DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MAY 18, 2022, TIME: 5:30 p.m. Austin City Hall, Boards and Commission Room 1101 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Downtown Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon May 17 is required for remote participation. To register, please contact mona.sanchez@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-7864. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: August Harris, Chair Christopher Lehman, Vice Chair Megan Meisenbach, Commissioner Vacant, Commissioner Jen Weaver, Commissioner Josh Lickteig, Commissioner Joel Sher, Commissioner Ben Heimsath, Commissioner Amy Wong Mok, Commissioner CALL TO ORDER David Gomez, Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby, Commissioner Kimberly Taylor, Commissioner Mike Lavigne, Commissioner Preston Reine Commissioner Laura Templeton, Commissioner Christopher Limon, Commissioner Kelan Robinson, Commissioner AGENDA PUBLIC 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 April 20, 2022, Meeting Minutes Discussion and Possible Action (5 minutes) 2. New Business – Discussion and Possible Action a. North Congress Avenue Plaza: State Preservation Board b. Downtown Homelessness Activity c. Downtown Public Improvement District Authorization 3. Old Business – a. Staff Updates b. Items from representatives of collaborating commissions including non-voting members: i. Update from Commissioner Jen Weaver on recent activities and actions taken by the Design Commission ii. Update from Commissioner Ben Heimsath on recent activities and actions taken by the Historic Landmark Commission iii. Update from Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby on recent activities and actions taken by the Urban Transportation Commission iv. Update from Commissioner Amy Wong Mok on recent activities and actions taken by the Arts Commission v. Update from (vacant position) on recent activities and actions taken by the Music Commission vi. Update from Commissioner Kimberly Taylor on recent activities and actions taken by the Parks & Recreation Board vii. Update from Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez on recent activities and actions taken by the Public Safety Commission 4. Potential Future Agenda Items Adjournment The Commission may discuss and identify future agenda items, topics, or presentations. The City of Austin is committed to …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Downtown Commission Recommendation Number: 20220518-2c Downtown Public Improvement District Authorization The Downtown Commission recommends that the Austin City Council support the authorization of the Downtown Public Improvement District. Commissioner Joel Sher Seconded By: Commissioner Ralph Ishmael Date of Approval: May 18, 2022 For: Chair August Harris, Vice Chair Christopher Lehman, Commissioner Ralph Ishmael, Commissioner Laura Templeton, Commissioner Joel Sher, Commissioner Megan Meisenbach, Absent: Commissioner Kelan Robinson, Commissioner Josh Lickteig, Commissioner Mike Lavigne. Commissioner Preston Reine was off the dais. Vacant: Commissioner District 3 Attest: Christine Maguire, Commission Executive Liaison, Economic Development Department Christine Maguire, Economic Development Department Recommendation Motioned By: Vote 6-0 Against: None Abstain: None
Downtown Commission May 18, 2022 D I A N N A G R E Y, H O M E L ES S S T R AT EGY O F F I C E R Today’s Topics Camping Ordinance HEAL Initiative Summit & American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Investment Framework Homelessness Social Service & Housing Solicitations Housing Production Cold Weather Shelter & Crisis Shelter Downtown Austin Alliance: Monthly Unsheltered Homeless Count Public Space Management Summary of Local & State Public Camping Laws Proposition B – Effective 5/11/2021 HB 1925 – Effective 9/1/2021 Phased implementation. COA routes citations or arrests through the Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC). COA routes citations or arrests through the Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC). § 9‐4‐11 Prohibited Public Camping • Establishes a misdemeanor offense if a person camps in a public area that is not designated as a camping area by the Parks and Recreation Department. § 9‐4‐13 Prohibited Solicitation • A person commits an offense if the person solicits in an aggressive manner. § 9‐4‐14 Prohibited Sitting or Lying in Downtown Area Establishes a State‐wide prohibition on public camping. Defines responsibility for storage of personal belongings. Creates pathway for local entities to apply to State for approval of designated and resourced camping locations. Local entities found by a court to be in violation of the law will lose all State grant funds for a period of two years. 242 citations or individual enforcement actions as of 4/22/2022 HEAL Initiative Housing‐Focused Encampment Assistance Link Encampments Receiving HEAL Intervention to Date Terrazas Branch Library Menchaca/Ben White underpass 183/Oak Knoll underpass Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail (near Buford Tower) Old San Antonio Road/Slaughter Creek IH‐35 Frontage Road/St. Johns Avenue West Bouldin Creek (near Dougherty Arts Center & Alliance Children’s Garden) St. John Neighborhood Park Gillis Park Fiscal Year 2022 Goal: Actual through 5/17/22: Inception to date: Shelter Acceptance Rate: 200 Served 119 256 90% Race Equity: HEAL Relative to the Homeless and Travis County Population Hispanic / Latin(o(a)(x) 34% 27% 11% 8% 37% 40% Black / African American White 55% 49% 72% 0% 10% 20% Travis County 30% 50% 60% 70% 80% HEAL 40% Homelessness Population The Summit Investment Plan A summary of the outcomes and investments by category People Served or Housing Units Year 1 1,008 Year 3 2,089 Year 2 …
