URB_Approved_Minutes_4-15-2024 — original pdf
Approved Minutes
URBAN RENEWAL BOARD MEETING MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024 The URBAN RENEWAL BOARD convened on MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024, at the Permitting and Development Center - 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr. in Austin, Texas. CALL TO ORDER Chair Manuel Escobar called the Urban Renewal Board meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. with four members present. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Manuel Escobar, Vice Chair Darrell W. Pierce, and Commissioners Kobla Tetey and Amit Motwani were present. Commissioner Watson joined the dais at 6:16pm. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: No commissioners attended remotely Board Members Absent/off the dais at call to order: Commissioner Tam Hawkins was absent, and Commissioner Watson was off the dais. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the URB’s special-called meeting on March 18, 2024 On Commissioner Tetey’s motion, Commissioner Motwani’s second, the March 18, 2024, minutes were approved, on a 4-0-0 vote with Commissioners Hawkins absent and Commissioner Watson off the dais. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update and discussion regarding the appointment of the seventh commissioner to the Urban Renewal Board (URB) 1 3. 4. 5. Chair Escobar briefed the board that there was no appointment of a seventh commissioner at this time. Presentation and discussion regarding the FY 24-29 Consolidated Plan process and related community needs and federal spending priorities (Chris Duran, Julie Smith, and James May, Housing Department) Julie Smith and James May gave the presentation. Discussion related to updates on future development of Blocks 16 & 18 from Austin Economic Development Corporation, including the Request for Proposals process and Evaluation process underway (Anne Gatling Haynes and Jose Lopez, Austin Economic Development Corporation) Anne Gatling Haynes gave a brief update. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discuss and approve a recommendation to City Council supporting the continued need for the Urban Renewal Plan and Urban Renewal Agency in response to the City Ordinance No. 20181213-101 (Chair Escobar) Following discussion, the board requested this item be taken up again at the May 20, 2024, meeting focusing on further action in support of the URB’s FY2025 budget request. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Chair recessed the meeting for Executive Session at 7:17pm. 6. Discuss legal matters related to the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of an interest in Blocks 16 and 18 located on East 11th Street in Austin (Private consultation with legal counsel - Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code) The Chair entered into the private consultation with legal counsel at 8:32pm. The Chair recessed into Executive Session again at 8:49pm. 2 7. Discuss real estate matters related to the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of an interest in Blocks 16 and 18 located on East 11th Street in Austin (Real Property - Section 551.072 of the Texas Government Code) The Chair closed Executive Session and reconvened the public session at 8:52pm. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Further action in support of the FY2025 budget recommendation made to Council ADJOURNMENT Chair Escobar adjourned the meeting at 8:53p.m. without objection. The minutes of the April 15, 2024, URB meeting were approved at the May 20, 2024, meeting on Commissioner Watson’s motion, Commissioner Motwani’s second, on a 5-0-0 vote. Commissioner Hawkins was off the dais, and there was one vacancy on the board. 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 Courtney Banker at the Housing Department, at (512) 974-3114, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Urban Renewal Board, please contact Courtney Banker at (512) 974- 3114. 3