Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street in hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE August Harris, Chair Ralph E Ishmael, Jr. Vice-Chair Liz Coufal Darilynn Cardona-Beiler Kimberly Levinson Spencer Schumacher Sania D. Shifferd Jen Weaver COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Darilynn Cardona-Beiler Jennifer Franklin Kimberly Levinson Taylor Major Amy Mok Tania Ortega Ann Charlotte Patterson CALL TO ORDER Chair Harris called the meeting of the Downtown Commission to order at 5:32 pm APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission November 20, 2023, Special Called meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Commissioner Levinson and seconded by Commissioner Shifferd on a vote of 9-0. Commissioners Lavigne, McKinney, Holmes and Laroche were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 2. Discussion and possible action for the Commission to draft a recommendation to Council to prioritize community engagement with regards to the Convention Center expansion. A motion to approve the drafting of a recommendation similar to the Music Commission Recommendation 20231106-11 with the additional provision of a member of the Downtown Commission becoming a member of the Advisory Board by Commissioner Ishmael and seconded by Commissioner Levinson on a vote of 9-0. Commissioners Lavigne, McKinney, Holmes and Laroche were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Stevie Greathouse of the Planning Department presented on the Palm District Plan. Presentation was made by Stevie Greathouse, Capital Program Consultant, Planning Department. 4. Laura Dierenfield of the Transportation and Public Works Department presented on the Seaholm District Multimodal Connectivity Projects. Presentation was made by Laura Dierenfield, Division Manager, Transportation and Public Works Department. 5. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Arts Commission. Commissioner Amy Mok updated the Commission on a partnership between the Austin Economic Development Corporation and the Austin Playhouse. Additionally, the Commissioner updated the Commission on another initiative on a community discussion on neighborhood connections with arts. 6. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Historic Landmark Commission. Withdrawn. 7. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Music Commission. Commissioner Ann Charlotte Patterson updated the Commission on discussions and actions by the Music Commission including a presentation on future funding needs of the Red River Cultural District. 8. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Parks & Recreation Board. Commissioner Franklin had no updates at this time. 9. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Public Safety Commission. Withdrawn Commission 10. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by the Urban Transportation Commissioner Schumacher updated the commission on discussions and actions by the Urban Transportation Commission including the City’s representation on CAMPO and that City Council will be acting on draft regulations of bicycle parking on the February 1 City Council agenda. Commissioner Schumacher will provide the Downtown Commission a briefing on this item rather than it be considered as a future agenda item. 11. Discussion of recent activities and actions taken by Design Commission Withdrawn  FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Red River Cultural District (Chair Harris), Safety in pursuit of SXSW and Sixth Street from first responders (Chair Harris), General public safety update (Commissioner Weaver and Harris), Mental health resources from the City (Commissioner Levinson), ACE SXSW traffic Control (Commissioner Schumacher), Revised ACC Music Commission recommendation ADJOURNMENT: Chair Harris adjourned the meeting at 7:09 pm without any objection. The minutes were approved at the 2/21/2024, meeting on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Vice Chair Ishmael’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Lavigne and Shifferd were off the dais. Commissioner Major was absent. 3  4