Director’s Report January 2022 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS HIghlights __________________________________________________________________ 3 Facilities Services ____________________________________________________________ 5 FY2018 Bond Program Summary ___________________________________________________________ 5 FY2012 Bond Program Summary ___________________________________________________________ 7 Austin History Center ________________________________________________________ 10 Library Priorities ____________________________________________________________ 11 Literacy Advancement ___________________________________________________________________ 11 Digital Inclusion & STEM _________________________________________________________________ 11 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion _______________________________________________________________ 11 Civic and Community Engagement _________________________________________________________ 12 Staff Development ______________________________________________________________________ 12 Workforce and Economic Development ______________________________________________________ 12 APL By the Numbers ________________________________________________________ 13 Collections Circulation December __________________________________________________________ 13 HIGHLIGHTS 3 Austin Public Library Statement on Book Banning and Library Censorship The Austin Public Library stands with the entire library community in defense of the freedom to speak and the freedom to read, and opposed to censorship of any library materials. We remain committed to providing the entire Austin community with access to books, ideas, and knowledge, and to fostering a Library for All. “Freedom to read is a right that must be protected in our schools and public libraries, and we must not give in to the vocal few that want to speak for the many,” stated Austin Public Library Director Roosevelt Weeks. In October 2021, the Texas Library Association (TLA) noted a “substantial increase in censorship activity” in Texas libraries. In a statement from October 26, the TLA stated: “The Texas Library Association (TLA) holds that the freedom to read is a human right, protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. TLA believes that individuals have the right to free inquiry and the equally important right to form their own opinions. Freedom in selecting materials is a necessary safeguard to the freedom to read and shall be protected against irresponsible attempts by self-appointed censors to abridge it. Therefore, TLA opposes efforts that restrict the freedom to read through banning, removing, or other forms of restricting access to books or other materials.” In November 2021, the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) reported an “unprecedented volume” in challenges to books in the Fall of 2021. In a joint statement from the ALA’s Executive Board and the Boards of Directors for all of ALA’s eight divisions, the ALA said: “In recent months, a few organizations have advanced the proposition that the voices of the marginalized have no place on library shelves. To this end, they have launched campaigns demanding the censorship of books and resources that mirror the lives of those who are gay, …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2021 – 4:00 PM MEETING WILL BE HELD IN PERSON AT CITY HALL Council Chambers 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX 78701 Some members of the Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live. COMMISSION MEMBERS: x x x x x x Terri Myers, Chair Ben Heimsath, Vice Chair Anissa Castillo Witt Featherston Kevin Koch Carl Larosche x x x x ab Kelly Little Trey McWhorter Blake Tollett Beth Valenzuela Caroline Wright SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AGENDA CALL TO ORDER – 4:12 PM CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first (10) speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 15, 2021 – Offered for consent approval MOTION: Approve the minutes, per passage of the consent agenda, on a motion by Commissioner Little. Commissioner Larosche seconded the motion. Vote: 9-0, Commissioner Castillo off the dais. 2. PRESENTATIONS, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION A. Recognition of Steve Sadowsky for his service to the City of Austin 1 MOTION: Send Commission sentiments in a letter to Mr. Sadowsky, on a motion by Commissioner Heimsath. Commissioner Valenzuela seconded the motion. Vote: 10-0. B. Presentations, discussion, and possible recommendations to the Texas Historical Commission regarding National Register of Historic Places nominations on the January 15, 2022 State Board of Review agenda https://www.thc.texas.gov/sbrmeeting B.1. Clement’s Meat Market / The Sport Bar – 1200 E. 6th St. Council District 3 B.2. Chapel for the Children – 2203 W. 35th St. Council District 10 B.3. Parque Zaragoza – 2608 Gonzales St. Council District 3 Presenter: Kalan Contreras MOTION: Recommend all three Nominations to the Texas Historical Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Little. Commissioner Larosche seconded the motion. Vote: 10-0. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Discussion and Possible Action on Applications for Historic Zoning, Discussion and Action on Applications for Historic District Zoning, and Requests to Consider Initiation of Historic Zoning Cases A.1. No items. B. Discussion and Possible Action on Applications for Certificates of Appropriateness B.1. HR-2021-157034 – 3810 Duval St. – Consent (postponed November 15, 2021) Hyde Park Local Historic District Council District 9 Proposal: Construct additions to contributing house and noncontributing ADU. Applicant: Michael Diani City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 Committee Feedback: Make design changes to ensure …
Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: CLIFTON LADD Sunday, January 23, 2022 6:13 PM PAZ Preservation brenda Ladd Case number PR-2021-200516; GF 22-001167 for Demolition of 512 E Monroe; public hearing MONDAY, 1-24-22 at 6:00 PM Public Hearing Form Ladd.pdf; Untitled attachment 00035.htm; 512_E_Monroe_20220120-00 copy.jpeg; Untitled attachment 00038.htm; 512_E_Monroe_20220120-01 copy.jpeg; Untitled attachment 00041.htm Dear Ms. Allen ‐ I just left you a phone message a little while ago and would appreciate it if you could call me tomorrow. We received a notice of public hearing for an application for a demolition permit for 512 East Monroe St. while we were out of town January 16‐19, and I didn’t see it until Thursday the 20th. I don’t understand how the City of Austin could give less than one week notice before a public hearing for a demolition. I have made several attempts to find information about this proposed demolition at https://abc.austintexas.gov/web/permit/public‐search‐other using the case numbers listed in the notice (PR‐2021‐ 200516; GF 22‐001167), but it only returns the answer “No rows returned.” The sign announcing the public hearing was not posted on the property, as it was laying on the ground in the front yard when I went by to look on Thursday the 20th (see attached photo). This house is a good example of the architecture of the Travis Heights‐Fairview Park National Historic District. It is in very good condition and should be preserved as an important part of the neighborhood (see attached photo). I oppose the demolition of this valuable part of our historic neighborhood. Please contact me before the public hearing tomorrow night at 6:00. Thank you, Clifton Ladd 1509 Newning Avenue Please let me know if you have any information about this. ‐‐‐‐ Clif Ladd 1
Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: John L Trowbridge Sunday, January 23, 2022 11:51 PM PAZ Preservation Review case number PR-2021-200516 | GF 22-001167 *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Attn: AMBER ALLEN, Re: Review case number PR‐2021‐200516 | GF 22‐001167, I OBJECT to the requested demolition of the house structure @ 512 E Monroe St, Austin TX 78704. Public Hearing: Historic Landmark Commission, January 24th 2022 Review Case Number: GF 22‐001167 ‐ 512 E MONROE ST / PR‐2021‐200516 Contact: Amber Allen My name: John L Trowbridge My address: 508 E MONROE ST, Austin TX 78704 I reside within 500 feet of the property under review. I OBJECT to the requested demolition of the house structure @ 512 E Monroe St. My comments: I am property owner and resident of 508 E Monroe, the 2nd property west of 512. The former owner was my neighbor for 20 years. The current structure @ 512 is a charming bungalow with vintage architectural features, including exterior teardrop hardwood siding and interior shiplap walls. The house is structurally sound. It was built in 1928 with dense longleaf pine lumber, now almost 100 yrs old but with structural and aesthetic qualities superior to modern building materials. I oppose full demolition. I would love to see the new owner incorporate as much of the old structure as possible with whatever upgrade / expansion they need. A demolition at the property at the other end of the block @ 500 E Monroe was denied by this commission around 2008. After the builders completed the renovation, the house was designated as Austin’s 1st historic home to receive a 5‐Star green building rating. After renovations were completed the builder sent a letter of thanks to the very groups that opposed the demolition, as they received an abundance of praise and publicity and claimed that they ended up profiting more‐per‐square‐footage than they would have with an entirely new structure. The house next door at 502 E Monroe was later remodeled from 1 to 2 stories. I witnessed that home’s transformation which incorporated much of the original framing and enhanced the original charm still found in the dwindling number of older homes in the neighborhood. I’m also very concerned about the fate of 2 grand heritage Live Oak trees on the property, with trunk diameters of 53 & 44 inches. I’ve resided at my property in this neighborhood for 43 …
80 Rainey Historic Landmark Commission January 24, 2022 1 Project Team Developer: Architect: Landscape Architect: Civil Engineer: Agent: Lincoln Ventures Pappageorge Haymes TBG Partners Wuest Group Drenner Group 2 Current Use Food truck lot, bar and small office. 3 < 7 8 R a i n e y 8 4 R a i n e y > 4 5 Paseo Connection to MACC 6 Paseo Connection to MACC 7 8 < 7 8 R a i n e y 8 4 R a i n e y > 9 10 Project Facts Address: Lot Size: Zoning: 78-84 Rainey Street 0.66 acres / 28,814 square feet Central Business District (CBD) Rainey Street Entitled Height: DDBP Allowable Height: Proposed Height: 40 feet Unlimited 546 feet / 49 floors CBD Zoning Entitled FAR: DDBP Allowable FAR: Proposed DDBP FAR: 8:1 15:1 20:1 On-Site Affordable Square Feet: Affordable Housing Trust Fund Contribution: 16,435 SF $1,052,273 11 12 Paseo gateway art by local artist 13 14 15 16 NORTHWEST VIEW 17 WEST VIEW 18 SOUTHWEST VIEW 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
3621 Windsor Tarrytown Case 1 Tarrytown Case Summary The owner has requested a demolition permit for 3621 Windsor Rd., a Tarrytown residence. 2 Tarrytown Case Summary The owner has requested a demolition permit for 3621 Windsor Rd., a Tarrytown residence. Staff has argued that the structure may meet the architectural and historic association criteria. 3 Tarrytown Case Summary The owner has requested a demolition permit for 3621 Windsor Rd., a Tarrytown residence. Staff has argued that the structure may meet the architectural and historic association criteria. However, the structure has been meaningfully expanded and changed over time – and staff’s basis for historic association raises equity-related policy questions. 4 This Tarrytown residence was owned by oilwoman philanthropist Alma Thomas. It was built in the late 1940s for $52,500 – roughly 12 times the median home value at that time. This is the structure as it existed the year Alma Thomas passed – it included a main house and servants’ quarters. 6 This is the structure as it today – meaningful work has been done to expand and change it. 7 Historic Association Rationale: Equity Implications Staff argues that Alma Thomas’ status as an oilwoman and local philanthropist is sufficient to warrant historic designation for this structure. 8 Historic Association Rationale: Equity Implications Staff argues that Alma Thomas’ status as an oilwoman and local philanthropist is sufficient to warrant historic designation for this structure. However, adopting this rationale would disproportionately favor historic designation in affluent West Austin, where residents had a much greater capacity to participate in large-scale philanthropy. 9 Historic Association Rationale: Equity Implications Staff argues that Alma Thomas’ status as an oilwoman and local philanthropist is sufficient to warrant historic designation for this structure. However, adopting this rationale would disproportionately favor historic designation in affluent West Austin, where residents had a much greater capacity to participate in large-scale philanthropy. This would also provide these affluent areas with tax exemptions and abatements. In other words, past wealth would be used as a basis for shifting today’s tax burden onto less affluent Austinites. 10 Already, there are six historic landmarks with a half-mile of this property. 11 Supporting Conditions Alma Thomas Has Been Appropriately Honored by Southwestern University. Southwestern University has honored Thomas with the Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center, connecting her to the work she did and the causes she supported. Alma Thomas’ Granddaughter Opposes Historic Designation. Thomas’ granddaughter has …
Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Epps, Patience L Saturday, January 22, 2022 8:25 AM PAZ Preservation Protest to the demolition permit application for Case No. GF 22-001028 607 E. 38th St. *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Dear Ms. Allen, I am emailing to protest the demolition permit application for Case No. GF 22‐001028 607 E. 38th St. I live within 500 feet of this property. This is a historic house that offers an affordable rental option, which is becoming more and more rare in our neighborhood. The planned demolition and new building will compromise the character of the neighborhood and will undoubtedly further limit the affordable housing options in the area. All best, Patience Epps 508 E 38 1/2 St Austin TX 78751 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
LIBRARY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220124-5a: Eliminate Late Fees at Austin Public Library Seconded By: Commissioner Infante Date: January 24, 2022 Subject: Eliminate Late Fees at Austin Public Library Motioned By: Commissioner Smith Recommendation Eliminate Late Fees at Austin Public Library Description of Recommendation to Council Requesting that the Austin City Council use their budgetary authority to eliminate the collection of fees for Austin Public Library materials that are returned late. Rationale: The Austin Public Library vision statement assures that “all members of the Austin community have equal access to Library services and programs.” But the practice of assessing fines for overdue materials presents a barrier to that vision. Overdue fines are a regressive and unnecessary policy that most negatively impacts the Austinites in each Council District who are least able to pay. Accumulated overdue fines lead to blocked library accounts, further restricting access to libraries over what are often small amounts of money. Once users accrue just $25 in fines, they are referred to outside collection agencies, enriching these private entities at taxpayer expense and further damaging the credit standing of our city’s residents in pursuit of an unnecessary fee. Recognizing that late fees disproportionately affect low-income patrons, the American Library Association passed a resolution in 20191 urging libraries nationwide to actively move towards eliminating these fees. Studies have consistently shown that discontinuing the assessment of fines for overdue materials does not decrease return rates, and in fact may increase library card adoption and library usage. In 2019, APL eliminated overdue fines for children’s materials with no negative effects. 386 U.S. city library systems have now taken this simple and practical step to serve their populations more equitably. Among some of the larger metropolitan libraries eliminating late fees include systems in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle. Here in Texas, the public library systems in San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth and New Braunfels have stopped assessing late fees. 1 of 2 Users w Overdue Fees, 2018-21 COA District APL Users with Overdue Fees 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1,409 1,127 1,811 939 1,852 1,312 1,705 1,455 2,526 1,443 In light of the City’s goals to increase equity and access to services, it is also time for Austin to make this change. Libraries are one of the last free public spaces open to all Austinites. Limiting their use by lower-income Austinites to maintain an …
