Item 1: October 21, 2026, Draft Minutes — original pdf

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DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES, WEDNSDAY OCTOBER 21, 2026. The Downtown Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 301 W 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Kimbery Levinson called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 05:31pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Kimberly Levinson (Vice Chair) Pat Bucha David Carroll Gina Houston Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Phillip Wiley Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Saxton Archer Rebecca Bernhardt Kevin Chen Fang Fang Jennifer Franklin Bat Taniguchi PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None Present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular meeting of September 16, 2026. The September 16, 2026, minutes were approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Peveto’s second on a 8-0 vote. Chair Ed Ishmael and Commissioner Nathan McDaniel were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding Downtown Strategy Office Strategies and Goals framework. [Jonathan Stone, Downtown Officer, Downtown Strategy Office] 1 Presentation was made by Jonathan Stone, Downtown Officer, Downtown Strategy Office. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation regarding Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) policy positions and priorities. [Matt Geske, Vice President of Public Affairs, and Bill Price, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, DAA] Presentation was made by Matt Geske, Vice President of Public Affairs, and Bill Price, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, DAA 4. Presentation regarding an overview of the Sobering Center, its services, and areas for Downtown Commission support. [Ashley Branscum, Program Manager, The Sobering Center] Presentation was made by Ashley Branscum, Program Manager, The Sobering Center. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve the Downtown Commission 2027 Annual Meeting Schedule. The Downtown Commission 2027 Annual Meeting schedule was approved by Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Peveto’s second on an 8-0 vote. Chair Ed Ishmael and Commissioner Nathan McDaniel were absent. 6. Approve a recommendation regarding pedicab policies. Withdrawn without objection. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Arts and commission update presentation was requested by Arts Commission chair Gina Houston. VC Kimberly second it Commissioner Pat Buchta would like to invite Metropolis Parking and Red River Cultural District to do a presentation regarding discounted parking for musicians in Austin. VC Kimberly second. Commissioner Charles Peveto would like Austin History Center Association to present their current vision and updates for the new History Center Campus Building. VC Kimberly Second ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Kimberly Levinson adjourned the meeting at 06:42p.m. without objection. 2