PARKING METER WORKING GROUP REPORT SUMMARY JUNE 17, 2020 As determined in the Parks and Recreation Board Meeting in fall 2019, Board members Nina Rinaldi, Romteen Farasat and Laura Cottam Sajbel volunteered for a working group to study concerns about metering lots and streets near public pools, municipal parks, and the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake. These amenities are unique in the city, the pools are the only ones open year-round that offer non-chlorinated and cold water. Current prevailing thinking in city planning encourages cities to meter all parking to 1) encourage vehicle turnover for businesses and to avoid problems with long-term parking on public streets and 2) as a source of revenue to pay for policing of the meters themselves and drawing some additional funding for city amenities. However, recent installation of meters on the north side of the hike and bike trail and an increase in price from $1 to $2 per hour on the meters prompted discussion of the equity issue this poses to taxpayers who fund the parks and would like to access these public amenities for regular exercise and recreation. Much discussion took place over the free lot by Deep Eddy & Eilers Park, which had been filled with construction traffic as well as a rapidly increasing number of patrons and staff of new area businesses along Lake Austin Boulevard, businesses that opened without adequate parking of their own. Cars that previously parked along the road near Austin High School, which had been metered, began to park in the Deep Eddy lot for free. Pool-goers complained about the difficulty of finding parking spaces. As a remedy the city stated their intention to meter the lot. Metering a public parking lot that is part of the Deep Eddy Historical Site upset a lot of swimmers, as well as families shepherding small children with gear to the park and to the pool. This also affects residents who may have disabilities or who are caring for someone with disabilities. The issue of metering brought up the question of equal access, as the pool is near West Austin neighborhoods that are more likely to have residents who can afford the parking meters, but metering could clearly become a burden for daily runners or swimmers trying to access the trail and pool from neighborhoods farther from the amenities. In talking to city planners, it became clear that the …
Special Called Meeting of the Budget Committee of the Water and Wastewater Commission June 24, 2020 The Water and Wastewater Commission to be held June 24, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance of Tuesday, June 23rd, Noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at The Water and Wastewater Commission Budget Committee meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-972-0115 OR Blanca.Madriz@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Blanca.Madriz@austintexas.gov by Noon, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give at least 4 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Blanca Madriz at the Austin Water Utility Department at 512-972-0115, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Water and Wastewater Commission Budget Committee Meeting June 24, 2020 Water and Wastewater Commission Budget Committee Meeting June 24, 2020 – 10:00 - 11:30 am VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live For more information go to: http://www.austintexas.gov/wwc Susan Turrieta, Chair (District 10) Grant Fisher, (District 9) Travis Michel, Vice Chair (District 3) William Moriarty, (Mayor) AGENDA Jesse Penn, (District 1) A. CALL TO ORDER B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the Draft Meeting Minutes of the May 30, 2019 and May 20, 2020 …
Special Meeting of the Joint Inclusion Committee Wednesday, June 24, 2020 Joint Inclusion Committee to be held June 24, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, June 23, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 24th Joint Inclusion Committee Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-2544 or Jessica.coronado@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Jessica.coronado@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 3:00pm Via Videoconferencing CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Commission for Seniors: Janee Briesemeister (Chair) Alternate: Sally Van Sickle Commission for Women: Flannery Bope (Vice-Chair) Alternate: Rebecca Austen Hispanic/Latino QOL Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi Alternate: Maria Solis Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Karen Crawford Alternate: Krystal Gomez Human Rights Commission: Alicia Weigel Alternate: Nathan White Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities: Robin Orlowski Alternate: Joey Gidseg African American Resource Advisory Commission: Gregory Smith Alternate: Marissa Jones Asian American Quality of Life Commission: Nguyen Stanton Alternate: Vince Cobalis LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission: Sandra Chavez Alternate: Charles Curry AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Minutes from February 26, 2020 and April 22, 2020 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action on COVID-19 community outreach initiatives. Presentation by Brion Oaks and Kellee Coleman, Equity Office. b. Update on RISE funds from Equity Office. c. Discussion and possible action on 2020-21 Mini-grants. Presentation by Brion Oaks and Kellee Coleman, Equity Office. d. Discussion and possible action on FY21 …
Special Meeting of the Arts Commission June 24, 2020 –1-2:30pm Arts Commission to be held June 24, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance, the day before the scheduled meeting, Tuesday, June 23 by Noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 24 Arts Commission Meeting, residents must: Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7854 or Annemarie.Mckaskle@AustinTexas.gov no later than noon, Tuesday, June 23. Residents must include the following information in the email request o Resident speaker name o agenda item number(s) the resident wishes to address o whether the resident is for/against/neutral the item(s) o telephone number or email address of the resident speaker Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. Resident speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. Resident speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. Handouts or other information may be emailed to LIAISON EMAIL by Noon the day before (Tuesday, June 23) the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. If the meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live ARTS COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 – 1-2:30pm VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Jaime Castillo – Chair, Michelle Polgar – Vice Chair, Brett Barnes, Lulu Flores, Bears Rebecca Fonte, Felipe Garza, kYmberly Keeton, Amy Mok, Rick Van Dyke, Celina Zisman AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The speakers signed up prior to noon on Tuesday, June 23 will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding only items posted on the agenda. a. Approve the minutes for the Arts Commission Regular Meeting on June 17, 2020 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. FY21 Cultural Funding update, Meghan Wells, Cultural Arts Division Manager 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and Action Items i. Discussion of FY 21 Cultural Funding Matrix 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City …
Special Meeting of the Arts Commission June 24, 2020 –1-2:30pm Arts Commission to be held June 24, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance, the day before the scheduled meeting, Tuesday, June 23 by Noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 24 Arts Commission Meeting, residents must: Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7854 or Annemarie.Mckaskle@AustinTexas.gov no later than noon, Tuesday, June 23. Residents must include the following information in the email request o Resident speaker name o agenda item number(s) the resident wishes to address o whether the resident is for/against/neutral the item(s) o telephone number or email address of the resident speaker Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. Resident speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. Resident speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. Handouts or other information may be emailed to LIAISON EMAIL by Noon the day before (Tuesday, June 23) the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. If the meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live ARTS COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 – 1-2:30pm VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Jaime Castillo – Chair, Michelle Polgar – Vice Chair, Brett Barnes, Lulu Flores, Bears Rebecca Fonte, Felipe Garza, kYmberly Keeton, Amy Mok, Rick Van Dyke, Celina Zisman AGENDA ADDENDUM 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and Possible Action on Advocacy Letter to Council The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Anne-Marie McKaskle-Davis at the Cultural Arts Division, at 512-974-7854, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For …
Slide 1 PROPOSED FY 21 FUNDING MATRIX JUNE 24, 2020 For discussion only. A special called meeting on June 24, 1‐2:30pm has been scheduled for anyone wishing to share their thoughts. Community members may sign up to speak no later than Noon, June 23 by emailing annemarie.mckaskle@austintexas.gov. Action is scheduled to take place at the June 26 Special Called Meeting at 1pm. 6 meetings from May 14 through last Friday, June 12. We looked at over 100 scenarios as information kept changing and trying to think of as many possibilities from as many angles as possible. I ask that you hold your comments until the end. Slide 2 Welcome Funding Matrix Guiding Principles FY 20 vs FY 21 Other Scenarios Proposed Funding Matrix C I T Y O F A U S T I N C U L T U R A L A R T S The Funding Matrix Working Group was chaired by Commissioner Flores, and comprised of Commissioners Garza, Polgar, and Zisman, and of Tammie Rubin from the Art In Public Places Panel. Slide 3 10 applications less than last year: 7 less in Core 3 less in CHFP Applications Received 370 Core 22 CHFP $13,052,347 Total Requested C I T Y O F A U S T I N C U L T U R A L A R T S Slide 4 These totals are the TOTAL HOT allocation, not just the amount awarded through Core and Cultural Heritage Festivals. Slide 5 • • • • • • WG Considerations Equity Lens FY 20 – 29% ALAANA received 25% of HOT funds COVID > impact on ALAANA communities over all Available Funds Total available down 45% Initial estimate lowered $400K between May and June To use or not use 10% Reserve Which programs to reduce/eliminate Impact on FY 22 available funds Impact on Large Orgs Vs Smaller Orgs Number of potential jobs lost Access other resources Equity lens • • FY 20 ‐ 29% ALAANA Contractors; received 25% of HOT Fund Impact of COVID‐19 has had a greater impact on ALAANA community Available funds Funding programs we can and cannot add or eliminate Reduction in available funds estimate To maintain 10% reserve or use it all Potential relief funds available Slide 6 Commitment to Equity "Acknowledge that the while this is a moment of deep distress, Black and Indigenous people and people of color (BIPOC) …
Special Meeting of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Wednesday, June 24, 2020 10am-11:30am Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission to be held June 24 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (June 23 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 24th Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9107 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 AT 10AM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING (RECORDED) CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Amanda Afifi, Chair Angelica Erazo, Vice-Chair Diana Salas Melissa Ayala Zaira R. Garcia Maria C. Solis CALL TO ORDER Jovita J. Flay Felicia Peña Ricardo Garay Lourdes Zuniga Sharon Vigil AGENDA 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SUSPENSION OF ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Updates, discussion and possible action regarding COVID-19 and resources needed for the Latinx community other people of color 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding John Treviño Metro Park Master Plan and draft recommendation 5. STAFF BRIEFING a. Update from Austin Public Health regarding COVID-19, disparate impacts for Latinx community, and ongoing testing efforts and community resources b. Update from Office of Police Oversight - Maya Guevara, Community …
City of Austin 2018 Officer-Involved Shooting Report June 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING DATA INCIDENT SUMMARIES Incident A- Christopher Giles Incident B- Thomas Vincent Alvarez Incident C- Victor Ancira Incident D- Kyle Garcia Incident E- Mark Anthony Conditt Incident F- Hugo Renee Alvarez (1st Incident) Incident G- Hugo Renee Alvarez (2nd Incident) Incident H- Leslie Yolanda Salazar Incident I- Craig Anthony Carter Incident J- Aquantis Jaymond Griffin Incident K- Glenn Austin Miles Incident L- Mark Anthony Herrera CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATIONS Civilian Oversight Access Reporting by Austin Police Department Post-Academy Training Requirements Mental Health Response Personnel Safety and Wellness APPENDIX 1 2 3-9 10-18 19 20 -23 24-27 INTRODUCTION In November 2018, the Office of Police Oversight was established as the civilian department responsible for oversight of the Austin Police Department, replacing the Office of the Police Monitor. The Office of Police Oversight’s inaugural Officer-Involved Shooting Report is the first by either civilian office that is dedicated to the subject of officer-involved shootings. The Austin Police Department (APD) released a report in May 2018 with collective data related to officer-involved shootings that occurred between 2008 and 2017.1 This report by the Office of Police Oversight goes a step further by providing data from all 2018 officer-involved shooting incidents, summaries of each incident, and relevant policy recommendations. Both law enforcement and civilian oversight agencies must critically analyze each officer-involved shooting incident that occurs and must also look at the aggregate data to determine what substantive policy changes can be made to address areas of concern. The mission of the Office of Police Oversight is to provide impartial oversight of the Austin Police Department’s conduct, practices, and policies to enhance accountability, inform the public to increase transparency, and create sustainable partnerships throughout the community. This report serves as a new avenue for the public to access critical incident data necessary to ensure transparency and accountability. Special thanks to the Office of Police Oversight staff, as well as students from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, for their editing contributions and research discussed in this report. 1 APD’s officer-involved shooting report is available at https://www.austintexas.gov/page/officer-involved-shooting-reports EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Office of Police Oversight reviewed every officer-involved shooting (OIS) incident involving the Austin Police Department (APD) in 2018 to identify any recurring factors and highlight areas for improvement.2 This report provides summaries of each incident, presents incident-specific and officer-specific data, …
2020 Census Update JUNE 24, 2020 Update on 2020 Census Outreach 1. The Importance of the Census 2. Response Rate Data Analysis 3. Update on Outreach Efforts The Census Impacts Funding: $800 Billion For every Travis County resident that is not counted in the 2020 Census, the county is estimated to lose at least $1,500 per year. •Medicaid •Medicare Part B •Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) •Grants to local school districts (Title I) •SNAP •Highway and public transit programs •Emergency food and shelter programs •Head Start •Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food assistance program •Programs for the elderly •Crime Victim assistance •Substance abuse prevention and treatment 3 The Census Is Crucial ◦ Allocation of federal funds to state and local communities ◦ Reapportionment of Congressional districts among the states ◦ Redistricting of state house, senate, legislative and other districts ◦ City of Austin City Council Districts ◦ Travis County Commissioners Court If the State of Texas were to be successful in counting all residents in the 2020 Census, Texans could gain at least three new congressional in the U.S. Congress 4 Census Timeline Updates Activity/Operation Original Schedule New Schedule Self-Response Phase March 12–July 31 March 12– October 31 Non-response Follow up (NRFU) May 13–July 31 August 11– October 31 Deliver Apportionment Counts to the President By December 31, 2020 Deliver by April 30, 2021 Deliver Redistricting Counts to States By April 1, 2021 Deliver by July 31, 2021 Update on Self-Response Rates: Update on Self-Response Rates: Update on Self-Response Rates: Update on Outreach Efforts: • Strategic Plan • Budget + Disbursements • Regional Media + Digital Outreach • Intersectional Focus Area + 30-Day Challenge • Institutional Outreach Highlights • Grassroots Outreach Highlights Strategic Plan The strategic plan for the 2020 Census has three principal components: An institutional strategy, centered on mobilizing a broad swath of trusted Austin/Travis County institutions in educating and motivating a large segment of the public to participate in the Census. A grassroots strategy, to identify and communicate with people who are not easily or ordinarily reached by the institutional outreach component. A media strategy, to communicate effectively with all Central Texas residents through radio, TV, print media and social media. Administrative / Staffing Targeted Advertising Budget Mix Community Canvassing . . . 53% Phone Banking, Flyer Drops, Supplies, etc. Regional Media Grant Targeted Advertising . . . 13% Census Tract Specific Digital Advertising Regional Media Grant. …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD DIRECTOR’S REPORT DATE: June 2020 MASTER PLAN UPDATES: Walter E. Long Metro Park Master Plan: The Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park Master Plan remains on hold until further notice and is ready to be presented to City Council. The draft master plan and additional information can be found at the project’s website: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/walter-e-long-park-master-plan. George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center Master Plan: The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) and the consultant team hosted three virtual small group discussions in May 2020. Additional small group discussions are set for June 18 and 25, with all meetings following the same format. Three small group discussions are tentatively planned for July, but no specific dates have been set. PARD and the consultant team continue to collect input from the community via the Carver Master Plan Process survey on SpeakUp Austin! Additional information can be found at the project’s website: http://www.austintexas.gov/CarverATXplanning. P A R K S P A C E : The American Institute of Architects (AIA), in partnership with PARD, launched P A R K S P A C E on June 22 in four parks in Austin. Both vibrant and practical, P A R K S P A C E is an intervention that helps visualize social distancing guidelines in Austin’s parks and green spaces. “As Austinites step carefully back out of their homes, we need to shift the ways we move through and interact in public spaces. To help with this transition, P A R K S P A C E provides an artful wayfinding system to encourage safe practices for our community. The site-specific installation series uses eco-friendly turf paint to delineate spaces where people can come together to enjoy their favorite.” P A R K S P A C E is designed to respond to the topography and character of each site, while highlighting native Texas wildflowers through colors and patterns. In its pilot phase, the project will be installed at Roy Guerrero Colorado River Park, Pease Park, Republic Square, and Zilker Park before the July 4th weekend with future sites in parks across Austin. 1 DEVELOPMENT UPDATES: Montopolis Recreation + Community Center: Construction began in September 2018 and has achieved the substantial completion milestone as of June 13. The general contractor, FlintCo, now has 90 days to reach final completion. Remaining work includes commissioning of all building systems, inspection closeouts, exterior finish work, …
ARTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Date: Subject: 6-17-2020 Arts Commission Recommendation on Austin Non-profit Arts Organizations’ request for $5M in additional funding specifically for non-profit arts organizations of all sizes to retain jobs and sustain operations and remain open during this pandemic and economic crisis. Seconded By: Commissioner Bears Rebecca Fonte Motion By: Commissioner Lulu Flores Recommendation Request that City Council approve an emergency appropriation of $5 Million additional funds for Austin non-profit arts organizations for job retention and sustaining operations during the pandemic. Description of Recommendation to Council The Arts Commission, in support of the Arts community, recommends that Austin City Council designate $5 Million in emergency funding to Austin non-profit Arts organizations for their use in retaining jobs and to assist them in sustaining their operations in this time of economic crisis during the COVID 19 pandemic. The attached letter, supported by more than 250 arts organizations and their staff, cites the dire need non-profit arts organizations have for this funding. Acknowledging the support the creative sector has already received from the City of Austin, this funding would be in addition to the $5M CARES Act funding for the Creative Sector already approved by Council on 5/28/20 which is specific to individual artists, musicians and creatives. Without this dedicated funding, Austin risks dramatic losses to one of its most valuable assets, the broad and diverse creative arts sector. Rationale: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated an unforeseen and unparalleled economic crisis in our community, our state, our country, and the world. Its tolls have been not only on human life, but also on the economic life of our businesses and organizations. Austin arts organizations, already reeling from displacement due to the rapid growth and development of our city, are now faced with unprecedented financial challenges brought on by the necessary but drastic responses at stemming the spread of the pandemic, including closures, stay at home orders and social distancing. Arts organizations of all sizes have lost their traditional revenue streams and are bearing huge losses and are struggling to survive. Historically underserved (ALAANA/BIPOC) and other marginalized organizations and communities (LGBTQ and Disability) are especially hard hit. In addition, the pandemic has dealt a blow to an important source of funding for the Arts. The HOT Funds, which are a dedicated source of funding for the Arts, has seen a 45% reduction and non-profit arts organizations funded through the COA Cultural Arts …
We respectfully request that the Arts Commission endorse the letter below, and recommend that City Council immediately designate $5 million in funding specifically for non-profit arts organizations to retain jobs and sustain operations during this pandemic and economic crisis. June 12, 2020 Dear Arts Commissioners, Thank you, The Undersigned Organizations Dear Mayor and Council Members, Thank you for your diligent and tireless work to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and for your leadership in the economic recovery of our city: from the assistance from the Austin Creative Space Disaster Relief Program and the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund, to the crucial actions being taken to address police brutality and the systemic racism facing Black and other non-white Austinites. We write today to also bring to your attention to Austin’s non-profit cultural arts organizations and our thousands of employees. Our organizations are impacted by the local state of disaster due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are in desperate need of economic relief. Our organizations already operate with limited budgets and many with salaries below the median income level. We request that the Austin City Council immediately designate $5 million in funding specifically for non-profit arts organizations to retain jobs and sustain operations during this pandemic and economic crisis. These funds will accomplish two major goals: Protect and Promote Austin’s Economic Recovery 11,700 middle to low income jobs, $1.1 billion in economic activity, and $7.8 million in direct municipal tax revenues are generated by non-profit arts and cultural organizations. At least 177 cultural non-profit organizations neither have a physical venue, nor are a part of the Music sector, and are therefore not addressed by other COVID recovery grants. These organizations employ thousands of artists and administrators, and cannot survive without assistance. 1.78% of Austin’s economy is fueled by the creative sector, second in the United States only to the Bay Area. The World Bank and UNESCO have reported that investing in cultural recovery speeds both health and economic recovery outcomes. Protect Austin’s Endangered Cultural Landscape Austin is able to draw and retain both businesses and residents due to our unique cultural identity. But massive cuts in funding, rampant gentrification/increased costs of living, • • • • • • • and now – the overwhelming effects of the COVID19 pandemic threaten to destroy that identity. By bringing together people across economic and social divides, arts are essential to the health …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Parks and Recreation Board Create Equity Access Issues Recommendation Number: 20200624-D2: Concern that Parking Meters Along Parkland WHEREAS, it is the goal of the Parks and Recreation Department, the City of Austin, and Imagine Austin to ensure that citizens have equitable access to publicly funded parkland for recreation and adequate exercise, under the Strategic Direction 2023 goals to “Improve Access for All” and to “Offer Relief from Urban Life”; and WHEREAS, at present, there are relatively few Capital Metro lines or protected bike lanes that run to main public parks and pools, specifically Deep Eddy Pool, Barton Springs Pool, and the Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, which are unique within the city but far from many neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, similar access to year-round pool facilities and major parks is not equitably distributed across the city; and WHEREAS, there is a push by city officials to meter parking everywhere, to encourage more frequent vehicle turnover, but metering access to public parklands potentially limits or denies access to some taxpaying citizens; and WHEREAS, paying for metered parking is prohibitive for many Austinites who want to use parks regularly to exercise; and WHEREAS, it is possible to better educate the public about available access by bike trail or about bus routes with reasonably timed schedules; and WHEREAS, safer and more visible bike parking, along with safer bike routes through the city, are needed to encourage modes of transportation other than cars or buses; and WHEREAS, Austin has extremely hot summers that may prohibit some citizens from walking, scootering, or biking to such parkland amenities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Parks and Recreation Board recommends to the City Council that the City of Austin not install metered parking around public parkland amenities (trails, parks, pools) until there is adequate, affordable, reasonably quick, and equitable public transportation for taxpayers to access these amenities for recreation and exercise. Metered parking makes sense only at park facilities which have frequent transit. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Parks and Recreation Board strongly encourages the City to implement more of the pedestrian and bike routes to major parks recommended in the Zilker Park Working Group final report of June 7, 2019, allowing safer access to the pools and parks for those not in cars or buses.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number: 20200624-004a John Treviño Park Master Plan WHEREAS, the Final Draft Master Plan for John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park, dated February 2020, from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) states, “The success of John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park will come from connecting the site’s rich layers of ecology and heritage to the legacy of John Treviño Jr. This place seeks to grow the relationship between surrounding communities and this land by supporting opportunities that could only happen here and that resonate with residents;” and WHEREAS, the PARD states community event and small group presentations in June 2019 “helped shape the park’s development of values,” and the “What We’ve Heard” community meeting in July 2019 “focused on whether the preliminary approach, vision, and values for the park were accurately representative of community members’ own goals and hopes for Treviño Park;” and WHEREAS, skate park received 3 recommendations in the summarized list of meeting and survey responses to the question, “What would you like to see or do at John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park?” and was one out of over 1,000 elements and ideas mentioned; and WHEREAS, at Community Meeting #3 and small group presentations in August 2019, the “design team presented four preliminary concepts that explored different strategies for character, distribution, and movement through the park,” and the PARD states “The majority of general comments voiced advocacy for a BMX/mountain bike track and skate park for all skills and ages,” which was not strongly advocated for in the past meetings; and WHEREAS, the PARD goes on, “Other comments included support for ADA access throughout the site, nature preservation/wildlife, bird watching, open space, disc golf, running trails, a cultural center, agriculture, public boat access, sand volleyball, and roller skating,” which were recommended in previous meetings; and WHEREAS, results of Community Meeting #4 survey reflected “the input of 428 community stakeholders and event participants who completed the survey to guide the master planning team in developing priorities for future park development,” and “the Field and the River were identified as the highest park zone priorities in the community survey, and the top five priorities for specific programming within the park were hiking/walking trails, fishing pier, boardwalk, agriculture + food garden, and nature play;” and WHEREAS, these same results indicate skate park in the ravine and BMX pump track in the field as the lowest …
