING TO SPEAK TO SOME SPECIFICS AROUND NINE 11 THAT I THINK I WANT TO GO A LITTLE BIGGER.
WE HA I HAVE VERY LITTLE TIME AND YOU ALL HAVE HEARD FROM ME A LOT.
UM, I WANT TO SPEAK GENERALLY TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSALS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT FORWARD BY COSAR AND POOL, UH, ON HERE ON BEHALF OF JUST LIBERTY.
AND WE BELIEVE THAT BOTH OF THOSE PROPOSALS ARE THE DIRECTION THAT WE NEED TO GO IMMEDIATELY.
SO THERE'S A SHORT TERM AND THEN THERE'S A LONGER TERM ON THE SLIGHTLY LONGER TERM.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT WHAT YOU'VE JUST HEARD ABOUT THE NUMBER OF CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES THAT CAN BE REORGANIZED.
AND I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT YOU WILL BE HEARING FROM THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION TODAY, AND THEY HAVE DONE A VERY CAREFUL JOB OF THINKING ABOUT THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.
I WANT TO SPEAK TO SEVERAL TRANSFERS THAT I'VE DONE.
HI, MY NAME IS ANDREW MAYNARD OF DISTRICT EIGHT.
I HELD MY TONGUE WHEN THE COUNCIL PASSED THE HOMELESS CAMPING ORDINANCE ALONG VIOLENT HOMELESS MEN, FREE RANGE OF AUSTIN PUBLIC PROPERTY, EXCEPT THE CITY HALL.
OF COURSE WE CALIFORNIA WOMAN TASHA HOPPER, MADISON PUSHED FOR AN INVESTIGATION AND TO THE APD FOR RACISM AND MALPRACTICE.
I ASSUMED IT WAS RETALIATION AGAINST CHIEF MANLEY FOR HIS OPPOSITION TO THE CAMPING ORDINANCE.
I'D LIKE TO PERSONALLY APOLOGIZE FOR THAT ASSUMPTION THAT IT IS NOW CLEAR APDS AND THEIR NEED TO PERFORM AS IF THE UNTESTED RAPE KITS WEREN'T ENOUGH.
APD SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE, RIGHT.
AND SHOTGUN, THESE ESCALATE AS EVIDENCED BY THE MASSIVE ONE, POROUS TRAUMA, INCLUDING SECOND CHEST PHONES.
AND ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FUNDING IS NOT THE SOLUTION THEY COULD GET ME TO CORRECT AND EQUIPMENTS AS A SHIELD TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY, CUTTING APD BUDGET, AND DOES NOT ENSURE THAT WHEN ANGRY MOB OF RIFLE SHOW UP IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, AS I DID AS THE CITY MANAGERS CROHN'S HOUSE AND THE MAYOR'S RESIDENCE AT THE W ON SUNDAY AT SATURDAY, A LARGER OUTSIDE FORCE WANTS BE PRESENT TO PERMIT CHAOS.
SO BY DEFUNDING THE POLICE AND REMOVING THE INSTABILITY, OFTEN THE, THE FORMATION OF MILITIA BREAK, THE POLICE UNIT AND ASSURE AUSTIN, I WOULD SAY FOR ALL.
MY NAME IS MATTHEW GORDON AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT EIGHT.
I'M AN EDUCATOR AND I'VE LIVED OFF MY ENTIRE LIFE.
LAST TIME I SPOKE, I'D LIKE TO GENUINELY THANK THE COUNCIL AND MAYOR WRIT LARGE ALL YOUR EFFORTS IN SERVING OUR CITY TODAY.
I'LL TAKE THIS MINUTE TO TOUCH ON THE PROPOSALS MADE BY SINCE LAST WEEK WITH REGARDS TO DEFUNDING.
AND WE WERE OUT IN THE APDS BUDGET.
UM, IN SHORT I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT COUNCILMEMBER FLANAGAN'S PROPOSAL TO BRING UP APD AND THE FIVE SMALLER DEPARTMENTS.
I HOPE THAT A, UM, UH, AN OUTSIDE SOURCE CAN BE USED TO VET THE PROPOSAL.
I SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, CASAR AND COMES NUMBER POOL'S PROPOSAL TO SHUT DOWN THE POLICE ACADEMY FOR A YEAR UNTIL, UM, THE PROPER BEDDING TO BE COMPLETED.
I SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER COSTAR'S PROPOSALS TO SHIP THE FORENSICS AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENTS OUT OF APD INTO THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT AREAS OF CONTROL.
UM, FINALLY, A CALENDAR OF ACTION FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR TO APPROVE FUTURE BUDGET.
AMENDMENTS IS SOMETHING THAT I ALSO SUPPORT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT, UH, TIME IS SHORT AND DOING EVERYTHING QUICKLY IS GOING TO BE OVER A LONGER PERIOD, REMAIN ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT AS YOU DO THAT.
[00:55:03]
HI, MY NAME IS SAMANTHA MEYER AND I'M A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL THAT LIVES IN DISTRICT NINE.I AM CALLING YOU TO ADVOCATE FOR CUTTING APD BUDGET BY AT LEAST 50% AND INVESTING IN REAL SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE HARM AND ARE SEEING IN THE EAST.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I, AFTER SEEING THAT VIDEO OF MY ALMOST BEING KILLED OR AFTER KNOWING THE PRICE TAG THAT TAKES SALARIES AS JUST KILLERS.
THIS VIDEO SHOWS THE SUFFERING THAT ATD SPOTTED.
I WANT TO SAY THAT THAT SUFFERING THAT IS INVISIBLE, THAT WE DON'T SEE, I'M LOOKING FOR SUFFERING.
THE FOLKS THAT RELY ON UNDERFUNDED CITY PROGRAMS TO GET BY.
SO HOMELESS FOLKS, FOLKS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND FAMILIES THAT CAN'T PAY THEIR RENT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS 10.
I WOULDN'T BE FUN TO LEAVE THE DEGREE THAT WE DO.
WE MAKE THE CHORES TO GIVE MONEY TO THE MEN THAT KILLED AN INNOCENT MAN ON VIDEO, INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING HIM MILLIONS OF OXIDES.
SO THEY'RE SUFFERING THAT WE CANNOT SEE.
SO PLEASE LISTEN TO THE CALLS FROM YOUR COMMUNITY.
YOU RE-IMAGINED PUBLIC SPACES, ELIZABETH GRAY.
REMEMBER THEY POSTING THE STANDARDS OF
IN FACT, FOR YEARS HAD INVESTED HUGE THING, COMMUNITY POLICING.
IF I SKEW THE CASE AND CAISSON CHANGED IT, FENDER LINE, THE STRUCTURE INEQUALITIES ONE BIT, ALL WE HAVE TIME FOR AND MARGINALIZED PEOPLE, AND THERE ARE ADDITIONAL FELONS AND CRIMINALIZED FOR BEING POOR POLICING.
WE NEED TO BRING THEIR FUNDS BOOK AND POLICING THEIR AUCTION.
WE CAN TAKE, WE DON'T REQUIRE RENEGOTIATING THE POLICE.
WE SHOULD STOP PAYING ATTENTION TO SOME CENTER
I JUST WANT TO SAY NATASHA AMAZING JOB YESTERDAY AND AMAZING JOB TO ALL OF YOU ALL FOR PASSING ORDINANCES THAT ARE HELPING US GET TO THIS, THIS TITLE THAT WE CLAIM OF BEING THE MOST LIBERAL CITY IN THE SOUTH, UM, COUNCILWOMAN POOL, UM, COUNCILMAN JIMMY FLANNIGAN AND COUNCILMAN KASAR THIEVES, OR HOWEVER MANY TIMES AND WAYS PEOPLE SAY IT.
UM, I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOU THAT IT'S TAKEN US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
UM, AGAIN, UM, JUST TO GIVE A HAMLET TO REPRESENT THEIR, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THE HISTORY IS DEFINITELY LOOKING AT YOU.
WHEN YOU, I KNOW YOU ALL ARE MOVING AND WORKING TOWARDS THE, UM, THE RIGHT DIRECTION, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL.
UM, UM, BECAUSE WE SHOWED YOU HOW WE GOT TO A HUNDRED MILLION AND WE HOPE YOU TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
ALSO WE SUPPORT THE 50% CUT, UM, BUT A HUNDRED MILLION HAS TO BE THE FLOOR AND WE THINK WE CAN GET THERE.
UM, YOU KNOW, Y'ALL HAVE FUN TODAY, ALEX KOGAN.
MY NAME IS ALEX KOGAN AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR.
I IMPLORE YOU TO IMAGINE A CITY THAT DOESN'T OPERATE ON FEAR, BUT INSTEAD ON SUPPORT AND COMPASSION, I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT SAFETY DOESN'T EQUAL POLICE POLICE ARE REACTIONARY.
THEY DON'T PREVENT CRIME FROM HAPPENING.
THEY SHOW UP AFTER IT HAPPENED.
CRIME PREVENTION STARTS WITH FUNDING SOCIAL PROGRAM.
SO WE MUST REALLOCATE AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FROM APD BY DISSOCIATING THEM FROM THE NINE 11 CALL CENTER, ELIMINATING POLICE OVERTIME.
AND INSTEAD USE THAT MONEY TO FUND MORE THAN ONE CLINICIAN TO ANSWER CRISIS CALLS, DEPLOY CRISIS COUNSELORS AND MEDICS TO MENTAL HEALTH, DISABILITY, AND OTHER NON-CRIMINAL CALLS.
IMAGINE A CITY THAT THEY FOR EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF RACE, DISABILITY, AND ZIP CODE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRY TOO HARD BECAUSE YOU'RE HEARING THE SOLUTIONS FROM THOUSANDS, FROM THOUSANDS OF CONSTITUENTS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, POOL CASAR AND FLANIGAN REAL SOLUTIONS ARE HERE, FUND THEM AND REJECT KROENKE'S INSULTING BUDGET.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS ON A DIFFERENT ONE TODAY.
[01:00:01]
UH, INVESTING, STANDING LADIES OF COLOR UNITED DEMANDS.UM, I HAD A SPECIFIC, UM, UH, RECOMMENDATION THAT WHEN IT COMES TO RE-IMAGINING, HOW SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS ARE TREATED, THAT WE, UM, THAT YOU LOOK TO EXPERTS IN THE FIELD.
THERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC DYNAMICS RELATED TO THE ABUSE OF POWER AND CONTROL THAT ARE ROOTED IN WHITE SUPREMACY AND PATRIARCHY THAT WILL NOT BE ADDRESSED, UM, WITH, UH, ADEQUATE HOUSING AND ADEQUATE FOOD ALONE.
UM, WE EMPHASIZE THAT WE NEED TO HOUSE PEOPLE FIRST.
UM, AND WHEN WE RESPOND, PLEASE CONSULT THE EXPERTS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AMANDA.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
UM, I'D LIKE TO THANK MY COUNCIL WOMAN, NATASHA MADISON FOR HER LEADERSHIP, UM, ON THE ISSUE OF POLICE, UH, OVERSIGHT REFORM AND, UM, UH, TESTIFYING TODAY TO OPPOSE THE BUDGET IN ITS CURRENT FORM.
I THINK THAT THE POLICE NEED TO BE DEFENDED BY AT LEAST 50%.
THEY'VE SHOWN AN UNWILLINGNESS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WHICH IS WHY I SUPPORT BUDGET AMENDMENTS BY COSTAR POOL AND ESPECIALLY FLANAGAN.
UM, I THINK WE NEED A DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT VISION OF WHAT POLICING LOOKS LIKE IN THIS CITY.
AND LIKE OTHER COLLEGES HAVE SAID I SUPPORT, UM, EFFORTS TO REDIRECT THOSE FUNDS TOWARDS SOCIAL SERVICES.
WE NEED MORE AMBULANCES, WE NEED MORE PARKS, WE NEED MORE SCHOOLS.
AND I THINK THEY'VE SHOWN A REAL WILLINGNESS TO DRAG OUR CITY INTO THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT IN THE MOST TOXIC WAY.
RIGHT NOW PEOPLE THINK THAT KEN CASSIDY AND BRIAN MANLEY ARE AUSTIN, BUT THEY ARE THE PUBLIC FACE OF OUR CITY.
AND I THINK EVERYONE ON COUNCIL KNOWS THAT WE NEED A DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT STEPS IN ORDER TO BE THE CITY THAT WE AIM TO BE, UM, AND TO LIVE UP TO OUR HIGHEST VALUES.
UM, I ALSO WANT TO ECHO FOR ASSAYS DEMAND TO REMOVE THE CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE FROM THE DIRECT CONTROL OF THE LAW DEPARTMENT.
UM, WORKERS, LIKE THEY MENTIONED, DO NOT NEED, UM, WELL DEPARTMENT TO HANDLE GRIEVANCES WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES, THEIR UNION IN NEWBORNS.
UM, LAUREN BERKLEY, LAUREN BERKLEY, PLEASE UNMUTE.
I'M WITH AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION AND WE CAN SUPPORT, UH, UH, PAUL AND CASAR AND FIGHT AGAINST IDEAS FOR DIVESTING AND DEFINING AND REALLOCATING FUNDS.
UM, THE COPS DON'T NEED THEIR HORSES.
THEY DON'T NEED THEM MOTORCYCLES.
THEY DON'T NEED THEIR STOCKPILE MUNITIONS TO BRUTALIZE US IN THE STREETS.
UM, THE CRIME LAB IS TRASH AND I'LL TRY TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS IS A SCAM, UH, YEAH, FOR ALL THE SPEAKERS WHO ARE ON THE LINE, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY PRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
MY NAME IS CLEMENTE AGUILAR AND I LIVE IN SOUTH AUSTIN AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, INTERIORS DISTRICT.
I'M A GENERAL MANAGER FOR TENANT.
MIKE'S BEEN WITH THE COMPANY FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS, OR THIS COMPANY HAS ALLOWED ME TO STAY EMPLOYED DURING THIS PANDEMIC.
MY BIGGEST JOY IS THAT I'M ABLE TO MEET CUSTOMERS' NEEDS BY FACILITATING NORMS EVERY DAY.
OUR CUSTOMER BASE IS, ARE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE THE MEANS OF TRADITIONAL FINANCING.
EITHER DON'T HAVE BANK ACCOUNTS, THEY DON'T ASSOCIATE CREDIT NUMBERS FOR THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
I RECENTLY HAD A CUSTOMER WHOSE MOTHER PASSED AWAY.
I DON'T DO IT AS DUE TO THE COBIT.
SHE NEEDED ME TO CHEAT IT MONEY RIGHT AWAY.
SHE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO WAIT TWO OR THREE DAYS FOR BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T HAVE A BANK ACCOUNT.
SO IT WAS GOING TO BE HARD FOR HER TO GET IMMEDIATE FUNDS.
THEY WERE ABLE TO HELP HER RIGHT AWAY AND GET HER MOTHER'S BURIED THE WAY SHE DESERVED.
UM, I CAN SAY CONFIDENTLY THAT WE HELP PEOPLE EVERYDAY WHO ARE BEHIND AND RAN BEHIND EMERGENCY BILLS.
UH, JUST AN EXAMPLE, LIKE WITH THEIR LOVED ONES.
SO THE SORTING SPLIT IS UNREALISTIC TERMS AND SERVICES.
I PROVIDE MY CUSTOMERS STUPID PASSES.
I'M WORRIED THAT IT WILL BE TAKING OPTIONS AWAY FROM THE CUSTOMERS.
[01:05:02]
HELLO.MY NAME IS KAREN MAGGOT AND I'M THE CHAIR OF THE AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD, AND A
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF INVESTMENT IN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS PASSED IN MAY AND JUNE BY THE AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY COVID-19 HAS REVEALED A WOEFULLY UNDER RESOURCED AND UNDEVELOPED FOOD SYSTEM IN TERMS OF PLANNING, RESILIENCY, AND COORDINATION.
THOUSANDS OF OUR NEIGHBORS IN AUSTIN AND SURROUNDING AREAS NOW FACE UNPRECEDENTED EXPERIENCES WITH FOOD INSECURITY.
NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS FOOD INSECURITY HAS DOUBLED AMONG TEXAS FAMILIES.
THE INVESTMENT IN BUDGET OF THE CITY SHOULD REFLECT OUR VALUES AS A COMMUNITY FOR A CITY WITH SUCH PROSPERITY AND WEALTH FOOD INSECURITY SHOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 21 BUDGET.
WE ARE ASKING YOU TO ALLOCATE SUFFICIENT STAFFING AND PROGRAMMING IN TWO SPECIFIC WAYS.
ONE ADDING A MINIMUM OF TWO FULL TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS WHO WILL WORK DIRECTLY WITH FOOD SYSTEM STAKEHOLDERS, AND TWO FUNDING TO ACHIEVE EQUITABLE STRUCTURES AND RACIALLY EQUITABLE OUTCOMES BY INVESTING $250,000 IN THE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM PLANNING PROCESS AND THE EQUITY TOOLKIT AND SCREENING TOOL TO EVALUATE FOOD ACCESS WORK.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AUSTIN TO BE A LEADER FOR URBAN FOOD POLICY, THE FOOD POLICY, BOARD RECOMMENDATION, AND A SUMMARY DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN SENT TO YOU.
MY NAME IS KATE SNYDER AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PUT FORWARD.
I ASK ALL OF YOU TO CO-SIGN COUNCIL MEMBER PLAN AGAINST THE PUZZLES TO RESTRUCTURE APD AND IMPLEMENT THAT WITH A BUDGETARY CUTS ALREADY PROPOSED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CATHAR AND PULL OFF.
EVEN WHEN NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POLICE BRUTALITY ARE OCCURRING.
THEY'RE NOT SUBTLE ABOUT THEIR CONTEMPT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THE VERY COUNCIL 10 CASSIDY WENT ON NATIONAL TELEVISION THIS WEEKEND THAT HE'S BATTLING WITH YOU TO SUPPRESS THE PROTOTYPE WHILE OTHER CITY SERVICES OPERATE ON SHOESTRING BUDGETS.
APD HAS SEEMINGLY ENDLESS RESOURCES.
WE MUST SAY THAT SOME APD AND REINVESTMENT SERVICES OF CENTER EQUITY AND SAFETY FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE MEMO BY AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE PANDEMIC WITH RISING HOUSING COSTS AND RAMPANT UNEMPLOYMENT, THE NEED FOR ROBUST SOCIAL SAFETY NET IS MORE URGENT THAN EVER.
I ASK YOU TODAY TO BE COURAGEOUS.
IF YOU CONTINUE THIS WORK AND COMMIT TO FURTHER BUDGET, BUDGET TESTS WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF ABOLISHING THE POLICE, I CREATED A CITY WHERE THEY ARE UNNECESSARY.
DID YOU CALL ANGELA GOING TO BE THE SCARS? I'M HAVING A HARD TIME HEARING ME.
HI, I'M THINKING MANY AARON'S CITY LEADERS AND THE TATA HARPER ROCKS.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE PASSED THROUGH YESTERDAY.
UM, CITY COUNCIL AND MAKE US SO PROUD.
I AM LEFT SOME MESSAGES OFF FOR THE HERO FACTOR TO GIVE THEM OUR CITY FROM SUPPORT DURING THESE I'M PRESIDENT.
AT TIMES, I WANT TO SEND COMMENDATIONS, I DON'T WATCH THE NEWS, BUT I WAS OUT THERE WHEN IT WAS GUNSHOTS WENT OFF OVER THE WEEKEND.
THERE WAS ANOTHER VIDEO THAT WENT OUT THERE AND THEY HAVE VIDEO PROOF.
HOW MUCH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT SAVED A LOT OF INNOCENT PEOPLE OVER THE WEEKEND.
THANK YOU SO MUCH THAT IT, COULD I GO TO YOUR COSARA THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK SYRUP AND HOW YOU'RE TRYING TO ADD AMENDMENTS HERE THAT ARE GOING TO BE WORKING FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF PEOPLE, A LOVELY POOL.
UM, WE JUST, I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO COMMEND YOU FOR TAKING THAT SITUATION.
THE FRONT LINES THAT WERE ACTUALLY ON THE GROUND.
UM, THERE WAS A LOT OF INNOCENT KIDS OUT THERE THAT COULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT, AND I AM CALLING FOR A CURFEW UNTIL WE CAN GET SOME OF THAT UNDER CONTROL ALREADY.
CAUSE SOME OF THAT, A LOT OF THAT IS HAPPENING AT NIGHTTIME.
UM, THAT'S MY PATENTS HAVE A GREAT ONE.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY TO URGE THE COUNCIL TO CUT AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FROM APD.
UM, I SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER CASAREZ AND COUNCIL MEMBER POOLS, AMENDMENTS, UH, AMENDMENTS TO DO THIS IN PART BY CANCELING CADET CLASSES FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND MOVING INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND FORENSIC LAB PHYSICS LAB OUT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
UM, I ASKED THE COUNCIL TO TAKE THESE STEPS WITH THE BUDGET IN ORDER TO CREATE A SAFER AUSTIN.
MY NAME IS ANN DALY, LESS I'M WHITE.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT FIVE AND I'M A MEMBER OF DISTRICT FIVE FOR BLACK LIVES.
I'M CALLING ON CITY LEADERS AND ESPECIALLY COUNCIL MEMBER AND KITCHEN TO REJECT KROENKE'S BUDGET AND DEMAND THAT AT LEAST A HUNDRED, $5 MILLION TO BE REALLOCATED FOR REAL SOLUTIONS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELLBEING, COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN, WE NEED YOU TO TAKE ACTION.
WE NEED YOU TO REALLOCATE CITY FUNDS PURSUANT TO THE DEMANDS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED, THE
[01:10:01]
AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP.WE NEED YOU TO DEMAND THAT CRUNK RELIEVES MANLY AS CHIEF OF APD.
IF CRONK REFUSES, WE NEED YOU TO INSIST ON CRONK TERMINATION.
WE NEED YOU TO DEMAND INVESTIGATIONS OF OFFICER TAYLOR AND OTHER POLICE RESPONSIBLE FOR VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLACK AND BROWN.
WE NEED YOU TO WORK ON YOUR WHITENESS AND CONFRONT THE WAYS YOUR POLICIES AND LEADERSHIP HAVE NOT ADDRESSED RACISM.
YOU DO NOT HAVE OUR SUPPORT AND DISTRICT FIVE UNTIL YOU TAKE BOLD ACTION FOR CHANGE.
THANK YOU, CHRIS HARSHBARGER UH, MR. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, ON THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OWNER, NOT LIKE TO REGISTER MY OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSAL TO FUND THE AUSTIN DOWNTOWN PID, DO AN ASSESSMENT OF 10 CENTS PER A HUNDRED DOLLARS OF PROPERTY VALUE.
GIVEN THE IMPACT OF THE CURRENT PANDEMIC AND THE UNCERTAINTY OF WHEN AND HOW IT WILL END SPENDING MORE THAN $10 MILLION.
MOST OF WHICH IS INTENDED TO BE RAISED BY THIS ASSESSMENT IS UNLIKELY TO ACCOMPLISH ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED GOALS FOR THE USE OF THESE FUNDS.
AS THE MONEY FOR THE DOWNTOWN PID IS BEING RAISED THROUGH A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT OF DOWNTOWN OWNERS.
IT APPEARS THAT THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IN ITS REGULAR BUDGET FOR THIS PURPOSE.
IF THE CITY CANNOT FIND THE FUNDS IN ITS REGULAR BUDGET FOR THIS PROJECT, IT IS CLEARLY NOT A PRIORITY.
THERE IS NO REASON TO FURTHER BURDEN DOWNTOWN PROPERTY OWNERS WITH AN ADDITIONAL TAX AT THIS TIME WHEN THEY CAN LEAST AFFORD IT.
FINALLY, THE GOALS OF THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ARE VAGUE AT BEST AND COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY AT WORST.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT DOES BROADLY ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ENTAIL? AND HOW DOES IT RELATE TO THE MILLIONS, THE CITY ALREADY SPINS ON THIS ISSUE? AND WHY DOES THE CITY NEED A CAREFULLY CURATED BRAND STRATEGY GIVEN THE MORE SUBSTANTIVE PROBLEMS IT FACES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR, UH, THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU THIS MORNING.
I'LL YIELD THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
HELLO, MY NAME IS MATT FOX AND I'M A RESIDENT OF THE FOREST OUTSIDE OF DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M A MEMBER OF DISTRICT FIVE FOR BLACK LIVES AND MY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND KITCHEN I'D LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE CURRENT PROPOSED BUDGET.
AND FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THE CUTS AND REORGANIZATION IDEAS LAID OUT BY POOL IN CASE ARE AS WELL AS THE IDEA THAT FLANAGAN HAS PROPOSED FOR REORGANIZING OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AS IMPORT AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION CALLED TO CUT THE APD BUDGET BY A MINIMUM OF 100 MILLION.
AND ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE CAN BEGIN THAT REALLOCATION IS BY LOOKING INTO APD PARKS UNIT AND REINVESTING THEIR RESOURCES INTO PARKS AND RECREATION.
AND THE FAM THE APD PARTS UNIT IS CURRENTLY COMPRISED OF ONE LIEUTENANT AND 10 OFFICERS PER SHIFT.
AND IN AN INTERVIEW WITH KVU E AND APD LIEUTENANT EVEN ADMITTED THAT WITHIN THE PARK'S MO QUOTE, MOST OF THE CRIMES ARE JUST TRYING TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES IN QUOTE, THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY WARRANT POLICE INTERVENTION, AB THESE PARTS UNITS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND BUDGET ALLOCATION COULD EASILY GO TO PARKS AND RECS OPERATING EXPENSES OFTEN CALLS ITSELF THE CITY WITHIN A PARK.
SO LET'S KEEP OUR PARKS SAFE WITH CIVILIAN PERSONNEL WHO ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE AND TRAINED TO FULFILL THESE ROLES.
HAVE A GREAT BLACK LIVES MATTER.
I'M A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN GUN VIOLENCE TASK FORCE AND COAUTHOR OF THE REPORT SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL ON JULY 16TH.
AND IT WAS STRESSED THE NEED FOR A PUBLIC HEALTH FRAMEWORK TO ADDRESS OUR GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC BEGINNING WITH THE BLACK AND BROWN INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITY WHO HAD BEEN HARMED THEM OUT.
THIS APPROACH REQUIRES THAT COUNCIL DIVEST FUNDS FROM PUNITIVE AND OPPRESSIVE SYSTEM THAT INFLICT TRAUMA AND DRIVE GUN VIOLENCE AND INVEST IN THE PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND HEALING THAT OUR CITY DESPERATELY NEEDS.
SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE EMBRACED OUR RECOMMENDATION TO ESTABLISH AND FUND AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION TO LEAD THE CITY WIDE CULTURE SHIFTS AS A MEMBER OF THE TASK FORCE.
I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT BORN OUT OF EMOTION OR THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT THEY ARE NATIONALLY ACCEPTED BEST PRACTICES AND EVIDENCE BASED STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE.
I AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE.
THEY'RE READY TO ADVISE COUNSEL AS WE BUILD A NEW PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM, RECOGNIZING THAT NONE OF US ARE SAFE, JOY CHEVALIER, GOOD MORNING, COUNSEL AND JOYCE CHEVALLIER RATHER THAN THE SEVEN COOKS.
NICK IS OVER IN D THREE AND A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD.
I'M CALLING TO URGE ACCEPTANCE OF THE MAIN JUNE RECOMMENDATIONS OF OUR FOOD POLICY BOARD.
THE BUDGET IS JUST CURRENTLY LOPSIDED TO ARE TOWARDS OUR FEEDING PROGRAMS WITHIN APH.
AND DOESN'T REALLY STRIKE AT THE PROBLEM IN CENTRAL TEXAS.
WE HAVE NO RESILIENCY NOR LONGTERM PLAN FOR A ROBUST FOOD ECOSYSTEM THAT ADDRESSES PRODUCTION, FOOD TRANSFORMATION,
[01:15:01]
SUPPLY MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION, WHICH IS THE FOCUS OF THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, BOTH OF THE BUDGET REQUESTS, THE TWO FTE AND 250 K ASK WHERE THE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEES A PROCESS, UH, TOWARDS THAT LONGTERM GOAL OF SUPPORTING A FRAMEWORK FOR BETTER FOOD PURCHASING AND DEVELOPED OUT OF THAT REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS PLANNING PROCESS TOWARDS THE CREATION OF A FOOD SYSTEM DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE OPPOSITES OF STATE SUSTAINABILITY, NOT IN APH TO LEAD THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ADJUST AND RESILIENT REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM.THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S MORE THAN FARMS AND RESTAURANT, BUT A NEED FOR THE REST OF THAT SYSTEM TO EXIST IN ORDER TO GIVE US A SYSTEM THAT FEED OURSELVES WHEN TIMES ARE GREAT, BUT ALSO HAVE A MECHANISM IN PLACE WHEN THINGS ARE MORE CHALLENGING, LIKE UNDER COVID-19 URGING YOU TO CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE PUT IN FRONT OF YOU GUYS FROM THE FOOD POLICY BOARD.
AND YOU HAVE THOSE DOCUMENTS WITH YOUR STAFF, APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THIS COUNCIL DOES.
I'M A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER FOR THE CITY.
UM, AND I AM CALLING TO SUPPORT THE CUTS AND REORGANIZATION IDEAS LAID OUT BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, POOL AND CATHAR, AND ASKED THAT THEY IMMEDIATELY BE DROPPED IT AS BUDGET AMENDMENT.
I ALSO SUPPORT, UM, COUNTS NUMBER OF PLANNING AND PROPOSAL FOR REORGANIZING OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION.
UM, AND ASK YOU ALL TO FAST TRACK THOSE IDEAS FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
UM, I'VE ALSO ALREADY SPOKEN ABOUT, UM, MY DESIRE TO FIRE CHIEF MANLEY PER A RECOMMENDATION THAT THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, I'M SORRY, HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL ON JUNE 9TH.
UM, WE WERE UNABLE TO MAKE A FORMAL RECOMMENDATION ON THE RECENT KILLING OF GARRETT FOSTER, UM, DUE TO TIMING, BUT I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF VICE CHAIR, BROWN AND COMMISSIONERS BROWN CUBBY, YELLOWS, ANTENNA, AND BRECKENRIDGE IN SAYING THAT IT'S COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.
UM, WHAT THE APA PRESIDENT, UM, CASSIDY'S RECENT REMARKS, UM, IN LIGHT OF GARRETT'S DEATH.
UM, SO, YOU KNOW, WE JUST NEED A MASSIVE OF POLICING IN THE CITY.
I THINK Y'ALL HAVE HEARD ENOUGH PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT AT THIS POINT.
UM, SO LET'S MAKE THESE BUDGET CUTS AND, UH, ACTUALLY COME UP WITH A WAY TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS AND OUR COMMUNITIES AND, UH, BUILD TRUST BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN AND OUR LEADERSHIP.
AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH, LAURA.
HI, I'M A HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT SEVEN AND I PAID ABOUT 15% OF MY ANNUAL INCOME FOR ITS PROPERTY TAXES LAST YEAR.
THIS YEAR WITH COVID, IT WILL MOST LIKELY BE MORE, BUT I'M NOT HERE TO COMPLAIN.
I AM HAPPILY GOING TO GIVE YOU MY MONEY ONCE AGAIN, IF YOU WILL DO THE JOB OF SHOWING US THAT YOU CAN PUT THAT MONEY BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY WHERE IT BELONGS.
SO I'LL GIVE YOU 15% OF MY INCOME.
IF YOU WORK TO DEFUND APD BY 50% OR MORE, I STRONGLY SUPPORT
AND I LOVE JIMMY FLANAGAN'S IDEA TO REPLACE APD HEADQUARTERS WITH A FACILITY THAT WILL ACTUALLY SERVE THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE LONG BEEN TERRORIZED BY THE POLICE AND THE CITY.
I AM ENCOURAGED TO SEE MY OWN COUNCIL MEMBER, LESLIE POOL, WORKING TO FIND THOSE SOLUTIONS AND TO FIND THE AVENUES TO DEFUND APD.
AND I URGE YOU TO PLEASE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD, DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO DEFEND BY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
IF YOU DO, YOU WILL HAVE MY VOTE AND MY FEET ON THE GROUND TO HELP YOU THIS FALL.
UM, BUT WE SAW THIS WEEK WITH THE MURDER OF GARRETT.
FOSTER MAY HATE REST IN POWER, BUT THEIR OWN WORDS ARE HERE TO PROTECT US CHIEF MANLEY AND KEN CASSIDY'S ACTION IN THE AFTERMATH OF THIS ATTACK HAS BEEN, UM, HORRIFIC.
YOUNG YOUNG, HI, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.
UH, THE CURRENT BUDGET IS NOT A REFLECTION OF THE CITIZENS AND ORPHANS WHO HAVE BEEN SHOWING UP IN THE STREETS AND AT THESE MEETINGS FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, BUT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ELECT AS ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO HAVE MADE THEIR WISHES LOUD AND CLEAR TO DEFUND APD BY 50% REFORM DOES NOT WORK.
WE DESERVE SERVICES THAT ACTUALLY WORK TOWARDS IMPROVING OUR CITY AND NOT PUNISHING OR CORRALLING OR HOMELESS COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
I'M A MEMBER OF DSA AND THE POLICY ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AT UT SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
I'M CALLING TODAY BECAUSE I BELIEVE Y'ALL WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU'RE COMMITTED TO ENDING ANTI
[01:20:01]
BLACK ANTI HOMELESS, ANTI POOR POLICING IN OUR CITY BY DEFUNDING THE POLICE, YOUR PAST TO BE CRIMINALIZED, HOMELESSNESS DEMAND PAID SICK LEAVE FOR WORKING PEOPLE TELL ME YOU ARE LISTENING AND AMENDMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CASAR FLAT AGAIN, AND POOL.I SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER KOSSAR'S AMENDMENTS AS A STARTING POINT TO DEFUNDING APD, ESPECIALLY DELAYING CADET CLASSES, INDEFINITELY SUPPORT EMS SERVICES WHO ARE ASKING YOU FOR THREE NEW AMBULANCES AND HAZARD PAY DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, UM, INVEST MORE THAN 2.7 MILLION IN MENTAL HEALTH.
FIRST RESPONSE, COMMUNITY PARAMEDICS AND MOBILE OUTREACH CRISIS TEAM.
WE NEED 24 HOUR SERVICES, BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF ALREADY OVERBURDENED WORKERS INVEST IN MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN AUSTIN.
17 MILLION IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS GREAT.
SO IT'S THE NEED FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE, EVICTION COUNSELING AND SERVICES FOR THE UNHOUSED.
WE'RE LIVING IN A POLITICAL MOMENT.
UM, BLACK LIVES MATTER MURALS ON THE STREET ARE GREAT, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
WE NEED A COUNCIL WHO DENOUNCES FASCIST POLICE AND INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY.
KEEP SHOWING UP, KEEP DOING THE WORK DEFUND THE POLICE BY 50% DEREK.
I'M LIKE DEREK WAS FROM THE TEXAS SIDE OFFENSE PROJECT.
LAST WEEK YOU HEARD ABOUT HASHTAG WE SIGNED AND THE BIG, THE CITY RELEASED RESULTS WITH OWN SURVEY.
I WAS ALSO HAD OVER 91% OF RESPONDENTS TO SORT OF BEST FROM APD AUSTIN AS DO NOT EQUATE POLICE TO SAFETY.
AND THIS IS CLEAR WHEN WE LOOK AT THE RESULTS OF A RECENT PROFESSIONAL POLL OF AUSTIN VOTERS, ONLY 5% OF BLACK RESPONDENTS REPORTED FEELING VERY SAFE AROUND POLICE COMPARED TO 45% OF WHITE RESPONDENTS IS UNSURPRISING GIVEN THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE, BUT ALSO POLICE OFFICERS ARE CAPABLE OF COMMITTING AND INDOOR THING FROM MY GRANDMA'S JUSTIN
ACCORDING TO THIS RECENT POLL, MOST OFTEN I SUPPORT DIVESTMENT, INCLUDING POLICE LAYOFF IN ORDER TO RESPOND TO SOCIAL SERVICES, CUTTING OVERTIME, PAY CUTTING FUNDING FOR ALL UNFILLED IPD POSITIONS AND INDEPENDENT CRIME LAB OUTSIDE OF APB WAS THE ONE TO VOICE OUR SUPPORT FOR OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS BECAUSE OUR POOL AND FLANAGAN'S AMONG A PROPOSAL FOR THE APP, SUSANNA WOODY.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE DOVE VALLEY COMMUNITY COALITION.
I'M CALLING TO ASK THAT HE COUNCILS TO HELP CLOSE THE DISPARITY GAPS IN EAST TRAVIS COUNTY.
UM, BY FUNDING SPECIFICALLY THE ROSS ROAD CONSTRUCTION, AS WELL AS PLACED A MORATORIUM ON ANY NEW HOUSING PROJECT DEVELOPMENT.
THERE'S BEEN A HUGE MIGRATION IN TRAVIS COUNTY.
PEOPLE REFUSE TO SEE PEOPLE LIVE.
PEOPLE THAT LIVED IN WEST AUSTIN ARE SLOWLY MOVING EAST.
WE'LL JUST CALL IT THE CERTIFICATION AND HISTORICALLY KNOWN AREAS SUCH AS EASE, RIVERSIDE SEALER, CHAVEZ, AND MLK.
INSTEAD OF PUTTING IN HOUSING IN AN AREA THAT'S KNOWN TO BE AFFORDABLE, PLEASE PUT HOUSING BACK INTO AREAS AND BRING BACK THE BLACK AND LATINO RESIDENTS DO NOT PUT THEM IN AN AREA THAT HAS NO VIABLE TRANSPORTATION, NO CITY PARKS, NO RECREATIONAL CENTERS, AND MOST THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DEVELOPED IN UPGRADING AND DECADES.
PLEASE BRING BACK THE COMMUNITY THAT WAS DISPLACED BACK TO AUSTIN.
PLEASE FIND THE DEL VALLEY OR NATHAN LASH.
I'M A MEMBER OF
I'M HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT THE DEMANDS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION.
THE DEEP BOND, THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY 50% AND INVEST THE MONEY IN REAL SOLUTIONS.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING SOLUTIONS THAT BEGIN TO REMEDY LONGSTANDING AND EQUITIES FACED BY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN OUR COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
I'M GLAD YOU COULD JOIN US THIS MORNING.
I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE BE ANTI-RACIST PLEASE DO THE WORK TO EDUCATE YOURSELF AND REALIZE HOW POLICING IN THIS COUNTRY IS AN EMBODIMENT OF WHITE SUPREMACY CULTURE.
PLEASE KNOW THAT ULTIMATELY WE NEED TO COMPLETELY ABOLISH POLICING AS IT IS A SYSTEMICALLY RATE.
THE FIRST STEP IN THAT PROCESS IS BE FUNDING AND REALLOCATING FUNDS FROM THE POLICE TO COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED AND UNEQUALLY RESOURCED.
ADDITIONALLY, WE NEED CHEEK MANLY TO BE FIRED.
CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR WOULD BE FIRED AND ALL THE OFFICERS WHO HAVE KILLED AND BRUTALIZED OUR CITIZENS TO BE FIRED BLACK LIVES MATTER
[01:25:05]
ON BEHALF OF TITLEMAX AT TEXAS, I SPANK AGAINST ITEM FOUR FOR TWO REASONS.FIRST, THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE ATTEMPTS TO ELIMINATE STATUTORILY COMPLIANT BUSINESSES, AND OFTEN DESPITE A CLEAR COMMUNITY NEED FOR THESE CREDIT PRODUCTS.
SECOND, THIS ORDINANCE REFLECTS A FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE TEXAS FINANCE CODE AND IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO THE FIRST POINT, AUSTIN HAS MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS TO REGULATE CABS.
THIS HAS LED TO COSTLY LITIGATION FOR BOTH THE CITY AND INDUSTRY.
HOWEVER, THERE IS NOTHING CONTAINED IN COUNCIL'S AGENDA DOCUMENTS THAT JUSTIFIES THIS OVERREACH.
AND EVEN IF THIS ORDINANCE IS WELL INTENTIONED, IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND PREEMPTED OFTEN CANNOT PROPOSE LAWS THAT DIRECTLY CONFLICT WITH STATE LAW HERE, THIS PROPOSED ORDINANCE DIRECTLY CONFLICTS WITH TEXAS FINANCE CODE CHAPTERS 302 AND THREE 93.
IT ALSO PLACES RESTRICTIONS ON CSO TRANSACTIONS THAT THE LEGISLATURE CHOSE NOT TO DO.
THE CITY'S ATTEMPTED, UM, ADMITTED, ATTEMPT TO GET AROUND TO THE TEXAS ATTORNEY OPINION GOES TOO FAR FURTHER.
THE ORDINANCE INFRINGES UPON TITLE, RIGHT TO CONTRACT AND VIOLATES PROCESS.
I ASK YOU TO VOTE NO AND CONSIDER WORKING WITH THE INDUSTRY ON AN ALTERNATIVE THAT FOCUSES ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING CAB ORDINANCE.
THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN MARRED BY A GENERAL LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH AUSTIN OUTSIDE OF A COURTROOM BECK BIEBER.
HI, CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? WELL, MY NAME IS BECK BEAVER AND I'M CALLING IN SOLIDARY FOR A 50% DECREASE IN THE POLICING BUDGET.
THE SOLUTIONS, LOTS OF SLAP AN ARMED AND HOSPITAL BANDAID OVER AUSTIN'S DEEP RACISM THAT FUNDING THE MURDER OF BLACK AND BROWN CITIZENS, AND REDIRECT THAT MONEY INTO REPARATIONS AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.
INSTEAD OF ARMED OFFICERS, DESEGREGATE AUSTIN SCHOOLS, HOME HOUSES, POPULATION INVEST IN HARM REDUCTION, DECRIMINALIZE DRUG USE.
THESE ARE JUST A FEW OPTIONS OF WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THAT MONEY.
I DON'T HAVE TIME TO LIST ALL OF THEM.
I SUPPORT GREG SARS, THREE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE POLICE BUDGET AND FINISH OUT.
CHIEF BRIAN MANLEY MUST BE FIRED FROM COMPETENCE AND THE INJURY AND KILLING OF PROTESTERS UNDER HIS WATCH.
AND IF THIS IS REFUSED AND SPENCER CROCK MUST BE FIRED FOR INCOMPETENCE BLACK LIVES MATTER, STAY ON THE STREETS.
I'M A MEMBER OF AUSTIN DSA AND A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY CITY MANAGER.
CROCS PROPOSED BUDGET IS OFFENSIVE TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN GASSED, BEATEN OR KILLED BY APD.
AND THOSE OF US WHO WANT TO LIVE IN A WORLD OR APD IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR VIOLENCE.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND WHEN WE ARE FIGHTING FOR A COMMUNITY IN WHICH BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE CAN EXIST WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING TARGETED, BEATEN, AND KILLED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.
IF THE POLICE REALLY SAW THEIR ROLE AS PROTECTING AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY, THEN WHEN THE COMMUNITY TELLS THEM THAT WE ARE TIRED OF THEIR RACISM AND BRUTALITY, THEY WOULD LISTEN INSTEAD OF SHOOTING AND GASSING PROTESTERS.
YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO MORE THAN JUST PAY LIP SERVICE TO END THE RACISM AND VIOLENCE BY APD, YOU CAN MAKE A TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE BY DECREASING APDS BUDGET BY 220 MILLION AND INVESTING THAT MONEY IN OUR COMMUNITY TO ACHIEVE TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY.
HELLO? CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? HELLO? GO AHEAD.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE AND MY PARENTS LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN.
WHEN I FIRST SAW SOME OF HER COSAR POOL AND FLANAGAN FOR THEIR AMENDMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS.
AND I WANT TO SAY, NOT ONLY SHOULD WE NOT BE USING ARMED OFFICERS TO GIVE EMERGENCY CHAPTER TRAFFIC RESPONSE, WHICH IS A HUGE WASTE OF MONEY, BUT IN GENERAL, WE NEED TO DRAMATICALLY CUT PATROL FROM THE DEPARTMENT, BUT THERE'S A PATROL BUDGET ANALYSIS OF RACIAL PROFILING.
THERE'S HORRIFIC RACISM, AN AKT STOPS TICKETS AND ARREST.
WHILE ON PATROL BLACK PEOPLE ARE 8% OF THE AUSTIN POPULATION, BUT 37% OF THE TRAFFIC STOP.
ALSO ATD IS A RACIST PATROLLING INTENTIONALLY TARGETS, BLACK AND BROWN.
YOU SAW A VERY SMALL BABY STEP IN THIS REGARD IS A CUTTING AND REALLOCATING, THE $7 MILLION BUDGET IN THE MOTORCYCLE UNIT.
HOWEVER, WE STILL NEED THREE ALLOCATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FROM PATROL IN ORDER TO DIVEST FROM IT, AT LEAST 50% OF THE PD BUDGET,
[01:30:02]
WE MUST.LIKE WE NEED TO INDEFINITELY SOUTH THE ACADEMY UNTIL WE REFORM IT.
I'VE ASKED FOR AT LEAST $220 MILLION FROM THE DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPEAKERS.
IF YOU HAVE NOT PRESSING, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
MY NAME IS HEATHER AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE AND I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF DEFUNDING APD BY AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
I WAS A VICTIM OF VIOLENCE SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND HAD A REALLY NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE OFFICERS WHO RESPONDED.
ONE OF THEM MADE AN INAPPROPRIATE COMMENT ABOUT THE NATURE OF MY ASSAULT.
AND THEN LATER THAT NIGHT, THAT SAME OFFICER TEXTED ME INAPPROPRIATELY ON MY PERSONAL NUMBER AND SAID THAT HE COULD QUOTE UNQUOTE HELP KEEP THE BIG, BAD WOLF AWAY.
THIS WAS SHOCKING AND VIOLATING ON A NIGHT.
THAT WAS ALREADY TRAUMATIC FOR ME.
IN CONTRAST, THE VICTIM SERVICES COUNSELOR WHO WAS PRESENT WAS WELL-TRAINED AND HELPED ME PROCESS AND SAFETY PLAN, WHICH WAS CRUCIAL.
VICTIM SERVICES LATER HELPED ME BREAK MY LEASE.
SO IT'S ABLE TO BE AN UNSAFE SITUATION.
I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF IF ONLY VICTIM SERVICES HAD RESPONDED SINCE APD ENDED UP MAKING ME FEEL LESS SAFE AND CAUSING MORE HARM.
I HOPE WE CAN RAQUEL REALLOCATE MONEY TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH, FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE ACTUALLY TRAINED TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CRISIS.
I'M A STUDENT AT HUDSON TILTS AND A RESIDENT IN DISTRICT THREE.
AND I'M ONCE AGAIN, CALLING FOR THE MORAL COURAGE FROM THE COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER TO REIMAGINE POLICE.
THAT PUTS US ON THE PATH TO AN EVOLUTION OF A FUTURE WHERE THE POLICE ARE DEFUNCT.
THAT'S WHY I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR CUT PROPOSED BY AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION AND THE CRITICAL REORGANIZATION AND DECENTRALIZATION MEASURES PUT FORTH BY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
POOL PLAN AGAIN IN QATAR, THESE MEASURES WILL NO LONGER ALLOW APD TO TRY IT OUT.
PEOPLE LIKE KING CASSIE TO SET THE NARRATIVE AND COVER UP THEIR COMPLICITY IN REAL CRIME BEGINS SOCIETY SUCH AS THE MORTAR MURDER OF GARRETT PAUSER.
AND MY GRANDMA'S MAY THE REST IN POWER.
THESE WHO MEASURE THE RESTORED, THE FAITH TREADS AND POWER AND THE PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND DO WHAT WE HAVE NOT HAD THE COURAGE TO DO BEFORE.
HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? HELLO? YES, GO AHEAD.
MY NAME IS AMENITY APPLEWHITE AND I AM A CITY EMPLOYEE HERE SPEAKING IN A PERSONAL CAPACITY AS A DISTRICT ONE RESIDENT, I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AT THEIR REQUEST.
DCU HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ATTEND THESE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR TWO REASONS.
FIRST, THE HEARINGS ARE NOT TRULY ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE IMPACTED BY INEQUITIES BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES.
MANY OF US HAVE OUTLINED INCLUDING LONG WAITING PERIODS ON THE PHONE.
PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN.
AND MANY PEOPLE CAN'T KEEP THEIR PHONES ON BECAUSE THEY ARE PAYING BY THE MINUTE AS A RESULT, MANY PEOPLE ARE SHUT OUT OF THIS PROCESS.
SECOND CCU MEMBERS ARE PRIORITIZING SUPPORTING PEOPLE FACING IMMINENT EVICTIONS AND STRUGGLING TO SECURE BASIC RESOURCES AND CHILDCARE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
THESE IMMEDIATE NEEDS ARE MORE URGENT THAN THESE HEARINGS BECAUSE THE CITY HAS NOT YET MET THE NEEDS OF STRUGGLING OPS AND RESIDENTS.
CCU DEMANDS HAVE BEEN CLEAR FOR YOU FOR YEARS, AND THEY HAVE BEEN CIRCULATED AGAIN DURING THIS BUDGET FOR THESE REASONS STRUCTURAL INEQUITY AND THE URGENCY OF THE COMMUNITY'S UNMET NEEDS.
CCU MEMBERS WILL NOT BE TESTIFYING.
MEMBERS OF UNDOING WHITE SUPREMACY OFTEN HAVE SIGNED UP TO READ THEIR OPEN LETTER INTO THE RECORD.
AND THEN TROP WAS DISTRICT THREE.
I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF, THEY OFTEN TEND THE CURRENT ETHICS, SELF SHOAH, CEP AMERICA.
AGAIN, I'M CALLING TO DEFEND THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE ABOUT IT TO DEFUND THE POLICE BY 50%, WE NEED MORE PUBLIC AND HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, FIRST RESPONDERS, HOUSING PROGRAMS AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
POVERTY IS NOT A CRIME HOMELESSNESS AND THE CRIME MANDEL ATLAS AND A NOT A CRIME.
THE CUTS BY CITY MANAGER CRUNK ARE MISLEADING AND INSULTING.
LAST WEEK, I LEARNED THE NEED FOR BETTER SUPPORT FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS WITH MORE AMBULANCE, MORE MEDIC, AND HAD CERTAIN THIS DUTY PAY HERE, THEN AUSTIN CAN LEAD THE NATION AND THE POLICING PARADIGM DO NOT SUSTAIN THE
[01:35:01]
STATUS QUO.THAT'S THE, FROM THE MESS WHERE N AND JUSTICE SMART MARK ALMOST AND GARRETT FOSTER, GREG
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE AND A MEMBER OF AUSTIN, DSA AND TSU.
THANK YOU FOR THE THANK YOU FOR THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO BE FUNDED APD BY A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS, BUT SPENDING 400, $300 MILLION A YEAR ON POLICE WILL RESULT IN A CYCLE OF DISCRIMINATION, CRIMINALIZATION, AND POVERTY FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE AND THE CONTINUED DESTRUCTION OF BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES IN AUSTIN.
WE NEED TO CUT THE POLICE BUDGET IN HALF, AT LEAST TO MAKE ROOM FOR PROGRAMS THAT ACTUALLY WORK INSTEAD OF A PIPELINE TO JAIL DEBT AND DESPAIR.
WE NEED ONE FOR HOUSING JOBS AND HELP.
THAT MEANS A MASSIVE INVESTMENT AND PERMANENT HIGH QUALITY HOUSING.
IT MEANS SHELTERS WITH SOCIAL SERVICES LIKE MAIL DROPS, FOOD, CLOTHING, AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS.
WE NEED AN ARMY OF MENTAL HEALTH, FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUTREACH TEAM DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS, DROPPING HEALTH CENTERS ON DEMAND, DRUG TREATMENT, FACILITIES, NEEDLE EXCHANGES, AND SUPERVISED INJECTION SITES TO PREVENT DISEASE AND OVERDOSE.
AND THESE NEEDS TO BE LOCATED IN GENTRIFIED NEIGHBORHOODS.
A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IS A START, BUT IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE.
WE NEED BIG IDEAS, PREVENT DESPAIR AND HOMELESSNESS AND THE WAR ON DRUGS, INCARCERATION, DEEP PLATFORM, CAPACITY PLATFORM.
BRIAN MANLEY, GIVE US A HUMANE HEALTHY MULTI-RACIAL DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST OFTEN.
MY NAME IS CARRINGTON KAI AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT FORM.
I'M CALLING TO URGE ALL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO REJECT ANY BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT DOES NOT JUST FIND APD BY AT LEAST 50% WHILE DIVERTING THESE FUNDS TO REAL SOLUTIONS, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH, BMS, AND LOW INCOME HOUSING.
I'M ALSO DEMANDING 5 MILLION A YEAR BE GIVEN TO AMBER TAKER WHEN WENT GUN VIOLENCE TASK WHO THE NEXT FIVE YEARS I DEMAND YOU ALSO ADOPT ALL THREE OF KOSSAR'S PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ONE CANCELED.
THE NEXT THREE COULD AT COFFEE SINCE AUSTIN POLICE TRAINING HAS FOUND, HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE EXTREMELY RACIALIZED AND MEETING A HEAVY REVAMP TO MOVE INTERNAL THIRD OUT AND THREE MOVES A FRIEND THAT'S LOCKED OUT.
IF MORE POLICE LED TO MORE SAFETY IN THE U S WOULD BE THE SAFEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
AND IT IS FAR FROM THAT OFFICE.
POLICE BUDGET HAS INCREASED EVERY YEAR.
WHAT WE SEE NO BETTER OUTCOMES AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
DO YOUR JOB REMOVE BRIAN MANLEY.
MY NAME IS KENZIE ADDY GOMEZ ABOUT RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.
I'M SO GLAD TO SEE YOU ADDRESS PERVASIVE IMPACTS OF SYSTEMIC RACISM AND ALSO WITH THE SEVERAL REALLY GOOD STEPS THIS WEEK.
UM, THIS SPECIFIC PROPOSED CITY BUDGET FOR APD, UM, GIVES A SMALL REDUCTION ACHIEVED BY NOT FILLING VACANT POSITIONS.
IT REALLY DOES NOTHING ABOUT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM.
IT CONTINUES TO REQUIRE OUR APD OFFICERS TO RESPOND TO WAY TOO MANY CALLS THAT ARE NOT A GOOD USE OF THEIR TIME OR OUR TAX DOLLARS.
AND IT SIMPLY GIVES THEM TO YOUR COLLEAGUES TO DO THAT SAME WORK.
UM, I AM DEEPLY TROUBLED BY THE MANY RECENT INCIDENTS WITH APD, INCLUDING THE VIOLENT ATTACKS ON PEACEFUL PROTESTERS, A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AT KIPP, WHERE I WORK WITH ONE OF THEM ON THE LENGTHY DELAY IN THE RELEASE OF THE VIDEO OF THE DEATH OF MIKE RAMOS, WHICH WAS FINALLY LAID OUT THIS WEEK WITH HEAVY EDITS AND COMMENTARY FROM APD.
UM, AND FINALLY, THE WAY THAT SHE'S MANLY HANDLED THE HOMICIDE OF GARRETT FOSTER OVER THE WEEKEND, UM, WHERE HE UNILATERALLY DECIDED NOT TO CHARGE A SUSPECT, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE HOMICIDE OCCURRED IN FRONT OF DOZENS OF WITNESSES WITH THIS MAN AND THAT HE LEAVES BEHIND RESERVE AND INVESTIGATION INTO HIS DEATH.
WE ARE ASKING YOU TO COMPLETELY RETHINK HOW THIS DEPARTMENT OPERATES IN AUSTIN UNTIL THERE IS NEW LEADERSHIP AT APD.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT'S POSSIBLE.
THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY ON ITS OWN.
I AM A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD.
I'M ALSO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FARM SHARE AUSTIN, A FOOD AND FARMING, NONPROFIT THAT RUNS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS FRESHER LESS MOBILE MARKET AND CURBSIDE DELIVERY FOOD ACCESS PROGRAM.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THE
THE FUNDING WOULD GO TOWARD TWO ITEMS, ONE AN INCLUSIVE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM PLANNING PROCESS AND TO AN EQUITY TOOLKIT AND SCREENING
[01:40:01]
TOOL TO EVALUATE CREDEXSIS WORK TO COVET.PANDEMIC HAS MAGNIFIED THE MANY FRACTURES THAT ALREADY EXISTED IN A LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM THAT REQUIRE A DESERVED COMPREHENSIVE INEQUITABLE TREATMENT AS A FOOD ACCESS SERVICE PROVIDER IN AUSTIN'S EASTERN CRESCENT, WE SEE THE INEQUITABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE HURDLES, BUT SO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY FACE ON A DAILY BASIS TO PUT HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE FOOD ON THEIR TABLE, TRULY REFLECTS OUR VALUES AS A COMMUNITY.
SO CARLOS LEON, FIRST AND FOREMOST, I SAW THE ILS FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TO ITEM 17, DO NOT BUDGET CITY MONEY TO ADDRESS RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, ABORTION, WHICH SHOULD BE DEFENDED AND TERMINATED IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
RACISM AND REVERSE RACISM ARE PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS BECAUSE ALL LIVES MATTER, DO NOT BUDGET FOR RACIAL EQUITY OR RACISM, REPARATIONS BIDEN'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY ELECTION PLATFORM BECAUSE THEIR DEFINITIONS AND METRICS ARE FLUID UNENDING AND JUSTIFYING THE MEANS.
CONSTRUCTS WRONGLY, REWARDING RACE OVER COMPETENCE.
INSTEAD MANDATE RACIAL REPRESENTATION, MINIMUMS FOR PUBLIC DECISION MAKING BODIES LIKE THE POLICE CHIEF'S EXECUTIVE TEAM, ENSURING PEOPLE OF COLOR, GET REQUISITE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE TO BE HIRED FOR TOP POSITIONS ON THE MERITS, NOT COLOR OF SKIN EQUITY, EMPOWERMENT THROUGH COMPETENCE FOCUSED CAPACITY BUILDING.
THAT'S NOT COLORBLIND, BUT REALITY RESPONSIVE WITH EYES WIDE OPEN TO COMBAT RACISM THE RIGHT WAY TO STOP THE PAIN, NOT EMBRACE AMPLIFY, OR BE CONTROLLED BY IT, OR USE IT TO CONTROL OTHERS.
HI, THIS IS COURTNEY SANTANA WITH SUPERVISORY BLACK FOUNDATION.
I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.
I'M CALLING REGARDING THE PD BUDGET AND THE REALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO APD VICTIM SERVICES.
I SENT CITY COUNCIL FOUR POINT PLAN FILLING THOSE DETAILS ON WEDNESDAY.
AND I ASK THAT YOU STRONGLY CONSIDER THOSE THOSE POINTS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION THIS MORNING.
CAITLIN MCCLUNE MCCLUNE YES, GO AHEAD.
UM, I'M CALLING TO FULLY SUPPORT THE CUTS AND REORGANIZATION IDEAS LAID OUT BY FLANAGAN COOL AND COZAAR AND ASK THAT THEY IMMEDIATELY BE DRAFTED AS BUDGET AMENDMENTS.
FLANNIGAN'S PROPOSAL MAKES SOME EXCELLENT STEPS IN THE DIRECTION OF PROFESSIONALIZING THE WORKFORCE.
UM, THE WORK POLICE DON'T NEED TO DO, AND IT MAKES SENSE TO RAISE THE CURRENT DOWNTOWN POLICE HEADQUARTERS RATHER THAN INVESTING AND REHABBING IT.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO TALK ABOUT STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING THE APD BUDGET SPECIFICALLY FOR APS MOTORCYCLE UNIT.
WE HAVE THE LARGEST POLICE MOTORCYCLE UNIT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
ACCORDING TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE, MOST OF THEIR STUDENTS IS OVERLAP WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
WHY ARE WE SPENDING MONEY FOR DUPLICATE SERVICES? MOTORCYCLES ARE ALSO USED AS ESCORTS AND FUNERALS AND PARADES AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS.
WHY DO WE NEED HEAVILY ARMED POLICE FOR THESE EVENTS? WE DON'T NEED OVER 50 OFFICERS IN 70 BMW MOTORCYCLES, MOTORS, OUR BUDGET ONE SMALL BABY STEP TOWARDS ENACTING A BUDGET IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT COMPROMISE OR COMMUNITY STACY.
IN ADDITION TO CITY MANAGER, KROENKE'S CLAIM OF DEFUNDING APD BY 11.3 MILLION.
WHEN THE REDUCTION FROM THE 2020 BUDGET WAS ACTUALLY ONLY A ONE 50,000 OR 150,000, NOT BULLETS, PEOPLE OF AUSTIN ARE WATCHING AND WE ARE NOT FOOLED.
WE INSIST UPON MEANING, BUT WE RAISED MONEY AWAY.
AND WE JUST GET, MAYBE I USE SOMETHING
[01:45:13]
HI, THIS IS KATHY DAVIS.I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.
UM, I'VE BEEN IN AUSTIN FOR 10 YEARS AND I'M IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND POLICY RESEARCHER.
UM, I BELIEVE THAT AUSTIN HAS THIS QUOTE PROGRESSIVE, PROGRESSIVE PROMISE IN A CITY.
AND RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT LIVING UP TO THAT.
AND IF ANYTHING, I AM HAPPY WITH THE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH YESTERDAY'S ITEMS PASSED BY COUNCILMEN HARPER, MADISON, AND THEN ALSO, UM, REALLY IN SUPPORT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS, POOLS, UM, AND THEN ALSO, UM, PLAN AGAINST AMENDMENTS.
UM, HOWEVER, IF YOU WANT TO LIVE UP TO THE PROGRESSIVE POLICY PROMISE, THEN WE NEED TO DO THREE THINGS.
WE NEED TO CUT APDS BUDGET BY 50%, AND WE NEED TO TAKE THOSE FUNDS AND INVEST IN REAL SOLUTIONS, WHICH INCLUDED THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THE LOW INCOME HOUSING.
AND IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH STATE LAW CITY MANAGER CROCK, YOU CAN'T DEMOTE AND THEN FIRE, AND THEN REPLACED CHIEF MANLEY WHO HAS LED THE DEPARTMENT WITH WHITE SUPREMACY AND WHITE DOMINANT NORMS IN MIND OF TAKING THE LIVES OF BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE.
I HOPE THAT Y'ALL DO THE RIGHT THING THIS BUDGET SEASON AND REMEMBER THAT BLACK LIVES TRULY DO MATTER.
UM, I WANTED TO JUST ASK THE CLERK FOR MS. JOSEPH.
I HAD TROUBLE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS ACCESSING THE ONLINE THERE, CALL HER BACK.
WE DID DO THAT COUNCIL MEMBER.
I WASN'T AWARE OF THAT WITH THE NEW SYSTEM.
CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? HELLO? YES, PLEASE.
HI, ALISON ATLER I'M FOR, UM, THE CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE BEING THE ONES TO HANDLE INVESTIGATIONS OF RETALIATION, HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS.
THOSE COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO AN IMPARTIAL CITY MANAGER OR A HIGH LEVEL EXECUTIVE TO BE REVIEWED.
I WORKED FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN AQUATIC DIVISION FOR SIX YEARS AND I WAS A BARTON SPRINGS LIFEGUARD AND LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR.
I WAS WRONGFULLY FIRED IN JANUARY WITHOUT ANY PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE IN PLACE.
AND THIS IS BECAUSE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES IN TEXAS OPERATE UNDER RIGHT TO WORK, EVEN THOUGH MY JOB IS ANYTHING BUT TEMPORARY WHEN CERTIFYING, HELLO.
WHEN CERTIFYING WHITEBOARD, THE WORD PROFESSIONAL WAS USED IN EXCESS TO DESCRIBE OUR JOB AND PROFESSIONAL IS HOW OUR WILL COME.
EMPLOYEES ARE EXPECTED TO MANAGE THEIR STAFF.
HOWEVER, AFTER ADVOCATING TO CITY COUNCIL FOR HIGHER PAY HOLIDAY PAY AND THINGS LIKE TO PIECE SWIMWEAR FOR FEMALE DARTS, I WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE.
HR WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK INTO MY CASE AND I DID NOT GET AN IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION AND THERE WAS NO CONFLICT RESOLUTION.
THE AQUATIC DIVISION HAS GONE UNCHECKED FOR TOO LONG, OPERATING IN THE SHADOWS.
I'M SAYING THIS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH AND THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE.
SO ANOTHER HARD WORKER WHO LOVES THEIR JOB, GET THIS FAIR FIGHTING CHANCE AGAINST AN ENTRENCHED BUREAUCRACY.
THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M ZENOBIA JOSEPH AND THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR.
I ACTUALLY DID GET THE CALL BACK AND I WAS ALSO ON THE LINE.
I WANTED TO ASK A TECHNICAL QUESTION, MAYOR, IF A CAN, BEFORE MY TIME STARTS, CAN YOU JUST TELL ME WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THE BACKUP MATERIAL REFLECTS THE TESTIMONY FROM THE PLANNING AND ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR MEMBERS TO REVIEW BEFORE YOU SEE HERE, THE CASES, UM, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, THE DYES, I BELIEVE IT'S THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.
[01:50:02]
MAYOR PRO TEM, I WOULD JUST ASK THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THAT THE BACK OF MATERIALS FOR TODAY'S MEETINGS, THEY DON'T INCLUDE MY TESTIMONY FROM THE PLANNING AND ZAP COMMITTEE MEETING.SO SHE COULD TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AND CONSIDER PERHAPS POSTPONING THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE FOR FM NINE 69 AND MLK AREA, AS IT RELATES, PLEASE CONTINUE.
I'M GOING TO ASK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, ALISON ALTER TO RECOGNIZE HER
OR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DISCONNECT YOU AGAIN.
YOU JUST TOLD ME THAT THE DISCONNECTED, SO, OKAY.
IF YOU'RE HEARING ME THEN WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY AS FAR AS ITEM 70, WHICH IS THE PROJECT CONNECT INCREASE IN AD VALOREM TAXES.
I OPPOSED THAT BECAUSE IT WAS A JULY 19TH OF JULY 16TH, EXCUSE ME, 2019 FEDERAL OVERSIGHT HEARINGS, SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION ONCE ABOUT 40% OF PROJECTS.
AND YOU ARE PREDICATING THE AMOUNT THAT YOU'RE INCREASING THE PROPERTY TAXES ON THE FEDERAL SHARE OF THE PROJECT BEING ABOUT 45%.
I WANT THE TAXPAYERS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL BE A SHARP FALL BASED ON THE PANDEMIC AND THAT THEY WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE A SECOND ELECTION IN ORDER TO FUND THE AREA THAT'S NORTH OF US, ONE 83, BECAUSE IT'S 24 TO 30 YEARS PROJECTED OUT.
AND THEY'RE ONLY BEING ASKED IN NOVEMBER 3RD TO FUND THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT.
AS IT RELATES TO DEFUNDING THE POLICE COUNCIL MEMBER POOL.
I WANT YOU TO RECOGNIZE THE NEED TO ACTUALLY RE STORE THE BUS THAT GOES TO ST.
IT WAS APPROXIMATELY $945,000 AND CAN BE FUNDED.
NOW, AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO COUNCIL MEMBER TOBO, I WOULD ASK YOU TO RECOGNIZE THE NEED TO SUPPLEMENT THE MARKET RATE APARTMENTS, NOT APARTMENTS, BUT THE CONDOS AND TOWN HOMES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES ZONES SO THAT PEOPLE WHO EARN 80% AREA, MEDIAN, FAMILY INCOME, AND LIVE THERE SPECIFICALLY ON EAST MLK.
I WOULD ALSO MENTION THAT DO NOT SUPPORT THE EQUITY FUNDING.
IT'S OPEN POSITIONS SPECIFICALLY TO PREG WOOD AND COLONY PARKS.
60 MINUTES IS WHAT BLACK PEOPLE WAIT COMPARED TO SIX MINUTES TO UT AND 15 MINUTES, SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL, AND THEY'VE BEEN SILENT.
SO THESE COST OVERRUNS, I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND, AS IT RELEASED THE PROJECT CONNECT, JUST THE STUDY ALONE STARTED AT $1 MILLION.
IT INCREASED TO 7.8 MILLION AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN GAVE $6 MILLION ON YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
SO THE LAST THING I WOULD SAY, MAYOR RESPECTFULLY AND COUNCIL PROPAGANDA, PLEASE ON THE RADIO.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I DRINK ASHBURN.
HELLO? CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? YES, I DID.
Y'ALL ALREADY HEAR ME SPEAK ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS.
I THINK I ALREADY SPOKE, BUT I CAN SEND AGAIN VERY SPOKE COMMENTS.
WELL, I WORKED FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR SIX YEARS AND I WAS AT BARTON SPRINGS LIFE GUARD AND LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR.
I WAS WRONGFULLY TERMINATED IN JANUARY WITHOUT ANY PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE IN PLACE.
THIS WAS BECAUSE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES IN TEXAS OPERATE UNDER RIGHT TO WORK.
EVEN THOUGH MY JOB IS ANYTHING BUT TEMPORARY AND WE'RE CERTIFYING LIFEGUARDS, THE WORD PROFESSIONAL WOULD USE A LOT TO DESCRIBE OUR WORK AND FULL TIME EMPLOYEES WHO ARE EXPECTED TO MANAGE US PROFESSIONALLY.
HOWEVER, AFTER ADVOCATING TO CITY COUNCIL FOR HIGHER PAY HOLIDAY PAY AND THINGS LIKE TWO PIECE ONE WHERE I WAS WRONGFULLY TERMINATED FOR ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS TERMS PROFESSIONALS.
THE LAST WORD I WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE.
I DID NOT GET A MEETING AND HR DID NOT LOOK INTO MY CASE.
THERE WAS NO CONFLICT RESOLUTION.
A DIVISION HAS GONE UNCHECKED FOR TOO LONG.
THEY'RE OPERATING IN THE SHADOWS.
SO THAT WAY ANYBODY ELSE WHO LOVES THEIR JOB, WHO GETS
[01:55:01]
WRONGFULLY FIRED HAS A FIGHTING CHANCE LIKE TERRELL GUN THREES THAT ARE TO BE HEARD.HOPEFULLY GET A MEETING OF SOME SORT.
WE'RE TALKING TODAY ABOUT IDEAS FOR REDUCING THE APD BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR.
I KNOW THAT THE FUNDING SOUNDS SCARY TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT THERE ARE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE POLICE THAT CAN BE SAFELY TRANSFERRED TO UNARMED CIVILIAN AGENCIES OR ENTITIES.
ONE OF THESE IS EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
WE DON'T NEED POLICE WITH CUTTING EDGE WEAPONRY, RESPONDING TO FENDER BENDERS INSTALLED VEHICLES.
TEXTILE ALREADY HAS THE HERO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
IT'S A PATROL SERVICE PROGRAM TO KEEP OUR ROADWAYS CLEAR AND ASSIST MOTOR THE NEED.
THEY ALREADY PATROL OUR AREA HIGHWAYS, PROVIDING SERVICES LIKE RELOCATING VEHICLES TO SAY STACEY PROVIDING TRAFFIC AND LANE CONTROL, REMOVING DEBRIS AND ASSISTING FIRST RESPONDERS AT CRASH CRASH SCENE.
WHY DO WE NEED HEAVILY ARMED POLICE OFFICERS DUPLICATING THE SAME SERVICES ALREADY OFFERED BY THE STATE.
THIS IS A BABY STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND IT WILL NOT COMPROMISE OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ASSETS.
I PUT FACEBOOK INTO AMENDMENTS IMMEDIATELY.
MY NAME IS
THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A BUDGET THAT THE FUNDS APD BY $100 MILLION AND INSTEAD INVEST IN PUBLIC SERVICES TO KEEP COMMUNITY SAFE.
I URGE YOU ALL TO SUPPORT THE RESTRUCTURING IDEAS BY SPECIFIC CUTS PROPOSED BY LESLIE POOLE AND GREG CASAR AS A START.
THANK YOU SO MUCH PORN COSAR FOR YOUR WORK AND SUPPORT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.
I DEMAND TO INVEST IN PUBLIC HEALTH NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION, AND SURVIVOR SUPPORT, ENDING HOMELESSNESS, HARM REDUCTION, FOOD ACCESS, AND EMS. AS A LATINA, I DON'T FEEL SAFE FOR MYSELF OR MY FAMILY WITH ABB AND NEITHER DO BLACK.
THE RECENT POLL SHOWED ONLY 5% OF BLACK RESPONDENTS SAY THEY FEEL SAFE COMPARED TO 45% OF WHITE RESPONDENTS.
NO SURPRISE THERE SINCE POLICE WERE CREATED TO CONTROL NEWLY FREED BLACK PEOPLE AND CONTINUED TO DO SO THROUGH PRACTICES SUCH AS AIR QUOTES, PROACTIVE POLICING, WHICH IS RACIAL PROFILING AND DRIVEN BY CLASS-BASED FEAR.
WHY PEOPLE AREN'T SAFE, EITHER ELISE HAVE PROVEN TO BE WELL EQUIPPED TO BRUTALIZE PROTESTORS, GLOBAL PANDEMIC UNDERFUNDED, AND UNDERSTAFFED FUN COMMUNITY, NOT POLICE.
HI, UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF ADJUSTING THE PROPOSED BUDGET TO REDIRECT FUNDS FROM APD TO REAL SOLUTIONS, WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER THE INTERDICTION CANINE UNIT, WHICH WOULD GIVE YOU ALMOST $1.3 MILLION FOR THE OTHER BUDGET PRIORITIES.
WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THE USE OF THE CANINE UNITS DATES BACK TO SLAVERY.
AS THE DOGS WERE USED TO HUNT, ESCAPE, SLAVES, TERRORIZE, AND HURT PEOPLE STUDY AND EXPERIENCES SHOW THAT THE USE OF POLICE DOGS CONTINUES TO HAVE A DISPARATE IMPACT FOR BLACK COMMUNITIES.
THEY'RE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT PUTTING ANIMALS IN DANGER.
NO HUMAN SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO TOLERATE A DOG MAULING WITHOUT TRYING TO STOP IT.
EVEN IF IT MEANS KILLING THE DOG.
MULTIPLE ANALYSES OF, OF DRUG DOG ALERTS HAVE CONSISTENTLY SHOWN ALARMINGLY HIGH ERROR RATES WITH SOME EXCEEDING 50% RESEARCHERS IN CRITICS HAVE REPEATEDLY EXPRESSED DOUBTS OVER DOG'S ABILITIES TO DETECT SUBSTANCES, TO ALERT THEIR HANDLERS CONSISTENTLY.
AND THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT HOW DOG HANDLER RELATIONSHIPS ARE COMPROMISING THE RESULTS.
THERE'S ALSO MINIMAL OVERSIGHT OF DRUG DOG'S ACTUAL PERFORMANCE.
SO I HOPE YOU'LL CONSIDER THIS POSSIBLE CHANDLER GANDY.
HI, UH, MY NAME IS CHANDLER GANDY.
I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.
I'VE MOSTLY BEEN IN DISTRICT FOUR, GO GREG CAUSE OUR AND EVERYTHING.
WE MOVED TO JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO SHAKING THINGS UP DOWN HERE.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET AS A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILDHOOD.
AND IT ALL SAID, I WANT MONEY SPENT ON POLICING TO BE REDIRECTED TOWARDS RESOURCES THAT PROTECT WOMEN FROM THESE SITUATIONS.
UM, AS A CHILD OF A POOR DRUG ADDICT, MY MOM NEEDED SUPPORT FROM HER COMMUNITY, NOT PUNISHMENT AS AN ADULT WHO WORKS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
I WORRY ABOUT THE FACT THAT NEARLY HALF OF PEOPLE MURDERED BY POLICE ARE DISABLED OR MENTALLY ILL.
I DON'T VIEW DEFUNDING OF POLICE AS A PUNISHMENT
[02:00:01]
TO THE WRONG AS THEY HAVE DONE, BUT AS A BOLD AND COMPASSIONATE, RE-IMAGINING HOW WE DEAL WITH THE TROUBLES OF SOCIETY.AND THIS IS FOR MY GRANDMA SYDNEY BUELLER.
UH, HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.
HI, MY NAME IS SYDNEY I'M WITH DISTRICT EIGHT.
I'M CALLING ON BEHALF OF THE CARE.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO SHOW YOURSELF WE DON'T WANT FAKE SUPPORT.
ARE YOU GOING TO STAND WITH US OR ULTIMATELY STICK BY? WHICH MEANS STANDING AGAINST HER.
MY FRIEND GARRETT FOSTER'S MURDER WAS RELEASED ON THE STREET.
CHIEF STEPPED DOWN SPENCER CRUNCH.
WE WILL CONTINUE FIGHTING NO MATTER WHAT WE'VE ARRESTED THE MURDER.
WE PLEASE WAS SUCH A GOOD HUMAN.
WHY CITY COUNCIL? I'M ASKING HIM MY DEEPEST CONCERN ARE YOUR HANDS SIDE.
I KNOW YOU JOINED FOR SOME MEANINGFUL REASONS.
WHO ARE YOUR HANDS TIED? IF YOU ARE, PLEASE TELL US THIS, TELL US HOW WE CAN HELP YOU.
I'M TITHING IS ALL I'M ASKING.
WE ARE TRYING NOW WE'RE SHOWING UP.
WE WILL HELP YOU UNTIL YOUR HANDS ARE TIED SO WE CAN REACH THE TEAMS WE NEED.
CUT APD FUNDING BY A HUNDRED MILLION REALITY FUNDING, THE BLACK COMMUNITY WITH US AND IDENTIFY THESE OFFICERS WITH BARCODE FOR POLICE BRUTALITY, COVERING YOUR BAD, HIS ARREST FOR MURDER JUSTICE FOR JARED FOSTER, REST IN POWER, MY HERO AND CHEST AND CHEST THAT MORNING.
MY NAME IS FRANCESCA MORAY FROM DISTRICT NINE.
I'M CALLING TODAY TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR DEFUNDING THE ACD BY AT LEAST 100 MILLION.
I'M URGING ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY MY COUNCIL MEMBER TOVO TO PLEASE SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER KOSSAR'S AMENDMENTS.
I'M CURRENTLY TRAINING TO WORK ON A SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE FOR TRAVIS COUNTY.
WHILE I STILL HAVE A LOT TO LEARN.
ONE OF THE SCENARIOS I'M SPENDING THE MOST TIME PREPARING FOR IS THE CALL.
I WILL FREQUENTLY RECEIVE OF A SURVIVOR.
WHO'S TRAPPED WITH HER ABUSER AND YOUTH HOUSING.
ALL OF OUR EMERGENCY SHELTERS IN TRAVIS COUNTY ARE AT CAPACITY AND I'M PREPARING FOR THE COUNTLESS CONVERSATIONS I WILL INEVITABLY HAVE IN WHICH I WILL TELL THE SURVIVOR THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO EMERGENCY HOUSING FOR DAYS, WEEKS, AND SOMETIMES MONTHS COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY REASONS WHY THIS COUNCIL NEEDS TO PASS THE AMENDMENTS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER CATHARS PROPOSING.
ONE OF WHICH REALLOCATE FUNDING FROM THE APD TO A NEW FAMILY VIOLENCE SHELTER.
THE POLICE DO NOT PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE FROM OCCURRING.
IN FACT, POLICE OFFICERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO PERPETRATE INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PREVENTS THIS AND MANY OTHER TYPES OF VIOLENCE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M NOT JUST ASKING YOU TO PASS THESE AMENDMENTS AND DEFUND THE ACD BY AT LEAST 100 MILLION, 100 MILLION.
PEOPLE'S LIVES DEPEND ON YOUR DECISION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME EMILY'S LAWYER.
MY NAME IS EMILY SAWYER AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR.
NOW THAT WE'VE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, LET'S CREATE A BUDGET THAT COMMUNICATES THAT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND OPERATIONALIZES COMMUNITY FOCUSED SOLUTIONS, DEFUND APD BY 50% AND REALLOCATE TO SUPPORT VICTIMS SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, EDUCATION, EMS, AND THE LIST GOES ON.
I SUPPORT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS MADE THUS FAR BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, COSTAR POOL AND FLANAGAN.
THE REORGANIZATIONS PROPOSED ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY AN INDEPENDENT CRIME LAB AND INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS OF POLICE MISCONDUCT.
WE NEED TO SPEND MONEY ON PROFESSIONALIZING.
THE WORK THAT POLICE OFFICERS NEITHER NEED TO DO NOR ARE TRAINED OR EQUIPPED TO DO WELL WITH THE BEST INTERESTS IN MIND OF THE COMMUNITIES.
LONG TERRORIZED BY POLICING CHIEF MANLEY MUST RESIGN, PAUSE CADET CLASSES.
IT IS CLEAR THAT APD AND APA LEADERSHIP CANNOT LEAD WELL AND DO NOT SUPPORT THE HUMANITY OF ALL OUR CITY'S RESIDENTS.
UH, THIS IS RICO DISTRICT THREE ITEMS, 17.
I THOUGHT GARRETT BOSS'S MURDER VIA LIVE STREAM.
I CALLED MY STREET MEDIC FRIEND IMMEDIATELY.
THEY RAN SIX BLOCKS TO THE CRIME SCENE AND THEY RESPONDED OVER FIVE MINUTES FASTER THAN THE EMS. APD SAID DEREK'S GUN WAS NEVER FIRED.
AND ALL EYE WITNESS TESTIMONY SAID HIS GUN WAS NEVER RAISED.
A PROTESTOR DIED IN APD, REFUSES TO ARREST OR MURDER.
APD RELEASED THE MAN WHO ADMITTED TO KILLING HIM BECAUSE HE CLAIMED GARY INTO GOING TO HIM.
WHO DOES APD ACTUALLY PROTECT AND SERVE IF THE POLICE CAN'T PREVENT CRIME, WHEN THEY'RE LITERALLY ALREADY PRESENT ON THE SAME
[02:05:01]
BLOCK AND THEY WON'T FILE CHARGES AGAINST THE CONTEST KILLER, WHY DO THEY RECEIVE 40% OF OUR CITY FUNDING? I SUPPORT CAUSE AS FAR AS PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO REMOVE IAA AND FORENSICS FROM APD AND HELD THEM UNDER INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENTS IS APD.WHY WOULD WE TRUST THEM TO INVESTIGATE THEMSELVES? BUT NO ONE, ANY BUDGET.
THAT'S NOT AT LEAST CUT OF HALF.
IF I HAD THE FULL TWO MINUTES, I WAS INITIALLY TOLD THAT WAS GOING TO REQUEST THE REST OF MY TIME AS A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR GARRETT.
BUT NOW I DON'T HAVE THAT OPTION.
HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
I'M A HUSBAND AND A GRANDFATHER AND ENGINEER LIVING IN DISTRICT FIVE WITH A COUNCIL MEMBER KITCHEN.
MY COUNCIL MEMBER, I'M A MEMBER OF A MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT FIVE FOR BLACK WIVES AND A MEMBER OF THE DSA.
I SUPPORT THE DEMANDS OF A COMMUNITY OF COLOR UNITED COLAS.
HE RACISM, GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION TO DO THE APD AND ALLOCATE THAT MONEY TO URGENT PRIORITIES FOR THE CITY.
SPEAK TO SOME RECENT PROPOSALS FROM THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I LIKED THE PROPOSALS AND MOST OF THEM, I THINK A LOT OF THEM DON'T GO INTO SPECIFICS.
SOME OF THEM APPEAR TO BE THIS KIND OF SHUFFLING AROUND THE BROKEN PIECES OF THE CORRUPT POLICE DEPARTMENT.
UH, MOVING THINGS INTO CIVILIAN CONTROL.
IT GOES 2 BILLION AGENCIES ACTUALLY HAVE CONTROL WOULD BE WONDERFUL.
UH, A PLUS ON, YOU KNOW, GETTING FORENSICS OUT INTO INDEPENDENT CONTROL EIGHT PLUS SOME GETTING RID OF ANY KIND OF CONTRIBUTION TO THE HOMELAND SECURITY DRONES RUNNING OVERALL WHAT'S MISSING IN THESE PROPOSALS IS ALLOCATION FOR FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR REAL SOLUTIONS.
WHY IS DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS TO PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 CRISIS? THE EQUITY OFFICE TO KEEP THE CITY ON TRACK TOWARD ENDING SYSTEMIC RACISM, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH TO PROVIDE ROBUST PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES SUCH AS LOCAL COVID-19 TEST PROCESSING.
SO WE CAN BEGIN TO CLIMB OUT OF THIS WHOLE REGION OURSELVES AND LOW INCOME HOUSING, ESPECIALLY FOR THE UNHOUSED POPULATION.
IF THERE ARE ANY SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE THAT YOU HAVEN'T PRESSED THE RAIL, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
WE'RE GOING TO NOW CONSIDER ITEM NUMBER 70.
WE ALSO HAVE TWO ITEMS THAT WE CAN POSTPONE QUICKLY, UH, UH, 10 11, UH, AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE, UM, TWO ITEMS, UH, THAT ARE THE ALCOHOL ITEM AND THE ANNEXATION ITEM.
NO ONE SIGNED UP ON AND WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THOSE QUICKLY AS WELL.
WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH ITEM NUMBER 70.
YOU'RE NOW GOING TO TAKE UP RELATED TO THE MAXIMUM PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER, TO COUNCIL, TO CONSIDER AND SETTING THE DATE TIME AND LOCATION OF THE TAX RATE HEARING AFTER WHICH COUNCIL WILL ADOPT, UH, AT WHICH THE COUNCIL WILL ADOPT THE ACTUAL TAX RATE STATE LAW NOW REQUIRES THE CITY TO HAVE A HEARING.
IF THE CITY NEEDS MORE REVENUE TO OPERATE DURING THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR, THEN IT NEEDS FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.
ADDITIONALLY, IF THE CITY NEEDS MORE THAN THE 3.5% ABOVE THE CURRENT YEAR'S OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE TAX RATE, IT MUST CRON ELECTION.
SO VOTERS CAN APPROVE THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
UH, ITEM NUMBER 70 IS SETTING THE MAXIMUM PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR COUNCIL TO CONSIDER UNDER THE NEW STATUTES.
IF THE CITY'S GOING TO CONSIDER A TAX RATE THAT IS MORE THAN THE RATE THAT WOULD BRING IN NO NEW REVENUE FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, THEN THIS YEAR'S TAX RATE COUNCIL MUST HOLD A ROLL CALL, VOTE AND HOLD A HEARING BEFORE ADOPTING THE RATE.
THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE IS 44 POINT 60 CENTS.
UH, PER HUNDRED DOLLARS EVALUATION COUNSEL MAY ALSO CHOOSE TO CONSIDER AN EVEN HIGHER RATE AND SEEK APPROVAL OF THE VOTERS FOR THAT RATE.
AND TO DO THIS, COUNCIL MUST ALSO CALL A TAX RATE ELECTION RATE.
THE CITY COMMUNICATES TO THE PUBLIC VIA NEWSPAPER AND INTERNET NOTICE IS THE MAXIMUM COUNSEL ANTICIPATES APPROVING FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR.
COUNSEL CAN CHOOSE TO GO LOWER,
[02:10:01]
BUT CANNOT GO HIGHER THAN WHAT IS NOTICED TO THE PUBLIC UNDER STATE LAW, A VOTE ON A MOTION TO ADOPT A MAXIMUM PROPOSED TAX RATE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER REQUIRES A ROLL CALL VOTE.THE RATE NEEDED FOR PROJECT CONNECT IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR EARLIER CONVERSATIONS.
THAT 8.75 CENTS PER HUNDRED DOLLAR VALUATION.
THIS WILL MEAN THAT THE TOTAL MAXIMUM TAX RATE PROJECT CONNECT INCLUDING PROJECT CONNECT IS 53 POINT 35 CENTS PER HUNDRED DOLLAR VALUATION COUNSEL.
IF THERE'S ANY DISCUSSION, WE WOULDN'T HAVE THAT NOW, OTHERWISE WE'LL, THERE'LL BE A, A MOTION AND THAT IT GIVES CONSIDERATION THAT THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE NEVER FLATTENING IT.
AS, UH, AS I TALKED ABOUT IN THE JOINT MEETING ON MONDAY, UM, I HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH OTHER PROPOSALS THAT WE HAVE THAT WE ADOPTED YESTERDAY THAT COME BACK TO US NEXT WEEK, THAT WITH THE VOTE TODAY, WE WILL BE PRECLUDED FROM ENTERTAINING THOSE OPTIONS AS IT RELATES TO, UH, INCLUDING ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION IN A TAX RATE ELECTION, UH, ALONGSIDE WITH PROJECT CONNECT, UH, I'M PREPARED TO SUPPORT THE MOTION TODAY, UNLESS THERE WERE OTHERS THAT WANTED TO JOIN WITH ME IN WANTING TO STILL LEAVE THAT OPTION OPEN, WHICH WE COULD DO BY ADOPTING A HIGHER MAX TAX RATE TODAY, AND THEN ADOPTING THE FINAL TAX RATE AS WE WILL ANYWAY NEXT WEEK.
UM, BUT IF NO ONE WANTS TO ENTERTAIN THAT SOLUTION, I WILL STILL SUPPORT THE NEXT TAX RATE.
ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK? OKAY.
I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION SETTING.
SEE THAT, THAT WHERE HER KITCHEN.
I JUST HAVE A QUESTION AND CLARIFICATION FOR THE PUBLIC.
WHEN YOU SPEAK TO THE 53 POINT 35 CENTS, THAT INCLUDES WHAT LEVEL FOR THE CITY BUDGET, BECAUSE YOU SPOKE TO THE 8.75 CENTS FOR PROJECT CONNECT, BUT DOES THAT CONTEMPLATE THE THREE AND A HALF? THE TOTAL VOTER APPROVAL RATE INCLUDES INCLUDING THE THREE AND A HALF PERCENT INCREASE IS 44 POINT 60 CENTS.
AS WE STATED EARLIER, VOTER APPROVAL, RAVEN, TO THAT, YOU THEN ADD THE 8.70 CENTS PER HUNDRED VALUATION.
AND TO HEAR WHAT THEY TOLD HER THE 53 POINT 35 PER A HUNDRED.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT BECAUSE, UM, IT IS MY, MY INTENTION TO KEEP OUR THEY CITY BUDGET AT THE 3.5% OR IN MY INTENTION.
IS THERE A MOTION COUNCILMEMBER? COOL.
IF I COULD JUST, UM, TO ECHO WHAT, UH, COUNCILMEMBER KITCHEN SAID, I, UH, IN SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD, I HAVE ALSO BEEN, UH, WORKING HARD TO KEEP OUR GENERAL FUND CHECKS RIGHT BACK FOR HER DOLLAR EVALUATION.
AND I APPRECIATE, UH, THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT TODAY.
I ALSO APPRECIATE THE AMOUNT THAT WE ARE ADDING FOR PROJECT CONNECT IT'S ON THE LOWER AND UPPER END.
AND I THINK THAT RECOGNIZES THAT CONCERNS IN OUR COMMUNITY, BOTH IN SUPPORT OF EXPANDING OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM FOR THE FUTURE, WHICH I THINK ISN'T NECESSARY.
AND ALSO ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WE HAVE FISCAL CONSTRAINTS AND FINANCIAL STRESS IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH THIS TIME.
I THINK WE ARE FINDING A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN BOTH OF THEM.
THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND ALL SORT OF STAY AS A MEMBER ALTAR.
I WANT TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.
UM, RELATIVE TO OTHER CITIES, WE ARE IN A VERY STRONG, UH, FINANCIAL POSITION GIVEN THE EVENTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH COVID, ETC.
UM, AND THAT FOLLOWS FROM THE WORK OF COUNCIL, BUT ALSO OF THE WORK OF OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES.
AND I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, HOW HARD OUR STAFF WORKED OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR AND THE ANTICIPATION OF GETTING US TO THE 3.5%.
UM, AND ALSO HOW WE, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ABLE TO LEVERAGE OUR GOOD GOVERNANCE TO BE ABLE TO WEATHER THE STORM AND STILL STAY THERE WITHOUT, UM, LAYOFFS, ET CETERA.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE AT THIS TIME, UM, WE ARE SETTING THE MAX TAX RATE TODAY, AS I UNDERSTAND IT.
UM, THE 44.60 CENTS IS AT, UM, THE 3.5% APPROVAL RATE.
UM, THE BALANCE FOR PROJECT CONNECT IS PART OF WHAT THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE COULD BE.
[02:15:01]
NOT IMPOSING THAT TAX.WE WILL BE PROCEEDING TO OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CITIZENS TO VOTE, UM, TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A TRANSFORMATIVE, UM, TRANSPORTATION PLAN.
UH, BUT IT WILL BE UP TO THE VOTERS, WHETHER THAT PORTION OF THE TAXING HAPPENS OR NOT.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX RATE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 AT 53 POINT 35 CENTS PER $100 EVALUATION.
MAYOR PRO TEM MAKES THAT MOTION SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER.
COSAR IF FURTHER DISCUSSION WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT A MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX RATE OF 53.35 CENTS PER $100 EVALUATION FOR COUNCIL TO CONSIDER ADOPTING, UH, AT THE FISCAL YEAR 20, 20, 20, 21 BUDGET AND TAX RATE HEARING IN AUGUST.
WELL, THE CITY CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE AS IS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW SO THAT EACH COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTE CAN BE RECORDED.
MAYOR PRO TEM GARZA GUEST COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MATTER FROM YES.
THE MOTION TO ADOPT THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE, A 53 POINT 35 CENTS PER HUNDRED VALUATION FOR COUNCIL PASSES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2020, 2021 PASSES UNANIMOUSLY ON A VOTE OF 11 TO ZERO COLLEAGUES.
WE'RE NOW GOING TO SET THE DATE FOR COUNCIL TO ACTUALLY ADOPT A PROPERTY TAX RATE OR THIS RESOLUTION.
WE ALSO NEED TO INCLUDE THE DATE, TIME AND LOCATION FOR THE HEARING AFTER WHICH COUNCIL WILL ADOPT, UH, THE FISCAL YEAR 2020, 2021 PROPERTY TAX RATE.
THE PROPOSED TIME DATE AND LOCATION IS AUGUST 12TH, 2020.
WE WILL BE CONDUCTING MOST OF THE HEARING VIRTUALLY.
HOWEVER, THE STATUTE REQUIRES THAT THE HEARING TAKE PLACE IN A BUILDING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, THEREFORE IN ORDER TO PRACTICE SAFE, SOCIAL DISTANCING, THE HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE PALMER EVENTS CENTER, STARTING AT 10:00 AM WITH CONSIDERATION AND VOTING TO CONTINUE TO AUGUST 13TH, 14TH, IF IT'S NEEDED, COUNSEL MAY APPEAR AS IT HAS BEEN DOING THAT IS VIRTUALLY.
HOWEVER, IF PEOPLE WANT TO COME AND BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN THE BUILDING TO SPEAK, THE CITY WILL HAVE THE SPACE FOR THEM TO DO THAT.
I WILL NOW ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO SET THE TIME, DATE AND LOCATION, UH, AS PROPOSED AT THE PALMER SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER, BEGINNING AT 10:00 AM ON AUGUST 12TH, CONTINUING NUMBER 13, 14 AS NEEDED TO HOLD THE HEARING AND ADOPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2020, 2021 PROPERTY TAX RATE.
IS THERE A MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON MAKES THE MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER POOL SECONDS.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? LET'S TAKE A VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR.
I'M SEEING THAT IT IS UNANIMOUS ON THE DICE.
EVERYONE VOTING THIS MOTION PASSES ON A VOTE OF 11 TO ZERO JUST WHILE WE'RE HERE.
AND BEFORE WE BREAK FOR LUNCH, UH, THE, UH, ITEMS 10 AND 11 ARE ON OUR AGENDA.
UH, IS THERE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THESE ITEMS TO AUGUST 27 AIR PROTIME MAKES THE MOTION SECONDED BY COUNSELOR, HAVE FOR MADISON AND DISCUSSION THOSE IN FAVOR.
THOSE OPPOSED, NAN, MISS ON THE DICE.
[7. Conduct a public hearing and approve an ordinance adopting the Second Amendment to the 5200 McKinney Falls Parkway Annexation and Development Agreement to release Tract 2 from the agreement (adjacent to District 2).]
SEE IF WE CAN QUICKLY TAKE CARE OF THE ANNEXATION ITEMS. YEAH.IT'S EASIER TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
IF IT'S NEEDED, JERRY, YOUR LATEST WENT OUT.
JERRY RUSSELL WITH POTTING ZONING DEPARTMENT.
WE'LL HAVE THE FIRST PICK AN ACTION ITEM SEVEN.
BEFORE WE DO ITEM SIX, ITEM SEVEN IS CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVE AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE
[02:20:01]
5,200 MCKINNEY FALLS PARKWAY, ANNEXATION AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT TO RELEASE TRACK TWO FROM THE AGREEMENT A QUICK EXPLANATION.THIS IS A AGREEMENT GOING BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN, UM, AND DID NOT REQUIRE THE OWNER FROM INSIDE THE CITY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THIS PROPERTY OR THAT WE WOULD NOT ADDICT THE PROPERTY AS LONG AS HE USED FOR AGRICULTURAL USE.
SHE APPLICANT THE PROPERTY OWNER WANTS TO USE IT FOR NON AGRICULTURAL USE AND IS REQUESTING ANNEXATION.
SO WE FIRST HAVE TO VOTE AS THIS ITEMS THAT REMOVE THAT THOUGHT THAT WAS AGREEMENT.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER SEVEN? I CAN'T REMEMBER ENTRY.
IT MAKES THE MOTION, THE MAYOR PRO TEM.
SECOND CITY DISCUSSION THOSE IN FAVOR.
[6. Conduct a public hearing and approve an ordinance for the full-purpose annexation of approximately 56 acres located in Travis County, located near 5200 McKinney Falls Road, and authorize negotiation and execution of a written agreement with the owner of the land for the provision of services. The property is currently part of an annexation and development agreement and is adjacent to Austin Council District 2.]
ITEM NUMBER SIX, MAYOR, IF I COULD, I NEED TO READ IT IN THE RECORD REAL QUICK.ITEM SIX IS TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND APPROVE AN ORDINANCE FOR THE FULL PURPOSE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE APPROXIMATELY 56 ACRES LOCATED IN TRAVIS, PROBABLY LOCATED NEW 5,200 MCKINNEY FALLS PARKWAY AT THE AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATION AND EXECUTION OF A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH THE OWNER.
HAWAIIAN FOR THE PROVISION OF THE SERVICES.
IS THERE A MOTION NUMBER SIX MAYOR PRO TEM MAKES THE MOTION.
COUNCILMEMBER HARPER, MADISON SECONDS DISCUSSION.
THERE'S A FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE OPPOSED UNANIMOUS ON THE DICE ITEM.
[19. Conduct a public hearing and consider a request for a waiver from the 300 foot minimum separation distance between a business selling alcoholic beverages and a school, as required by City Code Section 4-9-4(A), from Two Hands, located at 1011 S. Congress Ave., Building 2, Unit 170, a property that is within 300 feet of the Texas School for the Deaf, a public school at 1102 S. Congress Ave.]
WE ALSO HAVE THE APPLICANT HERE ON NUMBER 19.THIS IS SIMILAR TO SEVERAL OTHERS.
WE WANT TO TRY AND TAKE THIS AT THIS POINT.
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THE BEFORE.
DO PEOPLE THINK WE NEED MORE TIME TO DISCUSS THIS ATLANTA? THIS IS THE, A WAIVER FROM THE 300 FOOT MINIMUM SEPARATION DISTANCE FOR THE BUSINESS SELLING ALCOHOL ON A SCHOOL.
HEY, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 19? UM, COUNCIL MEMBER ALICE MAKES THE MOTION COUNCILMEMBER HAVE TO REASSESS.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION THAT MUST TAKE A VOTE THOSE IN FAVOR OF 19, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
WHAT WAS OPPOSED? UH, THE MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL MEMBER TOVA VOTING? NO, THE OTHERS VOTING.
UH, THIS ITEM PASSES NINE TO TWO COLLEAGUES.
[Executive Session: 21. Discuss legal issues related to the November 2020 election (Private consultation with legal counsel - Section 551.071 of the Government Code).]
IS TRUMP 25.UH, WE'RE GOING TO, UM, UH, TAKE A RECESS AT THIS POINT.
UH, AND THEN WE WILL GO INTO, UH, UH, EXECUTIVE SESSION AND, AND I'M NOT SURE THAT I ACTUALLY HAVE A SCRIPT FOR THIS ONE.
UH, AND SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO HELP ME ON THIS.
ARE WE JUST DOING THE NOVEMBER, 2020 ELECTION ISSUE TODAY? YES.
UH, MAYOR IT'S A ITEM 21 IS A LEGAL ISSUE REGARDING ITEM 21, WHICH IS TO DISCUSS THE LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE NOVEMBER, 2020 ELECTION.
AND THE, UH, SECTION OF THE CODE THAT CONCERNS LEGAL MATTERS IS FIVE FIVE 1.071.
UM, HOW BOUT IF WE MEET AT ONE 15, IS THAT TOO SOON FOR PEOPLE TO GATHER BACK? DOES IT NEED TO BE ONE 30? CAN YOU DO ONE 15? ALRIGHT, ONE 15.
WE'RE GOING TO MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO TAKE UP THAT, UH, ITEM AS DESCRIBED.
AND AS SOON AS WE'RE DONE WITH THAT, WE WILL BACK HOPEFULLY TO START OUR FIRST BATCH OF SPEAKERS AS CLOSE TO 2:00 PM AS WE CAN.
THAT'S WHEN THERE'LL BE ARRIVING, UH, WITH THAT AT 1227, UH, WE ARE HEADED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT ONE 15, UM, UH, OUT OF, UH, UH, EXECUTIVE SESSION WHILE WE WERE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE CONSIDER LEGAL MATTERS, UH, RELATED TO, UM, WAS A 21 DIED IN 21, THE NOVEMBER, 2020 ELECTION.
UM, IT IS, UH, TWO 48 AND COLLEAGUES, WHAT WE'RE
[Zoning Consent Agenda]
GOING TO DO NOW IS WE'RE GOING TO CALL A BATCH TWO, WHICH IS THE PLANNING AND THE ZONING, UH, SPEAKERS.I DO WANT TO SAY THAT, UH, AS I UNDERSTAND THAT OUR NUMBER 69 WAYNE REDOWL, THERE'S BEEN SOME PROGRESS TOWARD AN AGREEMENT, UH, WITH AT LEAST ONE OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS COUNCIL PLANS TO ONLY VOTE ON FIRST READING TODAY, THERE'S GOING TO BE TWO LEAD SPEAKERS, ONE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND ONE FROM THE APPLICANT ARE GONNA LAY OUT THE DETAILS AND THEY SHOULD BE SPEAKING SOON.
UH, THOSE POINTS WILL ALSO BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT THE FIRST READING VOTE, WHICH IS ALL IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NOW IS APPROVAL ON THE FIRST READING.
SO IF THERE'S ANYONE ON THE LINE, UH, IN THAT CASE THAT NO LONGER NEEDS TO SPEAK AFTER
[02:25:01]
THE DETAILS ARE LAID OUT, YOU CAN HANG UP TO INDICATE THAT YOU DON'T NEED TO, UH, TO, UH, TO SPEAK.UM, SO COLLEAGUES, UM, UH, WE WERE GOING TO, UH, UH, OPEN IT UP NOW FOR, FOR REZONING PEOPLE TO SPEAK.
AND I GUESS WE'RE TRYING TO GET THOSE TO CLERK.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET THOSE TWO EARLIER THAN LATER TO SPEAK MAYBE IN THE APARTMENT.
YES, MARY, WE HAVE THEM READY.
SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND START WITH THEM.
AND THEN YOU MEAN THE, SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE MIGHT HAVE SIGNED UP ON THIS DON'T NEED TO SPEAK TODAY.
LET'S OPEN UP THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING BEFORE WE JUST, WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.
UM, UH, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THAT'S AFTER THE SPEAKERS, BUT WHENEVER YOU'RE READY, I'LL MAKE A MOTION ON IT AND I'LL BE READING SOME OF THAT STUFF INTO THE RECORD THAT'S BEEN AGREED TO.
SO WE'LL DO THAT, BUT WE'RE NOT TO ANY KIND OF MOTIONS YET.
CAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE GOVERNED BY THE BATCHES THAT WE HAVE.
UH, BUT LET'S START WITH THE SPEAKERS.
UM, UH, WHAT'S YOUR, GO AHEAD.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
I'M AFTER THE APPLICANT ODIN HUGHES ON THE WAYNE RODEL ZONING CASE, AND I PRIMARILY WANTED TO THANK SMITTY SMITH AND THE REST OF THE NOLS BOARD LEADERSHIP ON THERE.
UM, WORKING WITH THIS AND SUGGESTING THAT WE MODIFY OUR PLANS TO CLUSTER MOST OF THE LARGER, THE TALLER DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS SOUTH FIRST STREET, AND THEN TRANSITIONED DOWN TO CLOSER TO SECOND TWO-STORIES ADJACENT TO THE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A RESULTED IN A EVEN MORE SENSITIVE DESIGN AND SENSITIVE PROJECT THAN WE INITIALLY PROPOSED.
ALSO WANTED TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, KITCHEN, UM, FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND HELPING US ORGANIZE AND DEVELOP AND COORDINATE THAT, UH, MODIFIED TRANSITION ZONING AND ALL, UH, STOP HERE AND BE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS.
WE HAVE SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT TEAM AVAILABLE.
IF HE MAY ASK QUESTIONS, IT SOUNDS GOOD.
I THINK WE HAVE SMITTY NEXT, UM, SMITH, GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS TOM SMITH OR SMITTY.
AND I, UH, COME TO YOU THIS AFTERNOON AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE KNOWLES OF SLAUGHTER CREEK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION.
I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT, UM, THE PROPOSED 750 UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX ACROSS THE ROAD FROM AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL.
AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS TO THE WEST OF THAT AND SURROUNDED ON THE WEST AND NORTH SIDE BY SLAUGHTER CREEK.
UM, OUR POSITION HAS SHIFTED FROM OPPOSED TO NEUTRAL BECAUSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT ARE GOING ON.
AND THEY'VE BEEN VERY FRUITFUL IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS AND I WANT TO THANK BOTH THE APPLICANT AND, AND KITCHEN AND HER STAFF FOR HELPING US GET ALONG, UH, AND, AND COME TO SOME SORT OF A, A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THIS.
OUR, OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THREE MAJOR THINGS, UH, CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT MIGHT ENDANGER OUR KIDS, THE SITE PLAN WHOOPING AND THE BIGGEST AND TALLEST UNITS LOOMING OVER OUR NATIVE BROTHERHOOD.
AND THEN, UH, THE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASING FLOODWATER WILL BE, GET INTO SLAUGHTER, CREATE AND THEN INTO ONION CREEK AND INCREASED FLOODING DOWNSTREAM.
AND I THINK WE'VE COME TO SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THESE PROBLEMS AND THE TOURISTS.
AND THE SECOND TIME THIS WAS SET FOR THIS AGENDA TODAY, WE'VE HAD OVER 110 PEOPLE FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION.
AND WE'RE NOW SAYING WE'RE NEUTRAL AT THIS POINT.
AND IF THERE ARE OTHERS ON THIS CALL FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, PLEASE, IF YOU CAN, DON'T SPEAK WHERE I THINK THIS IS WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE WE'RE GONNA TRY AND GET THIS THROUGH ON CONSENT AND WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY ON THE 27TH TO BRING UP ANY DIFFERENCES THAT REMAIN AND CHANGE OUR MIND.
IF WE WOULD WANT TO DO THAT AT FIRST, THE BIGGEST ISSUE FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC WE'RE IN BETWEEN 1626, WHICH IS A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE ON THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE CITY AND FIRST STREET THAT GOES PAST AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL.
AND WE, OUR LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD, IF CONNECTED THROUGH THIS APARTMENT COMPLEX WOULD LIKELY BECOME A MAJOR SHORTCUT.
OUR ESTIMATE IS, WOULD HAVE 800 CARS A DAY IN THE MORNING AND EVENING RUSH HOURS CUTTING THROUGH.
AND RECENTLY WE DID AN EXPERIMENT AND JUST A HUNDRED CARS FILLS UP HALF OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
IF YOU SEE, IF YOU CAN IMAGINE THEM BEING STUCK AT
[02:30:01]
A LIGHT, TRYING TO GET OUT ONTO EIGHT ONTO 16, 26 IN THE EVENING, 1626 IS ONE OF THE WORST BACKED UP AREAS IN THE CITY AND IS CONSTRUCTION OCCURS ON THAT AREA THAT THE PRESSURE TO CUT THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WILL BE EVEN WORSE THREATENING OUR KIDS AND OUR ELDERS JUST LAST TWO WEEKS AGO, WE HAD A YOUNG WOMAN WHO RAN OFF A CURB AND SMASHED INTO NOT ONE BUT TWO BACKYARDS AND CLIPPED A PORCH UNDER ONE OF THEM.CONNECTION OF THE WAYNE RIDELL LOOP.
AND WE HOPE THAT YOU ALL WOULD VOTE FOR THAT.
I WANT TO SAY WE'VE MOVED THE BIG APARTMENT COMPLEX UNITS OFF TO FIRST STREET, AGREED TO A, UH, UH, UH, A DOWN LIGHTING SYSTEM, UH, DARK SKY SYSTEM AND RIGOROUS PERVIOUS COVER AND WORKING WITH THE DEVELOPER.
BUT HERE'S THE BIG THING THAT I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION.
WE HAVE ASKED THE DEVELOPER TO DO SOMETHING, TO HELP REDUCE THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN OUR KNOWLEDGE THAT ANY DEVELOPER HAS DONE THAT THEY'VE AGREED TO A SERIES OF GREEN STORM WATER INITIATIVES THAT WOULD CAPTURE A RUNOFF AND CREATE A SERIES OF SWALES AND BERMS AND RAIN GARDENS TO KEEP THE WATER ON SITE AND NOT INCREASE THE RUNOFF DOWNSTREAM AND THE MOST IMPORTANT TO HAVE AGREED TO A STANDARD OF INCREASING THE AMOUNT AND CAPACITY OF THEIR DETENTION OR RETENTION FACILITIES BY 10% TO DEAL WITH THE FUTURE IMPACTS OF EXPECTED INCREASE TORRENTIAL RAINS THAT WOULD PROBABLY OVERWHELM AND INCREASE FLOODING THE, THIS, THE EXISTING SYSTEMS AND INCREASED FLOODING DOWNSTREAM.
THEY DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR TAKING THIS FIRST STEP.
AND I WANT TO SAY TO THIS COUNCIL, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY BY ADOPTING THE STANDARD TO ANNOUNCE IT AS AN INTERIM STANDARD FOR ALL FUTURE COMPLEXES UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE CITY MANAGER COMES BACK WITH A PROPOSAL THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT ALL OF THE EXISTING STUDIES ON THIS.
I WANT TO THANK THE DEVELOPER FOR WORKING WITH THIS.
AND I WANT TO THANK OUR COMMUNITY FOR STANDING UP AND SAYING, WE DON'T WANT IT, AND THEN HAVE THE SENSE TO SAY, WE'VE GOT A GOOD DEAL.
AND WE'RE, WE'RE ANXIOUS TO SEE IF WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR THE DEVELOPER.
AND THANK YOU AND THANK CANCER MEMBER KITCHEN FOR YOUR TIME ON THIS ISSUE.
ONE MINUTE EACH CHRIS RILEY, HEY THERE, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING JAY READY IN HIS EFFORT TO GET THIS PROPERTY REZONED AT SEVEN OH SEVEN WEST 14TH STREET.
NOT AWARE OF ANY OPPOSITION TO THIS.
I'M JUST HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IN CASE ANYTHING IN CASE ANYTHING COMES UP.
WE'RE GOING TO BE CALLING THE ZONING CASES IN GAPS OF OUR BATCH SPEAKERS.
SORRY ABOUT THE INCONVENIENCE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT NEXT SPEAKER.
I'M A TRAFFIC ENGINEER WITH WGCI.
I WORKED ON THE TRAFFIC STUDY, UH, FOR THE APPLICANT AND I'M ALSO HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
IF YOU'RE HERE TO SPEAK AS AN APPLICANT ON A, ON AN ITEM, WE'RE GOING TO, WHEN WE CALL UP THAT ITEM, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE APPLICANTS THE CHANCE TO, TO, TO SPEAK, UH, AT THE TIME WE CALL UP THAT ITEM.
UH, NEXT SPEAKER, GO AHEAD, MICHELLE.
MICHELLE, JOHN JOSEPH, GO TO THE NEXT ONE.
THIS IS, UH, LORRAINE ATHERTON.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM, UH, 53, WHICH IS A REZONING FROM CS TWO CS ONE,
[02:35:01]
UH, ON, UH, UH, SOUTH LAMAR.I'VE BEEN ASKED TO CONSOLIDATE THREE LETTERS OF OPPOSITION, ONE FROM DAVE PIPER, PRESIDENT OF THE ZILKER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
I THINK IT'S PAGE 11 IN YOUR BACKUP BILL NEIL AND NEARBY RESIDENT ON PAGE 12 OF YOUR BACKUP AND MYSELF.
MY MAIN POINT IS THAT THE SITE ITSELF IS INADEQUATE FOR THE EXISTING USES.
AND SO IT MAKES NO SENSE TO UP SEWN IT FOR MORE INTENSE USES.
THE DRIVEWAY IS NOT UP TO CODE AND THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT BECAUSE THE SITE IS TOO SMALL AND HAS NO OTHER ACCESS.
THAT IS ALSO THE ESSENCE OF DATE.
PIPER'S POINT NUMBER TWO DAVE'S FIRST POINT CONCERNS THE FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES PROJECT NEXT DOOR.
A FEW DAYS AGO, FOUNDATION ONE, THE TAX CREDITS NEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH 110 UNITS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING ZONING FOR MORE INTENSE ALCOHOL USE, ADJACENT TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS SIMPLY INAPPROPRIATE.
I GREW UP IN MONTOPOLIS AREA AND I LIVE WITH MY PARTNER AND OUR BABY HERE ON KIM STREET.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT ME NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE ZONING OF FIRE.
THE WAY KEMP AS PROPERTY IS PART OF A COORDINATED EFFORT OF, I THINK THE VOTERS TRYING TO CHANGE THE ZONING HERE ALL AT ONCE, WHICH WOULD HAVE A PROFOUND, NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY IN A REALLY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
UH, NOBODY HERE WANTS US FOR MANY REASONS, THE EXPLOSION OF TRAFFIC ON THE STREET THAT CAN'T HANDLE IT.
ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT TO THE PARK AND PRESERVE BELOW KEN STREET, BUT MORE PRESSINGLY FIVE EIGHT CAMPUS OF LINCHPIN FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
SURVIVAL SPECULATORS HAVE THEIR EYES ON THE TOP LIST.
IT'S NOT SIMPLISTIC TO SAY THAT WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS PROPERTY, THEY WILL EITHER KICK OFF A DOMINO EFFECT OF RAPID DISPLACEMENT AND GENTRIFICATION.
WHEN THE OTHER DEVELOPERS USE THIS AS PRECEDENT, USE THIS AS PRECEDENT, OR IF YOU LISTEN TO US AGAIN, CONTINUE PRESERVING A HISTORIC TIGHT-KNIT PRIMARILY MORE MINORITY OWNED COMMUNITY.
AND ONE THAT OUR CITY SHOULD BE PROUD TO PROTECT.
AND AS STRONG AS THIS COMMUNITY IS, THE BALANCE IS ALSO REALLY FRAGILE HERE.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS HAD THE FORESIGHT TO SAY THAT OUR STREETS WERE OVER TIME, ORGANICALLY OFFERING HOME OWNERSHIP TO PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE WALKS OF LIFE.
AND THE DEVELOPERS ARE WELCOME TO PLAY WITHIN THE RULES, BUT THEY CAN'T USE THEIR PRIVILEGE TO CHANGE THE RULES FOR A, NOT FOR PROFIT OR OFFER US TOKENS OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS, UM, THAT WE DON'T WANT.
WE ASK THAT YOU LISTEN, WE'RE SAYING NO, OR COMMUNITY LEADERS LIKE SUSANNA HAS BEEN WORKING FOR DECADES TO DEFEND THIS BOUNDARY AND NO MEANS NO.
SO COME THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY, TALK TO THE LEADERS HERE, WORK WITHIN THE RULES, YOU'LL BE EMBRACED, BUT ASK US WHAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE THEM ON TOP OF THIS CONTACT TEAM AND ALL THE NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE HAVE LOTS OF IDEAS THAT WOULD SUIT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD REALLY BEAUTIFULLY.
IF YOU COULD KEEP TRACK OF THE TIME, I CAN'T HEAR THE BUZZER GOING OFF, SO I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE MINUTE, SO, OKAY, GREAT.
HI, MY NAME IS PETER SIMON KNIGHT.
I LIVE WITH MY PARTNER AND OUR BABY ON KENNETH STREET.
A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE PROPOSED, UM, PROPERTIES THAT ARE AT RISK OF BEING UPSET AND DID MONTOPOLIS.
UM, I'M WRITING TO OPPOSE THE ZONING CHANGES.
UM, I'M CALLING INTO THE POSTAGE ZONING CHANGES AND TO POINT OUT THAT I'M UPROOTED AUSTIN RECOMMEND SEVEN LESSONS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN DISPLACEMENT.
NUMBER ONE, IT PUT THE COMMUNITY VOICES AT THE CENTER AND ENSURE THAT VULNERABLE RESIDENTS HAVE A MEANINGFUL ROLE IN IDENTIFYING NEEDS AND PRIORITIZING USE THAT HASN'T HAPPENED.
UM, THE TEEN COMMUNITY BENEFITS ARE PROPOSED FOR FIVE WEEK CAMP ARE NOT SOMETHING THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS ASKED FOR OR WANT NUMBER ONE WANTS TO PLAY SCAPE.
LLOYD GROVE PARK IS RIGHT HERE.
THERE'S ALREADY A PLAYSCAPE ACROSS THE STREET THAT NO ONE USES.
UM, I THINK I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER THE VERY REAL EFFECTS.
SO GENTRIFICATION AND DISPLACEMENT, IF I BELIEVE KEMP STREET, MY BELOVED NEIGHBORS, UM, GEORGIA, AND JOHNNY'S SEEING WILL BE DISPLACED BY THIS.
UM, I'VE HEARD THEM SAY THEY'D LIKE TO STAY.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO BE A PARKLAND WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD, DEVELOP THE OTHER PART OF THEIR LOT INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WE'D LOVE GEORGIA AND JOHNNY TO STAY.
JEN MARGIELAS THANK YOU, JEN MARGULIES.
AND I'M AN EAST DOCTORATE IN DISTRICT ONE TESTIFYING
[02:40:01]
TODAY AGAINST THE PROPOSED ZONING OF MONTOPOLIS REPRESENTED ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA IS ITEM 28 AND 54, THREE 57, A HOLISTIC CITY RESPONSE TO ADDRESSING INSTITUTIONAL RACISM HAS TO ADDRESS DISPLACEMENT AND GENTRIFICATION.THE EASTERN CRESCENT, THE CITY'S OWN UTS AUSTIN STUDY ON GENTRIFICATION FOUND THAT MONTOPOLIS IS A THREATENED NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND ONE THAT SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM GENTRIFICATION AND DISPLACEMENT ON TABLETS RESIDENTS AFTER BUILDING VIBRANT COMMUNITY ON THEIR OWN AFTER SYSTEMIC RACISM MEANT DECADES OF DISINVESTMENT.
AND NOW BEING TOLD THEIR COMMUNITY IS VALUABLE ONLY INSOFAR AS IT IS SALEABLE TO DEVELOPERS BUILDING FOR THE WEALTHY.
I URGE THE CITY TO WORK WITH THE RESIDENTS OF MONTOPOLIS TO LISTEN TO THEIR PRIORITIES FOR CITY INVESTMENT.
AUSTIN MUST BE A CITY, NOT JUST FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD SHINY NEW DEVELOPMENT, BUT FOR ALL OF ITS RESIDENTS, INCLUDING WORKING CLASS AND LATINO AND BLACK RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BUILT COMMUNITIES THAT MATTER.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.
I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 28, FIVE OH EIGHT KIM STREET OF ZONING.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS UPROOTED STUDY INDICATES THAT THE CENSUS TRACKING IN WHICH THIS PROPERTY AND THE MONTOPOLIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS LOCATED IS EXPERIENCING DYNAMIC GENTRIFICATION WITH SIGNIFICANT DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE AND A VULNERABILITY RATING UP MOST VULNERABLE, LOW INCOME FAMILIES, FAMILIES OF COLOR AND SMALL COMMUNITY BASED BUSINESSES IN MONTOPOLIS ARE BEING DISPLACED AND REPLACED PRIMARILY BY HIGHER INCOME WHITE FAMILIES.
WITH HIGH END BUSINESSES, GENTRIFICATION AND INVOLUNTARY DISPLACEMENT OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ARE IMMORAL AND RACIST.
IF COUNCIL APPROVES THIS UP ZONING IN MONTOPOLIS, ONE OF THE MOST GENTRIFIED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE EASTERN CRESCENT, IT WILL GIVE DEVELOPERS THE GREEN LIGHT TO CONTINUE TO KNOWINGLY GENTRIFY NEIGHBORHOODS AND IMMORALLY DISPLACED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, LOW INCOME FAMILIES, SMALL COMMUNITY BASED BUSINESSES IN THE EASTERN CRESCENT.
PLEASE DENY THIS ONLY SHIRLEY MASTERSON.
UH, I'M SPEAKING ON THE PLACE OF THE RESTAURANT I'M CALLING.
WE ARE A SMALL COMMUNITY AND WE REALLY DON'T WANT THIS RESTAURANT IN OUR BACKYARD WHEN THERE ARE PLENTY OF PLACES ACROSS THE STREET IN SOUTH PARK METAL SHOPPING CENTER.
COULD YOU REPEAT THE NAME? CHRISTOPHER BROWN.
YEAH, THIS IS CHRISTOPHER BROWN.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON I 28, FIVE LAKE 10TH STREET.
AND LIKE I SAID, HE IS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ECOLOGY ACTION OF TEXAS, WHICH IS THE OLDEST ENVIRONMENTAL NONPROFIT, AUSTIN, AND THE OWNER OF CIRCLE ACRES, A 10 ACRE PRESERVE NEXT TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY BETWEEN THE PROPERTY AND BY THE WAY, CHEMISTRY ON THAT PROPERTY OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS, ECOLOGY ACTION IS EFFECTIVE A MORE OR LESS COMPLETE REMEDIATION OF A 10 ACRE BROWN FIELD, UH, ON A FORMER LANDFILL SITE.
UH, THAT WAS THE MOST POLLUTED SITE IN MONTOPOLIS.
UH, UH, THAT IS NOW A THRIVING NATURE, PRESERVE IT IN THE REPUBLIC.
UH, BUT STILL UNDERNEATH THE LANDFILL CAP HAS NOTABLE QUANTITIES OF BENZINE, BARIUM, NET, THE, AND A COCKTAIL OF OTHER CHEMICALS.
UM, WE'VE EXPENDED SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES AND RELIANCE ON THE EXISTING ZONING AND REMEDIATING THIS CRAFT FIELD THAT WAS FRANKLY CREATED ORIGINALLY BY MUNICIPAL NEGLIGENCE.
UH, AND WE THINK THAT THE ZONING
I LIVE AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE SITE ON THE ITEM 28, FIVE OH EIGHT 10TH STREET.
I'M VERY OPPOSED TO THIS UP ZONING AND ANY OF ZONING IN MONTOPOLIS AS THE ZONING WOULD INCLUDE A CONDUIT CREATION OF LAND THAT WOULD REALLY MAKE PEOPLE UNABLE TO OWN THE OWN PROPERTY.
THE PROPERTY THAT THEIR OWN HOUSES ARE ON.
IT WOULD A MODULAR, THE ARCHITECTURE AND THE TYPE OF HOME OWNERSHIP THAT EXISTS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND THIS IS A VERY DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOOD, A DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMICALLY, AS WELL AS RACIALLY.
[02:45:01]
OF US DO HAVE MORE RESOURCES THAN OTHERS THAN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT WE'RE CLOSE.WE HAVE BECOME CLOSE FRIENDS WITH OUR NEIGHBORS HERE AT MONTOPOLIS, AND WE ARE GOING TO DO WHAT WE CAN AND USE OUR RESOURCES TO HELP DRIVE WHAT THEY WANT, NOT WHAT WE WANT IN THIS AREA.
SO I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU.
I'M CALMING ABOUT ITEMS 42 AND 43, AND I BELIEVE THOSE ITEMS ARE POSTPONED.
IT'S BEEN VERIFYING THAT OTHERWISE.
YEAH, I'LL BE ASKING FOR A POSTPONEMENT.
MY NAME IS SUSAN AND BRIGHT AND I AM SPEAKING ON ITEM 52 REZONING OF THE PROPERTY TO REMOVE THE RESTAURANT RESTRICTIONS ON CULLEN LANES.
I'M ALWAYS INVOLVED IN THE 2007 VOTING COMMISSION PROCESS THAT LED TO THE RESTRICTIONS THAT ARE ON THE PROPERTY THAT DAY.
SINCE THAT TIME, WE HAVE TRUSTED THAT THOSE RULINGS WOULD PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FROM INTRUSIVE DEVELOPMENT, SUCH AS THE FAST, BIG RESTAURANT.
AND THAT WAS THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF GETTING THE RESTRICTIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WE WERE FRANKLY, FRUSTRATED TO BE BACK HERE AT
SINCE WE DID TRUST IN THE PROCESS, STAFF HAS SUBMITTED TO YOU MY LONGER COMMENTS THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO SAY TODAY.
AND I HOPE YOU CONSIDER THOSE BEFORE RULING.
THE HEART OF THE MATTER IS THAT THIS OF STONING WOULD HURT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT THAT IS PLANNED, THAT IT WILL BE 240 FEET AWAY FROM THE NEAREST HOME IS IRRELEVANT.
AND IN THE COMMENTS I SENT TO YOU, I SET OUT WHAT 240 FEET LOOKS LIKE IN REAL LIFE.
THE MOST RELEVANT ISSUE IS THE IMPACT OF FAST FOOD BRYANT, A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT, FRIED CHICKEN UNTIL THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
WE ASK THAT YOU, IF YOU CANNOT VOTE, NO, YOU PLEASE.
UM, MY NAME IS STEPHANIE LINDHOLM AND I AM THE HOMEOWNER AT 91, 21 BUDGET AND CIRCLE.
I SHARE A BACKYARD FENCE WITH A PROPERTY OFF COLLIN AND FODDER.
AND AS SOMEONE WHO IS NOW FACING THE POSSIBILITY OF SHARING A BACKYARD WITH GRASS, UH, GREASE PIT SMELLS AND DUMPSTERS WITH ROTTING FOOD, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY OPPOSED THE REMOVAL OF RESTAURANTS FROM THE PROHIBITED LIST OF USES THIS NEIGHBORHOOD HAS WORKED VERY HARD TO GET THAT LIST IN PLACE, AND IT WOULD BE NEGLECTFUL OF THE COMMITTEE TO DISMISS THE CONCERNS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS REMOVAL WAS IN TURN EFFECT.
THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE AGAINST THE REMOVAL OF RESTAURANTS FROM THE PROHIBITED LIST.
THE FIRST SCENE, THERE ARE SO MANY BUSINESSES THAT COULD FIT INTO THE CRITERIA FOR THE PROPERTY OF COLON AND FODDER THAT WOULD NOT HAVE THE DISRUPTIVE SIDE EFFECTS THAT COME WITH THE RESTAURANT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ODORS EXHAUST FROM CARS, TRAFFIC DISRUPTIVE NOISE FROM THE SQUAWK BOX AND FROM PEOPLE SCREAMING AT THE SQUAWK BOX.
UM, THE SECOND IS THAT REMOVING ONE ITEM FROM THE LIST THAT THE PRECEDENT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN.
AND I PERSONALLY WOULD BE VERY DEVASTATED TO SEE THE PROTECTIONS.
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WORKED SO HARD FOR IT.
BE COMPLETELY DISREGARDED IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE OF THIS ONE ACTION PLANNING MEETING, THE COMMISSION MEMBERS MENTIONED THAT THE WAY THE WIND BLOWS WOULD SOMEHOW AFFECT THE WAY IN WHICH THESE SMELLS SOUNDS WOULD AFFECT THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW THAT THAT'S RIDICULOUS.
THANK YOU, ELIZABETH CARSON CARSON.
UM, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
MY NAME IS ELSA CARSON AND I ALSO LIVE ON VISION CIRCLE.
I AM A SCHOOL YOUTH, A SCHOOL TEACHER IN AUSTIN ISD FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS.
AND THIS IS FIRST HOME PURCHASE, UM, IN AUSTIN, AFTER LIVING IN OVER 14 PLACES IN THE CITY.
UM, WHEN I BOUGHT MY HOUSE LAST YEAR, I WAS COUNTING ON THAT.
THERE WEREN'T GOING TO BE ANY MORE RESTAURANTS BUILT SO CLOSE, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S A CHICK-FIL-A THAT WE SMELL ALL THE TIME DUMPSTERS WE BE ABOUT WHEN YOU HEAR THE, UM, UM, THE RESPONSE WAS THAT, WELL, YOU ALREADY HAVE IT.
SO WHAT'S THE POINT OF, YOU KNOW, HAVING MORE, BUT I URGE YOU GUYS TO LISTEN TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
NO ONE WANTS THIS, UH, RAISING CANE, UM, AND, UM, PROPERTY BEING SPLIT UP LATER ON AND THEN SOLD TO AN OUTSIDE INVESTOR.
UM, YOU KNOW, ANSWERS THE QUESTION.
WHAT KIND OF A DEVELOPMENT DO WE WANT? WE WANT SUSTAINABLE, INTENTIONAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AT THE FOREFRONT.
40% OF FAST FOOD WORKERS LIVE IN POVERTY
[02:50:05]
OF LOW WEIGHT MISHA SECO PARLO.HI, MY NAME IS NISHA
I AM SPEAKING ON ITEM 28, THE MONTOPOLIS REZONING IN 2009, I PURCHASED ONE OF THE FIRST CONDOMS ON RAINY STREET AND LIVED THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATION OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
IN 2014, I PURCHASED A VACANT LOT AT THREE 12 10TH STREET AND BUILT A HOME.
THE FOLLOWING YEAR, I WAS DRAWN TO THE AREA BY ITS UNIQUE LOCATION AND ZONING FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.
IN ADDITION TO REGISTERING MY OPPOSITION TO THE REZONING REQUEST AND SUPPORT FOR MY COMMUNITY'S POSITION, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT IN 2018 CITY COUNCIL DETERMINED THE HISTORIC MONTOPOLIS NEGRO SCHOOL IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO PURCHASE THEM, PRESERVE THE PROPERTY WITH 85 YEAR OLD BUILDING SITS WITHIN EYESIGHT OF THE PROPOSED ZONING, WHICH WOULD PERMANENTLY ALTER THE CHARACTER AND FEEL OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I AM CONCERNED THAT MUCH OF THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER IN THE RAINY STREET DISTRICT TODAY IS BORDERED BY BUILDINGS AND NEIGHBORHOODS WITH FEWER AND FEWER MEXICAN AMERICANS.
SO TOO, WILL THE HISTORIC MONTOPOLIS NEGRO SCHOOL BE SURROUNDED BY A HIGHER DENSITY, HIGHER INCOME DEMOGRAPHIC.
I'M A RESIDENT OF THE SET TOO, AND I LIVE IN DOVE SPRINGS.
UM, I'M SPEAKING AGAINST POST COMMENT OF ITEMS, 42 AND 40 30.
THE APPLICANT HAS PUSHED THE CONTACT TEAM TO ACT QUICKLY ON THIS CASE BECAUSE THERE'S SOME FUNDING DEADLINES THING YOU CAN EAT THERE.
FUNDING'S NOT REALLY MY CONCERN, BUT, UH, WE HAD TO RUSH TO ADDRESS OUR SAFETY CONCERNS AS THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD DEPENDS.
THE APPLICANT TOLD US AND TOLD THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT THEY NEEDED THIS TO BE HEARD ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
WE ASKED AT THAT TIME FOR A 60 DAY POSTPONEMENT FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSIONER, THE OBJECTIVE, AND BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT RUST US TO ABSORB ALL THE INFORMATION THAT RUSHED US TO MAKE A DECISION BASED ON THEIR TIMELINE.
UH, I ARGUED THOSE WOULD BE KNOWN FOR POSTPONEMENT AND THAT THE ITEM IS NOT POSTPONED.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEPARATELY SPEAK TO THE MERITS OF THE CASE.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE ACCIDENTS.
THIS ECOLOGY ACTION OPPOSES THE REZONING OF VITAL WEEK 10TH STREET, WHICH SHARES A BORDER WITH OUR CIRCLE ACRES NATURE PRESERVE THE FORMER CITY LANDFILL USED OPENLY BURN TRASH AND MISS THIS COMMUNITY IN THE 1960S ARE CONCERNED WITH THIS REZONING OR MANY OF YOU PUTTING THE PLANNING PROCESS MOVING FORWARD DURING THE MOST SERIOUS HEALTH CRISIS OF OUR LIFETIMES, NEIGHBORS WERE FORCED TO MEET FACE TO FACE IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE BALLOT PETITION THAT IS BEFORE YOU TODAY, IT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO THE REASON PROPOSED HERE TODAY, WE HAVE SHARED WITH YOUR STAFF ARE SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND HOW RESENTING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FAILURE OF THE POORLY CONSTRUCTED CAP OVER THE LANDFILL.
NEARLY HALF OF THE, BY THE WAY, KEMP PROPERTY ITSELF IS WITHIN THE GROVE LANDFILL BUMPER.
MOST OF YOUR OFFICES DID NOT RETURN REQUESTS FOR A QUICK MEETING TO HEAR OUR CONCERN.
YEAH, YOU DID MEET WITH THE DEVELOPERS LOBBYISTS WHEN THE UPWARD IS STUDY IDENTIFIED WAYS TO MITIGATE THE DISPLACEMENT OF OFFERINGS FOR RESIDENTS.
IT HIGHLIGHTED THIS VERY NEIGHBORHOOD.
SPECIFICALLY, THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS GAVE YOU A FEW STRATEGIES YOU CAN EMPLOY HERE TODAY.
SPECIFICALLY LOOK AT PART FOUR, GO FOR A FOUR B AND FOUR D AND SEE HOW THIS PROCESS IS FAILING THOSE GOALS RIGHT NOW, YOUR OWN STUDIES WARN THAT THE REZONING OF THESE LOTS WILL RESULT IN THE RAPID DISPLACEMENT OF THE CURRENT LONGTERM RESIDENCE IN FAVOR OF WEALTHIER NEWCOMERS, BECAUSE THE CITY PLANNING CAREFULLY LOOKED AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
RON THROWER, MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS, RON THROWER HERE.
UH, I BELIEVE ALL OF OUR ITEMS ARE POSTPONED.
WE ARE HERE ONLY IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS.
UH, I'M THE CHAIR OF THE YUROK CONTACT TEAM.
AND, UM, I'D LIKE TO, THIS IS FOR ITEM 44 AND I WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT, UH, THE IRAN CONTACT TEAM HAS VOTED TO APPROVE AND SUPPORT THIS, UH, ZONING CHANGE REQUEST AND NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AMENDMENT.
UM, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING OF THAT, THE CITY IS GOING TO WORK WITH THE DEVELOPER TO, UH, CREATE THE RECREATIONAL USE EASEMENTS FOR A TRAIL EXTENSION.
UM, I HAVE, UH, PUT IN SOME, UM, BACKUP MATERIALS AND THAT IS OUR REQUEST OF THAT, UH, CITY COUNCIL REQUEST OF
[02:55:01]
THE CITY MANAGER TO ALLOCATE THE RESOURCES TO CREATE THIS RECREATIONAL USE EASEMENT.HI, MY NAME IS TERESA BOYER AND I AM THE BETWEEN DEVELOPMENT.
ONE OF THE DEVELOPERS FOR ITEM 37.
I'M JUST HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS THAT THE COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE.
ZENOBIA JOSEPH, MS. JOSEPH, PLEASE UNMUTE RYAN KENNY.
I, I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS, THE CHANGE IN THE ZONING RULES.
UH, WHEN WE PURCHASED OUR HOUSE LAST JUST TWO YEARS AGO, WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT RESTAURANTS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO FILL 300 HOMES BECAUSE WE KNOW HOW MUCH THAT CAN HURT OUR HOME VALUES.
AND IF, IF WE HAD KNOWN THAT BACK ON ORIGINAL IT'S THE LONGEST, WE NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OUR HOME HERE BECAUSE OF HOW IT WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR LIVES OUR DAY TO DAY LIFE, AND ALSO OUR ABILITY TO RESELL OUR HOME.
I'M UH, CALLING ON ITEM 28, FIVE OH EIGHT.
KIM, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
UH, I AM CALLING TO, UH, POST THE ATONING OF FIVE OH EIGHT KIM STREET.
UM, IF WE KNOW THAT THE DEVELOPER WANTS TO, UH, UH, BUILD HIGH PRICE TOWNHOMES OR CONDOS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IN MONTOPOLIS, GROWING UP HERE, I KNOW THAT WE DO NOT NEED HIGH PRICE CONDOS FOR TOWN HOMES.
UH, WE HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT, UH, HAS AN MFI OF $31,000.
SO EVEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT 80%, 60%, 70%, WE CANNOT AFFORD THAT.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS LOT AND OTHER, UH, LARGE LOTS IN OUR COMMUNITY BE PURCHASED BY THE COMMUNITY AND BUILD HIGH QUALITY SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
SO THEY WILL NOT BE DISPLACED SO THEY CAN STAY LIVING IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND CLOSE TO THEIR FAMILIES, TO THEIR FRIENDS WHERE THEY GREW UP.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, VICTORIA HAAS, VICTORIA HAAS, PLEASE.
UH, I'M I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THIRD DESIGN TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
UH, ALL OF OUR CASES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED AS RON GERBER STATEMENTS, BUT WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS RELATED TO THOSE POSTPONEMENT REQUESTS.
UM, THIS IS MICHELLE P I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT ITEM 28 AT FIVE OH EIGHT, KEN.
UM, WE'RE REQUESTING THAT COUNSEL PLEASE HONOR.
THE VALID PETITION OPPOSING THE OBTAINING OF FIVE OH EIGHT CAMP IN THE MONTOPOLIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
AS A HOMESTEADER HERE, IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT THE CURRENT ZONING IS THE BACKBONE OF THIS COMMUNITY.
WE WERE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY WHERE UNITED, WE DO NOT NEED CONDOS OR TOWNHOUSES.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE THREE ZONING CASES ON OUR ONE STREET ALONE AND FIVE WITHIN A HALF MILE RADIUS, DOZENS OF DEVELOPERS SEEKING UP ZONING.
AND THIS IS DIRECTLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY BUILD RESENTMENT AND DIVIDE.
AND THERE ARE OTHERS WAITING IN THE WINGS FOR WHAT IS DECIDED HERE TODAY.
SO WE BELIEVE DENSITY OF THE TOOL INHERENTLY WEAKEN THE VOICE OF THE EXISTING NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT SKEWS THE MAJORITY AT AN ACCELERATED PACE OVERNIGHT CHANGE
[03:00:01]
PERMANENTLY IN MONTOPOLIS.THANK YOU, MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY COMMENTS ARE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO ITEM 31 3,500 PECAN SPRINGS.
THERE'LL BE 25 CONDOS TOUR AFFORDABLE.
I'D STILL LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE AREA MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME IS.
IT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE MID BLOCK CROSSING EVEN THOUGH ROUTE 300 IS FREQUENT AND IT SAYS HISTORICALLY AND CULTURALLY INSIGNIFICANT OR NOT APPLICABLE.
IF YOU KNOW THE AREA IT'S 51ST STREET IN SPRINGDALE, AS IT RELATES TO ITEM 32, I WOULD ASK THE RECORD TO REFLECT MY COMMENTS ARE NEUTRAL THERE.
MY WRITTEN TESTIMONY IS ON PAGE 18, AS IT RELATES TO ITEM 33, IT'S AN AUTO CYCLE PROJECT, AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY ON FM 69, UH, POSED THAT PROJECT.
AND WHAT ASKED THAT YOU CONSIDER THERE'S A INDUSTRIAL, UH, PROBLEM WITH THE AREA AND STAFF NEVER LOOKED AT IT.
UM, CYPRESS CREEK, WHEN A SEMICONDUCTOR RATA, WHEN THEY, THAT PROJECT WAS BEFORE, UH, COUNCIL, YOU ACTUALLY HAD INFLAMMATION FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND NOT SURE WHAT BEING TREATED DIFFERENTLY.
62 TO POSTPONE THE AUTO CYCLE.
THAT CONCLUDES THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS BATCH.
WE HAVE, UM, ONE APPLICANT ON THE LINE, MICHAEL
WE HAVE ANY, UH, UH, ON THE FC APPLICANTS, RIGHT IN 64, 65, 66.
IT SHOULD BE A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST ON THIS.
SO I'M JUST HERE IN CASE YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, THAT'S IT.
YOU WANT TO WALK US THROUGH THE CONSENT ON A SONY? SURE.
MAYOR, UM, THE, UH, FIRST TIME.
SO WE HAVE OUR OWN, OF COURSE THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.
THIS CASE IS OFFERED FOR CONSENT FOR ONE SECOND.
AND THIRD READINGS I HAVE 27 IS CAN YOU 14 2020 ZERO, ZERO 46.
THIS CASE WAS OFFERED, ALSO OFFERED FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON STUFF THAT OCCURRED READINGS 28, WHICH YOU HEARD SEVERAL SPEAKERS SPEAK ABOUT, WHICH IS ITEM C 14, 2020 ZERO SEVEN 38, WHICH IS THE CASE ON CHEMISTRY.
UM, WE JUST RECEIVED A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST FROM THE APPLICANT ON THAT TO HAVE IT POSTPONE TO AUGUST 27, 28.
NUMBER 29 IS CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO ZERO FOUR ZERO.
THIS IS A CASE THAT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE ZONING PLANNING COMMISSION AND THAT RECOMMENDED BY THE STAFF.
BUT WE DID DISCUSS THIS CASE ON TUESDAY DURING THE WORK SESSION.
THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST IS FOR GR ZONING AND I'M AT THE HOUSE AND WOULD LIKE TO IMPROVE THE JARED ZONING.
I HAVE CONSENT FOR THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST.
YOU WANT ME TO, SORRY YOU SAYING THAT'S A DISCUSSION ITEM 29.
NO, I'M SAYING THAT WE CAN LEAVE IT ON CONSENT.
IF THE CAUSE WOULD LIKE WE COULD APPROVE THE APPLICANT'S RECOMMENDATION OF DR.
WE DID DISCUSS THE CASE ON TUESDAY AND I EXPLAINED WHY THE STAFF WAS NOT SUPPORTING IT, BUT THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE THE REQUEST.
WE CAN JUST LEAVE IT ON CONSENT.
I THINK WE'RE JUST DOING FIRST READING TODAY SO WE CAN DO FIRST READING ON GR ON CONSENT, AND THEN WE CAN GET THE DETAILS WORKED OUT.
FIRST READING ITEM, NUMBER 30, THIS CASE TO SEE EIGHT 14, 2018 ZERO ONE 21.
THIS IS A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE W SEVEN I DIDN'T 31.
THIS CASE NPA 2019 ZERO ZERO ONE 5.02.
THIS IS A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT.
I AM 32 IS CASE 14, 2019 ZERO ONE 64.
THIS IS A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE AFRICAN TO AUGUST 27TH.
I DIDN'T 33 CASE NPA 2020 ZERO ZERO ONE 5.01.
THIS CASE I CAN OFFER FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS ITEM 34 IS CASEY 14, 2020.
NUMBER ONE, SIMON, AND OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONCEPTIVE APPROVAL ON ALL PRETTY READINGS ITEM NUMBER 35, THIS CASE NPA 2019 ZERO ZERO ONE 6.01 RELATED ITEM IS ITEM NUMBER 36.
[03:05:01]
MAYOR AND COUNCIL.ON THIS CASE, WE DO HAVE A VALID PETITION, HOWEVER, NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
AND I BELIEVE THE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT THERE IS AN AGREEMENT THAT HAS BEEN WORKED OUT BETWEEN THE APPLICANT AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE AGREEMENT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR BACKUP AS EXHIBIT G OF THE BACKUP FOR THIS ITEM.
BUT MOST OF THE LIGHTS TO FENCING BUFFERS AND A FEW USES.
SO I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE APPROVE BOTH THOSE CASES ON FIRST READING ONLY, AND WE LEAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN TO LET THE FINAL TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT BE WORKED OUT.
AND SO THAT'S ITEMS 36 35 AND 36 WOULD BE FOR FIRST READING ONLY 14, 2019 ZERO ONE ZERO SEVEN POINT SH I CAN OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONSENT OR APPROVAL AT ALL.
THREE READINGS ITEM NUMBER 38 IS CASEY 14, 2019 ZERO ONE 52.
THIS IS A POSTPONE REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT AUGUST 27TH, I'M 39.
THIS CASE MPA 2018 ZERO ZERO 5.01.
THIS IS THE POST FORMER REQUEST BY THE STAFF TO AUGUST 27TH, 40 CASEY 14, 2019 ZERO ZERO 29.
THIS IS ALSO POSTPONE REQUESTS BY THE STAFF TO AUGUST 27TH RELATED TO THE CODE AMENDMENT YOU POSTPONED EARLIER TODAY, I DID A NUMBER 41 CASE NPA 2019 ZERO ZERO ZERO 3.01.
THIS IS A BOOK FOR REQUEST BY THE STAFF.
ITEM 42 IS CASE NPA 2016, ZERO ZERO ONE 4.01.
THIS IS A POSTPONE REQUEST BY MAYOR PROTON GARZA FOR AUGUST 27 42, I'M SORRY, 43 RELATED CASEY 14, 2017 ZERO ZERO ONE ZERO.
ALSO ONE REQUESTS BY MAYOR PROTON GARZA, AUGUST 27TH, 1944.
HIS GETS NPA 2017, ZERO ZERO 21.01.
I CAN OFFER THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON FIRST READING, ONLY RELATED CASE THIS CASE NUMBER ITEM 46, WHICH IS CASE
I CAN OFFER FOR THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL.
ON FIRST READING MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT FOR BOTH OF THESE CASES THAT WERE RECOMMENDED FOR DISAPPROVAL BY THE STAFF AND THE COMMISSION.
I'M THE REASON I'M OFFERING THEM FOR CONSENT IS THE APPLICANT HAS AMENDED THE REQUEST TO MATCH WHAT THE APPLICANT AND THE STAFF WERE ABLE TO ITEM.
46 IS CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO ZERO ZERO SEVEN.
THIS IS A POSTPARTUM REQUEST BY THE STAFF.
AUGUST 27 47 IS CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO ZERO 31.
THIS IS POSTPONE REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT AUGUST 47 48 IS CASEY 14, 2019 ZERO ONE ZERO EIGHT POSTPONE REQUESTS BY THE STAFF, THE AUGUST 27, 1949 IS CASE NPA 2019 ZERO ONE 5.01.
THIS IS WHAT'S A REQUESTED BY THE APPLICANT TO AUGUST 27.
I REMEMBER 15 CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO, ZERO 22.
THIS IS ONE REQUEST BY THE APPLICANT TO AUGUST 27TH, 1951 IS GOING TO SEE 14, 2020, ZERO 58.
THIS CASE I GOT AN OFFER FOR CONCENTRIC APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS ITEM NUMBER 52, AS YOU CAN SEE 14, 2019 ZERO ONE 62.
THIS IS THE, UM, SWATTER AND COLLIN ITEM THAT A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS SPOKE OF EARLIER.
UH, I CAN OFFER THAT FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON FIRST READING OR, UM, IS THERE A CUSTOMER THAT WOULD LIKE TO PULL THAT ITEM IF NOT PULLING THAT ITEM? I WAS TRYING TO PULL IT PULL.
UM, ITEM 52, THIS CASE C 14, 2020 ZERO ZERO 49.
BUT WE DID HAVE ONE SPEAKER IN THIS ITEM I CAN OFFER FOR CONSENT APPROVAL ON FIRST READING ONLY.
UM, I CAN LEAVE IT ON CONSENT, BUT I NEED TO MAKE A COMMENT.
MY COMMENT IS THAT I'M FINE WITH PROCEEDING ON CONSENT FOR FIRST READING, BUT BEFORE SECOND READING, I WILL BE WORKING WITH THE PARTIES, UM, TO WORK TOWARDS THE LIMITATION RELATED TO, UM, THE SOUND LEVEL, UM, TO ALIGN IT WITH WHAT'S GOING ON, UM, AROUND THAT PROPERTY.
UM, ITEM 54 IS CAUSE SEE, 14, 2020 IS 29.
THIS IS AN INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE STAFF.
JUST GOING TO SEE 14, 2020 ZERO ZERO THREE ZERO.
THIS IS A POSTPONE REQUEST BY THE STAFF AUGUST 27.
ITEM NUMBER 56 IS CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO GIRL 39.
THIS IS A POST FORM REQUEST BY THE STAFF.
I HAVE 57 CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO, ZERO 44.
THIS IS POSTPONE REQUEST BUTTON STAFF, AUGUST 27TH, ITEM 58 IS CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO HUNDRED AND 23.
I CAN OFFER THIS CASE FOR CONSENT OR APPROVAL.
FIRST READING ITEM 59 IS K C 1485, TWO 88.56 RCA.
THIS IS A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE
[03:10:01]
STAFF, THE AUGUST 27TH ITEM 60.THAT IS TO SEE 14, 2020 ZERO ZERO FIVE ZERO.
THIS IS WHAT PRODUCT FROM YOUR AGENDA.
ITEM 61 IS CASE C 14, 2020 ZERO ZERO 41.
THIS IS ALSO WITHDRAWN FROM YOUR AGENDA.
I DIDN'T SEE 14 2020 ZERO, ZERO 57.
ITEM NUMBER 63 IS CASEY 14, 2020 ZERO, ZERO 35.
ON THIS CASE THERE, I WOULD LIKE TO READ IN THIS CASE THAT MR. RILEY SPOKE OF EARLIER, I WOULD LIKE TO READ IN A COUPLE OF INITIAL CONDITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN AGREED BETWEEN MR SNIFF AND MR. RILEY.
AND THOSE ARE THE ADDITIONAL PROHIBITIVE USES AVAILABLE ON SERVICES, LIQUOR, SALES, OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT, COCKTAIL LOUNGE CONCEPT SERVICES, AND THEY WERE WORKING AT A PRIVATE AGREEMENT RELATED TO PROHIBITING OUTDOOR AMPLIFIED STYLE.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD THOSE CONDITIONS INTO THE RECORD AND THAT CASE IS READY WITH THAT OR CONSENT APPROVAL ON ALL THREE READINGS ITEM 64 IS CASE NPA 2020 ZERO ZERO ONE 7.01.
THIS IS A POST FORMER REQUEST BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE APPLICANT IS IN AGREEMENT, UM, RELATED CASES, ITEM 65, K C 1472 ZERO ZERO THREE TWO RCT ALSO POSTPONE REQUEST BY THE NEIGHBOR DOGS 27 RELATED TO THE TWO CASES ABOVE IS ITEM NUMBER
THIS IS A POSTPONE REQUEST BY THE STAFF AUGUST 7TH, I DIDN'T NUMBER 69, I'M SORRY, 68.
THIS CASE C 14, 2020 ZERO ZERO 43.
I CAN OFFER FOR THIS FOR CONSENT APPROVAL AT OFFERED READINGS.
AND FINALLY, ITEM NUMBER 69 IS TWO 14, 2019 ZERO 1.9, WHICH IS THE RIDELL CASE.
I CAN OFFER THAT FOR CONSENT APPROVAL.
ON FIRST READING I'VE WE'VE TALKED SOME ABOUT THIS.
WE'D LIKE TO DO MAYOR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO UNDERSTAND, DO I UNDERSTAND JERRY, THAT EVERYTHING IS ON CONSENT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM 52 MAYOR.
UM, UH, IS THIS THE TIME TO DO IT? I HAVE SOME THINGS TO READ, UM, UH, TWO 69, WHICH CAN STAY ON CONSENT FOR FIRST READING.
BUT JERRY, YOU SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS ON CONSENT EXCEPT FOR 52.
IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
AND A COUPLE OF THEM WERE LEAVING THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN, UM, INCLUDING THIS ONE.
AND WE'RE ABOUT TO SPEAK UP NOW.
ONCE THAT WE LEFT THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN WERE THE ONES THAT YOU IDENTIFIED THAT WAY WHEN YOU WENT THROUGH AND INTRODUCED THOSE, RIGHT? THAT'S CORRECT.
ANNE READ IN OR COMMENTS AND THEN I'LL COME BACK TO YOU, LESLIE.
THIS IS ON, UM, ITEM NUMBER 69.
UM, SHE'S GOING ON CONSENT ON FIRST READING.
UM, AS YOU HEARD EARLIER FROM BOTH THE APPLICANT AND FROM SMITTY, THE PARTIES HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT AND THEY'RE CONTINUING TO WORK OUT DETAILS.
SO THEY'RE WORKING TOWARDS A FINALIZED, PRIVATE, RESTRICTED COVENANT.
UM, THERE WILL BE MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS TO THE ORDINANCE AND A PUBLIC RESTRICTIVE COVENANT.
I'M JUST GOING TO HIGHLIGHT JUST A FEW OF THOSE, UH, KEY POINTS.
UM, AS YOU HEARD, THERE'S A CREATION OF DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS THAT WILL GRADUATE INTENSITY ACROSS THE TRACK, UM, TO TRANSITION ACROSS THE TRACK, TO GREATER HEIGHT ON, UM, ON SOUTH FIRST, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S ADEQUATE SIDEWALKS, BIKE LANES, TRAFFIC CALMING, TDM, AND TRANSIT ACCESS, UM, THAT'LL BENEFIT NEW RESIDENTS AS WELL AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SAFE ACCESS TO AKINS HIGH SCHOOL.
A DEVELOPER WILL BE AS AGREED TO CONTRIBUTE TO TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES.
THERE'S A NARROWING OF THE VEHICLE RIGHT AWAY ON WEDNESDAY.
UM, AS YOU HEARD EARLIER, THERE'S INCLUSION OF GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND 10% ADJUSTMENT AND FLOODING CALCULATIONS, UH, TO ACCOMMODATE INCREASED DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
THE NEXT ONE, THERE'S AN OPENING, YOU KNOW, THAT ADDRESSES THE CONCERNS AT 1626.
SO OPENING UP THE WAYNE RIDELL LOOP CONNECTION, WHICH WILL BE OPEN, BUT IT'S CONTINGENT UPON OUR IS UPON COMPLETION OF A SIGNAL AT THE CENTER SECTION WAS 1626.
UM, AND, UH, THEN WHEN RODEL, LUKE WOULD NOT BE USED TO ACCESS THE SITE BY CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC, UH, THERE'S A, I'M NOT GOING TO READ ALL THE DETAILS ON THIS BECAUSE IT'S IN YOUR BACKUP.
BUT, UM, WE'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING WITH, UH, REPRESENTATIVE
[03:15:01]
GOOD ONE AND OUR WATERSHED DEPARTMENT TO CLARIFY ISSUES AND CONCERNS RAISED REGARDING POTENTIAL FLOODING.SO A WATERSHED PROTECTION DEPARTMENT IS WORKING ON, UM, ANALYSES RELATED TO THE REGIONAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND ANALYSIS OF FLOOD EVENTS.
SO THERE'S DETAILS RELATED TO THAT, UM, IN THE CUP AND THE BOTTOM LINE THERE IS THAT THE CITY WOULD NOT IN OUR S AND P APPLICATION.
UH, IF EITHER OF THESE ANALYSES INDICATES THAT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WOULD INCREASE FLOOD HEIGHTS IN SLAUGHTER CREEK OR ON WIND CREEK.
UM, SO JUST IN CLOSING THEN, UM, AND AGAIN, THE DETAILS ARE IN THE BACKUP, UM, AND THERE'LL BE REFLECTED IN BOTH THE PRIVATE RESTRICTIVE COVENANT AND, UH, AND THE ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC RESTRICTIVE COVENANT WHEN THIS COMES BACK TO US ON AND THIRD GREETING.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO ADD MY THANKS TO THE, UM, TO WHAT WAS SAID EARLIER, BOTH TO THE DEVELOPER AND THE NEIGHBORS.
THEY'VE BOTH BEEN WORKING VERY HARD, UH, TO MOVE FORWARD, TO REACH AGREEMENT.
UM, AND THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON ALL OF THE THREE AREAS, UH, THAT SMITTY HAD INDICATED WERE CONCERNS, UH, FOR THE AREA.
UM, AND, UM, SO, UM, I WON'T PICK YOUR TIME UP WITH ANY MORE DETAILS, BUT, UM, THE, UH, THE ADDITIONAL DETAILS OR, OR, UM, IN, IN THE BACKUP.
SO AGAIN, THE DEVELOPER AND SMITTY HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB WORKING THROUGH ALL OF THESE THINGS.
AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR WATERSHED DEPARTMENT AND OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, UH, FOR THEIR WORK, UH, WITH THE NEIGHBORS AND THE DEVELOPER TO, TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THIS.
THANKS JERRY, COULD YOU GO BACK TO ITEM 45? I JUST WANTED TO CHECK AND SEE THE MEU ON THAT.
UM, ARE YOU RECOMMENDING IT WITH OR WITHOUT? AND WHAT WAS THE POSITION THAT A FIRE DEPARTMENT, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, THE M REQUEST WAS WITHDRAWN, WHICH WAS THE SOURCE OF OUR OPPOSITION.
THEREFORE, THAT'S WHY WE'RE RECOMMENDING WE'RE GOOD.
HEY, COLLEAGUES, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEM 26 TO 69, EXCEPT FOR 52.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? THAT'S WHERE THE KITCHEN MAKES THE MOTION AGAINST THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THAT'S FROM A FLAT AGAIN, BACK TO, I JUST WANT TO BE SHOWN VOTING.
IT'S HARD TO TALK IF Y'ALL DON'T WANT ME TO IMMATURE.
CAN YOU GET CLOSER TO YOUR MICROPHONE? YES.
UM, WHEN I MAKE A COMMENT ON A I DON'T 28, WHICH IS ON CAMP, THESE DEEP LOTS THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING, COULD YOU POSTPONING IT? THEY'RE SELLING FOR FOUR, $400,000.
PLUS IT'S, THESE ARE VACANT, LOTS THAT ARE, AND ONE THAT ONE DOES HAVE A HOUSE, BUT IT'S ABANDONED.
AND THERE WILL LOOK THE CITY OF BOSTON, IT'S ON A CLIFF AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SITE.
SO WHOEVER GETS TO WHEREVER IT GETS PUT IN THERE, IF CASE FL THREE, I JUST WANT TO LET THE PEOPLE KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR HOME THERE.
I, I'M SORRY TO TELL YOU THAT, BUT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THOSE PROPERTIES THERE.
I WENT AND INQUIRED FOUR YEARS AGO, THREE YEARS AGO, OR ONE OF THE LOTS THERE.
AND THEY SAID THAT HE WAS SELLING IT FOR $440,000.
AND I SAID, WHY? HE SAID, WELL, YOU GOT A MILLION DOLLAR VIEW OF THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN, AND THAT'S, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THERE.
SO WHATEVER YOU GOT THE COMMUNITY DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT MORE, MORE HOUSING THERE FOR AIR WAS ONE AFFORDABLE UNIT, OR DO THEY WANT THEM WALK A MILLION DOLLAR HOME? THAT'S UP TO TWO.
SO I JUST WANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT.
UH, UH, Y'ALL HAVE AN OPTION NOW.
IT, UH, UH, THE AFRICANS GOING TO COME AND TRY TO WORK WITH Y'ALL AND IF IT'S NOT, THIS IS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THAT LOT.
THANK YOU, MARY, FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO BRIEFLY SPEAK ON IT'S A POSTPONEMENT, BUT IT WAS 42 AND 43.
CAUSE I KNOW, UM, SOME CONSTITUENTS ARE LISTENING.
UM, THAT'S AN, UH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UH, PROJECT FOR 55 AND OLDER.
AND I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE CONCERNS.
[03:20:01]
IT'S NOT THE BEST EXIT AND ENTRANCE ON A SUBSTANDARD ROAD.I'M REALLY HOPING WE CAN GET TO SOME KIND OF, UM, AGREEMENT BECAUSE I'D HATE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
YOU KNOW, I'VE, I'VE, I'VE PUSHED BACK AGAINST PUTTING THESE OUT WHERE THERE'S NO ACCESS TO GROCERY STORES AND, AND, AND WHEN WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PUT THEM CLOSER TO THINGS, UM, IT'S A GOOD THING, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THIS IS A LOCATION WHERE THERE ARE NO SIDEWALKS.
YOU COULDN'T WALK OUT TO WALK ANYWHERE.
YOU COULDN'T EVEN WALK TO A BUS STATION AT A BUS STOP.
SO, UM, I, I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING CASE.
I REALLY HOPE THAT WE CAN GET TO SOME KIND OF, UM, AGREEMENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE DESPERATE NATIVE, AFFORDABLE OPPORTUNITIES, UM, IN OUR CITY.
AND THEN YOU SAID MAYOR THAT THE LAST ITEM WAS 52.
AND IF WE CAN, UNLESS THERE'S ANY, UNLESS I DON'T KNOW WHAT LESLIE WANTED TO DISCUSS.
I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK THE PA TO POSTPONE THAT.
AND IF THE NEIGHBORS ARE LISTENING, UM, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE APPLICANT DID TRY TO RE REACH OUT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND, AND, UM, SIT DOWN WITH YOU.
AND THAT, THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD DID NOT WANT TO DO THAT.
SO I WOULD PLEAD WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO TALK TO THE APPLICANT.
UM, THERE MAY BE WAYS TO MITIGATE SLAUGHTER IS A CORRIDOR.
UM, IT'S A, IT'S ALWAYS, I HAVE SUCH A DISTINCT PARTS OF MY DISTRICT.
ONE DOES ONE PART OF MY DISTRICT IS BEGGING FOR AMENITIES AND RESTAURANTS.
AND THEN ANOTHER PART IS SAYING WE DON'T WANT ANYMORE.
AND SO, UM, YOU KNOW, SLAUGHTER IS, UH, IS ONE OF OUR MAIN CORRIDORS.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS ALREADY THERE, BUT MAYBE THERE'S A WAY TO MITIGATE.
AND IF YOU KNOW, I HAVEN'T MADE UP MY MIND, I'M STILL LISTENING TO THE CONCERNS, BUT AT LEAST SIT DOWN, UM, BECAUSE EVEN IF I VOTE NO ON THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE REST OF THE COUNCIL IS, IS, IS, IS NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT.
AND, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE'RE IN A PLACE WHERE IF IT GETS APPROVED, WE'VE MITIGATED ANY OF YOUR CONCERNS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
SO I WOULD ASK FOR IT FOR 52 TO BE PLACED BACK ON CONSENT WITH, UM, THE POSTPONEMENT AND ASKING THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO PLEASE SIT DOWN AND MEET WITH THE APPLICANT.
I HAD NOT RAISED MY HAND ON 52.
AND MAYOR, IF I MAY, UM, I JUST HEARD FROM THE OUTCOME OF THAT CASE, BASED ON THE, THE, UH, DISCUSSION THAT THEY ARE VERY PART TIME JUST GOT UP AND THE APPLICANT IS OKAY WITH THE POSTPONEMENT PRESUMED AUGUST 27.
NO, SHOW THAT WAY ON THE CONSENT THEN.
I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE IF I HEARD IT OR NOT, BUT THE, UM, PUBLIC HEARING IS LEFT OPEN ON 69, CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
COLLEAGUES, EVERYTHING IS ON CONSENT, UH, ON THE AGENDA.
UM, ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SAY ANYTHING BEFORE WE TAKE THE VOTES BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
SO YOU HAD TO MISS ON THE DIOCESE.
ALL THE ZONING MATTERS ARE HANDLED.
MAYOR, MAYOR MERITS, KATHY TEBOW.
UM, TWO CLARIFICATION'S ONE IS, UM, PRIOR TO TAKING THE BOAT.
I INTENDED TO MAKE A COMMENT, BUT I WASN'T ABLE TO GET YOUR ATTENTION.
I THINK I MAY HAVE HAD MY CAMERA OFF.
UM, I HAVE FILED AN AFFIDAVIT WITH OUR CITY CLERK FOR A RECUSAL FOR ITEM 63, BUT THE RECORD WOULD, WOULD REFLECT TWO THINGS.
ONE IS, I THINK I HAD MY CAMERA OFF.
SO I AM RECUSING ON 63 IN VOTING FOR THE REST.
WE'LL CONSIDER THAT PROPERLY MADE BEFORE THE VOTE, BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE.
ANYBODY WANNA CHANGE THE VOTES AND I'M ANNOUNCING THE VOTE.
THE CONSENT AGENDA PASSES WITH THE, UH, NOTATIONS THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE MADE.
ALRIGHT, COLLEAGUES THAT GETS US TO THE NEXT
[Public comment 1]
BATCH THAT WE HAVE.THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO SPEAK BETWEEN THREE AND FIVE.
THESE ARE THE, UH, PUBLIC HEARING SPEAKERS IT'S OTHER THAN ZONING MATTERS.
UH, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PICK THIS UP.
UH, ARE YOU, UH, WITH US TO START RECOGNIZING SPEAKERS? YES.
WE'RE READY TO MARINATE BEFORE THEY START DOING THAT.
I JUST WANT TO LET SPEAKERS KNOW.
I HAVE TO REORGANIZE SOMETHING IN THIS ROOM FOR A SECOND.
SO I'M JUST HERE AND LISTENING TO MY CAMERA'S JUST OFF.
TO ALL THE SPEAKERS, IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY PRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO AT THIS TIME, THE FIRST SPEAKER IS CHRISTINA FLACK OF WITS.
HI, MY NAME IS CHRISTINA FOR LAKEWOOD.
[03:25:01]
REPRESENTING TEXAS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.WE SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH CONSTITUENTS FIVE DAYS A WEEK, AND HAVE MEMBERS IN ALL OF YOUR DISTRICTS.
UH, RACISM SHOWS UP IN MANY WAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT ACROSS THE COUNTRY WASTE AND POLLUTING FACILITIES TEND TO BE SITED IN OR NEAR COMMUNITY COLORED HERE IN AUSTIN, THE LANDFILLS NEAR THE AIRPORT IN NORTHEAST TRAVIS COUNTY ARE IN AREAS THAT ARE MUCH MORE RACIALLY DIVERSE THAN MOST OF AUSTIN, UH, POLLUTING FACILITIES, IMPACT PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND WELLBEING.
BEING IN THE CITY BUDGET RATIO, RACISM SHOWS UP IN THE UNDERFUNDING OF THINGS THAT WOULD BRING MANY AUSTINITES TRUE, PUBLIC SAFETY, AFFORDABLE PUBLIC HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.
WHEN WE, FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING FROM THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 AND THE CLEANUP OF POLLUTED SITES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES CUTS TO OUR OVER BUDGETED POLICE DEPARTMENT, FOR THINGS LIKE MILITARIZED WEAPONS AND VEHICLES, AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, FIVE WEEKS WILL LET US REALLOCATE FUNDS TO THE PROGRAMS THAT HELP MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
PLEASE USE THE BUDGET DOCUMENT AS YOUR IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITY TO RESET OUR PRIORITIES, THE WAIT SITUATIONS WITH POLICE, BECAUSE WE CANNOT COUNT ON THE POLICE TO DO SO.
I WANTED TO SPEAK TODAY IN SUPPORT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS, FLANAGAN, KSR, AND POOLS, PROPOSALS TO CUT FROM THE APD BUDGET.
UM, I'M A CHILD OF THE SUBURBS.
SO EVEN THOUGH I GREW UP THE DAUGHTER OF A SINGLE MOTHER OF FIVE, I HAD ACCESS TO RESOURCES THAT MY COMMUNITY HAS INVESTED IT'S FOR MY FAMILY.
I DID NOT FEEL THE DESPERATION OF HUNGER OR THE PULL OF CRIME.
DESPITE MY FAMILY SITUATION, MY COMMUNITY IMAGINED A DIFFERENT VIBE FOR ME THAN THE ONE MY POVERTY MIGHT HAVE OTHERWISE DICTATED IS THE AUSTIN.
THIS COUNCIL IMAGINED ONE WHERE WE BE FUN, PREVENTATIVE RESOURCES THAT HELP LIFT PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY OR ONE WHERE WE ACCEPT THAT CRIMINALITY IS A FEATURE OF PARTICULAR.
DEMOGRAPHICS IS OUR TOP PRIORITY.
RESPONDING TO FAULTY BURGLAR ALARMS AND FALSE NINE ONE, ONE CALLS AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR.
IS IT ONE WHERE WE POUR $400 MILLION INTO AN AGENCY? THE POLICE IS A TOWN THAT REFUSES TO POLICE ITSELF, BUT CAN NOT BRING JUSTICE BECAUSE OF UNTESTED RAPE KITS THAT RELEASES KNOWN KILLERS OF PEOPLE, PROTESTERS LIKE GARRETT FOSTER, AND IT COMMITS MORE VIOLENT CRIMES THAN THE CITIZENS DO CURRENTLY, DESPITE HAVING ONE OF THE LOWEST VIOLENT CRIME RATES FOR MAJOR CITY, ABOUT FIVE PER 100,000 PEOPLE, POLICE KILL ABOUT 10 PER 100,000 PEOPLE.
THESE STATISTICS SHOW AUSTIN IS NOT A HAVEN FOR VIOLENT CRIMINAL, BUT THE POLICE HAS.
AND THE PROPOSED BUDGET, EVEN WITH THE SLIGHT CUTS, DO NOT REFLECT THAT.
I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE BUDGET PROPOSED REFLECTS AWESOME.
I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THIS COUNCIL CAN ALIGN THE BUDGET TO REFLECT THE OPTIONS WE IMAGINED.
HI, MY NAME IS MEYERI RAJAH AND I AM A STITCHER AND DISTRICT 10.
UH, I AM ALSO PART OF THE PROCESS FOR THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY CLIMATE PLAN UPDATE.
AND I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE COUNCIL, TO DEFUND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY 50% IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DEMANDS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND INVEST.
INSTEAD IN THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING.
THESE SOLUTIONS WILL BEGIN TO REMEDY THE LONG STANDING AND EQUITIES BASED BY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND OFTEN INEQUITIES THAT HAVE BEEN PERPETUATED BY THE CITIES IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A CITY TO MAKE REPARATIONS FOR INEQUITIES THAT HAVE BEEN PERPETUATED DUE TO PAST ACTIONS, SUCH AS THE 1928 MASTER PLAN.
AND PART OF THIS IS TAKING THE MONEY AWAY FROM AN INSTITUTION THAT IS KNOWN TO BE HARMFUL TO THESE ROOTS AND PUT THOSE MONEY INTO SOLUTIONS THAT WILL HELP THOSE COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IN THE FACE OF COVID-19.
I ALSO ASKED HOW INEQUITABLE PHONE CALL AND PROCESS IS FOR THESE COMMUNITIES.
MY NAME IS
I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT POLICE FOR OVER 13 YEARS.
I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE POLICE OVERSIGHT FOR, I SHOULD HAVE MONITORED SLASH OVERSIGHT FOR 10 YEARS AND KNOW IT'S OVER FORTUNE ON THE QUESTION, EVERYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO THE POLICE, BUT I'M ALSO COMPLAINING BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I HAVEN'T HAD A COMPLAINT SPECIALIST OF POLICE MONITORED,
[03:30:01]
FULL-BORE ALMOST TWO YEARS, WHICH I HAVE REQUESTED IT ON HIM.I STILL DON'T HAVE ONE, WHICH I CAN UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF BEING HARASSED BY THE POLICE EVEN TODAY, JUST LIKE LAST MONTH AND THROUGH 17 FROM WHICH I'VE FOUND MY WINDSHIELD SMASHED, UH, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG HERE.
I MEAN, IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
THE POLICE, UH, ARE NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ACTION.
AND ALSO PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF OR THE POLICE ARE ABOVE THE LAW.
HE HAD AN OFFICER, UNFORTUNATELY.
NOW, NATALIE, DID YOU SAY NATALIE? GOOD NOW? YES.
UM, I'M CALLING AGAIN TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED SAMANTHA TO REDUCE THE APD BUDGET BY 50% AND INVEST IN STATICS IN REAL SOLUTIONS LIKE THE RIGHT SUN EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND I'M ROWAN COME HOUSING.
UM, I ANTICIPATE IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG JOURNEY TO GET US TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE AND EVENTUALLY TO BE ABOLITION OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
SO EACH TIME I TESTIFY, UM, I'M CHOOSING TO DEDICATE MY TESTIMONY TO A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY WHOSE LIFE HAS BEEN CUT SHORT DUDE RACISM.
UM, TODAY, UH, I'M LATINA LIVED IN FUCKING MY WHOLE LIFE TODAY.
I DEDICATE MY TESTIMONY TO MY COUSIN, EDWARD.
UM, HE DIED, UH, SHORTLY BEFORE HIS 35TH BIRTHDAY.
UM, LIKE THE UNCLE I SPOKE ABOUT LAST TIME, HE WAS NOT A DANGEROUS PERSON.
HE WAS SOMEONE WHO LIVED IN POVERTY, STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION BEHIND TWO YOUNG KIDS.
I WAS AT THE PROTEST SATURDAY.
WHEN A CAR RAN A RED LIGHT AND ACCELERATED INTO THE CROWD.
I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, WHICH I ASSUMED WAS THE DRIVER HITTING SOMEONE I RAN OVER TO HELP WHEN THE DRIVER STARTED FIRING AT US, POLICE ARRIVED IN TWO TO THREE MINUTES, BUT EMS WERE STILL NOT THERE.
WHEN I LEFT THE CRIME SCENE, 14 MINUTES LATER, GARRETT WAS STILL LYING IN THE STREET BLEEDING.
WHEN I LEFT SEVEN DAYS AGO, EMS BEGGED YOU FOR MORE FUNDING AND AMBULANCES.
AT FIVE DAYS AGO, I WATCHED SOMEONE DIE AS A RESULT OF A DELAYED AMBULANCE.
WE GIVE APD SO MUCH MONEY AND I AM GENUINELY FAILING TO SEE HOW THEY CONTRIBUTED HERE.
APD DID NOT PREVENT THE CRIME FROM HAPPENING NOR DID THEY ARREST THE MURDER WHO TURNED HIMSELF IN AT THE PRESS BRIEFING.
APD REPORTED THE SHOOTER'S ACCOUNT AS FACT, AND CREATED A FALSE NARRATIVE THAT WAS SHARED INTERNATIONALLY.
I'M TRAUMATIZED AND EXHAUSTED.
AND KEN CASSIDY IS ON CNN SAYING THAT WE ASKED FOR THIS, I DEMAND THAT YOU DEFUND APD BY 50%.
I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN SINCE 1990 AND HAD BEEN A RESIDENT AT EAST AUSTIN DISTRICT ONE FOR OVER A DECADE.
NOW THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND HARD WORK ON MY BEHALF.
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DISAPPOINTMENT AS A CURRENT BUDGET AS IT STANDS.
I DON'T THINK IT REFLECTS THE OVERALL DESIRES OF MY COMMUNITY.
AND EVEN AFTER INTENSE AND LENGTHY.
AND THERE I SAY COMPELLING PUBLIC TESTIMONY AT TOWN HALL DISCUSSIONS, ADEQUATE AND APPROPRIATE TESTS WERE NOT MADE TO THE FUNDS DISPROPORTIONATELY AWARD.
THE APD I'M ASSAULTED, BOTH THE CITY'S POLL AND THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION SCHOOL REGARDING THE CITY BUDGET.
IT WAS AN EYE OPENING EXERCISE AND GAVE ME A LOT OF INSIGHT AS TO THE VARIOUS WAYS THAT OUR MONEY IS SPENT.
I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH OF OUR CITY'S BUDGET WAS DEDICATED TO POLICING.
AND IF I, AND IT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE GIVEN THIS MUCH PERSONAL FEEDBACK AND ENERGY TO THIS PROCESS, IT WON'T BE MY LAST, IF 20 20TH TAUGHT US ANYTHING IT'S THAT WE MUST REIMAGINE WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE AND FIGHT TO RESTRUCTURE OUR PARENTS, OUR INSTITUTIONS, TO REFLECT THAT VISION.
I WANT TO PUBLICLY SUPPORT AMENDMENTS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, FLANAGAN, AND POOL.
WE IMMEDIATELY NEED TO TURN ALL OF THOSE, UM, STRUCTURAL CHANGES AND FUNDING CUTS AND KAREN HODGES.
[03:35:01]
AND I'M UM, FROM THE SECOND DISTRICT I'M CURRENTLY CURRENTLY LIVING IN THE SEVENTH AND I CALLED BEFORE YOU TODAY IN REGARDS TO ITEM NUMBER 17, THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT CITY MANAGER, SPENCER CRONK RELEASED ON THE 13TH BUSINESS, LEADING AND INSULTING.IT IGNORES THE DEMANDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZERS AND PUBLIC TESTIMONY WHILE FALSELY CLAIMING TO REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY, DO NOT PASS A BUDGET THAT IS NOT THE BEST, AT LEAST 200 MILLION FROM APD.
IN ADDITION, I ENCOURAGED THE CITY COUNCIL TO PASS THOSE ARTS BUDGET AMENDMENTS ONE THROUGH THREE, WHILE INVESTING THAT 200 MILLION INVESTED FROM APD AND TO REAL SOLUTIONS LIKE CIGAR HAS PROPOSED THE VESTING, THE APD AND INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE COMMUNITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN HARASSED BY THE POLICE.
I CALL ON YOU TO RADICALLY REORIENT OUR BUDGET AND OUR MORAL PRIORITIES INVESTING IN PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES AND STABILITY TO THOSE WHO ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE IN OUR CITY.
SO IT ALSO INCLUDE INVESTING INTO CEASAR'S PROPOSED ITEM, NUMBER ONE JOHN'S COMMUNITY.
BEVERLY LAZARO, BEVERLY LOSAR PLEASE UNMUTE.
MY NAME IS ANDY HIDAD AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
I APPRECIATE THE ACTIONS TAKEN YESTERDAY IN OUR CITY, BUT LET'S TAKE IT FURTHER URGE COUNCIL TO ROUTE FUNDING AWAY FROM THE POLICE IN THE CITY HAVE SHOWN US TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT THEY ARE AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF BOSTON.
YOU MUST SHOW US THAT YOU WERE ON THE SIDE OF THE PEOPLE BY PASSING A BUDGET THAT WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE YOU CLAIM TO SERVE.
THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION HAS RELEASED A DETAILED SPREADSHEET SHOWING EXACTLY HOW TO CUT BAIT FROM THE POLICE BUDGET.
IT IS YOUR JOB TO LISTEN TO US.
WE DEMAND THAT YOU REINVEST IN THE COMMUNITY.
I ONLY LIKE MANY OTHERS REGARDING THE CITY.
BUDGETS OFTEN IS KNOWN AS THE POINT OF THE ARROW THAT LEADS TEXAS INTO THE FUTURE.
NOW IS ONE OF THE TIMES THAT WE MUST PROVE THAT AUSTIN IS A PLACE FOR CHANGE.
UM, I'M SUPPORTING AWESOME JUSTICE COALITION.
AND THEN OTHERS, MAY I PUT THE FUNDING OF AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT THE DAYS OF BLIND INDISCRIMINATE USE OF FORCE AND A LACK OF SENSIBLE COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS IS BEHIND US.
THERE'S NO NEED FOR THE SYSTEMICALLY BROKEN AND INEFFECTIVE POLICING OF THE PAST.
LET'S BE AHEAD OF THE CURVE, SECURING OUR PLACE IN HISTORY AS KIND OF A SHIT THAT HE'D BE ALLOWED TO CLAIM TO BE.
WE CAN WELCOME ALL THE TECH COMPANIES AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERS.
IF WE DO NOT TAKE CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY FIRST, THE CITY WILL REMAIN A COUNTERFEIT, FALL ASLEEP, COUNTING PROGRESSION, AND DEVELOPMENT, ALL CONTINUING TO FAIL ITS CITIZENS FUNDING, APD, AND PUTTING THAT MONEY BACK INTO COMMUNITY PROTECTIONS.
YOU GET CLOSE TO YOUR MICROPHONE.
UM, MY FINAL STATEMENT WAS THAT THE FUNDING APB AND PUTTING THAT MONEY BACK IN OUR COMMUNITY, UH, PROTECTIONS MAKES SENSE.
I'M SORRY, PUTTING THAT MONEY BACK INTO COMMUNITY PROTECTIONS.
THAT MAKE SENSE, UH, IS WHAT THE BEGINNING OF A PIECE THAT OUR GRANDPARENTS HAVE.
AND IT'S A FUTURE FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN.
HI, MY NAME IS ANN
AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND SUPPORTIVE ITEM FOR ITEM FOUR, AMENDS THE CURRENT AUSTIN CITY ORDINANCE, AUSTIN CITY ORDINANCE THAT ESTABLISHES A BASELINE OF FAIR STANDARDS FOR PAYDAY AND AUTO TITLE LOAN BUSINESSES.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE NECESSARY IN RESPONSE TO A NOVEMBER, 2019, TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION TO ENSURE THAT THE ORDINANCE FULFILLS THE GOAL OF ADDRESSING HARMFUL PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES, INNER CITY, THESE PRACTICES TARGET THOSE HARDEST HIT BY THE PANDEMIC, INCLUDING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND LOW INCOME AUSTIN FAMILIES.
TEXAS HAS SOME OF THE WEAKEST PROTECTIONS IN THE NATION REGARDING PAYDAY AND AUTO TITLE LOANS.
[03:40:01]
WITH AVERAGE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATES THAT OFTEN REACH 500% APR OR MORE, AND TOO MANY PEOPLE GETTING CAUGHT IN A HARMFUL AND HIGH COST ONGOING CYCLE OF DEBT.WE'RE ALSO SEEING SHARP INCREASES IN CAR REPOSSESSIONS BY AUTO TITLE LOAN OPERATIONS, AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2020 CAR REPOS RELATED TO AUTO TITLE LOANS ARE UP MORE THAN 25% IN THE AUSTIN AREA CONCERNING TREND IN THIS TIME OF UNPRECEDENTED ECONOMIC SUPPORT, THIS ORDINARY TEND TO SUPPORT STRUGGLING FAMILIES.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE AND A BEHAVIORAL TEACHER IN AUSTIN AREA OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
UM, I'M PRESENTING INFORMATION IN RELATION TO ITEM 17 AND FUTURE BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS.
WE CONTINUE TO URGE THE, UH, THE COUNCIL TO DIVEST A HUNDRED MILLION FROM APD AND REINVEST THIS MONEY AS MORE EFFECTIVE METHODS OF DEALING WITH THE, OUR COMMUNITIES.
APD HAS A HORRIBLE TRACK RECORD, FOR EXAMPLE, IN DEALING WITH THE MENTALLY ILL AND GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE MENTALLY ILL ARE 16 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE KILLED BY POLICE.
ACCORDING TO A PEER REVIEWED STUDY PERFORMED BY THE TREATMENT ADVOCACY GROUP.
APD KILLED MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE IN 2014.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE HE WAS SUICIDAL, IT WAS A THREE TIME WAR VETERAN AND A MEMBER OF THE FIFTH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP NAME WAS TIM RICE REST IN POWER IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL LGBT COMMUNITY.
HE WAS SHOT WITH THE LEFT, LESS LETHAL AROUND AND TASED WHILE SUFFERING FROM SELF INFLICTED WOUNDS.
SO IS THAT A ACCEPTABLE PROTOCOL FOR PROTECTING AND SERVING OUR VETS WITH EMOTIONAL TRAUMAS? I HOPE NOT A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR MORE EFFECTIVE IN THIS SITUATION.
JORDAN STEWART, JORDAN STEWART, PLEASE UNMUTE MY APOLOGIES.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND A MEMBER OF AUSTIN DSA SPEAKING SUPPORT OF THE CATHAR FLANNIGAN POOL AMENDMENTS TO REDUCE APD FUNDING BY A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
SO THE CURRENT CUT, WHICH HAS HAPPENED, CITY MANAGER, CROSS DOLLARS, I SUPPORT CCU AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP DEMAND FOR A LARGER 50% REDUCTION.
THE SHIFT FUNDING, THE SOCIAL SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL AUSTINITES IN THE FACE OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY.
THE STATUS QUO IS SPENDING 40% OF OUR BUDGET ON APD, OR EVEN AS POLICE ONLY SPEND 4% OF THE TIME ACTUALLY RESPONDING TO VIOLENT CRIME.
WE SPENT 40% OF OUR BUDGET ON THE FORCE THAT KILLED MIKE RAMOS AND THEN SAT ON THE VIDEO THAT CONTRADICTS THEIR STORIES DENYING EVEN HIS MOTHER, THE CHANCE TO SEE IT.
SO AT LEVI, ALL INJUSTICE, HOW THE HEADWALL COATS HAS, HE'S SENDING BOTH OF THE HOSPITAL AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES IN ROGUE FASHION UNDER MAMMIES LEAD KEPT ARRESTING AUSTINITES FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION SIX MONTHS AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL TOLD THEM TO STOP THAT GOING TO BE REPORTED HERE.
I'M GETTING BOATS OUT OF RECENT PROTESTS, ASSOCIATING THE NATION LEADER, KIN CASSIDY SPLATTERED MURDER VICTIM GARRETT FOSTER ON TWITTER AFTER APD LED HIS ADMITTED KILLER WALKS AFTER COMBO GUN CARD TACK ON A BAIL IN PROTEST.
AND JUST TODAY, APD A TWEET TELLING PROTESTS
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE AND I WILL BE READING THE FIRST PORTION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED OPEN LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL.
IN THE RECORD, THERE'LL BE SEVERAL PARTS DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED CALLS ON APD TO DISMANTLE CALL THEM CITY COUNCIL, DISMANTLE APD AND FUND REAL SOLUTIONS, CITY MANAGER, SPENCER CON MAYOR, STEVE ADLER AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL FOR YEARS, BCU HAS PROVIDED AN ABOLITIONIST PERSPECTIVE ON THE CITY BUDGET CCU.
YOU SHOWN UP YEAR AFTER YEAR WITH A VISIONARY EQUITY FOCUSED LENS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMUNITY IS MOST DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE CITY'S POLICY, MAKING FAILURES.
ONE OF THE MOST OBVIOUS AND EGREGIOUS AS THE EXCESSIVE AND UNJUSTIFIABLE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET CCU IS SHOWN UP AT CITY HALL WITH HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND ELDERS WITH FOOD INTERPRETERS AND SOLDIERS IN TOW.
BUT THIS YEAR THEY CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN PERSON DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THIS HISTORIC MOMENT OF UPRISINGS AND RENEWED CALLS FOR JUSTICE FOR BLACK LIVES, WE DEMAND THAT CITY MANAGERS SENSOR ON THE ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN PUT THEIR STATEMENTS OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT INTO ACTION BY ADOPTING A BOLD CITY BUDGET.
BEVERLY LASALLE, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.
[03:45:05]
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, PLEASE PROCEED.MY NAME IS BEVERLY AND I'M REPRESENT DISTRICT EIGHT AND THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION.
I'D LIKE TO START BY GETTING KUDOS TO GREG, TO COUNCIL AND COUNCIL MINUTES.
I AM ASKING YOU, THERE ARE PROPOSALS IMMEDIATELY BEING DRAFTED AND BUDGET AMENDMENTS.
ALSO WE NEEDED INDEPENDENT CRIME LAB AND AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF POLICE MONITOR.
DID HE MANAGE HER CROCS CLAIM OF DEFUNDING APD BY $11.3 MILLION? WHEN THE REFLECTION FROM THE 2020 CITY BUDGET WAS ACTUALLY A LANDRY AND $50,000, IF NOT FOR US TO DID THAT, JUST SAY IT OFF THE TURNIP TRUCK, THE PAPER HAVE ASKED AND ARE WATCHING CAREFULLY IS THE EVIDENCE BY THE SPEAKERS ON JULY 23RD AND TODAY, AND THE HUNDREDS OF EMAILS THAT HAVE BEEN SENT TO YOU.
WE INSIST ON A MEANINGFUL REDISTRIBUTION OF MONEY AWAY FROM APD, A REDUCTION OF AT LEAST 50%.
HI, I AM A, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
UH, I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND I'M CALLING TO SAY THAT I THINK WE SHOULD DEFUND APD AND FUND OUR COMMUNITY.
INSTEAD, THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT TAKES UP 40% OF THE CITY BUDGET.
UM, 8% OF THAT BUDGET COULD BE USED TO END ALL OF HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTIN.
AND I THINK THAT'S A MUCH BETTER USE OF THE MONEY.
THANK YOU WHILE MILLER AUSTIN NEEDS TO BE PROVIDED FOR NOT POLICE.
AND AT THIS POINT, I JUST WISH I KNEW WHAT I COULD SAY TO CONVINCE THEM MAYBE SOME MORE HISTORICAL ANALYSIS, PHILOSOPHICAL CRITIQUE, MORE STATISTICS.
WHAT IF I SHARED ANOTHER PERSONAL ANECDOTE OF POLICE WRONGDOING OR AN APTITUDE? HOW MUCH MORE PROOF OF INSTA INSTITUTIONAL RACISM DO YOU REALLY NEED? HOW MANY MORE REPHRASING OF ABOLISH THE POLICE? HOW MANY MORE VICTIMS OF POLICE TERROR WILL IT TAKE IMF? WHAT MORE MIGHT CONVINCE YOU TO HAVE THE SAME COURAGE THAT GARRETT FOSTER HAD THE SAME DEDICATION TO BLACK LIVES, THE SAME RIGHTEOUS ANGER OVER AND JUST THE SAME LOVE FOR OUR CITY DEFUND APD AND INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY BY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS, RAISE APD HEADQUARTERS.
LASTLY, TO DRIFT MY COUNCIL MEMBER, ALISON ALTER OUR DISTRICT 10 IS THE WIDEST IN THE CITY AND WE HAVE THE HIGHEST MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME WE NEED TO DO MORE.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PHENOMS
UM, EMPLOYEE IN PARKS AND RECREATION IS OPEN GROUND SYSTEMS. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF BEING ASKED AT 1624.
I WANT TO THANK SPENT CENSOR CROPS FOR ENHANCING THE BUDGET FOR ENHANCEMENT PAID FOR ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES.
ALSO REALLOCATE FUNDING FROM APD CREATED A CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE AND ALSO TOWARDS PARKS AND RECREATION.
THERE'S JUST STILL SYSTEMATIC RACISM GOING ON, ESPECIALLY A DOWNFIELD WHERE IT BELONGS TO THE COMMUNITY BY COMMUNITY.
AND THERE ARE THOSE SYMBOLIZE FOR THE SPANISH COMMUNITY.
HI, I TO DISTRICT EIGHT, I'M CALLING WITH FIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
CAN YOU GET CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE? SORRY.
SO I ALWAYS SAY, UM, THE HOUSING CRISIS WE ARE HEADING INTO IS COMPLETELY UNPRECEDENTED.
AND IF WE CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING, A DEPARTMENT THAT HAS REPEATEDLY BLAMED VICTIM TO VIOLENCE, AND WE REFUSE TO HELP PEOPLE WHO SHARE HOUSING DURING A NATIONAL HOUSING CRISIS, IT WILL RUIN THE CITY.
I GREW UP IN DO THE RIGHT THING.
[03:50:01]
MADDIE SELBY.I AM A AUSTIN RESIDENT IN DISTRICT NINE.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN AUSTIN AND HAVE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND HOW APD HAS FAILED OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN, ESPECIALLY OUR RESIDENTS OF COLOR.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY TO SUPPORT THE DEMANDS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP TO DEFUND APD BY AT LEAST 50% AND INVEST THAT MONEY AND REAL SOLUTIONS, WHICH INCLUDE THE RISE FUND.
THE AUSTIN EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING.
THESE SOLUTIONS ARE THE FIRST STEPS TO REMEDYING.
SOME LONG STANDING INEQUITIES AND INJUSTICES FACED BY OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN AUSTIN.
I AM ALSO HERE TO CONDEMN THE UNDEMOCRATIC NATURE OF THIS PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS, WHICH IS INACCESSIBLE TO MOST MEMBERS OF GROUPS WHO ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY POLICING AND BUDGET IN EQUITY.
MANY OF THESE PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE FLEXIBLE WORK HOURS PAID TIME OFF, CONSISTENT PHONE ACCESS, OR RELIABLE SERVICE AND FACE OTHER BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROCESS.
THEREFORE, I AM ASKING CITY COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE THE FAILURES OF THE CURRENT COMMENT PROCESS SYSTEM AND IMMEDIATE ACTION.
MY NAME IS CHARLOTTE CALVIN AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT SIX, OTHER CITY MOURNS THE LOSS OF GARRETT FOSTER.
OUR POLICE CHIEF BRIAN MANLEY HAS USED THIS TRAGEDY TO PUSH HIS OWN POLITICAL AGENDA IN A PRESS CONFERENCE ON SUNDAY.
MANLEY TALKS ABOUT RISING HOMICIDE RATES IN OUR CITY AND ASKED US TO CONSIDER THEM AS WE FINALIZE HIS BUDGET.
HE FAILS TO MENTION THAT LESS THAN 1% OF OFFICER TIME IS ACTUALLY SPENT ON VIOLENT CRIME.
AND IF APD IS UNABLE TO PREVENT CRIME WITH A BUDGET OF $434 MILLION, THEN IT'S TIME WE LOOK TOWARDS OTHER SOLUTIONS POLICING DOESN'T MAKE AUSTIN SAFER AND APPROVEN PROVEN ACTIVELY HARMFUL TO OUR MOST MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.
AS WE SAW IN THE RECENTLY RELEASED FOOTAGE OF MIKE RAMOS WAS MURDERED.
I ASKED THAT HE COUNSELED TO REFUSE ANY BUDGET THAT DOES NOT REMOVE A MINIMUM OF $100 MILLION FROM ABD AND SUPPORT THE AMENDMENTS DROPPED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, COSAR FLANAGAN AND POOL.
WE MUST REINVEST THOSE FUNDS TO THE REAL SOLUTIONS PROPOSED BY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED, ANY REDUCTIONS TO APDS BUDGET, LESS THAN A HUNDRED MILLION SENDS THE MESSAGE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT WORTH INVESTING IN.
AND THAT THE LIVES OF MIKE RAMOS, GARRETT FOSTER, AND SO MANY OTHERS DO NOT MATTER.
MY NAME IS ELIANA RUBEN AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
I'M CALLING TO URGE THAT YOU REJECT ANY BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT DOES NOT CUT THE US IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS FUNDING BY AT LEAST 50% AND FOLLOW THAT MONEY INTO EMS, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THE EQUITY OFFICE, UH, THE DIRECT ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE.
JUST REALLY THERE'S SO MUCH THAT YOU CAN DO WITH THAT MONEY.
OTHER CITIES HAVE ACTUALLY LISTENED TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS, UM, AND ARE STARTING TO MAKE HISTORIC CHANGES TO THEIR SYSTEMS OF POWER.
AND IT'S TIME THAT WE DO THE SAME.
WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS AND I'M ASKING THAT YOU HOLD THE WELLBEING OF ALL US NIGHT'S OVER THE HARMFUL STATUS QUO.
THAT CLEARLY ONLY BENEFITS AND SAFEGUARDS RICH AND WHITE LIES.
I'M ASKING THAT YOU HELP US AND BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY AND START TO DEFUND.
IT'S REALLY CRAZY HOW MUCH WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS.
UH, I'VE HEARD ALL OF, UM, MOST OF THE ACCOUNTS, UH, IN THESE MEETINGS AND REALLY LIKE EVERYONE IS ASKING FOR THIS.
AND WHEN YOU DON'T DO THAT, YOU ARE JUST NOT, UM, YOU'RE NOT DOING YOUR JOB.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, JENNY THOMAS.
MY NAME IS JENNY THOMAS AND I'M A RESIDENT IN DISTRICT THREE.
I'M HERE TO URGE ALL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO REJECT SPENCER CRONK BUDGET PROPOSAL.
AS MANY OF MY HEROES HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT LAST WEEK AND TODAY YOUR CONSTITUENTS OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED BUDGET AND ANY FUTURE BUDGET.
THIS IS NOT DEFUND AP ATD BY EAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS A REMINDER TO ALL OF YOU ON COUNCIL, YOU REPRESENT YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND WE WILL REMEMBER HOW YOU VOTED FOR THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL, LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
AND FOR THOSE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO HAVE SOMEHOW YET TO WAKE UP TO THE SYSTEMIC RACISM THAT EXISTS EVEN OUR CITY, WHICH MANY CONSIDER TO BE A PROGRESSIVE CITY.
I HOPE THIS WEEKEND OPENED YOUR EYES.
A WHITE SUPREMACIST PURPOSELY DROVE INTO A CROWD OF PEOPLE, PROTESTERS AND MURDERED GARRETT FOSTER.
FROM THERE, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MEANT TO PROTECT AND SERVE, RELEASE THIS MURDER BACK INTO OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS INSTITUTION HAS PROVEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE COMMUNITY BEST INTERESTS AT HEART.
[03:55:01]
BUILT ON A PLATFORM THAT ALLOWS SYSTEMIC RACISM FROM MINNEAPOLIS AND BROUGHT THEM TO OUR CITY AND BE SPOKEN UP TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT WELCOME HERE.HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
UM, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO CALL TODAY.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT FIVE AND I'M CALLING TODAY TO URGE YOU ALL TO REJECT ANY BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT DOES NOT DEFINE THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50%.
AGAIN, ECHOING THE OTHER COLORS, UM, WHO ARE FOLLOWING THE LEAD OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP, AUSTIN.
UM, THESE FUNDS NEED TO BE DIVERTED TO REAL SOLUTIONS, INCLUDING THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH, LOW INCOME HOUSING, UM, AND SO MUCH MORE.
SO LEADERS IN U S IN OTHER US CITIES ARE MODELING WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE.
AND SO WE DO ASK THAT YOU, THAT YOU ALL LISTEN AND FOLLOW THE LEAD OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE PUSHING HARD FOR THIS AGENDA FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY OUR BLACK AND BROWN, UM, COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN AUSTIN.
I LIVE IN NORTH AUSTIN CIVIC ASSOCIATION AND DISTRICT FOUR.
I'M CALLING TODAY WITH AUSTIN DSA TO DEMAND THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A BUDGET THAT DEFINES THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BY 50%.
AND INSTEAD INVEST THAT MONEY IN SOCIAL SERVICES IN JOBS SUCH AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND DIRECT ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE.
UH, PARTICULARLY WHEN I DRAW ATTENTION TO PAUL'S PROPOSALS AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CASSAVA'S AMENDMENTS ONE, TWO AND THREE, UH, PARTICULARLY AMENDMENTS ONE AND THREE, WHICH CALLED TO REMOVE INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND FORENSICS FROM APD, BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT BOXES SHOULD GUARD 10 HOUSES.
UM, THE POLICE DO NOT HAVE THE CORRECT TOOLS TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS WITH MENTAL HEALTH, HOMELESSNESS ADDICTION, OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC AND RECESSION.
CURRENTLY FUNDING NEEDS THE MONEY CURRENTLY FUNDING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, FIRST RESPONDERS, HOUSING PROGRAMS, AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT.
PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP INSTEAD OF CRIMINALIZING THEM.
YOU'VE SEEN POLICE OLIVIA
I WANT TO ADDRESS SOME OF OTHER JUSTIFICATIONS, IF IT IS MASS AS SUCH.
IT, THE IDEA THAT SOMEHOW VIOLENT CRIME IS DANGEROUSLY ON THE RISE IN AUSTIN.
IT IS AT BEST AN INTERPRETATION OF INCOMPLETE DATA LOOKING AT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA FROM JANUARY TO JUNE, 2019 AS COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD OF 2020.
WE SEE THAT OVERALL CRIME HAS ACTUALLY GONE DOWN, BUT THE TOTAL DECREASE OF ABOUT 4.2% LOOKING AT VIOLENT CRIME, WE DO SEE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN 700 FROM 1,727 TO 1,890 OR 92 INDIVIDUAL CASES, PUBLICITY OF NEARLY A MILLION PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME, THE POPULATION IS INCREASED.
SO THE INCREASE IN THE ACTUAL VIOLENT CRIME RATE ONLY ABOUT 3% OR AGAIN, 92 INDIVIDUAL CASES.
THIS IS NOWHERE NEAR THE SCARY, THE FIGURES, THE APD AND GROUPS LIKE THE GREATER AUSTIN CRIME COMMISSION THROW AROUND AS A SCARE TACTIC TO TRY TO DISTRACT YOU FROM THE FACT THAT OVERALL AUSTIN REMAINS A VERY SAFE CITY.
AND FOR THOSE WHO DOES NOT PRIMARILY ARE CANDIDATES FOR YOUR TIME, THANK YOU, KIKI.
LET'S HEAR FROM DISTRICT THREE.
SPEAKING ON ITEM 17, I'M HERE TO CONTINUE ASKING YOU TO PLEASE REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY, THE FUND APD BY 50% AND USE THOSE FUNDS TO SUPPORT AND CREATE SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS THAT WILL EFFECTIVELY REDUCE AND PREVENT CRIME.
HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO FEEL SAFE AND WORKERS IN THE POLICE FORCE SUCH AS AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION, PRESIDENT KEN CASSIDY AND CURRENT APD OFFICER GONSALO VIVA SUPPORT AND MOCK THE MURDER OF BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS OR GARRETT FOSTER.
YOU EXPECT US TO TRUST THAT THERE'LL BE AN HONEST INVESTIGATION OF THIS MURDER BY APD.
YOU CAN PROTECT AND SERVE, BUT YOU CAN'T PROTECT AND SERVE ABOUT TWO PASSION.
I URGE YOU TO BE BRAVE AS LEADERS.
WE NEED YOU TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY WHEN YOU DO TO DO THINGS NOW THAT WILL MAKE YOU PRIME EXAMPLES OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LEAD A FAIR AND JUST COMMUNITY.
HE STARTED BY GETTING RID OF SPENCER CRONK AND SPECIALLY KEITH MALLEY.
IT'S TIME FOR A PARADIGM SHIFT.
[04:00:02]
GREAT.HI, MY NAME IS MIGUEL BRIONES AND I'M HERE TODAY AT THE DISTRICT ONE RESIDENT ASKING THAT SHOULD DEFUND APD BY NO LESS THAN $100 MILLION AND RELOCATE THOSE FUNDS AND INVEST IN COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY INITIATIVES.
AND THAT CONVERSATION WITH POLICE OPS.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? HELLO? YES, GO AHEAD.
OKAY, SO SHOULD I START OVER? NO, JUST CONTINUE.
I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH POLICE OFFICERS WHO HAVE PATROLLED IN SOME OF THE MOST OVER POLICE COMMUNITIES AND DISTRICTS FOR, FOR UPWARDS OF 20 PLUS YEARS.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED THROUGH MY CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM IS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO SUSTAINABLE CHANGES MADE TO THE ISSUE OF THESE COMMUNITIES SPACE.
THIS IS THE PROBLEM STRAIGHT FROM THE MOUTH OF THE OFFICERS THEMSELVES, AND THE EVIDENCE AND PROOF ARE THERE.
AND WE NEED TO REIMAGINE COMMUNITY SAFETY.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR WORD, MAYOR ADLER, YOU SIGNED A NATIONAL GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP PLEDGE.
AND ON JUNE 4TH, YOU'VE ASKED TO SUPPORT POLICIES THAT DEMILITARIZED POLICE AND POLICE BRUTALITY AND HOLD POLICE ACCOUNTABLE WERE LIMITED BY LAW AND CREATING POLICY.
YOU COMMITTED TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES THAT ACHIEVE REAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR WORD AND DO NOT USE YOUR POWER TO UPHOLD THIS MILITARIZED POLICE STATE THAT ONLY SERVED AS AN OCCUPYING THREAT TO OUR COMMUNITY, JUSTICE YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR, UM, AND I WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT, UH, UH, POLICING.
I KNOW DEFUND THE POLICE AS A PHRASE MUST BE PRETTY SCARY.
UM, BUT MY NOW IT'S, IT'S CLEAR THAT THEY ARE ACTING ABOVE THE LAW AND THAT'S JUST NOT RIGHT THAT ONLINE, ONLINE BUDGET TOOL, UM, THAT WE WENT THROUGH A FEW WEEKS AGO WAS A PRETTY BIG EYE OPENER.
ANY AVERAGE PERSON WOULD RAISE THEIR EYEBROWS AT THE GRAPH THAT SHOWS HOW MUCH MONEY APD GETS, UM, A HUNDRED MILLION, 200 MILLION.
WE WOULD CLEARLY STILL HAVE A FUNCTIONING POLICE FORCE, UM, TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THESE SERVICES THAT THEY'RE DOING A POOR JOB WITH INTO OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
AUSTIN'S BIG ON INNOVATION, LOTS OF TECH.
WE HAVE A SERVICE DESIGN LAB, UM, THAT CAN BRING STAKEHOLDERS HOLDERS TOGETHER TO, TO ADDRESS ISSUES LIKE THIS.
THE CITY IS INNOVATED AROUND WASTE MANAGEMENT, HOMELESSNESS, OTHER STUFF BEFORE THERE ARE CONCEPTS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY THAT THIS ACTIVIST COMMUNITY HAS, UH, HAS THE BUDGET AND PILOTS DAVID WHITWORTH.
I'M SPEAKING ON IVAN'S FIVE AND EIGHT STREET IMPACT FEE.
THE ONLY ARGUMENT WE ARE HEARING FOR THIS IS THAT STATE LAW ONLY ALLOWS USER FEES BE APPLIED TO BUILDING PERMITS, BUT THIS IS FLAWED.
IT IS FLAWED BECAUSE INFILL REDUCES VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED, PARTICULARLY INFILL THAT INCREASES DWELLING UNIT PLANNING COMMISSION TRIED TO CLEAN IT UP, BUT THEY HAD CONCERNS ABOUT UNKNOWN RAMIFICATION PLANNING COMMISSION IS TRYING TO INCENTIVIZE THE RIGHT KIND OF DEVELOPMENT AND DISINCENTIVIZE THE WRONG KIND.
BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE INTENT OF THIS ITEM OR THE CORRECT VEHICLE TO DO SO.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY TWEAKED SINGLE NEW MANSIONS WILL NOT PAY THIS FEE, ABANDON THIS.
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN FIX THIS.
WE ONLY ADD A FEE TO THE MORE AFFORDABLE DENSER HOUSING PRODUCTS THAT WE NEED.
KIMLEY-HORN HAS WORKED ON THIS SINCE 2017 AND THEY DID WHAT THEY WERE PAID TO DO, BUT DON'T CAVE INTO MOMENTUM.
DSD STAFF CAN BARELY KEEP UP NOW WITH WAIVERS AND EXEMPTIONS TOO MUCH TO MANAGE.
NOBODY WILL REMEMBER WHERE IT CAME FROM AND IT WILL DO MORE HARM TO HOUSING THAN GOOD.
HI, MY NAME IS MAGGIE AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN.
I WANT TO START BY NOTING THAT THIS PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS REMAINS ACCESSIBLE FOR MANY FOLKS.
TYPICALLY THOSE WHO ARE MOST EFFECTED BY POLICING AND BUDGET INEQUALITY IS THE COUNCIL MUST REMOVE BARRIERS, SPECIFIC PARTICIPATION ON THIS AND OTHER ISSUES.
I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE DEMANDS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP TO DEFUND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH REPEATEDLY TERRORIZES BLACK AND LATIN X COST KNIGHTS AND INVEST.
INSTEAD IN REAL SOLUTIONS PRIZE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING.
THE CITY HAS A LONG HISTORY OF ESPOUSING WHITE LIBERALISM WHILE ENACTING VIOLENCE ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
AND IT IS PAST TIME TO BEGIN TO REMEDY THESE INEQUITIES, WHICH MEANS TAKING ACTION BEYOND PLATITUDES AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS STARTING BY FUNDING APD THROUGH MEETING ACTIONS IDENTIFIED BY AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION, SUCH AS THE HIRING FREEZE AND POLICE RECRUITMENT IN SCHOOLS AND THE EXPLORERS PROGRAM AND CUTTING UNNECESSARY AND BROWN UNITS, INCLUDING MAPS SHOULD CONTROL AND CANNOT DO THIS.
[04:05:02]
MY NAME IS ROB NORCROSS.I REPRESENT THE CONSUMER SERVICE LINES OF TEXAS, THE TRADE ASSOCIATION FOR CREDIT ACCESS BUSINESSES, TESTIFYING ON ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
EVERY LOAN MADE IN TEXAS SINCE JANUARY 1ST, 2012, IT'S BEEN TRACKED BY THE STATE.
WE NOW KNOW WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T WORK.
THE ORIGINAL CREDIT ACCESS BUSINESS.
THIS PAST JUNE OF 2011, WE URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER TODAY'S AMENDMENTS AND APPOINT A TASK FORCE TO CONSIDER CHANGES THAT WOULD MAKE THE ORDINANCE MORE FLEXIBLE FOR CONSUMERS CLAIMS THAT THERE WOULD BE A TSUNAMI OF PAYDAY AND AUTO TITLE LOANS DURING THE PANDEMIC HAS PROVED ON TRUTH.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ALONG WITH THE ORIGINAL ORDINANCE ARE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO THE FEDERAL CFPB NEW SMALL DOLLAR LOAN RULE AND THE FUTURE OF THE TRUST RESEARCH, BOTH WHICH ARE USED FOR SMALLER INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS TO MAKE THINGS MORE AFFORDABLE FOR CONSUMERS.
THIS ORDINANCE HAS BEEN IN LITIGATION FOR SIX YEARS.
MY NAME IS MIKE AND I AM A PART OF PEACE IN AUSTIN.
I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 17.
I ASKED THAT YOU REALLOCATE 50% OF APD BUDGET TO RISE THE RELIEF AND A STATE OF EMERGENCY FUND AND TO OTHER HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE MAJORITY OF OUR CITY'S BUDGET SHOULD BE GOING TO HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SERVICES TO PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES AND TO EMS SERVICES.
ON THE MORNING OF JULY 13TH, THERE WERE ZERO AMBULANCES AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AUSTIN DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.
ADLER SAYS THAT RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, BUT YOU'LL HAVE DONE NOTHING TO LEGITIMATELY ADDRESS THIS CRISIS IN THE CITY'S BUDGET, INVESTING HOUSING AND HEALTHCARE THAT THE PEOPLE IN THIS CITY INCONTESTABLY NEED.
THE BLATANT VIOLENCE AND THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE DISPLAYED BY APD IS APPALLING.
THE FACT THAT GARRETT FOSTER'S MURDERER HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED FOR HIS CRIME IS PROOF OF THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE BLACKS.
THESE PROTESTS HAVE CONFIRMED THAT HE DID NOT EVEN RAISE HIS GUN.
PLEASE REALLOCATE $250 MILLION FROM APD TO THE SERVICES OF MCCLELLAN.
MY NAME IS HANNAH MCCLELLAN AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M URGING YOU TO DEFUND APD BY 50% DIVERT THOSE FUNDS TO REAL SOLUTIONS LIKE THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING.
WE ALL KNOW THE CURRENT FUNDING FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY 40% OF THE CITY'S BUDGET, BUT THE APD HAS ALSO RECEIVED EXTERNAL GRANTS AND EXAMPLE OF BEING THE $1 MILLION GRANT FOR THE RIVERSIDE TOGETHERNESS PROJECT, WHICH HAS INCREASED POLICING IN THE RIVERSIDE AREA.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE RIVERSIDE OF TOGETHERNESS PROJECT, WHERE MIKE RAMOS WAS MURDERED BY THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WE DEMAND JUSTICE FROM MY GRANDMAS AND WE CANNOT AND WILL NOT IGNORE THE CHOICES THAT THE APD ARE MAKING THE BANNER ON THE SIDE OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, AS A JOKE AND A LIE.
WE ARE NOT SAFER TOGETHER WHEN POLICE OFFICERS BRUTALIZE THE COMMUNITY THAT IS FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE, PLEASE CHOOSE TO FUND THE COMMUNITY AND NOT POLICING IT.
IT'S YOUR CHOICE TO DECIDE THE LEGACY THAT YOU LEAVE IN THE CITY.
WE ARE FIGHTING AND WE NEED YOU TO LISTEN.
WE NEED YOUR INTEGRITY, INTEGRITY.
WE NEED YOU TO REPRESENT EVERYONE.
WE MUST REBUILD AND RESTRUCTURE THE SYSTEMS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND THE WELLBEING OF THE LEADERS IN THE OTHER CITIES ARE MODELING WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO LISTEN TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND TAKE BOLD STEPS TOWARDS FULL SAFETY.
AND IS YOUR TIME TO DO THE SAME DEFUND APD BY 50%.
THANK YOU, MEGAN GRAHAM, MEGAN GRAHAM, PLEASE UNMUTE.
I'M A LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER AND I RESIDE IN DISTRICT SEVEN AND HAVE LIVED IN AUSTIN SINCE 2007.
UM, GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED AUSTIN CITY BUDGET AND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT ALLOCATION.
UM, AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE CALLED IN AND GIVEN COMPELLING ARGUMENTS AND RESEARCH BASED SUGGESTIONS FOR DEFUNDING AND ALLOCATING APDS BUDGET, UM, I'LL LIKELY BE ECHOING A LOT OF WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID AND BROUGHT UP BY OTHER CONSTITUENTS.
UM, I FULLY SUPPORT THE GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP RECOMMENDATION AND DEFUNDING THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50% AND DIVERTING THOSE FUNDS TO REAL SOLUTIONS, INCLUDING THE
[04:10:01]
RISE FUND, THE AUSTIN EQUITY OFFICE AND AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE AND INCLUDING LOW INCOME HOUSING.I ALSO SUPPORT THAT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AND THEY ARE ALSO CALLING FOR A DECREASE IN THE AUSTIN POLICE BUDGET.
UM, THEY, THEY SORT OF HIGHLIGHT HOW THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, IT'S ONLY 7.8% OF THE GENERAL SPENDING BUDGET.
UM, I ALSO SUPPORT, UH, GREG CATHARS AMENDMENTS ONE, TWO AND THREE, UM, AND JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE BACKLOG, YOU KNOW, FORENSIC GREAT GREATLY AFFECTING SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS IN AUSTIN.
AND PLEASE LISTEN TO THE CITIZENS, GABBY, HELLO, OR THE CITY COUNCIL TO DEFEND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50% THE FUNDING, THE POLICE WILL NOT DISRUPT ORDER IN THE CITY.
DESPITE WHAT PROPAGANDA CLAIMS FUNDS SHOULD BE REALLOCATED TO NEW AND EXISTING DEPARTMENTS, SPECIFICALLY 24 SEVEN UNARMED MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TO TEAMS IN OFFICE FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
THAT INCLUDES THE VICTIM SERVICES, ECONOMIC AND PTSD RECOVERY, NEW DEPARTMENTS, SPECIFICALLY DEDICATED TO BLACK AND LATINEX NEIGHBORHOOD AND BUSINESS RESOURCES, FREE HOUSING FOR HOMELESS POPULATIONS, REMOVAL OF APD FROM AISD SCHOOLS AND AN INCREASE IN EMS AND PUBLIC HEALTH BUDGETS.
IN REGARDS TO OUR BOMB SQUAD, NO NEED TO FEAR A HYPOTHETICAL FUTURE.
WE EXPERIENCED A WHITE MALE TERRORIST USE BOMBS TO MURDER TWO BLACK MEN IN 2018 ANTHONY STEPHAN HOUSE AND JALEN MASON APD FAILED OUR CITY.
THEY FAILED TO DISARM THE TERRORIST WITHOUT INCIDENT.
IF ANY CREDIT IS TO BE ATTRIBUTED, IT WOULD GO TO THE ROUGHLY 500 FBI AND ATF AGENTS, 50%.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE AND I'M CALLING TO VOICE MY OBJECTION TO DEFUNDING THE POLICE.
UM, I THINK REFORM IS AN ORDER AND REFORM IS GOING TO COST MONEY.
UM, AND DO YOU KNOW THE, UH, THE POLICE OFFICERS ARE MEN AND WOMEN.
THEY'RE HUMAN BEINGS OF DIFFERENT ETHNICITIES AND BACKGROUNDS AND, UH, THEY'RE BEING VILIFIED.
AND WHEN THEY HAVE A MOST DIFFICULT JOB, UM, AND SOCIAL WORKERS, UM, WOULD NEED GUNS TO HANDLE SOME OF THESE THINGS, WE WOULD BE MAKING A NEW BAND OF COPS.
SO, UM, MY, MY SUGGESTION IS TO, UH, USE THE MONEY FOR REFORM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING.
MY NAME IS ALICIA AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
I URGE YOU ALL TO DEFUND APD BY 50% AND INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY.
UM, IDEAS LAID OUT IN THE REAL SOLUTIONS THAT FORESIGHT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED.
THE END GOAL IS THE CONFLICT IS TO ABOLISH THE POLICE.
THE U S PLEASE INSTITUTION IS LESS THAN A CENTURY YEAR OLD AND WAS ORIGINALLY FORMED TO PROTECT THE PROPERTY AND WEALTH OF THE RICH AND ACT AS SLAVE PATROLS AFTER SLAVERY, THEY WERE THEN IN FORCE, THEY WERE THEN ENFORCING JIM CROW.
POLICE WERE NEVER MEANT TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE FIVE YEARS AGO AT 19, THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF MY SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE THAT IT WAS MY FAULT IT HAPPENED AND THE JURY WOULD NEVER BELIEVE ME.
SO I DROPPED THE CASE JUST THIS PAST WEEKEND.
THEY LET GARRETT FOSTER'S MURDER MURDERERS FREE UP A COUPLE HOURS, AND THE WHOLE PEACEFUL PROTESTERS IN THERE FOR LONGER, YOU CAN KILL A REVOLUTIONARY, BUT NOT REVOLUTION.
COUNCIL'S STAND WITH THE PEOPLE, OR WE WILL VOTE YOU OUT, OR YOU HAVE MY TIME ROSIO SIGLER.
HI, I'M CALLING FROM DISTRICT NINE TO COMMENT ON EXTERNALIZING, APD, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PROCESSING.
THE TRAGIC DEATH OF GARRETT OFFICERS SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS AN EXAMPLE IN WHICH TO APPLAUD THE ACTIONS OF APB, SOMETHING THAT WAS DONE BY MR. MANLEY AND VERY POOR TASTE, BUT RATHER BE TREATED AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW POLICE FAILED THE CITIZENS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
GARRETT FOSTER WAS EXERCISING HIS SECOND AMENDMENT, RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. AND ON THAT NIGHT SHE DID.
SO AS A VOLUNTEER SECURITY MEMBER OF THE PROTEST.
LET ME JUST SAY THAT IF A POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN ACTING AS MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND CREATED A SAFE SPACE FOR CITIZENS TO EXERCISE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PEACEFULLY PROTEST, CITIZENS WOULD NOT FEEL THE NEED TO ARM THEMSELVES FOR PROTECTION.
WE CONTINUE TO FUNNEL MONEY INTO A SYSTEM THAT IS NOT WORKING, TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT, LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE AND INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
[04:15:01]
TO I SENT YOU VIDEOS OF APD BEHAVIOR, AND THEY ARE ACTING UNREAL FRATERNITY AND NOT LIKE THEY ARE KATHLEEN HOULIHAN, KATHLEEN HOULIHAN, I WAS NEEDED.UM, AND I'M A WHITE, LIFELONG AUSTINITE IN DISTRICT NINE HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST ITEM 17 ON THE AGENDA.
IT'S MY FOURTH TIME TALKING TO Y'ALL.
AND I'M GOING TO SHOW THAT EVERY ONE OF THESE THINGS AND TELL YOU THE SAME THING.
IF I'M TO APD AND ON THE COMMUNITY AND MEET THE FULL 50% REDUCTION DEMANDED BY CCU.
BY THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR, THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION PUBLISHED A SPREADSHEET TODAY THAT SHOWS YOU EXACTLY HOW YOU CAN MEET COMMUNITIES AND MA'AM.
AND DO YOU FIND THE POLICE IN AUSTIN? AND THEY SUGGEST YOU TAKE YOUR THEN MS. AND ADD IT TO THEIR RESTRUCTURING TO GET YOU TO THE 200 MILLION YEAR COMMUNITY AS DEMANDING AS Y'ALL ARE.
YOU'RE TALKING TO MY AMENDMENTS.
I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LOOK AT THIS THROUGH AN EQUITY LENS.
I FEAR THAT CREATING 10 SHEETS WITHOUT MAKING MAJOR CULTURAL CHANGES WILL JUST LEAD TO 10 TIMES.
THE PROBLEM, HOW WILL YOU ENSURE THAT 10 SHEETS SYSTEM IS REPRESENTATIVE OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR? HOW WILL YOU MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVED THE TREATMENT NECESSARY TO REMOVE HARMFUL CONDITIONING THAT LEADS TO POLICE BRUTALITY IN THE FIRST PLACE WHAT'S GOING FOR? Y'ALL DEBATING TUESDAY ABOUT REDUCING FUNDING FOR THE LIBRARY TO PAY FOR US IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
AND I'M DONE DUMBFOUNDED ARE Y'ALL EVEN LISTENING TO YOUR COMMUNITY.
Y'ALL KNOW WHERE THE COMMUNITY, WHERE THE MONEY COME FROM.
IT MUST COME FROM YOU TO ALL THE SPEAKERS.
IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY PRESS ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
I AM A DISTRICT FIVE RESIDENT, UM, IN 2017, I WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC STOP IN NORTHEAST AUSTIN.
UM, MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY POLICE OFFICERS.
THERE WERE FIVE CARDS, UH, 10 OFFICERS, UM, THE OFFICER WHO CAME TO SPEAK TO ME TOLD ME I WAS STOPPED BECAUSE I DIDN'T STOP FULLY BEHIND THE WHITE LINE OF THE STOP SIGN.
YOU ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE DIDN'T LIKE AUSTIN BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY IMMIGRANTS AND HE SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD MOVE TO WILLIAMSON COUNTY WHERE HE LIVES.
UM, JUST FOR REFERENCE I'M I'M WHITE.
UM, I DIDN'T THINK THAT THAT STUFF OR THOSE TACTICS, UM, WERE OKAY.
UM, I'D LIKE THE COUNCIL TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT WILL PREVENT, UM, ALSO RESIDENTS FROM BEING SINGLED OUT FOR BAD TREATMENT BY POLICE.
I THINK THAT WE HAVE A FEW AMENDMENTS CURRENTLY PROPOSED.
I THINK, UH, PLANNING AND PROPOSAL FOR OVERSIGHT OF THIS SPECIFIC PATROL FUNCTION WOULD BE HELPFUL.
UM, CAUSE OUR PROPOSAL TO DELAY THE CADET CLASS WOULD BE HELPFUL AND FULL PROPOSAL TO INVESTIGATE AUSTIN REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER, UM, WOULD BE HELPFUL.
SO I SUPPORT THOSE THREE AMENDMENTS, UH, LARKIN TACK IT.
HI, MY NAME IS LARKIN TACKETT.
I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, CHAIR OF THE TEMPLE, BETH SHALOM, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ADVOCACY COMMITTEE AND MY FAMILY AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED, TO DEFEND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY 50% AND INVEST MONEY IN THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN LOW INCOME HOUSING.
I'D LIKE TO SEE OURSELVES AS FORWARD THINKING AND TALKED ABOUT BEING PROGRESSIVE, BUT TOO OFTEN, WE FAIL TO MATCH OUR LANGUAGE WITH LABOR OR WHEN IT COMES TO RACE AND EQUITY.
THE POWERFUL BOOK ABOUT INTEGRATION AT UT AUSTIN, GREG VINCENT, VIRGINIA CUMBERBATCH BACK, AND LESLIE BLAIR INCLUDED AN INTERVIEW WITH TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, AUSTIN KIRK, WHO WAS DENIED ADMISSION TO THE UT AUSTIN GRADUATE SCHOOL.
KIRK WAS ASKED IF BLACKS WERE TREATED BETTER IN AUSTIN THAN ELSEWHERE IN TEXAS.
HE REPLIED BASICALLY YES, WHITES RECOGNIZED WHAT THE SYSTEM WAS AND PROBABLY DID NOT HAVE THE COURAGE TO BEHAVE IN WAYS THAT WERE CONSISTENT WITH THEIR OWN BELIEFS.
YOU FINDING APD BY 50% IS YOUR CHANCE TO ACT ON YOUR BELIEFS.
EVERYONE WAS AWARE OF THIS OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING CITY COUNCIL IS QUICK TO POUNCE ON APD CONDEMNING ALL POLICE OFFICERS.
CITY ACTIONS OF A FEW CITY COUNCIL SAYS THAT APDS POLICY IS TO BLAME.
CHIEF MANLEY SHOULD BE FIRED OR RESIGNED.
WHAT ABOUT JONATHAN AGUILAR WAS A MANAGER FROM FREEBIRD THAT WAS STABBED TO DEATH BY A TRANSIENT OUT ON A PERSONAL RECOGNIZANCE BOND IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, WHICH HIS DEATH ALSO THE RESULT OF BAD POLICY, SHOULD YOU ALL RESIGN? BUT THAT SAID I SUPPORT APDS BUDGET AS PROPOSED, BUT ANY MANAGER HE'D LIKE TO CUT THE BUDGET
[04:20:01]
START BY USING, UH, NOT USING YOUR PERSONAL SECURITY DETAIL.THAT'S PROVIDED BY HP, BUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS.
LYNN HILMAN HI, MY NAME IS LYNN HILMAN.
I HAVE 25 YEARS WORKING IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND I'M HERE TO TELL THE CITY COUNCIL YET CAN'T LET THE FOX GUARDING THE HEN HOUSE.
AND I'M ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT THE IDEA OF TAKING INTERNAL AFFAIRS AFFAIRS OUT OF ATV.
IT WORKED FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE WHEN THEY ESTABLISHED IN THE LATE NINETIES, THE TREASURY INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR TAX ADMINISTRATION.
AND IT CAN WORK FOR APD AS WELL.
WE NEED A SEPARATE SET OF ATTORNEYS WITH THE AUTHORITY TO GO BEFORE THE GRAND JURY, WE NEED A SEPARATE SET OF INVESTIGATORS WHO ARE NOT INVESTIGATING THE PEOPLE THEY'RE WORKING WITH.
I THINK TOO MANY BAD COPS RIDE TO DEATH TO RETIREMENT AFTER THEY DID SOMETHING THAT WOULD GET A REGULAR PERSON FIRED.
WE BRING THE SAME STANDARDS TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS BY GETTING IT OUT OF APD.
CAUSE THE FOX GUARDING THE HENHOUSE IT'S EASY EGG.
MY NAME IS
AND HERE TODAY, THE ACID, THE APD BUDGET IS DEFUNDED BY AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
IDEALLY THEIR BUDGET WOULD BE CUT BY 50%.
I SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER, GREG DSRS FOR SEE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, THE POLICE BUDGET, AND LOOK FORWARD TO FURTHER AMENDMENTS THAT WILL HELP THE COMMUNITY.
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU ALL SAW THE KEN CASSIDY INTERVIEW ON CNN A FEW NIGHTS AGO, BUT IT WAS AWFUL.
AND PEOPLE LIKE HIM TO NOT BE IN POWER OVER AUSTINITES ON A DIFFERENT NOTE.
A AND OTHER REFORMS SUCH AS BODY CAMS DO NOT WORK TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE.
A 2016 STUDY FOUND THE USE OF BODY CAMERAS ACTUALLY LED TO AN INCREASE IN DEATHS WITH CIVILIANS AND THE HARVARD CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES LAW REVIEW SOUNDS.
CHICAGO HAS SEVEN OUT OF THE EIGHT.
IT CAN'T WAIT REFORMS IN PLACE, BUT KILLED BLACK PEOPLE AT 27.4%, THE RATE OF WHITE PEOPLE.
AND THEREFORE WE NEED TO REEVALUATE THE WHOLE SYSTEM.
I'M ASKING THAT WE REALLY RETHINK THE IDEA OF POLICE IN AUSTIN AND DEFUND APD BY AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR BLACK LIVES MATTER.
I'VE WORKED FOR THE CITY FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS.
I'VE GONE TO H THIS IS ON ITEM 17.
UM, I'VE GONE TO HR WITH QUESTIONS ON EMPLOYEE POLICY FOR ADVICE ON HANDLING SITUATIONS.
WHEN I BELIEVE VIOLATIONS OF CITY POLICIES HAD AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON MY WORK AND ON THE MORALE OF THE REST OF MY TEAM, I'VE ALSO BEEN ADVISED BY HR THAT FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT WAS THE BEST SOLUTION.
UNFORTUNATELY, I REALIZED THAT ON MANY OCCASIONS, HR WAS NOT AS IMPARTIAL AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A GRIEVANCE PROCESS WHERE EVERYONE CAN BE ASSURED OF AN IMPARTIAL HEARING OF THE FACTS.
THE ENTIRE PROCESS NEEDS TO BE FAIR AND EQUITABLE TO BOTH SIDES AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO FEEL SAFE.
THAT THAT IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN FOR THIS REASON.
COMPLAINTS CANNOT BE DIRECTED TO FELLOW STAFF MEMBERS.
THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE TO HR PERSON MIGHT REPORT TO OR WORK WITH THE PERSON OR MANAGEMENT TEAM INVOLVED IN THE COMPLAINT.
THAT IS A HUGE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, REAL OR PERCEIVED A CONFLICT THAT ERODES TRUST IN THE WHOLE PROCESS.
I REQUESTED CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE AND NOT HR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INVESTIGATING TERMINATION COMPLAINT.
GREETINGS MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT ONE.
I'M ALSO SPEAKING ON ITEM 17, LIKE MANY OF MY NEIGHBORS.
UM, I MOVED TO AUSTIN IN 2007 FOR A PHD PROGRAM AT UC AND I'VE LIVED ON THE EAST SIDE OF AUSTIN EVER SINCE THEN.
AND DURING THAT TIME I'VE WATCHED MY NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGE EXTREMELY RAPIDLY FROM A MAJORITY AND BROWN NEIGHBORHOOD TO A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT'S INCREASINGLY LIMITED TO AFFLUENT WHITE RESIDENTS LIKE MYSELF WHO CAN AFFORD HOMES THERE.
UM, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO DO COLLECTIVELY DO EVERYTHING THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN TO HALT THE SYSTEMIC PROCESSES THAT MAKE LIFE MORE DIFFICULT FOR BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORS TO LIVE COMFORTABLY, SAFELY AND PEACEFULLY.
UM, AND AS I SEE IT, THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL OF THOSE ISSUES IS THE RIGHT TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR OF DEATH OR HARM TO YOUR BODY.
UM, UNFORTUNATELY THAT HAS NOT BEEN WHAT THE APD IS DOING.
YOU PUT IT SIMPLY AND BLUNTLY, OUR POLICE FORCE WILL NOT STOP MURDERING OUR CITIZENS.
SO I THINK IT'S TIME TO TAKE AWAY THAT POWER AND INSTEAD INVEST THE MAJORITY OF OUR POLICE BUDGET, THOSE LOW INCOME HOUSING COUNSELORS, MEDIC AND UNARMED TRAFFIC OFFICERS.
[04:25:02]
HI, MY NAME IS LEAH MACKLEROY.I'M CALLING TO URGE THAT YOU REJECT ANY BUDGET BUDGET PROPOSALS THAT DOES NOT DEFINE THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50% AND DIVERTS THOSE FUNDS INTO REAL SOLUTIONS.
LIKE THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING, UH, LEADERS IN OTHER CITIES AND MODELING WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO LISTEN TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND TAKE BOLD STEPS TOWARD REAL SAFETY FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES.
AND IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO DO THE SAME.
UM, I'M ECHOING THE DEMANDS AND THE IDEA IS THAT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION.
AND, UH, I ALSO THINK THAT THERE'S NOBODY THAT EVERYONE THAT I'VE TALKED TO WHO OPPOSES DEFUNDING, I HAVEN'T TALKED TO ANYBODY WHO ACTUALLY SEEMS TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT MEANS.
UM, AND I THINK THAT THESE ORGANIZATIONS, UH, COMMUNITY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ORGANIZED GRASSROOTS UNITED GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP'S IN AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF PROVIDING A LOT OF RESOURCES FOR READING EDUCATION, UH, ON THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA SITES AND THEIR WEBSITES.
AND I THINK MICHAEL LUXEMBOURG, UM, YEAH, I'M CALLING IT, I'M A DISTRICT FOUR RESIDENT.
AND I JUST WANT HIM TO SAY THAT I THINK THE WAY THAT IT IT'S JUST BECOME TRANSPARENTLY OBVIOUS THAT THE APD NEEDS TO BE DEFENDED BY AT LEAST 50%.
A LOT OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE IDEA OF DEFUNDING ASSUME THAT CRIME IS SOMETHING THAT JUST HAPPENS FOR NO REASON WHEN IT OBVIOUSLY HAPPENS BECAUSE THEY'RE UNDERFUNDED, UNDERSERVED PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND HAVING AN OCCUPYING MILITARY FORCE IN THE CITY DOES HELP AT RECENT PROTESTS, I'VE BEEN SHOT AND BEATEN BY APD POLICE, DESPITE HAVING MY HANDS UP AND BEING UNARMED.
I THINK ANY GROUP THAT ASSUMES THAT'S THE APPROPRIATE REACTION IS PROBABLY NOT WHAT WE SHOULD PUT IN CHARGE OF DEFENDING THE PEOPLE OF OUR CITY.
AND I THINK THAT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THE DEFUND, THE EQUITY OF AT LEAST 50%, PLEASE.
UH, I'M A MEMBER OF A AUSTIN DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA.
AND I'M SPEAKING TO A DEFUND AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50%.
UM, I THINK WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS BOTH RACIST AND POLITICIZED.
UH, WHEN PROTESTS AROUND REOPENING TEXAS WERE HAPPENING, ARMED PEOPLE WERE IN THE CITY AND THE POLICE AND THE POLICE BASICALLY LET THEM DO WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO.
UM, BUT UNARMED PROTESTERS AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY WERE BRUTALIZED BY POLICE AND ALSO A PERSON WHO WAS, UH, WHO IS EXERCISING.
HIS SECOND AMENDMENT, RIGHT, WAS MURDERED IN THE STREET AND THE HEAD OF THE AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION, WHO CLAIMS TO SPEAK FOR COPS SAID THAT HE WAS JUST LOOKING FOR A CONFRONTATION AND THE MURDERER WAS RELEASED.
I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO REALIZE IS THE POLICE NO LONGER APPLY THE LAW.
IF THEY EVER DID, THEY DO NOT APPLY THE LAW A POLITICALLY AND THEY DO NOT APPLY THE LAW EQUALLY ACROSS ALL OF OUR COLOR.
I WANT TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THOSE WHO OPPOSE THE VERY IDEA OF RE-IMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR CITY CRIME DOESN'T COME FROM NOWHERE.
WE'VE BEEN IGNORING THE ROOT CAUSE OF CRIME, WHICH IS DESPERATE PEOPLE WITHIN DESPERATE SITUATIONS, MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER BY FOCUSING OUR COMMUNITIES, NOT CRIMINALIZING POVERTY.
THIS IS THE PROCESS THAT WILL TAKE YEARS.
NO ONE THINKS ALL CRIME POINT DISAPPEAR OVERNIGHT.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE ALL THIS IS HEADED, BUT WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS MAKING AUTHENTICITY WHERE NOBODY IS TARGETED BY AN INHERENTLY BIGOTED POLICING SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN OR THEIR LEVEL OF INCOME.
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING TOWARDS MAKING AUSTIN A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE FOR THE MARGINALIZED MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMUNITY? HAS THIS EVER REALLY OCCURRED TO YOU IN THIRD PLACE? OPENING YOUR MIND TO NEW IDEAS? THE SYSTEMS WE HAVE IN PLACE ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT WORKING.
I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN, MY ENTIRE LIFE.
I GREW UP IN, GRADUATED FROM ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL.
MY PARENTS AND FAMILY STILL LIVE HERE.
I COULDN'T IMAGINE LIVING, LIVING ANYWHERE ELSE OR RAISING A FAMILY IN ANY OTHER CITY.
THE GREATER AUSTIN CRIME COMMISSION HAS REPORTED THAT AUSTIN IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A CRIME WAVE.
AND THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC, WE'RE SEEING A 64% INCREASE IN MURDER.
50% INCREASE IN RAPE AND MOST OTHER CATEGORIES HAVE ALSO GONE UP.
THE SISTERS STATISTICS SHOULD BE ALARMING TO ANYBODY, BUT ESPECIALLY TO YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL WHO HAVE ELECTED TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR OUR CITY.
[04:30:01]
THESE STATISTICS SHOULD BE A WARNING TO ALL OF US THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.IT IS SHORT STAFFED AND NOT ALLOWED TO CADET CADET CLASSES TO KEEP UP WITH OUR ATTRITION OFFICER ATTRITION, AND ALSO TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH AND MUSCLE.
I ASKED YOU TO GIVE EVERY SUPPORT YOU CAN TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT TO AGGRESS ADDRESSES, INCREASE IN CRIME AND KEEP OUR CITIZENS SAFE IN ALL PARTS OF AUSTIN.
THE IDEA THAT IN THE FACE OF THIS CRIME WAVE THERE'S TALK OF DEFUNDING.
ANY PORTION OF APD IS CRAZY TO ME.
IF THERE'S ANY SPECIFIC LAWS OR POLICIES THAT NEED TO BE UPDATED.
I ASKED YOU TO FOCUS YOUR ENERGY THERE.
MAPD OFFICERS HAVE CHARGED, CHARGED WITH ENFORCING EXISTING LAWS.
UM, I PARKED GRASSY STARTS PROPOSAL REALITY MONEY FROM APD TOWARDS ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH CARE.
MY BROTHER HAS SCHIZOPHRENIA AND HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED COUNTLESS TIMES OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS.
AND THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED HIM IN MANY WAYS.
FIRST I COMPLIMENT THE COUNCIL ON FUNDING, THE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM AND THE 2020 BUDGETS RESPOND TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CALLS.
IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN THE PAST.
WE'VE HAD AS MANY AS FIVE APD VEHICLES RESPOND TO OUR CALL SIRENS BLAZING, WHICH IS OVERKILL AND A WASTE OF TAX PAYER MONEY.
MY BROTHER HAS FREQUENTLY BEEN HANDCUFFED AND PLACED IN THE BACK OF A SQUAD CAR.
AND ONCE WAS EVEN THROWN IN JAIL FOR A NIGHT.
INSTEAD OF BEING TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL, PLEASE CONTINUE TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS LIKE AMSCOT.
INSTEAD OF APD SECOND, THE SOCIAL SERVICES NET FOR THE MENTALLY ILL IS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND FOLLOW UP AFTER HOSPITALIZATION HAS BEEN SPOTTY AT BEST RECENTLY, INTEGRAL CARE WAS AWARDED A GRANT FOR A NEW APP ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAM.
THIS IS GREAT, BUT THE GRANT IS JUST 1 MILLION PER YEAR FOR FOUR YEARS, BUT IT'S NOT NEAR ENOUGH FUNDS TO MAKE MUCH OF A DENT IN THE PROBLEM.
LASTLY, WE NEED MORE FUNDING FOR DOCTORS THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PSYCHIATRISTS WILLING TO ACCEPT SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS, AND TO ACCEPT MEDICAID, THE PRIMARY INSURANCE OF MOST OF THESE PATIENTS, IF THEY HAVE ANY INSURANCE AT ALL, PLEASE REALLOCATE FUNDING.
UM, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN HEAR ME.
UM, SO FIRST THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO HAVE LISTENED TO US SO FAR, UM, FOUR CALLS TO DEFUND APD AND, UH, RELOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO SOCIAL SERVICES.
UM, I SUPPORT ALL HEARTS AMENDMENTS.
UM, THIS WEEKEND WE HAD ANOTHER TERRIFYING EXAMPLE OF HOW APD IS INEFFECTIVE AND HOW EMS NEEDS SERIOUS SUPPORT.
UM, DURING A PANDEMIC, WE NEED A BOLSTERED EMS. WE ALSO NEED BETTER HOUSING AND DIRECT RELIEF.
UM, CRIME IS COMING FROM POVERTY AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
IF, UH, YOU DON'T FIX THOSE THINGS WITH POLICE.
UM, LET'S JUST KEEP GOING GUYS.
HI, MY NAME IS FRANK AND I AM FROM DISTRICT ONE.
I'M CALLING AS A MEMBER OF THE DSA AND TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION.
UM, I AM CALLING IN SUPPORT OF GREG KOSSAR'S AMENDMENTS, UH, JIMMY FLANNIGAN'S AMENDMENTS AND, UH, COUNSEL PERSON, UH, POOLS AMENDMENTS.
UH, I'M ALSO CALLING AS A MEMBER OF HOMESIDE HANDCUFFS AND ASKING THAT WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INCREASED THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO FUND PROGRAMS THAT PREVENT DISPLACEMENT AND HELP COMMUNITY MEMBERS UNDERSTAND TENANT RIGHTS AS WELL AS INCREASED HOUSING PROGRAMS, OPERATING BUDGET, ESPECIALLY RELATED TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
THE DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE THAT 17 MILLION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN THE PANDEMIC IS JUST NOT ENOUGH.
UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY.
IF YOU HAVE NOT PRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
THANK YOU, JENNIFER MCFARLAND.
MY NAME IS JENNIFER MCFARLAND, CITY OF AUSTIN EMPLOYEE PROUD MEMBER OF ASK ME 1624 AND A MEMBER OF DISTRICT ONE GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I UM, SINCE TWO ALPHA SUPPORT FOR FUNDING FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE SEVEN YEARS AGO, I STOOD BEFORE YOU AND ASKED YOU TO IMAGINE A BLACK FEMALE EMPLOYEE BEING LABELED A MALCONTENT, A TROUBLEMAKER FOR STANDING UP FOR HER RIGHTS.
I ASKED YOU TO IMAGINE BEING MOVED OVER AND REFUSED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF HER SKIN VIDEO.
YOUR EMPLOYEES DESERVE A CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE WITH EXTERNAL OVERSIGHT THAT KIND OF OBJECTIVELY INVESTIGATED ALL PLANES AT FULL AND COMPLETE WHERE EMPLOYEES CAN HAVE FULL AND COMPLETE SPACE THAT THEY WILL BE HEARD.
AND GIVEN DUE DILIGENCE, I DID NOT RECEIVE DUE DILIGENCE UNTIL I SOUGHT JUSTICE IN AN EOC COMPLAINT
[04:35:01]
WHILE I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE HEARD AND FOUND ACCEPTABLE MANNER OF REMEDY TO THIS DAY, OTHERS ARE NOT AS FORTUNATE AS CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE WITH EXTERNAL OVERSIGHT CAN PROVIDE THE CITY OF AUSTIN, WHITNEY EVANS.HELLO, MY NAME IS WHITNEY EVANS AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.
AND ON MONDAY, JULY 27TH, I PULLED OVER TO RECORD A TRAFFIC STOP FOR THREE APD OFFICERS.
I'VE PULLED OVER TWO BLACK MEN AFTER RECORDING FOR TWO AND A HALF MINUTES.
OFFICER DELGADO, BADGE NUMBER 72 OH FIVE, VIOLATED MY PERSONAL SPACE.
THAT WARNING GRABBED MY WRIST, TWISTED MY ARM BEHIND MY BACK, KICKED MY LEGS OUT FROM UNDERNEATH AND SLAMMED ME INTO THE GROUND.
STILL GOT UP AND PRESSED HIS FULL WEIGHT ONTO ME.
MY FOOTBALL FORCING ME INTO HANDCUFFS AND HITTING MY PHONE.
IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT APD HAS NO DESIRE TO LEARN OR EMPLOY DEESCALATION TACTICS.
DELGADO MADE QUITE PLAIN WHEN HE PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED ME WITHOUT CAUSE HIS EDUCATION AND THE EDUCATION THAT THE ENTIRETY PD WAS AND IS, AND VIOLENCE AND POWER.
THEY INDUCED TERROR AND THEY HARM THE CITIZENS THAT THEY CLAIM TO PROTECT.
JUST GUESS JUST ASK LEE BY A YELLOW MIKE RAMOS, FEMA, MARTIN AND NANCY EVANS.
I DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE, THE FUNDING OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50%, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OR WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER, AUSTINITES HAVE THE BRUISES CAT-SCAN AND TRAUMA TO PROVE IT AUSTIN SINS.
MY NAME IS AUSTIN SINCE I LIVE IN EAST AUSTIN IN DISTRICT ONE, I'M CALLING TODAY WITH AUSTIN DSA TO DEMAND THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A BUDGET TO DEFUND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BY 50%.
AND INSTEAD INVEST THAT MONEY CAUSE JOBS SUCH, UH, ENDS UP SUCH AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PUBLIC HEALTH, INDIRECT ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE, 25% OF LETHAL POLICE ENCOUNTERS WITH PEOPLE IN COUNTERING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES OF THE TOP 15 MOST POPULOUS US CITIES, OFTEN AS THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA RATE OF FATAL MENTAL HEALTH RELATED POLICE SHOOTINGS.
WHEN THEY STOP SEEING POLICE TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE, HAVING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES, ARMED POLICE DO NOT FIX HOMELESSNESS HOMES TO DESPITE TALK OF FUNDING TOWARDS HOUSING.
THE OVERALL NOMINAL INCREASE OF 17% IN THE HOUSING BUDGET ACTUALLY REPRESENTS ONLY A REPRESENTATIVE 85% CUT FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
THOSE BUDGET IN SOME PLACES HAVE POLICING AS DOMESTIC, UH, NEIGHBORHOODS BACK SINCE BACK SINCE SHOUTING MATCHES, DO NOT NEED OUR POLICE.
WE'VE SEEN POLICE RESPOND VIOLENTLY TO PUBLIC CRITICISM AS AT PROTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS.
WE KNOW FROM THE CITY'S OWN ANALYSIS THAT THE APD IS RACIALLY PROFILED.
THE PROPOSED CUTS BY THE CITY MANAGER, SPENCER CRONK RELEASED ON THE 13TH OF JULY OR MISLEADING, INSULTING AND WILL CHANGE NOTHING.
JULIA, ARE YOU STILL ON THE LINE? CRYSTAL ERICKSON, COLLINS, CRYSTAL ERICKSON, PLEASE UNMUTE, SORRY.
LESS THAN 1% OF CALLS TO NINE 11 ARE FOR VIOLENT CRIME, BUT IT IS WHAT WE FEAR THE MOST.
WE INFLATE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE BELIEF THAT THEY WILL KEEP US SAFE.
THE POLICE ARRIVE AFTER A VIOLENT CRIME HAS OCCURRED.
IF YOU WERE THERE WITH US SATURDAY NIGHT, YOU KNOW THAT THEY WERE A BLOCK AWAY, TAILING, PEACEFUL PROTESTERS, BUT COULD NOT PREVENT THE MURDER OF GARRETT FOSTER.
THEY DID NOT OFFER TRAUMA SERVICES OR MAKE ME FEEL SAFE.
AND NOW KEN CASSIDY HAS MADE US MORE UNSAFE IN BETWEEN CALLS POLICE OFFICERS ENGAGE IN ROUTINE PATROL, DRIVING AROUND, LOOKING FOR A CRIME BEING COMMITTED THAT IS LIKE HAVING FIRE FIRETRUCKS, DRIVING AROUND RANDOMLY LOOKING FOR FIRES.
IT IS TANTAMOUNT TO STOP AND FRISK RACIAL PROFILING WITH A VEHICLE.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL PERSONS FOR YOUR PROPOSALS THAT MOVE US AWAY FROM A PUNITIVE APPROACH.
I URGE YOU TO BE ALLOCATE $220 MILLION FROM APD TO PROGRAMS THAT ARE REAL SOLUTIONS, SUFFICIENT INCOME, LOW INCOME HOUSING, AND TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
HI, SORRY ABOUT THAT LAST TIME.
MY NAME IS JULIA VAN ALEXANDER.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND I WILL BE READING THE NEXT PORTION OF THE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED
[04:40:01]
OPEN LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL.NOW IT'S A TIME TO TRANSFORM OUR CITY GOVERNMENT AND MAKE THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO MAKING AUSTIN A TRULY LIVABLE CITY INSTEAD OF INCREMENTAL OR MERELY SYMBOLIC ALLOCATION AS THEY HAVE DONE IN THE PAST, WE DEMAND AT LEAST A 50% REDUCTION, APPROXIMATELY 225 MILLION OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET AND OUR CALLING FOR ABOLISHING APD IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
CURRENTLY THE APD BUDGET RECEIVES 40% OF OUR GENERAL CITY FUNDS, ROUGHLY 450 MILLION EACH YEAR.
AND THAT'S LARGER THAN AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH, AUSTIN, PUBLIC LIBRARY, AUSTIN PARKS AND REC, AND THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FUNDING COMBINED ATD HAS CONTINUED KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE OF COLOR AND LEADS THE NATION IN KILLINGS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES IN LESS THAN A YEAR.
WE HAVE SEEN MARROW BUILDUP AND VACATE KUDOS, AND MY GRANDMA'S MURDERED BY APD.
MAYOR ADLER AND AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M RONDA RUTLEDGE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD CENTER IN THE CITY BUDGET.
I FULLY SUPPORT THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY.
BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION FUNDING FOR FOOD AND EQUITY TO QUOTE THE BOARD ON WHICH I SERVED IN ITS ORIGINAL YEARS.
WE MUST INVEST SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO UNDERSTAND DISMANTLE AND REMAKE OUR FOOD SYSTEM INTO ONE THAT IS ECONOMICALLY AND RACIALLY JUST AND PUTS THE WORKERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES WHO HAVE BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED AT THE CENTER OF THE PROCESS THROUGHOUT THIS WILL REQUIRE ALLOCATING SUFFICIENT STAFFING AS WELL AS THE $250,000 INVESTMENT FOR THE ITEMS OUTLINED IN THE RECOMMENDATION WITHOUT MUCH NEEDED AND STRATEGIC FOOD PLANNING WITH AN EQUITY FOCUS AND SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT.
THE EMPLOYMENT HEALTH AND FOOD GAPS WE'RE SEEING NOW WILL ONLY CONTINUE TO WIDEN THROUGHOUT THIS CORONA VIRUS RESPONSE AND DURING THE NEXT EMERGENCY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
THERE ARE ANY SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE THAT HAVE NOT PRESSED ZERO.
THAT CONCLUDES ALL THE SPEAKERS.
LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN AND THESE TAXPAYERS STANDING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND SCULPTURAL JUSTICE THROUGH THE SKINNY BUDGET IS PROFOUND.
AND I'M PROUD TO HEAR THE WHILE THERE WHILE I WAS WAITING TO SPEAK.
MY NAME IS YVONNE FLOTUS AND I'M THE PRESIDENT OF APIC 1524.
I'M CALLING ON BEHALF OF ITEM 17 IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE.
CITY OF AUSTIN SHOULD PROVIDE A FAIR SYSTEM FOR ITS EMPLOYEES WHEN IT COMES TO CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES AT THE WORKPLACE, AS OPPOSED TO A COURTROOM ON TAXPAYER'S DIME.
WHEN IT COMES TO EMPLOYEE SUBJECTED TO DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND RETALIATION, THE CITY OF AUSTIN NEEDS TO DELIVER WITH AN EQUITY FACTOR WHEN IT COMES TO RESPONDING, MITIGATING, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, PREVENTING WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION, SPECIFICALLY WHO THE CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE REPORTS TO SHOULD EXUDE AN ATMOSPHERE OF GOOD FAITH AND QUALITY CITY EMPLOYEES DESERVE A CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE TO BE IMPARTIAL MORE TO THE POINT, PLEASE AVOID ANY PROBABLE DEPICTION OF SIMPLY PROTECTING MANAGEMENT AND NOT EMPLOYEES WITH THIS NEW OFFICE.
I'M A 69 YEAR OLD RETIRED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER LIVING IN DISTRICT SEVEN.
I'M SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT 40% OF THE CITY'S CURRENT OPERATING BUDGET GOES TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND VERY LITTLE GOES TO CRITICAL COMMUNITY SERVICES LIKE LOW INCOME HOUSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
I'VE BEEN FURTHER SHOCKED AND DISMAYED TO LEARN ABOUT THE MANY PEOPLE OF COLOR IN AUSTIN AND OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THE POLICE WITH NO SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES FOR THESE POLICE ACTIONS.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE SEEN THE AGGRESSIVE BATTLE READY STANCE THAT THE AUSTIN POLICE HAVE TAKEN TOWARD PEACEFUL PROTESTERS IN OUR CITY.
APPARENTLY NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO ANY OF THESE CONCERNS.
THE AUSTIN CITY MANAGER PROPOSED A BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, WHICH DOES NOT BEGIN TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS OF WAY TOO MUCH MONEY.
GIVE IT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WAY TOO LITTLE FOR CRITICALLY NEEDED SERVICES IN OUR CITY.
I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE CHANGES TO THIS BUDGET PROPOSED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, GREG CASAR, AND LESLIE POOL.
AND I HOPE HE WILL DEFUND APD BY 50% AND FUND RAIL.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
[04:45:01]
BUT THERE ARE ANY ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE, PLEASE PRESS ZERO SO THAT YOU CAN BE ADMITTED TO THE CALL.MARY, CAN WE HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SEE IF WE CAN GET A COUPLE PEOPLE BACK ON THE LINE? OKAY, GO AHEAD.
I'M ACTUALLY REALLY IMPRESSED ON HOW YOU'VE DONE.
THIS MEETING STARTED SEVEN HOURS AGO AND YOU'RE LIKE EIGHT MINUTES OFF COLLEAGUES IN CASE ANYBODY'S KEEPING TRACK.
UH, WE'RE GONNA DO THE NEXT TWO.
WE'RE GOING TO GO TO DINNER, COME BACK, UH, SIX.
LET'S SEE HOW MANY MORE SPEAKERS SHOW UP AT SIX.
THAT'S THE NEXT BATTERY, SIX TO EIGHT.
AND THEN, THEN THE LAST BATCH OF SPEAKERS FROM EIGHT TO 10, THE ITEMS THAT ARE STILL AVAILABLE IN FRONT OF US ARE, UH, ONE IN 14, TWO AND 15, THREE AND 16.
FOUR IS THE CREDIT SERVICE ISSUE.
ITEM NUMBER FIVE AND NUMBER EIGHT ARE THE STREET IMPACT FEE QUESTIONS.
THOSE ARE GOING TO BE POSTPONED UNTIL EIGHT 27, I GUESS IS THE END OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS.
SEVERAL OF THEM WERE JUST PUBLIC HEARINGS WITH NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN A NINE, 12, 13, 17, UM, AND UH, 72, THE ONLY ONE THAT NEEDS ACTION IS GOING TO BE NUMBER 18.
WE CAN'T TAKE UP THOSE ITEMS INTO AFTER, UH, THE SPEAKER SPEAK.
ALTHOUGH THERE'S ONE ITEM, UH, THAT I THINK WE MAY BE ABLE TO TAKE UP, CAUSE ALL THE SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR IT ARE JUST BACHELOR MAYOR.
WE'VE GOT ONE SPEAKER, JOSHUA.
I STRUGGLED TO FIND FOR AN AGENCY WITH NO PUBLIC OVERSIGHT AND, AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT MAINLY, STILL HAS A JOB AS A PUBLIC SERVANT, DESPITE PUBLIC'S OPINION.
AND THIS LACK OF OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS ALLOWED.
IT'S A STATUS QUO TO EXIST IN APD FOR DECADES, BUT WE HAVE A CHANCE TO ADDRESS IT.
APD HAS PROVEN BE VIOLENT, POORLY TRAINED AND OVER POLICE COLOR, UH, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
AND YET THEY REMAIN ON ACCOUNTABLE.
IT'S 14 TIMES THE SIZE OF THE BUDGET FOR HOUSING AND PLANNING AND NEARLY 90 TIMES THE BUDGET FOR SMALL AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS RESOURCES.
THESE ARE TWO AGENCIES THAT ALREADY EXIST IN A TO HELP THE MARGINALIZED PEOPLE THAT H APD TARA IS THE 50% CUT OF APDS.
BUDGET COULD DOUBLE ALL OF THESE THINGS WHO MINED HOUSING AND PLANNING, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESS RESOURCES.
I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER A 50% CUT AND TO PUT MOST OF THOSE FUNDS INTO EXISTING AGENCIES TO HELP MINORITY COMMUNITIES.
ANY SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE, PLEASE? PRESS ZERO.
THIS IS REVEREND JOSEPH PARKER.
UH, THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE CITY'S PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES CONTINUING TO PAY THE SALARIES AND THE BENEFITS OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE AUSTIN POLICE AND FIRE UNIONS WHEN THEY ARE USING THEIR TIME WORKING EXCLUSIVELY THE UNIONS, EVEN DURING TIMES WHEN THEY ARE AT THE CEREAL TOO, AND NOT ACTING IN THE BEST INTEREST OF AUSTIN'S TAXPAYERS.
THAT MEANS FOR EXAMPLE, THAT WE PAY THE POLICE UNION PRESIDENT.
WHEN HE ON ASHAMEDLY ASKED OUR POLICE OFFICERS TO STOP ACTIVELY ENFORCING CRIMES, ALL CRIMES.
AND WHEN HE UNAPOLOGETICALLY AND OUT OF SHAME, AND HE SAYS THAT A BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST OR WHO WAS KILLED, GOT WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR.
THIS IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY OF ALLSTON AND ITS TAX PAYERS.
PLEASE NO LONGER INCLUDED A BUDGET FOR SALARIES BENEFITS FOR THESE UNION OFFICERS DURING TIMES THEY ARE WORKING FOR
[04:50:01]
AND SERVING THEIR UNIONS AND THEIR INTERESTS AND NOT THE TAXPAYERS.THAT CONCLUDES ALL THE SPEAKERS.
IT IS 14 AND WE WILL BE AT RECESS UNTIL SIX O'CLOCK WE'LL COME BACK AND DO THE NEXT BATCH.
TODAY IS STILL DRY 30TH, 20, 26 OR THREE.
WE'RE GOING TO BE HEARING NOW FROM THE NEXT GROUP OF SPEAKERS.
CAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY SPEAKERS TODAY.
[Public comment 2]
10 TO 10, MOSTLY WITH SPEAKERS TODAY, RIGHT? EVERYBODY HAS ONE MINUTE.UH, WE'LL TAKE A SNAP THROUGH THE, UH, THE GROUP THAT IS NOTICE TO SPEAK BETWEEN SIX AND EIGHT.
THE FIRST SPEAKER IS LATITIA WALKER.
I'M LOOKING AT YOUR WALKER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL I'M WORKING GROUP MEMBER REPRESENTING DISTRICT ONE IN ALL OF AUSTIN NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY BUDGET DECISIONS.
I'M ABSOLUTELY IN SUPPORTIVE BUDGET.
THAT IS ABOUT, AND FOR THE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY BLACK PEOPLE, THE WORKING GROUP HAS TAKEN A UNIQUE FOCUS IN THE NEXT BUDGET AND BELIEVE SPENCER, YOUR PROPOSAL WAS INSULTING.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, POOL, FLANAGAN, AND CASAR IN THEIR MINUTES, REMOVING INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND FORENSICS FROM APD RECONSTRUCTING, APD AND SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS, OR REMOVING THEM FROM SEVENTH STREET.
THE ALTOGETHER 80.6 MILLION INSTRUCTIONAL CHANGES AND PROPOSED CUTS FROM POOLS.
OFFICE ARE ALMOST ENOUGH TO REACH OUR DEMAND OF A HUNDRED MILLION TO EVEN HAVE DEDUCTED FROM APD.
EDUCATION IS NOT PRIORITY IN THIS BUDGET, BUT WE WANT TO DISCUSS OUR IDEAS WITH YOU.
I CAN IMAGINE A COMMUNITY WITHOUT COP, BUT CAN YOU COUNSEL, CAN YOU IMAGINE AN AUSTIN WE'RE HOMELESS PEOPLE FIND A PLACE TO SAY NOT WITH THE BUDGET OR VIA THE FISCAL PLAN FOR ITEM 18 FUND THE EQUITY OFFICE OVERSIGHT.
IF YOU DON'T, WE WILL GET PEOPLE IN THERE AND VOTE YOU OUT TO THAT.
PEOPLE THAT WILL HELP CHANGE THE BUDGET TO MATCH.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN.
I'D LIKE TO USE MY TIME TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE REMOVING OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS FROM APD.
THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT IS A JOKE.
POLICE MISCONDUCT SHOULD NOT BE INVESTIGATED BY POLICE OFFICERS.
AUSTIN PD NEEDS TO TAKE INTENTIONAL EFFORT TO RESTORE THE TRUST OF ITS COMMUNITY AND ITS ABILITY TO PROTECT AND KEEP US SAFE.
AND WE CANNOT DO THAT WHILE THEY'RE THERE ON JUDGES AND JURORS.
I JUST LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFY ABOUT THE OPPOSITE.
THOSE ARE NOT POLICE OFFICERS.
I'M A HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT FIVE AND I'D LIKE TO ADD BUDGET TO BE CUT.
AND FOR THESE THREE FRIENDS AND THE WAY THE CITY FUNDS AND HANDLES EMERGENCY SERVICES TO BE RESTRUCTURED, THE CHANGES PRESENTED BY HIS FLANAGAN, HIS ART AND POOL ARE A GREAT START.
AND I'D LIKE TO SPECIFICALLY ASK FOR MY REP AND KITCHEN TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE CHANGES THE SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING OR ALL OF US WOULDN'T HAVE SHOWN UP HERE TO TELL YOU, PAT, UH, NOT ONLY ARE THERE BIG ISSUES LIKE POLICE, LITERALLY KILLING PEOPLE, BUT THE REPUTATION OF AUSTIN POLICE IS THAT FOLKS DON'T EXPECT THEM TO EVEN MEET THE BARE MINIMUM.
MY BIKE GETS STOLEN AND THAT THING'S JUST GONE.
AND I KNOW NEXT IS GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT.
PEOPLE GET KILLED AND THEIR MOTORS AREN'T HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
THE POLICE HAVE HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH MONEY FOR MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME TO LEARN TO DO THE JOB, RIGHT.
AND THEY'VE PROVEN THAT THEY'RE JUST BAD AT IT.
SO PLEASE GIVE THAT MONEY TO THE PEOPLE WHO CAN USE IT MORE EFFECTIVELY LIKE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, MENTAL HEALTH AND HOUSING PROJECTS.
WE DEMAND THAT NO LESS THAN 50% BE CUT FROM THE POLICE BUDGET AND WE
[04:55:01]
WILL NOT SETTLE FOR 0.03% CUTS.IN FACT, YOU'RE SITTING WON'T REST UNTIL BLACK LIVES ARE SAFE AND NOT TERRORIZE.
THE POLICE DIDN'T KEEP GARRETT FOSTER SAFE.
THE POLICE DON'T KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.
IN FACT, THE POLICE TARGET HARM AND MURDER BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE.
THE POLICE FORCE IS AN INSTITUTION THAT WAS CREATED TO KEEP BLACK PEOPLE OPPRESSED, LITERALLY BORN OF SLAVE PATROL.
IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, ONLY 1% OF POLICE CALLS WERE ABOUT VIOLENT CRIME AND ONLY 20% WERE ABOUT ANY KIND OF CRIME.
THE BUDGET IS DUE ON THE 12TH AND APD WILL REASSESS THE RELEASE OF PROTEST VIDEOS ON THE 14TH OUT.
IS IT TO YOU THAT THE POLICE KNOW THEY'RE TERRORISTS AND ARE PURPOSELY WAITING TO RELEASE THESE VIDEOS TO PROTECT THEY'RE FUN.
LAST TIME WE ASKED MANLY TO RESIGN OR FOR CONTEXT FIRE HIM.
NOW, CRONK HAS NOT FIRED MANLY, NOR HAS HE IN ANY WAY ACTIVE, INACTIVE THE DEMANDS OF THE CITY CENTER.
IF YOU CAN'T GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER, YOU GOT TO GO TO BLACK LIVES MATTER.
I LIVE IN BEAUMONT IN DISTRICT FOUR.
I'M A REFERENCE LIBRARIAN AND I'VE WORKED FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR OVER NINE YEARS.
THANK YOU MANAGER CROCK FOR INCLUDING THE 2% COST OF LIVING INCREASE IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
I SUPPORT THE NEW CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE IS IMPORTANT.
THIS OFFICE HANDLES CITY EMPLOYEE REPORTS OF HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION AND RETALIATION CURRENTLY INVESTIGATED BY THE CITY'S HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.
WE DESERVE AN IMPARTIAL OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE OUR CONCERNS AND THE CURRENT PROPOSAL HRD WOULD STILL HANDLE THE, THE NEW OFFICE SHOULD REPORT TO A CITY MANAGER OR EXECUTIVE, NOT TO THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO ENSURE THE OFFICE IS IMPARTIAL.
THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS PROVEN OVER AND OVER TO THE TECH MANAGEMENT, NOT EMPLOYEES ENABLE ACCOUNTABILITY, SAFETY AND A FAIR PROCESS, BUT MAKING SURE STAFF CAN CLEARLY DIRECT THEIR COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE WITH NO INVOLVEMENT BY CITY HR OR THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME JAN MARGIELAS HI, MY NAME IS JEN MARGOLYES.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE AND I'LL BE READING THE THIRD PORTION OF COMMUNITY OF COLOR UNITED OPEN LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL.
THEREFORE, WE DEMAND THAT THE CITY DIVEST FROM APDS MURDEROUS POLICING AND INVEST IN REAL SOLUTIONS THAT WILL ACTUALLY KEEP US SAFE, STRENGTHEN OUR COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY AND MITIGATE THE VIOLENCE TOWARD OUR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.
CHOOSING REAL SOLUTIONS WOULD IMPROVE THE LIVES OF AUSTIN'S MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AWESOME PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR MEANINGFUL ACTION ON THE PART OF OUR CITY MANAGER AND OUR CITY COUNCIL IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC, OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS GROSSLY UNDERFUNDED.
OUR CITY'S MOST IMPACTED ARE REELING FROM JOB LOSS AND IMPENDING EVICTIONS.
WHILE EXISTING LOW INCOME HOUSING IS CONTINUALLY BEING ABANDONED, GENTRIFYING REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS APPROVED BY CITY GOVERNMENTS RESULTING IN THE DISPLACEMENT OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
WE ARE IN THIS POSITION BECAUSE CITY COUNCIL HAS TIME AND TIME AGAIN, APPROVED THE OVERINFLATED BUDGET AND REMINDERS REGULARLY INSPIRE COMMUNITIES FROM THE POLICE.
HELLO TONIGHT, I'M ASKING COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THE COSAR POOL AND FLANAGAN AMENDMENTS, AND TO CONTINUE TO IDENTIFY AND TOUCH THE APDS BUDGET UNTIL THE REDUCTION TOTAL $250 MILLION IN TOTAL AND MAKE THIS ASK AS A SURVIVOR OF ABUSE TO RECOGNIZE AS THE MYRIAD WAYS IN WHICH POLICE ARE WOEFULLY INADEQUATE RESPONSE TO POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS, LACK OF HEALTHCARE AND THE VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED TO THESE THINGS.
WHEN I WAS A KID, THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO MY HOME.
OFTEN THEIR REBEL WAS FOLLOWED BY A TEMPORARY DEESCALATION IN MY PARENTS' FIGHTS, A DEESCALATION, WHICH WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED THE INTRODUCTION OF ANY OUTSIDE OBSERVER TO THIS SITUATION AND DOES NOT REQUIRE ARMED POLICE.
WHAT DID NOT FOLLOW THESE VISITS WITH CHANGE? BECAUSE THE POLICE ARRIVED WITH HANDCUFFS AND GUNS, NOT COUNSELING, NOT TEMPORARY HOUSING, NOT ACCOUNTABILITY WITHOUT VIOLENCE TO INVEST IN COMMUNITY SAFETY IS TO ARM SURVIVORS WITH OPTIONS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE US TO CHOOSE WHICH MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILIES.
I'M ASKING FOR YOUR COURAGE, THE LITTLE CHILDREN AND STRUGGLING FAMILIES CAN SEE THEIR PARENTS HELPED AND HEALED RATHER THAN LOCKED IN CAGES OR LEFT TO FLOUNDER IN GENERATIONAL TRAUMA.
NOW I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE, LIKE SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE I'M CALLING SUPPORT EVEN THAT'S PROPOSED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS BECAUSE OUR PLANNING GET IN POOL.
THESE AMENDMENTS WORKS TO MAKE AUSTIN SAFER AND
[05:00:01]
MORE JUST, AND THEY DESERVE THE COUNCIL'S COMPLETE SUPPORT.THE FOOTAGE THAT WAS RELEASED THIS WEEK OF MY GRANDMA'S DEATH PROVIDES HORRIFIC PROOF OF THE NEED TO DRAMATICALLY RESTRUCTURE APB AND RETHINK PUBLIC SAFETY APDS, BLATANTLY PARTISAN HANDLING OF GARRETT FOSTER'S DEATH IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A CORRUPT CULTURE THAT LACKS ACCOUNTABILITY.
THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY COUNCIL NUMBER TOVO.
I URGE YOU TO ADOPT THESE REVOLUTIONS.
DO NOT THINK THAT THIS IS ENOUGH IRISH.
EACH OF YOU TO WORK TOWARD THAT 200 MILLION REALLOCATION, A SMALLER AND MORE ACCOUNTABLE APD WILL MAKE OUR CITY SAFER, STRONGER, AND MORE.
MY NAME IS JANE VAN ALEXANDER DISTRICT EIGHT.
I AM A NURSE POLICE ARE BEING ASKED TO PERFORM IN AREAS THAT ARE, THEY ARE MINIMALLY TRAINED IN.
AND, UH, WHAT THEY ARE TRAINED IN IS FOR CRIMINAL SITUATIONS IN THE 1960S, WHEN MTS WERE JUST STARTING TO GO TO ACCIDENT, POLICE REBUILD, FEELING THEIR JOBS WERE BEING THREATENED, EVEN THOUGH E N T S WE'RE SAVING LIVES THAT POLICE WERE IN ABLE TO DO.
I FEEL THE SAME SITUATION IS WHERE WE ARE NOW.
PEOPLE IN MENTAL HEALTH, DRUG ABUSE, SOCIAL SERVICES, FAMILY VIOLENCE, AND ARE MUCH BETTER SUITED TO GO TO THESE SITUATIONS.
THEREFORE, I FEEL THE POLICE BUDGET SHOULD BE REDUCED BY 50% TO PAY FOR THESE BETTER SUITED SERVICES THAT WILL SERVE THE COMMUNITIES.
I REFER YOU TO THE FREEDOM HOUSE AMBULANCE SERVICE PODCAST.
I FEEL THAT WILL SHOW HOW NEED TO BE LIMITED AND NEW BUDGETS REASSIGNED, AMELIA LINDELL.
HI, I'M A MEMBER OF DISTRICT SEVEN AND I'M CALLING TODAY FOR A 50% BUDGET CUT FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE REINVESTMENT OF THOSE FUNDS BACK INTO OUR COMMUNITY.
AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION HAS PROVIDED THE DATA THAT SHOWS US THAT APD IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY WE SPENT ON THEM.
AND THAT THOSE FUNDS RATHER THAN BEING USED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY HAVE BEEN USED TO TERRORIZE BLACK AND BROWN AUSTINITES TO SHOOT PROTESTERS AND TO MURDER PEOPLE TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
BUT SEE THE POLICE BUDGET CUT BY AT MINIMUM, A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ASKED FOR BY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AND AJC.
SO IDEALLY BY MORE THAN THAT AND REINVESTED IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, VIOLENCE PREVENTION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, FOOD ACCESS.
I SUPPORT THE CALL FROM AJC TO ELIMINATE POLICE OVERTIME.
AND SO WE'VE ALL EXISTING OPEN POSITIONS, AS WELL AS COUNCIL MEMBER KOSSAR'S AMENDMENT TO FREEZE CADET CLASSES.
IF YOU CLAIM THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER, PROVE IT DEFUND THE POLICE.
AND WHILE YOU'RE OUT AT FIRE CHIEF MANLEY, THANK YOU, RICHARD FRANKLIN.
SO I'M CONVENIENT WITH A GREAT PATH AS A TEXAS, I'M COMING TO YOU FOR THE LAND OF THE IGNORED AND FORGOTTEN TO DEL VALLEY.
I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF DEFUNDING THE POLICE.
I'M IN FAVOR OF DISMANTLING AND RESTRUCTURING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY ABOUT THE NEWBIE.
KEN KATHY'S INTERVIEW ON CNN SHOULD TELL YOU THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAN'T BE FIXED.
IF THE POLICE CAN TARGET INDIVIDUALS, THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE TOO MUCH TIME AND MONEY ON THEIR HANDS.
IF DEL VALLEY AREA, WHERE YOU'VE SERVED, SUBURBANIZED YOUR POVERTY AND IN DOING SO, YOU'VE INCREASED OUR NEEDS.
JOE VALLEY NEEDS $8 MILLION FOR THE ROSH ROAD EXTENSION THAT THE CITY HAS NEVER DONE.
DEL VALLEY NEEDS $20 MILLION FOR LIBRARY AND RECREATION CENTERS.
SO IT'S AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND PARENT INVOLVEMENT SPECIALIST.
WE ALSO CAN TALK ABOUT NEXT YEAR, NEEDING A POOL OUT HERE IN THE SAME AREA.
REMEMBER YOU CAN'T ARREST YOUR WAY TO A SAFE, SECURE, AND MORE PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY.
YOU HAVE TO POLICE CONTINUE TO TARGET INDIVIDUALS.
THEY HAVE WAY TOO MUCH TIME AND MONEY ON THEIR HANDS AND THEY DON'T NEED IT.
I AM A DISTRICT SEVEN RESIDENT AND NINE AGAINST THE PROPOSED 2020, 2021 BUDGET BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALLOCATE ENOUGH FUNDS AWAY FROM THE OFFICE.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE APD IS A DANGEROUS ORGANIZATION AND PUT AUSTIN COMMUNITIES IN HARM'S WAY INSTEAD OF PROTECTING THEM AND SHOULD BE DEFUNDED BY FAR MORE THAN THOSE 11.3 MILLION CUTTING LESS THAN 3% OF THE APD BUDGET AS A DISSERVICE TO THE CURRENT MOMENT AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT AND PROVIDE SAFETY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THESE CUTS ARE PUT BACK INTO THE DEPARTMENT.
I JOINED ORGANIZATIONS LIKE TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, UNITED AND ICE OUT OF AUSTIN IN CALLING FOR 225 MILLION
[05:05:02]
OF THESE BUDGET TO BE REINVESTED IN THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN AND THE BELIEF THAT THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THE COMMUNITY DO MORE FOR ITS SAFETY THAN POLICING IN ORDER TO THRIVE.THOSE LIVING IN AUSTIN NEED RESOURCES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR COUNSEL WANTS AND WILL HELP THEM TO SUCCEED.
NOT TICKETS BAIL IN COURT FINES SPEND TIME IN JAIL.
I ASKED THE CALC MEMBERS TO HELP THEIR COMMUNITIES AND DEEP THE AUSTIN POLICE.
THANK YOU, MARTIN HARRY, LAST SATURDAY, GARRETT PASTA KILLED.
WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE FACTS YET, BUT SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS HAD IS THE INCIDENT TO CONDEMN WHAT THEY CALL SENSELESS GUN VIOLENCE.
IF THE ACT IN QUESTION WAS IN SELF DEFENSE AND JUSTIFIED CALLING IT SENSELESS IS BOTH ABSURD.
AND A NATURE DEMAGOGIC RESPONSE WITH THIS INCIDENT SHOULD TEACH US.
HOWEVER, IS JUST HOW IMPORTANT POLICE ARE.
THE PROTEST WAS PRESUMABLY AGAINST THE POLICE AND THE POLICE MAINTAIN THEIR DISTANCE TO GIVE THEM SPACE.
HAD THEY BEEN A GREATER PRESENCE? PERHAPS PROTESTERS WOULD NOT HAVE FELT THE NEED TO ARM THEMSELVES.
HAD THE LAW BEEN FOLLOWED IN THE STREET CLOTHES.
THE DRIVER OF THE CAR WOULD NEVER HAVE GOTTEN CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT, BUT WHEN SHOTS WERE FIRED IN PROTEST OR SCATTERED, THE POLICE FRIENDS FORD, THE DANGER, NOT FROM IT TO PROTECT THOSE PROTESTING AGAINST THEM.
THIS SELFLESSNESS AND PROFESSIONALISM SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND PRAISE.
INSTEAD, WE HAVE POLITICIANS SITTING IN THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOME OR OFFICE TALKING ABOUT BLOWING UP THE HOME OF APD.
WE NEED, WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP.
HI, MY NAME IS CAITLIN YOUNG AND I'M UH, UM, I LIVE IN DISTRICT 10 AND I'M AN ARTIST AND A TEACHER WITH AISD AND LIKE MANY OTHERS IN THIS MEETING.
I AM CALLING WITH CONCERNS OVER THE CURRENT BUDGET PROPOSAL.
UM, HAS AUSTIN IS IN THE THROWS OF THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY SETTING ASIDE ENOUGH FUNDING, BOTH IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND HOUSING.
AUSTIN CURRENTLY HAS A CRISIS OF A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND WITH THIS, UM, ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF COVID 15 MORE FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO MAKE RENT, BUY GROCERIES, ET CETERA.
I BELIEVE THAT A 50% CUT TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL FREE FUNDS TO REALLY ALLOCATE TO SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES AND MANY DIFFERENT EFFORTS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME BENJAMIN STEEL.
HI, MY NAME IS BENJAMIN STEEL.
I WENT TO COURT COUNCIL MEMBERS PLAN AGAIN, CONFIRM, PULL THE AMENDMENTS AT THE START TO THE BUDGET AMENDMENT CONVERSATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO SEE A REALLOCATION, BUT AT LEAST $100 MILLION FROM ATV BUDGET TO OTHER SERVICES.
LAST WEEK I SHARED WITH YOU ABOUT THE TIME THAT I CALLED EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR LOVED ONE AND HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN AN HOURS LONG.
WAIT, WALKING A PERSON IN CRISIS FROM WHAT CAPS TO BELTS IN HOSPITAL OR CALLING APB THAT LOVED ONE AS A PERSON OF COLOR AND I COULD NOT HELP, BUT SEE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED.
IF I HAD INVOLVED APD THIS WEEK, WHEN I WATCHED THE VIDEO RELEASED OF MIKE FRAME WITH MURDER AT THE HANDS OF THE EMPLOYEE, I ASKED THAT THE BUDGET BE REALLOCATED TO ENSURE THAT WHEN I CALL FOR EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, I CAN GET SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND WE'LL WORK WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS RATHER THAN ARMED POLICE OFFICERS WHO WILL ACT ON US.
I'M NOT PAYING FOR A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS MY NEEDS, AND THAT WAS MY FRIENDS AND LOVED ONE.
I AM ASKING PART BUDGET THAT RETHINK SO CALLED PUBLIC SAFETY.
I MAKE THAT LIVE UP TO ITS NAME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, REBECCA KENNEDY.
HI, MY NAME IS REBECCA KENNEDY AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE AND I WILL BE READING THE FOURTH PORTION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED OPEN LETTER TO THE CITY.
COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL HAS SUPPORTED MINOR POLICE REFORMS AND HYPER VISIBLE SYMBOLIC GESTURES IN ORDER TO AVOID MAKING THE DEEPER CONNECTIONS OF HOW OTHER CITY POLICIES AND PRACTICES SUCH AS PRIORITIZING REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS OVER LOW INCOME RESIDENTS AND DEFUNDING PUBLIC HEALTH PERPETUATE VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT POLICING IS OR QUOTE UNQUOTE POLICING DOES NOT KEEP US SAFE.
IT NEVER HAS, AND IT NEVER WILL FIRING OR DEMOTING POLICE.
CHIEF BRIAN MANLEY IS FINE, BUT IT DOES NOT GET TO THE ROOT OF THE ISSUE.
WE MUST DISMANTLE APB AND CREATE A NEW CITY INFRASTRUCTURE THAT OFFERS SUPPORT AND MEDIATION IN TIMES OF CRISIS VERSUS THREATS OF VIOLENCE.
SAFETY COMES WHEN PEOPLE HAVE DIGNIFIED LIVABLE WAGE JOBS, HOUSING THAT IS TRULY AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION, EQUITABLE AND BEAUTIFUL PUBLIC SPACES AND CULTURALLY CONGRUENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES.
THIS IS THE ROLE OF A CITY GOVERNMENT.
[05:10:01]
HELP PREVENT CRISES.HI, I'M CALLING, UH, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND I'M CALLING AN OPPOSITION TO THE BUDGET AND IN FAVOR OF DEFUNDING AND DISMANTLING APD OVER THE LAST DECADE AS THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS LED MAJOR CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND SHOOTINGS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.
UM, OVER A THIRD AND UP TO 40 OR 41% OF APD SHOOTINGS HAVE, UH, BEEN SHOOTING FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.
IT'S TIME TO TAKE THE GUNS AWAY.
IT'S TIME TO TAKE THE MONEY AWAY AND REINVEST IN REAL SOLUTIONS.
REINVEST IN MENTAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INVEST IN HOUSING IN A CITY.
THAT'S CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT OUR PROBLEM WITH JUSTIFICATION, UM, AND IT'S TIME FOR THE CITY MANAGEMENT TO REACT TO ALL OF THESE CALLS AND REACT TO THE COUNCIL.
THANK YOU, JENNIFER PENNINGTON.
MY NAME IS JENNIFER PENNINGTON.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN AUSTIN AND I'M A CURRENT RESIDENT IN DISTRICT TWO AND THE DISCUSSIONS WOULD BE FUNDING APD.
I'VE REALLY BEEN THINKING ABOUT MY WITH POLICE OVER THE SPAN OF MY LIFETIME HERE FROM BURGLARIES.
WHEN I WAS A KID TO BEING PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED AT SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST TERESA MAILBOX, VANDALISM IN EACH OF THESE SITUATIONS, ALL THE POLICE DID WITH FELLER REPORT AND TELL ME NOT TO EXPECT ANYTHING.
THEY'RE RESOLVED, NOTHING AT THE SAME TIME.
AUSTIN POLICE HAS PURPOSE IRRITATED HARM AGAINST OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
THE AJC JULY STUDY ABOUT APDS CALLS FOR SERVICE JUST BACKS UP MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES LESS THAN 1% OF THESE CALLS IN THE LAST YEAR WERE FOR VIOLENT CRIME.
26% OF THESE CALLS WERE FOR NON CRIMINAL NON-CRIMINAL CALLS ENTIRELY.
I'M HERE TO ASK COUNCIL AND THE CITY MANAGER.
WHY IS SO MUCH OF THE CITY SPENDING BILLING TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEN THEY AREN'T HELPING CITIZENS? WE'VE BEEN DOING THE SAME THING FOR DECADES AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
WE KEEP THROWING MONEY AT THE SAME SYSTEM EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS.
WE MUST BE BURNED APD BY 50% TO FUND SERVICES AND MORE APPROPRIATE AGENCIES.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND EMERGENCY SERVICES SHOULD BE PLACES WHERE FUNDS CAN BE REALLOCATED TO EFFECTIVELY HELP PEOPLE.
I JUST WANT YOU TO SUPPORT THE AMENDMENTS, CATHERINE FISH, NO FOR RUNNING EVERYBODY TO ONE MINUTE.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE DEFUNDING THE POLICE.
THERE ARE ROUGHLY 55,000 NEW AUSTINITES EVERY YEAR.
THIS INCREASE IN POPULATION WITH NO INCREASE OF POLICE HAS DIRECTLY CORRELATED WITH AN INCREASE IN CRIME FROM 2008 TO 19 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CASES ARE UP 15% AUTO SET UP A 21% VEHICLE BURGLARY UP 11%, 28% LOWER POLICE RESPONSE.
2011, NEW YORK CITY CUT THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET ON JUNE 30TH.
THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE OF 130% AND SHOOTINGS 118% AND BURGLARIES AND 51% AND AUTO SET.
THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF HOW DEFUNDING THE POLICE LEADS TO A MUCH MORE DANGEROUS CITY FOR ALL IN JUNE.
THERE WERE 3.9 MILLION BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR GUN PURCHASES IN THE UNITED STATES SIGNIFICANTLY.
CITIZENS FEEL UNSAFE WITH THE DIRECTION THIS COUNTRY IS HEADED.
I DO STRONGLY AGREE THAT POLICE REFORM IS NECESSARY, BUT AFTER SECURING FUNDING FOR TRAINING STAFFING AND PROPER EQUIPMENT, WE CAN FOCUS ON EFFORTS TO BRING THE REFORM THAT WILL HELP OFFICERS WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY WITH THEIR CITIZENS.
MICHELLE MALLET, GOOD EVENING.
I'M MICHELLE MULATTA, MOB LIVERS ON A NATIVE OFFICE AND WORKING GROUP MEMBER REPRESENT DISTRICT ONE.
AND ALL OF THE BLACK PEOPLE IN THE AUSTIN AREA ABSOLUTELY IS THE PORT OF BUDGET THAT IS FOR AND ABOUT PEOPLE OF COLOR, ESPECIALLY BLACK AUSTINITES.
THE WORKING GROUP HAS TAKEN A UNIQUE FOCUS ON THE NEXT BUDGET AND BELIEFS THAT YOUR PROPOSAL WAS USED.
WE HEARD POOL PLAN TO GET THIS SEASON IN THEIR AMENDMENTS BECAUSE THEY HEARD ABOUT REMOVING INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND FOR WHERE'S IT FROM APD, WE CONSTRUCT AN APB IS A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT AND WE'RE MOVING THERE FROM SECOND STREET, THE ALTOGETHER 80.6 MILLION INSTRUCTIONAL CHANGES AND PROPOSED CUTS FROM PAUL'S OFFICE.
ALMOST ENOUGH TO RECHARGE DEMAND OF 100 MILLION TO EVEN HAVE DEDUCTED FROM APD BALANCE, HAVE NO POSITIVE GAIN IN THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL, BUT WE WANT TO BE HURT AND DISCUSS IDEAS WITH THE, I CAN IMAGINE A COMMUNITY.
I CAN'T IMAGINE A COMMUNITY WITHOUT COPS, BUT CAN YOU COUNSEL, CAN YOU
[05:15:01]
IMAGINE AN AWFUL WHERE BLACK WOMEN FEEL EMPOWERED ON THE EQUITY OFFICE IN THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT WITH MUCH MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION A PIECE.THEY USED THE MONEY TO THE AMENDMENT PROPOSAL, BETHANY CARSON, GOOD EVENING.
I'M HEARING CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE DEMANDS OF GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED PROPOSALS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, QATAR AND POOL ARE GOOD FIRST STEPS TOWARDS DIVESTMENT FROM APD, BUT NONE OF THE EXISTING PROPOSALS MAKE THE DEEP CUT.
WE NEED TO APD OR REALLOCATE FUNDS TO REAL SOLUTIONS FUNDING FOR BASIC NEEDS, HEALTH AND HOUSING THAT WILL LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR SAFETY.
FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO HAVE LONG BEEN DENIED, THEIR BASIC NEEDS BY THE CITIES.
WE MUST DIVEST NOT ONLY FROM MAPD, BUT ALSO FROM THE MENTALITY OF RESPONDING TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES THROUGH POLICING.
WE CAN'T SIMPLY SHIFT EQUIVALENT POTS OF MONEY TO CIVILIAN DEPARTMENTS CHARGED WITH DOING EXACTLY THE SAME TASKS THAT WERE HELD UNDER APD AND EXPECT THAT TO LEAD TO GREATER SAFETY.
WE MUST FIRST AND FOREMOST, DIVEST FROM OUR RELIANCE ON PATROL SURVEILLANCE AND INCARCERATION AND INVEST IN THE RESOURCES THAT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ARE TELLING US, MAKE THEM SAFER WITH THAT GROUNDWORK.
WE CAN THEN FOLLOW THEIR LEAD TO BUILD LONGTERM RESPONSES TO VIOLENCE OUTSIDE OF CARCERAL CARCERAL FRAMEWORKS.
HI, I'M I'M SARAH MATHIS AND I AM A CONSISTENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
I LISTENED LAST WEEK AS CONSTITUENTS CALLED AN ASKING FOR CHANGE.
IMMEDIATE, TANGIBLE, FINANCIALLY BACKED CHANGE.
PRESUMABLY YOU LISTEN TO, I WANT TO COMMEND THE LABOR OF AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION WHO HAVE PUT TOGETHER A PROPOSAL THAT CUTS A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FROM APD.
I WANT TO COMMEND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED, WHO STAND BEHIND THEIR DEMANDS OF NO LESS THAN A 50% CUT.
THE DEMANDS OF THE COMMUNITY HAVE NOT CHANGED.
THE AMENDMENTS BROUGHT TO THIS BUDGET ARE, ARE GOOD, BUT THEY ARE NOT NEARLY ENOUGH.
IF YOU AREN'T LISTENING TO THE DEMANDS OF THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE TO ASK, WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO? I'LL SAY IT AGAIN.
RISE FUNDS, EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH, LOW INCOME HOUSING.
HI, MY NAME IS LAUREN JACKSON.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE AND I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN FOR 16 YEARS.
POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE A UNIQUE PUBLIC ENTITY THAT CAN ACT WITH IMPUNITY AND STILL GET MASSIVE BUDGET INCREASES.
OTHER PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES REGULARLY GET BUDGET CUTS JUST BECAUSE THE CITY'S PATTERN OF INCREASING FUNDING FOR APD AND VASTLY OVER-FUNDING THE DEPARTMENT COMPARED TO OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS IS INCENTIVIZING THAT BEHAVIOR.
I CONTINUING TO ALLOCATE THE MOST FUNDING TO APD.
WE AREN'T HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR RACIST AND SEXIST WORK ENVIRONMENT.
THEIR INABILITY TO PROCESS THE BACKLOG OF RAPE KITS.
THEY'RE DIFFERENT VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AND RECKLESS RESPONSE TO PEOPLE PROTESTS THAT HOSPITALIZED SEVERAL PEOPLE.
AND MOST RECENTLY LETTING GARRETT FOSTER'S KILLER GO.
WE'RE ALSO REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR OF THE AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION.
PRESIDENT SPREADS MISINFORMATION SHOWS AN UNWILLINGNESS TO WORK WALKER ACTIVELY WITH COUNCIL.
IT HAS NO REGARD FOR THE BRAIDER AUSTIN COMMUNITY AS DEMONSTRATED BY HIS COMMENTS WERE GARRETT BOXER.
REDUCING POLICE VIOLENCE WILL REQUIRE SEVERAL POLICY CHANGES AT THE LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL FOR NOW 50%.
THANK YOU, KEVIN WELTS, DEAR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COUNCIL.
CHIDESTER DADE RESONANT AND CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD AT EFF AUSTIN.
AND I SPOKE TO YOU THAT LAST WEEK PUBLIC INPUT SESSION TO EXPRESS MY OPINION REGARDING THE CURRENT PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN LAID BEFORE THE COUNCIL, BY AS HUMAN MANAGER, SPENCER CROCK.
I'M CALLING AGAIN TODAY TO REGISTER MY OPINION REGARDING RECENTLY PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET.
IN SHORT I SUPPORT POOL FLANAGAN AND KOSSAR'S PROPOSALS.
I WANT THEM IMMEDIATELY TURNED INTO BUDGET AMENDMENTS.
THESE THREE PROPOSALS REPRESENT A GREAT START TOWARDS REFORMING APD AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
ALTHOUGH THEY'RE ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A LONG CONVERSATION AND REFORM PROCESS THAT I AND THE CITIZENS EXPECT THE COUNCIL TO ENGAGE IN OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, AS WE SHIFTED AT LEAST $100 MILLION FROM APD TO OTHER CIVIL SERVICES, BUT ALSO TO REMIND THE COUNCIL THAT ABSOLUTELY NO APD OFFICERS HAVE BEEN CHARGED OVER THE DEATH OF MIKE RAMOS OR THE LIFE THREATENING INJURIES OF JUSTIN, HOW THE CHIEF MANLEY WILL NOT CHARGE THE OFFICERS INVOLVED.
AND IF CM CRONK WON'T PERFORM SAID, DEMOTION CROCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE COUNCIL VOTING YES, ON THESE PROPOSED BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TO THEM HOLDING APB ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THEIR OFFICERS AND MY FELLOW CITIZENS.
[05:20:01]
THE COUNCIL'S ACTIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT REAL REFORM IS ACHIEVED IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.THAT THE CURRENT TALKS ARE TRANSFORMING BRIAN CORE LESCHI, RIGHT? I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
UM, SO I'M TODAY TO, UH, YEAH, THAT WE NEED APPROVE A BUDGET THAT CUTS THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50%.
UM, HEY, WE COULD, UH, PUT THIS MONEY TOWARDS SO MANY OTHER GOOD THINGS, UH, AMBULANCES, YOU KNOW, LIKE, LIKE NOT JUST NOT HARMING PEOPLE, UM, SAW THE FOOTAGE OF MIKE RAMOS, UH, THE OTHER DAY AND EVERYONE INVOLVED NEEDS TO BE FIRED.
UH, IT'S JUST BEYOND THE PALE MY TIME
I AM A HOMEOWNER IN DISTRICT TWO AND I DEMAND THAT YOU DEFUND APD BY 50% AND FIRE CHIEF MANLEY.
IT IS BIZARRE THAT APD IS ABLE TO DETAIN AND JAIL JOURNALISTS ON BOGUS CHARGES, BUT ALLOW THE PERPETRATOR OF A HOMICIDE FREEDOM TO ROAM THE STREETS.
THE MURDER OF GARRETT FOSTER IS THE THIRD TIME THAT APB HAS ALLOWED A VEHICLE TO DRIVE INTO A CROWD OF PROTESTORS TO CAUSE HARM WITH IMPUNITY.
THE POLICE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT EVEN CELEBRATED HIS DEATH ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
IT IS HARD TO IGNORE THAT APD MAY HAVE HAD A HAND IN THE DEATH OF GARRETT FOSTER.
AT WHAT POINT DOES APD USE OUR TAX DOLLARS TO KEEP THE CITY SAFE AND NOT FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL VENDETTAS? WE DEMAND THE REMOVAL OF CHIEF MANLEY AND A REAL ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO SERVICES THAT ACTUALLY HELP THE COMMUNITY AND KEEP AUSTIN SAFE.
MAYOR CITY, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER.
FIRST, THANK YOU FOR WORKING SO HARD TO NOT INCREASE THE CITY'S OPERATING BUDGET.
I WANTED TO ADDRESS TWO QUICK POINTS WITH THE COUNCIL.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK AS ONE WHO IS AGAINST THE DEFUNDING DIVESTING RESTRUCTURING OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I BELIEVE THOSE MEASURES WILL ONLY REDUCE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR THE CITY, WHICH IS OUR SAFETY.
I AM CONCERNED THAT THESE PROPOSALS WOULD ADD BUREAUCRACY AND WASTE TO THE PROCESS RATHER THAN EQUIP OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO WORK MORE EFFECTIVELY.
FINALLY, I'M CONCERNED THESE ATTEMPTS TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE BUDGET AT BEST DEAL WITH THE SYMPTOMS RATHER THAN THE CAUSE, WHICH I THINK WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOLVED AS A LONGTERM RESIDENT OF THE CITY.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE PROTECTION AFFORDED TO US THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT REGARDING ANIMAL SERVICES.
THANK YOU FOR THE INCREASED SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL WELFARE IN OUR CITY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR CITY SHELTER RETURNING TO PRE COVID INTAKE PROCEDURES TO THAT DOSE DOLLARS CAN HELP THE POPULATION THEY WERE INTENDED TO HELP.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
SARAH LOPEZ, MY IN DISTRICT SEVEN, I WORKED FOR FUND TEXAS CHOICE, A STATEWIDE PRACTICAL SUPPORT ABORTION FUNDS, AND I'VE HAD AN ABORTION RATHER THAN PROVIDING A SAFETY NET FOR FAMILIES AND PREGNANT FOLKS AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.
SAINT LEADERS CHOSE TO EXPLAIN A CRISIS TO PUSH THEIR OWN ANTI-ABORTION AGENDA.
YEAH, JUST BEFORE THE, YEAH, JUST AS BEFORE PEOPLE DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO ACCESS THE ABORTION CARE, THEY NEEDED AN ABORTION FUNDS CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING WE COULD TO HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN.
OUR PEOPLE ARE RESILIENT, BUT WE NEED CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE TO AGAIN, TAKE ACTION AND FIGHT BACK AGAINST HARMFUL ABORTION RESTRICTIONS IN TEXAS.
A BUDGET IS A MORAL CONTRACT AND LAST YEAR CITY COUNCIL MADE HISTORY BY SENDING LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR OPTUNE RESIDENTS, SEEKING ABORTION CARE.
THIS YEAR, WE'RE ASKING FOR $250,000.
PEOPLE ARE OUT IN THE STREETS ALL DAY, EVERY DAY FIGHTING FOR A FUTURE THAT ALLOWS US TO LIVE IN SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES.
FREE FROM STATE SANCTIONED VIOLENCE.
WE ARE CALLING FOR THE DEFUNDING AND DISMANTLING OF APD AND THE FRIENDS TO BE REALLOCATED TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES, WHICH INCLUDES ABORTION CARE.
UNMUTE GENOVESE GENOVESE CHOSE.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT EVERYONE IS ONLY GIVEN ONE MINUTE TO DISCUSS SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS WHERE YOU WILL BE INVESTING OUR TAX DOLLARS LIKE THIS PROPOSED BUDGET.
IT FEELS LIKE A SLAP IN THE FACE.
[05:25:01]
JUST FUND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50% AND INVEST IN COMMUNITY BASED RESOURCES LIKE HEALTHCARE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.ANYONE TRYING TO JUSTIFY GARRETT FOSTER'S MURDER BY SPREADING THIS INFORMATION, RAPISTS HAVE COME OUT IN FULL FORCE BECAUSE POLICE DECIDED TO PUT OUT A NARRATIVE BASED ON THE MURDERS TESTIMONY.
WE DON'T TRUST APD TO CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS ON THEIR OWN OFFICERS.
WE DON'T TRUST APD TO BRING JUSTICE TO THE OFFICERS THAT HAVE RAVAGED OUR COMMUNITY.
WE DON'T TRUST APD TO KEEP US SAFE.
GARY WENT AND FED THE HOMELESS EVERY WEDNESDAY.
WHEN PROTEST STARTED WHILE APD HAS TERRORIZED HOMELESS PEOPLE REST IN PEACE AND POWER.
MIKE RAMOS, JAVIER AMBLER, AND OUR LOCAL HERO GARRETT.
WE ALSO HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ABOUT JUSTIN HOWE, BRAD AYALA AND EVERY UNWARRANTED ACT OF POLICE VIOLENCE.
DURING RECENT PROTESTS, I YIELD MY TIME HUNTER FUNK.
GOOD EVENING, LIFELONG DISTRICT FOUR RESIDENT, FIRSTLY, JUST ECHOING WITH SO MANY HAVE ALREADY CALLED FOR TO SEE FURTHER FUNDING REALLOCATED FROM APD TOWARDS EQUITABLE COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES.
I SUPPORT ALL SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS, ESPECIALLY REGARDING INTERNAL AFFAIRS.
MY MAIN TAKEAWAY FROM THE RAMOS SHOOTING FOOTAGE WAS THE OVERKILL OF SENDING EIGHT COPS TO DO THE JOB OF TWO AND THE RESULTING PEDAL ESCALATION.
AND AS MULTIPLE SPEAKERS HAVE MENTIONED, AUSTIN MENTAL HEALTH RELATED POLICE SHOOTING RATE IS A BISMAL, BUT I'D ALSO LIKE TO SHOUT COUNSELING CAUSE OURS PROPOSED ITEM ONE 17 REGARDING THE CITY'S PLANS FOR THE FORMER HOME DEPOT PROPERTY ALONG 35.
MY WORK TAKES ME ALL OVER TOWN AND NOWHERE ELSE ARE THE VISIONS OF GENTRIFICATION AS IMMEDIATELY STRIKING AS IN THE ST JOHN NEIGHBORHOOD WITH NEARLY BUILT QUADPLEXES FOR THE NEW TECH INFLUX SITTING SIDE BY SIDE, WITH VACANT LOTS IN GENERATIONAL HOMES OF FAR POORER FAMILIES.
THIS COMMUNITY DESERVES REAL AMENITIES, NOT INCREASED COP PRESENCE AND OUR USE OF LAND OUGHT TO INSPIRE RATHER THAN DEMORALIZED.
UM, IN CLOSING, CONGRATULATIONS TO MERRICK FOR TIME GUARDS ON OUR RECENT ELECTION, VICTORY RESTS IN POWER TO MY HOUSE, YOUR AMBLER, DEREK FOSTER.
AND WHAT WAS JUST THAT JUST IN HOW RHODIOLA AND THEIR FAMILIES.
MY NAME IS
UM, FIRST I WANT TO APPLY THE LEADERSHIP OF COUNCIL MEMBER.
NATASHA HYPER MAN HAS BEEN IN GETTING THE COUNCIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND DECLARE THAT RACISM IN AUSTIN AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
AND I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL TO MAKE THAT DECLARATION MEANINGFUL WITH REAL MEASURABLE ACTION, SUPPORTING THE DEMANDS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IGNITED AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP TO DEFUND AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50% AND INVEST THAT MONEY IN REAL SOLUTION.
THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING SOLUTIONS THAT BEGIN TO REMEDY LONGSTANDING AND EQUITY SPACE.
THAT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN AUSTIN.
I'M ALSO HERE TO MAKE THIS PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS.
IT'S COMPLETELY INACCESSIBLE TO MOST PEOPLE, BUT ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY POLICING AND BUDGET INEQUITIES AND WHO DO NOT HAVE FLEXIBLE WORK HOURS, CONSISTENT PHONE OR INTERNET ACCESS OR OTHERWISE FACE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION.
CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THE FAILURES OF THIS COMMENT PROCESS AND TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE.
SO WE COULD HAVE THE ADJUSTED DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
SARAH SAILOR AND EDUCATOR AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE.
I'M SPEAKING IN SOLIDARITY WITH JUSTIN
I ASKED THE COUNCIL TO DEFUND CAPD BY 50%.
I SUPPORT PROPOSALS BY THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED TO SUPPORT ALTERNATIVES FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND SURVIVOR SUPPORT, INCLUDING THE RISE FUND, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND FOOD ACCESS.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE SMALL STEPS COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE TAKEN FOR THE MORE ACCOUNTABLE POLICE FORCE.
AND I CHALLENGE YOU TO IMPLEMENT MORE MEANINGFUL SYSTEMIC CHANGES TO MAKE OUR CITY SAFER AND MORE.
I'M SPEAKING TO EXPRESS MY FULL SUPPORT OF POOL FLANAGAN AND SAYS OUR THREE AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY BUDGET.
THE CONSTITUTION PREAMBLED HAVE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, COMMON DEFENSE, GENERAL WARE, WELFARE AND LIBERTY.
THIS IS NOT THE AMERICA THAT ARE MARGINALIZED PEOPLE LIVE IN, IN OUR SOCIETY.
LEAVE THOSE PEOPLE IN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE.
WE AS HUMAN BEINGS ALL HAVE INTRINSIC VALUE AND THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACE WE CAN RECOGNIZE.
THIS IS IN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.
THESE THREE AMENDMENTS WOULD BE GREAT STRIDES AND GIVEN CARE AND COMPASSION AND DIGNITY DESERVED BY ALL OF THE PEOPLES AUSTIN.
THIS ALSO GOES FOR THOSE SEEKING JUSTICE FROM OUR CORRUPT SYSTEM FURTHER, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY FULL SUPPORT OF DIVESTING OF THE POLICE BUDGET AND EXPANSION
[05:30:01]
OF COMMUNITY SAFETY, ESPECIALLY THE DEPLOYMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE WORKERS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE CRISIS CALLS, CHIEF MANLEY AND THE DEPARTMENT HAVE SHOWN THEIR DISREGARD FOR THE EXPERIENCE AND DEMANDS OF THE PEOPLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN.THE POLICE ASSOCIATION HAVE GONE SO FAR AS TO CLAIM THE RACE BAITING IN RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.
THIS IS A GROSS MISUSE OF POWER AND AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, KIM HEIGHTS.
I'M CALLING FROM DISTRICT ONE TO POINT ATTENTION TO THE DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY RESULTING FROM APDS INVOLVEMENT, WHICH HAS INSTIGATED VIOLENCE AND INCREASE THAT BRING, FOR EXAMPLE, I SAW A YOUNG MAN WHO APPEARED UNWELL AND WITH UNRESPONSIVE BECAUSE HE WAS ALSO A BLACK MAN.
I THOUGHT, DO I RISK HIS LIFE BY NOT CALLING OR RISK HIS LIFE BY CALLING WHEN A NEIGHBOR CALLED NINE 11 ANYWAY, THE POLICE WERE THE ONES TO RESPOND.
I DON'T THINK IT'S HEALTH AND SAFETY WAS RESTORED WHEN HE WAS BEEN ARRESTED, FUN COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY BY DIVERTING NO LESS THAN 50% FROM THE APD BUDGET INTO ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING LIKE PUBLIC AND MENTAL HEALTH MASS HOUSING AND THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION OFFICE TO NAME A FEW FOR THOSE WORRIED ABOUT VIOLENT CRIME.
WE HAVE SAFER COMMUNITIES AND EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SUPPORT AND CONDITIONS TO THRIVE.
WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO IN OUR COMMUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO NOT CALLING POLICE ON PEOPLE OF COLOR, BUT IT DOES SEEM LIKE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTROL THE RESPONSE AND YOUR COMMUNITY'S WELLNESS AND SAFETY REDUCE HARM.
HI, MY NAME IS SABRINA OLIVES.
I AM A CURRENT RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND A FUTURE RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.
I'M CALLING TO URGE THAT YOU REJECT ANY BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT DOES NOT DEFUND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST THE DEEPER WORK, THOSE FUNDS TO REAL SOLUTIONS LIKE THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING.
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT MORE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT I URGE YOU TO LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE, LOOK AT WHO IS BEING ARRESTED, TERRORIZED AND KILLED BY THE POLICE AND ASK YOURSELF WHO IS SAFETY IS BEING PRIORITIZED LEADER THAN OTHER US CITIES ARE MODELING WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO LISTEN TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND BOLD STEPS TOWARDS THE REAL SAFETY FOR ALL OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.
AND IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO DO THE SAME SHOW AUSTIN THAT YOU WANT THE BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, LOW INCOME FAMILIES, HOMELESS COMMUNITIES, LGBT COMMUNITIES, AND ANY OTHER MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY BEING OVER POLICED AND CRIMINALIZED BLACK LIVES MATTER.
CHRISTINA BARBER WE'RE D ALICE.
I'M CALLING ON BEHALF OF DISTRICT NINE.
UM, UH, AS MANY OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CALLED TODAY, I WANT TO PROPOSE THAT WE CONTINUE PUSHING FOR WORD TOWARDS ELIMINATING AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF A BUDGET FOR AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
UH, GARRETT FOSTER'S DEATH WAS CLEAR ID, A VISUAL OF HOW, HOW BLACK INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO ARM THEMSELVES AND THEIR ALLIES HAVE TO ARM THEMSELVES IN ORDER TO PROTECT THEM.
THE CITY, THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT PERFORMING THAT JOB WITH PEOPLE OF COLOR.
AND, UH, SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALLOCATE FUNDING SO THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN PROSPER IN THE CITY.
I'VE BEEN LIVING IN AUSTIN FOR 23 YEARS IN DISTRICT FIVE SINCE THE TALK AND THE VOTING TO DEFUND THE POLICE.
THE HOMICIDE RATE IN AUSTIN HAS GONE UP 64%.
WE ARE AT, UM, HOMICIDE NUMBER 28 COMPARED TO LAST YEAR OF 2019 OF 32 32 FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR 11 OF THESE 28 HOMICIDES HAVE OCCURRED OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS.
I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE NAMES OF THE DECEASED, BUT I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME, BUT THEY ARE MORE THAN NUMBERS.
63% OF THESE 11 HOMICIDES WERE PEOPLE OF COLOR THAT IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL POLICY AND VOTING TO DEEPEN THE POLICE.
YOU WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE IMPRESSION THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY, NO LONGER CARE ABOUT ENFORCING THE LAW.
GIVING A GREEN LIGHT TO CRIMINALS.
HOMICIDES ARE NOT THE ONLY CRIME THAT IS UP.
AUTO THEFT IS UP BY 30% BUILDING THAT'S UP BY 24%.
ALONG WITH ROBBERIES AT 16% AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS AT 14% ARSON UP 9% AND BURGLARIES OF 8%.
I BEGGED THAT RESTORE LAW IN OUR COMMUNITY AND REFUND OUR POLICE WITH SMART POLICE REFORM.
HI, MY NAME IS JESSE BRADFORD AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
I'M CALLING TO URGE THE CITY COUNCIL
[05:35:01]
TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH GROUPS SUCH AS THE JC CCU AND THE THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE AND NOW HAVE EVEN LOST THEIR LIVES TO GO OUT IN THE STREETS AND BRINGING ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE OF POLICE VIOLENCE.THE FACT THAT THE, OF THE AUSTIN POLICE ASSOCIATION WOULD PUBLICLY STATE THAT A REASON MURDER VICTIM GARRETT FOSTER WAS LOOKING FOR CONFRONTATION SHOWS THE ROTTEN CORE OF THE APB.
THAT MUST BE GOUGED OUT AND YOU DO THAT BY STRIPPING THEIR BUDGET AND REPLACING THEM WITH SERVICES THAT ACTUALLY HELP PEOPLE AND ARE NOT ROOTED IN RACISM AND WARRIOR CULTURE.
FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF AJC TO CUT THE APD BUDGET BY AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS RIGHT NOW.
MY NAME IS
I'VE LIVED IN AUSTIN 35 YEARS, AND I NEVER THOUGHT I'D FEEL PROPOSAL MADE BY A CITY COUNCIL.
AS MUCH AS I FEAR HARM INFLICTED BY DANGEROUS CRIMINAL CUTTING POLICE FUNDING IS GROSSLY IRRESPONSIBLE.
OUR POPULATION INCREASES DAILY CRIME IN EVERY CATEGORY HAS INCREASED.
MURDER IS UP 64%, BUT THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF MURDERS IN AMBER CAUSE OUR DISTRICT FOUR MEMBER GUARDS, HIS DISTRICT COMES IN A CLOSE SECOND AUTO THEFT IS UP 30% BUILDING THEFT IS UP 24%.
THE MAJORITY OF AUSTINITES ARE RESPONSIBLE, HARDWORKING LAW, ABIDING CITIZENS WHO UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR LAW AND ORDER.
ACCORDING TO A RECENT POLL, 53% OF RESIDENTS SAY AUSTIN IS GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
THE MAJORITY OF AUSTIN RESIDENCES WANT REFORMS, NOT DEFUNDING THE PROPOSALS PUT FORTH BY DISCOUNTS TO DECONSTRUCT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS.
OUR CHIEF WATSON CHIEF WATSON.
I'M SERVICE WATSON WORKING GROUP ADMIN AND REPRESENTING DISTRICTS.
ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, SEVEN, 10, AND EVERY BLACK BOY AND MAN WHO WAS EVER DENIED, IGNORED, ANTAGONIZE, AND TOLD THAT HE COULDN'T I'M IN SUPPORT OF A BUDGET.
THAT'S ONLY APPROVED BY THE PEOPLE.
PEOPLE LIKE THOSE IN THE WORKING GROUP.
YOU'LL HEAR TONIGHT, WE'VE TAKEN A UNIQUE FOCUS ON THE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND SPENCER THAT DOCUMENT I'LL THROW IN THE TRASH AND MOVE TO THE RECYCLE BIN ON MY COMPUTER.
LESLIE, JIMMY, GREG, I AGREE WITH A LOT THAT YOU'VE SAID REMOVE IAA, REMOVE FORENSICS FROM APD REINSTRUCT APD INTO SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS AND REMOVE THEM FROM SEVENTH STREET.
THE ALTOGETHER 81 MILLION INSTRUCTIONAL CHANGES IN THE POLLS CUT FROM LESLIE'S OFFICE OR STILL SHORTER BY DEMAND OF A HUNDRED MILLION TO EVEN HAVE DEDUCTED FROM APD.
I REVIEWED ALL SET DOCUMENTS AND AS A BLACK MAN, I WOULDN'T EVER SOLVE WELLS WALDO WITH THIS BUDGET.
I'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF A COMMUNITY WITHOUT COPS, BUT CAN YOU I'VE 22 YEARS IN THE CITY FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE, THE FISCAL ACTION PLAN ITEM 18 IS INADEQUATE.
CAN YOU IMAGINE AN AUSTIN WITH BLACK MEN AND WOMEN CAN FIND SUCCESS WITHOUT CONFORMING TO WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING IN THE PAST WITH NOT WITH THIS BUDGET, NOT WITH THAT FISCAL ACTION PLAN FUND THE EQUITY OFFICE TODAY, AND MUCH MORE THAN A MILLION AND A HALF BLACK BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY HUB CERTIFIED BY GRANTS SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR US WHERE WE CAN BUILD AND MAKE IMPACT INSTEAD OF GIVING APD MORE, USE THAT MONEY TO CREATE SOLUTIONS AGAINST THE SCHOOL, TO PRISON PIPELINE AND ALSO SCHOOLS WITHOUT POLICE MOVE 58 MILLION IMMEDIATELY INTO THE RISE FUND FOR DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE.
BECAUSE ME AND MANY OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WE NEED IT WITH TERRIFIED IN THIS CITY.
IF YOU DON'T LISTEN TO US, SPENCER NATASHA, ALL OF YOU PAGE, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOUR, YOUR, YOUR CANDIDACY WILL SINK TO THE GROUND BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT LISTENED TO US.
WE WILL GET SOMEBODY IN THERE AS WELL AS THE MAYOR TO CHANGE THE CULTURE AND MATCH OUR VALUES.
YOU KNOW ME, I KNOW YOU JUST DO IT FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT FOR YOURSELF.
LEARN SOMETHING FROM THE LOSSES THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY ENDURED.
I LOOKED TO TALK TO YOU AGAIN.
YOU GOT MY EMAIL AND I'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER.
THERE'S A BUDGET, SPENCER UNDOING RACISM WITH YOU, AND YOU KNOW HOW TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.
UM, I'M A BUSINESS OWNER WORKING GROUP MEMBER REPRESENTING DISTRICT ONE.
AND ALL OF THE DISTRICTS AFFECTED BY THESE BUDGET CUTS.
SO WE, ALONG WITH THE WORKING GROUP, WE REVIEWED THIS BUDGET AND WE BELIEVE CERTAIN SUGGESTIONS WERE BIASED.
AND SPENCER, THAT PROPOSAL WAS UNDERMINING AND
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NON IMPACTFUL.WE APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH PRODUCTIVE AMENDMENTS AND HAVING SEPARATE IAA AND FORENSIC AND RECONSTRUCTING APB IN ITS ENTIRETY, INCLUDING THE UNION, WHICH PROMOTES THE BLUE WALL OF SILENCE, WHICH HAS PLAGUED SEVERAL AREAS OF THIS NATION, INCLUDING AUSTIN NEGATIVELY, THE 80.6 MILLION INSTRUCTIONAL CHANGES AND PROPOSED CUTS ARE ALMOST IN THAT TO REACH 90% OF YOUR COLLEGE DEMANDS TODAY OF A HUNDRED MILLION.
AND WE KNOW FROM RECENT DATA SHARE BY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAYS OUR VIOLENT CRIME ONLY MAKES UP 0.6 OF THE TOTAL INCIDENT.
AND DON'T TRY TO INCLUDE THE STATISTICS FROM THE RECENT RIOTS, WHICH MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN.
IF IT'S, UH, THE VOICES AREN'T HEARD, UM, THE TOTAL INCIDENT INCIDENTS IN AUSTIN ARE LESS THAN 6,000.
SO OFTEN ISN'T AS CRIMINAL AS WE THINK DIGITAL CUTS ARE NEEDED.
SECURITY CAN BE PERFORMED THROUGH OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO SAY THAT IT'S ADEQUATE FUNDING.
AND IF THE COMMUNITY IS INVOLVED IN HIRING, WE DO NOT WANT SOMEONE IN THAT OFFICE THAT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
AND THE SAME GOES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE POLICE CHIEF.
WE NEED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SELECTING CANDIDATES THAT HAVE A MORAL COMPASS, NOT JUST SOMEONE LOOKING TO CHECK OFF ANOTHER BOX ON THEIR LIST OF LIFE.
WE NEED MONEY ADVOCATED FOR SHELTERS, ESPECIALLY FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN, BECAUSE THE AVAILABILITY CURRENTLY IS INSULTING.
EVERY LITTLE ABSENCE I DRI GO HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, GO AHEAD.
MY NAME IS AUDREY GOUT AND I'M A RESIDENT IN DISTRICT NINE.
ZIP CODE SEVEN EIGHT SEVEN ZERO FIVE.
THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR TESTIMONIES TODAY, DESPITE THE AWESOME POLICE DEPARTMENT, HAVING THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA RATE OF FATAL POLICE SHOOTINGS INVOLVING PERSONS EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY AND BEING MORE LIKELY TO USE INJURY CAUSING FORCE AGAINST JARVIS, THEY PULL OVER CITY COUNCIL HAS REPEATEDLY VOTED TO FUND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS ANNUALLY.
I FEEL WITH THE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR KNIGHTED, THE DEMANDS TO CUT ABDS BUDGET BY AT LEAST 50% AND REINVEST THESE FUNDS INTO REAL SOLUTION RISE BONDS, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING CUTTING APD BY A HUNDRED MILLION ONLY REMOVE THE EXCESS FROM THEIR HEAVILY PADDED BUDGET.
IF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL ACTUALLY SERVES ITS CONSTITUENTS, ESPECIALLY ITS MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS, THEY NEED TO SHOW IT INVEST IN PROGRAMS THAT STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNITY, NOT CAUSE MORE VIOLENCE.
HI, I'M NAN KIRKPATRICK AND I'M WITH JANE'S DUE PROCESS, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE EXERCISE THEIR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN TEXAS AND JANE'S DUE PROCESS DEEPLY APPRECIATES THE $150,000.
IT WAS PROVIDED FOR ABORTION ACCESS LOGISTICAL SUPPORT.
DURING LAST YEAR CITY OF AUSTIN BUDGETING PROCESS, THIS FUNDING IS CURRENTLY ALLOWING US TO NOT ONLY CONTINUE PROVIDING SUPPORT TO OUR CLIENTS FROM AUSTIN AS THEY NAVIGATE A DIFFICULT SYSTEM TO ACCESS ABORTION ASSISTANT MADE DIFFICULT BY OPPRESSIVE STATE LAWS.
BUT THIS FUNDING IS ALSO ALLOWING US TO CREATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, SEEKING ABORTION IN AUSTIN, AS YOUTH, OUR CLIENTS OFTEN EXPERIENCED LACK OF RESOURCES AND SUPPORT IS THEY GET TO IN FRONT OF JUDICIAL BYPASS PROCEEDINGS AS WELL AS THE ABORTION APPOINTMENTS JANE'S DUE PROCESS PROVIDES WRAPAROUND CARE TO NOT ONLY ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE JUDICIAL BYPASS TO OBTAIN ABORTION CARE, BUT ALL THE WAY THROUGH UNTIL AFTER THEIR ABORTION APPOINTMENT.
SO THE 19 JUST ADDS ONE MORE BARRIER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MIGHT SEEK AN ABORTION, WHICH MAKES US SUPPORT.
WE PROVIDE WITH THE HELP OF DISSEMINATE ALL THE MORE VITAL ASHLEY HAMILTON, ASHLEY HAMILTON, PLEASE UNMUTE GOOD EVENING.
I'M ASHLEY HAMILTON FROM DISTRICT SEVEN, A BLACK MOTHER HELPED WORKER AND WORKING GROUP MEMBER REPRESENTING BLACK AUSTIN AND ALL OF EAST AUSTIN.
THAT IS ABOUT, AND FOR THE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY BLACK MOTHERS, DO YOU KNOW AN AUSTIN AREA, HOSPITALS, WE DIE AT A 274, EXCUSE ME, 274% RATE HIGHER THAN WHITE MOTHERS.
THE WORKING GROUP HAS TAKEN A UNIQUE FOCUS ON THE NEXT BUDGET AND BELIEVE SPENCER, THAT YOUR PROPOSAL WAS INEFFECTIVE.
WE APPRECIATE PAUL FLANAGAN XR AND THE AMENDMENTS WERE MOVING INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND FORENSICS FROM APD RECONSTRUCTING APB INTO SEPARATE DEPARTMENT.
AND WE'RE MOVING THEM FROM SEVENTH STREET, THE ALTOGETHER 80.6 MILLION AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES AND PROPOSED CUTS FROM PAUL'S OFFICE ARE ALMOST ENOUGH.
SO WE TRIED DEMAND OF A HUNDRED MILLION TO EVEN HAVE THE, FROM THE APD, BUT BLACK MOTHERS AND BLACK PEOPLE ARE NOT THE PRIORITY IN THIS BUDGET, BUT WE WANTED TO DISCUSS OUR IDEAS WITH YOU.
CAN YOU IMAGINE AN AUSTIN WHERE A BLACK MAMAS ARE SAFE AND
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PROTECTED, NOT JUST IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS, BUT IN HOSPITALS, NOT WITH THIS BUDGET OR VIA THE FISCAL ACTION PLAN AND ITEM 18 FROM THE EQUITY OFFICE PRETTY LEAN.MY NAME IS ERIC
AUSTIN HAS AN EQUITY AND RACISM PROBLEM, WHICH IS MADE WORSE BY THE LACK OF SOMETHING LIKE SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE OVER-POLICING OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
THE FRAMEWORK OF REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE IS CREATED BY BLACK WOMEN IS GROUNDED IN THE RIGHT TO PARENT CHILDREN IN SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS ACTUALLY SAYS REPRODUCTIVE AUTONOMY AND WAS FREE FROM STATE VIOLENCE.
WE'RE ASKING THE CITY TO REALLOCATE FUNDS FROM THE POLICE BY FREEZING, HIRING AND CHAMPIONING THE FISCAL YEAR 21 CADET CLASSES.
WE ARE COUNSELED TO REINVEST IN PROGRAMS THAT ARE IN STRONGER ALIGNMENT WITH REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, INCLUDING EXPANDED FUNDING FOR RISE, HOUSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR ABORTION ACCESS.
WE SPECIFICALLY LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY CONTINUE THE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR AUSTINITES SEEKING ABORTION CARE THAT WAS CREATED LAST YEAR AND RAISE THAT FUNDING THE $250,000.
WE ARE SO PROUD THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS TO LAST YEAR BY BEING THE FIRST CITY TO CREATE SUCH A CRITICAL PROGRAM.
THE SUPPORT SOUND NEEDED MORE THAN EVER AS COVID-19 HAS ONLY PUSHED ABORTION CARE FURTHER OUT OF REACH FOR AUSTINITES ALREADY STRUGGLE, EVEN MAKE ENDS MEET.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, JUSTIN GREEN.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE AND TRAVIS COUNTY AND I'M WITH AUSTIN GSA.
FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBERS CAUSE OUR FLANAGAN AND POOL FOR THEIR PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, AS WELL AS GARZA AND HARPER MADISON COMMUNITY.
I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THESE AMENDMENTS AS A STARTING POINT TO CUTTING APDS BUDGET BY A MINIMUM OF $250 MILLION WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF ABOLISHING AND REPLACING THIS FUNDAMENTALLY RACIST INSTITUTION, MONEY DEFUNDED FROM POLICE SHOULD BE REINVESTED INTO MENTAL HEALTH.
FIRST RESPONDERS, EMS SERVICES, AND HOUSING MAINLY MUST ALSO GO, BUT LET'S BE REAL.
WHOEVER REPLACES HIM IS LIKELY TO BE JUST AS BAD, WHICH IS WHY THE CHANGE WE NEED GOES WAY BEYOND INSPIRING SHAME ON KEN CASSIDY FOR CONTINUING TO BE A WORTHLESS HUMAN BEING AND JUMPING ONLINE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MURDER OF GARRETT FOSTER TO ATTEMPT TO JUSTIFY IT JUSTICE FOR GARRETT, FOR BRAD AISLE ON JUSTIN HOWL OR JAVIER AMBLER, MIKE RAMOS AND ALL THE OTHER BLACK AND BROWN LIVES CUT FOR IT BY WHITE SUPREMACISTS IN UNIFORM.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR.
I WOULD LIKE TO VOICE MY THINGS IN SUPPORT FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS BECAUSE OUR POOL AND FLANAGAN'S PROPOSALS FOR REDUCING THE BUDGET OF APD, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM BECOME BUDGET AMENDMENTS.
I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AJCS CALL TO DIVEST FROM APD.
I SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER ALTERS AMENDMENTS FOR INCREASED EMS FUNDING, BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD AWARD THE FULL $9 MILLION IN FUNDS REQUESTED BY THE AUSTIN EMS ASSOCIATION.
THEY NEED OUR SUPPORT, NOT ONLY DURING THE CURRENT GLOBAL PANDEMIC, BUT ALSO AS WE MOVE FORWARD AS A CITY, I WOULD LIKE TO ESPECIALLY EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ADDING MORE COMMUNITY HEALTH PARAMEDICS, WHICH IS ONLY LISTED AS A POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT WHILE ATTENDING A DISTRICT FOUR TOWN HALL.
I WAS SO IMPRESSED BY THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT CHPS HAVE PUT IN TO GUARANTEE ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE TO THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY WITH COVID-19 THEY'RE THE PROPER PARTY THAT SHOULD BE HANDLING THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS POPULATIONS, NOT THE POLICE.
THEREFORE THEY SHOULD RECEIVE MORE RESOURCES TO CONTINUE AND EXPAND THEIR WORK.
HI, MY NAME IS MARA KENNY, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR AND I WILL BE READING THE CONCLUSION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
UNITED'S OPEN LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AND AUSTINITES ARE DREAMING OF AN EQUITABLE AND JUST CITY FOR OUR ELDERS, FOR US AND FOR OUR CHILDREN, THAT CITY AS POSSIBLE.
WE DEMAND A DIVESTMENT FROM POLICING AND AN INVESTMENT IN REAL SOLUTIONS.
THAT CONCLUDES CONCLUDES COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
UNITED'S OPEN LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR, WHICH I JUST LEARNED WAS THE MURDER CAPITAL OF OUR CITY.
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LIVED THERE FOR 15 YEARS WHEN I MOVED TO THAT, THAT AREA.I WOULD HEAR THE APD HELICOPTER FLY OVERHEAD AFTER GUNSHOTS QUITE REGULARLY.
AND I WOULD THINK, WELL, THE POLICE ARE DOING THEIR JOB THING.
THANKFULLY, SADLY, I RARELY HEAR THAT HELICOPTER ANYMORE, BUT I DO HEAR GUNSHOTS OFTEN.
I'VE BEEN IN AUSTIN RESIDENT FOR MOST OF THE LAST 35 YEARS.
I'M SICK AND BY OUR LEADERSHIP, I AM SICK AND THAT YOU WILL NOT LISTEN TO THOSE OF US WHO HAVE, WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS CITY FOR DECADES.
YOU HAVE LED WHAT WAS ONCE A QL TURN INTO THIS CURRENT STATE POLICE PATROLS ARE NEEDED IN MY DISTRICT.
THE FUNDING WILL ONLY MAKE MATTERS.
WORSE, WORSE PROPERTY CRIME HAS INCREASED VIOLENT CRIME HAS INCREASED DEFUNDING POLICE WILL CUT AN EVEN MORE DEEPLY INTO COMMUNITY POLICING.
SOMETHING I THINK IS DESPERATELY NEEDED.
IT REALLY, IT'S REALLY HARD TO HURT SOMEONE.
IF YOU HAVE KNOWN HIM SINCE HE WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD, THESE RELATIONSHIPS NEED TO BE FOSTERED, NOT SEVERED.
ONE INTERESTING POINT THAT HAS BEEN RAISED MANY TIMES.
OFFICERS DO NOT LIVE IN AUSTIN.
I'M SEEKING MCMAHON, THE BOARD CHAIR AND STRATEGIC DIRECTOR AT THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER, MADISON FOR HER LEADERSHIP YESTERDAY ON THOSE ITEMS FOCUS ON RACIAL EQUITY IN AUSTIN.
UM, SO WE'VE COME TO A CROSSROAD IN OUR CITY WHERE ONE PATH IS PAVED IN PUNITIVE EXCEPTIONALISM TOWARDS BLACK AND BROWN BODIES.
AND THE OTHER WORDS UNPAVED WITH PROMISE.
AND FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT AGC SUPPORT THE CUTS AND THE REORGANIZATION PROPOSALS OFFERED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, POOL, COZAAR, AND FLANIGAN, INCLUDING THE DISMANTLING OF APB AND THE DEMOLITION OF THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND REPURPOSING THAT PROPERTY FOR BLACK ECONOMIC MOBILITY.
LOOK FORWARD TO THAT DISCUSSION WHEN THAT'S DONE.
UM, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WHERE WE SHOULD BE, RIGHT? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INVESTING AND CIVILIANIZING SAFETY AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCY.
UH, PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION EGCS PROPOSALS FOR AN INITIAL 100 MILLION IN CUTS AND TRANSFERS FROM APB, ADELE I'M ADULT OUT OF KID WITH OUR LADY OF WATSON NEW BIG CATHOLIC CHURCH.
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THIS INTERFAITH CTI HAS EMAILED EACH OF YOU, OUR DETAILED LIST OF BUDGET PRIORITIES, WHICH I WILL HIGHLIGHT HERE AND BEST HEAVILY AND PROVEN TO ME, POLICING MODELS, ADEQUATE FLATTENING OF THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT, OFFICER RECRUITMENT FROM COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND RACE EQUITY TRAINING FOR ALL TRAINEES AND OFFICERS FOR LIVING WAGE WORKFORCE TRAINING AND CONTINUED FUNDING FOR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS ENSURE COVID-19 HUSKING WITH AN EMPHASIS ON RAPID RESULTS FOR EVERYONE, CONTACT TRACING AND PPE CONTINUE FINANCING OF THE RENT AND RICE PROGRAMS, ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS THROUGH INCREASING CASEWORKERS, OVERNIGHT SHELTER, FAITH, AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND FUNDING FOR FOOD AND SECURITY.
MY NAME IS MANEESH SHAW DISTRICT NINE.
I'M A STUDENT AT UT AUSTIN AND THE CHIEF OF STAFF WERE STUDENT GOVERNMENT.
UT STUDENTS BELIEVED THAT APD HIS BEHAVIOR HAD BEEN CRIMINAL AND WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH DEMAND TO DEFUND THE POLICE BY AT LEAST 50% AND INVEST IN REAL SOLUTIONS, SUCH AS PUBLIC HEALTH, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM.
ABDS RAP SHEET INCLUDES GOING TO COMPLY WITH THE CITY'S FREEDOM CITIES POLICIES, A CULTURE OF RACISM, MISOGYNY HOMOPHOBIA, THE TRAGIC MURDER OF AUSTIN RESIDENTS, MIKE RAMOS AND JAVIER ON BLAIR.
THEIR USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE HERE AT GAS, RUBBER BULLETS AGAINST PROTESTORS, THE INJURING OF JUSTIN HOWL, BRAD
BLACK LIVES MATTER DEFUND AND DISMANTLE APD OR STUDENTS WILL VOTE YOU OUT.
IF YOU HAVE NOT PRESSED TO ZERO, PLEASE DO SO AT THIS TIME.
I'VE BEEN A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND JUST SIX, THREE FOR 10 YEARS AND A HOME OWNER IN DISTRICT ONE WITH SO MANY OFF NIGHTS OUT OF JOBS RIGHT NOW, AND RESOURCES BECOMING EVEN MORE SCARCE.
THIS PANDEMIC WEARS ON IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT WE'D BE INVESTING
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IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, HEARTED KIT.AND THOSE ARE OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
AS AUSTIN DECLARED YESTERDAY, RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND WE'VE SEEN THIS PLAYED OUT OVER AND OVER AND HOW THE MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAMS THAT WOULD SUPPORT THESE COMMUNITIES ARE REPEATEDLY UNDERFUNDED.
WHILE THE CORRUPT POLICE DEPARTMENT TAKES THE LION'S SHARE OF THE BULK OF THE BUDGET.
I DON'T FEEL SAFER KNOWING THAT OUR POLICE ARE ANSWERING DISTRESS CALLS OF PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ARMED TO THE TEETH.
I DON'T FEEL SAFER SEEING POLICE HARASS HOMELESS, PEOPLE WHO MAY BE SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION PROBLEMS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE.
SEEING PEOPLE THINK POLICE USE VIOLENT MILITARIZED TACTIC AGAINST PEACEFUL PROTESTORS, AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE KNOWING THAT POLICE OFTEN USE UNNECESSARY AND DESI FORCE DURING ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP AND REAL SOLUTIONS.
APD BY 50% THINKS YOU ARE SPEAKER DOROTHY MANKY.
HI, MY NAME IS DOROTHY MANKEY AND I LIKE MINI I'M IN, UH, OWN A HOME IN DISTRICT SEVEN AND LIKE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE LAST WEEK.
AND THIS WEEK I AM CALLING TONIGHT TO URGE YOU TO DISMANTLE THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY POOL HUIZAR AND PLAN AGAIN.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO Y'ALL VOTE.
YES, ON THESE BUDGET PROPOSALS, WE MUST CONTINUE TO MAKE AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET THAT GETS US TO THE 50% BUDGET CUT FOR AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND DIVERT FUNDS TO REAL SOLUTIONS THAT MAKE OUR CITY AN AWESOME PLACE TO LIVE LIKE THE RISE FUND EQUITY OFFICE, AWESOME PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING.
AND I STAND WITH AN URGE YOU TO KEEP LISTENING TO CCU, AJC AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP.
WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THESE ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN AUSTIN.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT A VISION FOR A CITY BUDGET.
THAT'S CENTERED ROCK AND BROWN LIVES IN OUR CITY BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE ALL OF US.
I AM A NATIVE AUSTINITE AND A RESIDENT AND DISTRICT, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE.
UM, I AM AGAINST REDUCING THE BUDGET TO CUT POLICE.
I THINK THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS OF ALL OF THE DIFFERENT VIOLENT CRIMES THAT ARE UP BETWEEN MURDER, STATUTORY, RAPE AUTO THEFT ROBBERIES, ALL OF THOSE ARE INCREASED.
I THINK THAT, UH, OUR COUNCIL WOMAN, UH, ACCOUNT COUNCILMAN ALTAR HAS SOME GREAT IDEAS IN TERMS OF SENDING OFFICERS, UH, OR I'M SORRY.
UH, UM, LOOKING AT OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO RESPOND TO THE CALLS RELATED TO THINGS LIKE FENDER BENDERS, NOISE COMPLAINTS, TRAFFIC, UM, TRAFFIC DIRECTION FOR EVENTS, ET CETERA.
BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WITH THE INCREASE OF THE OTHER, UM, OF THE OTHER REALIZE THE SPEAKER, WE WILL REACH OUT TO HIM, MONTANA STEEL.
HI, MY NAME IS MONTANA STEEL, AND I KNOW ABOUT TODAY IN DISTRICT NINE, I AM WORKING WITH SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSALS PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CAZARES, FLANAGAN, AND POOL.
AND I DEMAND THAT THESE PROPOSALS BECOME AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET AND DEEPLY APPRECIATE THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS EFFORTS TO SUPPORT MAKING AUSTIN MORE EQUITABLE AND TO FUND AND DECONSTRUCTED INHERENTLY RACIST AND VIOLENT POLICING SYSTEM.
I'M ALSO DEMANDING THE EMS UNION PROPOSAL BE FULLY FUNDED AT $9 MILLION AS DISTRICT GOING TO COLLEGE BEFORE ME HAVE SAID, YOU'RE CALLING ON COUNCIL MEMBER TOCQUEVILLE TO REPRESENT OUR VOTE AND OUR VOICE TO SUPPORT THESE AMENDMENTS.
AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION HAS DONE AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK SCALE AS TO EXACTLY HOW AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION, $275,302 CAN BE THE VESTED FOR ATB AND REALLOCATED TO COMMUNITY SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES TO THE LAW AND ORDER PEOPLE FIGHTING INCREASING CRIME STATS.
YOU ARE CITING SQUAD AND SUPERFICIAL RESEARCH, AND IT'S SHOWN YOUR RACISM AND YOUR PRIVILEGE.
SO WHAT RESEARCH PLAN FOR HOW WE DEFINE THE POLICE, THE IMPACT AND THE UNBELIEVABLE BENEFITS TO OUR COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN SO CLEARLY PRESENTED BEFORE YOU AND TO IGNORE IT OR CAN BE WILLFULLY IGNORANT OF A BETTER SYSTEM OF PUBLIC SAFETY, UNDERSERVED MEMBERS, SARAH BENTLEY.
I'M A NATIVE AUSTINITE RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE AND WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
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FIRST KUDOS TO A COUNCIL MEMBER, HARPER MADISON FOR GETTING THE AMENDMENT PASSED, DECLARING RACISM, A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN OUR CITY.NOW IT'S TIME TO WALK THE TALK.
I REQUEST THAT THE COUNCIL IMMEDIATELY TURN THE PROPOSALS PUT FORTH BY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO STAR POOL AND FLANIGAN AND TO BUDGET AMENDMENT SPECIFICALLY, I SUPPORT DEFUNDING APD BY AT LEAST 50% AND FULLY FUNDING AMS, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH, LOW INCOME HOUSING, AND THE EQUITY OFFICE
HELLO, THANK YOU FOR, FOR LISTENING TO ME TONIGHT, I AM STRONGLY AGAINST ANY CUTS IN THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I THINK THAT IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY WITH VIOLENT CRIME UP THAT NO ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GOING TO PREVENT CRIME.
THEY ARE ONLY GOING TO BE RESPONSIVE AFTER THE CRIME IS COMMITTED.
IF THERE ARE MORE RIOTS COMING UP AND I WANT THE COUNCIL TO TELL DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS, SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST ACL AND FORMULA ONE THAT THEIR LIVES ARE NOT IMPORTANT.
ALL LIVES MATTER, INCLUDING POLICE OFFICERS WHO HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO BE HEARD AND PRESENT THEIR CASE AS WITH IT SHOULD BE WITH PROPER JUSTICE.
WE USED TO NOT CONSIDER THIS OR EXPECT A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT TO SHOOT UP DRAMATICALLY BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL NOT FEEL SAFE AND ALTERNATIVE HOUSING WILL NOT PROTECT THEM FROM VIOLENT CRIME.
HI, I'M CALLING FROM DISTRICT NINE AND THE SPEAKING PROCESS NEEDS TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND CLEARLY COMMUNICATED TO YOUR SPEAKERS.
INSTEAD YOU FAIL TO LET US KNOW BEFOREHAND HOW LONG WE WILL HAVE TO SPEAK, LEAVING US UNABLE TO PREPARE AND EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE.
AND PART OF THE PROBLEM REALLOCATING 50% OF APS BUDGET IS ABOUT BELIEVING IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF.
IT IS ABOUT MAKING SURE AUSTIN EMS HAS ENOUGH.
IT'S SEEING WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO END HOMELESSNESS WITH 38 MILLION TO NACD.
IT'S ACKNOWLEDGING YOU WERE WRONG FOR PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BUDGETS.
IT'S ACKNOWLEDGING THE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT JUSTICE FOR ALLAH FIGURED OUT WHO SHOT BY ALLAH MONTHS BEFORE APD DID THE COMMUNITY CAN SUPPORT ITSELF WITH BETTER PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH COUNSEL IMPRESS US WITH YOUR ABILITY TO FOLLOW THROUGH.
IF YOU TRULY BELIEVE RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, YOU WILL BE BOLD AND DEFUND APD BY 50% AND FIRE CRUNK.
YOUR CLAIMS ARE MEANINGLESS WITHOUT ACTION.
IF YOU BECAME A POLITICIAN TO BE ANYTHING LESS THAN BOLD AND COURAGEOUS, YOU WERE HERE FOR THE WRONG REASON, LOVE AND SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY DEFUND APD FIRE CROCS BLACK LIVES MATTER.
HEY, THIS IS BRENT MITCH, AND I'M SO SORRY.
AND THEN I MIGHT CALL GOT DROPPED.
I'LL JUST USE JUST A FEW SECONDS HERE TO SAY THAT.
I THINK THAT THERE'S A MUCH BETTER WAY FOR US TO USE OUR POLICE OFFICERS WITHOUT ACTUALLY CUTTING THOSE POSITIONS.
AND SO I HOPE I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL JUST TO THINK ABOUT THAT.
UM, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE AND I'M A PARAMEDIC EMPLOYED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I'M NOT CALLING AS AN EMPLOYEE, BUT INSTEAD AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN AND SUPPORTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS ALTERS AMENDMENTS TO ADD MUCH NEEDED RESOURCES AT THE EMS. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT.
UH, AMBULANCES ARE BADLY NEEDED AND A LOT OF THE AREAS OF THE CITY.
AND I'M CONCERNED THAT THE STREET STRAINED EMS SYSTEM IS NOT ABLE TO MEET ITS RESPONSE TIME AND NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THE EXCELLENT SERVICE THAT THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN COME TO EXPECT AND DESERVE AMBULANCES THAT BADLY NEEDED FOR YEARS NOW.
AND WHAT THE CURRENT COVID-19 PANDEMIC EMS STRUGGLE.
WE'D BE MORE DESPITE THE EXCELLENT SERVICE EMS PROVIDES.
I THINK THE DAILY MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STRESS PLACED ON THE MEDICS IS TAKING A DANGEROUS TOLL AND FEEL THAT THE RELIEF IN THE FORM OF FOUR AMBULANCES THAT THEY ASSOCIATION ASKED FOR WILL HELP ALLEVIATE THE WORKLOAD.
EMS IS OFTEN THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS HEALTHCARE TO THE POOR AND MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE HOMELESS AND THE IMMIGRANTS EMS OFTEN CALLED FOR MENTAL HEALTH, UH, MENTAL HEALTH CALLS, SUBSTANCE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, AND WHAT PROTECTS
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CHECKS FOR OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS OFTEN HAS ONE OF THE BEST AND MOST RECOGNIZED EMS SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD.LET'S ADD MORE RESOURCES TO IT SO WE CAN HELP THOSE IN NEED PROVIDING SERVICE
I JUST QUICKLY WANT TO SAY TO MY COUNCIL REP LESLIE POOLE.
AND I APPRECIATE YOU STEPPING UP SINCE THE LAST BUDGET HEARING TO PROPOSE SOME SUBSTANTIAL CUTS AND DEPARTMENT REMOVALS FROM APD.
I SUPPORT A COMBINATION OF WHAT YOU AND COUNCIL MEMBERS IS, ARE, HAVE PROPOSED AND BELIEVE IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
BUT AGAIN, I WANT TO STRESS THAT IT IS JUST THE START ABOLITION IS THE END.
I ALSO, ONCE AGAIN, URGE ALL OF YOU LISTEN TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, UNITED GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND AJC, AS WELL AS YOUR CONSIDERED CONSTITUENTS CALLING FOR BETTER SUPPORT FOR OUR CITY.
NOT THOSE CALLING IT ABOUT HOMICIDE AND CRIME WAVES, REFUSING TO DO ANY RESEARCH ABOUT HOW APD ACTUALLY SPENDS THEIR TIME AND OUR TAX DOLLARS, WHAT CRIME TO GO AWAY.
WE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR OUR PEOPLE, NOT KILL AND CAGED THEM CRUNK FIRE, CHIEF MANLEY, REST IN POWER TO THOSE.
WE HAVE LOST JUSTICE FOR THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO FIGHT.
DANIELA GUTIERREZ, I'M DANIELLA THE THEATER NATIVE AUSTINITE REPRESENTING DISTRICT TWO, ABSOLUTELY IN SUPPORT OF A BUDGET THAT IS FOR COMMUNITY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN AUSTIN.
YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY AND THE SOLUTION IS SO SIMPLE.
AS LONG AS YOU INVOLVE HUMANITY AND EQUITY IN YOUR DECISION MAKING THE WORKING GROUP HAS TAKEN A UNIQUE FOCUS ON THE NEXT BUDGET AND BELIEVE THE SPENCER'S PROPOSAL WAS ON A SEPTUM.
WE HURTFUL FLANAGAN AND KEPT BAR AND THEIR AMENDMENTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE LISTENED TO US REMOVING INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND FORENSICS FROM APD RECONSTRUCTING, APD INTO SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS AND ALTOGETHER 80.6 MILLION INSTRUCTIONAL CHANGES AND PROPOSED CUTS FROM POOL'S OFFICE.
IT'S ALMOST ENOUGH TO REACH OUR DEMAND OF A HUNDRED MILLION.
APD HAS THEIR OWN CODE OF SECRECY.
SO THIRD PARTY ORGANIZATIONS WILL HELP AND INSTITUTIONAL RACISM AND HOLD POLICE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR CRIMES AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN.
WE DEMAND A NEW METHOD OF POLICING.
I CAN ASSURE, I MEAN, I'M SORRY.
I CAN ENVISION THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT COPS COUNCILMEN, BUT CAN YOU, CAN YOU ENVISION AN AUSTIN WHERE LATINOS FEEL AT EASE? NOT FOR ME AND MY AFRO LATIN CHILDREN IN THIS BUDGET OR FISCAL EQUITY POLICE OVERSIGHT WITH MUCH MORE ALMOST DONE, WHICH WASN'T WRITTEN WITH MORE AND USE THE MONEY FOR AMENDMENT.
I AM GEORGE GARCIA AND AT DISTRICT SEVEN HOMEOWNER, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I SUPPORT THE DEMANDS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, OFTEN JUSTICE COALITION, AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP TO REALLOCATE 50% OF APD.
SO I DID, I INVEST THE MONEY IN REAL SOLUTION.
THE EQUITY OFFICE OFTEN PROBABLY KILLED ON LOW INCOME HOUSING.
THESE SOLUTIONS WILL BEGIN TO REMEDY LONGSTANDING INEQUITIES FACED BY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
I'M ALSO HERE BECAUSE IT'S PUBLIC COMMENT, PROCESSES INACCESSIBLE FOR MOST INDIVIDUALS OR THE COMMUNITY IS MOSTLY MOST EFFECTED.
I ASKED THE COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE IT.
I TAKE ACTIONS AND MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE.
I SUPPORT THE PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, PAUL FLANAGAN, AND COSAR I THANK THEM FOR THEIR THOUGHTFUL AMENDMENT.
I CALL ATTENTION TO THE PROPOSAL TO SET UP A BODY INDEPENDENT OF APD, TO INVESTIGATE INSTANCES OF ALLEGED POLICE MISCONDUCT AND HOPE.
THIS INCLUDES PROVISIONS TO BRING A NAME TO THE COMMUNITY.
NOW, GRANTED TO OFFICERS, THEY ARE ALL TOO AWARE THAT THEY ARE SHIELDED FROM BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR RACISM.
AUSTIN GRAHAM, ONE AUSTIN SAFER TOGETHER WAS ANTHONY EVANS SAFER AS YOU WALKED AWAY FROM APD WITH A MOUTH FULL OF BLOOD, AND IT WAS REFUSED A RIDE TO THE HOSPITAL BY AN OFFICER WERE JUSTIN AND BRAD SAFER LAYING IN A HOSPITAL BED WAS CRACKED.
SCHOLES WAS MIKE RAMOS SAFER AT THE HANDS OF CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR AND MITCHELL PIPER.
HAVING GROWN UP IN AUSTIN, I BELIEVED IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST PROGRESSIVE CITIES IN THE COUNTRY AND I WAS PROUD.
IT TURNS OUT IT'S ONE OF THE MOST ECONOMICALLY SEGREGATED CITIES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY BEING RAPIDLY GENTRIFIED UNDER YOUR WATCH, YOU WASH THE GRAFFITI OFF ONE SIDE OF THE CITY IN A DAY AND DO NOTHING UNDER THE BRIDGE OR TO THE EAST.
WE HAVE A CITY MANAGER WHO IS A DISGRACE, CIVIL SERVANT FROM MINNEAPOLIS WHO ALLOW THE CULTURE OF POLICE VIOLENCE AND
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MURDER TO THRIVE AND PERPETUATE LEADING TO THE MERGER AND EXECUTION.YOU KNEW DEREK SHOVAN WAS A TICKING TIME BOMB.
SPENCER, OUR POLICE FORCES RIDDLED WITH RACISM, SEXISM, AND HOMOPHOBIA READ THE TATUM REPORT.
THE PRESIDENT OF OUR POLICE UNION IS A LYING PIG WHO CALLS FOR POLICE TO STRIKE BECAUSE COMING ON NATIONAL NEWS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH IMPORTANT FOR THIS NEXT PERSON.
I'M I'M WITH
WHEN ADVOCATES CAME TO COUNCIL LAST YEAR WITH A CREATIVE SOLUTION TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO ABORTION CARE, WE WOULD HAVE NEVER IMAGINED THAT A YEAR LATER WE WOULD BE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS OF THIS MAGNITUDE THAT HAS EXPOSED THE CRACKS IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR BROKEN INSTITUTIONS.
WHAT WE DO, WHAT WE DID KNOW THAT MARGINALIZED PEOPLE WILL BE THE MOST IMPACTED IN THE FACE OF ANY DISASTER.
AND WE HAVE THE VISION TO PREPARE FOR THOSE TIMES.
ABORTION IS A SAFE AND SIMPLE PROCEDURE, BUT IT'S AN ACCESSIBLE FOR MANY AND THE EXTREME OF STATE LEADERS.
WE SAID NO TIME, AND YOU CAN DEPEND DIMMICK AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BLOCK ACCESS TO ABORTION CARE FOR HUNDREDS OF AUSTINITES RACISM AND POLICE VIOLENCE ARE ALSO PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES.
I KNOW THAT THIS CONSTABLE THE FIT BECAUSE THEY DECLARED IT BE A RESOLUTION WHILE THE RESOLUTIONS ARE SYMBOLIC.
AND AN ACTION THAT OBVIOUSLY CAN TAKE RIGHT NOW IS HE FUNDS APD BY 50% AND REALITY.
MCARDLE MY NAME IS KATHERINE MCCARDELL AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
I'D LIKE TO FOCUS MY TESTIMONY ON THE MISCONCEPTION THAT APDS BUDGET HAS GROWN IN PROPORTION TO POPULATION GROWTH OR HAS ANY CORRELATION TO CRIME RATES.
BECAUSE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE'VE SEEN A PBS BUDGET INCREASED BY $65 MILLION OR ABOUT 18% WHILE AUSTIN'S POPULATION HAS ONLY INCREASED BY ABOUT 6%.
IF THE POLICE ACTUALLY HELPED IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY, THEN WITH THESE NUMBERS, WE'D EXPECT TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN CRIME, BUT LOOKING AT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA SETS ON CRIME IN AUSTIN, WE SEE THAT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE RATE OF VIOLENT CRIME HAS PRETTY MUCH STAYED THE SAME CONTRARY TO WHAT FEAR MONGERS HAVE SAID.
IN 2015, THE VIOLENT CRIME RATE WAS 3.6 PER THOUSAND PEOPLE.
SO WE'VE BEEN FUNNELING MORE AND MORE MONEY INTO APD OVER THE YEARS WITHOUT GETTING BETTER RESULTS ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE MORE MONEY TO POLICE DOESN'T ACTUALLY HELP IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
SO I URGE COUNCIL TO INCORPORATE INTO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
THE PROPOSALS LAID OUT THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS POOL CASARA AND FLANAGAN AS WELL AS THE AJC.
SO THE CITY CAN MAKE AN EFFECTIVE INVESTMENT IN THE OUTCOMES WE WANT AND NOT JUST MEET THE SELF MOTIVATED DEMANDS OF THE POLICE UNION.
THANK YOU, CHELSEA LUIS I'M CHELSEA LEWIS OF DISTRICT NINE.
I'M CALLING IN, IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO YOUR, UM, CRUX BUDGET PROPOSAL AND IN SUPPORTIVE IMMEDIATELY DEFUNDING APB BY A BARE MINIMUM OF 50%.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $11 MILLION CUT TO APD BUDGET WITH MILLIONS OF THAT, BRING BACK INTO APD TO PAPER, RECORD KEEPING, TRAINING AND OVERSIGHT.
IF MY EMPLOYERS HAD TO HIRE TEAMS OF PEOPLE TO TEACH ME HOW TO DO MY JOB, MAKE SURE I'M NOT A WHITE SUPREMACIST AND ENSURE I DON'T KILL ANYBODY ON THE CLOCK.
THEY WOULD START TO WONDER WHAT I'M BRINGING TO THE TABLE.
IF APD CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO IMPLEMENT TRAINING, RECORD KEEPING OVERSIGHT AND NOT MURDERING THE CITIZENS, THEY SERVE WHAT THEIR EXISTING $400 MILLION BUDGET.
THEN WHERE'S THE THRESHOLD FOR FAILURE.
WE'VE PASSED THAT THRESHOLD AND IT'S TIME TO RECOGNIZE A SUNK COST AND MOVE FORWARD WITH A NEW SOLUTION.
I IMPLORE YOU TO IMMEDIATELY DEFUND APD BY 50% AND INVEST INSTEAD IN LOW INCOME HOUSING, SOCIAL SERVICES, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE.
I ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF ACCESSIBILITY INHERENT TO THIS FORUM.
AS LONG AS THE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK YOU'RE RECEIVING IS LIMITED PRIMARILY TO WHITE HOMEOWNERS.
YOU WILL NEVER HAVE THE INSIGHT REQUIRED TO ACT IN THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITIES YOU REPRESENT.
AND FINALLY, I WANT TO REPRESENT MY COUNCIL MEMBER, KATHY CHOCO.
I WANT TO REMIND HER THAT DISTRICT NINE IS MUCH
I CHALLENGE ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SUPPORT ALL OF THE PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE BUDGET.
WE NEED FULLY FUNDED ALTERNATIVES THAT WILL REDUCE HARM.
UM, IT'S GREAT THAT Y'ALL VOTED THAT RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
I NEED Y'ALL TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE POLICE ARE A RACIST INSTITUTION AND YOU CANNOT REFORM RACISM, UH, GETTING TO THE A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR MARK OR EVEN THE $200 MILLION MARK IS NOT THE FINISH LINE.
IF THE STARTING POINT, UH, CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK, UH, CUTS OUT POOL AND FLANAGAN.
[06:15:01]
YES.HI, I AM CALLING FROM DISTRICT THREE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR COUNCIL MEMBER KOSSAR'S AMENDMENTS AND EVERY OTHER PROPOSAL THAT INVOLVES REALLOCATING POLICE FUNDING INTO COMMUNITY SAFETY PROGRAM.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SPECIFICALLY THANK COUNCIL MEMBERS, COSTAR HARPER, MADISON, AND FLANIGAN.
THEY'RE NOTEWORTHY LEADERSHIP ON THESE ISSUES WITH MY REMAINING TIME, IF BUT IS POSSIBLE.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK CITY MANAGER CROCK A QUESTION THAT I FEEL WOULD BETTER INFORM THE CONVERSATION WE WERE HAVING.
HE WOULD ANSWER IDEALLY NOW, OR AT LEAST PUBLICLY IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
WE ARE LIVING IN AN UNUSUAL SITUATION AND WE'RE ABSOLUTELY NO ONE HAS THE ABILITY TO FIRE THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
HOWEVER, THE CITY MANAGER DOES HAVE THE ABILITY TO DEMOTE HIM BACK TO HIS LAST POSITION ON THE FORCE, OUTSIDE OF THE LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY TO PERFORM HIS JOB AND CALLED FOR HIM TO RESIGN COMING FROM BOTH THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAJORITY OF ALL CALLERS DUE TO HIS HANDLING OF THE PROTESTS.
HE ALSO KNOWINGLY PROMOTED A VOCAL RACIST AND AN OPEN HOMOPHOBE TO THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF ACG.
I WOULD APPRECIATE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY CITY MANAGER, WHAT CITY MANAGER, CROCS REASONING IS FOR KEEPING HIM ON THE JOB.
WE'RE BUILDING A BUDGET BASED ON GROWTH AND ASSUMING THAT PEOPLE WILL STAY HERE.
MY RECKON, MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE SPEND LESS ON THE ENTIRE BUDGET BECAUSE WHEN VIOLENCE COMES HERE, THEN PEOPLE WILL MOVE OUT AND THERE'LL BE LESS REVENUES WHAT'S BEST FOR AUSTIN.
SPEND LESS VIOLENCE IS COMING.
ESPECIALLY AS WE CONTINUE ON THE TRAJECTORY WE'RE ON OF HAVING A LOWERED POLICE PRESENCE IN THIS SCENARIO, PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY CAN DO EVIL AND GET AWAY WITH IT.
SPEND LESS WHAT'S BEST FOR AUSTIN.
ISN'T PRIMARILY ACCOMPLISHED BY LESS DOLLARS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THE REAL SOLUTION IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT THAN JUST CUTTING THE POLICE FORCE BUDGET, DECREASE THE ENTIRE CITY BUDGET BY 10% ACROSS THE BOARD AND PREPARE FOR THE LOSS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE WILL MOVE OUT OF AUSTIN.
ONCE VIOLENCE COMES AND AUSTIN BECOMES LESS OF A PLACE TO BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE.
UH, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE AND THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR SAVE THE FOOD.
OFTEN, A NONPROFIT THAT PICKS UP FRESH FOOD EVERY DAY FROM LOCAL GROCERY STORES AND PUTS IT DIRECTLY IN THE HANDS OF FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED IT.
WE'RE CALLING IN SUPPORT OF REALLOCATING, AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE POLICE BUDGET FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
CITY IS LACKING RESOURCES FOR THOSE THAT ARE HUNGRY AND FOR TOOLS THAT KEEP PEOPLE FROM FALLING INTO HOMELESSNESS BY DIVERTING MONEY FROM APD, FOR THINGS LIKE MILITARIZED WEAPONS AND VEHICLES, AMONGST MANY OTHER THINGS MENTIONED TODAY, WE CAN PUT FUNDING TOWARDS RESOURCES THAT INCLUDE ASSISTING THOSE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY.
UH, OFTEN HAS A STAGGERING FOOD AND SECURE RATE AT 17% COMPARED TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 12 AND A HALF PERCENT.
WITH MORE RESOURCES, LESS PEOPLE GO HUNGRY.
UNEMPLOYMENT DUE TO COVID-19 IS EXACERBATING THE PROBLEM WITH FOOD INSECURITY AND WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE REFOCUSING THESE FUNDS BASED ON A TEAM OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO DONATE 7,000 POUNDS OF FOOD EVERY WEEK WITH THE CITY SUPPORT, WE CAN DO SO MUCH MORE.
I'M A NURSE ANESTHESIOLOGIST AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
I'M CALLING TO VOICE MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL.
I BELIEVE WE SHOULD REALLY BE ALLOCATE FUNDS AND THE POLICE AND REINVEST IT BUILD AND STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.
WORKING IN HOSPITALS, WE TREAT ILLNESSES AND FIX PROBLEMS. A LOT OF THESE ARE PREVENTABLE BY PROVIDING PROPER EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATE RESOURCES.
THE SAME CONCEPT CAN BE APPLIED HERE.
LET'S USE THE MONEY TO FIX THE ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY NOW, AND ALSO BUILD A BETTER SYSTEM THAT BENEFITS OUR COMMUNITY.
ALSO MILITARIZING OUR POLICE DOESN'T MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER.
IT TURNS THEM INTO SOLDIERS, THEIR MENTALITY, AND PURPOSE CHANGES.
YOU CAN SEE EVERY DAY HOW THAT HAS TURNED OUT.
WE DON'T NEED SOLDIERS IN OUR STREETS, PERIOD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TO ALL THE SPEAKERS IN QUEUE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT PRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
MY NAME IS JAMIE AND THIS PART OF MY JOB ON A CAPITAL DEFENSE TEAM.
I REVIEW POLICE INVESTIGATIONS.
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UM, SOME OF TONIGHT'S SPEAKERS REALLY UNDERSTAND MISUNDERSTAND CRIME AND WHAT POLICE DO.THEY DON'T DROP OUT OF THE SKY LIKE THE AVENGERS AND STOP A ROBBERY OR HALT THE STATUTORY RATES THEY SHOW UP LATER.
THEY MAKE A REPORT, MAYBE INVESTIGATE, MAYBE NOT, UH, MAYBE THEY DECIDE THEY DON'T LIKE THE VICTIM AND THEY LET THE PERPETRATOR GO.
LAST WEEK, I WATCHED A GOOD MAN DIE IN THE STREET BECAUSE HE SHOWED UP FOR A MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY.
HIS KILLER GOT TO GO HOME AND RELAX WHILE THE COPS INVESTIGATE.
WHY IS THAT? WHY DID COPS CELEBRATE HIS DEATH ON FACEBOOK? WHY DID CASSIDY BLAME A VICTIM FOR HIS MURDER? THE DEPARTMENT IS ROTTEN AT ITS CORE.
WE NEED TO DEFINE THE APD BY 50% AND SPEND THAT MONEY ON PROGRAMS PROVEN TO REDUCE INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME.
THANKS, BRITNEY FLATLY, GREAT MEETING EVERYONE.
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MEASURE AS THE CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE OFFICER, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, MY FRIENDS AND MY COMMUNITY FIRST OFF MEASURE IS GRATEFUL TO COUNCIL MEMBERS DAYS ARE, AND EVERYONE WHO SPONSORED THE WORK EMPOWER A NEW VISION FOR THE ST JOHN'S NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE WERE HAPPY TO BE SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT COMMUNITY DRIVEN WORK AND BELIEVE IT'S A TESTAMENT TO WHO AUSTIN NAMED.
WELL, THERE'S SO MUCH POSITIVE PROGRESS HAPPENING THROUGH RESOLUTIONS, SUCH AS THAT ONE.
AND THE MANY THAT COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON JUST GOT PAST THE WORK NEEDED TO CREATE A BUDGET FOR THE PEOPLE THAT PROTECTS ALL PEOPLE IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO MEASURE RIGHT NOW THAT SAID WE CANNOT SUPPORT THE DRAFT CITY BUDGET AS PROPOSED THROUGH THIS BUDGET.
AUSTIN WILL FINALLY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW AND DEMONSTRATE ITS COMMITMENT TO TRANSFORMATION.
AND ANTI-RACISM OUR, OUR DATA ANALYSIS CONFIRMED A FEW THINGS.
NUMBER ONE, AUSTIN RATES OF POLICE VIOLENCE ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY.
AND IT'S GETTING WORSE OVER TIME.
HI, MY NAME IS JULIA MOWEN AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN.
THE GREAT JOHN LEWIS SAID, WE DO NOT WANT OUR FREEDOM GRADUALLY, BUT WE WANT TO BE FREE.
NOW THAT IS WHAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE DEMANDING.
I'M CALLING TO ASK YOU TO DIVEST FROM THE APD BY AT LEAST 50% AND REINVEST THOSE FUNDS INTO REAL, THE REAL SOLUTIONS THAT KEEP CONSTITUENT BASE.
THE SAFEST COMMUNITIES HAVE THE MOST RESOURCES, NOT THE MOST POLICE.
ALSO ON THE SOON TO BE DISTRICT FOUR CONSTITUENT.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR COUNCIL MEMBER, CONCISE ITEM NUMBER 117 PLAN FOR THE HOME DEPOT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, RACHEL MANNING.
I'M A SOCIAL WORKER AND A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
I SUPPORT THE PROPOSALS FROM CASARA POOL AND FLANAGAN'S OFFICES THIS WEEK, BUT THEY ARE ONLY FIRST STEPS.
WE NEED DEEP CHANGES LIKE THOSE ADDRESSED IN THE LETTER FROM COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED THIS EVENING.
EARLIER THIS MONTH, A FRIEND CALLED ME AS HE TRIED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP SOMEONE WHO WAS IN CRISIS ON HIS FRONT LAWN.
I CALLED FRIENDS WHO WORKED IN HOMELESS SERVICES AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE.
UM, BUT EVEN WHEN THERE WAS NO DANGER OR URGENCY, WE COULDN'T FIND A NON-POLICE CENTER AND MENTIONS.
THE FACT IS, IS THAT FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS, WE'VE FUNDED THE POLICE INSTEAD OF THE PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS RACISM, INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA AND POVERTY, WHICH ARE THE ROOTS OF VIOLENCE IN OUR SOCIETY.
WE NEED NEW SYSTEMS, BUT WE CAN'T DO IT WHILE WE'RE RELYING ON THE OLD ONE.
THIS IS A MOMENT THAT DESERVES NOTHING LESS THAN BOLD ACTION.
AS WE BEGIN TO LEAVE BEHIND THE OPPRESSIVE TOOLS OF THE PAST.
SO CITY COUNCIL, PLEASE LISTEN TO THE WISDOM FROM COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION DEFUND THE POLICE BY 50% AND FUND REAL SOLUTIONS INSTEAD
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND ATTORNEY WITH TEXAS FAIR TO AMEND THE PROJECT AND A BLACK AUSTINITE.
I'M VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF COUNCIL MEMBER, POOL, COZAAR, AND FLANAGAN'S PROPOSALS AND ASK THAT THESE PROPOSALS BE DRAFTED INTO BUDGET AMENDMENTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
I'M ALSO IN SUPPORT OF AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION CALL FOR CUTS OF AT LEAST 100 MILLION DETAILED IN THE SPREADSHEET SHARED WITH ALL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IN THIS CURRENT MOMENT, THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS TO BE COURAGEOUSLY ANTI-RACIST OR
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TO BE RACIST, TO BE ANTI-RACIST MEANS TO MAKE YOURSELF UNCOMFORTABLE.IT'S TAKING CONCRETE STEPS TO LISTEN TO BLACK VOICES AND LEAD THE CHARGE AND STANDING UP AGAINST THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND WHITE SUPREMACIST PRACTICES OF APD.
KNOWING YOU WILL INVITE ATTACKS AND VITRIOL FROM THE MINORITY OF PEOPLE, AFRAID OF PROGRESS AND EQUITY AND DOING IT ANYWAYS.
I'M GRATEFUL TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, HARPER, MADISON, POOL, CASAR, AND FLANAGAN IN THIS REGARD AND HOPE THAT MY COUNCIL MEMBER KATHY TOVO WILL FOLLOW SUIT.
I'M AN, A NATIVE AUSTINITE PROFESSIONAL AND WORKING GROUP MEMBER REPRESENTING DISTRICT TWO, ABSOLUTELY IN SUPPORT OF A BUDGET THAT IS ABOUT, AND FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, ESPECIALLY BLACK AND LATINO PEOPLE.
THE WORKING GROUP HAS TAKEN A UNIQUE FOCUS ON THE NEXT BUDGET AND BELIEVE SPENCER, THAT YOUR PROPOSAL WAS SUB PAR.
WE APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBERS, POOL PLAN AGAIN, AND CASSANDRA IN THEIR AMENDMENTS BECAUSE THEY HEARD US REMOVING INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND FORENSICS FROM APD RECONSTRUCTING APD INTO SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS AND REMOVING THEM FROM THE SEVENTH STREET, THE ALTOGETHER 80.6 MILLION INSTRUCTIONAL CHANGES AND PROPOSED CUTS FROM POST OFFICE ALMOST ENOUGH TO REACH OUR DEMAND OF 100 MILLION TO EVEN HAVE DEDUCTED FROM THE APD.
THEY HAVE THEIR OWN CALL TO SECRECY AND THIRD PARTY ORGANIZATIONS CAN BE THE TRANSPARENT ALTERNATIVE TO REPLACE IAA.
AND EVEN THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
I CAN'T IMAGINE A COMMUNITY WITHOUT COPS, BUT CAN YOU COUNSEL, CAN YOU IMAGINE OFTEN MORE BLACK, BLACK WOMEN AND MEN? SO SAY NOT JUST FROM APD, BUT FROM YOUR SUBPART DECISION.
HI, I'M CHRIS HARRIS FROM TEXAS APPLESEED.
OUR ANALYSIS PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH SOME OTHER GROUPS ON THE BASIS FOR AGENCY'S PROPOSAL TO CUT 100 MILLION FROM APD THIS YEAR AND REINVEST OVER 60 MILLION INTO ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY SUPPORT.
UM, AS PRELIMINARY STEPS, THE AMENDMENTS FROM KOUSAR POOL AND FLANIGAN AND HOPE TO CONTINUE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU ALL ABOUT HOW WE PUSH TOWARDS AND PAST $100 MILLION IN CUTS TO COLLEGE, CITING STATISTICS ABOUT SHORT TERM OPTICS AND SPECIFIC TYPES OF CRIME ARE UNBEKNOWNST TO THEM MAKING THE CASE TO DIVEST FROM APD AND INVEST IN SOCIAL SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY WHILE ULTIMATELY NON PREDICTED.
IF THESE STATISTICS WERE INDICATIVE OF ANYTHING, IT'S NOT THAT DEFUNDING POLICE IS HARMFUL SINCE IT HASN'T HAPPENED, EITHER HERE OR IN NEW YORK, IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS, MEET, PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE, A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD AND MEET THEIR NEEDS, WHICH IS HAPPENING IN BOUNDS BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC RECESSION THAT WE'RE UNDER, UH, DUE TO THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC, UM, POVERTY.
THAT IS WHAT DRIVES POVERTY MONEY INTO A POLICE DEPARTMENT IS THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO PUNISH THAT POVERTY IS TO PUT IT INTO PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT EFFORTS THAT HELP LIFT AND KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
SO THANK YOU, CAROLYN WASHINGTON.
HI, MY NAME IS CAROLYN WASHINGTON AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE WORKING GROUP AND I AM FOR DEFUNDING, BUT AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS, THAT MONEY CAN BE WELL, UM, OUT REALLOCATE IT TO OTHER PROGRAMS SUCH AS OUR HEALTHCARE, UH, SCHOOLING SYSTEMS, HOW THE PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANT FOR ALSO NIGHTS THAT ARE HAVING HARD TIMES WITH THIS GLOBAL COVID-19, THERE'S LOTS OF OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN DO WITH THE MONEY.
ONCE WITH THREE ALLOCATED, THAT'LL BE A POSITIVE IMPACT FOR AUSTINITES AND BLOOD AUSTINITES.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I DO SUPPORT THE FLANAGAN POOL AND KASAR THANK YOU OR YOU REST OF MY TIME.
HI, MY NAME BROWN V JOHNS AND MAYOR AT THIS POINT.
UM, I THANK YOU FOR TAKING THIS CALL, BUT THANK YOU.
WE'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DEATHS OF GARRETT FOSTER.
YOU'VE ALLOWED LAWLESSNESS OF THE RIOTS TO OCCUR, RUN RAPID THROUGH OUR CITY.
YET YOU WANT TO TAKE AWAY BUDGET FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.
I'M A HUNDRED PERCENT FOR INVESTING IN APD.
AT WHAT POINT DO WE THINK THAT CRIME WILL DECREASE WITH SHIFTING FUNDS TO HOUSING AND PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH? HOW DOES THAT HELP DECREASE CRIME? IN FACT, WE CAN LOOK AT
[06:30:01]
NEW YORK, SEATTLE, CHICAGO, PORTLAND, WHERE WE CAN SEE AN INCREASE OF CRIME.YOU ARE DELIBERATELY HURTING THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF LOW INCOME AND HIGH MINORITY AREAS.
WE MUST STAND UP DENOUNCED THE CRIME SCENE IMPOSED ONTO AUSTIN BY THE RIOTS, NOT THE PROTESTS.
WE ALSO ADD, ALSO ADD FUNDS TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY OF THE LAW, PUT MONEY TOWARDS OUR COMMUNITY POLICING.
I PROPOSE AN INCREASE OF FUNDING TO IMPROVE POLICING POLICING METHODS, COMMUTING POLICING WITH ALL NEIGHBORHOODS AND FUNDING TO IMPROVE EQUIPMENT.
UM, ALSO SOMETHING TO LOOK AT IS REFORMING OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WE SHOULD LOOK AT HOW THEY SENTENCE.
UM, UH, AUSTIN WAS ONCE LOOKED AT AS ONE OF THE BEST DEPARTMENTS IN THE NATION AND SAID WE'RE PUSHING IT AND MAKING IT A CITY OF CRIME AND A PLACE WHERE NO ONE WANTS TO LIVE.
HI, MY NAME IS CYNTHIA VASQUEZ AND I'M REPRESENTING GABA GO AUSTIN, VAMOS AUSTIN AS A SCHOOL SECTOR ORGANIZER.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO TAKE JUST A SECOND TO LET Y'ALL KNOW THAT WE MUST RECONSIDER THE FORMAT OF THESE MEETINGS, ESPECIALLY REGARDING THE BUDGET.
THERE IS NOT MUCH WE CAN SAY IN ABOUT A MINUTE.
HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO, UH, WEIGH ON, KNOW THAT I DO SUPPORT ITEM NUMBER 17.
AND WHEN WE DISCUSS EQUITY, WE NEED TO DISCUSS MORE IN DEPTH, DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE, AND INSTEAD NEGOTIATING WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO REOPEN SCHOOLS.
WE NEED TO PROVIDE STABILITY AND ALLOW OUR FAMILIES TO STABILIZE THEMSELVES BEFORE ASKING SCHOOLS TO REOPEN, PLEASE PUT IN MORE MONEY TO THE RIGHT FUND, PUT MONEY DIRECTLY INTO THE HANDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WE NEED $58 MILLION JUST TO START THE STABILIZATION OF OUR FAMILIES.
PLEASE PUT MORE MONEY INTO THAT EQUITY FUND AND ALLOW OUR FAMILY SOME COMFORTABILITY.
BEFORE WE HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT HEALTH EQUITY AS A MOTHER IMPACTED BY THIS.
I AM NOT SENDING MY CHILD TO SCHOOL UNTIL WE'RE PROVIDED THE MOBILIZATION THAT WE NEED AT HOME.
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET PRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO AT THIS TIME.
LUTEZ ZUNIGA, UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS THREE, BE NAMED THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
UH, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE, UH, ITEM FOUR ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT, UH, TO ENCOURAGE FAIR LENDING.
AND OUR CITY IS MEASURED AS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT PROTECTIONS THAT EXIST IN OUR CITY AGAINST PREDATORY PAYDAY AND AUTOPANO LANE LENDING PRACTICES CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTIVE AND ENFORCEABLE AS MEMBERS OF THE MAYOR'S TASK FORCE AND THE FINANCE AND BANKING INDUSTRY WORKING GROUP.
WE ARE JUST TO SUPPORT ITEM FOUR AND CONSIDER THE ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION FOR MODEL WORKING GROUPS THAT WE BELIEVE WOULD MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN CLOSING THE WEALTH GAP IN OUR CITY, BUILDING ECONOMY, RESILIENCE AND BUILDING OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TONIGHT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, DANA EATON.
HI, MY NAME IS DANA STRONG AND I AM A RESIDENT LIFELONG RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF OPTIMA CURRENTLY RESIDE IN DISTRICT 10.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT THE DEMANDS OF COMMUNITY OF COLOR UNITED AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP TO REDUCE THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET BY 50% AND REALLOCATE THAT MONEY TOWARDS REAL SOLUTIONS.
THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, THE AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS THAT BEGIN TO REMEDY LONGSTANDING INEQUALITIES FACED BY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN AUSTIN.
SHE REITERATE, WE NEED TO BE SUPPORTING HOUSING, PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS, EDUCATION, HARM REDUCTION, FOOD SECURITY, TRANSFORMATIVE, AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND CHILD AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.
THESE ARE PRIORITIES OF MINE, AND I'M GOING TO BE WATCHING TO SEE HOW YOU GUYS DECIDE TO HANDLE THIS.
I'M A HOMEOWNER CALLING FROM DISTRICT TWO.
I'VE BEEN USING MY OWN MONEY TO FIX THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, USING MY OWN MONEY TO DONATE TO MEDICAL FUNDS FOR THE VICTIMS OF POLICE VIOLENCE.
WHILE THE POLICE CAN'T EVEN KEEP TRACK HOW MANY BOUNDS THEY'RE SHOOTING AT A I'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED CUTS, BUT I ASK THAT YOU GO FURTHER TO DEFUND APD BY AT LEAST 50% AND REALLOCATE THOSE MONIES TO EMS SURVIVES FUND THE EQUITY OFFICE, PUBLIC HEALTH AND HOUSING.
THE STATUS QUO TPD SEEMS TO BE BEHAVING CONSEQUENCES FOR COMMITTING VIOLENCE AGAINST THE TAXPAYERS THAT CREATE THEIR BUDGET.
WE'VE TRIED TRAINING AND TOOLS AND THOSE THINGS HAVE NOT KEPT APD
[06:35:01]
FROM KILLING THE RESIDENTS.CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR FIRE, THE OFFICERS WHO COMMITTED ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST PROTESTORS OPPOSITE GEPHARDT ON SEAGULL, LAYMEN, AND FELTON.
MANY OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE SAID THESE THINGS BETTER THAN I HAVE.
I APPRECIATE HOW MUCH TIME AND ENERGY Y'ALL INVEST IN HEARING US SPEAK.
I HOPE Y'ALL KEEP THAT PAGE ALEXANDRIA.
HI, MY NAME IS PAIGE ALEXANDRIA.
I RESIDE IN COUNCIL MEMBER, LLC DISTRICT, AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE CLIENT ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE LILITH FUND AND AUSTIN ABORTION FUND.
THAT HELPED ME PAY FOR MY ABORTION.
FOUR YEARS AGO, I NEEDED AN ABORTION WHILE TEXAS HBCU WAS IN EFFECT AND I EXPERIENCED EXTREME BARRIERS TO GETTING THE CARE I NEEDED.
AUSTIN RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO FACE EVERY DAY AS A RESULT OF STATE RESTRICTIONS AND THE IMPLICATIONS FROM COVID LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT FROM BUSINESS CLOSURES AND LACK OF CHILDCARE WHO SCHOOL CLOSURES.
I SHARED MY STORY LAST YEAR WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL MADE HISTORY AFTER APPROVING THE FIRST OF ITS TIME BUDGET AMENDMENT.
AND I'M SHARING IT WITH YOU NOW AND HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE THIS FUNDING AND INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF 250,000 BECAUSE OF WORKING WITH TIME SENSITIVE AND ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE AND THE GROWING NEED FOR PRACTICAL SUPPORT TO ACCESS ABORTION BECAUSE OF COVID IS CLEAR TO DO THIS.
I'M ECHOING THE COMMUNITY CALL TO DEFUND THE APD AND REALLOCATE THAT FUNDING TOWARDS PRACTICAL SUPPORT FOR ABORTION BY FREEZING, HIRING, AND CANCELING THE FISCAL YEAR 21 CADET CLASSES, BECAUSE LIKE HB TWO, THE IMPACTS OF COVID ON ABORTION ACCESS WILL BE LONG LASTING AND ACCESS TO ABORTION CARE SHOULD NOT COMPETE AGAINST OTHER EQUALLY IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITIES.
THAT'S WHY WE MUST REALLOCATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
STATE LEADERS CONTINUE TO FAIL US, AND IT'S CLEAR THAT IT'S UP TO OUR LOCAL OFFICIALS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF AUSTIN.
IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS IN QUEUE, PLEASE PRESS ZERO MAYOR.
I DON'T TAKE A 10 MINUTE BREAK AND WE'LL COME BACK HERE AT EIGHT.
UH, WE HAVE ONE BEST PATCH OF SPEAKERS TO GO, AND THEN WE HAVE THE ITEMS THEN THAT WE NEED TO MOVE THROUGH.
WON'T TAKE US THAT LONG, BUT HERE IT'S THE SEVEN 50 OR WE'RE GOING TO BE IN RECESS FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL EIGHT.
[Public comment 3]
PICK BACK UP.THE FIRST SPEAKER IS ALEXANDRA MESSENGER.
HI, MY NAME IS ALEX MESSENGER.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX AND I'M CALLING TO, UM, SUPPORT PROPOSAL BY COUNCIL MEMBER COSTAR, UM, SUPPORT DEFUNDING APD, REALLOCATING THAT MONEY TO MORE USEFUL PLACES.
IN MY OPINION, I'M ALSO WANTING TO TAKE THIS TIME TO ASK ALSO, UH, REALLOCATING FUNDS, UM, TO FUND, UH, UH, PRACTICAL SUPPORT FOR ABORTION.
IT'S REALLY NOT THAT MUCH MONEY, ESPECIALLY IN COMPARISON WITH APDS CURRENT BUDGET.
UM, AND FRANKLY THAT COULD GO TO HELP A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAN I THINK THE POLICE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
UM, LOTS OF PEOPLE, UH, STRUGGLED TO FIND TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO ABORTION APPOINTMENTS.
SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE TWO DAYS OFF WORK TO GO TO TWO COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY APPOINTMENTS.
AND FRANKLY THAT MONEY COULD BE A BETTER USE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, UM, RATHER THAN WITH APD.
HI, MY NAME IS VICTORIA TATUM.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND I'M ALSO CALLING IN TO SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER.
I'LL ALSO SUPPORTING THE REDUCTION OF THE APD BUDGET BY A HUNDRED MILLION SPECIFICALLY A DCS AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION PLAN TO DEFUND IT BY A HUNDRED MILLION.
I THINK THOSE PROPOSALS ARE ALL FIRMLY ALIGNED WITH WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS CALLING FOR AND WHAT THE VALUES OF OUR CITY REALLY ARE.
UM, AND SPECIFICALLY I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE SMART MOVE OF MOVING FORENSICS OUT OF APD.
I'M A BIOCHEMISTRY STUDENT, SO SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AND FORENSIC SIDE SPECIFICALLY, I THINK WOULD BE BETTER SERVED BY COMMUNITY CITIZEN SCIENTISTS.
AND I THINK THAT WOULD END UP BEING MORE ALIGNED WITH THE MISSION OF FORENSIC
[06:40:01]
SCIENCE IN BRINGING, YOU KNOW, REAL CONVICTIONS IN REAL CRIME CASES, AS OPPOSED TO LEAVING IT UNDER ACD WHERE IT MIGHT HAVE MORE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POTENTIALLY.SO CITY COUNCIL, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND I AM IN SUPPORT OF GREGORY KOSSAR'S BUDGET AMENDMENTS.
WE REACHED THE HORRIFIC NUMBER OF 150,000 AMERICANS DIED FROM COVID.
AT THE CURRENT RATE WE ARE LOSING WHAT IS THE EQUIVALENT TO MY FORMER SUBURBAN HIGH SCHOOL DYING EVERY DAY.
SO ESPECIALLY WITH THE DISPROPORTIONATE EFFECT OF THAT COVID IS TAKING ON, ESPECIALLY OUR BIPAP COMMUNITY HERE IN AUSTIN.
WHY ARE WE STILL FUNDING EQUESTRIAN POLICE UNITS AND DRUG DOGS.
AS I LOOK THROUGH THIS BUDGET, I COULDN'T HELP, BUT THINK HOW MUCH GOOD THESE RESOURCES DO THERE'S INVESTED IN CIVILIAN STOP LONGTERM SOLUTIONS IN OUR DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.
FOR INSTANCE, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NATIONWIDE PANDEMIC, I REALLY HOPE THAT MY CITY COMPLIMENT THEIR MEMBER, KATHY TOBO CONSIDER MOVING BLOATED POLICE HIRING AND RECRUITING BUDGET TO HELP OUR ESSENTIAL EMS WORKERS WHO ARE ALREADY UNDERFUNDED AS IS AND ALREADY, AND ALSO, UM, ACCESS MORE READILY AVAILABLE ACCESS TO ABORTION.
I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS AJC RECOMMENDED FUNDING TO POLICE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME ALEXANDER ANDERSON.
HI, MY NAME IS ALEXANDER ANDERSON AND I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON ITEM 17, THE PROPOSED CITY OF AUSTIN, 2020, 2021 BUDGET.
ALTHOUGH THE BUDGET IS A TINY STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO DEFUND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ALLOCATE FUNDING TO ALTERNATIVE SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, THE $11 MILLION REDUCTION AND THE OVER $400 MILLION BUDGET OF APD IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING ENOUGH.
AND I STRONGLY URGE YOU ALL TO RECALCULATE AND REALLOCATE MORE FUNDING TO PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS AND BE ALLOT AND BEYOND THE $11 MILLION DECREASES ONLY ABOUT A TWO AND A HALF PERCENT DECREASE IN APDS BUDGET.
THIS IS NOT ENOUGH BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.
AND I URGE YOU ALL TO CONSIDER DEFUNDING APD BY AT LEAST 50% OR $200 MILLION AND PLAY SOME MORE FUNDING INTO PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND AMENDING THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP AND ENDING RACISM IN AUSTIN AT THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT THE HEALTH SAFETY AND FUTURE OF ITS RESIDENTS.
Y'ALL WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND CORRECT THIS PROPOSED BUDGET TO ACTUALLY DEFINE THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY IT'S SEPARATE TIME HERE AND SO I'M GOING TO BE LISTENING, BUT I'M GOING TO, YOU DON'T WANT TO WATCH ME COOK SO HE DOES.
SO I'M GONNA TURN OFF MY CAMERA, BUT I AM LISTENING.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.
UM, I'M AMANDA LUKE, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.
I'M CALLING BECAUSE I SUPPORT CALLS TO DIVEST FROM APD AND REALLOCATE FUNDING TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY.
I'M GRATEFUL TO COUNCIL MEMBERS BECAUSE OUR PLAN AGAIN IN POOL, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING MY COUNCIL MEMBER TOBO AND OTHERS ALSO COMMIT TO DEVASTATING FROM A POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT HAS RECENTLY DOUBLED DOWN ON HIS WHITE SUPREMACIST PRACTICES AS SHOWN FROM THE DOUBLE STANDARD IN THE TREATMENT OF MICROMOLES A BLACK DAN AND HIS CAR AND THE MAN WHO IS ADMITTED TO MURDERING GARRETT FOSTER, A WHITE MAN IN HIS CAR AND APD OFFICER SHOT MIKE RAMOS WITH A RUBBER BULLET WHEN HIS ARMS WERE RAISED, MR. RAMOS FLED FOR HIS WIFE, FOR HIS WIFE, THAT WAS GUNNED DOWN.
SHE'S MANLY SAID THAT IF HE HAD LIVED, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH EVADING IN A MOTOR VEHICLE JUST DAYS AGO, GARRETT FOSTER WAS KILLED FOR EXPRESSING HIS SUPPORT OF BLACK LIVES.
ACCORDING TO MEDIA, THE DRIVER TURNED HIS CAR INTENTIONALLY INTO THE GROUND.
THE DRIVER WAS NOT ARRESTED AND IDENTIFIED EVEN THOUGH CHARGES RECKLESS DRIVING.
I REJECT THIS DOUBLE STANDARD AND I'M ASKING OUR CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU, SPEAKER SECTION FOR WHAT THEY ARE DIFFERENT.
YES, THIS IS TRACY CLARK, DISTRICT 10, AND I'M A GUARD.
THIS IS YOUR GUARDIAN COUNCIL MEMBER.
KOSSAR'S ITEM 17 PROPOSAL ONE IN THREE THINGS VIABLE TO ME.
IF, IF THEY CAN MINIMIZE JOB LOSSES TO AUSTIN, TAXPAYERS BY PRIVATIZING THIS AND OUTSOURCING IT REGARDING ITEM NUMBER TWO, REALLOCATING FUNDING FROM THE CADET CLASS TO A VARIETY OF OTHER SERVICES.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, IN FEBRUARY CAVE, YOU DID A REPORT THAT WE WERE ALREADY 180 OFFICERS
[06:45:01]
SHORT.AND AT THAT TIME, 50% OF AUSTINITES FELT UNSAFE TO WALK THE STREETS OF AUSTIN.
OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS RISEN TO 7.6% FROM 2.6% LAST YEAR AS UNEMPLOYMENT RATES GO UP.
SO JUST CRIME, OUR TRAVEL BUDGET, I MEAN AN AUSTIN AND, UH, 2018 $80.2 BILLION WAS DIRECTLY ALLOCATED INTO AUSTIN BY TRAVEL.
SO WE WANT VISITORS TO FEEL SAFE ENOUGH TO TRAVEL HERE, TO CUT THE CADET CLASS.
WE'LL LEAVE AUSTIN WITH A LOWER PRESENCE.
WE DON'T WANT INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE LAWS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS BECAUSE THE RESPONSE TIME IS LOW OR NONEXISTENT OR GENEVIEVE CATO.
HI, MY NAME IS GENEVIEVE KATO AND I LIVE IN CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT NUMBER FIVE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT THE DEMANDS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP TO JUST FUND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY 50% AND INVEST THE MONEY IN REAL SOLUTION.
THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING SOLUTIONS THAT WILL BEGIN TO REMEDY LONG STANDING INEQUITIES BASED THE COMMUNITY COLORED AUSTIN.
I BELIEVE THAT FUNDING SERVICES AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE INCLUDING ABORTION IS A BETTER WAY TO ENSURE COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND SAFETY THAN FUNDING, POLICE, AND ENFORCEMENT.
AND THAT'S WHY I'M ALSO ASKING THE CITY COUNCIL TO FUND A $250,000 BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR AUSTINITES SEEKING ABORTION CARE.
I'M FROM LOST CREEK AND COUNCIL MEMBER.
I SUPPORT SPECIFIC TARGETED REFORMS AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT CANNOT SUPPORT YOUR PLAN TO PULL 100 MILLION OUT OF APDS BUDGET AND SLASH THE NUMBER OF OFFICER POSITIONS.
APD IS WAY UNDER STAFFED AS IT IS.
I BELIEVE THE MAJORITY OF AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS, INCLUDING CHIEF MANLEY ARE DOING A GOOD JOB.
THAT'S I'D LIKE TO SEE APD FULLY STAFFED AND GIVEN THE RESOURCES THEY NEED I'M AGAINST HOW YOU CANCELED THE 2020 K ACADEMY CADET CLASS.
AND FOR EXAMPLE, HOW AN EARLIER COUNCIL PAWNED OFF A CRUMMY CHEAP HELICOPTER ON APD.
IT WAS SO WEAK THAT THEY COULDN'T FLY TO OFFICERS IN GEAR AND HAD TO FLY WITH ONLY HALF A TANK OF GAS.
VINTAGE MILITARY HELICOPTER BUILT IN 1959, THAT COULD CARRY MORE WEIGHT.
SO I CALLED FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
GIVE ABD THE RESOURCES AND OFFICERS THEY NEED THEN EXPECT CLOSE TO PERFECTION FROM THEM.
BUT UNTIL THEN, IT'S NOT FAIR TO HIT THEM WHEN THEY'RE DOWN UNDERSTAFFED, UNDERPAID AND UNDER SUPPLIED.
CAN I JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT WORDS MATTER, THEY INSPIRE CONFIDENCE OR THEY'RE PROVOKED FEAR REGARDING APD.
IF YOU MEAN REALLOCATE FUNDS, DON'T SAY DEFEND THE POLICE.
IF YOU MEAN APD HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IS OUT DATING AND CAN'T BE REFURBISHED IN A COST EFFECTIVE MANNER.
DON'T LEAK STATEMENTS TO THE PRESS THAT MINIMIZING THE BOBS SQUAD THAT SERVES CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL HAS HIRED EXPERTS WHO SAY WE NEED MORE OFFICERS AND BETTER TRAINING, PARTICULARLY MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING.
LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS, NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY, AND EITHER COUNSEL AND OR THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE CAN BECOME EXPERTS IN A MATTER OF WEEKS, KEEP THE CITY MANAGER, PLEASE DO NOT GO TO THE STRONG MAYOR SYSTEM.
WE NEED POLICE SUBSTATIONS TO REDUCE RESPONSE TIMES AND FOR COMMUNITY POLICING TO WORK, PLEASE KEEP THE ZOOM FORMAT IN THE FUTURE.
NOT EVERYBODY CAN PROTEST OR ATTEND LIVE MEETINGS.
AND THANK YOU FOR SETTING TIMES FOR THE CALL.
SO SINCE MANY PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TIME TO STAY IN QUEUE ON ACCOUNT COUNCIL, CALL FOR AN ENTIRE DAY.
I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC, UH, AS USUAL WHEN YOU'RE READING STORIES IN THE MEDIA, BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR SOURCES AND, UH, DO YOUR BEST TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN INCENDIARY HEADLINE AND A QUOTE.
BECAUSE THE THINGS THAT WERE DESCRIBED WERE ACTUALLY NOT SAID BY MYSELF OR ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES, THEY WERE MISREPRESENTED QUOTES.
THEY RESERVED THAT HEADLINES IN, UM, RIGHT WING MEDIA.
HI, MY NAME IS THOMPSON BERTRAN AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT FIVE 40,000 AUSTIN RESIDENTS COMPLETED THIS YEAR'S BUDGET SURVEY.
89% OF THE RESIDENTS WHO VOICED THEIR OPINION ON THE BUDGET CALLED THE REDUCED APD FUNDING.
58% OF THEM CALLED FOR SEVERE REDUCTION TO APD FUNDING YET BY THE CRITERIA ESTABLISHED IN THE VERY SAME STUDY, THE PROPOSED BUDGET DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO APDS BUDGET.
YOUR COMMUNITY IS CALLING YOU TO ACTION.
I SUPPORT THE $100 MILLION CUT TO APD PROPOSED BY THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION.
THE MONEY THAT YOU'VE PROPOSED SPENDING ON APD AGAINST YOUR COMMUNITY'S WISHES COULD DO
[06:50:01]
SO MUCH GOOD IN THIS CITY.INSTEAD OF SPENDING MONEY TO SEND ARMED OFFICERS TO UPROOT HOMELESS PEOPLES THAT TENDS TO BUILD THEMSELVES SHELTER.
WE COULD USE THAT MONEY TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE STABILITY AND RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO GET BACK ONTO THEIR FEET.
INSTEAD OF FUNDING ARMED OFFICERS TO CONFRONT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, WE COULD HIRE AND TRAIN PEOPLE WHO FEEL CALLED TO HELP GUIDE OTHERS PEACEFULLY OUT OF DIFFICULT SITUATIONS CONTAINING MY TIME.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO AND I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
I WITNESSED THE DISPROPORTIONATE USE OF POLICE FORCE AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THE FAILURE OF APD TO PREDICT BLACK LIVES, THE LIVES OF MY FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, AND SCHOOLMATES FOR 27 YEARS.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER MADISON FOR YOUR RESOLUTION, DECLARING RACISM, THE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, THAT IT IS CITY MANAGER CRANKY TO SAY YOUR BUDGET MEETS THE CRISIS HEAD ON AND YOU CLAIM TO REJECT INCREMENTAL REFORMIST CHANGES.
BUT IN REALITY, YOUR PROPOSED BUDGET IS AN INSULT TO THAT CLAIM.
I URGE YOU TO REJECT ANYBODY THAT DOES NOT DEFINE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST $100 MILLION AND REDIRECT THESE FUNDS TO COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS FOCUSED ON RACIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUITY.
I TO SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER KOSSAR'S BUDGET AMENDMENTS AS A START, WE ARE AT A PIVOTAL POINT IN HISTORY WHERE YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR THE ACTIONS YOU TAKE OR FAIL TO TAKE.
IF YOU ARE NOT READY TO LISTEN TO YOUR PEOPLE, IF YOU'RE NOT READY TO ENACT A DRASTIC SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE IN WHAT YOU HAVE AGREED AS A CRISIS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I'M MONICA GUZMAN POLICY DIRECTOR FOR GABA YESTERDAY.
COUNCIL DECLARED RACISM, A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, POWERFUL STEPS, BUT ONE LACKING OF PLAN AND FUNDING.
RE-IMAGINED WHAT WOULD SAFETY BY ASKING THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY BLACK AND LUCKILY NEXT COMMUNITIES, WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY MEANS TO THEM? ALMOST ONE THIRD OF THE CITY MANAGERS PROPOSED 11.3 MILLION REALLOCATION OF EIGHT DAY BUN SPACE.
WE URGE COUNCIL TO EQUITABLY REALLOCATE FUNDS FROM APD AND OTHER SOURCES TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THOSE CRITICAL NEEDS THAT WILL SUPPORT BETTER PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH EQUITY INVEST EQUITABLY IN OUR PARKS AS BEST $250,000 FOR LIGHTING IN DISTRICTS.
ONE THROUGH FIVE INVEST NEEDED FUNDING FOR US AS EASTERN CRESCENT PARKS FOR LANGUAGE APPROPRIATE PROGRAMMING, AS WELL AS NEIGHBORHOOD STAKEHOLDER INPUT, INCLUDING SECTOR FOR THE NEWLY APPROVED LITTLE WALNUT CREEK LAND ACQUISITION LOCATED IN GORDON ACRES, INVEST AT LEAST 30 MILLION FOR ACH PROGRAMMING TO ADDRESS DEMONSTRATED AND HEALTHY AND THE MOST IMPACTED COMMUNITIES DURING THIS 10 DEBIT.
AND AFTER INVESTED AT LEAST 50
I'M A LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER AND RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBERS BECAUSE OUR PLAN AGAIN, AND MY OWN COUNCIL MEMBER POOL FOR THEIR PROPOSALS AND URGE YOU TO MAKE THEM INTO AMENDMENT.
I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU'RE LISTENING TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT WE NEED TO GO.
AGENCY HAS DONE SOME INCREDIBLE LUDWAR LEGWORK FOR YOU WITH THEIR SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO GET TO A HUNDRED MILLION IN CUTS AND WHERE TO PUT IT.
WE NEED TO START THERE AND KEEP GOING.
I SUPPORT CCU AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND OUR CALLS TO DEFUND THE APD BY 50% AND USE THAT MONEY TO FUND REAL SOLUTIONS IN MY JOB AS A SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER, I ROUTINELY STRUGGLED TO CONNECT FAMILIES FROM OVERSEAS COMMUNITIES TO RESOURCES, BUT HELPED ME THEIR NEEDS FOR FOOD, HOUSING AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE.
TOO OFTEN, RESOURCES ARE INSUFFICIENT OR EFFECTIVELY NONEXISTENT, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND THIS WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC KIDS.
IT'S A SHAME OF CITY COUNCIL, BUT ALL WE COULD END HOMELESSNESS FOR BETWEEN 29 AND $38 MILLION.
BUT YOU EVEN SAID CHOSEN TO INCREASE APS BUDGET BY ALMOST TWICE THAT 65 MILLION IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, YOU'VE ATTEMPT TO FIX IT.
I SEE THE EFFECTS THAT HOMELESSNESS AND LACK OF RESOURCES HAS ON CHILDREN EVERY DAY.
AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH THAT POSITIVE ADULTS.
HI, I'M A NATIVE AUSTINITE LONGTIME RESIDENT OF
FIRSTHAND HISTORY SHOWS US THAT INJUSTICE HAS DEEP ROOTS IN OUR CITY.
IT ALSO SHOWS US THAT CRIME HAS BEEN DECLINING FOR DECADES AND THAT POLICE RARELY PREVENT VIOLENCE, RECOVER STOLEN PROPERTY OR APPREHEND RAPISTS.
I STAND WITH AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND DEMANDING THAT THE CITY REDIRECT FUNDS FROM APD, THIS BUDGET
[06:55:01]
CYCLE AND INVEST IN REAL SOLUTIONS, INCLUDING THE RISE FUND EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING.I SUPPORT AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY CASAR FLANAGAN AND POOL FUNDING SHOULD BE REDIRECTED.
EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SERVICES THAT SUPPORT PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES LIKE MENTAL HEALTH, FIRST RESPONDERS, EMS, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, AND SERVICES THAT ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY.
ALSO CITY EMPLOYEES DESERVE AN IMPARTIAL OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THEIR CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS.
SO I SUPPORT PUTTING TO THE CITY MANAGER, NOT THE CITY ATTORNEY.
PLEASE HELP US CREATE A BEAUTIFUL WORLD.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE, NOT SUPPORT THE CAUSE TO DEEPEN AP, BUT AT LEAST 50% PROPOSAL GIVEN BY CTU, AJC AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP OFFER REAL SOLUTIONS TO REFUND OUR COMMUNITY AND TAKE CARE OF ALL THE HUMANS THAT LIVE HERE, NOT JUST THE WHITE PRIVILEGED ONCE FIRE, SPENCER CRONK AND BRIAN MANLEY, AND REPLACED THEM WITH AUSTIN AUSTINITES TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THIS CITY, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY UPDATE THE CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE USE BY ALL A LACK, A LACK OF SIDEWALKS AND CURB CUTOUTS ANYWHERE IN THE CITY IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND CREATES BARRIERS FOR YOUTH, BUT CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES, PLEASE STOP RELYING ON PROPERTY TAX INCREASES TO FUND PROJECTS AROUND THE CITY.
FOR THOSE OF US ACTUALLY LIVING IN OUR HOME AND NOT RENTING THEM AS STRS.
IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN OUR HOMES WITH THE CONSTANT INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES AND RIDICULOUS APPRAISAL VALUES.
WHEN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS DONE DOWNTOWN UNDER A PRESSING OUT OF THIS CITY, CORPORATIONS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.
I HAVE LIVED IN DISTRICT 10 FOR THE LAST 21 YEARS.
I SUPPORT REFORM, BUT I OPPOSE THE CUTTING WITH COPS AS THE ANSWER.
I THINK WE MUST NEVER CONFUSE EFFORT WITH RESULTS.
EVERYONE STARTS OFF SUPPORTING CHANGES BEFORE THEY FIRST DEFINE WHAT IS THE RESULT WE'RE SEEKING.
INSTEAD, THE STARTING POINT SHOULD ALWAYS BE WHAT IS THE GOAL WE WANT TO ACHIEVE? CHANGE IS NEVER THE GOAL EFFECTIVE ACTION IS ALWAYS THE GOAL.
I DON'T SEE ANY DESCRIPTION OF EFFECTIVE ACTION TAKING PLACE IN THESE PROPOSED CHANGES.
I SEE ONLY EFFORT TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITHOUT A LASER FOCUS ON WHAT IS SUCCESS.
HAVING FUNDING IS NOT THE WAY TO MAKE SOMETHING BETTER BECAUSE CUTTING FUNDING JUST MAY MAKE SOMETHING WORSE.
LET'S START WITH WHAT IS NOT WORKING, WHERE DO WE NEED IMPROVEMENT? HOW DO WE ACCOMPLISH OUR END GOAL? IT MAY REQUIRE REDUCING FUNDING OR INCREASING FUNDING.
IT MAY REQUIRE MONEY MORE TIED TO THE GOAL WE INTEND TO ACHIEVE.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 10 AND I'M CURRENTLY A LIFEGUARD AT BARTON SPRINGS POOL.
AND I'M CALLING THROUGH IRT TWO TO USE THE UPCOMING BUDGET TO ELIMINATE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN REGULAR EMPLOYEES AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES.
I'VE BEEN A TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE CONTINUOUSLY ON THE PAYROLL SINCE 2016 AS OUR ALL LIFE CARDS.
EVEN THOUGH MANY OF US WORK YEAR ROUND LIFEGUARDS HAVE WORKED AS ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES DOING THE ENTIRE COVID-19 CRISIS.
WE HAVE RISK OUR HEALTH WORKING OUTSIDE THAT POOLS AND AS PARKING MONITORS, WINDSOR PAID HOLIDAY PAY ACCRUED VACATION TIME AND ACCESS TO PURCHASE DENTAL INSURANCE THROUGH THE CITY.
THAT'S CIVIL SERVANTS WITH MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
WE CAN CURRENTLY BE FIRED AT WILL OR REPORT ON A SO CALLED ONE SHOT AND FIRED FOR THE NEXT INCIDENT.
NO MATTER HOW MINOR 26 LIFE WROTE A LETTER TO MAYOR ADLER THAT HURTS THAT POLLS REMAIN CLOSED.
EVEN THOUGH WE KNEW WE MIGHT BE FIRED FOR SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA, WE THOUGHT IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO SPEAK OUT, TO SAVE LIVES RATHER THAN STAY QUIET, INFLATE OUR JOB, 30 HOURS A WEEK REQUIREMENT FOR THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE.
MY NAME IS ROBERT FOSTER FROM A DM NINE, UH, RESIDENT.
UM, UH, I WAS ALSO THERE ON SATURDAY, UM, PROVIDING, UH, TRAFFIC SECURITY
[07:00:01]
AT THE EVENT BECAUSE APD WAS STOPPING THERE AND, UH, AND PRETTY HARD TO SLEEP THE LAST WEEK.CAUSE THOSE GUNSHOTS JUST AREN'T MADE TO MY DREAMS. AND, UH, I THINK THIS PLANNING AND PROPOSAL WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING.
UM, CAUSE OUR PROPOSAL IS ALSO THEY REASONABLE.
AND UM, UNFORTUNATELY I GOT INTERVIEWED, UM, ABOUT THE ATTACKS FROM A JOURNALIST.
WHO'S DOING A, UM, A REPORT ON THIS AND APPARENTLY THESE ATTACKS ARE JUST INCREASING.
UM, SO, UM, AS LONG AS THE PROTESTS CONTINUE, IT LOOKED LIKE RIGHT BEGAN TO DRIVE CARS INTO THE PROTESTS.
SO THE SOONER WE CAN DO REFORM, UM, THE SOONER WE CAN PREVENT SOMETHING FROM LIKE THE GARRETT FOSTER ATTACK FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.
SO I FULLY SUPPORT THE FUNDING AND UH, OFF THE FIRETALK AT THIS POINT, I MEAN WE CAN DO BETTER.
THANK YOU MICHAEL MILES, MY HOUSE, GOOD EVENING.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AS A CITY COUNCIL AS A CITY MANAGER.
AND AS THE MAYOR, WHAT YOU'VE BEEN ASKED AT FOR THE, IN THESE HEARINGS IS VERY CLEAR.
THE INJUSTICES CARRIED OUT BY THE POLICE AGAINST MIKE RAMOS, SEEK CHARGES AGAINST THE OFFICERS, RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS DEATH AND REMOVED CHIEF MANLEY.
AND NOW YOU'RE BEING ASKED TO SEEK JUSTICE FOR THE DEATH OF GARRETT FOSTER AND CHARGES AGAINST HIS KILLER.
YOU ARE ASKED TO REALLOCATE OVER A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS OF APDS BUDGET AND YOU KNOW, WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO.
MUCH OF THE HARD WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE BY YOUR COMMUNITY, BY THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION AND THE LOCAL SUPPORTERS AND THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT.
THE PRECEDENT FOR CHANGE HAS ALREADY BEEN SET BY YOUR CONTEMPORARIES IN MINNEAPOLIS, IN PORTLAND, IN CHICAGO AND DC.
AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO.
YOU CAN START BY PASSING THE APD BUDGET CUTS, PUT FORTH BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, KSR PLAN AGAIN, AND POOL, AND YOU CAN CONTINUE BY IMMEDIATELY ADOPTING THE APD BUDGET CUTS PROPOSED BY THE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION SYDNEY, KATHY TOBY.
I URGE YOU TO WATCH THE MIKE RAMOS VIDEO AND JOIN US IN THE STREETS TO DEFUND THE POLICE JESSICA WEAVER.
HI, MY NAME IS CHEYENNE WEAVER AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE AND I'M A NATIVE AUSTINITE.
UH, I'M ALSO HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT THE DEMANDS OF THE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP TEAMS TO DEFEND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50% AND INVEST THE MONEY IN REAL SOLUTIONS, WHICH STANDS FOR THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING SOLUTIONS THAT ALL BEGIN TO REMEDIES LONG STANDING INEQUITIES FACED BY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN AUSTIN.
THIS WORK IS CRITICAL, PARTICULARLY AT THIS TIME WHEN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ARE BEARING THE BURDEN OF FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE AND NON-EXISTENCE SAFETY, NUTS AND MONTHLY HERE BECAUSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS IS INACCESSIBLE TO MOST MEMBERS OF THE, OF THE GROUPS WHO ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY POLICING AND BUDGETING AND EQUITIES AND DO NOT HAVE FLEXIBLE WORK HOURS, CONSISTENT PHONE ACCESS, OR FACE OTHER BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION.
I ASKED TO CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZE THE FAILURES AS THIS COMMENT PROCESS AND TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THESE COMMUNITIES.
HI, THIS IS, UH, I REGISTER, UH, DEFUND THE POLICE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, SOLAR POOL, AND FLANIGAN TO HAVE SOME SOLID POLICE, THE BUDGETING PROPOSALS WITH THE NUMBERS, THESE INTEGRATE THOSE AND ADOPT THEM.
AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION HAS A MORE SUBSTANTIAL BY THE NUMBERS.
LET ME MENTION JUST ONE PLACE WHERE YOU CAN CUT OFF THIS PROPERTY QUITE OFTEN.
LIKE EVERY OTHER MAJOR CITY HAS A VERY LOW ARREST RATE FOR VANDALS THIEVES.
THESE CRIMES ARE RARELY INVESTIGATED AT ALL, AND THERE'S A GOOD REASON FOR THAT.
THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT ABOUT APD.
THE OFFICER ARRIVES TAKES A REPORT TO THE VICTIM NEEDS FOR INSURANCE, AND THAT IS IT.
THE COMMERCIAL BURGLARY AND METAL THEFT UNIT, FOR INSTANCE, NOT NEED TO BE WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE.
ARMED OFFICERS ARE NOT NECESSARY TO DO MOST OF THE WORK IN PROPERTY CRIMES AND VERY SMALL NUMBER OF ARMED OFFICERS ON CALL TO MAKE ARREST OF THE VERY FEW RELEVANT CASE.
IT WOULD BE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT COUNCILMEMBER FLANIGAN AND AJC, BOTH PROPOSED MOVING VICTIM SERVICES OUT OF POLICE AND PUTTING A MILLION DOLLARS INTO FUNDING, A TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER.
AND I SUGGEST IF DEALING WITH PROPERTY CRIME IS ACTUALLY MORE LIKE DEALING WITH THE TRAUMA OF ASSAULT AND IT IS LIKE PREVENTING EMINENT VIOLENCE AND CAN BE MADE AT LEAST PARTIALLY INDEPENDENT OF POLICE THAT WILL SAVE US A LOT OF MONEY AND FINALLY GET THE POLICE JOBS.
WE NEED JUSTICE FOR DEREK FOSTER.
[07:05:01]
BURBRICK.I'M CALLING FROM DISTRICT NINE.
I HAD HERE TO ECHO THE DEMANDS OF REDUCING AP BUDGET BY AT LEAST 50% DIVERTING THOSE FUNDS TO REAL SOLUTIONS LIKE THE RISE FUND.
THERE'S A CONCRETE BUDGET PROPOSAL, WHICH REALLY ONLY TAKES AWAY $150,000 FROM APD IS BEYOND INADEQUATE AND A SLAP IN THE FACE OF THE CITY THAT IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS ALONE HAS SEEN OFFICER'S MURDER MICROMETER, PERMANENTLY INJURED TEENAGERS BY SHOOTING THEM IN THE HEAD, FIRE CHEMICAL WEAPONS INTO CROWDS AND FAILED TO PROTECT GARRETT FOSTER FROM BEING MURDERED FOR SUPPORTING BLACK LIVES.
NOT TO MENTION THE PREVIOUS DECADES OF VIOLENCE.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS PERPETRATED AGAINST BLACK AND BROWN AUSTIN AIDS.
QUITE FRANKLY, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT, KNOWING THAT YOU'D RATHER SEND THE TERROR.
AND SO EMS AND AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH DURING A PANDEMIC, YOU DON'T DESERVE TO KNOW PEACE AS ELECTED OFFICIALS.
HE WORKED FOR US, THE RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, NOT THE POLICE ASSOCIATION.
YOU DON'T GET TO SAY THAT YOU'RE LISTENING IN THE SAME BREATH, OPPOSER DEMANDS.
I REMIND YOU THAT WE WATCHED THE MAJORITY OF YOU VOTE TO INCREASE THE POLICE BUDGET ON JUNE 4TH.
AFTER HEARING EDWIN FOUND, JUST TALKING TO PAINS, RISK TESTIMONY, WHAT THE POLICE DID TO HIS FAMILY.
WE GET TO TELL YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOING A BAD JOB, WE COULD TELL YOU WHEN YOUR LEADERSHIP IS LACKING.
AND RIGHT NOW IT IS FOR THOSE CALLING FOR FURTHER REDUCTIONS.
GO FARTHER AND DO THE REST OF YOU.
DO YOUR JOB AND DEFUND APD
IF YOU HAVE NOT PRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW MARK RUBIN.
I'M FROM DISTRICT TWO AS A RESIDENT OF AUSTIN FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS.
I CARE DEEPLY FOR THE CITIZENS AND COMMUNITY HERE AND YOU SHOULD TOO.
THEY RESPOND TO IT AND ALL TOO OFTEN MAKE A CRIMINAL OUT OF UNDESERVING.
PEOPLE WHO ARE SIMPLY DESPERATE IMPORT POLICE COMMIT CRIMES TO PLEASE CANNOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR WRONGDOINGS.
IF THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THEMSELVES, CRIME IS A DIRECT RESULT OF DESPERATION AND INEQUALITY.
THE REAL WAY TO STOP CRIME IS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE LACKING.
THE CURRENT POLICING SYSTEM ONLY PERPETUATES THIS CYCLE OF DESPERATION AND INCREASED INEQUALITY.
PLEASE DO NOT HELP THIS ISSUE.
THEY ONLY CONTRIBUTE TO IT BY ROUNDING UP MODERN DAY SLAVES FOR THE PRISON, INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX.
THIS IS NOTHING NEW AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE FUNCTION OF POLICE IN OUR COUNTRY.
SINCE THE INSTITUTION'S INCEPTION AS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, I URGE TO ACKNOWLEDGE HISTORY AND ADD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF IT BY FUNDING COMMUNITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITY, INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING THE FORCES, WHICH TEAR OUR COMMUNITIES APART, MAKE THE POLICE CHRISTY.
HI, MY NAME IS LEE CHRISTIE AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE AND LIKE SO MANY CALLERS TODAY.
I WANT US TO GET SIGNIFICANT FUNDING REALLOCATION ON THE APD TO OTHER COMMUNITY TO SERVICES.
UM, I'VE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND APDS VIOLENCE IN 2015, WHEN SIX OFFICERS PINNED AN UNARMED BLACK MAN TO THE GROUND IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHO WAS CLEARLY HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AFTER AN HOUR OF CIVILIAN INTERVENTION, THE POLICE FINALLY CALLED EMS TO TRANSPORT.
THE MAN MAYBE MAPD WERE CLEARLY NOT SUITED TO RESPOND TO THIS.
AND SO MANY OTHER SITUATIONS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, WE THINK BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES ADAPT TO THE NECESSITIES OF THE NEW WORLD.
IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT LARGE RAPID CHANGE TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
NOW THAT THE CITY HAS WOKEN UP TO IT, SYSTEMIC RACISM, INEQUALITY, AND POLICE BRUTALITY.
AND FINALLY, I WANT TO LIVE IN A CITY.
THAT'S A PROGRESSIVE MODEL FOR THIS COUNTRY AND CITY THAT MIGHT'VE HAD THE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES TO RESPOND TO MY OWN BROTHER WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE WHEN HE WAS HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS TWO YEARS AGO.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND KEVIN TOVA HIS DISTRICT.
AND I'D LIKE TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL MAKE A MOTION TO HAVE ANY JUDGEMENTS OR SETTLED LENSON CIVIL SUITS BROUGHT AGAINST THE CITY, RESULTED FROM POLICE BRUTALITY OR MISCONDUCT, BE DEDUCTED DIRECTLY FROM OVERTIME SALARY LEADERSHIP SALARY OR ANY TYPE OF BONUS COMPOSITES FROM THE, UH, FROM THE CITY POLICE BUDGET.
CIVIL JUDGEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO ENFORCE CORRECTIVE BEHAVIOR FROM THE LOSING SIDE OF THE COURT CASE.
AND RIGHT NOW, WHEN THE COURT SYSTEM FINDS THE POLICE AT FAULT, THE PENALTY IS BORN BY THE TAXPAYER, AS OPPOSED TO THOSE WHO ACTUALLY CAUSED THE GRIEVANCE THROUGH THEIR MISCONDUCT AND TAKING NET FROM OVERTIME WOULD BE A STRONG MOTIVATION TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT CRITICAL EVALUATION BE APPLIED TO BIG TICKET ITEMS IN THE POLICE BUDGET TO DETERMINE ACTUAL VALUE ADD FOR THOSE ITEMS. SO AN OUTSIDE AUDIT COULD LOOK AT THE EXPENSE OF, FOR EXAMPLE, MAINTAINING THE APD AVIATION PROGRAM TO DETERMINE WHAT PERCENTAGE OF FLIGHTS ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED THE TASKS OR MISSIONS THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT HELICOPTER, SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WASTE THAT COULD BE CLEANED UP AND STILL KEEP A LOT OF THE CRITICAL.
[07:10:04]
HI, I'M MICHELLE YAK HERE, RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE, KATHY PROVOST DISTRICT, AND I'M, WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT AND BOOST THE DEMANDS BY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED, UH, AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP.YOU SIGNED APD NOW BY 50% AND REINVEST IN, UH, SOLUTIONS MAPPED OUT BY THE AFTER MENTION ORGANIZATION.
I ALSO SUPPORT CAUSE OURS AMENDMENTS AS WELL.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, THE PA TODAY WE'VE HEARD AN OVERWHELMING SUPPORT, UH, AS WELL AS THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, THE FUND APD AND RE INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
I HOPE THAT YOU'RE LISTENING TO US.
I'M HERE WITH FULL HEART SPEAKING TO A COUNCIL OF PEOPLE WHO I KNOW ALSO HAVE PARTS HUMAN TO HUMAN.
YOU HAVE A WEALTH OF PROPOSED SOLUTIONS FROM YOUR COMMUNITIES AND COUNCIL MEMBERS USE THESE IMPLEMENT THEM.
THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN ARE ENGAGED AND PAYING ATTENTION.
NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE SHOWED UP TO ENGAGE WITH YOU COUNSEL AND TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION ORIENTED DIALOGUE.
LISTEN TO US, KATHY TOVO ADLER AND ALL OTHER DISTRICT REPS.
WE ELECTED YOU AND THE PATIENT AND DO THE RIGHT THING BEYOND THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY.
NOW, ALEX, WINLAND GOOD EVENING.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.
I SUPPORT THE BUDGET AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POOL TO CUT UNFILLED APD POSITIONS OVERTIME AND UNNECESSARY BUDGET ITEMS. AND TO REINVEST THOSE FUNDS IN AN INDEPENDENT FORENSICS LAB, VICTIM SERVICES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS.
I'M ALSO IN FAVOR OF STARZ PROPOSALS AND WENT AGAINST PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION OF APD.
I'M NOT ALONE IN THESE VIEWS AND NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE HUNDREDS OF COLLARS TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL OUT THE FLANAGAN AND PROPOSALS.
NUMBER ONE, AND NUMBER TWO POSTS AND 1200 VIEWS, RESPECTIVELY REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ARMED OFFICERS RESPONDING TO CALLS FOR THEY ARE NOT NEEDED.
IT'S NOT ONLY DESIRED, BUT POSSIBLE AS THESE PROPOSED BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND RESEARCH BY COMMUNITY GROUPS LIKE AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION SHOW IN 2020 WEEKDAYS RACISM COVID-19 AND OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES.
SO LET'S TAKE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES, FUND NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FULLY FUND EMS AT THE AMOUNT OF 9 MILLION REQUESTED BY THE UNION EFFICIENT TO ACQUIRE NEW AMBULANCES AND HIRE MORE FTES RESTRUCTURE NINE 11 TO SEND THE RIGHT RESPONDERS TO THE RIGHT CALLS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO EMPLOY TRAINED PRACTITIONERS INSTEAD OF SITUATIONS THAT GUNS MAKE WORSE.
THANK YOU, JASMINE PATEL, JASMINE, TO TELL, PLEASE UNMUTE GOOD EVENING.
I LIVE IN COUNCIL, NUMBER TWO OF THOSE DISTRICTS, AND I SUPPORT THE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED PROPOSAL, REMOVING PERCENT OF VC FUNDS INVESTING IN THE RISE FUND, THE EQUITY OFFICE, AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LOW INCOME HOUSING, NOT JUST AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT LOW INCOME HOUSING TOMORROW, MARCH EXACTLY ONE YEAR SINCE MORRISSEY SILVA EXPERIENCED A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND ENDED UP DEAD WITHIN AN HOUR FROM APDS GUNSHOTS COMES, REMEMBER CIOBO HE TOO WAS YOUR CONSTITUENT AND I'D HOPED THAT HE'D WANT JUSTICE FOR HIM.
AND THEN ALL OF YOU WOULD WANT TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, BUT APPARENTLY NOT BECAUSE WE'D SEEN ENERGY HERE AND MY GRANDMA DIED AT THE HANDS OF MAPD.
LAST THING I WANT TO SAY IS IT IS EXTREMELY HURTFUL TO HAVE SEEN SPINSTER CRUNK, LAUGH AT PEOPLE FROM CCU, GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND WHITE ALLIES WHO ARE EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO PROTEST BEFORE HE DELIVERED HIS SPEECH TO UNVEIL THIS INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTING BUDGET.
AS WE KNOW CROHN'S IS FROM MINNEAPOLIS AND IT'S BECOMING CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT HE MUST HAVE BEEN COMPLICIT IN THE POLICE VIOLENCE THERE.
AND WE HIRED HIM HERE TO DO WHAT, NOT HELP.
THE PROBLEMS ARE RACIST AND WHITE SUPREMACISTS.
SOMEONE SAID HE WAS A DISCREET CIVIL SERVICE FROM MINNEAPOLIS, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN DEAL WITH HIM IN GOOD FAITH.
YES, I'M UH, A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT EIGHT, A HOMEOWNER, AND, UH, I WANTED TO ENCOURAGE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS TO SUPPORT THE DEMANDS OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP, AJC, DSA, AND ALL OF THE GROUPS THAT ARE COMING FORWARD WITH SERIOUS PROPOSALS.
THINKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN MOVE MONEY FROM, YOU KNOW, THE VIOLENCE WORKERS, UH, AT APD INTO, UH, COMMUNITY AND ANSWERING, UM, ACTIVITIES SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH, FIRST RESPONSE, MORE EMS, MORE HOMELESSNESS SERVICES, UH, SUPPORTING, UH, THE AMENDMENTS, UH, UH, FROM CASSARA
[07:15:01]
POOL AND FLANAGAN IN PARTICULAR THAT ARE RE-IMAGINING, UH, ELEMENTS OF APD THAT WE CAN MOVE UNDER CIVILIAN CONTROL.UM, I THINK WE SHOULD CUT THE BUDGET BY AT LEAST HALF.
AND I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT DISMISSING THE PERSON WHO WILL NOT DISMISS THE PERSON WHO WILL NEVER CRITICIZE KEN CANDIDATE.
UH, CASSIDY HAS EMBARRASSING OUR CITY WITH HIS WORDS AND IT'S ALL GONE.
MAGDALEN BURN SAID NIKE BURN SOUTHERN.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO WHEN I PAY MY MONTHLY FEE TO GET BOSTON UTILITY BILL.
I AM PROMPTED WITH A DONATION PAGE FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, PARKS AND LIBRARIES AND SCHOOL ENERGY COSTS AS A TAX PAYING CITIZEN OF THE CITY.
I'M BEING ASKED TO DONATE ON TOP OF MY TAXES BECAUSE THESE SERVICES SUCH AS SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING, MY COLLEAGUES AND I SUPPORT CCCU GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND THE AMENDMENTS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBERS KLR AND PLAN AGAINST THE PROPOSALS TO MOVE INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND FORENSICS OUT OF APD AND DELAYING CADET WOULD PROVIDE $40 MILLION TO PUT TOWARDS THOSE SERVICES AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING VICTIM SERVICES.
AND SO ON IT'S TIME TO INVEST UPSTREAM AND COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS THAT WILL PREVENT VIOLENT CRIME AS WELL AS SERVE OUR UNHOUSED COMMUNITY.
WE SUPPORT RAISING THE APD HEADQUARTERS SO THAT THE DOWNTOWN SPACE CAN BE TRANSFORMED INTO A SPACE THAT WILL ADDRESS HISTORICAL ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT BLACK ECONOMIC SUCCESS, RATHER THAN HAVING A LANDMARK VIOLENCE AGAINST THAT COMMUNITY.
IT'S SPENCER CROCK CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEFUND APD.
AND I THINK IT'S TIME TO DEFUND CRUMP COLABORATION ATX.
I AM A PARTNER AT THE AUSTIN OFFICES OF JACKSON WALKER, AND I REPRESENT POPULACE FINANCIAL GROUP, WHICH OWNS AND OPERATES THE ACE CASH EXPRESS STORES.
ITEM FOUR ON THE AGENDA WOULD RESTRICT INNOVATION AND FORCE A ONE SIZE FITS ALL LOAN ON ALL CONSUMERS WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONSUMER CIRCUMSTANCES OR NEEDS THE AMENDMENT WILL HARM THE CONSUMERS WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO PROTECT BY IMPOSING A FOREIGN SETTLEMENT STRUCTURE WITH LESS SUPPORTABLE PAYMENTS BY REQUIRING A LEVERAGE PAYMENT MECHANISM OR CAR TITLE.
MY CLIENT OFFERS A FULLY AMORTIZING INSTALLMENT LOAN THAT IS SPREAD OUT OVER MORE THAN POOR INSTALLMENTS, THEREBY REDUCING THE SIZE OF EACH PAYMENT.
AND IT ALSO PROVIDES THE FLEXIBILITY TO REPAY WITHOUT PENALTY.
ACE DOES NOT REQUIRE A LEVERAGE PAYMENT MECHANISM OR RECEIVE A PERSONAL CHECK OR AN ACH AUTHORIZATION TO DEBIT THE BORROWER'S ACCOUNT.
UPON DEFAULT, NO COLLATERAL OR OTHER FORM OF SECURITY IS REQUIRED.
THIS ELIMINATES THE RISK OF VEHICLE REPOSSESSION MENTIONED BY AMADOR AND ELIMINATES NSF FEES OR OVERDRAFT ACE ESTIMATES.
THE TEXAS POWERS HAVE SAVED ALMOST $5 MILLION FROM NSF.
AS A RESULT, WE REFERRED YOU TO A POINT OF TASKFORCE RATHER THAN PASSING THE ORDINANCE.
I'M CALLING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDING THE POLICE SUPPORTING GOOD CAUSE FOR HIS AMENDMENTS AND SEEKING BALANCE IN THE BUDGET SPECIFICALLY AROUND POLICING AND TRAUMA, I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT YOU BALANCED THE BUDGET BY MOVING 50% OF APDS FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE REAL SOLUTION THAT CCC CCU HAS RECOMMENDED AS WELL AS TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTERS TO COMBAT THE EXTENSIVE MENTAL TRAUMA THAT EPD IS CAUSING TO RESIDENTS OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.
JUST THIS YEAR, APD HAS SHOT HAVE SHOT MICHAEL RAMOS TO DEATH SHOT A PEACEABLE PROTEST AND THE BASE OF THE SKULL SNIPE, THE 16 YEAR OLD BOY WHO HAVE TEARGASSED PEACEFUL PROTESTERS REPEATEDLY AND SHOT IN THE CAR CROWDS OF PEOPLE SEEKING AID, ALL INTENSE TRAUMATIC EVENTS THAT WILL TAKE A LIFETIME TO HEAL.
AND OFTEN THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BRUTALIZED HAVE LITTLE TO NO RESOURCES WITH WHICH TO DO SO.
AND NOW THERE'S THE ADDITIONAL TRAUMA OF KNOWING THE AWESOME POLICE OFFICERS HERE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT AUSTIN, A BEACON FOR WHITE SUPREMACY JUST TO COME THROUGH AN ATTEMPT OF THE CIRCULAR MANSLAUGHTER OR BARRING THAT JUST SHOOT US FOR THAT.
MAYBE IF THERE'S FEWER POLICE, THEY'LL HAVE LESS TIME TO BRUTALIZE THE COMMUNITY AND WE CAN PUT SOME REAL SOLUTIONS, BUT COMMUNITY CAN START TO HEAL.
FEEL FREE TO START WITH 10 KATHY.
THANK YOU, JACOB PALMER, AUDI, I'M SPEAKING AS A RESIDENT VOTER IN DISTRICT EIGHT AND A BOARD MEMBER FOR THE AUSTIN EMS ASSOCIATION.
I AM NOT SPEAKING TODAY AS A CLINICAL SPECIALIST FOR AUSTIN EMS. I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL COUNCIL MEMBER ALTAR AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO HAVE CO-SPONSORED THE EMS AMENDMENT, WHICH FUNDS SOME OF OUR STAFFING AND AMBULANCE REQUESTS.
I CONTINUE A PLEA TO ADD FUNDS, CONVERTING AT LEAST TWO DEMAND UNITS TO 24 HOURS AS WELL.
[07:20:01]
MEMBERS INVOLVED PLACING THESE UNITS AND FACILITIES CONDUCIVE FOR PROPER DEACON AND HOUSING ENSURING THESE HEALTHCARE HEROES AREN'T PUT IN THE BACK CORNER OF AN ALREADY CRAMPED FIRE STATION OR DILAPIDATED PARKING GARAGE.THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE TIME AND STANDING UP FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF AUSTINITES EMS WILL CONTINUE TO ANSWER THE CALL TIP OF THE SPEAR, HELPING AS MANY PEOPLE AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.
I WANT TO VOICE MY SUPPORT ON THE PROPOSAL BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, POOL, CSR AND FLANIGAN, AND ASK THAT THEY IMMEDIATELY BE DRAFTED AS AMENDMENTS.
THE REORGANIZATION AND DIVESTMENT PROPOSED IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
AND A MATTER OF BEST PRACTICE I ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER AN INDEPENDENT CRIME LAB THAT'S FREE OF BLATANT BIAS AND STEEPED IN TRANSPARENCY.
IF YOU REFERENCE THE LATEST PLATOON CENTER REPORT, YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THIS CONCEPT IS NOT NEW.
AND THEN AN INDEPENDENT CRIME LAB WOULD ENSURE APPROPRIATE SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE AND OVERSIGHT AND A BETTER CHAIN OF COMMAND THAT IS SEPARATE FROM INVESTIGATIVE DEPARTMENT IN APB.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT WOULD ENSURE WE DON'T REPEAT ERRORS OF THE PAST AND CREATE A BETTER OUTCOME OF JUSTICE.
THANK YOU, HOLLY, TAKE LESTER.
MY NAME IS KELLY I'M FROM DISTRICT FIVE STATES AND COMMUNITIES ARE NOT THOSE COMMUNITIES WITH MORE POLICE IN COMMUNITIES WITH GREATER ACCESS TO RESOURCES.
FOR THIS REASON, I STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH OFTEN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ASKING THAT OUR CITY COUNCIL CUT AGCS RECOMMENDED A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FROM APD.
THESE FUNDS CAN BE REINVESTED IN RESOURCES FOR AUSTIN COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SUCH AS THE REAL SOLUTIONS, DETAILED BY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNITED AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP.
APD HAS SHOWN THROUGH THEIR MURDER OF MICROMOTHS THEIR POOR HANDLING OF THE MURDER OF GARRETT FOSTER AND GENERAL UNNECESSARILY UNNECESSARY VIOLENT RESPONSE TO BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS THAT THEY'RE ILL-EQUIPPED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY.
PLEASE DIVEST FROM RACIST VIOLENCE AGAINST OUR AUSTIN COMMUNITY AND INVEST IN THE THINGS THAT ACTUALLY CREATE SAFE, HEALTHY, AND CONNECTED COMMUNITIES.
HI, MY NAME IS LANEY COUNCIL MEMBER CONCERNS, AMENDMENTS AND SUPPORT AUSTIN JUSTICE, COALITION, CCU, AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP.
WE NEED TO DEFEND THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS BY AT LEAST 50%.
IT'S BEEN MADE CLEAR THAT APD DOES NOT PROTECT AND SERVE OUR CITY.
THEY CRITICALLY INJURED, PEACEFUL PROTESTERS.
THEY PUT OVER 2000 RAPE KITS ON BACKLOG AND THEY'VE RELEASED THE PERSON WHO MURDERED GARRETT FOSTER THIS PAST SATURDAY.
THEY DO NOT DESERVE THE MAJORITY OF THE CITY'S BUDGET.
PLEASE RESTRUCTURE OUR BUDGET AND BRING JUSTICE FOR MICROMOLAR GARRETT FOSTER, NIMA MARTIN, FRIDAY, ALLAH AND JUSTIN HEALTH.
I YIELD MY TIME, JESSICA ROLSON HELLO CITY COUNCIL.
I HAVE MADE TEXAS MY HOME FOR EIGHT YEARS AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
I SUPPORT THE SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF THE APP BUDGET AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE FUNDS REDIRECTED TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES AND REAL SOLUTION.
RECENT TRAGEDIES ARE THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG OF A LONG HISTORY OF INJUSTICE AND A LACK OF SAFETY NET IN AUSTIN.
WE NEED TO INVEST ON HEALING LIFE VITALITY OF OUR COMMUNITIES, SPECIFICALLY LOW INCOME HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTHCARE, AND EDUCATION.
I'D LIKE TO SEE IN AUSTIN WHERE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO NON-PUNITIVE FORMS OF SUPPORT AND CONNECTION TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED, OR INSTEAD OF ELIMINATING AND IMPRISONING PEOPLE WHO DON'T CONFORM.
WE WANT, WE WORK TOWARDS THRIVING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORTIVE CONFLICT RESOLUTION.
WHAT DOES POLICY BASED ON MUTUALITY LOVE AND SUPPORT LOOK LIKE INSTEAD OF INVESTING IN SURVEILLANCE, PATROLLING AND PUNISHMENT, LISTEN TO SOME CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AND IN KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER INSTEAD OF PUNISHING POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS, JUST BE BRAVE, MAKE PROGRESS.
[07:25:06]
HI, MY NAME IS CARA BASIN AND I'M CALLING TO ASK FOR THE COMPLETE DEFUNDING OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.I SEE THE BUDGET AS A MORAL DOCUMENT, AND UNFORTUNATELY AS THE BUDGET STANDS NOW, IT IS REVEALING THE CITY'S VALUES OF WHITE SUPREMACY.
I THINK IF AUSTIN WANTS TO BE A BEACON OF PROGRESSIVISM, AS IT LIKES TO ADVERTISE ITSELF TO BE, I THINK IT NEEDS TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT HIS BUDGET AND SEE WHAT IT'S TRULY INVESTED IN.
I THINK IF WE WANT A SAFE AND THRIVING COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO INVEST IN HOUSING.
I FIND IT LAUGHABLE AND OFFENSIVE.
MOST LIKELY THAT OUR BUDGET AT THE END OF A PANDEMIC OR ENTERING A PANDEMIC IS INVESTING IN THE POLICE RATHER THAN THE THINGS THAT KEEP US SAFE.
HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME? CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME? YES.
I'M A COMMUNITY LEADER AND A WORKING GROUP MEMBER REPRESENTING REPRESENTING COLONY PARK DISTRICT ONE, AND ALL PEOPLE IN AUSTIN UNDER UNDER DESERT UNDERSERVED AND IGNORED.
I'M A SUPPORTER OF A BUDDY THAT IS ABOUT, AND FOR THE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY BLACK PEOPLE AND HOMELESS PEOPLE, THE HOMELESS GROUP HAS TAKEN A UNIQUE FOCUS ON THE NEXT BUDGET AND BELIEVE SPENCER, THAT YOUR PROPOSAL WAS USELESS.
WE APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBERS POOL PLAN AGAIN, AND SEE EITHER IN THEIR AMENDMENTS, REMOVING INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND FORENSICS FROM RECONSTRUCTING APD INTO SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS AND REMOVING DIFFERENT SEVENTH STREETS ALTOGETHER 80.6 MILLION IN STRUCTURAL CHANGES AND PROPOSED CUTS FOODS.
ALMOST ENOUGH TO REACH OUT AND DEMAND OF A HUNDRED MILLION TO EITHER HAVE DEDUCTED FROM ATD HOMELESS.
THIS IS NOT A PART ALREADY IN BUDGET, BUT WE WANT TO DISCUSS OUR IDEAS WITH YOU.
CAN YOU IMAGINE AN AUSTIN WE'RE HOMELESS? YOU WILL FIND A PLACE TO STAY NOW WITH THIS BUDGET OR VIA THE FISCAL ACTION PLAN ITEM 18 FROM THE EQUITY OFFICE AND THE OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT MUCH MORE MONEY.
THE MONEY FROM THE LIMIT PROPOSAL HELP BLACK BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY SARAH.
HI, MY NAME IS SARAH AX AND I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, MOTHER AND LONGTIME RESIDENT IN DISTRICT-WIDE AND FORMERLY THE FOOD ACCESS COORDINATOR IN AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF INVESTMENT IN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM AND ALIGNMENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD, AND THE COMMUNITY WIDE CALL TO REDUCE APD BUDGET BY 50%, THE CITY'S BUDGET TO REFLECT OUR VALUES AS A COMMUNITY YESTERDAY, YOU DECIDED RACISM.
YOU DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.
THIS BUDGET OFFERS AN INSIGNIFICANT REDUCTION TO APD BUDGET, DESPITE FLAGRANT RACISM AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
THE NOTION WHICH HAS BEEN PUSHED ON THIS COUNCIL THAT A CITY INCENTIVIZED GROCERY STORE WILL FIX OUR CITY'S FOOD ACCESS CHALLENGES IS UNINFORMED AND IRRESPONSIBLE.
I'M ASKING YOU TO FIND THE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM PLANNING PROCESS AND EQUITY, TOOLKIT, AND SCREEN TOOL TO EVALUATE FOOD ACCESS WORK AS OUTLINED IN THE FUNDING FOR FOOD AND EQUITY RECOMMENDATION PASSING MAY OF THIS YEAR BY THE FOOD POLICY BOARD, THE COUNCIL SUPPORT WOULD CREATE A FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IN AUSTIN.
THANK YOU, HANNAH ALEXANDER MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS HANNAH ALEXANDER'S STAFF ATTORNEY FOR WORK AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE.
COUNCIL MEMBERS COULD START PLANNING IT AND POOL AS THE PERSON WHO PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, BUT WE CALL ON YOU TO MORE.
YOU'VE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS AND GROUPS WHO HAVE BEEN IN THIS FIGHT FOR YEARS, ASKING THEM TO BE CRAZY PD BUDGET BY AT LEAST 50%, THE CITY MUST HAVE INVESTED THE REAL SOLUTIONS OUTLINED BY MANY OTHER CALLERS.
PLEASE LISTEN TO OUR DEMAND, SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASE THE CURRENT FUNDING LEVELS FOR APD AND REDIRECT THOSE RESOURCES TO COMMUNITY SERVICES THAT WILL ACTUALLY KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE AT THE VERY LEAST KEEP THE PROMISE YOU MADE LAST MONTH.
WHEN YOU NESTLE VOTED TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO CUT APDS BUDGET BY AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS, WE PREFER AND URGE YOU TO REJECT ANY BUDGET THAT DOES NOT GO FURTHER TO CUT FULLY 50% BLACK LIVES MATTER.
THERE ARE SPEAKERS IN QUEUE THAT HAVE NOT PRESSED TO ZERO.
PLEASE DO SO NOW THANK YOU, SAVANNAH SHANKS.
I'M HERE TO ASK YOU IF THERE'S ANY FUND THE POLICE BY 50% SUPPORT THE THREE AMENDMENTS FROM QATAR AND SUPPORT FLANAGAN'S PROPOSAL TO RECONSTRUCT POLICE OPERATION.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT WHEN CUTTING FUNDS FROM APD,
[07:30:01]
AS I'M SURE YOU WILL DO ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS AND WATCH FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS INTO COMPLAINTS THAT ARE RACIST, VIOLENT, OR SEXUAL IN NATURE.I ALSO SUGGEST INVESTIGATING ANY OFFICER WHO BUYS A GUN.
THESE INVESTIGATIONS SHOULD BE DONE BY A GROUP INDEPENDENT OF APD.
I IMAGINE THERE WILL BE POSITIONS ELIMINATED AFTER THESE INVESTIGATIONS DO NOT FILL THEM.
I AM ALSO ASKING THAT POLICE CHIEF MANLEY BE DEMOTED OR FIRED, AND IF NOT, BUDGET FOR SPENCER CRONK SEVERANCE PACKAGE, I'M EMBARRASSED OF THE WAY OUR POLICE HAVE BEHAVED AND CONTINUE TO BE APPALLED BY REMARKS MADE BY APA PRESIDENT, KEN CASSIDY.
PLEASE HELP ME BE PROUD OF OUR CITY.
AGAIN, I AM EXCITED TO SEE THIS BUDGET, HOW THIS BUDGET WILL ELEVATE AUSTIN.
AND I HOPE THAT Y'ALL ARE ABLE TO GET THE SELF CARE YOU NEED AFTER THESE LONG DAYS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.
I THINK HE MIGHT REMEMBER SRI TIME DURING THIS, UH, SOME PERSONS IN CRISIS.
UH, I'M CALLING TO JOIN THE, UH, CHORUS OF VOICES ASKING FOR, UH, A REAL ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS FROM, UH, APD TO, UH, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE, UH, ORIENTED, UH, CITY SERVICES.
UM, MY, UH, LIKE MANY OTHERS, UH, SUPPORT COUNCILMAN BUCKASAURUS, UH, BUDGET AMENDMENTS, UH, AND WOULD LIKE TO SAY AGAIN, I APPRECIATE YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE, UH, YOUR TIME AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE CITY.
UH, I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT MENTIONING THE BEGINNING OF MY TESTIMONY.
I AM A PROUD MEMBER OF, UH, DISTRICT SEVEN, UH, UNDER CUSTOMER POOL.
UH, THANK YOU FULL AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR, UH, YOUR OFFICES SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION PROCESS AS I, UH, AM TESTIFYING FOR THE FIRST TIME BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL.
UM, I HOPE THAT THAT, UM, MY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN THIS MOMENT, UH, SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT MY, UH, COMMITMENT TO CHANGE.
AND, UH, I HOPE THAT YOU ALL WILL HEAR MY VOICE AND THE VOICES, UH, THIS COURSE THAT I'M JOINING JESSICA LEHMAN, JESSICA LEHMAN, PLEASE UNMUTE.
HI, I'M JESSICA LEHMAN, ASSOCIATE STATE DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY FOR ARP, TEXAS.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT AGENDA ITEM FOUR, WHICH UPDATES THE CREDIT ACCESS BUSINESS ORDINANCE AAR P CARES ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ONE IN FIVE PAYDAY LENDER, BORROWERS ARE AGE 50 OR OLDER, AND THAT FIGURE DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE COUNTLESS OLDER TECHS WHO HAVE HELPED THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN BREAK FREE FROM THESE HIGH COST LOANS.
WE'RE BACK TODAY BECAUSE OF AN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RULING THAT HAS CREATED A LOOPHOLE FOR PAYDAY AND AUTO TITLE LENDERS TO EVADE THE REASONABLE LIMITS ENACTED IN YOUR 2012 ORDINANCE.
ARP SUPPORTS THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT UNDER CONSIDERATION BECAUSE IT CLOSES THIS NEW LOOP HOLE WHILE PRESERVING AUSTIN RESIDENTS ACCESS TO CREDIT UNDER TERMS THAT GIVES THEM A REASONABLE CHANCE TO SUCCEED IN THEIR LOAN ARP.
THANKS CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONTINUED ATTENTION TO THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
MIA, HER GUCCI CULTURE AND DISTRICT AND I, AND I'M CALLING TO DEPART PUZZLED BY PULIKKATHARA FLANAGAN AND DEMANDED APB FUNDED BY 50%.
LAST YEAR, I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR CAR ACCIDENT.
THE POLICE SHOWED UP AND PAID FOR THAT 45 MINUTES, BUT THAT'S GONNA BE ON WRITING THESE TICKETS, WHICH HAS NO MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES BECAUSE THE CARS WERE ON THE SHOULDER.
THEY NEEDED THESE DRIFT TRAFFIC.
MY EXPERIENCE WAS NOT UNUSUAL ON AVERAGE, AUSTIN POLICE SPEND NEARLY AN HOUR RESPONDING TO EACH OTHER MORE THAN 3000 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CALLS TO GET EVERY MONTH.
THERE IS NO NEED FOR IT TO BE FUNCTIONING.
APD WILL BE AUSTIN DOESN'T COACH AND PROPOSE BUDGET CUTS.
4.4 MILLION COULD BE REINVESTED IN THE CIVILIAN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT DIVISION AND SIMILAR REALLOCATIONS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE FOR VIRTUALLY EVERY OTHER DEPARTMENT.
HOW COMPLETELY THINGS SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY TO MORE THAN ONE FOUR OFFSIDE REPORT FEELING UNSAFE IN THE PRESENCE OF POLICE.
I CALL THEM A COUNCIL TO DEMONSTRATE ITS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT, WHOSE COMMUNITY BY REJECTING INSTITUTIONS ROOTED IN VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACK AND BROWN BODIES AND INVESTING POTIONS THAT MOVE US TOWARD A FUTURE REVOLUTION.
FOSBERG TREVOR VOSBERG PLEASE.
AND I'M CALLING TODAY AS THE RESTAURANT OF DISTRICT THREE IN OPPOSITION TO THE CURRENT BUDGET PROPOSAL.
I ASKED ALL TO REJECT ANY BUDGET THAT FALLS SHORT OF THE FUNDING APD BY AT LEAST 50%.
AND INSTEAD WE ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO LOW INCOME HOUSING, COMMUNITY
[07:35:01]
HEALTH LIBRARIES, AND SERVICES FOR UNHEALTHY PEOPLE AND VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.I ALSO ASK THAT ANY PROGRAMS INTENDED TO ENSURE EQUITY, INTERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY OR DATA INTEGRITY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE OVERSIGHT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT EARLIER TODAY.
APDS OFFICIAL TWITTER ACCOUNT URGE PROTESTORS TO STAY SAFE BY GETTING OUT OF THE ROADWAY.
LUCY, THE MAN WHO DROVE INTO A CROWD OF PROTESTERS AND MURDERED KURT FOSTER.
WE PUT THE BILL NOT ONLY FOR THEIR COMPETENCE, BUT ALSO THEIR FLAGRANT CONTEMPT OF THOSE WHO WISH TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
THEY PROTECT AND SERVE SELECTIVELY SELECT TO IGNORE WHITE SUPREMACISTS SILENCE AND ARE DEMONSTRABLY THE ON REPORT.
PLEASE TAKE THESE FIRST STEPS TOWARD DEFENDING APS FIREBRAND MANLY PLATFORM.
CAN CASSIDY ABOLISH THE POLICE UNION AND WORK TOWARDS ABOLISHING THE POLICE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION, CLAIRE
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 10.
I'M CALLING TO THE FUND APD BY AT LEAST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS AND REALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES.
IT MAKES NO SENSE TO ME TO HAVE A MILITARIZED POLICE FORCE WITH THE BUDGET OF A SMALL COUNTRY, FULLY FUNDED.
THESE WEAPONS BANNED BY THE GENEVA CONVENTION ON PEACEFUL PROTESTERS, JUSTICE, JUSTICE FOR GARRETT FOSTER, MY GRANDMAS, BRAD, LOVEY IOLA, ALL THE NAMELESS PEOPLE, ANTAGONIZED BY POLICE AND ALL THE PROTESTERS WHO WERE INJURED BY TEAR GAS AND RUBBER BULLETS DURING A PANDEMIC.
DO WE HAVE A WHOLE COUNT OF ALL THE PROTESTERS INJURED BY POLICE DURING THOSE PROTESTS, COMMUNITY SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION HAS NEVER BEEN SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISHED BY POLICE.
I WITNESSED APDS INABILITY TO HELP US SURVIVE OR OF SEXUAL ASSAULT FIRSTHAND.
I'VE WORKED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCACY FOR EIGHT YEARS.
I'M CALLING FOR MYSELF AND NOT ON BEHALF OF ANY ORGANIZATION.
I HELPED A WOMAN LATE AT NIGHT ON THE SIDE OF THE FAULTED BY UBER DRIVER.
I STOPPED MY CAR AND HELPED HER CALL NINE ONE ONE.
I WAS NOT TRAINED IN HAVEN, TREY HAN.
SO I AM HAVEN TREY HAN FROM DISTRICT FIVE.
AND ON SATURDAY I WATCHED MY FRIEND DIE AND QUITE FRANKLY, IT IS DISGUSTING THAT AFTER HE PUT HIMSELF IN FRONT OF A GUNMAN THAT DROVE THROUGH THE CROWD TO HEAR KEN CASSADY HAVE THE GUTS TO STAND UP AND SAY THAT HE DESERVED IT AND THE POLICE ARE SUPPOSED TO STOP BILINGUAL CRIME.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? AND YOU WON'T GIVE ANY MONEY TO THE HOMELESS THEY'RE OUT THERE EVERY NIGHT WITH US.
I KNOW ONE HOMELESS GUY WHO IS WORTH EVERY SINGLE OFFICER, EVERY ONE ON THE FOURTH INTERNAL AFFAIRS PEOPLE, THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING.
IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT YOU GUYS WILL NOT EVEN CONSIDER IT DEEP FUNDING, AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS CONSISTENTLY PROVING ITSELF TO BE INADEQUATE AND HARMFUL, NOT JUST HARMFUL MURDEROUS TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN KITCHEN.
I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU, FIND A WAY TO MAKE HOMELESSNESS END, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME.
I EMAILED YOU AND WE WILL GET THIS DONE.
YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED KADESIA ALEEM HI, I'M A RESIDENT, UH, DISTRICT SEVEN.
I'M CALLING FOR THE DEFUNDING OF APD BY 50% AND EVENTUALLY DISMANTLING IT.
ALSO, I WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ON A COLOR FEARMONGERING STATEMENT EARLIER THAT VIOLENCE IS COMING, BUT SADLY VIOLENCE IS ALREADY HERE WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO ARE CAUSING HARM TO BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.
THEREFORE I'M IN SUPPORT OF POOL, FLANAGAN AND CAZARES, A PROPOSAL FOR THE REMOVAL OF FORENSICS FROM APD AND FOR IT TO BE RUN BY INDEPENDENT SCIENCE SCIENTISTS AND FOR THE REMOVAL OF INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS FROM APD, BECAUSE APD SHOULD NOT BE INVESTIGATING ITSELF.
WE NEED TO RETHINK HOW WE HELP BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES INSTEAD OF ENTRAPPING THEM IN TRAPPING THEM IN THE CYCLE OF POVERTY, SUDDENLY BEING PERPETUATED BY APD.
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT CRIME IS RELATED TO POVERTY AND A LACK OF RESOURCES, AUSTIN.
[07:40:01]
I MEAN, ARISTOTLE SAID POVERTY IS APPARENT OF CRIME.THEREFORE IT'S ONLY LOGICAL FOR US TO FUND SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS AND NOT NOTARIZATION.
LASTLY, WE NEED TO CONSIDER MOVING CERTAINLY FROM APD AND PROVIDED REPARATIONS FOR FAMILIES THAT WERE DISPLACED DUE TO GENTRIFICATION.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SPEAKERS IN Q.
IF YOU HAVEN'T PRESSED ZERO, PLEASE DO SO NOW.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I LIVE IN THE HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE PAST.
THE COMMUNITY HAS ASKED THE POLICE TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT ARE BETTER PROVIDED BY NEW CITY DEPARTMENTS OUTSIDE OF ABD OR NGOS.
AS A START, I ASKED YOU TO REALLOCATE FUNDS FOR FORENSICS AND INTERNAL AFFAIR INVESTIGATIONS AWAY FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
I TRUST YOU WILL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO MOVE FUNDS AWAY FROM THE PROPOSED APG BUDGET TO ACHIEVE OUTCOMES.
WE WANT X, WE MUST DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO CHANGE THE CULTURE OF APD THAT TOLERATES RACISMS. THANK YOU.
UM, SO FINLAND RECENTLY ELIMINATED HOMELESSNESS AND IN DOING SO, THEY ENDED UP SAVING MONEY.
UM, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT A $25 MILLION TO END HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTIN.
WE CAN DO THAT WITH ONE 17TH, LESS THAN A 17TH OF THE CURRENT, UM, APD BUDGET.
THE POLICE BUDGET IN THE CITY IS 40% OF THE GENERAL FUND.
UM, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT COULD BE USED TO SAVE LIVES.
IN OTHER WAYS, I KNOW THAT IT SEEMS VERY HEROIC TO GO OUT THERE WITH A GUN AND I'M A SOLDIER FOR THE PEOPLE.
UM, I'M GOING TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM VIOLENT, VIOLENT CRIME, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TIME WHEN A VIOLENT CRIME TAKES PLACE, THE POLICE DON'T SHOW UP IN TIME TO STOP IT.
THEY DOCUMENT WHAT HAPPENS THERE, OR SAME THING WHEN SOMEBODY SHOPLIFTS WHEN SOMEBODY, UH, YOU KNOW, W OR WHEN SOMEBODY CALLED THE NOISE COMPLAINT OR SOMETHING LIKE WE DON'T NEED ARMED GUARDS SHOWING UP FOR THAT.
UM, THERE ARE REALLY, THERE ARE MUCH BETTER SOLUTIONS TO MOST PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE.
UM, AND HONESTLY, THERE ARE PEOPLE DYING A WHOLE LOT OF WAYS IN THE CITY, LIKE STARVING IN THE STREETS.
YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DON'T HAVE HOMES.
PEOPLE DON'T HAVE HEALTH CARE.
THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE CAN USE OUR GENERAL FUNDS FOR THAT.
IT SOUNDS SO CRAZY WHEN WE'RE ALL TREVOR.
I'M A DISTRICT SEVEN RESIDENT, UH, T COUNCIL AND TO COLORED RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN CURRENT APD LEADERSHIP TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES, TO ADDRESS RACISM.
WHY ISN'T THE CURRENT, WHY DOES THE CURRENT APD LEADERSHIP STILL IN PLACE? WHY IS THE COUNCIL NOT TREATING THIS CRISIS? THE URGENCY? WHY DO YOU RETAIN A MANAGER? NOT FIND THE COUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE BUDGET.
I'M SPEAKING IN FAITH IN SUPPORT OF MEASURES BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, PULL PLAN AGAIN, AND CSR, AS WELL AS AUSTIN JUSTICE COALITION TO MOVE FUNCTIONS FROM APD TO CIVILIAN DEPARTMENTS THAT CAN BETTER ADDRESS RACISM.
WE'VE DISPATCHED, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH, CRISIS RESPONSE, FORENSICS, INVESTIGATIONS, POLICE OVERSIGHT ALL TO THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT, INDEPENDENT CIVILIAN DEPARTMENTS.
APART FROM APD, I'VE BEEN A VICTIM OF PROPERTY CRIME THIS PAST YEAR.
INVESTIGATOR NANNETTE FARM POLICE OFFICER.
SOMEONE WHO WAS HOMELESS, AND ALSO, I WAS JUST TRYING TO FEED THEMSELVES BE MUCH BETTER TO SPEND THOSE FUNDS FALLING HOMELESS.
IF THERE ANY SPEAKERS IN THE QUEUE, PLEASE PRESS ZERO.
THAT CONCLUDES ALL THE SPEAKERS, STEVE COLLEAGUES.
THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS WE HAVE.
WE HAVE, UH, SOME ITEMS WE NEED TO MOVE THROUGH ON THE AGENDA
[Items 1 & 14: 1. Approve a resolution adopting the South Congress Preservation and Improvement District Service and Assessment Plan and Budget update for 2021. Related to Item #14. 14. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance setting the assessment rate and approving the certified 2021 assessment roll for the South Congress Preservation and Improvement District. Related to Item #1.]
ITEMS. ONE IN 14, RELATE TO THE SOUTH CONGRESS, PID 14.WE CONDUCTED A PUBLIC, UH, UH, HEARING, UH, AND THEN WE CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE ASSESSMENT, RIGHT, SIR, A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, UH, AND APPROVE THE, UH, RESOLUTION
[07:45:01]
SETTING, THE ASSESSMENT RATES, UM, ITEMS NUMBER 14, ONE AND 14 WITH MY COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.IS THERE A SECOND COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS IN DISCUSSION COUNCILOR FLANAGAN? UH, I'LL.
NO ON ITEM ONE HAS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
UM, I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR PROPOSED BUDGET EQUALLY SPLITTING FOUR WAYS.
DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A FULL ANALYSIS.
WHAT? I'LL STILL SUPPORT THE ASSESSMENT.
WITH THAT SAID THOSE IN FAVOR OF ONE AND 14, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS.
UH, THOSE EVERYONE VOTED IN FAVOR.
NOTE THE NOVA FROM COUNCIL MEMBER FLANAGAN, A COUNCIL MEMBER.
TOVO YOU'VE RUNNING I ON THAT ON BOTH AGAIN.
AND I COUNTER HER MADISON DONUTS YES.
UH, SO, UM, WAS THAT ALL OF US? YES, MA'AM.
[Items 2 & 15: 2. Approve a resolution adopting the East Sixth Street Public Improvement District Service and Assessment Plan and Budget update for 2021. Related to Item #15. 15. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance setting the assessment rate and approving the certified 2021 assessment roll for the East Sixth Street Public Improvement District. Related to Item #2.]
IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 15, THE EAST SIXTH STREET PIT, AND THEN TO APPROVE THE, UH, ASSESSMENT.UH, THIS IS 1515 INTO, IS THERE A MOTION AS WE'RE CONCERNED? MIXED EMOTIONS ARE SECOND.
I CAN SAY DISCUSSION AND FOCUS.
ARE THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
IT'S UNANIMOUS ON THE DICE, THOSE TWO ITEMS. OKAY.
[Items 3 & 16 3. Approve a resolution adopting the Austin Downtown Public Improvement District Service and Assessment Plan and Budget update for 2021. Related to Item #16. 16. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance setting the assessment rate and approving the 2021 assessment roll for the Austin Downtown Public Improvement District. Related to Item #3.]
GO THEN TO THE NEXT ITEM.AGAIN, IT'S TWO ITEMS, THREE AND 16, 16 CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE'RE GOING TO SIMPLY CONSIDER THE ORDER AND SETTING THE CESSPIT RATE AND ALSO APPROVING THE ASSESSMENT ROLE AND THE RESOLUTION FOR THE, UH, ASSESS THEIR EMOTION FROM OUR HOPPER.
IS THERE A SECOND? I CAN'T REMEMBER, UH, LS SECONDS IN DISCUSSION THOSE IN FAVOR.
RAISE YOUR HAND OR WAS OPPOSE.
ARE YOU GOOD WITH THIS? I'M NOT SURE WHY MY VIDEO KEEPS GOING OFF, BUT YES I AM IN FAVOR.
[4. Approve an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 4-12 (Registration of Credit Access Businesses) to require credit services organizations to comply with City Code Chapter 4-12, creating an offense and penalty, and amending the 2019-2020 Fee Schedule in Ordinance No. 20190910-002 to add an application fee.]
ONE IS ITEM NUMBER FOUR, WHICH IS THE, OUR CREDIT, UM, UH, SERVICES, UH, ISSUE.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER FOUR? IS THERE A PRO TEM MAKES THE MOTION SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER.
THERE WAS A POST THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO THEM THIS ON THE DIOCESE AS WELL.
[Items 5 & 8: 5. Approve an ordinance adopting the Street Impact Fee Land Use Assumptions, Street Impact Fee Capacity Improvements Plan, Street Impact Fee Service Area Boundaries, and Street Impact Fees. Related to Item #8. 8. Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to include a Street Impact Fee program. Related to Item #5.]
TO THE STREET IMPACT FEES.THIS ITEM IS A PRO STONE, UH, TO, UH, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN REGARDING TO LEAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN, UH, ON NUMBER, UH, UH, BACK UP TREAT IMPACT FEES.
EIGHT 27 IS POSTPONED AS IS THE ASSOCIATED NUMBER FIVE, BOTH POSTPONED TO EIGHT 27.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING THAT RIGHT ON THE STREET IMPACT PHASE, BECAUSE I THINK TECHNICALLY WE HAD TO HAVE THE HEARING TODAY.
SO I THINK WE, I THINK ONE OF THE ITEMS WAS JUST LEFT OPEN.
WE HEARD IT AND THEN IT WAS LEFT OPEN, AND THEN THE OTHER ONE WAS POSTPONED.
I THINK THAT WAS NUMBER 18 THAT WE HAD TO LEAVE OPEN.
I'M SEEING BOTH GATE MAINTAIN.
I THOUGHT THERE WERE TWO ITEMS FOR THE STREET IMPACT BE AND ONE OF THEM WAS JUST A HEARING AND ONE WAS THE, OKAY, SO IT'S BOTH OF THAT.
SO ITEM NUMBER FIVE, WHERE YOU START FOR PUBLIC.
FIVE IS POSTPONED TO EIGHT 27.
ITEM NUMBER EIGHT IS THE PUBLIC HEARING.
I'M JUST GOING TO BE LEFT OPEN, AND IT'S GOING TO BE CONTINUED TO EIGHT 27.
[9. Conduct a public hearing and receive public comment on growth-related projects within the Drinking Water Protection Zone to be included in the FY 2020-2021 Capital Budget.]
ON ITEM NUMBER NINE, THERE'S NO ACTION NEEDED THAT.WE'RE JUST PUBLIC HEARING THAT WE HELD ON
[12. Conduct a public hearing and consider the proposed rate and fee changes for Austin Resource Recovery as part of the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Proposed Budget.]
THE H A R R FEES.IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? IT GETS OVER TOBO IT MAKES THE MOTION SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER.
UM, ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS TO, UM, UH, THIS ITEM? THEY ARE CLOSING A PUBLIC HEARING HEARING.
I DON'T HAVE AN OBJECTION TO JUST
[07:50:01]
RAISING THAT.I MAY HAVE SOME GLASSES AND I TRUST YOU AND ASSIGN THE OBJECTION, BUT I JUST WANT TO FLAG IT FOR PEOPLE.
IS THAT A NUMBER 12 IN THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED WITHOUT OBJECTION.
[13. Conduct a public hearing on the proposed water and wastewater rate changes for Austin Water as part of the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Proposed Budget.]
IS THE AUSTIN MORTAR RATES.IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING, HEARING? NOT ON THAT.
I'M 13, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED ITEM
[17. Conduct a community input session to receive public comment on the City of Austin Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Proposed Budget.]
NUMBER 17 IS THE BUDGET HEARING.THERE IS NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON THAT, OR JUST YOUR TESTIMONY
[18. Conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on the City’s Fiscal Year 2020-21 Action Plan; and approve a resolution that adopts the City’s Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Action Plan for grant funds distributed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and authorizes the City Manager to submit, execute, and negotiate the necessary grant applications, certifications, and other related documents.]
ITEM NUMBER 18.UH, THIS IS, UM, UH, ALSO THE CITY ACTION PLAN FOR, FOR HOD.
WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN AND RECAP AND PICK THIS UP AGAIN FOR CONSIDERATION ON AUGUST 27TH.
[72. Conduct a public hearing on proposed rate and fee changes for Austin Energy as part of the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Proposed Budget.]
THAT LEAVES US THEN WITH ADAM 72 AUSTRIAN ENERGY RATES.IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING, HEARING? NONE.
THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED ON ITEM NUMBER 72.
I THINK THOSE ARE ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US ON THE AGENDA.
I THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER WORK SESSION COMING UP NEXT WEEK ON THE BUDGET.
UH, THAT'LL BE TAKEN, UH, FOR, FOR THAT.
AND I THINK THE, UH, THE NEXT TIME THAT THE PUBLIC HAS A CHANCE TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET IS ON AUGUST 12TH.
WHEN WE PICK THAT UP AT THE PUBLIC HEARING, UH, ANY, UH, FURTHER, UH, MATTERS BEFORE WE ADJOURN THE MEETING TONIGHT, HEARING NONE.
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED AT 9:15 PM.