DOWNTOWN COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 2022, TIME: 5:30 p.m. Austin City Hall, Council Chamber, Room 1001 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 via 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 the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register, please contact mona.sanchez@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-7864. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: August Harris, Chair Christopher Lehman, Vice Chair Nelly Paulina Ramirez Cynthia Weatherby Jen Weaver Josh Lickteig Joel Sher Ben Heimsath Kelan Robinson CALL TO ORDER Ed Ishmael David Gomez Megan Meisenbach Kimberly Taylor Mike Lavigne Preston Reine Laura Templeton Amy Wong Mok Scott Strickland 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES STAFF BRIEFINGS Connect Office. Department. 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission September 21, 2022, meeting. 2. Staff briefing on Project Connect and related ordinance proposal, Donna Galati, Project 3. Staff briefing on the Palm District Plan, Mark Walters, Housing & Planning DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion and possible action on Project Connect and related ordinance proposal. 5. Discussion and possible action on the Palm District Plan. 6. Discussion and possible action on the Downtown Commission 2023 meeting schedule. DISCUSSION ITEMS 7. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Design Commission 8. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Historic Landmark Commission 9. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Urban Transportation Commission 10. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Arts Commission 11. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Music Commission 12. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Parks & Recreation Board 13. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Public Safety Commission FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 …
Austin Transportation Department Shared Micro-Mobility Program Update Jason Redfern, Parking Enterprise Manager Joseph Al-hajeri, Program Manager BRIEFING OVERVIEW Quick History Data Management/Analysis Program Regulation & Fees Safety and Infrastructure Licenses and Devices Enforcement/Compliance Data Trends Program Success Future Program Enhancements MICRO-MOBILITY HISTORY IN AUSTIN 2018 - 2021 Fall 2018 Final Director Rules adopted May 2019 Ordinance 14-9 revised to allow licensing and permitting November 2021 Device cap + reduced speed requirement April 2018 Scooters deployed in Austin – Emergency rules adopted to regulate service December 2018 Adopted new fee of $0.15 per trip October 2021 Adopted application fee and adjusted trip fee to range of $0.15 - $0.40. SHARED MICRO-MOBILITY PROGRAM REGULATION & FEES REGULATION CITY APPROVED FEES Texas Transportation Code, Title 7 • Chapter 551. - Operation of bicycles and mopeds, golf carts, and other low-powered vehicles. Title 14 Use of Streets and Public Property • §14-9-23 - City-wide dockless transportation • §14-9-24 - City-wide dockless transportation license authorized. unit placement plan. revocation. • §14-9-25 - License amendment, suspension, or Title 12 Traffic Enforcement • §12-2 - Micro-Mobility Devices and Bicycles. Fee Type Fee Amount Note License Fee $1,500 per year New since FY 22/23 Per Device Fee $80 per device/ per year Increased from $60 in FY22/23 Trip Fee $0.15 - $0.40 per trip Currently $0.15 and evaluating an escalating fee process. Fee range approved FY22/23 SHARED MICRO-MOBILITY PROGRAM CURRENT LICENSES AND DEVICE TYPES Stand-Up Scooter Licensed Companies 4 Device Permits 14,100 Permit Breakdown by Device Type 11,850 Sit-Down Scooter E-Bike Program Adjustments (as of fall 2021) • Moratorium on device permit increases in downtown • Required reduction of speed from 20mph – 15mph • Increased enforcement 1,750 500 WHAT THE DATA SAYS 600,000 500,000 400,000 I S P R T 300,000 200,000 100,000 - Micro-Mobility Scooter & E-Bike Trips By Month (2018-2021) SXSW ACL COVID Restrictions ACL SXSW E-Bike Scooter MONTH/YEAR DATA MANAGEMENT/ ANALYSIS Third Party Data Management Data Quality / Planning Tools Increased Public Data Availability & Protection of PII SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE • Upgrading micromobility parking corrals – Increasing visibility and awareness using 2020 Mobility Bond. • Use of new combined data to better understand critical safety and infrastructure enhancements. • Contributed to device standards for commercial electric scooters to define required safety standards for devices. • Geofencing and in-app approaches to limit speeds, inform riders of parking areas and where not to leave devices. …
RESOLUTION NO. 20211029-003 WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan ("ASMP") (Ordinance No. 20190411-033) is the transportation element of the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan and calls for a 50/50 mode share by 2039, which includes increasing use of sustainable modes such as walking, bicycling, teleworking and transit; WHEREAS, City Council adopted Resolution No. 20190808-081 directing the City Manager to "analyze and report on options for the City of Austin and other related or interested public or private entities to leverage resources to support the creation, operation, and maintenance of a high-capacity transit system"; WHEREAS, Austin voters approved Project Connect, the regional high- capacity transit system, on November 3,2020; WHEREAS, on December 18,2020, the City of Austin and the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority created a local government corporation named the Austin Transit Partnership Local Government Corporation to aid the City and Capital Metro and act on their behalf to accomplish the governmental purpose of implementing the Project Connect System Plan; WHEREAS, in a report entitled Saving Time and Making Cents: A Blueprintfor Building Transit Better ("Eno Report"), published in 2021, the Eno Center for Transportation identified local regulation, permitting, and decision- making procedures throughout the United States as an obstacle to achieving viable, cost-effective transit systems on par with those of peer nations; WHEREAS, noting that local development codes are generally ill- suited to the nature and scale of mass transit, the Eno Report found that jurisdictions that have successfully constructed mass transit systems apply modified regulations and review procedures to accommodate the unique challenges Page 1 0f 3 transit construction presents and the ways it differs from private development or conventional transportation and public works projects; WHEREAS, the City ofAustin's Land Development Code does not provide for the design and permitting of linear construction required for mobility and transit facilities that encompass large areas, include subsurface and above-ground elements, and span multiple zoning districts and watersheds; WHEREAS, greater flexibility and more carefully tailored regulations are required to facilitate construction of Project Connect; WHEREAS, City staff routinely interprets and applies City Code to development and capital improvement applications; WHEREAS, the Land Development Code, existing regulations, criteria, and procedures should be flexibly applied to facilitate construction of Project Connect to the greatest extent possible until existing requirements can be amended; WHEREAS, there are Project Connect MetroRapid and MetroRail projects currently moving forward in advance of the Orange and Blue Line light rail projects; …
EXHIBIT B – Rail Construction Noise and Mitigation Plan Requirements The Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) will submit the required components listed below to be reviewed and approved by City Staff. City Staff will review the plan to ensure that all required components are present in the plan and are satisfactory to City Staff before approval. ATP commits to adhere and ensure that contracted parties responsible for light rail construction activities adhere to the policies and procedures housed within the submitted plans. The following components are required: 1. Construction Noise Mitigation and Monitoring Plan Construction noise impacts will be documented in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), completed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Mitigation measures identified in the Mitigation Monitoring Plan, affirmed in the FEIS and Record of Decision, will be included in contract documents, monitored for implementation during final design and construction. Measures to minimize impacts will include, but are not limited to: • • • Sound monitoring during construction Limiting idling and back up alarms of equipment Limiting certain activities during certain times 2. Noise Control Plan Requirements for Contractors during Construction ATP will require all contractors to submit a Noise Control Plan as part of their contract that addresses mitigation for their specific schedule, equipment, and methods of construction. ATP will submit their requirements of contractors for this plan to the City. The requirements will include, but are not limited to: Schedule (dates and times of day) and methods of construction • Contractor’s specific equipment types • • Maximum noise limits for each piece of equipment with certification testing • Prohibitions on certain types of equipment and processes during the night or daytime hours • • Methods for projecting construction noise levels • • Methods for responding to community complaints in line with the Programmatic Project Identification of specific sensitive locations near construction sites Implementation of noise control measures where appropriate Communications Plan. 3. Programmatic Project Communications Plan This plan will contain requirements for programmatic communications including how the program will communicate to the public about construction impacts and timelines, posting of public-facing materials, procedures for submission of noise and construction impact complaints, and how complaints will be handled. • This plan will be adhered to by all contractors for the program. This plan will dictate high-level requirements that ensure consistency of information, noticing, monitoring, reporting, and responding to complaints. Items that are …
INITIAL INVESTMENT | August 2021 SOUTHEND Lago Vista Pickup Zone FOUR POINTS OHLEN B u r n e t R d NORTHCROSS R R E E D D L L I I N N E E LBJ High School E E N N I I L L N N E E E E R R G G To Hutto 130 TOLL ELGIN ELGIN MANOR MANOR WILDHORSE WILDHORSE WILDHORSE LEANDER LEANDER LAKELINE LAKELINE LAKELINE HOWARD HOWARD To Georgetown Pflugerville Pickup Zone Stoney Creek Park TECH RIDGE TECH RIDGE TECH RIDGE TRANSIT CENTER TRANSIT CENTER TRANSIT CENTER 45 TOLL PARMER PARMER Howard Ln 325 Walnut Creek Metro Park PARMER ACC Northridge BROADMOOR/DOMAIN BROADMOOR/DOMAIN BRAKER LN BRAKER KRAMER MCKALLA MCKALLA M e t r i c B l RUTLAND CROSSROADS LOOP 360 CRESTVIEW CRESTVIEW CRESTVIEW A A B B M M N N U U E E D D R R N N N N O O C C E E A A H H T T K K A A T T C C H H O O A A I I L L L L ALLANDALE KOENIG KOENIG NORTH LOOP TEXAS HEALTH COMMISSION A A C C C C H H I I G G H H L L A A N N D D T T O O T T E E C C H H R R I I D D G G E E RUNDBERG 325 Rundberg Ln NORTH LAMAR NORTH LAMAR NORTH LAMAR TRANSIT CENTER TRANSIT CENTER TRANSIT CENTER 325 10 N L a m a r B l St Johns Ave 300 E x p o s i t i o n B l 335 Seton Hospital L a m a r B l UT/WEST MALL UT/WEST MALL Enfield Rd DOWNTOWN AREA DELCO CENTER DELCO CENTER d r R o n a M SPRINGDALE SHOPPING CENTER PHILOMENA BERKMAN/ MUELLER M LK Bl Oak Springs Dr ACC EASTVIEW GOVALLE GOVALLE HIGHLAND HIGHLAND HIGHLAND HIGHLAND TRIANGLE TRIANGLE TRIANGLE TRIANGLE 7 HYDE HYDE PARK PARK HEMPHILL HEMPHILL PARK PARK ST. DAVID’S 20 University of Texas S a n J a c i n t o B MEDICAL MEDICAL SCHOOL SCHOOL l 7 10 CAPITOL CAPITOL EAST EAST CLARKSON HANCOCK 38½ St AIRPORT BLVD MLK Dell Seton Hospital MLK 2 COMAL Emma Long Metro Park LOOP 360 WHELESS EXPO EXPO COLONY PARK COLONY PARK TOWN CENTER 51st St 300 WESTMINSTER …
PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR PROJECT CONNECT ORDINANCE DRAFT SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL CHANGES PART 1. Project Connect is the City’s high-capacity transit system expansion, which will ultimately consist of multiple light rail lines, a downtown subway, an expanded bus system, and associated transportation terminals. To facilitate the construction of this critical transportation infrastructure, certain modifications and waivers to City Code are necessary to ensure that construction of a high-capacity transit system is completed in a timely manner. PART 2. This ordinance and the attached Exhibits A and B consist of the “Transit System Regulations”. Development of the Transit System shall conform to the limitations and conditions set forth in this ordinance. If this ordinance and the attached exhibits conflict, this ordinance controls. Except as otherwise provided by this ordinance, all other rules, regulations, and ordinances of the City apply. PART 3. The attached exhibits are incorporated into this ordinance in their entirety as though set forth fully in the text of this ordinance. The exhibits are as follows: A. B. Transit System Exhibit Transit System Noise and Mitigation Plan Requirements PART 4. Definitions. A) Transit System Project means a transportation project with any related appurtenances, including but not limited to a rail and public transit line, rail station, or a transportation terminal, funded by a public entity that is located on publicly owned land, either in fee or public easement and generally depicted on attached Exhibit A. B) Unless otherwise specifically defined, all terms in this ordinance shall have the meaning established in Title 25 of Code of the City of Austin, Texas (the “Land Development Code”). PART 5. Any construction activities associated with a Transit System Project must comply with a noise and mitigation plan approved by the City that meets the requirements listed in Exhibit B. To the extent there is a conflict with Chapter 9-2 (Noise and Amplified Sound), the Transit System Noise and Mitigation Plan will control. PART 6. Transit System Uses A) The use of a site for a traction powered substation is a Local Utility Service use as described in 25-2-6(28). PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR PROJECT CONNECT ORDINANCE DRAFT SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL CHANGES B) The use of a site for the provision of maintenance, repair, vehicular or equipment servicing, material storage, or similar activities for light rail lines is a Maintenance and Facilities use as described in 25-2-6 (29). PART 7. Code Modifications. The following code modifications …
Downtown Commission Meeting Austin Police Department – Update Wednesday, September 21, 2022 Eric Fitzgerald, Commander - Downtown Area Command eric.fitzgerald@austintexas.gov Topics • Overall Safety in the Downtown Area Command • Homelessness in the Downtown Area and APD’s role • Alternative Transportation (Scooter) Incidents • 911 vs. 311 Overall Safety Actual Safety – Protecting people’s physical welfare. Perceived Safety – The community might be safe, but a history of unsafe incidents and personal experiences might make them feel otherwise. *Maintaining both is critical in maintaining trust and credibility with the community. Violent Crime Data DTAC Part 1 Violent Crime 1/1/2021- 9/19/2022 Homicide Sexual Assualt Robbery Agg. Assault Part 1 Violent Crime Total 2021 (YTD) 2022 (YTD) Change 2021 2022 (YTD) Change 2021-2022 (YTD) Total 12 100 131 259 502 0% -15% -2% -36% -23% 20% 12% 35% -7% 7% 6 46 65 101 218 6 54 66 158 284 5 41 48 109 203 6 46 65 101 218 Property Crime Data DTAC Part 1 Property Crime 1/1/2021- 9/19/2022 Burglary of Residence/Non-Residence Auto Theft Burgalry of Vehicle Theft Simple Assault Part 1 Property Crime Total 2021 (YTD) 2022 (YTD) Change 2021 2022 (YTD) Change 2021-2022 Total 229 324 706 1660 1434 4353 135 6% 177 21% 440 -12% 952 3% 833 -2% 0% 2537 -30% -17% -40% -26% -28% -28% 94 147 266 708 601 1816 89 121 303 687 615 1815 94 147 266 708 601 1816 Highlights • Aggravated Assaults are down -7% YTD from 2021 • Burglary of Vehicles are down -12% YTD from 2021 • Robbery is up 35% YTD from 2021 • Auto Theft is up 21% YTD from 2021 • Sexual Assault is up 12% YTD from 2021 Shots Fired Data DTAC Shots Fired Calls for Service Shots Fired Calls 2021 (YTD) 2022 (YTD) Change 2021 2022 (YTD) Change 2021-2022 Total 87 55 -42% 32 42 32 -24% *Shots fired calls, officer-involved shootings, shooting urgent calls, etc. In 2021-2022, 24%(21/87) of DTAC Shots Fired Calls occurred in the area of 5th to 8th St. between Red River St and Brazos St. 2021 & 2022 Shots Fired Map Gun Arrest Data DTAC Gun Arrests by Possession Offense 1/1/2021- 9/19/2022 Possession of Firearm by Felon Unlawful Carrying Weapon 2021 (YTD) 2022 (YTD) Change 2021 2022 (YTD) Change 2021-2022 Total 54 30 195 106 31% 136 -20% -16% 33% 31% 24 89 18 68 24 89 -17% 113 …
