REGULAR MEETING OF THE 2026 BOND ELECTION ADVISORY TASK FORCE MONDAY, February 9, 2026, AT 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, EVENTS CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force may be participating by video conference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nicole Hernandez, 512-974-7644, nicole.hernandez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT MEMBERS: Mary Hager, Chair Ana Aguirre Nicole Conley Richard DePalma Robert Fiedler Donald Jackson Garry Merritt Katrina Miller Kenneth Standley Ben Suddaby Heyden Walker CALL TO ORDER Frances Jordan, Vice Chair Tina Cannon Charles Curry JC Dwyer Jeremiah Hendricks Noelita Lugo Luke Metzger Dewi Smith Rachel Stone David Sullivan Kaiba White AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force Regular Called meeting on January 12, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding 2026 Bond Phase 3 engagement update. Presentation by Jessica King, Chief Communication Director, Lucero Arechiga, Community Engagement Consultant, Andres Cantu, Acting Public Communication Information and Marketing Manager, Austin Communications and Engagement. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion of bond spending eligibility questions and other financial considerations, including review of financial Q&A prepared by Austin Financial Services. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Approve the modified criteria to be used by full Bond Election Advisory Task Force to prioritize projects recommended by Working Groups. Approve any necessary revisions to the work plan resulting from the January 26 meeting cancellation WORKING GROUP UPDATE 6. 7. 8. Update from Transportation & Electrification Working Group regarding initial draft recommendation. Update from Investments in Facilities and Assets Working Group regarding initial draft recommendation. Update from Parkland and Open Space Working Group regarding initial draft recommendation. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will …
2026 Bond | Outreach & Engagement Monday, February 9, 2026 Agenda • Timeline • Phase III: Community Open Houses & Survey II • Outreach and Engagement Support • Questions & Answers Outreach and Engagement Schedule APR – MAY 2025 JUNE 2025 JULY 2025 NOV 2025 Staff-led outreach and engagement efforts begin. Community survey opens May 29. June 23 survey comes to a close. Staff begin to work on the preliminary report. July 28 Presentation of community feedback. Town hall planning and coordination. In November, the BEATF will host three community listening sessions where community members can drop in, learn about who the BEATF is, their goals, and gather insights from community priorities. 7/28/25 2026 BOND 3 Outreach and Engagement Schedule January 2026 JAN – FEB 2026 JAN – APRIL 2026 City Staff will provide an initial recommendation to Mayor and City Council City Staff will host Phase III Community Engagement with Open Houses and launch survey #2 on potential bond projects (BEATF) Working groups will present recommendations to the full BEATF. April 27, 2026 BEATF will provide recommendation to Mayor and Council 7/28/25 2026 BOND 4 Outreach and Engagement Schedule MAY 2026 AUGUST 2026 NOVEMBER 2026 City Council Ordinance considers to call for the bond election by August 6, 2026 Nov 3. Bond Election City Staff will provide a FINAL recommendation to the Mayor and City Council. Council Discussion and Final Resolution: Work Session May 19 Council Meeting – May 21 2026 BOND 5 Phase III: Community Open Houses & Survey II Bond 2026 Open Houses Phase 3 of the Bond 2026 engagement focuses on community open houses, designed to deepen understanding, invite informed input, and bring community members closer to the decision-making process. Montopolis Recreation Center 1200 Montopolis, Dr. Austin, TX 78741 Tuesday, February 17 | 4 - 8 pm Northwest Recreation Center 2913 Northland Dr, Austin, TX 78757 Saturday, February 21 | 10 am – 2 pm Virtual Meeting Tuesday, February 24 | 11 am – 1 pm Permitting & Development Center 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752 Wednesday, February 25 | 4 - 8 pm Conley-Guerrero Senior Center 808 Nile St, Austin, TX 78702 Saturday, February 28 | 11 am - 3 pm 2026 BOND 7 Bond 2026 Open Houses Each open house is designed as a walk-up, interactive experience, allowing community members to participate at their own pace. Community members will be able to: Understand …
BEATF Value Question/Evaluation Does the funding from the 2026 Bond open up other non-City sources of funds (federal, state, philanthropic/private) sources of funds for the project or program that wouldn’t otherwise be available? (Max 5) Yes ☐ (5) Points Maybe ☐ (2) No ☐ (0) Financial Considerations (Is this a smart use of taxpayer money?) [30 Points] Is the 2026 Bond the only available source of funds for the project or program? (Max 15) No ☐ (5) Does the project or program provide gap funding to complete a previous bond project? Yes ☐ (10) Is the project or program recommended by City staff? (Max 10) Top 2 from department ☐ (10) Top 3 from department ☐ (5) TOTAL Yes ☐ (0) No ☐ (0) Other ☐ (2) BEATF Value Question/Evaluation Equity and Access (Does this help communities that have been underserved?) [30 Points] Does the project or program serve historically underserved populations and disinvested neighborhoods? (Max 10) Does the project or program serve a documented service gap? (Max 10) Is the project or program accessible to all? (Max 10) Does the project or program address essential health and life safety? TOTAL Points Yes ☐ (7.5) No ☐ (0) Yes ☐ (7.5) No ☐ (0) Yes ☐ (7.5) No ☐ (0) Yes ☐ (7.5) No ☐ (0) BEATF Value Question/Evaluation Points Community Support (Does this project or program respond to requests from the public?) Did the project or program receive public support? (Max 10) Strong ☐ (10) Medium ☐ (5) None ☐ (0) [10 Points] TOTAL BEATF Value Question/ Evaluation* Carbon Impact (Max 15) Negative ☐ (15) Zero or very small ☐ (10) Moderate after mitigation☐ (5) Environmentally Beneficial (Does this project or program help or hurt our environmental goals?) [30 Points] Air, Water and Land Pollution Impact (Max 7) Reduces pollution ☐ (7) Zero or very small impact ☐ (5) Moderate impact after mitigation ☐ (2) Maximized ☐ (8) Significant but not all ☐ (5) Some/little ☐ (2) None or no info provided ☐ (0) Green construction practices (low-carbon materials, solar, etc.) maximized and/or wildlife benefits (Max 8) TOTAL Points Significant w/ little or no mitigation☐ (0) Significant w/ little or no mitigation ☐ (0)
BEATF WORK PLAN [January 2026 – May 2026] January 2026 • Working Groups meeting per schedule • 1.12.26 BEATF Meeting o Discussion of the upcoming Community Engagement Plan by Austin Communications and Engagement Department o Presentation of Carbon Neutral Bond Package by Member Luke Metzger o Approve amendments to the BEATF Work Plan • 1.14.26 City Recommendations Presented to Audit and Finance Committee • 1.26.26 BEATF Meeting o Presentation from Financial Services Regarding Debt Capacity o Transportation & Electrification Working Group Presentation of Scoring/Recommendations Investments in Facilities Working Group Presentation of Recommendations o February 2026 • Working Groups meeting per schedule • 2.9.26 BEATF Meeting o Parkland and Open Space Working Group Presentation of Scoring/Recommendations o Discussion/Questions RE Recommendations o [additional agenda items] • 2.23.26 BEATF Meeting o Stormwater Working Group Presentation of Scoring/Recommendations o Discussion/Questions RE Recommendations o [additional agenda items] March 2026 • Working Groups meeting per schedule • 3.9.26 BEATF Meeting o Affordable Housing Working Group Presentation of Recommendations o Discussion/Questions RE Recommendations o [additional agenda items] • 3.23.26 BEATF Meeting o Presentations from City departments related to Working Group Recommendations o Discussion/Questions RE Recommendations o [additional agenda items] April 2026 • 4.13.26 BEATF Meeting o Presentations from City departments related to Working Group Recommendations o Discussion/Questions RE Recommendations o [additional agenda items] • 4.27.26 BEATF Meeting o Discussion and possible action on BEATF Recommendations o [additional agenda items] May 2026 • 5.4.26 BEATF Meeting o Discussion and possible action on BEATF Recommendations o [additional agenda items]
Department Departmen t Priority Average Score July Full Department Priority List 1.21.26 Priority City Staff Recommendation s 1.21.26 Staff Notes 1.21.26 WG Initial Recommendations ($300 M) 1 81.7 $81,000,000 $33,000,000 $81,000,000 1 74.2 $65,000,000 $30,000,000 $58,700,000 1 79.3 $20,000,000 $10,000,000 $20,000,000 1 1 61.5 $80,000,000 $30,000,000 $35,000,000 69.1 $40,000,000 $15,000,000 $40,000,000 Project/Program Description Funding to fill gaps in the pedestrian system by building new sidewalks and shared streets, prioritizing high-need areas within ¼ mile of schools, bus stops, and parks. Funding will also support sidewalks on both sides of arterial and collector streets and one side of residential streets, enhancing accessibility and comfort for pedestrians. Funding to implement Vision Zero safety programs including but not limited to safety corridors, major intersections, pedestrian crossings, speed management, and systemic safety. Funding for safety improvements around schools including sidewalks, curb ramps, bike lanes, curb extensions, pedestrian crossing islands, school zone beacons, pedestrian hybrid beacons, and traffic signals. Funding for land acquisition, engineering, and construction of Tier I urban trails; route identification and design for Tier II trails; and trail connections to existing transportation infrastructure. Funding also supports designing and building trail connections to address barriers in the active transportation network across both tiers. Funding to design and install bicycle facilities supporting a citywide All Ages and Abilities (AAA) network, achieving up to 75% completion of the AAA system. Funding to design and construct transit- supportive infrastructure at high-priority locations, as identified in the 2023 Transit Enhancement Infrastructure Report. Improvements include pedestrian crossings and first/last mile connections near bus stops, transit priority lanes, signal modifications, bus queue jump signals, and safety enhancements like access and curb management near transit facilities. Transportation and Public Works Transportation and Public Works Transportation and Public Works Transportation and Public Works Transportation and Public Works Transportation and Public Works 1 63.7 $19,000,000 $7,000,000 $7,000,000 $7,300,000 Fleet Services N/A 60 0 $0 Funding for the design and construction of improvements to 6th, 7th, and 8th streets downtown as appropriate and identified within the ACT Plan (and achievable in a 6-year period). Construction in downtown will be phased to limit disruptions. Funding for design and construction of the Complete Streets program. Improvements will build on Preliminary Engineering Reports that have already been completed. This program aims to enhance safety, multimodal access, and connectivity. Transportation and Public Works Transportation and Public Works 1 38.8 $80,000,000 $20,000,000 6th street only 10 48.1 $285,000,000 …
Project Project/Program Description Department Item # Department Priority Average Score Package 1 Package 2 Package 3 This new public health center will house multiple Austin Public Health (APH) programs. Set to be constructed in the Eastern Crescent of Travis County—a region characterized by significant poverty and health disparities—this 30,000 square- foot multi-purpose center will include: Neighborhood Center, Immunization Clinic,WIC Clinic, Youth Services, and Child Care Center. Austin Public Health Colony Park Public Health Center The proposed public health center in the Rundberg/Braker area will serve as a comprehensive facility housing multiple Austin Public Health (APH) programs. These will include a Neighborhood Center, an Immunization Clinic, a WIC Clinic, a Sexual Health Clinic, Youth Services, and a Refugee Services Center. Located in the Eastern Crescent of Travis County—a region characterized by high poverty and significant health disparities—the facility will encompass a 40,000 square-foot multi-purpose center. Austin Public Health Northeast Public Health Center 10 2 29.9 $ 42,000,000 $ 42,000,000 $ 42,000,000 9 1 29.9 $ 51,000,000 $ 51,000,000 $ 51,000,000 The Colony Park Branch Library Project proposes a 30,000 square-foot multi- purpose center that will serve the rapidly growing and underserved communities in northeast Austin, where the nearest public library is over 8 miles away. This branch will provide 0.6 to 0.8 square feet per resident and fill a critical gap by offering accessible educational, technological, and health resources. It will act as a community hub, addressing the specific needs of the Colony Park area by promoting digital literacy, offering telehealth services, and supporting overall well- being. Colony Park Branch Library Austin Public Library 11 Animal Service Center Campus Improvements Improvements to the existing Austin Animal Center to support current needs (the existing shelter was designed and built before Austin adopted its no-kill ordinance). This project envisions expansion of the medical ward, new kennel building, new cat area, and expansion/update of key service areas and systems. Animal Services George Washington Carver Museum Phase 1a and 1b Renovations to the building will include construction of new upper-level administrative offices and conversion of the front administrative area into a multi- use event space, as outlined in the Council-approved facility expansion plan. Outdoor improvements in the plan include an ADA-accessible restroom, an outdoor classroom, and a teaching garden. Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment 1 3 1 1 2 25.9 $ 58,800,000 $ 58,800,000 $ 58,800,000 23.1 $ 40,000,000 $ 40,000,000 17.4 $ 6,000,000 Purchase …
D R A F T Parkland & Open Space Working Group Preliminary Recommendations Based on Current Data & Constraints February 9, 2026 Information Reviewed Included but Not Limited to: • Community Input • Austin Parks & Recreation Presentations and Information • Austin Climate Action and Resilience (ACAR) Presentations and Information • Capital Delivery Services (CDS) Engineering Focused Input Parkland & Open Space Working Group In total - 56 Projects within Six Program Categories Evaluated. Preliminary Recommendations Include Considerations on: • Extreme Critical Needs • Evaluation Criteria Rubric • Credit Rating Impact • Bond Capacity • Entire Bond Program Bottom Line – We Believe the Real Need is Greater than What Can Be Funded at the Moment. Preliminary Recommendations Based on Current Data & Constraints. February 9, 2026 Preliminary Bond Recommendations Department Priority Program Name Description Priority 1 Building Renovation and Replacement Program; and Maintenance Centers Funding for renovation /rehabilitation or replacement of existing Parks and Recreation maintenance facilities and assets, including ADA and safety improvements along w/ bathroom renovations (added by working group). Parkland & Open Space Working Group Council District Department Request Initial Working Group Recommendation Citywide $85,000,000 $75,000,000 Priority 1 Parkland Acquisition Program Funding for the acquistion of parkland that includes land to fill critical gaps within trails, greenbelts and greenways; land to fulfill the Colorado River Corridor Vision Plan shared use trail; and neighborhood/pocket parks within park deficient areas. Citywide $100,000,000 $55,000,000 Priority 2 Aquatic Programs Funding for major renovations or replacements of existing City pools. Citywide $60,000,000 $35,000,000 Priority 3 Parkland Infrastructure Program Funding for the improvement or replacement of park infrastructure, such as playscapes, trails, parking lots, roadways, athletic fields/facilities, and City cemeteries. Citywide $40,000,000 $15,000,000 Priority 2 Parkland Improvements Funding for the development of existing City parks, including neighborhood parks, district parks, metro parks, greenbelts, special parks, and downtown squares. Citywide $70,000,000 Priority 3 Recreation and Senior Center Improvement Program Funding for renovations, rehabilitations, and additions to existing senior and recreation centers and assets. Priorities and needs identified in the 2024 Recreation and Senior Center Facility Assessment and Gap Analysis. Citywide $55,000,000 0 0 Parks and Open Space Total: $ 410,000,000 $ 180,000,000 Preliminary Recommendations Based on Current Data & Constraints. February 9, 2026 Parkland & Open Space Working Group Future Input May Include: • Additional Direction by Council • New Funding Information • Alternative Funding Recommendations such as: ▪ Expanding concession opportunities for …
2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force (BEATF) REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, February 9, 2026 The 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force convened in a Regular meeting on Monday February 9, 2026, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Hager called the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force Meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Mary Hager, Chair Frances Jordan, Vice Chair Ana Aguirre Charles Curry Richard DePalma Luke Metzger Kenneth Standley Heyden Walker Kaiba White Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Tina Cannon JC Dwyer Noelita Lugo Rachel Stone Ben Suddaby David Sullivan PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL • Andi Brauer- Spoke to the Task Force about homeless advocacy. • Martin Jones- Spoke to the Task Force about a bond request for Austin Studios. 1 • Awais Azhar- Spoke to the Task Force about the need for affordable housing. • Mel Leblanc – Spoke to the Task Force advocating a bond package for affordable housing and homelessness. • Alfredo Reyes, Jr. – Spoke to the Task Force about affordable housing. • Cindi Reed- Spoke to the Task Force to prioritize families and children, libraries, recreation centers and multi-use spaces in underserved areas. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force REGULAR MEETING on January 12, 2026. The minutes from the meeting of (1/12/2026) were approved on MEMBER Jordan’s motion, MEMBER Walker’s second on a (14-0) vote. Member Cannon abstaining and Members Conley, Fiedler, Hendricks, Jackson, Merritt, Miller and Smith absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding 2026 Bond Phase 3 engagement update. Presentation by Jessica King, Chief Communication Director, Lucero Arechiga, Community Engagement Consultant, Andres Cantu, Acting Public Communication Information and Marketing Manager, Austin Communications and Engagement. The presentation was made by Lucero Arechiga, Community Engagement Consultant, Austin Communications and Engagement. Briefing included information about public input and community engagement. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion of bond spending eligibility questions and other financial considerations, including review of financial Q&A prepared by Austin Financial Services. Discussion with Kim Olivares, Director, Austin Financial Services regarding questions from the Task Force. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Approve the modified criteria to be used by full Bond Election Advisory Task Force to prioritize projects recommended by Working Groups. Item not discussed due to time expiring. Approve any necessary revisions to the work plan resulting from the January 26 meeting cancellation The motion to revise …
