February 2020 February 2020 Animal Services Report ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News Animal Protection • The live outcome rate for February was 97.5 percent. • A total of 609 animals were adopted (412 dogs, 187 cats and 10 small pets). • A total of 197 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs). • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 96 animals to their owners in the field during the • Officers handed out 20 fencing assistance applications, implanted 14 microchips and month of February. impounded 98 injured animals. • A total of 39 animals were transferred to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 226 rabies exposure reports and submitted 38 specimens for rabies testing. Two bats tested positive. • Wildlife APO received 109 coyote-related activities: o 61 sightings o 33 wild sick reports o 5 incidents 3 reports involved pets 2 reports involved livestock o 4 encounters o 3 observations o 1 wild speak report o 1 coyote presentation o 1 wild roam (sighting) near a school • Out of 109 coyote related reports, 70 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, and incident). Incidents: Pets and livestock were a factor in all five activities • o Two incidents involved two coyotes that injured off-leash pets in the greenbelt. Both dogs survived with minor injuries. o Two incidents involved a single coyote entering a yard and leaving with a chicken. o One incident involved a coyote approaching a cat in a backyard. Wildlife officer was unable to reach citizen to determine if it was a pet or stray. • Encounters: Pets were a factor in three of the four verified activities o Three encounters involved a coyote displaying flushing behavior with a dog and citizen. February 2020 Animal Services Report o One encounter involved a coyote with mange that approached a citizen without a dog, but left when it was hazed. Volunteer, Foster and Rescue Programs • A total of 432 volunteers donated 5,223 service hours; 19 groups of volunteers donated 444 hours with their “Giving Group” to the Center; 16 community service restitution volunteers contributed 175 hours toward animal care tasks. • Volunteer Coordinators hosted six New Volunteer Orientations, introducing 132 individuals to our organization and volunteer opportunities. from foster care. • A total of 200 families provided foster care, and a total of 78 animals were adopted directly • There are 806 approved …
May 2020 May 2020 Animal Services Report ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT • The live outcome rate for May was 94.9 percent. • A total of 189 animals were adopted (141 dogs, 46 cats, one bird and one small pet). • A total of 81 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs). Animal Services News Animal Protection month of May. • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 47 animals to their owners in the field during the • Officers handed out 30 fencing assistance applications, implanted two microchips and impounded 241 injured animals and more than half of those were transferred to Austin Wildlife Rescue. • Officers entered 231 rabies exposure reports and submitted 33 specimens for rabies testing. Three bats tested positive. • Wildlife APO received 44 coyote-related activities: o 21 sightings o 5 incidents o 5 wild sick reports of mange o 5 wild injured o 3 encounters o 3 wild speak o 1 observation o 1 investigate exposure puncture wound. No confirmed incident- dog escaped yard and came back with small • Out of 44 coyote related reports, 29 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, and incident). Incidents: Pets and livestock were a factor in all activities • o Two incidents involved a coyote on-camera taking an unattended cat o One incident involved a coyote injuring an off leash dog in a greenbelt o One incident involved a coyote that injured a cat in a front yard o One incident involved a coyote that took chickens from a backyard • Encounters: Pets were a factor in all activities o All encounters involved a coyote displaying flushing behavior with dog and citizen. Volunteer, Foster and Rescue Programs May 2020 Animal Services Report from foster care. • A total of 57 volunteers donated 1,410 hours, primarily as fosters, in May. • A total of 368 families provided foster care and a total of 155 animals were adopted directly • There are 1860 approved fosters in GivePulse, and 257 new foster applications were processed. • There are currently 367 animals in 285 different foster homes. • 108 live outcomes were attributed to 14 AAC partners: o 57 cats o 51 dogs o 1 ferret Veterinary Services shelter grounds. • Shelter veterinarians were medically responsible for 587 animals; 495 in foster care and 92 on • Veterinarians addressed 95 emergency cases, performed 12 orthopedic surgeries and 18 other specialty …
The new model of animal sheltering MYTHS vs FACTS Myth Fact Sick and injured dogs and cats will be turned out on the streets. All incoming pets or calls about pets will be given a needs assessment to determine the pathway that they need: shelter, foster or remain in the home and receive care. People in underserved communities within Austin will be discriminated against and unfairly left behind with this model. Stray, healthy pets will be turned away from the shelter. The animal welfare industry (both publicly and privately funded) has systems that have been known to discriminate against marginalized people. The current system unfairly leaves people without the same means as the richest parts of cities out of the reclaim, foster and adoption process as it stands. One of the primary objectives of this new model, and one of the reasons for its creation, is to be inclusive and welcoming of every person who lives in Austin. We know pets are many times more likely to find their owners if they stay in the neighborhood. People who find a lost pet will be given support to find the owner if they’re willing. If they can’t find the owner or aren’t able to hold the pet, the shelter will take in the lost pet and triage them based on their needs. Finders are required to hold an animal they find and are responsible for finding the owner themselves. The local shelter will take the animal if the finder isn’t willing or able to find the owner on their own. The new model will add resources and services in neighborhoods to help people and their pets. Lost pets are more likely to get back home if kept in the area they were found. Lost pets won’t be at the shelter so the owner can’t find them. 21st Century technology allows us to work more efficiently and not solely rely on in-person interactions. The system has to be reimagined and rebuilt to make it virtually impossible for an owner not to find their pet, regardless of where it is temporarily housed. Austin Pets Alive! and a few other executives are working in a silo and changing the whole animal sheltering system by themselves. More shelter industry organizations are working together than ever before to build systemic change. Leadership from over 30 municipal shelters nationally and their communities, as well as industry leaders …
THE HASS MODEL The new journey for stray pets FINDING A STRAY ANIMAL A direct shelter hotline would be created where residents are connected to a trained operator who will get you DISTRICT SPECIFIC assistance with trapping, triage, microchip scanning, and transport. Intake testing, vaccinations, and behavior assessments will be provided by DISTRICT SPECIFIC stations throughout Central Texas. TRAPRS Austin Lost and Found Pawboost EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY The vast network of fosters, volunteers, and adopters will be given resources, training, and support for short/long term fostering. Tele - health services will be available for pet owners considering surrender, foster caregivers and finders of pets who may be sick or injured. Residents can reach the organization quickly and easily using remote technologies like text, phone and web chats. StayatHomeandFoster.org Central Texas Food Bank Maddie's University FearFreeHappyHomes.com Free Spay/Neuter clinics throughout Central Texas VIRTUAL ADOPTIONS Getting animals healthy and into forever homes is already happening online! Using the latest technological tools, marketing, foster placement teams, and matchmaking services will allow for every animal to go into a home that they deserve. EMERGENCY MEDICAL NEEDS Pregnant, injured, neonatal, wounded, and senior animals will be getting direct intake priority. Collaboration. Solutions. Now.
A Proposal to Make Austin Animal Services (even) Better for People and Pets Ellen Jefferson, DVM Executive Director, Austin Pets Alive!/American Pets Alive! Executive Leadership Team, Human Animal Support Services Project Great News Coming Out of Shelters In March, shelters all over the country, even those that historically never had a foster program, saw the benefit of massive numbers of fosters coming forward to take pets home in an effort to prevent pets from being stuck in shelters in case of govt shutdowns or staff illness. This was extremely eye opening because shelters are entrenched in the “not enough homes” mindset. Lifesaving rates have never been higher. 80,000 foster homes signed up through Greater Good, only 30,000 were used In May, Greater Good did a national push to count foster homes that still wanted a shelter pet (this is more than 30 days after the shelters already emptied out so doesn’t count that initial rush of homes that were already full). Only a fraction were used which means that there is a much larger demand than shelters have ever realized for homes willing to house and help animals. COVID-19 Caused Disruption • The human virus made it impossible to care for animals en masse in a building • Shelter systems pivoted to sustain lifesaving and keep people and pets safe • This pivot fueled a nationwide re-envisioning for how shelters operate image source: unschool.co Because government funded shelters all over the country were able to take a breath from the rat race of intake, kenneling, outcomes due to empty kennels, discussions started about how the entire system needed to be overhauled to more accurately reflect what people want as exemplified by the outpouring of support to keep pets out of shelters. The history of animal sheltering in Austin ● 1900 - emergency of the dog pound model ● Pets are taken from their homes and neighborhoods, rounded up, and reclaimed or killed ● Our movement is built on this old foundation The “taking a breath” also allowed the industry to reflect on how we got here into this system that is so fundamentally broken. In doing research on Austin (which turns out is typical of almost every city), we found that the entire shelter system was created to deal with the pandemic of Rabies. Rabies caused huge amounts of livestock losses, massive public fear of death from it (100% fatal) …
June 2020 June 2020 Animal Services Report ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News • The live outcome rate for June was 93.1 percent. • A total of 306 animals were adopted (172 dogs, 125 cats, three birds and six small pets). • A total of 93 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs). • A total of 843 animals were brought to the shelter (513 stray, 209 owner surrender, 31 abandoned, 47 public assist and 43 wildlife). Animal Protection month of June. • Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 38 animals to their owners in the field during the • Officers handed out 33 fencing assistance applications, implanted 11 microchips and impounded 216 injured animals. • Officers entered 240 rabies exposure reports and submitted 33 specimens for rabies testing. Six bats tested positive. • Wildlife APO received 35 total coyote-related activities: • Out of 35 coyote related reports, 17 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, and incident). Incidents: Pets and livestock were a factor in all activities. • o One incident involved a coyote injuring an off-leash cat in a greenbelt near an apartment complex. • Encounters: Pets were a factor in all verified activities. o Encounter involved a coyote displaying flushing behavior with a citizen and a dog. o 15 sightings o 8 wild sick reports of mange o 5 wild injured o 4 wild speak o 1 incident o 1 encounter o 1 observation Volunteer, Foster and Rescue Programs June 2020 Animal Services Report from foster care. • A total of 33 volunteers donated 1,018.17 hours, primarily as fosters, in June. • A total of 340 families provided foster care and a total of 139 animals were adopted directly • There are 1928 approved fosters in GivePulse, and 170 new foster applications were processed. • There are currently 423 animals in 293 different foster homes. • 168 live outcomes were attributed to 20 AAC partners: o 80 cats two to AHS six to Spay-Neuter-Return program with Austin Humane Society 27 behavior/medical cases to Austin Pets Alive! 45 neonates to APA! o 82 dogs 40 to APA! 42 Other partners o Six Other Species Two doves (housing pull) One chicken (medical pull) Two rats (housing pull) One rabbit (medical pull) Veterinary Services • Veterinarians addressed 130 emergency cases, performed five orthopedic surgeries and nine other specialty …
AAC Meeting Minutes 2020-08-07 SPECIAL MEETING APPROVED SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION August 7, 2020 The Animal Advisory Commission convened via a remote meeting, Friday, August 7, 2020, 3 to 4:58 p.m. Chair David Lundstedt conducted a verbal roll call and called the Commission Meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. Commissioner Monica Frenden recused herself from discussion and voting on Agenda Item 4a. Commission Members in Attendance: David Lundstedt, Katie Jarl, Craig Nazor, Palmer Neuhaus, Edward Flores, Monica Frenden, Andrea Schwartz, JoAnne Norton, Nancy Nemer, and Ryan Clinton. Commission Members Absent: Dr. Jon Brandes, Lisa Mitchell, District 4 Vacant Staff in Attendance: Don Bland, Jason Garza, Mark Sloat, Dr. Kathryn Lund, Robert Golembeski, Kelsey Cler, and Belinda Hare Speakers: The following 10 citizens spoke for three minutes on agenda items: Shelly Liebham, item 3b Lana Lesley, item 4a Lauren Silva, item 4a Beverly Luna, item 3e Christine Poreca, item 4a Rusty Tally, item 4a Leslie Padilla, item 3c Sharon Wichterich, item 4a Lucy Fernandez, item 4a Sandra Muller, item 4a 1 AAC Meeting Minutes 2020-08-07 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Nemer moved to approve the minutes from the July 6, 2020, Special Called meeting, and Commissioner Nazor seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously, 10 – 0, with Commissioners Lundstedt, Jarl, Nazor, Neuhaus, Flores, Frenden, Schwartz, Norton, Nemer and Clinton voting approval. Commissioners Mitchell and Brandes were absent, and District 4 is vacant. 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Animal Services Office (ASO) Chief Animal Services Officer, Don Bland, and Jason Garza, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer, presented a summary of the Austin Animal Center and Animal Services Reports for February, March, April, May, and June 2020. b. Don Bland presented an update on the Austin Animal Center’s intake operations. 3. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner Clinton moved to table Old Business; Commissioner Nazor seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 10 – 0, with Commissioners Lundstedt, Jarl, Nazor, Neuhaus, Flores, Frenden, Schwartz, Norton, Nemer and Clinton voting approval. Commissioners Mitchell and Brandes were absent, and District 4 is vacant. a. Update, Discussion and Possible Action on Budget and Priorities Workgroup b. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding the Workgroup on Austin Animal Center’s Shelter-Neuter-Release (SNR) Program c. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding Code Revision Workgroup d. Update, Discussion and Possible Action regarding Target and Reporting e. Update, Discussion and Possible Action on the Animal Services Budget Categories 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Update, Discussion …
Special Meeting of the Urban Transportation Commission August 5, 2020 Meeting to be held with physical distancing modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (August 4, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 7, 2020 Urban Transportation Commission meeting, residents must call or email the board liaison at (512) 974 2358 or emily.smith@austintexas.gov no later than noon on August 6 and provide the following information: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral regarding the item, and a telephone number or email address. Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak. Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. Late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. Handouts or other information may be emailed to emily.smith@austintexas.gov by noon on August 4, 2020. This information will be provided to Commission members in advance of the meeting. If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting at ATXN.tv URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AUGUST 5, 2020 – 1:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING MEETING AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 2. NEW BUSINESS 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JULY 10, 2020 MEETING A. Project Connect transit plan funding and governance – Discussion and Possible Action Cosponsors: Commissioners Somers and Runas B. Active transportation and safety infrastructure funding – Discussion and Possible Action Cosponsors: Commissioners Champion and Alvarado 3. STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Downtown Commission D. Pedestrian Advisory Council B. Joint Sustainability Commission E. City Council Mobility Committee C. Bicycle Advisory Council F. Project Connect Advisory Network 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Note: These topics will NOT be discussed by the commission as part of this agenda A. Austin Community Climate Plan update (Staff; TBD) 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 …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20200805-02A: Project Connect funding and governance WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s rapid population growth has strained our transportation system; and WHEREAS, the City has allocated relatively few dedicated pathways for transit that allow citizens to choose a congestion-free transportation option; and WHEREAS, our current climate crisis calls for us to make changes to the way we live and plan our cities, and our pattern of continued sprawl and road construction is neither safe nor sustainable; and WHEREAS, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Capital Metro Transit Authority was experiencing sustained increases in ridership at a time when most transit systems in the country were losing ridership; and WHEREAS; the COVID-19 pandemic makes it even more crucial that we fund and build resilient infrastructure throughout our city, which is accessible and equitable for all; and WHEREAS, Capital Metro has been engaged in the current Project Connect long range transit system plan, gathering extensive public input, since October 2016; and WHEREAS, on April 11, 2019, Austin City Council unanimously adopted the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP), which calls for Austin to make a watershed change in mode share, that is, to reach a goal of 50% of Austinites commuting by walking, biking, transit, or any other non-drive-alone mode by 2039, from today’s current 24% of Austinites using non-drive-alone modes; and WHEREAS, the ASMP also established that the policy of the City is to proactively assess displacement impacts of transportation project; and WHEREAS, the Capital Metro Board of Directors unanimously adopted the Project Connect System Plan that includes the Locally Preferred Alternatives for the Orange, Blue, Gold, Green, and MetroRapid Lines on June 10, 2020; and WHEREAS, it is proposed that the Locally Preferred Alternatives will be funded by a tax rollback election (TRE), to be held in November 2020, which will provide sustained funding for the Project Connect System Plan over many years; and WHEREAS; a proposed interlocal agreement (ILA) between the City of Austin and Capital Metro Transit Authority will create the Austin Transit Partnership, a board of governors to oversee the TRE spending, and an additional Community Advisory Committee to engage the community and advise on all aspects of Project Connect, and WHEREAS, throughout the Project Connect planning process the Orange Line corridor has been consistently described by Capital Metro as the necessary spine of our transit system, and currently is the location of …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20200805-02B: Safe Mobility Bond WHEREAS, The City of Austin has committed to a 50/50 mode share split by 2039, as per the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, WHEREAS, the City’s sidewalk plan identifies over 2,500 miles of absent sidewalks across the city, and estimates that the 580 miles of missing sidewalk considered high or very high priority will cost $308 million to construct, WHEREAS, the City’s 2014 Bicycle Master Plan calls for full implementation by 2025, and estimates that the remaining unbuilt portions of the planned network will cost $170 million for both on-street bike lanes and Tier 1 urban trails identified in the Urban Trails Master Plan, WHEREAS, The City’s Vision Zero Plan and Safe Route to School Program will require additional funding to continue implementation after funding from the 2016 Mobility Bond is depleted, WHEREAS, the 2016 Mobility Bond funds could be completely depleted by 2022, potentially ending the momentum and capacity built up while that funding has been deployed to construct sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure and general road safety infrastructure, WHEREAS, funding from the Project Connect Transit Bond will be essential to meeting the city of Austin’s transportation, equity and climate goals, but the funding may be limited transit construction and nearby streetscape improvements, WHEREAS, a safe and convenient active transportation network is essential to the success of Project Connect by enabling users to access transit without a vehicle, and would multiply the effectiveness of the Project Connect Bond, WHEREAS, Austin has a strong history of approving multiple bond packages, including the approval of 7 separate bonds in the 2018 election, and there is no evidence that adding the Safety Mobility Bond will negatively affect the approval of the Project Connect Bond, WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant increase in people walking, biking and other active modes for both transportation and recreation, overflowing the capacity of much of the active transportation network and creating unsafe conditions in some areas, WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the need for the “Healthy Streets” program to promote social distancing, which has achieved improvements in crucial areas that could be made permanent with the Safe Mobility Bond funding, WHEREAS, ongoing protests against police brutality and economic inequality have shined a spotlight on the systemic injustice of our transportation system and infrastructure, which has been used to subjugate minority populations through inequitable enforcement …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20200805-02A: Project Connect funding and governance WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s rapid population growth has strained our transportation system; and WHEREAS, the City has allocated relatively few dedicated pathways for transit that allow citizens to choose a congestion-free transportation option; and WHEREAS, our current climate crisis calls for us to make changes to the way we live and plan our cities, and our pattern of continued sprawl and road construction is neither safe nor sustainable; and WHEREAS, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Capital Metro Transit Authority was experiencing sustained increases in ridership at a time when most transit systems in the country were losing ridership; and WHEREAS; the COVID-19 pandemic makes it even more crucial that we fund and build resilient infrastructure throughout our city, which is accessible and equitable for all; and WHEREAS, Capital Metro has been engaged in the current Project Connect long range transit system plan, gathering extensive public input, since October 2016; and WHEREAS, on April 11, 2019, Austin City Council unanimously adopted the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP), which calls for Austin to make a watershed change in mode share, that is, to reach a goal of 50% of Austinites commuting by walking, biking, transit, or any other non-drive-alone mode by 2039, from today’s current 24% of Austinites using non-drive-alone modes; and WHEREAS, WHEREAS, the ASMP also established that the policy of the City is to proactively assess displacement impacts of transportation project; and WHEREAS, the Capital Metro Board of Directors unanimously adopted the Project Connect System Plan that includes the Locally Preferred Alternatives for the Orange, Blue, Gold, Green, and MetroRapid Lines on June 10, 2020; and WHEREAS, it is proposed that the Locally Preferred Alternatives will be funded by a tax rollback election (TRE), to be held in November 2020, which will provided sustained funding for the Project Connect System Plan over many years; and WHEREAS; a proposed interlocal agreement (ILA) between the City of Austin and Capital Metro Transit Authority will create the Austin Transit Partnership, a board of governors to oversee the TRE spending, and an additional Community Advisory Committee to engage the community and advise on all aspects of Project Connect, and WHEREAS, throughout the Project Connect planning process the Orange Line corridor has been consistently described by Capital Metro as the necessary spine of our transit system, and currently is the location …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20200805-02B: Safe Mobility Bond WHEREAS, The City of Austin has committed to a 50/50 mode share split by 2039, as per the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, WHEREAS, the City’s sidewalk plan identifies over 2,500 miles of absent sidewalks across the city, and estimates that the 580 miles of missing sidewalk considered high or very high priority will cost $308 million to construct, WHEREAS, the City’s 2014 Bicycle Master Plan calls for full implementation by 2025, and estimates that the remaining unbuilt portions of the planned network will cost $170 million for both on-street bike lanes and Tier 1 urban trails identified in the Urban Trails Master Plan, WHEREAS, The City’s Vision Zero Plan and Safe Route to School Program will require additional funding to continue implementation after funding from the 2016 Mobility Bond is depleted, WHEREAS, the 2016 Mobility Bond funds could be completely depleted by 2022, potentially ending the momentum and capacity built up since that funding has been deployed to construct sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure and general road safety infrastructure, WHEREAS, funding from the Project Connect Transit Bond will be essential to meeting the city of Austin’s transportation, equity and climate goals, but the funding may be limited transit construction and nearby streetscape improvements, WHEREAS, a safe and convenient active transportation network is essential to the success of Project Connect by enabling users to access transit without a vehicle, and would multiply the effectiveness of the Project Connect Bond, WHEREAS, Austin has a strong history of approving multiple bond packages, including the approval of 7 separate bonds in the 2018 election, and there is no evidence that adding the Safety Mobility Bond will negatively affect the approval of the Project Connect Bond, WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant increase in people walking, biking and other active modes for both transportation and recreation, overflowing the capacity of much of the active transportation network and creating unsafe conditions in some areas, WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the need for the “Healthy Streets” program to promote social distancing, which has achieved improvements in crucial areas that could be made permanent with the Safe Mobility Bond funding, WHEREAS, ongoing protests against police brutality and economic inequality have shined a spotlight on the systemic injustice of our transportation system and infrastructure, which has been used to subjugate minority populations through inequitable enforcement …
Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) Meeting Minutes Special Called Meeting 5 August 2020 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a meeting on August 5, 2020 via videoconference. Commission Members in Attendance: Daniel Alvarado Kelly Davis Samuel Franco Commission Members Absent: Mario Champion – Chair Daniel Hennessey – Vice Chair Alex Reyna Allie Runas Susan Somers Athena Leyton Cynthia Weatherby Michael Wilfley CALL TO ORDER Hennessey called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JULY 10, 2020 REGULAR MEETING The July 10, 2020 minutes were approved on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Champion, Weatherby and Wilfley absent and Commissioner Davis not yet present. 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Project Connect transit plan funding and governance – Discussion and Possible Action Commissioner Somers proposed draft recommendation language which, after debate and amendment, read as follows: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The Urban Transportation Commission urges Austin City Council to: • Adopt at least a 8.75% tax rollback election for the November ballot, which will serve to fund the Project Connect Locally Preferred Alternatives and $300 million for anti-displacement efforts such as land acquisition or transit-oriented affordable housing along the transit corridors; • Adopt clear language in the Contract with the Voters requiring the Republic Square to North Lamar Transit Center segment as part of the initial rail line(s); • Exclude any funding for roadway expansion. • Ensure there is broad community input on anti-displacement funding allocation and development of strategies to mitigate any potential negative effects of this project on existing communities. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Urban Transportation Commission urges Austin City Council and Capital Metro Transit Authority to: • Ensure the Austin Transit Partnership board has diverse representation and deep knowledge of the Austin transit rider experience by: o Require at least five years of experience for the professional members of the board o Expand the board with two community members to be chosen by a Community Advisory Committee o Require that the two community based board members collectively have the following expertise or experience: rides transit; interacts with and understands the needs of transit dependent individuals and families (including those experiencing disabilities); displacement mitigation; experience with labor and worker rights; and experience serving on advisory groups such as the City of Austin Urban Transportation Commission, Capital Metro Customer Satisfaction Advisory Committee, or Capital Metro Access Advisory Committee o Require the board to vote on recommendations made by …
Special Meeting of the Music Commission August 5, 2020, 3:00-4:30pm of meeting Music Commission to be held August 5 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (August 4th by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 5 Music Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-968-3484, Kimberly.mccarson@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Kimberly.mccarson@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live MUSIC COMMISSION AUGUST 5, 3:00-4:30PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Chair – Rick Carney, Vice-chair – Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone, Secretary - Anne-Charlotte Patterson, Parliamentarian - Oren Rosenthal, Al Duarte, Gavin Garcia, Doug Leveton, Patrice Pike, Paul Pinon, Graham Reynolds, Stuart Sullivan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 2. OLD BUSINESS 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of minutes from Special Called Meeting July 22, 2020. a. Discussion and Possible Action following presentation by Margie Reese of MJR Partners on Roles and Goals for the Music Commission, Live Music Fund Working Group and City Staff, Black Lives Music Fund and Comprehensive Equity Plan to repair and address historic neglect within the Austin music industry towards the Black Community. b. Discussion and Possible Action following update from Systemic Racism Working Group. c. Discussion and Possible Action following Update on Music Disaster Relief Fund by Stephanie Bergara, Artist and Industry Development, Music & Entertainment, Economic Development Department. d. Discussion and Possible Action following Update on Creative Space Disaster Relief Program …
From the Mexican-American Music Alliance (MAMA) and Funding Request the Latin Music Coalition Austin (LMCA) To the Austin Music Commission August 5, 2020 Summary • The MAMA and LMCA requests that the Austin Music Commission consider funding from the Live Music Fund for Latino music initiatives that fit within the guidelines of Texas State Statue governing HOT funds • The MAMA/LMCA requests a Latino Music fund in the amount of $1.5 million be established that addresses city music tourism needs while at the same time addresses the funding disparity that exists to support Mexican-American and Latino musicians, community venues, and music industry development • The MAMA/LMCA also requests that $2 million of the $12 million bond funds approved in 2018 for creative spaces be allocated to the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) to develop a music HUB as called for in the 2016 Austin Music and Creative Ecosystem Omnibus Resolution approved by the City Council Background Equity, diversity, and inclusion are recognized as a critical priority in the Austin music, arts and culture sector. Austin’s music industry should be a model of diversity and innovation based on its demographics and diversity of music genres. Equity for Austin’s Mexican-American and Latino populations should be Austin’s response to its changing social environment and an expression of its shared values. Latino music has long influenced popular American music and yet it remains in the shadows of the Live Music Capital of the World. With the popularity of Latino music in the mainstream media, listening to this music is no longer something culturally obscure. Latino music helps shape Latino identity by empowering and helping those who have assimilated to mainstream music in the United States to reconnect with their cultural roots. The music brings a source of pride about one’s heritage and identity as a Mexican-American and Latino. Demography and Gaps America’s demographics are changing—and the nation’s economic fate will hinge on how we respond to these changes. As the population grows more diverse and people of color become the majority, equity—fair and just inclusion—has become an urgent economic imperative. By 2042, racial minority groups will become the majority of the US population, but the City of Austin is already a Majority-Minority city. The City of Austin’s demographer estimates that the City’s White population dropped below 50% sometime during 2005. The estimated White share of the population is at 45%; the Black …
Special Meeting of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Advisory Board August 5, 2020 1:00 – 2:30 pm Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Advisory Board meeting to be held August 5, 2020 1:00 – 2:30 PM held Via Videoconferencing Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance August 4, 2020 by Noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Advisory Board on August 5, 2020 Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Laura Esparza at 512-974-4001 or laura.esparza@austintexas.gov no later than noon on August 4. Speakers will be required to provide their name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Laura Esparza at 512-974-4001 or laura.esparza@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 1:00 – 2:30 pm VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING BOARD MEMBERS David Goujon, Chair Arthur Navarro, Vice Chair Olga Campos-Benz, Member Gerardo Gandy, Member Wayne Lopes, Member Claudia Massey, Member Endi Silva, Member Tomas Salas Member Aida Cerda-Prazak, Member Diana Gomez, Member Ricardo Maga Rojas, Member , AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. CHAIR REPORT 3. PRESENTATIONS a. None 4. STAFF BRIEFINGS events. 5. NEW BUSINESS 1. LAAP 2. Budget 3. Transportation 4. Phase II a. Staff Report by Site Supervisor, Olivia Tamzarian on ESB-MACC programs and a. Review and approve Annual Report. (Goujon, Navarro) b. Discussion and possible action on a proposal being drafted by the Latino Mexican American Music …
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2019 to 6/30/2020 Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center ____________________________________ The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) is dedicated to the preservation, creation, presentation, and promotion of the cultural arts of Mexican Americans and Latino cultures. 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. (Reference all reports, recommendations, letters or resolutions presented to the City Council on mission-specific issues. If some of the elements of the mission statement were not acted on by the board in the past year, the report should explain why no action was taken.) During the period of 7/1/2019 to 6/30/2020 the ESB-MACC Advisory Board’s focus continued to be on increasing the productivity and efficiency of our board meetings, allowing us to focus on serving as advisors that work towards improving current operations and future development of the ESBMACC. The ESB-MACC is a vital community resource for our Latino community that offers us a space where we can come together to celebrate, promote, and share our culture in the areas of music, dance, theater, literature, the visual arts, multi-media arts, genealogy, and history. This year, the board continued to support the ESBMACC staff and the artists in the newly created Latino Arts Access Program by ensuring that they have a fair and working contract. The board also worked with City staff and Council as the Phase II project continued to advance. The board supported the City’s process in selecting an architecture firm and supported Annual Review and Work Plan 2019-2020 Page # 2 the recommendation to enter into contract negotiations with the Miro Rivera Architects in collaboration with Tatiana Bilbao. The board also submitted a request to update our bylaws to reflect our board's current needs. The Finance and Audit approved to officially include Emma S. Barrientos as part of the advisory board name. The board continued to support and promote the signature events held at the ESBMACC as well as continued to support the digital programs that have been created in response to in person programs being cancelled due to COVID-19. 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. (If any of the board’s …
MACC Staff Report August 5, 2020 Website: WWW.MACCAUSTIN.ORG, please sign up for our newsletter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustinESBMACC, please follow the MACC on Facebook Marketing ∙ Email Campaigns 2x/month to over 9,000 subscribers. (Sent on 5/15, 5/28, 6/9, 6/14, 7/1, 7/23) ∙ Total Facebook Followers: 7,996. ∙ Our ongoing virtual programming has increased our Facebook weekly engagement to 2.2k, which is considerably higher than related Austin Cultural Facebook pages. (It is worth noting that our page has higher engagement than pages with more than 3 times the amount of page likes, such as City of Austin government page and the Parks and Rec page!) Exhibits ∙ Textile Poetics ONLINE EXHIBIT, Chingonx Fire ONLINE EXHIBIT ∙ Coming Soon: Diana Molina XZ At the Crossroads 9/4/20‐11/28/20. Exhibit will be online only, coincides with Diana’s book Release: Icons & Symbols of the Borderland. ∙ Programming will involve artists & concepts from the Juntos Art Association https://www.juntosart.org/ A multi‐media exhibition by Diana Molina of the Juntos Art Association will trace a labyrinth of photography, film, and collage to crisscross dimensions of the Mestiza experience in a storyline that portrays and memorializes decades of border trajectories and ancestral journey leading to 2020. The female perspective is at the core of the storytelling as we re‐imagine, collectively, equity of representation and voice. Events: Desde La Sala ∙ Desde la Sala streamed online on Saturdays nights twice a month from 6‐9pm. ∙ Features 4 performances by local & national Latinx artists, streamed on Facebook & Youtube ∙ Performances are all pre‐recorded, but the DJ is performing live sets between songs. August 8: Easy Compadre, Frederico 7, Bang Data, Pinata Protest August 22: Gio Chamba, Texicana Mamas September 5: Sunbuzzed, Nemegata, É Arenas, Gina Chavez September 19: Mariachi Paredes de la UT, Edna Vazquez, Stephanie Urbina Jones & The Honky Tonk Mariachi, Mariachi Las Coronelas (Viva Mexico week) October 3: Marinero, Irene Diaz, Carrie Rodriguez Events: Spanglish Series ∙ Spanglish Series champions excellence in Creatives with Latinx Roots. Broadcast on Facebook live every other Thursday. July 9: Justin Favela. 407 views July 23: Alán Peláez López 971 views Events: Viva Mexico ∙ Video of Viva Mexico 2019, by Mari Hernandez ∙ Week of Viva Mexico Events: The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican‐American Cultural Center will host its annual Viva México celebration on Wednesday, September 16th from 5‐8pm. This lively celebration will be offered virtually, free of charge, live streamed on Youtube, …
EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER SPECIAL CALLED MEETING ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES Wednesday, July 8, 2020 The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Advisory Board convened in a special called meeting via video conferencing. Board Members in Attendance: Tomas Salas, Chair Aida Cerda-Prazak, Vice Chair Olga Campos-Benz, Member Gerardo Gandy, Member David Goujon, Member Wayne Lopes, Member Ricardo Maga Rojas, Member Art Navarro, Member Claudia Massey, Member Endi Silva, Member Staff in Attendance: Laura Esparza, PARD Division Manager Lucas Massie, PARD Assistant Director Michelle Rojas, ESB-MACC Manager Olivia Tamzarian, ESB-MACC Supervisor CALL TO ORDER: Chair Salas called the Board Meeting to order at 1pm. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: None. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Goujon motioned to approve the minutes. Member Gandy seconded. Vote Passed. (7.0) Members Campos-Benz, Maga Rojas, and Lopes Abstained. B. PRESENTATIONS 1. Presentation by Parks and Recreation staff on FY21 Budget. Nicholas Johnson, Financial Analyst with the Finance division presented a report outlining the FY20 and FY21 Budgets. Johnson explained the impacts COVID-19 has had on the budget. He explained that the city is currently in a hiring freeze and that funding has been used to offset the general revenue projection loss. For FY21 the department is projecting and evaluating what future fiscal years by projecting figures at five instead of three years out to prepare for tax shortfalls. Member Goujon asked how boards could support cultural centers’ future budgets. Johnson expressed that advisory boards could assist to push for advocacy with establishing equity and efficiency. To provide recommendations of how to better manage funds. 1 Member Goujon asked when the ideal time to provide recommendations would be. Johnson responded that the time to make recommendations for FY21 is now and December 2020 or January 2021 for FY22. C. NEW BUSINESS 1. Discussion and possible action to nominate the ESB-MACC as a National Historic Landmark and Texas Historic Landmark (Goujon, Navarro) Braulio Hurtado from Mark Odom Studios and Chair of the Latinos in Architecture Austin Chapter spoke in support of the nomination even though it does not qualify at this time. He discussed the architectural and cultural center significance and what it will represent in the post-pandemic era. Member Massey asked about the process to receive the designation. Member Campos-Benz also inquired on how long the process takes. Division Manager Esparza discussed information provided by Kim McKnight, manager over …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission August 5, 2020 at 3:00 P.M. Environmental Commission to be held August 5, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (day before the scheduled meeting, August 4, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 5, 2020 Environmental Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the commission liaison at: Kaela Champlin (512) 974-3443 or Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov, no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live 1 2. 3. Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission August 5, 2020 3:00 P.M. To 4:30 P.M. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live COMMISSIONERS: Andrew Creel (D-1) Curtis Smith (D-2) Pam Thompson (D-3) Ryan Nill (D-4) Mary Ann Neely (D-5) Katie Coyne (D-6) Peggy Maceo (D-7) Linda Guerrero (D-9) Chair _________________________________________________________________________________ (Mayor) Vice Chair Wendy Gordon (D-10) Perry Bedford Kevin Ramberg (D-8) Secretary Agenda CALL TO ORDER 1. (5 minutes) APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the July 15, 2020 Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Update on Green Infrastructure web portal—Erin Wood, Planner Principal, Watershed Protection Department (5 minutes) ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Update on the Environmental Commission Annual Internal Review—Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair (5 minutes) b. Discuss and consider a recommendation to name an unnamed tributary in Battle Bend Neighborhood Park in memory of Watershed Protection Department employee Nick Down—Chris Herrington, Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department (10 minutes) c. Discuss and consider a …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: Mayor and Council Members THRU: Rey Arellano, Assistant City Manager Chris Shorter, Assistant City Manager FROM: Jorge L. Morales, P.E., CFM, Director, Watershed Protection Department Lucia Athens, Chief Sustainability Officer, Office of Sustainability DATE: July 17, 2020 SUBJECT: Update on Council Resolution No. 20170615-071 (Green Infrastructure) The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an update on outcomes related to Council Resolution No. 20170615-071, which directed the City Manager to assess the City’s progress toward achieving the vision, goals, policies, and actions relating to green infrastructure, as defined in the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan1 and to identify and evaluate opportunities and strategies to further integrate and leverage the City's green infrastructure related programs and projects. Staff provided two deliverables to Mayor and Council via a memo on March 30, 2018: a report entitled Green Stormwater Infrastructure: A Catalog of Infrastructure, Initiatives, and Next Steps as well as a framework for the development of an Integrated Green Infrastructure Plan. Attached is a matrix that provides an updated status for each element of the Council Resolution. Phase 1 of the framework for an Integrated Green Infrastructure Plan proposed to create a dynamic web portal to introduce the concept of green infrastructure and serve as a streamlined, user-friendly gateway to available data and resources. This phase has been completed with the launch of the Green Infrastructure web portal this June at http://arcg.is/0HXLyH0. The content was developed in partnership with multiple City departments, including Watershed Protection, Office of Sustainability, Parks and Recreation, Development Services, Austin Water, Public Works, and Planning and Zoning. The portal is divided into eleven major topics: Introduction, Urban Forest, Water Resources, Parks, Wildlands, Trails, Green Streets, Food, Habitat, Landscape, and Land Management. Using the ArcGIS Online Story Map format, the portal provides descriptions of key plans, programs, and regulations; maps of relevant data; links to additional resources; and ways for the community to get involved. For Phase 2 of the framework, the City hired local environmental planning firm, Siglo Group, to prepare a data-rich inventory of the city’s current green infrastructure and identify existing strengths and gaps. Data from multiple departments and external sources was compiled into a 1 Imagine Austin defines green infrastructure as an interconnected system of parks, waterways, open space, trails, green streets, tree canopy, agriculture, and stormwater management features that mimic natural hydrology. single resource, …
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2019 to 6/30/2020 _Environmental Commission __ (Official Name of Board or Commission) The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: Per section 2-1-144(F) of the City Code, the Environmental Commission may: 1) review and analyze the policies relating to the environmental quality of the city; (2) act as an advisory board to the city council, the city manager, and the department in their efforts to oversee the protection and integrity of the natural environment; (3) promote growth management and land use planning, minimize degradation of water resources, protect downstream areas, and promote recreation opportunities and environmental awareness; and (4) advise and recommend on any issue which the commission determines necessary or advisable for the enhancement and stewardship of the urban forest both public and private. (G) The commission shall: (1) assist the city council, the city manager, and the department in studying, promoting and enforcing environmental protection policies to assure the health, safety, welfare and quality of life of all citizens within the City's incorporated boundaries as well as those within its extraterritorial jurisdiction where the boundaries apply; and (2) oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for the planting, maintenance, and replacement of trees in the City's jurisdiction, and revise the plan as necessary. When a portion of the plan has been developed and established, it shall be submitted to the city council for adoption before implementation. Annual Review and Work Plan 7/1/2019 to 6/30/2020 Page 2 (H) The commission shall advise the city council, the city manager, and the department concerning policies, projects, and programs that affect the quality of life or have the potential to affect the environment, including those that relate to or affect: (1) water quality: (a) watershed protection; (b) urban runoff; (c) innovative wastewater treatment; (d) regional wastewater treatment; (e) improvement and protection of the Colorado River and the Edwards Aquifer; and (f) wastewater irrigation; (2) growth management and land use planning: (a) municipal utility district review; (b) capital improvement project review; and (c) the comprehensive plan; (3) construction controls for erosion and sedimentation; (4) City environmental policies regarding monitoring and enforcement; (5) solid waste disposal plan alternatives; (6) watershed protection: (a) flood control; (b) erosion control; (c) water quality; and (d) utility management; (7) roadway planning; (8) beautification; (9) recreation resources; (10) public education on environmental matters; (11) hazardous waste …
Vision Plan for John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park at Morrison Ranch Environmental Commission Meeting Charles Mabry, Associate Project Manager, PARD David Malda, Principal, GGN August 5, 2020 • 330 acres of former ranch 5 I-3 Walter E. Long Metro Park Park Context • 2003: Purchased by PARD • 2006: Named after John Treviño Jr., former Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem • 5,000 feet of Colorado River frontage • 2/3 of the site lies in the 100-year floodplain and TX-130 • Located at 9501 FM-969 between US-183 Ladybird Lake 3 8 1 S U e r o R i v d o l o r a C Decker Ln F M 9 6 9 Treviño Park M 973 F 0 R 13 S US 71 Austin-Bergstrom Intl Airport John Treviño Jr. at City of Austin park dedication in 2016 (Image credit: BetoATX) 2 MONTOPOLISDEL VALLECENTRAL EAST AUSTINDOWNTOWN AUSTIN Vision Plan Schedule 2019 MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC FEB MAR APR 2020 JAN Discovery Site Analysis Existing Conditions, Opportunities, and Challenges Report Develop Shared Vision Story Gathering Community Meeting #1 Summary What We’ve Heard: Vision & Values Community Meeting #2 Summary Focused Engagement Phases Ongoing Community Engagement Explore Concepts Preliminary Concepts Community Meeting #3 Summary Develop Vision Plan Preferred Vision Plan Community Meeting #4 Summary Document and Refine Draft (cid:55)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:74)(cid:80)(cid:79) Plan Report Boards and Commisions Review and Adopt City Council Final Vision Plan Report 3 Public Engagement: Approach Meetings and Events • 4 community meetings (two on-site at Treviño Park) • 11 Small Group Discussions • 3 Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Meetings Surveys • 3 community surveys (digital and print in English and Spanish) Individual outreach • Engagement with individuals, 16+ organizations, 3 neighborhood associations, and 5 local schools • In-person outreach in East Austin: 3 school events, 5 neighborhood/organization events, and 5 church services July 8 community meeting nature talk + hike December 7 community meeting with organization partners 4 Public Engagement: Listening 1) Site, parks, and your story • Connection to place • Notes & postcards • Oral histories • Survey: 398 respondents (41% responses from neighboring zip codes*) Community Priorities: 2) What we heard • Park Vision and Values • Opportunity to share feedback to date and confirm understanding of community goals Nature Stewardship + Education 3) An ideal day at Treviño Park • Site character, activities, design concepts • Survey: 222 respondents …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 202000805-003b Date: August 5, 2020 Subject: Recommendation to Name Tributary in Battle Bend Park Motion by: Kevin Ramberg Seconded by: Wendy Gordon RATIONALE: WHEREAS, Nicholas “Nick” Down was born on June 5, 1992 in Houston, Texas; and WHEREAS, while earning his bachelor’s degree at Texas State University, Nick served on the Bobcat Build Student Planning Committee, enthusiastically and effectively helping organize one of the largest, one-day community service projects in the State of Texas; and WHEREAS upon graduation, Nick joined the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department in May 2014, drawn by his great love of our natural environment and passion for public service; and WHEREAS Nick has put his irrepressible energy and talent into his work by creating maps and analyses used to understand and protect Austin's environmental and water resources, including our streams, trees, and open spaces; and WHEREAS one of Nick’s most memorable contributions was to the beautiful City of Creeks poster beloved by Watershed staff and shared widely with the public; and WHEREAS Nick and his wife Stephanie lived near Battle Bend Park and visited the park with their dog Otis, being attracted by their love of the outdoors; and WHEREAS the Watershed Protection Department completed a project in 2020 to daylight and restore a small, unnamed tributary in Battle Bend Park, which helped restore natural health and beauty to this community gem; Therefore, the Environmental Commission recommends the newly-daylighted and previously unnamed tributary of Williamson Creek within Battle Bend Park will be known as “Down Stream” in commemoration of the lifework of Nick Down to the betterment of Austin. 1 VOTE 10-0 For: Bedford, Smith, Thompson, Nill, Neely, Coyne, Maceo, Ramberg, Guerrero, and Gordon Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Creel Approved By: Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair 2
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 202000805-003c Date: August 5, 2020 Subject: Vision Plan for John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park at Morrison Ranch Motion by: Kevin Ramberg Seconded by: Linda Guerrero RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the need to develop and implement a vision plan for the John Treviño Metropolitan park at Morrison Ranch; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the unique environmental setting of the site along the Colorado River; and WHERAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that the Parks and Recreation Board recommended adoption of the Vision Plan; THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the adoption of the Vision Plan for the John Treviño Metropolitan Park at Morrison Ranch with the following Environmental Commission condition: As the Master Plan continues to develop, the Parks and Recreation Department will re-present the plan to the Environmental Commission and seek the Environmental Commission’s input. VOTE 11-0 For: Bedford, Creel, Smith, Thompson, Nill, Neely, Coyne, Maceo, Ramberg, Guerrero, and Gordon Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: None Approved By: Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair 1
2. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 5, 2020 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications via remote video conferencing. Commissioners in Attendance: Andrew Creel Ryan Nill Curtis Smith Pam Thompson Kevin Ramberg Linda Guerrero Wendy Gordon Perry Bedford Katie Coyne Peggy Maceo Mary Ann Neely Commissioners Absent: None Staff in Attendance: Kaela Champlin Jonathan Garner Chris Herrington Atha Phillips Radmon Rice Sherri Sirwaitis CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Guerrero called the meeting to order at 3:03 P.M. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the July 15, 2020 Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) The minutes of the July 15, 2020 Environmental Commission regular meeting were approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Coyne’s second on a 11-0 vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Update on Green Infrastructure web portal—Erin Wood, Planner Principal, Watershed Protection Department (5 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 1 3. 4. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Update on the Environmental Commission Annual Internal Review—Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair (5 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. b. Discuss and consider a recommendation to name an unnamed tributary in Battle Bend Neighborhood Park in memory of Watershed Protection Department employee Nick Down—Chris Herrington, Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department (10 minutes) A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Neely’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Creel was off the dais. A motion to support a recommendation to name an unnamed tributary in Battle Bend Neighborhood Park in memory of Watershed Protection Department employee Nick Down as approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Gordons’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Creel was off the dais. c. Discuss and consider a recommendation for the Vision Plan for John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park at Morrison Ranch—Charles Mabry, Associate Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department and David Malda, Principal, GGN (30 minutes) A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Coyne’s motion, Commissioner Ramberg’s second on a 11-0 vote. A motion to approve a recommendation for the adoption of the Vision Plan for the John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park at Morrison Ranch was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Guerrero’s second on a 11-0 vote. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Growth Policy and Water Quality Protection Committee – Pam Thompson, Kevin Ramberg, Mary Ann Neely, Curtis Smith, and …
Regular Meeting of the Commission for Women Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Commission for Women to be held Wednesday, August 5, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, August 4, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 5, 2020 Commission for Women Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-2597 or april.shaw@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Tuesday, August 4, 2020 (the day before the scheduled meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to april.shaw@austintexas.gov by Noon on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live CITY OF AUSTIN COMMISSION FOR WOMEN REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 10:00 a.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES meeting on June 22, 2020. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Consider approval of the minutes from the Commission for Women special called a. Discussion and possible action regarding the following working groups: 1. Economic equity 2. Sexual assault, violence prevention, and survivor experience 3. Access to quality and affordable healthcare 4. Women’s Hall of Fame b. Discussion and possible action regarding updates from the Joint Inclusion Committee. c. Discussion and possible action regarding the recommendation for the City of Austin d. Discussion and possible action regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FY2021 budget. Austin’s women and girls. e. Discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to the City Council on anti-racism. 3. BRIEFINGS 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Presentation from the …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 22, 2020 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Monday, June 22, 2020 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MINUTES The Commission for Women convened for a special called meeting on Monday, June 22, 2020 via videoconference. Chair Austen called the Commission Meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Rebecca Austen, Chair Flannery Bope, Vice Chair Tanya Athar-Jogee Juliana Gonzales Amanda Lewis Julia Cuba Lewis Sarah Tober Commissioners Absent: Neva Fernandez Dyana Limon-Mercado Vacant: District 2 District 3 Staff in Attendance: April Shaw, Human Resources Department 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Consider approval of the minutes from the Commission for Women special called meeting on April 17, 2020. The minutes from the special called meeting on April 17, 2020 were approved on Commissioner Tober’s motion, Vice Chair Bope’s second on a vote of 6-0, with Commissioner Athar-Jogee off the dais and Commissioners Fernandez and Limon- Mercado absent. COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding the following working groups: Monday, June 22, 2020 ii. Sexual assault, violence prevention, and survivor experience i. Economic equity Discussion was held. No action was taken. Discussion was held. No action was taken. iii. Access to quality and affordable healthcare Discussion was held. No action was taken. iv. Women’s Hall of Fame Discussion was held. No action was taken. Committee. Discussion was held. No action was taken. FY2021 budget. Discussion was held. No action was taken. b. Discussion and possible action regarding updates from the Joint Inclusion c. Discussion and possible action regarding the recommendation for the City of Austin d. Discussion and possible action regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Austin’s women and girls. Discussion was held. No action was taken. 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to the City Council on anti-racism. Discussion was held. Commission for Women Recommendation No. 20200622-03A1 regarding race and gender equity was made on Commissioner Lewis’ motion, Vice Chair Bope’s second on a vote of 6-0 with Commissioner Cuba Lewis off the dais and Commissioners Fernandez and Limon-Mercado absent. COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 22, 2020 Commission for Women Recommendation No. 20200622-03A2 regarding equity in renaming made on Commissioner Tober’s motion, Commissioner Athar-Jogee’s second, on a vote of 6-0 with Commissioner Cuba Lewis off the dais and Commissioners Fernandez and Limon-Mercado absent. 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT Chair Austen adjourned …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN RECOMMENDATION 20200805-02Aii Date: August 5, 2020 Subject: Victim Services Motioned By: Rebecca Austen Seconded By: Neva Fernandez Recommendation to Council WHEREAS, the Commission for Women (“Commission”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body to the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager concerning the needs and problems of women in the Austin area and shall recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront women in social, economic and vocational pursuits; and WHEREAS, on June 22, 20220 the Commission passed Recommendation 20200622-03A1: Race and Gender Equity, addressing public safety reform including the funding and operating structure of Victim Services, and additional measures to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking; and WHEREAS, on July 7, 2020, the Austin/Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team (SARRT) sent a letter to the City Manager, Mayor and City Council, objecting to Victims Services being moved out of the Austin Police Department (APD) and recommending increased authority for Victim Services within APD; and WHEREAS, on July 9, 2020, The SAFE Alliance sent a Position on Police and Public Safety in the City of Austin to the City Manager and City Council, addressing the needs of victims and survivors of abuse and violence, and recommending increased authority and capacity for Victim Services; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Commission recommends the following measures regarding public safety, policing and victim services. • Victim/survivor voices must be part of the dialogue and decision process regarding public • Victim Services must report at a level of city government that provides sufficient safety, policing and Victim Services. decision-making and funding authority. • Regardless of reporting structures, Victim Services must co-locate with police officers and have continued access to APD crime data and reporting systems. 1 • Victims must have a voice in whether to have police officers present with Victim Services when they reach out to public safety; the type of crime should influence the involvement of officers (e.g., a report of rape after the fact can be supported by Victim Services without officers present, to avoid re-traumatizing the victim). • Systems and services must support victims who choose not to prosecute as much as those who pursue prosecution. • Social services, counseling and support to navigate the criminal justice system must be available to the accused as well as to victims; the accused are innocent until proven …
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE: C14-2020-0053 – Cascades – Hilltop ZONING FROM: I-SF-2; MF-2-CO ADDRESS: 11601-11811 South IH 35 Service Road Northbound SITE AREA: 11.46 acres PROPERTY OWNER: Onion Associates, LLC (Carolyn Beckett) DISTRICT: 5 TO: MF-4 AGENT: McLean & Howard, LLP (Jeffrey Howard) CASE MANAGER: Wendy Rhoades (512-974-7719, wendy.rhoades@austintexas.gov) STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The Staff recommendation is to grant multifamily residence – moderate-high density (MF-4) district zoning. For a summary of the basis of Staff’s recommendation, see page 2. ZONING AND PLATTING COMMISSION ACTION / RECOMMENDATION: August 4, 2020: July 7, 2020: APPROVED A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS TO AUGUST 4, 2020 [J. DUNCAN; D. KING – 2ND] (8-2) B. EVANS; H. SMITH – NAY; 1 VACANCY ON THE COMMISSION CITY COUNCIL ACTION: August 27, 2020: ORDINANCE NUMBER: ISSUES: Please refer to attached correspondence from an adjacent property owner. In response to questions asked by an adjacent property owner, Staff looked into whether a potential east-west roadway connection between Bradshaw Road to the east (which provides access to the Bella Fortuna single family subdivision under construction) and the IH 35 frontage road has been studied. A roadway connection through the Cascades at Onion Creek West property to the north and through properties to the east was studied, but determined to be challenging in terms of floodplain and topographical constraints, as well as significant acreage outside of the City limits for planning purposes. To that end, the Travis County Transportation Blueprint, a countywide long-range transportation planning document published in July 2019, does not include a road connection between Bradshaw Road and the 1 of 15B-01 C14-2020-0053 Page 2 IH 35 frontage road, nor does the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan adopted by Council in April 2019. Travis County is also in discussions with local property owners about a possible alignment for South Pleasant Valley Road, proposed as a north-south collector road extending between the southern portion of the Onion Creek subdivision from an existing portion of Bradshaw Road) and SH 45. The South Pleasant Valley Road extension and nearly all of the adjacent properties are outside of the City limits, and the City is participating in those discussions. CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: The subject tract is undeveloped and has a flag configuration to the northbound IH-35 frontage road. The flag portion of the property is zoned multifamily residence-low density – conditional overlay (MF-2-CO) established by a 2006 rezoning case, and the Conditional …
