Regular Called Meeting of the Economic Prosperity Commission Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 6:30pm City Hall, Boards & Commissions Room 1101 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, Texas Some members of the Economic Prosperity Commission may be participating by videoconference. 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 to speak remotely, call or email Ryan Sperling at the Office of the City Clerk (ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov or 512-974-3568). CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: • Laura Dixon, Mayor (Watson) • Christiana Ponder, District 1 (Harper- Madison) • Ofelia Zapata, District 2 (Fuentes) • Raquel Valdez Sanchez, District 3 • Michael Nahas, Chair, District 4 (Velasquez) (Vela) • Rodrigo Cantu, District 5 (R. Alter) • Amy Rister, District 6 (Kelly) • Amy Noel, District 7 (Pool) • Luis Osta Lugo, Vice Chair, District 8 • Aaron Gonzales, District 9 (Qadri) • Kelsey Hitchingham, District 10 (A. (Ellis) Alter) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 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 Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Called Meeting on September 18, 2024. Presentation and overview of Rally Austin, formerly the Austin Economic Development Corporation. Presented by David Colligan, Chief Operating Officer, Rally Austin. Approve the 2025 regular meeting schedule of the Economic Prosperity Commission. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Global Business Expansion working group regarding its research on childcare regulations, potential changes to the city’s Chapter 380 agreements, and scheduling future working group meetings. Update from the Redevelopment working group regarding scheduling its next working group meeting. Update from the Small Business working group regarding opportunities to support the Small Business division with marketing, community engagement, and language accessibility, as well as scheduling its next working group meeting. 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 …
1. 3. ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, September 18, 2024 The Economic Prosperity Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street, Room 1101, Austin, Texas. Chair Michael Nahas called the Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. • Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance in Person: Michael Nahas (Chair), Aaron • Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Amy Noel, Raquel Valdez Gonzales, Amy Rister Sanchez, Christiana Ponder PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Called Meeting on August 21, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of August 21, 2024, were approved on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Rister’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Cantu, Dixon, Hitchingham, Osta Lugo, and Zapata were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation by Stacy Schmitt, Senior Vice President of Communication & External Affairs, Opportunity Austin, in informing strengthening the local economy. Presentation provided by Stacy Schmitt, Senior Vice President of Communication & External Affairs, Opportunity Austin. the commission about her organization’s work Discussion regarding action taken at the most recent Joint Sustainability Committee meeting as it relates to the Economic Prosperity Commission. 1 Commissioner Noel presented about the most recent Joint Sustainability Committee meeting. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Global Business Expansion working group regarding prospective speakers, research on Texas Local Government Code Chapter 380, and other relevant matters. Update given by Commissioner Rister. Update from the Redevelopment working group regarding its research on the Colony Park redevelopment plan and other relevant matters. Update given by Commissioner Noel. Update from the Small Business working group regarding the group’s research of other cities’ programs and other relevant matters. Update given by Commissioner Valdez Sanchez. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Speaker from Rally Austin, pending confirmation with Commissioner Valdez Sanchez. • Approve 2025 regular meeting schedule. Chair Nahas adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. without objection. 5. 6. 2
Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting October 16, 2024 Our Rally is to create a culturally resilient and economically integrated Austin where diverse communities can thrive and prosper without risk of displacement. Rally Austin Rally closes the racial wealth gap by centering historically in our work, holding our marginalized communities collaborators and ourselves accountable to build an equitable and inclusive Austin, as we steward public and private real estate assets to create inclusive community benefits and equitable economic outcomes. facilitates Rally Austin is a real estate nonprofit development projects to foster equitable and inclusive economic growth. We operate to deliver meaningful outcome through our core values – that Strategic Collaboration Empowerment through Professional Support Responsiveness and Flexibility Trust and Integrity Organizational FY23 Outcomes Actively advancing a portfolio of projects estimated at $150M. Investments on East 11th Street will spur increased activity within the Black Cultural District supportive of building and retaining culture/small business and residents that represent the historic legacy. Additionally, negotiating 10 of the Cultural Trust deals to advance feasible projects, including three being announced publicly. Approved as a 501c3 in FY23, allowing staff to meet and exceed the organization’s fundraising goal for FY23 by 15%. This additional funding was invested in two projects: Blocks 16 & 18 and the Cultural Trust. Rally elevated transparency in its work by hosting 32 public meetings, special events and community engagement sessions, speaking at 10 events and 16 City Commission presentations, while issuing 7 press releases. Staff sought to increase diversity and representation through its work in the community by soliciting 6 contracting opportunities to more than 1,380 contacts, while conducting business with 9 small, minority or local companies. Notable solicitation includes Block 16 & 18 Request for Proposals in August 2023. Visit with Mayor Dickens and Invest Atlanta to conduct a review of best practices with Council Member Fuentes and Council Member Harper-Madison attending virtually. Board of Directors: Our Commiunity at Work Nominating bodies to the Rally ATX Board of Directors include the following institutions and asset holders: Economic Development Department Neighborhood Housing Finance Department Office of Equity Arts Commission Music Commission Historic Preservation Commission Rally Board Leadership 2025 Executive Committee: Board Chair: Tina Cannon Board Vice Chair: Emmett Beliveau Board Treasurer: Jeremy Martin Board Secretary: Tamara Atkinson Immediate Past Board Chair: Carl Settles Bradford Patterson leading Real Estate Amanda Jasso supporting framework of Diversity, …
