Item 1: April 15, 2026 Draft Minutes — original pdf

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DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 301 W 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Ishmael called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ed Ishmael (Chair) Kimberly Levinson (Vice Chair) Pat Buchta David Carroll Liz Coufal Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Bat Taniguchi Phillip Wiley Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Rebecca Bernhardt Jennifer Franklin Joe Silva PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular meeting of March 11, 2026. The minutes of the March 11, 2026 meeting were approved on Commissioner Peveto’s motion, Commissioner Buchta’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Shifferd was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Briefing regarding updates to the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan. Presentation by Chris Ryerson, Division Manager and Evelyn Mitchell, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. 1 The presentation was made by Chris Ryerson, Division Manager and Evelyn Mitchell, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. 3. Briefing regarding Downtown Density Bonus Phase I Updates. Briefing by Nicholas Smith, Planner Senior and Stevie Greathouse, Capital Program Consultant, Austin Planning. The presentation was made by Stevie Greathouse, Capital Program Consultant, and Nicholas Smith, Planner Senior, Austin Planning. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation providing a general update on progress and plans for the new Austin Convention Center. Presentation by Katy Zamesnik, Interim Director, Austin Convention Center. Withdrawn without objection. 5. Presentation regarding the Red River Cultural District’s economic impact on the downtown area. Presentation by Nicole Klepadlo, Executive Director, Red River Cultural District. Withdrawn without objection. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding renaming Cesar Chavez Street. There was a motion by Commissioner Wiley, seconded by Commissioner Levinson, to amend the recommendation to strike “and” and insert “the” before “north” in the first WHEREAS. The amendment was approved without objection on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Shifferd was absent. There was a motion by Commissioner McDaniels, seconded by Vice Chair Levinson, to strike “City” and insert “community” in the second-to-last WHEREAS and insert “in” before “the” in the first WHEREAS. The amendment was approved without objection on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Shifferd was absent. The recommendation to Council regarding renaming Cesar Chavez Street was approved as amended on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Coufal’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Shifferd was absent. 7. Conduct officer elections for Chair and Vice Chair. Chair Ishmael was nominated for Chair by Vice Chair Levinson. Chair Ishmael accepted the nomination. The nomination period closed without objection. Chair Ishmael was reelected as Chair on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Shifferd was absent. Vice Chair Levinson was nominated for Vice Chair by Chair Ishmael. Vice Chair Levinson accepted the nomination. The nomination period closed without objection. Vice Chair Levinson was reelected as Vice Chair on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Shifferd was absent. 2 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Recommendation regarding the History Center Association Vision Plan – Peveto, Kimberly ADJOURNMENT Chair Ishmael adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. without objection. 3