MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Subject: May 29, 2020 City of Austin Design Commission Planning & Urban Design Working Group Downtown Density Bonus Program review of the 3rd and Brazos Streets project for substantial compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines. Meeting Date: May 21, 2020; 10:00 am, Virtual Meeting (Microsoft Teams) Applicant: Architect: Michele Rogerson Lynch, Metcalfe Wolff Stuart & Williams SCB The project is located at the northwest corner of 3rd and Brazos Streets. Existing zoning for the property is CBD. It is not in the Capitol View Corridor or Capitol Dominance Overlay. The lot area is 17,707 SF and the total proposed project area is 442,675 SF with Retail and Residential uses. The proposed FAR for this project is 25:1, this is more than the 8:1 maximum allowed, so an increase in FAR of 17:1 is being requested. The proposed building height is 513 feet with 45 floors. Nine levels of above ground parking are proposed, with 308 parking spaces. The project proposes to fulfill the Community Benefit requirements by paying a fee-in-lieu to the Affordable Housing Trust. Per the Density Bonus Program ordinance, the applicant is required, at a minimum, to meet the three gatekeeper requirements: 1. Substantially comply with the City’s Urban Design Guidelines 2. Provide streetscape improvements that meet the Great Streets Program Standards. 3. Commit to a minimum of 2-Star rating under Austin Energy’s Green Building Program. WORKING GROUP COMMENTS REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES AREA WIDE GUIDELINES 1. Create Dense Development: 25.1:1 FAR being requested. Project complies with this section. 2. Create Mixed-Use Development: The project has residential and retail uses. This project complies with this section. 3. Limit Development which Closes Downtown Streets: This project is not proposing to permanently close any streets. Project complies with this section. 4. Buffer Neighborhood Edges: 5. Project is not adjacent to a residential neighborhood. Not applicable Incorporate Civic Art in both Public and Private Development: Project will preserve existing public art along 3rd Street and Brazos Street, but no new art is planned by applicant. Project does not comply. 6. Protect Important Public Views: Project does not obscure existing view through the public right-of-way. This project complies with this section. 1/4 7. Avoid Historical Misrepresentations: Project design is not a historic style. Project complies. 8. Respect Adjacent Historic Buildings: No adjacent historic buildings. Not applicable. 10. Avoid the Development of Theme Environments: No theme …
MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Subject: Meeting Date: Applicant: Architect: April 29, 2020 City of Austin Design Commission Planning & Urban Design Working Group Downtown Density Bonus Program review of the 321 West 6th Street project for substantial compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines. April 24, 2020; 12:00 pm, Virtual Microsoft Teams Meeting Richard T. Suttle, Jr. Page The project is located at 321 West 6th St at Guadalupe St. Existing zoning for the property is CBD and it is not within the Capitol View Corridor. The lot area is 20,644 SF and the total proposed project area is 516,100 square feet (Office: 105,858 SF, Retail: 5,357 SF, Multi-Family: 402,296 SF, Flex: 2,589 SF). The proposed FAR for this project is 25:1, this is more than the 8:1 maximum allowed, so an increase in FAR of 17:1 is being requested (350,948 SF). The proposed building height is 770.5 feet with 63 floors. 490 parking spaces are proposed in twelve levels of parking; two below grade and 10 above grade. The project proposes to fulfill the Community Benefit requirement by paying 100% of the bonus area to the Affordable Housing Trust ($2,735,639.66) Per the Density Bonus Program ordinance, the applicant is required, at a minimum, to meet the three gatekeeper requirements: 1. Substantially comply with the City’s Urban Design Guidelines 2. Provide streetscape improvements that meet the Great Streets Program Standards. 3. Commit to a minimum of 2-Star rating under Austin Energy’s Green Building Program. WORKING GROUP COMMENTS REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES AREA WIDE GUIDELINES 1. Create dense development- 25:1 FAR being requested. Project complies with this section. 2. Create mixed-use development- The project has residential, office, and retail uses. This project complies with this section. 3. Limit development which closes downtown streets- This project is not proposing to permanently close any streets. Project complies with this section. 4. Buffer neighborhood edges- 5. Project does not border any neighborhoods. This section is not applicable. Incorporate civic art in both public and private development- Public art is being proposed at corner of 6th and Guadalupe Streets. This project complies with this section. 6. Protect important public views- Project is not within the Capitol View Corridor and does not encroach ROW. This project complies with this section. 7. Avoid historical misrepresentations- Project design is a modern style. Project complies. 1/3 8. Respect adjacent historic buildings- No adjacent buildings identified as historic …
Gaudette, Angela From: Sent: To: Subject: Susan Benz <benz@benzresourcegroup.com> Friday, June 19, 2020 10:49 AM PAZ Preservation Historic Landmark Commission, June 22, 2020 Meetinh *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hi there, I am writing in support of C14H‐1997‐008, The Norwood House at 1018 Edgecliff Terrace I am happy to speak to this project. I do think that Colleen Theriot is the best speaker as she has a high level of specific knowledge about the house's history. I will dial in and be available. Thanks, Susan Susan Benz | Benz Resource Group 1208 E 2nd St Austin, TX 78702 512‐608‐8025 cell 512‐220‐9542 benz@BenzResourceGroup.com Please note my new office address! Keep Calm and Carry On ... and wash your hands! CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to CSIRT@austintexas.gov. 1
Gaudette, Angela From: Sent: To: Subject: Carolyn Croom < Friday, June 19, 2020 6:10 PM PAZ Preservation Hearing on 2502 Park View Drive, Austin, Texas (HDP-2020-0214) > *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** To the members of the Historic Landmark Commission: I oppose the demolition of the architecturally and historically significant house at 2502 Park View Drive. In attending the talk and the tour of the Air Conditioned Village offered by MidTexMod, I learned that it is the best-preserved example of the proposed Austin Air- Conditioned Village Historic District. I live a few blocks away in a similar ranch-style house built only a couple of years later and value the preservation of houses in this style. That this house also exhibits historical significance, as a part of a unique mid- century air-conditioning research project, is particularly compelling. Please vote for the preservation of 2502 Park View Drive. Sincerely, Carolyn Croom 2502 Albata Avenue Austin, Texas 78757 CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to CSIRT@austintexas.gov. 1 Gaudette, Angela From: Sent: To: Subject: Cynthia Keohane < Sunday, June 21, 2020 7:27 PM PAZ Preservation 2502 Park View Drive (HDP-2020-0214) > *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Dear Historic Landmark Commission: I support the preservation of this historically and architecturally significant home, and hope you can save it from demolition. As a former President of Allandale Neighborhood Association, and an Allandale homeowner within a mile from this home, I attended the Mid Tex Mod's Air Conditioned Village program a few years ago. It's clear that this represents history worthy of saving. Please vote to preserve this landmark. All the best, Cynthia Keohane 5702 Wynona Avenue was very con and walk sponsored by Mid Tex Mod several eyars agohave that's less than a mileA CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to CSIRT@austintexas.gov. 1 Gaudette, Angela From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: > miz_jen < Friday, June 19, 2020 8:20 PM PAZ Preservation allandale.neighborhood@gmail.com 2502 Park View Dr--HDP-2020-0214 *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** To the members of the …
. I I G N T T M R E P R O L A V O R P P A Y R O T A L U G E R , I N O T C U R T S N O C R O F T O N .Park - Aerial Rear 2 A-3.1 .Park - Aerial Front 1 A-3.1 .Park - Street View 5 A-3.1 c COPYRIGHT 2019, WITT ARCHITECTURE SCOTT L WITT, AIA .Park - Front Walk 3 A-3.1 Warning: It is a violation of the law for any person, unless acting under the direction of a the licensed architect of record, to alter an item in any way on these plans. Printing note: Sheet is formatted to 22" x 34". Scales are 50% of noted scale when printed on 11x17 paper. Architect Consultants: NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION, REGULATORY APPROVAL OR PERMITTING. Owner Consultants: . . . Cedar & Oak 2502 Park View Drive Austin, TX REVSIONS: Building Elevations Project Number: 2020-08 Project Phase: Drawn by: Checked by: SD SLW ... Date: June 18, 2020 A-3.1 5 OF 6 . I I G N T T M R E P R O L A V O R P P A Y R O T A L U G E R , I N O T C U R T S N O C R O F T O N c COPYRIGHT 2019, WITT ARCHITECTURE SCOTT L WITT, AIA " 0 - ' 0 4 " 9' - 9 " 0 - ' 0 4 " 0 - ' 0 4 ADJACENT GRADE LOW POINT EL. 706'-3" DEED RESTRICTION SIDE REAR SET BACK 10'-0" HIGH POINT EL. 708'-3" TENT ONE HIGH POINT EL. 708'-0" FINISH FLOOR EL. 708'-6" AVG. ADJ. GRADE EL. 707'-3" TENT ONE HIGH POINT EL. 707'-6" Warning: It is a violation of the law for any person, unless acting under the direction of a the licensed architect of record, to alter an item in any way on these plans. Printing note: Sheet is formatted to 22" x 34". Scales are 50% of noted scale when printed on 11x17 paper. Architect Consultants: NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION, REGULATORY APPROVAL OR PERMITTING. Owner Consultants: . . . DEED RESTRICTION SIDE YARD SET BACK 10'-0" Cedar & Oak 2502 Park View Drive Austin, TX DEED RESTRICTION FRONT YARD SET BACK 35'-0" REVSIONS: COMPASS NORTH PLAN NORTH 1 A-1.2 Site Plan …
Gaudette, Angela From: Sent: To: Subject: cara collins Monday, June 22, 2020 1:29 PM PAZ Preservation 2502 Park View dr. > *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** I am a resident of Park View drive and we have already seen 3 historic houses get demolished over the past few years. 2502 is different. It has is all original inside with built‐in radio and original kitchen. A model for the first air conditioned village in Austin this house IS a historic landmark. It would be so sad to see a historic treasure with an iconic architectural style get demolished and replaced by an ugly, characterless McMansion that has plagued the neighborhood for the past few years. Please reconsider this demolition permit and designate 2505 historic to preserve some of Austin’s history. Sincerely Cara Taylor 2606 Park View dr. Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to CSIRT@austintexas.gov. 1
Gaudette, Angela From: Sent: To: Subject: Jonathan Monday, June 22, 2020 2:19 PM PAZ Preservation Against the demolition of 2502 Park View Drive > *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Hello‐ My name is Jonathan Skaggs and I live near the house at 2502 Park View Drive. I wanted to put in my two cents regarding the proposed demolition of this house. It is my understanding that this house was a model house for the Air‐Conditioned Village, which is a great piece of history. I think this house should be considered a historical landmark. Thanks! ‐Jonathan CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to CSIRT@austintexas.gov. 1
June 20, 2020 Emily Reed, Chair City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission Re: 2502 Park View Drive Dear Ms. Reed, Cedar and Oak Homes is a family owned company creating beautiful homes in Austin. We are thoughtful in our design selections, considerate in the build process, and look to restore the community we grew up in and love. Whether improving an existing home, or restoring a neighborhood with a new build after a structure has deteriorated, we look to honor the period and design influences of each neighborhood and carry those influences through to an updated, efficient, and modern home. The structure at 2502 Park View is not a well-preserved structure. This property played a role in construction science in the 1950s and was innovative for its era. However, mechanical design and insulation of residential HVAC has advanced drastically. In its infancy, residential air conditioning engineering focused on the equipment. Since the central A/C unit’s invention (1902) and introduction to residential construction (1931), the technology has not changed much outside of the improvements made in refrigerant. What has changed and where we continue to innovate is in a home’s architectural and mechanical design for air quality, efficiency, and maintenance. The lack of an attic, characterized by the architectural design of the era, makes remedying the HVAC design near impossible for 2502 Park View. There is a path to preserving the neighborhood and architectural intent without investing in an unsound structure plagued by antiquated mechanical design. The history of demolition in the neighborhood should also be considered. Eight of the original 22 homes have been demolished due to their dilapidated condition, some of which were in better condition than 2502 Park View. That history coupled with years of deferred maintenance affecting the environmentally unfriendly tar and gravel roof, cast iron plumbing, failing foundation, and general livability of the house -- We do not see a path to restoration, and support the demolition of the structure. Even though this neighborhood is not historically designated, the goal is to honor the architectural style and design period of the neighborhood. This house was a fine example mid- century modern architecture when it was constructed. Like Fred Day’s original design, the new construction will be a stylized example of mid-century modern architecture - exposed beams, asymmetrical facade, courtyards, single story, north and south facing windows, and inherent efficiency. The neighborhood association deed restrictions have been …
AARC Workgroup meeting for the AAQoL Thursday, June 11 3:30-4:30pm In attendance: Sona Shah, Schiller Liao, Kirk Yoshida, Debasree DasGupta. Discussion on the AARC Phase 11 Master plan: The letter of approval for CMAR will be going to the Council in July. Debasree to request Vince to follow up with Kimberly about the status of the EDA grant Updates from the Center by Sona: The AARC is scheduled to open on Monday, June 15. Visits to the center will be by reservation only, with no more than 10 people at a time. People can visit to view the exhibits, some of which are already there. Some exhibits from the Seniors that are also being displayed along with one on silk art. Only a couple of staff will be present. The classrooms have remained closed. Summer camps have been cancelled Registration for online summer youth’s program will be starting soon. The Center is considering developing programs around the current situations. AARC is helping AACHI on the development of a web-site to report bias incidents AARC is also working with other Cultural Centers to support their upcoming events. Carver Center is planning an event for Juneteenth. Discussion on current situation: Debasree suggested that NAAO reach out to the members regarding giving more thought and attention to the Black Live Matter movement and not remain indifferent. Schiller also suggested that AARC host a webinar on Colored Life matters with NAAO Schiller to contact NAAO.
‘Arts and Culture’ workgroup report‐June 2020 Team: (a) Pramod Patil (Chair) (b) Shubhada Saxena (c) Peter Chao Synopsis of items accomplished: (1) ‘We are in this together’ – art project completed We recently completed an art initiative ‘We are in this together’ with Austin Sister Cities International (ASCI). This initiative was kicked off to help spread the message of togetherness and sense of one world while dealing with current pandemic . Each sister city was requested to create a poster to inline with the theme of togetherness. We received amazing response and support. This created a very good opportunity to see art/expressions from different sister cultures. Here are couple of posters from this project You can see all posters on the Austin Sister Cities International (ASCI) facebook page http://www.facebook.com/asci (2) Artist Inputs for Creative Space funding options City of Austin is working towards a plan of potentially purchasing struggling music venues. https://austin.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/05‐25‐20‐city‐council‐tunes‐up‐plan‐for‐potential‐ purchase‐of‐music‐venues/ We reached out to various artists in the community to share this information and seek inputs on Asian artists needs. We will reach out to more artists and work towards compiling all requests/suggestions. (3) Arts Commission meeting Members of art workgroup attended Arts Commission meeting on June 17th. It was a great meeting and gave good high level understanding on City of Austin’s funding plans for FY2021. It was a good meeting and raised concerns on low participation of Asian Americans and possible plans to reduce funding by 30%. We will explore more this area to see what more can be done to help our community. Here is a link to the meeting agenda http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=342173 (4) Hanna Huang expressed interest in joining Arts and Culture workgroup. We will be including her in future Arts and Culture workgroup meetings.
COVID‐19 Spending Framework Emergency Response: $105.5 Million Estimate Program Details Covid‐19 Emergency Management Department operating expenses substantially dedicated to Covid‐19 response Emergency Response Contingency Total Emergency Response Emergency Operations Center activation, direct pandemic response, and operational adjustments necessary for responding to the COVID‐19 pandemic Payroll expenses for public safety, public health, health care, human services, and similar employees whose services are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID‐19 public health emergency Contingency for disallowed expenditures by grantors and higher than projected COVID‐19 department expenses Medical and Public Health Needs: $62.9 Million Estimate Program Details Testing Epidemiology Response Planning & Research Shelters & Quarantine Facilities Public Health & Safety Measures Miscellaneous Items Costs of providing COVID‐19 testing, including Public Health laboratory, testing, and equipment Includes case investigation, contact tracing, and active monitoring Activities designed to study approaches to create greater resiliency in the community Emergency housing, supportive housing, and isolation of individuals related to the COVID‐19 pandemic and supportive services APH facility renovation funds to modify lobbies and reception areas; behavioral health/counseling support; sanitization Education and outreach; expenses for acquisition and distribution of medical and protective supplies, including sanitizing products and personal protective equipment; software; teleworking and distance learning Funding for additional medical and public health expenses that may be needed to combat the pandemic Public Health Contingency Total Medical and Public Health Needs * Subject to change. Estimates are inclusive of prior Council actions. Protection of Vulnerable Populations Support for preventing and reducting the risk and incidence of spread of COVID‐19; nursing home worker assistance; nursing home study; testing Residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and long‐term care facilities; people experiencing homelessness; seniors; populations with underlying health conditions Target Population Funding Sources Timeline Estimate* Community members; first responders June 1 ‐ December 30 $4.5M Individuals who do not have the ability to self‐isolate during the COVID‐19 pandemic FEMA; CRF; General Fund June 1 ‐ December 30 $14.5M Target Population Funding Sources Timeline Estimate* FEMA; Justice Assistance Grant Operating Funds March 1 ‐ December 31 $30M CRF CRF March 1 ‐ December 30 $68M March 1 ‐ December 30 $7.5M $105.5M FEMA; CRF; General Fund; CDBG; ESG; HOPWA; Ryan White; EMS Grant FEMA; CRF; General Fund FEMA; CRF; General Fund FEMA; CRF; General Fund May 1 ‐ December 31 $7.1M June 1 ‐ December 30 $4.7M June 1 ‐ December 30 $1.7M FEMA; CRF; General Fund June 1 …
COVID-19 Spending Framework City Council Work Session • May 28, 2020 1 COVID-19 Spending Framework Agenda • Reorganization of Spending Framework since May 19 Work Session • Emergency Response Spending Framework • Health Spending Framework • Austin Public Health • Economic Recovery Spending Framework • Neighborhood Housing and Community Development • Austin Economic Development Department • Presenters: Veronica Briseño, Chief Economic Recovery Officer Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Acting EDD Director Stephanie Hayden, APH Director Jon Hockenyos, President, TXP Inc. Rosie Truelove, NHCD Director Ed Van Eenoo, Deputy Chief Financial Officer 2 COVID-19 Spending Framework Reorganization of Spending Framework • Changes to organization of framework, not funding priorities • Split funding for Council initiatives into program components • e.g. $15 million for RISE is now spread across financial and direct support, food assistance, and rental assistance programs • Named initiatives now listed in Funding Notes column • Added $2 million to Workforce Development for Austin Conservation Corp • Estimated funding a combination of existing department budgets and the Coronavirus Relief Fund • Reclassified $2.3 million from the testing category to the protection of vulnerable populations category Health Needs • Contingency funds split between Emergency Response and Medical and Public 3 COVID-19 Spending Framework Emergency Response Summary Overall Recommendation: $105.5M • $30M COVID-19 emergency management • Emergency Operations • Direct Pandemic Response • Changes to department operations • $68M for department operating expenses substantially dedicated to COVID-19 response • $7.5M emergency response contingency 4 COVID-19 Spending Framework Medical and Public Health Summary • 253 temporary staff • Case investigation, contact tracing, public information and language access, testing, shelter services and contract management Overall Recommendation: $62.9M • $8.1M in temporary staffing • $29.8M in contractuals and commodities • Nursing home testing, study and strike teams • Public health lab, testing and equipment • Medical equipment and supplies • Shelters and quarantine facilities • Over three-fourths of the recommendation focused on epidemiology response, testing and sheltering and support of vulnerable populations. • $25M for public health contingency 5 COVID-19 Spending Framework Medical and Public Health Budget Recommendation by Expenditure Category ($ in Millions) 14.5 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 4.7 4.5 4.1 2.9 1.3 1.7 1.2 Shelters - Epidemiology Public health Medical Protection of Planning and Other response support and quarantine facilities Public health lab, testing and equipment and safety measures equipment, supplies and vulnerable populations research PPE 3.0 Nursing homes 6 …
Organization Project Description allgo’s QPOC Health and Healing Symposium will create a vital opportunity for Queer People of Color (QPOC) to connect to and benefit from culturally specific health and wellness information, resources, services, and practitioners, addressing the structural barriers that create significant health disparities for QPOC. Free health screenings: blood pressure, sugar/diabetes, HIV/STI testing; workshops: mental health, nutrition, wellness, harm reduction; and healing services: acupuncture, massage, y allgo In 2020, Austin Bat Cave’s (ABC) East Side onsite after- school program (East Side) will provide free one-on-one and small-group creative writing, tutoring, and homework instruction to 60 students from low-income families on the east side of Austin. We will serve 30 students each semester: 15 students from nearby Blackshear Elementary and 15 from Kealing Middle School. We will employ a 1:5 tutor-student ratio and our instructors will help students complete homework and learn the writing process. Austin Bat Cave Impact on Equity Research and experience demonstrate that culturally specific approaches are necessary to interrupt the ways that systemic racism, heterosexism, and transphobia impede full participation in the benefits of health and wellness services and increase the allostatic load for those bearing the brunt of these oppressions. Through this project, QPOC will be able to create meaningful connections with local QPOC health and wellness practitioners while also receiving direct health services and current culturally specific research based health and wellness information that will have long lasting benefits and lead to life changing outcomes. With approximately 72 percent of students from our partner schools at-risk and 83 percent economically disadvantaged, ABC programs address an accessibility gap in Austin, which was named the most economically segregated major metro area in the U.S. (Badger, 2015). Our mission is to empower young voices and to create educational opportunities for those who have experienced marginalization due to economic status or identity-based discrimination and create an inclusive arts community. Youth arts education programs like ABC’s have been proven to be the most significant predictor of future arts creation and arts attendance (NEA, February 2011). In 2020, 60 under-served youth will participate in the East Side program. East Side creates a safe space and positive learning environment for youth during the high crime after- school hours, thus keeping our community safer, and sparks in our students a lifelong pursuit of arts experiences and creation. Outcome Areas Impacted Funding Amount Economic Opportunity and Affordability; Culture and Lifelong Learning; Health …
Date: June 22, 2020 Subject: Response to the Austin Police Department shootings and protest response. Motioned By: < > Seconded By: < > Recommendation The Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Manager have leadership of the Austin Police Department that represents of the anti racist values that the community, City Council, and our City of Austin Leadership expects. Description of Recommendation to Council WHEREAS, it is the value of the City of Austin to be an inclusive city for all of its citizens including those of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and national origin backgrounds; WHEREAS, the City of Austin and the Asian American Quality of Life Commission had called for an adequate response from the Austin Police Department following the both the shootings of Mauris DeSilva and Mike Ramos; WHEREAS, our Commission has growing concerns over the ability of the Austin Police Department to keep our communities of color safe; WHEREAS, the last five officer shootings resulting in death have been on people of color; WHEREAS, the Austin Police Department are the highest paid police department in the State of Texas; WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the leadership of the Austin Police Department to make all communities in Austin feel safe and respected; WHEREAS, The Austin Police Department currently has a budget of approximately $440 million dollars; and WHEREAS, this Commission does not believe that the current Austin Police Department spending reflects the needs of the community; WHEREAS, the Commission is supportive of moving funds from the Austin Police Department into proactive community support measures including mental health resources, victims’ services, family violence resources, and educational opportunities; WHEREAS, communities of color in Austin have historically been overlooked in the city budget and often compete for the same, limited sources of funding; WHEREAS, on April 17, 2020 City Manager Spencer Cronk released the results of an investigation conducted by Tatum Law that found that there were issues surrounding equity, fairness, and fear of retaliation within the Austin Police Department; WHEREAS, On June 11, 2020, Austin City Council approved RESOLUTION NO. 20200611- 095 which put a ban on chokeholds or strangleholds, officers shooting at moving vehicles, and the use of tear gas and impact munitions on people exercising their First Amendment rights. It also limits no-knock warrants, and the use of facial recognition technology by police, requires de-escalation tactics in all circumstances, and delays the July …
2020 Census Asian American Complete Count === Pan-Asia Update: Asian American Quality of Life Commission Sumit DasGupta, PhD. Co-Director, Austin Asian Complete Count Committee (AACCC) Agenda Topics: • Census Count Target • Cross Cutting Approach • Status • Next Steps • Needs SD / 06-18-2020 AACCC Core Team SD / 06-18-2020 Census Count Target / Coverage Area • Count target: Immigrants from all Asian countries • From Turkey and Israel to the west • This will require significant focus and effort to connect with these countries • To Japan and S. Korea to the east • … and all countries in between • Count coverage area: • Travis & Williamson counties: • Total / Asian (single race) population (2018): 1,815,462 / 134,795 • % Asian: 7.4% • Austin-Round Rock MSA: & Hays counties • Covers 5 counties: Travis, Williamson, as well as parts of Bastrop, Caldwell • Total / Asian (single race) population (2017): 2,115,827 / 121,922 • % Asian: 5.8% SD / 06-18-2020 Cross-cutting Approach Cultural Organizations Religious Institutions Business Enterprises Media (print / TV) & Social Media East Asia Southeast Asia South Asia Central Asia West Asia SD / 06-18-2020 Status • Grants to fund GOTC campaign received from multiple sources • Funds distributed to multiple community organizations for deep outreach • Cross-cutting and regional organizations representing Asian part of grantee network • Meetings every 2 weeks to check status / plan next steps • Integrated with county / city-wide effort to coordinate outreach activities through region of interest • Weekly meetings led by Travis County Census 2020 Program Manager (John Lawler) to report status, align strategies, exchange best practices • Switched from hands-on outreach strategy to data-driven and web-based social media outreach effort in multiple languages • Traditional methods include newsprint ads, TV interviews, street signs and ads, and hard- copy promotional materials • Web-based approach includes Census Bureau announcements, interviews, news, and videos on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, etc. • AACCC running ahead of state, county and other CCC’s • The good news first,… current self-response rate at 63.8% (“low hanging fruit”) • Now the bad news,… 36.2% left to count (possibly assignees, refugees, new immigrants and undocumented) SD / 06-18-2020 Grantee(s) Conducting Outreach Indian American Coalition of Texas (IACT) Bangladesh Association of Greater Austin (BAGA) Greater Austin Nepali Society Chinese Society of Austin (CSA) Austin Chinese American Network (ACAN) Austin Chapter of Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce …
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMISSION RECOMMENDATION June 22, 2020 Seconded By: < > Revised FY 2020-21 Budget Resolution Date: Subject: Motioned By: < > WHEREAS, the Asian American Quality of Life (AAQoL) Advisory Commission was formed to advise the Austin City Council on issues related to the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) and provide ongoing guidance and support for Asian American quality of life initiatives; and WHEREAS, the AAQoL Advisory Commission, as part of its duties, annually submits budget recommendations each spring in support of programs that promote equity and the quality of life of Asian Americans in Austin; and WHEREAS, the Commission approved and submitted its recommendations for the FY 2020-21 City budget in April 2020; and WHEREAS, the Commission submitted its recommendations before adjustments were made to the City budget with regard to federal COVID-19 response and recovery funding and the City Council recommendations related to reallocations in the Austin Police Department (APD) budget as approved by RESOLUTION NO. 20200611-096; and WHEREAS, COVID-19 is expected to significantly decrease the funding available for City of Austin cultural arts programs; and WHERAS, using a true “racial equity” lens to apply a cultural arts funding matrix should consider how African LatinX Asian American Native American (ALAANA) would be disproportionately impacted by a drop in cultural arts funding; and WHEREAS, the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) experienced a reduction in funding in its most recent City contract based on a newly adopted funding model that does not account for disaggregated economic data of Asian Americans; and WHEREAS, the GAACC resources have become increasingly strained due to the impact of COVID-19 on Asian American businesses; and WHEREAS, public health data shows that COVID-19 has affected the African American and LatinX communities at a disproportionally higher rate than the overall population in Travis County; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the AAQoL Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to maintain FY 2020-21 cultural arts funding for ALAANA contractors at the same level as FY 2019-20; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the AAQoL Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to maintain the current funding level for the GAACC in FY 2020-21 to support Asian American businesses; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the AAQoL Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to allocate …
LIBRARY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200622-3a: Support for Equitable Access to Austin Public Library Resources Seconded By: Date: June 22, 2020 Subject: Support for Equitable Access to Austin Public Library Resources Motioned By: Recommendation Support for Equitable Access to Austin Public Library Resources Description of Recommendation to Council Requesting that the Austin City Council use their budgetary authority to make access to library resources more equitable by eliminating late fees for the return of adult library materials and non- resident library card fees for all Austinites residing in Travis, Williamson, and Hays Counties. Rationale: The Austin Public Library has a commitment to equity, to assure that all members of the Austin community have equal access to Library services and programs. However, as the American Library Association and numerous public library systems around the country have recognized, monetary fines present an economic barrier to access of library materials and services, especially among low-income patrons. In a Resolution passed on January 27, 2019, the American Library Association urged libraries to scrutinize their practices of imposing fines on library patrons and actively move towards eliminating them. At a time when Austinites are both facing serious economic disruption and calling on the City to invest more heavily in social services benefiting communities of color, the Austin Public Library remains a place where Austinites can seek information, services and entertainment free of charge. However, the current City policy imposes a fine on adult materials returned after their due date of $ .25 per day / per item.1 APL blocks access to library materials when a fine reaches $10. This policy imposes a significant barrier to access to the population that needs these services the most. It is an inequitable policy. 1 Since October 1, 2018, the Austin Public Library has not charged fees for late returns of children’s materials. The Austin Public Library also imposes several other late fees, as reflected on the attached chart. This recommendation does not pertain to late fees on materials other than adult materials. In addition, the Commission does not recommend a change to the APL policy relating to lost or damaged items. If an item is lost or damaged, the account is billed the amount to replace it, as determined by the Library. The Austin Public Library does not accept replacement copies for lost or damaged items. 1 of 2 Studies have shown that fines and late fees do not impact …
