REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION June 3, 2024 at 4:00 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Public Safety 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 to speak remotely, call or email Christi Vitela, 512- 974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Cory Hall-Martin Paul Hermesmeyer David Holmes AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Pierre Nguyễn Kristy Orr Angelica Reyes Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith The first five 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 Public Safety Commission regular meeting on May 6, 2024. 1. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department. Public Safety Departments Budget Presentations with Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services, Austin Fire Department and Austin Police Department and union representatives. Community Investment Budget Presentation with Equity Action and Austin Justice Coalition. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve a Recommendation for Fiscal Year 24-25 Public Safety Department Budgets. Approve a Recommendation for Fiscal Year 24-25 Community Investment Budget. Discuss and approve the formation of an Austin Police Department Cadet Training Academy Recommendations Working Group. 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 Department, at 512-974-2792 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Public Safety Commission, please contact Christi Vitela at (512-974- 2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov).
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, May 6, 2024 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 6, 2024 The Public Safety Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, May 6, 2024, at City Hall Building, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramírez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Cory Hall-Martin Paul Hermesmeyer David Holmes Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Kristy Orr Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on April 1, 2024. The minutes from the meeting on 04/01/2024, were approved on Commissioner Bernhardt’s motion, Commissioner Hall-Martin’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Orr and Sierra-Arévalo were off the dais. Vice Chair Ruttan and Commissioners Nguyễn and Reyes were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin Fire Department Presentation was given by Jeff Kennedy, Assistant Chief, Austin Fire Department. 1 Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, May 6, 2024 Commissioner Smith asked if fire extinguishers are being distributed to encampments. If so, how many and can AFD provide some additional information on that distribution. Commissioner Smith asked for a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis for the most recent overdose uptick be available for the community and updated to the dashboard. Commissioner Bernhardt asked for information on Cancer Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)/foam mitigation and information tracking. 3. Overview Cadet Training/Academy Update and Kroll Report Review with Austin Police Department. Presentations were given by Rob McGrath, Program Manager III, Austin Police Department and Michael Chancellor, Commander, Austin Police Department. The motion to approve to allow the speaker to finish their comments was approved on Commissioner Smith’s motion, Commissioner Hermesmeyer’s second on a vote of 8-0. Vice Chair Ruttan, Commissioners Nguyễn and Reyes were absent. 4. Update on the Weather Preparedness and Inclement Weather Procedures with Public Safety Departments and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM). Presentation was given by Ken Snipes, Director, Office of Emergency Management. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Use of known carcinogens and cancer monitoring at AFD (Chair Ramírez, Commissioner Bernhardt) Worker’s Compensation for all sworn personnel Community Police Review Commission, Office of Police Oversight Department demographics Wildfire Preparedness as it relates to those experiencing homelessness Homeland Security and Emergency Management update on communications Chair Ramírez …
Austin Fire FY2025 Budget Update June 3, 2024 City of Austin, TX Fire Department Overview FY2025 Budget Development FY2024 Approved Budget $247.8 Million FY2024 Positions 1,282 Sworn 143 Civilian & 60 Cadet FY2025 Forecast (incremental increases) FY2025 Forecast Highlights $9.5M Salaries & Wages $1.3M for Canyon Creek $138K Contracts & Commodities $52K for sworn Dispatcher conversion $3.9M in Revenue $149.5K increase to Cadet hourly pay Engineer and rank changes at Airport Fire Department Overview FY25 Unmet Needs 2 FTEs to coordinate pursuit of national Accreditation 3 Firefighter FTEs for Shift Commander Aides Staff for two aerials (16 FTEs per apparatus) Electronic Medical Records software for Wellness Center (in progress)
Austin Police FY2024-25 Forecast June 3, 2024 City of Austin, TX 1 Police Department Budget Overview FY2024 Totals at a Glance FY2024 Approved Budget $478.0 Million FY2024 Positions 1,812 Sworn 527.75 Civilian FY2024 Budget by Program FY2024 Budget Highlights 11 New Positions to improve training and data reporting based on Kroll Report recommendations 10 new victim service counselor positions for continued support for victims of sexual assault $2.6 million for cadet recruitment incentives Career Progression Plan for Telecommunications Employees 2 Police Department Budget Overview FY2025 Forecast FY2025 Forecast FY2025 Positions $490.9 Million* 1,812 Sworn 527.75 Civilian Police FY2025 Forecast Highlights Personnel Cost Drivers Interfund Transfers Contract & Operating Increases $ 8.8M $ 3.6M $ 457K Total $12.9M* or 2.7% *Estimate: The FY2025 Forecast as presented in February 2024; the City proposed budget is still under development for City Council approval in August. 3 Council Initiatives & Department Unfunded Priorities 16 911 Call Taker FTEs 10 Dispatcher FTEs Six Public Information Request FTEs for Open Records Four Police Digital Audio/Video Specialist FTEs for PIRs related Six Police Digital Audio/Video Specialist FTEs for Compliance to BWC & DMAV With S.B. 111 (evidentiary certification) Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Marketing Campaign & Website Design for Sworn Recruiting Leadership Training Program Development Total $4.8M $1.3M $995K $531K $348K $521K $408K $500K $150K 4
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION June 3, 2024 Date: Subject: Public Safety Department Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Seconded by: safety agency budgets and providing recommendations to the Austin City Council; WHEREAS, The Austin Public Safety Commission is tasked with reviewing public WHEREAS, The Austin Fire Department, Austin Travis County EMS, and Austin Police Department provided backup materials and briefings at the June 2024 Public Safety Commission meeting on their FY24-25 forecasted budgets and unfunded budget priorities; WHEREAS, representatives from The Austin Firefighters Association, The Austin Emergency Medical Services Association and the Austin Police Association provided briefings on their budget priorities for the FY24-25 fiscal year WHEREAS, the Public Safety Commission has discussed topics with additional city departments and community organizations that coordinate with our public safety departments throughout the year; WHEREAS, The Austin Public Safety Commission was additionally briefed and provided backup materials by the Downtown Austin Community Court on results of its Mobile Court Pilot Program and requests for ongoing funding; WHEREAS, throughout the course of those discussions various departments have expressed programmatic and departmental needs. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Public Safety Commission recommends that the Austin City Council allocate funds and explore all available means to incorporate the following public safety related priorities into the FY24-25 Budget: Austin Fire Department Item TOTAL Item TOTAL Item TOTAL Austin Travis County EMS Austin Police Department Funding requested Funding requested Funding requested BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Public Safety Commission recommends that the Austin City Council, the Austin Police Department and the City Manager’s office reallocate a portion of the approximate 342 sworn vacancy budget1, temporarily or otherwise, to alleviate the workload of APD’s current sworn officers with retired officers, unsworn staff, and other solutions where and when appropriate. Vote: For: Absent: Attest: __________________________________ 1 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=425886
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION June 3, 2024 Date: Subject: Community Investment Budget Recommendation Motioned by: Seconded by: WHEREAS, The Austin Public Safety Commission is tasked with providing recommendations to the Austin City Council which will be adopting the FY24-25 Budget in August 2024.; WHEREAS, Equity Action and other sponsoring organization have presented and provided backup materials to the Austin Public Safety Commission on the FY24-25 Community Investment Budget; WHEREAS, The Austin Public Safety Commission has historically been briefed and passed recommendations on the Community Investment Budget; WHEREAS, the overall housing, safety, and health of individuals in our community impacts the demands on our public safety departments; WHEREAS the Community Investment Budget addresses the overall public safety of our community through housing support, mental health support, inclement weather preparation, outreach services, crisis management, harm reduction services, and building the overall resiliency of our community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Public Safety Commission recommends that the Austin City Council explore all available means to incorporate as many of the line items included the Community Investment Budget into the FY24-25 Budget. Vote: For: Absent: Attest: __________________________________
Emergency Medical Services Incident and Response Data FY24 Q2 Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff 1 Incidents, Patient Contacts, Transports January 2021– April 2024 Incidents | Patient Contacts | Patient Transports January 2021 - April 2024 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 1 2 - n a J 1 2 - b e F 1 2 - r a M 1 2 - r p A 1 2 - y a M 1 2 - n u J 1 2 - l u J 1 2 - g u A 1 2 - p e S 1 2 - t c O 1 2 - v o N 1 2 - c e D 2 2 - n a J 2 2 - b e F 2 2 - r a M 2 2 - r p A 2 2 - y a M 2 2 - n u J 2 2 - l u J 2 2 - g u A 2 2 - p e S 2 2 - t c O 2 2 - v o N 2 2 - c e D 3 2 - n a J 3 2 - b e F 3 2 - r a M 3 2 - r p A 3 2 - y a M 3 2 - n u J 3 2 - l u J 3 2 - g u A 3 2 - p e S 3 2 - t c O 3 2 - v o N 3 2 - c e D 4 2 - n a J 4 2 - b e F 4 2 - r a M 4 2 - r p A Incidents Patient Contacts Patient Transports 2 P1 Compliance by District FY24 Q2 Priority 1 Compliance by District FY24 Q2 70.15% 70.67% 70.14% 69.95% 74.24% 74.56% 75.38% 85.86% 67.03% 64.04% 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 % Goal Met 3 P1 Response Interval by District FY24 Q2 Priority 1 Response Interval by District FY24 Q2 12.48 12.98 12.15 12.38 12.03 12.35 12.03 12.73 13.08 10.57 7.46% 7.31% 7.69% 8.65% 7.43% 6.75% 6.86% 7.02% 8.49% 7.23% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 90th Percentile (Minutes) % of Total for District 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 100% 90% …
Overdose Outbreak April 29th – May 3rd ATCEMS 911 System Response • 79 Overdose responses • 9 Overdose deaths • 61% Received Narcan before EMS arrived ATCEMS Integrated Services Response • 111 Responses in the first 48 hours • 74% Connected to within 24-48 hours post overdose • 292 Narcan Kits and 144 Individual Doses distributed • HOST • Urban Alchemy • APD Overdose Locations Heat Map SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES Early Identification • C4 oversight Dynamic Deployment • Surge / stage assets • Single Unit Responders Early Notification • APH • HSO • Partner Agencies • Public Data Collection/Sharing • Real-time Response Assets • Limited Bandwidth • System stressed • Prolonged event/demand on EMS Early Notification • No formal process Duplication of Efforts • Outreach tracking and communication SWOT ANALYSIS OPPORTUNITIES THREATS Communications • Formal process Partnerships • DOC/EOC • Established roles Additional Resources • Diversified deployment model • Assist w/ surge • Support w/ event progression Resources • Limited assets • Impact on overall mission Bandwidth Variability • C4—not 24 hours • Resource limitations pending day/time Accidental Deaths *Data/graph from the Travis County Medical Examiners office 2023 annual report TRAVIS COUNTY ME OFFICE 2023 ANNUAL REPORT • Overdose Deaths remain the number 1 cause of accidental deaths • 49% of all accidental deaths • 17% increase from 2022 • 14% increase in fentanyl involvement • Lower rate from previous year • 108% increase between 2021-2022 • Fentanyl involved in 57% of overdose deaths • 95% of Fentanyl related deaths involved 1 or more other drugs • 56% included methamphetamine ATCEMS CONTINUED EFFORTS Integrated Services Division Community Health Program (CHP) • Daily overdose review and follow-ups • Addiction treatment (Buprenorphine) • Bridge/connection to MAT clinics • Community Education/Narcan Distribution Collaborative Care Communication Center (C4) • Clinical and resource navigation • System overwatch Partnerships Austin Public Health (APH) • SAMHSA grant • Breathe Now (Narcan training) • Opiate dashboard TxCOPE
Emergency Medical Services Department Review June 3, 2024 City of Austin, TX EMS Department Budget Overview FY 2024 Totals at a Glance... FY 2024 Approved Budget FY 2024 Positions FY 2024 Sources FY 2024 Revenue $129.8 million Sworn: 689 Civilians: 162.5 Tax Supported: 62.8% Fees: 37.2% $48.2 million Office of the Chief Medical Officer 3.0% Support Services 4.5% Program Budget Highlights 12 new FTEs for new Canyon Creek station 19 FTEs transferred to EMS due to moving Office of the Chief Medical Officer to EMS 9 new sworn FTEs and 1 civilian for C4 (Unfunded) 3 new FTEs for Airport program Transfers and Other Requirements 17.8% Other 4.6% Emergency Communications 6.2% Employee Development & Wellness 3.4% Operations 60.6% EMS Department Budget Overview FY2025 Forecast FY2025 Forecast FY2025 Positions $139.9 million* Sworn: 701 Civilians: 163.50 FY2025 Revenue $51 million EMS FY2025 Budget Highlights Personnel Cost Drivers Interfund Transfers Operating Increases Remove one-time funding $8.15M $955K $1.17M ($275K) Total *Estimate: The FY2025 Budget is still under development, pending City Council approval. $10.01 M* or 7.7% Unmet Needs 1. Continue Unfunded Existing Programs– (4 FTEs $1,162,017 on-going, one-time $20,000) CASTMED and Support to APD Specialty Teams $732K 2. EMS Communications - (6 FTEs, $625,401 on-going, one-time $60,000) FTEs to allow us to meet the national standard to answer 911 call in less than 10 seconds 90% of the time. $845K 3. North Central ALS Truck– (12 FTEs $1,291,785 on-going, one-time $672,777) ALS unit in North Burnet/Gateway neighborhood (Domain/Q2) $1.9M 4. Downtown Area Command(DTAC) (14 FTEs $1,460,550 on-going, one-time $1,902,931) $3.4M Create a new Command District within downtown Austin core 5. Basic Life Support (BLS) Trucks(12 FTEs $5,557,297 on-going $200,000 one-time $2,436,212) Adding BLS unit in conjunction with C4 to meet the increased demand $1.7M $8.6M Total
Emergency Medical Services Department Review June 3, 2024 City of Austin, TX EMS Department Budget Overview FY 2024 Totals at a Glance... FY 2024 Approved Budget FY 2024 Positions FY 2024 Sources FY 2024 Revenue $129.8 million Sworn: 689 Civilians: 162.5 Tax Supported: 62.8% Fees: 37.2% $48.2 million Office of the Chief Medical Officer 3.0% Support Services 4.5% Program Budget Highlights 12 new FTEs for new Canyon Creek station 19 FTEs transferred to EMS due to moving Office of the Chief Medical Officer to EMS 9 new sworn FTEs and 1 civilian for C4 (Unfunded) 3 new FTEs for Airport program Transfers and Other Requirements 17.8% Other 4.6% Emergency Communications 6.2% Employee Development & Wellness 3.4% Operations 60.6% EMS Department Budget Overview FY2025 Forecast FY2025 Forecast FY2025 Positions $139.9 million* Sworn: 701 Civilians: 163.50 FY2025 Revenue $51 million EMS FY2025 Budget Highlights Personnel Cost Drivers Interfund Transfers Operating Increases Remove one-time funding $8.15M $955K $1.17M ($275K) Total *Estimate: The FY2025 Budget is still under development, pending City Council approval. $10.01 M* or 7.7% Unmet Needs 1. Continue Unfunded Existing Programs– (4 FTEs $712,017 on-going, one-time $20,000) CASTMED and Support to APD Specialty Teams $732K 2. EMS Communications - (6 FTEs, $725,386 on-going, one-time $120,000) FTEs to allow us to meet the national standard to answer 911 call in less than 10 seconds 90% of the time. $845K 3. North Central ALS Truck– (12 FTEs $1,291,785 on-going, one-time $672,777) ALS unit in North Burnet/Gateway neighborhood (Domain/Q2) $1.9M 4. Downtown Area Command(DTAC) (14 FTEs $1,460,550 on-going, one-time $1,902,931) $3.4M Create a new Command District within downtown Austin core 5. Basic Life Support (BLS) Trucks(12 FTEs $1,111,461 on-going one-time $594,053) Adding BLS unit in conjunction with C4 to meet the increased demand Total $1.7M $8.6M
Community Investment Budget The City’s budget is a reflection of our values. Austin is a progressive city, but budget processes are by nature conservative. Each budget is built on the prior one, and such a process makes the city resistant to change, regardless of the priorities expressed by voters and those they elect to address the urgent needs of today. Austin’s budget process even fails to account for predictable expansion of important programs due to population growth (e.g. more parks require more park services.) Incrementally, we demand that city departments address housing, health and safety in new ways where the old ways have failed, and prioritize population appropriate service expansion guided by equity and sustainability across all departments. The undersigned organizations jointly urge the following priority investments in community health, housing, affordability, sustainability and safety for FY24 totaling $76.3 million or 5.5% of this year’s roughly $1.4 billion General Revenue budget. We further ask that items marked “ ongoing ” be funded in the baseline budget to be released by the City Manager. In recognition of the need for equitable resource support we ask that BIPOC led & served organizations be prioritized. ● Parent Support Specialists [$2.4M] ongoing ● Tenant Relocation Assistance Program [$1M] ongoing ● Emergency Rental Assistance, Eviction Defense, and Tenant Legal and Support Services [$10M] ● Forensic Nursing, Austin Health Department [$328k] ongoing ● Mental Health 1st Response [$4M] ongoing ● Library books/materials [$900k] ● Reentry navigators for jobs/housing formerly incarcerated [$1.4M] ongoing ● Workforce Development [$3.46M ] ● Office of Violence Prevention [$500k] ● Implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan [$1.335M] ● Improve rebates for residential and commercial landscape conversions [$400,000, Austin Water Utility Revenue] ● Increase Leak Detection Programs [$2.28M, Austin Water Utility Revenue] ● Park Maintenance and Safety [$2M] ongoing ● Tenant Education, Stabilization Support, and Community-based Agreement Support [$300k] ongoing ● Displacement Prevention Navigators [$1M] ongoing ● Fair Housing Education, Support, and Testing [$350k] ● Emergency Supplemental Assistance for Low Income Residents [$300k] ● Inclement Weather Response [$4.5M] ongoing ● Community Crisis Response [$2.3M] ongoing ● Street Outreach Services, Case Managers, and Peer Support Specialists [$4M] ● Strengthen Rapid Rehousing (RRH) and create a bridge to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) [$8M] ● Service funding for Permanent Supportive Housing [$4M] ● Early Childhood Education and Development [$1.575M] ongoing ● Resilience Hubs [$15M] ● Harm Reduction Services and Infrastructure [$1M] ongoing ● Immigration Legal …
Community Investment Budget Fiscal Year 2025 Introductions Who is Equity Action? ● ● Equity Action is a non-profit (c4) focused on protecting and expanding Austin’s transformative justice efforts. What is the Community Investment Budget? In collaboration with dozens of community organizations, Equity Action facilitated a FY2025 Community Investment Budget proposal that will improve public safety by helping prevent violence and overdoses, stabilize people and families living on the margins, and address crises with more appropriate first responders. History of CIB and other Community-Led Budget Initiatives Austin has a long history of community-based budgeting. ● For many years Communities of Color United organized and advocated for an annual People’s Budget. These community-driven spending priorities centered public health and equity. ● The first Community Investment Budget was FY22-23 and reflected input from the largest coalition ever coordinated to address unmet community needs. We pressed the city to think about public safety in a new way -- well-maintained parks, housing, youth activities, living wages, an independent forensic lab, public health initiatives to keep people safe from the pandemic and more! ● This year we’re back because mental health first response, substance-related deaths, rehousing and housing stabilization, safe and well maintained parks, and workforce opportunity requires ongoing investment! Community Investment Budget Priorities Fiscal Year 2025 ● Crime survivor support -- forensic nursing & shelter ● Violence prevention ● Overdose prevention ● Mental health crisis response ● Sheltering and then housing the unhoused ● Preventing eviction and stabilizing vulnerable families ● Re-entry assistance with jobs, housing for formerly incarcerated ● Resilience hubs in areas most vulnerable to extreme weather ● Workforce development & opportunity ● Addressing climate change and water availability/cost Why is the CIB important? While Austin is considered one of the best cities in the country to live in for many people, we still have a long way to go to ensure that it is the best for everyone - regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, and income. The CIB this year details spending priorities for 6% of the roughly $1.4 billion General Revenue budget. These funding recommendations address well established community needs, gaps in existing programs and services, and suggest ways to improve the safety and quality of life for Austinites across the city. Does APD need more money? APD does not have a funding problem, it has a police academy problem that it has failed to fix after …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240603-005 June 3, 2024 Date: Subject: Public Safety Department Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Commissioner Nguyễn Seconded by: Vice Chair Ruttan safety agency budgets and providing recommendations to the Austin City Council; WHEREAS, The Austin Public Safety Commission is tasked with reviewing public WHEREAS, The Austin Fire Department1, Austin Travis County EMS2, and Austin Police Department3 provided backup materials and briefings at the June 2024 Public Safety Commission meeting on their FY24-25 forecasted budgets and unfunded budget priorities; WHEREAS, representatives from The Austin Firefighters Association, The Austin Emergency Medical Services Association and the Austin Police Association provided briefings on their budget priorities for the FY24-25 fiscal year WHEREAS, the Public Safety Commission has discussed topics with additional city departments and community organizations that coordinate with our public safety departments throughout the year; WHEREAS, The Austin Public Safety Commission was additionally briefed and provided backup materials by the Downtown Austin Community Court on results of its Mobile Court Pilot Program and requests for ongoing funding; WHEREAS, throughout the course of those discussions various departments have expressed programmatic and departmental needs. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Public Safety Commission recommends that the Austin City Council allocate funds and explore all available means to incorporate the following public safety related priorities into the FY24-25 Budget and all unfunded existing public safety programs be incorporated into permanent budget: 1 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=430060 2 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=430101 3 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=430059 Austin Fire Department Unmet Needs 2 FTEs to coordinate pursuit of national Accreditation 3 Firefighter FTEs for Shift Commander Aides Staff for two aerials (16 FTEs per apparatus) $1.9M per apparatus annually + 200K one time equipment expenditure 3.8M + 200K one time Electronic Medical Records software for Wellness Center Item TOTAL Item Austin Travis County EMS Continue Unfunded Existing Programs – CASTMED and Support to APD Specialty Teams (4 FTEs $1,162,017 on-going, one-time $20,000) EMS Communications - FTEs to allow us to meet the national standard to answer 911 call in less than 10 seconds 90% of the time. (6 FTEs, $625,401 on-going, one-time $60,000) North Central ALS Truck– ALS unit in North Burnet/Gateway (Domain/Q2) neighborhood (12 FTEs $1,291,785 on-going, one-time $672,777) Downtown Area Command (DTAC) - Create a new Command District within downtown Austin core (14 FTEs) $1,460,550 on-going, one-time $1,902,931) Basic Life Support (BLS) TrucksAdding BLS unit in conjunction with C4 to meet the increased demand (12 FTEs $1,111,461 on-going one-time $594,053) …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240603-006 Date: June 3, 2024 Subject: Community Investment Budget Recommendation Motioned by: Commissioner Bernhardt Seconded by: Commissioner Nguyễn WHEREAS, The Austin Public Safety Commission is tasked with providing recommendations to the Austin City Council which will be adopting the FY24-25 Budget in August 2024.; WHEREAS, Equity Action and other sponsoring organization have presented and provided backup materials to the Austin Public Safety Commission on the FY24-25 Community Investment Budget; WHEREAS, The Austin Public Safety Commission has historically been briefed and passed recommendations on the Community Investment Budget; WHEREAS, the overall housing, safety, and health of individuals in our community impacts the demands on our public safety departments; WHEREAS the Community Investment Budget addresses the overall public safety of our community through housing support, mental health support, inclement weather preparation, outreach services, crisis management, harm reduction services, and building the overall resiliency of our community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Public Safety Commission recommends that the Austin City Council explore all available means to incorporate as many of the line items included the Community Investment Budget into the FY24-25 Budget. Vote: For: Chair Ramirez, Vice Chair Ruttan,, Commissioners Bernhardt, Holmes, Nguyen, Orr,,Reyes, Sierra-Arevalo Against:: Commissioner Hermesmeyer Absent:: Commissioners Hall Martin and Smith Attest: Christi Vitela __________________________________ Public Safety Commission staff liaison Community Investment Budget The City’s budget is a reflection of our values. Austin is a progressive city, but budget processes are by nature conservative. Each budget is built on the prior one, and such a process makes the city resistant to change, regardless of the priorities expressed by voters and those they elect to address the urgent needs of today. Austin’s budget process even fails to account for predictable expansion of important programs due to population growth (e.g. more parks require more park services.) Incrementally, we demand that city departments address housing, health and safety in new ways where the old ways have failed, and prioritize population appropriate service expansion guided by equity and sustainability across all departments. The undersigned organizations jointly urge the following priority investments in community health, housing, affordability, sustainability and safety for FY24 totaling $76.3 million or 5.5% of this year’s roughly $1.4 billion General Revenue budget. We further ask that items marked “ ongoing ” be funded in the baseline budget to be released by the City Manager. In recognition of the need for equitable resource support we ask …
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, June 3, 2024 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 3, 2024 The Public Safety Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, June 3, 2024, at City Hall Building, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramírez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Paul Hermesmeyer David Holmes Angelica Reyes Michael Sierra-Arévalo Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Cory Hall-Martin Pierre Nguyễn Kristy Orr Timothy Ruttan PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Stephanie Ryan – Austin Police Academy and Change APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on May 6, 2024. The minutes from the meeting on 05/06/2024, were approved on Commissioner Bernhardt’s motion, Commissioner Hermesmeyer’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Nguyễn was off the dais. Commissioner Smith was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department. Presentation by Angela Carr, EMS Division Chief, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department. 1 Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, June 3, 2024 3. Public Safety Departments Budget Presentations with Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services, Austin Fire Department and Austin Police Department and union representatives. Presentations by James Mason, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department; Michael Bullock, President, Austin Police Association; Carlos Ledesma, Assistant Director, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department; Selena Xie, President, Austin EMS Association; Dr. Ronnelle Paulsen, Assistant Director, Austin Fire Department and Bob Nicks, President, Austin Fire Fighters Association. 4. Community Investment Budget Presentation with Equity Action and Austin Justice Coalition. Presentations by Kathy Mitchell, Senior Advisor, Equity Action and Chris Harris, Director of Policy, Austin Justice Coalition. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a Recommendation for Fiscal Year 24-25 Public Safety Department Budgets. The following amendment was made by Commissioner Hermesmeyer and seconded by Commissioner Sierra-Arévalo. The amendment was to add the following to the Austin Fire Department’s Unmet Needs section: “$601,000 for two FTE positions to coordinate pursuit of national accreditation, approximately $300, 000 for FTE positions for shift commander aides, $1.9 million per year per apparatus for staff for two aerials (16 FTEs per apparatus) and a one-time $200,000 for equipment, and approximately $40,000 for the electronic medical records software for the Public Safety Wellness Center.” The amendment was approved on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Hall-Martin was off the dais. …
