Downtown Commission Regular Meeting of the Downtown Commission - October_20_2021_Downtown_Commission_Regular_Meeting

Downtown Commissioner Agenda for 10/20/2021 meeting — original pdf

DOWNTOWN COMMISSION OCTOBER 20, 2021, TIME: 5:30 p.m. Austin City Hall, Boards and Commission Room 1101 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: August Harris, Chair Christopher Lehman, Vice Chair Megan Meisenbach, Commissioner Chris Kanipe, Commissioner Melissa Henao-Robledo, Commissioner Mike Lavigne, Commissioner Preston Reine Commissioner Josh Lickteig, Commissioner Laura Templeton, Commissioner Joel Sher, Commissioner Christopher Limon, Commissioner Ben Heimsath, Commissioner Kelan Robinson, Commissioner kYmberly Keeton, Commissioner David Gomez, Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby, Commissioner Kimberly Taylor, Commissioner AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. Approval of Minutes of the September 15, 2021 Meeting Minutes  Discussion and Possible Action (5 minutes) 2. New Business – Discussion and Possible Action a. Cypress and Shoal Creek Public Space Strategy: Presentation by Nina Rinaldi, Shoal Creek Conservancy b. Safer Sixth Street Initiative: Presentation by Brian Block, Development Services Department c. Discussion and possible action on the 2022 Downtown Commission Meeting Schedule voting members: d. Update from Working Groups i. Downtown Austin Plan Working Group ii. Austin Convention Center Expansion Working Group 3. Old Business – Items from representatives of collaborating commissions including non- a. Update from Commissioner Melissa Henao-Robledo on recent activities and actions taken by the Design Commission b. Update from Commissioner Ben Heimsath on recent activities and actions taken by the Historic Landmark Commission c. Update from Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby on recent activities and actions taken by the Urban Transportation Commission d. Update from Commissioner kYmberly Keeton on recent activities and actions e. Update from Commissioner Christopher Limon on recent activities and actions taken by the Arts Commission taken by the Music Commission f. Update from Commissioner Kimberly Taylor on recent activities and actions taken by the Parks & Recreation Board g. Update from Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez on recent activities and actions taken by the Public Safety Commission 4. Potential Future Agenda Items The Commission may discuss and identify future agenda items, topics, or presentations 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 …

Agenda_Item_2(a)_backup — original pdf

RESOLUTION NO. 20210729-175 WHEREAS, Sixth Street, once referred to as Pecan Street, was a center of Downtown commerce and offered an array of services and businesses; and WHEREAS, Sixth Street is defined as the area that begins at the intersection of IH-35 and Fifth Street; north along IH-35 to the intersection of Seventh Street (East); west along Seventh Street (East) to Congress Avenue; south along Congress Avenue to Fifth Street (East); east along Fifth Street (East) to IH-35, the place ofbeginning; and WHEREAS, bars and nighttime music venues currently dominate the uses on historic Sixth Street; and crowds and much activity; and WHEREAS, especially on weekend evenings, Sixth Street generates large WHEREAS, the area is known to attract and encourage certain at-risk practices, such as excessive binge drinking, which has contributed to the perception of an unsafe and volatile environment; and WHEREAS, while the wide swathe of empty space created by weekend street closures provides opportunities for pedestrians to walk without interacting with vehicles, it also provides ample space and opportunity for less positive activity, including fighting and alcohol-fueled violence; and WHEREAS, Austin Police Department regularly takes possession of illegal guns among individuals present along Sixth Street on weekend evenings; and Page 1 of 7 WHEREAS, in recent months, Sixth Street has been the site of multiple fatal shootings, including a mass shooting on June 12,2021, that left one ilidividual dead and others seriously wounded; and WHEREAS, in the last decade, several studies conducted by non-city entities have recommended changes that could make Sixth Street safer for all who live, work, and recreate there, though these reports were apparently never shared with the full City Council; and WHEREAS, in 2009, the Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) facilitated a process with more than 60 stakeholders from the Downtown faith community, hotels, area colleges and universities, South by Southwest, the real estate industry, and including city staff from the Austin Police Department, Emergency Medical Services, Planning, Solid Waste Services, and other departments; and WHEREAS, the resulting report, "Managing the Nighttime Economy, " recommended specific short- and long-term strategies for improving perceptions of safety, creating "visible systems of order," and achieving other goals essential to maintaining and enhancing a thriving Downtown historic district; and WHEREAS, while City Council or staff have initiated and implemented several action items, such as the installation of public restrooms and a Downtown wayfinding system, other major recommendations related to …