Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 21, 2024 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, February 21, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street in hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE August Harris, Chair Ralph E Ishmael, Jr. Vice-Chair Liz Coufal Mike Lavigne Kimberly Levinson Spencer Schumacher Sania D. Shifferd COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Darilynn Cardona-Beiler Jennifer Franklin David Holmes 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 January 17, 2024 meeting. The minutes from the meeting on 01/17/24 were approved 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. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 1 Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 21, 2024 2. Approve a recommendation to Council to prioritize community engagement with regards to the Convention Center expansion. The motion to approve Recommendation 20240221-002 to create a Convention Center Expansion Advisory Board was approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Coufal’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Lavigne and Shifferd were off the dais. Commissioner Major was absent. 3. Approve a recommendation on the renewal of the Sixth Street Public Improvement District. Presentation by Donald E Jackson of the Economic Development Department. The motion to postpone this item to 3/20/2024 was approved 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. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation by Commander Jeff Olson of the Austin Police Department on Downtown Command public safety trends. Presentation was given by Commander Jeff Olson, Downtown Area Command Unit, Austin Police Department. 5. Presentations by Commander Jeff Olson of the Austin Police Department (APD), William Manno of the Austin Center for Events, Brian Block of the Development Services Department, and Division Chief Stephen Truesdell of the Austin Fire Department (AFD) on South by Southwest Festival 2024 preparedness. Presentations were given by Commander Jeff Olson, Downtown Area Command Unit, Austin Police Department; Lieutenant Christopher Juusola, Austin Police Department; Brian Patterson, Fire Battalion Chief, Special Events; and Bill Manno, Program Manager, Office of Special Events. 6. Presentation on the status of Austin Light Rail by Peter Mullan, EVP Architecture and Urban Design, Lindsay Wood, EVP - Engineering and Construction, and Courtney Chavez, SVP - Equity and Community Partnership. Presentation was given by Peter Mullan, EVP Architecture and Urban Design, Lindsay Wood, EVP Engineering and Construction and Yannis Banks, Public Involvement Manager – Austin Transit Partnership. 7. Presentation on the South Central Waterfront Combining District with a Density Bonus Program by April Geruso of the City of Austin Planning Department. Presentation was given by Erica Leak, City of Austin Planning Development Officer. 8. Discussion on a special called meeting in June 2024. Discussion was held on a date and venue. 9. Update and discussion regarding action related to the Downtown Commission taken at the last Music Commission meeting. 2 Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 21, 2024 An update was given by Commissioner Patterson on short term rental/hotel occupancy tax and cultural sustainability fee possibilities as they relate to artists’ ability to thrive in Austin. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None provided. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Harris adjourned the meeting at 7:49 pm without any objection. The minutes were approved at the March 20, 2024 meeting on Vice Chair Ishmael’s motion, Commissioner Levinson’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Major and Ortega were absent. 3