March_17_2021_approved_Meeting_Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021 The Downtown Commission convened in a meeting on Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 at 301 W. 2nd Street in virtual videoconferencing. Downtown Commissioners in Attendance: Chair August Harris, Commissioner Joel Sher, Commissioner Ben Heimsath, Commissioner Christopher Lehman, Commissioner David Gomez, Commissioner Douglas Leveton, Commissioner Laura Templeton, Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Commissioner Preston Reine, Commissioner Chris Kanipe, Commissioner Megan Meisenbach, Commissioner kYmberly Keeton, Commissioner Melissa Haneo-Robleo, Downtown Commissioners Not in Attendance: Commissioner Jim Schissler, Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby City Staff in Attendance: Mona Sanchez and Christine Maguire, Economic Development Department CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 16, 2020 MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Lehman motioned to approve the December 16th, 2020 meeting minutes with Commissioner Gomez’ second on a motion of 8-0. 2. NEW BUSINESS - Discussion and Possible Action a. Officer Nomination Commission Lehman volunteered for Vice Chair. Motioned passed unanimously on a vote of 8-0. b. Doughtery Arts Center Project Kevin Johnson, Parks & Recreation Department and Studio 8 Consultants provided a presentation on the Doughtery Arts Center Project. No action was taken. - 1 -  c. Update on Austin Police Department Headquarter and Austin Community Court Relocation Efforts. Alex Gale, Office of Real Estate Services provided an update on relocation efforts. No action was taken. d. Downtown Wayfinding Project Tooran Khosh, Austin Transportation Department provided a presentation on the Downtown Wayfinding Project. No action was taken. 2. Old Business - Items from representatives of collaborating commissions including non-voting members a. Update from Commissioner Melissa Henao-Robledo on recent activities and actions b. Update from Commissioner Ben Heimsath on recent activities and actions taken by the taken by the Design Commission Historic Landmark Commission c. Update from Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby on recent activities and actions taken by the Urban Transportation Commission d. Update from Commissioner kYmberly Keeton on recent activities and actions taken by the Arts Commission e. Update from Commissioner Douglas Leveton on recent activities and actions taken by the Music Commission Commissioner Leveton reported the Music Commission has been discussing the future of music in Downtown and sustainability. f. Update from Commissioner Kimberly Taylor on recent activities and actions taken by the Parks & Recreation Board g. Update from Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez on recent activities and actions taken by the Public Safety Commission 3. Staff Updates – Discussion and Possible Action Staff updated the Commission on membership and reported the two remaining vacancies: District 7 and District 1. 4. Future Agenda Items  Downtown Austin Alliance Recovery Report  Austin Economic Development Corporation  Homelessness in Downtown  Future of Downtown Music Adjournment 7:37 P.M. The minutes were approved on this the 21st day of April 2021 on Commissioner Meisenbach’s motion and Commissioner Gomez’ second on a vote of 8-0. - 2 -