6/23/2021 Op-Ed | Don’t forget the “I” in LGBTQIA+ | amNewYork AMNY Newsletter Tackle the city, with our help. Subscribe Boroughs ⌵ Business Events Games Digital Editions Webinars Podcasts Contact Us Op-Ed Op-Ed | Don’t forget the “I” in LGBTQIA+ By NYC Councilmember Daniel Dromm 0 comments Posted on June 21, 2021 F Ho X Photo via Getty Images https://www.amny.com/opinion/op-ed-dont-forget-the-i-in-lgbtqia/?fbclid=IwAR3F34c9kMlZSFdQ7TbUotQT1KWAlJwxTEnkpETw8GkOmaf05Oc1DAS9wc4 1/7 ___Flipthroughtoday’spaper 6/23/2021 Op-Ed | Don’t forget the “I” in LGBTQIA+ | amNewYork Facebook Twitter Print More 2 Ea Ta ou S Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC I founded Queens Pride 29 years ago to be a welcoming space for all the borough’s diverse communities. Through the years, I excitedly watched as this colorful celebration, with a serious political message, grew. It seems every country is now represented. The transgender presence, always there from the beginning, is ubiquitous at this point. Many others of all stripes ock to an event that is grounded in family, friends, and neighbors, not corporations. And, of course, so many straight allies have come to stand with us, which always makes me swell with emotion. If asked to distill the essence of Pride, I would say it is about creating a home for all who do not conform to rigid societal notions of gender and sexuality. One group is taking this a step further and challenging the idea of what “normal” bodies should look like: the intersex community. Eliot Glazer, Thank You For Coming Out (While Staying In) Thank You for Coming Out 00:00 00:00 SUBSCRIBE: RSS iTunes Spotify Stitcher Amazon Google Play LATEST “Intersex” is an umbrella term for differences in sex traits or reproductive anatomy. Intersex people are born with these differences or develop them in childhood. There are many possible differences in genitalia, hormones, internal anatomy, or chromosomes, compared to the usual two ways that human bodies develop. According to the United Nations, up to 1.7 percent of the world population are born with intersex traits. Medical professionals often encourage parents and guardians to agree to procedures to treat intersex traits and variations in sex characteristics, even when such procedures are medically unnecessary. Despite the prevalence of these violations of basic human rights, there is no federal or state law …
REGULAR MEETING HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, April 26, 2021 The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, April 26, 2021 via teleconference in Austin, Texas. Chair Sareta Davis called the Board Meeting to order at 5:44 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Santana. Staff in Attendance: Jonathan Babiak, Human Resources Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. The minutes from the regular meeting of March 22, 2021 were approved on a vote of 9-0: Chair Davis motion, Commissioner Garry Brown second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Santana. Commissioner Areche and Commissioner Weigel were absent. b. The minutes from the special called meeting of April 19, 2021 were approved on a vote of 8-0-1: Chair Davis motion, Commissioner Griffith second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Griffith, and Commissioner Santana. Commissioner Museitif abstained. Commissioner Areche and Commissioner Weigel were absent. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action on Human Rights Commission Officer Elections for Chair and Vice Chair. (Davis/Brown, J.) The Commission voted to override the term limits provisions in the bylaws for the election of the office of Chair by a vote of 9-0: Commissioner Garry Brown motion, Commissioner Museitif second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Santana. Commissioner Areche and Commissioner Weigel were absent. The Commission elected Sareta Davis to the office of Chair on a vote of 9-0: Commissioner Santana motion, Commissioner Griffith second. Voting in favor were 1 Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Santana. Commissioner Areche and Commissioner Weigel were absent. The Commission elected Isabel Casas to the office of Vice Chair on a vote of 9-0: Chair Davis motion, Commissioner Garry Brown second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Santana. Commissioner Areche and Commissioner Weigel were …
REGULAR MEETING HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, June 28, 2021 The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, June 28, 2021 via teleconference in Austin, Texas. Chair Sareta Davis called the Board Meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Davis, Vice Chair Casas, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Weigel. Staff in Attendance: Jonathan Babiak, Human Resources Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. The minutes from the regular meeting of April 26, 2021 were approved on a vote of 6-0: Chair Davis motion, Commissioner Griffith second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Vice Chair Casas, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Weigel. Commissioner Areche, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Brienzi, Commissioner Garry Brown, and Commissioner Jamarr Brown were absent. NOTE: The audio recording of the meeting malfunctioned. This item will be returned to a future agenda for action. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action related to Campaign Zero’s 8 Can’t Wait initiative and recommending Austin Police Department address inappropriate use of force by implementing a Duty to Intervene policy for officers. (Casas/Davis) The Commission discussed this item. The Commission took no action on this item. b. Discussion and possible action on setting goals for July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. (Davis/Casas) The commission discussed this item. The Commission voted to continue the current goals unchanged for the coming year on a vote of 6–0: Chair Davis motion, Commissioner Griffith second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Vice Chair Casas, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Weigel. Commissioner Areche, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Brienzi, Commissioner Garry Brown, and Commissioner Jamarr Brown were absent. NOTE: The audio recording of the meeting malfunctioned. This item will be returned to a future agenda for action. 1 c. Discussion on the 2020-21 Annual Internal Review Report. (Davis/Casas) The Commission discussed this item. The Commission took no action on this item. d. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation regarding Public Health Crises and Vaccine Inequities. (Museitif/Davis) The Commission discussed this item. The amended recommendation was adopted on a vote of 6–0: Commissioner Museitif motion, Chair Davis second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Vice Chair Casas, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Weigel. Commissioner Areche, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Brienzi, Commissioner Garry Brown, and Commissioner Jamarr Brown were absent. NOTE: The audio recording …
REGULAR MEETING HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, July 26, 2021 The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, July 26, 2021 via teleconference in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Isabel Casas called the Board Meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Vice Chair Casas, Commissioner Brienzi, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Weigel. Staff in Attendance: Jonathan Babiak, Business Process Consultant, Office of Civil Rights CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. The minutes from the regular meeting of April 26, 2021 were approved on a vote of 6-0: Vice Chair Casas motion, Commissioner Museitif second. Voting in favor were Vice Chair Casas, Commissioner Brienzi, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Weigel. Chair Davis, Commissioner Areche, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Jamarr Brown, and Commissioner Griffith were absent. By unanimous consent, the Commission agreed to take up the minutes from the June 28, 2021 meeting at a future meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Introduction of Carol Johnson, Civil Rights Officer, City of Austin Office of Civil Rights, followed by discussion regarding Human Rights Commission and Office of Civil Rights. (Davis/Casas) Carol Johnson, Civil Rights Officer, City of Austin Office of Civil Rights addressed the Commission and answered questions. The Commission took no action on this item. 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action related to Campaign Zero’s 8 Can’t Wait initiative and recommending Austin Police Department address inappropriate use of force by implementing a Duty to Intervene policy for officers. (Casas/Davis) The Commission did not discuss this item due to a loss of quorum before this item was taken up during the meeting. The Commission took no action on this item. b. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation regarding Public Health Crises and Vaccine Inequities. (Museitif/Davis) 1 The Commission discussed this item. Commissioner Museitif moved adoption, Vice Chair Casas second. The Commission lost quorum during the discussion of this item. The Commission took no action on this item. c. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to City Council regarding funding a public information and outreach campaign regarding medically unnecessary treatments on individuals born with intersex traits or variations in sex characteristics. (Weigel/Davis) The Commission did not discuss this item due to a loss of quorum before this item was taken up during the meeting. The Commission took no action on this item. d. Discussion and possible …
3009 Bowman West Austin Case 1 Overview Request: Recommend against historic zoning. Code Criteria (Must Meet Two) 3009 Bowman Architecture Historic Association Archaeology Community Value Landscape Feature ? ? ✖ ✖ ✖ Staff Report: “[I]t is unlikely that Rev. Barclay would recognize the current building.” 2 A Question of Integrity: Architecture Staff Report: “[T]he new addition to the south dwarfs [the original part of the house] so there is a question of integrity here that the Commission needs to decide as to whether the house meets the architectural significance criterion at this point. 3 A Question of Integrity: Architecture Staff Report: “[I]t is unlikely that Rev. Barclay would recognize the current building as the home he and his wife occupied for over 20 years.” 4 Site Footprint 5 Original Significantly Altered Not Original Most of the façade is not original or is significantly altered. 6 Original Most of the façade is not original or is significantly altered. 7 Staff Report: “It is unlikely that Rev. Barclay would recognize the current building as the home he and his wife occupied for over 20 years.” 8 Staff Report: “It is unlikely that Rev. Barclay would recognize the current building as the home he and his wife occupied for over 20 years.” 9 Staff Report: “It is unlikely that Rev. Barclay would recognize the current building as the home he and his wife occupied for over 20 years.” 10 Staff Report: “It is unlikely that Rev. Barclay would recognize the current building as the home he and his wife occupied for over 20 years.” 11 Staff Report: “It is unlikely that Rev. Barclay would recognize the current building as the home he and his wife occupied for over 20 years.” 12 Staff Report: “It is unlikely that Rev. Barclay would recognize the current building as the home he and his wife occupied for over 20 years.” 13 Historic Association Historic Association: Rev. John Barclay • Pastor at Central Christian Church when LBJ was in the congregation. • Offered a prayer at the inauguration of LBJ/JFK (1961). Policy Questions for Consideration: • While Rev. Barclay, like many local leaders, knew LBJ, does this connection warrant historic designation? • If connection to LBJ is sufficient for historic designation, such a decision – when applied consistently – would likely result in designation (and tax exemption) for various other West Austin homes. 14 Condition: Lead Paint The …
Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Carla Penny Saturday, August 21, 2021 3:04 PM PAZ Preservation GF-21-103669 *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** I support protecting this historic house in Allandale from demolition. It's a lovely example of mid‐century modernism in home design use of newly deployed technologies. This home deserves preservation. It is also reflective of the mid‐century vibe of this particular part of Allandale. It would be a terrible loss to our community if it were not preserved. I live in a 1954 house a few blocks to the north of this property and have managed to update the interior without destroying the original design and aesthetic of the house. I believe this is possible at 2502 Park View as well. I would hope a commercially viable solution could be found that preserves the character and design of this important structure. Carla Penny 2500 Albata Ave, Austin, TX 78757 CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1
Historical Commission Case: A.2 • PR-2021-064188 Aug.23rd 2502 Park View Dr Joseph Reynolds 2611 West 49th Member Allandale Zoning Committee Commissioners, I support full historic recognition and designation for 2502 Park View. 2502 Park View was one of the experimental houses used to determine how residences could/should be air-conditioned. The experiment was to try various ways to install air conditioning, to determine what life effects it would have, to measure the electricity used to cool the houses - A/C was a change that resulted in housing booms in hot climate. Let me share my perspective. First, I have experience with experimental housing. During the mid-1960s I was leading a software effort at Tracor [Austin’s first ‘technology’ star and first ‘native’ Fortune-500 company] to use computer graphics to show what a future house would look like when inside/outside. At the time architects drew sketches of a building, and made detail ‘mechanical drawings’ of the structural elements. The computer graphics would be a big improvement over just showing a client plan-view drawings, and much cheaper than the sketches, or cardboard models in use. Computer graphics could be interactive. Tracor had professors from UT Architecture School consulting. That work got me involved in a 1969-1970 project called Ice City. Life-size experimental buildings were more useful than cardboard models, and could have ‘organic’ shapes. But, they needed to be discarded, and that was expensive disposal. So, Ice City would build the life-size models during freezing winter from ice-foam, which would just melt when the weather warmed. In 1970 we were doing what is now called 3-D Printing, but on a life-size scale. We also worked on ‘responsive rooms’ which was an attempt to have the building support activity occurring inside. We built instrumented rooms at what is now part of the Pickle Research center. My second perspective is that I’m old enough to have lived ‘before’ and ‘after’ air- conditioning. I was born December 1941. Our milkman in Dallas drove a horse-cart to deliver. By 1945 mom had a Servel brand ‘gas’ refrigerator; a little ‘pilot flame’ heated a bubble pump that compressed the refrigerant. To cool the house [best at night] there was a big fan in the ceiling of the hallway that sucked air in through the windows, and blew it out through the attic. The only cool buildings were department stores and movie theatres. Some still blew air across blocks of …
Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Sheryl Kelly Ginsburgh Saturday, August 21, 2021 9:42 PM PAZ Preservation 2502 Park View Drive *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution *** This was my home for 60 years. It has a gorgeous backyard. I was told that the new owners were not going to raze the house, and that was why it was sold to them. Maybe they re‐sold it and the new owners decided to raze it. The people who bought it from the builder got it for a good price because they said they were not going to tear it down. Again, maybe they re‐sold it. The home was old and did have issues. Please check City Council meeting records for details. One minute it was a Historical building, the next it wasn’t. PLEASE check Council Council meetings for the full story. Enter: 2502 Park View Drive, Austin Tx 78757 Austin City Council or some variation. It worked for me. It was a hotly debated topic. My vote is to try to keep the house and do necessary renovation. But I’m not the one paying for that!! Lots of good memories. The development was called Edge Wood because it truly was the outer limit of Austin! Please do not contact me. Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1
Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Carolyn Croom Saturday, August 21, 2021 11:09 PM PAZ Preservation; Little, Kelly - BC; Koch, Kevin - BC; Tollett, Blake - BC; Featherston, Witt; Heimsath, Ben - BC; Wright, Caroline - BC; Valenzuela, Sarah - BC; McWhorter, Trey - BC; Castillo, Anissa - BC; Larosche, Carl - BC; Myers, Terri - BC Concerning 2502 PARK VIEW DRIVE (GF-21-10366) *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Dear Members of the Historic Landmark Commission, I support preservation of the Mid‐Century Modern home at 2502 Park View Drive. As an excellent Modern residence, designed by a well‐known Austin architect, this house has significant historic and architectural value. In addition, it’s the best‐preserved home in the proposed Austin Air Conditioned Village Historic District and is also representative of the entire proposed District. The Austin Air Conditioned Village experiment was the first large‐scale and also largest project of test houses built in the 1950s to test the feasibility and affordability of air‐conditioning in homes affordable to middle‐class buyers. According to Preservation Austin, in comments to the Historical Landmark Commission, the Air Conditioned Village was not only a nationally‐significant study but also "an internationally‐renowned experiment in building innovation and social science." The residence is definitely the most modern in its design of the Air Conditioned Village houses, closest to the International Style of architecture and Arts & Architecture magazine’s Case Study houses, with a nearly flat roof and a very simple, clean execution. Other elements of mid‐century design in the house include site‐specific passive cooling strategies, clerestory windows, exposed roof beams, an asymmetrical, paneled facade, and distinctive patterned‐brick screening walls. The house is an early, outstanding example of architect Fred Day, who made a substantial contribution to Austin’s development. According to Preservation Austin, his "involvement in this high‐profile, and much celebrated project was an early victory in his 40‐year career.” A graduate of the UT School of Architecture, his contributions include the award‐winning Faulk Central Library, the Teachers Retirement System of Texas building, the Austin Doctors Building, the pro‐bono master plan and drawings for Laguna Gloria, and renovations to the UT Law School and Student Union. Notable buildings he designed outside Austin include the Visitors Center at the McDonald Observatory and the Hooper‐Schaeffer Fine Arts Center at Baylor University. He was president of AIA Austin and awarded an honorary Life Membership on the UT School of Architecture Advisory Council. He …
Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Kevin Smith Sunday, August 22, 2021 12:01 PM PAZ Preservation 2502 Park View Dr Demo Permit *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Commissioners and City Staff, I am writing today to express my support in preserving 2502 Park View Dr. This is a unique home, not only for its excellent architecture (which was designed by local architect Fred Day); or it exceeding the requirement to meet two of the five criteria for local landmark status. It is unique in that this proposed local landmark has National significance through its association with the Austin Air Condition Village experiment which was sponsored in part by the American Association of Homebuilders and the results of the Village help guide Federal lending practices to provide mortgages to homes with air conditioning. In addition to help preserve this home; it will also help preserve an affordable home. The last redevelopment that occurred on Park View Dr, sold for almost 5 times its original purchase price. I believe doing a partial rehabilitation of the home’s historic features coupled with the using entitlements offered through the code, to build a substantial addition (sympathetic to the design of the home) is a win‐win scenario and would offer a buyer a truly unique one of a kind property. Respectfully, Kevin Smith 2500 Park View Dr CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1
Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Kevin Smith Sunday, August 22, 2021 12:03 PM PAZ Preservation *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Commissioners and City Staff, As we are back in COVID‐19 Stage 5 restrictions, the volunteers and I did not feel it was prudent to potentially risk exposure by collecting signatures opposing the demolition of 2502 Park View Dr in person. Instead, like a lot of other things during the pandemic we turned to digital solution. We created a change.org petition, to help safely gather signatures. We also asked for the signatures of the petition to include their zip code so we have an idea of where the support for saving this potential local landmark with national significance. An added benefit of collecting signatures in this manner is it dove‐tails nicely with one of Local Landmark Criteria‐ Community Value. From the over 450 signatures of the petition, Thank you for your time and consideration. Kevin Attachments (2) CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 Name Carolyn Croom City Austin Megan Jones-Smith Austin 78756 US 78757-2103 US TX TX State Postal Code Country Commented Date 8/18/2021 8/18/2021 Comment "I live a few blocks away, at the same zip code as this wonderful home, 78757!" "We are already losing too much of Austin’s history in the push to develop and grow." Joe Reynolds Austin TX 78731 US 8/18/2021 "The houses of Air Conditioned Village are iconic artifacts of an important study, how to effectively include air-conditioning in single family homes. At the time of the study, air conditioning was limited to large places, like department stores, or movie theaters. Freon? Ammonia was the fluid used. Water cooling towers were needed to condense and recycle the refrigerant. How best to dispense the cool air around the house? How to insulate? There were many architecture and engineering issues. After the experiment more modern systems were designed, no more water towers; costs fell, soon A/C could fit into a window. The southern climate was conquered and life there changed.The houses are the equivalent of 1800s steam locomotives, or early 1900s airplanes, or 1958 transistors. They deserve national recognition and publicity." "This was a time in our country when hope and …
