REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Wednesday January 15, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, 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 register, please contact Christi Vitela at Christi.Vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. telephone. To CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: August Harris, Chair Ed Ishmael, Vice Chair Peter Breton David Carroll Liz Coufal Mike Lavigne Kimberly Levinson Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd CALL TO ORDER Jennifer Franklin Carl Larosche Amy Mok Anne Charlotte Patterson Nelly Paulina Ramírez Spencer Schumacher 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 December 18, 2024. 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular called meeting on DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation on the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy by Melissa Ayala, Vice President of Government Relations, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy. 3. Presentation regarding the East 6th Street Pilot Closure and an update on street closure security measures and pedestrian safety equipment, Christopher Juusola, Lieutenant, Austin Police Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve a Recommendation to Council to immediately appropriate funds for the purchase of safety barricades, associated equipment and training and prioritize future funding for additional barricades if needed. 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 Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk, at (512) 974-2792 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Downtown Commission, please contact Christi Vitela at christi.vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792.
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, December 18, 2024 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, December 18, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at City Hall, 301W 2nd St, in a hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE August Harris, Chair Ed Ishmael, Vice-Chair Liz Coufal Charles Peveto Kimberly Levinson Sania Shifferd COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Peter Breton Jennifer Franklin Amy Mok Nelly Paulina Ramírez Spencer Schumacher CALL TO ORDER Chair Harris called the meeting of the Downtown Commission to order at 5:34 pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 20, 2024. 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular called meeting on The minutes from the meeting on November 20, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Vice Chair Ishmael’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Shifferd was off the dais. Commissioners Carroll and Lavigne were absent. Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes DISCUSSION ITEM DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 2. Presentation and discussion regarding the Downtown Austin Plan. Presentation by Chad Sharrard, Senior Planner, Planning Department. The presentation was made by Chad Sharrard, Senior Planner, Planning Department. 3. Approve additional membership to the Downtown Austin Plan Working Group. The motion to approve adding Commissioner Coufal to the Downtown Austin Plan Working Group was approved on Vice Chair Ishmael’s motion, Commissioner Shifferd’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Levinson was off the dais. Commissioners Carroll and Lavigne were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Waterloo Greenway Multi modal improvements – Seaholm Discussion on possible changes to Downtown Commission and South Central Waterfront Advisory Board. ADJOURNMENT Chair Harris adjourned the meeting at 6:18 pm without any objection.
Palm Park COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW Context: Waterloo Greenway Engagement Report PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT REPORT Available Online waterloogreenway.org/future Engagement Phases 1 2 3 GROUNDING June 2023–August Complete ENVISIONING September–November Complete CO-CREATING December–April 2024 Complete Project Launches Planning & Outreach Begins Outreach Continues Small Group Conversations (5) Review & Analyze Data Design Scenarios Gallery Walk Open Houses (2) Pop-Up Activity: Creek Show Virtual Survey Planning Phase III Phase III Outreach Public Meeting (1) Project Report Engagement Timeline JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2024 Project Launch Phase I Outreach Begins Virtual Survey Launches Small Group Conversations (Mtg #2) Creek Show Pop-Up Phase III Planning Gallery Walk Open Houses (Mtg #1) Public Meeting (Mtg #3) Summary Report Phase II Outreach Begins Engagement Strategies Tabling Events Flyering Block Walking Email Campaigns Partner Promotion Community Leader Outreach Marketing (social media, e-newsletters, press) Engagement - Overview SMALL GROUP CONVOS SURVEYS DESIGN CONVOS 93 93 30 9 Spanish Speakers + 84 English Speakers 54 Virtual + 39 Paper Surveys Completed 109 Comments 11 Palm School Alum 9 Palm School Alum 2 Palm School Alum TABLING POP-UP EVENT TOTAL ENGAGEMENT 939 1,055 2,024 Phase II Data - Local Representation SMALL GROUP CONVOS SURVEYS Primary Zipcodes: 78702 (Central East Austin–City Council District #3) 78747 (South East Austin–City Council District #2) 78744 (South East Austin–City Council District #2) Primary Zipcodes: 78702 (Central East Austin–City Council District #3) 78747 (South East Austin–City Council District #2) 78701 (Central South Austin–City Council District #3) Phase II Data - Key Themes 632 Total Comments Collected Small Group Conversations How the redesign of Palm Park will transform surrounding areas? Cultural anchor to surroundings Place of gathering and play in East Austin Improve connectivity Honoring place/history of what once was Accessibility for East Austin residents Noise reduction from I-35 Business, neighborhood & Palm School connection Feel of what Palm Park should provide? Welcoming to all Peaceful & tranquil Oasis Family friendly Safe Natural Historic Informative/Educational space Phase II Data - Key Themes 632 Total Comments Collected Small Group Conversations How to reflect history & culture in Palm Park? Murals/monuments/artwork History of East Austin families Honor the pool history Stories from past, present & future Celebrate Mexican American heritage Educational experiences for families Recognition of Palm School Alumni How to use the space in Palm Park? Bridge to Downtown Community gatherings Water Feature Family-friendly space Walking, games, meditation, gardens Rest space from urban areas Connection of East …
Downtown Area Command Updates Downtown Commission January 15, 2025 Lieutenant Christopher Juusola Christopher.Juusola@AustinTexas.gov Topics • Staffing Update • DTAC Crime Stats • Updates • E 6th Street • Meridian Barricades • Questions APD Staffing (1/6/2025) APD Staffing APD Staffing DTAC Property Crime DTAC Violent Crime DTAC Violent Crime DTAC Crimes Against Society E 6th St Project Overview • West Bound Traffic Only • No North/South Traffic • Widened “Sidewalks” • Devices to Keep Pedestrians Out of Roadway • Regular Stakeholder Meetings • Violent Crime • Advocate for Economic • Property Crime Development • Advocate for Safer Environment • Response to Resistance Incidents • Collisions • Sales Data (Alcohol) • Devices to Keep Vehicles Out • Advocate for Better Business of Pedestrian Areas Practices • Increased Traffic Enforcement “Devices” • Fences- Keeps Pedestrians Out of Roadway • Engineered Curbs- Keeps Vehicles Out of Pedestrian Areas Traffic Plan -South Side= Blocked, 1 lane + Parking Lane -North Side= Blocked, Parking Lane Only Upcoming Projects (Stay Tuned) • Spring Festival Season • Increased DTAC Police Staffing • Changes to DTAC Patrol Area Questions? • Mark Clemens, DTAC Commander • Mark.Clemens@AustinTexas.gov • Christopher Juusola, DTAC Operations Lieutenant • Christopher.Juusola@AustinTexas.gov
