CITY MANAGER SEARCH ADVISORY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING Monday, June 12, 2017 10:00 – 12:00 p.m. City Hall Board and Commissions Room 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, Texas 78701 CURRENT TASK FORCE MEMBERS: Laura Huffman, Chair Saundra Kirk, Vice Chair Claudia Conner Susan Hambright Perla Cavazos Julio Gonzalez Altamirano Bill Spelman Channy Soeur Walter Muse Bobby Inman Jan Lehman AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. CITIZENS COMMUNICATION: GENERAL (Citizens will each be allowed three minutes to address the task force.) 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. NEW BUSINESS Discussion and possible action regarding the following: a) City Manager Recruitment Process, updates on district meetings, public meetings, website to solicit community input, and utilizing 311 to survey public. b) Survey for City employees to solicit employee perspective on qualifications and characteristics for City Manager candidates c) Public comment on ideal candidate qualifications and characteristics and identify key community issues for the City Manager Profile. d) Role of the Task Force beyond phase 1 (Development of City Manager Profile) of the City Manager recruitment process 4. PUBLIC COMMENT To help ensure consistency, Task Force is requesting public comment/feedback around four critical questions that the Consultant Steve Newton from Russell Reynolds will use to develop the profile for our next city manager. (Citizens may sign up to speak on any of the four questions. Each speaker will be allotted 3 minutes to speak for each question for which they signed up to speak.) A. What skills and abilities are most important for someone to manage our city? This could include previous job experience, education, etc. B. What are the personal characteristics that are most important for our next city manager to lead our unique community? Please think about the attributes that would be essential for someone to thrive in this environment. C. What do you see as the most critical challenges to Austin over the next 5-10 years? Our next city manager is going to have to have the professional skills and personal attributes to tackle these issues, so we think it is important to provide this specific feedback to the City Council. D. At the beginning of this meeting, the Consultant described to you the proposed process for selecting the next City Manager. Do you have any feedback about that process? 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal …
1 CITY MANAGER SEARCH ADVISORY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 12, 2017 The City Manager Search Advisory Task Force convened in a regular meeting on Monday, June 12, 2017 at City Hall, Boards & Commissions Room. Chair Laura Huffman called the Board Meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Laura Huffman (Chair), Saundra Kirk (Vice Chair), Claudia Conner, Susan Hambright, Perla Cavazos, Julio Gonzales Altmirano, Bill Spellman, Channy Soeur, Walter Muse, Jan Lehman. Admiral Bobby Inman was absent. Staff in Attendance: Mark Washington, Ray Baray, Joya Hayes, Debbie Maynor, Trinh Bartlett, Lara Foss, Cary Grace, Sonya Alexander-Harry, and Cindy Henson. Russell Reynold Associates Area Manager Steve Newton was present. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Recommendation by Task Force Member Laura Huffman (Chair) to approve the draft minutes for the May 19 City Manager Search Advisory Task Force meeting was approved on Laura Huffman’s motion, Task Force Member Susan Hambright seconded on a 10-0 vote. Task Force Member Admiral Bobby Inman was absent. 2. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL a) Erwin Mazariegos spoke to Task Force to provide feedback on what the City needs to look for in the next City Manager. 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS a) Task Force Member Laura Huffman (Chair) began the meeting to let everyone know that City Council had approved the work plan with revisions. Districts will collect feedback and are not required to have meetings. Flyers and a script for use at meetings will be emailed to all Task Force members. b) Steve Newton (Russell Reynolds) discussed culture measurement and survey. Feedback can be provided in multiple ways 3-1-1, respond to survey, attend in-district or Task Force Meeting. A dedicated phone number and email will be set up at Russell Reynolds for questions from public. 4. NEW BUSINESS a) Recommendation by Task Force Member Laura Huffman (Chair) to table discussion on role of Task Force beyond the current role and include an agenda item on the June 16 agenda to continue the discussion of the role of the Task Force after they submit their recommendations to Council on the City Manager Profile was approved on Laura Huffman’s motion, Task Force 2 Member Bill Spelman second on an 10-0 vote. Task Force Member Admiral Bobby Inman was absent. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a) Discussion of the role of Task Force beyond phase 1 of City Manager recruitment process (July 12th Task Force Meeting) 6. ADJOURN …
1 CITY MANAGER SEARCH ADVISORY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Friday, May 19, 2017 The City Manager Search Advisory Task Force convened in a regular meeting on Friday, May 19, 2017 at Town Lake Center, 721 Barton Springs, Assembly Room, Room 130 in Austin, Texas. Chair Laura Huffman called the Board Meeting to order at 2:10 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Laura Huffman (Chair), Saundra Kirk (Vice Chair), Claudia Conner, Susan Hambright, Perla Cavazos, Julio Gonzales Altmirano, Bill Spellman, Channy Soeur, Walter Muse, Admiral Bobby Inman, Jan Lehman. Staff in Attendance: Mark Washington, Ray Baray, Joya Hayes, Debbie Maynor, Rod Crain, Lee Crawford, Trinh Bartlett, Jason Alexander, Deena Estrada, Lara Foss, Gary Luedecke, Sonya Alexander-Harry, and Cindy Henson. 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No one signed up for Citizen Communication. 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS a) Laura Huffman (Chair) began the meeting with all members in attendance and asked Task Members, City Staff and Russell Reynolds Associates to introduce themselves. Each Task Force Member introduced his or herself to meeting attendee. City of Austin Human Resources Director Joya Hayes introduced City Staff present. Steve Newton from Russell Reynolds Associates introduced himself. b) Deena Estrada, Business Process Specialist, City Clerk’s Office provided an overview of Texas Open Meetings Act. c) Deena Estrada, Business Process Specialist, City Clerk’s Office provided an overview of Task Force roles and responsibilities. d) Steve Newton, Area Manager for the Dallas and Houston with Russell Reynolds Associates gave a presentation and led discussion on the city manager search process and timeline. e) Sonya Alexander-Harry, Senior Business Process Consultant, Human Resources Department reviewed Council Resolution 20170413-027. 3. NEW BUSINESS a) Recommendation to present the proposed City Manager Search Task Force Work Plan to the City Council approval was approved on Task Force Member Bobby Inman’s motion, Task Force Member Jan Lehman’s second on an 11-0 vote. 2 b) Recommendation to present the proposed schedule of future meetings identified in the Proposed City Manager Search Task Force Work Plan contingent upon to the City Council approval was approved on Task Force Member Inman’s motion, Task Force Member Jan Lehman’s second on an 11-0 vote. 4. Future Agenda Items a) Discussion on process for Employee Survey to City employees to get employee perspective on ideal candidate qualifications, characteristics and key community issues for next City Manager (for June 12th Task Force Meeting) b) Discussion of the role of Task Force beyond phase 1 …
1 CITY MANAGER SEARCH ADVISORY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Friday, May 19, 2017 The City Manager Search Advisory Task Force convened in a regular meeting on Friday, May 19, 2017 at Town Lake Center, 721 Barton Springs, Assembly Room, Room 130 in Austin, Texas. Chair Laura Huffman called the Board Meeting to order at 2:10 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Laura Huffman (Chair), Saundra Kirk (Vice Chair), Claudia Conner, Susan Hambright, Perla Cavazos, Julio Gonzales Altmirano, Bill Spellman, Channy Soeur, Walter Muse, Admiral Bobby Inman, Jan Lehman. Staff in Attendance: Mark Washington, Ray Baray, Joya Hayes, Debbie Maynor, Rod Crain, Lee Crawford, Trinh Bartlett, Jason Alexander, Deena Estrada, Lara Foss, Gary Luedecke, Sonya Alexander-Harry, and Cindy Henson. 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No one signed up for Citizen Communication. 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS a) Laura Huffman (Chair) began the meeting with all members in attendance and asked Task Members, City Staff and Russell Reynolds Associates to introduce themselves. Each Task Force Member introduced his or herself to meeting attendee. City of Austin Human Resources Director Joya Hayes introduced City Staff present. Steve Newton from Russell Reynolds Associates introduced himself. b) Deena Estrada, Business Process Specialist, City Clerk’s Office provided an overview of Texas Open Meetings Act. c) Deena Estrada, Business Process Specialist, City Clerk’s Office provided an overview of Task Force roles and responsibilities. d) Steve Newton, Area Manager for the Dallas and Houston with Russell Reynolds Associates gave a presentation and led discussion on the city manager search process and timeline. e) Sonya Alexander-Harry, Senior Business Process Consultant, Human Resources Department reviewed Council Resolution 20170413-027. 3. NEW BUSINESS a) Recommendation to present the proposed City Manager Search Task Force Work Plan to the City Council approval was approved on Task Force Member Bobby Inman’s motion, Task Force Member Jan Lehman’s second on an 11-0 vote. 2 b) Recommendation to present the proposed schedule of future meetings identified in the Proposed City Manager Search Task Force Work Plan contingent upon to the City Council approval was approved on Task Force Member Inman’s motion, Task Force Member Jan Lehman’s second on an 11-0 vote. 4. Future Agenda Items a) Discussion on process for Employee Survey to City employees to get employee perspective on ideal candidate qualifications, characteristics and key community issues for next City Manager (for June 12th Task Force Meeting) b) Discussion of the role of Task Force beyond phase 1 …
Page 1 of 2 Land Development Code Advisory Group Meeting #62 June 12th 2017 at 6:00 pm‐9:00 pm Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 E 10th Street Austin, TX 78701 www.austintexas.gov/codenext Charge to Advisory Group: Assist in public outreach and provide feedback on development and implementation of a revised land development code (Resolution #20121206‐074) and focus its efforts to ensure the CodeNEXT process supports all of the Priority Programs as outlined in the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan (Resolution #20150521‐026). AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. PUBLIC COMMENT (6:00‐6:15) 2. NEW BUSINESS (6:15‐8:55) a. Approval of Minutes b. Issue briefs for Final Report i. CAG reviews remaining issue briefs and polls support for each. ii. CAG report structure iii. Review charge to Advisory Group and Imagine Austin Priority Programs Poll c. Agenda Items for Final CAG meeting 7/5 (8:55‐9:00) ADJORNMENT For more information on CodeNEXT please visit: www.austintexas.gov/codenext To read and comment on the Draft Land Development Code visit: www.codenext.civicomment.org To see the Draft Proposed Zoning Map visit: www.codenext.engagingplans.org To sign up for Office Hours visit: www.tiny.cc/codenextofficehours Page 2 of 2 The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans 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 2 days notice before the meeting date. Please call Ashley Greenstein in the Planning and Zoning Department, at 512‐974‐2743, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Code Advisory Group, please contact Ashley Greenstein in the Planning and Zoning Department at 512‐974‐2743 or Ashley.Greenstein@AustinTexas.gov.
ENVIRONMENT AND PARKLAND Issue 7: Water quality protections need strengthening. (Lauren, Ele) Recommendations: 1. Reinstate the Environmental Commission’s right to an annual review of the Urban Watersheds Structure Control Plan as well as any new Suburban Watersheds Structure Control Plan. (Text) 2. Decrease the threshold for requiring water quality controls from 8,000 square feet of impervious cover, to 5,000 square feet, staff’s original recommendation. (Policy) 3. Bring forward the recently codified Impervious Cover Restrictions for Education Facilities found in § 25‐8‐366. (Text) Issue 8: Draft does not adequately protect rights of the public in privately owned, publicly accessible open space subject to public/private partnership agreements or other city consideration. (Rich) Recommendations: 1. Add to sections 23‐3B‐2030, 23‐4C‐1070 and elsewhere in the code as appropriate, the following language: “All privately owned, publicly accessible civic, open space, or parkland subject to 23‐3B‐2030 or similar provisions in the code shall afford the same rights and protections for free speech and assembly to residents as comparable publicly owned civic, open space, and parkland.” C. INFRASTRUCTURE Issue 9: Drainage and flooding provisions may be insufficient to address impacts of increased development. (Lauren, Ele) Recommendations: 1. Provide watershed capacity analysis for every watershed in the City to understand and account for the limitations of the modeling and to provide a baseline of actual current impervious cover that will inform our zoning map and maximum impervious cover requirements. (Map/Policy) 2. Prohibit fees‐in‐lieu when downstream drainage systems are at or exceeding capacity, eliminating staff discretion in such cases. This could be accomplished by a map, regularly updated with modeled data, to show areas where fees‐in‐lieu are prohibited. (Text) Issue 10: Draft does not adequately address connectivity and flooding improvements triggered by remodels. (P) (Lauren, Ele) Recommendations: 1. Create a remodeling threshold for providing public benefit improvements, including flooding mitigation, streetscape improvements and connectivity improvements (e.g. sidewalks and safe crossings). (Mobility Code Prescription Paper, page 17) 2. The scope of upgrade requirements or incentives should reflect the scope of the remodel project. 3. Consider severity of need for the upgrades based on mobility, flooding and infrastructure issues in the surrounding area. 4. Alternatively, incentivize removal of impervious cover and addition of trees and rain gardens, by allowing site disturbance over the standard threshold without triggering a full blown site plan. Issue 12: Redirect some savings from lower minimum parking requirements into area connectivity improvements. (Nuria) Recommendations: 1. Charge a …
Page 1 of 2 Land Development Code Advisory Group Meeting #59 June 5, 2017 at 6 pm ‐ 9 pm Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 E 10th St Austin, TX 78701 www.austintexas.gov/codenext Charge to Advisory Group: Assist in public outreach and provide feedback on development and implementation of a revised land development code (Resolution #20121206‐074) and focus its efforts to ensure the CodeNEXT process supports all of the Priority Programs as outlined in the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan (Resolution #20150521‐026). AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. PUBLIC COMMENT (6:00‐6:15) 2. NEW BUSINESS (6:15‐8:55) a. Approval of Minutes b. Issue briefs for final report i. Chair work group introduces issue briefs (some issue briefs for which little discussion is required may be acted on in one vote) ii. Discussion pros/cons, recommendations iii. CAG vote on brief c. CAG report structure 3. Agenda Items for Final CAG meeting (8:55‐9:00). 4. Adjourn (9pm). UPCOMING EVENTS a. Code TALK – Permitting 6/7 b. Deadline for feedback to be considered for incorporation into the second draft of the Land Development Code 6/7 c. Due date for CAG issue briefs for the CAG Final Report 6/7 d. Last CAG Meeting 7/7 Page 2 of 2 For more information on CodeNEXT please visit our website at www.austintexas.gov/codenext To read and comment on the Draft Land Development Code visit www.codenext.civicomment.org To see the Draft Proposed Zoning Map visit www.codenext.engagingplans.org To sign up for Office Hours visit www.tiny.cc/codenextofficehours The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans 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 Ashley Greenstein in the Planning and Zoning Department, at 512‐974‐2743, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Code Advisory Group, please contact Ashley Greenstein in the Planning and Zoning Department at 512‐974‐2743 or Ashley.Greenstein@AustinTexas.gov.
Page 1 of 9 Land Development Code Advisory Group Meeting #61 June 5, 2017 at 6 pm ‐ 9 pm Waller Creek Center, Room 104 625 E 10th St Austin, TX 78701 www.austintexas.gov/codenext Charge to Advisory Group: Assist in public outreach and provide feedback on development and implementation of a revised land development code (Resolution #20121206‐074) and focus its efforts to ensure the CodeNEXT process supports all of the Priority Programs as outlined in the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan (Resolution #20150521‐026). AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. PUBLIC COMMENT (6:00‐6:15) A representative from Go Austin Vamos Austin read a testimony of another resident who raised questions on how the code is addressing flooding and traffic. Dave Sullivan responded by siting a portion of the code which has increased the requirements for flood water retention on new developments. Stuart Hersh recommended that the code should be simplified such as in the days that parts of the city were zoned A,B,C, and D. He also sang a Genesis song to reiterate his point. 2. NEW BUSINESS (6:15‐8:55) a. Approval of Minutes Minutes approved b. Issue briefs for final report i. Chair work group introduces issue briefs (some issue briefs for which little discussion is required may be acted on in one vote) The following items passed on consent – 4, 5, 6, 26, 27 Issue 4: Draft does not provide adequate urban heat island mitigation. Page 2 of 9 Recommendations (Consent): 1. Define the site plan submittal requirements for three to nine units. Incorporate all tree preservation requirements. 2. Provide for combined side and rear setbacks in transect zones for the purpose of tree preservation. Provide front setbacks with sufficient depth for new tree planting. 3. Allow site disturbance beyond the limit of construction for site plan exemptions for the purpose of planting trees and installing rain gardens. 4. Incorporate green building requirements into all transect zones. Calibrate these requirements to the building form. Incentivize projects that go above and beyond the requirements. 5. Incorporate Green Streets standards for street trees including soil volume requirements. 6. Incorporate the Functional Green standards into the draft code update. Issue 5: Water stewardship provisions and analyses incomplete. Recommendations (Consent): 1. Update the onsite beneficial use section of the draft code to indicate the type of green infrastructure elements to be employed. 2. Remove obstacles to the use of rainwater harvesting systems. 3. Clearly indicate porous pavement, …
A. GENERAL ISSUES Issue 1: Additional data and 3‐D modeling needed to optimize CodeNext trade‐offs. Recommended Changes: 1. City Council should require additional scenario testing of trade‐offs during the process of refining both CodeNext rules and the mapping, in particular of transportation, stormwater capacity, and housing mix by bedroom count. 2. City Council should make this decision as soon as possible. 3. Fund access and full training on these tools for boards and commissions, and City Council staff. 4. Provide access and online training to the public. 5. Provide 3‐D visualization models of each of the zones, their combined impact per block, and compatibility to adjacent zoning districts. Issue 2: CodeNext mapping should reflect not just near‐term market demand, but Imagine Austin’s community goals. Recommended Changes: 1. Map out all Imagine Austin centers and corridors with transect zones over the coming five years. 2. Consider some T6 zoning in regional centers, including the North Burnet Gateway, possibly Howard Lane TODs. 3. Prioritize certain Imagine Austin centers outside the urban core for additional infrastructure investment to incentivize new development. 4. Rebalance transect zone requirements and mapping to better achieve community goals for income and age diversity & livability, in all parts of town, not just areas already experiencing high development pressure. 5. Rebalance mapping to support small and iconic business along corridors and retain the community character. Issue 3: Draft increases complexity by using Transect, Non‐transect and legacy Title 25 zones simultaneously. (NZ) Recommended Changes: 1. Move forward with a single transect code format. 2. Ensure that residential and adjoining commercial zones on a given block are consistently transect or Title 25 zones. 3. Map transect zones at transit‐oriented nodes outside the urban core, as part of the initial mapping. B. ENVIRONMENT Issue 4: Draft does not provide adequate urban heat island mitigation. (EM) Recommended Changes: 1. Define the site plan submittal requirements for three to nine units. Incorporate all tree preservation requirements. 2. Provide for combined side and rear setbacks in transect zones for the purpose of tree preservation. Provide front setbacks with sufficient depth for new tree planting. 3. Allow site disturbance beyond the limit of construction for site plan exemptions for the purpose of planting trees and installing rain gardens. 4. Incorporate green building requirements into all transect zones. Calibrate these requirements to the building form. Incentivize projects that go above and beyond the requirements. 5. Incorporate Green …
Visitor Impact Task Force May 23, 2017 3:00pm Hyatt Regency Austin Foothills 2 Room 208 Barton Springs Austin, TX 78704 CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Gavin Garcia - Music Industry Representative Catlin Whitington - Music Industry Representative Lulu Flores - Arts Community Representative MariBen Ramsey - Arts Community Representative James Russell - Special Events Industry Representative Julie Niehoff - Special Events Industry Representative Tom Noonan - Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau Representative Shelly Schadegg - Hotel Industry Representative Bill Worsham - Public Safety Community Representative Alyson McGee - Preservation Community Representative Dan Keshet - Parks Community Representative Mark Tester - Convention Center Representative Dewitt Peart - Downtown Commission Representative Ashwin Ghatalia - Tourism Workforce Representative Stephen Sternschein - Tourism Workforce Representative Jonathan Mahone - Community Member Representative Pam Thompson - Environmental Community Representative Skeeter Miller - Restaurant Industry Representative Richard Mendoza - Public Works Department Representative (ex-officio) AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER: 3:00pm 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. From the May 16, 2017 meeting 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action to make recommendations from initial ideas from each Task Force member to recommend to City Council in future report. 4. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL a. Citizens wishing to speak will need to sign up ten minutes before the meeting calls for Citizen Communications at 5:30pm. Citizen communications will be limited to the first ten speakers and each citizen communicator will be given three minutes to speak. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Discussion and possible action to make recommendations on items for future agendas. 6. ADJOURNMENT 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 Larry Schooler at Communication and Public Information Office Department, at 512.974.6004, larry.schooler@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Visitor Impact Task Force, please contact Felicia Ojeda at 512.404.4022, felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov.
Visitor Impact Task Force May 23, 2017 3:00pm Hyatt Regency Austin Foothills 2 Room 208 Barton Springs Austin, TX 78704 MINUTES In Attendance: Gavin Garcia - Music Industry Representative Catlin Whitington - Music Industry Representative Lulu Flores - Arts Community Representative MariBen Ramsey - Arts Community Representative James Russell - Special Events Industry Representative Julie Niehoff - Special Events Industry Representative Tom Noonan - Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau Representative Bill Worsham - Public Safety Community Representative Alyson McGee - Preservation Community Representative Dan Keshet - Parks Community Representative Mark Tester - Convention Center Representative Dewitt Peart - Downtown Commission Representative Ashwin Ghatalia - Tourism Workforce Representative Stephen Sternschein - Tourism Workforce Representative Jonathan Mahone - Community Member Representative Pam Thompson - Environmental Community Representative Richard Mendoza - Public Works Department Representative (ex-officio) Absent: Shelly Schadegg - Hotel Industry Representative Skeeter Miller - Restaurant Industry Representative Staff and Others In Attendance: Mark Washington, ACM Larry Schooler, CPIO, Facilitator Felicia Ojeda, Austin Convention Center Department Robert Lee Tommy Mantini Liz Lathan John Bernardoni Bill Bunch Rebecca Melancon Scott Joslove, THLA Staff and Others In Attendance: (con’t) Susan Richardson, Visit Austin Mary Kay Hackley Qi Dada Linda Atkins Gene McMenamin Jeff Jack Zenobia C. Joseph AGENDA 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER a. Meeting called to order at 3:14pm by Chair James Russell 1. Approval of Minutes from May 16, 2017 Meeting, all voters approved minus the absence of Task Force Members, Shelly Schadegg and Skeeter Miller. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Chair, James Russell continued the discussion of recommendations to present to City Council. b. Convention Center Design Amendments review presented by Task Force Member, Dan Keshet. c. Heritage Grant program funds review and presented by Task Force member, Alyson McGee. d. Cultural Arts Division review presented by Task Force member, Jonathan Mahone. 3. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: 5:25pm a. Robert Lee b. Tommy Mantini c. Liz Lathan d. John Bernardoni e. Bill Bunch f. Rebecca Melancon g. Qi Dada h. Gene McMenamin i. Jeff Jack j. Zenobia C. Joseph 4. OLD BUSINESS – resumed- 5:54pm a. Chair, James Russell reviewed Scott Joslove’s response to Task Force member, Pam Thompson’s recommendation b. Minority Report provided by Task Force member, Pam Thompson. c. Break to review Sticky Notes Recommendations from February 28 and April 25 meeting d. Finalizing Recommendations e. Task Force member, Lulu Flores, motioned to extend the meeting until 8pm f. Chair, James Russell …
Austin Independent Business AlliancePO Box , Austin, Texas 78765512-441-2123 • www.ibuyaustin.comMay 18, 2017Larry SchoolerVisitor Impact Task ForceCity of Austin Communications and Public Information OfficeAustin, TexasMr. Schooler,I feel compelled to write following Tuesday’s Task Force meeting and I am asking that you share this with the Task Force. In the meeting on May 16, Tom Noonan, President and CEO of ACVB, misled and deceived the Task Force in regards to ACVB’s relationship with AIBA. Specifically, Mr. Noonan stated that ACVB and AIBA meet multiple times a year to work together to promote local business. I have been with AIBA for 15 years and I have never met Tom Noonan. AIBA did meet with other representatives of ACVB on May 17, 2010; November 30, 2010; November 14, 2012; January 29, 2013; and May 28, 2013. We have not met since 2013. Furthermore, while AIBA has proposed many ideas for working togeth-er, ACVB has rejected every one and closed the door on any collaboration. Mr. Noonan’s statement is simply false.In regards to ACVB promoting the IBIZ Districts, this is again, totally false. A search of the ACVB website produces only one result matching “IBIZ District.” This is in a listing for Amelia’s Retro-Vogue and Relics which closed in October 2016. In this listing, the South First IBIZ District is used to identify where Amelia’s is located and oddly (and incorrectly) listed as “South 1st St. IBIZ ... district” (a copy is attached). ACVB does not promote the IBIZ Districts as claimed by Mr. Noonan. In these two regards, Mr. Noonan has misrepresented his organization’s marketing of the IBIZ Districts and local business. I bring these two error up because the Task Force will be making decisions based on information they received that was incorrect.ACVB is “charged with marketing Austin nationally and internationally as a premier business and leisure destination, thus enriching our community’s overall quality of life.” ACVB is not charged with directing visitors once they get here. As Mr. Noonan stated, they cannot promote locally owned business over other business. Therefore ACVB cannot be the entity that drives visitors to locally owned business. It’s our job to direct visitors to local business. In addition, I find it concerning that the Task Force seems to be addressing allocation of only the potential 2% increase in HOT funds because City Council Resolution 20160818-075 clearly directs the Task Force to ”Make recommendations to the City …
Convention Center Design Amendments The convention experience of today is more than a building; it is the authentic experience of a city. More visitors than ever are forgoing cars in favor of a completely walkable convention experience. Austin needs a new model for a convention center — one that adds to instead of subtracting from the vibrancy and connectivity of its surroundings. An expansion of the convention center should minimize negative impacts and maximize positive impacts on the city which supports it. Therefore, we recommend: 1.The costs of expanding the Convention Center should be met in part by integrating the expansion with other uses, such as residential or office. This would benefit the convention center and the city by ensuring that the surrounding area is active at times when no conventions are taking place. 2.The city should issue a Request for Information for integrating the expansion of the Convention Center with other uses that would contribute to street activity and a healthy urban fabric in downtown’s southeast quadrant while maintaining the city’s intact street grid and valuable land and development on the property tax rolls for the benefit of the entire City. 3.The Convention Center expansion should be used to repair the urban framework in the immediate vicinity of the convention center. Improvements should include those described in the Waller Creek Conservancy vision for the Convention Center area as well as pedestrian connections between the Convention Center and the Rainey Street neighborhood. 4.Through the Waller Creek Tax Increment Financing District and/or a similar mechanism, additional property tax revenues from the expansion should be considered to address urgent social problems in this area of downtown.
General Recommendations for CAD with increased funding: 1.Marketing/Access/Outreach a.Website - Grants Funding page(s) more user friendly. There should be a video (2-3 minutes) on the landing page that explains each grant. Each grant program also needs a video (2-3 minutes), and graphics explaining regulations, deadlines, details. b.Enhanced Community Outreach/Marketing - Dedicated interactive monthly outreach events to under-served communities that includes previous recipients as presenters: arts organizations, musicians, artists. Grant videos should be screened at these meetings. c.Marketing - Increased visibility in under-served community via targeted outreach campaign. Make materials more relevant visually and culturally. 2.Grant Funding a.Artist-as-Entrepreneur (Core Funding) - Austin musicians and artists add tremendous value to culture, and even further, to economic growth in the ‘Live Music Capital.’ There are artists in Austin building careers outside of performance on stage that can ultimately develop their creative ventures into larger economic engines, fueling tourism in new markets - beyond traditional, historic locales. These business-oriented artists need greater opportunity to develop their ideas, and access to increased resources. Funding preference to ideas and plans that stimulate growth, and develop tourism opportunities in under-served communities. i.Specific funding to expand and develop individual artists that are building successful arts ventures with a history of growth 1.Incubator ($2,000-$10,000) - business with 1-2 year history. Funding delivery includes mentorship. 2.Growth ($10,000-$25,000) - business with 3-5 year history, proven growth, and strategic plan. Funding delivery includes mentorship. 3.Expansion ($25,000-$100,000) - 5-7 year history, previous funding from CAD, clear community partnerships/investment. Funding delivery includes mentorship. ii.Artists’ receiving funding in Growth and Expansion phases must become mentors as a stipulation of their participation in the program. iii.Each funding level can only be received once per artist.
1 MEMORANDUM TO: Budget Office FROM: Liana Kallivoka, PhD, PE, Assistant Director Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) DATE: September 8, 2017 SUBJECT: PARD Historic Properties Eligible for HOT Funding The Budget Office requested a list of PARD historic properties that may be eligible for funding through Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) under Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code. This code allows funding to be allocated for “historical restoration and preservation projects or activities or advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs to encourage tourists and convention delegates to visit preserved historic sites or museums.” This provision allows for expenditures on historic sites “at or in the immediate vicinity of convention center facilities or visitor information centers; or located elsewhere in the municipality or its vicinity that would be frequented by tourists and convention delegates.” PARD has identified potential historic preservation projects, personnel, and general fund expenditures that may be allowable expenditures under Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code. More detail about the proposed capital expenditures is provided in this document, but PARD wishes to emphasize that all municipal capital projects take time to mobilize due to contracting and procurement. Additionally, project timelines may allow for community engagement. As a result, capital projects may span multiple fiscal years from inception to completion. Following is a summary of PARD historic preservation projects and allocations that could be addressed in 2017-2018. Expenditure Proposed HOT funding amount General Fund expenditures related to temporary staffing at historic sites $279,070 2 1/2 Temporary FTEs (project coordinator, program coordinator and marketing representative) to implement historic preservation capital projects and market historic sites to visitors and conventioneers. $211,730 HOT-eligible Historic Preservation Projects $8,500,000 TOTAL $8,990,800 2 Explanation for expenditures 1. General Fund expenditures— PARD was asked to determine general fund expenditures that could be offset with HOT. Given the extremely tight timeline for this determination and the need for extensive legal guidance, PARD is putting forward a) the temporary staffing needs associated with operating museums in the immediate convention center area and downtown area ($104,070); and b) estimated maintenance expenses directly associated with maintenance of a select number of historic sites located in the immediate convention center area and elsewhere that are visited by tourists and convention delegates ($175,000). While PARD is an important partner in supporting the tourism infrastructure of our city, the department will need more guidance and time to extrapolate the costs associated …
Funding for Heritage Grant Program Current Use of HOT Revenues for Heritage Grant Program: Since 1996 the City of Austin has contracted with the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) to, among other tourism-related services, administer a grant program funding projects involving historic sites. Known as the Heritage Grants Program, the funds are provided from the collection of Hotel Occupancy Taxes (HOT) as allowed by Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code. The amount of funding allocated to the Heritage Grant Program has not been based upon a set percentage of HOT revenues as it is with other HOT-fund programs, but as a specific amount determined by the ACVB, and agreed upon by City Council each year. Currently Austin’s assessed HOT rate is 15%, which is divided between the State and City, which receive 6% and 9% respectfully. Of the 9% the City receives, approximately 20 5/7% is allocated to ACVB for tourism promotion and the Heritage Grants Program. Recipients of Heritage grants have included the Paramount and Stateside Theaters, the French Legation, the Contemporary, the Elisabet Ney Museum, Pease Park, and the Austin Symphony. Since 2009 the ACVB has distributed approximately, on average, $200,000 annually through the Heritage Grants Program. As the table below shows that amount has equated to an average of less than 0.50% of the total HOT tax revenues collected annually by the City. Until 2017, the amount awarded to historic preservation projects had not increased (and some years has decreased), while the City’s HOT revenues have increased by nearly 70%. In 2017, City Council directed the ACVB to set aside $500,000 toward the Heritage Grants Program. Additionally, Council allocated $1,000,000 to the Parks and Recreation Department for use on Chapter 351-eligible historic restoration projects located within parks. Through a diligent planning process, PARD decided to allocate the funds for projects at the Elisabet Ney Museum, the O Henry Museum, the Oakwood Cemetery Chapel, and Mayfield Park. Note: Data in the following table to be confirmed and correct by appropriate City and ACC staff Fiscal Year HOT Revenues (9% assessment) Convention Center Ch. 334 (2% of total) Convention Center Ch. 351 (64 2/7% of 7%) ACVB Tourism & Promo Fund Ch. 351 (20 5/7% of 7%) Cultural Arts Grants Ch. 351 (15% of 7%) Heritage Grants Program grants awarded 2011 $46,809,809 $10,298,158 $23,469,689 $7,364,400 $5,476,748 Data not avail. to committee 2012 $51,049,877 $11,230,973 $25,595,592 $8,031,473 $5,972,836 …
