REGULAR MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 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: Commissioner David Carroll Nathan McDaniel VACANT Ed Ishmael, Chair CC Charles Peveto Pat Buchta Phillip Wiley Fang Fang Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Appointment District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 District 9 Commissioner Saxton Archer Sania Shifferd Gina Houston Jenny Murkes Bat Taniguchi Joe Silva Jennifer Franklin Rebecca Bernhardt Kevin Chen Appointment District 10 Mayor’s Office Arts Commission Design Commission Historic Landmark Commission Music Commission Parks and Recreation Board Public Safety Commission Urban Transportation Commission AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 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 meeting of September 16, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding Downtown Strategy Office Strategies and Goals framework. [Jonathan Stone, Downtown Officer, Downtown Strategy Office] DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation regarding Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) policy positions and priorities. [Matt Geske, Vice President of Public Affairs, and Bill Price, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, DAA] 4. Presentation regarding an overview of the Sobering Center, its services, and areas for Downtown Commission support. [Ashley Branscum, Program Manager, The Sobering Center] DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve the Downtown Commission 2027 Annual Meeting Schedule. 6. Approve a recommendation regarding pedicab policies. 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 …
REGULAR MEETING DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 301 W 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Ishmael called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ed Ishmael (Chair) Kimberly Levinson (Vice Chair) Pat Buchta Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Kevin Chen Fang Fang Jennifer Franklin Jenny Murkes Bat Taniguchi PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular meeting of August 19, 2026. The August 19, 2026 minutes were approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Peveto’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Buchta was off the dais. Commissioners Carroll and McDaniel were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the Creative Reset Phase II: Reimagining Austin’s Cultural Facilities and Museums. Briefing by Marjorie Flanagan, Division Manager, Cultural Education & Programs, ACME. 1 Item 2 was taken up after Item 3 without objection. The presentation was made by Marjorie Flanagan, Division Manager, Cultural Education & Programs, ACME. 3. Staff briefing on the Central City District Plan. Briefing by Shanisha Johnson, Principal Planner and Chris Ryerson, Division Manager, Austin Planning. The presentation was made by Shanisha Johnson, Principal Planner and Chris Ryerson, Division Manager, Austin Planning. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation regarding safety of large pedicabs. Presentation by Patricia Schaub and Ara O’Keefe, Pedicabbers for Progress and Regulation Reforms. The presentation was made by Patricia Schaub and Ara O’Keefe, Pedicabbers for Progress and Regulation Reforms. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a recommendation regarding a Meridian Archer Rapid Gate Purchase. The motion to approve a recommendation regarding a Meridian Archer Rapid Gate Purchase was approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Buchta’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Carroll and McDaniel were absent. 6. Approve a recommendation regarding Homelessness, Behavioral Health and Public Order. Item 6 was taken up before Item 5 without objection. The motion to approve a recommendation regarding Homelessness, Behavioral Health and Public Order was approved on Commissioner Peveto’s motion, Commissioner Shifferd’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Carroll and McDaniel were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion regarding the macro-level regulatory environment observations applicable to central city planning – Wiley, Levinson Recommendation regarding the Austin History Center Association – Peveto, Levinson ADJOURNMENT Chair Ishmael adjourned the meeting without objection at 7:11 p.m. 2
