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
Priorities Framework Downtown Strategy Office presentation to Austin Downtown Commission | October 21, 2026 What is the DSO? ▪ Convenes internal and external stakeholders ▪ Acts as a force multiplier ▪ Facilitates cross-departmental goal setting ▪ Monitor, advisor, and analyst ▪ Strategic project identification ▪ Fast lane and slow(er) lane ▪ Geographic focus primarily on downtown core (Lady Bird Lake to MLK, I-35 to N Lamar) Image: Central City District Plan Existing Conditions Report 2 Goal Setting Task Force In August, the Downtown Strategy Office formed an internal task force comprised of department leaders from the following departments: ▪ Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment ▪ Communications and Engagement ▪ Economic Development ▪ EMS ▪ Equity and Inclusion ▪ Financial Services ▪ Homeless Strategies and Operations ▪ Parks and Recreation ▪ Planning ▪ Police ▪ Project Connect ▪ Transportation and Public Works The task force reviewed context and key insights and identified strategic approaches and initial multidisciplinary goals. Image: Royal Blue Grocery Website 3 Outreach and information gathered to date ▪ DASI Council Resolution ▪ 50+ Downtown Strategy Office Meetings (council, internal departments, external implementers, advocacy organizations) ▪ DSO Personal Observation ▪ DAA State of Downtown 2026 ▪ September External Partner Forum ▪ Completion of Director Task Force ▪ Example City of Austin Plans ▪ CCDP existing conditions, initial goals, and ongoing planning process ▪ Palm District Plan and Imagine Austin Plan ▪ ACT plan and ongoing engineering (6th, 7th, 8th) ▪ Citywide Strategic Plan ▪ Convention Center, Project Connect, CAUDI,I-35, Cap and Stitch, and other capital plans ▪ Economic and Cultural District Framework Policy ▪ Draft Place Network Investigation policy ▪ Example External Plans ▪ DAA 2023-2028 Strategic Plan & Annual Agenda ▪ Visit Austin Downtown Commission Presentation ▪ Waterloo Greenway Phase 3 and Palm Park Plans ▪ Old 6th / Stream Realty 4 DSO Mission & Vision Vision: Downtown is the heartbeat of Austin. It is a place where people feel connected, ideas thrive, and visitors from around the world feel welcomed into the rhythm of our city. It stands as a vibrant, inclusive urban center recognized for exceptional design, economic & cultural vitality, and an unmatched quality of life. Mission: We are catalysts. We bring City and community partners together, coordinating action and advancing shared priorities to fuel the economic and cultural strength of downtown Austin. Image: Waterloo Greenway Social Media 5 Our Progress ▪ Defined Mission & …
DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE Downtown Commission Homelessness-Mental Health October 21, 2026 Overview Introduction Policy Statements: the Why Strategy Overview: the How Advocacy strategy outlines & timelines Accountability tracking & metrics Next steps Total Downtown Estimated Unsheltered Homeless Source: Downtown Austin Alliance, July20260900800700600500400300200100July 2023October 2023January 2024April 2024Unsheltered IndividualsJuly 2024Tents or StructuresOctober 2024February 2025AutomobilesApril 2025July 2025October 2025Total Downtown Estimated UnshelteredJanuary 2026April 2026July 2026583461399440470568435469547514412383449 DIRECT FUNDING BY DAAPROJECTS & PROGRAMSCommunity First! Village ($2M/10 yrs.)HEART Outreach pilot ($161K)Trinity Ctr. Family Reunification ($120k 10/21 to-date)Caritas 60/60 Campaign ($60K)Rathgeber Family Center ($100K)Terrace at Oak Springs ($150K)Caritas PSH pilot ($125K)Integral Care Healthcare for Homeless ($155K) ISSUES & EGGS October 15, 2025 & September 15m 2026 Judge Andy Brown, Travis County Jeff Richardson, Integral Care Lisa Davis, APD Meris Herold, APD Carrie Rogers, CoA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE April 16, 2026 Government Relations Council Meeting John Howard, Dell Liz Schoenfeld, LifeWorks Austin David Gray, City of Austin Matt Molica, ECHO OPPORTUNITY AUSTIN June 9, 2026 Policy Council Meeting & September 2026 Investor Meeting David Gray, City of Austin Matthew Molica, ECHO Dr. Patrick Lee, Central Health EDUCATION &COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Position Statement 1: The Downtown Austin Alliance supports sustained investment in emergency shelter capacity, permanent supportive housing, and diversion programs that move people from downtown streets into stable housing and care. Why it matters: Downtown’s long-term health depends on improved public order and people experiencing homelessness having access to shelter, services and housing. Crisis care and enforcement alone do not reduce homelessness. Coordinated entry points, appropriate levels of care and coordinated release, as proposed by the No Wrong Door initiative, are essential. This position aligns with the 2023-28 Strategic Goal and this Policy Statement’s commitment to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness, and balances the enforcement and treatment positions. Position Statement 2: The Downtown Austin Alliance supports expanding funding for psychiatric crisis care beds, step-down beds, and long-term care. Why it matters: The number of people in need of crisis care and step-down services continues to outpace available beds and services. People are not getting the care they need and are discharged to the streets after a “quick fix” – only to cycle through the system repeatedly. This reduces the burden on first responders, emergency response and criminal justice systems, provides effective treatment alternatives, prevents discharging unhealthy people to the streets, and reduces the “revolving door” of recurring mental health crises. Position Statement 3: The Downtown Austin Alliance supports expanding involuntary commitment …
#TheSoberingCenter #BeSafeBeSoberATX Mission of the Austin/Travis County Sobering Center The Sobering Center enhances public health and safety by providing a safe place for publicly intoxicated individuals to sober up as an alternative to the emergency room or jail and, where appropriate, to provide a bridge to recovery. Numbers Served The Sobering Center has performed more than 16,000 intakes since its inception. Sobering Center of Austin • No jail or emergency room • No citations, fines, or medical bills • No cost for Sobering Center services • Open 24 hours/7 days a week • Complete confidentiality o We do not notify anyone of a client’s admission into the center without consent or subpoena • Connection to community resources and other services • Assistance with coordinating transportation home Admission Criteria • 18 years or older • Suspected alcohol or drug intoxication • No evidence of acute head injury • No untreated lacerations • No seizure within the last 24 hours • No acute gastrointestinal bleeding • Suicidal/homicidal ideation cleared by a MH professional Client is referred/ transported to the Sobering Center by Law Enforcement, EMS or other referral partner NO P.I. CITATION NO FINES Intake Medics do a screening to ensure it’s safe for the client to sober up in our facility Recovery Support Specialists monitor the client and continue to assess their needs SBIRT Counselors conduct an assessment used to link a client to the appropriate community resources Questions? Ashlyn Branscum. LMSW, Program Manager abranscum@soberingcenter.org www.SoberingCenter.org 512-957-1900 @SoberingCenterAustin @SoberingCenter @SoberingCenterAustin
