Recommendation to Council Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission (20260324-016): Emergency Cultural Arts Funding for Latino Artists WHEREAS, approximately 32% of Austin’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino 1; and WHEREAS, 31% of Austinites speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish the predominant language spoken in the City 2; and WHEREAS, Austin has a long history of systemic racism and racial inequity that continues today. Throughout history, communities of color have been excluded, marginalized, and discriminated against as a result of City policies and practices. This history was reinforced by segregationist policies throughout the 20th century affecting a range of Austin venues, including schools, public parks, and commercial businesses, among others; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin redesignated all cultural funding programs in 2022 with the following equity impact and mission statement, that will prioritize: “Applicants that are representative of, serve, and are accountable to communities that are at immediate risk of cultural erasure and displacement within Austin and/or have been institutionally marginalized and under-funded by the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division. This may include applicants that directly serve Black/African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern, and Pacific Islander communities or LGBTQIA+ and/or disability communities.” WHEREAS, from 2023- 2026, City staff and community stakeholders have documented a significant number of severe inequity issues relating to outreach, eligibility determination, language access, and funding allocations to Spanish-speaking, Latino, Hispanic, Chicano, and Immigrant- focused arts organizations and creative individuals; and WHEREAS, the recent FY26 cultural arts funding process has significantly excluded Spanish- speaking, Latino, Hispanic, Chicano, Immigrant-focused arts organizations, and creative individuals due to: ● A new eligibility intake process ● Repeated lack of outreach ● An inflated scoring system due to high number of English-speaking applicants ● Disproportionate City staff response time in Spanish ● Continued wrong Spanish translations WHEREAS, The City of Austin’s Spanish-speaking and Latino arts ecosystem has been critically destabilized this FY26 by the following economic deficits of the cultural arts funding exclusions, as of March 24, 2026: ● 2 Latino heritage festivals that lost the ability to receive Heritage Project funding for a cumulative total of of up to $300,000; ● 14 arts organizations that lost the ability to receive ELEVATE funding for a cumulative total of $560,000; ● and 9 individual artists that lost the ability to receive a cumulative $240,000 ● Totaling approximately $1,200,000 in funding that was lost. WHEREAS, …
Recommendation to Council Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation 20260324-017: Capital Improvement Funding for the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center – Phase 2 WHEREAS, The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center serves as a central hub for Latino arts, culture, and community engagement in the City of Austin and is the only cultural arts facility of this magnitude in the United States; and WHEREAS, The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center provides vital cultural programming, educational opportunities, and performance space for Austin’s Latino/Chicano/Immigrant artists, organizations, and the community at large; and WHEREAS, The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is the only Latino / Hispanic cultural arts center in the City of Austin – serving the approximately 32% of Austin’s population that identifies as Hispanic or Latino; and WHEREAS, There were critical architectural, design, and equipment aspects of The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center’s Phase 2 renovations that were value-engineered out of the original master plan; and WHEREAS, these eliminated features limit the cultural centers’ overall community impact and renders the facility impractical and ine(cid:431)ectual; and WHEREAS, City Council Resolution No. 20221208-068 directed the City Manager to: 1. Proceed with the construction of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center WITHOUT a reduction in the scope of proposed work, and develop an estimate of the resulting funding gap for inclusion in the next applicable City of Austin General Obligation Bond Program. WHEREAS, correcting these critical features is imperative to the success of the grand reopening of the City’s only Latino / Hispanic Cultural center; and WHEREAS, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission has recognized capital improvements at the cultural center as a priority for sustaining and growing Latino arts programs; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to allocate $6,000,000 (Six Million Dollars) in funding for the completion of Phase 2 capital improvements, and/or items that were value engineered out of the original Phase 2 master plan at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that recommended capital improvements may include, but are not limited to: • Building and facility upgrades to ensure accessibility and ADA compliance • Improved lighting, sound, and audiovisual systems for performance and exhibition spaces • Renovation and addition of rehearsal, classroom, and gallery areas to …
Recommendation to Council Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation 20260324-018: Funding for the Latino Artist Residency Program (LARP) at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center WHEREAS, Latino artists in Austin continue to face systemic barriers to sustainable artistic careers, including limited access to paid residency opportunities, space, and institutional support; and WHEREAS, Austin’s Latino community represents approximately 33% of the population but receives only 9% of cultural funding, reflecting a significant structural inequity in access to resources, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability, and WHEREAS, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center has historically served as a vital cultural hub for Latino arts, heritage, and community engagement in the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Advisory Board Recommendation (20180110-0E4) objected to the implementation of an Artist Access Program (LAAP) at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center ; and WHEREAS, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Advisory Board Recommendation (20180110-0E4) regarding the Latino Artist Residency Program (LARP) proposed new residency programs directed the City Manager to explore and support the development of culturally responsive residency opportunities at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, reflecting community priorities, increasing access for Latino artists, and strengthening the Center’s role as a bridge between the City of Austin and the community; and WHEREAS, the Latino Artist Residency Program (LARP) previously provided critical resources, visibility, and professional development opportunities for Latino artists across disciplines; and WHEREAS, the discontinuation of LARP has created a gap in equitable access to City-supported residency programs for Latino and culturally rooted artists; and WHEREAS, artist residency programs are a crucial tool to help local artists, nonprofits, and creatives continue to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic instability; and WHEREAS, investing in culturally specific programs supports the preservation, evolution, and visibility of Latino cultural practices, including dance, music, visual arts, and interdisciplinary work; and WHEREAS, community stakeholders and artists have expressed a strong need for dedicated space, funding, and institutional support to develop new work and engage with the public; and WHEREAS, the reestablishment of LARP would strengthen Austin’s cultural ecosystem by fostering community engagement, supporting local artists, and increasing access to culturally relevant programming; and WHEREAS, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission has identified investment in Latino arts infrastructure and opportunities as a key priority; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED …
Recommendation to Council Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission (20260324-019): Explore alternative funding resources for Cultural Arts, specifically state legislation that would increase the 15% HOT Tax fund cap for funding programs. WHEREAS, the City of Austin relies in part on Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds to support cultural arts programs, which are essential to the city’s economic vitality, cultural diversity, and tourism sector; and WHEREAS, current legislation limits HOT fund allocation to cultural arts programs to a 15% cap, restricting the ability of the City to fully support local artists, organizations, and cultural initiatives; and WHEREAS, increased funding flexibility could enhance equitable access to resources for underrepresented artists and culturally specific programs, including Latinx, Indigenous, and other historically marginalized communities; and WHEREAS, alternative funding strategies, including advocating for state legislation to raise the HOT tax allocation cap, could provide sustainable and expanded support for Austin’s arts ecosystem; and WHEREAS, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission has identified increased investment in cultural arts as a key priority to ensure long-term vitality and resilience of local arts organizations; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager and appropriate staff to explore alternative funding strategies for cultural arts, including pursuing state legislative opportunities to increase the HOT tax allocation cap beyond the current 15%; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these efforts should prioritize equitable access and support for underrepresented artists and organizations, strengthening Austin’s cultural ecosystem and community engagement; BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Commission requests reporting on the outcomes of these exploratory efforts, including potential legislative strategies, financial projections, and anticipated impacts on local arts programs. Date of Approval: March 24, 2026 Motion: Vice Chair Ramos Second: Commissioner Galvan Record of Vote: 6-0 For: Vice Chair Ramos, Commissioners Castañeda, Flores, Galvan, Morales, Ruiz Abstain: Commissioner Perales Off Dais: Chair Afifi Absent: Commissioners Peña and Moya Fábregas Attest: Nekaybaw Watson,Staff Liaison
REGULAR MEETING OF THE 2026 BOND ELECTION ADVISORY TASK FORCE MONDAY, March 23, 2026, AT 2:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force may be participating by video conference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nicole Hernandez, 512-974-7644, nicole.hernandez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT MEMBERS: Mary Hager, Chair Ana Aguirre Nicole Conley Richard DePalma Robert Fiedler Donald Jackson Noelita Lugo Luke Metzger Kenneth Standley Ben Suddaby Heyden Walker Frances Jordan, Vice Chair Tina Cannon Charles Curry JC Dwyer Jeremiah Hendricks Andrew Kogler Garry Merritt Katrina Miller Rachel Stone David Sullivan Kaiba White 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 the minutes of the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force Regular Called meeting on March 09, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding 2026 Bond Phase 3 Open Houses. Presentation by, Lucero Arechiga, Community Engagement Consultant, Austin Communications and Engagement. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Discussion of the revised and updated Working Group recommendations. Discussion of the process for determining the Bond Election Advisory Task Force recommendations. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve revisions to 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force Work Plan. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Nicole Hernandez at Austin Capital Delivery Services Department, at 512-974-7644 and nicole.hernandez@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the 2026 Bond Election Advisory Task Force, please contact Nicole Hernandez at 512-974-7644 or nicole.hernandez@austintexas.gov.
BEATF WORK PLAN [March 2026 – May 2026] March 2026 • 3.23.26 BEATF Meeting o Presentation and Discussion of Updated Working Group Recommendations o Presentation from CPIO regarding community engagement feedback April 2026 • 4.13.26 BEATF Meeting o Presentation and Discussion of Updated Working Group Recommendations o Discussion and possible action on BEATF Recommendations • 4.27.26 BEATF Meeting o Discussion and possible action on BEATF Recommendations May 2026 • 5.4.26 BEATF Meeting o Discussion and possible action on BEATF Recommendations
REGULAR MEETING OF THE URBAN RENEWAL BOARD MONDAY MARCH 23, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. STREET JONES BUILDING, ROOM 400A 1000 EAST 11TH ST, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78702 Some members of the Urban Renewal Board may be participating by videoconference and a quorum will be present at the location identified above. 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 Hunter Maples, (512) 974- 3120 or hunter.maples@austintexas.gov. The Urban Renewal Board reserves the right to go into closed session to discuss any of the items on this agenda as permitted by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Manuel Escobar, Chair Harrison Brown Amit Motwani Jacqueline Watson Darrell W, Pierce, Vice Chair Byron Davis Kobla Tetey AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up no later than noon the day before 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 Urban Renewal Board’s (URB’s) regular-called meeting on February 23, 2026. 1 of 2 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion related to updates on future development of Blocks 16 & 18 from Pleasant Hill Collaborative and Rally Austin, including project status and anticipated timeline (Pleasant Hill Collaborative) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discuss, consider and approve the Board’s request as part of the budget process for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 budget EXECUTIVE SESSION 4. 5. Discuss legal matters related to the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of an interest in Blocks 16 and 18 located on East 11th Street in Austin (Private consultation with legal counsel - Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code) Discuss real estate matters related to the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of an interest in Blocks 16 and 18 located on East 11th Street in Austin (Real Property - Section 551.072 of the Texas Government Code) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MARCH 23, 2026 – 6:00 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 W. 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Parks and Recreation Board 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, click here: https://forms.office.com/g/0gCGHiTmhY or call or email Tim Dombeck, (512) 974-6716, Tim.Dombeck@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Stephanie Bazan (D-5), Chair Kathryn Flowers (D-4), Vice Chair Shelby Orme (D-1) Pedro Villalobos (D-2) Nicole Merritt (D-3) Luai Abou-Emara (D-6) Diane Kearns-Osterweil (D-7) Kim Taylor (D-8) AGENDA Jennifer Franklin (D-9) Ted Eubanks (D-10) Lane Becker (Mayor) 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 the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of February 23, 2026. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. 3. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for the Austin Parks and Recreation Land Management Team. (Sponsors: Bazan, Flowers) (APR Long Range Strategies: Operational Efficiency, Park Access for All). Presenter(s): Matt McCaw, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Parks and Recreation. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve 15,368 sq. ft. of permanent Transmission Line use within parkland at Edward Rendon Sr. Metro Park at Festival Beach. Total Mitigation to be paid by Austin Energy is $2,414,240. (Sponsors: Bazan, Flowers) Presenter(s): David Tomczyszyn, Vice President of Electrical System Engineering and Mac Kammerer, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager, Austin Energy. Page 1 of 2 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to adopt Local Standards of Care for City of Austin youth programs. (Sponsors: Bazan, Flowers) (APR Long Range Strategies: Program Alignment). Presenter(s): Christa McCarthy, Recreation Services Division Manager, Austin Parks and Recreation. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to authorize negotiation and execution of an inter-local agreement between the City and Austin …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2026 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2026 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on FEBRUARY 23, 2026 at 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Bazan called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Stephanie Bazan, Ted Eubanks, Diane Kearns-Osterweil, Nicole Merritt, Pedro Villalobos. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Luai Abou-Emara, Jennifer Franklin, Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor. Board Members Absent: Kathryn Flowers, Lane Becker. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Bertha Rendon Ortiz - East Town Lake Citizens Neighborhood Association Kate Hainsworth - Off-leash dog issues APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of February 2, 2026. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board special called meeting of February 2, 2026 was approved on Board Member Merritt’s motion, Board Abou-Emara’s second on a 7-0 vote. Those abstaining were Chair Bazan and Board Member Taylor. Vice Chair Flowers and Board Member Becker absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for the Austin Parks and Recreation Operations and Maintenance Team crews, who work tirelessly performing routine maintenance as well as repairs and renovations throughout the Austin park system. Charles Vaclavik, Operations and Maintenance Division Manager; Joe Diaz, Facility Process Manager; Nate Thayer, Parks Grounds Manager, South District; Merrideth Jiles, Parks Grounds Manager, Citywide Services; Albert Homann, Building Services Manager; Felix Padron, Parks Grounds Manager, Austin Parks and Recreation gave a presentation and answered questions on how APR works with non-profit partners to maintain parks, and additional resources needed by the O&M team. Page 1 of 5 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2026 The motion to approve letters of support for the Austin Parks and Recreation Operations and Maintenance Team crews, who work tirelessly performing routine maintenance as well as repairs and renovations throughout the Austin park system was approved on Board Member Eubanks’ motion, Board Member Villalobos’ second on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair Flowers and Board Member Becker absent. 3. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to authorize a contract for a recreation management software system for Austin Parks and Recreation with the recommended vendor, RecTrac, LLC d/b./a Vermont Systems, for an initial term of two years with up to four two-year extension …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20260323-3 Date: March 23, 2026 Subject: Austin Energy I-35 Cap Ex Relocation Motioned By: Nicole Merritt Seconded By: Stephanie Bazan Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board Recommends to Austin City Council to approve 15,368 sq. ft. of permanent Transmission Line use within parkland at Edward Rendon Sr. Metro Park at Festival Beach. Total Mitigation to be paid by Austin Energy is $2,414,240 We further recommend that PARD and Austin Energy provide financial support and restoration and recovery to the Food Forest and Community Garden and continue to engage them to return the impacted parkland to its use. We further recommend that PARD and Austin Energy proactively seek out additional community and neighborhood groups representing the area and engage them as key partners to understand impacts to the parkland resulting from this easement. Vote: The motion to approve this recommendation was approved on Board Member Merritt’s motion, Chair Bazan’s second on a 7-0 vote. Vice Chair Flowers, Board Members Abou-Emara, Orme and Taylor absent. For: Stephanie Bazan, Lane Becker, Ted Eubanks, Jennifer Franklin, Diane Kearns- Osterweil, Nicole Merritt and Pedro Villalobos. Against: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Kathryn Flowers, Luai Abou-Emara, Shelby Orme and Kim Taylor. Attest: Tim Dombeck, Board and Council Liaison, Austin Parks and Recreation.
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20260323-4 Date: March 23, 2026 Subject: Local Standards of Care Motioned By: Pedro Villalobos Seconded By: Diane Kearns-Osterweil Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board recommends to Austin City Council to adopt Local Standards of Care for City of Austin youth programs. Vote: The motion to approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to adopt Local Standards of Care for City of Austin youth programs was approved on Board Member Villalobos’ motion, Board Member Kearns-Osterweil’s second on an 8-0 vote. Board Members Abou-Emara, Orme and Taylor absent. For: Stephanie Bazan, Kathryn Flowers, Lane Becker, Ted Eubanks, Jennifer Franklin, Diane Kearns-Osterweil, Nicole Merritt and Pedro Villalobos. Against: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Luai Abou-Emara, Shelby Orme and Kim Taylor. Attest: Tim Dombeck, Board and Council Liaison, Austin Parks and Recreation.
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20260323-5 Date: March 23, 2026 Subject: Montopolis AISD ILA Motioned By: Stephanie Bazan Seconded By: Lane Becker Recommendation The Parks and Recreation Board recommends to Austin City Council to authorize negotiation and execution of an inter-local agreement between the City and Austin Independent School District (AISD) for parkland use at the athletic fields located at 400 Grove Boulevard. Vote: The motion to recommend to Austin City Council to authorize negotiation and execution of an inter-local agreement between the City and Austin Independent School District (AISD) for parkland use at the athletic fields located at 400 Grove Boulevard was approved on Chair Bazan’s motion, Board Member Becker’s second on an 8-0 vote. Board Members Abou- Emara, Orme and Taylor absent. For: Stephanie Bazan, Kathryn Flowers, Lane Becker, Ted Eubanks, Jennifer Franklin, Diane Kearns-Osterweil, Nicole Merritt and Pedro Villalobos. Against: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Luai Abou-Emara, Shelby Orme and Kim Taylor. Attest: Tim Dombeck, Board and Council Liaison, Austin Parks and Recreation.
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20260323-6 Date: March 23, 2026 Subject: Fiscal Year 2026 – 2027 Budget Recommendation Motioned By: Pedro Villalobos Seconded By: Nicole Merritt Rationale: WHEREAS, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Board has taken into account both Board member and resident input, as well as input from Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) staff; WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board recognizes the demand for Parks and Recreation facilities, maintenance, programming, and safety measures will continue to grow significantly during the 2027 fiscal year, as it has the past several years; WHEREAS, the FY 2025-26 Enhancements Report identified a significant number of Austin Parks and Recreation enhancement requests that were not included in the FY26 Proposed Budget, representing substantial unmet operational, staffing, and infrastructure needs across the department; WHEREAS, APR security and emergency management needs remain unaddressed, with a request for a Security Division estimated at $2,788,155 annually and $300,000 in one-time funding to manage, train, and coordinate security and emergency management and conduct annual security audits across all APR assets; WHEREAS, significant aquatics infrastructure and staffing needs remain unfunded, including maintenance and staffing for Barton Springs Pool, Givens Pool, Montopolis Pool, Northwest Pool, and other facilities, representing millions of dollars in unmet need; WHEREAS, the Land Management Program remains critically underfunded, with a budget of only $828,000 and four FTEs overseeing the entire 10,300 acres under city management, and the FY26 budget process did not include the requested three additional FTEs and associated funding (~$1,203,056 annually and $49,000 one-time) needed in FY26 alone, with a further two FTEs (~$630,762 annually and $99,000 one-time) deferred to FY27; WHEREAS, according to a 2024 report by CoreLogic, Austin ranks fifth in number of homes with moderate or greater wildfire risk, with a reconstruction cost value of over $40 billion, and most city parkland natural areas remain unmanaged for ecosystem health and are threatened by heat, drought, disease, and wildfire, presenting safety risks to both park users and neighbors; 1 of 4 WHEREAS, the city does not yet have a comprehensive tree inventory that would allow for effective urban forest planning and maintenance, and a full citywide tree inventory remains unfunded despite a Council resolution directing it; the Urban Forest Mitigation Fund has $2.5M designated for parkland tree inventory but lacks full funding for the entire city; WHEREAS, APR's recreation centers and senior centers remain under-resourced in both programming and physical …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2026 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2026 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on FEBRUARY 23, 2026 at 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Bazan called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Stephanie Bazan, Ted Eubanks, Diane Kearns-Osterweil, Nicole Merritt, Pedro Villalobos. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Luai Abou-Emara, Jennifer Franklin, Shelby Orme, Kim Taylor. Board Members Absent: Kathryn Flowers, Lane Becker. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Bertha Rendon Ortiz - East Town Lake Citizens Neighborhood Association Kate Hainsworth - Off-leash dog issues APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of February 2, 2026. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board special called meeting of February 2, 2026 was approved on Board Member Merritt’s motion, Board Abou-Emara’s second on a 7-0 vote. Those abstaining were Chair Bazan and Board Member Taylor. Vice Chair Flowers and Board Member Becker absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and approve letters of support for the Austin Parks and Recreation Operations and Maintenance Team crews, who work tirelessly performing routine maintenance as well as repairs and renovations throughout the Austin park system. Charles Vaclavik, Operations and Maintenance Division Manager; Joe Diaz, Facility Process Manager; Nate Thayer, Parks Grounds Manager, South District; Merrideth Jiles, Parks Grounds Manager, Citywide Services; Albert Homann, Building Services Manager; Felix Padron, Parks Grounds Manager, Austin Parks and Recreation gave a presentation and answered questions on how APR works with non-profit partners to maintain parks, and additional resources needed by the O&M team. Page 1 of 5 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2026 The motion to approve letters of support for the Austin Parks and Recreation Operations and Maintenance Team crews, who work tirelessly performing routine maintenance as well as repairs and renovations throughout the Austin park system was approved on Board Member Eubanks’ motion, Board Member Villalobos’ second on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair Flowers and Board Member Becker absent. 3. Presentation, discussion and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to authorize a contract for a recreation management software system for Austin Parks and Recreation with the recommended vendor, RecTrac, LLC d/b./a Vermont Systems, for an initial term of two years with up to four two-year extension …
Land Management DEGRADED LANDS Most natural areas have been degraded by ~150 years of fragmentation, overgrazing, cultivation, cutting, changes in species composition and hydrology, interruption of natural processes, and general neglect. Most have not been managed for ecosystem health and are vulnerable to extreme heat, drought, disease, and ultimately intense wildfire. 2019 WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS AUDIT Found that APR does not have the capacity to manage parkland natural areas and address wildfire risk. LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND PLAN APR developed a land management plan to guide the restoration of natural areas to improve climate resilience and reduce wildfire risk and a program to implement it. austintexas.gov/LMP Walter E. Long Metro Park September 4, 2023 LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MISSION Restore parkland natural areas to mitigate risk and provide vital ecosystem services to Austin residents in perpetuity. WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE? • Veg communities that are resilient to climate stressors • Primarily “timber” or “grass” fuel models = low prob of crown fire • High-reliability work groups • Public-private coordination and cooperation STRATEGY • • (long-term) Active ecological restoration (short term) Hazard fuel reduction GOALS • 500-1,000 acres of restoration and fuel • mitigation treatments per year Take action* on all lands in the land management plan by 2040 *This may mean no action in some places if no action is needed, but that should be an affirmative decision supported by thorough analysis, not a passive default. Onion Creek Wildlife Sanctuary RESTORATION ACTIVITIES Selective thinning and invasive species removal Targeted removal of small trees, brush, and invasive species to improve forest health, climate resilience, and park user safety Fuel mitigation Removal of hazard fuels to reduce wildfire intensity Prescribed fire Important land management and wildfire mitigation tool. austintexas.gov/parkrxfire Planting and seeding Improves climate resilience 4 ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2020-2025 • Council-approved land management plan for 10,348 acres of natural area • 1,900+ acres (3 square miles) of restoration and fuel mitigation treatment in 32 parks • Engaged in a unified fashion to create joint work plans with numerous volunteer groups • Art + Restoration: Audio Wild, Really Small Museum Highlight: Restoring 50+ acres of remnant Blackland Prairie – the only remaining in Travis County. An almost- extirpated vegetation community of global significance. 5 HOW DO THEY DO IT? 4 FTEs with expertise in ecological restoration, wildland fire, forest ecology, research and monitoring, and project management. Contractors Other APR programs: Forestry, Safety, PARKnerships, Communications and …
M E M O R A N D U M O F U N D E R S T A N D I N G TO: FROM: Stuart Reilly General Manager, Austin Energy M.O.U. APR 25-006 Jesús Aguirre Director, Austin Parks and Recreation SUBJECT: Austin Energy Capital Express Central at Lady Bird Lake FDU #; 3230 1107 K386; Project I.D.: 13180.017 DATE: Austin Energy is allowed to use the parkland located at Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach as part of the work site for the above referenced project, as indicated in Attachment “B” (Location Map). The parkland is to be used for Permanent Use. The requested area is: Permanent Use: 15,368 sq. ft. = $2,414,240 Total Parkland Mitigation Amount = $2,414,240 Austin Energy is in agreement to provide the following mitigation ($2,414,240) in return for use of the parkland after City Council has approved this request. The estimated Project Start Date is October 2026 The estimated duration of the construction on parkland 120 Calendar Days. Estimated Date of Final Completion (Restoration complete and accepted by Environmental Inspector and Austin Parks and Recreation; Parkland open for Public Use) is May 2027. Austin Energy commits to the following construction coordination measures: • Notice of construction will be provided at least 30 calendar days in advance of initial construction to Austin Parks and Recreation (APR). Austin Energy will endeavor to work with APR to accommodate Festival Beach events while complying with applicable Chapter 26 notification requirements. (Attachment C). • Austin Energy will work within the approved construction plan and will contact APR in advance regarding any modifications or extensions to parkland use. Austin Energy will avoid disrupting scheduled park events where feasible and will avoid construction on parkland during weekends whenever practicable, in coordination with APR and Community Partners. (Attachment D) • Austin Energy will not stage or store construction equipment or materials on parkland. • Austin Energy will ensure continuous access to the Festival Beach Community Garden and Festival Beach Food Forest throughout construction, with only short periods of restricted access at the Waller Street entrance for safety reasons; alternate access will remain available. (Attachment E). • On-site trees may not be pruned over 25%, in accordance with City of Austin code. Austin Energy pruning will follow arborist guidelines and Austin Energy’s vegetation management standards to ensure public and system safety. Transmission structure placement has been designed to minimize impacts …
ATTACHMENT "A" - M.O.U. MITIGATION FEES CALCULATION WORKSHEET - SUMMARY Permanent Use - Overhead Easement Permanent Use - Driveway Permanent Use - Transmission Structure TOTAL = Calculated Fee $1,959,840 $441,600 $12,800 $2,414,240 Project: Requesting Dept AE-Cap Ex Central at Lady Bird Lake Austin Energy MOU # 25-006 Edward Rendon Sr. Metro Park at Festival Beach ATTACHMENT "A" - M.O.U. MITIGATION FEES CALCULATION WORKSHEET Permanent Use Project: Requesting Department: AE-Cap Ex Central at Lady Bird Lake Austin Energy MOU # 25-006 Edward Rendon Sr. Metro Park at Festival Beach Adjacent COA Parcel 188233 Identified by requested area site geography Average Value per Square Foot. ($): $200.00 Calculated Based on Appraised Value of COA Parcel Requested Area (sq. ft.): 4,416 Submitted by Requesting Department/Entity Preliminary Mitigation Value ($): $883,200 Requested Area multiplied by the Value per Square Foot Disturbance Value (%): 50.00% Based on limitations on future development for that portion of parkland (see table below) Final Mitigation Value ($): $441,600 Preliminary Mitigation Value multiplied by the Disturbance Value Percentage of Fee 10% Comments Nominal effect on use and utility Example Uses Small subsurface water or sewer line DISTURBANCE VALUES 25% 35% 50% 65% 75% 90% 100% Subsurface or air rights that have minimal effect on use and utility Location along a property line or non usable land area Balanced use by both owner and easement holder Some impact on surface use and conveyance of ingress/egress rights Major impact on surface use and conveyance of future uses Severe impact on surface use and conveyance of future uses Permanently dedicated to installation Larger subsurface water or sewer line with minimal impacts on future development Water or sewer line, cable lines or other subsurface use with limited impacts on developable area Water or sewer line, cable lines with exceptions in the DOU allowing parklike amenities Pipelines or other limited surface impacts with maintenance requirements and limited development potential Pipelines, drainage easements, flowage easements that restrict future use Overhead electric, drainage easements, or other use with restrictions on future use ROW or other use with surface impact on parkland Areas within an existing easement or declaration of use are limited to the remaining eligible disturbance value. Adapted From: Right of Way Magazine "Easement Valuation" Sherwood, May/June 2006. Provided by City of Austin Office of Real Estate ATTACHMENT "A" - M.O.U. MITIGATION FEES CALCULATION WORKSHEET Permanent Use Project: Requesting Department: AE-Cap Ex Central at Lady Bird …
Project: Requesting Dept AE-Cap Ex Central at Lady Bird Lake Austin Energy MOU # 25-006 Edward Rendon Sr. Metro Park at Festival Beach ATTACHMENT " " - STAKEHOLDER LIST # 1 2 3 Organization Festival Beach Food Forest Fruitful Commons Festival Beach Community Garden APR Coordinator Christine Chute-Canal Christine Chute-Canal Contact Grace Gilker Jodi Lane Email gracegilker@gmail.com jodi@fruitfulcommons.org Amanda Ross Angelina Alanis admin@festivalbeachgarden.org
Project: Requesting Dept AE-Cap Ex Central at Lady Bird Lake Austin Energy MOU # 25-006 Edward Rendon Sr. Metro Park at Festival Beach ATTACHMENT "C " - STAKEHOLDER LIST # 1 2 3 4 Organization Festival Beach Food Forest Fruitful Commons Fruitful Commons Festival Beach Community APR Coordinator Christine Chute-Canal Christine Chute-Canal Christine Chute-Canal Amanda Ross Contact Angelina Alanis Angelina Alanis Aly Tharp Brianne Lavroy Email contact@festivalbeach.org Angie@fruitfulcommons.org Aly@fruitfulcommons.org admin@festivalbeachgarden.org
ATTCHMENT "D" - CALENDAR OF EVENTS Date First Saturday Monthly First Saturday Monthly Time 9 - 11 am 9 - 11 am Event Title First Saturday Plant Walk(s) Volunteer Orientation Second Saturday Monthly 9 am - 12 pm Sept. - May, 8 am - 11 am June - August Second Saturday Workday(s) Tuesday & Thursdays Weekly 9 am - 12 pm Sept. - May, 8 am - 11 am June - August Community Workdays Sundays Weekly First Saturday in March April October 11 - 12 pm 9 am - 2 pm TBD TBD First Saturday in November 9 am - 2 pm November December TBD TBD Yoga in the Food Forest Its My Park Day Garden Social @ LadyBird Senior Residences Roots and Wings Fest Its My Park Day Friends of the Forest Feast Winter Fundraiser/ Forest Pa
This product is for informational purposes and may not have been prepared for or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. It does not represent an on-the-ground surveyand represents only the approximate relative location of property boundaries. This product has been produced by the City of Austin for the sole purpose of geographic reference.No warranty is made by the City of Austin regarding specific accuracy or completeness.23 February 2026bookspa04080Feet±LegendCommunity PartnerFestival Beach Community GardenFestival Beach Food Forest/Fruitful CommonsCommunity Partner AreaWALLERSTFLORESSTCLERMONTAVENIH35SVRDNBNASHHERNANDEZSRRDWALLERSTNIH35NBLBJWAYGUSGARCIADRARTDILLYDRGUSGARCIADRWALLER STNASH HERNANDEZ SR RDFLORES STCLERMONT AVEART DILLY DRE RIVERSIDE TO IH 35 NB RAMPLBJ WAYN IH 35 SVRD NBNASH HERNANDEZ TO IH 35 RAMPWALLER STGUS GARCIA DRFestival BeachCommunity GardenFestival Beach FoodForest/FruitfulCommons
PARKLAND DONATION, IMPROVEMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND PROGRAMMING AGREEMENT (Festival Beach Food Forest at Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach) This Parkland Donation, Improvement, Maintenance, and Programming Agreement (Festival Beach Food Forest at Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach) (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between FRUITFUL COMMONS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and the CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, a Texas home-rule municipal corporation, by and through its Parks and Recreation Department (“PARD") (the "City"). (Fruitful Commons and the City are each a Party and together, the Parties.) RECITALS The City is the owner of certain parkland property located at 2101 Jessie E. Segovia Street in Austin and identified as Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach, as shown on Exhibit A (the "Park"); and In 2014, the City Council adopted the Holly Street/Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach Vision Plan (the “Vision Plan™), which included direction to establish a food forest pilot program on two-thirds of an acre in the Park, on Festival Beach, with future phased expansion subject to City Council approval. The boundaries of the Festival Beach Food Forest are shown on Exhibit B and include the Parkland Improvements (the “Food Forest”); and The purpose of the Food Forest is to provide fresh, healthy food to the East Cesar Chavez and Holly neighborhoods; and The Festival Beach Food Forest, a project of Fruitful Commons, is committed to advancing the Austin Food Plan, Austin Climate Plan, and the PARD 2020-2030 Long Range Plan. The Festival Beach Food Forest began as a volunteer organization working under the fiscal sponsorship of Urban Patchwork, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to establish a food forest in the Park; and In 2015, the City entered into a Parkland Improvement Donation Agreement with Urban Patchwork to implement the Food Forest pilot program in accordance with the Vision Plan (“Phase 17); and Founders of the Festival Beach Food Forest worked with Urban Patchwork to implement Phase 1 of the Food Forest; and In 2020, Fruitful Commons became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and the community leaders of The Festival Beach Food Forest shifted to Fruitful Commons as their fiscal sponsor; and In 2021, the City Council approved Resolution No. 20210729-115 directing the appropriate the Parks and Recreation Department) to partner with Fruitful City department (identified as Commons to plan, design, implement, and maintain Phase 2, a three-acre expansion of the Food Forest, including installation …
3/20/26, 10:44 AM City of Austin, TX - Report Creation IH 35 Cap Ex Central LBL AE Relocation Project Engagement VIEWS 12 PARTICIPANTS RESPONSES COMMENTS 2 0 4 Submit a Comment/Question Your input is important to us. If you have a question or comment, please don't hesitate to let us know using the form below: How will you resolve ongoing confusion around differences/ needs of the Festival Beach Community Garden and the Festival Beach Food Forest. They are two different spaces with different structures, memberships, site plans, and city points of contact. 3/12/2026 What measures will be taken to ensure that there is no damage or over-pruning/topping of the mature trees within the Festival Beach Community Garden during the installation of this transmission structure? 3/12/2026 Thank you for the question. The Land Development Code and Criteria Manual require that any tree pruned over 25% be mitigated for and Austin Energy has committed to no pruning over the 25% limitation for this project. 3/19/2026 What options are available to beautify the structure/space that will be impacted at Festival Beach Community Garden by the installation of this transmission structure directly at the entrance to Festival Beach Community Garden? 3/12/2026 https://publicinput.com/Reporting/ReportPreview/40979 1/1
Local Standards of Care Austin Parks and Recreation | March 23, 2026 State of Texas Human Resource Code Ch. 42 exempts municipalities of Child Care Licensure through annual adoption of standards of care by ordinance after a public hearing. The programs operated by the City are recreational in nature and are not licensed by the state of Texas as certified day care programs or facilities. The Standards of Care are intended to be minimum standards by which the City of Austin will operate the City’s Youth Programs. 2 Facility, Health and Safety Texas HHS – Chapter 746 (Licensed Child-Care Centers) City of Austin – Ordinance (Youth Recreational Programs) 30 sq ft per child, annual safety inspections, food preparation requirements, emergency preparedness, fire prevention, first- aid and AED, and restroom supervision Annual safety inspections, food preparation requirements, emergency preparedness, fire prevention, first-aid and AED, and restroom supervision Guidelines for participation when illness or injury exists, above 101 temperature or communicable disease Guidelines for participation when illness or injury exists, above 100.4 temperature accompanied by signs of illness Physical Environment Health Standards Medical Standards Authorization to administer medication expires after one year, must be secured Medication authorization form, secured 1-week supply 3 Staff Qualifications Texas HHS – Chapter 746 (Licensed Child-Care Centers) City of Austin – Ordinance (Youth Recreational Programs) Age 18 years or older with HS diploma or equivalent (16-18 if supervised) 18 years or older (15-17 if supervised) Required Certifications CPR, AED, First Aid and basic water rescue or equivalent for aquatic supervision CPR, AED, First Aid and basic water rescue or equivalent for aquatic supervision Training Requirements Orientation to child-care center, pre- service and annual training, transportation safety, and water safety Meet established annual youth programs training requirements in addition to COA and APR required trainings. 4 Supervision Ratios Texas HHS – Chapter 746 (Licensed Child-Care Centers) City of Austin – Ordinance (Youth Recreational Programs) Age Range Infants through 13 years 5 – 13 years Staff to Child Ratios Swimming & Wading Pool Ratios 1 per 22 (ages 5) 1 per 26 (ages 6-13) 1 per 10 (ages 5) 1 per 12 (ages 6-13) 1 per 12 (ages 5-9) 1 per 15 (ages 10-13) 1 per 8 (ages 5-7) 1 per 12 (ages 8-13) Programs Designed for Participants with a Disability Inclusive programs with reasonable modifications per ADA, no reduced ratio requirements 1 per 4 (ages 5–12) 1 per …
City of Austin Council Meeting Backup: March 26, 2026 File ID: 26-1307 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING LOCAL STANDARDS OF CARE FOR YOUTH RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS OPERATED BY AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION AND AUSTIN ARTS, CULTURE, MUSIC; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: PART 1. AUTHORITY. The Council adopts these local standards of care for Austin Parks and Recreation’s and Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment’s youth recreational programs pursuant to Texas Human Resources Code Section 42.041 (Required License) and the City’s home-rule authority. PART 2. DEFINITIONS. In this ordinance: (1) ACTIVITY LEADER means a person responsible for the direct care or supervision of participants. The term excludes a person whose primary duties include administration, clerical support, food preparation, or facility maintenance. (2) DEPARTMENTS means Austin Parks and Recreation and Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment. (3) DIRECTOR means the director of Austin Parks and Recreation or Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment. (4) DIRECTORS means both directors. (5) DESIGNEE means a person appointed by the director to act on the director’s behalf. (6) (7) FACILITY means a building or improvement operated or used by the departments in conducting a recreational program. PARTICIPANT means a child aged five to 13 years old who is enrolled in a recreational program and is under the supervision of department staff. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Draft 3/11/2026 Page 1 of 7 COA Law Department City of Austin Council Meeting Backup: March 26, 2026 File ID: 26-1307 (8) RECREATIONAL PROGRAM means a fee-based children’s program or activity offered and supervised by the departments that requires a participant to enroll or register to participate. (9) VOLUNTEER means a person assisting without remuneration in the care or supervision of participants. 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 PART 3. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION. 47 48 49 50 51 (A) The departments will operate recreational programs in compliance with appropriate state law, this ordinance, and the departments’ rules adopted by this ordinance. (B) The directors or their designees will administer the programs. 52 PART 4. PROGRAM RULES; MONITORING. 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 …
AISD Inter-local Agreement Montopolis Youth Sports Complex Parks and Recreation Board | March 23, 2026 Background AISD is in the process of a modernization project of Travis Early College High School (TECHS) located at 1211 E. Oltorf Street, Austin, Texas 78704 Construction impedes the use of its athletic fields and the high school will receive upgrades to their athletic fields Estimated to complete Q3 2028 The City and AISD share a mutual interest in the benefits that participating in team sports provide. 2 Contract Terms and Conditions The City shall: AISD shall: Establish one year contract term with five additional 12-month renewal options. Establish facility field use/times and maintenance roles and responsibilities for AISD. Be responsible for utilities related to the Facilities. Be responsible for providing staff supervision for students while the students are on City property. Will reimburse to the City the actual cost to repair any damages to the premises or equipment being provided directly caused by AISD's occupancy. Be responsible, at its expense, for maintenance of the infield and turf meeting APR’s Standard Levels of Care for Athletic Complexes. 3 Board Action Recommend that the City Council authorize the negotiation and execution of an agreement between the City of Austin and AISD and to waive utility and field use fees. Austin City Council – March 26
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION YYYYMMDD-XXX Date: Subject: Fiscal Year 2026 – 2027 Budget Recommendation Motioned By: Seconded By: Rationale: WHEREAS, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Board has taken into account both Board member and resident input, as well as input from Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) staff; WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board recognizes the demand for Parks and Recreation facilities, maintenance, programming, and safety measures will continue to grow significantly during the 2027 fiscal year, as it has the past several years; WHEREAS, the FY 2025-26 Enhancements Report identified a significant number of Austin Parks and Recreation enhancement requests that were not included in the FY26 Proposed Budget, representing substantial unmet operational, staffing, and infrastructure needs across the department; WHEREAS, APR security and emergency management needs remain unaddressed, with a request for a Security Division estimated at $2,788,155 annually and $300,000 in one-time funding to manage, train, and coordinate security and emergency management and conduct annual security audits across all APR assets; WHEREAS, significant aquatics infrastructure and staffing needs remain unfunded, including maintenance and staffing for Barton Springs Pool, Givens Pool, Montopolis Pool, Northwest Pool, and other facilities, representing millions of dollars in unmet need; WHEREAS, the Land Management Program remains critically underfunded, with a budget of only $828,000 and four FTEs overseeing the entire 10,300 acres under city management, and the FY26 budget process did not include the requested three additional FTEs and associated funding (~$1,203,056 annually and $49,000 one-time) needed in FY26 alone, with a further two FTEs (~$630,762 annually and $99,000 one-time) deferred to FY27; WHEREAS, according to a 2024 report by CoreLogic, Austin ranks fifth in number of homes with moderate or greater wildfire risk, with a reconstruction cost value of over $40 billion, and most city parkland natural areas remain unmanaged for ecosystem health and are threatened by heat, drought, disease, and wildfire, presenting safety risks to both park users and neighbors; 1 of 4 WHEREAS, the city does not yet have a comprehensive tree inventory that would allow for effective urban forest planning and maintenance, and a full citywide tree inventory remains unfunded despite a Council resolution directing it; the Urban Forest Mitigation Fund has $2.5M designated for parkland tree inventory but lacks full funding for the entire city; WHEREAS, APR's recreation centers and senior centers remain under-resourced in both programming and physical capacity, including unmet needs for summer camp …
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 BYLAWS OF THE Parks and Recreation Board ARTICLE 1. NAME. The name of the board is Parks & Recreation Board. ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE AND DUTIES. The purpose and duties of the board are as follows: (A) The board shall advise city council and the city manager regarding: the acquisition, development, improvement, equipment, programming, and maintenance of all land and facilities managed by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Austin; the purchase of additional land be managed by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. (B) The board shall outline a general plan of development for land, facilities, and programs. The board may submit the plan to the Planning Commission and the City Manager for detail development, and the City Manager may then submit the plan to the City Council for approval as may be required by Code. (C) The board shall promote close cooperation between the City and all private members of the public, institutions, and agencies interested in or conducting recreational activities, so that all recreational resources within the City may be coordinated to secure the greatest general public welfare. (D) The board shall perform other duties as prescribed by the City Code or as directed by the City Council. ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP. (A) The board is composed of eleven members appointed by the city council. (B) A member serves at the pleasure of the city council. (C) Board members serve for a term of four years beginning March 1st on the year of appointment. (D) An individual board member may not act in an official capacity or speak on behalf of the board except through the action of a majority of the board in which the board identifies who is authorized to speak and identifies the actions the individual board member is authorized to take or topics on which the individual board member is entitled to speak. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 2026 MEETING SCHEDULE (4th Monday of each month, except May and December, and May 18th at 6:00 p.m.) January 26, 2026 February 23, 2026 March 23, 2026 April 27, 2026 May 19 18, 2026 – Permitting and Development Center June 22, 2026 July 27, 2026 August 24, 2026 September 28, 2026 October 26, 2026 November 23, 2026
2026 Bond Program Update Austin Parks and Recreation | March 23, 2026 Liana Kallivoka, PhD, PE, LEED Fellow, Assistant Director Alyssa Tharrett, RA, NCARB, Project Management Supervisor Bond Election Advisory Task Force (BEATF) Schedule We Are Here August 2025 September 2025 October 2025 November 2025 December 2025 January 2026 February 2026 March 2026 April 2026 Departments Present to Working Groups BEATF Mtg 8.25.25 Scoring Matrix Shared with BEATF & Departments BEATF Mtg 9.22.25 BEATF Mtg 10.27.25 BEATF led Listening Sessions BEATF Mtg 11.17.25 City Matrix scores provided GIS Map BEATF Mtg 12.15.25 Working Group Closed Meetings Bond Capacity Update Phase III Survey Staff Initial Proposal 2 BEATF Mtgs 1.12.26 1.26.26 Working Groups Present to BEATF Phase III Open House Events BEATF Mtgs 2.9.26 2.23.26 BEATF Mtgs 3.9.26 3.23.26 BEATF Mtg 4.13.26 4.27.26 BEATF recommen- dation to Mayor and City Council 5.4.26 2 $410 million bond package recommended Parkland Acquisition 2025 Key Milestones July 31, 2025 Memo to Mayor and Council with Initial Project Request List – 2026 Bond Development Update for Parks and Recreation projects $3.87 billion total city bond package recommendation August thru December 2025 Internal Project Review Board reviewed and prioritized citywide bond projects / programs Austin Parks and Recreation presented to Bond Election Advisory Task Force (BEATF) Parkland and Open Space Working Group Austin Parks and Recreation Bond Proposition July 31, 2025 APR Staff Bond Recommendation Building Renovation & Replacements Recreation & Senior Center Improvements Parkland Infrastructure Aquatics Parkland Improvements $85M $100M $55M $40M $60M $70M TOTAL $410M 3 2026 Key Milestones January 14, 2026 Financial Services recommends a maximum $750M 2026 bond package at the Audit and Finance Committee January 21, 2026 Memo to Mayor and Council with 2026 Bond Initial Draft Staff Project Recommendation $140 million bond package recommended for Parks and Recreation projects $700 million total city bond package recommendation Austin Parks and Recreation Bond Proposition Jan. 21, 2026 (CDS) Staff Initial Recommendation Building Renovation & Replacements Parkland Acquisition Recreation & Senior Center Improvements Parkland Infrastructure Aquatics Parkland Improvements $55M $40M $10M $5M $15M $15M TOTAL $140M 4 2026 Key Milestones February 9, 2026 BEATF parkland and open space working group (BEATF WG) presents recommendations to entire BEATF $180 million initial bond package recommended for Parks and Recreation projects February 17 thru 28, 2026 Five community …
AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S UPDATE March 2026 Recreation Services Division – Mexic -arte Showcase Totally Cool Totally Art th The teen art program, Totally Cool Totally Art, celebrated their 25 Mexic-arte Museum showcase on February 19. Participants from 10 recreation centers and their families gathered downtown to celebrate their accomplishments and appreciate great art. – Adaptive Prom McBeth Recreation Center McBeth Recreation Center held its annual Adaptive Prom on Saturday, March 21, welcoming approximately 100 adults with disabilities for a night of celebration. The event featured music by CJ the DJ with an evening of dancing in a fun and inclusive social environment. Facility Check -In Kiosk Pilot The reservations and RecTrac team set up and trained staff at Northwest Recreation Center with the new kiosk's that are being rolled out. This new kiosk solution allows patrons at our facilities to self-scan when checking -in to facilities. Natural Resources Division Aquatic Division Aquatic Maintenance Continuing to prepare facilities for the summer season. Murchison now has restroom partitions installed, and deck drain covers replaced. Barton Springs Spring cleaning will extend into spring break due to delays caused by the skimmer removal project, current estimated reopening of March 21, 2026. As of March 10, five pipe sections have been successfully removed, significantly improving progress -related delays. despite multiple weather Deep Eddy Sp rin g cle a n in g sch e d u le d fo r 03/28–04/11, sta ff will re p a in t d e ck sign s, h a n d ra ils, a n d o th e r fixtu re s, d e e p cle a n th e fa cility, se rvice e q u ip m e n t, a n d co m p le te ge n e ra l gro u n d s wo rk. Instructional Swim Programming, Marketing and Public Pools ISP is ra m p in g u p fo r th e sp rin g b re a k su rge , with 131 a p p lica n ts a n d co u n tin g, re giste re d fo r Life gu a rd cla sse s. No rth we st is n e a rin g su b sta n tia l co m p le tio n a n d will b e tu rn e d ove r …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026, AT 9:30 AM AUSTIN HUMAN RESOURCES, LEARNING AND RESEARCH CENTER 5202 E. BEN WHITE BLVD., SUITE 500, AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Municipal Civil Service Commission may be participating by videoconference. EXECUTIVE SESSION (No Public Discussion on These Items) The Commission will announce it will go into closed session pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel, or to discuss matters of litigation and personnel matters as specifically listed on this agenda. If necessary, the Commission will go into closed session, as permitted by law, regarding any item on this agenda. 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 Matthew Chustz, 512-974-2859, Matthew.Chustz@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Kevin Mullen, Chair Mellissa Rogers Vacant AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kavita Gupta, Vice Chair John Umphress The first ten (10) speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes from the Municipal Civil Service Commission regular meeting on March 9, 2026. HEARING 2. 3. 4. Conduct a hearing in open session or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personnel exception), on the appeal filed by Waleed Ibrahim regarding their Discharge from Austin Convention Center. Deliberate in open session or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personnel exception), on the appeal filed by Waleed Ibrahim regarding their Discharge from Austin Convention Center. Action and approval on the appeal filed by Waleed Ibrahim regarding their Discharge from Austin Convention Center. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. Discussion and review of the Municipal Civil Service Rules and procedural voting requirements. Discussion and action to approve future meeting dates, times, and locations. EXECUTIVE SESSION 7. Receive legal counsel regarding the Municipal Civil Service Rules and procedural voting requirements. (Private consultation with legal counsel – Section 551.071 of the Government Code). FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed …
MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday March 9, 2026 MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026 The Municipal Civil Service Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 5202 E. Ben White Blvd., Suite 500, in Austin, Texas. Chair Kevin Mullen called the Municipal Civil Service Commission meeting to order at 9:34 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Kevin Mullen, Chair Kavita Gupta, Vice Chair John Umphress PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Municipal Civil Service Commission Regular Meeting on February 23, 2026. The minutes from the Municipal Civil Service Commission regular meeting on February 23, 2026, were approved on Vice Chair Gupta’s motion, Commissioner Umphress’s second on a 3-0 vote. HEARING 2. Conduct a hearing in open or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personnel exception), on the appeal filed by Endaisa Rivera regarding their Discharge from Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services. No hearing was conducted. The appeal filed by Endaisa Rivera regarding their Discharge from Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services was withdrawn by the appellant prior to the start of the hearing. 3. Deliberate in open or closed session, pursuant to 551.074 of the Texas Government Code (personnel exception), on the appeal filed by Endaisa Rivera regarding their Discharge from Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services. No deliberation was held. 1 MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday March 9, 2026 4. Action and approval on the appeal filed by Endaisa Rivera regarding their Discharge from Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services. No decision was rendered, as the appeal filed by Endaisa Rivera regarding their Discharge from Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services was withdrawn prior to the hearing. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and possible action regarding the nomination of Chair of the Municipal Civil Service Commission to the Austin City Council Audit and Finance Committee. The motion to nominate Kevin Mullen as Chair of the Municipal Civil Service Commission to the Austin City Council Audit and Finance Committee was approved on Vice Chair Gupta’s motion, Commissioner Umphress’s second on a vote of 3-0. 6. Discussion and review of the Municipal Civil Service Rules and procedural voting requirements. The motion to postpone this item to the March 26, 2026, regular meeting of the Municipal Civil Service Commission was approved on Chair Mullen’s motion, Vice Chair Gupta’s second on a vote …
Municipal Civil Service Commission 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule January 12, 2026 January 26, 2026 July 13, 2026 July 27, 2026 February 9, 2026 August 10, 2026 February 23, 2026 August 24, 2026 March 9, 2026 September 14, 2026 March 23, 2026 September 28, 2026 April 13, 2026 April 27, 2026 May 11, 2026 June 8, 2026 June 22, 2026 October 12, 2026 October 26, 2026 November 9, 2026 December 14, 2026 2026 MCSC Meeting Schedule Approved on September 8, 2025
