May_19_2021_Downtown_Commission_Approved_Meeting_Minutes — original pdf

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DOWNTOWN COMMISSION DRAFT MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2021 The Downtown Commission convened in a meeting on Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 at 301 W. 2nd Street in virtual videoconferencing. Downtown Commissioners in Attendance: Chair August Harris, Vice Chair Christopher Lehman, Commissioner David Gomez, Commissioner Megan Meisenbach, Commissioner Joel Sher, Commissioner Laura Templeton, Commissioner Ben Heimsath, Commissioner kYmberly Keeton, Commissioner Ann-Charlotte Patterson, Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby Downtown Commissioners Not in Attendance: Commissioner Chris Kanipe, Commissioner Mike Lavigne, Commissioner Preston Reine, Commissioner Jim Schissler, Commissioner Melissa Henao-Robledo, Commissioner Kimberly Taylor City Staff in Attendance: Susana Carbajal, Christine Maguire, Mona Sanchez, and Matthew Schmidt, Economic Development Department CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL a. Mark Walters, City of Austin Housing and Planning Department provided general citizens communications regarding the Palm District Planning process. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE APRIL 21, 2021 MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Meisenbach motioned to approve the April 21, 2020 meeting minutes with Commissioner Gomez’ second on a motion of 6-0. 2. NEW BUSINESS - Discussion and Possible Action a. Downtown Austin Homeless Activity Dianna Grey (Austin Public Health), Bill Brice (Downtown Austin Alliance), Matthew Mollica (Ending Community Homelessness Coalition), as well as Cmdr. Jeff Greenwalt and Lt. Lawrence Davis (Austin Police Department) provided updates in regard to downtown Austin homeless activity and housing/mental health strategies. b. Waller Creek Greenway Conversancy - 1 -  Melissa Ayala and John Ridgon (Waller Creek Greenway Conservancy) and Lisa Storer (PARD) provided updates to regarding the Waller Creek Greenway and development progress. 3. OLD BUSINESS Items from representatives of collaborating commissions including non-voting members a. Update from Commissioner Melissa Henao-Robledo on recent activities and actions taken by the Design Commission Commissioner Henao-Robledo was absent. b. Update from Commissioner Ben Heimsath on recent activities and actions taken by the Historic Landmark Commission Commissioner reported that the HLC was working on a certified local government grant and working to revise the Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan. c. Update from Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby on recent activities and actions taken by the Urban Transportation Commission Commissioner Weatherby reported that the UTC had received an update on the Corridor Project and continuing to follow the I35 expansion. d. Update from Commissioner kYmberly Keeton on recent activities and actions taken by e. Update from Commissioner Ann-Charlotte Patterson on recent activities and actions f. Update from Commissioner Kimberly Taylor on recent activities and actions taken by the Arts Commission Commissioner Keeton was absent. taken by the Music Commission Commissioner Leveton was absent. the Parks & Recreation Board Commissioner Taylor was absent. g. Update from Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez on recent activities and actions taken by the Public Safety Commission Commissioner Ramirez reported that the PSC received budget presentations from COA public safety agencies and discussed additional support for mental health training. 2. POTENTIAL FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Homelessness/Future Panel Discussion: Dianna Grey, ECHO, Community First Village, Esperanza Community, DAA/Bill Brice • Convention Center Expansion • HEAL Initiative Adjournment 8:03 P.M The minutes were approved on this the 17th day of June 2021 on Commissioner Meisenbach’s motion and Commissioner Gomez’ second on a vote of 6-0. - 2 -