REGULAR MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026 AT 5:30 P.M AUSTIN CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 W 2ND ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS 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, contact Ryan Sperling, 512-974-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ed Ishmael, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Pat Buchta David Carroll Kevin Chen Joe Silva Jennifer Franklin AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Gina Houston Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Bat Taniguchi Philip Wiley Nathan McDaniel 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 meeting of May 20, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Briefing regarding downtown crime statistics, APD priorities and needed resources for downtown, protocols for dealing with the unhoused, and Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE) interactions and cooperation. Presentation by Michael Chancellor, Assistant Chief – Patrol, Austin Police Department. 3. Update on the Central City District Plan. Briefing by Olivia Beams, Planner III and Chris Ryerson, Division Manager, Austin Planning. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation to provide an overview of Visit Austin’s activities and role in downtown. Presentation by Tom Noonan, CEO, Visit Austin. 5. Presentation regarding the 2026 State of Downtown Report. Presentation by Davon Barbour, President & CEO, Downtown Austin Alliance. 6. Discussion regarding the Austin Historical Association, a possible tour, and topics for a future presentation request. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Ryan Sperling at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For …
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2026 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 301 W 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Ishmael called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ralph E. Ishmael Jr. (Chair) Gina Houston David Carroll Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Kevin Chen Jennifer Franklin Bat Taniguchi PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Shelby Evans – Eloise House + SAFE funding Sophia Mirto – Forensic Exam Funding Dan Weber – Eloise House + SAFE funding APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular meeting of April 15, 2026. There was a motion by Commissioner McDaniel, seconded by Commissioner Wiley, to approve the April 15, 2026 meeting minutes with an amendment to strike “s” from “McDaniels”. The motion was approved on a 6-0 vote. Vice Chair Levinson and Commissioner Buchta were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan and progress towards 50/50 Mode Share. Presentation by Cole Kitten, Division Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. 1 Withdrawn without objection. 3. Update regarding the new convention center. Presentation by Katy Zamesnik, Interim Director, Austin Convention Center. The presentation was made by Katy Zamesnik, Interim Director, Austin Convention Center. 4. Presentation regarding the Red River Cultural District’s economic impact on the downtown area. Presentation by Nicole Klepadlo, Executive Director, Red River Cultural District. The presentation was made by Nicole Klepadlo, Executive Director, Red River Cultural District. 5. Update regarding Arts Commission activities and concerns related to the Downtown Commission’s scope. Update by Commissioner Houston. 6. Update regarding Public Safety Commission activities and concerns related to the Downtown Commission’s scope. Update by Commissioner Bernhardt. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Sobering center – Mcdaniel, Ishmael Presentation from APD on family violence investigations and sexual assault response. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m. without objection on Commissioner Shifferd’s motion, Commissioner McDaniel’s second. 2
101 Tom Noonan, President & CEO Spring 2026 About Visit Austin ➔ Visit Austin is the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City of Austin ➔ 501(c) 6 Corporation / 501(c) 3 Foundation ➔ Contracted in 1996 as an independent entity to market Austin ➔ Primary goal is to promote Austin as a premier meeting and visitor destination ➔ Funded through a percentage of local bed tax revenues ➔ Destination Marketing Association Certified What We Do ➔ Increase visitation and spending ➔ Serve as the primary booking entity for the Austin Convention Center ➔ Solidify Austin’s reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World® ➔ Promote local businesses ➔ Boost meetings travel ➔ Recruit sports events ➔ Champion Austin as a welcoming destination ➔ Attract filmmakers ➔ Promote and hire local musicians ➔ Drive media exposure In Short, We Are The Economic Engine For The City Of Austin. Visit Austin Departments ➔ Operations and Finance ➔ Convention Sales ➔ Destination Services ➔ Austin Sports Commission* ➔ Marketing, Communications & Tourism ➔ Music & Film* ➔ Partnerships ➔ Visit Austin Foundation* ➔ Visitor Services ➔ Administration Visit Austin Boards ➔ Visit Austin Board of Directors ➔ Visit Austin Executive Committee ➔ Visit Austin Sports Commission Board of Directors ➔ Visit Austin Foundation Board of Directors ➔ ATPID Board Each Board meets quarterly to review business activities. Visit Austin Board of Directors About the Visit Austin Board ➔ Visit Austin Board of Directors is currently made up of 33 members, 51% of which must be hospitality professionals, who are required to meet within 45 days of the close of each quarter to approve the financial statements and review the organization’s activities. ➔ The Board’s role is to provide guidance and oversight, in addition to reviewing and approving to the following annual items: ● Financial Audit ● Visit Austin Sales Goals ● Visit Austin Budget ● The Marketing plan ● The Annual Review of the President & CEO ➔ Board members are required to attend 75% of the annual meetings and are eligible to serve (3) 2-year terms. The Board Chair must agree to serve a minimum of a 2-year term. ➔ Rob Gillette, GM of Renaissance Austin is the current Board Chair. Joanna McCreary, Vice Chair will begin her term as Board Chair in the fall of 2026. r e t s o R d r a o B n i …
