Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 26, 2024 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING WEDNESDAY, June 26, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the special called meeting on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX in hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE August Harris, Chair David Carroll Mike Lavigne Kimberly Levinson Anne Charlotte Patterson Spencer Schumacher Sania Shifferd COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Ralph E Ishmael, Jr. Vice-Chair Liz Coufal Jennifer Franklin Amy Mok Tania Ortega CALL TO ORDER Chair Harris called the meeting of the Downtown Commission to order at 5:33 pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No speakers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission May 15, 2024 meeting. The minutes from the meeting on 05/15/24 were approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Shifferd’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler and Major were absent. Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes STAFF BRIEFING Wednesday, June 26, 2024 2. Presentation on the Downtown Austin Plan by Chad Sharrard and Jill Amezcua, Austin Planning Department. The presentation was made by Chad Sharrard, Planner Senior, Planning Department; Jill Amezcua, Program Manager II, Planning Department; and Matthew Schmidt, Program Manager III, Economic Development Department. 3. Presentation on the Economic and Cultural District Framework Policy by Matthew Schmidt, Economic Development Department. The presentation was made by Matthew Schmidt, Program Manager III, Economic Development Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. The motion to override the four consecutive term limit and nominate Commissioner Harris as Chair was made by Commissioner Ishmael, seconded by Commissioner Lavigne and approved on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler and Major were absent. The motion to elect Commissioner Harris as Chair was made by Commissioner Ishmael, seconded by Commissioner Ortega and approved on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler and Major were absent. The motion to elect Commissioner Ishmael as Vice Chair was made by Commissioner Levinson, seconded by Commissioner Shifferd and approved on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler and Major were absent. 5. Approve a recommendation to Council to update the Downtown Austin Plan and create an overseeing department charged with implementing the elements of the updated plan. A motion to approve the recommendation was made by Commissioner Levinson and seconded by Commissioner Shifferd. The following amendment was motioned by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Vice Chair Ishmael. The amendment was to add the following under Item 7: “r. Urban Design …
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION May 15, 2024, TIME: 5:30 p.m. Austin City Hall, Council Chamber, Room 1001 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Downtown Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register, please contact Christi Vitela at Christi.Vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974- 2792. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: August Harris (Chair) David Carroll (District 1) Tania A. Ortega (District 2) Liz Coufal (District 3) Ralph E. Ishmael, Jr. (District 4) Darilynn Cardona-Beiler (District 5) Taylor Major (District 6) Mike Lavigne (District 7) VACANT (District 8) Kimberly Levinson (District 9) Sania D. Shifferd (Mayor) CALL TO ORDER VACANT (Design Commission) David Holmes (Public Safety Commission) Amy Mok (Arts Commission) Spencer Schumacher (Urban Transportation) Jennifer Franklin (Parks and Recreation Board) VACANT (Historic Landmark Commission) Anne Charlotte Patterson (Music Commission) AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission April 17, 2024 meeting. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. 3. Discussion and approval of a Recommendation on dockless micromobility regulations and transportation-related rule making. 4. Presentation on Street Impact Fees in the downtown Austin area by Nathan Aubert, Supervising Engineer, Austin Transportation Department. STAFF BRIEFING FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk, at (512) 974-2792 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Downtown Commission, please contact Christi Vitela at christi.vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792.
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 17, 2024 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street in hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE August Harris, Chair Ralph E Ishmael, Jr. Vice-Chair Jennifer Franklin Kimberly Levinson Sania D. Shifferd COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Taylor Major Tania Ortega Amy Mok Anne Charlotte Patterson Spencer Schumacher CALL TO ORDER Chair Harris called the meeting of the Downtown Commission to order at 5:35 pm PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No speakers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission March 20, 2024 meeting. The minutes from the meeting on 03/20/24 were approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Vice Chair Ishmael’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Coufal and Lavigne were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 2. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 17, 2024 The motion to postpone this item to the next Downtown Commission meeting on 05/15/2024 was approved on Vice Chair Ishmael’s motion, Commissioner Levinson’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Coufal and Lavigne were absent. 3. Approve a Recommendation to centralize graffiti programs within the City of Austin by creating and funding a new department. A motion to approve Recommendation 20240417-003 was made by Commissioner Levinson and seconded by Commissioner Shifferd. A motion to amend was made by Vice Chair Ishmael, seconded by Commissioner Levinson. The amendment was to add a zero to correct an error and to read as follows: “$546,000” The amendment was approved on a 6-0 vote. The motion to approve Recommendation 20240417-003 as amended was approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion and Commissioner Shifferd’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Coufal and Lavigne were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation on mental health resources for people experiencing homelessness by Marlene Buchanan, Director of System of Care, and Kathleen Casey, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Integral Care. Marlene Buchanan, Director of System of Care and Ruth Ahearn, Practice Administrator at Integral Care presented. 5. Presentation on a proposed sound assessment requirement for residential development near Outdoor Music and Performance Venues and a disclosure requirement about nearby venues when units are leased/sold by Brian Block, Nightlife and Entertainment Services Manager, Development Services Department. Brian Block, Nightlife and Entertainment Services Manager at the Development Services Department presented. 6. Update and discussion regarding …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20240506-006: Dockless Micromobility Regulations and Transportation-related Rulemaking WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan calls on the city to “Emphasize and incentivize shared mobility solutions” by developing and focusing on ”shared mobility services and systems to provide first-mile/last-mile mobility solutions and increase shared trips on the transportation network”; WHEREAS, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) highlighted Austin in its 2022 Report on Shared Micromobility in the U.S. and Canada as having the second most used e-scooter system in North America with a ride per vehicle per day average of 2.7, which NACTO called “stand out for e-scooter rides per vehicle per day compared to peer cities.”; WHEREAS, following Superpedestrian/Link ceasing operations in North America at the end of 2023, the Austin e-scooter system contracted in size by 29%, losing 2,000 scooters from the system; D R A F T WHEREAS, on March 28th, 2024, Transportation and Public Works (TPW) Director Richard Mendoza briefed the City Council Mobility Committee on “upcoming changes to our department regulations regarding the operations of micro-mobility devices” and cited safety, general aesthetics, and watershed protection as the main issues the regulations were meant to address; WHEREAS, according to the City of Austin Vision Zero Viewer, the number of e-scooter-related serious injuries decreased 50% from 12 in 2022 to 6 in 2023, and the number of deaths decreased from 2 to 0 over the same period; WHEREAS, despite the regulations being effective April 1st, the changes were not incorporated into the “Director’s Rules for Deployment and Operations of Shared Small Vehicle Mobility Systems”, the changes are not listed anywhere on the City of Austin website, and vendors were not formally notified of the changes until April 11th; WHEREAS, the changes communicated to vendors in the “Enhanced Regulations to the Shared Mobility Program” included the following changes: ● “Maintain the number of licensed micro-mobility vendors at 2”, ● “No increases to device permits for current licensed operators”, ● “Maintain the total number of permitted scooters citywide at 6,700”, ● “Reduce the number of scooters allowed to operate in the Downtown Area Project Coordination Zone (DAPCZ) to 1,125 per licensed vendor”, ● “Reduce maximum speed from 15mph to 10mph between 10pm and 5am daily in the main entertainment districts of the urban core”, and ● “Assign restricted and designated device staging areas and require rebalancing of devices to assigned areas each …
Street Impact Fees Overview – Downtown Commission Nathan Aubert, P.E. | Supervising Engineer | May 15, 2024 1 5/15/2024 Street Impact Fees (SIF) Presentation Overview • Implementation Timeline • Street Impact Fee (SIF) Applicability • SIF Calculation Overview • SIF Calculation Worksheet Overview • SIF Calculation Worksheet Details • SIF Guidelines Timeline • Questions/Answers 2 5/15/2024 Street Impact Fees (SIF) Implementation Timeline STREET IMPACT FEE SIF Ordinances Adopted (TIA Deadline for Grace Period) Fee Collection Begins (New TCM Effective) Fee Collection grace period ends (All TIAs) Dec 2020 Jun 2022 Dec 2023 Jun 2021 Dec 2022 Report to Council on Review Fees Public-Facing SIF Dashboard 3 5/15/2024 Street Impact Fees (SIF) SIF Applicability • SIF Applies to projects which generate 10 Peak Hour Trips (PHTs) or more • Dependent on what is on the site before construction • Mid-rise (4-10 floors) multifamily developments: ~23 units • High-rise (11+ floors) multifamily developments: ~28 units • Office developments: ~9,000 Square Feet • Projects that started the Building Permit (Plan Review) process in June 2022 or later (without a previous TIA) • If a Plan Review was applied for in June 2022 or before, no SIF was collected • TIA memo must be dated before Dec 21, 2020 • Projects that started the Building Permit (Plan Review) process after Dec. 21, 2023 (with a previous TIA) 4 5/15/2024 Street Impact Fees (SIF) SIF, Fee-In-Lieu, and Mitigations • SIF replaced transportation fees-in-lieu • SIF can be reduced (constructed improvements, previously paid fees, affordability, etc.) • SIF reductions captured via Offset Agreement • SIF payments not earmarked • SIF money remains in Service Area (map) • SIF collection and Roadway Capacity Plan (RCP) 5 5/15/2024 Street Impact Fees (SIF) SIF Guidelines & Collection Guidelines provide in-depth direction for: • SIF Calculation Worksheet • SIF Ordinance information • Offsets and what can be counted • Reductions based on: Internal Trip Capture • Affordable housing provided • • Proximity to Transit • Parking Reduction Created a collection dashboard • Real-time collections • Outstanding invoices • Spent fees 6 5/15/2024 Street Impact Fees (SIF) Helpful Links www.AustinTexas.gov/StreetImpactFee StreetImpactFee@AustinTexas.gov https://www.austintexas.gov/page/transportation-project-development-program 7 5/15/2024 Street Impact Fees (SIF)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Downtown Commission Recommendation Number 20240515-003: Dockless Micromobility Regulations WHEREAS, following Superpedestrian/Link ceasing operations in North America at the end of 2023, the Austin e-scooter system contracted in size by 29%, losing 2,000 scooters from the system; WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) calls on the city to “Emphasize and incentivize shared mobility solutions” by developing and focusing on ”shared mobility services and systems to provide first-mile/last-mile mobility solutions and increase shared trips on the transportation network”; WHEREAS, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) highlighted Austin in its 2022 Report on Shared Micromobility in the U.S. and Canada as having the second most used e-scooter system in North America with a ride per vehicle per day average of 2.7, which NACTO called “stand out for e-scooter rides per vehicle per day compared to peer cities.”; D R A F T ● “Maintain the number of licensed micro-mobility vendors at 2”, ● “No increases to device permits for current licensed operators”, ● “Maintain the total number of permitted scooters citywide at 6,700”, ● “Reduce the number of scooters allowed to operate in the Downtown Area Project Coordination Zone (DAPCZ) to 1,125 per licensed vendor”, ● “Reduce maximum speed from 15mph to 10mph between 10pm and 5am daily in the main entertainment districts of the urban core”, and ● “Assign restricted and designated device staging areas and require rebalancing of devices to assigned areas each morning”; WHEREAS, on March 28th, 2024, Transportation and Public Works (TPW) Director Richard Mendoza briefed the City Council Mobility Committee on “upcoming changes to our department regulations regarding the operations of micro-mobility devices” and cited safety, general aesthetics, and watershed protection as the main issues the regulations were meant to address; WHEREAS, the “Enhanced Regulations to the Shared Mobility Program” took effect on April 1st, 2024, and the following changes were communicated to vendors on April 11th, 2024: WHEREAS, on March 30th, 2024 the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association released a statement opposing the moratorium on new vendors, caps on the number of new vendors, reduction of vehicles in the DAPCZ, and elimination of dockless e-bikes, and further requested the city “delay its planned changes and instead moves towards solutions that more prudently balance the impacts on mobility users, the city’s mobility goals, and safety”; WHEREAS, according to the City of Austin Vision Zero Viewer, the number of e-scooter-related serious injuries decreased 50% from …
Urban Transportation Commission May 7, 2024 Shared Mobility Program Update Joseph Al-hajeri, Parking Enterprise Manager Michael Kimbro, Shared Mobility Supervisor 1 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services BRIEFING OVERVIEW 2023 System Overview Speed Limit Reduction Operational Policies/ Data Collection Regulation Background Recent Program Updates: Licensing & Permitting Designated Staging/ Parking Areas Recent Program Updates: Operations Next Steps Q&A 2 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services 2023 System Overview Current Operators | Fleet Size Lime | 3,700 scooters & 180 ebikes Bird | 3000 scooters 2023 Total Trips Lime 1,868,208 scooters & 63,402 ebikes Bird 791,337 Link 224,246 Wheels 33,109 Total Distance Travelled 2,927,690 miles Trips per Major Area 2,081,017 (70%) within DAPCZ 395,048 (13%) within UT/West Campus Events Austin City Limits Festival Weekend One: 59,175 trips Weekend Two: 62,881 trips SXSW 142,540 trips 16,556 median trips per day (7,315 typically) 3 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services Quick Background Regulation Texas Transportation Code, Title 7 • Chapter 551. - Operation of bicycles and mopeds, golf carts, and other low- powered vehicles. Title 14 Use of Streets and Public Property • § 14-9-23 - City-wide dockless transportation license authorized. • § 14-9-24 - City-wide dockless transportation unit placement plan. • § 14-9-25 - License amendment, suspension, or revocation. Title 12 Traffic Enforcement • § 12-2 - Micro-Mobility Devices and Bicycles. Director Rules for Deployment and Operation of Shared Small Vehicle Mobility Systems City Approved Fees Fee Type License Fee Fee Schedule $1,500 per year Collection Collected bi-annually in December & June Per Device Permit Fee $80 per device/ per year Collected bi-annually in December & June Per Trip Fee $0.15 per trip Collected Monthly 4 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services Operational Policies/Data Collection Data from provider API utilizing Mobility Data Specification Data aggregated by Ride Report Real-time visibility and reporting How TPW Monitors/ Enforcement • Third-party data management • Geofencing/device performance restrictions • Calls/Customer Service Requests (CSR) • CSR response audits • Staff device audits • Shared communications channel during special events Results of Enforcement of Director Rules • • • Impounds Reduction in Service Denial of license and/or device permits 5 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services Recent Program Updates License & Permit Changes Maintain the number of licensed micro-mobility vendors at 2. No increases to device permits for current licensed operators. ACTIVE ACTIVE Maintain the total number of permitted scooters citywide at 6,700. ACTIVE 6 5/3/2024 Shared Mobility Services Recent Program Updates Operations Changes Reduce …
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, May 15, 2024 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street in hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE August Harris, Chair Kimberly Levinson Spencer Schumacher COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Ralph E Ishmael, Jr. Vice-Chair Liz Coufal Mike Lavigne Taylor Major CALL TO ORDER Chair Harris called the meeting of the Downtown Commission to order at 5:33 pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No speakers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission April 17, 2024 meeting. The minutes from the meeting on 04/17/24 were approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Major’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Carroll, Ortega and Shifferd were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. The motion to postpone this item to the next Downtown Commission meeting on 06/26/2024 was approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, May 15, 2024 Major’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Carroll, Ortega and Shifferd were absent. 3. Discussion and approval of a Recommendation on dockless micromobility regulations and transportation-related rule making. A motion to approve Recommendation 20240515-003 failed on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Major’s second on a 4-1 vote. Those members voting aye were: Vice Chair Ishmael, Commissioners Coufal, Levinson and Major. Voting nay was: Chair Harris. Abstaining was: Commissioner Lavigne. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Carroll, Ortega and Shifferd were absent. STAFF BRIEFING 4. Presentation on Street Impact Fees in the downtown Austin area by Nathan Aubert, Supervising Engineer, Austin Transportation Department. Presentation was given by Nathan Aubert, Supervising Engineer, Austin Transportation Public Works Department. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Officer Elections Downtown Plan Staff Presentation ADJOURNMENT Chair Harris adjourned the meeting at 6:38 pm without objection. The minutes were approved at the June 26, 2024 meeting on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Shifferd’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler and Major were absent.
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION APRIL 17, 2024, TIME: 5:30 p.m. Austin City Hall, Council Chamber, Room 1001 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Downtown Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register, please contact Christi Vitela at Christi.Vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974- 2792. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: August Harris (Chair) VACANT (District 1) Tania A. Ortega (District 2) Liz Coufal (District 3) Ralph E. Ishmael, Jr. (District 4) Darilynn Cardona-Beiler (District 5) Taylor Major (District 6) Mike Lavigne (District 7) VACANT (District 8) Kimberly Levinson (District 9) Sania D. Shifferd (Mayor) CALL TO ORDER Marissa McKinney (Design Commission) David Holmes (Public Safety Commission) Amy Mok (Arts Commission) Spencer Schumacher (Urban Transportation) Jennifer Franklin (Parks and Recreation Board) Carl J. Larosche (Historic Landmark Commission) Anne Charlotte Patterson (Music Commission) AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission March 20, 2024 meeting. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. creating and funding a new department. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Approve a Recommendation to centralize graffiti programs within the City of Austin by 4. Presentation on mental health resources for people experiencing homelessness by Marlene Buchanan, Director of System of Care, and Kathleen Casey, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Integral Care. 5. Presentation on a proposed sound assessment requirement for residential development near Outdoor Music and Performance Venues and a disclosure requirement about nearby venues when units are leased/sold by Brian Block, Nightlife and Entertainment Services Manager, Development Services Department. 6. Update and discussion regarding the Urban Transportation Commission Recommendations 20240402-003: South Central Waterfront and 20240402-004: ETOD as they relate to the Downtown Commission. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting …
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street in hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE August Harris, Chair Ralph E Ishmael, Jr. Vice-Chair Liz Coufal Kimberly Levinson Sania D. Shifferd COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Jennifer Franklin David Holmes Mike Lavigne Anne Charlotte Patterson Spencer Schumacher 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 February 21, 2024 meeting. The minutes from the meeting on 02/21/24 were approved on Vice Chair Ishmael’s motion, Commissioner Levinson’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona- Beiler, Major and Ortega were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 2. Approve a recommendation to City Council for immediate and future funding that is consistent with other Cultural Districts to support activities in the Red River Cultural District through its management entity, the Red River Merchants Association. Presentation by Nicole Klepadlo, Interim Executive Director, Red River Cultural District. A motion to approve Recommendation 20240320-002 was made by Commissioner Levinson, Commissioner Coufal’s second. Chair Harris recessed the Downtown Commission meeting without objection at 6:03pm. Chair Harris reconvened the Downtown Commission meeting at 6:15pm. A motion to amend was made by Vice Chair Ishmael and seconded by Commissioner Levinson. The amendment was to edit the final passage to read as follows: “…that the Downtown Commission recommends that Austin City Council to allocate immediate and future funding to include the Fiscal Year 24-25 Budget to the Red River Cultural District consistent with amounts allocated to other Cultural Districts, through its managing entity, Red River Merchants Association.” The amendment was approved on a 6-0 vote. The motion to approve Recommendation 20240320-002 as amended was approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Coufal’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Major and Ortega were absent. 3. Approve a recommendation to City Council to appropriate funding during the FY 2025 Budget to equip the Austin Police Department and Transportation and Public Works Department with sufficient barricades to enhance pedestrian safety for Downtown activities and events. The motion to approve Recommendation 20240320-003 was approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Coufal’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Major and Ortega were absent. 4. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding Downtown graffiti policy with updated information presented by Chair Harris, Downtown Commission. …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Downtown Commission Recommendation Number 20240417-003: Request to centralize graffiti programs; create and fund a new City of Austin department WHEREAS graffiti is a crime under the laws of the state of Texas; and WHEREAS Title 7 of the Texas State Penal Code 28.02 addresses offenses against property, including graffiti. WHEREAS title 7 of the Texas Penal Code addresses criminal trespass; and WHEREAS Title 3 of the Texas Penal Code 12.43 establishes penalties for repeat and habitual misdemeanor offenses; and WHEREAS graffiti is a public nuisance; and WHEREAS graffiti defaces public and private property, leaving property owners and taxpayers to bear the burden of remediation, and adversely affects citizens, communities, businesses, and property values; and WHEREAS graffiti is a growing problem that cost the Austin Parks and Recreation Department $546,00; Building Services $437,325; TxDot and CTRMA more than $150,000 just for central sections of Mopac Loop 1 and IH35; and WHEREAS the Downtown Austin Alliance abated 26,485 instances of graffiti and stickers/posters in 2022 in the Downtown PID through a third-party vendor, incurring a considerable cost to do so that would have been better spent elsewhere; and WHEREAS tagging traffic signage creates public safety hazards and damages the reflective coating needed for visibility, resulting in replacement of signage at a considerable cost to taxpayers. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Downtown Commission requests that the City of Austin centralize its various graffiti programs into a new Department of Nuisance Abatement; and that it be placed under the authority of the Code Enforcement Department; and that it be funded to the sum of $2 million dollars. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: (Unanimous on a 7-0 vote, 4-3 vote with names of those voting no listed) Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
Integral Care: Mental Health Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness Marlene Buchanan, Director of Systems of Care Ruth Ahearn, Practice Administrator of Housing and Homeless Initiatives Since 1967, Integral Care has supported the health and well-being of adults and children living with mental illness, substance use disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Integral Care was the first community center to provide directly or contract for high-quality, community-based behavioral health and intellectual disabilities services in Central Texas. FY24 Funding from Sponsoring Agencies • Total = $15,622,400 • Contracts =3 • Areas of Focus • Medication Assisted Treatment ($400K) Bed Days – In-Patient and Crisis Respite ($8.1M) Sendero Health Insurance ($122.4K) Behavioral Health Services ($7M) • • • *Central Health's Inpatient/Crisis Respite contract provides the required match of $855K for HHSC's Inpatient/Crisis Respite funds of $3.420M. • Total = $14,342,894 • Contracts = 22 • Areas of Focus • Homeless Outreach Crisis Response • Adult Behavioral Health Substance Abuse Managed Care Organizations (SAMSO) • • • Burnet Rd & Seabrook Square Renovations • Downtown Austin Community Court *Not all renewed contracts have been received. There may be some contract amount adjustments. City of Austin Interlocal funds of $1.999M provides a portion of the required match for HHSC MH & IDD Main Performance contracts total $27,211,125 and match for HHSC Path contract total of $572K and HUD contract of $491K. The City's $1.999M match provides a total of State & Federal Contracts of $28,724,438 to the local community. • Total = $13,006,731 • Contracts = 13 • Areas of Focus • Adult Behavioral Health Child & Family Services IDD Crisis Services Substance Abuse Managed Care Organizations (SAMSO) Criminal Legal System Juvenile Justice • • • • • • *Not all renewed contracts have been received. There may be some contract amount adjustments. Travis County Interlocal funds of $1.601M, which $1.476M provides a portion of HHSC MH & IDD Main Performance contracts total of $27,211,125 for local community funds. Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) • In addition to being a Local Mental Health Authority, Integral Care is also a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). • CCBHC is a model of care designed to ensure access to coordinated comprehensive behavioral health care across the system of care. • Integral Care was first certified as a CCBHC in 2016. As of March 2022, all 39 LMHA’s in Texas have achieved CCBHC certification. • Just as …
Sound Assessment & Disclosure Requirements Proposal Presentation to City of Austin Downtown Commission April 17, 2024 Background • Council approved Resolution No. 20181018- 038 directing the City Manager to propose programs, rules, and ordinances necessary to improve compatibility between residents, lodging establishments, and music-related businesses. • The resolution was part of Council efforts to support music, arts and culture. Purpose • Policy related to residential development responsibility is still outstanding. • In addition to the sound ordinance and enforcement, the sound management system should also anticipate and address quality of life issues for residences in proximity to nightlife and entertainment establishments and districts. Ensure Accurate Expectations Policy Goals • Improve compatibility between entertainment uses with amplified sound and residential and hotel uses. • Anticipate, plan for, and minimize common conflicts between residential and hotel uses and entertainment-related amplified sound. • Ensure residential and hotel development projects understand the sound levels in the area so they can design and construct the building considering the sound impact from nearby code-compliant entertainment uses. • Provide residential development projects and new residents with accurate expectations about the level of sound that will be present in the environment, and the information they need to make informed decisions. Approach A commonsense solution that is not prescriptive and focuses on education and awareness Sound Assessment & Disclosure Requires residential and hotel developments near Outdoor Music Venues and Performance Venues to: • conduct a sound assessment • disclose to future residents when they sell or lease units about the presence of nearby venues, and that a sound assessment was conducted Description and Intent • Does NOT mandate building standards. • Requires residential developers to: Promotes Education and Informed Decisions 1. document that they have studied the sound levels in the area they are building. • This includes assessing the impact of legally compliant sound from nearby music and nightlife establishments. 2. disclose to future residents the presence of nearby music and nightlife establishments, and that a sound assessment has been conducted. Description and Intent • Residents are encouraged to ask questions about sound mitigation efforts, make informed decisions Promotes Education and Informed Decisions • Does NOT require anything further from Outdoor Music Venue Permit Holders or Performance Venues. • Their sound level is already regulated with a fixed sound level standard that is appropriate for the context, is predictable and doesn’t change when new residential is built nearby. …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Downtown Commission Recommendation Number 20240417-003: Request to centralize graffiti programs; create and fund a new City of Austin department WHEREAS graffiti is a crime under the laws of the state of Texas; and WHEREAS Title 7 of the Texas State Penal Code 28.02 addresses offenses against property, including graffiti. WHEREAS title 7 of the Texas Penal Code addresses criminal trespass; and WHEREAS Title 3 of the Texas Penal Code 12.43 establishes penalties for repeat and habitual misdemeanor offenses; and WHEREAS graffiti is a public nuisance; and WHEREAS graffiti defaces public and private property, leaving property owners and taxpayers to bear the burden of remediation, and adversely affects citizens, communities, businesses, and property values; and WHEREAS graffiti is a growing problem that cost the Austin Parks and Recreation Department $546,000; Building Services $437,325; TxDot and CTRMA more than $150,000 just for central sections of Mopac Loop 1 and IH35; and WHEREAS the Downtown Austin Alliance abated 26,485 instances of graffiti and stickers/posters in 2022 in the Downtown PID through a third-party vendor, incurring a considerable cost to do so that would have been better spent elsewhere; and WHEREAS tagging traffic signage creates public safety hazards and damages the reflective coating needed for visibility, resulting in replacement of signage at a considerable cost to taxpayers. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Downtown Commission requests that the City of Austin centralize its various graffiti programs into a new Department of Nuisance Abatement; and that it be placed under the authority of the Code Enforcement Department; and that it be funded to the sum of $2 million dollars. Date of Approval: 4/17/2024 Record of the vote: 6-0 vote Ayes: Chair Harris, Vice Chair Ishmael, Commissioners Levinson, Major, Ortega, Shifferd Absent: Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Coufal and Lavigne Attest: Christi Vitela (Downtown Commission Staff Liaison)
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 17, 2024 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street in hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE August Harris, Chair Ralph E Ishmael, Jr. Vice-Chair Jennifer Franklin Kimberly Levinson Sania D. Shifferd COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Taylor Major Tania Ortega Amy Mok Anne Charlotte Patterson Spencer Schumacher CALL TO ORDER Chair Harris called the meeting of the Downtown Commission to order at 5:35 pm PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No speakers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission March 20, 2024 meeting. The minutes from the meeting on 03/20/24 were approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Vice Chair Ishmael’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Coufal and Lavigne were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 2. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 17, 2024 The motion to postpone this item to the next Downtown Commission meeting on 05/15/2024 was approved on Vice Chair Ishmael’s motion, Commissioner Levinson’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Coufal and Lavigne were absent. 3. Approve a Recommendation to centralize graffiti programs within the City of Austin by creating and funding a new department. A motion to approve Recommendation 20240417-003 was made by Commissioner Levinson and seconded by Commissioner Shifferd. A motion to amend was made by Vice Chair Ishmael, seconded by Commissioner Levinson. The amendment was to add a zero to correct an error and to read as follows: “$546,000” The amendment was approved on a 6-0 vote. The motion to approve Recommendation 20240417-003 as amended was approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion and Commissioner Shifferd’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Coufal and Lavigne were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation on mental health resources for people experiencing homelessness by Marlene Buchanan, Director of System of Care, and Kathleen Casey, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Integral Care. Marlene Buchanan, Director of System of Care and Ruth Ahearn, Practice Administrator at Integral Care presented. 5. Presentation on a proposed sound assessment requirement for residential development near Outdoor Music and Performance Venues and a disclosure requirement about nearby venues when units are leased/sold by Brian Block, Nightlife and Entertainment Services Manager, Development Services Department. Brian Block, Nightlife and Entertainment Services Manager at the Development Services Department presented. 6. Update and discussion regarding …
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MARCH 20, 2024, TIME: 5:30 p.m. Austin City Hall, Council Chamber, Room 1001 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Downtown Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register, please contact Christine Maguire at Christine.maguire@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-7131. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: August Harris (Chair) VACANT (District 1) Tania A. Ortega (District 2) Liz Coufal (District 3) Ralph E. Ishmael, Jr. (Vice-Chair) Darilynn Cardona-Beiler (District 5) Taylor Major (District 6) Mike Lavigne (District 7) VACANT (District 8) Kimberly Levinson (District 9) Sania D. Shifferd (Mayor) CALL TO ORDER Marissa McKinney (Design Commission) David Holmes (Public Safety Commission) Amy Mok (Arts Commission) Spencer Schumacher (Urban Transportation) Jennifer Franklin (Parks and Recreation Board) Carl J. Larosche (Historic Landmark Commission) Anne Charlotte Patterson (Music Commission) AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission February 21, 2024 meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve a recommendation to City Council for immediate and future funding that is consistent with other Cultural Districts to support activities in the Red River Cultural District through its management entity, the Red River Merchants Association. Presentation by Nicole Klepadlo, Interim Executive Director, Red River Cultural District. 3. Approve a recommendation to City Council to appropriate funding during the FY 2025 Budget to equip the Austin Police Department and Transportation and Public Works Department with sufficient barricades to enhance pedestrian safety for Downtown activities and events. 4. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding Downtown graffiti policy with updated information presented by Chair Harris, Downtown Commission. DISCUSSION Department. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 5. Presentation on the Downtown Historic Survey by Emily Payne with HHM, Inc., on behalf of the Planning Department, Historic Preservation Division. 6. Presentation on the Equity-Based Preservation Plan by Cara Bertron, Planning 7. Update and discussion regarding actions related to the Downtown Commission taken at …
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 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 …
OUR MISSION The Red River Cultural District is a creative community providing authentic Austin experiences through diverse local music, art and food for every fan and guest. In an ever-changing ATX, our nonprofit seeks to preserve and grow Red River's creative, business, and music scene. As a community rooted in artists, musicians, performers, music venues, cultural institutions and small businesses, the District embodies the soul and heart of Austin. WHO is the RED RIVER Cultural District The District is managed by the Red River Merchant’s Association, a coalition of 50+ businesses including live music venues, food, hospitality, entertainment businesses and also the Austin Symphony Orchestra, First Baptist Church, German-Texan Heritage Society and Waterloo Greenway. The District was designated a State Cultural District in 2020 by the Texas Commision on the Arts and a local Cultural District by the City of Austin in 2013. RED RIVER Cultural District IMPACT • Conserve Austin's only walkable live music hub of over dozen independent music venues • Support thousands of local musicians and performers annually through direct financial support • Foster 1000+ music and service industry jobs in the district • Backbone to major tourism and economic generators including SXSW, ACL, Levitation, Oblivion Access, GTHS Oktoberfest and more RED RIVER Cultural District IMPACT • Local, State, and Federal Policy advocacy for live music ecosystem and small and local business assistance • Creative economy hub including opportunities for photographers, video production, designers, fashion, artists, and more • Destination for local and Texas music heritage • Industry Development Incubator RED RIVER Cultural District IMPACT • $200K in direct pandemic relief to music and service industry to 3,000 individuals served • Curb appeal, district identify and safety enhancements $1.5M+ improvements • FREE Signature Music Festivals Our premier all-ages district-wide festivals Free Week and Hot Summer Nights fuel community growth in the traditionally dog-days of summer and dead of winter. • Support with direct payment 500+ musicians, artists, and performers per festival over 3 days • Average 15,000+ attendees of locals and visitors • Leverage industry support and causes through partnerships • Average 15-25% first time performers during either fest Hot Summer Nights 2023 Highlights 30+ Million media impressions in July alone including the front page of the Austin Chronicle Total Participating Venues: 14 total (largest participation yet) Total Music Acts: 130 Our largest Hot Summer Nights Estimated total musicians supported: 400+ Estimated Attendance: 10,000+ Media Partners: Chronicle, …
RECOMMENDATION DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20240320-002 Immediate and future funding for the Red River Cultural District WHEREAS, On February 9, 2024, City Council approved a resolution directing the City Manager to return to Council with an Economic and Cultural District Framework, identifying funding and support for Red River Cultural District, and WHEREAS, The Red River Cultural District is the Austin’s largest geographically contiguous collection of live music venues hosting local and touring artists from a diverse range of backgrounds and a wealth of genres, from hip-hip to Latin to LGBTQIA+ to independent rock and more; and WHEREAS, other designated Austin Cultural Districts have received recent funding in amounts ranging from $120,000 to $300,000; and WHEREAS, Austin’s live music industry is a primary driver of tourism; and WHEREAS, Austin’s live music venues face dramatically escalating rent and operating costs; and WHEREAS, the Red River Cultural District produces two annual festival which are completely free and open to the public, and on February 15, 2024 City Council passed a resolution directing the City Manager to investigate ways to preserve accessible, inclusive, open-to-the-public events and to identify opportunities for the City to support and promote community events NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Downtown Commission recommends that Austin City Council to allocate immediate and future funding to the Red River Cultural District consistent with amounts allocated to other Cultural Districts, through its managing entity, Red River Merchants Associaiton. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Downtown Commission Recommendation Number 20240320-003: Downtown Vehicle Safety Mitigation Plan FY 2025 Budget Recommendation The Downtown Commission recommends that the Austin City Council appropriate funding in the amount of $518,291.19 purchase 65 Meridian Archer movable street barricades and associated equipment and training as shown on the attached Quote from to Meridian Rapid Defense Group Sales LLC and thereby equip the Austin Police Department and Transportation and Public Works Department with sufficient barricades to enhance pedestrian safety for Downtown activities and events. Motioned By: ________________________ Seconded By: __________________________ Date of Approval: March 20, 2024 Attest: Christine Maguire, Commission Executive Liaison, Economic Development Department __________________________________________ Vote: ___-___ For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Vacant:
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (Downtown Commission) Recommendation Number: (20230315-5) Recommendation for Anti-Graffiti Policy WHEREAS graffiti is a crime under the laws of the State of Texas; and WHEREAS Title 7 of the Texas State Penal Code §28.08 addresses offenses against property, including graffiti. A person commits an offense if, without the effective consent of the owner, the person intentionally or knowingly makes markings, including inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings, on the tangible property of the owner with paint, an indelible marker, or an etching or engraving device. WHEREAS Title 7 of the Texas Penal Code §30.05 addresses criminal trespass. With notice, a person commits an offense if he enters or remains on or in property, including an aircraft or other vehicle, of another without effective consent or he enters or remains in a building of another without effective consent; and WHEREAS Title 3, of the Texas Penal Code §12.43 establishes penalties for repeat and habitual misdemeanor offenders. WHEREAS graffiti is a public nuisance; and WHEREAS graffiti defaces private, business and public property leaving the property owner and the taxpayer to bear the burden of remediation and adversely affecting citizens, communities, businesses and property values; and WHEREAS vandals risk their lives and potentially the lives of others when tagging or attempting to tag property; and WHEREAS the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing estimates the graffiti problem costs our nation $12 billion annually; and WHEREAS graffiti is a growing and ever more costly problem in the City of Austin per the following examples; 1) Austin Parks and Recreation Department spends $546,000, Building Services contracts with a third party for $437,325 for graffiti abatement, and while other departments neither track instances of graffiti nor costs associated with abatement, they periodically conduct graffiti abatement in the course of their other work thus drawing time and resources away from their primary service; and TXDoT and CTRMA together incur costs of more than $150,000 annually abating graffiti through just the central sections of IH35 and MoPac Loop 1; and Graffiti on private property in Austin costs individuals and businesses significant expense; and The Downtown Austin Alliance abated 26,485 instances of graffiti and stickers/posters in the Austin Downtown Public Improvement District in 2022 through a third party vendor 2) 3) 4) requiring the expenditure of significant funds that could be utilized better elsewhere; and Tagging of traffic signage creates public safety hazards and the signs must be discarded because abatement …
City of Austin Historic Resource Survey of Downtown Downtown Commission March 20, 2024 1. Survey Boundary 2. Project Schedule & Status 3. Scope and Methodology 4. Frequently Asked Questions 5. Opportunities for Input 6. Questions Survey Boundary Survey Boundary: Downtown Austin and Adjacent Neighborhoods - HHM will survey both parcels with CAD dates of 1979 or earlier and parcels with no known date - Excludes local historic districts and recently surveyed areas - Estimated maximum of 1,553 parcels Map illustrating the survey boundary and excluded areas. Project Schedule & Status Project Schedule Task Task 1. Project Initiation/Project Plan and Schedule Task 2a. Draft Fieldwork Methodology Task 2b. Final Fieldwork Methodology Task 3. Fieldwork and Community Coordination Task 4a. Draft Research Design Task 4b. Final Research Design Task 5. Research & Community Input Task 6. First Draft Survey Report and Contexts for City Task 7. Second Draft Survey Report and Contexts for Public Task 8. Final Survey Report and Contexts Deadline Friday, October 13, 2023 Friday, November 17, 2023 Friday, December 15, 2023 Friday, March 29, 2024 Friday, May 10, 2024 Friday, June 7, 2024 Friday, August 9, 2024 Friday, October 18, 2024 Monday, January 6, 2025 Friday, February 28, 2025 Survey Status: Downtown Austin and Adjacent Neighborhoods - 1,989 resources surveyed as of March 15, 2024 - City Directory research complete for all historic-age resources not previously designated - Occupant research underway - Evaluation of significance and potential eligibility underway Map illustrating survey completed to date as of March 15,2024 Scope and Methodology Survey Preparation and Prior Data Integration The GIS-based survey forms will be prepopulated with locational points, County Appraisal District data, and prior designation data, and prior survey data prior to fieldwork. Map illustrating prior historic designations intersecting with the survey area. Reconnaissance-Level Field Documentation In the field, surveyors will take photographs and gather basic information about each resource’s form, architectural style, materials, and alterations. Example: Reconnaissance-Level Survey Form for 4512 Avenue D from the North Hyde Park Survey Intensive-Level Documentation After completing fieldwork, surveyors will integrate historic research and compile additional documentation for potential individual landmarks and/or individual NRHP-eligible resources. Example: Intensive-Level Survey Form for 905 E. 2nd Street from the East Austin Survey Historic District Analysis For potential historic districts, summary forms will document district-level trends. Example: Historic District Summary form for Swedish Hill from the East Austin survey. Historic District Analysis Documentation of historic districts …
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION | MARCH 20, 2024 Austin History Center (C05767, PICA 24201, PICA 29995); Chen Chen Wu; City of Austin Plan Vision Historic preservation in Austin actively engages communities in protecting and sharing important places and stories. Preservation uses the past to create a shared sense of belonging and to shape an equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and economically vital future for all. Joe’s Bakery, anonymous, Amy Moreland/ Austin’s Atlas Community-Based Process 26 working group members 1,100 working group hours 300+ people involved Icons from the Noun Project: Community by Gan Khoon Lay, focus group by mikicon, committee by Adrien Coquet Community-Based Process “Being part of the working group was a great experience mainly because the members had diverse backgrounds, but the same goal. It was a rare learning experience.” Michelle Benavides Ursula A. Carter Linda Y. Jackson Brenda Malik Emily Payne Gilbert Rivera 1 Brita Wallace* 1 Justin Bragiel 2 Mary Jo Galindo* Meghan King* Alyson McGee 1 Rocio Peña-Martinez* JuanRaymon Rubio 2 Bob Ward 1 Noel Bridges 1 Jerry Garcia 1 Jolene Kiolbassa 1 Debra Murphy 2 Misael Ramos* Maria Solis* 1 Caroline Wright 1 *Drafting Committee member 1 Phase 1 only 2 Phase 2 only Julia Brookins* Ben Goudy 2 Kevin Koch Robin Orlowski 2 Mary Reed* 1 Erin Waelder 1 Amalia Carmona 2 Hanna Huang* 1 Kelechi Madubuko Leslie Ornelas 1 Lori Renteria 1 Equity-Based Preservation Plan REVIEWING THE DRAFT Neal Douglass, Oct. 1949, ND-49-346-02, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library. Draft Plan Goals 1. Tell Austin’s full history 9. Proactively identify important places 2. Recognize cultural heritage 10. Follow good designation practices 3. Preserve archaeological resources 11. Support stewardship of community 4. Stabilize communities assets 5. Support environmental sustainability 12. Be strategic with review 6. Engage communities equitably 13. Protect historic resources 7. Support people doing the work 14. Implement the plan collaboratively 8. Engage new partners What We Preserve Parade and mural unveiling (The Austin Chronicle), San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation Think broadly. • Recognize Austin’s rich and complex history through active listening, inclusive research, and interpretation • Better recognize and protect legacy businesses, murals, and archaeological resources • Use preservation tools to support community stabilization and environmental sustainability Who Preserves Invite and support. • Help people access knowledge, resources, and decision-making power • Streamline and explain historic review and designation processes • Support craftspeople, commissioners, and staff • Engage new partners and audiences San …
RECOMMENDATION DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20240320‐002 Immediate and future funding for the Red River Cultural District WHEREAS, On February 9, 2024, City Council approved a resolution directing the City Manager to return to Council with an Economic and Cultural District Framework, identifying funding and support for Red River Cultural District, and WHEREAS, The Red River Cultural District is the Austin’s largest geographically contiguous collection of live music venues hosting local and touring artists from a diverse range of backgrounds and a wealth of genres, from hip‐hip to Latin to LGBTQIA+ to independent rock and more; and WHEREAS, other designated Austin Cultural Districts have received recent funding in amounts ranging from $120,000 to $300,000; and WHEREAS, Austin’s live music industry is a primary driver of tourism; and WHEREAS, Austin’s live music venues face dramatically escalating rent and operating costs; and WHEREAS, the Red River Cultural District produces two annual festival which are completely free and open to the public, and on February 15, 2024 City Council passed a resolution directing the City Manager to investigate ways to preserve accessible, inclusive, open‐to‐the‐public events and to identify opportunities for the City to support and promote community events NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Downtown Commission recommends that Austin City Council to allocate immediate and future funding to include in the Fiscal Year 24‐25 Budget to the Red River Cultural District consistent with amounts allocated to other Cultural Districts, through its managing entity, Red River Merchants Association. Date of Approval: March 20,2024 Record of the vote: 6‐0 For: Chair Harris, Vice Chair Ishmael, Commissioners Coufal, Lavigne, Levinson and Shifferd Absent: Commissioners Cardona‐Beiler, Major and Ortega (Staff or board member can sign) Attest: Christine Maguire, Executive Liaison 3/22/2024
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Downtown Commission Recommendation Number 20240320-003: Downtown Vehicle Safety Mitigation Plan FY 2025 Budget Recommendation The Downtown Commission recommends that the Austin City Council appropriate funding in the amount of $518,291.19 purchase 65 Meridian Archer movable street barricades and associated equipment and training as shown on the attached Quote from to Meridian Rapid Defense Group Sales LLC and thereby equip the Austin Police Department and Transportation and Public Works Department with sufficient barricades to enhance pedestrian safety for Downtown activities and events. Motioned By: ________________________ Commissioner Levinson Seconded By: __________________________ Commissioner Coufal Date of Approval: March 20, 2024 Vote: ___-___ 0 6 0 0 Against: Abstain: Absent: Vacant: two vacancies For: Chair Harris, Vice Chair Ishmael, Commissioners Coufal, Lavigne, Levinson and Shifferd Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Major and Ortega Attest: Christine Maguire, Commission Executive Liaison, Economic Development Department __________________________________________
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 20, 2024 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2024 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street in hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE August Harris, Chair Ralph E Ishmael, Jr. Vice-Chair Liz Coufal Kimberly Levinson Sania D. Shifferd COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Jennifer Franklin David Holmes Mike Lavigne Anne Charlotte Patterson Spencer Schumacher 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 February 21, 2024 meeting. The minutes from the meeting on 02/21/24 were approved on Vice Chair Ishmael’s motion, Commissioner Levinson’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona- Beiler, Major and Ortega were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 2. Approve a recommendation to City Council for immediate and future funding that is consistent with other Cultural Districts to support activities in the Red River Cultural District through its management entity, the Red River Merchants Association. Presentation by Nicole Klepadlo, Interim Executive Director, Red River Cultural District. Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 20, 2024 A motion to approve Recommendation 20240320-002 was made by Commissioner Levinson, Commissioner Coufal’s second. Chair Harris recessed the Downtown Commission meeting without objection at 6:03pm. Chair Harris reconvened the Downtown Commission meeting at 6:15pm. A motion to amend was made by Vice Chair Ishmael and seconded by Commissioner Levinson. The amendment was to edit the final passage to read as follows: “…that the Downtown Commission recommends that Austin City Council to allocate immediate and future funding to include the Fiscal Year 24-25 Budget to the Red River Cultural District consistent with amounts allocated to other Cultural Districts, through its managing entity, Red River Merchants Association.” The amendment was approved on a 6-0 vote. The motion to approve Recommendation 20240320-002 as amended was approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Coufal’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Major and Ortega were absent. 3. Approve a recommendation to City Council to appropriate funding during the FY 2025 Budget to equip the Austin Police Department and Transportation and Public Works Department with sufficient barricades to enhance pedestrian safety for Downtown activities and events. The motion to approve Recommendation 20240320-003 was approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Coufal’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cardona-Beiler, Major and Ortega were absent. 4. Approve a …
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION FEBRUARY 21, 2024, TIME: 5:30 p.m. Austin City Hall, Council Chamber, Room 1001 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Downtown Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register, please contact Christine Maguire at Christine.maguire@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-7131. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: August Harris (Chair) VACANT (District 1) Tania A. Ortega (District 2) Liz Coufal (District 3) Ralph E. Ishmael, Jr. (Vice-Chair) Darilynn Cardona-Beiler (District 5) Taylor Major (District 6) Mike Lavigne (District 7) VACANT (District 8) Kimberly Levinson (District 9) Sania D. Shifferd (Mayor) CALL TO ORDER Marissa McKinney (Design Commission) David Holmes (Public Safety Commission) Amy Mok (Arts Commission) Spencer Schumacher (Urban Transportation) Jennifer Franklin (Parks and Recreation Board) Carl J. Larosche (Historic Landmark Commission) Anne Charlotte Patterson (Music Commission) AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission January 17, 2024 meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve a recommendation to Council to prioritize community engagement with regards to the Convention Center expansion. 3. Approve a recommendation on the renewal of the Sixth Street Public Improvement District. Presentation by Donald E Jackson of the Economic Development Department. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation by Commander Jeff Olson of the Austin Police Department on Downtown Command public safety trends. 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. 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. 7. Presentation on the South Central Waterfront Combining District with a Density Bonus Program by April Geruso of the …
Austin Light Rail Update FEBRUARY 21, 2024 Downtown Commission 1 PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION & INTEGRATED APPROACH WORK EFFORTS SCOPING 22 Upcoming Public Outreach Federal Process: NEPA MEETING LOCATION DATE/TIME University of Texas, Eastwoods Room, 2nd floor (ground level), Texas Union 2308 Whitis Ave, Austin, TX 78712 Thursday, February 1, 2024 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Montopolis Recreation and Community Center 1200 Montopolis Dr., Austin, TX 78741 Saturday, February 10, 2024 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. League of Women Voters, Cafetorium 3908 Avenue B, Suite 105, Austin, TX 78751 Virtual Open House Twin Oaks Library, Rooms 1 & 2 1800 S. 5th St., Austin, TX 78704 St. David's Episcopal, Sumners Hall 301 E. 8th St., Austin, TX 78701 Monday, February 12, 2024 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday, February 22, 2024 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2024 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 29, 2024 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. 3 AUSTIN LIGHT RAIL PHASE 1- BASE DESIGN 9.8-mile Light Rail Transit (LRT) branched line, including 15 stations located north, south, and east of downtown Austin Light rail embedded in center of street PRIORITY EXTENSIONS Not included in the NEPA analysis Could be accelerated if additional funding becomes available 4 AUSTIN LIGHT RAIL ADVANCING DESIGN Evaluating design options identified through previous public engagement, technical and design opportunities STATION LOCATIONS Evaluating and optimizing proposed station locations MULTIMODAL INTEGRATION Study area to extend light rail bridge south of Lady Bird Lake Study area to locate bike and pedestrian facilities next to light rail, east of I-35 (center-running) along Riverside Drive Evaluate proposed end of line facilities and site locations 5 AUSTIN LIGHT RAIL NORTH SECTION Evaluate proposed end of line facilities and site locations 6 6 AUSTIN LIGHT RAIL DOWNTOWN SECTION DESIGN OPTION Option to add station near Wooldridge Square 7 7 DESIGN OPTION Option to locate station in private joint development off-street AUSTIN LIGHT RAIL SOUTH SECTION DESIGN OPTION (STUDY AREA) Study area to extend light rail bridge south of Lady Bird Lake Evaluate proposed end of line facilities and site locations DESIGN OPTION Consider options with and without Travis Heights station 8 8 AUSTIN LIGHT RAIL SOUTH SECTION DESIGN OPTION (STUDY AREA) FOR SOUTH OF LADY BIRD LAKE 1 OPTION Evaluating light rail running at street level 2 OPTION Evaluating light rail running on extended bridge 99 AUSTIN LIGHT RAIL EAST …
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 meeting. 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission November 20, 2023, Special Called 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 …
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240221-003 Date: February 21, 2024 Subject: Austin Convention Center Expansion Recommendation The Downtown Commission recommends that Austin City Council adopt the Music Commission recommendation that directs Convention Center Staff to create a Convention Center Expansion Advisory Board, consisting of stakeholders from the art, music, and other relevant communities and industries, to provide critical input for expansion planning. We further recommend that the Austin City Council direct the Music Commission to include a member of the Downtown Commission, to be chosen by the Downtown Commission Chairman, on the Convention Center Expansion Advisory Board. Description of Recommendation to Council Convention Center staff has announced plans for a comprehensive public information campaign for the expansion. As part of this public outreach, the Downtown Commission recommends that an advisory board be formed to provide community insight for this significant downtown project. Precedent is set by the South-Central Waterfront redevelopment, I-35 expansion, and Project Connect anti-displacement initiative – current public projects which benefit from project-specific community advisory boards or committees. This motion is based on study and recommendation from the Joint Arts & Music Urban Core Land Use Working Group. Rationale: • The convention center expansion will be financed by over $1 billion in public funds • The Convention Center expansion is a landmark capital project with tremendous potential for public benefits to Austin, including increased tourism revenue, exceptional public spaces, and robust programming. • City of Austin Music and Cultural grant programs are funded by Hotel Occupancy Taxes, which are directly impacted by Convention Center operations. • The adjacent publicly owned Palm School parcel holds significant historic and cultural importance, especially to Austin’s Latinx community. • The Convention Center should set itself apart and above competing facilities by leveraging and strengthening Austin’s status as a thriving mecca for creativity, arts, music, and diverse culture. • Stakeholder input from Austin’s diverse communities will enhance expansion planning vision and help the new Austin Convention Center become unique world-class destination attracting visitors from across the US and the world. Vote For: 7 (Chair Harris, Vice Chair Ishmael, Commissioners Weaver, Coufal, Major, Levinson and Shifferd) Against: 0 1 of 1
South Central Waterfront Combining District & Density Bonus Program Downtown Commission February 21, 2024 History Combining District Density Bonus Program - Bonus Program Opt-in Requirements - Fees-in-Lieu - Additional On-Site Community Benefits Timeline & Ways to Provide Feedback South Central Waterfront Vision Framework Plan Adopted June 6, 2016 5 City Council Resolution 20220915-090 ▪ Directed Planning Staff to create regulations supporting implementation of the 2016 South Central Waterfront Vision Framework Plan. ▪ Program to be re-evaluated/updated at least every five years. ▪ Increased development square footage only available through the Density Bonus Program. ▪ Maximize community benefits: affordable housing, open space, and ▪ Maximize infrastructure investments: new streets, parks, bikeways, public art, etc. and trails. 6 City Council Resolution 20220915-090 ▪ Create a Density Bonus Program “akin” to Downtown. ▪ Support Project Connect transit investment. ▪ Allow entitlements significant enough to achieve required infrastructure and community benefits. ▪ Ensure entitlements meet market demand to account for increased costs and avoid continual requests to amend the code. ▪ Create enhanced environmental standards and protections. 7 City Council Resolution 20220915-090 Create a connected, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use district where “thousands more Austinites can live, work, and play.” 8 Updates / Changes ▪ First re-evaluation will occur sooner than 5 years to account for updated details from Project Connect and citywide density bonus analysis. ▪ The SCW regulations will be implemented by: – Council adoption an optional set of regulations and bonus program through the creation of a Combining District and a Density Bonus Program (spring 2024). – City-initiated rezoning of properties in the district (summer 2024). – Subsequent rezonings and code amendments will be required to add additional properties at a later date. 9 Combining District Components ▪ General Provisions (Policies, procedures, and who can participate) ▪ Land Use Standards (Permitted and conditional land uses) ▪ Development Standards (What will be built and where) ▪ Design Standards (How it will look) ▪ Definitions 10 Density Bonus Components ▪ Procedures/Requirements ▪ “Gate Keeper” Requirements – Affordable Housing – Environmental Protection – Improved Streetscape and Built Environment ▪ In-Lieu Fees and Dedications ▪ Onsite Community Benefits Eligible for Bonus Area 11 District Boundary New parcels added that are affected by Project Connect lightrail alignment. Project Connect Rail Alignment 12 Streets and Light Rail 13 Subdistricts Council approval is required to exceed FAR maximums 14 Critical Water Quality Zones 15 Land Uses ▪ Permitted land uses support: …
Crime Intelligence Analysis Unit Data provided by: Austin Police Department: Crime Intelligence Analysis Unit Date delivered: Request: Compiled by: Requested by: Information Request: Date Data Compiled: Sources used: 2/14/2024 DTAC Crime Trends Edward R. Anderson, Ph.D. Commander Jeff Olson 2/12/2024 Versadex RMS Provide crime trends for a period of 3-5 years for DTAC Overall crime trends for DTAC DATES: January 2019 – December 2023 ANALYSIS Overall crime incidents in DTAC dropped dramatically between February and April 2020 at the time of the COVID lockdown. Two distinct patterns are evident the corresponding to pre- and post-pandemic periods. in trend data, While overall crime incidents in the downtown Austin area have increased over the past two years, they remain below pre- pandemic levels. Month-to-month fluctuations in crime incidents are normal and to be expected, although there are notable spikes every March (denoted by stars on the graph), except for the two years when there were no in-person South by Southwest events. About 15 crime incidents occurred on any given day in DTAC during 2023. Average daily number of crime incidents in DTAC 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 19.6 13.5 14.2 14.5 15.4 Comparison of crime types DATES: January 2019 – December 2023 ANALYSIS A similar pattern holds regardless of crime type: crime incidents in 2023 are comparable to, or somewhat higher than 2022, but are below pre-pandemic levels: • The daily rate of Crimes Against Persons in 2023 (3.8 per day) is similar to the 2022 rate (3.9 per day). • Crimes Against Property have increased in 2023 (7.0 per day) compared to 2022 (6.7 per day) but remain well below pre-pandemic levels (8.6 per day in 2019). • Similar patterns are seen for Crimes Against Society and Group B Crimes. Simple assault and theft remain the most common crimes in the downtown area. Pocket-picking has been increasing in recent years and is now the third most common crime in the downtown area. Crimes trending upward DATES: January 2019 – December 2023 ANALYSIS: Pocket picking Two crime types have shown consistent upward trends over recent years. The monthly rate of pickpocketing has increased over the past year to rates higher than even pre-pandemic levels. The 52 pickpocketing incidents in March 2022 was higher than any observed in the previous 38 months. Although there were fewer pickpocketing incidents in March 2023 (37 incidents), higher monthly incidents occurred throughout much of the year. ANALYSIS: …
SXSW Conference & Spring Festivals 2024 Austin Police Department – Downtown Area Command SXSW OVERVIEW • March 8th - March 16th, 2024 • The 2023 SXSW Conference & Festivals and SXSW EDU drew approximately 345,066 people • ~60 venues have authorized SXSW Activations • Numerous unauthorized activations STAFFING • DTAC Days: Staffed at 100% + for the duration of SXSW. • DTAC Evenings/Nights: Staffed at 100% + for the duration of SXSW. • Inside 6th - Designated patrol area inside the 6th Street/Red River enclosure. (Call takers). • Outside 6th - Designated patrol area outside the 6th Street enclosure • Additional patrols for Congress Ave, Warehouse District, W 6th St District, and Rainey District. DTAC Call Takers • Overtime officers are hired to support call taking duties outside 6th St/Red River closure. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES • Standard police operations • Street Closures/Barricade Officers – APD/Other Central Texas LE Agencies • Towing enforcement Shifts • Additional Call taking Shifts • PACE Teams – Code Enforcement • Traffic Congestion Shift • Sound Enforcement – 2 officers per day A TEAM EFFORT • In addition to the officers assigned to the Downtown Area Command, officers from all over the department will assist during Spring Festival Season to ensure public safety throughout the event: • Counter Assault Strike Team (CAST) • Mounted • EOD (Bomb Squad) • Special response Team (SRT) • Organized Crime Division (OCD) • Metro Tactical Units 2023 SPRING FESTIVAL SEASON VIOLENT CRIME INITIATIVE The 2023 Spring Festival Season Violent Crime Initiative was a joint effort from the Austin Police Department (APD) Violent Crimes Interdiction Unit, Organized Crime Division, Tactical Intelligence Unit, and Metro Tactical Units, the Downtown Area Command and the Special Response Team. The initiative ran between March 8th - March 18th, 2023. This initiative yielded: • 131 Arrests/61 Seized Firearms • Seized Narcotics: 3.5 kg cocaine, 26.6 kg of methamphetamine, 41.38 g fentanyl/heroin, and 90 pounds of marijuana. From March 15th – March 18th,2023 (last weekend on E 6th St/Red River St) the Special Response Team and the Downtown Area Command had : • 77 Arrests/26 Seized Firearms • Seized Narcotics: 26.69 g cocaine, 31.32 g methamphetamine, 8.15g fentanyl UNIFIED COMMAND • SXSW Representatives • Austin PD • Austin FD • ATCEMS • COA Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM) • COA Transportation • COA Code Enforcement • COA Public Information Office (PIO) • Austin Regional Intelligence Center (ARIC) …
Vehicle Safety Mitigation Plan Event Details Austin TX 6th Street Closure Unknown Street fair Chris Juusola Austin TX Meridian Contact Michael Bochsler • Secure access points • Protect pedestrian activities Event Name Event Date Event Type Contact Location Objectives Additional Considerations Creation Date 1/11/2024 SUPPORT@MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM 434.529.6903 WWW.MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM Guidance on utilizing the Meridian VSMP: Orientation: Each deployment location is visualized as an aerial view represented in a compass north orientation followed by a ground-level view represented from the perspective of on-coming traffic (unless otherwise noted). Barriers and beam gates will be deployed with the ramp facing in the direction of the potential threat. Barrier placement is specifically designed to account for stopping distance as well as to take advantage of adjacent physical structures which will further support effective mitigation. Please Note: This Assessment utilizes satellite imagery and street views provided by a third-Party and represents Meridian’s estimate based upon incomplete knowledge and a lack of familiarity with the proposed closure locations. Meridian recommends an on-site examination by a Company Representative in order to provide a certified hostile vehicle mitigation plan and solutions. The Assessment reflects the planned closures at the time of publishing and may be superseded by updated plans. Please ensure that updates are disseminated to the appropriate stakeholders. This vehicle mitigation plan is created for internal use only by Meridian and its customers. Plans may not be distributed to outside agencies without permission. SUPPORT@MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM 434.529.6903 WWW.MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM Deployment Locations D E F C B A SUPPORT@MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM 434.529.6903 WWW.MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM Location : A E 6th Street east of Brazos Street Distance 40 Feet Equipment 1 – Barrier 1 – Beam Gate 1 – 4’ Cable 2 – Cable Covers Note : Deployment is subject to change based on site circumstances SUPPORT@MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM 434.529.6903 WWW.MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940 Location : B San Jacinto Blvd north of 6th Street Distance 58 Feet Equipment 9 – Barriers 8 – 4’ Cables 16 – Cable Covers Note : Deployment is subject to change based on site circumstances SUPPORT@MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM 434.529.6903 WWW.MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546474849505152535455565758 Location : C San Jacinto Blvd south of 6th Street Distance 42 Feet Equipment 9 – Barriers 8 – 4’ Cables 16 – Cable Covers Note : Deployment is subject to change based on site circumstances SUPPORT@MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM 434.529.6903 WWW.MERIDIAN-BARRIER.COM 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546474849505152535455565758 Location : D Trinity Street north of 6th Street Distance 45 Feet Equipment 7 – Barriers 6 – 4’ Cables 12 – Cable Covers Note : Deployment is …
