URBAN FORESTRY COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Friday, December 13, 2024 The Urban Forestry Committee convened in a REGULAR meeting on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Brimer called the Urban Forestry Committee Meeting to order at 2:34 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Richard Brimer, Mariana Krueger Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Colin Nickells, Melinda Schiera Commissioners Absent: None PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Committee Meeting of October 10, 2024 The minutes from the regular meeting on October 10th, 2024 will be approved at the next meeting. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Overview of Transportation and Public Works's Urban Forestry's mission and budget – Lisa Killander, Forestry Program Manager, TPW Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 3. Overview of Parks and Recreation's Urban Forestry Division's mission and budget – Joshua Erickson, Urban Forestry Program Manager, PARD Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 4. Discussion on Urban Forestry meeting dates for 2025 - Richard Brimer, Urban Forestry Committee Chair This item will be discussed at a future meeting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None Chair Brimer adjourned the meeting at 3:11 p.m. without objection.
URBAN FORESTRY COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Thursday, October 10, 2024 The Urban Forestry Committee convened in a REGULAR meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Brimer called the Urban Forestry Committee Meeting to order at 11:06 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Richard Brimer, Mariana Krueger Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Colin Nickells, Melinda Schiera Commissioners Absent: None PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Committee Meeting of June 27, 2024 The minutes from the regular meeting on June 27th, 2024 were approved on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Schiera’s second on a 4–0 vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Presentation on 2024 Tree Preservation Report – Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist, Development Services Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 3. Staff presentation on Tree Smarts: An Introduction to Austin’s Tree Regulations (Section 3 of the Environmental Criteria Manual) – Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist, and Daniel Priest, Environmental Compliance Specialist Sr., Development Services Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion and recommendation on strategies to improve Austin’s tree canopy – Richard Brimer, Urban Forestry Committee Chair A motion to table the item passed on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 3-0 vote. Commissioner Nickells was off dais. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None Chair Brimer adjourned the meeting at 12:41 p.m. without objection.
Austin's Tree Canopy Presentation for the Urban Forestry Committee J u n e 2 0 2 5 Presentation Overview • Austin's urban forest stats • Urban forest management • Canopy cover • Additional tools Significant Benefits https://texasforestinfo.tamu.edu/urbanforeststats/assets/standard/AustinTX2022.pdf Urban Forest Management Development Services Parks & Recreation Public Works Austin Energy Austin Fire • Parks Forestry • PWD Forestry • Utility Forestry • Wildfire Division • Urban Forest Program • City Arborist Program Watershed Protection • Env. Resource Mgmt • Policy & Planning • Field Operations Canopy Cover Heading 41% Canopy Cover 39K Acres of new canopy needed to meet 50% canopy cover goal. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d9ba0b99c60b4b8395414a09c4533949 The City of Austin measures tree canopy every 4 years using the calculation: tree canopy area divided by land area. The canopy cover number uses the City of Austin's boundary, inclusive of full purpose, limited purpose, and extraterritorial jurisdictions in May 2023. Analysis provided by Alan Halter, IT Geospatial Analyst Senior, Development Services Department, Urban Forest Program Additional tools My City's Trees • Urban Forest Inventory and Analysis data • • Inventory statistics Summary Reports https://mct.tfs.tamu.edu/app Additional tools Tree Canopy • National tree canopy database • View tree canopy cover and land cover classes • Planning tool built-in https://hub.treesatwork.org/ Emily King Urban Forester Emily.King@AustinTexas.gov Follow Nature in the City for events, updates, job postings, and more! facebook.com/NatureCityATX instagram.com/NatureCityATX
REGULAR MEETING of the MUSIC COMMISSION June 2, 2025 6:30 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROOM 1001, 301 W 2ND STREET, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Music Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Shelbi Mitchell, 512-974-6318, Shelbi.Mitchell@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Nagavalli Medicharla - Chair, Pedro Carvalho – Vice Chair, Joe Silva – Parliamentarian, Scott Strickland – Secretary, Nelson Aguilar, Tami Blevins, Clayton England, Cornice “Ray” Price Jr., Celeste Quesada AGENDA CALL TO ORDER MUSICAL PERFORMANCE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Music Commission Meeting on April 7 and May 5, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Live Music Fund collections briefing by Kim McCarson, Program Manager, Music & Entertainment Division, Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment. 3. Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) Live Music Performances briefing by Erica Shamaly, Division Manager, Music & Entertainment Division. 4. Cultural Funding Community Engagement briefing by Morgan Messick, Assistant Director, Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME). DISCUSSION ITEMS 5. 2025 Texas Women’s Songwriters Festival following presentation by Mandy Rowen. 6. Recent increase in number of performance rights organizations and their licensing revenue distribution practices following presentation by Secretary Strickland. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 Shelbi Mitchell at the Economic Development Department, at 512-974-6318, Shelbi.Mitchell@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Music Commission, please contact Shelbi Mitchell at 512-974-6318, Shelbi.Mitchell@austintexas.gov.
SPECIAL MEETING MEETING of the ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PANEL Monday, June 2nd, 2025, at 6:00 PM Economic Development Offices 5202 East Ben White Boulevard, Suite 400 Austin, Texas 78741 Members of the ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PANEL may participate by video conference. Public comment will be allowed remotely via video conference or telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for participation. To register to speak, call or email AIPP Program Manager Jaime Castillo at jaime.castillo@austintexas.gov, (512) 974-7852. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Chair – Kristi-Anne Shaer, Vice Chair – Andrew Danziger, Taylor Davis, Bernardo Diaz, Stephanie Lemmo, Monica Maldonado – Arts Commission Liaison AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve minutes of the Art in Public Places Panel Regular Meeting on May 5, 2025 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion of Arts Commission Liaison Report on Action Items from May 19, 2025, Arts Commissions Meeting by Arts Commission Liaison Maldonado 3. Presentation on Council Resolution 20250306-029 4. Discussion of the Guidelines Working Group Update on Ordinance, Guidelines, and Policy. 5. Discussion of the Guidelines Working Group Update on Programmatic Recommendations. 6. Discussion of the Guidelines Working Group Update on Communications & Marketing Recommendations STAFF BRIEFINGS 7. Art in Public Places Staff Briefing on Conservation, Current Projects, and Milestones FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 contact AIPP Program Manager Jaime Castillo at jaime.castillo@austintexas.gov or (512) 974- 7852 for additional information; TTY users' route through Relay Texas at 711.
REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS JUNE 2, 2025 AT 6:30PM W. 3rd Street AUSTIN CITY HALL ROOM 1101 AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Gunjen Mittal at gunjen.mittal@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-6104. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Melissa Ortega, Chair Alondra Johnson Azeem Edwin Aditi Joshi Miriam Dorantes, Vice Chair Adrian De La Rosa Yohana Saucedo Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Meghana Roy AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs regular meeting on May 5, 2025. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Briefing by Rocio Villalobos, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager - Immigrant Affairs, regarding general updates on immigrant affairs. 3. Briefing by Jeremy Garza and Alejandra Mireles, Equity and Inclusion Program Coordinator – Equity Division, Office of Equity and Inclusion, regarding update on Quality-of-Life study of immigrants, refugees and other foreign-born community members. 4. Briefing by Dr. Wilson regarding status update for budget of Commission on Immigrant Affairs Study. PRESENTATION 5. Presentation by Academia Cuauhtli, a community-based education initiative focused on serving Austin’s immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities through culturally and linguistically sustaining programming regarding brief overview of our work and request support for our FY 2025–2026 budget recommendation 6. Presentation by Daniela Silva, from Worker’s Defense Action Fund regarding license plate readers pilot program. DISCUSSION ITEMS 7. Welcome new Commissioners to Commission on Immigrant Affairs. 8. Discussion regarding the planned sunsetting of the Equity Division’s Undoing Racism trainings for community members, City staff, and Commissioners. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 9. Discussion and action on the proposal made by the Audit and Finance Committee regarding the Commission on Immigrant Affairs bylaws. 10. Discussion and action on approving a budget recommendation to amend the contract and close the remaining $90,000 gap for the Commission on Immigrant Affairs’ Quality-of-Life Study. 11. Discussion and …
REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Monday, June 2, 2025, 4:00 PM Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, #1101 301 West 2nd Street Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Public Safety Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Christi Vitela, 512- 974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Angel Carroll Enrique Duran II Kimberly Hidrogo David Holmes Pierre Nguyễn Kristy Orr Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on May 5, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department. Discussion of current bylaws and update from the Bylaws Working Group on possible changes and next steps. Discussion of the Office of the City Auditor’s audit and report of the Austin Police Department recruiting and hiring. Presentation by the Office of the City Auditor and Austin Police Department. Discussion of the Office of the City Auditor’s audit and report of automated license plate reader program. Presentation by the Office of the City Auditor and Austin Police Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve a Recommendation to Council to halt the automated license plate reader program while conducting a full audit and report to share with City Council and the Public Safety Commission and securing data in accordance with Resolutions 20220915-056 and 20230608-085. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 Christi …
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, May 5, 2025 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 5, 2025 The Public Safety Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramírez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Kimberly Hidrogo Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Angel Carroll Enrique Duran II David Holmes Pierre Nguyễn Kristy Orr Michael Sierra-Arévalo PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on April 7, 2025. The motion to approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on April 7, 2025, was approved on Vice Chair Ruttan’s motion, Commissioner Bernhardt’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Smith was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin Fire Department. The presentation was made by Rob Vires, Chief of Staff, Austin Fire Department. Chair Ramírez asked for a follow up on what percentage of fire stations now have portable generators. 1 Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, May 5, 2025 3. 4. Discussion of sexual assault data with Austin Police Department, The SAFE Alliance, Travis County District Attorney's Office, Austin Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team (SARRT), and members of the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model Project (CSCRM). Withdrawn. Presentation on firefighter cancer prevention and changes in funding for continued tracking of efforts by Austin Fire Department. The presentation was made by Rob Vires, Chief of Staff, Austin Fire Department and Heather Arispe, Public Safety Wellness Administrator, Austin Fire Department. Vice Chair Ruttan asked for a follow up on whether the City of Austin tracks or screens for certain cancers that may be considered a presumptive disability. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from the Training Academy Working Group on scheduled tour of APD Training Academy. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve updates to the membership of the Training Academy Working Group. The motion to approve Commissioner Hidrogo’s addition to the Training Academy Working Group was approved on Vice Chair Ruttan’s motion, Commissioner Bernhardt’s second, on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Smith was absent. 7. Discussion and update on the work of the Wellness Center Working Group and approve the dissolution of the Wellness Center Working Group. …
Emergency Medical Services Incident and Response Data FY25 Q2 Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff 1 Incidents, Patient Contacts, Transports January 2021 – April 2025 Incidents | Patient Contacts | Patient Transports January 2021 - April 2025 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 1 2 - n a J 1 2 - r a M 1 2 - y a M 1 2 - l u J 1 2 - p e S 1 2 - v o N 2 2 - n a J 2 2 - r a M 2 2 - y a M 2 2 - l u J 2 2 - p e S 2 2 - v o N 3 2 - n a J 3 2 - r a M 3 2 - y a M 3 2 - l u J 3 2 - p e S 3 2 - v o N 4 2 - n a J 4 2 - r a M 4 2 - y a M 4 2 - l u J 4 2 - p e S 4 2 - v o N 5 2 - n a J 5 2 - r a M Incidents Patient Contacts Patient Transports 2 P1 Compliance by District FY25 Q2 Priority 1 Compliance by District FY25 Q2 77.32% 81.03% 66.50% 65.93% 71.94% 72.52% 69.19% 89.59% 77.78% 61.84% 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 % Goal Met 3 P1 Response Interval by District FY25 Q2 Priority 1 Response Interval by District FY25 Q2 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 12.92 11.82 11.07 12.78 12.80 12.32 12.70 11.00 10.18 8.83 8.00 7.92 9.23 8.40 8.30 8.43 8.28 13.65 9.35 6.58 7.64% 6.50% 8.80% 6.98% 7.51% 7.55% 7.62% 6.32% 8.85% 4.86% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 90th Percentile (Minutes) Average (Minutes) % of Total for District 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 4 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Priority Percentage By District FY25 Q2 Priority Percentage by District FY25 Q2 12.84% 11.87% 14.08% 11.20% 12.80% 11.64% 12.89% 12.17% 11.22% 12.33% 27.87% 30.37% 28.82% 30.03% 29.00% 29.22% 30.12% 30.11% 30.59% 12.81% 13.62% 13.07% 13.39% 12.34% 13.31% 12.10% 11.23% 13.23% 38.84% 37.65% 35.24% 38.40% 38.35% 38.27% 37.27% 40.17% 36.11% …
Emergency Medical Services Public Safety Commission Meeting FY25 Q2 Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff 1 Current EMS Department Staffing Authorized Strength Filled Sworn Sworn Vacancies 714 626 88 Medic Openings 20 Field 2 Communications March 31, 2025 Rank EMS Assistant Chief EMS Captain - Communications EMS Captain - Field EMS Clinical Spec - Comm EMS Clinical Spec - Field EMS Commander - Communications EMS Commander - Field EMS Division Chief EMS Medic - Communications EMS Medic - Field EMS Chief Paramedic Practitioner EMS Paramedic Practitioner TOTAL Q2 AVERAGE Authorized Sworn Staffing 4 11 83 35 302 5 40 10 8 211 1 4 714 Vacancies Vacancy Rate 0 1 1 9 54 0 1 0 2 20 0 0 88 0.00 9.09 1.20 25.71 17.88 0.00 2.50 0.00 25.00 9.48 0.00 0.00 12.32 14.75 2 Sworn Separations Sworn Separations by Type 8 4 8 2 2 2 1 EMS Assistant Chief EMS Captain - Comm EMS Captain - Field EMS Clinical Spec - Comm EMS Clinical Spec - Field EMS Commander - Comm EMS Commander - Field EMS Division Chief EMS Medic - Comm EMS Medic - Field Resigned Retired 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 3 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Sworn Tenure at Separation Sworn Tenure at Separation 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 6 1 1 1 d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R 11 d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R EMS Assistant Chief EMS Captain - Comm EMS Captain - Field EMS Clinical Spec - Comm EMS Clinical Spec - Field …
Austin Police Department: Recruiting & Retention Lisa Davis| Chief of Police | June 2, 2025 By the Numbers: Staffing and Separations SWORN PERSONNEL 1,816 Authorized 1,484 Sworn FTE’s 332 Vacancies SWORN SEPARATIONS BY YEAR Year 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total 148 161 98 38* *As of May 28, 2025 2 Sworn Authorization & Vacancy Rate: Year 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Authorized Vacancies Vacancy Rate 1908 1929 1959* 1959* 1809** 1812 1812 1816 1816 121 122 178 198 231 249 358 329 332 6.34% 6.32% 9.08% 10% 12.76% 13.74% 19.75% 18.12% 18.28% 5/30/20 25 PRESENTATION TITLE *30 Additional positions approved from City Council. **150 positions removed from FY2021 by City Council. 3 APD Recruiting Team Sworn: • 1 Commander • 1 Lieutenant • 2 Sergeants • 16 Officers Professional Staff: • 1 Recruitment Coordinator • 2 Administrative Staff • 11 Background Investigators 4 Hiring Cycles & Contract Transitions Under Contract: November 15, 2018 – March 31, 2023 • 144th – 152nd hiring cycles No Contract (Civil Service): April 1, 2023 – October 28, 2024 • 153rd & 154th hiring cycles Under Contract: October 29, 2024 – September 30, 2029 • 155th to current When Not Under Contract: Governed by Civil Service Regulations Single testing dates for written and physical exams Candidates are ranked on an eligibility list based on their written exam scores Hiring must follow the rank order unless there are more spots available than applicants Next hiring cycle can begin only after the current eligibility list is exhausted Limited flexibility for in-person recruiting and testing opportunities 5 Council Questions • 144th Cadet Class was paused in August of 2020 • 144th Pilot Cadet Class was started June 2021 • Recruiting is looking at filming content that includes footage from Officers on patrol. All released footage will be in accordance with the legal requirements. • Utilizing current Officers to boost Recruiting applications • 3rd most effective recruiting tool for the 155th Cadet Class • 89 applications from this source. • Hold employee recruiting open house events. 5/30/20 25 PRESENTATION TITLE 6 AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT RECRUITING AND HIRING AUDIT Office of the City Auditor 5/30/20 25 7 Recommendation One To create a more effective recruitment strategy and better determine the impact of recruitment efforts, the Chief of Police should work with the Recruiting Unit to: • Create action plans with measurable targets to make progress towards …
AUDIT REPORT APD License Plate Reader Audit Background • Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) scan license plates and vehicle details • ALPR alerts against hotlists • Data flows into a searchable database May 2025 OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR 2 Background • APD has 40 cameras in fixed-locations and ~500 cameras on vehicles • APD conducts quarterly audits of ALPR program 2020: ALPR Discontinued 2023: Policy Revisions March 2025: Trial Ends Sept. 2022: Resolution Passed March 2024: Trial Begins June 2025: Council Decision May 2025 OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR 3 About This Audit Responded to 8 Resolution-required items Compared ALPR across peer police departments Assessed potential emergent risks May 2025 OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR 4 Finding 1 Audits generally complied with requirements but could be improved Resolution Metrics : Key Takeaways Metric Total Scans Alerts Generated Arrests Prosecutions Data Shares Plates Approved for Hotlist Non-Correlating Matches Number ~117 million +16,000 228 Observations Data gaps x x ~133 (Q1-Q3) Delays requesting data 6 24 3 APD RM unaware x Class B misdemeanors May 2025 OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR 5 Finding 1 (cont.) Audits generally complied with requirements but could be improved Audit Process Observations • Audit roles could be clearer • User compliance review process could be better organized • Better communication with stakeholders May 2025 OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR 6 Recommendation Continue conducting regular audits, but include: Automated data pulls and requests Clearly defined audit roles and responsibilities Regular reviews of user compliance A defined reporting timeline May 2025 OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR 7 Finding 2 We are generally aligned with peer programs Structural similarities Austin has more frequent audit and training Austin has the shortest data retention period May 2025 OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR 8 Additional Observation “non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free right and license… to (i) use and distribute Aggregated Data to improve and enhance the Services and for other development, diagnostic, and corrective purposes, other Flock offerings, and crime prevention efforts, and (ii) disclose the Agency Data (both inclusive of any Footage) to enable law enforcement monitoring against law enforcement hotlists as well as provide Footage search access to law enforcement for investigative purposes only” The City’s contract with Flock Safety may leave motorists’ data open to unintended use Expansive language, unclear definitions May 2025 OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR 9 AUDIT REPORT Questions
City of Austin Office of the City Auditor Audit Report APD License Plate Reader May 2025 The Austin Police Department (APD) has a new Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program approved under a trial period from March 2024-March 2025. As a part of departmental policy, APD’s Risk Management Unit audits the program against Resolution- informed criteria quarterly. APD Risk Management generally reported accurate ALPR metrics and ensured compliance with policy requirements. However, there were issues with missing or late data that could be fixed with increased clarity and scheduling in the audit process. Also, we found that APD’s ALPR program and audit requirements are generally aligned with selected peer police departments. Additionally, the City should make changes to APD’s contract with Flock Safety, APD’s ALPR vendor, to ensure that it could not lead to unauthorized data sharing in Resolution-directed instances. Audit Highlights May 2025 City of Austin Office of the City Auditor APD License Plate Reader Objectives The objectives of this audit were to: 1. Evaluate APD’s ALPR Risk Management audits for reliability and effectiveness 2. Compare the ALPR program with peer police departments 3. Monitor for additional emergent risks. What We Found We found APD’s Risk Management quarterly audits generally reported accurate numbers for the Resolution-mandated metrics and ensured compliance with policy requirements. We found some small discrepancies that were ultimately corrected. However, there were instances where there were gaps in required items due to not pulling data on-time, not requesting information from prosecution entities on-time, or from unfamiliarity with policy requirements. We also noted that there were several opportunities for APD Risk Management to improve their audit process, namely on 1) audit program roles, 2) user compliance review process, and 3) stakeholder communication. APD’s ALPR program is generally aligned with peer police departments. Most peers audit their ALPR programs, are governed by their General Orders, and assign someone at the Lieutenant-level to run the program. APD audits their program more frequently and has more frequent training than peers. Austin also has the shortest data retention of assessed peers at seven days. The City’s contract with the ALPR vendor, Flock Safety, may leave motorist data open to unintended use. The contract’s language in some sections is unclear and lacks definition of key phrases. This may allow Flock Safety to retain some elements of scan data beyond the seven-day deletion requirement and then share them with outside law enforcement agencies …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Recommendation 20250602-006: Date: June 2, 2025 Subject: Austin Police Department (APD) Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Program Motioned by: Seconded by: WHEREAS, The Austin Public Safety Commission is tasked with reviewing public safety agency budgets and providing policy recommendations to the Austin City Council; and WHEREAS, on September 15, 2022, City Council adopted Resolution No. 20220915-056 directing the development of a revised Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) policy and providing guidance to ensure the privacy and civil rights of the residents of Austin are protected1; and WHEREAS, on March 31, 2023, the Office of Police Oversight released the results of their preliminary review of the Austin Police Department ALPR policy and procedures and provided recommendations for policy language/procedure improvements to safeguard privacy and mitigate misuse, documentation, data retention, data integrity, data sharing, and auditing among others2; and WHEREAS, the Office of Police Oversight’s Analysis made recommendations based on the review of Axon Fleet 3 cameras contract3; and WHEREAS, on May 15, 2023, the Public Safety Commission recommended approval of the ALPR program contingent on adherence with both Resolution 56 & OPO March 31, 2023 Memo and sharing of quarterly ALPR audit data with the Public Safety Commission. 4 1 RESOLUTION NO. 20220915-056 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=392730 2 Office of Police Oversight Analysis of the Austin Police Department’s Proposed Policy on Automatic License Plate Readers (General Order 344) 3 Office of Police Oversight Analysis of the Austin Police Department’s Proposed Policy on Automatic License Plate Readers (General Order 344) 4 Public Safety Commission Recommendation #20230515-002 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=408819 WHEREAS, on June 8 2023, City Council amended Resolution 56 to reflect that data collected by APD be kept for a maximum of seven days and destroyed, with a few carved out exceptions for the trial period5; and WHEREAS, an additional vendor, Flock Safety, has been contracted to augment and scale APD’s ALPR program; and WHEREAS, on March 27, 2025, City Council approved an extension of the ALPR trial to allow the City Auditor to complete an audit and provide a report to Council with specified information by end of the pilot program6; and WHEREAS, the Office of the City Auditor conducted a review of the first 9 months of the ALPR program to evaluate APD’s risk management audits for reliability and effectiveness, to compare the ALPR program with other departments, and to monitor for additional emergent risks7; and WHEREAS the audit found that although …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION #20230515-002 Date: May 15, 2023 Subject: Proposal of pilot program for Automated License Plate Readers Motioned by: Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez Seconded by: Commissioner Timothy Ruttan Recommendation: The Public Safety Commission recommends that the City Council WHEREAS, The City of Austin is planning to approve Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) for use by the Austin Police Department; WHEREAS, In an effort to ensure that the privacy and civil rights of the residents of Austin are protected, in September 2022, the Austin City Council passed Resolution #20220915- 056 , providing APD with direction in how to use the ALPR technology and what protections needed to be put in place; WHEREAS, On March 31, 2023, the Office of Police Oversight of the City of Austin provided a thorough memorandum outlining changes necessary to the Austin Police Department’s proposed policy regarding the use of ALPR technology in order for the policy to be consistent with Resolution 56 and address the concerns of the Office of Police Oversight; WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s values include responsibility and accountability, diversity and inclusion, and ethics and integrity. We aspire to make Austin the most livable city in the nation. In order to be true to our vision and our values, the City of Austin should; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOMMENDED BY THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN THAT: • If the Austin City Council approves the proposed ALPR program, the Austin City Council require the Austin Police Department to revise and implement a policy regarding the use of ALPR technology that is perfectly consistent with both Austin City Council Resolution 56 and addresses all of the concerns raised by the Office of Police Oversight memo from March 31, 2023. • The Austin Police Department share the report and/or results of the APD Risk Management Unit’s quarterly audit of ALPR system data with the Public Safety Commission. Vote: For: Commissioners Rebecca Bernhardt, Cory Hall-Martin, David Holmes, John Kiracofe, Pierre Nguyen, Nelly Paulina Ramirez, and Timothy Ruttan Against: n/a Abstain: Lauren Peña Absent: Kristy Orr Attest: [Staff or board member can sign] __________________________________
RESOLUTION NO. 20220915-056 WHEREAS, license plate readers gather objective and unbiased facts about vehicles; and WHEREAS, license plate reader technology focuses solely on extracting empirical data, primarily the license plate numbers which Texas state law requires to be affixed to every vehicle; and WHEREAS, license plate readers only record the vehicle make, model, and license plate number of a vehicle; and WHEREAS, license plate readers are not a "live eainera" and cannot be used for surveillance, traffic enforcement, or any other purpose; and WHEREAS, these cameras do not capture images of vehicle drivers; and WHEREAS, maintaining the privacy of the data collected through license plate readers is paramount; and WHEREAS, the license plate readers historically used by the Austin Police Department are categorically objective and cannot collect information in ways that discriminate against any resident in the City; and WlIEREAS, the use of license plate readers assist>; police departments across the country by increasing their investigative efficacy while reducing unnecessary delays in pursuing leads; and WHEREAS, camera data helps solve crimes when crimes occur; and WHEREAS, license plate readers previously helped the Austin Police Department locate stolen or wanted vehicles, vehicles connected to AMBER Page 1 of 11 Alerts, Silver Alerts, missing person reports, abductions reports, and vehicles connected to other crimes; and WHEREAS, the use of license plate readers bolsters the capability of local law enforcement to act and apprehend criminals swiftly, leading to the deterrence of crimes; and WHEREAS, re-introducing license plate readers to the Austin Police Department will help reduce crime, will prevent residents and visitors to the City from being victimized, particularly from car and property thefts, and will lead to deterrence of crime; and WHEREAS, license plate readers can notify Austin Police Department officers within seconds that a license plate has passed within the device's range, allowing Austin Police Department officers to take immediate action in furtherance of public safety; and Wl-IEREAS, the rrexas Penal Code creates a criminal offense for an officer or other public servant who intentionally or knowingly misuses information from the license plate reader with the intent of obtaining a benefit, harming, defrauding, oppressing another person, or disclosing the information for a nongovernmental purpose that has not otherwise been made public; and WHEREAS, the Austin Police Department's General Orders include rules on the Security and Release of Records and Information, General Conduct and Responsibilities, Racial or Biased Profiling, Responsibility to the …
RESOLUTION NO. 20230608-085 WHEREAS, Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology is used as an investigative and real time crime tool that improves the effectiveness of police operations by locating violent offenders quickly as well as identifying missing persons; and WHEREAS, on September 15, 2022, City Council adopted Resolution No. 20220915-056 directing the development of a revised ALPR policy and providing guidance on that policy that ensures the privacy and civil rights of the residents of Austin are protected; and WHEREAS, Resolution No. 20220915-056 directs that the "Hot List" used by the ALPR program is limited to license plates listed as stolen, B.O.L.O., SILVER and AMBER alerts, wanted individuals with any Class A misdemeanor offense or greater warrant, Class B and Class C misdemeanor hate crimes, or Class B and Class C misdemeanor sex crimes; and WHEREAS, Resolution No. 20220915-056 directs a reduction of the prior data retention period from one year to 30 days and authorizes a pilot program that terminates at the end of Fiscal Year 2022-2023; and WHEREAS, on March 31,2023, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) provided a thorough memorandum outlining changes necessary to the Austin Police Department's initially proposed policy regarding the use of ALPR technology; and WHEREAS, the Public Safety Commission adopted Recommendation No. 20230515-002 that requests that the ALPR policy be consistent with the Council direction in Resolution No. 20220915-056 and OPO feedback; and Page 1 of 3 WHEREAS, the Austin Police Department has provided a revised ALPR policy with safeguards that are consistent with the Public Safety Commission recommendation, OPO feedback, and prior Council direction as documented in Resolution No. 20220915-056; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: The Council amends its prior direction and directs the City Manager to update proposed draft policy regarding the Automated License Plate Reader program to reflect that data collected by the program will be kept for a maximum of seven days and destroyed thereafter except for the following circumstances: • The ALPR data is related to ongoing criminal investigations or criminal investigations that contain ALPR as evidence and has been downloaded and recorded into the relevant case file; or • The ALPR data is related to an endangered person, missing person, or criminal investigation and must be retained for a period consistent with the City Code, Chapter 2-11, and any applicable City Records Control Schedules or the State and …
RESOLUTION NO. 20250327-103 WHEREAS, Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology is used as an investigative and real time crime tool that improves the effectiveness of police operations by locating violent offenders quickly as well as identifying missing persons; and WHEREAS, Texas state law requires license plate numbers affixed to every vehicle and ALPR technology focuses solely on extracting the vehicle make, model, and license plate number; and WHEREAS, in Resolution No. 20220915-056, Council authorized and directed the City Manager to: • Develop a revised ALPR policy that incorporated many safeguards recommended by Council, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO), and the Public Safety Commission on the use of and retention o f ALPR data; Implement those changes in a ALPR pilot program that would end at the end of the fiscal year 2023 unless extended by Council; and • • Allow the City Auditor to audit the pilot program and provide a report to Council with specified information by end of the pilot program; and WHEREAS, in Resolution No. 20230608-085, the Council amended its prior direction and directed the City Manager to update the proposed draft policy regarding the Automated License Plate Reader program to reflect that data collected by the program be kept for a maximum of seven days and destroyed thereafter except for the following circumstances: Page 1 of 3 • The ALPR data is related to ongoing criminal investigations or criminal investigations that contain ALPR as evidence and has been downloaded and recorded into the relevant case file; or • The ALPR data is related to an endangered person, missing person, or criminal investigation and must be retained for a period consistent with the City Code, Chapter 2-11, and any applicable City Records Control Schedules or the State and Local Government Retention Schedules; and WHEREAS, the Austin Police Department has both provided a revised ALPR policy and implemented a pilot program with safeguards that are consistent with the Council's direction in Resolution No. 20220915-056 and Resolution No. 20230608-085, the Public Safety Commission Recommendation No. 20230515- 002, and the Office of Police Oversight's feedback; and WHEREAS, prior to the termination o f the pilot period, the City Manager was directed in Resolution No. 20230608-085 to present to Council a recommendation on the continuation of the program, including any proposed adjustments to data retention or other elements of the associated policy; and WHEREAS, APD implemented the pilot program on …
Urban Forestry Committee Meeting June 2nd, 2025 Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist History of Austin’s Tree Ordinance Margret Hofmann, 1925-2012 Hofmann Oaks Park History of Austin’s Tree Ordinance 1983 - Tree Preservation Ordinance 2010 - Heritage Tree Ordinance The Larger the Tree, the Greater the Protection 4 Land Development Code 25-8.B.1 • Prohibits removal of Protected or Heritage trees without a permit • 8"+ trees – preserve "to extent feasible" on site plan applications • Defines removal - physical removal, over pruning, or excessive root disturbance • Approval criteria for removal: • Reasonable use • Reasonable access • Dead, Diseased, or Imminent Hazard • Variances and appeals • • Administrative rules – preservation criteria, protection Creates position of City Arborist to implement tree regulations requirements, mitigation Rules implementing LDC 25-8.B.1 are found in Section 3 of the Environmental Criteria Manual What are the Tree Regulations? Land Development Code 25-8, Subchapter B, Article 1 Division 1 – General Provisions Definitions Authorizes Rules Application Requirements Division 2 – Protected Trees Approval Criteria for Removal Division 3 – Heritage Trees Approval Criteria for Removal Variances Environmental Criteria Manual Section 3 3.3 - Survey Requirements Survey and Plan Depictions Hill Country Roadway Ordinance 3.5 - Design Criteria Protection (3.5.2) Mitigation (3.5.4) 3.6 - Tree Protection Environmental Criteria Manual Section 3 Regulated Trees in Austin Preserved Removed/ Mitigated Must meet criteria in ECM 3.5.2 Must fall under LDC 25-8-624 Regulated Trees in Austin • Includes hackberry, Ashe juniper, invasives, hazardous trees, etc. • Certain species are designated as Heritage Trees when they reach 24” diameter (LDC 25-8-602) • Palm trees are not regulated under the COA tree ordinance. Hackberry Ash Juniper Heritage Trees in Austin • Is a tree that has a diameter of 24 inches or more, measured four and one-half feet above natural grade, and is one of the following species: • Texas Ash, Bald Cypress, American elm ,Cedar elm, Texas madrone, Bigtooth maple, All oaks, Pecan, Arizona walnut, and Eastern Black walnut • 25-8-641 – Prohibits removal unless a permit is issued and is only issued if a variance is approved under Section 25-8-642 (Administrative Variance) or 25- 8-643 (Land Use Commission Variance). • The requirements apply to trees on private and public property. • Without a variance, a damaged heritage tree may be removed that is an imminent hazard to life or property if removed within seven days of being damaged. The …
