REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Wednesday July 16, 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 telephone. To register to speak remotely or in person, please contact Christi Vitela at Christi.Vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. Jennifer Franklin Nkiru Gelles Nelly Paulina Ramírez Spencer Schumacher CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Ed Ishmael, Chair Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Pat Buchta David Carroll Liz Coufal Charles Peveto Nancy Pollak Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley CALL TO ORDER 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 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular called meeting on May 21, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing by Shanisha Johnson, Planner Principal, District Planning, Planning Department regarding the Downtown Austin Plan Update. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Update regarding the Design Commission’s recent work as it relates to the Downtown Commission. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve the Downtown Commission 2024-2025 Annual Internal Review. 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, May 21, 2025 Downtown Commission Regular Called Meeting Minutes Wednesday May 21, 2025 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Wednesday May 21, 2025, at Austin City Hall Chambers, Room 1001, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Ed Ishmael, Chair Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Peter Breton Pat Buchta David Carroll Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Phillip Wiley COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY: Liz Coufal Jennifer Franklin Nkiru Gelles Nelly Paulina Ramírez CALL TO ORDER Chair Ishmael called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular called meeting on April 16, 2025. The minutes from the meeting of April 16, 2025, were approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Peveto’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Breton and Shifferd were off the dais. 1 Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, May 21, 2025 STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing by Carey Chaudoir, Commander – Downtown Area Command, Austin Police Department, and Joshua Griggers, Lieutenant – Downtown Operations, Austin Police Department, regarding an update on the reopening of Sixth Street and crime statistics as they relate to the Safer Sixth Street Initiative. The presentation was made by Carey Chaudoir, Commander – Downtown Area Command, Austin Police Department, and Joshua Griggers, Lieutenant – Downtown Operations, Austin Police Department. Staff briefing by Michael Kimbro, Program Manager III, Austin Transportation and Public Works Department, and Joseph Al-Hajeri, parking Enterprise Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works Department, regarding the Shared Micro Mobility Program. The presentation was made by Michael Kimbro, Program Manager III, Austin Transportation and Public Works Department, and Joseph Al-Hajeri, Parking Enterprise Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works Department. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation by Nicole Klepadlo, Executive Director, Red River Cultural District, regarding the recent work toward the advancement of tourism and entertainment. The presentation was made by Nicole Klepadlo, Executive Director, Red River Cultural District. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 p.m. was approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Breton’s second a 10-0 vote. 2
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025 Downtown Commission The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: (1) Advise the City Council and city staff regarding policies and projects impacting downtown Austin; (2) Serve as stewards for the Downtown Austin Plan (DAP) and, as such: a. Serve as a sounding board for the City Council and City of Austin (COA) staff on the implementation of the Downtown Austin Plan (DAP) and Land Development Code rewrite; and b. Offer recommendations on amendments to the DAP and Land Development Code rewrite as needed; (3) Maintain liaison relationships with City staff and other boards and commissions; and (4) Perform other activities as directed by City Council. 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. • Reopening of Sixth Street and crime statistics as they relate to the Safer Sixth Street Initiative • Shared Micro Mobility Program • Red River Cultural District Annual Review and Work Plan • Austin Public Health and Homeless Strategy Office • University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO) • Austin Convention Center Redevelopment • Downtown Austin Historic Resource Survey • Parks and Recreation Board Update • Urban Transportation Commission on Recommendations • Seaholm Multimodal Connectivity Update • Austin Light Rail Progress Update • Waterloo Greenway Conservancy • Downtown Austin Plan Working Group • Great Streets Plan Update • Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative • Austin Core Transportation Plan Presentation • APD Downtown Area Command Presentation • Nightlife and Entertainment Services Program • Austin Public Library Presentation • Economic and Cultural District Framework Policy Presentation • Shared Mobility Plan Update • Dockless Micromobility Regulations • Street Impact Fees Presentation • Mental Health Resources - Integral Care • Sound Assessment and Disclosure Requirements Proposal • Historic Preservation Survey Presentation • Equity Preservation Plan Presentation The Commission passed the following recommendations: • High Level Goals For DAP Update • Cap and Stitch Initial Funding Recommendation 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. The Commissions actions complied with the mission statement. Annual Review and Work Plan 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. • Monitor and support the continued implementation and update of the Downtown Austin Plan • Monitor and support Downtown's continuing economic …
